Book Club January 2008

This month for BC we read Vince Flynn "Protect and Defend".....One of these cutiest could easily be our hero Mitch Rapp. But before we get to hung up on him, we are all assured that he doesn't play by the rules....which means he probably wouldn't fit into any one of BC girls long range goals. Mitch Rapp is enlisted by CIA director Irene Kennedy to investigate the destruction of Iran's nuclear production facility. The usual intrigue ensues and Kennedy and Rapp end up traveling to Iran to defuse a geopolitical crisis. Kennedy is abducted, and in Rapp's tough guy manner, she is rescued. Rapp, as is usual, is willing to do anything to protect his country and those with whom his loyalties lie.

Books bring us together, but they certainly don't dominate the conversations. This little saying on Deb's family room wall could certainly be the motto of our group.

Debbie's house is always so warm and inviting, but last night with the snow coming down, we found ourselves cuddling up in warm blankets, hoping Winter has spent enough time with us this year.

We always have so much food to eat. This months menu was homemade chicken noodle soup, broccoli and cheese soup, homemade rolls, salad, and a yummy fluffy cherry salad. There are always plenty of candies and treat to enjoy and then comes the dessert.

BANANA CREAM PIE and BERRY CREAM PIE......Yummmmie!

Look how happy we are when we get together!
I LOVE BOOK CLUB.

Super Snack Foods

For many of us, snack time is when we lose control of our diets, either by overeating, or by indulging in high-fat, high-calorie foods. This often happens because we allow ourselves to get too hungry and then are unable to stop ourselves from overeating. To avoid getting too hungry, it is recommended that you always carrying a healthy, portable snack with you when you know you'll be out on the run without easy access to healthy food choices. Try getting at least two food groups in each of those snacks so that you're getting a combination of carbohydrates and fat/protein, which will help keep you satisfied longer. Here, are some super snack food ideas:

Nutty Corn Mix

This trail mix is made in our own new business Wholefood 2 U. We are just getting our company off the ground. We are so excited about our many products. This one is a snack food item. It has a cajun spice (not to spicy) mix coating. It is packed full of glad corn, giant corn nuts, regualr corn nuts, sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds, soy nuts, pumpkin seeds, pecans, and the spices.

Recommended serving size: 1 oz 160 calories

Light Microwave Popcorn
Although this is a single-food snack, it is recommended because of its high fiber and B vitamin content. Plus, who can resist the smell of popcorn?
Recommended Serving Size: 1 cup, 30 calories

~~ Yogurt with Blueberries ~~

Dish up some plain low-fat yogurt with blueberries for a sweet treat that has a similar texture to ice cream. Yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein, and blueberries are packed with valuable antioxidants that help fight off heart disease. If fresh blueberries aren't in season, try frozen instead -- they work great in cool, creamy yogurt. Or if you get bored with blueberries, substitute any other fruit like mango, cranberries, cherries, kiwi, etc. Recommended Serving Size: Plain, low-fat yogurt, 1/2 cup, 56 calories Blueberries, 2/3 cup, 30 calories

Banana with Almond Butter ~~~

This combination will keep you satisfied for a longer time than either on their own because of the combination of fiber in the banana and protein and fat in the almond butter.

Bananas are also an excellent source of potassium, which helps prevent muscle cramps and is essential for normal brain function. If you don't have almond butter, peanut butter is a great substitute.

Recommended Serving Size: Medium banana, 95 calories Almond butter, 1 tablespoon, 101 calories

Hummus with Pita Bread

~~~~ Our family favorite, we introduce all our friends to this tempting dish~~~~

Made from chickpeas, hummus provides protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Spread hummus on pita bread for some added carbohydrates. This is by far my daughter’s favorite snack. She calls me often to send me on a Hummus run. We buy it from a local restaurant every chance we get. It comes garnished with thin sliced red onions, olives, and sun dried tomatoes. Next time we go to "Rooster's" we'll take a better picture.

Hummus makes a great sandwich spread as well. Recommended Serving Size: Hummus, 2 tablespoons, 83 calories Pita bread, 1 round, 195 calories

Apple with Brie Cheese

Our son introduced us to this, he loves brie cheese, and this snack is also a hit with everyone in the family. Please stick to a small amount of cheese with this snack because of brie's high saturated fat content ~pretty hard to do. However, brie does offer a good protein source. Apples have a low glycemic index, which means they keep hunger at bay longer than other fruits.

Recommended Serving Size: Apple, 47 calories Brie cheese, 2 ounces, 160 calories

Salsa with Baked Tortilla Chips

The ingredients in salsa vary greatly, but most tomato-based vegetable salsas are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and lycopene, which helps prevent heart disease and some cancers. Avoid high-calorie fried chips by purchasing the baked varieties instead, and be sure to look for varieties that list zero trans fats on their nutrition labels.

Recommended Serving Size: Salsa, 2 ounces, 20 calories Baked tortilla chips, 1 ounce, 120

This is just a list of the few snack foods our family enjoys. The biggest thing people need to consider is the size of the portions. A snack is supposed to be something to carry you through and take the edge off. It's not a meal before a meal.
You can fill yourself up and not even realize you're doing it. In other words, even the right snack can sabotage your waistline if you're not careful.

Snacking is here to stay. We know it's hard to have three squares a day, so the goal should be to have a snack that's as healthy as it can be and keep us from pigging out at dinner.

Please visit our website to view many of our other products at:

http://www.abundancelivingfood.com/

All Done

Oh My Goodness, it worked. It was actually a little difficult to get out of the pot, but it baked "Almost" perfectly. It was mighty tasty as well. I'm going to try using Rhodes Rolls next time. I've found several recipes that sound pretty good.

I know it looks like I made this back in December, no ....I'm just getting around to putting away the silk plants and I wanted some kind of nice background. Here is the Flowerpot bread after it is half gone.

Rosemary Bread in a Flower Pot

My first attempt at making Rosemary Bread in a Flowerpot. Here it is ready to go into the oven.

Flowerpots provide a very natural setting, along with herbs from my garden, that is fun to enjoy during the middle of winter. If you try this you should only use American pot, foreign ones tend to contain lead. Once the bread is made, it can be frozen a day in advance and reheated at party time.

I'll post pictures later this afternoon when it comes out of the oven. Can't wait ~ I love Rosemary Bread.

Loving in 2008

This link loving in 2008 came from Sasha, but I was tagged by lifeinthelostworld Jayedee who I think is so awesome.

I have randomly selected 5 of you below to be tagged and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog. You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!) It’s real easy! Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!The benefits of Viral Linking:
- One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!
- Increase your Google PageRank fast
- Attract large volume of new traffic to your site
- Build your community
- Make new friends!Add your blog url here...The Strategist Notebook Link Addiction Ardour of the Heart When Life Becomes a Book The Malaysian Life Yogatta.com What goes under the sun Roshidan’s Cyber Station Sasha says Arts of Physics And the legend lives My View, My Life A Simple Life What Women REALLY Think Not Much More Than This life in the lost world ladolcevitaleann your next!


stephandtheboyz, thezitohouse, familycorner, emptymind, knittyinthesouth


Now, add/tag 5 of your friends blogs…

Ukulele

When I was 8 years old, my parents bought me a ukulele. Not the one with Tiny Tim's picture on it, but a very nice ukulele. I took private lessons for a couple of years. In 1960 I remember seeing Tiny Tim on the Tonight Show singing Tiptoe Through the Tulips. I thought he was a little crazy singing in his falsetto/vibrato voice, but he surely could play the ukulele.

My granddaughter now has a uke... I can't wait to help her learn to play. Tonight I spent several minutes trying to help her dad tune it over the phone. After several failed attempts he went to his piano and said it was at least an octave out of tune.

I'm sure Jason will be posting a You Tube as soon as she can strum a few cords.

2 B This Cute!

Please indulge me in some personal boastfulness.....this cutie pie calls me Grandma.

Miss Halie was ambulatory from early-on. She was walking at about 9 months... really! I would like to take full credit, but no it was mom and dad that spent hours leaning over, as she reached up and grasped their fingers firmly in her tiny hands and soon she was up and walking around.

I would like take credit for the yoga...because I did buy the DVD...that counts! Look at that Tree Pose! As soon as I have a picture of her hula-hooping ~ I do get the credit, we hoop together often.

Update

The driveways and sidewalks are cleared ---- yippy skippy....ready for round 2 ~~~~Winter storm warning in effect until 6 PM mst this afternoon.

Here Comes A Week of Snow

The front yard
From the bedroom window

A dress rehearsal of the week to come. Snow, Snow, Snow~! Snow...heavy at times this morning. Snow tapering off in the afternoon. Accumulation 1 to 3 inches valley floor and 4 to 7 inches benches. Temperature falling through the 30s. West winds 10 to 20 mph through the morning. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

That 100 percent...it's here. Today will be an indoor RECESS..that's right, I have lots of plans for today, laundry, dishes, change sheets, make a pot of hot chocolate, and crawl into the big chair with a book.

I've been away from the blog spot, didn't feel great, had lots of company, and trying to get all those Christmas Trees into a good storage place.

I'll drop by this afternoon with an update on the progress of the snow and mine as well.

Ah the Joys of a White Christmas

The sun is shining the grass is "WHITE" the sky is the brightest blue you have ever seen. What a beautiful Christmas Day. I took this picture to show you all the snow coming off the roof of my home, but look at that blue sky! WOW!

The bushes are covered, the bird houses are drifted in, the poinsettias are .....

There are lots of laws about parking cars on the street after the 1st of November....I'm campaigning for a new law..."Electric Snow Melting Systems installed in every driveway!" I truly envy anyone who has this wonderful system that is buried cables underground, which heat surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways (BYU has them... I know... I walked the campus sidewalks many winters....they were clear and clean!)

DH said they must of course be laid before concrete is poured! Now since we got a new driveway 2 years ago I can't remeber what the problem was or why I didn't request the system be put in immediately.

Installation and maintenance costs were probably a big consideration, but to me it would be worth it, "if someone else is doing the work and paying the bill of course" becauseI truly dread tackling a snow-covered driveway at 5 a.m. and even worse I hate a driveway covered with snow! It ranks right up there with unmowed lawn!

That little picture on the side bar...No way!

So I walk the 10,000 steps and take the picture of the pedometer, post it in the side bar....Oh no you can't see the numbers and I'm not going to let this day go without the proof that I actually did the entire 10,000 and then some. Mind you, I can't feel my feet but I made it! Just for the record of course!

Panna Cotta with Blackberry Sauce

Jason made panna cotta today, and I had to steal the picture and recipe, to bad I live so far far away as Ms. Halie says, I would have been having my share of this today. Big mistake on Jason's part, because we are having Christmas Dinner next Saturday. This will be dessert, right Jason!

More good news ~~~ I HAVE A CHRISTMAS TREE

picture and blog to follow.

AND~~~~ My BFF Nancy gave me a gift that I must keep a secret. You know those good kind of things that make you cry, well that is what I got from her. I was going to wait until Christmas to open it, but then I thought, "Maybe she gave me ........" Oh, I REALLY have to open it right now and sure enough, there it was. I will do a post on Christmas Day about this very inspirational gift.

Panna Cotta with Blackberry Sauce
INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup milk

1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin

2 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Pour milk into a small bowl, and stir in the gelatin powder. Set aside.

2. In a saucepan, stir together the heavy cream and sugar, and set over medium heat. Bring to a full boil, watching carefully, as the cream will quickly rise to the top of the pan. Pour the gelatin and milk into the cream, stirring until completely dissolved. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and pour into six individual ramekin dishes.

3. Cool the ramekins uncovered at room temperature. When cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before serving.

Take to your mother's home for dessert!

Gathering at book club has been an incredible journey for 7 years for many of us, some of us are much newer to the club, but definitely now part of our the group. Each time we gather together as a group we celebrate our life and experiences. At the dinner table each of us shared our happiest memory of 2007 and something that happened that was agonizing. Some were journeys that we certainly didn’t enjoy, but love and smiles of our happy memories make it all worth it.
Here we are gathering at Jill's island...everyone brought something for dinner tonight. Jill made her wonderful pork roast. Deb brought potatoes (yummy), Lisa brought red and green jello salads, Joy brought a layered jello very festive Christmas colors, Nina brought veggies that I had several servings of, I made rolls, Nancy and Vickie provided dessert. Joy also brought goodies caramel popcorn and trail mix. Yes, I brought my hot chocolate!

Deb is getting sick of me taking pictures.

Vickie wants to start a new tradition for Christmas, reading a short Christmas story to the group. I love the idea.

We each brought a new book, one we hadn't read for book club, and exchanged them. Here's the gift pill waiting to be opened. Zachary is the handsome little one that makes us all smile.

Jill's book was a pop up Snowman book, Zachary was so happy!

One of my greatest blessings in life is the contentment I get from being with my book club friends. There is always time for the shopping I love to do and more to accomplish in my classroom each day, but I have learned over my many years (yes it is many) that as we travel through life, it really is short, so we need to make it count. I grateful that I am able to read books that have taken me to place I might never be able to go – (my agonizing memory of 2007 ~ a canceled trip to Italy). Lucky for me someone selected Playing for Pizza by Grisham for one of our months.

I look forward to meeting again next month to enjoy life, laughter and each other.

Reason for the Season

The Ultimate Sign of Christmas

So far this season there is no Christmas tree in our home.
There's a tree in the grand hotel ~ Marriott
and this beautiful one in the park as well.
It's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow
Take a look, sure enough there's snow on her!

BUT THERE IS NOT A TREE AT MY HOUSE!

With the organizational thing going on here, the old Christmas tree was donated to someone else's home...I don't know the lucky family, maybe it is still on the showroom of the DI, guess I could check that out. Actually the tree was somewhere around 40 years old, a few broken branches, a few lost pine needles, but in relatively good shape....but gone to reside with a new family this year. Deep sigh!

A week ago, I asked the DH if I bought a tree could I possibly store it in his HUGE warehouse....hmm he said, "Well, hmmm I don't have much room." Oh that through me into the spirit of Christmas --you betcha!

Moving forward to this morning.... DH said, "Should we get a Christmas Tree?" I of course playing the martyr role very well at this point said, "NOPE!"

So tonight I have made the decision to bring home the movie "The House without a Christmas Tree" when DH suggests that we watch a movie I'll be more than happy to start up the DVD player.

And soon he will be watching Addie who wants nothing more for the holidays than a what.....A CHRISTMAS TREE....and her father (good old Jason Robards), is that bitter, snarly, old coot who refuses to put up a tree due to events from the family's past. ~I know the story of my DH's Christmas past...he never got what the neighbor kids got....sad life...etc! Get over it already, he now has everything and anything his big heart desires!

Maybe this weekend I'll buy the tree after all and store it on his side of the garage!

Yes, I'm pretty festive about Christmas this year don't you think?

My Girl

Stunning....for those of you who haven't dropped by my son's photos, I just had to share another outstanding great capture. 19 degrees here tonight, but the grandkids love playing in the snow.

What a Surprise I made the Cover!

Seriously Today is National Noodle-Ring Day

How could I have missed this holiday? Where have I been? National Noodle Ring Day
When : Always December 11
National Noodle Ring Day is a December day that kids young and old have impatiently await......yeah, right!

What would cooking be like without the noodle ring? I do shudder to think about it. I for one am certainly relieved that the Noodle Ring exists, so I can cook them in one recipe after another..... And, doesn't it make sense that we honor the Noodle Ring with its own very special day!? Look you can even get your own t-shirt.....

Your own mug! or just walk down memory lane with all the noodles ~~~ can you name all these noodles with your noodle?

Here is your word bank in case you are in need of a few hints:

rotini - capellini - farfalle - conchiglie - ruote - wide egg noodles - rigatoni - and fusilli

I left off the easy ones - macaroni, manicotti, spaghetti, and lasagne.

Now even more anticipations..... tomorrow is National Ding-a-ling day! Any inspirations?

December Snow

I just had to post this great picture of my kids having so much fun in the snow. They had 10 inches at their house this morning. In spite of the harsh winter and hectic stressful nature of the season, or maybe because of all that, I'm glad they are able to take some time out to enjoy actually being together with each other. Now it's time to come inside and have some of Grandma's hot chocolate. To far to drive, so here is the recipe!

Grandma LeAnn's Hot Chocolate

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup Ghirardelli sweet ground chocolate

1 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 quart half and half

2 cups water

Mini marshmallows (optional)

In a large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, ground chocolate, vanilla and salt;

mix well.

Over medium heat, slowly stir in milk and water; heat through, stirring occasionally.

DO NOT BOIL

Top with marshmallows, if desired.

TIP: Chocolate can be stored in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Mix well and reheat before serving.

Mexican Spiral Appetizers

Weight Watchers 1 spiral 1 point....the problem.....you can't eat just 1. We made these for Birthday Treats at work this week. They are so yummy I came home and made a double batch for the weekend. We of course tweaked the recipe some so here is our version:

8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup diced cooked chicken
1/4 lb Pepper Jack Cheese
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons diced jalapeno peppers
or canned jalapeno
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3 (10 inch) flour tortillas
EVOO
Salsa
Sour Cream
Guacamole

Preparation:
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, chicken, pepper jack cheese, cilantro, jalapeno peppers, and cumin. Spread mixture evenly over tortillas.

Roll up each tortilla tightly around chicken mixture. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Just before serving, cut each tortilla roll into 1/2 inch slices. Arrange on greased baking sheet, brush with oil, bake in 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serve hot with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Enjoy -- I'm sure you can't eat just one, that is why we doubled the recipe.

Shopping for Christmas

Honestly, my DH doesn't even get this far into the mall.... So my trip includes the blue line as well. Our plan today was to go finish up our shopping. This is what we found this morning in our backyard, front yard, street....etc. It's beautiful, but looks like a stay in the house day, sit by the fireplace, read a new book kinda day to me. Maybe even eat some goodies...not doing well this week on the diet, 2 parties blew the plan!

The flakes were huge last night !

It starting snowing early in the evening

didn't stop, hasn't stopped, it must be winter.