Hawaiian Salad.

1 package rotini, cooked and drained
1 bottle Brianna's Poppy Seed dressing
1 1/2 c chicken cooked and shredded
1 large can mandarin oranges
1 large apple cut into small pieces
1 bunch grapes cut in halves
1 c. shredded cheese of your choice
3/4 c. raisins
1/2 c. slivered almonds

Combine all ingredients except cheese & stir until well mixed. Add cheese & mix till blended.

I am still on my kick of eating everything we have before getting more groceries and thought this recipe was perfect for using up what we have on hand. We haven't actually tried it yet, but it sure sounds good. And.....we're using up what we have on hand!

Corn On The Cob.

I found the best idea in my Real Simple magazine for cutting corn kernels off the cob. Stick the ear of corn thin end down into the tube of an angel food cake pan or bundt cake pan so that it's standing upright then run your knife down the cob. The corn cob doesn't move as you're trying to slice the kernels off and the kernels fall directly into the pan.

We tried this tonight with our leftover corn. It worked so well! I then scooped the kernels into a freezer container and popped the container in the freezer.

Salad Recipe.

Pineapple Pretzel Salad
1 cup coarsely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar, divided
1 8 ounce package softened cream cheese
1 20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 12 ounce container of Cool Whip, thawed

In a bowl or gallon ziploc bag combine pretzels, butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 7 minutes. Loosen and let cool.

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until creamy. Fold in pineapple and Cool Whip. Break pretzel mixture into small pieces; stir into pineapple mixture. Chill.

Fun Morning Out.

Addie and I spent a great morning at Paula's yesterday. While Paula and I picked beans, rummaged through tubs of hand-me-down clothing and drank Carmel Macchiato's from Starbucks, Piper and Addison played. There's nothing quite like spending time with good friends!

Random Thoughts.

Lots of random thoughts going on in my mind these days.......I don't know where to start.......Well I guess I'll start with the fact that I can't believe summer is almost over. I feel like I missed it.......We've all loved that Marty isn't working up at Hosanna anymore.......haven't missed his job or that place for one minute.......I'm still trying to figure out a way to get back into scrapbooking........I accomplished my baking goal that I set way back in January. Or was it February? Anyway......I've been baking up a storm around here but for whatever reason I can't seem to figure out a way to squeeze scrapbooking in........grrr....I fell off the bandwagon with reading, too. Haven't been doing too much of that these days......I miss it.....maybe this fall I'll get back into reading....We are canceling our Y membership......Can't justify paying the membership fee each month when I'm the only one who enjoys going........the kids can still take swimming lessons, it'll just cost more out of pocket. Interstingly enough it's cheaper paying out of pocket versus paying for the membership AND the swimming lessons.......I found I rather miss running and walking in the great outdoors. Definitely smells better than the gym, that's for sure.....so I'm fine with not going anymore.......plus I'll save on gas.....Still wish I could find time to sew too......I bought a great pattern online from a fun blog a few weeks back.......and there it sits.......I really miss my Mormon church...... especially after meeting so many great fellow Mormons during Joseph....but I'm starting to find a groove at Eaglebrook. Meghan and I volunteered to fill backbacks for their backpack drive. I even sent in an interest form for volunteering in the bookstore on campus but haven't heard back yet......Anyway, I'm off to rustle up dinner for the troops.......thanks for letting me ramble! Sometimes you just need to get your thoughts written down in order to get them organized! Ahhh organizing.......but that's a different post!

Today.

FOR TODAY...
Outside my window... it's raining
I am thinking... I should clean my scrapbooking room
I am thankful for... family
From the kitchen... a fresh pot of coffee is brewing
I am wearing... denim capris and a tee shirt
I am creating... I'd love to find time to create!
I am going... to Jr High Youth Group with Meghan tonight
I am reading... Frill Kill by Laura Childs
I am hoping...to find time to squeeze a work out in
I am hearing...the Apple Dumpling Gang playing in Noah's room
Around the house...it's a bit disheveled today
One of my favorite things... coffee in the afternoon
A few plans for the rest of the week: None. We're taking the summer day by day this year.

Very Frightening.

I am going against my cardinal rule of "no politics" on my blog, but when I saw this I just knew I had to post it. It's some exerpts from Obama's Healthcare Reform that I copied off of The Family Acorn's blog. (the editorial comments are The Acorns as well. he had very valid points so I left them in. hopefully he isn't too mad at me)

Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with FREE health care services.
Page 59: The Federal government will have direct, real-time, access to all individual bank accounts including electronic funds transfer.
Page 65: Taxpayers will SUBSIDIZE all union retiree and community organizer plans. Read SEIU, UAW, ACORN)
Page 95: The Government will pay ACORN and Americorps to sign up individual for Government-run healthcare.
Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes. (To me, this would just encourage themnot to become US citizens so they never will have to pay taxes or pay for healthcare)
Page 195: Officers and Employees of Government Healthcare Bureaucracy will have access to ALL financial and personal records.
Page 203: The TAX imposed under this section shall not be treated as a TAX. HUH??? Kind of like “It depends what the definition of IS….IS”
Page 241: Doctors: no matter the specialty, will all be paid the same……A Heart specialist will be paid the same as a foot doctor or a Doctor of Chiropractic…..oh yeah that will work well!!!!!
Page 268: Government will regulate the purchase or rental of power-driven wheelchairs.
Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion without Government approval.
Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS individuals
Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills and durable powers of attorney. (This would appear to lock in estate taxes ahead of time.)
Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of –life treatment. (ORDERS!!!)
Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consultant will be used to dictate treatment as patient’s health deteriorates which includes an ORDER for end-of-life plans. (AN ORDER from the Government as to when life should end)
Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of –life

First of all, who voted for this guy??? And why??? Second, this is scary. Very very scary. And third, I think I'm moving to Australia. I'll give you my forwarding address when I get there!

If you want/need more highlights click here.

Backgrounds.

Our family's blog list keeps growing and growing. If you look under 'What's On Our Laptops' on the sidebar you'll see what I mean.

But I have to say, I am so proud of Marty's newest blog I Got Your Background. He has done an amazing job of creating backgrounds for blogs. He has some really cool backgrounds posted. I'm in total awe. If you haven't visited this blog, you should. It's awesome.

Honestly, I don't know how he knows these things. But then that's why he's the "Tech Guy" and I'm not!

Berry And Banana Salad.

Here's another go to recipe in our house. I got this from Williams Sonoma about 6 years ago. We all love it. It's a different spin on traditional fruit salad because it uses powdered sugar. And so easy to mix and match different fruits if you don't have berries or bananas on hand. So all in all it's a pretty adaptable salad!

Berry And Banana Salad
1/2 lb strawberries sliced thinly
1/2 lb blueberries
2 bananas thinly sliced
3/4 cup powdered sugar
juice of 1 orange
juice of 1/2 lemon

Combine the berries and bananas in a bowl. Add the powdered sugar, sugar orange juice and lemon juice. Gently mix until the sugar disolves. Let chill before serving.

note: I will substitute a couple tablespoons of orange juice for the actual orange if I don't have an orange on hand and it works just fine. Same for the lemon.

Oven French Toast.

This was breakfast this morning. We must have this twice a month. So easy and yummy.

Oven French Toast
1/4 c butter
1 c packed brown sugar
2 tbsp corn syrup
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 loaf Texas toast bread

6 large eggs
1 1/2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

In a saucepan combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and cinnamon. When melted and carmel like pour into a 9x13 pan. Arrange the bread slices on top of the butter mixture. In a mixing bowl whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla and salt. Pour over the bread. Cover and refridgerate over night. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Around The House.

Pick a pair, any pair!

The Apple Dumpling Gang rides again!

I should add that these pictures were taken at the same time. At last count that afternoon I had 11 kids in my house. What a zoo!

Applesauce.

Take a good look at that picture. Enjoy it. Savor it. Because all we have left is the picture. Two minutes after I took this picture, this jar of applesauce (our last jar I should add) was devoured by three starving kids and one hungry husband!

This past fall I discovered how utterly easy and inexpensive (not to mention tasty!) it is to make homemade applesauce. Since then it has been a unanimous favorite around here. The only problem I have run into with it is keeping it in the house!

Anyway, with apple season around the corner (sort of!) I thought I'd share the recipe I use.

Just be sure you empty the water out of your jelly jars before you start though! (see Love These People post)

Applesauce
8 apples, cored, peeled and cut into chunks
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water or apple juice (I prefer apple juice)
3/4 cup sugar

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low 8-10 hours. Mash to desired texture and ladel into jars.

Pineapple Chicken Salad.

I got a new recipe from my mom yesterday so I thought I would share it. Sounds yummy and looks simple~ a win win sitaution in my opinion!

Pineapple Chicken Salad
1 -1/2 lb boneless chicken breast cooked and cubed
1 cup well drained Pineapple tidbits
1 cup chopped celery
1 ½ - 2 cups cooked pasta

Dressing:
1 cup mayo
1 tsp Grey Poupon mustard
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
Mix well.

Fold together all of above. Top with 1/2 toasted sliced Almonds. Chill and serve.

This Is So Great!

I saw this while blog surfing today. This video is awesome! I was laughing so hard I was crying! I think it's something every mom can relate to.

Feels Like Home.

Kudos to my favorite guy for designing the newest Schires' Five background. He did an awesome job! It feels just like home to me~ I love it! All I'm missing is my music (some Jon Schmidt playing in the background would be perfect) some small accent lamps (I love little lamps) and my room sprays!

Getting Old?

If I am starting to carry these in my purse does that mean I'm getting old?