Every year, as a Christmas gift, Jay and I plan a creative dinner for his parents. It works out really well, since Ray and Anita have everything they could possibly need or want that is within our meager price range. Four Christmases ago we started doing this and it was such a hit, that we've kept it up as a tradition. The dinner has a theme (of course--what would life be like without themes?). We've done a ballroom dance with a fancy dinner(we dressed up real nice); we did a mystery dinner (everyone was dressed in detective garb); last year was our "pajama" party, where we wore p.j.'s and had breakfast for dinner; and finally, this year, we had a "Mother Goose" evening. We all dressed as characters from different nursery rhymes and the food I served came from nursery rhymes, too. For example, we had roast beef (from "This little piggy went to market"), a cottage cheese-based fruit salad ("Little Miss Muffet... eating her curds and whey"), cherry cream cheese tarts for dessert ("The Queen of Hearts made some tarts"), and water served from a pail ("Jack and Jill"), etc. We also gave them an old Mother Goose nursery rhymes book that we doctored a little (we included some of our own nursery rhymes). It was a great evening! Of course, the best part was spending time talking with Jay's parents. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to post a few pictures from the whole event, which was last Saturday.

O.k. so, I've included the pictures, but obviously, they need to be flipped. I don't know how to do it because I am not in the least computer saavy. Use your imagination and in the meantime, I'll try to learn how to use this thing! The top picture features the Three Blind Mice (Colby had to be included--the other kiddies were at a friend's house so that we could enjoy some uninterrupted adult time). The middle one is Ray and Anita as Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater and Old Mother Hubbard. The last photo is well...a table shot. Notice the faces on the plates and spoons? You guessed it--"Hey diddle diddle...." Fun, isn't it?

So, one more V.Day post. Check it out! This is a picture I took from our front porch this morning. Carter was leaving to walk down to the bus stop with Jay. But...no bus came. School was 2 hours late--oops! It snowed! On Valentine's Day! What a treat. Gorgeous , isn't it? The kids went out into the backyard and built a snow man. It's great to finally have a backyard--I mean, we were in that dinky condo for seven years. We love our new house! I sure hope someone is reading this. Bye!

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone! I woke up early this morning to make a special breakfast for the family. Those who know me know that I have a weird thing for "themes". The V.Day theme for this year is "Toes". I know, I know--toe-tally strange (o.k...that was "corny"). I found a really tasty recipe for Almond French Toast, so I thought I would share. This is a great meal to show your man you think he's "toe-tally" hot!

French Toe-st with Toe-sted Almonds
1 cup slivered almonds
3 eggs
1 cup milk
3 T. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
12 thick French bread slices
3 T. oil
3 T. butter

Toast almonds in a saucepan until light brown (5 to 10 min.). Whisk eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, salt, almond extract, and vanilla. Soak bread slices til saturated. Place in a shallow pan and refrigerate for one hour. Heat oil and butter over med. heat. Press one side of soaked bread slices in almonds to coat. Cook both sides in the oil and buttered pan.
*** I served this "toe-st" with powdered sugar and a little bit of whipped cream on top and stawberries on the side. Round it out with some southern style hashbrowns (they're the little square-looking ones--well, they look the most like toes) and some bacon. I made some Carmelized Bacon which tastes mysteriously like the outer edge of a Honey Baked Ham. Here's the recipe: 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1 tsp. of cinnamon, and 1/2 lb. of bacon (about 8 slices). Heat oven to 450 and spray broiler pan with cooking spray. Line bottom of pan with foil. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon and coat the bacon in the mixture. Bake for 12-15 min. til done.
***"Toe-tally" tasty, but really filling. I normally have at least three snacks between breakfast and lunch (well, I am a nursing mother), but I was so full, I didn't eat until 12:30 for lunch. Phew!

If you want to know more about my "Toe" theme, here goes (if not, log off!--this is a rather lengthy post). THe kids and I made Jay a place mat that had their foot prints on it and said, "We toe-tally love you, Dad!" I wrote him a poem, of course. I also gave him some slippers, which he really wanted because our house is rather chilly. Tonight (shhh! DOn't tell because he doesn't know yet) we'll have a "Toe-st" to us (I'm trying a new smoothie recipe) and I'll give him a foot and toe massage by the fire (cuz it's "toe-sty"). FUn stuff. Anyway, hope you all have or had a fabulous Valentines Day!

Hey, Jen (and everyone else)! This is what I'm fixing for dinner tonight. It's a pretty tasty soup (I've made it several times). So, when it's not a million degrees there in Arizona, give it a try. This soup is even somewhat healthy. Happy cooking!

Hearty Hamburger Soup

1 lb. ground beef (I use turkey, of course)
4 cups water
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
3 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery (you don't have to add this, jen)
4 beef bouillon cubes
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 cup cut fresh or frozen green beans

In a large saucepan,cook meat til done. Add next 10 ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 min. or til potatoes and carrots are tender. Add beans. Cover and simmer 15 more min. or til beans are tender. I usually sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

Our Avery (age 5) sure loves her her new little brother, Colby Parker. She talks to him in a high, squeaky "mommy" voice and smothers him (literally sometimes) with kisses. I just love this picture--it captures Avery's maternal nature perfectly. Colby has started smiling (which I haven't caught on film yet)--he most frequently smiles at Avery. I can't believe he's almost 2 monthes old!

Jared (or "Jay" to some--I've never called him Jared, not even when he's in trouble) and I met almost 14 years ago at a youth Pioneer Trek. We were both stupid and giddy high school kids that called each other things like, "Lary" and "Curly". I was "Lary" (as in HiLary) and Jay was "Curly" (well, he had curly hair which he grew out really long in front and then slicked back--Sweet!). We often wondered, "Who's Moe?" In my vivid romantic imaginings, I pictured Moe as our first child. Jay, on the other hand, didn't even know what a "romantic imagining" was. He had no clue that he would one day marry his stupid and giddy high school friend, Lary. So now, almost 14 years later, Lary and Curly have four little "Moes" (none of which are called "Moe", ironically). Anyway, that is a long-winded reason for both our address and our blog title. Hopefully, we can use this blog to post some fun things about our little family of stooges.