When is Spring coming?

I really want spring to arrive!! We have a couple of horses that need ridden. It was good to be back at the Temple today--minus the leaded glass front doors. Apparently, someone broke them out a couple of weeks ago. No one has said if they are going to be replaced. They have put some frosted glass in their place. I understand that they will be getting security cameras. This is second time in about as many months that door has taken a hit. It is so sad. It is being patrolled now.

Last Sunday Arria was blessed by her Grandfather, Kyle and then later that night we attended when Kyle was set apart as Pasco North High Councilman. Just too bad we could not be in two places at once. Tom Black was set apart as High Councilor in Pasco Stake. Now that Pasco has been divided (Feb 20th.), it will seem sad not two see the Black's and Schull's at Stake activities.

Fog is Lifting! Yeah!

I can see down to Coulson's--Spring must be coming... Fixing dinner, along w/ all the other Related Connellites! to take to the Davis Family. I feel it is one of the last things I can do for Vaughan. I've enjoyed visiting him the last few years and have felt sorrow for his loneliness. It has made me appreciate the goodness of my family and the blessing activity in the Church brings! I am aware of the Atonement and that I have accomplished very little and am so dependent upon the One who made everything possible for me. If I have learned anything it is to appreciate one's health and family and to cling to the teachings of a Living Prophet. May you continue on your upward path until we are united in eternity. I rejoice in those of yours and my ancestors who held to the iron rod and continued to be obedient. I cannot wait to embrace them with tears on my face for their sacrifices. I am truly the most blessed of anyone! Love, Mom

Recipes!

Here is the recipe that I served last summer:
MEXICAN BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
6 corn Tortillas cut into squares
2-7 oz cans chopped Chiles (I use mild)
1 lb sausage--browned
1 lb shredded jack cheese
1/2 C. Milk
1/2 t Salt
1/2 t Pepper
1/2 t Cumin
1/2 t garlic Salt
1/4 t. onion Salt
8 eggs
Layer Tortillas, chiles, sausage, and cheese in 9x13 pan. Mix eggs, milk and spices together. Pour over the top of the layers. Refrigerate overnight. Bake @ 350 for 50-60 minutes. Serve with Salsa, Sour Cream etc.

These are two that I've made quite a lot:


BLUEBERRY BAKED FRENCH TOAST

12 slices day-old white bread - crust removed
2 pkg (8oz) Cream Cheese
1 C. Fresh or frozen Blueberries
12 eggs
2 C. Milk
1/3 C. Maple Syrup or honey

Sauce:
1 c. Sugar 2 T. Cornstarch 1 c. Water
1 C. Blueberries 1 T. Butter
Cut bread into 1 in cubes, place half in greased 13x9 pan.l cut cream cheese into 1 inch cubes, place over bread. Top with blueberries and remaining bread. In a laarge bowl beat eggs. Add milk and syrup, mix well. Pour over bread mixture. Cover and chill 8 hr or overnight. Remove from frig 30 min. before baking. Cover & bake 25-30 minutes @ 350. Uncover & bake 25-30 minutes more or until golden brown and center is set.
Sauce: In saucepan, combine sugar & cornstarch; add water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, boil for 3 min, stirring constantly. Stir in Blueberries , reduce heat. Simmer for 4-5 min or until blueberries have burst. Stir in butter until melted. Serve over Trench toast. Yild: 6-8 servings (1-3/4 c. Sauce)


PRALINE BAKED FRENCH TOAST
Buttermilk Syrup
1 c. Sugar 1/2 C. Butter 1/2 c. Buttermilk
Combine in saucepan and bring to boil. Remove from heat. Let stand one minute. Add: 1 t. soda and 1 t flavoring (Vanilla, maple, almond)

French Toast
1 loaf French Bread 8 large eggs 2 c. half and half 1 C. milk 2 T. sugar
1 t. Vanilla 1/4 t Cinnamon 1/4 t.l Nutmeg
Slice bread into about 20 slices, to fit into a buttered 9x13 pan. Should have two rows, slightly overlapping. In a larg bowl combine the egg, cream, sugar, vanilla, spices and salt; Mix with mixer til blended.l Pour over bread slices, making sure to cover well. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Next day, preheat oven to 350. Spread praline topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 min. or lightly browned and egg is set.l Serve with syrup
Praline Topping:
2 Stick Butter 1C.. Brown Sugar 1C. Chopped Pecans

This is the recipe I made last week:
APPLE LE-CREAM CHEESE STUFFED FRENCH TOAST
20 Slices Bread 8 Eggs 2 C. Half and Half 2 C. Milk 2t. Vanilla 1t Cinnamon 1/2 t Nutmeg
Filling:
16 oz cream Cheese 1 Egg, Beaten 1 t Vanilla 1 t Cinnamon 21 oz Can Apple Pie Filling
1. Mix the four filling ingredients together until well combine. Fold in the Apple pie filling
2. Spread cream cheese mixture over 10 slices of the bread and top with the other 10 slices forming a sandwich
3. Place bread sandwiches ina large baking pan that has been greased
4. Combine the eggs, half and half, milk, vanilla, & spices. Beat well.
5. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the top of the sandwiches until all the bread is soaked.
6. Cover & refrigerate overnight.
7. Bake @350 covered for approximately 40 minutes
8. Bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.
9. Let stand 10 mintes before cutting and serving.
10 Sprinkle with powedered sugar and toasted almonds. Serve warm with warm apple syrup.

WARM APPLE SYRUP
1 C. Sugar 2 T. cornstarch 1/4 t Nutmeg 2 T. Lime or Lemon Jice 2 C. Apple Juice 1/4 C. Butter
Mix sugar, cornstarch and nutmeg together. Add lime juice and apple juice. Boil together for 1 minute, then remove from heat and add butter.

HASH BROWN CRAB QUICHE
Grease 9x13 pan (or I used my crock pot)
1 pkg Hash Browns
3-4 Green Onion
1 8 oz Imitation Crab
1/2 C. Swiss cheese, grated
1/2 Colby Cheeswe, grated
4 Eggs
2 Cups Half and Half
1 t Salt
1/4 t. Cayenne Pepper
1 T. Fresh parsley
Preheat heat oven 425

Defrost package of hash brown. With a paper towel removed any excess moisture.
Press the hash browns along the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
Add 1 pkg of Imitation crab on top of potatoes; add 3-4 green (including green) sliced on top of crab. Sprinkle the cheese on top
Beat the eggs, cream , salt & spices until blended. Pour mixture over crab meat and cheeses. Bake 425 for 15 minutes then reduec heat to 300. Bake 40 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Cut and serve warm

I Can't Believe that you All Survived!

Today was a great family day for Ray and I. We hosted a breakfast for our children and their spouses. We have a Christmas Eve family traditon with all of our posterity, but the last several years we have had a kids and spouse get together. A couple of times (this year included), we've had a breakfast!

But, the part that amazes me is when the kids tell of some of their experiences from their growing up years--it is amazing that any of them made it to adulthood! And where were those negligent parents?

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR COMING!

Inside the Lake House

Just a few pictures, mostly after we moved furniture to Wild Duck Lake!

Cyd's Shower

A Fun day for us! And a beautiful bride to be!

Belated Halloween!

Fall is beautiful!

Just thinking today, how beautiful the changing leafs are. We have enjoyed a mixed up summer and early fall, but I would love for fall to keep hanging around. I like that Indian Summer feeling, but with the nights starting to get nippy, I know it won't last very long. I even like winter-- if I can stay inside! But, that's a long few months to be cooped up! Whatever, the Lord certainly has created a beautiful earth and I am fortunate to live here at this glorious time. I am privileged: I have a wonderful husband, a righteous family and good health. What more could I ask for? The gospel blesses my life continually.

Outside Lake Picts

Cabin!

I've been a little "bummed" ever since we sold our cabin in the Blue Mts. Mostly, because I had used money my Dad left me. I felt like I wanted something that the family would enjoy. So, I have been on the prowl to find a replacement (this time w/water). After a summer of looking, we found one on a lake (my desire was for water--remember!) It is more of a summer home. It has 2 bedrooms on the main floor, with vaulted ceiling in LR. The kitchen is in back of LR so together, it is fairly large area. The 2 brs on main floor are fairly small but the MB has a bath off of it. There is a half bath off the BR upstairs; and another bath downstairs, this one has a WD also. The kitchen is still pretty old but has a lot of nice cabinets and a DW! We are excited but a little frustrated because the owners do not want to be out until Nov 21. I don't like moving--but in the cold it's even worse! Guess we will be calling on family. Keep Nov 21 open (actually, it's a Sunday--I'm hoping they just might be out by that SAt).

Stoker 100 year Reunion!!

What a great time we had at Windust!! All but 4 were there from our family!! I think the tally was nearly 140 persons!! It was so much fun--I hope that you all had fun too!!

Movin' up

I don't think I will know how to act: we are getting our drive way Blacktopped! Just hope it will prove great since it is so expensive. We were wondering if the "crew" would show up since they were supposed to be here at 8am., but they had a flat tire on one of the trucks and waited 3 hrs for Les Swab to show up! Anyway they are here and say they will finish today! Yeah, yeah!

Thanks!

Our Moving Group! Just hoping we can find a replacement

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Sort of a Sad Day

Today, we went to Tollgate to move our "belongings" out of our mountain cabin. When we drove away, it was like saying "good-bye" to a treasured friend. We have had so many fun and happy times there. We hope that our children and grandchildren will fondly remember it. We trust that Jeff and his family will also have great times there. For so many of our children and mostly our in-laws that gave of their Saturday to load everything: THANK YOU!

Nashville Country Star

here is a pic of everyone after they announced what everyone got.
this is me after they announced my name as 2nd place and gave me my check.
here is Kira after they gave her the check and announced her name when she got 3rd place.
Kira for the audition (she sang Home Sweet Home by Carrie Underwood For the Audition)
me for the auditon(i sang inside your heaven by Carrie Underwood for the audition)

so about a week ago Kira and I participated in a country singing competition called Nashville Country Star Junior Divison. we were lucky to have the finals in Connell so we didnt have to go really far. it was a fun experience and the girls there were really nice. we had to sing to country songs and the songs i sang was Suds in the Bucket and No Place That Far both by Sara Evans. Kira sang Home Sweet Home by Carrie Underwood and Somebody's Hero by Jamie O'Neal. it was really fun! in the end i ended up getting 2nd and kira got 3rd! we both got cash prizes too!!!!(that was the most exciting part lol) and the 1st place winner was Madison Mowe from Okanagan. and the good thing was there was only a 1 point difference between the 1st place girl and me! i am so glad i decided to do the competition and maybe i'll end up doing the senior divison next year.

~Carly K.~

Hey family! so Prom was on saturday and I had so much fun. I went with Andres Flores. We went roller bladeing and then ate at this italian place which was pretty good. ( I still think Olive Garden is the best!) The dance was pretty much amazing. My date and I were the prom king and queen. crazy right? what are the odds of you and your date being king and queen? ya I had a great time. I am just sad that it is my last dance in high school :( In the pictures are Andres Flores, Maira Viveros, and I.

im a cheerleader!

hey family!!! you have probably all already heard that i am an alternate for football cheerleading! i was the only freshman to make the team (if being an alternate is considered making it lol) and so ya im super happy!and as an alternate i will still get to cheer at all the home games which will be awesome! right now we are doing a candybar fundraiser so if anybody sees me with a bag of candy you should ask to buy some! lol just a 1$! :)

~Carly K.~

OJH Track Meet

Talon, Bergen and Carly are participating in Olds Junior High Track and Field. They had their only home track meet today. They all did very well. Who would have thought a Knight actually running for fun....ha! It was 84 degrees outside and pretty hot. I can't imagine running even 100 meters let alone 1 mile. Carly participated in the 100m run as did Talon and Bergen. Talon and Bergen also did the mile run and the discus throw. (Sorry, Carly I don't know the other events you were in today.) Great job, kiddos. Keep working hard!

New Couch and Chairs

For those in the family who haven't heard, mom and dad got a new couch and then two new chairs that also match. They're really pretty, and I like the color. Just a word to the wise, if you weigh over 75 lbs, you might be asked to refrain from sitting on the couch. Dad's a little paranoid it'll break! lol

Here's some pictures for your enjoyment. We had some very special models helping us out.




Doesn't Nichole look like she's a little person compared to the back of the couch?


And this is my favorite of all the models I had to work with. Doesn't he just shine when the camera's on?!

Had a wonderful evening where Katelyn received her Young Woman Medallion and Recognition! Great accomplishment Katelyn. We love you