My, Oh My, Butterfly!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

California Trip

I had a dandy time in California...

"Make new friends but keep the old, some are silver, the others are gold"

Monday, January 2, 2012

Welcome to Life, 2012!

For our New Year's Eve we had a night of pizza, homemade candy, and games.

Kristina and I celebrating in style. Don't mind the bathroom.

Two of the main pizza makers - Jenni and Jean. Oh, don't worry, I did my part - throwing cheese and vegetables on top, nibbling here and there, making sure nothing was too poisonous for public consumption. And such.

Who knows what a year may bring forth? Whoooo knows.

Here we have photo-bombing 101.

And more photo-bombing. Let me repeat - who knows what a year may bring forth?

I am so glad that all of ya'll are my family and friends and that no one would even dream of being offended by my minor commentation.

I tried to convince little Lee to celebrate in style. He was having none of it.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Neglection

YES, I do realize that my poor blog has been neglected and left bare of new posts lately. I know that each and every one of my followers eagerly awaits a new post every day (I'm pretty sure that I imagine that, but let's pretend that it's the truth. Just for now.).
I have not lost the blogging spirit.
I have not stopped taking pictures.
I have not died.
I have not taken a world wide exploration with only a backpack.
I HAVE finished school. (Clapping and cheering). Because I have wanted to say that for awhile, let me repeat that. I HAVE FINISHED SCHOOL.
That is, a small part of what I hope my schooling consists of. But I have finished for now and I don't know what the next part will be right now, SO... I will blog lots more often. And I will take lots more pictures. And I will post lots more recipes. And I will learn how to play the piano better. And I will read some good books that have been stacking up waiting for me. And I will go to California THIS week to visit friends. I really will.
Over and out.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Spiced Pumpkin Mousse

I love pumpkin. Anything and all things pumpkin. Pumpkin is what fall tastes like. This Mousse is a snap to prepare and it serves 8 -10 (depending on how much of it you can stand to share heh heh).

SPICED PUMPKIN MOUSSE

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

1/4 c cold water

1 - 15 oz. can of pure pumpkin

3/4 c packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

dash of salt

1 1/2 c chilled heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

Sprinkle gelatin over water in a saucepan and let it soften for a minute. Bring it to a bare simmer and stir until it is dissolved. Stir together gelatin, pumpkin, spices, brown sugar, and salt in large bowl.

Beat whipping cream and vanilla until stiff and fold into pumpkin mixture, gently but thoroughly. Spoon into cups, glasses, or bowls of your choice, chill until it is set, at least 2 hours.

Garnish with a dallop of whipped cream, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, or (my favorite) a chocolate covered ginger snap cookie. Or all of the above. Or make up your own toppings and let me know how it tastes :).

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving started with 8 of us here at home...

Sticking oranges with cloves is one of my favorite things.

Dad and Mom, Curt, Laura, Roger, Kara, Garrett, and my invisible self

A walk down to the river...

This is the newest member of Roger and Kara's family - Camry the English Mastiff. Check out those paws.

Pumpkin Mousse, Oatmeal Coconut pie, Chocolate pie, Pecan pie, Buttermilk Pie, Pumpkin pie, and Pumpkin cheesecake. I think we went a little overboard.

Then we headed over to Uncle Tom and Aunt Jo's that afternoon...