Kayla was baptized today! I am so happy for her and her decision to devote her life to God.
What a Mother's Day I had... also time with family and I haven't thrown up today -- yet -- a great present from the little one on the way :)

(I also posted this on facebook...so you may see this twice.)


Update: I just went to say prayers and goodnight with Macie and Maggie, and then I threw up -- oh well, it was still a great day!

PEPPERONI CAESAR SALAD
Ingredients: use desired amounts
green leaf lettuce
croutons
shredded Parmesan cheese
Caesar salad dressing (made my own)
pepperoni
pine nuts - roast in your oven
olives, avocado, eggs (whatever else you like)

CHIPOTLE SWEET POTATOES
Bake sweet potatoes in oven wrapped in foil
Remove skins
Add desired salt, pepper, butter if you like
Add chipotle peppers (start with one pepper)

EASY FUDGE
3 cups chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
pinch of salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Microwave for 3 minutes. Stir until smooth. Pour into 9X9 pan coated with spray or butter.

CABBAGE CRUNCH
2 bags Cole Slaw Mix or 1 head cabbage chopped
2 pkg ramen noodles (I do not use the MSG packet -- some people do add this to the salad for more flavor)
¾ c almonds-I like slivered
½ c sunflower seeds
Saute the noodles, almonds and seeds in 2 tsp oil or butter until lightly brown. Let cool. Store cabbage and ramen mixture in separate containers until just before serving.
Dressing
1 c oil – I use olive
1/3 c white wine vinegar
2/3 c or less sugar
1 tsp each salt and pepper
Put dressing in separate container. Mix cabbage, ramen noodle mixture, and dressing together when you are ready to serve. Easy to make half.

HOMEMADE VANILLA--I am making this for gifts. I think it came to about $1.00 per ounce for the first use of the beans (you can use them twice).
25 Madagascar Vanilla Beans--good quality, moist (I bought mine from beanilla.com)
Vodka 48 oz. or so (I used potato-based vodka instead of wheat-based @ the recommendation of a friend)
Large, clear glass jar with room to shake the mixture.
Small clean bottles, preferably dark colored glass, for storage (I am using vanilla bottles I have saved -- you won't need these for a couple of months) Decorate and label bottles if you wish.

Slice (I used my kitchen scissors) vanilla beans length-wise, not all the way-- leaving the stem in tact.
Scrape each bean (the middle has a moist, gritty texture) into vodka, then drop the bean in too.
Shake vigorously daily, for at least a week, storing it in a dark place. Keep shaking it periodically, when you think about it. It will be ready in about 2 to 4 months. Pour into smaller bottles. You can use the beans twice. Make the same amount again --it may take a little longer. I haven't made a second batch yet.

BTW, It is ok if some of the bean parts get into the smaller bottles. Some people use the beans to make other things like vanilla sugar.
I used the vodka bottle, itself, which happened to be more than 50 oz. (the only size they sold of potato-based vodka) and dumped some of it down the drain to have room to shake the mixture.
I guess you could save it for making some other tincture, such as cayenne pepper tincture. This is good for circulation problems--a few drops in lemon water, daily.

GINGERBREAD MAN ORNAMENTS
1 cup cinnamon (I bought mine from Sam's)
1 cup applesauce
flour for texture
Newspaper or wax paper for surfaces

Mix, roll (1/2 in. thick?), cut into shapes, decorate with glitter/glitter glue/paint when dry (use your imagination)
I punched a hole in the tops with a straw for ribbon
Mine took a few days to dry (maybe they were too thick).
A few have mistaken these for cookies and were not too happy with the bite they took. One of them had a little encouragement.

We hung our stockings on the fireplace Sunday night --including an extra stocking. Our children thought it was for visitors. When I said it wasn't, they said, "Well we have too many!" I said, "No, we don't." Jaydon was the first one to "snap". He said, "I knew it!" (probably since he had informed me yesterday I was getting fat ...and asked if I was pregnant --I just said, "What! You think I'm fat! :)) ...Then everyone was excited and squealing, even the baby--she kissed me over and over (maybe she really does understand). Matheus, our exchange student from Brazil, kept saying "I can't believe!"

Our baby is due in June (about 15 weeks along right now). We heard the heartbeat again yesterday! Yay! :)
Please keep us in your prayers.

Thank you!


I know I haven't posted in a while. I will post an update soon.
Those of you who are also on facebook, the hslist, and/or hscamping list ...you may hear this news a few times :)

Do you enjoy full service gas stations? I do. I love seeing the excitement when I pull up to the pump. I just stick my credit card out the window, then my Suburban is filled with gas and the windows are cleaned. I even started tipping for such excellent service........thanks Jaydon!