Dinner Party with friends

Here is yet another dinner party with friends.  We are having my Cafe Rio recipe, refried beans, rice with cheese melted on it, guacamole, etc (that I got from a great friend in our old ward after a girls camp Hannah and I went to with her as the amazing cook).  I sure do love these kids.

This is Leia down in front in the black, then Brandon up from her, then Shylee, Nick and the ever amazing Derek.  We had a great dinner followed by much yelling and screaming playing games on the XBox and PlayStation.

Good friends are better than gold!

I love to cook for these grateful, easy going, happy kids.

Christmas present from Hannah

 This is a wonderful Christmas present from my amazingly talented Hannah.  I love so many things about this, I love the picture and I love the message.  I love to see it up on my dresser everyday and think about her and her incredible love for me.  What an honor it is to be loved by her and to be her mother and to have her as one of my closest friends and confidants.

My precious gift from Hannah

Hannah shared with me her art for Christmas.  She knows that I love the Disney movie, Monsters Inc. She also found a way not only to share her amazing talent with me but to convey her love for me.  I love not only the art but the slogan from this movie that she chose to put with this drawing.

I have framed it and put it on my dresser in front of my bed so that I can see it when I go to bed and first thing when I wake up.  This girl means so much to me.  I am grateful every day that I was blessed to be her mother.

Love, from Hannah

One of the many many ways that Hannah shows her love to me.  She and I share a special love for both Star Wars and Winnie the Pooh.  She found them combined in this wonderful artwork and emailed it to me.  I love how she shows her love to and for me.  It is innocent, kind, talented, full of gratitude, unconditional, forgiving and crazy fun!  I love her so much.  I am grateful to be her mother!!!

New recipe, Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

This is a new recipe that I found on a great web site.  Six Sisters Stuff.  We have had great success with these recipes.  Unfortunately, I have found that this recipe does not freeze well as the thawing process does not have it taste nearly as creamy, the consistency is just not there.  At least the way I have tried.

However, I am still glad to have found a fun new recipe!  I am so grateful for the Internet and my great kids who love my cooking!

Slow Cooker Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Author: Six Sisters Stuff

Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  2 hours

Total time:  2 hours 15 mins

Serves: 6

 

My kids' favorite version of mac and cheese - it's so creamy and delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk (I used 1%)
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Boil the macaroni in water for six minutes and drain.
2. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Heat over medium high heat and stir until the cheese melts.
3. Spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Combine cheese mixture, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper in your slow cooker. Add the drained macaroni and stir again.
4. Cook on low for 2 to 2½ hours, stirring occasionally (I cooked mine for about 2 hours and stirred it twice and it was perfect).

Recipe: M&M cookie bars

This is a new for us recipe from Anita Schmuhl, our wonderful neighbor.  (Sam's mom)  It is so easy but WOW.  It is fabulous!

Yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 C oil
M&M's (how ever many you want)
Bake at 350 for 8-10 min.
It sounds really basic but wow, it is addicting and very good

Recipe: Oriental Cabbage slaw with Chicken recipe

This recipe is an oldie but a goodie.  Hannah and I had lunch today and we had this and the left over Pesto Chicken.  This salad is from Christmas recipes from the Lion House pg 41

2 C diced cooked chicken
4 C shredded cabbage
1 pkg chicken flavored ramen noodles
4 green onions, diced
2 T sesame seeds

Sauce:
1/4 C vinegar
1/4 C salad oil
2 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1 favoring packet from Ramen boodles

1/2 C slivered almonds

Place chicken and cabbage in mixing bowl.  Break noodles up and place in a colander.  Pour boiling water over to soften slightly.  Add to cabbage w/ onions and sesame seeds.  Combine vinegar, salad oil, sugar, salt and contents of favoring packet.   Pour over cabbage mixing well.  Cover and refrigerate overnight or for several hours.  Just before serving stir in slivered almonds.

We have loved this recipe for years.  I even remember this when I was a little girl!

Recipe: Chicken Pesto Recipe

I just got this new recipe from Face Book actually.  It is SO GOOD!!!  It is really easy as well.

1st layer: Chicken breast
2nd layer: Pesto
3rd layer: sliced Roma tomatoes
Bake at 400 for 30 minutes
4th layer: Mozzarella cheese
continue baking for another 10 minutes

Add a side of rice and potatoes and yum!  Hannah LOVED it!  I'm so glad that I happeded to see that recipe.

Recipe: Cafe Rio (Yummy dinner tonight! Easy too, I made it a while ago and just took it out of the freezer!)

This is WONDERFUL recipe that I got several years ago at Young Women's Girls camp.  This was intended for a salad but I usually make it as an enchillada.  This freezes really well.  I just freeze the shredded meat and the sauce in small servings in a zip lock baggie.  It makes for easy dinners.  Just thaw and put in whatever type of beans you want: pinto, black or refried (or none) along with rice and cheese with the shredded meat and sauce inside the enchilada, just be sure to reserve some sauce to put on top to bake it.  Then serve what ever sides you want.  You can make guacamole and I have a great 3 bean salad that Hannah absolutely loves that I got from Pampered Chef years ago.  I can't remember if I have included the Cafe Rio recipe on this blog or not, so just in case.

Here is the recipe for the meat and sauce:

Pork
6 lbs pork roast
4 to 5 cans tomato sauce (8 oz each)
3 t garlic
2 - 3 C brown sugar
4 t cumin
4 C Dr. Pepper
2 - 4 T molasses
1/2 t salt
pepper to taste

I put all this in a crock pot for at least 8 - 10 hours.  The longer the better, the meat will just fall apart and be so tender.  I have not found this version on the internet.  I am pretty sure this is an original recipe from my friend Lori from our ward.

I will also include the Lime Rice and Creamy Cilantro Dressing recipes although I didn't use them in this dinner that I took a picture of.

LIME RICE
2 T butter
1 1/4 C rice
1 C chicken broth
3/4 t salt
pepper
Juice and zest of 1 large or 2 small limes
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
3/4 t cumin

In a cooking pot, melt butter with rice, add liquid ingredients and other ingredients.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook according to rice directions.

CREAMY CILANTRO DRESSING (I love this!!!!!!!!)
1 8 oz jar of green salsa, medium spiciness
1 pkg buttermilk ranch dressing (dry)
1/2 C sour cream
1/2 C low fat mayonnaise
1/4 C buttermilk
1 C fresh cilantro
2 t garlic
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1/2 t salt
2 T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1/4 C sugar
Few drops of Tabasco sauce (taste the dressing before adding this, you may find it is already spicy enough)
Blend all together in the blender until smooth and creamy.
Can add chopped letuce, Cafe Rio Pork, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese, and crushed tortilla chips to salad
Serve on tortilla if desired.

Derek

Derek was ordained a Priest today!  I can hardly believe he has reached this age.  I am so proud of my quiet hero.  He is a quiet, gentle giant.  He has such a strong moral compass and is very firm in the power of discernment in knowing what is right and what is wrong.  He was very excited as he had to wait a bit because of Stake Conference last week.  He asked Richard Schmuhl to ordain him. I felt so privileged to be there. ther Schmuhl gave a very sweet blessing to Derek.  He blessed him to know that he is loved by his Father in Heaven.  He blessed him to work hard and to succeed in his school work.  Brother Schmuhl has been such a positive influence on Derek, we are so grateful for him and feel blessed to have him as a neighbor.  He is Sam, Derek's best friend's dad.  I know that my parents would have been there had it been possible.  They sure are proud of you Derek, as am I.  I love you and I am excited for your new opportunities for blessings in the way you live your life and for being able to be a blessing in other's lives by magnifying your priesthood.

Happy 16th birthday Derek

I made this pillowcase about 5 to 7 years ago.  At that time I made a whole bunch to give to families for Christmas.  It was nice to have such a rare, good idea for Christmas presents.  Although, the project took a long time to complete, and I don't think I could do something like that every year.  It also cost a bit.  I can't remember where I got the idea, but I love it.  The kids would always put it on their pillow the night before their birthday and also the night of their birthday.  I also would read the Dr. Seuss book, "Happy Birthday to You!"

Derek is turning 16 and now is too old for Dr. Seuss.  I told him of a quote from C.S. Lewis to the real Lucy that he wrote the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.  He told her that by the time the book that he wrote for her was published she would be too old for fairy tales, but maybe in time she would be old enough again, to love fairy tails.  I think this is also true for classic children's books.

Recipe: Orange snap cookie recipe

Yum, yum, yum.  I really like the recipes that I have found in the Joane Fluke murder mysteries.  This recipe is kind of hard (ok, really hard) for me not to eat the entire batch before they even go in the oven.  I think of it as a summer cookie.

ORANGE SNAP COOKIES (from Lemon Meringue Pie Murder)

Don't preheat oven yet - needs to chill

1 1/2 C melted butter (3 sticks)
2 C white sugar
1/2 C frozen OJ concentrate (I use Minute Maid)
2 beaten eggs (I just use a fork)
4 t baking soda
1 t salt
1/2 to 1 t orange zest
4 C flour
1/3 C white sugar for later

Melt the butter in a large microwave bowl.  Add sugar and OJ concentrate and stir.  Let the mixture cool slightly.  Add eggs, baking soda, salt and orange zest stirring after each addition.  Add the flour in increments and mix thoroughly.  Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough at least 2 hours (overnight's better).

When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 rack in middle position.

Roll the chilled dough into walnut sized balls with your hands.  Put 1/3 C sugar into a small bowl and roll the balls in it.  Place them on a greased cookie sheet 12 to a sheet.  Press them down just a bit so they won't roll off.

Bake 10 - 12 minutes at 3502.  The dough balls will flatten out all by themselves.  Let the cookies cool 2 minutes on the cookie sheet then move to a wire rack for cooling.

These freeze well.  Roll in foil, put in the freezer bag and they are fine for 3 months or so.

Yield; about 10 yummy dozen.

Hannah the CNA!!!

I am so proud of Hannah.  She got her CNA licence (certified nursing assistant) before she even graduated from High School!!!  She got her licence around March or April of this year.  She is now working as a CNA at an assisted living center about a mile away from our house.  She got her job the middle of May.  I am excited for her and so proud that her path to being a nurse is starting so early!  Great job Hannah!!!

Recipe: Fudge Crinkle Cookies recipe and a fun night with friends!

This is a great and very easy recipe I got from Six Sisters.

FUDGE CRINKLE COOKIES

1 18.25 ounce box devil's food cake mix (48 weight watcher pts)
1/2 C vegetable oil (32 weight watcher pts)
2 eggs (4 pts)
1/2 C powdered sugar (for rolling the cookies in)

Preheat oven to 350.  Stir together the dry cake mix (do not follow directions on the box - you just want to use the dry mix that is in the box), oil, and eggs in a large bowl until dough forms.  Dust hands with powdered sugar and shape dough into 1 - to 1 1/2 balls.  Roll balls in powdered sugar and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  (I flattened them a bit on my next batch and then put the powdered sugar on, I found they stayed like little balls even after cooking if I didn't which isn't bad, but I just wanted them a little spread out, so I helped them along prior to cooking)  Bake 7 to 9 minutes, until center is just set.  Remove from pans after a minute or so and cool on wire racks.
Makes about 36 cookies

Shylee, Derek, Edward and Sam.  I am loving it!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it when Derek's friends come over.

Derek, Shylee, Brandon and Edward enjoying cookies!!!

We had Oatmeal Carmel cookies, Pistachio pudding cookies and the Fudge Crinkle cookies, YUM!!!!

My mother's family history

 This is a picture of my Great maternal grandparents,  My mother's grandparents.  LaMoyne Jensen Barrus's parents.  Junius C. and Sylvia Jensen on their wedding day. Circa

 Junius C. Jensen circa

 Junius C. Jensen circa

 Junius C. Jensen

 My mother, Emery and Jim circa

 Back row, baby   , Grandpa Barrus, Grandpa Barrus,    
Front row Uncle Emery, Uncle Jim and my mother, Sylvia circa

 
 

my mother's parents LaMoyne and James Barrus

My mother's father, James Lucius Barrus circa

 My mother's mom and dad, LaMoyne and James Barrus

 My mother's mom, LaMoyne Barrus

 Family reunion circa

 My mother, Sylvia Barrus Smith circa

 My mother, Sylvia, Uncle Jim

 My Aunt Muriel circa

 Junius and Sylvia Jensen family

 Junius and Sylvia Jensen family

                LaMoyne Jensen Barrus

LaMoyne Jensen Barrus