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