Some Thoughts on Martha

I just received my new Living magazine aka Martha Stewart. I used to be a huge fan of hers and follow everything she did on TV to all the cook books I could read. I followed her for about 10 years, then I lost interest as other cooks became popular and the cooking channel started. She really was a break thru for the home chef and had so many great ideas that I wanted to do everything she did! As I was reading the magazine which BTW... I don't even know how I started getting the magazine again because I don't even remember getting the subscription, it took me back quite a few years ago. When I was 26, Ez was 3 years old. I started reading Martha's cook books. Thats really where I found my love and passion for cooking. I would read and buy all her books and look at the pictures for hours. I studied all the recipes till I almost had them memorized. I looked at the pictures and wanted to create all the beautiful things she was creating with food. Of course some of the stuff she was cooking and baking were extravagant. But I was bound and determined to make it anyway.
I decided that I wanted to have a Christmas party and invite 10 couples over. Mind you I had never attempted this before, but how hard could it be? Fix alittle food, have your friends over and no big deal. I made my menu, did the shopping and cleaned the house. I started early in the morning. Turkey Teterzinni, puff pastry with a creamy filling, I don't remember all the items I had but I can tell you thinking back it was way too much food and way too many items to prepare in just one day. I had no idea what I had got myself into. I called my brothers girlfriend and asked if she could come over and help me because I was running out of time and still had way too many dishes to prepare. We were preparing hot dishes, cold dishes, dips, sauces, hordevours, desserts you name it I think it was on my menu. Holy cow! We pulled it off and got everything ready just as people started to arrive. I remember laying everything out and it filled a whole dining table and two buffet servers all loaded with food. Of course it was beautiful and delicious. Everyone was blown away with the amount of food I had made. I was too. But that was just the beginning of my passion of creating and experimenting with food. It's my way to show love, comfort and compassion for everyone. It helps me be creative. As I'm cooking I "love" my food. I nourish it with fresh herbs and seasonings. Then when I'm done and serve it or give it away, people know it came from my heart and made with passion. I love to cook and I love to eat!
So that's my experience with Martha. I like to see from time to time what she's doing and experimenting with. I can really take or leave her. She kinds bugs me because she interrupts her guests that she has on her show so much she doesn't let them talk ever! Watch her you'll see what I mean. So there's my deal with Martha...

Don't Cha Know!

It's official! Brooke and Colton have moved to North Dakota... This is them Saturday morning before they left Idaho. They arrived there this afternoon. I can't believe it. I cried when they left and then every time I talked to them to check on where they were during their drive. They traveled some pretty bad weather, icy roads, blowing snow and just plane cold. Colton is now an official CDL, Haz Mat driver. I can't imagine him driving a BIG truck but he's going to. Brooke's dad bought some trucks and Colton's is one of his drivers. He will be driving in the oil fields in North Dakota for about a year. They can bank some good money, pay off some school loans and give them a good bumper for their little future.
He'll be hauling water in and out of the oil fields which have to be heated with propane so that's a little nerve racking. Brooke is going to be a hired cook for the drivers 2 to 3 nights a week. They've rented alittle house from the Episcopalian church there in Dickinson. The people there have a cute little accent, don't cha know... and they are excited about this new adventure in their lives. Last week the temperture was -45 degrees. Holy cow, can you imagine how cold that is? You have to be prepared when you go out. I hope to fly out soon to help them settle in and teach her how to bake bread and cinnamon rolls. My sweet kids are venturing out and it's a blast.

"Housewives of Heyburn"

Well... Here we go. I've made a commitment to run in a 60 mile relay in June. I know crazy. But I am doing it with 5 of the most fabulous women I know. We are the "Housewives of Heyburn" Thats our team name. Isn't that great? We'll give those New York and Beverly Hill's wives something to really talk about! Ha! Here's the link of the relay if you want to check it out. http://www.sawtoothrelay.com/sawtooth/home.cfm
I will be running or in my case walking 2 different legs of about 5 miles twice. That's right 5 miles, 2 times! AAAHHH! Did I mention that they're all in their in their 30's? I've started doing alittle training and I will be getting into it more as the weeks go on. I will keep you updated and hopefully get some pictures so you can meet my teammates and get to know them. (did I mention they're 30 something?) I'm pretty excited about this little adventure in my life. Being 50 doesn't mean I'm dead thats for sure. Wish me luck and any advice for this occasion is truly welcome.

The Month of December Re-Capped...

Brooke and Colton spent Christmas eve with her family and came to our house on Christmas day for a few hours. They opened presents and just hung out. It was a great day.


Spending time with Kenzi is really alot of fun. It's great cause when she comes home she takes over the kitchen. It looks like a train wreck when she's done but the food is fab and she even teaches me a few new things. It's really fun having her home. She's simply a delight to have around.

Ez came home for New Year's and spent the weekend. I was sick with a bad sinus cold but we found time to visit and hang out. He's working hard in St. George and loving the weather there. He was freezing the whole time he was here. He always had his hat on and coat. Poor boy. He just needs to stay there because he cannot adjust to the really freezing conditions here... Really it has been down to 0 degrees. It's crazy.

On New Years Day my MM cooked a turkey in the deep fryer he got for Christmas. It was an interesting learning experience for him and Kenzi, his assistant... everytime I looked out the window all they were doing was laughing and carrying on...

They had to maintain the temperture of the oil at 350 degrees, the turkey cooked for about 25 minutes. It was pretty moist inside and pretty good.

"The Cooks"

Cameron and Kenzi. Can't keep them apart... Cam was with his family over the Christmas holiday but with us on New Years. We like having him around, he's a great guy.
All in all things were quiet and simple this year. We enjoyed each other's company and felt good about the things we accomplished this holiday season. The ward party was a huge success, served 220 people for dinner and made 45 dinner boxes to go to people in the community. The new year find us with goals to help better ourselves mentally, spiritually and physically. My motto as always, I love my family and my life...

This One's for You Ging !

This is my sister Ginger... We talk everyday literally. Sometimes it's 3 times a day. We laugh, cry and laugh some more. She's been waiting for me to change my blog. Of course she wouldn't know what it en tales because she doesn't blog. I made her a google account so she could comment on my posts, but she can't seem to do even that. She's a hoot. If she comes to town I'm having a party so everyone can meet her. I love her. She's my best friend.
We had lots of fun on Thanksgiving weekend. Despite the bitter cold and I mean cold and snow we had a quiet dinner with wonderful food and great company. Brooke and Colton came and Kenzi and Cam from Logan. Us girls did a craft. Painted blocks then put vinyl lettering on the blocks and then embellished them.


that was fun... then we ate about 4pm.
On Saturday everyone left doing their own thing so Paul and I decided to be adventurous. We went and bought a tree tag, $5 bucks and went up to Pomerelle and cut down our Christmas tree. What a hoot. It was so cold! Take a look at those boots, They're Ezzy's.
I don't have any adventurous boots so being about 2 sizes too big they worked for the time. I trudged up those hills like a champ. The only thing that killed me was no air. My legs didn't burn, thanks to Zumba... but the air was thin. We finally found a tree, a very tall tree and then cut the top out of it. It's cute and decorated and next year I think I want to do it again. I'll be alittle more prepared though. I'm gettin' my own boots! See that black spot on the right? That's Paul crashing in the snow. He was tired from traipsing thru the snow he's resting while the big boys cut the tree down. Ha!

My cute little "Charlie Brown" tree. I love it.

These little ones are Pauls great nieces and nephew. They were bundled up playing in the snow and having a great time. They're dad's were up cutting down their trees and haulin' them back on the snow machine. It was about a three hour ordeal. Good times in Idaho!