Sunday in Florida

Just us dressed in our Sunday best.

Wash and Wear???

Last week I tried something new!!

I washed my cell phone in the washing machine.

OK I really didn't mean to do it but needless to say cell phones don't work very well after a lot of soap and water gets into them. We even took it apart to dry it.

Oh sad day for me.

I went almost a week with out a cell phone and I thought I was going to go nuts. The reason why... is all of my phone numbers are stored on my cell phone. I had to look up every number I called. Yes, I am lazy. What did I do without a cell phone?? Now that I have another cell phone to use- I still don't have all the numbers on my old phone. My advice to everyone.

#1 Don't wash your phone- they don't wash and wear very well.

#2 Write all your contact information done somewhere else besides on your phone.

(Yes, I know I can go down to the phone store and get everything transferred but that takes time and effort- we live a long ways from the cell phone store.)

Our Quick Visit To Utah

We had a great time with family and friends in Utah a few weeks ago.
We came to Utah for Henry's blessing and Corbin's Baptism.
Our trip was only a few days long so we didn't get to see everyone we wanted.
The weather was a little cold for us Floridians but we kept warm with all the hugs and kisses from our Grand-kids.

Here is Corbin and his Dad, Brent at his baptism.

We are so proud of you Corbin.

This is Rachel and Brent's cute family. They are growing up so much!!

Noah lost his front tooth while he was brushing his teeth. I think he just didn't want grandpa to pull it out!! (and Grandpa wanted to real bad)

We tried to get a family picture taken while everyone was together. It looks like a nice, sunny day but it was so cold and when the wind blew, it was miserable. We are not really smiling, we are grimacing from the cold. Now as I look at all the pictures, none of them have everyone with their eyes open or everyone smiling or even happy but that is life I guess.


Holly and little Henry



Peek-a-Boo
Annaka is at such a fun age.

This is a picture of Henry after his blessing with his three Grandpas

On the airplane to Utah, Henry learned how to stick out his tongue. Here he is showing off his great talent. He is so cute and fun.

Here is some cute boys!!

Sorry there is no pictures of our gut wrenching laughter at the Barker's house or Henry & Sue or any of our other friends, but we have those memories in our minds and hearts.

It is always hard to leave everyone behind. We love and miss all of you!!

Come see us any time!

Move over Martha Stewart

I have been trying out new recipes that I have found in all my magazines. Thanks to Holly for sending me a bunch of great magazines. I don't remember what magazine I got this recipe out of but it was GREAT!!! Chicken Pot Pie

This is what it looked like before I cooked it. I didn't get a picture of it after it was cooked because by the time I came back from my Relief Society meeting it was almost gone.

Here is the recipe I used. I made a few adjustment from the original recipe. It is really easy to double the recipe and freeze one of the pies or give one away. (That is what I did) Also add some rolls and it is a very inexpensive dinner.

Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cooked and cubed.

1 Tbl. olive oil

2 onions, chopped

4 carrots, sliced thick

2 stock of celery

2 large potatoes

3 Tbl. flour

1/2 c. chicken broth

2 cups milk

8 0z. frozen peas

1 Tbl. fresh thyme (I used 1 tsp. dried thyme)

Salt & Pepper

Pie Crust

Heat Oven to 400.

Heat oil in a saucepan. Add onions, celery, and carrots. Cook until tender. (Not too soft)

Add potatoes and cook for a few more minutes. Potatoes will still be firm.

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring for 1 minute.

Add broth and cook until evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add milk and simmer until sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in Chicken, Peas and Thyme. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Transfer to a shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish.

Lay crust on top, press to seal to dish. Cut several vents in the crust. Brush with milk. Place on baking sheet and bake until bubbling and crust is golden. 30- 35 minutes.

Note: I like all my vegetables and chicken cut chunky, using more veggies than chicken.

Pie Crust ( You can use a store bought crust but I made mine from scratch)

1/4 cup butter

1 cup shortening

1 Tbl. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbl. nonfat dry milk

3 cups flour

1/2 cup cold water.

Mix dry ingredients together with shortening and butter until crumbly. Add water a little at a time. Mix well. You may not need all the water. Flour the table before rolling dough out.

Make two pie crusts

Note: the sugar in the pie crust really add to the over all flavor!!

YUM YUM ENJOY!!!!

THE MANATEES ARE HERE

As most of you know Florida has had some very cold weather in the last few weeks. The farmers have had to work endlessly to keep their crops from freezing. They keep the sprinklers on all night to coat the trees and plants with ice and that prevents them from the frost. The oranges and strawberries made it through the cold weather but my grass and bushes did not. I hope they come back in the with the warm weather.

But the cold weather also bring a delightful sight!! The manatees!! They come close to the shore to get warm when the water temperature drops below 68 degrees. Take a look at some beautiful manatees. A mommy and a little baby

Today on the news, they said that this year we have had the biggest sighting of Manatees ever.
Over 300 and still counting.
If you would like to watch the Manatees for yourself. Go to this website http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/funstuff/webcam/
It is a web cam at Teco Power Plant's Manatee Visitor's Center.
You have to be patience and watch for a few minutes and you may see a nose, a tail
or even a whole head peeking out of the water.
The rest of the website is very interesting too.
Enjoy the Manatees of Florida

HOWDY TEXAS

A few weeks ago, I went to Texas to visit Heidi and Dan and their new baby Henry. I have never been to Texas so this was a fun trip for me. The best part was to hold little Henry. The weather was a little cold. But we did have a chance to go down to the ocean. We went to this pier that has lots of stores and few rides like a mini-mini amusement park. A lot of the pier was under reconstruction from hurricane Ike. Even with the cold weather I had a great time visiting!!


Here is cute Heidi with little Henry!


Henry is peaking out of his car seat cover-up that Jan Barker made him.
It sure came in handy on those windy days. Isn't he cute?


Cute little baby!!

I couldn't get enough "kisses". Henry was probable ready for me to go home and stop kissing him.

Miracles really do happen- just look, his name is Henry!!

Is It Christmas Yet?? Better Late Than Never!!

Here is a few pictures I took of our house after Christmas with our new camera. My computer is still not working really well so I hope this turns out!!

Technical Difficulties

After a three week trip to Utah in November. We returned home to a very sick computer and two broken cameras. I had big hopes of sharing my Christmas with everyone. But with no camera to take pictures of my beautiful house and a computer that runs in slow motion, what could I do? I can't believe we really lived before there were computers. I am having a hard time.
We did get a new camera after Christmas and I took a few pictures of my house before I took down my decorations. Maybe we will have Christmas pictures in July??? I can't post any pictures on my blog because my computer is too sick. So until I get my "life" up and running, Happy New Year to all and may you always be able to blog!!!(Thanks Rachel for posting my last two blogs.)

Another GrandSON !

Here is newest grand baby. Heidi and Dan had their first child, that doesn't have four legs, the day after Christmas! We can't wait to see you little Henry.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH!!

Happy 6th birthday to my cute grandson NOAH!! This is Noah enjoying the Beach when they came to visit us!