Aloha and Mahalo Hawaii

I will let the photo's speak for themselves!

Out of the Woods and into the Kitchen

Well, what the heck? It has been so long since I have updated! I have been in Arvada, Colorado with my dear cousin Edie. I am so happy I was able to help her for just a few days. She has been a big sister to me and
I know she will be fine.Speaking of fine. Meet the newest member of my pots and pans family.

Run, don't walk. All-Clad ...the "Cadillac" or at least the "Buick" of cookware has marked down this 12" skillet to the silly price of 89.95. With the lid it is a 180.00 value. All of you foodies out there know this pan retails without the lid for 135.00. This skillet rarely goes on sale and it has a lifetime guarantee. Go now to get this Cook's Illustrated top rated skillet. A must have in my kitchen at least.

metrokitchen.com
offers free shipping.

I will cook something incredible with this skillet tomorrow and return and report. Tune in...

Malyasian Monopoly Madness

Last night you could find us around the table playing Monopoly the Malaysian version. (For all you Malaysians out there, I bought Gurney Drive et. al. but went bankrupt.) The final battle came between Dave, the land baron, and Malaina, the struggling hippie owner of Langkowi Hotels. Malaina prevailed through several rounds of one on one, but it became apparent that she would have to fold under the thumbs of the Glad Man.

If you look carefully, you will see that Tiny is misbehaving!!

Sunday is Family Day

This is a scene that has been too seldom at our house of late.
I was able to make a simple dinner and have my BYU freshman niece, Abigale over for dinner, and of course Brandon, Tiny's boyfriend.

If you look closely on the table there is a Godfather Trivia game. It allows players to put "hits" on each other. Abby found out all to scarily how competitive we are!

Sunday also brought our ward a new Relief Society Presidency. They thought I was eccentric to take photo's, but when their service is over, they will be happy for this photo.

And a fond thanks to Terri, who has served as our President for years, twice! She is show here on the left with her secretary AdreAnn

Birthday and Bread

So this is my adorable great-niece London.
Yikes I need a hair cut. *Why did no one tell me I looked like this?*

My nephews wife Toni (not London's mother)
My father and Me at London's first birthday party.

My beautiful daughter Jordan holding her second cousin.

My nephew Jacob his wife Mandy and their darling children London and Isaiah.

It would be remiss of me not to show what is going on in my kitchen. This is a lovely loaf of bread I baked not too long ago. I have been using the book by Zoe Franciois and Jeff Hertzberg MD. Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day I swear by this main Boulé Bread Recipe. I have learned to use less yeast and then add sour dough starter to this and it makes incredible pitas, pizza dough, bread and even bignets. It really does only take 5 minutes to do. Look at the gluten cloak on this bread! I love how the interior is so moist that the crust crackles (sings) even after you pull it out of the oven.

Life With Girls

I have used this photo before, but it is worthy of a repeat.

So I have had an event filled week. Girl issues are like none other(ask my man). But I can honestly say that none of my girls has given me ANY reason not to trust them. If any of you out there knows of any reason....keep it to yourself.

Shamless Plug

My Simplicity Boutique

Get your bows here!! And coming soon are many more things like beaded binky chains, beaded jewelry and glorious mittens etc...

We spent a delicious Friday night together as a family. We celebrated Jordan's birthday with my parents, and my two nephews and their families.

Thanks Olive Garden for a terrific meal!

Three Reasons I Love My Life

Twas the night before Monday when all through the house,

The third child was a screeching, oh my, what a grouch.

Tenth grade was not easy, we all understood,

The sisters together helped her where they could.

With Malaina on Chemistry, Jordan on Math,

These sisters between them, put her on the path,

To a happier Monday, Hurray, Hip Hurray!

May these three sisters ever, be happy I pray.

Traditions You Just DO

You have your family over!

You go in the kitchen!

And you make mincemeat empanadas!
Our beloved late Grandmothers are sisters.
Making empandas at Christmas time is a tradition that is at least 4 generations old on my father's side of the family. My dear cousin Jody and I carry it forward!

America the Colorful

Okay, this is an old picture, but I am so proud that the four of us had the fabulous opportunity to vote today. We all love our country. We all are strongly opinionated too. I ask, "What American isn't?" Citizens of this country should always have strong opinions, we should always question our leaders and never take our freedom of speech for granted, ever. While in Malaysia, it was common knowledge that Americans were loud, outspoken, and one lady even said we were "vulgar" (using old vernacular). Yup, we resemble that remark, thank you very much.

We are also colorful.. here are some colorful pictures of my extended family...and every single one of them is opinionated!

Rena my sis-n-law

Her daughter, my niece, Maria

Her son, my nephew, Armando Jr. and his girlfriend

My cousin Edie, like a sister

Her daughter Jody her family.
3 Generation's of men in my life

Some girls in my life.

The Summerall's , Proud Denver Democrat's all, my Great Aunt Stella is on the front row.

Daphne and ...dang, I forgot Rena's dog's name.

So, I have left out a few, because my family is Ginormous, but God Bless Us ..Every One, and God Bless America.

Way to Go Mom and Dad!

Kudo's to my MOM and DAD for offering to allow my dear Malaysian friend's daughter to move in with them.

Here's what happened: My friend Angela has come to the USA from Penang to enroll her daughter Mei Ying in college in Salt Lake City. (Her son is at BYU) Mei Ying was all set to commute into downtown from a distant suburb where their other good friends live. I could tell Angela was unhappy with the arrangement, because of the great distance from town, not because of the living situation. There is very limited public transport into metro Salt Lake City from the Cottonwood Heights neighborhood her friends live in.

When we met for lunch yesterday, never in a million years did I think that my parents would be the answer to Angela's prayers. I took Angela up to Bountiful to meet my folks. A quick 10 minute drive from downtown Salt Lake. My mother mentioned to Angela that the bus stop that goes to Mei Ying's school, is literally at their front curb side. I am talking DOOR TO DOOR! Maybe a scant 3o feet away. She said they had 5 bedrooms, and why doesn't Mei Ying move in with them? She continued to say that the singles ward is only 2 blocks away! My jaw dropped...How did this idea form in my mother's mind? Truly it is the answer to Angela's prayer's! Angela will not have to worry about Mei Ying too much. My parents live within walking distance to the library, Target, Walmart, Pier One, Dairy Queen, the Bountiful Bubble, you get the picture.

This is a big deal for my parents. They are retired and my mother is really not in the best of health. She has severe Chronic Fatigue, and I know this will be challenging for her. I really think this is a valiant thing they are doing for a family they didn't even know! I only hope 18 year old Mei Ying is up to the challenge of living with them!

Mei Ying, Angela and Tian Ming in Hong Kong