Why I Don't Cook

Since Melyn had work and a choir performance to do, it was up to me to cook dinner. Thought I could follow a simple recipe, but I think the results shown here speak for themselves. Notice how the chicken casserole doesn't go all the way out to the edges of the pan. Guess I'll stick to breakfast food and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving was de-li-cious!  You'll just have to take my word for it, because we didn't take pictures of all the food.  We had our friends Adaire and Will over the Sunday after Thanksgiving, because I worked on the holiday.  Here are the links to recipes if you want them...

Oven Roasted Turkey

Mashed Potatoes - 3 large potatoes, cream cheese, whipped cream, butter, sour cream, milk, salt, white
pepper

Pumpkin Pie - follow the recipe on the can!

Butter Pecan Sweet Potatoes

Whipped Cream

White Dinner Rolls

Wassail

And for the day after...Turkey Cranberry Monte Cristo.  So so yummy!!

Med Ball 2011

November 19 was the annual Med Ball for Jordan's school.  It was great!  I met several other LDS med school wives and found out that they meet every Thursday night to hang out!  This was great news, especially because no one can understand what a medical spouse goes through unless you've experienced it.  We had a good time eating and talking, but didn't dance unfortunately, because we had to leave early as I worked that night.  Next time, we will dance! :)

Orlando!

We had the annual Henderson getaway this past week in beautiful Orlando, FL!  The weather was perfect, in the mid 80's with sunny skies.  We spent two fabulous days with everyone and finally got to meet baby Graham, aka G-Force!  :)  We are so blessed to be able to do these things with our family.

November 15:

Spent the day mostly at Universal Studios, with the most exciting part being Harry Potter World!  Seriously love that place.  I know I've taken pictures before, but I couldn't help taking more...

Welcome to Hogsmeade!  Respect the spell limits, to avoid Muggles.

Hogwarts Express

Zonko's Joke Shop

Honeydukes Sweet Shop

The Most Amazing Stuff I've Ever Drunk, aka Butterbeer

Timetable for Hogsmeade Station

The Three Broomsticks

The Hogs Head

Post Office

HOGWARTS!!

For those who don't know...in the game Pottermore, I was sorted into Slytherin.  That's right, the evil people's house.  However, Merlin was a member of that house, so it must be ok.

Dumbledor's Pensieve

The Man Himself

The person responsible for putting me in Slytherin 

The Weasley's Flying Ford Anglia

After the amazingness of Harry Potter World, we went to Dr. Seuss Land and rode on all the little kid rides.  It was a blast!  I wasn't able to get a picture of Mr. B but I know he had fun :)

Then we went to Marvel Land (don't you love how I'm making up all these names!) and met some of my favorite superheroes...including Spiderman, Cyclops, Storm, and Rogue!

After Universal Studios we headed over to Cheesecake Factory for a classic dinner and then back to the hotel for a quick nap.  Then the Petersons, Lindsey, and us went to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!  It was a blast.  There were so many people, but there was *free* food (that never happens), parades, and of course the rides.  We walked onto almost all the rides because people were watching the parade.  I'm not going to post pictures of the parade, it will bore you even more!  But here's a few of Mr. B and us.

Whew!  

November 16:

We spent the day mostly at Hollywood Studios.  Jackson and Creighton had signed up for a Jedi Training course and had a show.  It.  Was.  Awesome!!  

I have tried and tried to edit these movies I took of the boys in all their Jedi Glory.  Unfortunately, I don't know how to add the edited version!  Oh well.  Just know that I didn't film them fighting Darth Vader, because my phone was burning up in the sun. 

After seeing all the Jedis, Jordan and I went on the Studio Backlot Tour, which was actually really interesting!  Did you know they film movies, make costumes, and store old film props at Disney World?  Take a look...

We decided to go to Magic Kingdom with the Evers and enjoyed Mikes Laugh Floor (again, I think it's hilarious!), and Jackson even got interviewed by Mike Wazowski's nephew!  It was so funny.  We went on the Teacups and Buzz Lightyear and then went back to the hotel for some delicious pizza from  Flippers Pizzeria.  It was DELICIOUS.  Oh man.

We had a wonderful time.  Thanks Jim and Wendy!!

Yummiest Bread!

So I recently decided to start baking my own bread instead of paying *cough* $5 a loaf at the grocery store!  I found this INCREDIBLE website from a lady in Utah who has devoted her blog to baking and cooking.  It truly is amazing.  I drool just looking at the pictures.  So when I saw this recipe for Multi-Grain Bread, I had to try it.  My review?  Soft, delicious, healthy, and super cheap to make, both time-wise and money-wise.  Just take a look...

He's a Running Man...

Jordan had an 8K on November 12 and did awesome!  It was absolutely freezing, but despite the cold air, my darling hubby ran an impressive 31.09!  I love watching him run, and figured you would too.  :)  Here are the videos of the beginning and end of his race.

Crafty, Crafty

My friend Lyanna is amazing.  She is a super quilter woman and took the time out of her many projects to show me how to make your own stockings!  They turned out so pretty and they're really easy - even for me, and I haven't sewn anything on a sewing machine for a while!  Her quilting blog is here, go follow her!

Pecan Puffs

I made these at the beginning of this month and they are so yummy - like Pecan Sandies!  They're my Grams recipe.  :)

Pecan Puffs


1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
4 tbs sugar 
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Cream sugar, butter, and vanilla. Put nuts in flour and add to creamed mixture. Roll in ball. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes Dust with powdered sugar.

Fall Leaves

Fall here on the east coast is beyond beautiful.  There are millions of trees that are all different colors and they are so gorgeous!  I cannot get over how vivid the colors are every time I'm out driving.  Bright red, yellow, and orange, and even some purples in there - so so pretty!