A Cold Spring Break

It's Spring Break, Max has vacation from school, Hubby has 6 days off and it has been a relaxing break. I worked this week but now I am finished and I totally took this morning off. Coffee in bed, hot tub, read a bit, a nice break. I felt like trying a new yeast recipe so I have rolls rising this morning.

Earlier this week Max had soccer games. He scored! The second half of this game pictured I watched from the car. It wasn't raining before the game, so I walked to Bender fields, got caught in a downpour, then sat in the wind and rain for the first half. This after being at work where the furnace was broken for a week and a half. Sitting at my desk, at 56 degrees makes this old lady chilled to the bone and very stiff. I spent evenings going to bed early to warm up.

Next year for Spring break we are going somewhere warm!

Tyler came for dinner last night and once again he brought me the best hostess gift. The Little Stone House written by Berta and Elmer Haden. A sweet story about a family that builds their stone house, loves living in their stone house and does some fun entertaining. Sound familiar? Thanks Holly! I love it and I know that you're the one that sends Tyler with those great gifts.



Everyone is pretty happy here too.
The End

Max Gets His Way again

Max loves this casserole. He's been asking for it for months and thanks to Aunt Judy sending everyone home with leftover ham on Easter, Max gets his wish for dinner tonight. It's an old recipe from my Mom.
Ham Broccoli Casserole

1- 10 oz. frozen broccoli (I microwave mine to thaw)
onion- saute 1/2 onion in 2 T.+ butter
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can milk
3 c. diced ham
2 cups. Minute Rice
1/2 T. Worcestershire's sauce
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Saute the onion, dice the ham, thaw the broccoli, mix the soups, milk and W. sauce, then mix everything into your casserole dish. I grate half the cheese, mix it in and then grate the other half to top it off.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. I serve with a fruit salad.
I won't have a picture of the baked dish until dinner tonight but just in case you have leftover ham I thought you might need this recipe stat! The split pea soup was yummy last night. I don't have a recipe for my soup, it's a dumper!

There is something wonderful about recipes I can whip out in the morning, go to work and come home to Dinner's Ready!

Trash Talkin' ON Easter?

Luke and Hubby got into some good old team trash talkin' on Easter. Luke, a sweet but misguided young boy loves the UW Huskies. Luke had fun coming up behind Hubby and sayin' BOO Cougars. At this point Hubby was faster, scooped Luke up and asked him to repeat what he had said.
{insert nervous giggle here}

Aunt Judy told Luke, "Hey, no purple in my house!" He giggled and ran for the door... I don't think this is over.

Easter 2010

We had a very blessed Easter Sunday. An Easter church service with beautiful music, communion, a meaningful message. Emilyn and her doll, Emily had on pretty, new Easter dresses and sat with me. So sweet and pretty.

Then off to the farm for Easter dinner with family. We have dinner on Easter with my Mom's sister's family and my Dad's brother's family. Confused? We are too. It's been going on for years and is such a fun tradition.

I love Abby Jo but could have gone all day without knowing what she had just told me before I snapped this picture. "Tami, did you know that the Reese's eggs are the most fattening of the Easter candy?"

I love big brothers helping little brothers find the eggs and cute shorts for Easter. Gotta love the chocolate on Clayton's face.

I love the hunt and all the kids running around.

I love the BiG kids too! I missed Danny and Sam today, Cody was nice enough to have his picture with Max today.

I love little Max. He had a bowling accident, surgery and a big bandage but still managed to find lots of candy. He reminds me of my big Max and I love that!

I love how the kids agree to a photo before the hunt. Blackmail threats, or else, aren't nice to say on Easter but hey, no group photo, no Easter candy. It's that simple.

I love the pretty garden spots we had to hide the candy.

I love that our parents still make this day happen. Thanks Uncle Darryl and Aunt Judy for hosting this year.

I love that Hubby had the day off. He loved singing Handel's Alleluia Chorus with the choir Easter morning.

I love it that we had this beautiful baby at our Easter. Talia is so cute and sweet, Jodi is too.

I love it that Coach K brought his Easter basket. He is very blog tolerant.

I love having a baby at Easter, have I mentioned this before?

I love going to the farm for Easter. There is just something about it that makes for a special day.

And I love being sent home with a ham bone! Pea soup tomorrow...

Easter Goodness

My guys love sugar cookies, especially for holidays. Sometimes I make the cut out cookies, frost, and decorate. A bit of fuss. Then guys being guys they inhale them. Making short work of my big effort. This recipe is the sugar cookie at warp speed.

And at this time of year no one is biting little heads off chicks and bunnies.

You may remember my botched attempt last week with this recipe. It was worth trying again and this time I think we're okay.

Sugar Cookie Bars

1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 13 x 18 inch sheet pan and line with parchment paper. I didn't line the pan, just sprayed Pam.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixture, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes on medium high. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Add the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 2 addition, mixing until just combined.

Press the cookie dough into the sheet pan, using a greased spatula or parchment paper to spread it evenly. Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool completely.

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
4 cups confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4-5 tablespoons milk
Pinch of salt
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the shortening and butter until combined and smooth. Add the vanilla and salt and mix until combined. Add the confectioners sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Cream together on medium high for about a minute. Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until smooth. I only needed 4 tablespoons of milk to get a light spreadable consistency.
Spread onto cooled cookies. Slice into bars and serve.

Besides Baking...
Looks like the Element is full for a trip to Seattle to Pioneer Woman's book signing. A really fun group of women, we will be laughing all the way! Shelly, Leslie and Jerrie are going on an adventure!

I had a flight yesterday that ended badly. My feet came off the ground at boot camp in an attempt to heave the ball and I landed face first, full body on the gym floor. I'm sore today but fine. The triple bruises on my knee match beautifully on both knees. I'm going to the hot tub this morning before I get busy cleaning the house. My dear Hubby mopped yesterday so I won't be on my knees today.

Our church had a powerful Good Friday service last night. I felt so blessed to be a part of that community of believers. If you don't have a church home for Easter let me know. I would love to have you be a part of my church as we celebrate the Resurrection on Sunday. Wishing you a Blessed Easter!

No April Fools Here

Max had his first soccer game yesterday at Bender Fields. The rain let up. Hubby and I bundled up and went. To think I was this close to missing out on the action this year. Thank you Max! If he hadn't played it would have been the first soccer less year since Danny (age 23) was in second grade with no soccer games. So, I am back to my long silk underwear from eddie bauer, my smart wool socks, gloves and a parka at Breezy Bender. LC lost but they are looking good.

The big news this morning is that Pioneer Woman is visiting Seattle April 17th. I'm a little excited and am taking credit for her visit. After all I emailed, commented and suggested she visit Seattle. I may have begged. I'm taking my book to her signing and if you want to come with me, please leave a comment. It'll be fun!

In other news this week I got into a little trouble on Travelocity. I may have pushed the confirm button one too many times, well actually, I did click and we are going. First I found a great deal on a cruise, then on airfare, then a hotel deal and so Hubby and I are going on a little honeymoon. I made him a deal that I wouldn't buy any new clothes for the trip. Shoes aren't clothes, are they?

Max was mad until I told him I'd leave him with a BiG pan of enchiladas. Don't worry kiddo, I'll be here for you the other 359 days this year.

If you know our last name you'll know that Hubby and I may get special treatment on Holland America's just refurbished Ryndam.



I'm off to the museum and then going to buy my guys a BAH. They love a BAH* and since it's Easter week the BAH are on sale. Isn't life grand?

*code for a BiG A** ham.