Minestrone Soup

My family absolutely loves this soup. Go try it if you want.

Ingredients
4 cups water
1 (14.5 oz.) can Diced Italian Tomatoes
1 cup Beef Broth
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 celery rib, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
2 T onion, chopped
1 tp garlic, minced
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
½ T parsley
1 T sugar
½ lb. sausage, cooked
1 (15 oz.) can green beans
2 cups uncooked bowtie pasta

Directions
In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients except for the pasta. Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes. Add bowtie pasta and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with some crusty Italian bread and enjoy!

Yay for Craigs List!

I'm so proud of my first ever Craig's List purchase! Some of you may remember that my bread maker died a while ago. I took the advice of a friend and searched for one on Craig's List. I got this baby for $15. And yes, it works. I made rolls for Easter dinner with it.



I must admit that I'm so glad Brock was with me when I went to pick this machine up. It would have been a little scary had I been all alone. I was in an unfamiliar part of town...and who knows...the seller could have been a serial killer or something. Never go alone.

Sweet 16

Happy Birthday Jessica!



Just the other day you were my newborn baby girl.
Where has all of the time gone?



You are beautiful!





My brown-eyed girl!

I love you!

Easter!

When it's Easter time at our house you have to dye some eggs. (or hands)
The only rule I have is that if you dye the eggs, you also have to eat them. Well...it's Tuesday. There are about 10 more eggs to be eaten.We started with 24, so that's not too bad.

Orange Julius

My family loves this yummy, slushy drink. Go ahead and try it. You'll be glad you did! Here is the recipe.

Orange Julius

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup milk

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

12 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in your blender. Blend for about 1 minute. Add the ice cubes a few at a time. Blend for another second or two.

*I usually double this recipe for my family.

Dessert and Cake Auction

Jessica and Lauren had a fundraiser with the YW at church a few weeks ago. They are raising money for girls camp. Here are their creations. Those who made bids were very generous!

"Cowboy Take Me Away"

I have no clue why Jess wanted to make a

boot cake. But here it is.

I thought it turned out to be pretty cute.

It went for $13 dollars.

This "Chocoholic" cake went for a whopping $36!

Lauren contributed by breaking up the chocolate on top.

This is also Lauren's design. She named it "Fruity Pizzaz."
I wish we would have drizzled something on top.
Someone bought this for $25!




"Campfire Cheesecake" was delicious!
I think the final bid on this was $30.
Thanks to West Hills Ward for helping the
girls go to camp!

The Big Reveal

I would like to announce the songs that I purchased with my itunes gift card. It was so much fun! For some of you, I realize that is probably no big deal. But for me it is a huge deal. I feel like I have been so stuck in the 80's with my music listening. Plus, I just never take the time, or have the time, to actually sit at the computer and browse music. I had a blast! I thank some of you for giving me such great suggestions. So here is the cd I made for me!

1. Fireflies by Owl City (Thanks Angelina! I love this!)
2. Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson (Angie suggested this one!)
3. Only Hope by Mandy Moore (Jessica)
4. Hey, Soul Sister by Train (Heard on the radio. Great song!)
5. Drops of Jupiter by Train
6. The Lighthouses Tale by Nickel Creek (one of Lori's fave groups)
7. Spell by Marie Digby (heard this on Ashley's blog. Great piano)
8. Don't Let Me Fall by Lenka (Jessica suggested. Unique and fun)
9. New Soul by Yael Naim (Jessica likes this. I do too.)
10. Somebody Out There (Another Jessica suggestion.)
11. Hallelujah by Allison Crowe (Love this song! Great vocals.)
12. Invisible by Taylor Swift (Who doesn't like this girl?)
13. Free Fallin' (Live) by John Mayer (Oh man...this is good!"
14. Taking Chances by Glee Cast (Love it Diana!)
15. Somebody to Love by Glee Cast

So now you all know what I am listening to while I drive my kids everywhere and clean house. Good music is essential! It puts a spring in my step and makes me so happy.