On your MARK.... GET SET ....... GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I often wonder, just how many people are like myself...
or rather how many would admit to being like me....

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas! I love just about EVERYTHING there is associated with Christmas.... except for one thing! And that ONE thing I honestly just despise  .. MR. MONEY!  Every year I say to myself... "MR. MONEY, you are NOT going to break my Christmas spirit!" And every year, I find myself sitting in my chair stressing out because of MR. MONEY!  It simply does not matter how much money I "budget"  for Christmas...it just NEVER is enough!

But this past January, as we knew that our "life" was going to change and the uncertainty of not really knowing just how much it would be changed - I decided I had to set a budget with a PLAN!  It really wasn't rocket science or anything, but heaven only knows WHY I have not had that red light come on in the past! I always BUDGET ... I write it in my fancy-schmancy Christmas notebook that is tucked in my purse.... so what is the problem??? WELL - I'll tell you!  I only wrote down my budget - I didn't create a PLAN on how to REACH my budget! I know... I know.... ROCKET SCIENCE!  (I have always dis-liked science.)  So, this year - I put on my scientist cap and went to work: I devised a plan in January of just HOW to actually "HAVE" the money needed by the time my shopping would begin... (ok, I'll admit... I'm not quite there - but I am a lot closer than I was last year!... baby steps... that's what this is all about.... baby steps)

So, do you find that when you want to work on your Christmas Organizing plans - that your time is taken up by finding all the other THINGS that need work on as well?  I do.  My list just NEVER ends.  No wonder Mr. Grinch and I are such good friends come December.....
 
 Through the past few years that I've "decided" I was going to "ENJOY" the season (which, I'm here to tell you - it doesn't happen in one year - at least for me it didn't...) I realized that the things I need to help me get and stay organized, well, they extend well beyond my Christmas Organizing book!

I would find that I was surrounded by files, catalogs, idea books, projects, more books, ideas, ideas, and more ideas... and then lists, lists LISTS that I was "working" on for not just the holiday season - but for every day life. And I wanted them ALL done! RIGHT NOW!  I would "mentally note" that if they were not done, I simply could NOT enjoy the season!  (Can  you relate?? Am I all alone on this one??)  This is when the light FINALLY went on!  I figured it out! I needed to have 2 separate "organization" books.  One - for every day life and one for Christmas - or specifically for August - January.  I realized that I had to make a CUT OFF date for my "every-day" life.... and not let it interfere with my Christmas Plan.... otherwise, no-one and nothing gets the better side of me.... and that just isn't fair.  So, this year - we are trying it!

Two books. 
Two plans. 
One WILL be put away Aug. 1 - and not come back until Mid January,
so I can start planning for Feb.
The other will become my MAIN focus from August - January.

(May I add, well, I'm adding,  I have purchased a large 3 ring 3" binder that I put dividers in for each family member and sheet protectors in each section as well, so that when I'm browsing around and find something that I think would be PERFECT for a specific person, I have a place to put it... and guess what else I did - I labeled it BILLS down the binding edge and on the front. No-one wants to even PEAK in it! LOL!!!  I'm really sneaky!!! I have found that this is really handy especially when through the year they mention "something" I tuck it in the binder and then when I'm ready to get SERIOUS about it - I have "reminders" - because this brain is getting really USED and I'm still working on how to increase my memory from a 2GB to a 20GB - or something like that.... and it is really helpful for the next year when I can't remember if I already gave them "that".)  

So, here is what we are going to do... (well, that is if you want to join me...) I was asked to participate in CHRISTMAS IN JULY - BLOG STYLE by DEBBIE - over at a debbie-dabblechristmas.blogspot.com - she is so on top of it! And of COURSE I said YES! I mean, I LOVE CHRISTMAS - have I told you that??? AND I'm getting VERY excited about it as well.... BUT, I'm rather behind because of the curve balls we have been dodging lately, BUT I decided that this was the perfect way to get me back on my toes, sharing with you (it's just something about being "accountable" to someone other than myself) - AND of course, I hope you will share with me - because I can use all the help I can get!!!!

So, today I'm going to give you an assignment.... are you ready?

Go purchase or dig through an old drawer or cupboard and find yourself 2 notebooks - big enough that you can write in them and understand what you have written (or am "I" the only one hat has that problem too? :)) - but at least one that will fit in your purse.... so, HURRY!  And I'll see you back here tomorrow night!

 

Oh, and if you want - grab yourself a 3 ring binder and sheet protectors or manilla folders.

On your MARK....

GET SET!

GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HURRY!

Baby it's getting HOT in here.....

I am finding it really HARD to get my Christmas Spirit on... when there are so many FIRES burning around us....

Last Friday afternoon, one of our agents was looking out his office window and I heard him say "Well, looks like we have some mighty dirt devils funneling around the south end of the valley"....(I find him quite funny as every phone call he takes, he usually gives a "weather" update, so I never really have to wonder what is happening on the outside world, he keeps me informed as well :)), and he continues, "oh, and it looks like there is another fire on the Rose Canyon Mountain."   I rushed to his window (and yes! I had to look out. and YES I was getting rather nauseous..16 floors up! I tried REALLY hard not to think about it! I have avoided these windows for 6 months now!) but there it was some 40 miles away - a fire! 

 I watched for a few minutes and soon it was a HUGE fire!  I tried calling home. No answer.  5 times!  COME ON PEOPLE! ANSWER THE PHONE!.... agh! FINALLY someone called me back - and yes - there was fear in my children and my husband as well - as the fire "seemed" closer to them, than the fire we experienced nearly 2 years ago - and it was started lower in the valley this time, not along the mountain ridge as it was last time.  Needless to say - I FLEW out of work! 

 (I hope I put everything away.... oh well - too late if I didn't)

These photos, just break my heart. 

I can't EVEN imagine what I would do, if in their shoes.

Cry.  Very hard I'm sure.

OH. MY. HEART. 

This makes my stomach hurt. 

My heart ache.

I just can't even fathom.

We are safe.  Although nearly 900 homes were evacuated - most as a "pre-caution" in case the winds decide to pick up and change direction - overall 11 structures/cars were destroyed in all .... 350 acres burned thus far...SO SAD!  My heart just goes out to them.

Then, 4 days later - another fire breaks out - just across the other side of the valley - and 500 MORE homes evacuated! MORE families displaced!  More homes in danger... it is becoming very hard to be excited for FIREWORKS! It's actually terrifying me... 

(This is the Draper Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Draper Ut.0
 (The fire is just on the other side of the mountain - but trying the sneak it's way over the ridge....)

Fire. It has it's place. And it's time. Now, well it is just not the time, nor the place. I prefer it in a fireplace.... controlled..... when it is snowing outside and keeping me warm inside. Not now. Not in the HOT HEAT. Not out of control. NOT THREATENING people, homes, livestock, and wildlife. So sad. 

 This is when a FIRE is NOT welcome!  I'm sorry.

 Here is  a "small" aerial shot of "after" effect.

Firefighters did an AMAZING job at containing the fire.

Hard to imagine we only lost 4 homes with this OUT OF CONTROL fire.

My heart goes out to all those that lost their homes, cars, livestock, fences.... 

My prayers go out to all those involved.  

INCLUDING the firefighters!

They have been working NON-STOP for what seems like months. They are exhausted. They are tired. They are HOT! Their families are missing them. THEY are truly hero's who put their life on the line of duty every single minute.  I thank you and pray for you all! 

Praying for...

 No wind. 

Rest for the firefighters. 

People to be SMART about FLAMES

. And mostly praying for the safety of all involved.... 

Families, emergency personnel, animals.... 

and for GOD to bless the USA! 

There is tragedy all around.... 

Please, bless us all. Everyone. Everywhere. 

 Pictures from Herriman City, KSL News and friends.... 

(I would post MY pictures - but someone, somewhere, somehow

 has borrowed, mis-placed or stolen my camera cord! GRR!)...

Adjusting... isn't always easy....

Let's just say...

I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE PAST 5 MONTHS HAVE GONE!

Could I please get them back??? Paaaallllleeeeeeeaaaaassssssseeeeee???

So much has happened on one hand and yet on the other ... NOTHING!

I'm such a slacker!  I'm so EXHAUSTED!  I'm so LAZY!  I'm just so..... well you decide....

Just prior to Christmas - life took a change... a turn... a FLIP in the road... The world and life we have known for the past 12 years, the life that we have face different trials, challenges and growing pains, but yet we had come very accustomed to.. was about to change again... And I remember thinking 12 years ago when life took on this "curve" in the road, that I honestly didn't know how we would adjust to "this new" change.  But we did. We managed. We learned. We grew.... and we actually ENJOYED it... BUT NOW... life was about to change again... going down yet another turn that we have not been on thus far in life - and I was filled with fear yet excitement at the same time.  Is that possible to have fear and excitement in the same sentence??? let alone the same "feeling"?...

Well, needless to say - I was forced to start looking for another job.  I have worked out of my home for the past 12 years - 2 different jobs - but still - both able to work from my home.  It has been very nice. My two youngest children have known nothing different, and the older three have "known" of mom working out of the home - but I honestly think that they too have become quite attached to the fact that mom has been home for the past 12 years... I know I have.  AND... my Mr. has too.

As I look back on the past 12 years and the "fear - worry - stress" that I had then as we started on that NEW adventure - not knowing what would come of it or if it would even work out - has been such a HUGE blessing to our family.  Isn't it funny how you just never know what life is going to throw your direction, and although what we have been through the last 12 years was not ANYTHING that I thought I was going to be, I can now see that it happened for a reason and that things were the way they were, were that way for many reasons that if someone had told me and shown me that "this is what your next 12 years will hold for you, are you SURE you want to go down this road?" I'm pretty sure I would have stayed on the road that I was traveling.  But, there were stars in my eyes and it felt right so we made the change and I stepped out of the "corporate working world" to start and adventure of our own business.  Although it was fruitful for a couple years - things happened - economy took a plunge at the 9-11 mark and unfortunately marketing was one of the first things that corporations cut back on and that in turn affected our business.... a lot.  We managed to hang on for a couple years but it was soon apparent that we were sinking fast and it was time to make some changes again.  As we were digging our feet in trying to decide which direction to go, my Mr. (then 38 at the time) decided that it would be helpful (NOT!) to have a heart attack.... reflecting back to that day and the emotion, thoughts and stress that were laying in my hands  - I remember being a tad bit angry with him and I threatened him that if he left me with 5 children (ages 11 months to 17 yrs)  to raise ALONE he would be one VERY SORRY MAN!!! (I must have scared him, because he didn't leave me-LUCKY BOY!) :)  LUCKY ME!  LUCKY KIDS!  Well, we made it through that, and his being laid off  and out of work for 3 years,  closing our business, a daughter with Epstein Bar Syndrome,  me finding a new job, TEENAGERS, and I'm sure there were a few other "stresses" in there somewhere....  and then 3 years later, he was involved in a auto accident that left him with a broken neck and later severe head trauma/injury.... so, I have been very blessed to be able to work from home - where I have been here for him and the kids as they have needed.  I've been very blessed and feel VERY blessed.   Shortly after his accident we discovered that our then 11 year old daughter, had a tumor growing down her spine.  It wasn't small by any means - it went from the brain stem all the way down to the tip of her tail bone, and it was compressing at a rapid rate - causing her spine to curve because it had no-where else to grow to.  Within 2 weeks of learning about this she was in the hospital having brain surgery.  I, was fortunate to be able to work from the hospital and keep our family going financially while Mr. held the fort down with the help of the older children.   I know that the turn we took 12 years ago was indeed a "guided" blessing - even though at times I wondered "what in the world" I had done.  If I had stayed in the corporate world, we would have insurance, a secure job, I'm sure I would have moved up in the company.... BUT what I would not have had was the opportunity that I have had the past 12 years to be home with my family 24 hours a day - to be aware of their comings and goings, to see them grow DAILY.  I have been here when they come home from school and need "mom" to talk to - I have been here to comfort them when they have been sick.  I've been here to get them to doctor appointments, dance, singing, sporting events, school events, church events, bake cookies for them when they've had a bad day or when I have had a bad day - or just because I WANT to - I've been here!  I have been home to help with broken hearts, (you know... boy troubles :)... and even crushed hearts from hurtful girl talk...  Do you know just how scary it is to walk away from what you are use to for 12 years?

I have been worried about them - about how they will feel about me - will they think that I've abandoned them? Will they know and understand just how hard this is on me as well?  I feel like I'm letting them down. I felt so torn.  My heart was breaking.... I didn't think that I would ever be able to make one step in the direction I was being forced to take. 

I have had to step up and help be the financial supporter for our family - and I KNOW that this truly breaks my Mr's heart as well.  It is so hard to see him shed tears because he is so frustrated that he is not able to do what he has been taught his whole life to do... our roles have had to switch.  And honestly, I was so worried about loosing the "mother" role with my kids.   It took a lot of prayer and a HUGE leap of faith to step out of the comfort zone and find it in myself to be able to jump back into the corporate world again. 

I applied for several jobs - jumping out on a limb with every "submit" key I would press.  The first interview I went out on was literally KILLING me inside - I just prayed that I would have strength to get through that first interview without bawling!  (It was really hard! I lost it when I got to the car... )  Needless to say - I went back on 3 more interviews and 2 phone interviews with this company - I THOUGHT this was really the job for me. But, they took so long in "making a decision" that I started to question what was really happening. (Plus it was a large cut in pay... that was a BIG concern for me).  I continued to apply for jobs daily  and it wasn't until several weeks later that I FINALLY started hearing back from some of them - I had 4 different interviews in one day - and BOY was that stressful.  In the end - it came down to the first job I had applied for and 4 others that I had been on at least 2 interviews for and 1 job that I REALLY wanted as a 9-1-1 dispatcher - all came through on the same day.... talk about decision time! Well, let me take that back a little, the 9-1-1 dispatcher I had passed 3 tests (that I will say were the most INTENSE tests I have EVER in my life done!) and I just needed to make it passed the final interview which there were 11 people that made it that far for 2 job positions.... and the interview wasn't until the following morning AFTER I was needing to make a decision on the other offers I had been given.  So, with a lot of prayer and talking with my Mr. I made a decision... probably the most "out of my comfort zone" decision I have EVER made!  There were so MANY CONS to this job - but the one PRO was "it just felt right".... CONS - 1) Down town - right smack dab down town....Down town SCARES me! 2) 16th floor - I HATE heights! (I did not want a WINDOW office.  In fact, I didn't want a window at all!)  3) 16th floor meant ELEVATORS (terrified of elevators!... more terrified that I would die in the stair well  because I'm so out of shape - so stairs was not a option to start off either! ) 4) required parking in a parking terrace.... you guessed it if you said TERRIFIED OF PARKING TERRACES! T E R R I F I E D!  5) a very LONG commute (like 1 hour in the morning and 2 hours to get home)  6) Business dress - (I work in my PJ pants! SWEAT PANTS! Heck I could work in my underwear if I wanted! (But I choose not too, but I could)).  7) I would have to do something with my hair - a pony tail just won't cut it any longer 8) GAS~  lots of gas money....

But, I took this offer and I can just say that the last 5 months have been amazing.  Hard but amazing.  I love my job!  I feel like a lot of the people I work with - I have known for a very long time!  They are so good to me.  My family - well they deserve the BIGGEST squeeze!  They have had to step up and go out beyond what they thought that they would ever do too.  Although it has been difficult on all of us - I'm so very VERY thankful for their support.  Of course I would PREFER being home - being a mom and wife that is here for them 24 hours a day - but if this is the life we have to live for now - I'm very thankful that my MR is here and he is here for the kids - even though I KNOW he would prefer switching places with me - he is doing a great job stepping up to the plate of Mr. Mom. Yes, he struggles at times but the girls have been pretty good about taking care of him as well.  Some days are just simply hard. But, I have to keep telling myself - that we are strong. We will survive.  We will because WE ARE FAMILY!  

The only thing I don't think they will be willing to ADJUST on is dad taking over the "Christmas" shenanigans! I'm pretty sure HE draws the line there as well.... SO! With that being said - I guess I better get a STEPPIN' IT UP!  Christmas is JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

How are you all doing in the CHRISTMAS department?

I've just spent the last week - rethinking, remaking and rechecking my list...
It is TIME to get my CHRISTMAS on!
Who is in?
Are you ready?
It's gonna be here before we know it!

Back on the saddle it is!
After all... it's just
4 months and 1 week away!!!

OH MY ................ 

Hobby Lobby Anyone?????

First... 

again...

apologies...

Can I just say life has been one whirl wind after another around here ~

 some days I'm not sure if I'm even standing upright! 

 I feel much like a revolving door lately ~ never really knowing when I'm suppose to step out for fear of getting stuck somewhere in between and getting "smooshed!"  But, I'm sure you ALL feel the same way... sometimes anyway... I hope... I'd hate to be all alone .... hmmmm... I'm going to tell myself that I'm not alone if that's OK.... 

All I can say is ~  I'm sure glad I started thinking Christmas on Dec. 27! And yet,  I'm still very concerned that I'm not going to meet my deadline date... that clock just seems to keep on tickin'... even when I take the batteries out!

And now back to my question.... 

Today, Saturday morning was to start out REALLY early ~ especially for a Saturday!  (but honestly, between you and I, I would rather start early then spend the day "sleepin' it away - no matter HOW tired I THINK I am!) I set my alarm for 6 am ~ because I didn't want to forget to pick up my Bountiful Basket at 7:00 am - (This is a PLUG IN.....have you ever tried the Bountiful Basket Food Co-op?~Take a look at it here, and see if it is in your area ~ AMAZING! That is all I can say... AMAZING! SO, SO WORTH IT!) Anyway... after that I had several places I needed to run and makes some returns/exchanges, go grocery shopping, clean the house, pull weeds, mow the lawn, WASH my car...and all by 4:00 (should I be worried that I'm exhausted just typing it?... it's no wonder I didn't get it all accomplished - sheesh!)  Well, my youngest wanted to go with me to pick up the food basket so she made me promise I would wake her up early to go... so I did. It honestly took all of 10 minutes to pick up and get back home - can't do that at the store! SO EASY!  Anyway on our way home this was our conversation.... (now remember she is 9 years old - not 30!) "Mom do you think that we could go to Hobby Lobby today?"  "For what?"  "Oh, just to look around and you know, get some ideas... I think my room is ready for a makeover.  Do you know how long it's been since I've been there?  I think I need a Hobby Lobby run today... So, what do you think? Can we go mom?".... (long pause because I'm trying not to loose it in laughter as she is talking to me in her 30 year old voice, legs crossed on the seat in the car and of course she has the hand motions to go with it....) ..... and then she adds in her little "teasy-snide bribery voice".... "They might have Christmas decorations out...."  and she is smiling ear to ear!  OH MY HEART BEAT!!! I think I've created a MINI-ME!!!!  

Well, needless to say,  after all the errands that HAD to be done were done - she was BORED and just wanted to come home! LOL.... I guess she isn't 100% converted! 

I just thought I would check in and see how everyone is doing on their Christmas planning... project making and such.  If you haven't started - it isn't too late yet!  If you need a jump start or a "RE-LIGHT" - maybe this will help!  Coming up, very soon!  .... I'll be doing "CHRISTMAS IN JULY!" posts, so.... get a move on it ~ get your projects going and be sure to take pictures ~ I'll take entries July 1-15 and then spotlight them the 16th - 31st - this way we can ALL get some AMAZING ideas to help get us on the right track.... who knows ~ maybe even beat HOBBY LOBBY to the Christmas Decorations!  Wouldn't that be fun!!!  :)  (There will be lots of different categories too - decorations, cards, neighbor gifts, inexpensive gifts, gifts for him, gifts for her, family gifts, etc.... lots of ideas I'm hoping to gather! )..... 

SO.... 

On your MARKS....

GET SET....

GO!!!! 

Get creative!!!!  

Together ~ we'll make Christmas COUNT!  

I'm getting SO SUPER excited!!!! Are YOU!?!?!

This couldn't have been said any better!

In an evening class at Stanford, the last lecture was on the mind-body connection - the relationship between stress and disease.  The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, among a few other things, that one of the best things that a man could do for HIS health is to be married to a woman... whereas, for a woman, ONE of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends,.  At first, everyone laughed, but he was VERY serious. 

He continued with: "Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences.  Physically, this quality of "girlfriend time" helps women to create more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well-being.  Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities.  Women share from their souls with sisters, mothers, and girl friends and evidently that is very GOOD for their health."  He continued to say that spending time with a friend is just as important to our general health as jogging or working out at a gym.

There's a tendency to think that when we are "exercising" we are doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more productively engaged.  NOT TRUE!  In fact, he said that failure to create and maintain quality personal relationships with other humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking! 

So, every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health!  We are indeed very VERY lucky!  So..... there ya go!  Let's CHEER to our friendship with our girlfriends! Evidently it's VERY good for our HEALTH!

I'm so blessed to have WONDERFUL friends and sisters who have been there for me through out my life!  I KNOW that they have SAVED MY LIFE!!!!  I'm hoping to be VERY Healthy here pretty soon!!! I have so many great and wonderful friends, how could I not be!!! :)  (I surely hope I am as good a FRIEND in return!) 

OH... and just a little CHRISTMAS update....  a few more gifts are done!!! YEAH!!!!! 

How are you all doing???  I promise to get better at this....
 all in good time, my dears ... all in good time!

A couple of FAMILY fav's!

As I'm starting to prepare my Christmas Menu, I thought I would share a couple of our new favorites that are FOR SURE going to be on our December meals.... 

(Pictures will be coming... don't give up on me :)) 

On Sunday I usually make a large dinner ... I don't mind. I quite like it actually.  For several reasons.  It usually means that my kids are coming home for dinner - and we will ALL be home... sit down together and enjoy family chat time.  I LOVE it! I know it is usually stated that Sunday is a day of rest - and well, most see it as a day to "rest" and not a order for preparing big meals... but for me, preparing a big Sunday dinner is just that - RELAXING. I enjoy it!  I simply do not have time during the week to do it - so I look forward to Sundays... for this and other reasons as well. 

A few weeks ago, I came down with a WHOPPER migraine headache... It hit me while at church... I had to teach my class in the room with the lights off AND my sunglasses on.  It was a bad one! Hadn't had one like that in a long time! Somehow I managed to make it all through church and as soon as I walked in the house - straight to the bathroom to change my clothes... THEN I climbed right into bed... I was out. I needed it.... apparently. 

While I was sleeping I remember running around in my dream looking for a recipe for "baked chicken".... BAKED CHICKEN???  what was I thinking.... WHY was I thinking about baked chicken. WEIRD.  I had the dream several different times... and when I FINALLY became conscious again... I was CRAVING baked chicken!  OH MY!  So, I headed straight to the computer - looked at baked chicken recipes and finally decided to take a chance on this one.... and guess what! It has now become a family favorite! We have had it 3 times since.... MMMM-MMMM GOOD!!! I challenge you to give it a try! :)

Baked Chicken

8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

 (I use chicken tenders - worked better for my family and I used about 16 pieces)

1 cup sour cream

2 TBSP fresh lemon juice 

(I had bottled and it worked just fine... I think...)

2 tsp soy sauce

2 tsp celery sale

2 tsp garlic salt

dash of pepper

1 (6 oz) pkg of chicken seasoned stuffing mix - crushed into crumbs

1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking dish 

In a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, lemon juice, soy sauce, celery salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Dip each chicken breast in the sour cream mixture, then roll in the stuffing mix to coat. Arrange chicken in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with the melted butter. 
(***as a side note, I have done this a couple times, and the FROZEN chicken worked best for me - the sour cream mixture "stuck" to it better than on the thawed chicken... but you can try and see what works for you ;)***) 

Bake 40 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. 

 M-M-M.... so good!  (And the leftovers are even better! :)) 

Then... I also discovered this amazing roll recipe... I can't remember where I found it - so if it looks familiar to you, please let me know - I'd love to give credit where credit is due.... 

Parker House Rolls 

3/4 cup warm water 

1 TBSP yeast

3/4 cup scaled milk

7 TBSP sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup oil

4-5 cups flour

Place 3/4 cup warm water and 1 TBSP of the sugar in mixer bowl. Stir to dissolve the sugar.  Sprinkle the yeast on top of water/sugar mixture and set aside for a few minutes.  Once the yeast has become bubbly (or active) add the milk, remaining sugar, salt and oil to the yeast mixture and mix well.  Slowly add the flour, making sure that the dough remains "slightly" sticky.  Once all flour is added continue to mix for 7 minutes.  Then remove dough and place in a lightly oiled bowl and then place in a warm place and let rise for about 3 hours.

Roll dough out to just under 1/2" thickness, cut with a cup the size you prefer.  Place a slab of butter towards one side and fold the other side over being sure to "pinch" the edges closed.  Place rolls on cookie sheet and set back in a warm place and let rise for 20-30 minutes.

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Bake rolls for 10-14 minutes.  And.... just try to not SNITCH one while they are hot.... I bet you can't stop yourself!  They are just divine! 

Yep- pretty sure this is the new family favorite roll.... 

And certain to be on my December meal plan! 

How is your December meal planning coming along?

I just couldn't resist.....

A co-worker has been gone.... 

for 2 yes TWO LONG weeks to .... HAWAII.... none the less!

RUDE! :)

I mean really.... 

She sent me this .... 

with the message...

I'm enjoying every minute and relaxing ...

I feel so bad for her... NOT!  :)

While I was driving home in this..... 

NOT relaxing and NOT enjoying every minute! 

SOOOOoooooOOOOOO.....

I made her this...... 

ALOHA!  I mean  

BBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Welcome home! 

I asked her to bottle up some SUN and HEAT!.... 

I wonder if she did.....

(Note: That is not the EXACT picture she sent me - I can't download if from my phone... but it's pretty darn close.... and that is NOT a picture of the storm I was driving home in... I was driving... I couldn't take a picture... but it too, is pretty DARN close!)

HEY!!! I just had a great idea! 

Perfect neighbor gift! 

For Christmas of course!!

GEEZE!!! I'm one smart donut..... COOKIE!