Important Question

I have missed blogging about quite a bit in the past month. My family Christmas party, 10 yr anniversary trip to St George, Christmas, Cross Country skiing, New Years, Mike's birthday... blah blah blah. But there is something important on my mind that I need to discuss and get some opinions about. Side-ponytails. Really? Are they back in? I don't know if I should embrace the hairstyle of my youth or mock it. What is your vote?

Here is one picture from our recent excursion to the state capitol in Boise. Our kids were little nightmares for the whole trip but our hosts were kind and patient with us! Thanks guys.

What's for Dinner?

I hate it when the kids ask me that question. Because my answer is sure to result in groans and whines. They asked me last night. I wasn't about to give them the real answer (Cream of Broccoli Soup from scratch). So I made up a new name for the soup and called it Christmas Tree soup. I stretched the truth a bit and said it was potato soup which I magically turned green to be Christmas Tree Soup. Did they eat it? You better believe it. I am a little proud of myself. Hopefully I remember this trick next Christmas too.

Here's the recipe from Martha's Stewart's Everyday Living.... (I halved it for my family)

Christmas Tree Soup

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 med onion, diced

coarse salt & pepper

2 cans chicken broth

1 large head broccoli (3#), peeled, chopped

1 med baking potato, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup lemon juice

Saute the onion in oil, season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft. Add broth, broccoli, potato and 2 cups water. Bring to boil and simmer until tender. Puree soup and return to pot. Stir in cream and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper.

(my changes: for a half the recipe use 2 cups water and 2 chicken bullion cubes for the liquid and keep the full amount of cream!)

Idaho's Davy Crockett

The camera loves this man. If I had to post every time he was in the newspaper since we've moved to pocatello, you guys would be very tired of listening to me. The newspaper picture doesn't do his red long underwear much justice as the top is tied around his waist. But he looked good! There were some great Wild West costumes for this half marathon, one guy dressed like a civil war soldier, some cowboys and some cows. Even a saloon girl or too.

I am signing up for a 5K mud run in soldier hollow which is supposed to be fun. www.thedirtydash.com. There is plenty of time to train... it's not until june 2011. Sign on up!

Happy Halloween!!

I can't remember what Mike was having them say to make them smile during pictures.... It was about boogers though.
Zombie Eliza
Vampire Ian
Creepy Family

I took 200 photos to get 5 half way decent shots. I had the camera on the tripod taking 10 photos in a row, so we can make flip books of Eliza trying to wriggle out of my grasp and pulling faces at Ian. If we lived in DC.. we would have these fine people take our photos. Until then.. It's my high school yearbook/newspaper photography skills we are dependent upon.