Funny Faces

Looking through some pictures from the last few months I made a realization. I give dirty looks without even trying.

I was actually just very intensely listening to what they had to say. Brandon needed that fort to be built just right, I needed to make sure the foundation was secure. Mikayla needed to know when she would get to hold baby Dustin, my job was to find out! So, while at first glance these look like I am making a funny face towards my beautiful niece and nephew... I am not!

It is still December?

It feels like once Christmas has passed, so should December. Or at least we should not have to work. Just a thought.

Our Christmas was great, and Maddy had a fantastic time. A few days before Christmas though I lost a very dear friend. She was someone who I had once called my best friend and only because of time and the riggers of life did we part ways. I saw her Sunday though. Her nails were perfectly painted, and her hair blown dry with make-up just so. She had a pretty blue sweater on and looked like the person I knew back before life took its toll. When I saw her Sunday, I finally saw her still- at peace.

Merry Christmas!

Santa's Message to Madelyn

P.S.

Want to have a little Christmas chuckle?

Head on over here: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/12/total-flakes.html

Candy and Door Openers

Guess what we have on Lucille Ave?

Yes an automatic garage door opener! Sometimes I get to use it (if Ray allows... hehe) and I have come to learn that it is what every New Englander needs! 38 degree mornings are nothing when your car is nicely nestled inside your house!

The door opener and (clean gutters) are all thanks to Papa (and Daddy)... They must have spent 8+ hours a few weekends ago getting the ranch ready for Winter. Maddy and mommy watched cartoons and took naps!

Over the course of this last 6 or so months that we have been homeowners there have been many "discoveries." One of these recent uncoverings was that UPS comes in the middle of night, kind of like Santa- only brown. We have not figured out why, or at what time exactly they arrive but at 9 when we go to bed our porch is empty and in the morning it has wonderful packages. I'm not complaining though- this Sunday morning we found a box full of candy from Grandpa and Grandma Wilson. A bounty of Lindt and Andes chocolates... UPS can drop off packages in my bath tub for all I care- if they are filled with candy.

Recipes for Me... and you.

Sometimes I come across a food item (*clears throat* Wheat Thins) and/or recipe that I simply must have at least once a week for several weeks. This is "my" new dish.

Ingredients:
¾ cup of Pine Nuts
1 box of Farfalle Pasta
4 cloves of Garlic- minced
½ cup Olive Oil
1 cup Spinach- cut ends.
½ cup Golden Raisins
½ lb of Prosciutto
½ cup Romano Cheese
Pepper

Toast pine nuts over medium heat until brown.

Cook Farfalle pasta in boiling water until el dente.
Drain pasta.

Sauté garlic in oil over medium heat until fragrant, add spinach. Toss until spinach is wilted.

Add raisins to boiling water, cook for 10-minutes until plump. Drain.

Slice prosciutto.

Combine pine nuts, pasta, spinach mixture, raisins, and prosciutto into a large bowl. Mix with Romano cheese and pepper.

Serve Hot.

Christmas on Lucille Avenue

Here is our Christmas.