Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

I've made this before and liked it. But this time I tripled the recipe, but not the condensed milk and added lime rind. Loved it! I also played around with the milks. If you'd like the original you can go to cookinglight.com in the recipe section.

Key Lime Pie Ice Cream (adapted from Cooking Light)


3 ½ cups skim milk
1 1/2 cups bottled key lime juice (such as Nellie and Joe's)
2 1/2 cups half and half
a couple of dashes of salt
2 (14 oz) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
6 graham crackers, coarsely broken
1 t. grated lime rind
Key lime wedges (optional)

Combine first 5 ingredients; stirring with a whisk. Pour mixture into freezer can of an ice-cream freezer and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Spoon ice cream into a freezer-safe container and cover and freeze for 1 hour or until firm. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tsp graham crackers. Garnish with lime wedges, if desired. Yield: 15 servings (serving size - 3/4 cup)

San Francisco

Six weeks ago, I was complaining, yes complaining, to Scot that he never got to go anywhere for training. The next day his boss asked if he wanted to go to San Jose for training. Wow, if all my problems could be solved so easily! I thought about taking the kids to do sight-seeing, but thought better of it. We got me a ticket, and with the help of my neighbor Kendra, Angie, Carrie, Veronica and Layne, and my dad I got to spend four days with Scot, sans kids.

The first day, I laid in the shade by the pool and read a book. It was a heartbreaking story. Of course, I can't remember the name of it right now, but the author is the one who wrote The Kite Runner. Being alone, I was able to cry and cry and savor the moments of such extreme sadness in the book. For anyone who likes to read, you should appreciate being able to do that. It just doesn't ever happen when you have 4 kids. After I read I took the train downtown, walked around, bought a Lychee-Almond Slushie with Boba. I had never had Boba before. They're large tapioca balls that they put in the Slushie, then you suck them up with a giant straw and chew on them while you drink. The first 5 were interesting, the next 5 tolerable, the last 30 I threw away. Definitely an acquired taste. Here's a link if you want to learn something new. http://lollicupboulder.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=6

Anyway, I then went to Japantown. There are only three left in the US. I found a cute, tiny shop with two little, old Japanese ladies selling Japanese treats. As a talked to them I mentioned I had four kids. "What!! You married? We thought you be college student from the university!" Thanks, ladies, I needed that. ---About the treats. They look quite strange. They're round gelatinous balls , about 3 inches wide, made of glutinous rice, with sweet red bean paste inside. At first bite, I didn't like it, but it grew on me. I left a tiny bit for Scot to try -- didn't like it either. The next day we went back together. I wanted to buy a package to bring back for the kids. We ate most of it. That's why you don't see a cute pic of my blue gelatin globs with beans. Here's me with one of the ladies.

One evening we had a fantastic dinner at an Indian buffet. Scot went to training with a couple of Indians, and they recommended this buffet. It was fantastic! I took a pic of the giant bowl of Gulab Jamun to make my kids jealous. Definitely, the best Gulab I've ever eaten. FYI, when Ch. was barely 2, he would always cry, "Yo quiero Jamun" (I want Jamun). I know, my kids are weird. He should have been yelling I want cookie!, or something normal like that.

We spent all day Saturday in San Francisco. We couldn't decide if we wanted to go in the car or take public transp. We decided on the car. Great decision! We had so much fun driving up and down the hills. That morning we went to the farmer's market. Rows and rows of incredible fruit (they handed out samples), organic veggies, homemade cheeses, pastries. Honestly, I had the thought that everyone's idea of heaven would be really different, and this place would be mine.

That evening, we went to San Fran's Japantown. I don't like the setup as much as in San Jose, but we ate a great sushi and ramen seafood soup there. Then for dessert, crepes and hazlenut gelato. Not very Japanese, but the tourists probably don't get that excited about the red bean balls.

On Sunday, we drove back into SF and watched, quite literally, the fog roll over the mountains. I've always read of rolling fog, but had never seen it. It was hot, sunny, and beautiful on the drive down until we hit SF---cold, windy, foggy. The weather itself was an experience to me. We drove all around the Presidio, tried to stop in Little Italy, but there was NO parking. We were getting desperate because we needed to eat before we got to the airport. I told Scot to just drive, park anywhere there was a space, and we'd walk to find something to eat. We ended up going to a Thai restaurant that was great. For an appetizer, we ordered a delicious calamari salad. The calamari was large and tender. As we were eating our salad and savoring the quiet moments of eating without children, I had a realization. There was one yummy calamari left on the plate. Scot said, "You eat it." That seems like something small, but I realized that's how my whole marriage is. Scot may sometimes be gruff or short, but he's always willing to do anything to make me happy. He takes the kids to give me a break, he always does the dishes with me, he's my sous chef in the kitchen. That's really what makes a good marriage - two people who each want the other to eat the last calamari.

Seussical Jr.

Today is a great day at our house! Chandler tried out for the Seussical musical and today found out that he got the lead he wanted - Jojo! I got to sit in on his tryout and thought he did really well. He sang a song from "Hope of America"-- a huge presentation elementary schools had done at BYU a couple of months ago. After he sang we mentioned to the director that he already knew a lot of the songs. They asked him impromptu and a capella to sing one. Yikes! I was terrified for him because he hadn't practiced any. But it was beautiful! I couldn't wipe off the "I'm so proud of my child grin." Still, I didn't want to get my hopes up because he didn't move at all during his tryout. He sang great, but he stood immobile with his hands behind his back. Then the director asked him to smile his biggest smile - it was that cheesy grin all kids make when you tell them to smile for a picture. I told the director that spontaneity wasn't his strong point but that he does great with direction! For any family that wants to go, the performances will be in the EXTREMELY small Lehi Arts Center (the size of the arts center is testament to how much Lehi values the arts) July 31, Aug. 1, Aug. 2, Aug. 4.

Caramel Popcorn

We've for years had our favorite Cooking Light popcorn recipe with Teddy Grahams and pecans, but this year we've found another one that we've liked a lot. I've played with the amounts to where we like it, if we don't put in too much popcorn. I've tried to get that amount that will taste yummy and will satisfy my sweet tooth without being decadent, since decadent means more calories. The only problem with making a popcorn recipe that calls for 27-30 cups popcorn--I never measure it. Sometimes we have a little too much popcorn and not--- quite ---enough caramel. So I'm left wanting with every bite. Try not to do that. It's definitely better to have a little bit less popcorn than too much. This recipe is called Caramel Popcorn, but it's not really a caramel, well maybe it is in the amounts the original recipe called for, but not in mine. I LOVE molasses and the flavor it adds. If you don't care for it, leave it out, but you're missing something great! Because of the salt you get a sweet/salty flavor that reminds Scot of his mom making a salty batch and a sweet batch popcorn to eat together.

Caramel Popcorn Adapted from CL (amount to serve 3 adults, 4 kids)

Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup light-colored corn syrup
6 T. butter 2 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
27 cups popcorn (popped without salt or fat)
Preparation
Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter, and molasses in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes, stirring once. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Place popcorn in a large bowl; pour sugar mixture over popcorn in a steady stream, stirring to coat.

Me, on a good day

Today was a good day. No tears, at least, on my part. My kids all did their chores, did some homework, my son is in practicing the piano. I'm trying to get myself together. I've had five months now to fall apart. That was easy to do while the kids are in school. But when they're home I know I have to stop feeling sorry for myself and be there for my kids. Whenever I've known people who have lost someone, I, like most other people, have been at a loss as to what to say. I've realized that I don't want people to say anything. Mostly, I haven't wanted to talk to anyone except my dad and my husband, and sometimes Angie. But, at the same time, I've so much appreciated people's emails, phone calls, letters, frozen meals, babysitting. A neighbor commented to another neighbor that she couldn't believe how down I had been for so long. The neighbor doesn't know me very well, nor does she know how close I was with my mom. My mom was my biggest cheerleader, always wanting to hear every detail of my kids' lives, all that was going on with my work, what we had for dinner, what was the latest drama at Scot's work. She was a captive audience to share my life with. It's not just been losing my mom, it's been losing an irreplaceable friendship. As I've moved into my later 30's (wow, that happened fast) and had friendships ebb, flow, end, begin again, being able to have a true friendship has taken on a new meaning for me. I don't have the time nor energy to devote to being a good friend to lots of people. People I meet now don't know where I've been, what I've been through, my heartaches, my faults, and they'll never quite understand me as someone who's stood by me for many years. All that makes losing my mom especially hard. No woman had been there longer to support me and love me. Ok. I had said no tears today, but that was pretty impossible to write and not cry.

Cajun Shrimp Casserole

Of course, blogging is completely new to me, so I'm not sure exactly what I want this blog to be or how long it will keep my interest. It's to chronicle what we're doing, but since I'm always cooking I can't bear to leave out the food! There are lots of incredible food blogs with gorgeous photos and indexes of recipes. As much as I love to eat, I don't think I'll ever be willing to put that much work into a blog. but I do want to include recipes that we've liked. If nothing else it will help me remember recipes I've tried and liked! I know my tastes are eclectic and veer to the vegetarian side. So, igore my recipes if you hate garlic, spice, or vegetables. Also realize that I CAN NOT follow a recipe. Honestly, I really don't think I've followed a recipe 100% in many years. I don't know what's wrong with me. Even when I say I'm going to follow it, I change something. If you have any insights into what childhood trauma caused this obsession, I'm open to any ideas. In the meantime, here's a recipe that we had for the second time this week (with my changes, of course). I took a plate over to Ch.'s orchestra teacher. He's single, no girlfriend, and had had an operation. Conveniently enough, after offering him dinner I found out he lives 2 minutes away. He said he loved it!

CAJUN SHRIMP CASSEROLE
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds unpeeled, large fresh shrimp

1 large red onion, chopped

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

8 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups frozen sliced okra
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of shrimp soup
1 can healthy request cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup dry white wine (can sub chicken broth)
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 cups cooked long-grain rice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I always use Pecorino Romano - more flavor)
Garnishes: quartered lemon slices, fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs

Preparation
Peel shrimp; devein, if desired.
Put a little oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and next 3 ingredients; sauté 7 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in okra, lemon juice, and salt; sauté 5 minutes. Add shrimp, and cook 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Stir in soup and next 4 ingredients until blended. Pour into a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and cheese is lightly browned. Garnish, if desired.

Note: Unbaked casserole may be made one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking as directed. To freeze unbaked casserole, prepare as directed, omitting Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly, and freeze. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking. Bake, covered, at 350° for 50 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese, and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.

Yield---Makes 12 servings
Adapted from:

Elaine Jeansonne, Cottonport, Louisiana ,
Southern Living, OCTOBER 2005

Trip to Mexico 2007

I want to back up to last October/Nov. when we went to Mexico.
We went this time during the big school anniversary celebration, Halloween, S.'s birthday.

We've now been to Mexico twice as a whole family with the kids. both times we've lived with the same family - Alejandro and Sissi Jimenez . We didn't know them before we had set things up to live in their home, but we now consider their family some of our closest friends.

Their four children are all adults. We went back last fall because the youngest, David, was going on a mission, and was going to be at the house all the time not working or going to school. He' so good with the kids that I knew it would be a special time for them to spend with him.

We also saw a lot of daughter Vianney (husband Arnulfo) because they live close by. The youngest girl Sissita came home on the weekends from school. We'd still like her to come here and live with us and go to school.

The kids went to school every day and really enjoyed it. Of course, C. was very "busy" and his teacher was worried because all he wanted to was draw monster pictures. M. cried every morning, then after I left her she loved it. While the kids were at school, I washed clothes (this process being a little more complicated in Mexico) and took care of S.

Sometimes David drove us into the city to buy groceries. On Tuesdays Alejandro took us to a huge outdoor market to buy anything you could ever imagine selling from the back of your pickup :-)

S. loved to play in the rooster cages behind the house. I really did get used to hearing them squawk every morning--- wait I wouldn't call that morning. It was still night for me. Ha, HA!
Bathing S. was a little more complicated for me. We had a harder time getting lots of hot water so she and M. took lots of cool baths. I bathed one girl in the water, then the other. While in Mexico this time we were able to go the School's anniversary celebration- full of Mariachi bands and tacos.

We also had S.'s birthday there and the kids went trick-or-treating.

The kids made some great friends. C. and his friend Memo played for hours in a large mudhole in the backyard. One evening Memo's family took us out to eat. When C. saw the chicken feet laying out for sale he had to have one. The crazy kid loved it and continued to eat them on other occasions.

On the weekend of "Dia de la Muerte" (Day of the Dead) I took the older kids on a six-hour round trip into Mexico City.

We saw incredible handmade decorations and ate our favorite Mexican corn on the cob.

About an hour and a half south (on a delightful bus ride) lives one of Scot's favorite mission companions. Roberto and Alis Cervantes and kids, Adrian and Aislinn.

We visit with them every time we go to Mexico and also consider them to be close friends. It's strange that these two families live so far away in a different culture with a different language, yet we feel closer to them in some ways than many "friends" we have here. I say that to point out how much we care for them.

The last week, both times we went, we go to Acapulco. We stayed at The Mayan resort. It's gorgeous! The kids love doing activities with the resort. My mom had sent Halloween packages with me before I left. The kids loved their crazy glasses! She was so good about little holiday goodie bags. We're all going to miss receiving those. You can see from some of the pics that C. looks like a little Mexican.

This is picture that really demonstrates Ch.'s move out of childhood. We had ordered different things from the extensive kids menu. Right after we ordered, an angry Ch. got up from the table and left. We couldn't find him anywhere and truly started to panic. Finally, he came back (saying he'd been in the bathroom--we'd been there and yelled). What was all the attitude about? He didn't want anything off the kids' menu. He wanted one of the fancy adult plates. I know, I know. I created the monster. I've groomed him to like "fine dining" :-) Well, not quite, but he's definitely an adventurous eater.

Pagosa Springs Vacation 2008

Two weeks ago we went on vacation to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Here's the great thing about time shares. They take you to places that no one's ever heard of before! We went there last year, and because we waited so long to book something this spring we went back there again. On our way down we went to Arches, then seven nights in Pagosa, then on to Grand Junction. In Pagosa we went to the awesome hot springs (while it rained on us all day), hiked, played tennis. Scot and I watched lots of HGTV. Since we don't have cable going on vacation means night after night of HGTV. We took our Battlestar Galactica DVDs, but Designed to Sell won night after night. We drove into Durango one day and went to the Children's Museum and a great train museum there. You have to know that traveling with four kids and Grandpa in the van is a tight fit. My poor dad went with us the whole time. (I'm not sure if he's ever going to go again :-) My mom had taken quite a few road trips with me cross country, but my dad has never gone on vacation with us.

One of the highlights of the trip was going on a horse-drawn wagon ride to a BBQ. After stuffing ourselves we sang campfire songs and told jokes. The boys and my dad did a Boy Scout skit that was the hit of the evening. The boys did a couple of other jokes, too. Once they got a taste of public laughter they were both hooked and kept bugging me to let them tell all their jokes.

On our way back we were going to drive through Silverton up to Grand Junction, but it was raining and snowing. We stopped at the Walmart in Durango, and I talked to a couple of locals in the parking lot. They said that they wouldn't do those mountain passes in that weather so that was enough advice for me. Supposedly it's a two-lane road with no shoulder or guard rail through 3 mountain passes of over 10.000 ft. So we took the long way and decided to go anyway. Scot's Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Reid live there and also an old neighbor/friend of mine Myndi and Gary Smith. When we got there we found out the great part was that in a city of 100,000 they live a block apart!

Starting a Blog

I must admit that my son started this blog for me. Being the technically-talented person that I am I never would have started this without Ch. and Scot. I also have never enjoyed writing so blogging is going to be a great experience for me. I've always hated writing. In college I had many a teary breakdowns with my husband because I had to write a paper. Since I don't keep a journal I hope this blog will help to chronicle my kids' lives and keep everyone up to date on our lives. For my first blog I'll tell you about what we did this last month. The boys had their spring choir concert. They had three performances. They both loved it, but Ch. really seemed to come into his own in this performance. He loved being James Bond and running around with his gun being a secret service agent. He's really developed a love for performing (Here's mommy, living vicariously through her son :-) C. also enjoyed it. He sang a song about being a "big, bad squirrel." He had to dress up as a punk squirrel. We absolutely loved watching them.