Pics of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Here are some pics from our play. We didn't get any during the play, so you don't get to see me in my favorite outfit. The setting of the play was the 50's, and I loved being able to wear the funky dresses. Scot filmed the play so he didn't take any pictures. He also helped with the lighting on some nights. This was an incredible experience and completely a dream come true!

Remember, you can always click on a picture to see it full size.

Pecan-topped Pumpkin Bread

Here's a great bread recipe that we all enjoy. I think it tastes fine to cut down the oil a little bit more (per my instructions). Let me know if you try it and like it!

(adapted from Cooking Light)

2 loaves; 12 servings per loaf (serving size: 1 slice)

Ingredients
3 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour (about 15 ounces)
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup canola oil ( I sometimes cut this down by 2 T. and sub plain yogurt)
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 large eggs
2/3 cup water
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
Cooking spray
1/2 cup chopped pecans

chocolate chips, if desired

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (through allspice) in a bowl.
Place sugar, egg substitute, oil, buttermilk, and eggs in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until well blended. Add 2/3 cup water and pumpkin, beating at low speed until blended. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, beating at low speed just until combined. Spoon batter into 2 (9 x 5-inch) loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle pecans evenly over batter. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans on a wire rack; remove from pans.

Dress Rehearsal for Best Christmas Pageant

This is to get you guys all excited. We had our first dress rehearsal tonight. Let's just say if we had to perform this thing tomorrow night, you'd all be sorely disappointed and demand your money back! But, never fear, we still have 4 days left. What a fun experience for all of us to do this.

Two of the Herdman clan. No acting involved.

Yummy, nutritious breakfast

I've had various people ask for this "recipe". It's more an idea than a recipe. I've really grown to enjoy this breakfast. Make a little bit to see if you like it. Now I make around 3 cups of it, so I can have a quick breakfast. I did take pictures of this, but they all came out blurry. I'll try again tonight! You can eat this with water, but I'm not that much of a raw purist. I've done it, and it's still good. But... milk tastes better. I've never tried it, but I think vanilla soy milk would be delicious with it. Play with the amounts of things and ingredients to suit your tastes.

rolled oats, not instant or quick
wheat germ
wheat bran
flax seed, ground
coconut (I like mine toasted, but it's fine not toasted)
nuts (same as coconut) pecans (my favorite), waltnuts, etc.
seeds, sunflower or pumpkin
sometimes I add a little salt
dried cherries (from Costco)
brown sugar or agave nectar (better for you)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Somewhat by accident, I got the female lead in the next Lehi play! The oldest three kids are also in it. Now, you all you know I'm not an actress and have no acting experience (one play in ninth grade really doesn't count considering it was in a Mississippi public school!). So you're all invited, but go light on me!!! It's a one-hour show, season-appropiate comedy for the whole family. We'll have 6 performances Dec. 8-13. Tickets are available for $5 each or $20 per family at lehicityarts.org. Friday and Saturday will sell out for sure.

Alice in Wonderland Performance

Here are a couple of pics of Ch. He did a great job!

Ch. in Alice in Wonderland

Next week, Ch. performs in another musical Alice in Wonderland. He's the white rabbit, and he's extremely excited! I haven't seen a single minute of practices, so I have no idea how he's doing or what the play looks like. But if it's done as well as Seussical, it will be highly entertaining. Performances are Nov. 6, 7, 8, and 10. Tickets are $5 each. Let me know if you'd like some tickets, and I'll pick them up for you.