Delicious Dishes

I was asked to post some of my recipes from Xadi's party. These are my favorites I hope you enjoy them too! Keep in mind I don't measure so these are about what I use or the originals, and may need to be adjusted.

Salad:

Mixed greens 1 bag

1 apple diced

1 cup grapes halved

1/2 cup feta

candied pecans (recipe to follow)

Layer to look pretty or whatever you want to do.

Dressing:

Juice from 1 lemon

6 T oil

1/4 c sugar

pinch of Salt and pepper

Blend until emulsified. 

CANDIED PECANS (from Charity)

beat 2 egg whites, 1T water, 2t vanilla until stiff

add 1c white sugar, 1c brown sugar, 2 1/2t salt, 1 1/2 t cinnamon, 2lb pecans

Stir to coat, Spread on 2 cookie sheets bake at 200, for 1 hour stir every 10 min.

LEMON RICE SOUP

1 1/4 c yellow onion blended

9c water

1T chives

1T parsley

1-3 T poultry seasoning (taste for pepper- some have way too much)

1t sugar

3T nutritional yeast

1/3 c lemon juice

2/3 t mint extract

1 1/2 T sherry

2/3 c rinsed Basmatti rice

Simmer about 45 min season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tomato Soup- From Cari

3 cups canned peeled whole tomatoes

3 carrots, chopped

1 lg. onion, chopped

1 T. basil

1/4 cup olive oil

4 1/2 cups water

5 tsp. vegetable base or bouillon

(replace water and bouillon for canned broth)

3/4 qt. heavy cream

1 T. salt

1/2 T. pepper

In a large stock pot, saute the olive oil, carrots and onions at medium heat for 15 minutes.  Add the basil, salt pepper and tomatoes and bring to a simmer.  Add the broth or water and bouillon, bring to a boil and then simmer 45 minutes.  Puree the soup using a hand blender (or a blender in a few batches).  Add the heavy cream.

The bug is 2!!!

 I asked Xadi what she wanted to do for her birthday, She said Swimming so that's just what we did! It was so cute when we were driving into the parking lot she yelled out, "I'm so excited!!!!"

We took her friend Eliza with us and Xadi kept trying to convience her it was okay to get in. It didn't take long.

In the end we all had a wonderful time! 

After that we went to Daddy's dance concert at Weber State and

then we went to Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo. Sorry no pics cause I forgot my camera. 

Then it was time for cake...sort of. Does a chocolate muffin count?

Don't worry she'll get a real cake on Sunday when we have our family over to celebrate. 

Feeding Daddy cake.

What I love about Xadi:

 She has an amazing sense of compassion. For instance, she is always checking on the welfare of others. If you cough she'll come over to pat your back and ask if your okay. She is always concerned with the animals and whether they need food, water, or treats. If they do, she'll let you know. I had my bookclub over about a month ago she served herself and Abby some food then proceeded to tell her, "it's okay- it's good!" 

She gives the best hugs in the world, with little baby pats on your back. If you haven't had one you're missing out! They'll just make your heart melt.

I find her incredibly intelligent for her age- sometimes too intelligent! 

She always has a smile on her face! It matches her whole disposition which is just infectious!

She loves to pose for pictures- Which is really good since I seem to take a lot!

She loves to talk on the phone- especially to Celeste and Nana. She has daily conversations with them usually telling them some story about a car, although we actually only talk to them once a week if we're lucky. 

Well I could go on and on about the things I love about Xadi, but I want to know what do you love the most about Her?

Adventures in Babysitting

Want more Xadi fun check this out! My super cute niece Emily and her friend Lily watched Xadi so I could have a girls night! So much fun! Thanks Jackson Crew!

Thanksgiving

What I'm grateful for...

My love and my baby... for the love and joy you bring me everyday

My Dad... for teaching me so many things, including how to cook.

My Mom... for showing me unconditional love.

My Brother Mark... for persevering

My Niece Karlie... for sticking to her guns.

My Grandma "white"(see hair^)... for teaching me "if a little butter is good, a lot of butter is better." It applies to love too!

My nephew Conner... for helping the Grinch's heart grow three sizes.

My Sister Aimee... for showing courage with grace.

My Brother Mike... for always believing in the best of everyone

Ashby

To those of you who may not know this is our wonderful cat Ashby. He is a bit elusive around company. I always say the best cat's find you and a little over a year ago he found us.

We came out from the Boy Scout Auction in Layton- in a very commercial area- I heard this little mewing. I knew he must be hungry and scared. So I sent Davi to get him. He couldn't get him to come, but I was able to by taking some of Xadi's milk and holding it out in my hand. Later we kind of figured out that he may have been abused by a man, because he's very leary of dudes. I thought for sure he must have something wrong with him so I didn't let myself get too attached. We got him home and put him in Truman's kennel. The next day I took him to the vet awaiting the bad news... There wasn't any. He was perfectly fine; just really skinny. So I let him out in my house sure that he would destroy something, hurt someone, or not be potty trained. Nope. He loved Truman, Xadi and I from the start! He has even grown to love and trust Davi. 

He runs around and plays with Truman, he even goes for walks with us. He lets Xadi carry him around like a rag doll and wash him (yes that is a wet wash cloth!). She mauls him with kisses on a daily basis. He brings so much love and Joy to our home! What a great year it has been, with you, We look forward to many more filled with kitty kisses!