Cedars of Lebanon Frostbite Half-Marathon

Lila and Ann ran their first half-marathon!! Way to go girls!!  They did such a great job - it was the coldest day of the whole year.  The wind chill was about 17 the whole race and they had to run against the wind a good portion of the course.  They did a fabulous job!!

Things my parents taught me

1. My Parents taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE . 
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.. I just finished cleaning." 

2. My Parents taught me RELIGION. 
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet." 

3. My Parents taught me about TIME TRAVEL. 
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!" 

4. My Parents taught me LOGIC. 
" Because I said so, that's why." 

5. My Parents taught me MORE LOGIC . 
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me." 

6. My Parents taught me FORESIGHT. 
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident." 

7. My Parents taught me IRONY. 
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about" 

8. My Parents taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. 
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper." 

9. My Parents taught me about CONTORTIONIST. 
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!" 

10. My Parents taught me about STAMINA. 
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone." 

11. My Parents taught me about WEATHER. 
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it." 

12. My Parents taught me about HYPOCRISY. 
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times Don't exaggerate!" 

13. My Parents taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. 
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out." 

14. My Parents taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. 
"Stop acting like your father!" 

15. My Parents taught me about ENVY. 
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do." 

16. My Parents taught me about ANTICIPATION. 
"Just wait until we get home." 

17. My Parents taught me about RECEIVING. 
"You are going to get it when you get home!" 

18. My Parents taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. 
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way." 

19. My Parents taught me ESP. 
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?" 

20. My Parents taught me HUMOR. 
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me." 

21. My Parents taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. 
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up." 

22. My Parents taught me GENETICS. 
"You're just like your father." 

23. My Parents taught me about my ROOTS. 
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?" 

24. My Parents taught me WISDOM. 
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand." 

And my favorite: 

25. My Parents taught me about JUSTICE. 
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you !"

Look what Anna made!

Oh yeah, Lila helped too.  It was really good though!

Make this copycat version of Panera's popular Asian Sesame Chicken Salad at home!

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 bag pre-washed romaine lettuce
• 1 bag pre-washed baby spinach
• 4 medium chicken breasts

For the chicken marinade:

• 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar (or agave nectar, or honey)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For the dressing:

• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil, toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted

Salad toppings:

• Chopped cilantro
• 11oz can mandarin oranges packed in water or 100% juice (rinse in water if packed in syrup)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• Baked or fried wonton strips
• Sesame seeds

Instructions

• For the chicken: Whisk together chicken marinade ingredients, and marinate chicken for 15 minutes. Grill, or cook in a non-stick sprayed skillet until done, then let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Cut into slices.
• For the dressing: Bring vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Turn off the heat, then add in the sugar and stir until dissolved. Let cool. Combine with the rest of the dressing ingredients in a jar, and shake to combine.
• Divide lettuce and spinach between four plates. Top with sliced chicken, salad dressing, and toppings.

Fast Easy Tacos

Ok, so now that you've had Ramen four out of five days since you went back to school, let's try something new!

Here's our taco recipe.  I made it the other night and it only took about 10 minutes!! Can't beat that.

1 lb hamburger
1 can black beans
1 can spicy tomatoes (Rotel type)

brown hamburger.  Add beans and tomatoes and heat through.

toppings:

lettuce
sour cream
chopped onions
cheese
taco sauce
salsa

Things That Made Us LOL

Slippery pants
Back to Brooke
Resolutionize
I have zip tie experience
Mom #1, #2, #3, #4
AT work
Randy doesn't give a foot
Who would think of putting those together?
It's never back to me
When Clint and Brooke get together the maturity level drops
Now we have 2 three year olds instead of 1
We're not playing leap frog
Want a saltine cracker?
She's at it again
Do the kids want berry cobbler?
Dad's making omelette's wake up - on nevermind, we're out of eggs
moisture testing hand
Dad shoots water in BJ's eye
You guys eat SO much food!
I think the refrigerator is leaking - no the boards are just settling
Mom - do we want water?
Quit having fun and start cleaning
Great! A knife thrower with a conscience
Lesson learned - don't play games with Anna
Now those lights are out too?
It looks like Christmas threw up in here
Is it a family portrait?
Because he's related to her
He's breathing my carbon monoxide
Priesthood responsibility
Dang it!  Now I have to tell BJ he's right again
Stay away
Jacob's voice just cracked
When going on a late night run to Aldi, you have to include some planning.  For instance who is going
     to bring the quarter?
Parker Lasson average intelligence
None of us are as dumb as all of us
I can't go to the Y, my tooth is loose

Holiday Cooking is Hazardous to your Health

As a public service announcement, I'm here to tell you that holiday cooking is hazardous to your health.  Not only are the extra fat and calories harmful, but you can hurt yourself too!  This year I burned the palm of my hand while making toffee.  I know true talent!  On top of that, I grated the tip of my finger while shopping for zester tools.  Seriously, too dangerous for me! I should stick to cold cereal.

However, so your efforts aren't wasted, here's last night's caramel corn recipe - it was awesome wasn't it?

16 cups poped popcorn - unsalted
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Place 16 cups popped popcorn in a large brown grocery bag. Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in an 8 cup microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until mixture bubbles. Stir well. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring after each minute. Add soda and vanilla. Stir well, as mixture will foam up. Pour over the popcorn in the bag. Roll top closed and shake very well. Microwave on high 1 minute. Shake well. Microwave on high 1 more minute and shake well. Microwave 30 seconds on high, shake well. Pour onto 2 cookie sheets and let cool. Store in airtight container.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to my family! While I had a blog earlier, I decided to start a new one for you.  I wanted a vehicle to share recipes, tips, spiritual thoughts, pictures, and my love with you. This will be a learning experience for me and hopefully Dad won't delete this blog!

To start off, I have to share our fabulous family pictures!  Here's some of the best.