30 years

30 years.
260 months.
1,560 weeks.
10,957 days.
262,968 hours.
15,778,080 minutes.


However you want to count it......
      on June 12, 1981,
            shortly after 8pm,
                    I became Mrs David Bryan!!

                               Still smiling after all those years!

Birthday week

This week is birthday week in our family.....  NOT a week to get back on my diet!  Maybe next week?!?!?!

Monday was my birthday.  It was a milestone birthday for me..... aka it ended in an "0".  It wasn't an overly traumatic day, but I do have to say I feel old!  When someone mentioned "Half a Century" it kind of hit me.  As I told a couple of my friends.... the grandbabies make it easier to turn old!  : )

I know SO many people that have April 25th birthdays!  My cousin, Roger.  My "twin with different parents", Karen.  Others include:  Bruce, Will, Kelley, Allie, Stephen, Lexie, Debbie, and JoyAnna's Mom.  (I think that's everyone)!!!!

Me and my "Twin" Karen.  December 2010.

 We were born the same day, in the same hospital, and went to school K-12 together.  

Kinda cool, huh?!?!

*************

Wednesday was my Mother-in-laws birthday.  She turned 86.  Last year we had a tea party for her and some of her friends.  This year was a much quieter celebration with family.

**************

Finally, 76 years ago today - two TINY little boys were born in a farm house just outside of Dows, Iowa.  Donnie and Ronnie grew up on that little farm and they both excelled in sports - Football and Baseball.  Donnie ended up staying in the Dows area and farmed.  He also raised Black Angus cattle (best beef around!!!).  Ronnie moved away, taught school, coached football, was a school principal and eventually ended up in Houston, Texas.   While Don and Ron are separated by a many miles - they are, and always will be, close in heart.  Happy 76th Birthday to my Dad and my Uncle Ron!!!

Ronnie and Donnie (My Dad)

Dad (standing) and Uncle Ron at their 70th Birthday.  

Unfortunately Dad and Uncle Ron cannot celebrate together  this year.  

(You can read more about my Uncle Ron in my previous post: "Say Uncle"). 

April showers bring... April snow????

SNOW????  It's in the forecast.  In fact, Nebraska had drifts over 2 foot high last time I checked.  So much for grilling this weekend.   I'm trying to decide if I want to fix Beef Stroganoff or SW Corn Chowder.   Time will tell I guess, but I'll post the recipes just in case anyone is interested.  Trust me, they are both YUMMY!

Southwestern Corn Chowder

• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 rib celery, chopped fine
• 2 cups milk, 2% or whole
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon cayene pepper
• 1 4 oz can green chiles
• 2 tablespoons butter

In a large saucepan, melt butter and add onions. Saute until tender; about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken broth and remaining vegetables; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered 5-6 minutes, until potatoes are tender. remove about 2 cups of soup, make a puree using a potato masher, blender or food processor. Return to your pan containing the remaining soup. Stir in milk, cheese and seasonings. Simmer an additional 10 minutes. Serve with hot biscuits or warm flour tortillas. For a variation, you can top the chowder with crumbled tortilla chips.

Beth's Beef Stroganoff

2 lbs ground beef
1 small onion chopped
2 cans cream of mush soup
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 small container sour cream
1 8-oz pkg cream cheese

Brown the ground beef and onion - then add mush soup and onion soup mix.  Either let simmer for 20-30 mins or crock pot for 8-10 hrs on low. Add the sour cream and cream cheese at the end and heat until blended - 20 mins in crock pot - 10 on stove. Serve it over noodles or biscuits.


Stay warm and enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Say "Uncle"

This may be an unusual post, but I have been thinking a lot about my Uncles lately and decided to post some of my thoughts.......  Where to begin?????

I guess I'll begin with UNCLE BILL.  The only Uncle I have left on my Mom's side.  There were 7 siblings with my Mom being next to youngest and Uncle Bill the baby.  When I was 5 or 6 my Uncle Bill visited us.  I always would ask him to take me home with him....  well this time when I asked he said "sure" (thinking that there was no way I would want to go since I had a brand new baby sister at home).  Needless to say, Uncle Bill left without me and I was CRUSHED!  I "ran away" from home.... into the field... where LuVerne picked me up in the combine (or tractor - I don't remember which).    When I was older... Dad was grilling a turkey and asked Uncle Bill and I to watch it while he did chores.... we did, we watched it burn!!  Oops!  : )  My Uncle Bill was diagnosed with lung cancer recently.  I'm praying for him.....

Next is UNCLE RON.  He is my Dad's identical twin brother.... need I say more?  If you don't know twins you wouldn't understand.   However, if you know a set of twins, chances are you will totally understand "the twin thing".  It is a very unique relationship... my cousin Teresa (Uncle Ron's daughter) and I talk about it often.    Uncle Ron is probably the Uncle that I see the most (he lives near the Grandkids!!!).  He was diagnosed with MS when I was in high school.  He had done pretty well until this past year.  Just before Dad and Uncle Ron's 75th birthday (last April) Uncle Ron became very ill and was hospitalized.  Their 76th birthday is just a couple of weeks away and Uncle Ron has gone between hospital, medium care hospital, and nursing home.     I'm praying for him.....

UNCLE DWIGHT is my last "blood" uncle.  He is a character!!  We always had fun at "Uncle Dites" house!  He is into woodworking and worked with my boys on "whittling".  This past winter he slipped and fell on some snow/ice and broke his hip.  He laid outside for quite a while before my aunt realized he needed help and called my Dad.  (Thankfully he was bundled up well and able to pull himself into a building to keep out of the wind).  He has had quite the recovery (not always wanting to participate in the PT)!!  He and my aunt are currently in assisted living and hoping to be able to go back to their home... we shall see.  I'm praying for him......

I do have one other uncle,  UNCLE JOHN.   I don't know my Uncle John very well.  He married my Aunt Joan after my Uncle Fred passed away (Uncle Fred was the best!!  He called me on my 16th birthday and blew me a kiss on the phone so I couldn't say "Sweet 16 and never been kissed"!)  Anyway... back to Uncle John.  While I don't know him well, I do love how he has taken care of my Aunt Joan since her stroke.  I pray for them.....

I'm so very thankful for the fact that my parents made sure we got together with our extended family.  We got together with as many as could make it every Christmas and sometimes in the summer as well.   I have a lot of fun memories of time spent with my cousins, but today with love and prayers I "say Uncle".

Snowpocalypse 2011

We are in the midst of a snow storm.  The news (and facebook) have dubbed it "Snowpocalypse 2011".   The snow started yesterday.... now wind has been thrown into the equation.   Temps are dropping.....  drifts are growing..... Yes, it's winter in Iowa.


Snow storms make me want to make soup and bake.   A big pot of chili will be started in the morning.  Bread will be put into the bread machine.   AND tonight I tried a new recipe.... Cranberry Almond Biscotti!!   I definitely will be making it again!  The best thing is that it is a healthy recipe!!  Only 84 calories - IF you can stop with one that is!  : )  I found it on the "Taste Of Home" website.

Cranberry Almond Biscotti  


Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 3 egg whites
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
• Sugar substitute equivalent to 1 cup sugar
• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped white candy coating

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, egg whites, molasses and extract. 

Beat in sugar substitute. Combine the flour, baking powder, 

cinnamon, baking soda and nutmeg; gradually add to egg mixture 

(dough will be sticky).

Turn onto a floured surface. Knead in almonds and cranberries. 

Divide dough in half; shape each portion into a 12-in. x 3-in. rectangle. 

Transfer to a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. 

Cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; with a 

serrated knife, cut each loaf into 16 slices. Place slices 

cut side down on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. 

Bake for 25-35 minutes or until firm, turning once. Remove 

to wire racks to cool.

In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt candy coating; stir 

until smooth. Drizzle over biscotti. Store in an airtight 

container. Yield: 32 cookies.

Editor's Note: This recipe was tested with Splenda no-calorie sweetener.

Nutritional Analysis: One cookie equals 84 calories, 3 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 

14 mg cholesterol, 39 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein. 

Diabetic Exchange: 1 starch.

Cranberry Almond Biscotti published in Light & Tasty December/January 2004, p48

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

New blog day

On several blogs I have seen "Daybook" (it seems like those post on Mondays), "Wordless Wednesday", "Thrifty Thursday", etc.  I'm not sure where those originated.......  AND I'm not sure if this is how it's done, but I'm doing it anyway!!

Over the past couple of weeks I have heard a lot of comments about healthy eating and new healthy recipes.  SOOOOOO.....  I decided it called for a new "blog day"!
Introducing: Tuesday's Tips!!    My plan is on Tuesdays to write about a healthy tip or a healthier way to make an old recipe.   Some of the tips are common sense, some I've read about, some are shared by friends, some are from LA Weight Loss, and some I have just stumbled upon.

So, once again.... here it goes!

Tuesday's Tip:
READ LABELS!!  When you are grocery shopping take a minute to compare brands.  Sodium especially can vary greatly between brands.  Just because something says it is "organic" doesn't mean it is the best option for low sodium or low-fat.  Read, read, read!!!!

Have a healthy day!

2011... Ready or not... Here it is!!!

Wow!  Where did 2010 go?   Here we are at the beginning of another year and you have to wonder what this year will bring?  While I have no idea what is ahead this year,  I am thankful that Someone does know!    A Bible verse that is very helpful when we think of this unknown future we have is:   

"...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  

(Matthew 28:20b ESV)

Isn't it great to know that we don't have to ask the Lord to be with us (or to be with so-and-so)?!?!?! He has given us the promise of Matthew 28:20b.  That means... right now, without us asking Him, He IS WITH US!!!!     

My goals for 2011????? 

1) To be more disciplined in spending time in The Word.

2) To be more disciplined in my diet.

3) To be more disciplined in exercise.

4) To try this blog for a year as a type of accountability.

Blessings to you all in 2011!