Five Brown Kids

We can't get enough of meat/rice in a tortilla in this house. Here's a slightly different version of the basic Cafe Rio dinner . The vinaigrette is to die for! Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette 3 Tbsp vegetable oil 3 Tbsp olive oil 1/4 c. fresh chopped cilantro 2 Tbsp lime juice (fresh please!) 2 cloves minced garlic 1 tsp sugar 1 Tbsp vinegar 1 small jalepeno, seeded & diced (I skip this) Combine in blender and chill. Shredded Chicken or Pork 1 bottle of green taco sauce 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 cup of sprite or water four chicken breasts, or pork roast Cook in a crock pot on low 6-8 hours. Shred by pulling meat apart with two forks. Green Rice 3 cups water 4 teaspoons chicken bouillon 4 teaspoons garlic minced 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro 1 (3 ounce) can green chilies 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon butter 1/2 onion 3 cups rice Blend cilantro, green chilies and onion together in food processor.Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients. Simmer covered 30 minutes. I've started buyi...

I was at the park "minding my own business" when I witnessed the most spectacular golf course sighting I have seen in the past five years- way better than seven deer hopping down the middle of the 14t h green, even better then watching proud young men hit balls into the road . If I'd had my cell phone I would have snapped a picture of course. Instead you'll just have to imagine. A young Dad out golfing on the 13 th hole. Pulling his clubs with a speed cart and pushing his little toddler in a pink buggy. He pulled/pushed right up to the start. Busied her with a ball away from the action. Hit the ball down the green, and then stuck her back in the buggy and pushed/pulled (with some serious speed) right up to the putting green. Every time I see men out golfing I think of their wives home with the kids. This dad wins an award for coolest golf dad/husband ever. While I was a little concerned for her safety - a swinging golf club is a serious weapon, if she mistake...

This is a quick and easy warm dessert that Taye loves to make. It's pumpkin pie without the crust. My mom used to make this for us when I was a kid. I'm just following the pie filling recipe on the back of a can of plain pumpkin. Ingredients 3/4 cup granulated sugar (I use 1/2 cup so it's not so sweet) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 2 large eggs 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin 1 can (12 fl. oz.)evaporated milk Whipped cream Directions MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. (We just dump it all in the same bowl and stir!) Pour into 8x11 pyrex dish and cook at 350° F oven for about 20 minutes or until you give it a gentle shake and it doesn't move or a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Dear kids: This picture was taken of us last Monday at Family Home Evening by another member of the team and emailed to us. We were having a party for a couple from Quito who were just finishing up their mission. They are home now. We are as happy and healthy as we look in this picture. Ecuador rocks. Love, Mom & Dad See their blog at Mission Possible.

& Gates, Alleys, Piazzas, Window Grates and Fountains We Loved

I spent the weekend in Charleston with three of my best friends and it was a blast. Interesting, adventurous and totally relaxing.... We ate lots of delicious food. Walked past this gorgeous lighthouse. Loved the beach. Found a massive horseshoe crab which we had to photograph for the kids. Walked down the waterfront and waded in this fabulous pineapple fountain. Spent hours wandering the streets of historic homes and photographing all the doorways and gates and other details we loved. (More on that later) Toured a mansion full of the most insane collection of antiques you have ever, ever seen. Now when I watch Antiques Roadshow with my kids and we wonder who will buy that Early American Traditional Chest for $50,000 or the Egyptian mother of pearl inlaid chairs for a sweet penny I will know. There is a man who owns a house on Meeting Street in Charleston and he is hoarding 10's and 100's of millions of dollars of antiques. Here is his backyard fountain . ...

I'm just guessing those missionaries never imagined this... Just see what can come from a quiet wedding and a baptism at a little place called Dollar Lake Brook in the back woods of Nova Scotia. Sealed DC temple '79 Sealed DC temple '97 Sealed Boston Temple '03 Sealed Logan Temple '05 Sealed Mt Timpangos Temple '08 And 7 grandkids (and counting) all born in the covenant. Happy 33th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Here I am at my parents' reception just after the wedding and baptism out near the brook. I'm eating a big crunchy apple and if ever there was a food that said Ripple all over it - a crunchy, sour fall apple would be it. This recipe needs no long ingredient list or a paragraph of how to's. Just find the crunchiest, freshest, biggest fall apple you can find - preferably from an orchard or farmers market - and take a big bite. That's fresh. (I do believe that little drop leaf table in the background is the very same table I now use as a desk and type on as we speak)

Scotia was looking darling on her first ever day of preschool.

We live near a golf course and for obvious reasons steer clear of it most of the time.... until it is nice and rainy. Then we put on our rubber boots and do a little puddle jumping and exploring. (They must see a turtle)

We were fully prepared to head home after the first quarter, but BYU( Ranked 20th) not only kept up but surpassed Oklahoma (Ranked 3rd)! Final Score Byu 14, Ok 13. Go cougars! (And thanks, Em for hosting us all evening long...)

This cake is not a 30 minute recipe but if you love lime (and I do) then it's well worth the effort once or twice a year... a great summer (or end of summer) recipe. The first time I made this cake I squeezed all the limes by hand, by the second time my Mom had gifted me with a sweet little vintage glass juicer. I highly recommend using one... Fresh Lime Chiffon Cake Filling: 1 teaspoon finely grated lime rind 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes) 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk Cake: Cooking spray 1 tablespoon cake flour 2 cups sifted cake flour (7 1/2 ounces) 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 7 tablespoons canola oil 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes) 3 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon finely grated lime rind 1 teaspoon pure lemon extract 3 egg yolks 8 egg whites 1 teaspoon cream of tartar Frosting: 3 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime) 2 1/2 cups fat-free whipped topping, thawed Fresh mint sprigs (optio...

My mom and dad commented on Skype that Scotia is looking so much older - not like a baby any more. She is almost 3!