Tastey Tuesday

This is my mom's famous bread recipe. It is SO good and really easy. I just made it on Sunday. YUMMY! It makes the whole house smell so good.

Honey Wheat Bread

*Yield 3 large loaves

5 cups Hot Water

2/3 cup oil

2/3 cup honey

2 T Salt

4 cups wheat flour

Mix really well

then add:

3 T yeast (dissolved inH2O)

Mix. Then Add:

8 cups White flour

Knead for 10 minutes

raise in greased pan til double in size

Cook for 30-40 minutes @ 375*

put foil on top of bread for last 20 minutes

My Little Bigger Brother

This is my first attempt at blogging. I usually leave the creative work to Lauren. But as some of you know, my little brother's cancer relapsed and he is going through cancer treatment right now. I want to help him, and help some of our friends get to know Adam.

Having Adam as my younger brother hasn't always been easy. He beats me at chess, everybody loves him, he loves everybody, he looks like a movie star(Heath Ledger), he is athletic(though he has yet to beat me at golf or basketball), he is smart, funny, fun, and just the best kid I know. If anyone "gets" life, and understands what is important, it's Adam. He really knows how to love people. I think this one quality, to know how to love people, or charity, is the most Christlike attribute of all, and Adam has it nearly mastered. I want people who read this blog to know Adam, because knowing Adam, knowing his optimism, knowing his love, knowing his charity will inspire us all to be a little better. Each time I think of my little brother going through cancer treatments, I want to be better. If someone as good as Adam has to fight cancer and can do it being so happy and optimistic, someone like me can certainly deal with daily life with a little better attitude and treat people a little more like him. Love you bro.

Your "younger" brother in so many ways.

Andy

Please check out Adam and Alissa's blog: http://www.adamandalissa.blogspot.com/

Adam is trying to finish up school, and he and his wife Alissa just bought their first home a few weeks before Adam discovered he had to fight cancer again. He is in need of a bone marrow transplant, and even with insurance, it is quite expensive. If you want to help them out in any way, a fund has been set up at Bank of American Fork. Just call and ask to donate to his fund. http://www.bankaf.com/ Thanks for all your prayers and support on behalf of Adam and my family.

My family is also having a luau dinner/auction on November 15 in American Fork. If you are interested in attending, let us know and we will get you all the details.

Tastey Tuesday

I LOVE this cake. Even people who don't like coconut like this cake. I could eat the whole pan myself! Enjoy!!

Earthquake Cake

1 C. Coconut

1 1/2 C. Pecans (optional)

1 pkg. milk chocolate chips ( I only use about half a bag)

1 German Chocolate cake mix

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

1/4 lb. butter

1 lb. powdered sugar

Make cake mix as directed on box; put half in bottom of 9x13 pan. Spread coconut,pecans, and chocolate chips over the mix. Cover with other half of cake mix. Mix cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar together. Dob on cake and spread before you bake. Bake at 350* for 30-45 minutes.

Squeeky Clean

Drew found my cell phone last week and sucked it to death. It didn't worked for days. I thought I would give it one last try and to my surprise, it actually turned on! I was so excited! Especially since Andy said he was going to cancel our contract because both of our phones weren't working(drew got to his too). Well, last night, I was playing with Drew on our bed and he had a big blow out. I took baby cleaning duty and Andy took bed cleaning duty. He took our duvet cover off and set it on the floor. After I cleaned Drew, I picked up the duvet cover and put it into the washing machine. Well, this morning I went to put it into the dryer, and guess what I found at the bottom of the washer? My cell phone! So if Drew didn't kill it with his drool, it sure is dead now! Dang it! So whose fault is it? Mine for leaving it on the bed, or Andy's for not paying attention and folding it up in the duvet cover?( say Andy, say Andy! that way I can persuade him to buy me a new one and not cancel our contract!)

Hooray for Halloween!

We got a fun Halloween package in the mail today from my mom. There were lots of goodies in it including Halloween books, Halloween towels( for the kitchen and a bath towel for Avery that my Mom made. She is so talented), Glow sticks, and a Halloween bib for Andrew. Avery started to read one of the Halloween books and when you turn the last page a scary voice comes on and says "HA HA HA HA" and the bats eyes light up bright red. It scared her so bad she threw the book down and jumped up on the couch. It was so funny. It took her a while to warm up to it, but now she laughs at it. We love it! Thanks Gramley!

Sweet Avery Jane

I love this little girl so much. She knows how to push my buttons and loves to tease me. But under that mischievous smile, she has a heart of gold. She is only 2 1/2, but is the most sensitive, service-oriented sweetheart. She is always thinking of others and loves to make people happy. She has been given a real gift, and it already shows. Here are just a few examples of things she did this past week.
My visiting teachers came over and they each had two kids with them. Avery went to the fridge and got out 4 Capri Suns and 4 String cheese and passed them out to the kids to keep them happy while we talked.
Andy's brother Adam got the bad news that his Cancer was back, and Avery spent hours making him pictures and then picked out her favorite fruit snacks at the store to send him.
Every Sunday I tell Avery to pick out some snacks to take to church. She always packs enough to give to her friends too. This Sunday she packed an apple, a banana, and a yogurt drink for herself and her friend Emma. The look on her face when she shares is so priceless. You can tell that she feels warm and fuzzy inside, and loves that feeling. She can already recognize it.
Avery is such an example to me. She helps me understand the scriptures that say men must become as little children (submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love) or they cannot inherit the kingdom of God. We are responsible for teaching our children, yet they seem to be the ones always teaching us.

Tastey Tuesday

I've had a couple requests for some recipes, so I decided to post a new one every Tuesday. Since the weather is finally starting to cool off, I'll start off with a really yummy and easy soup recipe that my friend Tori gave me. ENJOY!

Black Bean Soup

1 T olive oil
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 cans black beans
1 can (2 cups) chicken broth
1 1/2 c. frozen corn
1 can mexican-style stewed tomatoes
3 Bay leaves
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2-1 tsp. cumin

Heat the oil and add onions and cook until brown. Raise heat to high and add beans and their liquid and chicken broth. Break up some of the beans. Add corn, tomatoes(with juice), bat leaves, garlic, thyme, vinegar, and cumin. Cover and boil. Simmer for an hour or more, stirring often. Remove from heat and remove bay leaves.

I added about 3/4 cup of fresh salsa to the soup which added a little favor. I also served it with lots of cheese and tortilla chips on top! You could also add avocado and sour cream. Whatever sounds good to you.