HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Since I have been such a BAD daughter and not even sat in my corner long enough to make a card, this is a wish for my parents today! They have been married 39 years! And, thanks to Mom cleaning up and sending me this gem, I get to share it with you! Have a good day Mom and Dad! I love you!

Hey there!

Hello! My name is... Just about have to reintroduce ourselves after not hanging out here for awhile! Good grief can life just get in the way of living! We have had a very busy week since we last spoke! So, last time we really talked Kent's mom and my parents were headed this way (almost like a storm front! Hee! Hee!). Turns out only Kent's mom came. My mom ended up feeling quite lousy and so they stayed home. Tiana was among about 80 students honored for their academic achievements in a ceremony inducting them into the Torch program of the Jr. National Honor Society. It was a very nice evening with some GREAT entertainment by the 7th and 8th grade jazz bands and orchestra ensemble. I only wish I had some decent photos of Tiana to post, but of course, we sat in a place that made it impossible to adequately photograph her! Friday we picked up my friend's daughter from her school because mom needed to nurse her biopsy wounds from the day before. Unfortunately, she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. She's very young and not at all looking forward to the next months and all they will bring. I think her daughter and I (and Tiana) will have a lot of bonding time this summer! The weekend found Tiana staying with her BFF VJ and going camping with the family. We joined them on Monday for the holiday and enjoyed the relaxing views of the waterfalls (and the soothing sounds of them, too!). Tuesday brings us all back into the daily grind (me-coffee beans, Kent-gears -- OH GROAN!) Tomorrow again I'll pick up my little friend and we'll hang out until mom is done at the doctor and then Tiana has a choir concert. Saturday morning bright and early I'm heading to Tacoma to walk with a co-worker for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. That will be a great 5 mile walk through the Point Defiance Park. Well, it is about time to head out for Bible Study and since we have to pick someone up tonight (and you know we HAVE to have our coffee on the way!)I better sign off for now! Come back again when we can chat over a cuppa and some cookies!

Memorial Day

After a fun, but exhausting day up at Gent and Elaine's campsite, I'll just leave you with wishes for a great summer! And, a link to the pictures I took today. I'll also leave with the hope that tomorrow I have a minute to sit down and catch up a bit here!

Memorial Day Photos

Happy Monday!

What a glorious weekend to give us memories to carry us through the new week! Saturday was a very HOT day with record-breaking temperatures for the area! I worked first thing in the morning, Kent had an all-day class and Tiana was camping with her CampFire group and returned home in the early afternoon. After work I got on my bike for the first time in 3 years, went for a short (albeit PAINFUL!! :) ) ride and then got myself off to a vocal recital, where Tiana joined me to listen to one of our friends who has been so supportive of Tiana in her school performances. After that we came home and I mowed the lawn and then we had a nice dinner and relaxing evening. Sunday was another gorgeous day, so after Meeting we met Gordon, Ivona and kids at the University Street Fair and soaked up the sun and atmosphere. (Maybe a bit too much sun if you look at our quite red skin!) I came home and did a 4 mile loop with Jolyn and fixed some dinner -- on the grill, of course. Today, the clouds have returned, although the temperature is still quite pleasant. This week is shaping up to be quite full, but that's okay. Kent's mom arrives tomorrow on her way to Alaska for the summer, my mom arrives sometime on Thursday (Tiana's being inducted into Junior National Honor Society that night) and Mom P. leaves Friday and not sure from there what is happening with Mom D. (and maybe adding Dad?) after that.

I need to tell you about my silly nephew, Wyatt, and his cutie-pie sister Zoé. Wyatt is spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. He HATES to have his picture taken, so I have to give him a BIG thank you for these pictures!! Zoé is the niece I've never met! She's just a wee one born in January. That's the slight problem when we all live so far apart. Tiana sure would like to spend more time with them, as she finds especially Wyatt quite a fun little character! (There, bro, are you happy now?!?! I have pictures and a bit about your kids here!! Hee!Hee!!)

Ahhh -- the DOG days of summer!

Ahhh, a beautiful summer day for me!! I got to spend ALL day in the sun, running with the wild animals in my backyard (and really wishing that someone would clean it up! The smell....). The best came after tonight's kibbles, though. Sister and mom and me, we walked up this biggish hill and at the top there was a BOWL OF ICE CREAM!!! Good thing I went for that walk, though! Man, a guy could lose his hour-glass figure if he wasn't careful! I'm not sure where dad went. Sounds like he was gonna take a test or something -- HEY MOM! WHERE'S DAD?!?! Oh, yeah, she says it's for his ASE certification. I'm not sure. I haven't seen him study one bit! Although, maybe that's what he's been doin' on that fancy new lap-top computer of his. I'm hoping mom's feeling okay right now. She was at the Dr. last night and sounds like her foot is kinda messed up. She's not too worried though, sounds like some orthotics or something like that will help. I hope so, 'cause I know she likes to walk -- ME, TOO!!! Well, you know, that ice cream and long walk has me feeling a bit sleepy! Like maybe a quick pre-bedtime nap might just be in order! Great chattin' with ya!

The Foods We Love

As many of you know, I've spent a lot of time and energy losing weight over the last year+ and part of the fun of that is working with new recipes and with old and trying to make them a bit healthier, if not simply leaner. And, since I really don't have anything else to post right now, how about a couple of our favorites (one being brand-new tonight!!) For the pancake option, I'll post both the "old" and the "new" versions! Guten Appetit!

Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes
4 c. rolled oats OR 4 c. rolled oats
1 c. flour OR 1/2 c. flour + 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. sugar OR 2 Tbs. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder OR 2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda OR 2 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt OR pinch of salt
4 c. buttermilk OR 4 c. buttermilk (or 4 c. skim milk+ 4 Tbs.
vinegar -- let stand 15 minutes)
4 eggs OR 1 egg + 3/4 c. liquid egg substitute
1/2 c. vegetable oil OR 2 Tbs. oil + 2 Tbs. applesauce
2 tsp. vanilla OR 2 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients together. Blend in liquid ingredients and mix well. Let batter stand 30-40 minutes, or best let stand overnight in fridge. Batter will be VERY thick. Cook on griddle.
Nutrition Facts


Fiery Flank Steak with Tomato Jam

Jam:
6 large tomatoes, cored and cut in half crosswise (about 4 pounds)
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. grated onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 jalapeño peppers, minced
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp. salt
Steak:
1 Tbs. grated lime rind
1/3 c. fresh lime juice
2 tsp. olive oil
2 jalapeño peppers, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds flank steak, trimmed
1/2 tsp. salt

To prepare jam: (can be prepared 2 days ahead, bring to room temp. before serving)
Grate tomatoes, flesh side down, over a large bowl to form 5-1/2 c. pulp; discard skins. Combine pulp, sugar, onion, 3 garlic cloves, and 2 jalapeños in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until reduced to 2-1/4 c. (about 20 minutes), stirring occasionally. Cool to room temperature. Stir in cilantro, 3 Tbs. lime juice and 1/4 tsp. salt.

To prepare steak:
Combine rind, 1/3 c. juice, oil, 2 jalapeños, and 2 garlic cloves in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add steak; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 8 hours or overnight, turning bag occasionally.
Prepare grill.
Remove steak from bag; discard marinade. Sprinkle both sides of steak evenly with 1/2 tsp. salt. Place steak on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Serve with jam. Garnish with lemon slices, if desired. Serves 8 (3 oz. meat with 1/4 c. jam)

Cal: 258, fat: 8.8g, protein: 26.3g, carb.:19.3, fiber: 3.1g

NOTE! I completely seeded the jalapeños and it wasn't "fiery" at all! I would DEFINITELY leave some seeds next time so that it has a bit more heat!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

To our mothers and to all of our friends who are mothers and to all of the others who help us mothers -- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! I hope you are well taken care of today!