Hey all. If you have a blog and are running across this problem here is a great way to solve it. Earlier today I was working on my blog and every time I pulled up to edit or to add a gadget which did not have a title for the gadget it would say: The gadget cannot be saved without a title. Error message - "Required field must not be blank". Err I don't want A title, it looks so stupid. I 've never had this problem before but radomly today I did. Any way thanks to fellow blogger:

http://www.bloggertipsandtricks.com/2010/06/required-field-must-not-be-blank.html

He solved all my problems for me. Check it out, He's great!

Sunday Rolls

I have no self control when it comes to rolls. I can't seem to stop eating them when they're around. This recipe has made me the designated roll maker in my family. Thanksgiving, Christmas or when ever my mom craves them, I get to bring the rolls.

SUNDAY ROLLS

1 cup milk
1 cube butter
1 pkg yeast (2tsp)
1 tablespoon sugar
3 beaten eggs
4 cups flour 1/2 sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Heat milk and butter; let cool. Moisten yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar with one tablespoon of warm water.In large bowl, beat together eggs, 1/2 cup of sugar, and salt. Add milk mixture, yeast mixture, and flour. Mix will - no need to knead. Cover and let rise for a couple of hours or until double in size. Divide dough; roll into 2 circles on floured surface. Cut each circle into 12-16 pie shapes and form into crescent rolls. Let rise 2 hours and bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees

Day at the park

Landon's favorite game to play was to run

in the opposite direction from you, and keep running.

He was never happy when we brought him back.

So he tried playing ball with penny.

When that wasn't working, he finally decided to just contemplate life.

In the end Penny was the only one left playing.

Jesse and I have been trying hard to spend as much time as we can out side. In flagstaff we enjoy 9 months of winter and 3 months of summer. So needless to say, I have been enjoying the times where I can watch Jesse and Landon play outside together. Landon loves his daddy and tries hard to be just like him.

Homemade Pizza

My good Friend gave me this recipe and it is so yummy. I love pizza and this is an affordable way to eat it as often as you want.

HOMEMADE PIZZA

Ingredients :

(Dough)

• 1 pkg. active yeast (about 2.5 tsp.)

• 1 c. warm water

• 1 tsp. sugar

• 1 tsp. salt

• 2 T. oil

• 2.5 c. flour

*Note: I will make 1.5x this recipe for 1 Jelly Roll pan/cookie sheet size pizza

(Pizza Toppings)

• Pizza Sauce (I use Hunt's Mushrooms or Garlic and Herb canned spaghetti sauce (1 26.5 oz can will make 2 to 3 Jelly Roll pan/cookie sheet size pizzas)

• Any favorite toppings: Mushrooms, pepperoni, olives or sausage are our favorites

• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in remaining ingredients. If you're not using a mixer, beat well with spoon or fork. You may need to add a little more flour depending on your elevation. I will add everything, but the last 1/2 cup and then I'll keep adding until it is just sticky enough that the dough does not stay on my fingers. Let rest 5 minutes. Roll out dough to fit the pan you are using and place on greased cookie sheet or pizza pan. Put sauce in the center of the pizza and spread it out. Place toppings and cheese on pizza and bake for 20 minutes or until the crust/cheese is starting to brown.

I'v got your back.

My favorite thing about being a mom is the joy that you receive from watching your children and pets get them selves into the oddest situations.

Landon and Penny are buds, they do everything together. They were playing together in Landon's room. OK, so Penny was probably trying to kill Landon's teddy bears and Landon was playing but non the less Landon came running out of his room looking pretty nervous. He kept pointing to his room like he wanted to show me something. Here is a little side note: Landon likes to wake-up Jesse and I each morning by pounding on the wall. So we fixed that by simply moving his crib away from the wall. Well penny for some odd reason decided to venture behind the crib and discovered that she couldn't venture out from behind the crib.

This time Landon and Penny were playing in the bathroom. In this situation Penny came and found me in the kitchen and gave me the look she gives when she is, one, letting me know she is being good and Landon is being bad or two, Landon needs Mom. So I followed her into the bathroom to find out which one it was. I'm not really sure how or why he was like this but Landon was definitely stuck. He couldn't push himself up, but he didn't want on fall on his head either.

OK so I am a terrible blogger, but I never claimed to be a good one. My sweet husband has taken it upon himself to update my music on a regular basis. And some of you have informed me (including Jesse) that my blog is their personal Internet radio station. I hope you enjoy all of his hard work.

2010 has proven to be one eventful year! Jesse and I are expecting our second son on October 4, 2010. We moved to a larger apartment and purchased our first washer and dryer and kitchen table (seemingly small for some but huge for us). Jesse will also graduate in December with a Masters degree in Teaching English as a second Language and begin his PhD in Applied Linguistics come January. I am so proud of Jesse, for someone who has only been in school for 4 years he has come so far. He started at Salt Lake Community College, graduated from BYU, and now he is well on his way to being a Dr. of Linguistics. Wow! He makes me feel like I need to go and do something monumental. I guess the fact that my apartment is somewhat clean will have to do. ;)

Landon is growing out of control. I hardly know what to do with him these days. I never thought he would actually run around, talk, feed himself or have an opinion. He didn't come with a training manual, trust me I checked, but somehow Jesse and I are managing to keep up. If anyone has advice on children's activities, let me know. I am open to anything.

Lime Italian Ice


My sister in law Heidi gave me this yummy recipe last summer and it quickly became one of my favorite summer treats. Enjoy!

Lime Italian Ice

3 Cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup lime juice
lots of ice

Before you begin, fill a large bowl with ice water and put a smaller bowl inside it to chill. Boil the water and sugar. Meanwhile, microwave limes for 10-30 seconds and cut limes in half then juice. Pour lime juice into chilled bowl. Once sugar water has boiled, pour into chilled bowl as well and stir. Let sit for 15 minutes to chill. Pour into 9x13 Pan and freeze for 1 1/2 hours. take out and scrape with fork. Return to freezer for another 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Strawberry Rhubarb pie

This is my favorite pie in the entire world. Yes more then CHOCOLATE! Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and your heart might just skip a beat.

Strawberry Rhubarb pie

If possible, make this pie early in the season, when the stalks are still thin skinned, pink, and no thicker than our thumb. Only mature rhubarb will require the greater amount of sugar suggested.

Use Flaky Pastry Dough with recipe

Prepare.

Roll half the dough into a 13-inch round, fit it into a 9-inch pie pan, and trim the overhanging dough to 3/4 inch all around. Refrigerate. Roll the other half into a 12-inch round for the top crust and refrigerate it. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

In Large bowl mix:

• 2 1/2 Cups of rhubarb, cut into 1-inch lengths
• 2 1/2 Cups of Strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise
• 1 Cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup quick-cooking tapioca or cornstarch (Use cornstarch for a lattice pie)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Let stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the bottom crust and dot with:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small pieces

Brush the overhanging edge of the bottom crust with cold water. Cover with the top crust or lattice, then seal the edge, trim, and crimp or flute. If using a closed top crust, cut steam vents. Lightly brush the top of the pie with milk or cream. sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of sugar.
Bake the pie for 30 minutes. slip a baking sheet beneath it, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F., and cover crust with foil. Bake until thick juice bubble through the vents, 25 to 30 minutes more. Let cool completely on a rack before serving. This pie is best eaten the day it is baked, but it can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 day.

Flaky Pastry Dough

A lot of people have asked me for this recipe, so I decided to just post it on my blog. This is one of the best pie crust recipes I have ever had. Keep in mind, I did not include a temperature or cook time because it depends on what filling you choose to use. This is difficult to make so read through 2 or 3 times before you begin. Enjoy!

Flaky Pastry Dough

Using a rubber spatula, thoroughly mix in a large bowl:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon white sugar or 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Add:

• 1cup solid vegetable shortening, or 1/2 cup shortening and 8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter

Break the shortening into large chunks; if using butter, cut in into small pieces, then add it to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut the fat into the dry ingredients. As you work, periodically stir dry flour up from the bottom of the bowl and scrape clinging fat off the pastry blender or knives. When you are through, some of the fat should remain in pea-sized pieces; the rest should seem dry and powdery and not pasty or greasy. Drizzle over the flour and fat mixture:

• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon ice water

Using the rubber spatula, cut with the blade side until the mixture looks evenly moistened and begins to form small balls. Press down on the dough with the flat side of the spatula. If the balls of dough stick together, you have added enough water; if the do not, drizzle over the top:

• 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water

Cut in the water, again using the blade of the spatula, then press with your hands until the dough coheres. The dough should look rough, not smooth. Divide the dough in half, press each half into a thick, flat disk, and wrap tightly in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, and preferably for several hours, or for up to 2 days before rolling. the dough can also be wrapped airtight and frozen for up to 6 months; thaw completely before rolling.

Cafe Rio Style Creamy Tomatillo Dressing

A few people have asked for this recipe. Now that I live in Arizona I don't have the luxury of going to Cafe Rio. So I have to make my own version of Cafe Rio style food. Its not the same, but delicious nonetheless!

CREAMY TOMATILLO DRESSING

1 package Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch salad dressing mix 1 lime, juice only
1 or 2 large jalapeño peppers 2 cups buttermilk (check directions)
1 cloves garlic 2 cups mayonnaise (check directions)
2 tomatillos
1 handful cilantro leaves
1 lime, juice only
2 cups buttermilk (check directions)
2 cups mayonnaise (check directions)

• Mix Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing according to package directions
• Place all ingredients together in a blender, except mayonnaise; mix until smooth
• Whisk in the mayonnaise; chill until ready to serve

Note: The seeds in the jalapeño peppers make it spicy hot. Remove seeds, if you don’t want it to be too spicy. Do not use the stems from the cilantro.

Landon decided that he didn't want to walk around us anymore.

Landon was really tired and when we put him in his crib he just kind of crumbled and fell asleep. This is how he landed.

Life! It has been so busy this past week. Jesse has been working like a madman doing homework, going to school and working. I get stressed out just thinking about how hard Jesse has been working lately. I try not to think about it too often, it makes me want to take a nap. We are going to Utah this weekend for no other reason than just to get a way from the craziness. Yes, we are running away from our responsibilities, and I love it! Between Landon and Penny I feel like a full-time servant. Landon's newest trick is taking his pants and diaper off and throwing them onto the floor. We've had a few accidents...I really want a washer and dryer. I taught Landon the sign for NO! Now when I get frustrated or to the point of insanity I can keep my mouth shut and just sign 'NO!' I am still trying to figure out a healthy way to deal with Penny.

Caramel Brownies

Having a bad day? Have a peace of heaven. No lie! That is my sales pitch for this recipe, so give it a try. You won't regret it. Chocolate is God's way of giving you a small glimpse of heaven. These brownies take a little more work than I normally like but it hasn't stopped me yet from making them.

CARAMEL BROWNIES

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix (Devil’s Food Cake)
1 cup evaporated milk divided
½ cup (1stick) of butter melted
35 caramels (unwrapped)
3 large Hershey bars (or 6 small ones)

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350 F.

COMBINE cake mix and 2/3 cup evaporated milk and butter
(batter will be thick). Spread half off batter into ungreased 13 x 9
-inch baking pan.

BAKE for 15 minutes.

HEAT caramels and remaining evaporated milk in small saucepan
over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Break
chocolate bars into sections and place them over brownie; drizzle with caramel mixture.

DOT remaining batter over caramel mixture until completely covered.

BAKE for 25-30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into 24 squares

Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

I'm lazy, what can I say? I believe a great meal should only take 20 minutes of my time. So here is another great crock pot recipe. I've never had a meal I didn't like from a crock pot. Everything comes out moist and perfectly cooked. Jesse was telling me how much he likes scalloped potatoes and ham so I was extremely excited to make this for him. Needless to say he loves this recipe. The best part is it may take 8 hours to cook, but I only spent 20 minutes on it!

HAM AND SCALLOPED POTATOES

Ingredients

8 to 10 medium potatoes, pared and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup water
6 to 8 slices of ham (the thicker the better)
1 onions, peeled and thinly sliced
3 C Cheddar or American cheese, grated
1 can cream of celery or cream of mushroom
Salt and pepper
1/2 C of Milk
Paprika

Instructions

· Toss sliced potatoes in cream of tartar and water
· Soak potatoes for a few minutes (this removes some of the starch)
· Rinse and drain potatoes
· Put half of ham, potatoes, and onion in crock-pot
· Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cheese
· Repeat with remaining half
· Spoon undiluted soup over top
· Sprinkle with paprika
· Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high or 4 hours

Best Buds and Hard Days

Penny was spayed yesterday. She came home quite pathetic and extremely lethargic. She refused to move, and if she had to go to the bathroom she would start to cry and make me carry her outside. Landon was very worried about Penny and checked on her about every 30 seconds. He spent his whole day dedicated to keeping Penny company and made sure she had everything he thought she would need. When she wasn't responding to him he went into his room and one toy at a time he found all of the toys that Penny loves and took them to her. When she wouldn't play with them, he sat on her bed and started to put each toy on top of her until there was a nice pile. When she still didn't move he played with the toys for a while, then decided to lie down with her. He laid his head on her thigh and when he thought it was long enough he would go play and then come back and do the same thing again. He took this very seriously. He loves his "Penny girl".

New Pj's

Landon seems to grow out of his pj's faster than we can buy them. Even though he gets new pj's monthly he never ceases to show them off. He marches around the apartment and acts like a proud little man. He's a goofy kid!