Another New Year

Happy New Year!

Have A Safe & Happy Celebration...

May Your 2012 Be The Best Year Ever!

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011

This year's celebration was a joyful event!

This Christmas Eve was the year that our married children

spent quality time with the In-Laws.

For the first time in 30 years, Doug really wanted to include some remembrances of my childhood Christmas celebrations. Doug, Oliver & I ended up dining out at La Costa Restaurant, where we savored Mexican cuisine, Tamales in particular. I had spent the day cooking in preparation for all the kids & grandchildren on Christmas Day so I was especially grateful to have a night off...It was fabulous! After Dinner, we decided to go see the latest Mission Impossible movie...very action packed. Then, we came back to our house to follow a 30 year family tradition...the opening of one gift...always PJ's.

On Christmas morning, Oliver came over, we exchanged gifts and had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Shortly thereafter, Doug & I attended a church service to pause and reflect on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the reason for the season. Later in the afternoon, all the kids, grandchildren, & some extended family came over to celebrate.

Excitement was in the air...Children make Christmastime so Magical!

We ate a wonderful Christmas feast, exchanged gifts, enjoyed dessert and family time together.

It was a memorable occasion and one that our family always looks forward to with fondness!

I ADORE this season because people always seem to be Kinder, Gentler & more Loving!

As 2012, fast approaches, may we carry the spirit of this season throughout the New Year!

Seafood Lover's Winter Soup

I Love Dining at our local Market Street Grill and their Clam Chowder is one of my favorites!

Last night, as the snow was lightly falling & the temperature dropping, there was nothing better than a pot of hot Homemade Soup & Toast...Absolutely Fabulous!!!

Market Street Clam Chowder (Serves 12)
Ingredients:

1 cup red potatoes, diced ½ inch (I diced about 5 good sized potatoes.)

1 cup celery, diced ½ inch (I diced 3/4 stalk of celery.)

1 cup onion, diced ½ inch (I diced 1 white onion.)

1 cup green pepper, diced ½ inch (I diced 1 large green bell pepper.)

1 cup leeks, diced ½ inch (I diced 2 leeks.)

¾ cup chopped clams (canned or fresh) (I used 3 cans of clams 5 0z each.)

¾ tablespoon coarse ground black pepper

1 ½ tablespoon salt

¾ tablespoon whole thyme (I used fresh thyme.)

6 bay leaves

1 teaspoon Tabasco

¾ cup dry sherry

2 cups water (I used about 5 c. water...Enough water to barely cover top of potatoes.)

¾ cup clam juice (drained from canned clams or purchased separately in can)

¾ cup butter, melted

1 cup flour

2 quarts half-and-half

Method:

Combine melted butter and flour in oven-proof container and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. (Sounds odd, but it is the easiest to do a thickening for cream based soup.)

In large saucepan, combine remaining ingredients except half-and-half. Simmer until
potatoes are thoroughly cooked. Stir butter-flour mixture into chowder and stir
until thick. Mixture will be slightly less thick than cookie dough. Remove
chowder from heat. Stir in half-and-half until blended. Heat to serving
temperature, stirring occasionally.Serve immediately.

Toast

Method:

Slice any kind of bread about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick...I prefer Artisan, French or Baquette. Arrange on baking sheet, laying flat. Spoon good Olive Oil on the top of each slice. Bake @ 350 degrees until bread slices are lightly golden...approx. 5 - 10 minutes.

Heart Full of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day 2011 - So Appreciative of the Fitzgerald Family for allowing us to share in their Thanksgiving Dinner/Celebration!  Doug, Oliver & I so enjoyed being with Joe & Emily and her sweet family!...A very special Thank You to Brian & Kristie!

The month of November will soon come to a close...I've tried to reflect on ALL of the BLESSINGS in my life... A personal belief in God & His Son - Jesus Christ, Husband - The very choice of my youth & the Love of my Life, 5 Incredible Adult Children whom I absolutely Love & Adore, 4 Darling Grandchildren who have reminded me just how magical life can be - Words cannot express adequately enough just how much I Love them, a healthy Body & Mind (Relatively Speaking), every Necessity of Life & so MANY Luxuries, personal PRAYER & FAITH that keeps Body & Soul in tact, opportunities to explore this beautiful world, treasured Friends & Family, terrific Neighbors, Liberties & Freedoms... TRULY, MY CUP RUNNETH OVER!  

I've even contemplated personal trials that have compelled me to learn important lessons...for these, I HOPE that I am a better person! 

For my EVERY BLESSING, I acknowledge God's Hand in my Life and it is to Him, that my heart gives THANKS!  In a world filled with so much turmoil, He lends me PEACE, STRENGTH, HOPE, UNDERSTANDING &  COURAGE to navigate my way through mortality, ever TRYING to become my Best Self...All that He KNEW I COULD BECOME.  I Love my Father in Heaven & my personal Savior, even Jesus Christ! 

I AM SO BLESSED & FEEL SUCH GRATITUDE FOR ALL THAT IS MINE!!!   

 

Mediterranean Cruise-October 2011

Birthday Dinner - October 25th - Rome, Italy

BEST 48th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!

Rome, Italy & Vatican City

Mount Vesuvius

On The Road To Pompeii

City of Pompeii

Naples, Italy

Sicily, Italy

Isle of Mallorca

Barcelona, Spain

Principality of Monaco

Florence, Italy

Nordham - Holland America Cruise Line

Mediterranean Cruise - October 2011

30 Year Wedding Anniversary Celebration

June 19, 2011, marked a milestone for Doug & I...30 years of Marriage.

Last month, we celebrated that anniversary by taking a cruise.

We visited Florence, Monaco, Barcelona, the Isle of Mallorca,

Tunisia, Sicily, Naples, Pompeii and Rome.

We had a fantastic time, made new friends,

( A very special Thank You to Julie & Dave! )

experienced an array of food & culture,

were privy to seeing some of the most beautiful parts of the world,

viewed incredible sites & artifacts,

( Pompeii being a highlight for Esther & Church in Florence for Doug )

and concluded our journey in Rome celebrating Esther's 48th Birthday.

It was such an incredible ADVENTURE for both of us!

Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU to Doug,

who worked so hard to make the entire trip possible!

So MANY memories made...An opportunity to Fall In Love all over again...

You Scored Big Time Points, Doug!

We Beat All The Odds Against Us...

Have Weathered Every Storm...

Treasured All The Blessings & Joyful Moments Shared...

Loved With Passion...

You Are My Life, Doug...Without You, I Am Nothing!

I Can Hardly Wait For The Next 30 Years Of Marriage!

I Love You, Cakers!!!

Halloween 2011

Halloween - October 31, 2011
Our Darling Grandchildren

Our Youngest, 1 Year Old - Hudson,
Was Especially Excited About His Very Own Stash Of Candy!
He Caught On Quickly...
Had His Bucket In A Death Grip As
Dad Took It Away To Put Him In The Car Seat...
Just About Came Unglued!

What A Night! Granny & Grandpa Loved It!

Southern California Getaway

Long time since recent Blog postings...
September 2011, was a great reason for a getaway to southern California...
It is football season, after all... Utah vs. USC.
While there, Doug & I spent some time visiting the Ronald Reagan Library, former childhood homes of myself and my mother, my grandfather's grave site and my uncle Elias... And of course, some time with our eldest son, Joe & his wife, Emily, prior to the Utah game.
Thanks, Doug, for a fun 4 day weekend...It was fantastic!