"Turkey for you and turkey for me!"

I have a dilemma!

    This years turkey will be the third or fourth turkey we have prepared. We have tried a few different methods. Last year with a medical grade serum bag.... (Yikes! Um, what? From the hubs work! Insert image of "Frankenturkey". Anyway, they actually make fantastic bags for brining, and of course.. Thank goodness! Medical purposes!) We brined for the first time. Delicious moist and flavorful! Really splendid! My hubby usually gets a turkey from work. "Frankenturkey".  I hit a few different stores looking for the right spices and ingredients. Intent upon recreating the juicy goodness of last years bird. Bought them all. Got home. Saw turkey was pre injected.

Great! Commence hair pulling!

    I just spent half my paycheck on spices. Good grief. I have been trolling the internet for rescue. Someone to say "Yes! Proceed with your dream of turkey that falls off the bone! Brine your already salted turkey! Rejoice with a triumphant leap from the table as they shriek Eureka!" High fives all around! Tears of joy! Victory! Random, vivid imagination. Oh how your dreams change as you age. Laughing. Out. Loud.

    Determined am I! I think Tom will get a bath anyway. I think he will spend a luxurious 24 hours in chilled apple cider. Floating amidst fleshy pomegranate kernels. Orange peel swirling around our esteemed guest. Steeping in spices and crisp fall apples...

Because I'm Fairly certain last years turkey was also pre injected!

In addition to my usual determination I am also an:

op·ti·mist

  (ŏp′tə-mĭst)

n.

1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome.

    The cheesecake turned out silky smooth. No cracks on the top. Buttery golden. Happy birthday to my Grammie. Baby girl made the most beautiful place cards for the guests. Rolls are rising as we speak. The people I love, and who love me will gather to give thanks. At this time next week Thanksgiving 2015 will be on the books. What will we remember?

How is your turkey day prep coming?

Raspberry Cream Cheese Pin Wheels...

    Behind the scenes I have been working on perfecting my pastry skills! Yesterday, wanting a delightful treat! Yet not wanting to commit to the time frame a fluffy pastry dough takes, I decided it was time to experiment!

    There has been some debate on whether or not a cream cheese dough can be laminated properly. The fundamental basics of a puff pastry dough depend on a high fat content. This binds your ingredients, and high fat content allows you to create wonderful, flaky layers of goodness by creating air pockets in the dough while baking! A typical puff pastry recipe calls for 24 tablespoons of butter, and can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days to prepare. By omitting more than half the butter and substituting with cream cheese you lose fat content.

  But! Determined am I! 

     My husband has a real sweet tooth! Not the candy and chocolate sweet tooth that I have, but rather a danish, cinnamon roll, monkey bread kinda hankering! I am happy to oblige! I love to have treats ready after school and work! Again, not wanting a treat that took days of anticipation... (all though croissant dough is resting in the fridge as we speak) here is what I came up with! Just a little quicker, different textured version of a great! 

8 T softened unsalted sweet cream butter
4 ounces softened cream cheese cut into cubes
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 T sugar

splash of vanilla

(I wondered about orange zest)

    This can be mixed with a food processor or by hand! I used my food processor. Mix butter, cream cheese, and whipping cream until smooth. Add the flour, salt, sugar, and vanilla and blend/knead until a smooth ball is formed. If dough is too sticky add additional flour a Tablespoon at a time. Let dough rest covered with plastic in the fridge for an hour.

    On a floured surface roll the dough out into a thin rectangle. Then fold into thirds, like a letter... cover with plastic and refrigerate for thirty minutes. After thirty minutes remove and with the open flap towards you roll out again. Fold into thirds, refrigerate. Repeat this step two more times. I turned my dough three times. If dough becomes to sticky to work with pop back into the refrigerator!

These are the layers I achieved with three turns, you could add a few more if you are so inclined!

 Pre heat oven to 350 After the final turn, roll out once more shaping an even rectangle. Cut off the uneven edges. With a pizza cutter or knife divide dough in half lengthwise. Then make 8-10 squares. For a pinwheel shape cut two inches into the corners of your square and fold in on top of your favorite fruit topping! Sprinkle Coarse granulated sugar on top! If you would like that golden brown appearance use an egg wash. I did not do this. Bake until the tops of your pinwheels are browned, mine took about 12 minutes!

    Cream Cheese topping:

At our house we prefer to taste the cream cheese, so this recipe is not the typical sweetened frosting recipe!

4 ounces softened cream cheese

3 T salted sweet cream butter

1 T milk

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Mix it all together until light and fluffy! Top and enjoy!

Boston.... My personal pledge

   

    Early Monday afternoon found me hammering out the miles on the treadmill. Most days this is where I train while my baby naps. I get outside whenever I can to build my endurance on the road and in the conditions, but this was clearly going to be an indoor day! Monday I was struggling! Really digging to get the last three miles in. Finding it easier to focus without the distraction of the T.V. I rarely turn it on. Monday I did, and just as I was about to talk myself out of completing my days work the tragic news began to unfold. Anyone with a heart for humanity and the pride of an American feels the way I do...

Devastated! Angry! Heartbroken! 

    This simply cannot go on, yet sadly it will! Monday as I did my best to shield my children from the continuous coverage I could not help but feel an overwhelming sadness when I looked into the faces of my young daughters. This is the world they will grow up in. The world in which they will raise their families...

 So how can we help?

    The unfortunate fact is that this is not going to stop. We have to protect each other! Be aware, and most importantly do our best to live unafraid. As the title of this post indicates I have my own way of honoring Boston. By the time the race season concludes this year I will have run the miles needed to complete my own marathon. In each of these races I will run with pride. I will remember. I pledge to not live in fear and to honor the innocent.

    The web is alive with kind hearts wishing to contribute to the healing. How are you healing? Below are a few links that will guide you to The One Fund, Boston Inc  formed to help the persons, and families most affected by Mondays tragedy. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army If nothing else, prayers for healing are always needed. Hold your loved ones a little closer and remember each and every day is a precious gift!

Save the date! An invite only tutorial...

 
 I am feeling old today! The wedding season is upon us! Awhile back while pondering a gift for the daughter of a good friend I stumbled unto "my thing"... What is "my thing"? Well every bride gets a mixer right?! I got out my Cricket and pressed for time and sanity I was admittedly going to slap the initials of the happy couple unto a piece of glass and call it good...while looking at their invite I was grabbed by the notion that I should use their invitation in some form...

So! 

    That has now become "my thing" I create gifts using the invitation! It has been a huge success! An announcement is the first announcement to the world of their new life! I love these projects! It also gives me time to reflect on fond memories of friends and family! The beautiful bride here is my cousin whom I used to babysit! Hence the "I feel old today!"

Using the first letter of the soon to be last name I had a few ideas!

Remember the lace stencil from a few posts back? I still love it!

     I painted the front and back of one of the letters. Then used hot glue to adhere them together once I had completed my collage...

    My little sister introduced me to modge podge! I am now convinced it is the most underrated craft supply!

    I carefully ripped their beautiful invitation to shreds, and created a collage. Be creative! Get sloppy! When your collage is finished simply flip over the letter and trim the excess paper off with a razor blade.

Back view! I attached small wooden blocks as the stand.

Front beautiful view! What are your wedding gift traditions?

                                                                                Loressa

Hearts full for Baby Nicole...

 I wish I had the right words to say...

 I wish I knew how to put down how my heart feels...

 I hope...

I love...

 Please know...

 Thank you...

 Believe...

 I am humbled by what I have experienced today. Love at its truest. Hope at it's finest....

Thank you!

A glimpse...

All of these items have been donated with love!

Momto8blog....

Momto8blog

  
 Congratulations to Momto8blog You had the most visited link from the Finally Friday hop! I Really enjoy checking in on this blog! I always find a humorous post like the one above:) I also really enjoy her view on life and practical matters! Laughing at life's little moments. Growing and learning through it's disappointments....I guess it is why I love this blog so much! I am happy to share a recent favorite post of mine! A Favorite because I am married to a real man who is so wonderful and together we are raising three girls whom I pray will find happiness (after they turn thirty of course:) with men just like this! Please check out this amazing blog! You will be glad you did!


Where have all the men gone?

  My Dad advised me in high school to never marry a man who refuses to change a diaper.  I know what he meant then and I know what he meant now.  I see with my own eyes what happens as we women try to be the same as a man.  Men end up with a free pass.  Women end up with free birth control.  The most we demand from men is taking out the garbage once a week.  And they live up to those expectations....if we let them.  But there are still real men and they are living in my house.  How do I know?  I'll tell you what they are like:
1. They bring in all the groceries.  And put them all away,  just like I like it.  Organized, with labels facing me.
2. They clean the snow off the car for me, warm it ahead of time, fill it with gas,  drop me off and pick me up.
3. They open doors for me and all women.  I go first.
4. They eat all their meat and potatoes, but they also eat at all the yellow, green, purple, orange, red and white foods I cook too. They rinse their plate when they are finished and put it in the dishwasher.  And say, thank you for making this for me,  it was delicious.
5. They watch musicals and chick flicks because I always get first pick.
6. They sing in church. They say their prayers. They ask God for help.
7. They push their physical bodies to the limit, but know their minds give out long before their bodies, so they train their minds too...and practice self control.
8. They notice my new ruffled pillows and fresh flowers on the table, and tell me.
9. They protect me from the bad guys.
10. They make their bed everyday and keep their room clean, because I asked them to.
11. They do their push ups.  All of their push ups.  They know slacking is just cheating themselves.
12. But most importantly, they show a concern for others, especially the less fortunate.  When I see my husband and sons freely offering their service to another human being,  that is when I know they are real men.
I think it is time to raise our expectations ...and make men be men.

Wonderful post!

Be sure to link up to Finally Friday for a chance to see your blog featured here!

                                                                                                                                Loressa

A Winding Road...

    Congratulations to Jess over at A Winding Road you had the most visited link at last weeks Finally Friday hop!

    If you did not visit her yet... Please do!

A Winding Road is a blog after my very heart! Delicious recipes! Darling crafts and so much more! I love the monster cake!

Make sure you stop by and link up this Friday! It may be you featured by Curious Wisdom!

I don't get Sundays...

    Congratulations Kristin over at I Don't Get Sundays You had the most visited link from the Finally Friday hop last week! If you are not familiar with this blog...go there now! Her perspective on motherhood and family is wonderful! I share the Sunday sentiment!

  Thanks Kristin for linking up!

 Want to be featured by Curious Wisdom? Here's how!

    Join us on Thursday's for the Finally Friday hop! Tweet and share the hop!

Each Monday I will feature the most visited link!

    A very special thanks to everyone who linked up! I hope you had fun hopping! I will be doing some hopping myself to get to know new friends!

P.S....Um if I contacted you today and spoke gibberish....I was trying a new thing! Networking via treadmill! In one hour of networking... Drum roll! I burned 260 calories! Woot Woot! Not dropping my laptop or being maimed by the power cord catching in the track...Priceless!

Happy day Friends!

Please watch this with your kids!

 Elizabeth Smart on Preventing Child Abduction: What Kids Should Know | Video - ABC News

    We love GMA at our house! It is a part of our morning routine! I was so glad to catch this mornings segment with my girls. The Elizabeth Smart story is one we all know. Recently surveillance cameras caught a thirteen year old Colorado girl fleeing a would be kidnapper. Please watch this clip with your kids. Elizabeth gives some great advice on what we should be teaching our children and how our kids should react to a stranger.

Kids Creative Chaos scavenger hunt!

    Fun, Family Game to Boost Mommy Blogs! Hosted by:
         Kids Creative Chaos

Have fun scavenging the internet and get to know more Mommy Bloggers

Your Mission, if you choose to accept it is:

1. Type the words below into a Google Search.
 2. Find an image (any G image will do). (R click/copy url or save as title below)
3. Pin it to Pinterest and share your Pinterest board, so we can follow.
4. Link up or leave a comment below.
5. Like 'Kids Creative Chaos', on Facebook.

    To be eligible for our Kid's Basket of Goodies Prize pack, valued at over $50 (includes signed copy of (Adam Rubin's book Those Darned Squirrels and The Cat Next Door) you must complete all task in the hunt.

Happy Hunting!


1. Easy Elephants
2. Snowman in a Jar
3. Slipper Flop
4. Colors of the Faith
5. Snowball Socks

*If you live outside the U.S. you can participate but you'll have to pay shipping costs. You have one week to complete the mission. Everyone who completes all Scavenger Hunt tasks will be entered to win!

My first feature and a great Tuesday hop!

As I began my foray into networking I felt so intimidated. Even now as the fruits of my labor are slooowly beginning to pay off I still have a ways to go! The one thing that has pulled me to my feet each day is the support and companionship I have found in my fellow bloggers! I first came across Mom's Best Nest a few weeks ago while browsing blog hops. I feel in love with her bio. I also loved how she encourages a place where "Imperfect moms can share how we can do the best in our nests."

   I am so happy to be a part of Flock together Tuesday this week! Please stop by and visit Mikki! Link up and meet some of the most wonderful people I know!

Flock together Tuesday

Dinner and dishes night...

 

   How do you make chores bearable?

    For the longest time my husband and I thought the recipe for happiness was to expect happiness! Our older children had no chores, no responsibility...The only expectation was to "Just be happy!" As we have matured and evolved in our blending process we have come to learn that children need responsibility. They need expectations that promote a constructive outcome. Expectations equal love.

    About six months ago now we implemented a chore/reward system that seems to be working. The only thing not in check that drives every parent bonkers....the complaining! The chore that brings the beast out!? Dishes! I don't even like to do dishes! Whining and slamming dishes..... It made me wonder if there could be a reward in dishes? They are forever bugging me to let them help with dinner. Come on mom's you will be able to reason with my always "Not tonight." Response. It is just easier to do it myself!

    Having a hand in raising our oldest and knowing what I would like to pass on to my own girls it is time to buck up! Let the cooking lessons begin ladies! On their dish night they are also now cooking! Last week was our first try and it was a success! Being involved in doing something important made them feel important and they can't wait for dish night this week! The complaining will never end it comes with being a kid, but giving them something to look forward to.... The smiling "I did it!" face is worth it!

Snow dance...

 


What are your winter hobbies?






 Where is the snow! Our inner snowmobilers are in mourning! We are avid snowmobilers. It has been a part of my life since childhood. I introduced my husband to his love of ski doo:) Actually my grandpa did when he gave us his old beaters as a pre wedding gift. We were hooked!

    Last winter as Utah recieved record snowfall I ambled along up to the 36th week of my pregnancy. Slow and easy it was not our typical thousand miles on the sleds winter.

    This year although it saddens us we have been out once! It is partly due to the fact that there is very little snow and also due to the fact that our little one is just that...a little one! Without a winter hobby however.....life is slow and somewhat boring! Most winter weekends you had no guarantee of finding us. This winter we are sticking close to home. Redbox is our best friend! This morning as a weak winter snow passed through my husband was grinnin! Grandma and grandpa are lined up to babysit this weekend if the snow continues to fall.

   We have a lifetime of winters ahead of us if god grants. We have many seasons to catch up and ride to our hearts content. Sorry baby K you are stuck with us:)

Tearing it up in West! Many great memories have been made there! Many more to come!

 If you have never been anywhere else in the winter this is the place to begin winter traditions. It is home to my heart. Help us out! Get your snow dance on!