TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT! (Maybe)

I have one of those cookbooks that calls out to you to start at page one and make everything in it:  Gifts from the Christmas Kitchen.   Doing my best to stay away from the back of the book (the very sweet & chocolatey end) I came across this intriguing Snack Mix.  I liked it.  It is growing on some of the others who have tried it.   I think Nathan and his game friends would gobble it up in a minute. 

MEXICALI CRUNCH

4 c. corn flakes                                                   

3 c. corn or tortilla chips (plain kind)             

1 c. roasted peanuts
2 quarts popped corn
1/2 c. margarine or butter
1/2 c. Karo light or dark corn syrum
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) Taco seasoning mix
     Preheat oven to 250.  In a large roasting pan combine corn flakes, popped corn, corn chips and peanuts.

     In med. saucepan combine margarine, corn syrup, brown sugar and taco seasoning.  Bring to a boil over med. heat, stirring constantly.  Pour over corn flake mixture, tossing to coat well.

     Bake 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.  Cool, stirring frequently.  Store in tightly covered container.

For a Texicali version, substitute 5 T. of chili seasoning mix for the taco seasoning.

(Will post a picture when I get my camera back from Becky's house.)

Part II of Cooking at Christmas:

     Victor had me put together goody trays for his Counselors and all the auxiliary heads of MonteBello Ward.   I like variety but have turned into a simplicity freak.  The Friend Magazine published a recipe several years ago that is WAY cool!   For great and simple Pumpkin Cookies take one Spice Cake Mix, blend together with one 15 oz.can of  Pumpkin (plain, not Pumpking pie mix).  Add as many or as few chocolate chips as you want and for those who like nuts, add in tons of Walnuts.    No eggs, oil or water!   What could be simpler????   Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 6-8 minutes.  They freeze well and everyone so far has loved them.    Also good with Cinnamon Chips if you can still find those anywhere.

ALL TOGETHER FOR THANKSGIVING

How fun (how chaotic!) to have all the kids and all the grandkids hangin' around Thanksgiving Week.   Peter and Jill and Aly have moved back in with us,  Becky and Audrey and Ethan spent three nights (coming from their  home in North Las Vegas) and Nathan, Colleen and girls made it down and back safely between huge snow storms that hit Twin Falls.   We cooked, and ate, played games and ate, refereed children and ate and had wonderful conversations stimulated by the word quizzes on a board game that requests you to choose what you would do under different circumstances.   (Example:  "What would you buy if you suddenly had $1,000?)  Hmmm.  You get great insight into your kids' personalities that way!  Here are some photo highlights.

The annual Bingo game had a kid version this year. Each family hits the Dollar stores to buy up tons of affordable presents ( or they give away obnoxious toys they don't want in their houses anymore, NATHAN)!   then you play lots of rounds of Bingo and get lots of crazy gifts.  When all the gifts are gone you set a timer for however long the timer-setter person chooses and play some more..only now everyone who wins gets to steal someone else's prize.  This year the most coveted item was a new role of rope!!  Go figure!!

Began taking pictures for our family cookbook.  This is Nathan's wife Colleen who wins the award not only for best pie (Pear - our favorite), but for prettiest cook and best Rachael Ray look-a-like!

Nathan made Muddy Buddies!  (Which were gone in a day!)

Peter and Jill's specialty are "Papa's Pancakes" (a Jensen family tried and true recipe) made with chocolate chips, bananas, blueberries, etc.  (NO!  Not all in the same pancake!)

As usual Ethan's job was to be cute and be underfoot!

I have one rule when all the company comes:  STAY OUT OF MY COOKING SPACE!!!  This is how the men in my life respect that!

Other activities of the week:  a little park time, some racquetball time, an occasional nap, lots of teasing and lots of joking and fooling around.   Also in there Bishop Austin spent a whole day helping to prepare and deliver 32 (!!) food baskets for members of  the Montebello Ward.  Lots of unemployment right now among our Spanish speaking members.

Peter and Aly

"I have an idea!  Let's twirl 'em till they're dizzy!" (Grandpa)

"I have an even better idea!  Let's see what happens when you put rubber bands on their faces!" (Nathan)

"I have an even better idea!  Let's make cookies!"  (Becky)

You all have too much energy!  Get out of here and go play racquetball! 

(By the way, the little lady in front - Sister Walker from our ward - can beat the tar out of the tall guys) 

Pretty Princesses.  Amaya and Noelle both had birthdays when Grandma and Grandpa couldn't be with them (October & August respectively) so we celebrated while they were here.

Tara also had her birthday in August (1 year)

Followed by Alyssa who just turned two this month (but is the same height and size as nearly three-year old Audrey!)

Bringing up the birthday season is Ethan who turned one - also in November

Audrey will turn three in Mid-December .  We'll update her event later.  Here she is dusting for Grandma to earn her nickel.  (All the girls helped with chores)