Do You Hear The Echoes Sing??

Singing the songs around the World....to all the people that love me and like to enjoy Christmas music. Stress Rehearsal is coming up.... I am feeling very 'unready'. So I am trying to stand in the back and may be singing 'Watermelons and bananas', but I would love you to come. Any suggestions on a treat for me to bring? Love you all. IN case you can't read the invitation. Saturday November 29th. 6:60 PM ...my church

To All My darling Children

I have had several inquiries about the time of the feast. I plan to have dinner on the table around 1:00. I am so, so Thankful for YOU!

To All The Johnson Children

To all my darling children that are planning on coming for Thanksgiving. I need a head count to arrange for seating. I also have had inquiries about the menu and offers of help. Here is what we usually have:
Turkey (ordered the biggest I can get!)
Rolls- Stephanie generously offered to bring these
Mashed Potatoes- Superman will make these
Frozen Salad
Raspberry Salad
Relish Tray with Deviled Eggs
Cheese Ball With Crackers
Shrimp Dip with Chips
A vegetable- Either Green Bean Casserole or canned corn
Celery Casserole- I use this in place of dressing which I would be the only one eating anyway.
Yams????- Shall we try them this year?
And lots of pies....for Grandma's house although we are selfish and keep the best ones at our house. I plan to make:
Pumpkin
Cherry Almond Mousse
French Silk
Pecan Chocolate Chip
I am still thinking about the rest. If you want to bring something, just leave a comment. Morgan has offered to help with the table decorations. We might not do the M&M Turkeys unless there is an uprising. I am borrowing a children's table for the little ones.
By the way, I have the greatest children in the world and I don't care who knows it. They are my treasure and I love being with them, I wonder if they know that? I also am trying to be a more hugging person. Help me?

Soup-er Share

I am 'challenging' (is it is tag?) my favorite people to post a favorite soup recipe to share. I love soup season. I am sharing one of my favorite recipes.
Mushroom Barley Soup
1 1/2 lbs. cubed beef (I use a cheap roast)
1 TB oil
2 c. finely chopped onions
1 c. diced carrots
1/2 c sliced celery
1 lb. fresh mushrooms- sliced
2 gloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 can beef broth
1 can chicken broth
2 c. Water (I usually add more)
1/2 c medium pearl barley
1 tsp salt (opt.)
1/2 tsp. pepper
In soup pot, brown meat. Remove with slotted soup and set aside.
Cook onions, celery and carrots in drippings over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms, thyme and garlic. Cook and stir 3 minutes. Add the broths, water, barley salt and pepper. Return meat to pan. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until meat and barley are tender.

I love this on a chilly afternoon. It is even better with Dilly Rolls, but that's another posting.

This is Halloween, Everybody Make a Scene

I love that Halloween song. "everybody's waiting for the next surprise". We had a great Halloween. A big pot of chicken soup with homemade noodles simmered on the stove. It was delicious with the dead breads. We trick or treated and haunted and made homemade root beer. How delectable!

Ethan changed from a cat to a vampire. He was so cute.
We had dancing and partied until we were pooped.


Alaina discovered the joys of Grandma's at Halloween, here she shared a dance with Grandpa.
Morgan and Kenny were here...Colton was a pumpkin. We missed Cory and Isabelle, but hope they got lots of candy and are throwing a sugar fit or two.
Now my Halloween decor is settled in the attic and Thanksgiving has settled peacefully on our home.

Half As Old As My Grandmother

Last week I turned half as old as my grandmother....try and figure that one out. What a great birthday I had. When I got to school, Bonnie my friend and the school's secretary (one and the same) had decorated my room. I loved it. There were streamers and confetti all over and a coffin full of candy. The confetti was all over my chair and stuck to my bottom....there was a trail of glitter through the school all day! Three of my gorgeous daughters surprised me with lunch and I just enjoyed every minute of it! I got a very short visit with my bff Lesley. And a romantic dinner with my honey buns. I am loaded with gorgeous flowers and gifts and I feel loved.....I don't feel any older than I was last week!

Trunk or Treat- Smell My Feet

So I went to the ward Trunk or Treat which I hate. But it turned out great because all my goblins were with me. I was accompanied by Cory the Dragon (But his parents kept thinking he was a devil!), Alaina the Pirate, Isabelle the Spider and Ethan the Black Cat. They were terrific. Even Colton was there with his parents. (Next year, we will dress him up cute!) I am so blessed!