Busy? Busy? HA! There are only 24 hours in a day but with all the traveling we stretch it a mite.
As this 2008 comes to a close and in just about 30 minutes 2009 dawns..time has shown it can fly.
I can remember as a young girl wondering IF I would live long enough to see 2000. Now it is already 2009. The big 60 this year, or as Grandpa says... another year closer to social security for me.
One of the options Elder and I get to search for are new apartments for in-coming missionaries. Thought I would post just a few "Fixer-Uppers" that would probably be 'cheap.' This first one was just the thing. So what if there were holes in the walls? Can't see the yard but it definitely could be helped along...
Or how about this Fixer Upper... it can be built to suit!
But the best one of all. This fixer upper even has electricity available and FREE AIR CONDITIONING!!!!
All in all we have grown to love all our Missionaries. During this last trip around the Albuquerque Mission we were so surprised when we visited the Elders in Toadalena (between Shiprock and Gallup).
This remote area is so beautiful! Came across a couple dogs herding a flock of sheep. The flock crossed right in front of our car and so we just waited for them to all pass over.
The Elders were so proud. Just that moring they had baked a cake - just for Elder and I! Was supposed to be a chocolate cake...but... I was sure there were quite a few surprise ingredients. Kinda sunk in the middle... but you could not have seen 2 prouder bakers!
With that note thought I'd add a recipe or two I obtained from fellow e-mailer friends.
You have got to try this!!!! Let me know if it is as good as promised.
Christmas Crack (named as per the statement that it is truly addictive.)
35 saltines (1 sleeve plus a few)
1 c butter
1 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 c chocolate chips
1 1/2 c walnuts crushed
Line 10x15 pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.
Lay out saltines evenly
Preheat oven to 400
Melt butter in pan, add brown sugar, bring to a boil,
boil 3 minutes (maybe a little longer)
Pour over crackers, covering completely
Bake at 400 for 5 minutes
Remove from oven, and turn oven off
Layer chips evenly over the saltines
Return to the oven until chocolate is melted (about 5
minutes)
Press walnuts into chocolate with a spatula
Cut into 1" squares, and cool completely (I put mine
in the fridge)
Also, This is another keeper. You can make the day before and cook in
morning.
APPLE FRENCH TOAST
1 large french bread or 2 small french bread or other white bread. (two
small didn't seem to fill the dish)
8 eggs
3 c. milk
3/4 c. sugar divided
5 reg. size apples or 3 large
2 tsp. of cinnamon
1. Preheat oven 400 degrees
2. Spray a 9 x 13 pan.
3. slice bread into 1 1/2 in. slices
4. place bread in pan and make 1 layer
5. beat eggs lightly & add milk, 1/4 c. sugar and vanilla and wisk together
6. pour 1/2 of the liquid over bread.
7. peel and slice apples and place over bread.
8. pour other half of eggs over apples
9. mix sugar & cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples.
10. dot with butter.
11. Bake for 35 min. and serve with syrup
12. If the mixture is cold, it may need to bake for 50 min. or more. Make
sure the eggs are cooked and not runny.
Well... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! It is officially 2009 and so I can catch a few zzzzzzz's. Tomorrow the Mission Office is closed so will probably spend the day sewing.
