tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629621371823560342024-03-14T23:05:23.265-07:00Life of TracyTracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874487786588497875noreply@blogger.comBlogger2915125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-80175511738025381702024-03-14T23:04:00.000-07:002024-03-14T23:04:36.241-07:00Diary of a Mid-Life Single<p> Never did I ever think that I would still be single at 40. I am recently learning there are reasons for that that I wasn't aware of until now. Deep seeded issues from experiences that have caused me to put up walls that wouldn't allow anyone in. Major trust issues that would take years to work through. I'm continually working on it.</p><p>My singles years haven't all been bad. I have always been a person that has had a lot of friends. I have done a lot more traveling than the average person. I know that even some would look at my life from the outside and think I have it good. That is have it easy. Some might be jealous. They don't realize that I have those same feelings about them having a loving spouse and children. Two things I have always longed for in my life.</p><p>Although I have always wanted to find my person to get married to and start a family... and not having that while I watched each one of my friends one by one get married and start that part of my life... all of my 20's and most of my 30's, I always had a lot of friends. I wasn't truely lonely. I went on lots of dates, I always had friends, I would get invited to things and I eveb sometimes liked and hung out with my roommates. I was bummed out then about my situation! Oh, if I could go back and tell my younger self that I had it good.</p><p>Nobody could prepare me for what being an older single would actually be like. I live a lone (parents near by... which I am thankful for) and now only like 3 or 4 friends that I actually do things with. Only a couple that are still single like me and actually know how I truly feel and can relate. Even those few friends, we don't hang out all of the time. I feel like I don't have a place at church because it is so family orietned and I don't have that. I realzie that is partly my own insecurities... but still. I feel like an outcast in my own family because I am the only one that is not married and doesn't have kids. Our lives are very different and because of that I don't quite fit in. People tend to gravitate to people who are in similar situations that they are. Nobody else is in my situation. On top of that none of them think I will actually get married. I already have a hard time with self doubt... my family not believing in me doesn't help.</p><p>Dating is a nightmare. Everyone my age is complicated and has lots of baggage (including myself) so finding someone who is emotionally and mentally healthy and stable is a challenge. On top of that I still want to have a kid if I can and most men my age have been there and done that and don't want to do that again... unless I ended up with someone much younger. And on that note... part of me thinks I could still have a kid or two and be an old parent and another part of me feels like I missed my chance. Either way, my clock is quickly running out and again... my family has no faith that will happen for me and that cuts really deep. They don't even realize how much that hurts me to hear.</p><p>I used to be able to find people to travel with and even that is a challenge now... because I have run out of friends. I might need to look into travel groups so I can meet new people.</p><p>Normal weekend plans for me are now hanging out with Milo and watching tv and cleaning. I know that is normal for a lot of people my age... but at least they have a spouse and kids to be with... so care about and to care about them. I talk to myself... and my dog. </p><p>I have gotten used to my life this way (which would blow younger me away because I am such an extrovert) and a lot of times I am fine. There are other times (like how I have been feeling recently) that feel so lonely... where I feel forgotten and unlovable and wonder if I will ever find someone that cares about me. I wonder if there is something wrong with me.Wonder how I missed the boat.</p><p>I know everyone has their trials that they are going through. I am very aware that I am not the only one that gets sad and thinks life is hard. I do feel like a lot of people look at singles in a romanticized way and don't realize the amount of hurt that there is there because most people only see one side of the single world.... but a lot of the time I feel like I don't belong or feel left out because I'm single. I feel like people sometimes treat me differently or don't know what to say to me because I am single. Is some of that my own insecrities because I wish I was married with kids? Absolutely! However, I do live in a place where I am in the minority and not everyone knows how to handle that.</p><p>It is what it is. I am thankful for the people in my life that do get it. I am thankful for the people that treat me like anyone else. I am thankful for those that make me feel seen and really care. Even though there aren't many... I am thankful for the few I have. I hope that I won't be in this situation forever and when I am no longer in this situation, I hope that I can be understanding and sympathetic to those like me, and help others understand as well.</p>Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-56628635702130181342023-12-06T12:55:00.000-08:002023-12-06T12:55:56.172-08:00Cranberry Salsa<p> This recipe was introduced to me by my cousin's wife (Melissa Pearson) and ever since we have had it, we would rather have this than cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Cranberry Salsa </b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>1 can cranberries (not jellied)</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>1 vellow bell pepper, chopped</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>2-3 bunches green onions, chopped</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Pinch of salt and pepper</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>1 tablespoon ground coriander</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Juice of 1 lime</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>1 serrano pepper, diced (optional)</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Combine all ingredients. Chill several hours before serving.</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Delicious on turkey sandwiches and with Thanksgiving feasts. Combine several tablespoons with 8 ounces cream cheese for a yummy alternative.</b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNpUh94-i9bUQdzqCMExUqKo0XL-1krh3oFFcYtsW__eKL8okCQwZHNGKI4KOSa4T_gOjlpaC2hTITouBFxwy_jqP1ohi0ufIgYGxRsNw1GYD8U_IqurWywbekQMWPcNzsOCBBmOuR9LPMKkSWygJytMiZLsR9sZO-wwRA7MilRCpXImHBdHdRtpeMEqp/s4032/IMG_1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNpUh94-i9bUQdzqCMExUqKo0XL-1krh3oFFcYtsW__eKL8okCQwZHNGKI4KOSa4T_gOjlpaC2hTITouBFxwy_jqP1ohi0ufIgYGxRsNw1GYD8U_IqurWywbekQMWPcNzsOCBBmOuR9LPMKkSWygJytMiZLsR9sZO-wwRA7MilRCpXImHBdHdRtpeMEqp/w480-h640/IMG_1382.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p>Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-82082788946956661902023-11-12T00:37:00.000-08:002023-11-12T00:37:06.763-08:00Zucchini Stuffing Casserole<p> This is so yummy, I now make it every year when the zucchini starts growing. </p><p><br /></p><p>Ingredients:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>6 cups zucchini, cubed</li><li>1/4 cup butter</li><li>1/2 cup onion, diced</li><li>1 package stuffing mix, divided</li><li>1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded divided</li><li>1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded</li><li>2 eggs</li><li>3/4 cup milk</li><li>3/4 cup water</li><li>3 Tbs butter, melted</li><li>salt and pepper to taste</li></ul><br /><p></p><p>Directions:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 8x11 or two quart baking dish with cooking spray.</li><li>Cook onion in butter on medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini and cook for 4-5 more minutes to remove some water.</li><li>In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 of the stuffing mix, 1/2 of the cheddar cheese, eggs, milk, butter, and the zucchini mixture. Add just enough water for the stuffing mixture to be moist. Spread into baking dish.</li><li>In a small bowl, combine the remaining stuffing mixture, remaining cheeses and 3 Tbs of butter. Sprinkle over zucchini mixture.</li><li>Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until stuffing is lightly browned.</li></ol><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0a252e5sfC8IyVl1wCC_0KfKTRvYDx7VviYsrP2rfcKP_05Ot8y1-kWnyam6DclUH_lVWdbwrdatE20CxIBmmlJgTl1Q35Lq0aZig3iZr6X6tw9m_lAnQ2AWBwq-Gvh-r9mje7tdNxtG7-lGdtDOV6U_Ynx0-MdVN44b2yBuHUBslAQAjB4YWBIpktVX6/s1541/IMG_4652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0a252e5sfC8IyVl1wCC_0KfKTRvYDx7VviYsrP2rfcKP_05Ot8y1-kWnyam6DclUH_lVWdbwrdatE20CxIBmmlJgTl1Q35Lq0aZig3iZr6X6tw9m_lAnQ2AWBwq-Gvh-r9mje7tdNxtG7-lGdtDOV6U_Ynx0-MdVN44b2yBuHUBslAQAjB4YWBIpktVX6/w486-h640/IMG_4652.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr81jHfRHcSVGsgROF-b3CPyvQG5_QJifMDb7bA3WLRD6UQ9LBsoBI9pJ-MtrNcOtk6D9SbiCIzVGbFyzt1lpG59WBry1HHb7to22OJcIC3tjchLGZEo5wx3FwgyTKh6TZxlC6m9GluS_lyaXUVDvxmrpaX3PMHKSveh587ntBwoW31ts_LvpqQwy6_SGa/s1491/IMG_4653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr81jHfRHcSVGsgROF-b3CPyvQG5_QJifMDb7bA3WLRD6UQ9LBsoBI9pJ-MtrNcOtk6D9SbiCIzVGbFyzt1lpG59WBry1HHb7to22OJcIC3tjchLGZEo5wx3FwgyTKh6TZxlC6m9GluS_lyaXUVDvxmrpaX3PMHKSveh587ntBwoW31ts_LvpqQwy6_SGa/w502-h640/IMG_4653.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-25348998656729342332023-11-11T00:32:00.002-08:002023-11-11T00:32:51.111-08:00Potato Ham Soup<p> Have left over Ham & an Instant Pot? Make this soup! It is SO good!</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Ingredients </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1 Tbs Olive Oil</li><li>2 Tbs Butter</li><li>1 small sweet onion</li><li>2/3 cup celery, diced (about 2 stalks)</li><li>1 cup carrots, diced (about 2-3 medium)</li><li>3 cloves of garlic, pressed or minced</li><li>1 Bay leaf</li><li>1/4 tsp Coriander, ground</li><li>1/4 tsp ground nutmeg</li><li>1/2 tsp Thyme leaves, dried</li><li>1 tsp kosher salt (or 1/2 tsp table salt)</li><li>3 cups chicken broth</li><li>1 1/2 lbs Gold Potatoes, diced (no need to peel)</li><li>2 cups Ham, diced</li></ul>To Finish<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1/4 cup flour</li><li>1 1/2 cups half & half (or heavy cream or whole milk)</li></ul>Optional<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated</li><li>1/2 cup sour cream</li></ul>Garnish<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Green onions, chopped</li><li>Italian Parsley, chopped</li></ul><br /><p></p><p><b>Instructions</b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Turn on Instant Pot Sauté function (Normal/Med heat). When the display reads "Hot" add the oilve oil and butter.</li><li>Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Cook until the vegetables start to soften, and the onions are starting to turn translucent.</li><li>Add the garlic. Sauté for a minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.</li><li>Add the bay leaf, coriander powder, nutmeg, thyme, and salt. Stir</li><li>Pour in the broth and stir.</li><li>Add the potatoes and the ham. Stir.</li><li>Place the lid on the pot and lock it in place. Turn the steam and release knob to the sealing position.</li><li>Cancel the Sauté function.</li><li>Select Manual (or pressure cook) and use +/- buttons to choose 5 minutes. High pressure.</li><li>When the cooking cycle has finished, let the pot go into the natural release (warm) mode. You don't have to do anything, it will do this automatically.</li><li>After 15 minutes of Natural Pressure release, you can manually release the remaining pressure by turning the steam release knob to the venting position.</li><li>When the pressure is all out of the pot, and the pin in the lid has dropped, you can open the lid.</li><li>Whisk the flour into the half & half and then whisk it into the soup. Turn on the Sauté setting and keep stirring unti the soup thickens. Then cancel the sauté setting.</li><li>Stir in the cheese, if using.</li><li>Add the sour cream, if using, and stir.</li><li>Taste and adjust salt if necessary.</li><li>Garnish as desired and serve.</li></ol><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8LBnHLq2zhwUzcL78eTP2Dt11KewTO0k-8-p9QVQsqrL36wQC47uMbZokKPP_n92dVoW4Ozx5tZCGdcWhiAQKV6ivb2suzQGrKruFcYXj8CoBPQwjJwDjpFLxo8Q-HYBaih1SxeATgIRsvN76rlG9z9i92MDMVOHjwnvB5ymMmE1UIonwbn6JI9JNtBx/s4032/IMG_7782.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8LBnHLq2zhwUzcL78eTP2Dt11KewTO0k-8-p9QVQsqrL36wQC47uMbZokKPP_n92dVoW4Ozx5tZCGdcWhiAQKV6ivb2suzQGrKruFcYXj8CoBPQwjJwDjpFLxo8Q-HYBaih1SxeATgIRsvN76rlG9z9i92MDMVOHjwnvB5ymMmE1UIonwbn6JI9JNtBx/w480-h640/IMG_7782.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-63813519759273703562023-11-05T23:55:00.005-08:002023-11-05T23:58:06.269-08:00Peach Pie<p> Had SO many peaches this year from the garden so I decided to try making a peach pie for the first time. This recipe was good, so I am saving it here for later.</p><h3 class="wprm-recipe-header wprm-recipe-ingredients-header wprm-block-text-normal wprm-align-left wprm-header-decoration-line wprm-header-has-actions" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--playfair-display); font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--big); font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: var(--wp--custom--line-height--small); margin-block-end: var(--wp--style--block-gap); margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;">Ingredients</h3><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredients-container wprm-recipe-ingredients-no-images wprm-recipe-43972-ingredients-container wprm-block-text-normal wprm-ingredient-style-regular wprm-recipe-images-before" data-recipe="43972" data-servings="12" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-reset: wprm-advanced-list-counter 0; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 30px;"><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" data-uid="0" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: -16px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em;"><input aria-label=" 1 recipe All Butter Pie Crust" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-0" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(189, 189, 189); border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 26px; position: relative;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">▢ </span></label></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">recipe</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-link" data-wpel-link="internal" href="https://www.crazyforcrust.com/favorite-all-butter-pie-crust/" rel="nofollow" style="box-shadow: inset 0 -4px 0 0 var(--wp--custom--color--link-highlight); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--wp--custom--color--link); text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">All Butter Pie Crust</a></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" data-uid="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: -16px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em;"><input aria-label=" 5 cups fresh or thawed frozen peaches" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-1" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(189, 189, 189); border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 26px; position: relative;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">▢ </span></label></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">5</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cups</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">fresh or thawed frozen peaches</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" data-uid="2" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: -16px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em;"><input aria-label=" 2/3 cup granulated sugar" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-2" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(189, 189, 189); border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 26px; position: relative;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">▢ </span></label></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2/3</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">granulated sugar</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" data-uid="3" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: -16px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em;"><input aria-label=" 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-3" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(189, 189, 189); border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 26px; position: relative;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">▢ </span></label></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ground cinnamon</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" data-uid="4" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: -16px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em;"><input aria-label=" 1 tablespoon lemon juice" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-4" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(189, 189, 189); border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 26px; position: relative;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">▢ </span></label></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">lemon juice</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" data-uid="5" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: -16px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em;"><input aria-label=" 4 tablespoons cornstarch" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-5" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(189, 189, 189); border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 26px; position: relative;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">▢ </span></label></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cornstarch</span></li></ul></div><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name wprm-block-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-font); font-size: 0.875rem; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: var(--wp--custom--line-height--small); margin-block-end: var(--wp--style--block-gap); margin-block-start: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.8em !important; margin: 0.8em 0px 9px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">FOR TOPPING:</h4><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" data-uid="7" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: -16px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em;"><input aria-label=" 1 recipe All Butter Pie Crust" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-6" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(189, 189, 189); border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 26px; position: relative;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">▢ </span></label></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">recipe</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-link" data-wpel-link="internal" href="https://www.crazyforcrust.com/favorite-all-butter-pie-crust/" rel="nofollow" style="box-shadow: inset 0 -4px 0 0 var(--wp--custom--color--link-highlight); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--wp--custom--color--link); text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">All Butter Pie Crust</a></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" data-uid="8" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-checkbox-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; left: -32px; line-height: 0.9em; margin-left: -16px; position: absolute; top: 0.25em;"><input aria-label=" 1 recipe Crumble Topping" class="wprm-checkbox" id="wprm-checkbox-7" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-color: rgb(189, 189, 189); border-radius: 4px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; color: var(--wp--preset--color--foreground); font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" type="checkbox" /><label class="wprm-checkbox-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 26px; position: relative;"><span class="sr-only screen-reader-text wprm-screen-reader-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: inset(50%); clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow-wrap: normal; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">▢ </span></label></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">recipe</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-link" data-wpel-link="internal" href="https://www.crazyforcrust.com/how-to-make-crumble-topping-for-fruit-pies/" rel="nofollow" style="box-shadow: inset 0 -4px 0 0 var(--wp--custom--color--link-highlight); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--wp--custom--color--link); text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">Crumble Topping</a></span></li></ul></div></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instructions-container wprm-recipe-43972-instructions-container wprm-block-text-normal" data-recipe="43972" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-reset: wprm-advanced-list-counter 0; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 30px;"><h3 class="wprm-recipe-header wprm-recipe-instructions-header wprm-block-text-normal wprm-align-left wprm-header-decoration-none" style="align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; display: flex; font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--playfair-display); font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--big); font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: var(--wp--custom--line-height--small); margin-block-end: var(--wp--style--block-gap); margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;">Instructions</h3><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><ul class="wprm-advanced-list wprm-advanced-list-4927 wprm-recipe-instructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-43972-step-0-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;">Preheat oven to 425°F.</div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-43972-step-0-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;">Place one pie crust in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate and crimp as desired.</div></li><div class="adthrive-ad adthrive-recipe-sticky-container adthrive-recipe adthrive-recipe-1" data-google-query-id="CMn0z_7wroIDFb47RAgdA5ECMg" id="AdThrive_Recipe_2_desktop" style="align-items: center; background-color: #fafafa; box-sizing: border-box; clear: right; display: flex; flex-direction: column; float: right; justify-content: flex-start; line-height: 0; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; max-width: 320px; min-height: 250px; min-width: 300px; overflow-x: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; z-index: 1;"><div id="google_ads_iframe_/18190176,174698893/AdThrive_Recipe_2/52e41fac28963d1e058a1036_0__container__" style="border: 0pt; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-basis: unset; flex-direction: column; height: 250px; position: sticky; top: 5px; width: 300px;"><br /></div></div><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-43972-step-0-2" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;">Carefully stir together peaches, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and cornstarch. Pour into prepared pie plate.</div></li></ul></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name wprm-block-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-font); font-size: 0.875rem; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: var(--wp--custom--line-height--small); margin-block-end: var(--wp--style--block-gap); margin-block-start: 0px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.8em !important; margin: 0.8em 0px 9px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">TOPPING CHOICES:</h4><ul class="wprm-advanced-list wprm-advanced-list-4927 wprm-recipe-instructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-43972-step-1-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;">Top the pie with a crumble topping (as shown).</div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-43972-step-1-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;">Top the pie by making a lattice (see note) or a double crust pie. If using a double crust pie, be sure to cut holes in the top to vent during baking. If desired, cut shapes out of the top pie crust using a cookie cutter.</div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-43972-step-1-2" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5rem; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;">Place a pie shield around the edge of the pie and place the pie on a cookie sheet.</div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-43972-step-1-3" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;">Bake for 10 minutes at 425° then lower the temperature to 350°F and bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until crust is baked through and golden.</div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSBbFftETle8FZp_wPfYdAJ2nPEeVDnnSLbxxQfpCwmry_0DySr6pkgTPScfQxfi1VAqnVImix1UPN4BPSEdflVYfQeSjvB7pnAiyujHSadB48ZaBa6elcpkW2zv0DXNrOembBxyvfUfoTrrIbDkjqjlPwZl3nY7EV8XVXYn_pv-382j1BYzA4XBl8PLz/s4032/IMG_6189.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSBbFftETle8FZp_wPfYdAJ2nPEeVDnnSLbxxQfpCwmry_0DySr6pkgTPScfQxfi1VAqnVImix1UPN4BPSEdflVYfQeSjvB7pnAiyujHSadB48ZaBa6elcpkW2zv0DXNrOembBxyvfUfoTrrIbDkjqjlPwZl3nY7EV8XVXYn_pv-382j1BYzA4XBl8PLz/w300-h400/IMG_6189.heic" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kMiXgoA5mmPplpHfJPTr333jhreaegHm9_YYkXZuYr7BvmQA3Yf_8vBqOqiL_wXkq9bUmr8Z0mX7mNbK0sc_TzFtRmJToquRxJniFl3Ibq_mnB14LJjw72-gDu-IwzBqzcOb_zl50rv2zUK4Ro0_OHrp0bZiw_rgcJlREeVNdAtuQawgZV57SwPfgbBC/s4032/IMG_6188.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kMiXgoA5mmPplpHfJPTr333jhreaegHm9_YYkXZuYr7BvmQA3Yf_8vBqOqiL_wXkq9bUmr8Z0mX7mNbK0sc_TzFtRmJToquRxJniFl3Ibq_mnB14LJjw72-gDu-IwzBqzcOb_zl50rv2zUK4Ro0_OHrp0bZiw_rgcJlREeVNdAtuQawgZV57SwPfgbBC/w480-h640/IMG_6188.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em;"><br /></div></li></ul></div></div>Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-16643527328298408432023-11-03T01:30:00.000-07:002023-11-03T01:30:35.780-07:00Choices<p> Life is made up of a series of choices.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have been thinking a lot about this lately. We are constantly making choices. Some bigger than others, but each makes an impact. A little decision to decide to go to cycle class to check out my friend Stacey's class has not only led to my new favorite workout, but it led to a really great group of positive, fun and uplifting group of friends.</p><p>The choices you make don't seem really life changing until you are an adult. Some a lot more so than others. I often think about how my life would have turmed out if I would have gotten married when I was 26... if my enegagment didn't turn into an emotional roller coaster. My life would be completely different. I don't know exactly how different, would I have stayed married? Have kids? Gotten divorced? Knowing what I know now I like to tell myself that it wouldn't have worked and that is why god interfeared and stopped it from happening. I will never know for sure because that is not the path my life took. </p><p>You hear people say all the time that things work out the way that they are supposed to. Seeing where my life is now, it is hard to get on board with that sometimes. A part of me has always been kind of mad that a traumatic experience gave me some deep seeded issues (that I didn't realize that I had until recently) that has prevented me from being open to the one thing I have always wanted the most. Love & family. It feels like I wasted the last 10 years of my life being a victim and upset even though I thought I had completely moved past it. In a way I had. I didn't care about him anymore.... but what happened changed me. The other part of me (the bigger part) is extremely grateful that I didn't get married then. I have so appreciated all of the people that I have met and that have been in my life since then that most likely wouldn't have been and all of the traveling and different experiences that I have had that I wouldn't have had if my life would have gone a different path. I also appreciate all of the lessons I have learned and the person I have become because of the hard things. Sure, I would have had hard things that I would have had to work through going down the other path... but would it have led to the same result in how I have turned out? Not sure, but I'm guessing not.</p><p>So occasionally I go down this rabbit hole of what if's and also extreme gratitude of how life has turned out and ponder about the decisions I am making now and how it could shape my life. What choices am I making or should I be making to go down the path that I want to go down? Job choices, health choices, dating choices, friend choices... am I wasting years or am I heading in a direction that I can be proud of? I of course hope for the latter, but some days I am not really sure. I'm still trying to figure out the balance of life. Where I should set boundaries and where I need to just let things go. Who is worth keeping in my life and who isn't. Am I being the type of people that I want to attract? Do I practive what I preach? </p><p>I always thought by a certain age that you had life figured out, but maybe you never really do. I know we are always supposed to be learning and growing, but I just thought I would be more certain of more things by this stage in my life. </p><p>I know that happiness is a choice, and that is something that I try and choose everyday. All the rest of the choices? I am just doing the best that I can with what I have been given and with what I have learned. Thats the best I can do right? I hope that one day I can look back on it all and have it all make sense and that I can say with confidence that it all happened the way that it was supposed to.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I don't know how much this post even makes sense. Nobody blogs anymore or reads my blog, but I guess it doesn't matter. I just felt like I needed to write out some of my thoughts. I miss doing that in my old blogging days. I always really enjoyed writing out how I was feeling. Now that I live alone... I probably should do that more often. It would probably help me process my thoughts better. Either that or I need to start expressing how I feel to Milo. Somehow I don't think it would have the same affect. ha! </p>Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-17390217486610089972020-05-22T01:14:00.001-07:002020-05-22T01:14:51.979-07:00New NormalWell... we are now in month 3 of COVID Craziness. The world is still divided on how to handle things, but right now I am super thankful to be living in Utah because we are one of the few states that are opening up and starting to get back to normal.<br />
<br />
I thought I would share some of the new normal now... you know, just to document this crazy time.<br />
<br />
First thing that was awesome and I wish would have lasted longer but it didn't were the gas prices. It got down to $1.75 a gallon which gas hasn't been that low in 15 years or so. It was really nice while it lasted though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hDseVY-8CJPxAyztngCtjGXTujDiewEvyzIetdVqLCBLM4ngC3adkSZR3IBEOP8hfHsy3Z74a_Y_5e9c-I6InpQabb-1vZNbiA7z0opwDILVCIRwZLQAmVxoVHzpph5gbeJnFebI5rM3/s1600/IMG_4695.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="1600" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hDseVY-8CJPxAyztngCtjGXTujDiewEvyzIetdVqLCBLM4ngC3adkSZR3IBEOP8hfHsy3Z74a_Y_5e9c-I6InpQabb-1vZNbiA7z0opwDILVCIRwZLQAmVxoVHzpph5gbeJnFebI5rM3/s400/IMG_4695.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And although Utah is opening up as of a week or so ago and you can go inside most resaurants now, you see these signs on pretty much every food joint. Of course they were up before trying to keep their business from shutting down... even though you can go inside curbside pick up is still very much an option for the people that are still keeping their distance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHETB6HBPJRxUzGdXpm1JgCgrPssl1a-ThSMzNsWdbXacurZKq_-VxaVFEl0v7i-yCfG6qzIUrCwkvExoUbV9rBaTZfWl3yvRsQr0lO1AyVzISqLTHMzXnuUDCdE7qmIRcwDIcRY8FkNlx/s1600/IMG_4694.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHETB6HBPJRxUzGdXpm1JgCgrPssl1a-ThSMzNsWdbXacurZKq_-VxaVFEl0v7i-yCfG6qzIUrCwkvExoUbV9rBaTZfWl3yvRsQr0lO1AyVzISqLTHMzXnuUDCdE7qmIRcwDIcRY8FkNlx/s400/IMG_4694.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And speaking of the food industry, You also see a lot of people encouraging us all to support our local businesses. Downtown Provo did it as a sticker challenge. You document that you supported on your social media and tag them, you get a cool sticker designed by a local artist just for thie challenge. Yes... I totally participated. Even though I don't live in Provo anymore, I lived there for years and still eat there on occation beacuse I have so many favorites over there. So now I have a sweet Provo sticker. I think these promotions to support local buisnesses are great because I DO NOT want to see any of these places suffer for no reason.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1iFBAy_5KQ9zwWPHW2aqpQK_YKYfaqODMMRWYko71_tCAbrr2OZAgwgVcCqb9hgw95TC3BVovYCrFzdVW7AOG9TGfDvpbya1bc8SqKnFKt0wKQ4V6gry2Z61bjSiDYL8dT0PeEJDfPJ4/s1600/IMG_4691.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1iFBAy_5KQ9zwWPHW2aqpQK_YKYfaqODMMRWYko71_tCAbrr2OZAgwgVcCqb9hgw95TC3BVovYCrFzdVW7AOG9TGfDvpbya1bc8SqKnFKt0wKQ4V6gry2Z61bjSiDYL8dT0PeEJDfPJ4/s400/IMG_4691.jpeg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdLZQmd1hO2l-nK9engErkodHQrhaYwofBVyeoHPpPy8rlmq6pRshyphenhyphen3kR_0HZnsqh2KN12A_62MBS7DFvCKpY3UkNfT85WVpwYB-40XmKv6CNFUcnthOJVjooTFc8hI3ePn7rx6d1fwlE/s1600/IMG_4676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdLZQmd1hO2l-nK9engErkodHQrhaYwofBVyeoHPpPy8rlmq6pRshyphenhyphen3kR_0HZnsqh2KN12A_62MBS7DFvCKpY3UkNfT85WVpwYB-40XmKv6CNFUcnthOJVjooTFc8hI3ePn7rx6d1fwlE/s320/IMG_4676.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzwWbpznnuXnXse8EYMdPgNqnaXnIe9WDenthEJP7YzjJdXWDbhHk9goGWXcStCYrOXiuTe1EBllelj3up8te4JsO7xXuiCP0-flKOj8qayCsfDM86gg7a4HKxH-yKD3tOpyAqw4JPEJF/s1600/IMG_4699.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzwWbpznnuXnXse8EYMdPgNqnaXnIe9WDenthEJP7YzjJdXWDbhHk9goGWXcStCYrOXiuTe1EBllelj3up8te4JsO7xXuiCP0-flKOj8qayCsfDM86gg7a4HKxH-yKD3tOpyAqw4JPEJF/s320/IMG_4699.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Utah decided to pay tribute to all of the hospitals working hard by flying these jets across the state in their honor. Kind of cool. Everyone knew about it and a scedule was put out so you knew when to walk outside and look for them. You better believe that we stopped what we were doing at work to go watch for them outside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlcucLrjb4pQpWDoXtHpm2XC93fh21zFPisMJtsVugp7XEf0xhpr25T-e09J5Zgd1h1A2FFme3XDEe8bci7VEsXR60SiW4Yp1_6TrhBeDaNif-4Js3CrsSjNy5KQu97v4OdcI69QHhPtr/s1600/IMG_4638.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1125" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlcucLrjb4pQpWDoXtHpm2XC93fh21zFPisMJtsVugp7XEf0xhpr25T-e09J5Zgd1h1A2FFme3XDEe8bci7VEsXR60SiW4Yp1_6TrhBeDaNif-4Js3CrsSjNy5KQu97v4OdcI69QHhPtr/s400/IMG_4638.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And who knew that masks would be the hottest trend of 2020! Not me! Everyone is selling them or making them and in all kind of fun patterns. It is super weird to go out and see lots of people wearing masks... but at the same time, it's not anymore... because this is the new normal. Truth be told, I have only worn one once... when I went to get my hair done because it was required in order to go into the salon. I did buy one though for when it is required... but I am finding that not that many places require it, so I haven't had to use it much. Even when I finally got a pecicure, they didn't make me wear it. Which I appreciated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSkqD27kKliOru2WzDuTokEJNKwCeZRekONYwMJH30529kVTaTdKo4FGh4YlzZnC8kPDRRZ61SAx73Bg94sZ0uap5G7YSfdANzbjpPOxwXi50DnWQAfGTnL0rwuMvPmq9wcZOQfI1lN3U/s1600/IMG_4868.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSkqD27kKliOru2WzDuTokEJNKwCeZRekONYwMJH30529kVTaTdKo4FGh4YlzZnC8kPDRRZ61SAx73Bg94sZ0uap5G7YSfdANzbjpPOxwXi50DnWQAfGTnL0rwuMvPmq9wcZOQfI1lN3U/s400/IMG_4868.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Speaking of getting my hair done.... it was strange. Not only did I have to wear a mask, but I had to wait in my car for my friend to come get me and then I had to wash my hands right away. Thankfully they hadn't gotten their thermometers yet or else I wouold have had my temperature taken as well. But hey... it is what I needed to do in order to get my hair done, so I am happy to do it. Everything was pretty shut down here for a couple of months, so I was thrilled to get my hair done and my nails done... something most people in other states still can't do. My friends outside of Utah were pretty jealous when I posted getting these things done. Again... I am so happy that I am in Utah right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKAsw_o665COhS6Qn1o7u9b6CobNa6g086Qb5lLjclNWfLG_rBaqoBi12RAf34JCNUCfmKM4nFQk2wxi6lZn4i6SeJEg2Klqy3YvpXcUtKey2x1mdW85kkStUr2wDpB0fB0N2gAMEkJQU/s1600/IMG_4748.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKAsw_o665COhS6Qn1o7u9b6CobNa6g086Qb5lLjclNWfLG_rBaqoBi12RAf34JCNUCfmKM4nFQk2wxi6lZn4i6SeJEg2Klqy3YvpXcUtKey2x1mdW85kkStUr2wDpB0fB0N2gAMEkJQU/s320/IMG_4748.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-p0pMe23dzfZfUfkrKLDV7Wf1_Dc05pJUUCWD0XutnGSZoZ2gEr7OaLKhO2GtXQSVLp9Gb9SRVGa3Aa0UzEXp2atUFjSf61hDCjxVlYKGgNQdRM6auZAnPKVSoNspbHqWO7d-drHFcCR/s1600/IMG_4749.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-p0pMe23dzfZfUfkrKLDV7Wf1_Dc05pJUUCWD0XutnGSZoZ2gEr7OaLKhO2GtXQSVLp9Gb9SRVGa3Aa0UzEXp2atUFjSf61hDCjxVlYKGgNQdRM6auZAnPKVSoNspbHqWO7d-drHFcCR/s320/IMG_4749.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Amidts all the crappy things happening, there are a lot of good/ fun things coming out of this as well. There have been drive by parades for students from teachers and for missionaries that have come home and most recently for graduations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaA2sIdGQn5P8YVcdvLVF0YQ7eZxSq8bcQ0CNJMU_p1wQ2GsRq8NeY12NDDRBtD7j-9UEbxZD-_lEYWXdlvM-KCx63p_MxVov9g1_h1I-CMVs_b-we2XaXCzlqMlvs0BT90pZAjSnoXOl/s1600/IMG_4596.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaA2sIdGQn5P8YVcdvLVF0YQ7eZxSq8bcQ0CNJMU_p1wQ2GsRq8NeY12NDDRBtD7j-9UEbxZD-_lEYWXdlvM-KCx63p_MxVov9g1_h1I-CMVs_b-we2XaXCzlqMlvs0BT90pZAjSnoXOl/s400/IMG_4596.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
In our neighborhood in Mapleton specifically we have had a lot of fun things happening... especailly for the kids.... like sidewalk chalk to display for others to see and bear hunts where people put bears in their windows or outside for kids to find when they go out walking. On our neighborhood facebook page we had people offering items that were hard to find in the store and others that were taking those people up on their offers but in trade for other goods. I loved seeing everyone be so thoughtful and kind and looking out for eachother. We also have a group that goes around the neighborhood doing social dis-dancing. THAT is my favorite. It makes me to happy to hear the happy music as they pull this lite up stage around the neighborhood while people come out of their house to dance and sing along. Talk about bringing happieness to the neighborhood!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs1PZzB3qzfdprL20SWlhoJm6wfvb0Breg4pL-7w2uK1ZkMzB-AlmakAqVujTJ3UV9fuIHu2B7d4IeVoIduR8cIN8ucXh-PmcbxFNZtMq_35Z5zQZFacwmQRW4xKTKlVb3b6ol92vCz-w/s1600/IMG_4829.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs1PZzB3qzfdprL20SWlhoJm6wfvb0Breg4pL-7w2uK1ZkMzB-AlmakAqVujTJ3UV9fuIHu2B7d4IeVoIduR8cIN8ucXh-PmcbxFNZtMq_35Z5zQZFacwmQRW4xKTKlVb3b6ol92vCz-w/s400/IMG_4829.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis35i8Zr9Q1YVMYLv1J_nDDDZMCFMrH3KNTdtKS9ym-6-9HimdmdGBSGzDqxVM4S6bBTWbRuzpTqTBgX0EXcjYu2mhV9jtjiCIW7WLH1Z8-UO2Q4h_pfbeuAq3OwlbdVIKkRv9uEC58n-p/s1600/IMG_4831.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis35i8Zr9Q1YVMYLv1J_nDDDZMCFMrH3KNTdtKS9ym-6-9HimdmdGBSGzDqxVM4S6bBTWbRuzpTqTBgX0EXcjYu2mhV9jtjiCIW7WLH1Z8-UO2Q4h_pfbeuAq3OwlbdVIKkRv9uEC58n-p/s400/IMG_4831.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Then of course you have the celebrities jumping on board trying to spread some joy as well in their own way. You have networks offering free shows, movies that were supposed to be in theaters being realised right away, free broadway shows on youtube, Josh Groban singing "shower songs", Jimmy Fallon continuing to do the Tonight Show from home with his family and interviewing guests via Zoom and having each guest highlight a different charity and encouraging those who can to donate. Then there is my favorite, John Krasinski doing "SGN" (Some Good News) Just reporting on all of the good going on around the world. A lot of the videos have made me cry. But are we surprised by that? I'm not.<br />
<br />
So there is an update on the new normal. It has been sad for me not to be able to travel or even plan to travel which makes me so happy. But I have been trying to switch my focus and see it as an opportunity to get lots of projects done that I have been putting off! I will do another post on all of my projects soon. Also... I keep buying more house plants. ha ha. Maybe I will do a post on that as welll. It is getting a little out of control. Ha! Ok... bye for now.Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-71695886123513519892020-05-01T23:45:00.000-07:002020-05-22T00:24:08.111-07:00Going Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamSdxZZZvh8HtbE1d6NT0VmVjLy6sZoxIBtPtoNSfJ44bNWw963Ozax7anEJ-cung3FGn_M8pWpe0AdzwZ_sBpwYeITeEp_Y2NZi818v85mjjQRklQqCT6JkBCZBfN32LLvFdPFFippgf/s1600/IMG_4568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamSdxZZZvh8HtbE1d6NT0VmVjLy6sZoxIBtPtoNSfJ44bNWw963Ozax7anEJ-cung3FGn_M8pWpe0AdzwZ_sBpwYeITeEp_Y2NZi818v85mjjQRklQqCT6JkBCZBfN32LLvFdPFFippgf/s400/IMG_4568.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Lately I have been trying to make some changes and go a little more green. Do I think I am changing the world by doing these things? No. Am I going to go completly green? Probably not. Sure, I feel good about doing my part, but this is also about just not being so wasteful in general and saving money by not having to buy all of these single use products over and over again. Plus, because there are so many companies trying to change the world to go green, there are a lot of quality products out there that have not always been an option. So if you are wanting to make some of these changes... NOW is the time!<br />
<br />
The first change I made I think is probably the most common one. Using tote bags when going to the grocery store. I have gone through phases of how good I am at remembering... and sadly when I order groceries online and go pick them up, that isn't an option (although I have put in the feedback online that it should be) but for the most part I remember and it is great to not have a million plastic bags around my house. I occationally use them, but not the amount that I have laying around and was coninuting to collect. So this was a great change.<br />
<br />
A more recent addition were some netted bags I bought from Coconut Bowls company. These are to replace the plastic bags that you pack your fruit and veggies in at the grocery store. I love these! Great buy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMKUjnKHHp6h36vYMO2f8a7eMoDdynyCbcpPG37-Vy9RDv1SB9D9c_O6XmwCPQEieKSN39ErrEmEDs_OjoXletoBSnlEhrC1h3Y8hyphenhyphen7a1XdrwUetZ44Qs6XTn0PkaLKdUbyYEpMfRPwnu/s1600/IMG_4582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMKUjnKHHp6h36vYMO2f8a7eMoDdynyCbcpPG37-Vy9RDv1SB9D9c_O6XmwCPQEieKSN39ErrEmEDs_OjoXletoBSnlEhrC1h3Y8hyphenhyphen7a1XdrwUetZ44Qs6XTn0PkaLKdUbyYEpMfRPwnu/s400/IMG_4582.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WHjLgV20e8APmgnzV4ybA3Hf0gtXH7Rln5tcfwGSyIomV9J07xI8qxOPIy3gAdO6crg3TN8J-RSjq_-pf3E_hUzY1oDOGbpHHpqhGdZAv6jbMDY540CUq2hi13G9C0_HYS3Xgp1DkmMq/s1600/IMG_4579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WHjLgV20e8APmgnzV4ybA3Hf0gtXH7Rln5tcfwGSyIomV9J07xI8qxOPIy3gAdO6crg3TN8J-RSjq_-pf3E_hUzY1oDOGbpHHpqhGdZAv6jbMDY540CUq2hi13G9C0_HYS3Xgp1DkmMq/s400/IMG_4579.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl8MS2TZElLD09NWJS7aoE3JHQxes9Y3nRreNQFSJ2zGSDGe50GWPt_qET_52MvOQAuTZuvPjp6T7tGHp5bKGFlKhzsps_dQ0JxaXg2-AIYJis6pFFvW2vzJHUP8aPyh2AA6xAs3mFvP2/s1600/IMG_4578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl8MS2TZElLD09NWJS7aoE3JHQxes9Y3nRreNQFSJ2zGSDGe50GWPt_qET_52MvOQAuTZuvPjp6T7tGHp5bKGFlKhzsps_dQ0JxaXg2-AIYJis6pFFvW2vzJHUP8aPyh2AA6xAs3mFvP2/s400/IMG_4578.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I didn't make any other changes for a long time. Then my sister and mom talked about dryer balls instead of dryer sheets that are actually not great for your clothes anyway. So I bought some dryer balls. So far... I am really enjoying them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqFa-2kAWbbJfr0kY54KjmQbwvvuY4vaN3veFx1z5YTZVaONrFrTNM2p8Xjq-hJMJkcHXR4ojkESWU4hM40T2l-4IOASLOChJHhCzNvlw7bFXWmhQXn8gt6yJHiyEpnHPTfUoitIk7YJH/s1600/IMG_4584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqFa-2kAWbbJfr0kY54KjmQbwvvuY4vaN3veFx1z5YTZVaONrFrTNM2p8Xjq-hJMJkcHXR4ojkESWU4hM40T2l-4IOASLOChJHhCzNvlw7bFXWmhQXn8gt6yJHiyEpnHPTfUoitIk7YJH/s400/IMG_4584.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Next thing I realized is how many zip lock bags I used. So many that all just get thrown away! So I started looking on Amazon to see if there were some good reusable zip lock bags out there. I found some and decided to give them a try. They are AWESOME! I love how thick they are, they are easy to clean and the zip lock is really strong. My pack came with 2 different sizes... but now I would like to find a freezer size version. I like it THAT much!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Iy9QPeKVPb-nojBxMMYVljEjTvEYTUJh5lbKTGBDxhe584oUvkXcSISF7DD8YfjlKvRu4rQhg4NXtR5qVHZLGez4uJZZP2xaKib9X8WSAlcEkw5lzYOqaiHVg2h_DFEwRTTIW1DbkMke/s1600/IMG_4583.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Iy9QPeKVPb-nojBxMMYVljEjTvEYTUJh5lbKTGBDxhe584oUvkXcSISF7DD8YfjlKvRu4rQhg4NXtR5qVHZLGez4uJZZP2xaKib9X8WSAlcEkw5lzYOqaiHVg2h_DFEwRTTIW1DbkMke/s400/IMG_4583.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIXLsgs5rWHaXGjsXYx4ls6TMccM-DqjrFvOUHWXZfRyB3b5dm7n0nAYaq9q7eHiCyWLx04Gte4_63SHjE8MxYh5bQiaXjhcfduWOM0j5hsT5hYWO6My0Jxmhh2EFBuH3qf7dpMY9Zks2/s1600/IMG_4569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIXLsgs5rWHaXGjsXYx4ls6TMccM-DqjrFvOUHWXZfRyB3b5dm7n0nAYaq9q7eHiCyWLx04Gte4_63SHjE8MxYh5bQiaXjhcfduWOM0j5hsT5hYWO6My0Jxmhh2EFBuH3qf7dpMY9Zks2/s400/IMG_4569.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Last, I decided to get some reusable straws. Not that I use straws that often... because I don't. But I thought I should have a few on hand for when I do want to use them. So I bought some coconut straws from Coconut Bowls. I really like them. I also got a pack of silacone straws in my fabfitfun box. Each pack came with a cleaning stick. Oh! I also got a reusable cup at Sodalicious and got one of their metal straws. For someone who doesn't use a lot of straws I now have a lot of straws. ha ha. The sodalicious straw stays in my sodalicious cup. Which I currently can't use thanks to COVID-19 along with my grocery totes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjsib-okdPL43WocikNgcdrLblp_FdeADb0RkscuYZ8LeC4Dz3kAhSvrDwmWPPk-ZRmuD0x6vDNEFZ2VFb40uLvHj0ZO4mH4kG7xkFdedecBxBf1xE4VOiRqa1YnKRwBtLghtgUbBxCDN/s1600/IMG_4570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjsib-okdPL43WocikNgcdrLblp_FdeADb0RkscuYZ8LeC4Dz3kAhSvrDwmWPPk-ZRmuD0x6vDNEFZ2VFb40uLvHj0ZO4mH4kG7xkFdedecBxBf1xE4VOiRqa1YnKRwBtLghtgUbBxCDN/s400/IMG_4570.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Just kidding... that wasn't the last one. After doing a story about this on my instagram, I asked what else I should change in going green and almost everyone that responded said switching to bees wax paper instead of plastic wrap (which I was actually thinking about anyway) so I ordered some and it came and I have used it a couple of times now and I think it will be great. I just hope that I never need more than the biggest peice that came in the pack.<br />
<br />
One last thing that I have ordered and is on the way... a diva cup. I have been scared of this one, but it would be a good change to make and save me a ton of money in the long run. I just hope I can adjust well and don't have trouble using it. ha ha.<br />
<br />
Go green where you can everyone. If for no other reason that to save some money.Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-80992776644811911622020-04-21T19:06:00.000-07:002020-04-21T19:06:14.334-07:00COVID-19Well... I decided that I need to start writing in my blog again because I miss having a journal. There is so much detail that you forget in your day to day... week to week. I have loved looking back at old blog entrees to see what I was doing and how I was feeling... I need to get back to that.<br />
<br />
I think I stopped because I went on a trip and then just got so behind that it was too hard to catch up so I just stopped. Also it wasn't popular to blog anymore... nobody was reading or commenting on my blog anymore so I wasn't motivated to write anymore... which is terrible! Why should I care who reads this or comments on it? It's a journal for me!<br />
<br />
So this is my attempt to get back at it. Hopefully I stick to it. I know I won't be as regular as before, but hopefully it won't be several months before I'm back on.<br />
<br />
This year, 2020, started out great. I was making all of these fun plans. I went on my annual yurt trip with some girls from my ward in Goblin Valley, I had a fancy dinner in another yurt up Big Cottonwood Canyon with Stacey, I met up with my friend Nicole at the Ice Castles, I bought tickets to a concert in June and went to see Dear Evan Hansen with Nicole. So many fun things... and it was just the beginning of the year! Then things changed... and it seemed like it happened over night.<br />
<br />
I am not one that loves watching the news or keep up with whats going on around the world. The Corona Virus that was going on in China was talking about in passing... but not something I worried about. Then at the end of February things got serious. It was spreading fast and we had found a couple of cases in the USA. Then all travel in and out of the USA stopped. That is when people really started to freak out. Thankfully, for the first time in a VERY long time, I had no plans to travel. So I didn't have any plans that were ruined over it. Right after I saw Dear Even Hansen, everything started getting canceled and things started shutting down. We were told to not be in goups of more than 10 people, to practice social distancing and stay 6 feet apart from people, no more plays, or concerts, resturants had to close along with nail and hair salons and anything involing a big group.<br />
<br />
That is when people really started to panic. Grocery stores were crowded and people started hoarding flour, rice, beans, yeast, rubbing alcohol, clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, water, toiley paper!! I could never find any of those items no matter what time or day I went to the store.<br />
<br />
Work at Organa got INSANLY busy! We didn't have the staff or the product to handle it. It was stressful! Everyone wanted silver! We couldn't make it fast enough. While so many other people were losing their jobs and working from home, we were busier than ever. We of course are thankful for the business but it was stressful and not the most fun couple of months and I definetly didn't relate to all the people that were complaining about being bored at home. Thankfully everyone in our family has job security at this time... but there are a lot of people in the country that don't. Our economy seemed to tank overnight.<br />
<br />
On top of people working from home and things shutting down, so did schools. They thought it would just be for a couple of weeks, but a couple weeks turned into a month which turned into 2 months and now they shut down school for the rest of the school year. If I were in school this would have made me super sad... so I feel for them.<br />
<br />
Along with the schools being shut down, so did church! Say what?! I never thought I would see the day where the prophet would say you can't go to church or the temples! Missionaries from around the world are being brought home. We have been having church at home with the family (me, my parents & my sister Kristy's family) for a couple of months now with the exception of General Conference which we watch at home anyway... which nobody could attent this year and it was just broadcasted from a room. My mid-singles ward is doing church online... group lessons and discussions to stay connected and doing church together since many don't have family to join like I do.<br />
<br />
Then we had an earthquake! I know... like if things were not crazy enough. That really freaked out people here in Utah. I actually slept through. Ha ha... I guess my body is used to earthquakes from growing up in California? But then people started to think about food storage and the world ending (Moroni even lost his trumpet on the SLC temple! Thankfully it is getting remodeled anyway) Still couldn't find anything in the grocery stores.<br />
<br />
Then everyone in the country was told to stay at home. Movie and TV productions stopped. Talk show hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Ellen are filming out of their home to still put out content and also raise money for different charities. Everyone is binge watching so much tv. They are even offering shows for free that usually you have to pay for an exta package or whatver to try and help out with this crazy time. Everyone is conncecting online. This entire situation is giving people a lot of material to be really funny. I have seen so many parodees and memes and whatever else... at first it was funny... after a couple of months, I really don't want to here the words "COVID-19" "Corona Virus" "Quarentined" anymore. I just want things to go back to normal. But after 2 months... this is the new normal.<br />
<br />
When people do go out you have some people wearing masks and some who don't. I haven't been. I honestly have not been worried about getting it. Is it bad that I am not worried? I feel like you have people in 2 categories. People that are not worried and people that are so worried they have anxiety. I am sure if I lived in a place like New York that has lost over 10,000 people to this virus, I would be more worried, but in Utah, we have not had many deaths and everyone that has died as either been old or had a weakened immune system or both. I am healthy. I haven't even gotten sick at all this Winter/Spring. Am I still trying to follow the rules? Sure. I am also trying to support local business though. It has been so difficult though because you can only use the drive thu and hours are now all over the place. Places that don't have a drive through you have to call in and then they bring it out to your car. Yet people are still going to grocery stores and place like Home Depot. Grocery stores also have shorter hours and the first hour they are opened is for seniors only. Home Depot as a line outside the store because they are only letting in so many people at a time. Does this stuff really help? I don't know. It doesn't annoy me... it is just the new normal and I am adjusting.<br />
<br />
We have been asked to fast for this pandemic twice by our prophet. The first time was this last fast Sunday, but then during General Conference we were asked to fast again on Good Friday... but this time it was a World Wide Fast where we asked anyone of any faith willing to join us to join. I didn't think too much about that... but then someone started a World Wise Fast & Prayer group on Facebook and within days it grew to over 260,000 people in the group of all faiths from around the world. Everyone was sharing their stories and wanting to fast together for this cause. It was really amazing to see actually. It was a testimony builder for sure. Where so many people have been rude and not handling this pandemic in the best way... it has also brought out so much positive. This facebook group was nothing but love and support for every single person that was volurable enough to share their story whatever it may have been in the group and everyone was better for it. I really loved reading through the messages in that group everyday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6n-gLhOhw22VBrbb742tHxSdatpI5I_yMljUubh3rtWqlbmu3L8xjCRH1Bh69OGKoVPUCFQoXISSXv0kIWQs5p9gXUKfUYq_zNhO9-f2WEzROy4uaElGZmBRiwrvM-iPpav_6fOTrjv-/s1600/IMG_4289.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6n-gLhOhw22VBrbb742tHxSdatpI5I_yMljUubh3rtWqlbmu3L8xjCRH1Bh69OGKoVPUCFQoXISSXv0kIWQs5p9gXUKfUYq_zNhO9-f2WEzROy4uaElGZmBRiwrvM-iPpav_6fOTrjv-/s640/IMG_4289.png" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtUjso08jQtz0QAeO_DKd1lr2cPituKu2cQ9JSixqLGUVkDl6EQXz7LNvGdwWowGEQ54HxIWPYFuoD8pJGzQ1aEldcJjggXKxqF7NHF9QuzeM0utw-aXbnmgNVs0atccpYMw-g2NSYlbD/s1600/IMG_4312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtUjso08jQtz0QAeO_DKd1lr2cPituKu2cQ9JSixqLGUVkDl6EQXz7LNvGdwWowGEQ54HxIWPYFuoD8pJGzQ1aEldcJjggXKxqF7NHF9QuzeM0utw-aXbnmgNVs0atccpYMw-g2NSYlbD/s640/IMG_4312.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
In my neighborhood in Mapleton it brought out so much love and kindness and support. We had Chad Truman (our renters in the back house that is a part of the National Tribute Band) went around with his wife & in-laws with a truck pulling a trailer with a stage and playing fun music and singing and dancing so people would come out of their houses and dance and smile. It worked! Everyone loved it and thought it was so much fun. People had a bear hunt and put bears in their windows so the kids could walk around the neighborhood and look for bears. People in our neighborhood facebook page were letting other people know where they could find toilet paper when they found it themselves or bought extra and were offering it to anyone that needed it and some people were exchanging for other goods like fresh eggs. The list goes on! Just so much kindness. I love my nieghborhood.<br />
<br />
I really thought it would be a 2 week lock down... but here we are almost 2 months later... and I honesly don't know when life is going to go back to normal. I am not sure when we will be able to travel again. This really does seem to be the new normal and it is very strange. I don't think any of us have ever experienced anything like this before and hopefully we won't experiecne anything like this again. In another way... I don't feel like my life has changed that much. I still go to work. I'm still with my family. I was already spending this much time a lone before all of this happebed so I don't feel any more lonely now than I did before. So I don't know if that is pathedic or not. I have been sad not to go to the gym, not to go to church (although there have been plus sides to home church) and not to see certain friernds. On a plus side... because of all of that, I am able to work on other projects! Don't really have an excuse not to espescailly now that work is starting to slow down a bit. I will blog about the projects I have done in other posts. I will just leave this post just about COVID-19.<br />
<br />
I guess I will sign back on when life goes back to normal. Well... just to write anyway... I will still blog about other stuff I'm doing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfXSnnjegWKhoIcupZbcbIufy8twa5_AfBIx_zaLg400BrrvFlafZtDZj4-prNJ5O6HHZSqIN37EagZrie2GiD7gxZ-qtCp0IOQKP7l9WXMBRb9Ga9j2ykuZmKr53DDJTlH-pXEEmXCPF/s1600/IMG_4310.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1173" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfXSnnjegWKhoIcupZbcbIufy8twa5_AfBIx_zaLg400BrrvFlafZtDZj4-prNJ5O6HHZSqIN37EagZrie2GiD7gxZ-qtCp0IOQKP7l9WXMBRb9Ga9j2ykuZmKr53DDJTlH-pXEEmXCPF/s640/IMG_4310.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-60208576799708856912020-04-14T19:08:00.000-07:002020-04-21T19:26:12.024-07:00Banana Bars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsxkT2QM3VvEzoImWZfJHSZrnHBbjuLickpaj-jTwV95L8xVJdY4vtqUfhBGt_jJya7qZLH0rhwgBFr7S5MlJIvgjaZxPV5xyE5GCB_9E2Ts8V7xocESQqjfsFbcsTfIxPxSyQATPk58g/s1600/IMG_4386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsxkT2QM3VvEzoImWZfJHSZrnHBbjuLickpaj-jTwV95L8xVJdY4vtqUfhBGt_jJya7qZLH0rhwgBFr7S5MlJIvgjaZxPV5xyE5GCB_9E2Ts8V7xocESQqjfsFbcsTfIxPxSyQATPk58g/s640/IMG_4386.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I made Cinnamon rolls for my family General Conference weekend and had a lot of leftover icing. I was scrolling through Pinterest and these banana bars popped up and I saw that the icing was pretty much the same.... so I decided to give these a try. I know... a really weird reason to try a recipee, but I also like banana. Also it was an easy recipe. I love easy recipes. So here it is!<br />
<br />
Banana Bars<br />
<br />
For the Bars:<br />
* 1/2 cup butter, melted<br />
* 1 cup light brown sugar<br />
* 1 egg<br />
* 1 1/2 tsp vanilla<br />
* 1/4 tsp salt<br />
* 1 cup flour<br />
* 1/2 cup mashed banana (1 medium banana)<br />
<br />
For the Frosting:<br />
* 4 oz butter, softened<br />
* 4oz cream cheese, softened<br />
* 2 cups powdered sugar<br />
* 1 tsp vanilla<br />
<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
<br />
-For the bars: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8x8 baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.<br />
<br />
- In a bowl or stand mixer combine melted butter and sugar. Mix until combined. Add in egg and vanilla and continue mixing until incorporated. Stir in salt, flour and banana until batter is smooth and even. Spread in prepared dish.<br />
<br />
- Bake for 25-30 monies until center is set. Transfer dish to wire rack to cool. Frost the bars when they are cooled.<br />
<br />
- For the frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla.<br />
<br />
- Serve the bars either at room temperature or chilled (I prefer chilled). Keep leftovers in the fridge.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmwdHRgO5jIxfudtknZLDiwDR_utyJzTfTfyp4Gmc8cUJmdNVNS7rwTPNOerjnPUZuxDOqQrMj8b4s5-KXDd0IX9nrSrXepoGnzh-Ru1fHKE-bh7nxl1SRu_iE8jiKT1L1H5Tl4l04mAL/s1600/IMG_4387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmwdHRgO5jIxfudtknZLDiwDR_utyJzTfTfyp4Gmc8cUJmdNVNS7rwTPNOerjnPUZuxDOqQrMj8b4s5-KXDd0IX9nrSrXepoGnzh-Ru1fHKE-bh7nxl1SRu_iE8jiKT1L1H5Tl4l04mAL/s640/IMG_4387.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-75559139694704993392020-01-26T22:19:00.000-08:002020-03-23T21:19:32.192-07:00Cinnamon Rolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41OfufmCWjxerqBkxe-iNn3h_7bR483I-HbrvMNN_b5sisH_e8sWePfnPJliSV-BQGZXAlHAlF4AEWh1ufwufykSmuaV8XLOPoiAG8GyN983T-iCH8oY7XWAXZpbPU1ElbaniDzpe5qNw/s1600/IMG_3063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41OfufmCWjxerqBkxe-iNn3h_7bR483I-HbrvMNN_b5sisH_e8sWePfnPJliSV-BQGZXAlHAlF4AEWh1ufwufykSmuaV8XLOPoiAG8GyN983T-iCH8oY7XWAXZpbPU1ElbaniDzpe5qNw/s640/IMG_3063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I LOVE cinnamon rolls, but for some reason have always been intimidated<br />
to make them.<br />
<br />
My cousin Travis and I both like to cook. So whenever I go visit him we cook together and show each other favorite recipes. When I was there this last summer I asked him what he had yet to master. We both had homemade pizza down, french fries from scratch, homemade ice cream,,, so on and so forth. He said he still hadn't made cinnimon rolls. I said I hadn't either so we challenged each other to make cinnamon rolls. Not just make them but find a good recipe before I came to visit next summer.<br />
<br />
So I did it! I found a great recipe but with coffee icing (no thanks) so I found the perfect icing recipe to go with these delicious cinnamon rolls. I found a winner. I will make these again for sure. What are the chances that I would do so well on the first attempt?<br />
<br />
So here is the recipe<br />
<br />
Rolls<br />
* 2 and 3/4 cups of flour<br />
* 1/4 cup sugar<br />
* 1 tsp salt<br />
* 2 and 1/4 tsp instant yeast<br />
* 1/2 cup whole milk<br />
* 1/4 cup water<br />
* 3 Tbsp butter<br />
* 1 large egg<br />
<br />
Filling<br />
*3 Tbsp butter<br />
*1 Tbsp ground cinnamon<br />
*1/4 cup sugar or packed light or dark brown sugar<br />
<br />
Icing<br />
* 2oz cream cheese, softened<br />
* 7 Tbsp butter, softened<br />
* 1/2 tsp vanilla<br />
* 2 Tbsp milk<br />
* 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar<br />
* 1/4 tsp salt<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
<br />
- Make the dough. Whisk the flour, sugar, salt and yeast together in a large bowl. Set aside.<br />
<br />
- Combine the milk, water and better in a heatproof bowl, Microwave or use the stove and heat until the better is melted and the mixture is warm to touch. Pour into the dry ingerdients, add the egg, and stir until it forms a soft dough or use your mixer. (I used my bread machine to make the dough)<br />
<br />
- On a lightly floured surface using floured handsm knead the dough for 3 minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover loosely, and let rest for about 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
- Fill the rolls. After 10 minutesm roll the dough out in a 14x8 inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter on top. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle it all over the dough. Roll up the dough tightly. Cut into 10-12 even rolls and arrange in a lightly greaced 9 inch round cake pan or pie dish<br />
<br />
- Rise: Tightly cover the rolls with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm, draft free environment for 60-90 minutes.<br />
<br />
- Bake: After the rolls have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 25-28 minutes until lightly brown. If you notice the tops are getting too brown too quickly, loosely cover the rolls with aluminum foil and continue baking.<br />
<br />
- Make icing: Beat together the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy. Mix in the vanilla and milk, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar and salt until smooth and fluffy<br />
<br />
- Cover leftover frosted or unfrosted rolls tightly and store for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the refrigerator.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-FE1yufvCTRnB-xkGVRqppPrFsDeEglUCZg8lOQudTakbD0aBZoFXDWdyCTiP9hyphenhyphen8ihBq1Vv-LH-TVbMLU8cqxiqoUyXQ8iO84g__vDsDuCsA-rdqbRa_O-2zcKb0PGhyoIxuVfllDoh/s1600/IMG_3055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-FE1yufvCTRnB-xkGVRqppPrFsDeEglUCZg8lOQudTakbD0aBZoFXDWdyCTiP9hyphenhyphen8ihBq1Vv-LH-TVbMLU8cqxiqoUyXQ8iO84g__vDsDuCsA-rdqbRa_O-2zcKb0PGhyoIxuVfllDoh/s640/IMG_3055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmEyZDW57gPCdwJRYLg20GlDOkp55HmFt6IpQuK4XBJDFDpnGAUifSe-af5ZJ8utRDpVFvhKWJfSCKZgTF6Eq5nzkPRkkLOHHEhRpYzktLOKUkI1bAaf5jwJldIZ03D0S0CxwkrF0HHep/s1600/IMG_3057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmEyZDW57gPCdwJRYLg20GlDOkp55HmFt6IpQuK4XBJDFDpnGAUifSe-af5ZJ8utRDpVFvhKWJfSCKZgTF6Eq5nzkPRkkLOHHEhRpYzktLOKUkI1bAaf5jwJldIZ03D0S0CxwkrF0HHep/s640/IMG_3057.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-25207277080844732282019-10-27T09:39:00.000-07:002019-12-09T10:10:48.537-08:00Pumpkin Cornbread with Cinnamon Honey Butter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhhrHlIrOOxHOMceKwhQu4TLVPN6O1IbOaEUPdpCLmmzRvm5nnD0k1td-nrP5BgPlOITXjh_nZw1RxTKoeGWoeG83pDnen6-hAqeWxPUPWxEZnTn77rVr9CohUxLxa0INiSRMxahFL38m/s1600/IMG_E0208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhhrHlIrOOxHOMceKwhQu4TLVPN6O1IbOaEUPdpCLmmzRvm5nnD0k1td-nrP5BgPlOITXjh_nZw1RxTKoeGWoeG83pDnen6-hAqeWxPUPWxEZnTn77rVr9CohUxLxa0INiSRMxahFL38m/s400/IMG_E0208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another recipe from my annual pumpkin dinner party. I also loved this one a lot, but I like cornbread and I think everything tastes better when made from scratch.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
Cornbread<br />
<br />
1 cup flour<br />
1 cup cornmeal<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
1/2 tsp ginger<br />
1/4 tsp nutmeg<br />
1/4 tsp ground cloves<br />
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar<br />
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted<br />
1 cup canned pumpkin<br />
1/2 cup sour cream<br />
2 large eggs<br />
<br />
Whipped Cinnamon Honey Butter<br />
<br />
1/2 cup salted butter<br />
1/3 cup honey<br />
1/4 cup powdered sugar<br />
1 tsp cinnamon<br />
<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees<br />
<br />
2. For the cornbread: In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves for 20 seconds. Make a well in the center of flour mixture then set aside.<br />
<br />
3. In a seperate bowl, add brown sugar and break up sugar with fingertips until no clumps remain. Add in melted butter and pumpkin and whisk to combine.<br />
<br />
4. Mix in sour cream and eggs until well blended. Pour mixture into well in flour mixture then fold with a rubber spatula just until combined and no streaks of flour remain.<br />
<br />
5. Spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and pour batter into pan. Spread batter into an even layer.<br />
<br />
6. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out free of batter, about 25-30 minutes. Cool slightly on a wire rack then cut into squares.<br />
<br />
7. For the cinnamon honey butter: In a mixing bowl (or using a stand mixer) whip butter with an electric hand mixer until smooth.<br />
<br />
8. Add in honey, powdered sugar and cinnamon and mix on low speed until combined, then increase to high speed and whip until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j0RTDw-IsfBwov-ZqiP1VgSeHRBrGWDedSbgRz15cjPGBpCFtPd6j4m4x1P1HBKoH4OCzw30jb0V0w1IyqzUqyKTUV20AGYvbN2C8zv-_4Pku_H60byhjwXGAGbb3sFLNws8ueRgXuHC/s1600/IMG_0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j0RTDw-IsfBwov-ZqiP1VgSeHRBrGWDedSbgRz15cjPGBpCFtPd6j4m4x1P1HBKoH4OCzw30jb0V0w1IyqzUqyKTUV20AGYvbN2C8zv-_4Pku_H60byhjwXGAGbb3sFLNws8ueRgXuHC/s400/IMG_0184.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-77517613010526942492019-10-26T09:13:00.000-07:002019-12-09T09:36:34.584-08:00Pumpkin Curry SoupMade this soup for my pumpkin dinner party this year and it was so good that as I was eating it I was thinking about how excited I was to make it again. If you like Curry, I'm pretty sure you will love this soup. It was a hit at the party.<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
- 2 tsp coconut oil (or extra-virgin olive oil)<br />
- 1 1/2 cups chopped sweet yellow onion (I actually left this out and still really loved the flavor)<br />
- 3 cloves garlic<br />
- 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger (I didn't have any of that so I actually just used the dried spice)<br />
- 3 tbsp Thai red curry paste<br />
- 2-3 cups low sodium vegitable broth (or chicken broth)<br />
- 2 tbsp almond butter (or peanut butter)<br />
- 2 cans pure pumpkin puree (15 ounce cans) not pumpkin pie filling<br />
- 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar ( or light brown sugar- which is what I used)<br />
- 1 tsp cumin<br />
- 1/2 tsp salt<br />
- 1/4 tsp black pepper<br />
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper<br />
- 1 can light coconut milk<br />
- For topping chopped roasted peanuts or pipits<br />
<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
1. In a large pot or dutch oven, melt the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and cook 1 additional minute, until fragrant. Stir in the Thai curry paste.<br />
<br />
2. In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together 1/3 cup of the vegetable broth and the almond butter or peanut butter until smooth. Add the mixture to the pot. Add the pumpkin, coconut sugar (or brown sugar), cumin, salt, pepper, cayenne, and 1 2/3 cups of the reminaing vegetable broth. Stir until well combined.<br />
<br />
3. With a blender, puree the soup until completely smooth, adding a little of the coconut milk if it is too thick to blend smoothly.<br />
Alternatively, you can ladle the soup carefully into a blender ot food processor and puree it in small batches. Stir in the remaining coconut milk. If the soup is too thick for your liking, add additional vegetable broth until you reach your desired consistency.<br />
(I actually didn't have to mix in a blender because I didn't have the onions. My soup was already smooth as is, so I just added the coconut milk while the pot was on the stove)<br />
<br />
4. Taste and add additional salt, black pepper, and or cayenne pepper as desired. Serve hot with deseired toppings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4E_kg2m7mkLcnKzUsIeY_Bxh8Udv1TzoF_2oxdY8PJusUU0wWod_19KIwsSu6BFQxotZF8DwR3YfJ2vnu5ojKVemves5jIkE1RiL06OJkxsMOBW62GQMGvFR3w0qUa2BucG5YKbABhF3/s1600/IMG_0406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4E_kg2m7mkLcnKzUsIeY_Bxh8Udv1TzoF_2oxdY8PJusUU0wWod_19KIwsSu6BFQxotZF8DwR3YfJ2vnu5ojKVemves5jIkE1RiL06OJkxsMOBW62GQMGvFR3w0qUa2BucG5YKbABhF3/s400/IMG_0406.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbiCpaJYElCoy0-axqu5tx4HYlzEVvnWz__49TPLGZGTMHIQmeykfpFVyCQ-IjpDbtMA4M1LgCr-rkvkZl7skD_sTRz4S8l0X2eHEG8sHgTbCbjB_xGYDkQUXWgpGmwsM_Kycur1piNpm/s1600/IMG_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbiCpaJYElCoy0-axqu5tx4HYlzEVvnWz__49TPLGZGTMHIQmeykfpFVyCQ-IjpDbtMA4M1LgCr-rkvkZl7skD_sTRz4S8l0X2eHEG8sHgTbCbjB_xGYDkQUXWgpGmwsM_Kycur1piNpm/s640/IMG_0199.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-70949384681021266932019-09-24T13:45:00.000-07:002019-10-14T13:53:21.292-07:00Peach CobblerIt's peach season! That means peach cobbler!<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
* 4 cups fresh peaches<br />
* 1/2 cup sugar<br />
* 1/4 cup brown sugar<br />
* 1 tsp lemon juice<br />
<br />
Topping:<br />
<br />
* 1 cup flour<br />
* 1/2 cup sugar<br />
* 1/2 tsp salt<br />
* 1 tbs baking powder<br />
* 4 tbs butter melted and cooled to room temp<br />
* 1 tbs vanilla extract<br />
* 3/4 cup milk<br />
<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 375 degrees<br />
Add the slived peaches to a 3 qt ceramic baking dish<br />
Add the sugat, brown sugar and lemon juice. Stir to coat the peaches in the mixture.<br />
Bake for 10 minutes<br />
While the peaches bake, in a medium size mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir to combine.<br />
Pour in the milk, melted butter and vanilla.<br />
Remove the peaches from the oven and spoon the batter over the top of the baked peaches.<br />
Continue to bake at 375 for another 35 minutes untilt he top is crispy and golden brown.<br />
Serve cobbler warm or room temperature.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF18-s9_YXuRYcGQuje2VsNDVoGHSN24zmumCIDKUNwZ-nOQpekx7-oWBSJdzfrZyfo4qVSj9JtPe1rFhV383Jsu_wsPHQAE6H0FNaOJBTspJOe3qYt688DXUeVhkQtk-S085By3RPkhBy/s1600/IMG_8746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF18-s9_YXuRYcGQuje2VsNDVoGHSN24zmumCIDKUNwZ-nOQpekx7-oWBSJdzfrZyfo4qVSj9JtPe1rFhV383Jsu_wsPHQAE6H0FNaOJBTspJOe3qYt688DXUeVhkQtk-S085By3RPkhBy/s400/IMG_8746.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39OTY3b2FsWT_y1-BacLTCw5wG4UO-cJowLlxFoZic0lrWNOK92MVD9r45AuftnH6H6C4kdyHvR93xx1bitS5xN06CrM5kxZ-AoYPVfth0BHFI8l1gjnnDW_lSla5aSn06W4MxAL-LNkW/s1600/IMG_8744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39OTY3b2FsWT_y1-BacLTCw5wG4UO-cJowLlxFoZic0lrWNOK92MVD9r45AuftnH6H6C4kdyHvR93xx1bitS5xN06CrM5kxZ-AoYPVfth0BHFI8l1gjnnDW_lSla5aSn06W4MxAL-LNkW/s640/IMG_8744.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-45462765678597386712019-09-22T17:17:00.000-07:002019-11-05T17:40:19.086-08:00Apple CrispWe have grew so many apples on our tree this year and they are SOOOO good that I had to try making apple crisp for the first time!<br />
<br />
Turned out great so I of course am going to share the recipe.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
Topping<br />
* 1/2 c Flour<br />
* 1/2 c Old Fashioned oats<br />
* 1/2 c Brown Sugar<br />
* 1/2 tsp Baking Powder<br />
* 1/4 tsp Cinnamon<br />
* 1/4 tsp Salt<br />
* 1/3 c Butter - diced into small cubes<br />
<br />
Apple Filling<br />
* 2 lbs Apples<br />
*3 Tbs butter - melted<br />
* 2 Tbs Flour<br />
* 3 Tbs Water<br />
* 1 Tbs Lemon juice<br />
* 1/2 tsp Vanilla<br />
* 1/4 c brown sugar<br />
* 1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
* 1 pinch of salt<br />
<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
- Preheat oven to 375 and position oven rack on level below the center. Butter an 8 by 8 inch baking dish (or smaller casserole dish with a similar size) set aside.<br />
<br />
- In a mixing bowl whisk together 1/2 cup flour, the oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, the baking powder, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp salt for 30 sec.<br />
<br />
- Add diced butter and using clean fingertips, rub butter into dry mixture until it comes together into small crumbles. Transfer to refrigerator to chill while preparing filling.<br />
<br />
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and flour until well blended, then mix in water, lemon juice and vanilla. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and pinch of salt.<br />
<br />
- Place apples in a large bowl then pour butter mixture over apples and toss to evenly coat, then pour apple mixture into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.<br />
<br />
- Remove topping from the refrigerator and sprinkle into crumbles evenly over top of apples.<br />
<br />
- Bake in preheated oven until top is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a toothpick, about 35 minutes.<br />
<br />
- Remove from oven and allow to rest 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and salted carmel sauce if desired. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjY4kQvOZXA2m4941q34NeiimcIqxzVCBQUkWh0NwwmPClcTDshSsBhi4wKVrhX7uakDXMBO_qsM0-68M7rJoz_v55u5FR7y4Ps1zhZFEOY06zYj3kLkn5hjKrnqnVHh9LxUP5_Int12F/s1600/IMG_8715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjY4kQvOZXA2m4941q34NeiimcIqxzVCBQUkWh0NwwmPClcTDshSsBhi4wKVrhX7uakDXMBO_qsM0-68M7rJoz_v55u5FR7y4Ps1zhZFEOY06zYj3kLkn5hjKrnqnVHh9LxUP5_Int12F/s400/IMG_8715.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPlNTZxTi8AymFaYG-p1zRAEnQd6O-2fOwAvYE3Az_qo_CI1QmnfodfXJPI43PbIY_-vGxDc7drxTfNkp3_bN7GguokmZTSi3oV96ZyX6ut7uYbIllhrGl9d_3ereHYs6LdsWALb7jMKk/s1600/IMG_8714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPlNTZxTi8AymFaYG-p1zRAEnQd6O-2fOwAvYE3Az_qo_CI1QmnfodfXJPI43PbIY_-vGxDc7drxTfNkp3_bN7GguokmZTSi3oV96ZyX6ut7uYbIllhrGl9d_3ereHYs6LdsWALb7jMKk/s640/IMG_8714.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-3371241974896597322019-09-21T13:24:00.000-07:002019-10-14T13:37:19.432-07:00Parmesan ZucchiniWhen you have a TON of zucchini growing in your garden, you need to think of all the ways you can use it. At first I was just making zucchini bread and adding it to my adds... but then I decided to make zucchini sticks & zoodles. This parmesan mix was so delish on BOTH<br />
<br />
<br />
Mix together:<br />
<br />
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan<br />
1/2 tsp dried thyme<br />
1/2 tsp dried oregano<br />
1/2 tsp dried basil<br />
1/4 tsp garlic powder<br />
salt & pepper to taste<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are putting on zucchini sticks, preheat over to 350 degrees... place on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil then sprinkle mixture on top and bake for about 15 minutes. Once it comes out of the oven you can garnish with chopped fresh parsley leaves if you wish. I hate mine with a portobello mushroom with melted cheese on top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NuIRZNUIGk_EuKXp8zp6eQ2opiZKFHuzxO7wgR-xDi8E0ToZCjYAxk6HG4RHg2zADnV0mRkroNxE3VzkXbhWmx6lEKIk-Suzv9ZmzVVsyZ8VsMKGEtwMQ0WIwg5tDeLPOIXPLSmFYkzc/s1600/IMG_6479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NuIRZNUIGk_EuKXp8zp6eQ2opiZKFHuzxO7wgR-xDi8E0ToZCjYAxk6HG4RHg2zADnV0mRkroNxE3VzkXbhWmx6lEKIk-Suzv9ZmzVVsyZ8VsMKGEtwMQ0WIwg5tDeLPOIXPLSmFYkzc/s400/IMG_6479.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
If you are putting on zoodles, drizzle zoodles with olive oil and then put parmesan mixture on top and cook in frying pan until zoodles look done. I also cooked mine with already cooked shredded chicken. Doesn't take long at all. Once I put it on my plate I added more parmesan and added some garden tomatoes and avocado (because I believe acovado makes everything taste better. ha ha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIKInV4PgKeDh_MWhkeQHbqnG76xmi3i4dxDbF8MhdVMcUkJCLPyou9bcWWGoOp_1tdlU_-_4CzYXvBKhps0jGwBwZuE5FfvTKeTe0Mf8nocH66g7oapYuw6m3T4AyXmorXD2d3888ze8/s1600/IMG_E8703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIKInV4PgKeDh_MWhkeQHbqnG76xmi3i4dxDbF8MhdVMcUkJCLPyou9bcWWGoOp_1tdlU_-_4CzYXvBKhps0jGwBwZuE5FfvTKeTe0Mf8nocH66g7oapYuw6m3T4AyXmorXD2d3888ze8/s640/IMG_E8703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Both were deliciouse. Both I would recommend.Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-25368130940992285142019-09-20T16:29:00.000-07:002019-09-27T16:36:14.701-07:00Grape Juice<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbLGUwiMsHKuVYG5ODofF6U-Z8Vy47TKPXdmvvtdLd-9kRoY6dvtkRxwiatdYyngVLIIQbGsT7i_XMrCUGZwUSoyZ9Pf9punjuODWJynRuSocYgnpneBgDiVhyruSO3NsKcNZdq3T0U9o/s1600/IMG_E8355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbLGUwiMsHKuVYG5ODofF6U-Z8Vy47TKPXdmvvtdLd-9kRoY6dvtkRxwiatdYyngVLIIQbGsT7i_XMrCUGZwUSoyZ9Pf9punjuODWJynRuSocYgnpneBgDiVhyruSO3NsKcNZdq3T0U9o/s320/IMG_E8355.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezzCahWKe2b7DZnpxoeFDq1fLrgwQa1KJ0EvQ5qSdSVIodD_Rqo5PwFymtsUATfwtp-Emw6uRv_J_kHools5XuYlq-ylHKRxdV7svUuZxJfNXm8olE3rkN2vbvKRnbBgY5F12meMmRg3T/s1600/IMG_E8359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezzCahWKe2b7DZnpxoeFDq1fLrgwQa1KJ0EvQ5qSdSVIodD_Rqo5PwFymtsUATfwtp-Emw6uRv_J_kHools5XuYlq-ylHKRxdV7svUuZxJfNXm8olE3rkN2vbvKRnbBgY5F12meMmRg3T/s320/IMG_E8359.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I love having an amazing garden in my backyard. Who knew I would love the country life so much?! But I do. One of my favorite things about the garden is the gazebo entrance that is covered in grape vines. Once they are ripe, you can smell the grapes. It is devine.<br />
<br />
Now first I would like to say that I hate grape juice... store bought grape juice that is... but once I tried the juice from these grapes, it was a game changer. So much better than store bought grape juice and you don't even need to add sugar!<br />
<br />
You just need the right tool to make the grape juice. Thankfully my sister, Kristy, does. So she let me borrow it and I gathered a ton of grapes and juiced a good amount to stalk up until next summer. My mom did the same and there are still SOOOOO many grapes on the vines. So our lucky chickens get a handful of grapes everyday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsKtbtTLhPx0u0Xk8OdtUw-0u8WKxuwzRwEoslsNRWDsMumFadWIC2pGnxkxahsQi6-x_ccY49Ap-jj6YmQYyydO4BjlOM5DblaOleM6hcKc9I0Cb0_Hk6RYd8-lkiduWxroeF-Fljdo-/s1600/IMG_E8486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsKtbtTLhPx0u0Xk8OdtUw-0u8WKxuwzRwEoslsNRWDsMumFadWIC2pGnxkxahsQi6-x_ccY49Ap-jj6YmQYyydO4BjlOM5DblaOleM6hcKc9I0Cb0_Hk6RYd8-lkiduWxroeF-Fljdo-/s400/IMG_E8486.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4Dzh7M687fNOkF6wtgDxefTpSYC8zXrtgpPMSVHGCyXyVhrcFmcuuF4RqagGnnGe4_FCc8ZUoOPCvUHfRB3BSSZd2fYORZ7F_cf72YajgBpw8sSdyBpJ8OkL1uc1f8KeejyUp4QF4aeI/s1600/IMG_8488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4Dzh7M687fNOkF6wtgDxefTpSYC8zXrtgpPMSVHGCyXyVhrcFmcuuF4RqagGnnGe4_FCc8ZUoOPCvUHfRB3BSSZd2fYORZ7F_cf72YajgBpw8sSdyBpJ8OkL1uc1f8KeejyUp4QF4aeI/s400/IMG_8488.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Normally the juice is just white, but I added some of the purple eating grapes & some currants to give it some color. Turned out perfect!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNK5KHAVgOojYsj2hRWPOJSVhjxXMehdRFa7CVhOpQWunkhXSPn1UoNYrDiAugwHdW-h4582Lwy_KIGFEhhBFsQ21N1hmWQQyEUumVQJVssVq34oXzAttwSvAesyKiChXiNEWXZ5u8dNq/s1600/IMG_8693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNK5KHAVgOojYsj2hRWPOJSVhjxXMehdRFa7CVhOpQWunkhXSPn1UoNYrDiAugwHdW-h4582Lwy_KIGFEhhBFsQ21N1hmWQQyEUumVQJVssVq34oXzAttwSvAesyKiChXiNEWXZ5u8dNq/s640/IMG_8693.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-58815165172140882512019-09-07T10:17:00.000-07:002019-12-09T10:55:20.512-08:00Peanut Butter Nice CreamI have been seeing a lot of pictures of Nice Cream. It looked so good and a healthier version of Ice Cream... so I decided to give it a try. Getting the right consistency is pretty tricky, but I got close...<br />
<br />
<br />
Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream:<br />
<br />
* Frozen sliced bananas<br />
* Natural Peanut Butter<br />
* Unsweetened Almond Milk<br />
* Mini Chocolate chips<br />
<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
Step 1<br />
Freeze sliced bananas: Simply slice bananas evenly and place ona baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Place the entire sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. When you take your nanners out of the freezer, you will just need to scrape them off the parchment paper and place right in the blender (if you are making this peanut butter banananice cream right away), or into a ziploc or stasher bag to keep in the freezer for later use. Freezing the sliced babanas on a baking sheet will prevent your bananas from sticking together when you place them in a bag.<br />
<br />
Step 2<br />
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor. Measure out your frozen sliced bananas, natural peanut butter and almond milk and place in your high speed blender. You will want a serious blender for food processor for this step to ensure all the bananas are blended to perfection and not left as small chunks. It's the bananas that give this nice cream it's perfect ice cream consistency, so you will want to make sure they are blended fully. If you use your blender for smoothies with frozen ingredients, you are good to go here.<br />
<br />
Step 3<br />
Blend up all your ingredients until smooth. Deoending on how frozen solid your banana slices are, you may need to thin out your healthy ice cream with almond milk. We recommend thinning it with a tbsp of almond milk at a time until you get your desired consistency. At this point, you will want to grab those mini chocolate chips. Add them to your blender and pulse until they are folded into the nice cream.<br />
<br />
Step 4<br />
Because your banana slices were frozen when you started this recipe, the consistency of your nice cream should be perfect to serve up and enjoy immediately if you like the consistency of soft serve. But if you are making this ahead of time, or want a more traditional ice cream consistency, line a loaf pan with parchment paper and pour your nice cream into the pan. Store covered in your freezer and enjoy at your leisure.<br />
<br />
And don't forget toppings! You could serve with extra chocolate chips and drizzle of peanut butter or whatever your heart desires.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcH4nbjvyBkx6d4YbWRlKE5_aRXeHy8qZOJP0cidp1AYu32JNTtGHIPr7O4H62RnEeZM9626XlDCC8wbcrj0nNxh2sJTe7KGh3BrMmGhqapFXfgAAdACIhozSVK50mkIHAFyGHewaPg4w/s1600/IMG_8211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcH4nbjvyBkx6d4YbWRlKE5_aRXeHy8qZOJP0cidp1AYu32JNTtGHIPr7O4H62RnEeZM9626XlDCC8wbcrj0nNxh2sJTe7KGh3BrMmGhqapFXfgAAdACIhozSVK50mkIHAFyGHewaPg4w/s400/IMG_8211.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I ended up trying this again except instead of peanut butter I put in some different fruit!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSvwnNXim6VWkCssiDp76QjydRDmHSmZfW0E-ltHjVBU-B1yZMvCw83dAX3H1wWGxr1r0S8-JuWD9p8aG0ecmafEHcyRj0-lVb9lkLyMR4kHyZpB33y183PzgMCIUppZHnTrpz8YyUDnt/s1600/IMG_8184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSvwnNXim6VWkCssiDp76QjydRDmHSmZfW0E-ltHjVBU-B1yZMvCw83dAX3H1wWGxr1r0S8-JuWD9p8aG0ecmafEHcyRj0-lVb9lkLyMR4kHyZpB33y183PzgMCIUppZHnTrpz8YyUDnt/s400/IMG_8184.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-10956592981032772792019-08-29T16:21:00.000-07:002019-09-27T16:27:13.552-07:00Ice Cream MakerI went to Smith's a couple of weeks ago to buy food and some other random stuff. While looking around I found this cute little ice cream maker! Just enough for one. That's me! Forever a lone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRedFiBbJMzrqDUC53p5pmvgayjw3bdmEmAZ0iU79YtTpG96EGjx6L7QLE4AJXrQKM0YhMAzENHp69mnD-vCxfMGnvRHBKlEJLW22C8nqJDnpImrgS8ayjmyRK9yjr7OpYFUa3zhOJM5G-/s1600/IMG_8040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRedFiBbJMzrqDUC53p5pmvgayjw3bdmEmAZ0iU79YtTpG96EGjx6L7QLE4AJXrQKM0YhMAzENHp69mnD-vCxfMGnvRHBKlEJLW22C8nqJDnpImrgS8ayjmyRK9yjr7OpYFUa3zhOJM5G-/s400/IMG_8040.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
So I bought it. It was super cheap and how nice to easily make a small serving of ice cream. It comes with a recipe book... but I didn't even follow it exactly. I didn't have milk because I rarely buy it anymore. I just had almond milk. I did have half and half because I needed it for another recipe, so I threw that in there instead of heavy cream. So it ended up being a healthier ice cream... which.. nothing wrong with that!<br />
<br />
It's done in an hour and then you stick it in the freezer until you want to eat it. Since it only makes a little... you can't go overboard eating it until you want to make it again! Kind of perfect for me. ha ha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B8QQZmUUJmXeCs9w6iC4oao4FNfNuvH62imTI9D4PjI4dhJSYzbEIrqUXLg40Cju8bIAHfRoOYHcfdQ9wUqTWLA1Poy04rVWs991vdRGluU0KQIsZPdJVoiQ8cG5k116tDxIwyHKPKSc/s1600/IMG_8041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B8QQZmUUJmXeCs9w6iC4oao4FNfNuvH62imTI9D4PjI4dhJSYzbEIrqUXLg40Cju8bIAHfRoOYHcfdQ9wUqTWLA1Poy04rVWs991vdRGluU0KQIsZPdJVoiQ8cG5k116tDxIwyHKPKSc/s320/IMG_8041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Vda1OfPq8kfPy6gFoA0_wySN-4iayKtERAZ0xqbjTP-yoAFGEFDJLChPzb7-G6J7-mITSfFpJBAVJtNJNZcT2P910L5sd7MB32tVpPH993XxnAupavnszbZs83I9jgiQ30twJ3bXiMQZ/s1600/IMG_8046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Vda1OfPq8kfPy6gFoA0_wySN-4iayKtERAZ0xqbjTP-yoAFGEFDJLChPzb7-G6J7-mITSfFpJBAVJtNJNZcT2P910L5sd7MB32tVpPH993XxnAupavnszbZs83I9jgiQ30twJ3bXiMQZ/s640/IMG_8046.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Satisfied customer right here!Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-85712100407911172482019-08-16T13:58:00.000-07:002019-11-09T14:23:57.027-08:00Quiche with Crust from ScratchSince we have chickens... we have a lot of eggs. So I thought I would try making quiche from scratch for the first time. And when I mean from scratch... I was even making my own crust. It turned out AMAZING... so I had to keep the recipe here for future reference.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPNxeDIB-Kfrwf49ZtX3kZ7Wd29KnCHHeHj65Lyj_govqWyQy6hcBfZ2z4_4k39RG8sMk6slqi6nJltFnJAdUeEWjlo-mlC-BCbkMQAo5KAMdTJl5CTz6AZ6qenBCYZbclBdJ1seHDgKL/s1600/IMG_E7440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPNxeDIB-Kfrwf49ZtX3kZ7Wd29KnCHHeHj65Lyj_govqWyQy6hcBfZ2z4_4k39RG8sMk6slqi6nJltFnJAdUeEWjlo-mlC-BCbkMQAo5KAMdTJl5CTz6AZ6qenBCYZbclBdJ1seHDgKL/s320/IMG_E7440.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6mzQ-Gu6NHyQjsIGhVAQri2Xw6C7L5EaOv8_RO7lRKNv1eCf837pRU3XpztUCd8wAFcJJY4v0X4pq740sjdWFOIIc1xSvwQIRfvydX71bhsdd15ltMHXQ-M9KAGjk6Cwate-QC1G5uZ2/s1600/IMG_8089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6mzQ-Gu6NHyQjsIGhVAQri2Xw6C7L5EaOv8_RO7lRKNv1eCf837pRU3XpztUCd8wAFcJJY4v0X4pq740sjdWFOIIc1xSvwQIRfvydX71bhsdd15ltMHXQ-M9KAGjk6Cwate-QC1G5uZ2/s320/IMG_8089.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Crust<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
- 1 large egg<br />
- 2 1/2 tbs ice water<br />
- 1 1/2 cups flour<br />
- 1/2 tsp salt<br />
- 10 tbs butter, sliced into small cubes<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and ice water. Set the bowl aside.<br />
<br />
- In the bowl of a food processor (I used my blender) add the flour & salt. Pulse briefly until mixed. Add in the cubed butter pieces and pulse until the micture resembles coarse meal. Add in the egg/ ice water mixture. Pulse again until a lovely dough forms.<br />
<br />
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly-floured board. Roll out the quiche crust so that it fits the measurements of your quiche pan or dish. Lay the rolled out dough into place. With a paring knife, slice off any extra dough that's hanging over the rim of the pan or dish.<br />
<br />
- Stick the quiche pan with the dough into the freezer for approximately 20-25 minutes (but if you leave it in a bit longer, that's fine too). For a flaky quiche crust it's important that the crust is cold when it's filled and cooked.<br />
<br />
- Your cold quiche is ready to be filled and baked.<br />
<br />
<br />
Quiche<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
- 6 large eggs<br />
- 3/4 cup milk<br />
- 3/4 tsp salt<br />
- 1/4 tsp pepper<br />
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese<br />
<br />
And anything else you want! I added tomatoes from the garden and shredded zucchini from the garden. I didn't add any meat this time... but I will definetly try it with sausage int he future.<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.<br />
<br />
- Pull pie crust out of the freezer<br />
<br />
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt & pepper.<br />
<br />
- Sprinkle filings on pie crust and 1 cup of cheese. Pour the egg mixture over top. Sprinkle remianing 1/2 cup cheese on top of egg mixtures.<br />
<br />
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the center is completely set. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SKIkXjesuJNv3IWVnR-cGJ0PES_8iZSZwy0lA_IpGyn3J-DVpCp0kCDerRLsEWZWmNBv2sBYuWAtg4R6gvux0Izf7Q2BzB8BXQ2C3kpE0bUUg3Z18b239gSxiBMCsjuYldLbM0fOUP2a/s1600/IMG_7458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SKIkXjesuJNv3IWVnR-cGJ0PES_8iZSZwy0lA_IpGyn3J-DVpCp0kCDerRLsEWZWmNBv2sBYuWAtg4R6gvux0Izf7Q2BzB8BXQ2C3kpE0bUUg3Z18b239gSxiBMCsjuYldLbM0fOUP2a/s640/IMG_7458.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08E7uQn7kjBoSaLZ8EOg6MqUYuV5qhEG1_vZ8zKkP2k7dAQuUJlIdDQATL1d4ixPBoXZt6uxrzeimFGN6g5TK5_ga5Hvo3M6Xe_0QzY3et9LSaUTWLP2gdh4PAQvmBsc_HAFPydppW2gR/s1600/IMG_7455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08E7uQn7kjBoSaLZ8EOg6MqUYuV5qhEG1_vZ8zKkP2k7dAQuUJlIdDQATL1d4ixPBoXZt6uxrzeimFGN6g5TK5_ga5Hvo3M6Xe_0QzY3et9LSaUTWLP2gdh4PAQvmBsc_HAFPydppW2gR/s640/IMG_7455.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-75458572403923540532019-07-17T09:51:00.000-07:002019-08-07T10:01:13.905-07:00Red Currant Jam RecipeI have decided this summer that I want to make jam out of all the fruit growing in the garden and then at the end of the summer make some homemade bread and sample all the jam and make a little party out of it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNX4qpsdakm8rfz-h7aqoXGia3thUA4h45m_EJVwZSFbsw_x0VLSfBmlX5napxTU5TLr2Y3z5vhTpVYgMrqmKMsutL9GtUReyLP_L6Afh0Pm2jw29jQGcfyK-iMcl2YM6482XOxkqHbko/s1600/IMG_6186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNX4qpsdakm8rfz-h7aqoXGia3thUA4h45m_EJVwZSFbsw_x0VLSfBmlX5napxTU5TLr2Y3z5vhTpVYgMrqmKMsutL9GtUReyLP_L6Afh0Pm2jw29jQGcfyK-iMcl2YM6482XOxkqHbko/s320/IMG_6186.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdeIDqetDKfEGhCZX3MU8nGNWHE4YEsxdv22iOC7CTagLQwV0HDBlBiqtB8tshth5RNSjpKukmKIdbi9psdIfDhsAzNhW7boOhJ1kbeC1CoKdT9NGlOcw8amQH9-ZMTxC6quH0h5-OTcF/s1600/IMG_6188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdeIDqetDKfEGhCZX3MU8nGNWHE4YEsxdv22iOC7CTagLQwV0HDBlBiqtB8tshth5RNSjpKukmKIdbi9psdIfDhsAzNhW7boOhJ1kbeC1CoKdT9NGlOcw8amQH9-ZMTxC6quH0h5-OTcF/s320/IMG_6188.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
So it doesn't get more simple than this currant jam recipe. Just add water and sugar!<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
* 1 quart ripe red currants<br />
* 2 1/2 cups of sugar<br />
* 1/4 cup water<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
<br />
Wash the currants and remove them from their stems.<br />
Put the red currants and water in a large, non- reactive pot (no cast iron & no aluminum)<br />
Gently crush the currants with a potato masher.<br />
Add the sugar.<br />
Cook mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.<br />
Once the sugar is completely dissolved, raise the heat to high and boil, stirring often, until the jam reaches the gel point.<br />
Remove the red currant jam from the heat and skim off any foam that has formed on the surface.<br />
Ladle the hot jam into the jar and let cool before storing in the refrigerator.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztnSZbmMVCH9UPzScwHxYzXiNbZzDCt_6xhOpKiC50-g1laJtet7TawXT3d8q1p5umrtMUzZLF_v6fBVoCGWI6OM6yycuHfeZhrq_8EUTA8C6AS6-IRxbzpzgCW0WLo1zuE-j722JnclK/s1600/IMG_6225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztnSZbmMVCH9UPzScwHxYzXiNbZzDCt_6xhOpKiC50-g1laJtet7TawXT3d8q1p5umrtMUzZLF_v6fBVoCGWI6OM6yycuHfeZhrq_8EUTA8C6AS6-IRxbzpzgCW0WLo1zuE-j722JnclK/s400/IMG_6225.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-3323190622086060302019-07-03T14:27:00.000-07:002019-11-09T14:38:32.870-08:00Savory Sweet Potato Waffles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hoBX3J1W8HcPuHDz7JCZZXaiZjk9l0VLIpR4EqeXHxMbwp-3jbhIuBqoC7APx1jVjMzt_andnnXXhHErxkrGctaem18AElvq0JYdLJ11Q_es6usfcJJD6pITG0NpWIgLSNlcPXS9HaoP/s1600/IMG_5441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hoBX3J1W8HcPuHDz7JCZZXaiZjk9l0VLIpR4EqeXHxMbwp-3jbhIuBqoC7APx1jVjMzt_andnnXXhHErxkrGctaem18AElvq0JYdLJ11Q_es6usfcJJD6pITG0NpWIgLSNlcPXS9HaoP/s400/IMG_5441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Saw my friend post her dinner of sweet potato waffle with an egg on top and it looked so good I had to find a recipe and make it too. I found this one and liked it a lot.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
1 cup cooked sweet potato<br />
1/2 cup rolled old fashioned oats<br />
1 cup unsweetened almond milk<br />
1 egg white<br />
1 whole egg<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/4 tsp pepper<br />
1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
1 tsp cumin<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
Combine cooked sweet potato and oats in a blender. Blend until well combined.<br />
<br />
Whisk eggs into almond milk. Pour egg and milk mixture into the blender with the sweet potato and oat base. Blend until well combined, and add the rest of ingredients. Blend until fully pureed.<br />
<br />
Spray waffle iron with cooking spray. Pour 1/3 cup batter into waffle iron. Cook for 4-5 minutes. Let waddles cool on baking rack.<br />
<br />
While waffles were cooking, I fried an egg and cup up 1/4 an avocado to put on top of my waffle. SO GOOD!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_DV6ooFzBzHG11jXnrOSiXeNyepJf6-BcnczGj6ZYz3JXP_fkQOwWJTfidk1uwBThx9Yw_1e5YkdZUobo0xv7zBAQhlhBro6GF_SQX9_L1lUGv5KiVpQ64gkWtt_eyzIO32UcQcMkNKe/s1600/IMG_5442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_DV6ooFzBzHG11jXnrOSiXeNyepJf6-BcnczGj6ZYz3JXP_fkQOwWJTfidk1uwBThx9Yw_1e5YkdZUobo0xv7zBAQhlhBro6GF_SQX9_L1lUGv5KiVpQ64gkWtt_eyzIO32UcQcMkNKe/s640/IMG_5442.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-39581192578752671002019-06-16T22:46:00.000-07:002019-07-31T22:51:49.718-07:00Fresh Strawberry PieThis was definitely delish ... especailly with our homegrown strawberries from the garden. I will be making this again for sure.<br />
<br />
<div class="wprm-recipe-ingredients-container" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-header wprm-color-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
Ingredients</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px;">
Graham Cracker Crust</div>
<ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="-webkit-margin-after: 0px; -webkit-margin-before: 0px; -webkit-padding-start: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22.799999237060547px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">graham cracker crumbs</span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tbsp </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">melted butter</span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sugar</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px;">
Cream Cheese Layer</div>
<ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="-webkit-margin-after: 0px; -webkit-margin-before: 0px; -webkit-padding-start: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22.799999237060547px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">8</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">oz</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cream Cheese </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">at room temperature</span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tsp</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Vanilla</span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/4 </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sugar</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px;">
Strawberry Jello Layer</div>
<ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="-webkit-margin-after: 0px; -webkit-margin-before: 0px; -webkit-padding-start: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22.799999237060547px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 3/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">c</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">water </span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">c</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sugar </span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">c</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">corn starch </span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">pinch</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">salt</span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3oz pkg Strawberry Jell-O </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(Substitute with peach Jell-O when using peaches) </span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">+C</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sliced fresh strawberries</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(for two 8 inch pies double this)</span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient wprm-list-checkbox-container" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-list-checkbox" style="background-image: url(https://ohsodelicioso.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/checkbox-empty.svg); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 0.9em; box-sizing: border-box; content: ""; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 1.1em; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px -1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; width: 1em;"></span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Whipped Cream for topping</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWQx6jjz1pki0Fq248PE6MiKeOGhU44WYAwkVhxBixbqd7b6UMN7A0MiMTsCSoVh6QN-pYSnsQL2qO-7kdnmPzwPQLDj96uTOjTX8i37Ou4f_t7NL3gxjf9kMcj8OBZr40WD1YKEx93BX/s1600/IMG_5127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWQx6jjz1pki0Fq248PE6MiKeOGhU44WYAwkVhxBixbqd7b6UMN7A0MiMTsCSoVh6QN-pYSnsQL2qO-7kdnmPzwPQLDj96uTOjTX8i37Ou4f_t7NL3gxjf9kMcj8OBZr40WD1YKEx93BX/s320/IMG_5127.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGaSUwRsL2EhMo44CPR4Ike7Z0NDbxGswmh8T40lR5wWtcK0IZx2ZtI8fGWAu5aqSesLpwyXkDOCJvCvPh663c77PGgzRHp86tP2D71sXcpKIyJQuFx5uwqkY6-HB8461fbHjQepH78XS/s1600/IMG_5128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGaSUwRsL2EhMo44CPR4Ike7Z0NDbxGswmh8T40lR5wWtcK0IZx2ZtI8fGWAu5aqSesLpwyXkDOCJvCvPh663c77PGgzRHp86tP2D71sXcpKIyJQuFx5uwqkY6-HB8461fbHjQepH78XS/s320/IMG_5128.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJUJKA8r5gL9VYNdswb17wgY5RQNKqu0ZjohMKFkOC5Iox73-uCZiwbC_dbpjE94IzAUMuqekAPeYlIjhXUuwFqLhyEjGVWipUpn_pHhTxHSha-wX7YrzkOMyEDfPSnSCsR83yrMWerMe/s1600/IMG_5129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJUJKA8r5gL9VYNdswb17wgY5RQNKqu0ZjohMKFkOC5Iox73-uCZiwbC_dbpjE94IzAUMuqekAPeYlIjhXUuwFqLhyEjGVWipUpn_pHhTxHSha-wX7YrzkOMyEDfPSnSCsR83yrMWerMe/s400/IMG_5129.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-header wprm-color-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
Instructions</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px;">
Graham Cracker Crust</div>
<ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="-webkit-margin-after: 0px; -webkit-margin-before: 0px; -webkit-padding-start: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22.799999237060547px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; padding: 0px;">
Mix your graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar together until all ingredietns are incorporated and wet. Press into 9 inch pie pie pan and bake at 375 for 6-7 minutes. Allow to cool.</div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px;">
Jello Layer</div>
<ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="-webkit-margin-after: 0px; -webkit-margin-before: 0px; -webkit-padding-start: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22.799999237060547px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
In a saucepan combine water, sugar, cornstarch, and salt.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
On medium-high, cook until thick and clear.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
Add Jell-O packet and stir well.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
Take off heat and let cool.</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px;">
Cream Cheese Layer Instruction</div>
<ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="-webkit-margin-after: 0px; -webkit-margin-before: 0px; -webkit-padding-start: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22.799999237060547px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; padding: 0px;">
Whip cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a stand up mixer until creamy and smooth.</div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;">
<div class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 3px;">
How to assemble the pie.</div>
<ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="-webkit-margin-after: 0px; -webkit-margin-before: 0px; -webkit-padding-start: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22.799999237060547px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; padding: 0px;">
Spread cream cheese into pie crust.</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 25.5px; padding: 0px;">
Pile sliced strawberries on to cream cheese layer. </div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
Pile them as high as you can.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
Pour cooled jello mixture over strawberries, until it reaches just below the top edge of the crust.</div>
</li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="background-position: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27px; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 12px 10px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
Refrigerate 4-6 hours to set. Top with Cool Whip to serve! Enjoy!!</div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVa-sdgL72pScNiAKomkzxjozXM9Po2oTtEo2MT3b68nzeDg-yjj6fRM7TqWIogMRfpqR76AF_SXoqP5v1_b-0VHSD-JI0ELfCIE4f5n8purSLOoqpKbQWVGcg8_lFul7UjyTEeJpoFCZ/s1600/IMG_E5130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVa-sdgL72pScNiAKomkzxjozXM9Po2oTtEo2MT3b68nzeDg-yjj6fRM7TqWIogMRfpqR76AF_SXoqP5v1_b-0VHSD-JI0ELfCIE4f5n8purSLOoqpKbQWVGcg8_lFul7UjyTEeJpoFCZ/s640/IMG_E5130.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<br /></div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="adthrive-ad adthrive-recipe adthrive-recipe-1" data-google-query-id="CP6X38X74OMCFcEUPwodQCUI6g" id="AdThrive_Recipe_1_desktop" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); clear: both; color: #333333; float: right; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 10px; overflow-x: visible !important; text-align: center;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>
Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-71226489878702606222019-04-18T22:19:00.000-07:002019-06-03T23:17:06.321-07:00Milo & Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmiHV9RPbHGu3GgqXUNPErmr6mBMZDxc5180F5JzADias9Tsq_OpN9hXCaJyP5m0inXWnsGPXMPWZrkhV6Mx0lcZRanjkfL_oe-d5VzR8lqGULr1gUDr6ZD1CIu600vegzkwkvsv4cxIk/s1600/IMG_2835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1275" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmiHV9RPbHGu3GgqXUNPErmr6mBMZDxc5180F5JzADias9Tsq_OpN9hXCaJyP5m0inXWnsGPXMPWZrkhV6Mx0lcZRanjkfL_oe-d5VzR8lqGULr1gUDr6ZD1CIu600vegzkwkvsv4cxIk/s400/IMG_2835.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />
So I did a thing... I bought a puppy!<br />
<br />
To a lot of people... it seemed random. However... I have wanted a dog for a long time. I have always been an animal lover. I wanted the companionship. I knew I couldn't get one for a long time though. I had roommates for a long time and was renting. Also I worked full time and traveled a lot. When would I have time? It wouldn't be fair to the dog. Also I am a total neat freak and couldn't handle having an indoor dog that shed. So many factors.<br />
<br />
Well... over a year ago I moved to Mapleton and have a yard now and live by myself... and even more recently (like a couple of months ago) I quite my job and now work from home for my dad and do massage therapy from home and occational photography gigs.<br />
<br />
One day I was at my friend Marci's house and she has a very cute and cuddly King Charles Cavalier. I fell in love right away and told her how much I would love having a dog. She told me that I deserved a dog and pretty much convinced me to get one. I told her all of my concerns about getting a puppy... which there were a lot and she told me all the reasons why I should and that it would be ok and I would love being a dog mom.<br />
<br />
Then she went puppy shopping for me on KSL and found this adorable litter of puppies that were a mix between a King Charles Cavalier and a Maltese. Now Marci knows WAY more about dogs than I do... but she told me all the reasons why this mix of breeds would be the perfect dog for me. One of the big reasons and main sellers for me was no shedding!! So I was really sold on the idea. So I text the lady on KSL to ask if I could come see the puppies and ask her a bunch of questions about the puppies. She wrote back and told me that she wouldn't sell to anyone that she didn't meet first. Her puppies were not going to go to just anyone. So I set up a time to meet the puppies and ask her a ton of questions. Well... I instantly fell in love. I mean... just look at these puppies! I was having a hard time deciding which one I would even want. When she was telling me about the mom... she pretty much described everything I wanted in a dog. So I was even more sold. I loved the runt and the biggest of the litter the most. I wanted the most cuddly which was the biggest of the litter and I held him and loved him but she told me he was already taken. So I left undecided.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoNtaEa5Zneb9gSpS1U6RWh1eW3XQmlZUeNOxNX5ECdG42eAAc3x-qarua0a-nQUrzhb9oaPWlKoBdbb2LrAfdVCjSfAFjwOzKwZx8CoL-BJ6PLGx1jcbhpucpjQHan6aMgJ44vU-jT-M/s1600/IMG_E2251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoNtaEa5Zneb9gSpS1U6RWh1eW3XQmlZUeNOxNX5ECdG42eAAc3x-qarua0a-nQUrzhb9oaPWlKoBdbb2LrAfdVCjSfAFjwOzKwZx8CoL-BJ6PLGx1jcbhpucpjQHan6aMgJ44vU-jT-M/s400/IMG_E2251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAeLkc6R0MhNtuapA4_5qSjdlpwVkrpyRiTPihuuly4itOuh7AKEr0_YsaNO09Mel26RSkS7RSoJKbGb_zkQdwwLYdkt297OmoOcbSk9G_ehBpm8znbC1Htij7wojFT_M-jQevT6MVm5Q/s1600/IMG_E2254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAeLkc6R0MhNtuapA4_5qSjdlpwVkrpyRiTPihuuly4itOuh7AKEr0_YsaNO09Mel26RSkS7RSoJKbGb_zkQdwwLYdkt297OmoOcbSk9G_ehBpm8znbC1Htij7wojFT_M-jQevT6MVm5Q/s400/IMG_E2254.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
<br />
A little over a week later... I decided for sure I was going to buy one of the puppies. I was committing to be a dog mom. Which was a HUGE decision. I didn't even know how to take care of a puppy. When I went to go pick one I saw the cuddly one and wished I could have him... and asked her, that one is still taken right? She told me the family that was going to buy him backed out... and I could buy him if I wanted. I was so excited. So I left with him and named him Milo. Marci had driven me to go pick him up to make sure I left with the right paperwork and so that I could hold him on the way home. We picked up a crate and dog food and then she dropped me off at my house and it was just me and Milo and I had to figure out how to take care of a puppy. Marci told me that Spring is the best time to get a puppy because you can spend time outside while you are potty training. But it has been a very cold and wet Spring! Still... It really is the best time to get a puppy. It takes a lot of time... and there are frustrating moments... but I am SO glad that I got Milo. He makes me smile everyday and I love cuddling with him. He is so sweet. I don't know what I am doing... but we are figuring it out together and I have had great support.<br />
<br />
Marci told me she wanted to do a photoshoot of the both of us because dog photoshoots are her favorite. So here are the pictures she took. Spring is such a beautiful time to take pics too. Thanks Marci.<br />
<br />
So here he is! Meet Milo! My new furry side kick. He is the best cuddle buddy and with how much he loves to explore the outdoors... he is going to make the best adventure buddy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqaHCqSFueWwUAz2k18opgRF_NO4eiPzsHXPVMw0CqH5PtqvgTWG8g8SwjiP_R7MYFXT5mVg-6Woc0n9AoLwciGmIApVRl-u1gOFfqxwRm0EByEuUwJ4eEtibRl-_0i3__1TRNW4dfBz7/s1600/IMG_2832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqaHCqSFueWwUAz2k18opgRF_NO4eiPzsHXPVMw0CqH5PtqvgTWG8g8SwjiP_R7MYFXT5mVg-6Woc0n9AoLwciGmIApVRl-u1gOFfqxwRm0EByEuUwJ4eEtibRl-_0i3__1TRNW4dfBz7/s640/IMG_2832.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_p1Q4MolgB5E4DH-H8fCmC7B5RhviEIClpgFq-34hd3JeP2UpuH33MxiXvRbXybgbd_4zZfWIbkGKx3FFnGXkgX0LVzc4dhxShMM3DEwQ9jki-93b50ro6GBRZ8zUk1J215KHfN8tiVS/s1600/IMG_2839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1099" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_p1Q4MolgB5E4DH-H8fCmC7B5RhviEIClpgFq-34hd3JeP2UpuH33MxiXvRbXybgbd_4zZfWIbkGKx3FFnGXkgX0LVzc4dhxShMM3DEwQ9jki-93b50ro6GBRZ8zUk1J215KHfN8tiVS/s320/IMG_2839.jpg" width="219" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBDJnXMVwNVv3IZ7Mu6b_lhxJXESl49hToVQYNBP15_q2wXvrnwUpnB24kHvckYkie2b8kqDrxKE-DKa-rjW0VYZMiLAZlq7cqZgPoaFSk09UsJp_8zbrjw4u_9oC_5h6NblgqcIgZzCP/s1600/IMG_2838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBDJnXMVwNVv3IZ7Mu6b_lhxJXESl49hToVQYNBP15_q2wXvrnwUpnB24kHvckYkie2b8kqDrxKE-DKa-rjW0VYZMiLAZlq7cqZgPoaFSk09UsJp_8zbrjw4u_9oC_5h6NblgqcIgZzCP/s320/IMG_2838.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBRm9iY_fzOGfFWDHrju7EJcpRvkTLStpkTfOBPQnjRaguoC_kapcArRD5WemBi2zo5MD2OpxioB-N1duPb1Yj1d4jmLBjKGWMmRAv3xWylYUopYrYPqsQpIvDwiawogJyZ_f2OOZwZLx/s1600/IMG_2831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1053" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBRm9iY_fzOGfFWDHrju7EJcpRvkTLStpkTfOBPQnjRaguoC_kapcArRD5WemBi2zo5MD2OpxioB-N1duPb1Yj1d4jmLBjKGWMmRAv3xWylYUopYrYPqsQpIvDwiawogJyZ_f2OOZwZLx/s320/IMG_2831.jpg" width="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMVG6WuScCtTqddVGjUcAu0MXtQeycMzn65yqHWUT6aM3Z59vo0GU2rk7U_PRJrC_18BjP2StimN6tIyR23Q4XpIksiS-LrgCoPd9Mot5qoHfiefoeejhKZToMP1RNC4vWaKD0uLlVu60/s1600/IMG_2842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1046" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMVG6WuScCtTqddVGjUcAu0MXtQeycMzn65yqHWUT6aM3Z59vo0GU2rk7U_PRJrC_18BjP2StimN6tIyR23Q4XpIksiS-LrgCoPd9Mot5qoHfiefoeejhKZToMP1RNC4vWaKD0uLlVu60/s320/IMG_2842.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_BNwezSEq7UuULFgs5tVYcp8Yy7xFPPstbAYhuJ-JlITAlN4UUthm6WAj0_k-3D63BAygggqELuT_Pde_uncOVNHAjjmaj9HEsygO9yyfqfJ4P1qlnXsKajBsMOoJseJ1DYR_cTCWNM_/s1600/IMG_2841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_BNwezSEq7UuULFgs5tVYcp8Yy7xFPPstbAYhuJ-JlITAlN4UUthm6WAj0_k-3D63BAygggqELuT_Pde_uncOVNHAjjmaj9HEsygO9yyfqfJ4P1qlnXsKajBsMOoJseJ1DYR_cTCWNM_/s640/IMG_2841.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-562962137182356034.post-1121591244797065132018-06-06T15:10:00.000-07:002018-11-08T00:08:15.251-08:00Cuban Get Out Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC83lYcZkHft_VLkJpMH4kUCLii8EV7R6JdZIgN3hZzh1jQpXaWJxGi43smWvw1DPYchO2BhZaQ1l82o39FJNOLW1ZM3AQ73_iKKuq-h31O3sIcLS7W6dUiNX2y_T9NhNARD74TROAewaa/s1600/IMG_E1830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC83lYcZkHft_VLkJpMH4kUCLii8EV7R6JdZIgN3hZzh1jQpXaWJxGi43smWvw1DPYchO2BhZaQ1l82o39FJNOLW1ZM3AQ73_iKKuq-h31O3sIcLS7W6dUiNX2y_T9NhNARD74TROAewaa/s640/IMG_E1830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIACICjmnFHqdZvxzZaN1rnthtK4ESpmSGJ1Ih_oOnWj2NUbltg_QJ_jmaLuku8NjFyt6-CIryx6w4kTTZLUVi-VJMscAmXVjsuVKUmrPw3z9QwzLOe5l6MOzB0HNhGjDJdn0cr-WMgrF/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1600" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIACICjmnFHqdZvxzZaN1rnthtK4ESpmSGJ1Ih_oOnWj2NUbltg_QJ_jmaLuku8NjFyt6-CIryx6w4kTTZLUVi-VJMscAmXVjsuVKUmrPw3z9QwzLOe5l6MOzB0HNhGjDJdn0cr-WMgrF/s400/IMG_1834.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I have been meaning to write this story down so I don't forget it. I have had some adventures on my travels over the years... but this one may take the prize. It was a whole roller coaster of emotions.<br />
<br />
Where do I begin?...<br />
<br />
Well, my friend John contacted me about Iceland because he knew I had gone and wanted some advice because he was thinking about going. I asked him if he was going with anyone and he said he didn't have any plans as of yet... so I said I would go with him. I was looking for a spring trip to go on since I already had my fall trip planned. The more we talked about it, the more it didn't seem like Iceland was going to work out, but we still both wanted to go somewhere. I suggested Cuba. Why? Because I had been wanting to go since it opened up to us a couple of years ago. The appeal? I don't know... we weren't always allowed to go there and now we are and I don't know how long it will stay that way. So why not go experience it while I can? Good enough reason for me. John is an easy going dude. Although he had never traveled outside of the country before, he was up for the adventure and we bought tickets to Cuba. He lives in Missouri and I am in Utah, so we met in the Miami airport and we flew over the Havana together.<br />
<br />
Before I get into the story, I would like to note that we had no plans for when we got there. Nothing booked. We were just going to wing it. Typically, I am fine with this, but I had done a little research on Cuba before we went and I was made aware how difficult it was to get more money when you run out, so I suggested to John that we try booking things before we went. He said we would be fine winging it and I said ok... we will see what happens. I am sure it will be fine.<br />
<br />
So John and I show up in Havana. We only had 4 days in Cuba and wanted to make the most out of it and we both agreed that we wanted to see more of Cuba than just Havana. We both scuba dive and wanted to go scuba diving in Cayo Coco. We had seen pictures of Cayo Coco on Pinterest and it looked pretty so we said... lets go there. ha ha. We knew nothing beyond that in all seriousness. We had mapped out that Cayo Coco was 6 hours away from Havana and then this National Park we wanted to go to was a 4 hours from Cayo Coco and then it would be 3 or so hours back to Havana from there. We wanted to rent a car so we could easily hit up all of these places on our own time, but when we tried renting a car... nobody would rent us one. I can't tell you why nobody would rent us a car, but we went to SEVERAL car rental places and not one would rent us a car. It became quite frustrating. Now what? That was our plan. The taxi driver that picked us up from the airport and was taking us to different car rental places was also frustrated. He was getting upset. We finally gave up and just told him to drop us off and we would wander around Havana and figure out what to do. He ended up giving us his card and asked us where we wanted to go and we told him that we wanted to go to Cayo Coco and he told us that he was take us if we wanted to off the books (not charge the taxi prices) and said he would take us for $50. I would like to add that my Spanish is pretty minimal but John's Spanish is awesome...fluent in fact. He served a Spanish speaking mission, so I trusted him to do all of the communicating for us. However when he told me that he was only going to charge us $50 to drive us 6 hours... I had a hard time believing that and I told him to triple check that is what he actually said. He did and that IS what he said. I was still skeptical because it has to cost more in gas just to get there. John told me we wouldn't find a better deal and that we should just do it. So I gave in. Probably because I was too tired to argue. I had taken a red eye flight the night before and had not slept at all and John slept at the airport waiting for me to get there... so we both were probably not using our best judgement. We both agreed to this arrangement and he came back for us a couple of hours later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd54raD05t95ufp2zHi7uCYdGlywLEHZMgAk5arpSMcL7zKjXeICD5kKKgVGegfusPBQBXSawfhraJzvzMXEgzjAIFOtowIk34psP5xYI5s7QKbFGzWJKHNQpEjm-lCMEmivIlwJd0MCK/s1600/IMG_1368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd54raD05t95ufp2zHi7uCYdGlywLEHZMgAk5arpSMcL7zKjXeICD5kKKgVGegfusPBQBXSawfhraJzvzMXEgzjAIFOtowIk34psP5xYI5s7QKbFGzWJKHNQpEjm-lCMEmivIlwJd0MCK/s400/IMG_1368.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So here we are on a 6 hour road trip across Cuba with our taxi driver that picked us up from the airport. John and I are happy because we are in an air conditioned car (it was SO hot there & humid) and our driver had put on some American classic tunes for us to jam out to and we had found a way to get to Cayo Coco and we were on our way. Things were good. It was probably about half way through the drive that I started getting a really bad feeling about our driver. John didn't tell me this until later (when I told him I had a bad feeling about him) that any time he talked to another local, he would motion to us in the back and said I have American's in the back and would rub his hands together and snicker like he had something planned. I began to notice his short fuse more and more as the drive went on. He was always yelling at other drivers... I kept thinking, he is going to drive us out to the middle of nowhere and murder us and leave us there. I honestly was having these thoughts even though I was 90% sure he wasn't going to hurt us. He stopped for gas and brought us back drinks. Putting on a happy face and acting kind. We said thank you, but I started getting more suspicious. I knew we were going to get scammed from him, I just didn't know how he was going to do it. We later stopped for dinner. John and I thought it was kind of expensive and thought he will expect us to pay for him as well... this is where he will get us. However, we finished dinner and went to pay and he had already paid for us. At this point John and I looked at each other and knew it wasn't good. It was already SO cheap for this drive... there is no way he is doing all of these nice gestures and accept only $50 from us. As we got closer to Cayo Coco (which ended up being a 7 hour drive instead of a 6 hour drive because our driver didn't know how to get there and stopped SEVERAL times to ask directions and blow up and get mad every time he did) we were trying to figure out how much we were going to pay him....<br />
<br />
When we get to Cayo Coco we realize that it is a tourist beach town and there were no cheap places to stay. Only fancy resorts. He dropped us off at one of them that was $150 a night. John and I definitely didn't bring enough money to be staying at those kinds of places.We were SO tired though. We both hadn't slept the night before... were going all day and it was already midnight. We didn't want to have to figure out another place to stay in the dark. We just wanted to go to sleep. So we agreed to stay there. I went to hand the driver our money on our way out of the taxi and he told us to wait until we were at the front desk. I thought that was strange... but thought... ok. So we get up to the front desk and look into rooms. We give the driver $75 and he picks it up and counts it and then throws it back and down walks away upset mumbling in Spanish what a rip off that was. The lady at the front desk was trying to figure out what happened. Why he was causing a scene. He tells her that he didn't tell us $50 for the drive here, he told her that he charged us $500!<br />
<br />
Another side note in this story. Let's talk about money. There are 2 different currencies in Cuba. One is what the locals use, The Cuban Peso. The other currency is the CUC which was made up for tourists and is equal to the US dollar. After exchanging my money with the terrible exchange rate at the airport... I had about $375 I think. John had $300 maybe. On top of that, Cuba has not always been open to American tourists. Therefore our bank isn't compatible with theirs. We can't use our credit cards there and we can't go to an ATM and get more money... so when you run out, you are out of money. We obviously wouldn't have agreed to paying $500. That was more than our plane ticket to get to Cuba! John questioned his Spanish and that he heard correctly and asked the lady at the desk how to say $500 in Spanish. She told him and he turned to me and said that is not what he said, he said $50. I told him I believed him and that he obviously planned this scam from the beginning including throwing a fit with an audience. The lady looked at us and said only charging $50 would be stupid because it costs more than that in gas just to get here. But I think she also realized that $500 was also a lot to ask for. John and I just stared at each other with a look of panic of what we were going to do. Part of me was mad at myself for agreeing to this because I knew from the start that it wasn't right. John walked over to talk to our driver and ended up giving him $350. This is still an amount that we would have never agreed to, but it was enough to make him happy and leave. John didn't tell me how much he had given him until he was gone. It was still A LOT of money. Especially because we didn't bring that much to begin with and it was only the first day of our trip. We also could no longer afford to stay at this fancy resort that we were standing at with all of our stuff.<br />
<br />
The lady at the font desk realized what happened. That we got scammed and that we were very caught off guard. She looked a little bit annoyed, but when she realized we were American's and could't use our credit card to book a room or go to an ATM to get more money... she told us that the cheapest place in town was a motel down the road. It wasn't very nice, but it was cheap and a roof over our head. It was almost 1 in the morning and I was SO tired and really didn't want to go somewhere else, but we didn't really have a choice. She walked us to the local bus that just the workers use to go from hotel to hotel for work. We get on the bus and go to the motel. She was correct and the motel was not great... but we were both so tired that we didn't really care. Plus, it had AC. We both went to bed and said we would talk about what to do when we woke up the next morning.<br />
<br />
We slept for a while... boy did we sleep. We were so tired. We pretty much didn't get up until right before checkout (which was 11am). As we were getting ready and packing up our stuff, we were trying to come up with a plan with what we were going to do next. We were pretty much acting like we had no money because we are just hoping that what we have will get us back to Havana. We can't pay another driver... then we would have nothing left. We weren't sure what to do, but we knew that all of the fun plans we had in Cuba were going out the window and now it was just figuring out how to get back to Havana with no Wifi or internet access and no cell service. Thankfully John and I are both easy going ... go with the flow type of people. Neither one of us were freaking out... in fact, John was making me laugh. We started calling our trip The Cuban Get Out Games. You got into the country... lets see you get out. ha ha. As we were talking about our options ... I suggested that we say a prayer. I'm not one to typically suggest this... probably because I don't feel like I have had an answer to prayer in a long time and maybe I have lost a little bit of faith. But I didn't think it would hurt. I asked John if he would say it. I don't remember everything he said in that prayer, but I remember that he asked that we be guided out of our situation and asked that the people would have compassion on us. I remember thinking it was a great prayer and I felt good about it. John did as well. After I said to John that I hope the prayer worked... not only because we needed help out of our situation we landed ourselves in, but also because I could have a faith building experience because I had been struggling with my spirituality and feeling like my prayers are heard and answered. John just looked at me and with complete confidence said, don't you worry, the prayer will be answered. Watch the hands of god at work. I just looked at him and said.. I hope you are right. Then we walked out of the door with our backpacks and started walking the streets of Cayo Coco.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5biw-AmoxA7RMVOzPnDGUgcVIWniVP-D8-v_ntBKRb4hI6o9CWJFcH3RenyXcAbdz4gQOxbv-bJdMLbeLXytbEA7zn2zC0FLOUO7uBqWC9Gevvz7Mdi4IODN5gMt7GFtRnKErwiouSZoo/s1600/IMG_1827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5biw-AmoxA7RMVOzPnDGUgcVIWniVP-D8-v_ntBKRb4hI6o9CWJFcH3RenyXcAbdz4gQOxbv-bJdMLbeLXytbEA7zn2zC0FLOUO7uBqWC9Gevvz7Mdi4IODN5gMt7GFtRnKErwiouSZoo/s640/IMG_1827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So my first idea was to walk to the airport. We knew that Cayo Coco had a tiny airport. In fact... the week before our trip, John had sent me an article about a plane that crashed at that airport. We thought... let's walk to the airport and see when flight back to Havana are. Maybe we have enough money for that. We started walking to the airport when we found out which direction it was. We had NO idea how far away the airport was or how long we would be walking... but like I said, we were acting like we had no money... so we didn't eat any food and we weren't paying for any taxi's. I don't remember how long we walked for or how far we actually went. Seemed like forever in the 80+ degree weather and 90+ percent humidity. When we started getting eaten alive by mosquitoes I had to draw the line. Especially know they have the zika virus there. I was swatting away 20 mosquitoes when I finally yelled to John that we were getting a taxi. I don't care. We flagged down a taxi and convinced him to take us to the airport for 5 pesos. So we finally get to the airport. It is looking very empty. We searched for someone that worked there to see if we could get on the next flight to Havana. We finally find someone. We ask to buy a plane ticket to Havana and asked how much they were. They looked at us and said that we couldn't buy plane tickets there. I replied with... why can't I buy a plane ticket at the airport? And why don't you have a schedule of one the next flight is? I was so confused of why an airport wouldn't have this information. They told us that the tour companies had that information and it was all done through them. We asked where we could find them and they said... back at the resort... you know, where we just were. Feeling very defeated, the man we were talking to could tell and went outside to talk to one of the taxi's. The taxi agreed to take us back to the resort for free. Compassion!<br />
<br />
So here we are back at the resort. We go up to the front desk and ask where we can find the tour company agent. They looked at us and said... it's Sunday, they don't work on Sunday. We were then told to come back tomorrow to check. John and I looked at each other again. So much effort to end up back where we started. Now what? John suggested that we might as well go to the beach and hang out. At least until we come up with another plan. Feeling very defeated and stuck... I agreed.<br />
<br />
We walked down to the beach that was connected to the resort. The beach was filled with umbrellas with lounge chairs under for the guests to relax at the beach. We of course were not paying to stay at this resort, so we didn't have a wrist band. Therefore we couldn't use them. We parked our stuff down the beach closer to the water. I got my towel out of my bag and took a seat. The beach was gorgeous. The water was clear like pool water. Felt nice too. I kind of wanted to get in, but wasn't in my swim suit and didn't want to leave my stuff unattended either... So John and I just tried to sit back and relax. John took out his Spanish Book of Mormon. It was Sunday after all. So he read a few verses for me. Then... it started to rain. Just a little at first, but then we really started getting wet. It was just one thing after another. I moved me and my stuff under one of the umbrellas onto the lounge chair. I didn't care anymore... someone would have to come and kick me out if they wanted me to leave. Thankfully it was not too crowded there and nobody seemed to care. So even when the rain stopped, I didn't move. I closed my eyes and relaxed. It started to get later in the afternoon. We needed a plan for that night. John suggested we sleep at the beach in the lawn chairs. He for some reason had brought a tarp and in case it rained again... I guess that was the plan. At this point... I'm going with whatever. As we were laying there, a man was cleaning up the beach... putting away chairs. I saw him and thought... dang it, we are going to get kicked out. As he approached us he went up to John and gave him a handful of shells he had collected on the beach to give to me because he thought that I was pretty. So sweet of him. He and John made some small talk (in Spanish) and then he moved on. John then got up to use the receptionist's phone to call the airport to see if they happen to get the schedule for flights back to Havana. While he was gone, the nice man that gave me the shells came back to try and talk to me. I don't really know Spanish and he didn't really know English ... so the only thing he ended up saying to me was that he thought my eyes were really pretty. I said thank you and he moved on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tEgl10l0NsLVBRKOeS14WwR7VeKer80HfFtvep8ZwOiGZtTlh5y1svqKtQlO0TTlnxy2-Lb_d8k_ehkqb-U_LZQeDL0mmVK_szC9RzzOAFJFVCZWvD7UrVa5QgbiBOCPfJ-O-EbjOY88/s1600/IMG_1346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tEgl10l0NsLVBRKOeS14WwR7VeKer80HfFtvep8ZwOiGZtTlh5y1svqKtQlO0TTlnxy2-Lb_d8k_ehkqb-U_LZQeDL0mmVK_szC9RzzOAFJFVCZWvD7UrVa5QgbiBOCPfJ-O-EbjOY88/s400/IMG_1346.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMfpXxQ_liG-_-d1h6ZOjC0EJZt7PFD-UZfj7EncoO_SR_IfgaxEZRHCrQPvOcnN6FaVOO9MQZg69kMf12BzPW_JCKYMb9I6qxdMlaBfBraKETCdB46PPjsZYU0duRrOs1FrqROCHp0F4/s1600/IMG_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMfpXxQ_liG-_-d1h6ZOjC0EJZt7PFD-UZfj7EncoO_SR_IfgaxEZRHCrQPvOcnN6FaVOO9MQZg69kMf12BzPW_JCKYMb9I6qxdMlaBfBraKETCdB46PPjsZYU0duRrOs1FrqROCHp0F4/s400/IMG_1846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
On John's way back to me and our spot, he ran into the sweet man cleaning up the beach. They started talking again. The man asked John how he knows Spanish so well. John told him that he served a 2 year mission for his church and learned on his mission. The man was blown away that someone as young as John would dedicate 2 years of his life to his church. This excited him and he wanted to know more. He told John that he had gone to school to be a priest, but then he met his wife and they had kids and so it obviously didn't work out... but that they were very religious. John ended up bringing him back to where we were sitting. He took out his Spanish Book of Mormon and started tell him more about our church and what we believe. After talking to him a little bit about it, he told him that he could have his copy of the Book of Mormon to keep and read. The man thought this was too generous. After John insisted, the man thanked him and held on to his special new book. He wanted to talk more about it... but still had to finish cleaning up the beach and said he would come back to find out if we could get together tomorrow for dinner or something. After he left I asked John about everything they were talking about. "Did you tell him that we don't have a place to sleep?" I said. He didn't. I can of course see why. You don't want to share the gospel with someone in hopes that you are going to get a favor in return, that isn't what it is about. However, I told him when he comes back, if it gets brought up that he should tell him our situation. It can't hurt. Maybe he knows someone that could help us. You never know. He finished up and came back to find us. He asked us to have dinner with his family the next day, he wanted to talk more religion. He asked us when we were leaving... if he could meet us the next morning. We told him that we were trying to leave the next morning. He asked us if we were staying at that hotel. We said no... we didn't have a place to stay and we were thinking of just sleeping at the beach that night. His eyes got wide and said we couldn't sleep on the beach. Not that we were not allowed to, but he told us it rains so hard every night and then the mosquitoes come out in full force. He told us we would get SO sick and he just couldn't allow that. He told us we could stay with him that night. We asked him if he was sure, he said yes... so we went with him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_dUooYK9y4cv4czOFJvGxt15wJ7RhxV9_K4U0rKxyZngQs99Wr8gGjLkzTawcwES2Nq6S2kRC_KTGIPdxXB2guimfQO7tkuoSG-1JiyYimiv2JLGvIFJgGYeIOnb1_irtugb-N4OVHwx/s1600/IMG_1356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_dUooYK9y4cv4czOFJvGxt15wJ7RhxV9_K4U0rKxyZngQs99Wr8gGjLkzTawcwES2Nq6S2kRC_KTGIPdxXB2guimfQO7tkuoSG-1JiyYimiv2JLGvIFJgGYeIOnb1_irtugb-N4OVHwx/s400/IMG_1356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCHy-Pmug57ExFI-so8gSdd0J58nDXbI7oNfAMQQGbfd5p0lgeIffiTpFjRBOk4qZh2PZJzThtDPXgQoPTYCaXMYakL34lcBrYuFAUT-QC1-NJsVkzjR48bdqDLjH0nFnCApaQ6etpns1/s1600/IMG_1357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCHy-Pmug57ExFI-so8gSdd0J58nDXbI7oNfAMQQGbfd5p0lgeIffiTpFjRBOk4qZh2PZJzThtDPXgQoPTYCaXMYakL34lcBrYuFAUT-QC1-NJsVkzjR48bdqDLjH0nFnCApaQ6etpns1/s400/IMG_1357.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So the sweet man takes my backpack to carry himself and we walk with him after he is done working to catch a bus to the city he lives in... Moron. We got a late start and I am a slow walker apparently ... so we missed the bus. Yet another failed attempt for the day. When he realized that we missed the bus, he started to flag down taxi drivers. Some of them wouldn't stop. One stopped but wouldn't really listen to what he had to stay. Then the next one stopped and listened to him. He overheard him telling the taxi driver that he was going to take us home to stay with him because we didn't have anywhere to go and that we were missionaries with the church. John and I looked at each other... sure, we can be considered missionaries. We prayed for help... we gave him a book of Mormon. Why not? So we went with it. Anyway... this taxi driver worked with tourists a lot and knew English very well (which was refreshing for me) he told us that he would drive us to try and catch the bus... but even though the man was trying to be nice to offer us a place to stay... that we couldn't stay with him. He told us that if we got caught and anyone found out that we were there, he could get in big trouble with the government and get kicked out of his house. We had NO idea that was a possibility. Guess we forgot we were in a communist country where the government controls everything... even who comes to your home. When we found this out we told the nice man we DID NOT want to get him in trouble and that we would find another way. The taxi driver spoke up and told us that if we were trying to get back to Havana... if we could get to the city right next to Moron, then there was a bus leaving at 12:30am to Havana for $30 each! We could definitely afford that! So we told the man helping us that we were just going to do that but thank you for offering. He insisted that he at least have us come to his home to feed us dinner. We told him again that we didn't want to get him in trouble. He looked at us with complete sincerity and said I would rather be right with God, come to my house and let me feed you. (this of course is all being translated to me by John. We were so humbled by this sweet man that was willing to risk a lot just to serve us a meal. How could we refuse. We told him we would go with him.<br />
<br />
We ended up catching a taxi to his city, Moron, because now we knew we could get back to Havana for $30 each... we knew we could spend a little bit of money. We hadn't eaten all day or even bought any water to drive all day because we weren't sure we had money to spend. So the offer for dinner was such a huge blessing. Now that we had an affordable plan of how to get back to Havana, John and I were a lot more relaxed and super excited for the adventure that we were on. We had a beautiful sunset we watched from the car and had some fun music that we were singing a long to in the back. Life was good.<br />
<br />
It was dark by the time we got to Moron. The taxi parked on the man's street and as we got out of the car... I am not sure what I was expecting his city to look like... but it wasn't what I saw. His city was flooded. Everyone walking through puddles on the streets. These weren't homes... just brick buildings where every family just get's a room. The man told us that his wife was expecting us and that they had kicked out their kids to their grandparents so that we could come over. As we walked to his home... told us to be very quiet so that nobody would catch us there. We walked in his home and met his wife (who also didn't know any English) and their dog. Their home was a brick room. Shelves with all of their stuff was on one side, a long table with a sink and small fridge on another wall, a full bed against the other wall (which took up most of the room) and on the remaining wall was the door, a small card table with 2 chairs and a bathroom with no door. I was just trying to process living like this while I tried to act like it was completely normal. I had not been sitting for very long when he handed me a towel and a bar of soap and said his wife had filled the bucket in the shower with warm water so that we could wash up. I wanted to just say no... but I felt bad saying no to him... so I took the towel and a change of clothes and went into the bathroom with no door and got behind the shower curtain to take off my clothes and "shower". I say "shower" because there was no shower head in the shower... just a cup to scoop up warm water from the bucket to poor over myself. The water was actually quiet refreshing and it did feel really nice to freshen up a little bit since it is so hot and you get so sweaty. I washed up and put on a new change of clothes and came back out and it was John's turn to go. When I came out the man tried giving me deodorant ... I told him I had my own... and he also got out his wife's nice perfume and insisted that he put some on me. His wife just sat back and smiled. They just wanted to give us the best of what they had which was not very much. While John got washed up they pulled out pictures to show me of them when they first got married and of their kids and pulled out their phones to show me video's and pictures from people from their church. It was very sweet. I also showed them pictures of my family. By the time John was done, dinner was ready and they had us sit at the table while they served us rice and meat and some veggies and potatoes and juice. We were so hungry. Everything tasted so good. We told them how delicious it was and how thankful we were for them. They refused to eat with us and made sure we ate seconds. While they sat and watched and said they would eat later (which I hope they did, but I have no idea). It started to get a little late, so we finished up and the man grabbed my backpack once again and we said goodbye to his sweet wife and we left his home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh6H9mV7MHkJdb1dWaIFZFzV2E5p-AoYBnmYZ5e8YbGAqZG7uZNjP57-hZZuM9rz1_l7kjwmngT6CSMv6f-R5mCTruFAul3VQty3prmSS0BNXNA3iyRD12KV5VuK1rx-DanAiT5ML7SBQ/s1600/IMG_1384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh6H9mV7MHkJdb1dWaIFZFzV2E5p-AoYBnmYZ5e8YbGAqZG7uZNjP57-hZZuM9rz1_l7kjwmngT6CSMv6f-R5mCTruFAul3VQty3prmSS0BNXNA3iyRD12KV5VuK1rx-DanAiT5ML7SBQ/s320/IMG_1384.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVRC9jQLKMiRV3-ZmCzvU4zBC0U__EW4yZF9nhO0-pTElPF75D-3WLOc7Dj6hCq2JlP62eJj6PfRteJEmV6iCrVjxqyFJZLpf_EE8R4ARtZEZRVexb8wrMOEpDkWuy_uPiC9mMg7ecAGy/s1600/IMG_1386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVRC9jQLKMiRV3-ZmCzvU4zBC0U__EW4yZF9nhO0-pTElPF75D-3WLOc7Dj6hCq2JlP62eJj6PfRteJEmV6iCrVjxqyFJZLpf_EE8R4ARtZEZRVexb8wrMOEpDkWuy_uPiC9mMg7ecAGy/s320/IMG_1386.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
He let John borrow some sandals to walk through the flooded town. John almost lost one of the sandals in a stream flowing down the street! He guided us through the town and told us he wouldn't leave our side until he knew we were completely taken care of. We got to the outskirts of the town. We waited for a taxi in the dark. We stood and talked for a while, but eventually we got a taxi to take us to the next city over to catch the bus back to Havana. Before we got in the taxi, the man hugged me and kissed me on the check a couple of times, then gave John a big hug goodbye and right before he shut the door, he told us that he would love us forever. He had given us his information in case we were ever back. John and I were still reregistering what happened. We were so touched... John even got tears in his eyes.<br />
<br />
We were dropped off at the bus station. There was not a tourist in sight. We were definitely getting the real cultural experience on this trip. We were trying to figure out where to buy the bus tickets when all of the sudden these local guys came up to us and asked us if we were wanting to go to Havana. We said yes and they told us they were going and would take us for $20 each. That was even cheaper than the bus and they were leaving right away. John and I looked at each other and said sure, why not. Not a bad thing to save another $10! So we hopped in an old car with a bunch of locals and headed on the 6 hour road trip back to Havana in the middle of the night. Crowded in the back seat with another local... music blasting. It was one of the most uncomfortable road trips I had ever taken... with lots of smoking breaks a long the way. When we finally got to Havana, we were so relieved. We had made it. The guy that drove us to Havana dropped the others off in a part of town that we didn't want to be in. He asked us where we wanted to be because he assumed it wasn't there. We told him we wanted to stay in a Casa Particular close to downtown. So he drove us to a place he knew. We paid for the next 2 nights at this Casa Particular. It was 6am when we got there and we were SO tired. So we were taken to our room. We counted what money we had left, put the money we needed for the taxi back to the airport and we had just enough for some meals and taxi rides around town in our last couple of days. We had JUST enough money for the rest of our time in Cuba. John looked at me and said "If that isn't an answer to prayer, I don't know what is". He was right. Then we crashed... for hours.<br />
<br />
This entire trip, this experience... it wasn't the one we planned (obviously) or necessarily wanted, but it was what we got. John and I talked about everything that happened. Neither one of us was mad at what happened. Sure, it wasn't ideal... but it was an adventure! Not only that, but it was a true cultural experience. I had read online that staying at a Casa Particular was getting the real cultural experience. After what we experienced... we KNOW that is not how most of the people in Cuba live. It is how the rich people live and what the government wants you to think. The Casa Particular was nicer than the motel we stayed at in Cayo Coco. It was still a nice experience to stay there that we don't regret, we just know how most of the people live... and they live like our sweet humble friend that we met on the beach that was willing to give total strangers everything that he had. John and I loved our trip not only because of the adventure and because of the cultural experience, but because it was humbling, it was faith building, it was a missionary opportunity, it was an experience we will never forget. Was it all just an answer to prayer? Did it all happen because John brought a Book of Mormon into a country with no missionaries and the Lord made sure the Book of Mormon went to the right person? Or was it just a series of events? You can decide. I just had to write it all down... every detail... so that I would never forget this incredible experience.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXDfek6V9UQp3ZUPtUPUNTI8_TzNTY8ZjtpJL-yFX2MtNh84yraDZF557_o4aDzRwCJk80s-WrUuPInMj3SFCXhBoRr-mu5tubL3l6Gr1yVC3tOf6UjuWRiVbOSCkHhKyWOp3BpoWApF6/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXDfek6V9UQp3ZUPtUPUNTI8_TzNTY8ZjtpJL-yFX2MtNh84yraDZF557_o4aDzRwCJk80s-WrUuPInMj3SFCXhBoRr-mu5tubL3l6Gr1yVC3tOf6UjuWRiVbOSCkHhKyWOp3BpoWApF6/s400/IMG_1359.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Tracy Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02440262761545894111noreply@blogger.com0