Rhubarb Slush

I found this recipe in a Taste of Home magazine and it's fabulous! Even if you aren't a big rhubarb fan, you will love this!

Rhubarb Slush
8 c. diced fresh or frozen rhubarb
1 pkg. (16 oz.) fresh or frozen unsweetened strawberries
3 c. sugar
8 c. water
1 pkg. (3 oz.) strawberry jell-o
1/2 c. lemon juice
Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, chilled

In a Dutch oven, bring the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, and water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-8 minutes or until rhubarb is tender. Press through a sieve; discard pulp. Stir in jell-o and lemon juice until dissolved. Transfer to a freezer container and freeze, stirring occasionally, until firm (I haven't ever stirred mine and it seems to work fine). May be frozen for up to 3 months. To use slush: In a punch bowl or several pitchers, combine equal amonuts of rhubarb mixture and ginger ale. Or for one serving, combine 1/2 c. rhubarb mixture and 1/2 c. ginger ale in a glass, adjust according to taste.

Enjoy!

Messy Curly Ponies

I love love love this hairstyle. It is quick, looks so fun and it doesn't have to be perfect. Just make an exaggerated zigzag part and put each section into ponytails and then flip them to make knots. Then part the rest of your hair into two ponytails. Curl each of them and then just bobbypin a few random sections. Add a couple of cute bows and a goofy smile and you're ready to go.

She's a Fish Killer!

Jacob went to a birthday party on Tuesday night, and for some reason the party favors were fish, 6 to be exact. Just little bait fish. Jacob was so excited on the way home. "My first pets!," he exclaimed while loving watching his fish swim in the ziploc bag. I am notorious for killing fish. I have never been able to keep a fish alive for more than 24 hours, and here I am responsible for these fish, and my son's feelings. I told the people that gave Jacob the fish that I was going to send them the bill for the therapy he was going to require after I killed his fish. I went home and just poured the fish into a vase (my only substitute for a tank) and gave them the tiniest bit of food. Only one survived the night, but Jacob was still okay. I, while trying not to throw up, dug the unfortunate souls out of the vase and flushed them. I put the survivor in some new water, contemplating that if this one should survive the day I would call him Mo, short for the Last of the Mohicans, and said a silent prayer that I would not kill Jacob's last fish. I went and gave the kids a bath and by the time Jacob went into his room to get dressed, Mo had passed away. Now came the tears. Poor little guy. His first pets didn't even last 18 hours. Now he thinks he wants to get a different pet, perhaps a dog. I can't even keep fish alive, I am lucky that I've kept three kids alive, I don't think I want any more pets. Jacob told me while I was relating this story to my Mom on the phone,"you are the fish killer you know!" Just in case I didn't know already.

Lorelei's Birthday Celebration!

Lorelei turned 4 on the 5th and we celebrated last night. She was a very patient little girl waiting 3 days past her birthday to get her presents. She was so excited about the "Tinkerbell" show. For months when she said prayers she would insist on thanking Heavenly Father for the "Tinkerbell" show. And she loves her new bike, so she can be big like Jacob. Happy Birthday little Princess! Don't look to close at my cake. Tink fell apart as I was trying to put her on.

4th of July Weekend

So we went to Twin Falls, Idaho and Salt Lake for the weekend and had a great time. Here are a few pictures! Enjoy!

4th of July Fare

So in case some of you are planning on grilling some hamburgers for the 4th of July picnic here is the recipe for the BEST hamburger I have ever eaten. Now you must understand, I've never really liked hamburgers. If we go to a hamburger restaurant, I usually order chicken. I remember once when I was little we were having hamburgers for dinner and I didn't want to eat it, but Mom said I had to have a bite. So I took my bite, excused myself from the table and went to the bathroom and spit my bite into a piece of toilet paper. She never said i had to swallow it. That being said Greg and I made these and I wanted seconds! The barbecue sauce is fantastic on everything, chicken, pork, and I even throw a little in my meatloaf. MMMMMM!!!!! I hope you enjoy it too!

Barbecued Burgers
SAUCE:
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. molasses (I've omitted this before and it still tasted great)
2 t. prepared mustard
1 1/2 t. worcestershire sauce
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. Liquid smoke
1/8 t. pepper

BURGERS:
1 egg beaten
1/3 c. quick oats
1/4 t. onion salt
1/4 t. garlic salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/8 t. salt
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
6 hamberuger buns, split (don't get the cheapy buns get a good Kaiser roll and toast it, fabulous!)
Toppings of your choice

Directions: In a small saucepan, combine the 1st 10 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Set aside 1 c. barbecue sauce to serve with burgers.
In a bowl, combine the egg, oats, 1/4 c. of the remaining barbecue sauce, onion salt, garlic salt, pepper, and salt. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Shape into 6 patties. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees, basting with 1/2 c. barbecue sauce during the last 5 minutes. If desired put sliced cheese on top the last couple of minutes of cooking to allow it melt. Serve on buns with toppings of your choice and reserved barbecue sauce. Yield 6 servings.

Double French Braids into Messy Buns

I really liked this one. It looked so cute on Lorelei. It fits her spunky personality.