Your It.....

So here's my tag...I tag... HAYLIE (I'll get you to blog somehow!), Cara, Kristy and Jessica. Anyone can copy these and tag - it's really quick & easy.

The Rules: Answer the questions using only one word. Then tag four others.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? erik
3. Your hair? highlighted
4. Your mother? kind
5. Your father? loyal
6. Your favorite thing? creating
7. Your dream last night? strrrrange
8 Your favorite drink? soda
9. Your dream/goal? author
10. The room you’re in? office
11. Your hobby? reading
12. Your fear? separation
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? fit
14. What you’re not? asleep
15. Muffins? cranberry
16. One of your wish list items? vacation
17. Where you grew up? Utah
18. The last thing you did? dessert
19. What are you wearing? pjs
20. Favorite gadget? ipod
21. Your pets? notyet
22. Your computer? Dell
23. Your mood? peaceful
24. Missing someone? yes
25. Your car? safe
26. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
27. Favorite store? PineNeedles
28. Like someone? yes
29. Your favorite color? robinegg
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? weeks

Pie Crust & Strawberry Rubarb Pie

I was preparing pie crust to make a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie for my family tonight. There are lots of recipes out their for pie crust but the one from Cooks Illustrated is my favorite. It uses a combination of butter and shortening. The butter makes it flaky and delicious, the shortening makes it workable and holds together well. I use my food processor for all of it by simply pulsing the mixture. I love their cookbook The Best Recipe http://www.amazon.com/Recipe-Editors-Cooks-Illustrated-Magazine/dp/0936184388/ref=sr_1_10?e=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217180837&sr=8-10

They spent countless hours researching each recipe to come up with the very best, tried and true collection. It is like a cooking bible at my house. Their flour less chocolate cakes are another one of my favorites (mmm...maybe tomorrow for family night we'll make that...when's lunch? All this food talk has me hungry.)

My Strawberry Rhubarb Pie recipe comes from Erik's grandma with some modifications by me over the years.

1 1/4 c. sugar

4 tbsp. flour

2-3 tbsp. instant tapioca

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

2 c. rhubarb stalks, cubed

2 1/2 c. strawberries, quartered

2 tbsp. butter

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine in a small bowl, sugar, flour, tapioca, and salt. (You can substitute corn starch for tapioca.) In a larger bowl combine rhubarb and strawberries. Add sugar mixture and combine until fruit mixture is covered. Dump into prepared pie crust. Dot with butter. Cover with remaining pie crust for the top, crimp edges.

Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees, bake for 30-40 minutes more until crust is browned. Allow to cool at least an hour before serving. (The cooling process is what thickens the mixture, if you can't wait long before serving it will still taste good, it will just be runny.)

There is nothing like a yummy pie baking in the oven on a summer afternoon! It just makes the whole family happy! Enjoy!

Reunion

Since I was just too busy to even get out my camera (I'm full of tidy excuses) I am having to borrow pics from my adorable sister-in-laws site. Thanks!

We had so much fun at our family "reunion". Boondocks was so much fun and Elizabeth and I were soaked on the bumper boats (and we got the people standing around good too)! Loon cabin was so fun and I'll have to link you to Kristy's site to see the pics of Erik when he dumped the canoe in the lake (with 10 yr old Matthew). When Matthew swam back to the dock he climbed up and said "I just wanted to go by myself." I'm sure you did Matthew, I'm sure you did! It was so fun and my kids were "going" the whole time. Every time they walked by I'd think, I haven't seen you all day -- "Hey stranger!" Anyway, it was loads of fun -- thanks Mom and Dad for an awesome week!! Here are some pictures...

http://www.abunchofstoners.com/

The Stoner Family

Just thought I'd show off my sWinGin' family! Isn't this photo of all of us so great? (Grady's just a little itty bitty thing so it's not much of a representation of him though.) I have the most amazing family in the WORLD. I am so glad that families can be forever because it just wouldn't be heaven if we were not all together through the eternities.

(btw...I know I got tagged a while ago --- I'll get to it soon!)

I am just amazed at the good people...out doing good things. Here's a link to read about my friend and HERO. Amy you are the greatest. I hope one day I can be as selfless and brave as you!
http://www.mostcutefamily.blogspot.com/

How forgetful we become

So I have been guilty once or twice of wondering why my younger kids are not as well behaved as my older one was. A big part of it is that with your oldest there is just one.....but doesn't your mind also play little tricks by forgetting just what each day was like. I have been going through scanning photos of McCall from my pre-digital era......and as I look back and remember each moment associated with each picture..... I must say..... she had her share of mischief.

(Oh and don't comment on what time this is posted -- I know I should be in bed!!!)