25 Things About Me

25 Things About Me- From Facebook


Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1) Tag 25 people? I don't know 25 people.
2) I moved around when I was growing up....Okinawa, Louisiana, New York, etc.
3) I was baptized in the ocean.
4) I love to collect cookbooks. I think it's genetic.
5) I gave birth to premature twins.
6) I love cheese.
7) I have a house in California and one in Arizona. I like them both.
8) I'm a teacher with a Master's Degree in Cross-Cultural Language Acquistion/Multicultural Ed.
9) I don't mind flying but I hate airports.
10) I homeschooled my daughters.
11) I like musicals. I'm going to see "Wicked" for my anniversary.
12) I just got a new mini-lap for work and I love it! It's dinky.
13) I wish I could sew. I have visions of myself sewing. But it just doesn't happen.
14) I'm trying to figure out how to make whole wheat bread without it turning out like a brick.
15) I have a raclette. And you don't.
16) My husband is a graphic artist.
17) I have insomnia. When I do sleep, my dreams are vivid.
18) I am always cold. ALWAYS.
19) I hate to try on clothes.
20) I like to surprise people.
21) I spend a lot of my day buying things....educational things. It's fun though.
22) I love to watch the Food Network. Challenge, Throwdown and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives are my favorite.
23) My favorite thing to do when I travel is try to find out where the locals eat.
24) When I go to Arizona, I like to hike, play, tennis and swim.
25) I have a lot to learn.

My Other Blog

I've got another blog. It's a group blog and focuses on living simply but well. I just posted a post there with specific information on buying homes in Queen Creek, AZ. You can check it out at: http://wisewordsfromfriends.blogspot.com/

Holiday Recipes

Kelly's Easy Manicotti

1 lb. Ricotta
1/2 c. Parmesan
1 T. Parsley (I used Italian seasoning)
garlic and nutmeg to taste
2 eggs beaten
8 oz. Shredded Mozzarella--save some for top

Spaghetti Sauce
Egg Roll Wrappers (available in the produce section)

Mix the top ingredients to the consistency of mashed potatoes. Spoon into the egg roll wrappers and roll up. Place some spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Then put in the manicotti rolls. Spoon spaghetti sauce on top and the rest of the mozzarella. Bake at 350 until hot and bubbly.

Cider Cheese Fondue--We doubled it and served it with BBQ ribs.

3/4 c. apple cider
2. cups shredded cheddar
1 c. shredded Swiss
1 T. cornstarch
1/8 t. pepper

french bread, pears and broccoli

Boil the cider and add the remaining fondue sauce ingredients (toss them together first). Dip in bread, pears and broccoli.



Raclette Christmas Eve 2008 version

Mango sausage
Sundried tomato sausage
5 kinds of Spanish Cheeses
5 kinds of other European Cheeses
chopped bell pepper and onion
sliced fresh pear, apple and pineapple
French bread
raspberry honey mustard dipping sauce
roasted red pepper and onion dipping sauce

Peanut Butter Cookies


1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 c. peanut butter
2 c. Bisquick
1 tsp. vanilla
Granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, beat sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth. Add Bisquick and vanilla; mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Flatten with fork or , bake 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool. Store in tight container. Can be topped with a Hershey kiss after baking (instead of flattening).

Mexican Wedding Cookies
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups butter or margarine, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 1/2 cups flour
1 cup finely chopped nuts
1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional powdered sugar


1. Heat oven to 400°F. In large bowl, mix 1 cup powdered sugar, the butter and vanilla. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until dough holds together.
2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Roll in additional powdered sugar while warm. Cool completely on wire rack, about 30 minutes. Roll in powdered sugar again.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Bake 9 to 11 minutes.

Secret Saguaro Sugar Cookies
(Use the CUT OUT Cookie recipe on the back of the package) Ha!



Hearty Chicken and Noodles Soup Try It!
Recipe Category: Soups
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Yields: 8

1 bag (12 oz.)Reames® Home Style Egg Noodles (Frozen Section of Walmart-YUMMY)
12 oz.boneless, skinless chicken breast cubed & precooked
1 can (32 oz.)chicken broth
2 largeonions, chopped
2 tbsp.parsley, snipped
1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
1 bag (16 oz.)frozen mixed vegetables
2 cupsmilk
2 tbsp.all-purpose flour
Preparation: Place chicken cubes, chicken broth, onion, parsley, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf in large Dutch oven. Bring to boil. Add noodles and frozen mixed vegetables. Return to boil. Simmer covered for 20 to 25 minutes or until noodles are almost tender. Combine 1/2 cup milk and flour, mix until smooth. Add to noodle mixture. Add remaining milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.