Some more favorites ~

My new Favorite ~

Anyone who knows me knows I love cookbooks. I collect them, I buy them as souvenirs on trips, I read them over and over, and yes I even cook from them. Today I found a new favorite.

It is The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I've loved her blog which is full of fun stories, pictures and recipes. This cookbook has it all. The recipes look wonderful and I can tell it will be on my night table for quite a while, when it isn't in the kitchen. It is full of real food recipes, beautiful photos and of course her stories. And to top it all off she loves Basset Hounds too. Yes, this is a short blog post today, I've got some reading to do.

Hot Bacon Cheese Spread ~

If you love melted cheese and bacon, you will love today's recipe on my Cooking blog. It is a family favorite that we usually make for holiday parties. I know you'll love it too.

Cooking From the Heart Blog

Spread the word ~

My sister's friend Laura is having a giveaway.  They are giant 42" initials. They would make a great decorating accent.  I'd love a "W" for my craft room.  Stop and see here.

Bowtie Pasta Recipe ~

I just added this delicious recipe to my Cooking Blog.  The link is in the right column.

Introducing . . .

. . my new Cooking Blog.  COOKING FROM THE HEART!

I can't wait to share some fun recipes and cooking adventures with you. There is a link in the left column so it will be easy to find. Leave me a comment on the cooking blog to let me know what recipes you'd like to see. Hope you'll join me on this new adventure.

It's a Work Day ~

And Gus is helping.  Well, not really, he is trying, but he gets in the way and hauls off the tools. But he sure is cute doing it.

More Sewing Fun ~

It has been so fun to get back into sewing and quilting.  There truly is a time and a season for everything.  And the fabrics and patterns now are cuter than ever.  Look at this:

You can go here to see more of her cute things and enter to win this fabric bundle.  Kati Cupcake Blog.

A time to sew ~

Last week I finally took some time to sew and finish up this bag.  I think it sat around unfinished for a few months because I didn't like the handles. But, I came up with a quick fix and I love how it turned out.  When I make the pattern up as I go, that kind of thing tends to happen often. But I love how it turned out.

Gus at 16 weeks ~

We've almost had Gus for two months now and he has been a great addition to our family. He has learned that if he sits on a rug, he gets puppy treats. He knows that we keep his food in the pantry, so he will sit between it and his food bowl looking back and forth when he is hungry, which is quite often. He is enjoying trips to the backyard more now that it is a little warmer, warm for Idaho that is. He went for a walk around the block, this was really a big deal. His ears are getting longer and his skin is getting baggier. He is a perfect little basset hound.

Bring in the dogs ~

We need to made a few new introductions now that our family is increasing. When Jennifer married Trever that added his dog Roxie to the family. She is a Lab/Heeler mix. Then Jennifer and Trever got a little black lab puppy for Christmas. Her name is Molly. So now when all of the dogs get together it is lots of fun. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what I mean.

Happy New Year ~

I hope all of you have had fun New Years Celebrations with your friends and family. We celebrated with Pepperoni Pizza and Root Beer, which Kymber thinks is a perfect party. It was fun to be together. Jen and Trever joined us for dinner and games before they got on their way to another party. (they brought their dogs too, watch for another post with pictures of them) Jen spent 11 hours making Pizza for other peoples parties and was exhausted. The little girls and all of the dogs made it quite lively here for a while. Before they went shopping this morning, I got the girls to sit still for pictures.

Kymber loves Gus. Here are a few funny pictures of her trying to hold him.

So now the little girls are headed home, Kristine is off with friends and Gus is playing with his toys in front of the fire. Life is pretty much back to normal.

Gus is Growing ~

Don't you just love this little scrunched up face? I do! It is hard to get him to hold his head up for pictures. If he doesn't then all of his skin ends up over his eyes and you can't see them. It makes him look kind of grumpy doesn't it? But he is not a grumpy dog. He is so full of puppy energy, ready to play or just snuggle on the couch with you. We are doing our best to spoil him and having fun teaching him how to be a good boy at the same time. A couple of days ago, he went to the back door and "knocked" to go out. How's that for a smart little puppy!?!

Sledding in Arco ~

Today was such a fun family day. We loaded up Kristine and Gus and went out to Arco to see Michelle and Alex and the girls. Alex found a sledding hill that had enough snow and we were off. Thank goodness Grandma's have cameras so we don't have to ride the sleds, and son-in-laws that will 4-wheel drive us into the middle of the action. Kymber was such a brave sledder and it was so cute how she held onto Sydni for their own ride down the hill. I love family days like this, life just doesn't get much better.

Yes, we took Gus. Isn't he growing. I'll post more of him tomorrow.

"I Heard the Bells..." ~

I love this Christmas Hymn. It is a sentimental favorite that always reminds me of sitting in Church at Christmastime with my family. I would always sing alto, and I remember my Dad singing bass. It was such a favorite wherever we were living. This year it hadn't been on any of the programs throughout December and last Sunday when we got to church I looked at the bulletin and it wasn't scheduled that day either. I figured I would just miss out on that memory this year, but as they were closing the meeting they announced a change and "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day" was the closing hymn. I was thrilled, but as they started the prelude I got so choked up with memories, that I couldn't sing. Yeah, I sat there in tears listening and remembering so many wonderful years of memories with my family. So to my dear family, I hope all of you enjoyed your holidays as you were literally spread from one corner of this country to the other. You were thought of, remembered and missed.

Cute puppy picture ~

I'm sure you all have been waiting to see how Gus is growing. He is almost 3 months old now.

Dinnertime ~

It is time to start cooking dinner. Today I am doing Enchilladas. It is a family favorite and something that I know everyone enjoys. I'd add the recipe, but I think all three of my blog readers all ready have it. It takes a while to make, but is worth when you get everyone around the dinner table. Today, however it is much more fun to cook. I've got Gus running around the kitchen "helping" me. He will sit on my feet when I'm standing still, or run to his bag of food when he sees the pantry door open. More than once, he has gotten stepped on too. Those big puppy feet and long ears are always in the way.

Just wanted to add that it has been worth the frequent trips out to the freezing cold backyard to have a little friend again. We all are enjoying him.

Raisin Pie ~

I've found over the years that people have strong opinions about Raisin Pie. Rod loves it, and I don't. But I have learned to make a pretty good one, or so I've been told. When I started making them, less than a month after we were married, Rod would eat the whole pie. Now, I just make them on special occasions like Church Dinners when they ask for pot luck desserts. This way Rod can have his piece and the other 5 people who love Raisin Pie can get their fix too. I have go back to my old, old from the '50s Betty Crocker Cookbook for the recipe. So here is your notice, if you are one of the handful of people that love Raisin Pie, be sure and make it to the Pioneer Ward Christmas Dinner tonight. I'm sure they will be lining up to get their Raisin Pie, or maybe the line will be for the Prime Rib?