Gone Fishing...

All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.  So....

Here we were on a mile trek across the country in search of a fishing spot.

Matthew is being carried....LUCKY!

And there was Michael catching, "THE BIG ONE!"..... TOTALLY  PRETENDING!

MY GIRL...

(by the way, her fishing pole is black and pink, her daddy pick it)

Cameron, Jeremy and Matthew are preparing their poles and lines and bait....  They all know what they are doing.  Can you tell???

It is a beautiful runoff from Lake Benbrook.

At first there are Mesquite Trees for as far as the eye can see.  Then it drops down into a ravine and such gorgeous scenery meets the eye as you approach the river.  

 Sooo relaxing.  We were the only ones there. 

Some of our comrades had to be carried 

off the battlefield...and to the car.

You see,  going fishing all day is A LOT of work!

You should try it sometime...  =)

Elyse playing dress up!

I always find it so cute to see Elyse 

playing dress up in my old dress.

Can you tell she loves dressing up?

 We love her!

Big Brother, Little Brother

Cameron telling Matthew "No, No" for something.

It's so sweet that Matthew thinks that the big boys

 are just wonderful.  =)

He tries to imitate them in everything.

A Lesson in Chess

A Lesson in Chess 

Siria's Homemade Salsa

My mom's salsa

I started with 15 Roma Tomatoes

 (don't count them because I actually didn't use these at all.  =))

                                       

Boil the tomatoes and peppers till soft.

(You can boil more than just two if desired)

Put the tomatoes and peppers in the blender 

and blend for 30 seconds or so.

(I actually start off with one pepper at a time.  

In case they are really MEAN)

                                                 

(I know this doesn't look authentic but,

 it beats roasting a garlic clove which can actually add an extra 10 min to my salsa making.  

It is worth it if you want to take the time.)

IF  not just add about 10 to 15 shakes of the stuff to the blender.  =)

Here's the cilantro and onion just waiting impatiently to be chopped up into little pieces of yummy.... I don't what. 

Like I said...

Chop...

And add....

Chop...

And add...

Mix really good and I guess reach for a nice unstale (I don't think that's even a word) tortilla chip.

Always feel free to add more garlic salt to your salsa  till your taste buds find it... well Yummy!  

(I actually don't know how to metaphor sentences very well. Or is that a simile or is it anything?)

Matthew and the Dog

Matthew and our Dog :)

Here is Matthew, already walking pretty good.

Sorry for the bumpy start!  

Saturday we spent all day outside tearing down our old chicken coop and getting the shed ready for moving it to a different spot. 

 I made Charro Beans and Salsa to go with chips.  

We then had lunch outside in the 70 degree winter day!

They just love it when I do this to them!

I will try and post my salsa for those of you who would like the recipe...

This was my belated birthday cake that Eric and Elyse made for me.

I thought they did a pretty good job!  =) 

Eric and I have been making homemade bread lately and Eric found this really yummy recipe online.  It makes 3 nice size loaves, which is great for our size family! =)

Here's the recipe for anyone interested.

Homemade White Bread

Starter:

1 c. milk

1c. sugar

1c. flour

Mix sugar, flour and stir in milk.  Store in refrigerator.  Stir  and add 1 t. sugar every 3 or 4 days.

Bread:

2 pkgs. yeast

2 c. warm water

1/4 c. oil

1 egg beaten

1 c. bread starter

2 T.  sugar

2 T. salt

6 1/2 to 7 c. of bread flour 

Dissolve both packages of yeast in 1 cup of very warm water.  Add oil, egg, salt, sugar and 1 c. bread starter. Mix well; and 1/2 of the bread flour and the rest of the water.  Mix well and add remaining flour.  Dump out on floured counter and knead for 10 min. ( I just let my mixer do all the work.  I just time it)  Place in oiled bowl, turn over, cover with plastic wrap and let rise to top of bowl.  Punch down. Let rest while greasing pans. Divide dough into 3 equal parts.  Place in 3 greased bread pans and let rise again.  Bake at 350 for 20-30 min. Cool on rack. Brush tops of loaves with butter while still warm.  May be frozen.  Makes great toast.

Of course nothing to go with homemade bread as homemade freezer jam! Strawberry in this case.  =)