Little Orange Chicken

A while back, Mom posted a recipe called, "Little Pink Chicken." When I read Steve's request for Orange Chicken I thought about the pink one and wondered if it could be turned orange instead. I found an orange sauce reciple online. We tried this out on Monday, and I have to say, it's pretty darn good. This recipe served my family of 4 with no leftovers. Steve, I would suggest doubling it for a family that includes Jared.

Little Orange Chicken
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 tsp garlic salt
Cornstach
1 egg
1 tsp water
1 tsp fresh ginger
3 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp water
3/4 cups sugar
3/4 cups vinegar, white or rice
zest of 1 orange
juice of orange
Cut chicken breasts into chunks and sprinkle with garlic salt. Beat egg with water and ginger. Dip chicken chunks in egg mixture, then in cornstarch. Fry in hot oil until brown. Place in casserole dish. Combine soy sauce, water, sugar, vinegar, orange zest and juice. Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through. Pour over chicken and bake for 30-35 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Serve over rice.
Note: for more of a kick, add a sprinkling of hot pepper flakes to the cornstarch.

Fight or Flight-a Memory from High School

In high school I was fortunate to have a really good group of friends. Our main circle consisted of me, two or three other girls and about eight or nine boys. We had a great time, especially our junior year.

It was spring and we were itching for school to get out. At the same time we tried to spend as much non-school time together as possible before everyone went their separate ways for summer. On one such night someone suggested we go to "Lover's Lane" and tell ghost stories.

Lover's Lane is what it sounds like, a lane. I don't know which of my friends discovered it but there is a secret little cave just to the south of the lane. We would park our cars in the lane, walk through the trees and a two or three-step climb would put us in a crevice with sheer cliffs on all sides but the opening. There is enough room for a handful of people and a small fire pit in the center--a perfect place for a night of story telling.

The sky was clear, the moon was full and it was unusually warm for spring. We lit a fire and after some creative seating we started our stories. Some were scary, some weren't. I probably told the "wrap, wrap" story of Grandpa's. Wells was from Oregon so he had a bunch of stories about Sasquatch--Big Foot, some call it. After an hour or so my friend, Wells, had to leave--he usually had an earlier curfew than most of us. Royce had come with him so he left too. That kind of broke the heavy mood that comes when you are telling stories like that.

The rest of us wanted to stay just a little bit longer. Our conversations changed from stories to the usual teenage chatter. Pretty soon I felt a wet drop on my face. I thought that was weird because last time I checked there were no clouds in the sky. I told my friends that I thought it was starting to rain. Several of us looked up at the clear sky, expecting to see rain clouds. Just then something moved at the top of the cliff. No, not moved, stood up and leaned over us. In the light of the moon we could see a tall, hairy figure stand up on its hind legs. My heart started pumping like it never has before, adrenaline came next. I knew my life was in danger. It was the only time in my life that I felt that "fight or flight" instinct. What could this beast be? Someone let out a scream. I grabbed on to the arm of the boy next to me and tried in vain to hide under him. The other two girls ran out the opening of the cave and the rest of us were trying to figure out what was going on and what we should do. Then, a laugh from above and two familiar voices--the boys that left earlier. It was a hoax.

Recipe Request

Does anyone have a good Orange Chicken recipe? If so, please post and Kristin will nominate you for posting the top recipe (even though it is past Christi's deadline).

Father Bird

For the past few weeks we have enjoyed watching our own nature show under the awning of our back porch. Not sure what kind of birds they are (should have done some research) but they were fun to watch. The nest was mostly built before we noticed what was going on. Both the Mother and the Father worked hard gathering twigs and straw and things to make a cozy home for their babies. I would like to think the Father had some input on where to build the nest as it was nestled up tight against the north-east corner, able to withstand some 40 to 50 mph winds we had this spring. We discovered that with a hand mirror and a chair we could get a glimpse of the tiny baby blue colored eggs, 5 in all. We watched as they took turns sitting on the eggs. On one occasion as I thought I was about to witness an exchange, instead I saw Father bird feed his mate. After they hatched we watched as mom and dad took turns sitting with and bringing food to the babies. It seemed that the dad was feeding them the most. Two weeks from the time they hatched I was in the back yard mowing the lawn and decided to take a quick peek to see how they were doing. Much to my dismay and horror, two of the babies fluttered out of the nest as I must of startled them. I quickly ran into the house barking the command, "don't let the dog out". I went out the front door and then around the side of the house to watch and see if they would fly back up to the nest. After a few minutes I watched the father come swooping in calling to his babies. He flew to a low hanging branch where he knew they could fly up to. I left before they flew from this branch but felt comfort knowing they were being cared for by a loving dad. The birds are gone now but an impression remains. Just as in nature, we were provided with shelter, food, protection, love and care untill we left the nest, and after we left the nest. Thank you Dad. You are the best! Love, Ron

A Father

A father is the founder of a family, a patriarch. He cares for the family, provides for them. A father is a friend, a confidante, a hero.

His role is to teach, discipline and lead with love. He laughs and cries with you and gives you encouragement when you need it. He lends a hand, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on.

He is the father of many,

and will take the hand of one small child and show her the way.

Thank you Dad

Because I had such an amazing childhood filled with nothing but good memories, I knew that I wanted to marry someone who would be the kind of father that my dad has been to me. Someone hard working that could always provide for our family. Someone strong in the gospel, always teaching our children what is right. Someone that is fun-loving and can still be a kid at heart. Someone who will take time to do things with our kids that will make lasting memories. Someone who will love our children unconditionally even if they've lost their way. Someone who will instill strong values in our children that will stay with them forever.
I knew when I married Jason that he had all of these qualities. And since he has become a father he has proven that to me.
Thank you daddy for showing me by example the kind of man I should marry. And thank you Jason for being that man. I love you both so much.

My dad the cheerleader

Whenever I think of my dad, the word cheerleader comes to mind. And not just because Dad was one of Beaver High's.

Whatever I've been involved in in life, Dad's been there to cheer me on. I remember him at my volleyball games, even though the games were in the afternoon--when he should have been working--and our team didn't do much to cheer about. Church softball--he was there. Musicals, too. Dad gave the loudest shout when I was named a Sterling Scholar. And when I tried out for Dairy Princess, Dad not only cheered, he came up with my jingle.

There have been other times, too, when the event wasn't as pleasant, that Dad was there to pull me through. Like the time he came to help us move from Texas to Connecticut. Dad drove Jeff's Prizm for twenty-something hours while I sat in the back seat with a new baby. Dad was there to hold my hand when I had lasik surgery, and drove me home after the deed was done.

It's nice to know that whatever I do, whatever happens to me in life, I have my own personal cheerleader. And I know the rest of my siblings could say the same.

Tribute to Dad

Me: “Dad, you don’t need to drive all the way to Enterprise just to see our game. They’re not very good and it won’t be a very good game.”
Dad: “I know. I want to go anyway just so I can see you play.”

And so it went for the years I played basketball. Dad was my biggest fan. He wasn’t as loud as Uncle John. He didn’t keep stats like Roger Don’s mom. He didn’t take pictures that were keepers (maybe ceiling shots have some aesthetic value to someone somewhere), but he was always at the games cheering me on. His dedication as a father didn’t begin or end when I played ball. I’m sure the dedication began well before I could even talk and has continued throughout my life. Basketball just happened to be a vehicle for dad to demonstrate his dedication. Thanks for always being there for me, Dad. I love you

When the World Disappears

I have had several pivotal moments in my life when, for some compelling reason, the world seems to disappear. One such moment happened before Kristin and I started dating. I was invited to Kristin’s surprise birthday party by her roommates. I arrived a little early and the roommates invited me to help make a banana split for the birthday girl. The split included all of Kristin’s favorites, including gummy bears. After Kristin joined us, we sang happy birthday then we all proceeded to eat our banana splits. After I finished mine, I noticed Kristin was struggling to eat her rather large banana split. I offered to help. As soon as Kristin and I started our conversation, the world around us melted into oblivion and there were just two of us in the room. By the end of the conversation, I had invited her to go to a BYU football game with me. The rest is history. Another moment, which fits the theme for the week, happened when Derek was a young lad. Derek was just turning 3 when he and I attended a Father and Son campout. The evening festivities were fun. We enjoyed the typical campfire dinner and conversation. The next morning after breakfast, Derek and I had some free time and debated what we should do. We brought baseball gear, a soccer ball and a few other miscellaneous toys. Derek wanted to try out his new butterfly catching kit that he got for his birthday. Through adult eyes, the kit was rather flimsy and the butterfly population was unspectacular. My expectations were low, but I couldn’t resist Derek’s request. We armed ourselves with various butterfly catching equipment and struck out on our quest. Somewhere along the way, the world disappeared around us and it was just Derek and me enjoying the moment. Derek’s enthusiasm and vigor was infectious and I found myself wishing the moment would never end. These moments, along with hundreds of others, are why I cherish the titles of husband and father above all else.

Brendon, Taylor & Michael

A good family picture

Siennah

She's cute even when she pouts

My Father

After a period of 53 years I still miss my father. I only knew him for a short twenty-four years but I loved him with all of my heart. I was the fortunate child in our family because he chose me to be his farm helper. Not every girl gets to work side by side with their father on a farm like I did. Perhaps at the time I didn't view it as a learning experience but in looking back I can see that many of my talents and skills originated from things I learned on the farm. But more than anything I reveled in the opportunity to experience nature on the farm with my father. I can remember watching a thunderstorm develop over the southern mountains and then work its way towards the farm. I could keep working until I felt the first raindrops and then my father and I would find shelter in the truck or under a tree or behind the hay stack. We would silently crouch there together and watch the rain spash in the puddles and listen to the thunder roll. Even now when I smell the freshness of the earth after a rainstorm these memories flood back to my mind in a flash. I can remember the wild animals that passed our paths often; the blow snake, the skunk, the butterflies, an occasional weasel, a porcupine, rabbits galore. They all brought a sense of wonderment to my world and my father seemed just as excited to see them as I was. Every day I would look up and watch a pair of eagles soar through the sky on a breezew that kept them up without movement from their wings. I knew they were eagles because my father told me so. I don't remember receiving lectures or wordy discourses from my father but he taught me much by example and by his patience. I made many mistakes when I was learning how to drive a tractor and herd cows and harvest hay but I can never remember being scolded. He would just smile and encourage me to do better the next time. I am looking forward to the time when I can introduce my father to my wonderful family and let him get to know the grandchildren he was beginning to love when his life was shortened by a sudden illness. I know you will love him like I do.

Another Fairy Cottage

Tamsyn and Megyn built another Fairy house for some lucky fairy.

Megyn by the barn

Tamsyn by the barn

Today's excursion

Today we went to "the barn" up by the Upper Telluride. For those of you who have been there you will remember the waterfall up the river a short ways from the barn. Today it was overflowing with tons of water. I have never seen it with this much water spilling over.

Cuzins

Siennah posing

Michael posing

Siennah and Michael

Siennah and Michael had matching outfits and ended up being the center of attention as they hammed it up for pictures

Big trucks

Michael also liked his big trucks.

Michael is two

We had a delightful birthday party for Michael on Sunday with 13 family members and two dogs. Michael was overwhelmed with all of his presents but his favorite gift was a pair of sun glasses with Nemo on the rims.

Megyn

Tamsyn

We shot a few pictures of Tamsyn and Megyn while we were there.

Fairy Cottage

Color added by Photoshop!

This is a fairy house created by Tamsyn and Megyn using available materials at Ponderosa. They were quite imaginative.

"The ROCK"

This is "the Rock" out in the middle of the river at Ponderosa in the

spring high water using a slow shutter speed. This one is for Josh.

Black Beans & Chicken

Black Beans and Chicken
Ingredients :
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can of black beans, drained
1 small can of green chilies
1/2 packet of taco seasoning
1/2 bottle of red taco sauce

Place chicken breasts in your crock pot and sprinkle the taco seasoning on the chicken. Add the rest of the ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours (or longer if the chicken is frozen. Stir and shred the chicken before serving. Serve with cheese and sour cream in a tortilla or on tortilla chips for nachos.
I love this recipe because it is so easy and it is so yummy! The pictures don't do it justice. It tastes so much better than it looks!

Chocolate Mint Brownies

4 squares (4 oz.) unsweetened chocolate
1 cup margarine
4 beaten eggs
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped nuts

Melt the chocolate and margarine in the top of a double boiler. Add sugar and eggs, and then add remaining ingredients. Pour into 9" x 13" pan and bake at 350 for 30 - 35 minutes. Cool.

Frosting:
4 Tbs. margarine
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbs. cream or canned milk
1 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
Green food coloring

Melt butter in hot cream. Add to powdered sugar. Add flavoring and coloring. Beat until smooth and spread over cooled brownies. Place in refrigerator to cool.

Chocolate Galze:
6 Tbs. butter
6 oz. (1 cup) chocolate chips
Melt together

Spread over frosted brownies. Cool in refrigerator until top layer is hardened.

Picture available, see "Jared's Trick"

Jared's Trick

About the Picture. Even though Jared is very capable of eating the entire plate of brownies himself, he wants to share. There are two ways for him to do so. One, everyone can come to Texas and share the plate with him. Two, everyone can try out the potential award winning recipe and share with their own family. Jared's trick is he will do almost anything if food is offered as a reward, including having his picture taken (this picture only cost two brownies which is amazing, since Jared hates to have his picture taken).

Roasted New Potatoes

Before roasting

A Kelsey Family Favorite!

Ingredients:

2 Tbs canola or olive oil

2 lbs. new potatoes, unpeeled and quartered

1 Tbs minced garlic

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme

1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and next 4 ingredients. Toss. Remove skillet from heat; place in oven.

Roast potatoes, uncovered, at 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast uncovered 6 more minutes. Serve immediately.

Lazy Day Version:

2 lbs. potatoes, quartered

1 pkt. dry ranch dressing mix

2 Tbs oil

Follow directions above substituting dressing mix for herbs.

After roasting.

White Chocolate Popcorn

I know what you're thinking--two ingredients, what a cop out. However, since we discovered this recipe we've shared it at several large group gatherings and never failed to earn raves. For a lesser amount use one bag popcorn and 1/2 bag chocolate chips.

White Chocolate Popcorn

2-3 bags microwave popcorn, popped

1 12-oz bag white chocolate chips.

Pop popcorn. Place in large bowl. Melt white chocolate chips in microwave. Pour over popcorn and stir to evenly coat. Spread popcorn on a cookie sheet and place in fridge or freezer for a minute or two to allow chocolate to harden. Serve.

Note: you could use an equivalent amount of air-popped popcorn, if you desire, but do salt it. The combination of sweet and salty is what makes this treat deliciously addictive.

Steve's Entry

San Antonio Barbecue Chicken

1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup smoky barbecue sauce
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
2 lbs chicken, boneless and skinless is best
1 gallon size ziploc bag

Combine liquid ingredients and spices in bag to create marinade. Mix well. Place chicken in bag and seal. Marinate in refrigerator 2 hours. Drain chicken and discard marinade. Grill, bake, broil or saute chicken as desired until fully cooked.

Picture not available (do not associate the picture in "Jake's Trick" with this entry)

Jake's Trick

About the picture. After selecting the recipe to enter into the competition, I thought I would be creative with the picture. I saved two pieces of San Antonio chicken from our Sunday dinner so I could demonstrate the chicken along with Jakes trick. After I took the picture and told my family my intentions, they simultaneously shouted, "That's Gross". I see their point. It is gross to see a dog hovering over food that you are pitching as a potential award winning recipe (Mom's entry notwithstanding). Even though this picture happens to include San Antonio chicken, this picture stands alone as Jake's trick. Jake's trick is that he won't eat treats until he is released by command.

Infirmary Update

Finally some good news coming out of the medical community. Jared had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday. The doctor cleared Jared from all restrictions. The news came exactly 3 months sooner than expected. Jared was thrilled. To celebrate, he went to open gym at the high school and played pick up basketball. Wednesday night, he played in his first game. Last night, he played in his second. I went to both of his games. As expected, Jared is out of shape. His timing is a little off. His shot is a little off, but not too bad. In his own words, he has "no vertical". Yet despite all that, he still had a decent game last night. He scored 10 points, blocked three shots and cleared 6 rebounds. The coach, who can only watch from the stands, told me he thought Jared was better than he expected. Jared has a long way to go to get back into basketball shape, but at least he is able to start. Jared plans to work hard this summer to put on a few pounds and to get into basketball shape.
Speaking of basketball shape, I played on Tuesday and either the group I am playing with is getting younger, or I'm getting older. Actually, it is both. There are a bunch of recent college grads who have joined us and I'm the token old man. After me, the next oldest is 31. I survived, but like Jared, I'm out of shape, my timing is off, my shot is off and I have no vertical. Yet despite all that, I had fun. I'll put a fork in it when the game stops being fun!

Ron's Recipe!!!!!!

Ron's fantastic Fry Sauce

1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup mayo
1 Tbs KC master piece BBQ sauce

Mix all the stuff together in a bowl and dip your fries in it.
Makes enough for a bunch of fries.

(No photo available, I ate all the fries)

Siennah

Marilee and Rosie

I took a bunch of pictures of Mariliee playing with Rosie. This one is a classic! I love it.

Sisters

Lyssy

Siennah

Siennah was holding one of Alyssa's birthday roses

Siennah

Alyssa

Alyssa

Happy Birthday, Alyssa

This is our lyssy lou on her 20th birthday with her new hair-do and glasses. Isn't she gorgeous?

Ponderosa

This is the river from the bridge at Ponderosa. I can remember standing here with Brendon many, many years ago and we could hear the rocks rolling across the bottom of the river. We couldn't hear them rolling today because the roar of the river was too loud but I'm sure they were rolling!

Muddy

The stream was really muddy because it is melting fast, I guess. This was taken at the divider place just before it arrived.

High Water

We knew it would! The water in the mountains, I mean, it's coming down in one big gush. We drove up to Ponderosa today and witnessed it in all it's fury. The only thing missing from these pictures is the sound effects. This one is taken at the divider place at the mouth of the canyon and it was "roarin'"

Last image

By the time I reached here it was getting pretty dark. I cranked my ISO up to 3200 and took this picture. Amazing what that camera can do.

sunset behind me

I turned around and the sky looked better from the east than it did from the west. Here it is

Joyce Boyter's barn

I took a picture of Joyce's barn on my way