Learning how to make the perfect pie crust

Julie and her girls taught us how to make the perfect pie crust! 

Reason to do the Happy Dance!!

So 9 times out of ten I leave Emma's diabetes appointments fighting tears, sometimes i cry the whole way home and sometimes i cry all day. It just builds and builds you know. I usually receive bad numbers on an important blood test that clues us in on how bad her diabetes is and her doctor scares the crap out of me when he does the math on how long we have now until the scary/ life threatening complications set in. Pretty depressing to go through that every 1-2 months when I spend 24/7 fighting this nasty disease and trying so hard to get her sugar in control. But this time we had our breath of fresh air and got not only good news but great news. Numbers came way down and it took great power to not bust into the happy dance right there in the office. I didn't do anything diff so I got more proof it's just the disease and not me! Me and em, we jammed the whole way home. Best day ever.......

Lisa Cheney

2 Cute Toothless Cousins!

Thank you to Nickell for sending this darling photo!

More Photos of Larry and Pam and family

Larry and Pam and family

Calling all recipe requests!

OK I got a response to my email last night and Kristi Rich requested my recipe for Spinach Salad. I will eventually make a recipe page but for now I will post all recipes right here! Any other requests for recipes? Any recipes you want to share? Come on, don't be shy...bring it on!!

This recipe is actually a mixture of spinach salads I have tried over the years. So don't be afraid to tweek it and make it your own. 

Mandarin Poppyseed Spinach Salad

1 bag of Spring Mix
2 bags baby spinach leaves
1  can of mandarin oranges, drained
1 diced red onion
1/2 lb grated monterey jack cheese
Sugared Almonds (see below)
Dressing (see below)

Mix all together right before serving as it gets soggy quickly

Sugared Almonds
1/2 pkg sliced almonds
1/4 c white sugar
Add sugar to a dry frying pan and cook over medium heat until the sugar melts and browns slightly. Add almonds and quickly toss until fairly well coated. Pour onto foil and allow to cool then break apart.
Please keep in mind that this scorches very easily and you must watch constantly. Once the sugar starts to melt the whole process goes super fast so keep on your toes :)

Poppyseed Dressing
1/4 cup oil--  I use vegetable
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
1 T poppyseeds


The end! Enjoy

Waterslide

The waterside at the park was so much fun. It was a welcome break from the heat. You can see how much fun the kids (and adults) had sliding down the hill.