NO High Fructose Corn Syrup!

I have tried to eliminate HFCS from our diet. But there are some things you "need" that contain it like syrup and soda. I am down to ONE Dr. Pepper a day. Some days I don't even have one. But Little P loves pancakes. What to do about syrup? Robin over at "A Little Greener Every Day" is in the same predicament. Check out her post http://robinshreeves.blogspot.com/2008/11/almost-giving-up-green.html

I got a great idea, well it is Nigella Lawson's idea!

I put 5 or 6 frozen strawberries in a bowl and nuke them to soften them up a little. Then I add some powdered sugar, about 1-2 tablespoons, depending on the sweetness of the berries.

Then I take my immersion blender* (you can use a regular blender) and grind it up!

Voila, strawberry sauce.

*I always wanted an immersion blender but they were too expensive. Then last year some time I was looking on KitchenAid .com for a price on a pasta maker to attach to my mixer. I looked at the clearance section. There was one for $15. Baby, I snatched that right up! 2 weeks ago i got a cooks catalog in the mail and they listed the same blender for $150. Outrageous!

"Lovely" Weather

Well, guess what the weather is today? You got guess it! It's raining again! But at least it is in the 50's. Over the weekend it was cold and windy (no sun) and in the 20's.

Last week right after one of our storms blew by we had this beautiful sight!

I could not get the rainbow in the whole shot!

But check this out!

A double shot!

Christmas Shopping

How is your Christmas shopping going? I am almost done. I have a few small things to get and that's it. It will be a small haul this year.

I knitted this scarf for one of my nieces. She likes pirate stuff. The skull and crossbone pattern I got out of the first Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook book by Debbie Stoller.
http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-N-Bitch-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182

The designer put this design on the sleeves of a sweater (which I made for P#1 a few years ago).
I hope she likes it!
I have to make a crocheted bag for Little P for Christmas PLUS I did not get her dress finished yet. I must do that tomorrow.

Mourning

My father died 3 weeks ago today.
My father was not sick. It was very sudden and quick. He was only 70.

Saturday night my church had a winter carnival. (Little P and I had already volunteered and then a thing happened and I unvolunteered us. She got over it.) I was going to revolunteer when my dad died.
Yesterday, when I went to Sunday school a couple of remarks were made by an older woman about her having to work all 5 hours because no one else would volunteer. I felt they were directed at me. **Last year I worked all 5 hours.**
Am I not allowed time to be sad and mourn? Am I supposed to tuck it all away once the service was finished? Am I supposed to forget what happened?
AND it doesn't help that the sun is never out. It was for maybe 1 hour yesterday. MSN says it is sunny here but it's not! I cannot remember the last time we had 3 sunny days in a row!

Thank you to everyone who sent cards, notes, emails and good thoughts to us! It is deeply appreciated.

Christmas Wish List

http://familyfun.go.com/printables/season/printable/christmas-wish-list/christmas-wish-list.html?campaign=NLC-NL_Print&link=Section3Link3

This is a really cute page to print out for your kids' wishes. My girls give me a list every year and they know they are going to get only a few gifts. I found that they appreciate gifts more if they do not receive too many. Plus we don't have the cash for alot of gifts.

Ravioli Vegetable Soup

I made this soup last night. It was really good.

Ravioli Vegetable Soup

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrot, peeled and diced
5 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon dried basil (more if fresh)
1 bay leaf
1 can diced tomatoes - pour half in food processor and grind up
1 can cannellini beans - drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 to 9 ounces fresh or frozen bite size ravioli (cheese or meat filled)
Black pepper, to taste

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium soup pot or large saucepan. Add the onion and carrot. Saute over moderate heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is clear.
2. Add the stock, basil, bay leaf, tomatoes, beans and salt to the pot. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a low boil. Add the ravioli and bring the soup back to a low boil. Cook it for 2 minutes, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes longer. Add the pepper during the last minute or so. Makes about 5 servings.