Our Best Bites

A friend told me about a new website called http://www.ourbestbites.com/ so I printed off a few recipes. We had one tonight called Spinach and Feta Pasta. It was delicious - very Mediterranean. Try it - you'll like it...

8 oz Penne Pasta
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
3 c. fresh spinach (you don't have to chop it)
1 onion, finely chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
a handful of fresh mushrooms, chopped (can omit)
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and add pasta. Cook according to package instructions. In the meantime, heat a little olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and mushrooms and cook until tender. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Add tomatoes, heat through, and then add drained pasta and crumbled feta. Add salt and pepper to taste. Heat through and serve, you can crumble a little extra feta on top if you wish. (I added olives -just because)

Cowboy Heritage

My sister, Linda, and I drove to Twin Falls on Tuesday to help clean out my Grandpa Al's house. He is in a care center and will probably have to stay there. He will be 91 this summer and not in the best of health. As we looked through old papers we came across this newspaper article about Grandpa Al's father, Andrew Ezra Hansen. He was born in Mink Creek Idaho in 1888. My great grandparents on Grandma Bess' side (Grandpa Al's wife) were born in Dayton, Idaho (Delilah 1892, Warren 1890. DAVE's grandparents were born in Preston (1896-John Carver) and Oxford (1895-LaVern Olson). Oxford, Preston, Dayton and Mink Creek are all within 30 miles of each other! Preston and Dayton are only 7 miles apart. Do you think they knew each other?? I would love know if there were any connections.

WARNING - Graphic Picture

I participated in CERT (community emergency response team) training the past two Saturdays as part of our neighborhood preparedness activities. It was a lot of information in very little time. We learned search and rescue, triage, minimal first aid, transporting, etc. As part of the activity, 16 boys showed up to be part of our "disaster". It took them two hours to get their wounds ready. We had burns, impalements, lacerations and even an amputation. We thought they were very realistic! They boys had a great time and made the most of it by showing their wounds to friends and neighbors. Bryson even showed up at Papa Murphys only to be asked to leave because there were "small children" around. Here is one of the pictures of Bryson. He was categorized as "yellow" - meaning not critical but still needs attention. We now have 9 people in our neighborhood trained to help in an earthquake, terrorist attack, tornado or any other disaster. Hopefully we'll have time to plan and practice if and when the real thing occurs!

Art Medium?

President Dieter Uchtdorf said in the last RS Conference that "the desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment." I enjoy creating by sewing. Here is a picture of my latest art project: an apron. From picking out the material to cutting it up and sewing it, I enjoyed it all. It's wearable art and just in time to make something yummy for valentine's day.

In All Fairness...

EVERYONE goes through that awkward stage right?? I guess I shouldn't have said anything about Dave's glasses. Don't worry, we'll have the boxes cleaned up and put away before we can post anymore nerdy pictures from the distant past (or will we...?)

Who Knew??

In an attempt to clean out the storage room in the basement Dave and I have been sorting through old boxes. Which translates to reading a lot of sentimental letters and "remember whens" from grade school on up. We read newspaper clippings of when our junior high school burned down, Dave's mission call signed by Spencer W. Kimball, and laughed at all the funny pictures. When we saw this classic picture of Dave, I thought it was definitely post-worthy. Who knew that goofy kid would end up being such an great husband and father. Your family loves you Dave - no matter what kind of glasses you wore.

XOXO

Snowboarding at Brundage

Dave and Bryson got day passes to Brundage for Christmas and decided today was the day. It was cold but sunny and there was some fresh snow. First they had to do some work at the cabin and loaded another ton of pellets in the basement--then it was time for play. Dave skis and Bryson snowboards and I'm sure they take turns showing off for each other.

New Years Eve 2008

Even though I think New Year's Eve is a highly overrated holiday we had a good time playing games and making an I-Hop run after midnight with the "other Howells". Aubrey, Kyle and their friend Jeff and his girlfriend came for a while and we played Uno and then "the Name Game". We had some snacks and homemade grape juice. Chele and I ended up watching Garrison Keeler on PBS and Bob, Carsen and Bridger went down to the Man Cave to watch National Treasure. Bryson was over at the Lloyds' house and Sarah was at her friend-boy's house. At 12:00 we woot-wooted and lit some firecrackers (thanks, Kyle). We all piled in two cars and headed for I-Hop. Sarah met us there, Emily took Bryson and picked up Keeta and the rest of us rode in the van.

At I-Hop our server "Moe" made us guess where he was from. The choices were Russia, Israel, Africa and Argentina. He was from Africa and is going to school at BSU. It was busy at I-Hop but we were home and in bed by a little after 1:30. We are all looking forward to a great and wonderful 2009!! (Ben's graduation in May, my parent's 50 anniversary in June and Dave's momentous BD in November are just a few of our anticipated celebrations.)