Monday--cooking without electricity

It was a little more challenging this time--mainly because James had to go back to work and didn't get home until after 7 PM.

James really wanted to cook on the Kelly Kettle. James used mesquite-the chips burned fast shooting flames up thought the center of the kettle; heating the water inside the kettle to boiling.

I made a mixture of cubed sweet potatoes layered on bottom of pan and sprayed with olive oil--then layer of green onion, layer of mushrooms and then asparagus. Then layered all again and sprayed with olive oil. We placed the lid on top and as it cooked, we made hot chocolate with the water that had boiled in the Kelly Kettle.

We had to put the veges back on the fire once, but we're able to cook our Rib Eye steak to perfection (the mesquite added a wonderful flavor.) before placing veges back. Yeah, I dinner was kind of in 'courses'. The veges were cooked to perfection too.

For desert we shared a Granny Smith apple we had cored, buttered down the middle adding brown sugar, cinnamon, and walnuts and placed in the embers that were still hot. All in all we thought it a success.

Depoe Bay, Oregon

We had our annual trip out to the coast this weekend. The weather has been beautiful--except for 10 minutes it rained and we missed seeing the sea otters getting fed.

James Curtis Blessing Day

Sunday, November 27th Jay was blessed. We all went to church with Matt and Katherine and through the priesthood, Matt gave Jay a beautiful blessing.

Later that day, we all met at Matt and Katherine's to have Manicotti that James made. When Matt was blessed we also had Manicotti. Josh and Kaija had to fly back to Utah, but Aaron, Lauren and Logan were there as was Katherine's mom Rosemary.

Christmas Tree Expedition 2011

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year and once again we fried the turkey--it doesn't get much better than fried turkey; so moist and not oily at all. Everyone pitched in and helped with bringing dinner; it was stress free.

This year our tree expedition was a little different--Aaron and Lauren and Logan were not able to go, as well as Josh and Kaija and the Eliasons. We were all able to meet at Joe's donuts in Sandy though and that was a lot of fun and delicious! Then James and I headed out with Matt, Katherine, Ella and Jay in search of the 'perfect' tree. We were almost derailed when we saw the ranger station in Estacada was closed; a sign directed us to 'Mike's Tackle' and we were soon on our way.

Alas, we did not get far; we drove maybe 3/4 of the way up the mountain and reached roads that had not been traveled--the snow was still so deep we could not get through. We stopped, looked for a tree, but they were all 60 feet tall! Ella wanted to build a snowman so we spent time playing in the snow.

Palma de Mallorca and Tunisia Africa

We spent Two days In Barcelona, Spain. I didn't get pictures with my iPhone. We toured the city the first day and saw the monstrosity that Gaudi designed and has been in the making for over 150 years--and still has 30 years before completion. We also saw other cathedrals. The second day we split up and did our own thing. James and I wondered around and found the Ferrari store and the Lladro store and ate at Brown's where we had the best four cheese pizza and Catalonian style chicken. It was a fun day.

In Palma de Mallorca we had fun on a catamaran cruise

We all went swimming in the Mediterranean Sea--cold at first--about 78 degrees-then warmed up.

Ruins at Carthage, Africa

Kathleen and James in ruins of Carthage

Marianne, Bob, Brent, Kristine, Mom, Kathleen and James in Tunis, Tunisia Africa. Inside the home of the former Mufta in the town of Sidi bou Said.

Sent from my iPhone

Palma de Mallorca and Tunisia Africa

We spent Two days In Barcelona, Spain. I didn't get pictures with my iPhone. We toured the city the first day and saw the monstrosity that Gaudi designed and has been in the making for over 150 years--and still has 30 years before completion. We also saw other cathedrals. The second day we split up and did our own thing. James and I wondered around and found the Ferrari store and the Lladro store and ate at Brown's where we had the best four cheese pizza and Catalonian style chicken. It was a fun day.

Palma de Mallorca and Tunisia Africa

We spent Two days In Barcelona, Spain. I didn't get pictures with my iPhone. We toured the city the first day and saw the monstrosity that Gaudi designed and has been in the making for over 150 years--and still has 30 years before completion. We also saw other cathedrals. The second day we split up and did our own thing. James and I wondered around and found the Ferrari store and the Lladro store and ate at Brown's where we had the best four cheese pizza and Catalonian style chicken. It was a fun day.