Thursday, January 22, 2009

Summer dreaming......









Last week Sarah was dreaming about summer. With that dream she walked around with sun screen on her nose (I should have taken a picture). Well, you know little eyes are always watching everything you do in this house. Today, I was in my room when I hear "Kenzie why are you putting sun screen on your nose?" I walk into the living room to see her with a tube of sunscreen and it all over her nose. I don't know how she managed to not get it anywhere else. It had been a week since Sarah had done this and Kenzie hadn't forgot it. I think it's time to review the kids song....Be careful little hands what you do.....because little eyes are watching and she doesn't miss a beat!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Happy Birthday Mackenzie!







Tomorrow our baby will be 2 years old and she is going at it full force. I'm not sure if it's my age and I have just forgot about all the wondrous activity of a 2 year old, but she has decided to refresh my mind very quickly. It's a good thing we have so many eyes in our house to keep a watch on her every move. God knew she needed 8 older brothers and sisters to help her along in this great big world. Mackenzie may be a very active 2 year old wearing her family out, but words can't describe the love and laughter she has brought to our family. She is just a lot of fun! Her brothers are quick to grab her up when they are near her. I guess she gives them a reason to be a kid again. She loves to hang out with her sisters and try to do whatever they are doing. She is like a little puppet and will imitate anyone around her. That's great except when you have a two year old acting like a teenager. Mackenzie is a perfect fit for our family,she keeps us grounded and is the life of the party. I can't imagine life without her,she is truly a blessing from the Lord.



I love you baby girl, happy birthday!



Mom

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!


Well here we are, the end of 2008. This year has brought many changes,accomplishments,disappointments,tears,joy,sorrows and laughter. We have made new friends and lost old ones.We have welcomed new family members and said good bye to old ones (Gram) . I don't know what the future holds for 2009, but I know who holds me in the palms of His hand and He knows my future. So,I go into 2009 with excitement in knowing my loving savior has a plan for me and will walk right beside me all the way.
Happy New Year friends and family! Thank you for being a part of this crazy and blessed life!

Karen

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Baked French Toast ! Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup
Prep Time:
20 min
Inactive Prep Time:
8 hr 0 min
Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
6 to 8 servings

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.


Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Chinese Coleslaw

1 large head of green cabbage shredded (I mix green and purple)
8green onions trimmed and thinly sliced
3/4 cups sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cups sesame seeds, toasted
2 packages Ramen noodles, uncooked (discard flavor packet)

Chinese Coleslaw


Combine cabbage and green onions in large bowl. In a separate bowl combine toasted sesame seeds , almonds and ramen noodles. Just before serving combine the two bowls and toss with the dressing.

Dressing:
1 cup salad oil (Canola)
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Buffalo wing dip!!!

My sister introduced us to this dip. It's really yummy!


REAL BUFFALO CHICKEN WING DIP
4 chicken breasts (or any kind of boneless chicken meat)
1 bottle blue cheese sauce or ranch
1 package cream cheese
1 small bottle Frank's hot sauce or coat chicken with Texas Pete hot sauce shredded mozzarella cheese
Boil (or simmer) chicken in water (or optionally, chicken broth) for 30 minutes or until cooked.Heat oven to 425°F.
In an oven safe dish, spread cream cheese along the bottom. Shred chicken into a separate bowl. Add blue cheese sauce and Frank's hot sauce (depending on how hot you'd like it).
Spread chicken mixture over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella (too much cheese will make it hard for dipping).
Cook for 20 minutes or until cheeses becomes bubbly.
Serve with tortillas or Triscuits.

We are done!


Can you tell we are exhausted? Countless hours of shopping, hundreds of $(we have 9 kids), 100's of miles on the road going to find gifts, countless nerves fighting the traffic and crowds, today we are finally done shopping !!!!

But the time we spent together to see our kids smile on Christmas morning........ priceless! Making memories for our kids is well worth any exhaustion I may feel. Christmas morning at the Holcombe house will be a blast or totally, let's just say busy..Breakfast is at 10am if your hungry or just brave!