Baked Ziti

This is the first dinner I made for Chad when we were dating. All the memories. He still likes it and I still like making it. Instead of making one large pan you can divide the Ziti between two dishes and either give one away or put it in the freezer for up to 2 months. (See make-ahead directions below.)

6 cups Ziti, uncooked
3 cups Spaghetti Sauce, divided
1-3/4 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 egg
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375 F. Cook pasta according to package directions for 9 minutes; drain. In large bowl, stir together hot past, 1-1/2 cups spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, egg, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In 13x9x2-inch baking dish, spoon past mixture; top with remaining 1-1/2 cups sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

MAKE-AHEAD DIRECTIONS: Prepare recipe as directed, but do not bake. Cover with plastic wrap, then foil. Refrigerate up to 24 hours or freeze up to 2 months. Thaw frozen version in refrigerator overnight. Remove plastic wrap; replace foil. Bake as directed, adding about 10 minutes to baking time.

Book Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

I received this book as a Christmas gift. I finished it a couple of nights ago. This book is really funny starting with the dedication: "For Colin Firth You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends." The humor continues throughout the book. The main character, appropriately named Jane, compares all men to Mr Darcy and has been disappointed each time. Jane is given an opportunity to live in the Jane Austen era for 3 weeks. This book is very funny, an easy read and keeps you interested to the end.

White Christmas

The weather during the days preceding Christmas was snow and it was no exception on Christmas. Chad spent a lot of the morning and afternoon shoveling. We were not sure if we would be able to drive our driveway hill to get to his parents house. After finishing breakfast and opening our presents Chad's uncle, Rodney, came with the farm tractor and pushed away the snow so we could easily get out.

Chad shoveling out the cars and dog.Some added color to my wreath.
Rodney cleaning our driveway.

Christmas Eve with Santa

We spent Christmas Eve at Chad's parents house. We had a wonderful dinner with ham, potatoes, fruits and vegetables. Afterwards we reenacted the Nativity scene and Rebecca picked out everyone's parts. Rebecca was Mary. Benjamin was Baby Jesus. Chad was Joseph. Grandpa was a Shepherd. Grandma was a Wisewomen. I was the Star. Benjamin enjoyed this all because he could go around in just his white onesie. Right before we got started Chad's brother Mike and his family called so Rebecca (as Mary) entertained us by serving tea. Then Rebecca heard some bells outside and rushed to the door to see Santa Claus. She wouldn't sit on his lap but enjoyed the presents he brought. Benjamin sat on Santa's lap, looked around a few times and then started to cry. Santa brought them matching Christmas PJ's to wear that night (and other nights.) We continued on with a Dansie tradition of fishing. Everyone fished from the couch for a present. The kids loved their cars and we enjoyed the rest of the evening of playing games, watching Christmas moves, eating good food and laughing. Rebecca fell asleep before we got home.

Orange-Cranburry Pull-Apart

I make these for Christmas morning. Enjoy!!

24 Dinner Rolls, thawed but still cold
1 small box non-instant vanilla pudding
1/2 cup sugar
1 orange rind, grated
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Cut rolls in half. Mix pudding, sugar, and orange rind together. Dip rolls in butter and then in pudding mixture. Arrange, alternately with dried cranberries, in large sprayed bundt pan. Pour any leftover butter and pudding mixture over rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double or even with the top of the pan. (I usually put them in a cold oven overnight.) Remove wrap and bake at 350 F 30-35 minutes.

Cover with foil last 15 minutes of baking. Immediately after baking, invert onto a serving platter. Combine powdered sugar, butter and orange juice. Mix well. Drizzle over pull-aparts.

Hot Chocolate Mix

This is a great hot chocolate mix that you can save for yourself or package it up for friends. The secret is the mini chocolate chips which melt when you combine with boiling water. Enjoy!!

2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
1/8 teaspoon salt

Measure all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk them until they are evenly blended. Store the mix in a tightly covered container at room temperature until you're ready to package it. Makes about 4 cups of mix.

Temple Square 2008

Friday night we decided to go to Temple Square in Salt Lake. But first we had to go to our favorite spot, The Bakery. Chad met us there after work for some hot soup, bread, salads and sandwiches. We couldn't leave without a treat from the huge selection of desserts. We had gotten a large amount of snow the day before and that day so there wasn't a lot of people at Temple Square for a Friday night. Here are a few pictures from that night.

Rebecca and Benjamin before we put their snow pants on.

Rebecca enjoying the snow.
The nativity outside the visitor center. It was special to hear President Hinckley's voice at the end.

Grandma and Benjamin
Grandma, Grandpa, Rebecca and Benjamin

Grandpa started a snow ball fight with Rebecca and we all joined in. Everyone had a lot of fun. We enjoyed being together at Temple Square and feeling the spirit of Christmas.

Gardner Village Christmas 2008

I love Gardner Village. It always has great holiday decorations, fun shops to look around and dream and a fun bakery to get a treat at. For Christmas they had their elves on display and this is what we found.

Rebecca is learning how to pose.
Reminded me of Rebecca and her gymnastics.

Yes, Benjamin came along for the ride.

The naughty or nice list.

Rebecca had to keep telling me that she was on the nice list.

Santa's workshop.

Sweet Tooth.My kind of elves, busy sowing.
Fell asleep with all the excitement.

Chili

Now that it is getting cooler I have started making Chili. Everyone has a favorite recipe. This is the one I have been using lately:

2 pounds ground beef

2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained (or one can of kidney and one can of black)

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

2 medium onions, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

Red pepper flakes to taste

Ground Cumin to taste

Shredded Cheddar cheese

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the next eleven ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4 hours. Garnish individual servings with cheese if desired.

I also like to add sour cream and Fritos. I have also used this same recipe in a large pot if I don't have time for the slow cooker.

What is your favorite Chili recipe?

Festival of Trees 2008

I have never been to the festival of trees before and when my mother in law suggested going I jumped at the opportunity. This is a huge fundraiser for Primary Childrens Hospital were Chad works. In a huge expo hall people donate decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread house etc. They are then sold to the public, some go for tens of thousands. Here are a FEW of my favorites.

Rebecca's favorites

Benjamin's favorites

For my friend Laura: Adoption A Circle of Love

Kids Area

Watching a performance on one of two stages

Getting a Manicure

Face Decorating

Making Reindeer Hat

Show off your stuff

Other Craft Projects

Bubble Magic

Benjamin and Grandpa waited patiently