Hiking photos

From Saturday 4/4/09 with the Swiss & NY Merkels – Usery Mountain, Mesa, AZ

Justin took the above photo – pretty cool, eh?

Left to right: Hannah (front), Shannon (back), Tim, Sue, Terry, Eric, Jamie (front) & Dagmar

“Pardon me, do you have the time?”

How adorable is my nephew?

Son #1

Hiking in Arizona is a lot different than in Switzerland!

Post-birthday, running, lacrosse, Super Bowl Sunday, Phoenix weather report

I hate doing blog “updates” – they seem so droll. I did this – and I did that. Anyway, I haven’t done one in a while so here’s what’s up in our household…

Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes! Once you get to be my age, you don’t really like birthdays but it sure beats the alternative. Mine was really nice – I went to see 27 Dresses with my friend Kathy, then got a pedicure. Our family went out to dinner at Rigatony’s which was fabulous. Tomorrow night we’re going out dancing with our neighbors & friends to celebrate. As for the present report – I got a pretty bracelet and some pecans from my sister Allison and some mad money from my mom (which I’ve used toward some camera accessories). Terry and the kids gave me one of those newfangled digital photo frames which I absolutely love. I set it up on the end table in the living room but hopefully soon I will have a desk to place it on.

Last weekend Terry and I ran in the “Run for the Islands 5K” and did pretty well. I beat my time from my last race, but they haven’t posted the actual time yet. I came in at about 35 minutes and Terry and our friend Todd were about a half a minute behind me. I think the reason they were lagging might have something to do with the beers they had the night before maybe? We were just happy we made it to the finish line. I think our next race will be the Pat Tillman Run, which I’ll write about in a future post (it deserves its own).

Eric has his first lacrosse game on Saturday – in Tucson! We’re not looking forward to that drive, but he’s playing on the Varsity team so that’s a good experience for him, considering he’s a freshman! It’s about time he has a game though – he’s been practicing for over three months!

Justin is psyched for the Super Bowl. He’s hoping the Giants will win. The rest of our household is cheering for them as well, but mostly because we just don’t want to see the Patriots get more rings. We decided just to have a low-key family party like last year, when we had tacos and root beer floats, which the kids loved of course. The city is in a frenzy – they are predicting over 600,000 people converging on the valley this weekend! Fortunately the event is on the other side of the city from us, but the FBR Open golf tournament (being held on the same day, as always) is in Scottsdale which is contributing to the crowds.

It’s been freezing here – well, maybe not freezing but it’s been cold! I’ve been wearing sweaters and sweatshirts, and it doesn’t even warm up mid-day with the sun. But I suppose I have no right to complain considering all the horrid weather the Midwest and Northeast are getting. Must be all those Patriots and Giants fans, bringing their frigid climates with them!

Cookies galore, weird weather and some more recipes

Last night I hosted a cookie exchange for several friends, some of which we haven’t seen in a while. It was really nice to catch up and enjoy some goodies with the gals. We had a white elephant gift exchange and I scored two really pretty photo albums which will be nice to put some pics in of our 2007 adventures. All the cookies were fabulous, too! I had each of the girls bring printouts of their recipes so we can all expand our cookbooks. I made Booze Balls and Old World Raspberry Bars (both of which are posted below) but my Pecan Brittle and Toffee were a huge hit and the girls were begging for my recipes. I’m posting them below – they are really easy to make but beware, they go fast! The Toffee recipe came courtesy of SIL Margaret so I must give credit where credit is due.

Went for a run first thing this morning and thought I might be going nuts when I felt a few raindrops but looked up to see no clouds above me. Yes, there were a few in the very far distance, but nothing but blue sky. A few minutes later, looked at the pavement and saw tiny little drops here & there, still no clouds! Now that I’m back and about to hop in the shower (once the wash has finished its run) there are claps of thunder! Of course now there’s nothing but gray up there to match the steady sprinkles but I’m still miffed about the “rain with no clouds” thing. I don’t think I’ll ever understand Arizona weather.

Today I have to get my emissions tested on my SUV (yuck) so I can get the registration renewed. I also have to work on a freelance job I’m helping Terry out with. I was hoping to get some more cookies baked for the kids to decorate, but I think I’ll have to put that off til tomorrow. 

* Exported from MasterCook *

                         Microwave Pecan Brittle

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 6     Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Candy

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient — Preparation Method
——–  ————  ——————————–
  1                cup  Pecan halves
  1                cup  Sugar
     1/2           cup  Light corn syrup
     1/8      teaspoon  Salt
  1           teaspoon  Butter
  1           teaspoon  Vanilla
  1           teaspoon  Baking soda

Stir pecans, sugar, syrup, and salt together in a 1-1/2 quart glass bowl. Microwave on 70% power 6 to 7 minutes, stirring well after 3 minutes.

At the end of 7 minutes, add butter and vanilla. Blend well. Return to microwave and cook on 70% 1 to 2 minutes more.

Remove and add baking soda and gently stir until mixture is light and foamy. Pour onto lightly greased cookie sheet and let cool 30 minutes to 1 hour. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.

                                    – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

* Exported from MasterCook *

                                  Toffee

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 36    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    :

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient — Preparation Method
——–  ————  ——————————–
  2             Sticks  Butter
  1                Cup  Granulated Sugar
  3               Each  Hershey’s Chocolate Bars — broken up

Melt butter and sugar over medium burner. Boil for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture is a nice caramel color. Pour onto cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray and set broken Hershey bars on top. Let chocolate soften, then spread around top of candy to smooth. Once completely cool, break apart into large pieces. Store in a tightly covered container.

Optional – after spreading the chocolate, top with crushed pecan or almond pieces.