Turkey Day

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We have been ABUNDANTLY blessed this year and have much to be GRATEFUL for. And may the seas be calm enough to truly enjoy a feast.

We should be in Palermo, Sicily today. The last Thanksgiving I was in this city I was responsible for cooking a turkey that was so fresh I had to singe the feathers off with a lighter because I just couldn't pluck 'em all. The oven at the church was so small it took hours and hours to cook and just barely fit inside.

It's Off And He's Off...Sort Of

Zach got his cast off November 17 and it was just in the nick of time as there was a water slide in the near future with his name on it.

We'd should have video taped Zach getting his cast off as a short demo of what to expect so little kids aren't nervous. He giggled the entire time because of the vibration of the saw.

It may not be so evident in the picture but his Rt. leg is definitely smaller than his left due to lack of use.

He was so excited until he tried to walk. There was NO pain when the Dr. pressed on his foot but his leg was so weak from lack of use he could barely walk.

Our plan for the next 15 days should cure that. In fact by the time you are reading this we will be well into the adventures Captain White boot hinted about a few posts back.

Parting Is Such Sweet...

Sorrow for the little boy who has loved his doggy PJ's to literal shreds.

Happiness for the mom and dad who don't have to look at or wash these rags anymore.


We said when he turned 5 he'd have to say goodbye to these for good. But tonight he was so excited because I let him wear them just ONE LAST TIME. I promised that I would take some pictures of them so that once they were gone for good he could always look back and see how he'd loved them to pieces.

Horses And Camels And Carts Oh My

We're on Holiday for a few days. Everyone except Chris that is, because he has a field job that has him coming and going at very strange hours.

For those of us remaining in camp for the Hajj Eid to help pass the time they've offered a few activities like camel rides.

Ethan was very eager to ride a camel until he saw just how high up you are once they stand up. Zach was waffling back and forth but then the camel pooped right in front of him and he was done.

Ethan was not even sure he wanted to get on for a photo. I convinced him that it would be fun and really quick.

After a community buffet we took a quick spin around the parking lot on this Bedouin cart while jamming to some crazy Arab tunes.

After the other "thrill rides" Ethan really wanted his turn on the pony. I love his smile. After navigating an unorganized line to ride the guy leading the pony disappeared so I just picked up the reigns and led him around a bit.

He was so happy, as you can see by the smile, and was so sweet about thanking me for helping get his ride. So while others spent the day riding to Mecca we had a fun afternoon riding around the parking lot.

As the day wore on the boys wore me out and just when low and behold who showed up....
Chris from the field with news he'd have an evening home with us.

As the sun went down the boys courage rose and they decided to go back for another try on the camel.

The poor camel had been giving rides all day. He was definitely tired but still willing to make some smiles and a few tears as in Ethan's case. I think he was crying because he was afraid the whole ride.

When Zach got off he couldn't stop talking about how cool it was and how any one who didn't ride a camel was a big fraidy cat. I had to remind him that only hours ago he was the fraidy cat.

Then the tribal drums started. The chanting/praying and dancing and drumming couldcontinue on well after we've gone to bed. I'm glad our house isn't right next to that park.

I'm Such A Loser!

(Photo courtesy of EHJ)

I'm not the BIGGEST LOSER but I feel like a WINNER!

Because.....
all my pants are falling off, I'm getting stopped in the street by people asking me what I've been doing to look so good, and friends have said I've inspired them to lose weight too.


Between the 7 final competitors, in our family weight loss challenge, we lost a total of 151lbs. in 3 months.

We all had various methods and strategies and in the end we all felt like winners. I led for the first half of the competition but when I hit my desired goal weight I kind of hit a mental wall. I could still be at a healthy weight if I lost more but from the beginning I told myself once I hit 120 I'd be happy with that.

I am really proud of my self because it took a self discipline I didn't know I had to achieve this. I've never before lost this much weight on my own without the help of lactation (if you know what I mean).

CONGRATULATIONS TERESA !!!
For pulling ahead the last week I was really surprised, I thought Mr. P90Sexy (Reggie) had it in the bag.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE REST OF YOU LOSERS!
For all your hard work, encouragement, and smack talk along the way.

Although the money was an incentive I hope we can all keep up our new healthier lifestyles just because we feel so dang good. Lets all celebrate in HAWAII Christmas 2012;)

50 Free Give Away

Who doesn't love Shutterfly!

I upload all my pictures with Shutterfly because they won't delete them over time. I then make all my travel books through them (with all our travels that is quite a few) because the selection is great and they will ship to me here in Saudi. Last time we had a little snafu with customs and my books didn't come. They were so kind to resend them at no cost to me. They have way hip cards and backgrounds for all sorts of projects and right now you can go here for 50 Free Christmas cards.

This is way cool and timely for me because I was going to use them anyway!

Happy Holidays!

Ooey Gooey Goodness

Do you want to make a cookie that will have your husband kneeling at your feet begging for more?
Do you want a to make a cookie that will cause your neighbors to duke it out in the street for the last crumb?
Do you want to make a cookie that will make you sneak into the kitchen for just one more only to find other family members who have the same idea?
Do you want to make a cookie that is so perfect for fall you'd wish for the briskness of the season to remain all year?

If so, than these cookies are for you.

I found this ooey gooey goodness here

Check out the blog for the enticing step by step pictures.

Caramel Apple Cookies
by Katie Goodman

What does the arrival of fall make you want to do? The answer to that question for many might be: bake. There is nothing better than the warm, sweet smell of freshly baked goodies. And it finally feels cool enough outside that turning the oven on doesn't feel so taboo. What else comes to mind with the crisp fall air? Back to school, changing leaves, apples, hayrides, carnivals, and caramel apples, to name a few.

These caramel apple cookies take several fall favorites and put them together in one fabulous treat. Caramel baking bits make it easy to add caramel to cookies (or brownies) because you don't have to spend time cutting the caramels into bite-sized pieces. Caramel apple cookies are sure to be a hit for fall carnivals, after-school snacks, or a special treat "just because." (I had to cut the caramel into bits which took some time but was so worth is. -MSJ)

What is your favorite part of fall? Lately I've been enjoying free time outside cleaning up the yard from the summer, planting my fall garden, and getting spring bulbs in the ground. It's nice to come in for a special treat after hard work outside. These cookies really hit the spot!
Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cup flour
2¾ cup old fashioned oats not quick-cooking oatmeal
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
12 oz caramel baking bits
2 cups granny smith apples
Directions

Step 1: In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and eggs. Beat until combined.


Step 2: Measure oatmeal into a food processor, and pulse until ground finely. In a medium-sized bowl, stir the oatmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until combined. Set aside.


Step 3: Peel and finely chop the apple.


Step 4: Using an electric mixer, stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until combined. Stir in the caramel bits and apples. It is fun to save a few of each (the apple and the caramel) for dotting on top of the rolled cookie dough balls.


Step 5: Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour. Roll the cookie dough into golf ball-sized balls. Bake on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, for 10-12 minutes. The sheet should be placed on the upper middle rack. Cool on the pan for 4 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Note: Dough is best the day of. In time the apples add extra moisture to the dough, causing a wider spread on the baked cookies. Alternatively, you can pre-roll the dough into balls and freeze if you aren't using it all the first day. Place the dough balls on a cookie sheet until solid, and then transfer to a labeled sealable freezer bag. Use within one month. Simply add an extra couple minutes to the baking time since the dough is frozen.

I also want to try her Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate but.....
I only have half a can of pumpkin in my freezer and there isn't any to be found in the stores so I keep going back and forth on what to make....cookies, muffins, or the above.

P.S. Fellow Family Biggest Losers: I suggest you wait two more days for the challenge to be over before attempting to allow these into your homes.

Fortunately He Turned 5

Fortunately 4 and 5 year old kids will overlook any lack of artistic ability when sugar is involved.
Thanks Aunt Megan for the Star Wars cookie cutters. They were a hit in E's K4 class as well as in the Jenkins household.

Fortunately we were able to gather a small birthday crew for a treasure hunt, pizza, singing, and cake after school but before T-ball.

Fortunately we had an excellent reader (Zach) to guide us through the journey.

Clue 1: A hop skip and a jump is all it takes to get to this place where Graham loves to run and escape.

The Park
Clue 2: In fairy tales of old trolls live under here but in Udhailiyah there's nothing to fear.

The Bridge in the Jebel Courtyard

Clue 3: Splish Splashing at this fountain can be so much fun but your feet will turn black on this ground when you run.

Splash Fountain Park
Clue 4: For a while it's been a trial to get here as a family but now that you're 5 we can all go together happily.

The Pool

Clue 5: Youth gather here for stories and crafts but for you there will be a birthday surprise right before your eyes.

Fortunately it took Ethan a few minutes to figure out where his present was otherwise I would not have been able to snap a picture....they ran so fast. Even the one legged boy in the cast.
Fortunately Ethan got some new wheels because....

he looked like a circus clown riding a teeny tiny bike that

had been loved so much and ridden so hard the chain doesn't stay on anymore.

Fortunately it only took a few minor adjustments and he was off.

Fortunately we had just enough time to rush back to the house for the requested Thomas cake.

Fortunately I was able to score a few boxes of powdered sugar just in time for the festivities.

Fortunately Ethan joined our family 5 years ago because otherwise we would probably be a very boring family. You add a spice and color and bit of drama, you also have the ability to make us cry out in pain as well as laughter and joy. You have a very giving heart and desire to share not only what you know but what you have. As your mother I have thrown my arms up in the air in exasperation but I also have ample opportunity to throw my arms around you and be swallowed up by your incredible hugs and loves.