Thanks Lord for 2010...It Was A Very Good Year

This has been the busiest most blessed year of my life.  I only thought I was busy and blessed when our four kids were at home.  Today the blessings have multiplied.  Four awesome spouses, nine terrific grandkids and a host of wonderful in-laws have found their way nestled right next to my loving, patient, understanding husband; the most awesome set of parents anyone could ask for; a doting 97 year old grandmother that still lights up when I come to visit; and three great communities within a 30 mile radius that I regularly revolve in and out of yet can comfortably call each one "home".   I stay exhausted , exhilerated and extremely grateful for the year God has blessed me with, taking none of the past 365 days for granted.

Biscotti!.. Can You Say Happy Santa?

This Year's Ranch Holiday Gifts Included Platefuls of Delicious Treats Including Lenne's Cranberry Almond Biscotti


It's fairly quick and easy and makes you look really smart!

Ingredients1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup almonds, chopped and toasted
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt.
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar at medium speed until creamy. Beat in the butter and almond extract. Pour the egg mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Stir in the dried cranberries and almonds.
Using lightly floured hands, shape the dough into 2 slightly flattened 10-inch logs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden. Let the logs cool slightly.
Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the logs 1/2 inch thick on the diagonal. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet cut sides up and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the biscotti are lightly browned and crisp. Let cool completely before serving. Using a toothpick drizzle white melted candy coating over the tops. ENJOY with coffee or a steaming cup of hot tea.

Glorious Christmas Chaos

"Apunzel" Escorted by her Grandfather Ralph to Michael Martin Murphy's Christmas Ball

Oh What Fun It Is To...

Perform 8 hours of holiday house cleaning THEN watch it "kid"destruct in 7 minutes

Watch 9 little faces, mouths watering, wait patiently for "Grandma's Crepes"

Clean up spilled milk, mac and cheese, juice, puppy chow (human and puppy), and Grog

Find an appropriate "potato replacement" for the potato guns Santa dropped off ---w/0 the potatoes. FYI according to five year old boys an onion, an apple or hard provolone works just

fine

Forgo sitting down, visiting with adults, eating at the table, or participating in the adult gift exchange in order to protect my home from the "In-House 9 Demolition Crew"

Forgo sitting down, visiting with adults, eating at the table, or participating in the adult gift exchange in order to savor the antics (good and bad) of the same 9

Savor the flavor of each person's food speciality: Stromboli, Maryland Cream of Crab Soup, Cinnamon Rolls, Russian Tea Cakes, Spiced Tea, Cranberry Gorgonzola Cheese Balls and Grog

Suppress the guilt of consuming it all

Kick yourself when your jeans leave "2 hour button indention's" in your belly

Give rather than receive

Wake up next to a warm little body snuggling next to you

Wake up next to a warm, MOIST little body snuggling next to you

Return the little body to the rightful parents

Question the sanity of your husband-"Every five year old boy needs a pocket knife"

Question my own sanity: PERIOD

Receive...rather than give...just sometimes...especially when the receiving includes homemade Fire Roasted Green Tomato Relish and Cranberry Almond Biscotti and...Grog

Witness the effort put forth by two 4-year old princesses in an attempt to brush their patient aunt's hair to the length of "Apunzel's" (Rapunzel's). After an hour long brushing the exasperating conclusion by one---"You tan dust be Apunzel's mother, otay?"

Watch, listen, soak in, savor, absorb, inhale, video tape, capture in pictures this brief, precious moment in time.

For My Crazy, Chaotic, Glorious Christmas Blessings...and Grog

I Say Thank You Lord!

GROG RECIPE

8 cups cranberry juice

2 cups golden raisins

1/2 cup sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

8 cardamon

12 cloves

This recipe did call for 4 cups of ruby port. It's great without it. Simmer for 15 minutes, strain spices, serve and enjoy!

Miracle on Foster Pond

This WAS a miracle. Do you realize how hard it was to get everyone together-smile- not pick their noses- stick out their tongues - scratch a body part? Thanks to our patient saint of a photographer Ashlea Parker from Weatherford, Oklahoma; and help from the Lord, we have a family photo...Hurray!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

Wunda Woman

We have several Super Heroes on the ranch. This is "Wunda Woman" saver of kitties, baby goats, baby brothers, puppies and fallen bird's nest. If you're needing help through the holidays call 1-800 Wunda.

YUM

Lenne Leah took this pie to the Lenora Church Auction. It is to die for. OH MY!

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

2 cups fresh cranberries, chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
2 eggs
3/4 cups butter, melted
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon almond extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the cranberries, walnuts and 1/2 cup sugar in the bottom of a buttered 9″ or 10″ cake or pie pan. Mix the flour, 1 cup sugar, butter, eggs, and almond extract in a separate bowl to form a batter. Pour the batter over the cranberry mixture and bake for around 40 – 50 minutes. Cool a bit in the pan, and enjoy.

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