Friday, January 30, 2009

Nothing in Particular

There's NEVER been an onion grown that is too overpowering for the Raab's!!

Last time we made warm vanilla sauce, Mark wondered outloud (we do alot of that over here!) how it would taste if it was made w/ milk instead of water. I realized that was the basic recipe for homemade vanilla pudding that Jeno's Mom taught us how to make in 4H a million years ago....you'd just have to cook at a lower heat because milk burns much faster than water. We'll try it next time.

Is it spring yet?!?
love to all xoxox

Monday, January 26, 2009

Winter Salsa

Thanks for the Secret Vanilla Sauce recipe Lori. Now I can put it on everything - ice cream, oatmeal, toast, pancakes, meatloaf... okay, well I might be weird, but not that weird. But it was really, really that Scrumptious!

So here it is ~Winter Salsa~
2 small cans (15 oz. each) Petite Diced Tomatoes Mexican Style
1 large can (28 oz) Petite Diced Tomatoes (regular, no seasoning)
2-3 jalepenos
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1-2 limes juiced (really just to taste, so do 1 at a time)
Salt (to your taste preference)
1 tsp. Ground Cumin (may add more if you prefer)
2 medium onions (or 1 lg. onion) chopped
1 small bunch of cilantro chopped (use more or less depending on your taste)

Mix all together and serve with your favorite tortilla chips! It tastes so fresh, you'll think it came straight from your garden... no kidding!


**Here's the fine print. If you really, really like onions make the salsa this way. If onions aren't your best friend in the entire world, I'd use 1/2 the onions here and a tbsp of dried onion flakes. In eating the leftovers the day after, the onions were really too overpowering... even for Chris. And I only used 1/2 of a large yellow onion in the batch I made. So Onion Carefully! :)

***On a side note, we had a fabulous meatloaf last night... like really, killer. I've posted the recipe on my blog. If you like meatloaf, Chris & I gave this recipe 5*! http://dawnsfood.blogspot.com

Love and toodles to all! XOXO,
Dawn

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Secret Vanilla Sauce Recipe

Dahhhlings

I'll have to have Breezy show me how to upload pics and such.....anyway....drumroll please...

Secret Vanilla Sauce

blend 1/2 cup sugar
2 Tblsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
gradually stir in 2 cups hot water
bring to a boil continue appx 5 min till thick
add 1/4 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla

Hope this finds everyone warm and snuggled in. Just finished our taxes (hard to do with Chancey trying to lay in my lap here at the computer desk) !!!! Fresh pot of southern pecan coffee is brewing and Mark's making blueberry pancakes. The dog pictures are great...and we love the puppy of the day (not more than you, Chance!) We love you all and send snuggles.....xox ps need winter salsa recipe : )

Friday, January 23, 2009

Is anybody out there????







Hello all, hope everybody is staying warm & snuggly this weekend!

Lori, I have two words for you... You're Welcome!

And two more words....

Vanilla Sauce :) LOL

I lubs you!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Love to All!




















What a wonderful time we had yesterday! It was wonderful sharing with everybody! Lori, thank you so much for all of the yummy eats. Mark, thanks for leaving some pie for the rest of us! :)

I've updated the background of the blog to a light color... I think it's easier to read - especially for those with bi-focals (not mentioning any names here)... LOL

The results of the poll we had up on the previous background "What should we have for Christmas Dinner this year?" was 100% of the people that voted said they wanted "Lots & Lots of Pigs!!!".... sorry shrimp.

Hope everybody has a wonderful week! Lots of Love to all!!!
XOXOXO!

P.S. you can click on each of the photos above individually to see them each bigger.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Trivia question...

Q: What do you do at 10:00 at night when we have 2" of snow and it's expected to be - 2 degrees air temp in the morning?????


A: Plow the driveway & shovel the walkways! At least that's what Chris & I were doing tonight!

I hope everybody has some extra warm snugglies to wear over the next few days! It's going to be a doozy!!!
Love to all!

Friday, January 9, 2009

What to do w/ Used Christmas Cards

Just wanted to give everybody a thought... I was cleaning up some Christmas decor and the cards were sitting on the table. It reminded me of an article I saw a few weeks before Christmas. Rather than tossing out those used Christmas cards, you can send them down to St. Judes.

Here's a link with all the info & their address:
http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

The kids use the fronts of the cards, attach new backs and sell them to people for donations toward the hospital!


It's the "Green" way to share Christmas!

Have a terrific night all!
XO,
Dawn

Party at the Raab's

When?.....Saturday, January 17th 3ish

Why?.......Why not?

Love is the reason

What to bring?.....Yourselves and whatever you'll be drinking (if it's not coffee or water)

Can't wait to see you all again......xoxoxox.......lori

Thursday, January 8, 2009

For Your Information

The FlexProtex I ordered off Amazon in Oct for 27$ a bottle has gone up to 36-37$ a bottle...supplies are dwindling I'm sure.....for anyone who cares.
Love to all....xoxoxo

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Back in the Swing of Things

Ello Luvs!

Here we find ourselves, Jan 6th already!! Vacations are over in the Raab household (sadness) and normalcy returns. In a minute, Chancey and I are going on the first walk we've had in about 6 weeks. Hope he doesn't pull me the whole 2 miles!! My time and patience paid off with the pedi-paws nail groomer and I can do his nails anywhere at any time now.

My latest favorite delight is a hot shower and SLATHERING (just kidding, use sparingly!) Origins MMMMMMMM!!!!!! Thanks again to everyone who contributed to these decadant, joyfilled moments. The gifts that keep on giving!!

Breezy registers for highschool in a couple weeks and is very excited!! Mark's still looking for Christmas cookies!! Everyone here is happy and healthy and sassy as ever, and we hope this finds all of our beloved family doing as well. Love to you all...xoxo..lori

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Have a SuperFantastic Week!

Hey Breezy & Tay... I know tomorrow's Monday which means it's time for class!

I hope you have a terrific week. Give a few extra smiles at people that don't have one this week... you both have lots to share!

Love you lots!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Celebrate Good Times.... C'mon!


Happy New Year Everybody! I want to thank everybody for such wonderful Christmas memories this year and Welcome you to the family blog! Feel free to pop in and "blog" about anything going on in your life... good, comical or historic!

At a time when everybody is pulling together to make things stretch farther, this family is over-flowing with Love!
I absolutely adore the laughter and the tears... I shed many of those myself, many of which are from great memories, happiness and just because I'm a sap. :)

I heard the Surf 'n Turf at Scotty & Diana's was incredible! Here's a picture of our dinner tonight... a stuffed roast, mashed potatoes, gravy (for Chris only), merlot & of course.... drum roll please... a triple layer brownie dessert.

We had a nice, relaxing day today and planned many great
things for 2009! What other memories did you make to ring in 2009? I know Taylor & Breezy are back in class very shortly here! I hope you both enjoyed your holiday break & look forward to our spa day soon!

Lots of Lovel!
Dawn

Gotta love lil Red!

I mentioned on the morning of Jan. 1st, 2009 that it would be great to have a family blog. Dawn's family (which is large) has been sharing on a blog for over a year and it's been wonderful for all involved. By 6pm, she had this set up for all of our family to share. Hopefully, everyone will use it freely and we can share our lives more closely than ever before.

Thanks Dawn...you're a treasure!

p.s. MAKE SURE YOU VOTE IN THE POLL IN THE UPPER RIGHT! It's critical to our next Christmas dinner!