Video Snapshot #453: Hazel Laughs

December 31, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Her laugh is one of the sweetest sounds in the world.

Video Snapshot #452: Hazel Rolls Over

December 30, 2011.  San Jose, California.  This video is from December 15th.  Hazel just figured out how to roll over but isn't quite sure what to think of it yet.

Snapshot #451: First Book

December 29, 2011.  San Jose, California.  In an effort to establish a consistent bedtime routine with Hazel, Dave and I have started to read her a story each night before bed.  If we keep the pages turning we can usually keep her attention. 

Snapshot #450: Meat Pie Tradition

December 28, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Dave's family has a Christmas tradition in the preparation and consumption of a family recipe for meat pie.  This year's pie we made while in Utah over Thanksgiving and brought back with us.     

Snapshot #449: New Game Tradition

December 27, 2011.  San Jose, California.  It is becoming tradition for the Wood Family to get a new game (or two, or three) for Christmas each year.  Dave only has to work one day this week so we've enjoyed staying up late playing our new games.

Snapshop #448: My Blessings

December 26, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Ohhhh...they're so darn cute.

Snapshot #447: Christmas Day 2011

December 25, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel sitting in the pew at our church service on Christmas morning.

Snapshot #446: Christmas Eve 2011

December 24, 2011.  San Jose, California.  It's a quiet Christmas Eve at home for Dave, Hazel and I. I am thankful for my many, many blessings.

Snapshot #445: Jenny Jump Up

December 23, 2011.  San Jose, California.  We let Hazel open one of her gifts early in hopes that she would get some good use out of it this weekend...but she doesn't know what to think of her new toy.  So far it's just been a "Hazel Sit Still" rather than a "Jenny Jump Up".

Snapshot #444: Joy to the Woods

December 22, 2011.  San Jose, California.  With a couple toys within her reach, Hazel is able to entertain herself for a little while.  She is our Joy this Christmas season.  

Snapshot #443: Baby Discoveries

December 21, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel has recently discovered her ear.  Cute.

Snapshot #442: Christmas Wrapping

December 20, 2011.  San Jose, California.  This afternoon I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped, then rushed to the post office.  I was in such a hurry to make it before they closed, that I didn't take the time to photograph the beautifully-wrapped gifts.  Mah.  I guess this will have to do. 

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #441: Sweet Potato Burritos

December 19, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I was in a recipe slump last week, so I called my mother-in-law for inspiration.  True to character, she sent me away excited once again by the artistry of good food creation.  Borrowing her recipe, I served sweet potato burritos for the young women who came to my house on friday night.  Several have asked for the recipe, so here it is:


Sweet Potato Burritos


Sweet Potatoes
Salt
1-2 Tablespoons Butter
Cooked Rice (white or brown)
Yellow Corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Cheese, grated (I used Monterey Jack)
Flour Tortillas
Cabbage, chopped
Pico de Gallo (diced tomato, white onion, green onion, salt, garlic, cilantro, with lime juice)
Green Salsa
Extra Cheese, grated
Sour Cream
Ground Pepper


First, peel, chop, and boil the sweet potatoes with a little salt until soft.  Drain the water and mash the potatoes with the butter; add salt to taste.  Lay out a tortilla and fill with several spoonfuls of the mashed sweet potatoes, cooked rice, corn, and grated cheese.  Roll like a burrito then place on a bed of cabbage.  Garnish with Pico de Gallo, Green Salsa, Extra Cheese, Sour Cream, and a little pepper.     


This recipe is highly adaptable.  Other recommendations include:  
black beans
pomegranate garnish
mango salsa

Exploring California: Snapshot #440: Manchester Mystery House

December 17, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Somehow, California has managed to turn some absurdly rich, short, and crazy old lady's house into a popular tourist attraction.  The premise is that a superstitious widow used her inheritance to hire carpenters to renovate her home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 38 years--in order to create rooms sufficient to house the many ghosts killed by the winchester gun.  Dave and I finally gave in to requests and toured Sarah Winchester's Mansion last Saturday.  I was not impressed by the tour;  price was too high, tour was too crowded, and tour guide was not very interesting.  I was looking forward to hearing all the ghostly rumors about Sarah and the mansion, but instead we just got facts of the house and its construction.  There were more spooky details in a book at the gift store.  The stairs to nowhere?  Mere renovations that rendered them useless.  The window in the floor?  A simple skylight.  The marketing team for this mansion has done a very good job capturing attention.  Visiting the mansion, not highly recommended...unless maybe on Halloween night when the tour guides are less likely to disappoint.      

Snapshot #439: Christmas Get-Together

December 16, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I invited a small group of young women for a fun get-together at my house last night.  I feel like an old lady...they have so much energy!   

Snapshot #438: Lemon Tree

December 15, 2011.  San Jose, California.  One of the joys of California is the fruit trees.  I love that my backyard has a lemon tree.  (There is also an orange tree, but it got trimmed back so far that it currently does not bear any fruit)

Snapshot #437: Book Club

December 14, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel and I had a good time at book club today.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #436: Puffy Eggs

December 13, 2011.  San Jose, California.  With Shelli here, I made one of my family favorites breakfast...Puffy Eggs.  It was my personal favorite growing up, so to this day my siblings call me for the recipe.  Here it is for the record:


Puffy Eggs (also known as German Pancakes)


2 Tablespoons Butter
9 Eggs (blended first)
1-1/3 Cup Milk
1-1/3 Cup White Four
1/2 teaspoon Salt


First, preheat the oven to 375, then place the butter in the pan (9x13 or 8x8) in the oven and allow it to melt.  The secret to the recipe is next.  Blend the 9 eggs in the blender all by themselves...blend it real good.  Then add the milk, flour, and salt and blend well again.  Pour the egg mixture into the pan in the melted butter and cook for 20 minutes, or until sufficiently puffy.

Snapshot #435: Graham Cracker Houses

December 12, 2011.  Sunnyvale, California.  Dave and I spent the evening with friends and made Graham Cracker Houses.  Can you guess which house is Dave's and which is mine?  

Snapshot #434: Bye Bye Sister

December 11, 2011.  San Jose, California.  So sad...we had to take Shelli to the airport today and see her off.  Thanks for coming Sis.  Having family in my house turns it into a home.

Snapshot #433: Butterfly Mobile

December 10, 2011.  San Jose, California.  My sister and I spent 11 hours over the last two days making a butterfly mobile for Hazel's bed.  It was totally worth it.  

Exploring California: Pezzini Artichoke Farm

 December 9, 2011.  Castroville, California.  On Hightway One, just outside Monterey Bay, lies the artichoke capitol of the world...home of Pezzini Farms.  My sister had seen the farm featured on a television broadcast in Boise so we stopped in for a visit.  What a great find!  The store is fabulous; also available online.  And don't forget to sample their fried artichoke hearts.  

Snapshot #432: Leafy Sea Dragon

December 8, 2011.  Monterey, California.  My sister came to stay with me for my birthday.  Yeah for sisters!  We drove down to Monterey today and spent time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the best in the world.  My favorite? The Leafy Sea Dragons.  Now you see me...now you don't.

Snapshot #431: Happy Birthday to Me

December 7, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Happy Birthday to me.  My in-laws got me these fabulous boots.  I LOVE them!

Snapshot #430: Hazel Can Laugh

December 6, 2011.  San Jose, California.  While in Idaho my sisters got Hazel to laugh for the first time and I've finally figured out how to duplicate it.  It's SO sweet!

Snapshot #429: Hazel's Four Month Photo

December 5, 2011.  San Jose, California.  As of yesterday, Hazel is four months old.  She has brought  incredible happiness and laughter into our lives.  We are so very grateful for our little Hazel.

Snapshot #428: Home Again

December 3, 2011.  Airspace, USA.  On the flight back to San Jose the stewardess passed Dave, Hazel, and I all asleep; she said it was so cute she couldn't resist snapping a photo.

Snapshot #427: 90th Birthday Celebration

December 2, 2011.  South Jordan, Utah.  Tonight was a festive gathering celebrating Dave's Grandma's 90th Birthday.  Dave's sister made the most incredible german chocolate cake featuring one of Grandma's favorite pastimes, crossword puzzles.

Snapshot #426: Good Times

December 1, 2011.  South Jordan, Utah.  I was having such a good time with family and friends that I forgot to take many photos.  It felt good to just chill for a few days and catch up with friends.