JOY!

I just can't let this holiday season pass by without sharing a special gift I was given this year. I loved my time in California- how wonderful to get to spend a whole month with Charlie, Sophie and our sweet new Baby Lilly (and their parents, of course. LOL) But, there really is no place like home. So, when I arrived in Phoenix that Thurs. evening I was delighted to be back in Arizona again with my favorite fella. As we drove up to the house the outdoor lights and Bill's giant star shone a happy welcome. Inside, things were equally festive as he, Kelli and Chris had already decorated the family tree, hung the stockings and displayed some of our favorite Christmas items. Yep, it was great to be home!
Friday I was happy to be back in the Mission office where I was warmly greeted by our fellow missionaries- another home-coming. What a good feeling to be about my Father's business again. Friday afternoon and evening was spent shopping and in preparation for Chuck and Christi's arrival on Monday. The next day was pure Christmas. We puttered about doing Christmas stuff..decorating etc in the morning, then headed for Mesa where we met Kelli at 'My Big Fat Greek Restaurant' for lunch. YUM It was the perfect prelude to our afternoon's activity- A matinee performance of 'A Christmas Carol' at the Hale Theater. Wow. We were positively blown away. Great acting, singing, special effects- the whole thing was totally top-notch. Sunday's meetings were all Christmas-wonderful as well.
But, as much as I loved all the activities and holiday trappings of those few days, there was more, much more, going on inside me. For those 3 days I was filled to the brim with.. JOY. I cannot think of another word to describe it. It was like I suddenly 'got' it- what Christmas was really about. The birth of our Savior. This event that had been planned for and ordained before the world was; that generations of prophets had foretold, and longed for.. the pivotal point in all time; this was what we were celebrating. Surely we had all joined with the angels in singing grand hallelujahs on that holy night. He was our Elder Brother; we loved Him and knew we could trust Him to keep His promise. How we must have rejoiced that, at last, our Savior was born! And, for those few days in December, my heart was again singing. What a sweet experience.
I have always known that His birth is a thing to celebrate; to remember with awe and a thankful heart. But, I have never understood, or at least felt it, with such power before. I am so grateful for those never to be forgotten days of sweet awareness- my own gift of joy.

New Year Prayer

God grant us this year a wider view,
so we see others' faults through the eyes of You.
Teach us to judge not with hasty tongue,
neither the adult nor the young.
Give us patience and grace to endure
and a stronger faith so we feel secure.
Instead of remembering, help us forget
the irritations that caused us to fret.

Freely forgiving for some offense
and finding each day a rich recompense.
In offering a friendly, helping hand
and trying in all ways to understand;

That all of us whoever we are,
are trying to reach an unreachable star.
For the great and small; the good and bad,
the young and old; the sad and glad;
are asking today; "Is life worth living?"
The answer is only in loving and giving.
For only love can make mankind
and kindness of heart brings peace of mind.
By giving love, we can start this year
to lift the clouds of hate and fear.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

Graham Cracker Houses..TRADITION!

Yesterday was our annual 'build a graham cracker house' evening. This is one of our favorite traditions- For the Peck Family, Christmas just wouldn't be the same without an opportunity to frosting-glue lots of colorful candy onto our very own little house. Jean Nybo started it all when she gave a cooking demonstration in Relief Society many years ago. I fell in love with the idea, we tried it that year, and have been doing them ever since. Kelli doesn't remember a Christmas without them.


Last night there were 11 of us gathered around the table- Chuck, Christi, Charlie, Sophie, Kelli and her fiance Chris, and the Singleton's- Jeff, Kelsey & Aubrey. We had a grand time exercising our creativity and indulging in some sweet snacking along the way. Chuck won the best in the show for mixed media.. including duct tape, toothpicks and Halloween candy. Bill, for using the most marshmallows, Christi for the cutest mini Santas, Charlie and Aubrey for best landscaping (lollipop trees w/LifeSaver trunks), Kelli and Sophie for 'snowiest', Chris for best use of Dots, Kelsey for best masonry w/Mini M&Ms and Jeff for most literary roof. As usual, mine was boringly predictable.. (I've got to come up with a new idea!) The entire activity was enlivened by lots of laughter, clever repartee and downright silliness. Gotta love tradition!

After all the houses were finished and the sweet stuff put away, we pulled out the 'Spicy Bean Dip'- (always a hit). Then Chuck surprised us with a wonderful new Santa jigsaw puzzle (1500 piece) as an early Christmas gift. Christi, Kelsey and Bill were soon deeply immersed in it while Jeff and Chuck played board games. Kelli and Chris took off for Mesa and I took my achy body to bed. UGH I hate colds!

Speaking of..I am a new convert to ZICAM- stuff found at any pharmacy. I was miserable yesterday. I took my first pill at noon and continued every 3 hours and by this evening I was feeling pretty darn good. Amazing!

Christmas is Coming!

"If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments" (Howard W. Hunter, "The Real Christmas," Ensign, Dec 2005, 22–25).


Had several people ask me for this recipe.. Its one of our fav's-
SPICY BEAN DIP

1 (15 oz) black-eyed peas

1 (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

1/2 c chopped onion

1/2 c. chopped green pepper

1 (4oz) diced jalapeno peppers

1 (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

1 c. Italian-style salad dressing

1/2 tsp garlic salt

DIRECTIONS: 1. In medium bowl, combine black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, onion, green bell pepper, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes. Season with Italian salad dressing and garlic salt; mix well. Cover, and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors. ENJOY.

Christmas Came Early This Year!

We received our first and BEST Christmas present on Thursday- our 14th grandchild! Miss Lillian Alta Gray was born Dec 4th. and lucky Grandma was there at her birth to be among the first to welcome her into our family. She is a beautiful baby- with Chuck's olive complexion, Christi's cute nose, and long, silky, black hair. She's a big girl- 9lbs 7 oz and 21" long. We're so grateful she is here and that she and momma are home and doing well. I am having a wonderful time doing 'Grandma Duty' (snuggling, kissing and holding her every chance I get) Charlie and Sophie have been so cute with her.. they are both so gentle and love to give their new baby sister soft kisses. If all goes well, Chuck and Christi are hoping to come spend Christmas in Arizona with both sets of grandparents. Grandpa Peck and Grammy Juju and PawPaw can hardly wait to meet her and, of course, Grandma Peck will be delighted to pick up where she left off!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the time of year to reflect on the grace of life,
gather together with loved ones, and express gratitude for
our many blessings.
No holiday compares to Thanksgiving.
None is like it, anywhere in the world.
It celebrates no battle of war, no birthday of a great man,
no political revolution and no church ritual.
It is simply the act of thankful remembrance
that another harvest for our needs has not failed.
Many holidays are pagan, but this is a holiday of peace,
of the home, and of living not by bread alone.
Thanksgiving is a very personal holiday.
And, we each give thanks in our own way.
It is difficult to think of Thanksgiving
without reminiscing about the past.
Family gathered around the dining room table, the wonderful smell of
turkey and trimmings, grandparents, cool weather, colored
leaves…
A time to consider our own uniqueness,
and our thanks.
And of our loved ones; children, parents, sisters, brothers,
nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, old friends and new ones together.
Thanksgiving is a time to forgive and forget;
a time to love, share and enjoy.
Let us be thankful for our wonderful blessings and freedom.
Let us not wait for a funeral service to gather with one
another.
Let us open our hearts to each other and play and
appreciate.
Let us not wait until it is too late.
Let us be satisfied with our own possessions,
to covet not and to hate or resent nothing in the world.
Happy Thanksgiving. A different kind of holiday.~Author unknown~

Thanksgiving Goodies

We've decided we might be closing my website so I thought I better post the 'famous' roll recipe here just in case somebody needs it next week.. And a few of my other faves.

Cloud-Light Crescent Rolls

2 yeast cakes
1/2 c. oil
1 1/4 c. warm water
1/2 sugar
3 well beaten eggs
2 tsp. salt
4 1/2 c. flour

In large bowl disolve yeast in 1/4 c warm water; add sugar and oil.
Add 1 c. warm water; do not substitute milk.
Add eggs & salt; stir in flour.
Dough will be sticky. Cover and let rise untill doubled in bulk; mix down. Place in fridge.
Roll out 3 hours before serving, using flour while rolling.
Place on greased cookie sheets; let rise till doubled.
Bake 12-15 minutes at 400*-425*. Watch the first batch carefully! Every oven is different.
yield 3 doz. rolls.

Ice Cream Salad (Green Jello)

1 pkg small lime Jello
1 c. boiling hot water
1 c. grated cheddar cheese (sharp best)
1 c. crushed pineapple- drained
1 c. chopped nuts
1 pint vanilla ice cream


Dissolve Jello in 1 c. hot water. Stir till no granules can be seen. Stir in ice cream till melted. Add rest of ingredients. Pour into mold and set.

Cranberry Jello

-Ahead of time.. freeze 1 pkg cranberries
-Mix till disolved:
1-6 oz pkg cherry Jello
3 c. boiling water
1 c. sugar
-(original recipe called for grinding in a food grinder) -Chop in food processor:
4 c. apples
frozen cranberries.
Combine Jello, cranberries, apples and 1-20ounce can of crushed pineapple-drained.
Place in fridge to set.

Paula Deen's Green Bean Casserole (YUM)
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 6

1/3 stick butter

1/2 cup diced onions

1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

2 cups sliced green beans

3 cups chicken broth

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

1 (2.8-ounce) can French-fried onion rings

Pinch House Seasoning, recipe follows

1 cup grated Cheddar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a large skillet. Saute the onions and mushrooms in the butter. Boil green beans in chicken broth for 10 minutes and drain. Add the green beans, mushroom soup, onion rings, and House Seasoning, to taste, to the onion mixture. Stir well. Pour into a greased 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, then top the casserole with the Cheddar and bake for 10 minutes longer, or until the casserole is hot and cheese is melted.
House Seasoning:
1 cup salt 1/4 cup black pepper 1/4 cup garlic powder
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Printed from FoodNetwork.com on 11/04/2008
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