Hi everyone!

Thanks for the birthday greeting Kimberly. I had a great day! My birthday was on a Saturday and Bryce took the kids and "disappeared" for pretty much the whole day. It was glorious. I lounged in bed and red the Washington Post and ate scones (that Bryce had gotten from our local bakery) went and worked out and then went and bought some new running shoes. Great day!! I've decided that instead of dreading turning 40 next year I'm going to look forward to it. After all, life begins at 40. At least a new chapter of life!!

It was good to hear from Laurel too!! I'd love to hear how you're doing. Put me on your family newsletter list!

I sure miss all of you! We're hoping to get down to NC this summer before we head up to Alaska. Will anyone be around the weekend of July 4th? Let me know if that would be a good time to visit.

love,
Kristen

Happy Birthday Kristen!

I hope you had a wonderful day! Let us all know how you celebrated your birthday. What is new in Harrisonburg? How are all your super cute kids?

Laurel, I hope you got a little sunshine this week. I think we had our last freeze here in Durham. I am sure we will be jumping right into summer temps any day. Oh, the humidity! Love the Weber family newsletters. Keep them comin'!

Nathan had a new experience, he watched an Ultimate Fight Club (anything goes fighting) championship on TV tonight with a group of (much younger) guys from church after the priesthood session. He did not get home until almost 1 a.m.! What a party animal! The benefits of living in a student ward!

I hope everyone has a blessed Sunday and enjoys the day with their families.

Miss you all!

Love, Kimberly

Way to make me even more homesick!!!

It is always good to hear and see what is going on in everyone's life except that it reminds you that you are a bit removed from it. Kim at least made me feel not as bad when she said she felt "disconnected." Kim, if is it any consolation, know that no matter how disconnected you are, there is someone in Nebraska who is a little bit more! :) At least we are supposed to have sun not snow this week! :) The beach trip looked like such a great time. I cannot wait until next year so I can come!!! Have a good one everyone!

I have not touched my projects since the beach :(

I hear you, Kim. We need to get together. Hopefully, everyone can make it to Nichole's shower. We should also plan a quilting night in April and stay on our once a month schedule. Can't wait to see your pictures. Get them posted soon!

Kimberly

Chicken Salad recipes from the beach trip.....

Chicken Salad

3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup thinly sliced celery
2 T. lemon juice
1 T. mined onion (I use dried onion)
½ cup mayo
½ t. salt
½ t. pepper
1 cup seedless grapes halved
2 oz. toasted almonds or pecans

Combine first 4 ingredients, cover, chill 1-hour
Combine mayo, salt, pepper. Add mayo mixture, grapes and nuts to chilled chicken mixture; toss gently.

Curried Chicken Salad

1 ½ cup chopped cooked chicken breast
½ cup seedless grapes halved
½ cup diced peeled apple
2 T diced pineapple
1 T dried currants
3 T mayo
1 t. honey
½ t. curry powder
½ t fresh lemon juice
1/8 t. salt
1/8 t. black pepper
1 T sliced almonds, toasted (I use more than this and stir it into the salad. You can also use pecans)

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine mayo and next 5 ingredients (through pepper), stirring with a whisk. Pour mayo mixture over chicken mixture. Toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with almonds (or stir into salad), cover and chill.

I'm Having Withdraws!!!!!

This is my first post on this thing. I am missing all of you and want to get together and do some quilting. Anyone game??? I feel so out of touch with everyone. I can host Mon of next week. I am working Wed ,Thurs, and Fri but can host those night as well after 815pm. How is everyone doing?? I also have to figure how to download my pictures from out trip. Kimberly, yours are great! I will have Joe look at it. Take care everyone. Hope to see you all soon. Kim G.

Christi's Recipes

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chippers

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 12-oz pkg chocolate chips

Cream together margarine, peanut butter and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla until fluffy. Add dry ingredients and beat until combined, then add chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Don't overbake. Makes a large batch.

Double Trouble Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups flour
½ cup cocoa
¼ tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chips
Cream together the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla until fluffy. Add the dry ingredients And beat on a low speed. Add the chocolate Chips. Drop by tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until set.

GRAND CANYON COFFEE CAKE

¾ cup oil
2 ½ cups flour
¾ cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt

Combine thoroughly. Take out ¾ cup and set aside; add to it:
1 cup chopped nuts
2 tsp. cinnamon.

To remainder in bowl add:
2 beaten eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

Pour into 13 x 9 inch pan. Sprinkle nut mixture over top. Bake at 350 for 25 – 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Photos - Enjoy!

Sorry! There are two photos I can't get to rotate.

Discount at the Quilt Shoppe Expires March 15, 2008!

Go to www.thequiltshoppe.net Enter Code "Emerald". You will get 15% off your entire order!

The blog is set up and ready for posts!

Hello dear friends!

You all can start posting to the blog. After my mom goes home this weekend I will work on posting the photos from this trip and I will try to find the photos from last year to post as well. I will also post the recipes. Anyone suffer from depression upon their return to reality? I did but I am bouncing back. Life calls!

I am sure looking forward to next year!

Love, Kimberly