Shop with a Cop and the BSU vs. Idaho game

As we were headed out of town to the Boise State vs. Idaho game, we stopped at Sunset C for a Red Bull and Coffee (no, we really didn't need any more hype). The Citizens on Patrol (COPS) and volunteers were collecting donations for our local youngsters to go shopping with a cop before Christmas. We made our donation, and COPS wanted a team picture with the Bronco Van.

Nice work and thanks to the volunteers - I think they made a couple hundred bucks in a few hours for the Mountain Home kids.

My family - the two girls and the two guys


Doug, Kim and Andy ~ always room for orange and blue Jello!


Horizon Airline's Boise State University airplane. The plane did a fly over before the Boise State vs. Idaho game Nov 14 09. Beautiful plane. This is the plane that the Univ. of Idaho AD would not board on the flight from northern Idaho to Boise for the big in-state rivalry game. Funny thing was the BSU Horizon plane didn't make national news UNTIL the U of I athletic director refused to get on the plane which was to take him to Boise. He drove to Spokane and jumped on another flight.



A guy brought his Llama decked out in Bronco gear. Llamas love Broncos - hope that doesn't mess nature up.


Beer Pong on a Bronco Board


And one more Bronco Beer Pong table


NO. 6 BOISE STATE WINS GOVERNOR'S CUP WITH DOMINATING 63-25 WIN OVER IDAHO!

Get out your bread supplies

I found a delicious bread recipe that is so SIMPLE even I can make it. Using lecithin and yeast, I had dinner on the table in 90 minutes on Sunday afternoon. Try it, your family will love it! Let me know if you want the recipe. This recipe mades 4 batches, next time I'll cut the recipe in half!

Southwest Chicken Braid, Italian Bread, Strawberry/Cream Cheese Braid

BSU vs. UC Davis Victory!

October 30, 2009...Victory over UC Davis.

Vicky, Suzanne and Rose - bronco nation at it's best!

H1N1 Desktop

Some of us use the new Windows 7 operating system, this is MY new operating system and what I have on my desk top at work...4 hand sanitizers. I've had my shot so hopefully I am out of the woods.

Check out the sweet card on my desk for those of you who haven't heard the happy news yet.

Only in Mountain Home...at Wal Mart

would you see this license plate, along with a skulll and feather hood ornament!

Dancing with the Stars Gala Preimere Night

Rose and I are DWTS groupies...we call and text every week with our expert opinions and critiques of the couples. Rose hosted a premiere night at her home so we all watched the opening night together. Bonnie, Lisa, Tammy, Dawn, Rose and I are all DWTS wanna-bees. Don't forget to vote - our "puppy love" favorite is Donny Osmond!

Women's Fitness Celebration 2009

Time to Celebrate and Enjoy the Good Times! Rose, Suzanne and I had a great morning - walked fast, ate some good food in the park, and strolled through the Saturday Market and bought a few fun things.


Met an old friend on the course, Suzanne Holl. She is a walking chick for sure! Was great to see her again!

Air Force Appreciation Day 2009

A very local and very favorite event in Mountain Home is Air Force Appreciation Day. Every year our town says "thank you" to the those that serve in the U.S. Air Force with a HUGE parade, free BBQ, and lots of fun and games in Carl Miller Park.

I remember my first parade in 1970 ~ rode in the back of an American Legion float with Debbie Rist and jr. high friends. Then spent the high school years marching with the MHHS drill team and cheerleaders. As an adult I spent many AFAD days with civic groups raising money at various fund raising booths and had some great times. Now I love to walk around and say hi friends, eat a chorizo, maybe even splurge on a funnel cake, and then walk 1 block back to my house!

One of the fire trucks with a couple of family men on board.

Carl Miller Park on Air Force Appreciation Day

Suzanne Rescues a Dog!

Suzanne has been swimming and training for the upcoming Alcatraz Invitational Swim aka Shark Fest in San Francisco. She swims in a local pond (yuk, pond water), and a few Saturdays ago, she came across a little pup stranded on a dock. She pulled the little guy from the dock and searched for an owner but had no luck. After several days of posting a "lost dog" ad and checking with the humane society, no one claimed this little puppy.

Lucky little dog now lives with Suzanne, Jeff, Grif, Rem and Mattie and his name is Tulo. Sure looks like a Manchester Terrier. And, Tulo as many of you know, is a baseball player with the Colorado Rockies.

Puppy Tulo weighs 7 lbs 6 oz. Newborn size. Come on guys, he is a puppy and not a baby. I asked for grandkids and I got a grand-puppy! Tulo is adorable and has already had a sleep-over at our place.

Broncos Ditch the Ducks!

The blue turf is ready. The players throw down the hammer. Biggest game in BSU history. The stadium is packed and the game is sold out! Boise State Broncos vs. the Oregon Ducks. The Broncos cruise to a 19-8 victory over the Ducks and Boise erupts into a victory celebration! Sep 3 2009

I LOVE IT!

Color theme of the game - Orange, Blue and White (looks good on ESPN)


The Broncos take the field - the energy is electrifying!



Mountain Homers - Dawn, Brandie, Denise, Vicky, and Janet


Me and my Bronco Buddy Rose


Bud Light had a great idea - market their beer cans in collegiate colors. I guess they figured it would allow fans to show their school spirit. Here are two cans in the Boise State and Oregon colors BEFORE the stores pulled the cans stating it promotes underage drinking. Helloooo - youngsters are going to drink beer no matter what colors are on the cans!

Boise Curb Cup ~ August 2009

What a great idea - incredible free entertainment - the first Annual "Boise Curb Cup". Kind of like "Boise's Got Talent" in the streets of downtown Boise. I would guess there were over 100 acts from belly dancers to rock bands to an almost naked pair of singers with their guitars. Big shout to the Mark Rivers, a creative genius who also brought us, yes, BoDo.



Highland BagPipers - Love the bagpipes, don't you?


Only at Moon's Kitchen would I wait 35 minutes for a chocolate shake on a 100' degree day. Yum!

Suzanne and Jeff's Slideshow is now live for viewing!

A perfect day, a beautiful bride, and a very handsome groom. A mother's wish is for her daughter to marry a man who will love and honor her all the days of her life. My wish has come true.

Jeff Haynes and Suzanne Bresnahan Haynes
Married August 15, 2009

Wedding Slideshow is available at www.idahohaynes.blogspot.com. Leave a note if you'd like and enjoy the pictures from their celebration of love.

Reheasal and Dinner Aug 14 09

Let the fun begin! Going to the Chapel, and they are gonna PRACTICE to get married!

Everyone has arrived, planes have landed, and guests have checked into the beautiful Hampton Inn in BoDo in Downtown Boise.

Rehearsal was at Christ Chapel then off to Julia Davis Park for a BBQ dinner catered by Goodwood BBQ. No one makes better BBQ sauce with pulled pork, beef brisket, western baked beans, creamy coleslaw and potato salad.

Ta-Da ... it's almost time for "Here Comes the Bride"!


Suzanne and her pretty maids - what a group of great friends!
Crystal, Denise, Kelly, Meghan, Abby, Melissa, and Suzanne



Suzanne and her dads, Fred and Steve


Suzanne and Jeff


It's Chapel Time!


Fred and Suzanne


Rose, MOB Vicky and Gwen


My sisters -- Ann, Darlene, Debbie and Vicky


My soon to be married daughter, and her momma

Friday before the Wedding

Our Friday morning started early when the 7 Mullen Maniacs drove to Mountain Home from Boise bright and early to pick up two cars for the wedding..a big Chevy Suburban to tote the bride and maids in, and a two door soft top Mercedes for Suzanne to cruise around in and have fun during her wedding celebrations.

No trip to Mountain Home is complete without a stop at our favorite Moxie Java and coffee steamed by our very own Glenn!

Bottoms Up, or make that, Jazz Hands Up!

Two weeks til I DO for Suzanne and Jeff!

Wedding Website www.mywedding.com/suzanneandjeff

Suzanne's Bridal Shower Jul 25 2009

Fun day at Suzanne's shower hosted by one of her pretty maids, Melissa Rogers. Suzanne is loved by many - Grandma was there, Aunt Janie and Aunt Susan, cousin Jen, and lots and lots of friends. This picture brought tears to my eyes - my only daughter, my favorite daughter, is soon to be married and is SO happy and SO excited to start her life along side Jeff, Grif and Rem.

Wedding Signage

I found a great idea on the web, and wanted to incorporate signage at Suzanne and Jeff's wedding. Using damask wrapping paper, artist canvas, and a color printer, I made signs for various spots at the reception. Saved buck dollars by making them myself!



We are inviting the guests to stop at the picture booth (near the guestbook table) and have their snapshot taken so I made a "Photo Shoppe" sign.

Happy Birthday Rose!

Rose, Vicky and Suzanne at Flatbread in Bown Crossing celebrating Rose's birthday. Here's to you Rose!

Kenny Chesney Concert July 14

Great show Kenny! Thank you for stopping by Boise on your Sun City Carnival Tour 2009!


Tammy and Vicky pre-concert

Spudman Triathlon Jul 2009

What a finish! What a race! Suzanne competed in her first Boise Spudman Triathlon today! Great job Zan!

Me and My Gals

Darla, me and Terri - glad to see my buddies again. Too much time passes between our visits so I was very happy to see Terri and Darla again, and Jenny, Gorane and Beth.

4th of July 2009

Watching fireworks in Mountain Home.
Quinn, Vincent and Marcus

Marcus and Mitch

Rose and I packed and headed south to the Salt Lake City area, Layton exactly and found some incredible finds at Tai Pan Trading, Hobby Lobby, Rod Works, and MORE! We paid a SuRpRiSe visit to our friend Debbie Black and sat out on her beautiful patio and watched the lightening, listened to the fireworks and caught up with each other which was a perfect close to a warm summer night.

Poor poor Rose woke up with a splitting headache and a sour tummy. We didn't get out of the parking lot of our first stop when Deb had to pull over and Rose spilled her cookies. By noon Rose was feeling a itty bit better. We had lunch at Deb's favorite Mexican grille, Cafe Rio, and then we headed back to Idaho. (Rose passed on Mexican for lunch, smart thinkin') Great trip with great friends!

Manhattan Bistro

Mountain Home has a new bistro - Manhattan Bistro formerly home of Tommy Wong's Manhattan Chinese Cafe. A big shout out to the new owners, Andrea and her family. They have transformed a little dingy hole in the wall to an updown chic little spot. It's located in the Mellen Hotel Building on Jackson Street. Great service, really good food, and we are so glad they opened. I hope you go in and enjoy the Bistro as much as we did before the annual Garden Tour.

Oh, and I did have a few flash backs back to my high school days when I several of us (Perrie and Warren to name a few) that went up the back stairs, and then up the fire escape ladder to the roof of this building (not sure but I think it was 1975ish). We laid on our bellies and hollowed who knows what to the bar patrons headed into the back door of the El Rancho bar. That was scary and fun at the same time - called teen age living!

Flash Flood in Mountain Home!

The skies opened up and poured rain for about 90 minutes. The streets and drains couldn't handle the overflow. Our basement flooded two nights in a row - lots of mopping and buckets carried upstairs. The water also crept up to the front door of the gym but luckily did not damage.

This is the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce behind the gym, on N 3 E. Hello Water!

Boise Ironman 70.3 * June 13, 2009

Whoaaaa girls, Suzanne was swimming like a happy fish, biking like pro, and running like the wind in her first BIG Triathlon - the Boise Ironman. Athletes had to swim 1.2 miles in Lucky Peak Reservoir, bike 56 miles, and run a half marathon, 13 miles. The day, as was many days in June in Boise, was unusually wet. I mean raining hard on event day. My girl is a stud, what can I say? I am very proud of you Suzanne!


The dark cloud that was full of rain on Ironman Day. This is what I saw as I was headed into Boise, and knowing Suzanne was riding her bike in this storm.



Suzanne and Kelly with their training group before the 1.2 mile swim in Lucky Peak


Swim to Bike transition



At the Finish Line - 5 hours 51 minutes from start to finish!



Suzanne got her athleticism from her me...wait...let me think about that for a minute...

Fabulous Florida in May 2009!

F L O R I D A !
Spending the last week of May in sunny Dunedin. It rained for 12 days straight, and it's still raining on the Atlantic side, but the sun gods cleared the clouds for our week in paradise. The weather has been absolutely great. I see why people move here from all over the world!

Salt Rock Grill, Indian Shores Beach, FL - Darlene, Vicky, and Ann



Cheers to a great Florida vacation!



Dinner at Ann and Bruce's Tiki Hut Condo in Cove Cay, Clearwater FL. Darlene, Vicky, Casey, Ann and Bruce



Sun down at St. Pete Beach FL

Sunday Drive through Southern Idaho

We took an 80 mile Sunday drive lovin' the heat and enjoying our first 90' day. Drove to Bruneau, Strike Dam, Black Sands, and then through Grand View and the Simplot feed lot. We were talking about an old friend, Marolyn Markham, who had retired to Grand View a few years ago, and low and behold, I looked right and there was Marolyn standing next to her truck at a storage unit! Me bad, I was so busy talking and catching up with Marolyn I FORGOT to take HER picture. :(

Old building in Bruneau, dated 1901



Canyons and Reservoir at Strike Dam - beautful natural Idaho


Rocco checking out the cold water, and thinking there is no way he is getting in


Simplot Cattle Feedlot in Grand View, Idaho - capacity of 150,000 head of cattle. So, me being me, I stopped the car in front of a "no parking" sign and parked, for just a minute, to take a picture of a few cows. There are 750 acres of thousands of cattle in Grand View, and the Simplot feedlot boosts the largest holding capacity in the United States. But from the minute I took the first picture, a herd of cattle came toward me running, thinking I am their new best friend, or at least a ranch hand with a pitch fork full of feed.



Little calves wanting some dinner. I had no idea they could move so fast at the sight of a human.

I am one lucky momma, on Mother's Day and every day!

Can I say how good the Mother's Day Brunch is at Eagle Hills Golf Course? It's incredible, I can't decide what I liked best. The champagne, the bread pudding, baron of beef, shrimp, chocolate dipped strawberries, did I say champagne? I have the most wonderful daughter and soon to be son-in-law, in the yes, entire wide world!

Cute couple don't ya think?


And having a big sparkling diamond ring to go with your champagne is oh so sweet!


Finding tadpoles in the pond is every little boy's dream - Remington and Griffin found a few tadpoles and frogs in the pond. Grif is showing us a tadpole, but check out the precious little girl behind him....she really wants to head to the restroom but is so much more interested in Grif's tadpole.


Grif and Rem .. .. and who would have thought right after I snapped this picture they BOTH were trying to get the other one in the water! The tales of two brothers, always up for adventure.


Fred and Wilma Flintstone, no, no, I meant Fred and Ethel Mertz, well actually, really, it's just us.

Sunny and Warm Easter Sunday 2009

Fred's new binoculars that I hijacked from him

My favorite sugar recipe handed down by sweet Vinnie Sorenson

Griffin and Remington doing what little boy monkeys do -- climb and swing and jump

Jeff and Suzanne resting after the Easter Celebration feast of ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, rolls and sUgAr cOoKiEs!


We've been waiting all winter for a beautiful spring day, and we got it on Easter Sunday, April 12. Fred, Rocco and I drove to Boise to enjoy a feast prepared by Suzanne, and spend the day with her, Jeff, Rem and Grif, and oh I almost forgot, Mattie. After dinner we ventured west to the new Meridian Lowe's and picked up our special ordered back door! Talk about excited, I am, and it's getting installed this week! Then to Wes and Jeannie's to visit a spell, Harv and KC were there from The Dalles OR as well as Wes, Kathie, Wesley, Taylor, and Michael. I made it through most of the day but my 3 day headache was getting the best of me around 7 pm so we headed back to Mountain Home, and to bed after blessed Easter Sunday with family.

Bunco for Breast Cancer 2009

Not one of us hasn't been effected by cancer, specifically breast cancer.
No way, no how, can I thank my friends who help organize our Bunco for Breast Cancer Benefit every year. Look at these women - they make it all happen! Each and every person plays a significant role in putting on one of Southern Idaho's most popular benefits every February.

Our 2009 Bunco for Breast Cancer Organizers ~
Toni, Mary, Patty, Cortnie, Shannon, Vicky, Dawn, Suzanne, Bonnie, Tammy, Toni, Rose and Fran.

Beta Zeta Sorority Donation to Bunco for Breast Cancer

Vicki Valley from the Beta Zeta Sorority presented a donation check for $315.00 from their organization to benefit our 2009 Bunco for Breast Cancer Fund Raiser. Vicki is a great supporter, and hosted a bunco night in her home with her sorority friends (no need to crowd into the Legion Hall with hundreds of crazed women screaming BUNCO!) What a great idea, and their generosity is so very much appreciated! We had two other sorority groups in Mountain Home that made large donations as well, the Zeta B's and ESA groups. Thank you to each and every one of you for your spirited donations!

Did I tell ya that we raised $8,200 in 2009 playing Bunco and donated the proceeds to St. Luke's Health Foundation to help women in Idaho who need assistance in their fight against breast cancer? Did I also tell ya the biggest need is early detection? Did I tell ya our theme this year was "No Woman Left Unscreened"? Get screened, save your life.

Birthday Lunch Bunch

Yes, yes, yes, today is the birthday year PAST the age of 50 - dreaded as it may be, I am officially in my early 50's. As I reflected this morning, I can walk, talk, drive and feed myself so life is good. I had a wonderful birthday lunch with my favorite daughter Suzanne and two very good friends Rose and Tammy at Flat Bread in Bown Crossing. At work we enjoyed carrot cake breakfast made by Carol, and lots of e-mail greetings and cards from many friends. Talked with sisters Ann, Debbie and Darlene and will chat with Gloria tonight hopefully. I heard a Pampers commercial this morning where a baby was singing "Happy Birthday" and when I watched the screen, I thought of my own mother and how she must have felt on the day I was born in 1958. Hope it was a happy day for both her and my dad...and I wish she was around so I could ask her just a few questions about my birth. Ask your mom about your birthday if you have the opportunity...someday you will wish you had.

Snyder Park - Springfield Ohio

Snyder Park has a pond that freezes over each winter...this is where I learned to ice skate on cold winter nights, big crackling bon fires to keep us warm, and lots of 6th and 7th graders cutting figure 8's with their blades. I have great memories of this stone bridge and the fun times with my young friends.

Johnny Bench at the Montgomery Inn

The best catcher of all time, #5 Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, I wanted to marry him when I was 10 years old.

Dinner at the Montgomery Inn - Montgomery OH

Every famous sports player, actor and even Presidents have dined at the Montgomery Inn. Famous for ribs and barbeque sauce...it's an experience and so so delicious. Couldn't resist going there for dinner even knowing I had to get up in a few hours to catch my plane out of Columbus back to Boise.

Geez, there are a lot of females in my family!

Debbie, Vicky, Teresa and Jeanette (back)
Ann, Darlene and Abby (front)

We traveled to Cincinnati from Springfield in a snow storm on Jan 18 to see the Bowman's. (Jeanette is my niece, daughter of sister Debbie, mother of Abby and Tanner, wife of Bob). Hadn't seen the kids in almost 3 years so it was a special day for all of us. Abby had a STARRING role in the "High School Musical" - bravo to a star!

The Cincinnati Kids

Wasn't there a Paul Newman movie, "The Cincinnati Kid" ? Well, Abby and Tanner are MY favorite Cincinnati kids! This was taken just before Abby's starring role in 'The High School Musical' at the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. She played Kelsey, the piano player and brains of the school. So fitting - Abby is brilliant and moved us all with her outstanding performance! Tanner was at the performance too, running around with the other cast members brothers and did I mention he managed to leave the van door open during the entire performance with our shopping finds from IKEA? So many things to do and so little time to shut the car door! (wink, wink)

Frisch's Big Boy in Springfield OH

Frisch's is the place where my dad would take me in the 60's to get a plate of chili and spaghetti. I thought Chili and Spaghetti went together like peanut butter and jelly until I moved away from Springfield and found out this combo was unique in Ohio. Frisch's also had the first car hops and speakers used to place your order. Ahh, the fun of the 60's!

John Legend - love his music!

John Legend performing at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania on December 5, 2008. Went to Springfield North High School, in Springfield Ohio Background information
Birth name John Stephens
Born December 28, 1978 (1978-12-28) (age 30)
Origin Springfield, Ohio, United States
Instrument(s) Vocals, piano, keyboards

John Legend, and I, both claim Springfield, Ohio as our hometowns. My sister knows his dad....I got part of the story she was telling me but everyone is connected to each other in Springfield, just like they are in Mountain Home, and every other town in the USA.

Jonathan Winters, the comedian, is also from Springfield. His mother and my dad knew each other way back when...early 1930's I think.

Visiting Gloria

The reason I went to Ohio in January was to see my oldest sister Gloria. Gloria has always been there for me, forever, since the day I was born (she was 16). Wiped my nose, changed my diapers, taught me how to cook, and took care of me when I needed taken care of.

Gloria has had a few set backs with her health and I pray she regains her strength and feels better every day. I love you sis.

Me and My Sisters Having Fun

Ann, Darlene and I visited Debbie at her job at the Local Machinists Club on Jan 16 in Springfield. It is housed in a historic fire station built in the mid 1800's.

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

(click the title link above for the video)

For Kelly Corrigan, family is everything. At thirty-six, she had a marriage that worked, two funny, active kids, and a weekly newspaper column. But even as a thriving adult, Kelly still saw herself as the daughter of garrulous Irish-American charmer George Corrigan. She was living deep within what she calls the Middle Place—"that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap"—comfortably wedged between her adult duties and her parents' care. But Kelly is abruptly shoved into coming-of-age when she finds a lump in her breast—and gets the diagnosis no one wants to hear. When George, too, learns that he has late-stage cancer, it is Kelly's turn to take care of the man who had always taken care of her—and to show us a woman who finally takes the leap and grows up.

New Year's Resolutions for 2009 we'd like to see...

I busted a gut laughing out loud when I read these resolutions in the USA Today Dec 31 2008!

I resolve to ...

...live within my means, wean myself off credit, and read the fine print of my mortgage papers
- The American Consumer (and his government)

...take a vow of poverty
- The New York Yankees

...park the private jets
- Big Three Auto Makers

...keep one eye on the world, the other on Bill-particularly at 3 am
- Secretary of State Nominee Hillary Clinton

...get a license and pay my taxes
- Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher

...support the "Palin for 2012" movement
- Actress Tina Fey

...get stronger binoculars so I can keep an eye on them Russians.
- Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

...think with my brain
- John Edwards

...serenade John with Carrie Underwood's Before He Cheats
- Elizabeth Edwards

...teach fish to swim
- Olympian Michael Phelps, winner of eight gold medals

...remember that "shooting from the hip" isn't supposed to be a literal thing
- New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress

...put a trigger lock on the scissors
- Britney Spears

"Joy to the World" - Suzanne's Famous Prime Rib!

Suzanne can cook, and isn't afraid to try out new recipes. This was her first prime rib, and it was tender, moist and medium rare to perfection! Great job Chef Suzanne!

Poor poor Mattie - she just wanted a throw down of a prime rib scrap.

Rem is about to spill the beans!

No such thing as Christmas secrets - Rem is dying to tell Suzanne what's in the box!

Jeff and Griffin...enjoying Christmas Day

Griffin wasn't feeling so well on Christmas Day but managed a big smile with his dad through all the wrappings and boxes.

A blast from the past..hot rollers for Big Texas Hair!

Girls with big curly hair always dream of bigger curlier hair, or not. Maybe I'll get a flat iron for my birthday! Gotta work with the hair God gave us right?

Hollywood Famous Advent Calendar!

Grif and Rem went to the Advent Calendar and found the last 2 treats on December 24 and as you can see, sang with joy! See the Advent Calendar on the door? If you've seen the movie "Four Christmases" with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, the exact same calendar is in the movie! Look close. It's there - I bought this advent calendar for Suzanne about 29 years from Avon - can you believe it? Now's it's famous and in Hollywood!

Christmas Eve Storm

It snowed and snowed and snowed - making it a white Christmas in southern Idaho. Here is a view from our front porch of the thick icicles hanging from the roof. It was beautiful, and very quiet outside. Magical time for Santa to come!

Lobster tails at the their best on Christmas Eve!

Christmas 2008

Don't you love Christmas? The spirit of Christmas, bringing families together, the excitement of the little ones, seeing new and old friends, delicious food, and a little time to reflect on the important things in life.

Here is our family that dined Christmas Eve on buttery lobster tails and boiled shrimp. Jeff, Suzanne, Mitch, Fred and Vicky - of course our Italian Grayhound, Rocco.

Case Family Christmas Party 2008

My two bestest girlfriends in the whole world..Mary Jo and Darla. The Three Amigas...still crazy after all these years.

Rose and I and the giant red bling ornament that-could-pass-for a necklace from Tiffany's!

bUnCo is so much fun!

Toni Reynolds hosts December bunco for us each year, and does an amazing job. She made a baked potato bar with out of this world holiday appetizers and jazzy snacks. Toni poured smooooth butterscotch schnapps and Bailey's, and made ice cold Copper Camels for the bunco girls. Thanks Toni! I am so lucky to have such great friends.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

My first SLIM tree - I like it, I like it alot! It didn't take 2 hours to assemble like my big fat BUT beautiful very full tree. Life is good when you have a bit of extra time to do things like bake, shop, wrap, get your Christmas cards done, and visit with friends.

Check out Jingle Bells by the Gap's Merry Mixer Group - it's pretty entertaining!

Christmas Outing

Fred and I enjoyed a night out seeing a movie and having dinner on a snowy icy night. The drive to MH from Boise was wIcKeD. Saw 3 wrecks before my eyes on the interstate. Was VERY glad to get home 1 hour and 20 minutes later.

Holiday Lunch at St. Luke's

Can I tell you how good the food is at St. Luke's Boise? They baked, they roasted, and the leadership team served a delicious holiday meal to all employees this past week. Nice.

Downtown Mountain Home Lamp Post with Holiday Decorations

Just wanted to add another activity to my already busy crazy schedule so.. I decorated the lamp post in front of our Gym, Fitness Plus, for the holidays. Why not add a little jazz to an ordinary street lamp? The big lighted candle is courtesy of the City of Mountain Home. And at night, if you look close, you'll see about 1/5 of the lights are out about three quarters of the way up...as I was decorating I caused a slight electrical surge (and my hand is still a little "numb" from the jolt). Decorating doesn't require a degree in electrical kilowatts and metal, but maybe I should have known what I was doing up there.

Boise State - 2008 WAC Champs!

Western Athletic Conference Champs with their trophy on the Blue Turf. Ya Baby! The Blue Turf was PACKED with Bronco Nation fans (I never could see Suzanne...5'1" in a sea of tall football players and fans..impossible to find the itty bitty daughter of mine).

Senior Vinny Perretta #19

Bronco Stadium

West Side, with the new Stueckle Sky Center on the very tip top.

Boise State perfect season 2008!

How 'bout those Broncos?! Nov 29, 2008
The Broncos lead in every 2nd half of their 12 games.
The most famous Bronco Ian Johnson had his best game of the year and WAC-record-tying 57th rushing touchdown of his career.
Bad news is the Broncos will not get an invitation to a BCS bowl game.

Top picture of Quinn, Marcus and freshman quarterback Kellen Moore taken at the van postgame.

Pumpkin Trifle Recipe

Hello friends! Here is a great recipe for Pumpkin Trifle. Pumpkin Pie can be a bit boring, so I am trying a new twist on using pumpkin this holiday. I made this for Bunco last week and it was a hit.

Wishing you all a peaceful Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Trifle

2 (14-ounce) packages gingerbread mix
1 (5.1-ounce) box cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix
1 (30-ounce) can pumpkin pie filling
½ cup packed brown sugar
1/3 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon
1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping
½ cup gingersnaps, optional

Directions
Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cardamom into the pudding. Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, pretty bowl. Pour ½ of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding, and whipped topping. Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired. Refrigerate overnight. Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl.

Food

Food. It's my sustenance, my joy, my crutch. Food's always been there for me: through death, divorce, and disheartening news yet never far away during new loves, new friendships, and new jobs. My family was not that unusual at the kitchen table. You were home at suppertime to eat together. You finished what was put on your plate. And dining out often signified some kind of family celebration. Food brings people together: an excuse to go with friends in high school for dinner and a movie; the frequent scene of a first date; large family gatherings at a favorite neighborhood restaurant, or backyard barbeque; and as a "grown-up", a way to stay connected with friends from old jobs or departments. Food holds a particularly warm, fuzzy spot in the hearts of women in our bunco group. We love to cook and prepare food for each other. So, take a nibble here and there, and I'll keep posting pictures of great meals I've enjoyed with friends and family. Don't be shy to leave your own thoughts about food!

Nov 8 - Time Flies and Now it's Time to Go Home

One last lunch with Ann and Rose before Fred and I headed to the Airport and our journey ends.

Airport Fiasco - generous Fred was getting out a few dollars to tip the Alamo driver taking us from the rental lot to the airport. He dropped his wallet apparently in the shuttle van and didn't realize it was gone until just inside the airport. Fred jumped in the next shuttle van to return to the lot and then searched all 14 Alamo vans, but no wallet was found or turned it. Credit cards, driver's license, about $350 cash. (I am in tears thinking he is not going to be able to get on the airplane). We think the driver made a sweep and picked it off. I had all the cards canceled by the time we made it to the gate. Thank you to Delta Airlines for allowing Fred to board with me, and using his Medicare card. What a sad sad ending to a nice vacation.

I knew the sunny vacation was officially over when our plane was approaching Boise and I saw blowing sleeting snow from the window. Ugh. Winter is here.

Nov 7 Cute Coasters in the Enchanted Garden

Fun little shop, and they were decorating for Christmas. Bought an Evelyn and Crabtree room spray, Morrocan Spice. Smells SO nice!

Nov 7 * Dinner at Cafe Alfresco

Dined on our last night in Dunedin at Cafe Alfresco. Nice little spot right on the Pinellas Trail. Ann and Rose brought their neighbor Pat, who has a condo in Cove Cay near Ann, but is a full timer from Canada (about 3 hours north of Detroit..burr). Fred had a GYNORMOUS plate of Cajun Meatloaf. We told ourselves we'd order one meal and split it...of course our eyes are bigger than our tummies and we always seemed to order our own meal and have enough for 2 meals later.

Went over to visit Esther, Ethel Fritts was there too. Esther played 3 songs on her organ for us before parting. The girl is 92 and plays better than a 5th grader! She is such a sweet lady.

Tomorrow we leave, and we are both sad. We love it here.

Nov 7 - Early Morning Bike Ride

I filled the bike tires with air, and took off for a 10 mile ride this morning. Love love love the mornings with the sun shining and the sea air at my side. I decided to take a few pictures of the sites on my ride along with a part of the bike in each picture. A little way to remember where I went today.

BIG scare! As I was making a turn on the bike, my camera fell out of my pocket on the cobbletone street. Oh my God! I was sick - I went back and picked up the camera fearing the worse that maybe the screen was cracked or the whole camera busted. I parked the bike and ran to my camera to make sure my best friend was not smashed. It was not! Eureka! I turned it on and bingo it was working. I peddled home to get Fred so we could head down to the Friday Green Market in downtown Dunedin.

The Green Market was full of fresh veggies, fruits, homemade desserts, and very nice people out for a Friday morning stroll. I took a few great pictures of all the produce when my camera blinked out "Internal Memory Full". What? Huh? I looked and saw NO MEMORY CARD. Oh my God. My memory stick was missing and I was sure it lay back on the cobblestone street. Fred and I raced back, really not sure where exactly I dropped the camera about an hour prior. I pulled down San Salvador Street, and I looked and saw the most beautiful thing (well almost the most beautiful thing) .... my memory stick was laying in the street! I put it in and bam, it worked! Thank you Lord for small miracles.

Nov 7 Friday * Best day yet in Florida!

Highs in low 80's - lots of sunshine - many people in Clearwater for the Ironman - this event will bring in 1500 participants and 5 million $$$ for the city. Clearwater rolled out the white sand for all the visitors this weekend!

You can see in the beach pictures that it was a fabulous day!

Nov 6 * Dinner at Marlin Darlin Grill

First time for Stone Crab Claws for me - I waited two years to have this dinner! Stone Crab Claws come into season around Nov 1 through early spring. I always seem to miss the season. Fred had a full lobster which had him a little frightened at first, and Ann and Rose each had Grouper Oscar with asparagus and crab CHUNKS on top. Joanne the manager gave me all the specials on the phone, and sat us in Karen's section when we got there. She said Karen was the best which she was. Karen "gloved" up and helped Fred pull the meat from Mr. Lobster, and Karen crack one tough claw for me. Ask for Karen's table if you dine at Marlin Darlin Grill on West Bay in Belleair Bluffs.

Nov 6 * 70.3 Clearwater Ironman Competition

Two days until 1500 athletes compete in the Clearwater 70.3 Ironman competition. The athletes will swim in the gulf 1.5 miles, bike 56 miles through Pinellas County, then run 13.1 miles on Saturday, Nov 8. Fred had rushing memories of the full Ironman competitions he did within the last 10 years. The expo, the bikes, watching people swim in the Gulf (wetsuits a must). We even ran into one of the organizers today that we met during the Boise 70.3 last June when we volunteered at the registration table. Small world. Fred completed TWO Ironman's in California, and Suzanne is now training to compete in the 2009 Boise 70.3 Ironman in June.

Nov 6 Sunny Clearwater Beach

The positive energy starts to flow when the sun comes out! The overcast skies left western Florida today, and we had sunshine! We were at the beach by noon, and stayed til 3. Any day at the beach is a better day than ... most everything else!