Cabin

We made our first trip to the cabin today. There are still some snow banks but we can get in. We saw our first Cow Elk for the season. It is the mateing season for frogs and they are croaking it up like gangbusters. It is a beautiful sound!

Banana Nut Bread

I got this recipe from my Cousin Linda. What intriqued me was the buttermilk. It makes it so moist. It's a great recipe.

3/4 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 bananas, mashed

2 eggs, well beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Cream butter and sugar thoroughly. Add the bananas, eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Sift the baking soda, salt and flour together. Stir it into the banana mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Add nuts and mix well. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour 15 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning it out. Cool completely.

No Bake Cookies

I always used Nestle's quick instead of cocoa because I didn't want it to be too chocolatey. My husband doesn't like chocolate and suggested I use Nestle's quick strawberry. They turned out great!!!

Chocolate Oatmeal Drops
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons cocoa or Nestle's quick

Mix together and bring to boiling point, DON'T BOIL. Remove from stove and add:
3 cups oats
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup nuts
1 cup coconut

Mix together and drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper or foil.

If nuts and coconut are not added, add another cup of oats. If you like it dry verses fudgy, keep adding oats to desired dryness.

New Pillows

I found these pillows at Wal Mart and they matched the other pillows and decorations in the living room.

Flowers in my Yard

I love the heart shape so that is my fasination with the Bleeding Heart. I have 2 bushes in my yard.

Our tulips are very beautiful this year!

Little Sahara Sand Dunes

Kay and I went to the sand dunes to see 2 of my nephews and to see what they do there. There were approximately 15,000 people camped out and riding 4 wheelers, 3 wheelers and sand rails. There is a hill called the Face that everyone goes up and some do wheelies. It is very entertaining. We enjoyed our day!!

My nephew Paul is on the left.

This is my nephew Paul.

This is my nephew Paul.

Tortellini Salad

I got this recipe from http://www.cookingwithangel.com/. I like this because the dressing consist of mayonnaise and sour cream.

2 pkg frozen tortellini (4 cups)

1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

1/4 cup sour cream

2 cloves garlic, mashed

2 tablespoons minced basil

1/4 cup finely minced red bell pepper

Salt and pepper to taste

Possible add-ins: black olives, ham, green onion, seeded cucumber, mushrooms, marinated artichokes, shredded povolone, salami, baby peas, etc.

Cook pasta; set aside to cool. Combine mayo, garlic, basil, peppers and sour cream; stri in pasta. Refrigerate. Best if made ahead. Add the add-ins you want. Serve.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad

I tasted this salad at Relief Society and fell in love with it. I made it the next day. I checked the internet and found that you can add anything you like.

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Bacon

Craisins

Sunflower Seeds

1 cup Mayonnaise

1/4 cup Sugar

2 Tablespoons White Distilled Vinegar

Chop up vegetables into bite size pieces. Add craisins and seeds. Mix mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar together. Mix dressing and vegetables together.

Can also add cheese chunks, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, red seedless grapes, shredded carrot, kidney beans, green onions, olives, artichoke hearts, red bell pepper, chicken, cashews or ramen noodles.

Other ideas for dressings are Italian Dressing, Ranch Dressing or Asian Dressing consisting of 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon sugar.

Hope you enjoy this salad as much as I do!!!!