My first blog

Hi everyone--i'm bloggin in using jeff's account and typing abilities. I spent the day with Elvis in Minneapolis--and i'm still singing blue suede shoes. Rumor has it that the Gladstones know that song by heart... "A-one for the money, 2 for the show, 3 to get ready and go-cat-go!" Now you'll be singing it all day!
That's all--
Love, Carrie

Seeds CD

Hi everyone,

We started to memorize a new verse this week for homeschooling and it happens to be on the Seeds Family Worship CD that we have. I think you all had a chance to listen to these Scripture memory CD's driving to or from Splash Lagoon (thanks Mom & Dad, we're still talking about that! Fun Fun!). We really enjoy them and I just wanted to give you the info about them in case you wanted to add them to your collection. You can buy them from Christianbook.com for $8.99 - $10.99 and they are also listed on Napster, if you're into that. There are 4 different CD's in the collection.



We are having a spring thaw here in Chinle, so everything is muddy! We had youth group yesterday and 3 of the girls live across a wash, so CJ had to drive through about a foot of red sticky mud to pick them up. the locals call it "kaleechie". If they have to drive somewhere, this family has to leave really early in the morning while the ground is still frozen and they wait until it is frozen again at night to come home.



Now I really have to go read to the kids.... they are all playing in Leah's walker right now :)

Love you,

Maurie

Pretzel Recipe

hey everyone!

we're going to make pretzels and it reminded me that i promised you all the recipe. here it is:

Soft Schmeckt Pretzels

2 pkgs. ¼ oz packages of dry yeast
1 tsp white sugar
1 ¼ c. warm water
4-5 c. flour
½ c. white sugar
1 tsp salt
1 T vegetable oil

1/4 c. baking soda
2 c. hot water
Kosher salt

Dissolve yeast and sugar in water ~ let stand for 5-10 min, until bubbly. In mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar and salt. Add oil and yeast mixture. Mix until smooth dough forms. Knead on low speed for 8-10 min. Lightly oil large bowl, turn dough out into bowl, turning so it gets coated with oil. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in warm area to rise for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450. in large bowl, dissolve baking soda and water.
Divide dough in 12 equal pieces, then roll into 20” long strips and form into pretzels. After each pretzel is shaped, quickly dip into water/soda mixture and place on greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake for 8 minutes on TOP rack.

Ideas:
Make pretzels thicker and cut in half to make a sandwich roll.
Dip in melted butter and coat with cinnamon sugar mixture
Before baking, sprinkle with salt and parmesan cheese and basil.

A Snowy Day in Boston

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its snowing!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost all the schools are canceled ( including our own)!!! Its really pretty to see the city covered in snow. Not so great for riding conditions though. ( boo hoo) Although we could buy space at a near by barn's indoor arena.

Awesome sledding conditions, and tons of hills to go down!! Sounds like a fun week for us here in Boston!!


Abby

Dreaming About Fairview Farm

Hi Everyone... This was easy to set up and i think a great idea by Wendy to share family updates in between our get-togethers! It wasn't too hard to think of a name since i do find myself thinking about this place even when i have such a great view out of my 6-floor window overlooking the Boston Common. Maybe it's all the sirens and loud voices which make me wish for 100-acres of snow-covered, sled riding, wood chopping fun in the country... or maybe it's the food?

Anyway, i hope everyone settles in well and begins the New Year healthy and blessed. Here's to being a blessing to all around us in 2008!