New Blog Address

I decided to go ahead and start a new blog.

When I started this blog I didn't really know what I was doing or what I wanted from a blog. It has become something that I really enjoy. 

The new site is HERE

The web address is: jessicanewmanca.blogspot.com

Here I go again.....

This and That

1. How would everyone feel if I started a new blog? This one is out of space for pictures.

2. I took some great pictures of my pies and my table. I am sure you can see them in your mind :)

3. I am so thankful for this season of Thanksgiving! What a wonderful time to count and enjoy our blessings. I am thankful for:

family

friends

food

home

the gospel

the Savior

the Plan

my kind, loving, and forgiving husband

sweet children

kind words

music

transportation

work

health

forgiveness

agency

joy

4. I am making THIS casserole for Thanksgiving breakfast tomorrow. I have everything on hand minus the pancetta, but I do have bacon!

5. I am very blessed!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!

The day before

It's the day before Thanksgiving!

Today is all about prep. First thing this morning I pulled my ENORMOUS turkey out of the fridge. I got it all cleaned up and trimmed and then smeared a nice salt brine all over it. Tomorrow it will have a nice butter bath before I roast it.

Now I am working on the desserts!

I am making a raspberry crumb pie and this...

Dark Chocolate Cheesecake with Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache

I am not usually a cheesecake person, but I saw the recipe on Ambitious Kitchen, and I had to make it.

The crust is made from oreo cookies, hazelnuts, and butter. In the words of Ina Garten, "How bad can that be?"

After dessert is finished I will be moving on to my table. The kids have been helping me with decorations. We cut out fall colored leaves and made some turkeys. I love having an excuse to pull out my china!

Happy turkey prep day!

The wrap-up

 

1. Our weekend trip to Utah is quickly coming to an end. Sadly it is ending with a sinus infection.

 

2. I am thankful for antibiotics.

 

3. I am thankful for muddy buddies :)

 

4. I had a lot of fun with my sister in laws this weekend. They are awesome ladies.

 

5. I had a great time in Provo with Ty this weekend! I do love BYU.

 

Going home tomorrow! Happy Sunday!

 

me vs. snow = gym

 

I woke up this morning at 6:30. I was planning on going for a run. It had rained all night and the snow had turned into slush. It was still dark, but I could tell the country roads were going to be a mess. So I did what any determined southern California girl would do. I pulled on my running shoes and drove to the nearest gym....30 miles away.

 

This and That

1. Packing is going well! The kids clothes are done, the snacks are packed, and the diaper bag is ready to go. I need to pack for myself and at some point before we leave....clean out the car.

2. I saw this today:

It's coconut hot chocolate made in the crock pot!

(Recipe: HERE at How Sweet Eats)

I think it needs to make an appearance at Thanksgiving next week!

3. I need this:

Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery cookbook

4. I am making fettucini alfredo for dinner tonight. Ty loves alfredo sauce and the kids love pasta. It should be a win. I am using PW's recipe HERE.

5. Zoey likes pancakes. She and Zackary will be great friends :)

6. Have a nice day. Think of me as I head to the frozen tundra.....aka Utah tomorrow!

Speech Therapy and Michael Buble

1. After almost a year of applications and evaluations it looks like we will finally be getting some help regarding Zackary's speech delays. Hooray :)

2. We are almost out of Halloween candy. I really don't know how it happened. A few lunchbox treats, a batch of monster cookies, and a snickers salad......all that's left are the butterfingers. 

3. My parent-teacher conference with Max's teachers (yes, he has 2 teachers) went well this morning. The conference with Mia's teacher is scheduled for this evening. I am hoping to hear good things there as well.

4. I have barely begun to pack for our trip on Thursday and I already want to take a nap.

5. I think we will make these:

Chocolate Cookies from How Sweet Eats

It seems like the right thing to do.

6. I love listening to Michael Buble sing Christmas carols. His voice is delightful. (Thanks Pandora)

Have a delightful week!

A To-Do List

I found this list in Max's room while I was doing some cleaning.

It says:

need to get done

See Wreck It Ralph

Play with Ian

Computer

Clean Room

Draw

Jump

TV

Ninjago

I love that boy so much :)

Zackary's Train Day

 Zackary loves trains!

He has a train table in his room that he is constantly using to build all sorts of train track creations. On Saturday my parents took him out for a special train day with Thomas.

Zackary was in heaven! It was a day catered just to him :) 

That doesn't happen too often!

 My mom said the highlight of the day was the actual Thomas train ride.

They rode all around town and whenever they came to a railroad crossing Zackary hung out the window and waved to all of the waiting cars!

Zack came home with a new Thomas train toy car for his table. (Thanks Grandparents!)

He has been playing with it ever since.

Cold

The high today is supposed to be 68 degrees! That means, we in southern California, are freezing!

I have the heaters on and we started the morning with a fire in the fireplace. I went to the store this morning and everyone was dressed in winter coats and boots (myself included!)

It all of a sudden made me very nervous to visit Utah this weekend. I have lived in Utah. I have lived in Tennessee. Both places had cold and snowy winters. I know what to expect; myself wearing flannel underwear, myself cuddling next to the fireplace and space heater, avoiding the outside as much as possible, and the constant dressing and undressing of children that like to go out and play in the snow until they are freezing 5 minutes later.

There are nice things about the frozen winters I suppose. Snow covered earth looks lovely from the inside of a warm house. Hot chocolate is delicious and Christmas carols seem a bit more magical when the world is white.

I guess I can deal with a little cold for a little while.

Remember:

Keep Calm and Cozy Up!