Time Out!

A muchly needed Time out happened before Thanksgiving! Renae, Andrea & Ashley and Jolene, Jenny & Kimmy all went to Salt Lake to attend Time Out For Women. We enjoyed a beautiful Friday night of Jenny Oaks Baker's violin, heard from Sheri Dew and elder Nielson's wife, Wendy Nielson! That was the best night!! We all stayed in a hotel across the street that night and then went to a whole day's worth of wonderful music and talks! All in all, it was an awesome weekend, but just being with my cousins was the best! Hopefully next year more of the family can join us!

time out

So I am ordering tickets for:
Andrea
Ashley
Renae
Jenny

Is there anyone else who would like me to order tickets to Time out for Women?
It is going to be a great weekend, so let me know ASAP if you would like to go!
Andrea

Last Call

Last Call for Time out for Women Tickets. To get a discount, I need to get the tickets by October 14th which is next week, so email me at suzukiviolin@hotmail.com if you would like me to reserve you a ticket!
So far, it is just Andrea, Renae and Ashley so if you would like to join us, let me know! I went to 1 time out for women and I left so rejuivinated and spiritually fed! This one has some amazing speakers and musicians.
Go to http://deseretbook.com/timeout/event/68
to read more about it!
Thanks,
andrea

Lion House Rolls

Lion House Dinner Rolls

2 cups warm water (110 to 115� F)

2/3 cup nonfat dry milk

2 tablespoons active dry yeast

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1/3 cup butter, shortening, or margarine

1 egg

5 to 5 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or bread flour

1/2 cup butter, melted
In large bowl of an electric mixer, combine water and dry milk powder, stirring until milk dissolves. Add yeast, then sugar, salt, butter, egg, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix on low speed until ingredients are wet. Increase mixer speed to medium and mix for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups flour; mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, then for 2 minutes at medium speed. (Dough will be getting stiff, and remaining flour may need to be mixed in by hand.) Add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix again until dough is soft, not overly sticky, and not stiff. (It is not necessary to use the entire amount of flour.)

Scrape dough off sides of bowl and pour about one tablespoon of vegetable oil; work oil all around sides of bowl. Turn dough over in bowl so it is covered with oil. (This helps prevent dough from drying out.) Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Sprinkle cutting board or counter with flour and place dough on floured board. Roll out and shape as desired. Place on greased or parchment-lined baking pans. Cover lightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm place until rolls are doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Time Out For Women

So I was talking to my mom about going to Time out for Women, and it occured to me that it would be SO much fun if all of the ladies in the Anderson Family went with us! I can finally go to this since it is Friday night and all day Saturday, as opposed to all week like Education Week that I just can't make from year to year! SO, here are the details:
Friday, November 13, 2009
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Saturday, November 14, 2009
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Salt Palace Convention Center
Fee-$57 {if 5 or more sign up in your group, you get a $10 discount each if you register by October 14th}

The speakers and guests are:
Jenny Oaks Baker {enough said!}
Mary ellen Edmunds-hilarious
Sheri Dew-amazing speaker
Hillary Weeks-amazing musician & voice
Emily Watts-hilarious writer

Check out the Time Out for Women Link:
http://deseretbook.com/timeout/event/68

So, let me know if you are interested in going. I need a commitment by
September 30th so I can reserve the tickets and get the discount. If we want the discount and we can get more than 5 people, I will just register everyone together and collect checks from everyone to make it easier.

Email me at suzukiviolin@hotmail.com if you are IN! This would be so much fun to get all of the Anderson ladies together, so hopefully we can all go and enjoy together!
Love, Andrea

BYU BOYS TRIP

If your husbands are interested in traveling to the BYU vs Wyoming game the first week of November, tell them to contact my dad, Brad, or Regan. Word got out at the cousin party that this might happen, and now just check out tentrash.blogspot.com to see the status! It would be a ton of fun for all of the guys to show their true blue colors at the crazy game in Laramie!
Brad: 801-792-2401
Regan: 801-554-9622

Christmas Project

I am working on a Christmas Project for Christmas, and I was wondering if the cousins that were not able to come to the party could do me a favor. Can you send me a picture of yourself and if you have kids as well to suzukiviolin@hotmail.com?
That would be great if you could help me out.
These are the people I need pictures of:
Shalene & DJ
Austin, Ethan & Andrew
Jared, Jamie & kids
David, Jill & Kids
Steven & Kristin
Maurianne
Craig & Kara
Robby
Melissa
Reed
Suzy
Thanks so much everyone!!!

Rafael's Salsa

While the tomatoes are in season I stick tomatoes in the blender and crush them instead of using canned tomatoes as the recipe call for. This salsa is great fresh or bottled. If your not a cilantro fan or you just happen to be out it is still delicious.

Rafael's Salsa

5 Fresh Tomatoes
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup (8 ounces) tomato paste
2 Fresh Bell Peppers
5 Fresh medium-hot jalapeno peppers or (1/2 cup canned in water, not vinegar).
* I use 1 small can of mild fire roasted jalapeno peppers
1/2 to 1 bunch fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons salt
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 - 2 cups water

Chop all fresh vegetables. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Simmer 15 minutes, then bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool for about 20 minutes, add cilantro.

~ Rafael's Mexican Restaurant

Cousin Hootenanny

Thanks to all of the Cousins who made it to the Cousin Hootenanny! I am so glad we all got a chance to get together and just talk! I am pretty disapointed that we weren't able to play the following games though:
1. Red Rover
2. Mother may I?
3. Statues
4. Red Light Green Light
5. No Bears are out Tonight
6. Around the World
7. Spookalley's
8. Hide & seek
9. Hypnotizying
10. Anything else you can think of?
I am also glad that the younger generation could get together and play with each other! My kids had a blast playing with all of the cousins! Let's plan a Christmas Cousin Party and play some fun games together! Thanks for coming again!!
Love, Andrea

RSVP

Here is who I have heard back on for the Cousin BBQ this Monday night at 8:00
Ryan & Laura-Dessert
Suzy & Tommy-Salad
Heather & Graham-dessert
Jenny & Alan-cooke salad
Ashley & Brett-Chips & dip
Melanie & Lee-Veggie Tray
Teresa & Tyler-salad
Becky-coming after work!!

People I haven't heard from:
Maurianne
Shalene {Can Teresa or Becky let her know details?}
Craig & Kara
Kimmy
Sammy
{If any of you want to bring either sour cream, grated cheese or bacon bits for baked potatoes, that would be great!}

Here are directions to my house if you don't know how to get here!
From 1-15, get off at Bangerter and head west {go past redwood road where the bluffdale house is} get off at 13400 south and keep heading west. Turn left at smiths which is 5600 west. Go down the road and turn right on mirabella. Take 1st left which is rosaleen road, then 3rd left which is morning light. Take 1st right which is our street-maple run circle. My address is 14286 South Maple Run Circle. My phone number is 801-253-4045 so call me if you have any problems!

It should be a fun Cousin Hootenanny!!

Chicken and Cheese Chimichangas

Prep Time: 30 minutes (not including thaw time)
Skill Level: Intermediate
Servings: 12

12 Rhodes Texas™ rolls, thawed and risen
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
salsa
vegetable oil for frying

salsa, sour cream and grated cheese, if desired

Sauté onion and garlic in oil. Add chicken and cook over low heat until heated thoroughly. Remove from heat and add cheese. Flatten each roll to a 5-inch square. Spread each square with 2 teaspoons salsa. Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture onto half of each square. Fold over the other half and pinch the edges to seal. Pour oil 2 to 3-inches deep into a small sauce pan or an electric frying pan and heat to medium high setting or 375°F. Fry each chimichanga approximately 3 minutes on each side. Serve with salsa, sour cream and grated cheese, if desired.

Variation: Instead of frying, these can be baked at 350°F 20 minutes.

Heather's note: I used a large can of chicken because I am lazy, that is what made this so easy! I also used whatever frozen rolls I had in the freezer, this recipe came from Rhodes so that is why it calls for those. Anyway we loved this and hope you do too!

Hootenanny time

So after having a great time talking to my wonderful cousins at the Turner Reunion, I decided that we need to get together for a Cousin Reunion since we really don't get to talk to each other that much! SO, I am proposing a Cousin Hootenanny!!
Mark your Calendars:
Monday, September 14th at 6:00
Andrea's House-14286 S. Maple Run Cir.
Who-All Cousins! From Chrissy to Tereasa!
(if you have kids, bring them so they can play together!}
Food Assignements: Just bring a salad, veggie or fruit tray, chips & dip or dessert to the BBQ and I will provide the BBQ chicken.
Let me know if you have any questions-suzukiviolin@hotmail.com
So excited to have a fun night with all of my cousins!!!

Need More Meal Ideas??

Hi family! I thought I'd let y'all know about a collaborative recipe blog that my best friend in Rochester started and which I am contributing too. This woman is a phenomenal cook (it runs in her family--her brother is a professional chef!) and has already posted all kinds of great recipes. I thought I'd let you all know about it. Maybe you will find something new to try or a quick idea for dinner. Bon appetit!

All of our Twists (on our Favorite Recipes)

p.s. Check out the blog banner. I made it and I think it's pretty cute if I do say so myself. :)

Cinnamon-Sugar Bundt Cake

This is such a delicious cake. My friends love it when I make this cake!

1 yellow cake mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup water
1 cup cinnamon sugar
1 pkg instant vanilla pudding (do not prepare pudding)

Mix all ingredients together and beat well for 8 minutes. Grease sides of bundt pan and coat with cinnamon-sugar. Pour half the cake mix into the pan. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar over the cake. Then add the rest of the cake mixture. Bake for 50 minutes at 350. Let stand 8-9 minutes before turning over. Can be glazed.

Happy 30th Anniversary!

Renae & Brad just celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary! Here are a few pictures from the Surprise Party we threw for them! Yes, that is Ashley and Angie wearing the actual wedding dress and bridesmaid dress! Skinny girls!!!

Feelings

Does anyone even like this Anderson Hootenanny Blog or should we dissolve it?
Thoughts:

We will miss you Melissa!

Good luck tomorrow as you go into the MTC Melissa! We are all so excited for you and you will be an amazing missionary!

{Good luck with the whole curb side drop off at the MTC-I just read that in the paper to prevent the swine flu from coming into the MTC! That is so lame in my opinion, but enjoy the curb side service!}

Memorial Day

We had another great year at the Bluffdale Cemetary seeing family and listening to the same patriotic songs we have heard since I can remember. Here are some pictures of some of the graves.

On a side note, good luck to Melissa as she prepares to go on her mission and speak on Sunday! We are excited for you!

Mac and Cheese

I saw this recipe on a friend's blog, it is from Oprah. It looks and sounds so good. I am definately going to try it.

Ingredients:Serves 4
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup nonfat skim milk
1/2 cup butternut or cauliflower puree
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
4 ounces (almost 1/4 cup) reduced-fat or nonfat cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander.
While the macaroni is cooking, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the oil, then the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the vegetable puree, Cheddar, cream cheese and seasonings and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the macaroni and serve warm.

Crockpot Chicken

Hey I am looking for a new and different recipe to do some sort of chicken in the crock pot and would love any suggestions out there! :)

The rumor is true

I heard we were not have a girls hootenanny tomorrow night while the men are at priesthood session. This really saddens me because it is tradition.

I just miss seeing everyone. Is that a crime?

Here is a popcorn ball from me to all of you, to remember the good times.

Tortilla Soup

This recipe is a favorite in my house...especially since I am on a quest of losing weight! It is very healthy, low fat and yummy!

4 Cooked Chicken Breasts, cubed
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups stewed tomatoes {I blend them before so they aren't chunky}
1-2 can corn
1-2 can black beans
Taco Seasoning
{Heat this mixture up in a pot until hot}

Toppings:
Lime Tortilla Chips
Squeeze of Lime
Cilantro
Cheese
Avacado, diced

Delicious on these cold snowy days in Utah! Where is our beautiful Spring days?

Melissa's Mission Call

Hello! I heard that Melissa may or may not get her mission call in the mail on Wednesday! I think it would be fun if we all guessed where she is going and why, if there is a reason.


Kimmy-South Carolina {for no specific reason}
Can I have 2 votes? Of course I can, you know I am her mother. I can see Melissa living in a hut in the middle of know where with children all around teaching them that they are children of God. I also can see Melissa greeting thousands of people who come to were she is serving testifying of the restored gospel and of Joseph Smith.

1) South Africa, because she has always had a love for the South African people.

2) Nauvoo, because she loves church history and loves the people that lived during that early period of the church.

-California
Ashley-Nauvoo, Illinois mission. Or Thailand-that is where I would want to go.
Suzy-So I have always thought that Melissa would get called to Africa. I think that she has always wished that she was African. Because of that I will guess South Africa.
Jenny-I guess somewhere in the midwest. I think it would be cool if she went where Grandma served.
Annette-Can I have 2 votes? Of course I can, you know I am her mother. I can see Melissa living in a hut in the middle of know where with children all around teaching them that they are children of God. I also can see Melissa greeting thousands of people who come to were she is serving testifying of the restored gospel and of Joseph Smith.

1) South Africa, because she has always had a love for the South African people.

2) Nauvoo, because she loves church history and loves the people that lived during that early period of the church.
Jill-Hmmm. I'm guessing the Dominican Republic just for the heck of it.
Seth guesses Ohio
Joel guesses Alabama
Nate guesses a Lake
Marsha-I think that Melissa has the physical, emotional, and spiritual strength to be called on a mission to Guatemala, as well as the strong family who would support her call. But I also think she could use her strengths in any mission . . . maybe the Boise Idaho/Spanish-speaking mission . . . the Athens, Greece/Chinese-speaking mission . . . the Australia/Aborigine mission . . . the Emery, Utah mission . . . and so on. Melissa has so much going for her, she could make it anywhere!
Maurianne-England
David-Argentina

Smothered Chicken

This recipe comes from Shandra Madsen (the deals to meals lady in my ward who can recreate any restaraunt recipe!) This recipe comes from Outback steak house and it is fabulous! It is one of my FAVORITE DINNERS!

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts {I use frozen chicken strips and put them across my big griddle}
Garlic powder and seasoned salt to taste {I sprinkle on Montreal Chicken Spice}
1 T. Vegetable oil
Button mushrooms, cut in halves
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese blen
1/4 c. chopped green onions
1/2 c. real bacon bits {I use real bacon crumbles in a bag to make it easier}
1/2 c. tomatoes
1 bottle BBQ sauce

Flatten chicken to 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with seasonings. In skillet brown chicken in oil for 4 minutes. Cook in separate pan bacon until done and bacon is crisp. Add mushrooms to bacon mixture for the last 5 minutes to soften mushrooms. Top cooked chicken with 1 T. BBQ sauce, mushrooms, bacon, green onions and cheese. Cover and cook until chicken is done and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and honey mustard.

Honey Mustard Sauce
1 c. Mayo
1 c. Dijon mustard
1/4-1/2 cup honey
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tsp. ginger powder
Mix. Add extra honey or lime for desired taste

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
5 lb. russet potatoes (or red potatoes)
1/2-1 whole 16 oz. tub sour cream {depending on how much moisture you need in your potatoes}
1 cube butter {I personally don't use this}
8 oz. whipping cream or milk
fresh or dried parsley
1 clove garlic
salt and pepper
peel potatoes and cut into large chunks. Boil water and add potatoe chuncks. Boil until potatoes are fork tender. Drain majority of water from potatoes. Mash potatoes with either an eletric mixer or potato masher. Add whipping cream or milk, butter, sour cream, garlic, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.

{You put the potatoes on the bottom, then the chicken, then a dab of the honey mustard and it is SO yummy!}
{This could be a high calorie dish, so I use fat free ingredients whenever I can, do not add butter or cream, and no oil-just spray-then it turns it into a healthier dish!}

Addresses

I am still looking for the following email addresses:
Aunt Maureen
Shalene
Becky
Tereasa
Aunt Nettie
Suzy
Melissa
Kimmy
Kara
Jami
If you have any of these email addresses, please email me so I can let them know about the family blog and make them blog authors as well!
Thanks!
Andrea

Banana Muffins

This is a muffin recipe I got from an old coworker. I often make it into banana bread, and it's very good.

Banana Muffins
3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 lb. unsalted butter, melted
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 c. whole milk
2 tsp. vanilla
4 mashed bananas (3 if they're big)
1 c. coconut

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and blend. Combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, and bananas, and then add them to the flour mixture. Add the coconut. Don't overmix.

Spoon into muffin tins, each cup 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

For bread, pour equal amounts of batter in two normal-sized bread pans. The cooking time is closer to 45 minutes, but I don't know exactly how long it is--just use the toothpick test, and you'll know when it's done.

Deals to Meals

This morning I was on Good Things Utah! That is right, I was in the studio audience supporting my friend who is the most amazing cook I have ever met! She has this website where you can find food storage deals at the top 5 grocery stores in Utah and then turn those ingredients on sale into meals! The meals are all so yummy and I copy off the recipes every week and put them into a binder. {It also gives you the ingredient list!}

Anyway, just wanted to tell ya about my meal finder that I use all of the time!

{Side Note: I still don't have any of the Dunn Girls Emails, Any of the Mark Andersons and Brent Anderson's email addresses, so if you have them, please send them my way so I can tell them about the blog! You can post anything you want-recipes, news, anything!!}

Cheddar Bay Biscuits (like at Red Lobster)

I saw a Red Lobster commercial today and my mouth started watering at those Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Yum. I decided we needed to have them with our spaghetti and salad for dinner tonight. The recipe is super simple and I don't know if anyone else really cares, but I thought I'd jump right in and share:

3 cups Bisquick® baking mix (or other similar mix)
1 cup milk
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (I like sharp)
1/4 cup butter (margarine works too), melted
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Parsley flakes for garnish (optional)

Mix baking mix, milk and grated cheese with a fork until moistened--will be lumpy. Drop by spoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until nicely browned. Generously brush tops with melted butter that has been mixed with the garlic powder (I use all the butter). Serve while hot. Good stuff. Serves about 8.

So there ya go.

Welcome to the Anderson Family Hootenanny!

So, it all began today as I was talking to Aunt Nettie. She was saying how cool it would be if we had a family blog dedicated to sharing recipes! Well, I heard that and thought, yep-that is an excellent idea! So, without further delay...

Introducing the new Anderson Family Blog {Hootenanny-for those of you who like to party!}

Everyone will be an author, so post a recipe, or anything you want to whenever you want so everyone can enjoy! There are many Anderson Favorite Recipes that can be included, as well as new recipes!

Happy Blogging everyone!
Love, Andrea