Omelet in

a bag.

We used to do these "omelets in a bag" quite often a few years ago, but I had totally forgotten about them.  Last night we were having our Halloween breakfast of french toast, pancakes, and buttermilk syrup.  I was thinking about what kind of eggs to make, and then I remembered these.  Since they sometimes come out in strange shapes, I thought they were just right for Halloween.

Omelets In A Bag

1.  Have each person write their name on a quart-size freezer bag with permanent marker.

2.  Crack 2 large or extra-large eggs into the bag (no more than 2). Shake to combine.

3.  Put out a variety of ingredients such as cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns,  

 4.  Each person adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag. Make sure to get the air out of the bag. and zip it up. Shake.

.

5.  Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes.

6.  You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water.   Open bags and omelet will roll out easily.

Then you are ready to sit down.

And when you bite into them, you will think

(like a black and white movie era actress):

Go Cardinals!

We've been very into the Baseball World Series the last two years.  Last year we followed the San Francisco Giants as they progressed into the series.  Justin, Tiffany's husband, grew up in that area he and his family are avid Giant's fan.  We were celebrating right along with them when they won.

This year we are following the Cardinals as they've progressed in the series.  Dan, Misty's husband, is from the St Louis area and they live there now.  Of course, being the baseball family they are, they are very excited about it.  What a game it was last night, with an 11 inning game and a home-grown boy hitting in the winning run.   They're playing game #7 tonight, and Gary is very unhappy that he can't be watching it.  He's doing the stats for Timpview's quarter final game.  So, I'm watching the series, making cupcakes for the BYU Soccer team, and recording the BYU game and the World Series for Gary.  Quite a sports themed day.

I hope the Cards win!

P.S.  A few hours later, They won!  When I texted Misty to say "Yeah, Cards," she texted back: 

"Yes.  Go Cards!  Dan's miffed because he had to wake me up to celebrate.  I had fallen asleep on his shoulder.  Can you imagine the travesty?"  

Well, Misty, you were probably worn out.   I happen to know that she has been substitute teaching the last two days, as she has several times each week since school started -- that in addition to her already very busy life.   So, you deserve a nap, even if the timing wasn't the best.  

This is my latest

culinary quest.  Making donuts in "Baby Cakes."   I first saw them demonstrated here:   Baby Cakes on Studio 5   I made the buttermilk ones that came with the machine and also tried the pumpkin spice recipe from the website.

 At my meeting last week,  I put them on the "cat," with the long tail for donuts, that dad made me many years ago.

I've got to figure out how to make the glaze or frosting so it hardens and doesn't make them soggy. 

 This week I tried them with my pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe.  They were the best yet.

 You just pour the batter in a Ziplock bag with a hole in one corner, pipe it into the mold, and cook them for 3 to 4 minutes. 

I went to DI yesterday looking for some cheap shelving for my pantry (anything to get away from the mess I was in).  I didn't find any shelving, but I did find an older version of a mini-donut maker for $3.  Next time I make them, I'll see if it works.  If it does, I'll be able to whip them out in no time with both of them. 

Here's my favorite Pumpkin Chip Muffin recipe (adjusting for the donuts by using small chocolate chips)

Pumpkin Muffins (18 muffins)

1 1/3 cup sugar
5 1/3 tablespoon shortening
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin ; canned
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
chocolate chips
5 1/3 tablespoon water ; hot

Cream sugar and shortening until fluffy. Add eggs and pumpkin. Add hot water. Sift together dry ingredients together and add to mixture. Add choc chips.  Spoon into muffin cups.

Bake at 375 to 400 degrees for 17-18 minutes.

I've lived in this house

for more than 26 years.  I'm mentally trying to figure out how many times I've cleaned out the pantry, reorganized it, and been convinced that this time I had it organized so it could stay tidy. 

I can blame the lack of being able to keep it organized on many things.  The bad design of the pantry is one.   It has very deep shelves, and I know that many of my neighbors (that have the same floor plan) have completely redone their pantries and made more shelves that are less deep.  Then there are the larger quantities I buy at Costco that take up large amounts of space.   But really, the only excuse I have is that it is a dumping ground for everything I want out of the way.

Well, I gave it another shot today.  I ended up pulling everything out while making a huge mess.  I tried to rethink the whole organization.  I've got it nearly done, with the exception of some containers that are in the dishwasher.   It looks pretty good right now.   But I'm not deceiving myself into thinking it will stay this way. 

I have thought of one thing that might help.  Maybe I should commit to posting a picture of it once a week.  Here it is today.   

Wow, when I look at the picture, it still looks messy. 

I guess I have more work to do tomorrow.

.

Our (now) teenage

grandaughter, Lydia.

We've been in Park City for the last few days with our friends, the Adairs.



I wasn't able to log on with my computer, so I missed blogging about Lydia.  Yesterday, the 22nd, Lydia turned 13 years old.  I've been looking at some pictures of Lydia, and they bring back so many loving memories.  They also make me miss her even more. 

  Here she is at 2 with her little brother Hyrum.  

Here are Lydia and me exactly 5 years ago, on her 8th birthday and day of her baptism. 



For her birthday this year, she wanted a new quilt, because the baptism one she is holding in the picture is too small to cuddle in now.  She wanted a another pink one, so this is the one I sent off to her last week.  (I really wish I had a picture of me hugging her with this one, too) 

Here is grown up Lydia, with Gary, when she visited this summer.  We talked to Lydia on our way to Park City, and she and Gary were still "arguing" about "banana whacker" rules and who won.

I love you, Lydia! 

And, I'll always side with you on "banana whackers."

I went to

see my friend, Dianne yesterday.  I had to take pictures of her front doorway.  She always does the most creative and amazing decorations.   The pictures really don't do it justice, but notice the details.

Spray painted dried  "Allium" (I think)

 Dianne holding the "Paper Lanterns" 

(these are all from her garden)

"Paper Lantern" pods over the lights

 Fake crows

 All the signs

When I first began my interest in gardening, Dianne was my advisor.  I would have her come down to tell me if what was coming up in the ground was a weed or a flower.  Now that's a friend!

I hope she will let me come up and snap pictures of her next holiday doorway.  If she doesn't, I'll just wait till  she's not home and take them anyway.   Isn't that what friends do?

"Good, Better,

  and best."

My mind has been weighted down lately with thinking about how I use my time.  I am reminded often of the short scriptural account of Mary and Martha in the New Testament.

"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.  Luke 10:38-42

I can relate so well with Martha.  I do feel "careful and troubled" about many things.   But they are generally not the things of importance. (Things like, why did the cupcakes I made last night fall in the middle?).   In fact, I often think I fill my life up with busy work to avoid feeling overwhelmed with the needful things.  The better things.   But when I start thinking about all the needful things, the things that truly impact lives, I get overwhelmed with the "overwhelmingness" of it. 

Then I am reminded of the story of the man walking along the shore throwing starfish back into the sea.  He is questioned about what difference it made to throw one back into the sea, when there were so many more he did not save,  His answer to that was something to the effect of "Well, it made a difference to that one."

I think it gets back to my "all or nothing" mentality.  If I can't make it all better, then why try.  I hold back from giving or being a little involved, because then I will see more that needs to be done, and it will consume all of my time and thoughts.

Yes, I do feel careful and troubled.  But I'll work it out.  It's about balance, and priorities, and choosing the good part.