Mom's Visit: Friday-Part 2

On Friday, we drove up to Truckee, CA and visited the Donner Museum. For those of you not familiar with the history there, the Donner party were a group of families traveling to CA in a wagon train. They took a shortcut and were stranded in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for one of the hardest winters in history. Many died and some resorted to cannibalism. It is really an incredible story. We toured the little museum there and watched a film on the story of the Donner Party.
Again, it was raining on this day! I have to say the irony of my mom coming to visit Reno - the desert - and it rained or snowed almost every day!!

Mom's Visit: Friday-Part 1

On Friday, on our way to Truckee, CA, we stopped at Cabela's. Here is a few pictures from our visit to Cabela's. It included some warm roasted almonds and some turtle fudge to send to my chocolate-crazed sister in Indiana! :)

Mom's Visit: Thursday-Part 2

On Thursday morning, we had a girls picture taken at JC Penney. Grandma...daughter...and granddaughters! :) We all dressed in black tops and jean skirts. After coming back that evening, we stopped at Papa Tastet's house (My husband's father) and had some good ol' Cajun red beans and rice! Here are a few pics from Grandpappy's house.

Mom's Visit: Thursday

On Thursday, we went downtown Reno. We braved the rain and took a walk down the riverwalk on the Truckee River. We did some souvenir shopping...took in the sights...had some lunch. It was a fun girls' day out! :)

Mom's Visit: Tuesday

Here are a few pictures and stories from my mom's visit...she is flying right now on her way back to Chicago and then home to Grover Hill, OH. We had a wonderful visit...shared some tears as she left...and are looking forward to her next visit!

Above are pictures from her first day here in Reno. After having lunch, we visited Eric at his work-Sportsman's Warehouse. We visited some sentimental spots for our family around Reno. That evening, we went to revival at our church. Our guest speaker was Bro. Domelle from WV. It was a fun and relaxing first day together!

One more day!

Well, one more day until my mom arrives for a visit! We are so excited! She has been basking in the Phoenix sun with my sister this past week! Now she will get a taste of the Wild West here in Reno, Nevada!
I will try to keep you posted with pictures and stories this week!

Recipe: Meatball Mushroom Soup

Try this soup along with dinner rolls or breadsticks for a hearty, filling meal
on a rainy day!

Meatball Mushroom Soup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
• 1-1/3 cups milk
• 1-1/3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 1/4 cup quick-cooking barley
• 1/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
• 1 medium carrot, shredded
• 1 jar (4-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Shape beef into 1-in. balls; set aside. In a large saucepan, combine soup, milk and water; bring to a boil. Add Italian seasoning, onion, garlic, barley, macaroni and rice. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, brown meatballs in a nonstick skillet until no longer pink. Stir carrot into soup; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer meatballs to soup. Stir in mushrooms and Parmesan cheese; heat through. Yield: 6 servings.

Recipe: Easy Baked Potato Soup

I made this tasty soup for a New Year's get-together one year...Mmm!

Easy Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 medium baking potatoes, baked
• 5 bacon strips, diced
• 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of potato soup, undiluted
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
• 3-1/2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Dash Liquid Smoke, optional
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Peel and dice the baked potatoes; set aside. In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels. Drain, reserving 1-1/2 teaspoons drippings.
Add the soups, milk, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, pepper, Liquid Smoke if desired and reserved potatoes to the drippings. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Stir in sour cream; cook for 1-2 minutes or until heated through (do not boil). Garnish with cheddar cheese and bacon. Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Recipe: Sausage Tortellini Soup

Another tasty soup recipe...Sausage Tortellini Soup.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup water
• 1-1/2 cups torn fresh spinach
• 3/4 cup refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a small saucepan, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender.
Add broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
Return to a boil. Add spinach and tortellini; cook for 7-9 minutes or until tortellini is tender. Sprinkle with cheese. Yield: 2 servings.

A 3 Yr. Old's Day!

As I was doing my housework one day...I came across my 3 yr. old keeping my 1 yr. old entertained! She had Sierra in the play baby stroller pushing her around the house. Hey...anything to keep them entertained! LOL!

A Special Gift!

My girls received a special gift from our pastor and family on Sunday! It is a little Fisher Price baby play set. So cute and adorable! I am thankful for our pastor and family!
We love you Ralstin family!
Thank you!

Enjoying a Reno Winter!

We have been enjoying a truly beautiful and mild winter here in Reno, Nevada! Most of January...we have enjoyed temperatures in the 40's and 50's. Even a few days in the 60's! The girls and I get outside every time we can! Here are a few pictures of us...having picnics, playing on the playset and collecting treasures!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today, my mom is leaving for a two week vacation! She will be flying from Chicago, IL to Phoenix, AZ to visit my sister - Rhoda and her family. Josh is the youth pastor for Valley Baptist Church in Mesa, AZ. Rhoda is a stay-at-home mom. They have two children - Jordan - 2 yrs. old and Luke - 2 weeks old. Enjoy the sunshine, Mom!

On January 20, my mom will be flying from Phoenix, AZ to Reno, NV to visit with my family! We are so excited to have her come!!! We are looking forward to seeing you, Mom!

This will be my mom's second time out West! Today is also her birthday! What a sweet gift to hold her newest grandson on her birthday!

Pray for her safety as she flies and on her vacation!

Recipe: Hot Cocoa Mix

For a cold, blustery day...enjoy a cup of hot cocoa!

Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

• 1 package (25.6 ounces) nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 package (15 ounces) hot cocoa mix
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 jar (6 ounces) powdered nondairy creamer

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients; mix well. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 17 cups.
To prepare hot chocolate: Place 1/4 cup mix in a mug; stir in 3/4 cup boiling water until blended. Yield: 1 serving.

Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Mmm! What could be tastier on a cold day!

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:

• 3 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 cup sliced fresh carrots
• 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1-2/3 cups reduced-fat biscuit/baking mix
• 2/3 cup fat-free milk

Directions:

In a Dutch oven coated with cooking spray, saute celery and carrots for 5 minutes. Stir in the broth, poultry seasoning and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered. Add the chicken.
For dumplings, combine biscuit mix and milk. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto simmering broth. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a dumpling comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering). Yield: 6 servings.

Sierra Takes a Walk Outside!

Recipe: S'more Parfaits

When the weather is too cold for a bonfire outside...make these tasty treats inside!

S'more Parfaits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate fudge or chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups coarsely crushed graham crackers (about 24 squares)
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 4 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set.
Spoon 3 tablespoons each into four parfait glasses. Layer each with 1/4 cup cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons pudding, 1/4 cup marshmallows and 1 tablespoon chocolate chips. Top with the remaining pudding and crumbs. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Yield: 4 servings.

Recipe: Mexican Corn Bread

Who doesn't like a hot slice of cornbread with a bowl of soup on a cold, blustery day? Here is a twist on plain cornbread...

Mexican Corn Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 packages (8-1/2 ounces each) corn bread/muffin mix
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (14-3/4 ounces) cream-style corn
• 1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) sour cream
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno pepper

Directions:

In a bowl, combine corn bread mix and onion. Combine the remaining ingredients; add to the corn bread mixture just until moistened. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
Bake at 350° for 50--55 minutes or until lightly browned and the edges pull away from sides of pan. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 18-24 servings.

Recipe: Lemony Turkey Rice Soup

A yummy soup for a cold winter day...

Lemony Turkey Rice Soup

Ingredients:

• 6 cups chicken broth, divided
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups diced cooked turkey
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro

Directions:

In a large saucepan, combine 5-1/2 cups of broth, soup, rice, turkey and pepper. Bring to a boil; boil for 3 minutes. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and remaining broth until smooth. Gradually stir into hot soup. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened and heated through. Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Yield: 8 servings (about 2 quarts).

Recipe: Fiesta Chili Dogs

This recipe would be great for a children's party or a church function...it makes 24 servings.

Fiesta Chili Dogs

Ingredients:

• 3 cans (15 ounces each) chili without beans
• 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
• 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro, divided
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 24 hot dogs
• 24 hot dog buns, split and toasted
• 2 cans (4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cups crushed corn chips

Directions:

In a large saucepan, combine chili and soup; stir in 1/4 cup cilantro, jalapeno and garlic. Add hot dogs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the remaining cilantro. To assemble, place hot dogs in buns; top with the chili sauce, olives, onion and chips. Yield: 24 servings.

Recipe: Chocolate Pudding Sandwiches

A low-fat treat to soothe your chocolate cravings!

Chocolate Pudding Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups cold fat-free milk
• 1 package (1.4 ounces) sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 2 packages (9 ounces each) chocolate wafers

Directions:

In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Fold in whipped topping and marshmallows.
For each sandwich, spread about 2 tablespoons of pudding mixture on a chocolate wafer; top with another wafer. Stack sandwiches in an airtight container. Freeze until firm, about 3 hours. Remove from the freezer 5 minutes before serving. Yield: 43 sandwiches.

Video: Sierra Discovers Papa's Phone

This is a video of Sierra walking...she won't stay away from Papa Tastet's phone and his answering machine!

Video: Sierra walking at Papa's House

This is a video of Sierra walking (finally!:) She is trying to carry her sippy cup at the same time so she is having quite the time of doing both! LOL!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
I wish you God's blessings in the year of 2009!
I send my love to all my friends and family!
-Love, Rebekah