Jaded Bridesmaid

My sister is getting married this summer and I am a co- maid of honor. Well, living so far away, I didn't have any choice in what was picked. I'm not going to make a fuss, because I don't want to give her any more problems than she needs right now. My mother and her future mother in law are enough for her to worry about. So, without further adieu, here is the dress (same color and everything) that my sister picked. (pic from Davidsbridal.com.) I don't like that sash because I think it will draw too much attention to my torso, plus I think I'll be playing with it during the ceremony. I'm such a kid. Maybe I'll kick my shoes off and fling them around during church like I did when I was little. Think people would notice?

Irish Potatoes

Since I'm on a roll with giving recipes, I'll pass along this one for St. Patrick's Day. It is quick and easy and very good, especially if you like coconut.

Irish Potatoes (cookie/candy)

Ingredients:
1 cup confectioners' sugar (powered sugar)
1 cup shredded coconut
2 tablespoons cream
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
chopped nuts (if desired)

Directions:
1.Mix the confectioners' sugar and coconut, then add cream. Mix gently with spoon until well blended, to make a "dough"
2. Take about a 1/2 tablespoon of the dough and roll into oblong balls (to look like potatoes).
3. Place cinnamon in a plastic bag and place a few balls at a time into bag and shake until coated.
4. Let stand for 15 minutes. Keep chilled.

Use bits of nut as "eyes" of potato or dust with some cocoa powder to look like dirt. (optional)

...You can also use melted chocolate in place of the cinnamon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Baked Peach Oatmeal

This is a really good recipe to try. If you take a stab at it, let me know what you think.

Baked Peach Oatmeal

3 Cups Skim Milk
2 Tablespoons Vanilla
1 8oz.carton (1 Cup) refrigerated or frozen
Fat-free egg product, thawed
5 Cups quick-cooling rolled oats
1 ½ Cups firmly packed brown sugar
4 Teaspoons baking powder
3 Teaspoons cinnamon
½ Teaspoon Salt, if desired
¼ Cup Margarine or butter, melted
2 Cups chopped frozen unsweetened
sliced peaches


1. Spray 13 X 9 inch (3 Quart) baking dish with nonstick cooking
spray. In large bowl, combine milk, vanilla and egg product;
blend well. Add oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon
and salt; mix well. Stir in margarine and peaches until well
combined. Pour mixture into sprayed dish; cover with plastic
wrap. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover baking dish; bake 40 to 45
minutes or until slightly puffed and golden brown. Let stand 10
minutes before serving. Cut into squares; place in individual bowls.
If desired, top with nonfat vanilla yogurt or skim milk.
12 servings

Tip :Chopped canned sliced peaches packed in unsweetened juice
can be substituted for the frozen peaches.

Our Bozeman Trail

We took a trip to Bozeman, MT a few weeks ago. The temperatures were extremely cold that weekend. We traveled there for my husband's hockey tournament, and it turned out that it was an open rink (aka no heat!) For his first game, the temps reached -20 F!!!!! Hard to believe, but he played in that temperature, and survived with all limbs, fingers, and toes. Some of the other team member's hockey equipment became brittle, and someone's skates broke- the plastic that held the blade to the skate shattered. My husband was the goalie, and while holding his stance his equipment froze in that position. (Think of the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz when it rained, except no need for an oil can, but the need for heat!) He had to keep moving when he wasn't active in play or he'd be stuck! I watched the games, but in a small refreshment stand inside the arena that had some heat. It was standing room only, and not a good view, but at least I wasn't standing out in the cold all that time!
Bozeman, though, is really beautiful. Mountains surround it, and they were covered in snow. Here is a picture from the highway, before we were even close to the town. You could see "white" for miles and miles around. Quite a sight.

Mountain majesties

Today we took a drive outside of our little town, adventuring down the South Fork. We didn't find any big horn sheep this time, but saw lots of deer, and just enjoyed the scenery. Here's some pictures. We checked out Shoshone National Forest, one of the forests outside of the boundary of Yellowstone National Park. It was really beautiful Seeing the mountains surrounding us for miles and miles, speckled with snow and ice. Maybe we'll try ice climbing one of these days...or not!