Coconut CrEaTIon

I got a little creative the other morning and made this recipe up, hoping I could give the family some variety for their breakfast. Everyone seemed to really like it and they didn't leave too many leftovers. (that means its good, right??) 

Coconut French Toast

8-10 pieces of bread (I used homemade because it makes the French Toast less soggy)

1 bag of coconut

6-8 eggs (amount of eggs depends on how thick you want your mixture, I used 8)

2 t. vanilla

3 T sugar

2 c. milk

Mix eggs, vanilla, sugar and milk together with a wire whisk. Set aside. Place some of the coconut onto a plate. Dip sliced pieces of bread into egg mixture, and then into your coconut. Coat each slice of bread with coconut, pressing the bread into the coconut to coat it well on both sides. Then cook on a well greased griddle or in a frying pan. Cook each side until done. Serve with butter and maple syrup. 

*Cooking takes a little longer than other french toast because it has to cook through the coconut to cook the bread, so be patient. 

So yummy! Happy Cooking!! 

NOT a DoMestic Diva wanna be!

Just for the record, I don't claim to be, nor will I ever claim to be a "Domestic Diva". I don't love the "canning and preserving" end of homemaking. I never have! When I was a teenager my mom and my sister did most of the canning, while I in turn cleaned up the house. I felt like I was getting the better end of the deal. BUT...I took a trip to the city this week and ran into a killer deal on a flat of strawberries, SO what did I do???.... I decided to step WAY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE...and bought some to make some freezer jam?! DUMB! By the time I got home I knew that I had completely lost my mind! I not only didn't have a recipe, but now I didn't even want to do it. I don't know what came over me in the middle of the produce section of Walmart...maybe it was all the estrogen coming from the women surrounding the strawberries and talking of making "jars and jars of jam" that got to me. Maybe it was my conscience making me feel guilty because I have only made jam ONCE in 22 years of marriage and didn't plan on ever doing it again. Regardless of what it was that possessed me to buy the 

strawberries, I was now stuck with "2", yes 2, flats of strawberries and needed to do something with them today. I thought about making strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake and even just blending them up and freezing them and using them to make smoothies, but I finally broke down and decided to make JAM! And NOW that its done, I am glad that I did it...but I will never lie and say that "I loved it and want to do more" (because that really would be a lie). Having it in the freezer will be nice and I will allow everyone to go and look at it every now and then, but I will only allow it to be used on special occasions. After all...isn't that what your supposed to do??!!....Just admire it and show it off, but not use it up because then you have to make more....(SEE that's why I don't do it...its a never ending job!)

It's a GiRL tHiNg!

My newest purse projects!

The one on the left is the one that Kim carries her stuff around

in at the moment...but it will change, 

it always does...thats how we Wilkerson girls roll!

A couple of years ago I took on a new sewing challenge, I started making purses. I even tossed around the idea of making them and selling them, but later decided against it when in all reality no one really wants to pay what I have into making them (my time). Some are more time consuming than others, but to sell them I would being doing it to make money so I would have to charge for my time as well as supplies and its just not worth it. So for now I just make them for my girls. The LIKE and LOVE for purses is a trait that has been passed down for generations in my family. Both of my grandmothers loved purses and had MANY of them. Both my sister and I love purses and have more than our share, and now I have passed on my "LOVE" for purses to my daughters, even my daughter-in-law loves purses as much as the rest of us do. We all tend to love the idea of having a new purse, 

OFTEN... changing them out for something new or matching them to what we wear. It's almost...notice that I said ALMOST, as fun as a new outfit. There is something about having a new purse that just makes us happy! Kimberly bought a purse in Arizona that she just loved and I have been trying to find a pattern and some fabric to make one similar

 

to it for quite awhile. After much looking, I finally found 

the right pattern and some fabric and whipped one right up. I l

oved it so much that I whipped 2 more up so that when she gets tired of one, she can change it out for another. Purses, along with shoes and clothes, is a weakness that I love to have...I guess its a girl thing... and its a weakness that I'm going to hang on to!

My Easter Sunshine's!

After 2 years of promising to sew the girls some Easter Dresses, I actually followed through this year. I've bought fabric with the "intent" of making them nice dresses for Easter, but just never made the time to to actually do it. BUT...as you can see, I accomplished my goal this year. The dresses turned out really nice and I was excited to see the girls all decked out in their spring colors. I have been making my girls Easter dresses since Dayna was a baby (which has been 23 year). I used to make the boys Easter pants and ties to match when they were little. But they quickly out grew the idea of "homemade clothes", so I started "buying" them ties. I tried to find Cameron a nice Easter Tie this year but couldn't find anything that I liked (I really needed to go to the city but never made it out there DUE to our WINTER like conditions that we have been having and my inability to drive in bad weather) but he had a nice "Easter looking" tie so he wore that. I thought the kids looked nice and "festive" on their way to church on Easter Sunday! Thanks Mom for encouraging (making) me to learn to sew...its one of my favorite ways to express my creativity and I really do love it.  

Here comes Peter Cotton Tail...hopping down the bunny trail...

When I was little (a long time ago) dying Easter Eggs was something that I always looked forward to. Maybe it was the fun of doing something different, maybe it was because it was a family tradition, but whatever the reason...I LOVED IT! And needless to say, I still do. My kids starting dying eggs right out of the womb (just kidding)...but as soon as they could, I had them sitting on the table and plopping the eggs into the cups of dye. They would wear an apron made out of a garbage sack and loved making the mess. We have now graduated past the garbage sack apron...but the mess?...yes we still make one of those. Yesterday was the big day, we boiled the eggs and got out the dye! We did the traditional PAAS Easter egg dye with the blue, pink, green, yellow and orange colors, but I also bought a new kit called "BRIGHT AND SHINY" which uses a glue and foil technique that you rub onto the eggs after they are colored. It was pretty cool! Although, for those of you out there with little kids, I don't recommend it. Its made more for 8 years old and up, otherwise you will be doing all the work (and its messy work). It also doesn't say that you only have enough glue to do 1 dozen eggs (if you're lucky). We had to cut the tube of glue open to do the last 2 eggs. It was really fun and the foil eggs that we did turned out awesome. But would I do it again? YES Possibly... but I think next year we just might try another "NEW KIT" and see what else we can do to our traditional Easter Egg dying.  

Who would have thought?!

I make bread almost every Thursday. Usually it gets gobbled right down, but last week it didn't. I had 2 loafs left when it came time to make more. I didn't want to waste it, but didn't really know what to do with it. So I went on line and searched for recipes. I found one for Homemade Croutons. I had no idea that they were so easy to make!! And they tasted alot better than the store bought ones. Who would have thought?! 

Homemade Croutons

Use leftover bread, hot dog buns, hamburger buns...whatever. I used homemade bread (which I think makes them taste fresh and more like the real thing)

Cut into 1/2 inch squares (if using homemade bread, cut off all the crust). Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. Take out of the oven and let sit for about 3-5 minutes. While your doing that, melt 1 cube of butter in a large frying pan...add whatever seasonings you like- Italian, red pepper, Parmesan, garlic...whatever (I did one batch with Italian & garlic and another batch with Parmesan & garlic). Stir bread into melted butter and seasoning. Stir to coat all the pieces then dump them back onto the cookie sheet and bake at 300 for about 20-25 minutes. Cool completely (I let mine sit out for the rest of the day, let them cool and dry out more) and store in a bag or a jar for up to 2 weeks. (you'll never have them that long...everyone will eat them right up!)

Happy Cooking! 

OF ALL the NeRVe!!!

As many of you know we have 6 children. As our children neared the age of 16 and the wonderful years of driving, we have always tried to provide a vehicle of some sort for them to putt around in. One that will get them from here to there, run errands, get to school activities and so forth. Dayna had a little red car that she got around in and then she took it to college with her. We got a little silver Alero that Todd could drive, which he did until he went to college, and then he took a truck that we had (which was later totaled in an accident..another story). Erik then drove the Alero. After it had seen several fender benders and many a rough roads, he decided to get his own truck when he headed off to college. Now Kim drives the Alero. Its been in and out of the shop for little things here and there. I think mainly because its getting old and the miles are racking up, but it still gets the kids from here to there, to run errands, to school activities and so forth...UNTIL a couple of weeks ago when it just died! No matter what we did, it wouldn't start. Cameron kept telling us that it was the fuel pump, (but really I think he was just guessing.) I thought maybe a fuse, a spark plug...something minor. Deron and Kim towed it down to our local mechanic shop (Eagle Tire...we love them!). Later that day the boss called Deron and said they found the problem....someone had put TOOTHPICKS, yes toothpicks in the gas tank and they had ruined the fuel pump! NOW...explain to me why someone would do such a thing. First of all...it was malicious and mean. Because no one would just put them in the fuel tank to be funny, without having ill intent. No one would "accidentally" put them in there, because you have to unscrew the cap to put them in. IT WAS ON PURPOSE and terribly rude. I was so upset to think that someone would do such an awful, rotten thing. WHY they did it? I don't know, we may never know. It may have just been someones sick way of playing a practical joke, a "get even prank" or just because they thought it would be funny to see what would happen. But it was a terrible thing to do. I have heard of kids filling other kids cars with piles of waded up newspapers, writing with soap or window paint on the windows- even letting the air out of tires...but all of those, as inconvenient as they are...are not malicious. They can all be cleaned up without any cost or too many problems, but this was just awful! I would like to find out who did it, although there is no way to find out- because we would get the cops involved to the fullest extent. There is no excuse for kids to damage or harm other people's property. Kids need to learn respect for things that aren't theirs and treat it as such. For some reason there is a lack of respect in our society today. Kids think that they can do what they want, when they want and with no consequences....they don't want to take responsibility for anything that they do, nor do they think that they should have to. I know there are a huge number of kids out there, and especially in our little town, that ARE NOT like this. There are many that are taught respect, kindness and the good things in life. And for that- I give a big round of applause and "a big thank you", for such amazing kids and to their parents for teaching them at such a young age to be this kind of person. Because these kind of teaching are carried on throughout their teen years and will continue throughout adulthood! Although, I do realize that even if a child is taught the right things, he/she still has her own agency and can and will, choose for themselves what they are going to do! Its not always because of lack of teachings, sometimes its just a lack of bad choices on the kids part. 

The moral of this story....get a gas cap with a lock! That's the only thing that might have changed our unfortunate story! 

PS...we went out and got one immediatly! 

It was a BoY!

It's been 21 years ago today, "April 9th", that I gave birth to an 11 pound 3 oz- 22 3/4 inches long, bouncing baby boy! (Yes, I had him naturally, no C-section, but alot of painkillers!) Where has the time gone?? Todd was an awesome baby. He hardly ever cried. Only whenhe was hungry, and then it was just a little fuss. He was always smiling and laughing. He's always been alot of fun and so easy going. Todd's married now, but he'll always be my "little boy". 

Some of the many reasons that I love this guy are-

1. He is such a thoughtful,

 caring person. He can read me like a book and knows when

 there is something on my mind. 

He always asks me if I'm okay and then gives me "one of those hugs" and tells me that he loves me. He comes down to the house just to check in and see how I'm doing...just because! I love it!

2. He's so unselfish. Todd would give you the shirt off of his back, at any time, to anyone. He's always willing to help others out whether its one of his siblings, a friend, anyone. He doesn't ever think about "what do I get in return", he just loves to help others and reap the feelings that you get from it! Gosh, he is a great example to me!

3. Todd never complains. When he was living at home, he always hated things that I made with "red sauce" like spaghetti, Lasagna, enchilada's etc... But no matter what it was, he ate it and didn't complain about it. He may not have eaten alot of it, but he was always grateful and appreciative and said "Thank you". He never expected me to make him something different than everyone else was having...he just ate what there was and was thrilled that I made dinner. 

4. He is a strong leader. He's never been a follower and doesn't need the "crowd" to tell him what to do. He is a good listener and doesn't judge. He is easy to talk to and enjoys conversation with his family. He is so good to take the time to listen and talk to his brothers and sisters and makes them a priority in his life! I have seen him drop what he was doing to check in on one of them or take time to go and visit them, take them to dinner...the list goes on. 

5. He is a wonderful husband. He has a great dad that set a wonderful example for him on how to be a great husband...also Todd has always treated girls with respect. I knew that someday he would make someone a good husband. When he was in elementary he use to chase the boys away from the girls. Sometimes the boys weren't very nice to some of the girls, but Todd always set them straight and made sure that each of the girls in his class were treated kindly. He always watched out for them and wouldn't let anyone hurt them or pick on them. He continued that all the way through school, clear through his senior year. So it didn't surprise me when he got married and treats his wife like a queen. He respects her and loves her like no other.  

I love this "little guy" more than ever~ and I am so grateful that I am his mom.

Happy Birthday Todd...I love you bunches!

Its a good thing...a very good thing!

Uintah Basin Youth Relay for Life- April 17th &18th 2009

A few years ago Kimberly got involved with the American Cancer Society Youth Relay for Life for the Uintah Basin. She was a member of the organizing committee. This year she is the president of the Uintah Basin Youth Relay for Life. The Relay for Life is the largest event of its kind in the world, and the largest fundraiser sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The Relay is a 24 hour event to raise cancer awareness and celebrate cancer survivors,

as well as raise money for cancer research. The Youth Relay for Life is specifically for kids and teenagers. Its organized and managed by youth, along with advisers. Teams are made up of groups of kids from all around the Uintah Basin. The teams go and walk for 24 hours, raising $ for cancer research and honoring those they love that have suffered with, survived and passed on, with cancer. Its very touching to hear the names of those loved ones that have survived cancer called out as they walk around the track. Its also touching to walk around the track and see the luminary bags with names of loved ones lit up, lighting the entire track. A couple of years ago as Kim and Cameron and I were in California for a National FCCLA convention and had the opportunity to Relay while we were there. The National FCCLA had a Relay for Life where Kim and Cameron and I walked for the cure. We made a luminary bag for my sweet grandma who suffered and later passed away from the horrible effects of cancer. We also made a bag for my wonderful aunt who has suffered from cancer and continues to fight the battle every single day. She is an inspiration to me as well as my children. Kim does Relay for Life for my aunt (her great aunt). With the hopes that someday they will find a cure for her cancer. I have heard her get up to the pulpit in front of her peers and talk about my aunt and how she (Kim) relay's for her and the love that she has for her. I have walked and cried as I think of my dear aunt that can't walk around the track as many times as I do, who fights every single day with a positive attitude and a drive that she gets from her Heavenly Father to keep going, to keep fighting and to live each day with a smile and a love for life. I love you Aunt Saundra. You are an inspiration to us! We Relay for you and for grandma. WE LOVE YOU! 

Food on the BRaiN again... or is it still?!

Does it look like Breakfast? Well it is!! I wanted to make something different today, so I dug into the cookbooks at 7:00am this morning, on a search for something to make everyone excited to come to the table. It worked. I found a recipe for a breakfast cake that I hadn't tried before. It tasted so good and made us all want to have breakfast for every meal today. 

"Fruity Breakfast Cake"

1 3/4 c. sugar 3 c. flour

1 c. margarine 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

4 eggs  1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla 1 can pie filling (your choice)

1/2 c. milk

Mix all ingredients except for pie filling. Spread half of the dough on large cookie sheet or a 9x13 pan (I used a 9x13 pan which has to cook longer but makes the cake thicker and more filling). Spoon on pie filling and spread over the top of dough. Drop remaining dough on top of filling in little blobs, spreading slightly, so that you can see some of the filling on top. If you are using a large cookie sheet, cook for 30 minutes at 350. If you use a 9x13 pan, cook for 50-60 minutes (until the top springs back) at 350. After cooled, drizzle a mixture of powdered sugar and milk (a glaze) in a lacy pattern or sprinkle with powdered sugar. (I used the glaze)

This was so yummy!!! I think that I will make it again in a few days because...

 It was THAT GOOD!

Long LoST FriEnDS!!

I looked out my window this morning to see a few long lost friends...the blue sky and the big round orange glow that we like to call the....SUN!!! 

I was so happy to see them come back. I am anxiously awaiting the time that their stay will be longer than just a visit...I hope their going to set up camp and stay for awhile this time! I don't think that they realize how much I miss them when they are gone! They also brought a few signs with them this time, that makes me think that their visits might becoming longer and less frequent...my trees are starting to bud. I love Spring and the buds, the blossoms and the sound of chirping birds. I love it all and I am so ready for it! Welcome back my long lost "warm and pretty friends!"

My Own Creation....

The other night I was tired but wanted something fast and good for dinner. I had chicken in the fridge that needed to be used, so whatever I was going to make, had to be "Chicken Something"...so I created my own creation for dinner....

"Chicken Taco Bowls"

6 large (burrito style) tortilla shells

6 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless

1 can black beans

1 can corn

1 package of Taco Seasoning

cheese, grated

lettuce, shredded

tomato's, diced

guacamole

any other condiments or taco toppings that you want

Cut up chicken into small cubes and cook until almost done, drain the liquid from it then add the taco seasoning and finish cooking the chicken. Make taco bowls--heat 2 qt of oil in a deep pan. Place the taco shell over the top of a #10 can, tip can over so the shell is then the bottom and place in the oil. Cook until done (1-2 minutes tops). Mix beans and corn and heat in the microwave for 3 minutes. Then make your Chicken Bowl by layering your ingredient (any way you want to) inside of the taco bowl that you just made...WAA-LAA...you have dinner. So fast and so tasty!! Everyone loved this as well! Hope you do too! 

Happy Cooking!

Merry Christmas...oh yeh..I mean HaPPy EASTER?!

When it started snowing  I really didn't think it would stick...boy was I wrong! It just kept coming and coming and COMING! I am grateful for the moisture, don't get me wrong...but I am so ready for SPRING, THE EASTER BUNNY AND FLOWERS..instead of preparing for Santa Clause, Sleigh riding and shoveling...It's time for the "GREEN STUFF"!

Its a LOvE-HaTe Relationship!

....But it works for us! Yes...me and my treadmill have decided that we're going to TOLERATE each other and co-exist in the same household, as long as we can get along and work together, we don't have to LOVE each other! A month ago, my "EX-treadmill" left me. After 11 years of being together he just couldn't take it any longer. His walking belt was broke and I had super glued it... (yes...seriously)... in many places,(which by the way worked wonderfully...superglue really is SUPER) just hoping he would hold off "completely falling apart" until I could find a replacement. His motor would stop on a dime and many times he had almost sent me flying over the handlebars and onto the floor in front of me. He was so loud..and he screeched at me all the time. It was time for him to go...I was beginning to HATE him for the way he was treating me (trying to throw me across the room and quiting when I needed him the most...you know, all that "relationship stuff") I am sure he was tired of me as well, after all- 11 years is a long time to be "WALKED ON". So after a lot of research...I found something better, so I "dumped" the old one. My new treadmill is a "Pro Form 780". He is quiet and kind. He has a long, wide belt which is all in one piece and allows me to walk all over him with my long stride ( you know, those of us who have these long legs require more room to walk) and then also to not worry that I might step off of the back of the belt. I love having a treadmill in my home and to have the freedom to exercise when I choose. I only wished that I didn't hate exercise so much. (I really do hate it!) I love what it does for me-and  until the day I die...I will continue to exercise...BUT I will continue to hate each and every day of it! 

The moral of the story...don't stay in a "broken relationship" that isn't working for you...Exercise stinks and if its a new treadmill that your in the market for....I highly recommend the PRO FORM 780!

PS...Except for my hate relationship with exercise, all my relationships are great...No hate mail please .. 

Whatsa Fillata?

...we had ourselves asking that same thing....Whatsa Fillata? I found this recipe in an old cookbook that I had. I had never heard of a "Whatsa Fillata" before, but thought it sounded like something that my family might just get excited over. We are big fans of mexican food, and so it wasn't a suprise that it was a hit in the Wilkerson House. We served it with my sister-in-laws recipe for "Bean Salad" and another "Good as the real thing recipe" for Cheese Toast that tastes just like the yummy stuff that you get at Sizzlers. 

Whatsa Fillata

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1-2 pkgs taco seasoning (depends on how spicy you want it)

4 eggs

1 1/2 c. oatmeal (not quick oats)

1 pkg. corn taco shells

Oil for frying

Mix the first 4 ingredients all together like you were making meatloaf. After its mixed, roll into "snakes" and cook. 

After your "snakes" are done. Heat your oil to 375 degrees. Roll each "snake" into a warmed (in the microwave) tortilla shell. I did them just a few at a time because if they cool they won't roll without cracking. Secure shell to meat with a toothpick and deepfry until shell is done to your likeness. Continue for the rest of the meat. 

This recipe makes quite a few, so you might want to just 1/2 it. Serve with ranch or top with cheese, tomatos, avocados..etc... Everyone loved them! They warmed up really good too, so left overs are a must!

Cheese Toast 

1 lb butter or margarine (slightly softened)

8 oz. grated parmesan cheese

sliced italian bread, french bread or homemad bread (something that is a little stiffer and heavy and won't get mushy)

In a mixer cream butter and cheese. Preheat a griddle or large frying pan on medium-high. Spread cheese mixture on bread about 1/4 thick (I didn't do it that thick) Place bread "cheese side" down on griddle. Cook until cheese is browned.

Happy Cooking!