Friends and Family Cookbook

As most of you know, I love to cook. Doesn't necessarily mean that I'm a great cook, but I do like to try out new recipes. My most favorite hobby is looking through cookbooks and collecting new recipes to try out on family and friends. Although I cook all day long for many children, night time cooking seems to be neglected around my house simply because I'm just too tired. Having friends over for dinner gives me delight as well as an excuse to sit down and eat as a family. (What a concept!)

I was inspired to put together this cookbook because many of my family and friends have requested recipes in the past from different dishes I have made. So over the past 2 years I've been compiling recipes and trying to put this cookbook together. A lot of thought was put into the layout of how I wanted this book to look. I wanted it to be extra special by adding pages that had measurements and substitutions, counting calories, cooking terms as well as quick fixes. I had lots of options for additional pages, but I wanted to stick with the most practical ones.

It took a couple of years to achieve this goal. The first time I entered all my recipes and tried to submit it for publishing, the on-line company said that this was only on on-line site. Are you kidding me? There was no way to get these in a cookbook form? I was really discouraged an uncertain if I wanted to commit the time all over again. I decided to do some homework before investing that kind of time again. I finally found a company that would publish for me, of course after I re-typed everything in their program. So the task began all over again.

I dare say this book was made with love. Many of these recipes I grew up with. I didn't tell most of my family and of course none of my friends that I was putting this together because I wanted to give these out as Christmas gifts to everyone. Many recipes are from extended family and friends. I did give credit where credit was due. I do hope that these recipes are enjoyed for generations to come.

Unfortunately, when placing this order the minimum amount of books that I could order was 200. So....if anyone is ever looking for a gift idea for someone, I have cases and cases of cookbooks for sale. I am selling them for $15 a book. Please let your friends know.

Provider of the Month

http://www.funshineexpress.com/C_provider.asp

I received a call today from Fun Shine Express who is the company I order my preschool curriculum from, and they told me that I won Provider of the Month. Several of my daycare mom's nominated me and now I'm being featured on the web. I felt honored to have received such recognition. Click on the link if you want to find out what they said.

Thank you Mindy, Shana, Kim and Suzanne for your thoughtful words. I really do love my job and my many children.

New Year's Resolutions

Okay, so it's the New Year and have I done anything about making changes for 2008? Let's be realistic, New Year's Resolutions are over-rated. It's really hard to change habits, whether good or bad. So in all honesty, I'm just going to try to make improvements one step at a time. If I can't do it all right now, then so what! Life keeps on going.

At first I created a list of things I wanted to change or to learn, but the list became so long that it was just too overwhelming. All I'd be doing is setting myself up for failure and disappointment. So I decided to prioritize my list into categories on their importance. For example, I really want to learn all there is to know about blogging. How to make changes, put my blog to music, have lists, cool quotes and pictures, just like everyone else. But if it doesn't happen right now, what's does that really mean? I guess it just means that I won't have a cool blog to look at and I may be the last to learn of things or news going on in others lives. That's okay by me. What's more important to me, is that I'm keeping a journal. If I can spend time once a week blogging, then I had better spend just as much time recording in my journal. Journal first, blogging second. More like a reward to myself. Once I establish this habit, then I can move on to something else. As for now, it is what it is.

Florida beaches

The beaches here are absolutely beautiful and remind me of being in Cancun. Hopefully Ryan and I will make it back there again someday! Gorgeous soft sand that you could walk in for miles. The children are body surfing in the warm Atlantic ocean, while Janie and I are trying to take in some sun bathing.

Brevard County Zoo

A perfect day spent at the zoo. Tropical wildlife and animals are everywhere. At this local county zoo, children are allowed to get up close to pet and feed the animals. Every trip we've made to Florida wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Brevard County Zoo. It's completely different then thenWoodland Park Zoo. We love to watch the alligator feeding. It's the highlight of the whole zoo experience.

Christmas in Florida - 2007

So here is what Christmas day looks like in Florida. No rain, wind or snow. Everyone celebrating in 80 degree weather wearing shorts and T-shirts. Imagine that. After opening gifts we spend the next couple of hours at the tennis court, enjoying the beautiful day. Christmas evening is spent in the pool and hot tub. What a life.

2007 Holiday Cookie Exchange

Last night was my annual Holiday Cookie exchange. For 13 years now, I have hosted an evening with girlfriends as we celebrate in the the joyous occassion of holiday baking. Some of us have been together all 13 years, while others have joined in along the way. This has become a tradition that I started and plan to continue for many years. The challenge is to find the perfect holiday cookie and not repeat from years past. Believe me, it's getting difficult! By the end of the evening each person will get to take home 11-12 dozen different plates of cookies with the recipe and hopefully not have to bake for the remainder of the season! We spend the evening sharing cookie stories, enjoying each others company and endulging in the famous Cranberry Christmas pudding and Wassil that I only make for this special night. Thank you ladies for a fabulous evening. And the hunt begins for next years cookie!