The Night We Won the Lottery

It was a Wednesday.  On my way home from work I took a last minute left hand turn and parked in front of what would soon be my treasure box.  It was my local 7-11.  I have been going to that place for 5 years, they know my face.  I went to the back and got my lottery card.  There was a line up front with people that were just doing the, "5 tickets please" up front.  But no...I was going to customize mine.  I rummaged in my purse and found a blue pen.  I did 2 plays with numbers that mean a lot to me and then selected quick pick on the remaining 3 plays.  As I checked out, my favorite 7-11 checker-outer smiled and said something to me that he hadn't said to anyone before me.  He said, "Good luck tonight".

I walked away and that was that.  I had the winning ticket.

Pulling into our garage I pulled out my numbers again.  Before I even shut off the car I looked at the numbers and ran my fingers over the paper.  The next movements of my night are lame.  Loaded the dishwasher, almost stabbed myself with a knife when it fell on the floor.  Order 2 Christmas presents and watched a Lifetime movie.  Preston got home and it was time for dinner.  Neither one of us felt like cooking so we picked our last meal wisely.

We ordered Tai Tai.  Both got the lemon grass chicken with medium spice.  It was followed up with some Christmas M&Ms and some DVR.  Then we waited...and watched as the news announced our numbers.  

Tis the Season

Let the fun begin!  It is HOLIDAY time.  I don't even know where to begin.  This blog post is just going to be filled with pictures and their captions.  It would take me forever to go over all the stories for each photo, but I'm sure I will somehow manage to make this a long post anyway.  These pictures are totally out of order also, but that just happens.

The start of the homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving

yummy - ready to pop!

I downloaded an app that lets me take panoramic photos.  My parents backyard!

It's Reese and Aunt Sarah time.  We are so goofy.

Jeep Family Thanksgiving

It's the Reese X3 Band!!

Time for the Turkey Trot in Tulsa. Brrrrrrrrr, it was cold.

Reese reeeeeeeally liked the run.  Way to go Reese!

She practically sprinted the whole way.

All smiles while running

Surprise!!  My family surprised me with a Cricket doll.  A doll I had always wanted as a child.  Awww, it was a great surprise. 

This is my collection of dolls growing up that my grandma got for me as she traveled the world.  Parents got them out of the attic for me to bring back with me.

Cricket!!

Back in 1987 $79 is A LOT of money.

My Dad and me driving around in my new car in our pasture.

Drew!! Always a smiling baby.

Gage is helping making mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving.

Ashe checking out the dolls.

Our house after we came back from Thanksgiving.  We might have brought some stuff back with us...maybe.

Relish in the Kitchen

Sunday afternoon I got the urge to make a relish dish of sorts that my mom always made growing up.  As a child I didn't like it, but as an adult, I thought about the ingredients and it sounded really good!!  When I moved to Dallas my photo copied pages out of her recipe book that I really liked.  The dip just happened to be on the same page as something else so I knew I had it!  Please take the info below and try it out.  So Delicious   (pretty sure it's not bad for you either)

Below is a picture of everything you will need.

2-3lbs of Carrots

1 can of sliced/diced Jalapenos

2 onions

1/2 C of olive oil

1/2 C white vinegar

corn chips

Supplies: pot, bowl, ice, food processor or ice/cutting board

Step 1: bring a pot of water to boil.  

 If you have a food processor, it is fast and easy to dice the carrots.  If you don't have one, that's ok!  You can chop them by hand or use any other cooking tool you have in your kitchen.  FYI - if you are chopping by hand the water my come to a boil before you are done chopping.  If so, just turn it down until you are finished and then bring it back to a boil.

Step 2: once you have the carrots chopped and water is boiled, turn OFF the heat and move pot on another burner.  Add carrots.  You want them to sit in the boiling water for 30-40, but you aren't cooking them so don't boil them!!

Step 3: drain the carrots of the hot water

Step 4: Immediately blanch them!  This means put them in a bowl of ice and water.  You are basically shocking the carrots.  This gives them a good soft crunch.  Let me sit for 10 mins.

 After 10 mins, drain the carrots and put in a bowl that you are planning on serving the dip.  At this point you will want to add the ingredients below.

Step 5: mix in chopped onion and jalapenos. stir and then add in vinegar and olive oil, stir again.

You are done!  Serve with a bowl of chips and you are set.  Now this is one of those dips that the more it sits the better it gets.  The flavors marry and it is great!