Happy Birthday Tara, finally!

Well, I finally finished Tara's bike last week. Here are pics of the bike in its original condition, just scroll down the page. This became a much bigger project than i had originally anticipated, but i wanted to make it just the way she wanted it. I would have finished at least a month ago if i didn't mess up the first time i painted the fenders and chain guard. Tara has taken it on her first little voyage and then it snowed (pics coming soon). The bike was a lot of fun to build. It was a definite learning experience but i love to tinker. I'm already trying to plan my next build, but Tara says i need to wait a while.

The Bike turned out really well. We really like the color.

The fenders look good with the white stripe down the middle.

The 'Western Flyer' decal also turned out nice. All the little lines around it were a nightmare.

I recovered the saddle. I ripped the old cover off and got leather from some nice friends of ours from church that own a leather shop. It actually turned out way better that i expected!

Bean and Bacon Soup

Surprise! ANOTHER Food For Thought Friday! Well, I don't have the picture on the computer so I was going to wait and do this one until I did get the picture, but I decided that I will never do it if I wait, so the picture will have to come later.

My favorite soup from the can is Bean and Bacon soup. I LOVE it, and this recipe is very similar, but much better than the canned version.

This is an altered recipe of Paula Deen's. I think it works great for the season- I used leftover ham from Thanksgiving to make it, and a Christmas ham would work great for this too.

3/4 C dry navy beans

3/4 C dry red beans

1-2 C ham, or 6 slices of bacon

1 carrot

1 red bell pepper

1 small onion, chopped

1 large garlic clove, minced

1/2 t paprika

2 1/2 c chicken broth, or more to desired thickness

1 16-ounce can of crushed tomatoes

1 bay leaf

garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste

To quick-soak the beans, place them in a pot and add 4 cups of water. Bring the water to boil, and boil it for 1 minute. Remove the pot from heat and let the beans sit for an hour. Meanwhile, fry the bacon (or ham) in a pan until crisp. Crumble the bacon, and return to pan with the carrot, and bell pepper. Saute for 5 minutes. Add the onion, an d garlic and saute for 5 more minutes. Stir in the paprika. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes longer to develop the flavor of the paprika. Next, combine all of the ingredientsl in a crock pot and let it cook all day on low until the beans are as tender as you want them. About 6-8 hours. Or, simmer it on the stove in a pot for 2 hours. Thin the soup with the chicken broth. Remove and discard the bay leaf.

Inner Ramblings

I actually have had a couple of hours to myself this afternoon, which means that I have had lots of time to think (plus clean, paint a project, read a little, and even blog).

Here are a few thoughts, and maybe this will give you insight into why I haven't been diligent at blogging lately.

+ Why is it a necessity for babies to get into EVERYTHING? Is it just my children, or is it normal? How do people keep their houses clean when everything is drug out 5 times a day? Does Emma have a "messy" gene, inherited by me?

+I think I'm addicted to food. I have even thought about joining an overeater's anonymous. I think about food all the time, what will I eat next? What treats should we make? That has too many calories, and Oh, lets forget about calories just this once.

+ What will it be like when Randy's done with school and has a job? I don't want to spend more just because we make more.

+Man, I need to finish a lot of projects. I should blog. I should clean the bathroom, I should call my mom, I should finish Christmas presents. Oh, Emma's awake.

+ Ooooohhh, I need to go to the post office! I don't want to go to the Post Office! It's gonna be crazy.

+ I like our Ward. I like all of the people in it.

+ I love Christmas. I love the fact that the girls took baby Jesus and Mary from our nativity set and that they are missing. I imagine them in some special spot where the girls play. (don't worry, it's just a foam set)

+ I hope that everything works out tomorrow night for the "Crafty Chicks". We have a project here at my house, and I'm in charge.

+ Kenadi told me today that she doesn't want to be like me when she's 4. She wants to be like McKenzie. She doesn't want to be like ME? Ok, don't take it personal.

+ I got a new camera! I am excited to learn how to use it to it's potential. When will I do that?

+ I need to practice the guitar. I want to play the piano- Christmas music.

+ What recipe should I post for Food for Thought Friday? Hmm, I can't decide so I don't post anything. Sorry, it's not that I don't think about it all the time.

+When people blog, who do they imagine they are writing/posting for? It is different for me every time.

+ I need a date, Randy. This weekend?

And on, and on... do you see the state I'm in lately? Definitely stressed or something.