Utah Moist Supreme Cornbread Recipe

In response to the recipe for the cornbread, (I was asked for the recipe:))as I posted earlier, it is called “Utah Moist Supreme Cornbread”. The following is the adapted recipe we made:(not cut in half):)

12" Dutch oven

l box yellow cake mix

2 ½ cups cornmeal

2 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbs. baking powder

3 1/4 cups milk

4 eggs

1 cup oil

Mix the dry ingredients and whisk together. (If you are cutting in half, takeout half of dry ingredients and store in Ziplock baggie. We took out 4 cups. Of course you will also cut the wet ingredients in half). :) Combine the wet ingredients and add to the dry. Mix until moistened. Pour into on oiled 12" Dutch oven. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. ~18 coals on top and ~ 9 on the bottom. Not cut in half: serves 12-15.

HONEY BUTTER*

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

3/4 cup honey

Beat together until smooth.

* We have not tried this but I thought I'd include it. :)

Enjoy your cornbread! :) May God bless you all!

A Wonderful Weekend

Susan Marlow and myself at the convention.

Thursday, my family and I started on our trip to a homeschool convention in Modesto. Our first stop was at a friends' house in Gilroy. They helped Mom with ideas for homeschool, made us barrel cooked chicken, took us to see their horse, and just loved on us. I had a blast (thank you sooo much!)!!! :) The next morning we met Grandma and continued on our way.

Barrel chicken.

When we all arrived at the convention we set up the Ghost Town Publications booth with most of my grandpa's books. That day I also met one of my favorite authors, Susan K. Marlow. I was honored to be able to share with Susan about some of writing projects that I'm working on. I spent both days (the convention was only two days) either working at my grandparents booth, or at Susan Marlow's booth talking (not to mention the many hours spent at the hotel pool!). Both nights we stayed at the next door hotel.

I was extremely impressed with the politeness of the homeschooled kids working there. They were serving by bringing carts around to all the exhibitors. They also, the first day, set out a buffet lunch “behind the scenes” for the exhibitors. The second day they set out a buffet breakfast as well as bringing sandwiches, chips, and soft drinks around to the exhibitors for lunch.

The large sailboat that went past.

Yesterday, we (Grandma, my family and I) came home to my grandparents' house and spent the night. Tonight we will spend the night again before heading home. Just now, out my grandparents' window, we saw a HUGE sailboat with sails that must have been 30 feet high (not exaggerating!!!).

Although I had a wonderful time, I am anxious to get home. Thanks Susan, for not tiring of my frequent visits and sharing with me! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma, for always loving on me and my family!

Family Dutch Oven Night

Dutch oven with chicken.

Last Friday, the 19th, my family and I had a quiet outdoor cooking evening together. We used our Dutch ovens and made a cornbread and chicken. The chicken was delicious as well as the cornbread, but it was the first time we had the chicken because Mom and Dad made up the recipe. However, we have made the cornbread multiple times.

Dad in outdoor cooking area.

The cornbread is a recipe called “Utah Moist Supreme Cornbread” that we modified a bit. As the title states, it is extremely moist. You almost don't need any butter or honey and it actually doesn't take that long to cook. Also, the cornbread mix is so large that you cut the dry ingredients in half and then add the rest of the ingredients (obviously cutting the amount of wet ingredients in half also) saving the other dry ingredients for another batch.

It is so special to have a break from our constant activities to enjoy family time. I think it is important to set aside time to grow in our relationship as a family and focus on each other. Although the food is good, the more important part of that night is family. I think God has given us family to love, respect, and to hold each other up. We need to honor that by doing just that. Thank you, God, for family.

Dutch ovens with briquets.

Dutch oven chicken (left) and cornbread (right).

Out With the Old, In With the New

Yesterday, my family and I paid a visit to town. Our first stop was to drop off recyclables at a recycling plant. I was amazed at the amount of recyclables there. We cashed in a lot of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottles. (My sister and I are saving up for: me—a horse, and my sister—a surfboard.) We were very pleased with what we made. Thank you to everyone who helped us by giving us your plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans.

Sorting out recyclables for first ever turn in.

After cashing in our recyclables, we ran some errands before going to Avila Beach to boogie board. When we arrived, we “wave watched” for a bit. Deciding the waves were too small, we drove over to Pismo Beach where we pulled on our wet suits. We had trouble getting onto the actual beach though, because the “beach access” sign was misleading. We had to hike down, in flip-flops, steep dirt stairs and cross a field to get there. However, once we got there we knew it would be worth it. Quickly, we hopped into the water and my sister and I began to boogie board with the help of our dad. After my first few waves I needed a minute to calm myself down because I had been completely submerged once and kept slipping off the board and sliding against the sand. So for a while, I sat and played in the sand with the water rushing over me. Eventually, I began to boogie board again. We had a lot of fun. Toward the end of our time at the beach, I took off too soon and the wave crashed onto me! My mom said that I looked like part of the wave! I went head over heels-or . . . heels over head? I did a total somersault in the wave. It felt weird and my nose was stinging but at the same time I felt like I was flying in mid-air. Afterward, I just sat there, sort of stunned before recovering and boogie boarding some more. Then we had to leave. We decided to hike up a different, easier, path that we found. When we arrived at the car hot and tired but happy, we tried our best to wash off but still looked like we were covered in half the beach! Lastly, we went to Costco and after shopping we bought a pizza, and came home.

Posing with boogie board at Pismo Beach.

We had a fun filled, wonderful day and, although I'm still sore all over, I can't wait to do it again. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for making it such a great day! (And Dad for braving the cold water without a wetsuit!) Thanks, God, for protecting us and helping us to have fun despite a couple face-plants!

From A Granddaughter's Perspective

A Sea Turtle at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

An Icelandic Horse

The last week of June- first week of July my sister and I went to visit our grandma and grandpa in Pacific Grove for 8 days. We visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the nearby park. We also enjoyed staying at home watching movies and cartoons. My sister and I decided to put on a skit for our grandparents. It was about the Revolutionary War since it was around the Fourth of July. It was a lot of work writing it up, getting props, and practicing, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We also went to our grandma's church both Sundays. One day, we had the unique experience of both seeing and petting Icelandic Horses at our grandma's friend's house in Carmel Valley. At night, after my sister had gone to bed, I had some good time to talk with both my grandparents.

The Fourth of July became a memorable day for both my sister and me. It began when Grandma, my sister, and I as well as two of Grandma's neighbors went to a parade in Monterey. Afterward we went to a cafe down the street. After we dropped off the neighbors at their house, we went to the beach. There our grandma rented us a boogie board and we enjoyed using it but it could not compare to what happened next. We met a lady who was letting kids, who looked like her grandchildren, ride little waves on her surfboard and we asked if we might ride. Kindly, she said “Sure!” That Fourth of July we will never forget because it was a dream come true for both my sister and me. Sunday the 7th, our parents came up and we enjoyed our traditional pizza. Then we spent our last night before going to a coffee shop the next day and heading home.

A large inflatable birthday cake at a Fourth of July parade

Both my grandpa and I think this was one of the best trips we've had in a long time. Thank you, Grandma for setting aside your time and making this such a wonderful trip! Thanks, Grandpa for taking the time to talk to me in the evenings as well as letting me take your morning walks with you and all the other things you did to make this trip awesome! I know that grandparents are a gift from God. So, thanks, Lord!

In the Beginning . . .

Today, at last, I have begun my own blog. A few years ago I began my blog under the same title but I never actually posted. I am excited that I have finally begun one that I will hopefully keep up. I hope to share my personal thoughts, reflections, and activities. I would sincerely appreciate to have you both follow and comment on my blog. Thank you and please enjoy reading these little slices of my life.