Merry Christmas!

Today is Christmas Eve. It seems as if the day is filled with rush, rush. Did I get all the stocking stuffers I need? Where is that darn meat thermometer? Did anyone feed the turtles? Good grief, I forgot to make the Chex mix. Did I wrap the scissors inside a present again? Good thing I own more than one pair ~ and we'll find them on Christmas morning!

This is the first Christmas for my precious little granddaughter Maycie Jean. I can hardly wait. I am going to spend the night at J'Amy's house tonight so that I can wake up Christmas morning with Maycie!

The snow keeps falling... another storm is scheduled for tonight. I hope Rudolph's nose is bright!

Yes that is Maggie, 8lbs. of pure dachshund fury in mad search of her ball in the middle of 8" of snow.

May you each find your own peace and joy in this holiday season, and fill your heart and life with a peace that passeth all understanding...

Cindie

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Well, the snow arrived in full force this weekend! I knew I was in for it when I tried to get up the hill to my house and I had to swerve left to right to try and make progress up the hill. Having that little turbo engine in the volksie only goes so far... It snowed all night and by morning there was no getting out of the driveway. In the end, thank goodness Kirky came and dug me out!!

I am sure that there will be snow for Christmas!

A View from the Head of the Table

So here is the view from the head of the Root Family Thanksgiving Feast! What an absolute blessing to be with my family for Thanksgiving! How nice it is to be together as a family! The only things missing? J'Amy, Eric, Maycie, Ashley & Jake.... Next year....

I hope that we each take time to think about the things for which we are thankful! They can be as simple as our health, and the warmth of our homes. Take a moment and be grateful...

Honest People

I went to the post office yesterday to mail off some jewelry to an international customer. I parked the car and ran in ~ package, wallet, and keys in hand. I filled out the necessary customs papers and jetted back out to the car. I had a full day planned!

Some six hours later I was headed back home and discovered my wallet was missing! Holy Cow! I left my wallet in the post office! I said a quick prayer, and thought to myself "Please let an honest person find my wallet!" I got to the post office and it wasn't there. I went home and it hadn't magically appeared back at my house. I started the process of cancelling credit cards. The impact of something like this happening is HUGE! I had a plane to catch in 2 days. I had no picture ID. How would I get home for Thanksgiving?

A couple of hours later, a car pulled up in my driveway. A gentleman in a suit walked up to my door and asked for Cynthia. The only document, aside from my birth certificate, that carries that name is my driver's license. In his hand he held my wallet!!! He told the story of how an elderly lady found my wallet in the post office and came to my house to deliver it. When she found no one home, she brought the wallet with her to church and handed it over to the Mormon bishop in her Ward. He in turn contacted the local Mormon bishop in my area and here he was standing at my door with my wallet in his hand. The little lady who found my wallet didn't know how to get it to me, so she gave it to someone she trusted to do the right thing. There are honest people out there, and little prayers said in the panic of the moment actually get answered! Thanks Jo, you have renewed my faith on a couple of levels!

November Recipe - Turkey Enchilada Soup

As part of my postings, I will be putting together a monthly recipe ~ hopefully that will be fitting of the season!

This month's recipe is for Turkey Enchilada Soup. It is a great thing to make with that left over turkey and it doesn't feel like you are having another "turkey surprise" sort of dinner!

Turkey Enchilada Soup

6 cups chicken stock
1 small onion chopped
1 cup chopped carrots
1 minced clove garlic (optional)
1 15 oz. can LaVictoria Green Enchilada Sauce
1 1/2 c masa harina flour
3 cups water
1 8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
2 cups left over turkey cut up in bite sized pieces (more can be used if desired)
Tortilla Chips
Pico de Gallo (optional serving suggestion)
Shredded Colby Jack cheese (optional serving suggestion)

Begin by simmering vegetables in chicken stock until tender. In a separate bowl, whisk together the masa harina flour along with the water, taking care to get rid of lumps. Beat cream cheese into the masa harina mixture and remove all lumps. Add the can of enchilada sauce to the chicken stock and vegetables. Bring back to a simmer. Slowly whisk in the masa harina/cream cheese mixture into the chicken stock. Soup will become very thick. The masa needs to cook in the stock for about 15 minutes. Once incorporated, lower heat and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add turkey to the soup just before serving. May be topped with a pico de gallo, or salsa, and shredded cheese ~ but always top with crunched up tortilla chips! This recipe can be made meatless as well by simply leaving out the turkey (It then just turns into Enchilada Soup). This is a very hearty soup and is a meal itself.

Let me know what you think!

Denver on my Mind

Well, here I am flying to Denver for a quick work trip...and what should also be occurring simultaneously?? Well the Gem and Jewelry show.... What a score! I found some great beads to play with and silver, and findings, and Hill Tribe, and gems...and... and...



More importantly, I had an interesting experience while making my trip over to Denver on Sunday. Sunday, as we all know, was Veterans Day. I got to the airport in plenty of time and was sitting at the gate waiting. I noticed a couple sitting right across from me, they seemed rather somber. A while passed and two Delta representatives came over to the couple. They asked them if they were "ready". The husband told the wife to "Go ahead." She left with the two men. I thought it strange and wondered to myself if she was maybe an airline inspector or something.... after all, when do two Delta folks come and ask you if you are ready to get on their plane? They called my zone and I boarded at the same time that the husband did. He sat toward the front of the plane and I made my way to my seat a little further back. A short time later, the wife came down the aisle and sat next to him. I noticed that she was crying. The flight went along normally and we landed in Denver 58 minutes later. We were taxiing in, when I looked out my window. Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw the honor guard waiting. It then dawned on me where the wife had gone with the two Delta reps. She had gone to check on her son. Several point Airmen were strategically located on the taxi way. The hearse was parked. The waiting Airmen saluted the incoming plane bearing the body of the young soldier. The plane stopped and I looked up and saw the couple deplane. They were escorted to the side of the plane where they waited. I got off the plane, and went inside the terminal to the window and watched as they brought the young man's flag draped coffin out of the plane. I cried as I thought how tragic an end to a young man's life. There was mom and dad, heads hung. The honor guard stood by as the pallbearers retrieved the young man and put him in the back of the hearse. Dad fell to his knees. Just then two F16s flew overhead, one peeling away. The loaded hearse pulled away from the taxi strip, with Mom and Dad watching on, sobbing. I looked down at my watch, 11:11 a.m. It was the 11th minute of the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. I turned to leave, and behind me the terminal was silent. People were crying, holding each other. I am sure each one was moved in their own way, but I felt incredible sorrow for the parents' loss, and for the loss all that young Airman's family must feel. The phrase, "All gave some. Some gave all," really hit me square between the eyes yesterday at 11:11 a.m.



The heroes of our country
Are the ones who paved the way
For freedom and the many rights
That we enjoy today.
Next time, young folks, you pass someone
Who may be old and gray
Remember — thanks to him or her
You have your freedom today.

-Holly Rulli

Who's that Lady(bug)???

Can you sing it? Ahhh the Isley Brothers would be so proud....

Well this was Maycie's first Halloween and she was all decked out in her lady bug costume. It came complete with a hood and antennae (with bows on them dontchaknow.) Her mommy brought her to my office to do some serious trick or treating. I thought she kind of looked like the little boy on the Christmas Story whose mother had decked him all out in all of his winter gear to the point that he couldn't even move, except to waddle down the street. Well Maycie wasn't that bundled up, but after a day of posing as a ladybug, she was sure glad to get in her jammies!

My Darling Maycie!

You know, there are few things in life that make me happier (in fact I can't think of one right off the top of my head) than my precious little granddaughter Maycie Jean (who is, by the way, named after her GRANDMA.) She is the light of my life and such a gift. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for that little baby girl. She is precious and naughty wrapped up in a darling little package (kind of like her mommy.) I am so glad she is mine!

Fall in the Wasatch

I grew up in Southern California and am, by my own admission, a "valley girl." However, having lived in Utah now for some 23 years, I love the mountains! Fall is my favorite time of year. The colors in this amazing Great Valley make me know that truly I am a valley girl. Whether it is a San Fernando valley girl, or a Salt Lake City valley girl.... I love this area and how beautiful the change of season is!

New Blog

Okay - so I admit it - - I have never blogged, been a blogger, or anything of the sort.... But I find that this may be a medium that will suit me and become a part of who I am. I think if nothing else, it will get me into the virtual world, help me to preserve some of my thoughts, challenges, and joys. Here I go!