Zizzie Happenings

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Now go check out her blog and all the other participants.

Mom loves soft pretzels so when I found a recipe on Mel's Kitchen Cafe we had to try it. Dough: 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp sugar 2-1/4 tsp instant yeast 1 cup very warm water Topping: 1/2 cup warm water 2 Tbsp baking soda Coarse salt (optional) 3 Tbsp butter, melted In a large bowl place the flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Mix to just combined. Add the water and mix well, adding more flour as needed, a bit at a time to form a soft smooth dough that clears the sides and bottom of the bowl. Knead the dough, by hand or machine, for about 5 minutes, until it is soft, smooth and quite slack. The goal is to get a really soft dough that isn't overly sticky. Lightly flour the dough and place it in a plastic bag; close the bag, leaving room for the dough to expand, and let it rest for 30 minutes or up to 60 minutes. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees. Don't be afraid of the high heat! This is what will help those pretzels to brow up perfectly and stay soft on the ...

Sunday - Kathy got tickets to the Lion King show. As we waited for the doors to open Rachel took in all the sites of Mandalay Bay. Monday - We checked out this new library that's way cool. It's huge and has tons of books, books on CD, movies, and there are at least a dozen computers to use to surf the Internet. Tuesday - We've been playing lots of card games. Rachel loves Phase 10... but Mom and I love hand and foot. Wednesday - We went to see the dancing waters. Rachel loves to watch them. It was hot out so we only stayed for 2 songs but it was still fun to watch. I never get tired of it. Thursday - Kathy and Rachel joined us for our walk. Kathy actually joined us three days this week. I am very proud of her and look forward to having her join me for walks Monday to Thursday. When Paul got home from work Rachel had a Pink Panther marathon planned. So before Mom, Kathy and I left to go grocery shopping I snapped this picture. They had just started the marathon... ...

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Now go check out her blog and all the other participants.

I was cleaning some documents on my laptop when I came across Mike's testimony that he prepared to share at church in April 2006. It's a great reminder to me that he is in heaven worshiping our Creator...God! Mike's Testimony I grew up in a Catholic environment in Rochester, New York. Both sides of my family practiced Catholicism. Although, my Dad’s brothers were the Easter-Christmas visitors. My parents had me participate in all the sacraments (Baptism, First Communion, First Penance and Confirmation). I was even an altar boy during middle school. I enlisted in the Marine Corps right after high school (in 1984). Throughout my military career and high school I fell into peer pressure. Peer pressure led me into drinking, chewing tobacco and vulgar language. As most of you know, I have 2 teenage children from a previous marriage. Sharon and I were married after I was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. We were fresh out of high school and very young (19 years old). Chri...

Sunday - We took Uncle Mike and Aunt Rita to our church, had lunch at the Pastor's house and then said goodbye to them as they headed to pick up Kayla and get checked in at their hotel. Sorry no picture though. Monday - Spent the day getting the house ready for Mom and Rachel to come and visit but I did get a chance to finish making these birthday cards. Tuesday - Mom and Rachel flew in today. They are staying 2 weeks and we have lots planned. Rachel brought some vellum with her for me to show her how to use it. We made this card together so I could also teach her how to use eyelets. She was really happy how the card turned out and now she can go back home and make many more cards using vellum and/or eyelets. Wednesday - Mom enjoying some mate while we play hand and foot. Thursday - Rachel was so excited to show me how to twist a pretzel. I thought she did a great job with her pretzel. Friday - Kathy picked up Abigail (a little girl from church) to spend the weekend with us....

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Now go check out her blog and all the other participants.