The First Snow

It finally snowed!! We have gotten a few inches but it is so pretty. The kids were so excited they just couldn't wait to go out and play in the snow!

they had a great time!! Today I made a Birthday supper for our friend Brian. His Birthday is tomorrow on December 1st. I made chicken and beef enchiladas, tamale pie, and spanish rice. It was all very good. For desert he wanted apple crisp.
That's a picture of Brian opening his birthday gift and cards. I think he was surprised!!! Happy Birthday Brian!!

Thanksgiving Day

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner. It was so nice to sit around with my family! Ieshia, Debbie, Crystal and I all helped make Thanksgiving Dinner a wonderful feast!

We had a lot of tasty food..................................................................

Debbie and Ieshia used the good Chine and set a pretty table..................Later on we all relaxed for a while.......John, Andy and the kitten messed around on the computerCrystal laid down............

And later on we played cards........................

Emilys drawing says it all...................Isn't that a great turkey????

More of Us......

Things at our house have been pretty relaxed. I've been cleaning and getting ready to put up Christmas decorations soon. The great news lately is that Ieshia passed her Illinois constitution test!! But more than that, she didn't miss any!! woohoo for Ieshia!!! I don't know if you can see it very well but here is a picture of her test......................

I finally was able to take of picture of Smokey on my pillow. That's where he sleeps every night. Now, Brady wants to sleep up there with him. Soon I'll have to boot them both off of my pillow so that I have somewhere to put MY head! haha

I've still been in the cooking mood. Monday night I made my version of homemade chicken pot pie, mashed potatos, deviled eggs, and garlic bread. Everyone is ready to eat!
Looks yummy, huh? Tuesday night I made a new recipe. It was smoked sausage and tortellini soup! It was very good but I forgot to take a picture of it. I will post again after Thanksgiving Day!!

As always, In the kitchen.....

I've have really been in the mood to cook lately! Especially really good homemade hearty meals. Today I decided to made a hearty stew and a potato casserole. Here is the soup base that I simmered for 1 1/2 hours....Ieshia and Emily helped chop up the carrots and celery for the stew... Here is what the stew looked like after adding the veggies..... It simmered for another 40 minutes then I thickened it just a little and it was the most delicious and flavorful stew I've ever made! The meat fell apart when the fork touched it!! I also made a potato casserole. It is a layered casserole with mashed potatos, sour cream, sauteed onions, red peppers, cheese, baked potato slices and crispy bacon!! I dipped a little stew gravy over it and YUM-O ! Now I will add the baked potato slices.....

After baking I put crumbled crispy bacon on it! For desert I made strawberry jello with mandarin oranges and fuit coctail in it and topped it with cool whip. I also made a batch of home peanut butter cookies! Johns favorite! Here is Emily helping with the cookies....

Debbie was in the kitchen helping too. She's always real helpful when I'm cooking.

And as usual, Sharayah just happened to stop by at the right moment to take home the few remaining warm leftovers.While we were in the kitchen cooking up a meal for woodcutters, John was doing just that! John, Jim, Derek, and Brian went and got two truck loads of wood and spent a good share of the afternoon out in the driveway splitting it all.

What a good days work!!!

Everything Goes

We haven't been doing anything special these last few days. Just the typical stuff here at the Keller house. Me in the kitchen cooking is an everyday thing. I found a new cheesecake recipe, and it is simply delicious! So easy to make but turns out perfect. Here is a few pics....... Here they are in the oven

Almost done.............................................................................

Finished and ready to eat..........................The best part is that there is no cutting and serving , just grab and eat!

While I was cooking I noticed the kittens laying on the register getting warm! They are getting along very well now.Ieshia snapped a picture of me while I was making supper.......

Of course I had to share some chicken with my sweet Mocha......

Saturday Emily was bored and made invitations for her toy dogs birthday Party. What an imagination for a 7 year old. Of course I went to her decorated room and played along. After all they are only this sweet and playful for a short time. Mocha had to go too! Here is Emily with her dog 'Taffy"

Derek decided to play dress-up! Isn't he handsome?? Later on the kids got in some 'Daddy time".......

Ieshia and I watched a movie.....Once again, just another typical day at my home!.