Packing

I started packing for our around the world cruise two weeks ago. I filled my large suitcase to the brim and still had a lot more to go. Dave looked at my poor pitiful suitcase and told me I would need a larger one. So I went shopping and found the perfect one for me at the BX on Hill Air Force Base. I waited until today to transfer my clothes and was pleasantly surprised to see I had plenty of room to spare. Dave taught me a trick years ago. When packing, roll your clothes and stack them! You can fit in so much more. 

My clothes filled up 3/4 of the suitcase. I have 2 dresses, 3 skirts, a swim suit and cover up, exercise clothes, pjs, at least 20 different styles of shirts, 2 jeans, 2 stretch pants, 3 capri's, sweater, shawl, undergarments, socks, 3 pairs of shoes, medications, personal care items, and more. I still have plenty of room to put a dress jacket and rain jackets in, a hat, as well as all my shirts that need hanging. 

I didn't monitor weight control. We'll see what the damages are tomorrow. Oh! tomorrow! I can't believe it's here. A year and a half ago seemed so long ago. Where did the time go! I was brave then. I think I might get sick. Sea sick... yes! But mostly home sick for my kids and grandkids. And home. We'll be gone 4 months and 20 days. I haven't been gone this long before. Wish me luck! 

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

It's almost Thanksgiving and we're anticipating the most scrumptious traditional feast with turkey and all the trimmings. Can't wait! 

You can't have Thanksgiving without pie! Making pie is a tradition that has been passed down through the ages. 

Some of the kids still make homemade pie crusts... just like grandma. 

I had not been a huge fan of pumpkin pie until I found this Turtle Pumpkin Pie recipe a few years ago. Ever since then, it has become a family favorite. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as we have! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Soft Gingersnap Cookies

Every once in awhile I will dig into my recipe collection of years past. I wanted to make some gingerbread cookies for last year's Christmas Eve party. I have a stack of loose recipes that I have gathered since 1975 and as I was going through them I found a Pioneer recipe of Soft Gingersnap Cookies. It looked simple enough so I decided to make them. It looked as if the recipe came out of an old Extension or Relief Society book. The recipe is actually typed up. From a typewriter!

Just thinking about gingerbread cookies made me think back to Grandma Bentley's cookie drawer. If my memory serves me right, her's were a little snappy, but oh so good. The smell of freshly baked cookies or bread often filled the air when walking into grandma's house. Such a delightful memory!

I made the gingersnap cookies and they turned out to be a big hit! Everyone loved them. Chad especially loved them and said they were his favorite cookie. So when I found out he got the job at Antelope Island I knew right away I was going to make some cookies for him to snack on while out on the range. 

Soft Gingersnap Cookies

Cream together:

3/4 c. margarine (softened)

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/2 c. light molasses

Add:

3 3/4 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

3 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Roll tsp. size ball of dough in sugar and slightly flatten on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 9 to 12 minutes. Should crack on top of cookies when done.