live... laugh... love...

delicious, delectable, and delightful!

There is a kids' show on Nick Jr. called The Upside Down Show.  In one episode, the main guys say "Delicious, Delectable, and Delightful!"... (you have to sing DeLIGHTful!)  I don't even know what the episode was about.  All I know is now that is what we say/sing in the Puckett household when something is super scrumdillyicious.  And my dinner tonight was exactly that!  An amazing salad from the Native Foods cookbook with a dressing to die for!  I've eaten their Ensalada Azteca at the restaurant, and my homemade version tonight did not disappoint.  I can't wait to have it again for lunch tomorrow.

the salad:  Chop up tomatoes, cucumber, jicama, avocado, and red onion, toss with some lemon juice and spoon over a bed of greens.  Then add slices of mango, chopped cilantro, slivered dates (a must- the sweetness really made the salad), and cooked quinoa.  (Toasted pumpkin seeds would be great too, but I didn't have any on hand).

the dressing:  Mango Lime Vinaigrette

1 cup chopped fresh or frozen mango

1/2 cup safflower or sunflower oil (I used canola)

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

1 1/2 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger

Place all ingredients in a blender and puree.

 

the finished product - say/sing it with me...  "Delicious, Delectable, and DeLIGHTfulllllllll!!!!!!"

 

Christmas Day

Ashley gave Lauren the curling rod she wanted.

A new iTouch case for Nathan from Emily.

It was a Barbie Princess Charm School Christmas for Maren.  She got the princess and prince dolls, the horse and carriage, and this Royal Bed and Bath set.  

Ashley cruisin' the house on her new scooter.

Ashley's gift to Dad and Mom.

Maren in the hat made by Auntie Laura.

I couldn't resist buying this $4.99 special at the Scout store.  Let's see if we can get Craig to wear it.

What a beautiful Christmas Day!  We took some family pictures in the church parking lot before services began.  That is Catalina Island behind us.

Elders Collier and Clark from our ward, John Kline, a temporary member of our ward whom we'd not met, but the elders asked to include, and Grammy and Grandpa all joined us for Christmas dinner.  We had ham and bean soup and bread, with spinach dip, hot artichoke dip, and crackers for appetizers.  Chocolate bundt cake and ice cream made up dessert.

It was a fantastic Christmas season.  I'm sad to see it end.  But that's the best way to end it... wanting more!  

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at Grammy and Grandpa's house with Uncle Mark and Cole.  We had a turkey dinner with all the fixings.

Nathan got a new pro scooter and Maren got a pink Hello Kitty Razor.

Ashley got the much hoped for Bedazzler!

We gave Cole new goggles and ear buds for moto riding.  And Lauren got an iHome for her iPhone.

Emily got a gift card to Macy's.

We brought up the new Christmas jammies from Nana and Papa for the kids to unwrap and wear to bed.

Daddy and his girls.  And then Nate gets in the pic.

Daddy and his favorite girl :)

Still laughing after 19 years!

Christmas Countdown: Complete!

Christmas Countdown: Day 24

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitide, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

- Revelation 19:6

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

- Revelation 11:15

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

-Revelation 19:16

 

 

Christmas Countdown: Day 23

A Bright Shining Star

(Click the title to read the message in its entirety)

"Brothers and sisters, this joyful season brings to all of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree to which we have turned our minds, feelings, and actions to the Savior, whose birth we celebrate.

There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. Let it be a time that lights the eyes of children and puts laughter on their lips. Let it be a time for lifting the lives of those who live in loneliness. Let it be a time for calling our families together, for feeling a closeness to those who are near to us and a closeness also to those who are absent.

Let it be a time of prayers for peace, for the preservation of free principles, and for the protection of those who are far from us. Let it be a time of forgetting self and finding time for others. Let it be a time for discarding the meaningless and for stressing the true values. Let it be a time of peace because we have found peace in His teachings.

Most of all, let it be a time to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the Wise Men.

My brothers and sisters, may the spirit of love which comes at Christmastime fill our homes and our lives and linger there long after the tree is down and the lights are put away for another year. This is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord, amen."

-President Thomas S. Monson

 

Christmas Countdown: Day 22

We have a tradition of reading this story every Christmas season.

 It is a family favorite.

 

 

It is the true story of a poor family in Canada in 1927, who will have no Christmas without help from family members in the states.  By Christmas Eve, no packages had yet arrived.  But through a Christmas miracle, Christmas does come.   My favorite line comes from the letter included with the gifts sent to the family:

"We hope you have a Merry Christmas, and thank you so much for making our Christmas the best one we've ever had!"  

 

I always ask my kids why it is that it would be the best Christmas for those sending the gifts.  It is a wonderful reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Christmas Countdown: Day 21

"The celebration of Christmas helps us keep our promise to always remember Him and His gifts to us. And that remembrance creates a desire in us to give gifts to Him.

He has told us what we could give Him to bring Him joy. First, we can, out of faith in Him, give a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We can repent and make sacred covenants with Him. Within the sound of my voice are some who have felt His invitation to the peace His gospel brings but have not yet accepted it. You would give Him joy if you would act now to come unto Him while you can.

Second, you can give Him the gift of doing for others what He would do for them. Many of you have already done that and felt His appreciation. It may have been visiting a lonely widower. It may have been joining with others in a project to help those in need.

There is a long list of possibilities in the book of Matthew. There we read words from our Redeemer, which we all hope to hear and to speak when we see Him after this life:

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

In those words the Lord makes clear what gifts we might give Him out of our gratitude. Each act of kindness to anyone becomes a kindness to Him because He loves all of Heavenly Father’s children. And because that brings joy to Him, it also brings joy to His Father, to whom we owe thanks beyond measure.

Many of you will in the Christmas season find ways to give food to people who are hungry. As you do, you bring joy to the Lord. Yet He taught us that there is a way to give an even more priceless and lasting gift. He said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” With all the kindnesses we give for Him, the greatest we can offer is to point those we love and serve toward Him, the only source of eternal life."

-Henry B. Eyring

 

Christmas Countdown: Day 20

It was a beautiful day in LA today where the Young Men and Young Women of our ward spent the day in the temple.  We had about 60 youth attend.  I am so impressed with these young people who were willing to give up a day of their Christmas break to perform service for those who have passed on.

Racquel, Sophie, Lauren, and Emily

This is about half our group, waiting on the other half to finish a film, The Testaments, at the visitors' center.

 

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of hte city of Nazareth, into Judea unto the city of David, which is Bethlehem,to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was that while they were there... she brought forth her firstborn som, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."    

- Luke 2: 4-7

Christmas Countdown: Day 19

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus."

Neal A. Maxwell