Sunday, November 30, 2008

A cup of Sugar!

This post is for all those family members that love this salad!  Know you have the recipe and can bring it to the family gatherings lol

Sorry I forgot to take a picture before we dived into it and also sorry for the underline thing going on here!




Raspberry Jello Salad


1 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 T. sugar

2 T. lemon juice

2 small pkg. raspberry jello

2 1/2 cups boiling water

2 pkg. raspberries (don’t drain) I use frozen

2  8 oz. cans crushed pineapple (don’t drain)

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)


Mix together sour cream, marshmallows, sugar & lemon juice.  Marinate in refrigerator overnight.  I double the topping recipe for better flavor.

Dissolve jello in boiling water, add raspberries &  pineapple. Pour jello mixture in 8 1/2 x 11” pan & set up in refrigerator overnight or for several hours. Spread sour cream mixture on top.  Keep refrigerated.  Serves 12

* One of "Our Best bits".

 

Being Thankful

Thanksgiving day was here and gone.  All the preparations are all behind us but of course the calories gained and the beautiful memories we shared.  Our day started at 6am when Jamie placed his masterpiece turkey in the smoker grill.  Two hours later I awoke to the wonderful aroma of turkey cooking.  Ashley came over to help get things ready and 9:00 am the traditions began.  The Macy's parade started and I again cried!  It gets me every year I don't know why!  Ashley and I had a potato peeling contest.  The only thing I can beat her at :>)  Oh I love the aroma of a Thanksgiving meal!

 
Our entire family (all 33) gathered at my Sister-in-laws house.  We were all enjoying this long awaited meal by 1:00.  It is always so fun to watch the kids play together, and get into trouble some way or another!  This year they were in the backyard picking {green} oranges!  Busted, of course by the "teacher" Andrea caught them.  She nicely asked them what are you guys doing? Picking fruit! What color is that fruit you're picking suppose to be?  One of the boys answered ORANGE and she goes what color are they?  They all answered GREEN, she said then why are you picking them?  Because there's a lot of them!  LOL, I can't wait for Andrea to have her own kids and pick green oranges TOO!

We had a beautiful day especially having our Mom with us.  We all had our emotional moments missing John but he was their in spirit.   Our family has so much to be THANKFUL for.  What was your day like?
Blessings, The Coffey's

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Season Finale!

My Monday & Tuesday night addiction:
Cloris Leachman----Zero Dollars

My 3rd  new Iphone-----$300.00 each
Dancing with the Stars with Brooke Burke---
PRICELESS!

Again what will I do with all my time?

Monday, November 24, 2008

A cup of Sugar!


Melt-In-Your-Mouth Rolls

Soft Yeast Pan Rolls


2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast

1 tsp. plus 2/3 cup sugar, divided

1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 tsp. salt

1 cup boiling water

2 eggs

7-71/2 cups all-purpose flour


1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand for 5 minutes.  Add the butter, shortening, salt and remaining sugar.  Add boiling water; cool to 110-115 degrees.  Add yeast mixture and eggs.  Beat on medium speed until smooth.  Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.


Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. (With my kitchen Aid bread kneading attachment it only took a few minutes).  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top of dough.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.


Punch dough down.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds.  Divide each portion into nine pieces; shape into balls.  Place in three greased 9-inch round baking pans.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.  


Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  


Yield: 27 Rolls


Saturday, November 22, 2008

Our 33nd Anniversary




 November 22nd we celebrated 33 wonderful years together.  Okay let's be real, some were more challenging than others ( especially in Podiatry school) but they were wonderful in the long run!  


We started the day taking our Christmas decoration out.  
33 years ago, my day started getting my hair done.  
Then we hung the Christmas lights in the front of the house.  
33 years ago, I was anxiously waiting to get into my wedding dress that had been hanging for months!
When we were done with the Christmas lights we came in to get ready for a night on the town- dinner at Donavon's of Phoenix.
33 years ago, we were getting ready in separate homes (of course) for our wedding day and didn't eat till 9:30 because of so many pictures that were taken at the church.
We came home to change clothes (ha ha had you fooled) and picked up our neighbors to go to Nielson's for our favorite (concrete custard yogurt).
33 years ago we were checked into a beautiful hotel.

Doing things together for the day ~100.00
A night on the town~ 200.00
Being married for 33 years~ Priceless

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A cup of Sugar! I promise not all recipes will have sugar!

~Broccoli Cheese Soup~

 No sugar in this one!

1 cup butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup flour
2 cups chicken broth
8 cups milk
1# Velvetts cheese (cut into cubes)
cooked broccoli- chopped

Saute the onions in butter until transparent.  Add flour and stir for 1 minute.  Gradually add broth, milk and cheese. Stir in broccoli .

Enjoy

Fall in Love

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Empty Nester again!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Happy Anniversary Andrea & Chris

Monday, November 10, 2008

In Honor of my Brother John

Today my brother John would have been 66.  He was a guy that was so full of life and loved to celebrate in every way.  We miss him every day and never stop thinking of him.  


Our family is strong in our faith and we know today he is celebrating in Heaven where there is no more pain or suffering.  We love you John and miss you immensely!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

In Honor of Chanico

The Beginning of the Future

After spending many hours of what to say about the sentencing no words can express what my feeling are at this time.  Many of you have emailed me and asked about my trip.  Over all, it was the best trip I've made to the Bay Area since Jamie graduated from Medical School. I could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Oh how I heard that saying many times during our school years and now the trial.  After the trial the next day our family gathered together in honor of our cousin Frank Garcia (Chanico). I've posted above a slide show of our celebration and the wonderful family we have. 

I'm enclosing a letter from my cousins wife Anita that sums up the trial.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, calls and concerns but especially your love thru this long two and a half years!
Love you all,
Liz

Letter from Anita:

Hello all,
 
I wasn't sure if I would send this last update.  Our emotions have been so raw that the sound of this message being our last update brings tears to my eyes.  All of you may not have realized how you have helped me through this horrific experience.  Just wanting to stay updated and wanting to know how my family and I were doing meant lots to me.
 
As you know, the sentencing was held on Friday, October 24th.  I arrived at the court   just in time to enter the court room.  You know many times you watch crime shows on TV but you never imagine you'd live through one.   Unfortunately, the courtroom became a comfortable place for me.  I was pleased to see a full courtroom.  There were Frank's friends from work, Frank's Mother, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephew, sister in laws and a few close friends.
 
As the judge began the process we had the opportunity to address the court.  There were 5 of us that provided a victim statement to the court.  Frank's nephew spoke, a cousin, his sister, Alana (his daugher), and I spoke.  We each spoke about the impact this crime has had in our lives.  Of course, many tears were shed.  Everyone anticipated Alana's talk and as you would imagine it was very painful to hear as she spoke about the pain in her heart and trying to move forward in her life without her Dad.  Despite the pain she did it with great strength and dignity. 
 
I would like to let you know that I  know some of you have known Frank for a very long time.  Since the days of playing little league with him.   There are also some of you that have known me and the kids for a long time.  You too may have thoughts of anger, frustration, and pain as you see us go through this.  But what I want all of you to know is that we, our family, never wished ill for the murderer.  Although, going through this deeply questioned our belief in our faith.  It is because of our faith that we did not wish ill for this man.  In our statements we expressed our thoughts and feelings on how he would live with what he did every day of his life.  He would hear the words we spoke that would stay with him.  It is the memory of our words, expressions and what he did that will stay in his mind and soul forever.  That is where our hearts find solice.  Hope you understand and hope that if you struggled with your own thoughts that ours helped you.
 
Once all the statements were read the judge handed down the sentence.  He received the maximum for the first degree murder charge (25 yrs to life).  He also received an additional 4 years for the second charge and the use of a machete.  In total he received 29 years to life.  His first opportunity for the possibility of parole would be in 29 years. 
 
As I close this message I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being there for us.   My only request is that you all stay in touch with us.  Take care. 
 
Love,
 
Anita Garcia

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

"The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly."

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You and I come together!

I'm proud to be a part of history today.  A President with class and charisma. 

John McCain concedes and urges Unity with Americans, now there is another man of class and charisma.  I have respected Senator McCain as he represents us.  He is a great American hero. John said "Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country." McCain also said "The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly."  John McCain a man with class.

We must gather around and support the new President.  We all come from different views, races, back grounds but we all live in the great U.S.A. Change has come to America.  Let's stand behind our President-Elect.  We have been and always will be the United States of America. 
We need one another right now!

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God Bless America!


Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Proud to be an AMERICAN!

Take the time to VOTE today the can.di.date of your choice.  Take a book and chair and don't forget two forms of ID.  Most important don't forget your PATIENCE.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Hal*low*een at the Coffey Grounds (turn up the music)

HALLOWEEN at the Coffey's is always SPOOK*Y AND GETS SPOOK*I*ER EVERY YEAR! Jamie started a tradition of carving pumpkins the night before Halloween ever since the girls were little. We've had friends stop by and carve with us. NOW the carving is a job that demands intense concentration. So I continue with my tradition of getting things ready, make a great meal for dinner and bake something for later. Oh those pumpkin cookies are the best! Happy Halloween to everyone.
Oh in case you're wondering why I'm not in the pictures that's me in the bottom left corner of the slide show watching the night transpire!

Disco classes

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my lil' fam

my lil' fam
The ASU Family