The BEST neighbors!

A week before Christmas I locked myself out of our home.  We have lived in the same house for 22 years and this was a first.  After the kids(Andrea & Chris) moved out I thought I better place window locks on all the windows to secure our home even more since it was just the two of us now. (Really it was so that the kids can't get back in... just kidding)!  I did such an awesome job that now we can't even get into our own house.  

I drove over to the Goodman's house (neighbors) to use their phone because guess what I didn't have with me besides my house keys you guessed it... my phone!

While we waited for a locksmith to come I drove back to our house (three houses down)  I guess I was nervous about how I was going to get into the house that's why I drove instead of walking over go figure!

 I called Jamie and he immediately left work and came home to try to get us in but like I said I did an awesome job locking us out!

Our neighbors on both sides saw Jamie and I sitting outside in our car.  They asked if we were okay.  I think it looked like we were fighting because we both looked so sad!

Dondi came over with water and a baggie filled with homemade cookies!  Oh I instantly smiled and was a happy camper.   Everyone knows I love cookies and how thoughtful of her!

Remember the days when the locksmith drove up in a large white van with the word LOCKSMITH really big and full of all sorts of cool tools and a key machine to make you a new key? Well this guy drove up in a Chevy car with out- of- state plates that said(Texas) and he said hi, do you need your door opened?  I looked at him and said yes are you the locksmith?  In his foreign language tone he said GES!  Oh boy times have changed.  I was taking pictures of his car, license plate & him opening my door with Jamie's iPhone.   Wow talk about being nervous!

Well the good thing was it took him 35 minutes to get our door open.  He said we had good locks.  The other great thing was he heard the dogs bark and he said are those dogs inside?  I said no be thankful because they would bite you! He also saw the security cameras on the outside of our house and said you safe here?  So after 2hours of being locked out here is the story in short form:

Locked out of home -2 hours

Locksmith -120.00 later

Neighbors-PRICELESS!

Thank you Debbie, Dondi and the Poulsons for caring!

  

Merry Christmas, Love The Coffeys & Hyltons

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What a Jolly Man!

I follow this Santa every year.  He is the BEST Santa.  He's fabulous. It's his beard, his jolly tummy and he's alway so happy.  

He spends quality time with all the kids including myself.  Watch out Jamie I have been following this guy for year!  

Merry Christmas everyone.

Update on Peppermint cookies

Update on Peppermint cookies

For Cookies:
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (I used 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup butter-flavored shortening)
1 large egg

For Filling:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (definitely needs more, I used about 3 cups)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (I used 1/4 c. butter and 4 oz. cream cheese)
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 drops (or more) red food coloring
1/2 cup crushed red-and-white-striped candy canes or hard peppermint candies (about 4 ounces)

For cookies:
Whisk flour, cocoa, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. Beat in egg. Add dry ingredients; beat until blended. Refrigerate dough 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop out dough by level tablespoonfuls, then roll into smooth balls. Place balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Using bottom of glass or hands, flatten each ball to 2-inch round (edges will crack). Bake until cookies no longer look wet and small indentation appears when tops of cookies are lightly touched with fingers, about 11 minutes (do not overbake or cookies will become too crisp). Cool on sheet 5 minutes. Transfer chocolate cookies to racks and cool completely.

For filling:
Using electric mixer, beat powdered sugar and butter in medium bowl until well blended. Add peppermint extract and 2 drops food coloring. Beat until light pink and well blended, adding more food coloring by dropfuls if darker pink color is desired. Spread 2 generous teaspoons filling evenly over flat side of 1 cookie to edges; top with another cookie, flat side down, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat with remaining cookies and peppermint filling.

Place crushed candy canes on plate. Roll edges of cookie sandwiches in crushed candies (candies will adhere to filling). (Cookie sandwiches can be made ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.)

Rolo Delights

Ingredients:

1 bag of mini pretzels

1 bag of rolos (remove foil duh)!

whole or half size Pecans

Place a single layer of pretzels on a cookie sheet.  Set one rolo on top of each pretzel. Bake at 200 for 5 mins or just enough to soften the rolo.  Remove from oven and top with a pecan.  

These are a salty/sweet delight.

Enjoy

Super~Easy Rocky Road Fudge

Ingredients:

2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) Nestles Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

1 can (14 oz.) Sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

3 cups miniature Marshmallows

1  1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions:

Line 13x9 baking pan with foil: grease lightly.

Microwave morsels and sweetened condensed milk in large, uncovered, microwave safe bowl on High power for 1 minute: Stir.  Morsels may retain some of their original shape.  If necessary, microwave at additional 10-15 second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.  Stir in vanilla extract.  Fold in marshmallows and nuts.  

Press mixture into prepared baking pan.  refrigerate until ready to serve.  Lift from pan: remove foil. Cut into pieces. 

A cup of sugar!

For all my nutty friends and family this recipe is for you.

Here's a recipe for microwave peanut brittle:

Combine in microwave-safe bowl:

1 cup raw peanuts (I use salted spanish peanuts)

1/2 cup white corn syrup
1 cup sugar

Cook on high 4 minutes in microwave

Stir, and cook 4 more minutes on high

Add 1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir

Cook 2 minutes more on high

Stir in 1 teaspoon baking soda

Pour quickly onto greased (with butter) cookie sheet (I also pam the sheet)

Cool, then break into pieces.

Enjoy

Thank you John for sharing your recipe with us all. I haven't made it yet but ate plenty of it on tamale day.

TRADITIONS

Saturday our family gathered together for our traditional tamale making day.  Those that "love" to make tamales gather in the morning.  We are usually done by noon and ready to eat red chille burros with the left overs.  That is the best part in my book!  

In the afternoon we make one or two crafts to enjoy in our homes for the Christmas  Season.   We take a break at 4:00 from a long day to wait for the rest of our loved ones to arrive for guess what? A TAMALE dinner.  After dinner we enjoy dessert and have our "battle" of an ornament exchange.  The luckest person is Mom because since she is the oldest and no one has the nerve to take away an ornament from her she gets the final pick of whatever she wants and no one can take hers!  There is a benefit to being the oldest!  Then we pack up to leave from a very long, tiring but wonderful day! 

The best of all gifts around any Christmas Tree, is the PRESENCE of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

Enjoy the slideshow.

Christmas at the Coffey Grounds

Here are a few pictures of Christmas at the Coffey Grounds.

You need to come by and see Jamie's display of lights to music at night.

Happy Holidays everyone.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

For Cookies:

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 large egg

For Filling:

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

2 drops (or more) red food coloring

1/2 cup crushed red-and-white-striped candy canes or hard peppermint candies (about 4 ounces)

For cookies:
Whisk flour, cocoa, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. Beat in egg. Add dry ingredients; beat until blended. Refrigerate dough 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop out dough by level tablespoonfuls, then roll into smooth balls. Place balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Using bottom of glass or hands, flatten each ball to 2-inch round (edges will crack). Bake until cookies no longer look wet and small indentation appears when tops of cookies are lightly touched with fingers, about 11 minutes (do not over bake or cookies will become too crisp). Cool on sheet 5 minutes. Transfer chocolate cookies to racks and cool completely.

For filling:
Using electric mixer, beat powdered sugar and butter in medium bowl until well blended. Add peppermint extract and 2 drops of food coloring. Beat until light pink and well blended, adding more food coloring if darker pink color is desired. Spread 2 generous teaspoons filling evenly over flat side of 1 cookie to edges; top with another cookie, flat side down, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat with remaining cookies and peppermint filling.

Place crushed candy canes on plate. Roll edges of cookie sandwiches in crushed candies (candies will adhere to filling). (Cookie sandwiches can be made ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.)

I haven't made these cookies yet but plan too this week!

Enjoy

Hot Cocoa Time

Hot Cocoa

ingredients:

1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 c. sugar

1 pinch of salt

1/3 c. boiling water

3  1/2 c. milk ( whole makes it best)

3/4 t. vanilla extract

1/2 c. half and half

directions:

 Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a sauce pan.  Blend in the boiling water.  Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir simmer and stir for about 2 minutes.  Watch that it doesn't scorch.  Stir in 3 1/2 c. of milk and heat until very hot but not boiling.  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Divide between 4 mugs.  Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.  

Add your favorite topping.  Peppermint Marshmallow's, whipping cream etc.

I enjoyed his at a friends house this past weekend but haven't made it myself.

Enjoy

A cup of Sugar!

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies

1/2 cup margarine (I used butter)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1  1/4 cup flour
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
about 24 miniature peanut butter cups

Cream margarine and peanut butter. Add sugars and flour and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, salt and soda. Chill one hour, shape into 1 inch balls. Spray mini-muffin pans with Pam. Put balls into pans and bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Remove and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into the middle of the cookies. 

Enjoy one of "Our Best Bits"!

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

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?

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

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

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

Empty Nester again!

Happy Anniversary Andrea & Chris

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!

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

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

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!

God Bless America!

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.

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!

Breanna's Bridal Shower

HEAD OVER HEELS!

Breanna Goodman has fallen

 "HEAD OVER HEELS" 

for Martin Ellingson... 

 Cupid's work is nearly done. 

 Soon Bre and Martin will be "One".  

Before we arrive at that Golden Hour. 

 We honored her with a Bridal Shower. 

 Here are some snap shot of the great day,

 Thank you to all that came.

He's off to college!

Where does time go?  Is what my dear friend Diana keeps asking. Their first son is off to college.  Rocky is attending Santa Clara University!  Lucky guy right in the heart of Northern California and my home away from home!  Study hard Rocky, so you can one day be the President of the United States! We love and miss you ;>)

A Sweet Indulgence!

Our wonderful neighbors Scott and Dondi

Another place where everyone knows your name

The term yulk Fro-Yo will never come out of my mouth again.  Our family is HOOKED on Nielsen's Frozen Custard located at 1901 E. Southern Ave.  Probably not the best for "OUR" expanding waistline, but a DE-LI-CIOUS indulgence.  What a great place to end a Friday or Saturday night dates {sometimes both nights hee hee}.  Hope to run into you sometime!

The Gathering Place

Have you ever thought how cool it would be to have a place like "Cheers" was on TV? Where everyone knew your name!  Well that was today at Sauce.  

Julie and  I met for lunch when all of a sudden almost everyone that came into the restaurant we knew.  It was so good to see everyone having a good time and not thinking about the situation that the ecomomy is in right now.  If we would just put our faith to practice and all take a deep breath! 

Do something wonderful for someone today! Then jot us a comment and let us know what you did.  Enjoy for life is too short!

Alicia

Our God-daughter Alicia

Our Goddaughter Alicia, is in 9th grade at Mesquite High School. She is on the volleyball team and yesterday I watched her play against Poston. Wow, she's fantastic!  She plays many different sports and is an all round athletic.  We also went out to dinner after her game and it was great spending time with her.  She's growing so fast. That's our Alicia!

Guess who?

Ashley came over tonight for dinner and her surprise gift I had for her.  She had been using a baggie filled with ice, so I had to give her this girlie ice pack.   Priceless!