Love, Laura Lee

Howdy Pardner!

Lacy and I are really excited. Our friend Chuck has graciously offered to begin teaching us how to ride reining horses. For years Lacy has asked to ride. Finally God has provided a wonderful opportunity for her to learn. Yesterday we went out to Chuck's ranch and had our first "lesson." Mostly we just met the horses and watched Chuck demonstrate some of the moves he preforms in the show ring.

Lacy did get to climb in the saddle and get a few pointers.

It's been years since I rode a horse regularly, so I had to dig out the old boots and give them a thorough cleaning and polishing.

Lacy had no boots for riding, so she got herself an early Christmas present yesterday. We stopped by Tractor Supply Co. on the way home and fit her in a snazzy new pair! She's all ready for riding bright and early next Saturday morning.

Now that's one cute Chinese cowgirl!

Below is a video I made of Chuck spinning his horse "Shaker." He tells us we'll be doing this, too. Watch it and tell me what you think!

Mexican Lasagna

Buenos Dias!

Aqui' esta' una receta muy deliciosa!

Or: Here is a recipe guaranteed to tickle your taste buds!

This is a favorite of Abby's. She offered to stop by the grocery, on the way home from work yesterday, to pick up all the ingredients I didn't have on hand if I would make this for supper last night.

I have my friend Jean to thank for this delicious recipe. I hope you like it as much as our family does.

Mexican Lasagna

6 10-inch flour tortillas torn in half
small onion, chopped
1 lb hamburger
1 pkg. taco or chili seasoning
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 15 oz. can tomatoes

***********

8 oz. cottage cheese
2 eggs
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese

***********

shredded lettuce
chopped tomatoes
chopped green onions
chopped black olives

Grease a 13X9" casserole. Layer 1/2 tortillas. Brown the beef and onions; drain. Add seasoning mix, canned tomatoes, and cheddar cheese. Pour this mixture over the tortillas. Layer second 1/2 of tortillas. Mix cottage cheese, eggs, and Monterey Jack cheese. Pour over top of tortillas. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes till firm. Garnish with lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, and black olives.

This makes a beautiful presentation and is great for company. Serve it with chips, salsa, sour cream, and a big ol' salad! Crank up the Mexican music and have a fiesta! Ole'!

Adios!
Laura Lee

Christmas Quilts and Wacky Birds

Isn't this a gorgeous quilt? My great-grandmother Hattie Brinson made this quilt for my father when he was 12 years old. It is a full bed size quilt. My father very generously gave this quilt to me recently. I think it looks beautiful all year long, but especially at Christmas!

Below is a Christmas quilt I made a few years ago. The blocks in this are called "cake stand."

And finally, I wanted to show you these adorable birds that my father-in-law carves from pine knots. He calls them "ugly birds" but I think they are really cute. At Christmastime, they don their scarves and muffs and go visit Santa bird.

"I want it all and I want it now!"

More holiday decorating to come!

Enjoy your Thursday.

Love,
Laura Lee

Stitchin' Snowmen

I'm worse than a kid at Christmas. I've been busy, busy stitchin' snowmen ornaments and I couldn't wait to show them to you.

We're off to take Ryan back to college this afternoon. I have a whole bag full of snowmen waiting to be stuffed.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Love,
Laura Lee

Willy Melt?

I sure hope he won't!

Alyssa, he is coming to warm your heart and your home. Congratulations on winning the snowman quilt! Please email me with your mailing address so I can send him out to you in a scurry! Thanks to everyone who played along with the name game. They were all so cute. Tom, my impartial judge, studied all the names and had a difficult time making his choice. In the end, he said he was sure a lot of thought went into "Willy Melt?"

I have ornaments for everyone who participated. If you would like one and I don't already have your mailing address, please send it to me at:

thomastemple at bellsouth dot net

Obviously, type it the "normal" way.

Tootles,
Laura Lee

Wii! What a Day!

It's been a lovely day. We consumed enough food to feed a small army. Erika informed us that the average American eats 5000 calories on Thanksgiving. We made every effort to be average today.