Going for Gold

We have been busy partying it up lately--see last post. Did I mention I also had to throw my church's Halloween party on Saturday night? I need a week of straight sleeping.

Last week we were in Utah for Dave and Bon-Bon's 50th wedding anniversary. 50 years! Crazy.

The lovebirds in 1959

And the lovebirds today! Many moves, kids, and hairstyles. Oh, the hairstyles. Bon-Bon had every single hairstyle that was ever popular. Bouffant, beehive, flip, flat, short, long, permed..you name it.

Bonnie is a party gal just like me--so we had dinner on Thursday, Anniversary party on Friday, and Halloween party on Saturday. It was a non-stop party.

Hangin' out with my kind

Madonna and an Arabian Princess...better known as Capree and Avery

Bonnie had spent months putting together a special album for all of the kids with all of their childhood pictures--it was an incredible feat, and a lot of fun to have. I may have to do some scanning.

Bonnie and David checking out the book we put together for them with letters and pictures from all of us.


While we were at dinner, Lancer told me about an Esquire article he had read that said people look better if they show more teeth when they smile. We gave it a try.

Regular smile

Showing more teeth. I think # 1 is the clear winner.

Happy Anniversary Bon-Bon and Dave--we love you! We hope you still love us after you see the above photo.

Mama's Joe

Growing up, my family called Manwich "Mamwich"...as in "yes, Ma'am, I'll have another sandwich." It wasn't until I got married that the error of my ways were pointed out. I always used this canned shortcut--fast, cheap, and easy--until I had some of my MIL's joe. It's sooo good, and we eat it day and night when we go to Utah for Christmas.

I like it so much I even humor her by placing a paper towel over the joe in the bowl every single time I heat some up. Lance has the cleanest parents on earth. It's a wonder they like me since I'm a sloppy-slopperson--I always end up with food on my face and clothing no matter how hard I try. I can't wait to have kids to blame it on--"um, yeah, Lil' Johnny sure is an oinker. Look at what he did to my shirt!"

Here's Bon-Bon's sloppy joe recipe. It's also fast and easy--try it next time. You won't be disappointed. We had it for dinner last night and lunch today. Nummy-nummy. I eat mine with plain old potato chips. Kids love it.

Bon-Bon's Sloppy Joe's

2 lbs lean ground beef, drained
1 can tomato soup--can use plain tomato sauce to make GF
1 chopped onion
3/4 cup catsup
1/2 cup brown sugar, or to taste. I like the full 1/2 cup.

2/3 cup water (scant)
2 TBSPS. red wine vinegar

2 TBSPS. Worchestershire Sauce, addl for use while browning onion and beef

1/2 to 3/4 tsp. salt or to taste

1/2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. chili powder
Pepper to taste

Brown the ground beef and onion with some worchestershire until thoroughly cooked through. Stir in remaining ingredients, adding brown sugar last. Let simmer until thickened. If it's a little on the runny side, thicken it up with a little cornstarch. This recipe is gluten free. Also works well doubled and tripled--I served it 2 years ago at my cookie party, and it was g-o-n-e.

Don't forget Bon-Bon's Holiday Breakfast--another fam fave.