Gingerbread Houses

To start with, had a nice Thanksgiving. Had a wonderful lunch/dinner, played "Compatible", "Imaginiff", and "Apples to Apples"- and had desert.

Gingerbread houses!

Gingerbread house, royal icing. A wreath, green trimming, and little bushes made out of green gumdrops. Also: red hots, candy canes, pretzels, Twizzlers, and sprinkles.

Recipe here

Catching Up

It been a somewhat longish time since there has been up dating on Whinny Up.

So, to start off, a little bit of hunting- and, finally, success. My older brother shot a doe.

There where lots of deer.

Elk!

Surprise, very early, birthday party! Went to a basketball game for a surprise, early birthday celebration and then had a fun night at one of the houses playing Apples to Apples with refreshments.

Earlier went hiking at local park.

Salmon and Potatoes

Salmon and BBQ Roasted Potatoes

Salmon and BBQ Roasted potatoes is one of my favorites meals. It is also extremely easy to prepare.

The first thing to do (this provides about 4-5 servings for my family) is get about 2 pounds of Pacific Salmon. Pacific because Mom doesn't like Atlantic salmon. And about 8-9 medium sized potatoes.

POTATOES

8-9 medium sized potatoes. Wash the potatoes and cut into about 1 inch cubes. Put on a pan that is able to be put on the barbecue. Put a tablespoon or two of oil on top of the potatoes - along with salt, a medium sized pressed clove of fresh garlic, 2-3 chopped green onions, and pepper- make sure to mix it all in. Put on the barbecue till soft in the inside and, if wanted, starting to golden. Remove when done to your liking.

Image Courtesy

Salmon

2 pounds of unfrozen Pacific salmon. Put salmon on a piece of foil long and wide enough to enable the fish to be partially folded up in after being prepared. Put about a tablespoon of oil on your hand and spread across the fish. Spread one medium sized pressed clove of garlic. Chop 2 green onions onto the salmon. Squeeze a little bit of fresh lemon or lemon juice onto the salmon. Fold partially in the foil and put on the barbecue. Cook until it begins to flake and is solid pink through.

Another thing that is very simple to make is tartar sauce. Simply add about 1-2 tablespoons of Dill Relish to 1/2 a cup of mayonnaise.

Image Courtesy

~WesternBelle

Colors of Fall

Fall colors have finally began to appear in our area! My mom and I took some photos of the "fall colors".

It beginning to feel like fall here!

It is beginning to feel like fall down here -finally! We got a cold wind in last Friday night, after we got home from my brother's game. It has been reasonably cool since then. It is actually very nice to have it cooled off so much!

So, to start with, a few weeks late, we have started school again. I am going part time to a charter school and taking Biology. It is nice to take it as a class seeing as science isn't my favorite subject. I am also taking Home Economics, writing, history, PE, and Alg. 1.

My brother have started their football as well. I hope to post some pictures here of them! :). My older brother is playing Varsity and my younger brother is doing 7-8th grade football!

Elsie and our other dogs are doing great. I think Skia is getting jealous that Elsie gets more attention than her....... Elsie goes running with me once or twice a week for PE class (about 2 miles).

~Western Belle

Vacation

We went on vacation this past week or two. It was nice. We had not been on a real, long vacation for 5-7 years... besides a short trip to OK.

I had a lot of fun! We went to the beach, saw old friends, and did lots of other stuff -including exploring the Tillamook Cheese Factory in OR.

First I will post some pictures of one of Dad's college friends and his family.

The River we went rafting on!

My lil' bro! :) :) :) :)

My older brother

My older bro and their oldest daughter working out

My older brother kayaking/rafting

Heading back after rafting.

On our way back we visited or saw these places:

My mommy and daddy!

Daddy and us three younger ones at the Falls.

Look at the Sturgeon! WOW

These guys were HUGE!

Rainbow Trout

Some very pretty flowers

Majestic Mount. Hood!

With my sister, her husband, and at the beach- as well as a ship tour.

A flag on the ship.

Another ship through the huge binoculars.

Another ship.

A smaller boat skimming across the water.

The beauty at one of the beaches!

The prettiest seastar we saw :).

Urchin.

Me, My sis, My brother-in-law and Dad!

Sheer Beauty! I love this one!

A seagull caught a fish while we were there.

Me and my sis, Lisa :)

My brothers :)

Me and Elsie's ears

A SAR demonstration done by the Coast Guard.

Mommy's sun face in the sand.

At some batteries.

Lil Bro in a whole. :)

My brother climbing on a ladder.

Peaking from a hole :).

My older brother, my younger brother, me, my sister, Momma, Daddy, and Elsie :)