Wedding, Friends, and a Recipe

My last post was about my new Smart Phone.  Just FYI, an hour after I posted, my new "Smart" phone broke!  The touch screen didn't allow touching.  I've been a little reluctant to post about things I like, or brag about new things I have or people in my life.  Who knows what will happen within the hour?  

Hopefully, that was just a quirk because I'm posting again!

Lots have happened and I can make this post a super duper long one or make it a condensed version.   

As you know, Camille got married in November...on a cold, cold, day!

 A few weeks later, she had an open house in Rexburg, on a cold, cold, day! I've decided my camera doesn't like the cold because it didn't work.  I couldn't get one single picture of the happenings that evening.  However, I felt some warmth when I met 2 of my favorite blogging buddies. I also pilfered these photos from their blogs.  I admit it.  

I met Kimmie for the first time that night.  She is  friendly, warm, generous, and an all around good person. I love that lady.  Her husband, Tracy, and their son, Ethan also came.  What a pleasure to meet all of them.  Ethan is a great kid!  He had me smiling the whole time we talked.  You should go to Kimmie's blog to get a recipe for the cinnamon almonds she gave me.  You'll also find a plethora of other recipes, food storage ideas, and all kinds of fun on her blog.

Tauna and her husband and granddaughter came to the open house.  I've met Tauna before and couldn't wait to see her again!  She brought me huckleberry and apple syrups! We had a good visit, when I wasn't chasing grandkids!  It's wonderful how we can bond with our blogging friends and feel like we've known them forever! I hope to be able to see more of these ladies since I will be visiting their city more often.

Just another example of how close we can become to people we meet online. My daughter, Jill, is expecting a baby this month.  She was given a baby shower by a group of people who follower her on Twitter.  

The woman who had it at her home had never met Jill before!  

(She's obviously a good artist!)

Here is a recipe for a pasta salad that we served at Camille's reception.  It makes a TON and it's so good and pretty!  I've made it a couple of times since the reception and taken it to parties.  I've had several people ask for the recipe but you get it without even asking! It's perfect for Christmas eating because of the red and green ingredients.  

Pasta Salad

1 12 oz. pkg bow tie pasta

1 12 oz. bag of multi-colored pasta

1 cup grapes cut in half /or craisins

1 1/2 cups chopped celery

4 green onions, chopped

1 can drained  pineapple tidbits

1 cup cashews

3 cooked chicken breasts, cubed

1 cup mayonnaise 

1 bottle Kraft coleslaw dressing

In a LARGE pot, cook both bags of pasta until just tender. While pasta is cooking, cut up grapes, celery,  onions and cooked, cooled chicken..  Place in a LARGE bowl.  (Did I mention this recipe makes a ton?)  Drain the pineapple and add to the other ingredients in the bowl.  Drain pasta through a colander and run cold water over the pasta.  Place well-drained pasta in the LARGE bowl with the other ingredients.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayo and coleslaw dressing.  Pour over ingredients in the bowl.  With a LARGE spoon, stir until everything is coated and delicious looking!  

The last few times I made this recipe, I didn't put in the chicken.  Be prepared to feed an army or have lots of leftovers.

One more thing.  

I get to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert Friday night! (Try saying that 3 times fast) 

Nathan Gunn and Jane Seymour will be performing!  

I'm very excited!