Our 2007 Family Review

2007, is it to cliche to say the year went by way too fast? I am sure you have all heard that only a time or two.
January, February and March just seem like a blur of the past. With not much happening, but keeping warm inside. Jared and I did venture out to Edmonton with no kids in tow. We had quite a nice time relaxing and visiting some of my high school friends. I started a class in January to go towards my business certificate, with hopes of doing it again this January.

April brought about a birthday month..with Dominic turning 3 and Jared turning 24. It's hard to believe that time can fly by like that.

May was a little depressing for us, as we lost my dear grandpa. It was a hard month. But he was safe up in heaven, and that brought us some comfort. My cousin Tara got married in Moose Jaw so I was up there for that. This was also the month my photo obsession began, with the purchase of a new camera I wanted to make sure to catch every moment.

June was a very busy month for us. Our dear baby Paige, turned ONE YEAR old!! Still not walking or talking much..but definetly growing each and every day. Mid June we headed up to Saskatoon, for my cousin Pam's wedding. That was such a fun and memorable day. End of June my baby sister graduated high school, so a trip to Indian Head to congratulate and celebrate with her. June started the Rider football season as well, where Jared and I had season tickets. I was always on the run to Regina..couldn't miss a game!

July was my big quarter century birthday, which was also a hard day. As my grampa and I shared the same birthday..and this was my first without him. Also big plans started evolving, as Jared and I anticipated our big wedding day. I had my stagette this month, which was a lot of fun. The kids and I enjoyed lots of play dates with Marissa and her two kids, Tyson and Amoriah. Fishing was also a big part of our spare time rituals. My good friend Allisha got married this month in Regina, and I was so happy to be there and see her wed Rob. My sister Mallory, moved down to Oxbow and has been living with Jared and I. We also endured a month long renovation to our bathroom. Not fun, but it is nice to have a decent bathroom!!

August came and went in a flash. Jared and I uniting as one on August 11. A week later we were up to Wolseley for our good friends Barret and Kandi's wedding. Celebrating with them was so much fun.

September, my little boy started playschool and story hour. He is growing up so fast, before I know it both my munchkins will be in school! We had football games to attend, with tensions getting high as the Riders began to see the Grey Cup light.

October, was thanksgiving which we celebrated just at home. Then headed down to Minot the day after for a litte Sale shopping. A trip to Dauphin was also done this month, with some pics taken in hopes of getting a decent one for Christmas cards. I started working part time at C & N Oilfield and will begin full time work there in January. Little Paige finally started to walk!

November was fun, with a home playoff game for the Riders, and then the big Grey cup win. My dad got in for back surgery to have a couple lumps removed. It was stressful and worriesome, but he is doing very well, and is back to work in Oman as of Dec 18th. We also had my work Christmas party down in Minot. Had a blast down there and finished up some Christmas shopping.

December..oh now this is much easier to remember. We headed off to Vegas from the 10th -15th with some friends of ours. It was such a good time, we hope to go back in a couple of years. Christmas came and went in the blink of an eye. The kids had such a blast, and are enjoying playing with their new toys. I must admit, I am kind of enjoying playing with the new toys too.

And now was we say good-bye to 2007, and welcome 2008. I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!

Some of the things we are looking forward to in 2008:
Dominic turning 4 and Paige turning 2!!!
Jared and I's one year wedding anniversary.
Jamaica next Christmas, for my best friend Heidi's wedding!
Hopefully finishing our house renovations.

Vegas Baby.

Jared and I Just returned from our trip to Vegas. We were in Vegas from Monday til Saturday morning (very early morning). But gone from the kids from Sunday to Sunday, because of travelling down to Bismark (where we caught our flight).

We had such a great time. We started Monday off kinda low key, went to the Rio and checked it out, and then went for supper at Buzio's. Which is a classy seafood restaurant, that I really didn't enjoy. But oh well, it was alright.

Tuesday we got up and went to Cowboy Christmas (which is kind of like Agribition, has all the booths and such). It was so fun, we got both the kids a pair of cowboy boots, and Dominic got a Cowboy hat. Following that I went with a walk with Jared and Bubba and we checked out the Wynn and the Fashion Show Mall.

For Supper we met up with everyone, and headed down to Freemont St. Which was what I wanted to see. It had a wonderful light show up above (because it's all closed in, like an arch kinda deal). It was just very beautiful. We went for supper at Binion's. It was pretty good. Jared and Bubba got into the Football shaped Margarita's..and wow. They were so strong. Down there, you get what you pay for..I don't think there is a drink you get anywhere that has only one shot in it..it was intense..Needless to say Jared and Bubba were pretty HAPPY by the end of the night. We toured Freemont St for the rest of the night then went to bed.

Wednesday we went and got some 1/2 price tickets for Stomp out Loud at Planet Hollywood for that night. During the day we went shopping at the Outlet Mall..and WOW did we ever find deals, it was so so so fun. all the brand names, and ya it was just great, we pretty much finished our Christmas shopping there. Then we headed for Planet Hollywood got our tickets and decided to go for lunch at the Harley Davidson Cafe. It was SOOO cool, and the food was actually very very good. Huge ass portions!
Stomp out Loud was AMAZING. I will rave about it for a long time to come I am sure. If you have the chance see it, b/c I just loved it and was in awe. Afterwards we went to the Paris and went up the Eiffel Tower, which was really cool.

Thursday we headed to Madam Toussad's wax museum, and toured the casino's down by it. Jared and I got tickets to go see Bill Engvall (He's part of the Blue Collar Comedy with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy). He was so funny, we had a great time at him. Then we headed over to the stratosphere. Some of the group went on the ride , not I though..NO THANKS. We were already up 108 floors, and that was good enough for me.

Friday, all the ladies went over to Cowboy Christmas again for a bit, while the guys played in a poker tournament and then went to the gun range. For supper we went to the Hard Rock Cafe, which was pretty good. We got souvenir glasses from pretty much every restaurant we went to..well ok 3 of them. But even better, they all made it back home!!

After supper, Jared and I went our own way and toured the MGM, coke store, M & M store, the New York New York, and Mandalay Bay.

Over all we had a marvelous time. And I think I am hooked on going on a yearly vacation from now on. I get to stick to that for at least one more year anyways...Heidi is getting married in Jamaica and I am in her wedding..so YA BABY!! We are excited for that!

Take a look at my pics on facebook.

Oh and Tonight is My stampin Up party. I will also be serving some munchies from Epicure (which I sell). Let's get together and have a night together before Christmas.

Just in time for Xmas

Welcome to Crystal’s Recipe of the Month Club for December!

Thank-you to all my customers and hostesses for a fantastic 2007! I would like to personally thank-you by offering 5% off any orders placed from now until December 31st, 2007.
Find attached information on our Dip Special, our January Hostess Special and my favorite recipes, on CHOCOLATE!!! Enjoy!!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Crystal :)

Dip Special!!!
December 15 - 31, 2007

As our 10TH Anniversary year comes to a close,
we’ve rolled back the prices one last time!!
Purchase VE Dip Mixes (excluding Fruit or Dessert dips) for Epicure Selections’® original price of $5.95!
Pre-orders sent prior to December 15th (through Crystal Maffenbeier), I will personally pay your shipping!! (Don't forget the 5% off!)
The cost will be exactly $5.65!! Regular cost is $7.95.
I will be placing the first order on December 15th at 11pm so it MAY be in, in time for Christmas!!

Too busy in December? Host a party in January!!!
January 1st - 31st, 2008
Host a Tasting Party
between January 1 and January 31, 2008
with a minimum of $400 in retail party sales
and as a Hostess, receive 20% of the retail party purchases
in FREE VE products of your choice instead of the regular 10% Hostess Entitlement!
Plus, book now, and receive an extra $15.00!!
Call now for details!!


Check Out Dawn's New Website!
http://www.epicureselections.com/browsing/browse-products.aspx?culture=en-CA&id=Dawn_Dawson
View the new food and cookware items online!
This is ONLY available on her website, you will NOT see the entire catalogue on Epicure's main website.

See our hostess benefits:
http://www.epicureselections.com/hosting/host-promotions.aspx?culture=en-CA


Fundraisers!
A pleasant departure from the usual chocolates and wrapping paper, Triple Dip
fundraisers include a full colour recipe booklet, three dip mixes in our seasoning sized jars and a reusable bag.
Triple Dip fundraisers can be ordered in quantities of 12, increasing flexibility for you,
the organization to purchase and distribute.
Call now for details!
For a group of 20, if each person sells 5 collections,
your group will make: $500.00!!!


Product Spotlight - Chocolate!!!
Did you know that 5.4 kg of chocolate is consumed
per person each year in Canada?

Chocolate boasts a rich supply of phenyl ethylamine,
a naturally-occurring substance in the body, believed
by some researchers to fight the “blues".

When a recipe calls for a dusting of flour, use VE Pure
Cocoa for an extra dash of chocolate taste.


TIPS FOR BELGIAN CHOCOLATE SAUCE
􀂂 Recipe is found on the VE Dark Belgian Chocolate container
And Try this Recipe:
Chocolate Fondue,
½ cup butter
½ cup Epicure Cocoa
¾ cup sugar
½ cup Evaporated Milk
1 teaspoon Epicure Vanilla
½ cup Epicure Belgian Chocolate (I like to use white)
Melt butter over low heat, remove from heat. Stir in cocoa and mix well.
Add sugar, vanilla, evaporated milk and return to heat. Cook until sugar is melted.
Add Belgian chocolate, stir until melted. Freezes great!

􀂂 Perfect for chocolate fondue – dip fruit, pieces of pound cake or toasted cubes
of angel food cake
􀂂 Serve warm over ice cream
􀂂 Drizzle over fresh fruit and berries
􀂂 Sauce thickens when chilled, making a decadent icing for cakes, brownies and
cupcakes


TIPS FOR MAKING
CHOCOLATE TIRAMISU CUPS
If you prepare extra Chocolate Tiramisu Cups at the Tasting Party, take them home
to use at your next chocolate theme party.
􀂂 Slowly tip cups when spooning in melted chocolate. You may need to use the back
of a spoon to help with coating. Tip cups and pour excess chocolate into mixing
bowl. Repeat until all cups are coated, ensuring edges of the silicone cups
are clean.
􀂂 Carefully remove cups from moulds. This can be a little tricky.
If they break, simply re-melt chocolate and pour back in.


Other Tempting Chocolate Dessert Recipes featured
on our VE Chocolate Product containers:
Belgian Chocolate Sauce - VE Dark Belgian Chocolate
Fudge Brownies - VE Pure Cocoa
Maple Whiskey Dipping Sauce -
VE Canadian Maple Chocolate
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies -
VE Milk Belgian Chocolate


Successfully Melting Chocolate
VE Belgian Chocolate is simply the best! Th e chip form is easy to measure,
and the small size and high cocoa butter content allows for quick, effi cient melting.
Discover how easy it is to create chocolate dipped strawberries–the thin layer of
coating gives a beautiful glossy finish. The most important thing to remember
when melting premium chocolate is not to use excessive heat. Keep water or
steam completely away from chocolate. Moisture is the enemy!


INSTRUCTIONS FOR MELTING CHOCOLATE
Place VE Belgian Chocolate in a dry bowl and set aside.
Bring 2 cups (500 ml) water to a boil in a multi-purpose pot. Turn off heat.
Remove multi-purpose pot from stove top. Set bowl of chocolate on
top of pot. Stir frequently to promote faster melting.
Once chocolate is melted, dry off outside of bowl with a kitchen towel.
Proceed to make chocolate cups, fruit and almond bark, or use to dip
strawberries or crystallized ginger. For best results, melted chocolate
should be warm, not hot.

Chocolate Tiramisu Cups
Makes 6
A rich and delicious dessert treat!
1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp (140 ml)
VE Dark Belgian Chocolate, melted
6 Tbsp (90 ml)
frozen raspberries (thawed)
1 recipe prepared
VE Tiramisu Dessert Dip
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml)
VE Mexicoco Coff ee Topper
6 VE Mocha Beans
Spoon melted VE Dark Belgian Chocolate into silicone baking cup.
Using the back of a spoon, spread inside cup. Pour out excess.
Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat, making a total of 6 cups, and chill
in refrigerator for 5 minutes. Carefully remove chocolate cups from moulds.
Place chocolate cups on individual dessert plates.
Divide raspberries among prepared chocolate cups.
Top with prepared VE Tiramisu Dessert Dip.
Sprinkle lightly with VE Mexicoco Coffee Topper and top with a VE Mocha
Bean.
Hot Mocha Mix Makes 3 cups
2 cups (500ml) white sugar
1 cup (250ml) VE Pure Cocoa
3/4 cup (180ml) instant coffee granules
1 tsp (5ml) VE Poudre Douce
Whisk ingredients together.
1 tbsp mix to 1/2cup milk, ½ cup coffee


Spicy Hot Chocolate with CinnamonServes 4
4 cups (1 L) milk Pinch VE Crushed Chilies1 VE Cinnamon Stick 1/2 cup (125 ml) VE Dark Belgian Chocolate
1. Combine first 3 ingredients in saucepan over medium heat until milk begins to steam. Remove from heat, cover and let mixture steep for 10 minutes.2. Place VE Dark Belgian Chocolate in mixing bowl. Strain milk mixture through a stainless steel strainer over the chocolate to remove VE Cinnamon Stick and VE Crushed Chilies.3. Return mixture to saucepan, Using a wooden spoon, stir over medium heat until chocolate is melted.4. Pour into heated mugs. Sprinkle with your choice of VE Coffee Toppers and serve with VE Cinnamon Sticks



Enjoy!

Take care everyone and remember, if you need any help with
Epicure on your shelves, call or email me at any time!

Your Epicure Consultant,
Crystal Maffenbeier
306-483-2996
Oxbow, SK
crystalhawker@hotmail.com

Can someone please stop the clock?

I have been finding that, ever since I started work, time is just flying! I honestly cannot believe it is almost the end of November! Christmas is just around the corner, and I haven't done a lick of shopping for it! I don't even have any ideas! I hope to get the majority of the kids gifts bought this weekend while in Minot. And everyone else's gifts I think will mostly come from Vegas.

House work is driving me mad. I have two other adults living here that are fully capable of helping, but don't, so I think that makes me most mad. I still love them to pieces, but about ready to strangle them both!

The kids have started going to Jayden's now. Which is nice b/c at least with them out of the house while I am working, the house sort of stays the way I leave it. I'm not even going to ellaborate on this house bit, b/c it is making me bawl it frustrates me so much. The kids seem to like going to Jayden's. Paige cries when I drop them off, but she always cries...she's a mommy suck. Dominic was a little upset the first day, but got over it quickly when he found out she had TOYS (of all things! haha)

My kids love getting into Baby Powder....
Sometimes I wonder how I have any hair left at the end of a day, haha.

Jared has been working lots (I don't think that ever changes). He always works, which is nice for the bank account, not so nice for the family aspect. We rarely see him, especially the kids. Most nights they are in bed before he gets home, and he is gone to work before they get up.

The good ol' COLD has made it's way into our house. I am still having coughing fits (hopefully it doesn't progress into something, as it always has in the past), Paige has a VERY runny nose and coughing fits, Jared is just getting over his, and Dominic has yet to be bothered by all our germs.

I have a busy busy week this week. And though it is going to kill me, I have decided not to be present for dad's surgery tomorrow. I will never forgive myself if something goes wrong..I just have such a full plate this week, and nowhere to stay in Regina I just couldn't do it. Friday I work the day at C & N, the night at the bow. Then I have to wake up the next morning..drive to Gainsborough and finalize everything from my Epicure party..then drive to Minot to shop and then for my C & N Christmas party. Then Sunday is the Grey Cup, and Monday I have to drive to Regina to get dad! So you can see, why I opted out of lugging two kids to Regina for a rushed, tension filled trip to Regina, to sit in a hospital majority of the day! The Christmas Party is KID FREE, so I am excited..However Jared can't come , b/c his toolpush already has the days off. Which is SSOO annoying, not that his toolpush already has the days off, just that he can't come to the party. B/c Precision doesn't do a single thing for their employees for Christmas. No bonus, no supper, no nothing..Oh wait..he usually gets a piece of paper saying "Thanks For Being a Part of Our Team". So generous.

And in 2 1/2 weeks, we will be kid-free for a week!!! While we go to Vegas with some friends. I am pretty sure my sister is stressing out, but it will be good for her. If nothing else, it will be a GREAT birth control!!

Birthdays are popping up too. My mom's is this Saturday, and Mallory's is next Friday. Then Lance's is on the 8th. Like I said earlier..time is going MUCH to fast!

I had my first Epicure party last night and it was a success!! She had over $500 in sales, and therefore is going to get TONS of free stuff including :
Free Tote Bag
Free Cook book or set of teatowels
$50 in free merchandise
a Hostess only special
the Spice Duo for only $8
a free dip duo
and any one item at half price!

If you are interested in holding a taste-testing party, or a silent book party..Let me know!

Our life update

Hello again, fello bloggers!!

Less than a month until we depart on our Vegas trip! I am fretting about leaving the kids for a whole week. I am sure they will be just fine, but I still worry.

This past weekend Jared had off, which was nice. We still didn't accomplish much around this house of ours though! Sunday we headed up to Regina for the football game and my grandma kept the kids, however I think that will be the last time she does. It was overnight and it is just getting too hard for her, it tires her out.. The football game, however, was great and I was glad Jared was able to come to it!! Next Sunday we are going to have a little party to watch the Eastern and Western finals (Jared cheers for the Bombers--East, and I cheer for the Riders--West), so we have a full day of watching football. The kids may not like it, but they'll be excited for all the food we will have on the go that day, haha.

The kids are doing great, Dominic is already getting excited for Santa and snow. I am a little different. I am excited for Christmas, but not for snow and cold. Paige still doesn't quite understand it all, but I am sure she will be when Santa brings her presents. I am worse than the kids, I want to start setting up Christmas decorations but, thankfully, I have Jared telling me NOT YET!! haha.

My job is going great. I pretty much work 2 days a week right now, which is a nice way to ease into the job. My friend, Jayden, is going to start keeping the kids for me, which will be nice. It means I have to get up earlier to take them to her place, but it also means that when we leave the house clean in the morning, it stays that way haha. She also has a little boy a couple months younger than Paige, so they will have a playmate. Daycare is so hard to find in this town. Is it this hard other places, I wonder?

End of the month is Mallory's birthday and we're hoping to go out to Lethbridge. I told her a long time ago we would..but now we'll have to see, with work and finding someone to keep the kids. We'll see what happens there.

Oh and my latest news, I almost forgot!!! I cut off all my hair!!!!! Excuse the terrible picture, it's taken with the webcam and is all I have at the moment! I was so sick of my old hair, and always wearing it in a ponytail, now I have a fun style.

Well I must go figure out what to make for supper now. And well..something for tomorrow too!

Workin' Girl

My job is going so incredibly well, I only wish my sister's new job (being my babysitter) was going near as well. I think Dominic is mad at me for leaving, he's started peeing his pants or wherever he feels like it. Today while I was at work he had a #2 right on our kitchen floor!! I couldn't believe it! However, after a talk with me and another one with Daddy..I am hoping that situation turns around QUICKLY! But somethings he is doing better with Auntie Mallory than with me. For instance, he always cries when I drop him off at playschool..today when Mallory dropped him off he just got a little sad but didn't cry! I am so proud of him! Little Paige seems to be adjusting just fine. Her , along with her brother, are very excited to see me when I get home from work..but she hasn't seemed to act out at all.

I am so excited about my job! It is going very well, and it's fulfilling..so many things to learn and do and I just love that.

This week is such an eventful week ( I feel like I say that every week). But there is Halloween on Wed, I work Wed and Thurs. And then after work Thurs we are heading up to my mom's so that I can go to Regina bright and early to be with my dad for his surgery. So I will be there all day (my mom is keeping the munchkins for me) and probably into the evening. Then staying at my best friend , Heidi's for the night. Followed by the Rider game on Saturday (with hospital visits before and after). WOW

But yet, it doesn't stop there..next week will be just as eventful, with Oilwives meeting on Wednesday and the Rider HOME playoff game on the 11th, so we will be out of town AGAIN.

I think almost all my blogs I say, oh in two weeks things are going to calm down and that will be nice..but it never seems to come haha.

A reminder, my epicure and tupperware orders will be going in , in just over two weeks (Nov 15th), if you want something (or a catalog) let me know!

I guess that's enough of a life update for now! I'm exhausted and going to bed.

No paddle...

So I've given up on posting pics on blogger..it's so annoying. I managed to get two on today..Then it starts saying "error"

So anyways, thanksgiving weekend we went down to Minot and ate at this restaurant called "Up The Creek". It was ssoooo good.

For an appetizer we got mussels, however I was too chicken and didn't try them!

This was Jared's meal, a seafood trio. I can't remember what all kinds he got now though. Shrimp obviously and then ya 2 kinds of fish.
I got the shrimp and steak meal, however it won't let me upload that pic. It was amazing!!! So if you're ever down in Minot, do try out "Up the Creek"!