Family Alive

Sudoko Crazy
Have you ever played sudoko? This addicting little game involves a 9×9 grid, with 9 3×3 boxes inside it. In each box, row and column, you need to have the numbers 1 through 9. The puzzles vary in difficulty, due to how many numbers are given to start out with. It seems to be everywhere these days – Barnes & Noble has a whole table of books, there’s a daily puzzle in our newspaper, and I’m surprised at the number of people I know who are hooked on it. Brian and I got hooked a couple weeks ago. We used a Barnes & Noble gift card to get a Head-to-Head Sudoko game, that’s been fun. (Though my hubby is so quick at it, I think it might be even more fun if I played with someone more at my “logic level”.) We also found a Daily Sudoko calendar for 50% off that we’ve been working on. Anyway, though it was fun for me at first, now it’s just getting annoying because I seem to get about halfway through all my puzzles and then get stuck. GRr. Brian actually enjoys picking up my tossed-aside puzzles and finishing them:) But I needed an SFD (Sudoko-Free-Day) yesterday, as it had finally annoyed me just too much. It is good mental stimulation, though, and something fun for Brian and I to work on together. Try it… don’t blame me if you get addicted, though!

More Baby Boom notes
As I got to thinking about the “baby boom” at our church that I noted in my last post, I realized there are a couple more newborns, though not in our church. Missionary friends of ours just had a baby girl last week, a friend of Brian’s from UAB had their second son on Dec. 30th, and a couple down the street has a big pink bow on their mailbox:) I think I’m going to take some brownies down to them later this afternoon. We visited our friends Tim, Lindsay and little Bryant last evening. He’s so sweet! It’s funny to think we’ll be in their exact situation welcoming a little boy in just over 4 months! I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the idea of having a boy!! (It helps that he’s getting a little lively lately, and I feel him kicking more often:))

White Chocolate Bread Pudding
A friend from church made this for a New Year’s Eve party, and I had to get the recipe. I tried it out for our home church gathering on Wednesday night. Huge success! Easy and incredibly delicious!

Bread Pudding
• 1 lb french bread, torn into small pieces (Pepperidge Farm is suggested, but I used regular grocery store brand and it was fine.)
• 2 pints heavy whipping cream
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 T vanilla

Topping:

• 12 oz. white chocolate chips
• 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream

Place bread pieces in a greased 9x13inch pan. Pour 2 pints of whipping cream over the bread. Mix eggs, sugar and vanilla. Pour over bread mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until golden for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Melt chocolate chips and 1/2 pint whipping cream in microwave, at 50% power for 2 minute intervals, stirring between. (I’m not sure how long in total, but until the mixture is smooth.) Top individual servings of pudidng with sauce.

Taco Soup
I’ve honestly made this COUNTLESS times since I found the recipe about a year ago. Very tasty, just dump everyting into the slow cooker and enjoy whenever you’re ready. We LOVE it!

• 1 lb ground meat (turkey or beef), drained, seasoned with salt, pepper and onions, if desiered
• 2 cans tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes (A total of 3 cans of tomatoes and sauce are necessary – if you prefer a chunkier soup, you can use more of the diced.)
• 2 cans pinto beans
• 1 can whole kernel corn
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix (example: Hidden Valley Ranch)

Place in slow cooker, cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream, and serve with tortilla chips.