Zero Calories Zucchini One Cup at a Time

We all hate to find a huge zucchini we missed when picking from those fertile myrtle plants. It happened to me this summer, too. I hated to throw even these elephant sized ones away, so I stored them in the garage for the grandkids to carve. In November while rummaging through my cold storage for onions, I ran across the zucchini. I brought one in the kitchen to peel and shredded a cup of it. It was added to my dish as a filler. No one could tell (not that it mattered). Later that week, I used more for muffins, then omelets and so on.

Fast forward four months since they were picked, to today, January 29th. Those zucchini's never spoiled or got soft and are still going strong. Long after the small ones I so lovingly horded in the fridge for stir fry that went bad in October, the super-sized ones keep being added to fajitas, tossed salads one cup at a time and making my meals even healthier.

I will never turn away those offers of king size zucchini again, at the end of the growing season. All winter long they will be filling my smoothies, sauces and such with super healthy zero calories.

Bringing Up Birthdays

January is a big birthday month. Our immediate family has four: Breann, Alicia, Hunter and Joshua. What a joy they have been in our family. Both Breann and Alicia have accomplished amazing things by getting multiple and interesting degrees. Being mom's they have learned patience, great love, creativity and had to stay up many a night with sick children. As daughters, they have made us very proud with their humility, kindness and service to others. Caring and loving wives are also wonderful attributes. Hunter will be thirteen this month, an official teenager. Lookout mom and dad. He is a kind, competitive and handsome young man. He likes hunting, riding horses and is a great worker. Joshua will be three. The magical age, when they finally understand and you can reason with them. That is a milestone. He loves trains, trucks and trying his mom's patience.

Allan's extended family has more: Marion, Dennis, Linda, Julie & Todd (Blaine's). My side has some winter birthdays with: Paula and Brian. Here is to all those that celebrate with snow outside. They have ice skating or sledding parties, indoor activities making snowflakes and have to be creative. Have a Happy birthday January born loved ones.

Basketball & Brayle

We have a basketball star in the family. Pictured here on the front cover of the Tooele Transcript, going up for a basket. It helps to be tall, strong and coordinated. We are very excited to be related. At the end of the day, she is pretty beat up, so she wears support leggings to prevent bruises after being knocked down numerous times. She loves the game no matter the cost.

My only claim to basketball fame was at age fourteen I scored eight points in a game. I was on Cloud 9. I can't imagine how Brayle feels when she does good. Currently on junior varsity, she often plays varsity, too. What a blessing to play for a 3A school, to have a better chance for playing time. Congrats, Brayle. You rock!!