Honey Bars

Hi Ya'll,
This is one of my favorite recipes for Christmas. The first time I had them, it was back when Leiza Morales and I ran the S&S Senior Tea at A&M. Rene Stewart brought a batch to the tea, and we had a ton left over -- I think I ate them all in one sitting. I still have to stop myself from eating an entire batch in one sitting.

I make these each Christmas and think of Rene. She was one in a million.

Merry Christmas,
d.



Rene Stewart’s Honey Bars

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. soda
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
¾ cup oil
¼-1/3 cup honey
1 egg, beaten
1 cup chopped nuts

Combine and blend dry ingredients. Add oil and honey and mix. Add egg and nuts and mix. Pour into greased 10 x 15 jelly roll pan and pat into corners and sides. Bake at 350 for 18 minutes.

Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 T. water
2 T. mayonnaise
1 tsp. vanilla

Spread mixture over bars while still warm. Let set until almost cool. Cut into squares.

Kate's in Hungary

If you know Kate Porter (fellow Borden County Coyote, class of '89), she's in Hungary. Check it out:

http://kateinhungary.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday to Me!

Too many to report.

Cool new hot pink bicycle in the garage!

Post-Turkey Update

Howdy!

I apologize for not having written a "real" post in DAYS, but things have been very crazy around here the last few days. I spent all day Wednesday getting ready for Thanksgiving. Then, we had about 23 of Biggs' relatives here for the festivities. Then, the second they all left, I started decorating for Christmas.

Before I get to Christmas, here's a picture from Abbie's birthday -- #7!!!

We were supposed to go to the Creek this weekend for Abs' "official" birthday party, but the weather has just been horrible. So we stayed in Houston and got a lot done. Biggs did the lights on the front of the house while I did the trees and such on the inside. I'm not completely done, but I've just about got everything but my village done.

I really thought it was going to be hard to decorate this year. I braced myself for it to be all emotional and everything. But surprisingly it wasn't. It was just really, really sweet. We've all collected Christmas ornaments for forever and a day. And it was a very positive trip down memory lane for me. So many of my Christmas decorations are linked to Mom in some way or another, and I loved putting them up.


Here's our tree in the family room. Anthony & Cheryl -- note the Santa pix are on the mantel right where they belong!


Not all of my Christmas ornaments made the move from McKinney in one piece -- but check out the bows on the staircase that did really well!

I've never been big on theme trees, but Jacquie got a new tree last week and donated her old one to our dining room. I've been telling everyone it's my "Jesus tree." Doyce and I used to trade dove ornaments each year, so those are all on there, along with all the angel, nativity and heart ornaments in the house.

The china cabinet even got in the act. The top shelf has Biggs' grandmother's singing angels and Mom's "Noel" angels that she got from Grandma and Velma Lee. Growing up, we all had a great time turning them into the "Leon" angels from time to time. The china doll and blue willow tea set were Mom's as well. See? Sweet memories....

Finally, here is one fairly naked Christmas card tree. As you can see, we've yet to get any Christmas cards to hang on it. So ya'll better get busy!! Our cards will be out as soon as I get a picture, get it printed, order the cards, address the envelops and write and print the letters! Whew! Better get busy!!!

Merry Christmas!

- D'Lyn

Cookie Exchange!!!

Cinnamon, Sugar, Sprinkles Galore!!!

It’s time for our 8th Annual Cookie Exchange!

Saturday, December 8 9:30 a.m.

At the Home of D’Lyn Biggs
15802 Applerock Trail
Cypress, Texas 77433
Phone: 281-256-8067
Please RSVP if possible.

Here's the scoop: Bring at least 3 to 6 dozen cookies or pieces of homemade candy with each 1/2 dozen in a separate plastic bag. One bag of cookies will go into the "tasting party" and the others will go into the exchange. You'll go home with the number of cookies you brought -- minus 1/2 dozen. Now... We're talking homemade cookies or candy here. If the only kind you know how to make is chocolate chip, then by all means, bring those. But let's try to have a good variety!

Please feel free to bring your cuddly babies, moms, aunts, sisters, friends, neighbors etc. -- just no toddlers / kids who are old enough to climb our stairs!

Foot News

Okay. I think I'm getting old -- I'm reporting foot news, but here goes....

My heel was perfect all through the 3-Day -- something that can only be attributed to the power of prayer. But since the 3-Day it's gotten worse. I saw a new podiatrist on Monday. This one came highly recommended by another 3-Day walker and fellow "Talent," Sherry Taylor.

I have a crush on this new doctor. Not the same kind of crush I have on Craig Biggio. Not nearly as big a crush, and not because he's cute or anything like that.

I have a crush on him because he's going to fix my foot. And at this stage of the game, anyone who's positive about fixing things is my kind of doctor.

First, he started by flattering me -- not a bad place to start. He said I was too young and too small to have this problem. I AGREE!!!

That enormously high arch that I have is the trouble maker. No arch support or insole of any kind works for me. So... He taped it, did an ultrasound treatment and prescribed Lodine. All of this is geared at reducing the inflammation. It does feel much better.

But we all know 5 minutes of prayer can accomplish more than 5 weeks of treatment. So please be praying that this will work. So much of who I am is tied up in being active -- whether it's cooking or walking or shopping -- I don't ever sit. This has really been hard for me. Thanks for your prayers!!!

Love you,
d.

Pumpkin Dump Cake

This recipe is from one of the Titus women at my MOPS group. Prepare to eat yourself silly....


Pumpkin Dump Cake

15 oz. can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. cinnamon
12 oz. can evaporated milk
1 box yellow cake mix
1-2 sicks butter, melted

Mix pumpkin, eggs, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and milk together and put in 9 x 13" pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix on top of mixture. Pour butter on top of dry cake mix (a thin layer). Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with Cool Whip.

Listen Up, Everyone!!!

Breast Cancer is Not Your Grandmother's Disease!!!

Got it?? More and more I'm hearing about young women -- younger than the "recommended mammogram age" -- who are being diagnosed with breast cancer. My friend Denise was 33 when she was diagnosed 3 years and 15 surgeries ago. I recently heard about a 19-year-old who has breast cancer. There's a Mom from Kaitlyn's preschool class who looks beautiful with her head covered by a scarf -- but not by choice. This is no fashion statement.

I've heard that they are going to lower the recommended age for your first Mammo because so many young women are fighting the disease. (Right now, the powers that be recommend that you have a baseline Mammo done between 35 and 39. Then, after 40 they recommend you have yearly mammograms.)

Hopefully everyone will get on the bandwagon soon. But even if that happens, you are (and will continue to be) your best defense. What should you do?

1. Self-Exams are your #1 line of defense. If you aren't sure how to do a self-exam, go to www.Komen.org and download the "how-to" card. Whether you prefer to Check your Chi-Chi's, Knead your Knockers, Squeeze your Oranges or whatever.... The point is you need to get very familiar with your breasts. They're yours, and God gave them to you for KEEPS. Whether they're little mosquito bites or big melons, they're perfect just like God made them. To keep them that way, you've got to get friendly with them!

2. Mammograms are of utmost importance. If you have a family history they're hugely important, but did you know a large percentage of the women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are not considered a high risk because they there's no breast cancer in their family trees??

I had my first Mammo at 35, and I had another one this year. No, it's not comfortable. But from what I understand, it's nowhere near as bad as chemo!

3. Be proactive!! ASK to have a mammogram. ASK to have an MRI if you think you need one. And please, please... If your doctor sees something suspicious and wants to "just watch it" awhile, please get a second opinion!

This is not a disease to play around with.

Big Hugs,
d.

Awesome T-Shirts!!

Hi Ya'll!

Okay. I just had to post a link to a dear friend's website. It's www.tshirtsbycaroline.com

Carol is a sweet friend from Plano. We first met her at the Jr. League's Neath the Wreath Christmas show in 2001 -- the weekend Abbie turned 1. Mom had come in for her birthday, so we decided to check out the show.

Mom loved Carol's shirts, and after that buying one each year became a family tradition. I've been trying all week to track her down (we both moved this summer), but no luck until tonight when I stumbled on her website. Her shirts are great. They hold up really well -- they're a great quality.

My girls have had a ton of "Carol" shirts -- I Love to Swim, I Love to Flip, Big Sister, Little Sister, Princess, Nativity, etc. She does all the artwork and production herself -- she rocks!!!

3-Day Registration "Bargain" Ends Tomorrow!!!

Don't forget!!! If you sign up for the 2008 Breast Cancer 3-Day by tomorrow (Thursday, 11/15), you save $35 on your registration!!!

I know some of you are thinking ... that's a whole year away. What if you decide to have a baby, move, go on vacation, etc?

Well, let me ask you this -- where's that a problem? Even if you don't get to walk for some unforeseen reason, you've still raised money to help stop breast cancer. You'll still be saving lives!

So get out there and sign up. Half of the crew positions are already filled, so if crewing is your dream you'd better get a move on!!!

http://08.the3day.org/goto/teamtiara

Enter the word "SPIRIT" as your discount code to save the $35!!!

Pumpkin Muffins

This was one of my Mom's favorite fall recipes -- however, I cut the amount of oil and substitute applesauce for part of it to make these better for our girls!

Pumpkin Muffins
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups applesauce
1/4 cup oil
4 whole eggs
1 1/2 cups pumpkin (one can)
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix sugar, applesauce and oil together well. Add eggs, beat well. Add pumpkin. Mix. Sift flour, soda, salt and cinnamon together. Add flour mixture to batter. Add vanilla. Pour into muffin tins and bake 15 minutes. Cool and ice if desired.

Icing:
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 box powdered sugar
1 Tbl. vanilla

Mix butter, cream cheese, vanilla and sugar together. Beat well. Spread on tops of muffins.