Homemade Sausage

I had such a fantastic adventure making sausage this week. I had decided to try to make some homemade because I realized that every time we had sausage for dinner, I spent the next two days with a migraine.

This recipe I found in a fantastic book called "The Little House Cookbook" which is recipes from the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. It's a really fantastic book, just in case you want to know how to make things from scratch.

Homemade Country Sausage
2 lb ground pork (lean)
1 lb ground beef (not so lean)
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp dried sage, crumbled

In large bowl, combine ingredients by hand, until mixed through. Divide into three 1-lb logs and wrap in wax paper. Let sit in fridge for 1 hour before using. If putting in freezer, wrap also in heavy foil. Cook over medium heat.

Spencer was really suprised when he tasted this recipe. He said, "It tastes like sausage." Well, yeah, it's supposed to. And without all of those nasty, headache forming nitrates and nitrites.

My favorite pictures of the past two weeks...

I know that these pictures don't go together, but they're my favorite from our most recent batch of photos. Hope you enjoy!

Elder Finch and Elder Finch (two of our future missionaries)

Spencer's 32nd birthday party. Luckily we have enough children to make up for all of the fingers that he now needs for his picture. I don't know what we're going to do when he runs out. Oh yes, he will have to use his toes as well.

Spencer guarding his Key Lime Pie from his "friends" who were trying to help him blow out the candle.

Lest you think that we never brush Levi's teeth, look closely. It's a green apple that he was smart enough to put in his mouth by himself. I don't think that he's ever seen anyone else do that. I guess that's what happens when you have a jokester for a 5th child.

More Christmas...

Here are some pictures from Christmas morning...

Our lovely Christmas tree. We have decided that there's no point in having a real tree unless it's a tree with LOTS of personality. And ours this years was exuding personality all over the place. It is now planted in our yard and our fingers are crossed that it will stay alive.

Levi really loves the new blow-up sub with balls inside.

Corbin and Miles working on some presents.

Levi also received a "Super Levi" cape from Santa. I think it turned out really cute and will be taking orders if you want one.

Hunter's "Super Hunter" cape. Also very cute. And note the snow on the ground outside. It was quite a suprise to see that in the morning.

Ella-marie wearing a new shirt and playing with a new swirly toy.

Reindeer Ella-marie and sick Amber.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Merry (and sick) Christmas!

Well, the Finches spent Christmas vacation sick. That's right. Our youngest three were up all Christmas Eve sick with colds, fevers, and upset stomaches. It was not my idea of a fun Christmas. And of course they shared it with me and I have been sick for the past 1 1/2 weeks. It just won't go away. And that is why it has taken me so long to want to post our pictures.

Here are our pictures from our Christmas Eve Nativity Play...

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus have already made it to Bethlehem and given birth. They just look so calm and happy. Ella-marie thought for sure she was going to fall off of the donkey (aka Spencer) and she had a death grip around his neck. I suspect that the real Mary didn't lay down on her stomach on the donkey and stranglehold around his neck. Ah, the things Spencer does for his children.

The angel coming to the shepherds. The shepherd has absolutely no idea what's going on. But that's what makes it so cute. The wiseman coming to visit Jesus. The shepherd was having a LONG visit with Mary, Joseph and Jesus and was still there when the wiseman came 2 years later. These are all of the pictures we have from our nativity play. And this was before everyone started feeling like death warmed over.