Hambone? It's what's for dinner!

I'm at this party and there's some trouble cutting the ham off the bone. I hold back trying not to be to pushy but after 20 minutes or so I can't take it any more. I wonder on over and offer my assistance. After extracting a bit more meat the host says, "that should be fine, we can toss the rest." Red flag alert, throw away a perfectly sumptuous ham bone! Gasp! Quickly I ask if I might take it home with me. "Sure," the host says as she reaches for a Ziploc bag.
Several hours later I've left the party and I'm half way down the road when I remember the ham bone. Without a second thought I swing the car around and call the fabulous host to make sure that the bone is still available and that I'm coming back to get it. "She must really want the ham bone cause she coming back for it," says the host to her other guests. Tragedy averted, I happily walk back to the car feeling all is well and having visions of ham and black beans in my head.
Moral of the story is NEVER, EVER throw away a ham bone. Oh, the dishes you can make! Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. For the unfortunate few who have never made or tasted food made with a ham bone I offer you some recipes, because honestly, you're missing out on some of the most delicious food ever!!! But don't take my word for it...

NOTE: the ham bone should have some meat on it. :)

Ham and Bean Soup
Wash 1 quart beans. In large pan add beans, 3 quarts water, 1 teaspoon salt, ham hock (or ham bone with some meat on it), chopped white onion, and 4 stalks of celery, chopped. Boil on low for 2 to 3 hours until beans are soft. Or cook in a crock pot on High 2-3 hours. Remember that new beans will be done sooner than old beans. I've had this with lima or black beans and it was wonderful. If using lima or navy beans serve with chili sauce. If using black beans serve with salsa, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, lime, or just eat it plain, or over brown rice.

Ham Scalloped Potatoes
Put ham, sliced potatoes, milk, cheese, little bit of onion, salt and pepper in a crock pot or oven wear dish and cook until potatoes are done. If you need measurements just find a scalloped potato recipe for some inspiration and add the ham bone. Mmmmmm!

Ham and Green Beans
Put ham bone, fresh green beans (washed and cut), some water, little onion, salt & pepper in a crock pot or ovenware dish and cook until green beans are done to taste. I'd give you measurements but I don't have any so just pretend that your a "Jazz" cook and eye ball it then taste, taste, taste.

Bon Appetit!

P.S. I'd love to know what y'all are cooking with ham bones too!

Random Pics

Thanks to Troy for initiating the whole drinking water from a cup thing.

Makena is getting really good at it.

If only I could get her to enjoy solids from a spoon.

Makena in the Afternoon sunshine.

The Lights at Temple square

Makena is asleep in this picture. Troy is just hiding behind his sleeping daughter.

The lights were beautiful! This picture doesn't do the lights justice but at least you can see our faces instead of a blurr of lights behind us.

When enough is enough

One More Day

Elder Ballard came and spoke in our sacrament meeting a couple months ago. He didn't say anything new but rather reminded us of the essentials. Talking about prayer he mentioned that often we have a laundry list of things that we ask for, but that Heavenly Father already knows what we need. He mentioned that he and his wife kneel down at night and thank the Lord for one more day together. So I've tried to make this a habit when we say our bedtime prayer. What a blessing this has been to be reminded every night how grateful I really am to have one more day with my sweetheart and my daughter. Wouldn't want to be without them. Here's to many more days together!