Count Me In!

Hey what a fun idea! I enjoy blogging and this will be fun to share stories, pictures and anything else! Kyle and I have been enjoying our Christmas break here at home, we figure it will be one of the last times we get a long 2 week vacation. Next year around this time, we will *hopefully* be moving from Provo; Kyle graduates December 2009. Here are some Carlson family photos of our Merry Christmas!

Our annual holiday breakfast at IHOP!

Christmas Eve at homeMissy and Daniel enthusiastic about reading the Christmas storySteph and I showing off our new clothes/PJs! Daniel and Kyle received matching robes from Mom and Dad Christmas Eve

I caught Daniel opening the gifts early!Steph was so excited to see what Santa put in her stocking-especially her "Blitzen" antlers

Kyle and I leave for Utah on Saturday (Jan. 3rd). We hope to be back with family soon! I have a blog for us and our adventures (or lack thereof) in Utah. CLICK on this address to find it: http://monsoneverafter.blogspot.com/

Love, Becca

• Hey Mom,
• I finally got a around to getting the recipe for the mexican rice to you. When we made this recipe, we doubled it. However, the combination of this and the 2 pans of enchiladas that they made weren't enough for the eight of us. Also, we didn't cook it as long as it says to, but our stove is a little wacky, so it may be okay for you.
• 
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 small small onion, diced
• 2/3 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 3 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in onion and saute until translucent.
  2. Pour the rice into the pan and stir to coat grains with oil. Mix in cumin, chili powder, tomatoes, salt and water. Cover, bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Cook at a simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir occasionally.

What to do during a recession

Surprise, surprise - people are finally admitting we're in a recession - and probably a big one at that. I've spoken to several consultants over the last few years on what to do to prepare for a recession, and have found several online articles that support what I've heard. I pass them on to the readers of this blog as there are several very good (and highly important) things to take note of:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/personal-investing/recession-proof-your-finances-9-07/overview/recession-proof-your-finances-ov.htm

http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/what-to-do-during-a-recession.html


My Key Take-aways:

• Don't sell your investments now and stop contributing to retirement/other savings! ...if you do, you're just locking in your losses. Now is the perfect time to invest, if you're in it for the long haul (> 10 years) - providing you have emergency funds set aside and in a secure account (money market, CD, etc). No sense in investing if you don't have emergency funds. 3-6 months of living expenses is typically considered a good allocation for emergency funds.
  
• Get more training/education - employers are laying off like crazy - more training and education make you a less likely candidate for layoffs, and a more likley candidate for hiring if you do find yourself unemployed.
  
• Be patient. Don't succomb to the media hype. History has shown that those who don't have knee-jerk reactions to the world around them typically do better. Keep working hard at your goals/plans and stick to your principles.

These are what we made for our December treats.