Updates for my week...

Yes, I know if you look at the time of this post it just hit Midnight, it will be past by the time I am finished!!! Oh well! My bed is lonely and cold right now! Whenever Larry is gone, I tend to pile things on his side of the bed....never intentionally, it just happens when I am trying to get things done...but then at the end of the night I don't HAVE to put things away. kinda nice. but then also, the bed doesn't feel as empty.
By the way...I put the clothes ( ok, just the girls clothes) away tonight!! Yea Me! I still need to fold mine! Oh well! I have a few more days! I am never in my room for more that 5 seconds during the day.

So, I made my Cherry Pot Holders and my Yellow Minky car seat strap covers. Came out nicely, especially for my first try. So now I just need to test out my pot holders tomorrow to make sure they work!!!!

Now I need to focus on cleaning the house...room by room. I think the bathroom will be tomorrow morning. I like to get as many things done as quickly as possible. Sometimes I even set a timer to see how much stuff I can get done. Yes, I know...weird, but it works!!!! I organized the girls toys again and then I made the end of the hallway closet for books and her big toys like the Castle and the Littlest Pet Shop House. I was proud of myself that I got some main things done today!!!

Blogging rule???

Just wondering...is there an unspoken rule to where you can only blog once a day? That way it gives your family/friends time to read the most recent? Hmmmm....I hope not. I always tend to scroll down everyone's blog to make sure I didn't miss anything.

So....my advice to all of you......DO THE SAME!

This is my disclosure:
"Warning....may have to read more than one posting a day! Sorry, I have a lot to say!"

Too much to do!!! So lets see what I can get done in 4 more days!!!

Sooo, I know it's technically still Monday, I wanted to post again. Yes it's 11 pm and I am tired, but Larry is out of town which means I hate going to sleep alone!!! I am trying to be very good and organized while he's gone. That way I have a list each day on my trusty white board that I can cross of the things that I want/need to do. I am always pleased when I get the laundry done....but then I hate putting it away. Anyone else like that? I can transfer laundry all day...but putting it away...ugggghhh. This week I want to try and make some new things like Hot Pads (an maybe oven mitts if I am daring enough), crayon holders (super cute), car seat strap covers for kids, and a wipes/diaper velcro pouch. I also want to try some new recipes....and also some old favorites! This morning I had to finish up a bow order, very happy to do that!!! Now I can focus on some new things.
Oh, I also wanted to post more recipes. I wish I could....hey mid thought (yes I interrupt myself, but it is harder when I am typing because my brain gets ahead of my fingers...then i just sound retarded in my head sounding out the words r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w-l-y! Anywho....I think it would be cool to make up another blog that anyone can access (via me---or a special posting password) so we can add and share recipes. That way I don't feel dumb doing everything all by myself. Yes...I admit it.....I love showing off the things I do, but doesn't everyone???? Be honest! So is that possible to have another blog for that reason??? Even if people could email me a recipe with a pic (it has to have a pic!!! That way we all know what it needs to look like.) Any ideas???? ok, this is long. I guess I will post more recipes tomorrow. My homemade Feather Rolls (famous at the Baird's), my Choc. Crinkle Cookies, and my Grasshopper Mint Bars! OH Yummmm! ----to be continued...maybe in about 12 hours! HA...wow, that's sad!
Every post needs a picture...so here's mine for today. Where's Kylie???

Poor Tired KYLIE!

Ok, so during lunch yesterday I looked over at Kylie and found this. It was laughing so hard I could barely hold the camera still.

Lady Bug Clips

Ok, so I found this idea online and decided to try it. Aren't they adorable? I just sold a set of these. Yes, they are hair clippies. I also make Dragonflies and Butterflies.

Maddie's Swim Lessons

Ok, so Maddie just finished her 2 weeks of lessons at the Wagner's. She had so much fun! Here's a cute video clip of her in the pool. There were tons of bees out by the pool that day!!!

Cherry Apron

Ok, so I have a ton of things to blog about, but I am trying to space out by blogs. So, here's the oldest of my new creation...the CHERRY APRON, yes, it's reversible. This one took a while because I couldn't figure out how I wanted to design it. I am very pleased how this came out. I have also been helping out in the YW teaching them things on their mutual nights. So far we have made Choc. Crinkle Cookies & Mint Brownies. This next Tuesday, we are finishing up our aprons. Should be fun! I am also thinking...yes I know, I need to stop that......of making these and selling them on Etsy. I'll figure that out later, it might be too much to take on!!!! If anyone wants one, just get me some fabric and pay me for my time and I will make one for you!!!! : )

Father's Day

I love my Larry & my 2 dads! My dad already passed on a few years go, so now we get to spoil Larry's Dad. He's has been a blessing to us especially since his massive diabetic stroke 6 years ago. It's funny, when I was dancing with his dad atour wedding he told me.."You are going to call me DAD!" So of course I agreed. He's so funny. It took a while to get use to having another mom and dad, but now it's completely normal to call them by that, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

So, Father's Day was super busy since I had to sing at BOTH sessions of Stake Conf. I got up early that morning to put the roast in the crockpot and put some cinn. rolls in the oven for Larry & the girls. I got Larry a cute card that sings "You Got the Best of My Love" and I had the girls make some cards too. After Conf. I got home and and then Larry's parents came over so we could go to the Lavender Farm. What a great place to go and relax for a bit before dinner! Maddie was excited because she got to hold a chicken. We went back to our place and finished up dinner...it was so good. Larry's mom helped me make the homemade gravy (YUM)! We had to try it (a couple of times) by dipping my homemade rolls in it!!!!!! After dessert and putting the girls to bed we played Monopoly, the credit card version. It's pretty cool! You will have to come over and play it with us!!!!

My sweet Larry~ He is my best friend, and my eternal companion! I love him so much for being him and for working and providing for our family. I know it's not easy having the stresses in life, but I hope that I can share in his burden and make it lighter. We laugh at each other, A LOT! Just knowing he is there make my life easier! He is a fantastic daddy, he wrestles, and plays ball, and tickles and takes care of them when I need his help. I couldn't ask for anything more! I love you!

Brownie Pie

Ok, so here's my YUMMY Brownie Pie. All you have to do is....... make a normal box mix in a glass pie plate and then justtest it to make sure it is done! Then after it is COMPLETELY cooled, you need to scoop out the inside. Keep in mind you will need about a 1 inch crust around the edges, then you need to have about 1/2 inch of brownie left on the bottom. So, it will look like a brownie shell. Then you make a large box of Choc. pudding with the pie recommended 2.5 cups of milk. This way it will set up fast! So, once this is all done:

*Put a couple of spoonfuls of choc. pudding in the bottom of the brownie shell
*Mix the rest of the pudding with some Cool Whip to make a lighter choc. (put some crumbles of brownie in this mix)
*Add the lighter pudding to the shell (not all of it, just enough to fill it up)
*Then add some cool whip for the top
*Sprinkle brownie crumbs on the top.
*** You can also garnish with mint or raspberries.
It is so smooth! Even the next day the bottom layer of Choc pudding just melts into the brownie shell and makes it even better!

California Rolls

Ok, so for a R.S. cooking class night we learned how to make Pork Fried Rice (YUM) and then Califorania Rolls. I do not eat fish at all. But I was still interested in how they were made. I know that you can make them however you want and they do not have to have any fish in them.....but even the idea grosses me out. Almost everyone tried them...but I did NOT! But I knew Larry loved them, so.....I made some for him for an early Father's Day. So, here are the ones I made. Cream Cheese with Smoked Salmon and fresh Asparagus. He loved them. And I was sooooo happy with how professional they looked. I am all about the presentation.

Cow Minky Tag Blankie

Ok, so here's my new Tag Blankie. A lady who already bought the larger baby blaket wanted me to make her a matching Tag. So...here it is. I LOVE it!!!

Strawberries & Cream Dessert Squares

Ok, so Larry had a work potluck today and I wanted to make a dessert for it....surprised? It was never "Hey Larry, what are you bringing? " It was more like... "Hey Larry, what is your wife goig to make for this?" So, I got to choose. I had been doing so much chocolate, so I wanted to go a bit fruity. So here you go...step by step. Here is the link for the recipe instead of making this longer.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?recipeId=187

Peanut Butter Cup Brownie

Ok, so, these are my new ones. Super easy. All you have to do is make a normal brownie mix (Box if needs be), and put about 2 Tbls in each muffin cup. Bake @ 350 degrees for 10 mins, then take them out of the oven an place UNwrapped PB cup in the center until it is settled in. Bake for another 5-7 mins. Take out, cool, and ENJOY!

Yummy Truffle Brownies

Ok, so I needed...yes, NEEDED to try a new recipe. I found this recipe on BYUTV Culinary with Mary Crafts. She calls it Chocolate Truffle Fudge Brownies with a Chocolate Truffle Icing. Normally I only make BOX MIX Brownies (sorry, my secret is out!). I deceded to try out this easy recipe for dessert last night...and....WOW. They were so good. It's funny, everytime we have brownies Larry's insists on having ice cream, ALWAYS! So, after I made them, he and Maddie went to the store and got a Vanilla ice cream with fudge ripples and mini peanut butter cups (YUM!). So, needless to say, DESSERT was YUMMY!

Chocolate Truffle Fudge Brownies

Ingredients:
�� 1 cup melted butter
�� 2 cups sugar
�� 2 teaspoon vanilla
�� 4 whole eggs
�� 1 cup all-purpose flour
�� 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
�� 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
�� 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:In a large mixing bowl, blend butter, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Combine remaining dry ingredients and gradually add to butter mixture. Mix just until all ingredients are incorporated. Do not over beat. Spray a 9 x 13 inch cake pan with baking release spray. Spread brownie mixture into pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 30-40 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from edge of pan. Cool. Frost with Chocolate Truffle Icing.
These are very rich brownies so cut pan into 32 to 40 pieces. Keep brownies refrigerated in an airtight container for three days. Brownies freeze great for up to two months.

Chocolate Truffle Icing

Ingredients:
�� 1 cup whipping cream
�� 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate

Directions:In a medium sauce pan, bring cream just to the point of boiling. Pour chocolate in and stir until smooth. Take pan OFF heat! Pour mixture over cooled brownies and refrigerate until set. Each piece of brownie may be topped with a pecan half, if desired.
These would be really cute cut up and served in bon bon cups.

Lavender Farm

Ok, so I finally got Larry to go to the Lavender Farm. I have been TONS of times, but he had never been out there since they started growing the lavender. We had fun watching the girls torment the chickens...Mr. Darcy (Rooster) and the 5 hens were named after the 5 sisters in Pride & Prejudice. Super cute. They even have 2 Diamond Doves named Neil & Diamond. SO original! HA. And of course there's Michelle the mean and noisy, but beautiful Macaw. Shiloh the work horse was being shy today, so the girls didn't get to feed her. Here are some pics of us tromping through the lavender. ooo....we even got to pick some cherries, and have some Lavender Lemonade. You all must go!!!!

http://www.lavenderhollowfarm.com/

Sweet Dessert

So, I had Larry's parents over for dinner Friday and we had Enchiladas and then my Dad (Larry's dad) wanted some dessert with white cake. Whatever he wants, I make. So, I made some white cupcakes (yummy even by itself) then I added a dollop of cool whip with sliced strawberries. It was soooooo scrumptious that I had to take a picture. It was actually really her to take one without it being blurry. Sorry!