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.