My 10 Favorite Things in My House

Tip Junkie has a posting on What your 10 Favorite thing are in your home. I always like to see what people's homes look like, what their surroundings are, etc. So, maybe you will enjoy mine. They are in no particular order...

1. This is my Family Room. I have always loved this spot. I think it gives a nice comfy, warm feel.
2. This is in between my Dining Room and Living Room...just a little seating area. Oh...got the mirror for $8 at Kirklands...go me!
3. This is in my entry way. I have a huge wall and wanted something to fill up a bit of space.
4. This is also in my entry.
5. This is the Boy's Bathroom. I had it all done up safari style, but they never appreciated it, so I decided to make it pretty...The cute bench...Kirklands...$5.
6. This is the Boy's playroom. Well, I should say WAS their playroom. We have played musical rooms for the past several months. It is now Caden's room. Their is a bed to the left and the Bookshelf is to the right.
7. This is my Bedroom. I LOVE my bedroom. It's very warm and inviting. Oh, btw, I made those cute plaques above the bed.
8. This is my fireplace mantle. It was white before and I hated it. It just didn't work with my stuff. So, I got brave and painted it black. Best thing I have ever done.
9. This is also in the Family Room. I just really like the temple picture on the Entertainment center.

10. My wonderful husband had these beauties sent to me today. Just because flowers. I have never gotten Sunflowers before, they are now at the top of my favorite flowers list!! Thanks sweetie!! I love you!11. I know...it is 10 favorite things, but hey...the flowers will eventually die, right??? This sits on my kitchen table. Nothing spectacular, I just love it because I can switch it up every holiday and put some fun stuff in there. I got it for $5 bucks at Hobby Lobby. I think I get really excited when I find good deals...I have to brag. Sorry!!

My First Award!

Today I recieved this award from DeeBee from Rain or Shine! Can I tell you how excited I was!? I always see all these fabulous blogs with cute awards and always wondered how they got them! Thank you so much DeeBee!



As a recipient of this award, there are rules to follow. I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only! Then I must pass it on to seven others! The questions are as follows:

1. Where is your cell phone? Jeans pocket
2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair color? Multi-colored
4. Your mother? Amazing
5. Your father? very Giving/loving
6. Your favorite thing? quiet time
7. Your dream last night? Don't remember
8. Your dream/goal? Travel
9. The room you're in? Living room
10. Your hobby? crafts
11. Your fear? being alone
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Europe
13. Where were you last night? Church
14. What you're not? a laundry folder
15. One of your wish-list items? Mac Computer
16. Where you grew up? Houston
17. The last thing you did? pick up Noah from school
18. What are you wearing? Capris
19. Your TV? great picture!!
20. Your pet? None
21. Your computer? SLOW!
22. Your mood? Content
23. Missing someone? my Parents
24. Your car? Aspen
25. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
26. Favorite store? Hobby Lobby
27. Your summer? Busy
28. Love someone? family
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? too stressed and it just blew up! 2 weeks ago

The seven bloggers that I'm nominating: (ok, this was not easy, I stalk lots of blogs...these are ones I get inspiration from...I love you all though!)

1. Gwen
2. Jamie
3. Prudence Pennywise
4. Mish Mash
5. Gigi Cakes
6. Aurora
7. Kellie

Now, for you recipients of this award, here's the deal:
* Display your award.
* Link back to the person who gave you the award.
* Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
* Put links to those blogs on yours.
* Leave a message on the blogs of the people you've nominated.
* Enjoy your award!

Ike...

This is my last post for the day I promise...I think this is like number 6 or something.

I have had so many friends ask about my family who lives in Houston how they are faring and what not. So, I thought I would post a little bit about what they are up to!

My parents live just North of Houston and they have been without power since FRIDAY!! Yup, 6 fun filled days with no power. I could only imagine how that would be...no TV, no AC, no Internet...etc. So since there is no power, all the fridge stuff is spoiled now, the freezer stuff is thawing out and they luckily have been able to grill lots of it. They are good with food though. I should also say that they didn't get any damage to their home, no flooding, no trees ripped up...just lots of debris all over their yard and in the pool. I can honestly say we are very relieved and grateful for that!

Grocery Stores have slowly been opening. At first it was only 30 people allowed in at a time. They obviously were not selling fridge/freezer stuff. Gas Stations are just mad. There have been waits up to 3 hours...sometimes people were just waiting in vain, most of the time there wasn't even any gas to sell! My Dad went to Home Depot to get some trash bags and he said there was a really long line and my dad asked a worker what they were waiting for and he said, generators. My dad asked if they even had any and the guy said, "no, and they know we don't they are just hoping that we get some in soon." Crazy! People I guess are just really bored so they wait in lines that have nothing waiting for them at the end. Kind of crazy! I'm just very greatful that my parents were smart enough to make sure that before Ike, they were prepared. They had their food storage, they had their cars filled up, etc...

They luckily still have hot water, so they can take showers and what not. My mom went back to work on Tuesday and my Dad went back today, Wednesday.

I hear all these stories from my parents and I am just in awe...could you imagine having small children with NO power? Having to entertain them with no AC? I really take things for granted. I think about all those who have lost their homes and hope that everything will work out for them.

Ben just told me that there was a guy in Galveston who had an exotic zoo at his home. So now there is a loose Lion in Galveston. I guess they are dropping meat and stuff around so that it will eat meat and not people. There are also alligators and what not all over. CRAZY!!

Anyway, just thought that some of you might want an update on how my parents are doing!

Orange Juice Cake

I have been eyeing this cake for quite awhile. See...whenever I am stressed or bored, I bake. Can you tell I have been stressed lately? Or maybe its not stress, it could just be that I love to bake. I bake it, we have one serving of it, and the rest just sits there, even if we love it and can't get enough of it. Now, this cake is different. It is special...it is half-way eaten and I made it yesterday. It sounds interesting, but WOW! I love the orange kick! The recipe came from My Sisters Cucina. They have some really good recipes. Make sure to check them out!

Orange Juice Cake

Yellow Cake mix
Instant Vanilla Pudding, small box
1/2 c. oil
1 c. Orange Juice
4 eggs
chopped pecans, about 1/2 c., more if you like

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together. Don't over-mix. spray bundt cake pan. Sprinkle chopped pecans on the bottom of the pan. Pour cake mix evenly in bundt pan. Bake for 30-45 minutes (mine was more like 50 minutes). You know when it is done when it starts to pull away from the sides and the inside ring. While bking, make your glaze.

Glaze:
1 stick butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. orange juice

Combine butter, sugar and juice in small saucepan. Bring to a boil and turn off. When cake comes out of the oven, stir glaze well before spooning over hot cake so that the butter gets mixed back in. (When it sits the butter settles to the top.) The glaze will eventually sep through the cake giving it a juicey moistness all over. Let it sit for 1 hour before removing from your pan. To remove from pan, place your plate upside down over the bundt pan and flip.

Hope you enjoy!

Fruity Crescent Waffles

I got the Pillsbury Bake-off Cookbook forever ago and I have been dying to try some recipes. This one looked particularly good...what's not to love about crescents posing as waffles, whipped cream, blueberries and blueberry syrup? Not to mention that Ben had to work late, so it was the perfect opportunity! Yes, they were very good...maybe not worth the 1 million good, but close to!!!

Fruity Crescent Waffles

1/4 c. Pecan Pieces
1 can crescent dinner rolls
1/2 c. Blueberry Spreadable Fruit (Smucker's simply Fruit)
1 (6oz.) container Blueberry yogurt
1 banana, cut into slices
1/2 c. whipped cream from can
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Fresh blueberries, if desired

Heat oven to 200 degrees. Heat waffle maker. Spray with Pam.
Meanwhile, toast pecans over medium heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned. Remove from skillet; set aside.

Separate crescent dough into 8 triangles. Place 2-3 triangles at a time on waffle maker, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space around each triangle. Close lid of waffle maker; cook 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Place cooked waffles on cookie sheet in oven to keep warm.

In saucepan, heat spreadable fruit and yogurt over medium heat 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally , until hot.

To serve, stack 2 crescent waffles, slightly overlapping, on each of 4 sering plates. Spoon 1/4 of the fruit sauce over each serving; top each serving with 1/4 of the banana slices and 1 TBS of the pecans. Top with whipped cream; sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Garnish with blueberries.

Duck Pond

The weather here has been AMAZING. I wish Texas were like this everyday! Oh well...at least I get about 1 week out of the year with perfect weather. We went to a Duck pond in Bedford a few weeks ago with Gwen and Adam. We had so much fun. I guess these ducks are so used to getting lots of bread, they pretty much just walk right up to you and take it out of you hand.



Ok, so I have some pictures I need to fix... but here is Noah feeding the duck...look how close the ducks get! It's crazy!

WHAT??? It's My 100th Post???

So one of the reasons I have not blogged in awhile is because I thought that I had to do something really cool for my 100th post. See, I have read all these really fun blogs where they have some giveaway and have a big hoopla... But you know what?? I don't have that many readers. I decided that I can just dedicate my 100th post to a little blurb about my 100th post.

I want to thank all my dedicated readers for all the comments you have left telling me such wonderful things. I want to thank my family for supporting me in this endeavor. I also want to thank my camera for capturing some fabulous memories and also to friends for inviting us to things to make this blog a little bit more interesting. I couldn't have done it without you all....

Ok, that is my speech. I'm just practicing for when I one day win an Academy Award or something. (When I was a little girl, for Christmas I really REALLY wanted an Agent. I never got one. So, it's my blog and I will pretend it is my speach for some amazing award.)

Yes, I'm a dork and I do realize this. Thank you.

Outrageous Chocolate Cookies

Ok...so really, if you are craving something rich, chocolaty and so very Martha...then you may want to make some of these. Really...they are good.

Outrageous Chocolate Cookies

8 oz. semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
4 TBS unsalted butter
2/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 lg. eggs
3/4 c. packed light-brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pkg. semisweet chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring in between, until almost melted; do not overheat. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in melted chocolate. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.

Drop heaping TBS of dough 2-3 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12-15 minutes. Cool on sheets 10 minutes; with a thin metal spatula, transfer to racks to cool completely.
***Don't worry if the batter seems thin. It should look more like brownie batter than cookie dough.
Keep in airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Creamy Chicken

This has officially been dubbed Ben's favorite meal. It was so good. The sauce was absolutely to DIE FOR! The picture truely does not do this justice, for one thing it would not turn the right way, but it also looks kinda drab. But just know it tastes DELISH with some hot rolls, salad and rice. The recipe came from LuAnn Carver, who goes to church with me. Hope you enjoy!

Creamy Chicken in the Crockpot

4 chicken breasts or 10 tenders
1 env. Italian salad dressing mix
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup

Put chicken in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients. Mix lightly. Cook on LOW for about 4-6 hours. Serve over rice.

Male Bonding Trip...

Back in July Ben, my Dad, Eric (older bro) and Curt (younger bro) went on a 3 day-2 night, 22 mile (yes, TWENTY TWO miles) backpacking trip in the San Jacinto Mountains, outside of Palm Springs, CA. This picture is Day 1...entering the park. You can see the Mountain Peak they were going to climb in the background.

Ben and some beautiful scenery.
This is Curt and my Dad purifying some drinking water they found out of a stream.
Camp...Night 1. This site is called Skunk Cabbage. There were 2, 2-man tents. I think they all did rock-paper-scissors to see who would end up with the snorers...notice how far apart they put the tents:)
This is "dessert"...mixed berry cobbler. Most of the food they ate was dehydrated and packaged...you know, just add water. I think they pretty much starved themselves and ate beef jerky and gatorade. Can't say I blame them. I hear the chicken enchiladas were so gross that no creature would go near it.
This is Night 2 after they hiked 10 miles. (Day 1 they hiked 5 miles and day 2 was 10 miles). This day everything was up hill, so they were worn out. Through out the day, they were always worried about water...they had to try and listen and hope and pray that the water would be where the map said it was...sometimes the creeks would be dry and they would have to go searching for water. Thank goodness they didn't have to drink their urine or anything! I know they were close!

This is Day 3. This cabin is at the base of San Jacinto Peak. It was built in the early 1900's for those hikers who needed to rest before they went to the peak. The altitude is so high and the air is so thin that people would need to rest in the cabin before they went on.


Inside the cabin you could find all sorts of medical supplies and food as well as a log-in book and some bunk beds. People left stuff for those who ran out of supplies and were in need. This is Curt climbing up to the Peak.
This is the highest point of the Peak...Mission Completion! Way to go boys!! The top of the peak is just under 11,000 ft.

Ben and Curt at the top of the Peak.

Ben looking down at the desert below. "I'm King of the World!!" Can't wait for the next boys out...they plan on doing this every other year...next time Chile? Colorado? Washington? Appalachian Trail?

Oh Butterfly, Where Art Thou??

Last Friday Noah and I were trying to find things to do (we have a short window frame since Caden gets out of school at 11am). He found a Popsicle holder and got so excited! This is our little conversation:
N: Mom! Look what I found! I have to go find a butterfly!
M: What? Why a butterfly (a little confused since it is what you freeze popsicle's in)
N: We have to give it a bath! Come on! Let's go!

So, we filled it up with water and went looking for a butterfly...
Here he is looking up at the tree, hoping there was one there...
Looking in the bushes...still no luck. I felt bad...how do you tell your 3 year old that it's really hard to find a butterfly when it is 1) 90 degrees outside 2) They are kinda hard to catch 3) It will not want us to give it a bath. So we just looked around for a good 40 minutes and he gave up and we went inside. He is such a sweet boy and very imaginative!

Banana Cream Supreme

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend! We spent it purging our house of junk and painting Ben's brother, Jon and wife, Wendy's house. It looks amazing!

Anyway...here is a recipe I tried for book club. I think it turned out REALLY good. It really reminded me of Marie Calendar's Banana Cream Pie (which is my favorite!). It was very creamy and rich. The best part is there is no oven time required! I love that part the best. I was a little nervous reading the recipe and seeing how much sour cream was in there...but relax, give it a try, you will not be disappointed. Also, it is a Pampered Chef recipe, so you know it will be good!

Banana Cream Supreme

16 (2 1/2") graham cracker squares (approx. 1 1/4 c. crushed)
1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted
3 TBS sugar
1 (12 oz.) container frozen shipped topping, thawed
1 (8 oz.) container sour cream
1 (3.4 oz.) box vanilla INSTANT pudding
3 medium bananas, sliced
2 TBS pecan halves, grated (I did not do this, I used graham cracker crumbs)

Finely crush graham crackers in large resealable plastic bag; place in bowl. Add butter and sugar; mix well. Press crumb mixture onto bottom of a Springform Pan.
In bowl, whisk whipped topping and sour cream until blended. Add pudding mix; whisk until mixture is well blended and smooth. Spread half of the filling over crust. Slice bananas and arrange over filling. Spread remaining filling over bananas.
Grate pecans over top (or graham cracker crumbs). Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
Run a knife around sides of dessert; release collar from pan and carefully remove. Cut into wedges. Garnish each serving with a strawberry fan, if desired.

Chocolate Eclair

For Daring Bakers this month we made these yummy Chocolate Eclairs by Pierre Hermes. They were really good. The Pate a Choux was a little too eggy for me though. Also,when they came out of the oven they kind of collapsed a bit. Not as big and puffy compared to some of the other Pate a Choux's that I have made. All in all, they were still pretty good and I had fun making them. Instead of the chocolate pastry cream, I opted to a plain vanilla pastry cream which was really good. Sorry I don't have too many pictures of these bad boys...I'm still practicing and trying to figure out the perfect lighting to take pictures of food! Does anybody have any tips??? Kellie?? Mitzi? Jenny?

If you want the recipe, you can go to Meeta's or Tony's blog for the recipe. It's a really long recipe with lots and lots of crazy steps that could probably have been left out...