Preparing for Lucas' Lucky #2!

Nate and I fully acknowledge that we have gone overboard and seriously overdid it the last couple of birthdays and Christmases. So this year, we want to concentrate on more quality, less quantity. First birthdays are B-I-G in our book, thus 2nd birthdays are just relaxed and simple. No plans for a party this year (and we didn't do one for Seth). This year we are just taking our family and meeting a few more of my family at the local Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and rides. I'll use the following to dress up our table....


Now, on to gifts. Lucas is my kitchen buddy... often right underfoot and desperately wanting to see what's going on. He is constantly in my utensil drawers. So Nate and I found him this great little tabletop stove and pot/ pan set from Pottery Barn Kids. I'm really enjoying toys made of wood... usable for generations, and I can already see my grandkids playing with this!



Next is another toy from PBK. Both boys got one of the smaller cars for Christmas, and they are a big hit. Lucas is receiving the bigger Push Car (handle can be removed) for his birthday. This car is so cool. The smaller cars, when you push on the rear, it generates power to light up the guide's helmet. In the bigger car, when you push it, they light up AND tell adventure stories.


Lucas has had a fascination with planes, ever since he could speak. "Mane!!" was one of his first words, as he would point to the sky as a plane flew overhead. So Nate picked up a couple of these Plan City planes.




And finally, from Gramma.... a steerable trike. So he can join his brother on bike rides.


March 12 is going to be a FUN FUN day! I'm going to make Lucas a Caramel Banana Cake!

****************

Caramel Banana Cake

3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
3 large eggs, separated
One 5.5-ounce bag soft caramels, such as Werther's Original Chewy
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat 1 stick butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add 3/4 cup bananas, the baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt and beat until smooth. Stir in 1 cup flour. Mix in 6 tablespoons milk and the remaining 3/4 cup flour until smooth.

Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites at medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually mix in the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar at high speed until stiff and glossy. Fold the egg whites into the batter until no streaks remain.

Spoon the batter into cake pan. Cut 9 caramels in half, and press into batter. Bake until the cake is springy to the touch, about 30-40 minutes. Let cool.

Meanwhile, in a small, heavy saucepan, cook the remaining caramels, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup banana and 1/4 teaspoon salt over medium heat, stirring, until the caramels are melted.

Using the electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and confectioners' sugar until thick, about 3 minutes. Slowly beat in the caramel mixture; transfer the mixture to the saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cool.

Using the electric mixer, beat the remaining 2 sticks butter at high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cooled caramel mixture, then beat at high speed until fluffy. Spread the frosting onto the cake.

****************

We had a busy day here yeaterday. I had my 30 week DA at noon. Nate got the first coat of "Cafe Pink" paint up in the nursery. For dinner, we ate Bertucci's Pizza. Nate started our taxes last night. Looks like we are getting our FIRST Tax Return in 8 years!

30 week DA:

Of course I passed the 3 Hr Glucose. With Flying Colors.

I gained 3 lbs since last time. Heartbeat & Blood Pressure all good and normal.

We talked briefly about permanent methods of birth control, but no decisions have been made.

That is about it! March 6 is my 32 Week DA, I am now visiting bi-monthly. I will also have my last US!

Bliss Is....

Bliss is love and hugs from dear cousins...

***&***

I'm pretty sure Sugar has turned. Last night while watching LOST, I could distinctly feel a foot pressing above my belly button. Isn't that exciting?

***&***

Nutter Butter- Banana- Pudding Trifle

2 boxes Jello brand Vanilla Pudding
6 cups milk, divided
3 large ripe bananas
1 box Nutter Butter cookies
Whip Cream

Following Pudding directions, beat with a wire whisk 1 box of pudding and 3 cups of milk. Put in bottom of glass dish and let it set in fridge for 10 minutes. Slice up bananas and break cookies into thirds, reserving 1 whole cookie. (You may only need 2/3's box of cookies). Layer the banana slices and broken cookies on top of first layer of pudding. Whisk the 2nd box of pudding with remaining 3 cups of milk and pour over top of cookie layer. Let set in fridge for 10 minutes. Before serving, smooth some Whip Cream on top of pudding, and garnish with reserved whole cookie and 2 or 3 banana slices.

Ode to Food Chopper

Oh, my Pampered Chef Food Chopper, how much do I love thee? You came into my life at Christmas, and you have been put to the test. You passed with many flying colors, and you will forever be a part of my kitchen. You slice and dice, and chop with the greatest ease, and FASTER than any human being. Onions do not stand a chance with you. Food Chopper... I *heart* you.

No Computer....

Monday night Nate came downstairs , literally sat at the computer... and it just went black, and then it started flashing... lol. Not cool. Our Dell desktop is 4 years old, and we are trying to squeeze another year out of it. So last night we went to Best Buy and picked up a new 19" Samsung flat screen monitor. I have to get used it, lol.

The things you can do when there is no computer! I had a VERY BUSY day yesterday regardless! My house is Spic & SPAN! I did laundry, straightened & organized, dusted, vacuumed, mopped, grocery shopped, made homemade spaghetti sauce, & baked cherry shortbread cookies.... I hobbled into Best Buy like and old woman. I think a bit too much for this pregnant woman. But man, does my house thank me!

Today I need to finish proofing a family session I had last Saturday.

And since I haven't posted a recipe in a long time, here is a new favorite. Good ole' winter comfort food!

Chicken Pot Pie

4 TBS butter
4 TBS flour
1 c chicken broth
1 c milk
2 c chicken, cooked and cubed/ shredded
1 1/2 c potatoes, cooked & cubed
1 c. frozen mixed vegetables (or peas & carrots)
2 pie crusts

Melt butter in large saucepan. Stir in flour until thickened. Slowly add milk & broth, stirring constantly until thickened. Simmer for 5 minutes. line pie pan with pie crust. Combine sauce, chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. Pour into pie plate. Top with 2nd crust. Trim and vent. Bake at 350* for 35 to 40 min.

mmmm.... enjoy!

As Promised....

Spaghetti with Pinot Grigio & Seafood

1 lb spaghetti
1/4 cup olive oil
3 shallots chopped
3 garlic cloves chopped
3/4 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (drain some)
1 1/2 cups pinot grigio (or other dry white wine)
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveigned
2 lbs littleneck clams, scrubbed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
2 cups arugula, tough stems removed

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook until tender. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, until tender but not brown. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute. Add wine, shrimp, clams and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce heat and cover the pan and simmer until the shrimp are pink and the clams have opened, about 7 minutes. Discard any clams that have not opened.

Add the spaghetti to the skillet with the seafood mixture. Add salt and pepper and stir to combine, then gently fold in the arugula. Serve immediately.


Raspbery Lemon Shortbread Tart

3 cups frozen raspberries (1 lb)
1 stick plus 6 TBS cold butter, cut into pieces
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
zest and juice of 2 lemons
powdered sugar for dusting

Drain and thaw berries in a strainer over the sink. Preheat oven to 400*. Using fingers to combine 1/2 cup sugar, all of the butter, and 1 1/2 cups flour blend till coarse crumbs form. Pour mixture into ungreased 9 inch round pan and press evenly to form crust. Bake crust until lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Remove shortbread and reduce temperature to 325*.

Scatter drained berries over crust. Beat eggs with remaining 3/4 c sugar and 1/4 c flour. Whisk in lemon zest and juice. Pour cream over raspberries and bake tart until custard is set, about 30 minutes. Let cool and dust with powdered sugar.

***************

I waited on pins and needles ALL day for the UPS man to bring me my new toy! It arrived at 3 pm, these shots taken by 4, LOL!

D700 & the 24-70mm 2.8 lens.

LOVE what I'm seeing so far. I did NOT tweak any color... on the D80 I was forever pulling back reds, but these colors are straight out of camera. The D700 is much larger and heavier than the D80, so I'll have to get used to that!

Anticipation

Anticipating Summer..... and all of its yumminess..... for dinner tonight.....

Summertime Chicken

1 cont. (8 oz.) lowfat plain yogurt
3 TBS balsamic vinegar
8 boneless chicken breast halves

Tomato-Mozzarella Topping

1 TBS olive oil
1 onion cut into 16 wedges
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 TBS water
1 pound plum tomatoes, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
8 oz. (soft) mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 inch dice
1 cup fresh basil, chopped

Chicken:
In small bowl whisk yogurt & vinegar and combine in plastic bag. Add chicken and marinate for 20 minutes. Heat Grill.

Tomato Topping:
Heat large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion 5 minutes. Add vinegar and water and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until liquid has reduced to a sauce, about 7 minutes.

Increase heat to med-high. Add tomatoes, salt, & pepper and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool 2 minutes. Stir in Mozzarella and Chopped Basil.

Remove chicken from bag, and grill 4 minutes per side. Place chicken on Lg platter and scoop 1/4 cup topping on each piece.

**note: you want the cheese to still be chunky, NOT melted through.


Rosemary Potatoes

Preheat oven to 425*. Cut up red potatoes and put in a sealable bag.

Toss in 1/2 cup olive oil. Also toss in Rosemary Leaves (fresh or dried) garlic salt, and pepper to taste. Mix together well.

Line a baking pan with foil. Spread out potatoes evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, toss potatoes once during the duration of cooking.

Broil on HIGH for 3 minutes for a nice browning.


Lemonade Pie

2 (5 oz) cans evaporated milk
2 (3.4 oz) pkgs lemon pudding mix
2 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 (3 oz cream cheese) cream cheese, softened
1 (12 oz) can frozen lemonade concentrate, partially thawed
1 ready-made prepared graham cracker crust
Garnishes: whipped cream, fresh mint sprigs, lemon slices


1. Whisk together evaporated milk and pudding mix in bowl 2 minutes or until thickened.

2. Beat cream cheeses at medium speed with a mixer until fluffy. Add lemonade concentrate, beating until blended; add pudding mixture and beat till blended.

3. Pour into crust; freeze 4 hours or until firm. Garnish if desired.

Delish!

mmmm....

Just *what * could they be waiting for.......?

Why, this of course!

This is just regular brownie mix, once baked we threw on some marshmellows, caramel, and m&m's..... now we are just waiting for it to cool so we can inhale our goods....

Great news here... we are in the middle of night training Seth. Big guy is doing remarkably well! We make sure he goes one last time right before we hit the sheets (around 11 pm) and he's stayed dry 4 out of the last 5 nights. Of course, he has been promised an Optimus Prime once he stayed dry 5 nights in a row. 3 more to go for him to get his treat!

PAD 15 & 16

The Picture A Day challenge at TDC is still going strong, and we are all so proud that we've hit the half way mark!

PAD #15

This is for the Homework "Love"

D80, 50mm, F3.2, ISO 800


I'm so happy my Nate is home from his conference!

PAD #16

D80, 50mm, manual

This was our dinner and desert last night (well within rules, taken within 24 hrs it's posted). We came across this recipe in one of the Kraft mailers, and we've enjoyed it several times in the last couple months. Its quick and tasty.

Speedy Chicken Stir-Fry

8 oz angel hair pasta, uncooked

2 cups broccoli florets*

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces

1/2 cup Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (I use closer to 3/4)

2 TBS soy sauce

1/4 tsp. each ground ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper

1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts

Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 minutes. Meanwhile, spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray, heat on medium high. Add chicken; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Stir in dressing, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and crushed red pepper; cook a couple minutes stirring occasionally.

Drain pasta mixture; and dole out onto plates or bowls. Spoon the chicken mixture evenly over top the pasta. Sprinkle with the peanuts.

*** You can substitute snow peas for the broccoli too!

The desert is very simple. I baked some chocolate chip cookies, and when they were cooled, I spooned some vanilla ice cream onto one, and placed another on top to make ice cream sandwiches. Then I rolled the edges in sprinkles.

Happy Belated Halloween!

From The Pirate and the Dragon..... (it sounds like a children's story doesn't it? Or at least a fable... LOL!)




And let me tell you..... I definitely have plans for a Scrap page featuring the out takes of the 2 kids together, LOL!

And since I didn't get a chance to share any beach pictures, I thought I would share this one. I adore this! My two kiddos and their lovely cousins under the pier.

****************

And a quick new delicious recipe. We had this last night!

Taco Soup

1 ½ lbs lean ground beef, browned and drained OR 2 C diced cooked chicken / ground turkey

1 16oz can black beans, undrained

1 16oz can pinto beans, undrained

2 14oz cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 14oz can whole kernel corn, drained

1 package taco seasoning mix, dry

1 package ranch dip mix, dry

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and simmer on low for 6 hours OR heat thoroughly to blend flavors and simmer until serving. Place crumbled tortilla chips, bite size corn chips, or soft flour tortillas. In individual bowls. Cover w/ meat mixture.

Top w/ : sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced black olives, chopped green onions.

*** This is a thicker consistency. I did end up adding about a cup of water, and on the spur of the moment a couple dashes of hot sauce, a spoonful of jarred garlic, and some salt and ground pepper.

****************

Have a great November day!

Easter 2007

What a day yesterday was, LOL!

Lucas gave us a horendous night's sleep Sat night/ Sun morn. He was up from 1:45 till 3:30, then again at 5 and 7. It made for a looong day yesterday.

But then last night he gifted us with an Easter Miracle, and slept till 4:30, and then was up around 7:30, and we all slept till almost 9.

Despite our exaustion yesterday, we had a good time with everyone. Nothing like your 2 year old Hopped up (hee hee) on no nap and all chocolate. We had a few time outs.

Anyways, dinner was great. My Pear & Raspberry Cobbler was divine! Recipe at bottom ;)

Anyways, here are some pictures from yesterday...

And the customary Family shot!

Pear-Raspberry Cobbler

Filling:

1 c sugar

3 TBS flour

1/4 tsp each nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger

4 lbs firm, ripe Bartlett Pears

1 TBS lemon juice

2 c frozen raspberries

Dough:
1 1/2 c flour

2 TBS + 2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c butter

1/2 c + 1 TBS buttermilk

Directions:
Preheat Oven to 350*.

Filling: In bowl mix sugar, flour, and spices. Peel and cube pears to core. Add pears, juice, and raspberries to sugar and mix. Pour into 13x9 baking dish.

Dough: In bowl mix flour, 2 TBS sugar, and salt. Cut in butter. Add 1/2 c buttermilk and stir to form dough. Between 2 sheets of floured wax paper, roll thin. Invert dough over filling, and cut a couple vents on top. Brush with remaining buttermilk and sprinkle with remaining sugar.

Bake 45-50 minutes, till the top is golden brown and juices are bubbling.

YUMM!

Still Here....

Since when did my body become public property? I've had more people touch my belly or rest their hands on the shelf of my belly in the last 2 days than ever before..... all combined I think, LOL!

And I'm really getting irritated with everyone always asking how I feel or when I'm due. Or like the girl last night who asks me every week..."still wearing your rings?" My word, I'm about to go postal!

I am also about to cry, and I really hope I am not alone here! My belly has run out of room! It LITERALLY hurts for my baby to move.

It feels like my skin is tearing and he's trying to come out of my belly button. It has been progressively getting worse the past couple days, but now if he moves or stretches... PAIN.....

We made this really yummy orange glazed salmon over the weekend, and here's the recipe if anyone is interested!


Crispy Orange-Glazed Salmon

2/3 cup orange juice
3 TBS rice wine vinegar
2 TBS soy sauce
1 small chile pepper, thinly sliced and seeded
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, grated
2-4 (4 to 6 ounce) salmon filets
2 TBS olive oil, divided
salt, to taste
fresh ground pepper, to taste
2 TBS honey

Garnished Hot Cooked Rice

1. Stir together first 6 ingredients in a glass baking dish or shallow bowl. Add salmon and drizzle with 1 TBS of olive oil, turning to coat evenly. Marinate at least 30 minutes. Remove salmon, reserving maranade, and season with salt and pepper.

2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, and add remaining 1 TBS of olive oil. Cook salmon 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until fish begins to flake with fork; remove from pan. Pour reserved marinade into skillet, and add honey. Heat about 3 minutes or until syrupy. Serve Salmon warm over mound of rice, topped with sauce.

Garnish hot cooked rice with bean sprouts, chopped fresh cilantro, shaved carrots. (I actually mixed all this in with 7 or 8 minutes cook time left on the rice and stirred well.)

****************

Nate's dad suffered the Peretinits (colon rupture) in Jan '05. We'll he's worn a colostomy bag ever since. He is FINALLY having the reversal surgery on Tuesday, all day. Its very extensive. (This is the reason I can't rely on MIL to be my childcare, b/c she'll be caring for FIL.)

I've encouraged Nate to go sit with his mom for most of the surgery. Its about 2 hours away.

But now he's talking about going to spend the night Monday night and spend all day Tuesday with them.

I don't know how to feel about that... on one hand I DO want him to help support his mom, but on the other... I'm not sure I want him so far away for so long when I could go into labor and be even more by myself.

Just hanging around till my DA at 1:20. I really hope that there's been progress... but maybe not too much to hinder Nate from going to his parents.

If I'm only a 2 or less he should go... I'm thinking if I'm a 3 or more he should stay, LOL! I wanted to ask for a membrane strip, but now I'm not so sure..... All of this just makes me fret.

Anyways, please say a special prayer for my FIL. His name is Ed, and this surgery is a long time coming, and is going to be very extensive.

Thanks, all of us Burns' appreciate it!

Procrastination....

I am procrastinating today. I think I worked so much yesterday that today I don't want to do anything. Nate is leaving for the weekend this afternoon. He is taking the Youth Group on a Ski Retreat, with an emphasis on spirituality of course. Its always good to get away like that, and become very close knit for a few days.

I got to go last year and had a blast. Peek-n-Peak in New York is a fabulous Ski Resort. Of course this year, as pregnant as I am.... surely you don't want to see me even attempting skis, nor do I just want to sit in the lodge all day by myself. So I am staying home with my large belly, my 2 year old rascal, and my craving for chocolate.

LOL! I'm procrastinating so much, I'm not even telling why I'm procrastinating!

I need to clean. This house has gotten out of control. It hasn't been swept in 2 weeks. (SHOCK!!!) We are usually really good about cleaning it well once a week, but last week it got away from us, and now we are paying for it, LOL!

See, Nate and I have a preatty good system going on here. He will vacuum, and I will follow along with the mop. (we have hardwoods, so double the work) Then he'll clean the bathroom (he's paranoid about me touching chemicals while preggo. HEY! Doesn't bother me, LOL!) I'll dust and every couple weeks, Febreeze everything.

Nate is going to come early this afternnon, since he is leaving for the whole weekend. I told him that I'd have the house straightened and ready... and THAT is what I am procrastinating from. Ugg.

Cleaning will be great though. We are currently looking for die-cast Sally and Lightning McQueen.... I am thinking those 2 lovebirds ran off somewhere together, LOL!

****************

Us Burns' have a tradition here... we like to call it Treat Thursday. I usually make a dessert or treat of some sort on Thursday evenings. It can range from plain cookies, to flan, to chocolate molten lava cake, LOL! Last night I tried a new cookie recipe, and it was so delicious, I had to share. Be sure to copy and save this recipe, because, my word, these are SO GOOD.


Banana Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 large ripe banana, mashed
1 cup oatmeal
8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 375*. Whisk together flours, salt, and baking soda, and set aside. Put butter and sugars into bowl, and mix with an electric mixture fitted with a paddle attatchment; mix until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and banana, and mix well. Add flour mixture and mix till just combined. Stir in oats, chocolate, and walnuts.

2. Drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper (I used Wax paper!). Bake cookies until golden brown and just set, 12- 13 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in airtight container for up to 2 days. Makes about 2 dozen.

****************

If you are a woman (or man!) of prayer and read this... please lift up Nate and I. We have entered a Season of Struggle, mainly with finances. Just please pray that we can stay strong and diligent in our endeavors. Thank you!

Bear Cookies

My mom has been making us Christmas Bear Cookies, and my sisters and I have been decorating them every Christmas, for as long as I can remember. It was one of the traditions we had that all of us loved and enjoyed. And now I'd like to share it with you! :)

****************

Teddy Bear Cookies

1 to 2 rolls refrigerator sugar cookie dough
decorator icing
m&m's, sprinkles, other various candy

Preheat oven to 350*. Cut dough in 1/4 inch slices. Use 7 slices for each bear. On ungreased cookie sheet arrange as so:

*feel free to right-click and save the diagram picture for future reference.*

Bake 12-14 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet 3-5 minutes, remove and cool completely.

Decorate as desired.

****************

There you go! Super easy, and of course LOTS of fun, especially for the kiddos, LOL! We made them last week, a little late. Usually we do them before Christmas, but this year it got away from us and it was actually New Years Eve! This was the first year Set really actively participated, and he actually ate more icing and m&m's than decorated, but it was still fun and I still think he had a good time.

















You can decorate them however you like. Seth's is holding a present, mine held some flowers and had earrings, my mom's had a complete sweater set on, LOL! And I do suppose that they don't have to be specifically "Christmas." I guess you can make them whenever and decorate according to whatever... like Easter? Anyways, I just wanted to share one of the Lopez Family Christmas traditions with you, and I hope you enjoy!

****************

Well, I am really excited! I'm off today to go get a 3D sonogram of the Bean! I never had one with Seth, so this will be so different and exciting! Let's hope Bean is still a bean... I've been preparing for him that way, LOL!

3 More Sleeps....

Let me tell you, its been a crazy house here the past 15 hours or so. Last night Seth had a fever, but he seems to feel much better and is acting fine this morning. So "fine" in fact that he has leaked pen ink on my carpet and spilled bath beads all on top of that. Nate will be home for lunch, for the day! That is what I keep telling myself, LOL! The Carpet Shampooer is his baby, so Nate gets to tackle that task.

We also have to clean the house some, get all the laundry done, pack, and I have to get in most of my baking. Tomorrow we head to Nate's family's to have "Christmas" with them. Then Sunday we leave and are driving the 6 hours to spend the Holidays with my family in Maryland. Complete with an 11 pm Christmas Eve service.... yeah. Umm... we'll see how that goes. LOL!

I will be without Internet Acccess, so tomorrow's post will be the last for a week or so.

This LO was done 2 or 3 different times! I think I finally got it, LOL!

Michelle Colemen Merry Little Christmas, lace, and beads. Nancie Rowe Janitz Frosty Flourishes, Holly McCaig photo negative sleeves, photo tab, sequins, and word tags. Susie's Hand font.

Journaling reads: It was our first family trip to the Christmas Tree Farm.. We had such a good time! We loved looking at the trees and when Seth spotted this one, he declared loudly, “Nice Tree!” We knew it was ours after that. And you know something? He was right! It was the right tree.

As for my baking, I'll leave you with 3 of our Holiday Treats. These are soooo good!


White Chocolate Chunks

1 bag- 2 bags white chocolate morsels
1 bag straight pretzels
1 bag peanuts
1 bag raisins

Double melt white chocolate on the stovetop (or melt in microwave). Mix in remaining ingredients, until evenly coated. Spoon out onto wax paper to cool.

note: You may not need entire bags of pretzels, peanuts, or raisins. Do break the pretzels you use in half.


Special K Fruit Cookies (my fave)

2 c. self rising flour
2 sticks margerine
2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 c. flakes coconut
1 c. chopped nuts
1/2 c. raisins
4 c. Special K cereal

Beat sugar and margerine until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add flour and mix thoroughly. Mix in coconut, nuts, raisins, and cereal. Drop by measuring tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.


Fudge Nut Bars (Nate's fave)

1 c. butter
2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp soda
3 c. oats

Filling** double heat on stovetop

1/2 pack of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. sweetened condensed milk
2 T butter
1 tsp salt
1 c. nuts
2 tsp vanilla

Mix well, spread 2/3 of oatmeal mixture in bottom of PAMed 13x9 pan. Cover with chocolate filling mixture. Dot with remainder of oatmeal mixture and swirl over filling. Oven 350 minutes, approx. 20-30 minutes.

Thanksgiving Eve....

Wedding photos done: Check

2 LO's completed: Check

Baking: In progress....

Michelle Coleman's Magic of Fall kit. 2Peas Sweet Pea font.

Journaling reads: What a glorious day we had outside in the leaves. You enjoyed yourself immensely running and jumping in the piles. Women, captivated by your charm stopped on the street to chuckle and tell me how beautiful you are. All I could do was just smile....

Amber Clegg's The Gazebo kit. Albemarle Swash, Adler, and Beyong Paradise fonts.

Journaling reads: US.... always constant, always relief, always together. There is no “home” without the other. There is comfort, always hope.. There is love, there is us.

****************

I have bunches of baking to do today. I'm making 2 loaves of Cranberry Bread, my Apple Pie, and some of my Mint Brownies. The Brownies are going to work with me to share with the staff. But in the spirit of eating and of course Thanksgiving, I wanted to leave you 3 of my favorite Holiday Recipes. These 3 are a MUST have for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I heartily recommend them.

Cranberry Nut Bread

5 c self rising flour
2 c sugar
8 T margerine
2 c milk
2 eggs
1 c chopped nuts
1 pkg cranberries, chopped

Oven 350 degrees. Mix margerine, flour, and sugar. Add milk and eggs and mix until dampened. Stir in nuts and cranberries. Turn into 2 Pam-sprayed loaf pans and bake 60-70 min.


Hot Cider

1 gallon apple cider
1/2 c packed brown sugar
4 sticks of cinnamon
2 T whole cloves
2 oranges sliced

Combine ingredients in a crockpot. Cover and heat on low 2-5 hours. Take out oranges after 2 hours or oils in the rind will make cider bitter.


Cranberry Sweet Potatoes

6 lg sweet potatoes or yams
1 ctn. cranberry orange relish
1 c raisins
1 stick softened margerine
1 c brown sugar
1 c chopped pecans

Peel sweet potatoes, cut into cubes. boil until soft, drain and mash. Add raisins and relish. Mix well and put into a large casserole dish. In a seperate bowl mix together brown sugar, margerine, and nuts. Sprinkle over top of sweet potatoes. Oven 350 degrees; bake for 30 minutes.

ENJOY! And HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We are off to my in law's tonight for Thanksgiving, so I won't be able to check in till sometime Friday afternoon... when I get up, LOL!

Happy 30th Nate....

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Nate!!!

Today is Nate's 30th. Wow.... we met right before he turned 23. So weird that this is his 7th Bithday we've celebrated. I baked his homemade Carrot Cake last night (his life-long tradition) and I have a store bought Carrot cake going now. I am making carrot cake/ cream cheese/ white chocolate Cake Balls for Youth Group tonight.

I can't wait to him to get home from his folk to open presents and such!

I'll have pictures tomorrow!

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Nate's Carrot Cake

2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups oil
4 eggs
2 1/4 cups Self Rising flour
2 TBS salt
2 TBS cinnamon
4 cups grated carrots

Combine sugar, oil, and eggs. Beat at medium for 2 minutes. Sift dry ingredients together. Add to oil mixture and beat at low for 1 minute. Add grated Carrots and beat till well mixed. PAM and flour a 13x9 pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 60- 70 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package cream cheese
1 TBS vanilla
1/4 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar

Let cream cheese and butter warm to room temperature. Beat them together and add vanilla. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Spread on top of cooled Carrot Cake.

*** tip: I usually buy baby carrots and just put them in my food processor!

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THANK YOU for all the reassuring words about Seth's tiny heart murmer. It is comforting to hear them, and I do feel less disconcerted. Thank you again friends!

Have a blessed Wednesday!

Burn's Bedroom Before and After....

Here you go! Finially finished enough to show you pictures!

The Before~ A Full Size (we inherited this bed and mattress set when we got married from my great-grandparents as they moved into a nursing home. We loved it, it served us well, {and saw the creation of 2 Burns' kids} but we needed new mattresses and more space. No worries, the heirloom is in our attic waiting to be used by a future daughter.... ;) (no... i don't know yet....)



The After~ A Queen Size (new paint job, new side tables for us both, and Nate's favorite... Lamps for us both, LOL! Bed & tables from Bombay & Co.)


And yes... before you are squinting your eyes... they are the same quilted bedding.. just in different colors! LOL! The first in blues and purples from Bed Bath & Beyond, and the second (newer) is done in burgundies (MY FAVE) from Linens & Things. I loved it enough to get it again, LOL! The middle pillow I took to this mall kiosk, and had embroidered with our monogram.

I still have to hang burgundy curtains like the blue ones in the top pictures.

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I forgot to mention yesterday that for Seth's Birthday (well, for Nate's too...) we like to make a wonderfully yummy Monkey Cake. Some of you might also call it a Monkey Bread. But since It is made in a cake pan, I win. ( ;) Nate)

Monkey Cake

4 cans of refrigerator bisquits (Regular size, NOT jumbo or Grands)

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup margerine

Open 2 cans of bisquits and seperate them. Cut each bisquit into 4 pieces. Shake pieces in a plastic bag containing 3/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Place in greased tube pan.

Repeat with 2 remaining cans of bisquits. Layer evenly.

Melt 1 stick (or 1/2 cup) margerine and stir the 1 cup sugar (and remaining cinnamon mixture) into the margerine. Pour over biscuits in pan.

Oven 350*. Bake 45 minutes. When done, remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes. Turn it upside down, and store in a cake taker.

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Speaking of recipes, I have started a a weekly recipe thread at Digi Shopt Talk. This first week is Appetizers & Beverages, so come on over and share some of your favorites!

Happy Thursday, and Happy Best night On TV!

Birthday Planning....

Two days ago I ordered all the supplies for Seth's Birthday! He's going to have an Elmo party, since Elmo is an obsession. He's getting the plates, invites/ thank you's, table topper, crepe paper, a huge Elmo mylar baloon... I even ordered him an Elmo Cake pan! I'm going to make him an Elmo cake, LOL!

I got everything from Birthday Express. Here's the deal... I think I get to use everything twice. His Birthday is Monday the 25th, and will be spent just at home with Mama and Daddy. He's going to have a joint party with his older cousin Lauren on Sat the 30th, with Nate's family. So... I'll have 5 plates left over for the family party, LOL! And my sister and law and I have already discussed co-decorating, LOL!

Seth is going to have a great birthday! He's getting some nice things, and I can't wait to see his face. I think he's going to be overwhelmed, and not know what to play with first, LOL! I'll talk about presents when the time gets a bit closer :)

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As you can see, I was reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. I actually had it read in the 4 days we were at the beach. It was a FANTASTIC read (right Kristin ;) ) I had been looking for a new author to try and came across this, and am so tickled with the results. This book is a work of historical fiction, and it was powerrfuly written. I didn't know the history before hand of the Boleyn family, and the politics of royal court, but Oh. My. Word. Wow. I completely recommend it!

In fact I have the next book already on the way to my house!

You can click on the book to the right, and it'll take you right to Barnes and Noble.

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Golden Glory is now available at The Digi Chick, you can get it HERE (click me).

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I am making something new today! Its a total RAVE among some of my friends, but I'm a little late joing the game. I'm going to make Cake Balls! Apparently thay are to die for, and I thought I'd give them a try for the Youth Group tonight.

Cake Balls

1 package cake mix

1 can of frosting

1 package of chocolate almond bark (Can use semi-sweet baking chocolate too)

wax paper

1. Cook cake mix according to directions on the box. 2. Let cake cool. 3. Crumble cake in a bowl. 4. Mix approximately 1/3 container of frosting until smooth dough forms 5. Roll cake into balls, packing tightly 6. Melt almond bark 7. Drop balls into chocolate until coated. (I use a fork to lift balls out of chocolate so excess chocolate can drain through the tongs on the fork) 8. Place balls on wax paper to harden.

You can use any combination of frosting and cake mix. The cake should make approximately 60 balls. You can make the cake ahead of time and freeze the balls before dipping into the chocolate.

To make festive - you can put candy bits on top while chocolate is cooling. For Christmas, I am putting crushed candy cane bits. For Valentine's day you could use crushed ret hots....etc.

Happy Birthday To Me.....

Happy Birthday to me! A nice big round number of 27. 27? How the heck.... where did the time go? Is 30 really looming closely now....?

Wednesdays are kinda cruddy days to have birthdays, b/c Nate has to work, then there is church tonight. So we are celebrating this weekend. Haven't gotten a card or a present or anything yet... well OK I take that back, Nate got up early to make me french toast, so that was very nice! :)

(the pic to the above left is last years birthday picture... I am holding my traditional Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake.)

Last night we bought the Low Profile boxspring, and the bed looks MUCH better now! So we were taking back the first boxspring and the store didn't want to take it back! They were arguing that it was a set we bought (even though we knew we bougt them as seperates) So we went back out to the truck we had borrowed, and I said, we need to talk to the managaer. Turns out we were right, they were seperates, so we were finally able to return the first. PHEW!

Last nights sleep was still "OK" I think I just have to get used to it... I'm giving it a couple more nights.

Nothing much to do today... I thought I'd give myself a mani/pedi. Nate is cooking his Cashew Chicken for dinner, and thats about it.

Here it is... one of my faveorite dishes... even better so, b/c Nate cooks it, LOL!


Cashew Chicken

2-3 boneless chicken breasts
1 egg white, lightly beaten
4 TBS cooking wine or sherry
2 tsp cornstarch
3 TBS vegetable oil
4 green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 TBS finely chopped ginger root
1 TBS soy sauce
1/2 cup cashew nuts

Cut chicken into 1/2 inch cubes. Mix together egg white, half of cooking wine, and the cornstarch. Toss chicken in this mixture until evenly coated. Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan. Then add green onions, garlic, and ginger, and stir fry for 30 seconds. Add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes. Add remaining wine, soy sauce and stir well. Add the cashew nuts and cook for 30 seconds. Serve over hot cooked rice. green onions opt.


If any of you are interested... I posted my sister's engagement ring (they broke up, she's stuck with payments) on Ebay.... LOL! Look HERE.

ETA: this is not the same sister as the one with the truck and dog... I have 2 sisters, and the one with the pictures is married. The one from above is a county sherrif and still single. Thanks for the question Julie!

Scones...

It is only 10:30 am and I am alreayd so tired. I just want to go to sleep. I am physically and emotionally just worn out. This week has been so long, and Seth has been so busy. Nate coming home tomorrow couldn't get here fast enough.

Kudos to you single moms or to the moms where husbands are often away for long periods of time. I couldn't do it. I don't know how you do it. I applaud you and your strength.

Thanks to those of you who sent me PM's asking how I or Nate were doing. I really appreciate it! Thnk You especially to Angelina who came and met me for lunch yesterday. Seth showed some of his bravery yesterday when he crawled all through a 2 story indoor playground at McDonalds without incident... and thanks to Ange's oldest son for being right behind him the whole way.

I made some delicious scones, and I'd like to share the recipe!

Apple & Pear Scones

2 1/2 cups All Purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup plus 1 TBS granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cold butter or margerine
1/2 cup diced Golden Delicious apple
1/2 cup diced Bosc pear
2/3 cup buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 375* F. In bowl, stir flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1/4 cup gran. sugar, and brown sugar. With pastry blender cut in butter until coarse crumbs form. Stir in fruit. Stir in buttermilk just until dough holds together.

2. Transfer dough to ungreased cookie sheet. Shape into 9-inch round. With floured knife, cut round into 8 wedges; sprinkle with remaining sugar. Seperate wedges, allowing 1/2 inch in between each, on cookie sheet.

3. Bake 22 to 28 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Plans for today? Nothing. Nada. Not going insane. Ok, one plan. Clean house during Seth's nap, so its nice for Daddy.

So sorry for such a boring blog week!