Thankful Day 14 & Caramel Apples

Day 14:

I'm thankful for my awesome kitchen in our new apartment. The counter and cabinet space are phenomenal. It makes cooking & baking so much easier. Love, love, love it!

Let's take a look at the old kitchen and the new kitchen, shall we?

Old kitchen

(sorry this isn't the best picture, I couldn't find my other one)

New kitchen

*happy sigh*

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Caramel Apples

It's a semi-new thing for me to have helpers in the kitchen. I've attempted to get the boys involved in making food before but it has always been crazy with neither one listening or following directions. If you have little ones, you know what I mean. So, we tried it again this morning and make caramel apples. They both were great. I'm talking major listening points and following my directions. They seemed to have fun too which is what matters the most.

F was first up for placing the sticks in the apples. I only showed him once and he took over from there and did two more. Meanwhile B was waiting on the sidelines, as patiently as a three year old can, watching the entire time. When it was his turn he jumped up on his step stool and went right to work.

 After the apples were ready B lost interest in the cooking process and snagged an extra apple to snack on instead.

F poured and mixed before it went on the stove and helped with the last step of dipping the caramel dipped apples in ice water.

I have to say, I had a blast having them help in the kitchen. This is just the beginning of our cooking adventures together.

If you want our caramel apple recipe you can find it here. Enjoy!





Thankful Days 12 & 13

Day 12:

I'm thankful for amazing sisters and brothers. I love seeing who they're becoming as young men and women. They amazing me with the talent that flows out of them. I'm so proud to be your big sister and love you four more than I could ever express.

Checking out Uncle Joey's big red truck. The boys were in heaven.

Day 13:



I'm thankful for football. Now, this may seem strange to put as something I'm thankful for since I personally don't care to watch it at all. But.......watching football makes my husband so happy and I love seeing him happy. He's passionate about football like I am about creating. How could I not be grateful for something that brings so much joy! :o)

Thankful Days 10 & 11 / Irish Creme Cookies

Day 10:
I'm thankful for nap time. It's vital to my survival as a mom. I feel very fortunate that both my boys still take an afternoon nap at the age of three and a half. Because they do, I'm able to get some creative work done during daylight hours. Huge mood booster for me!

Day 11:
I'm thankful my wonderful husband doesn't complain, EVER, that we share our clothes closet with my craft/scrapbook storage. I know he'll be glad when I can have a separate space for it but for now we're just working with what we have. He's unbelievably awesome for supporting me in what I love!

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I didn't forgot about the Irish Cre'me Cookie recipe, it's just taken me longer to get it posted. If you were waiting for it, thank you for your patience. :o)

Irish Cre'me Cookies

1/4 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 T. really strong, brewed coffee
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c, all-purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine butter and shortening. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1 c. sugar, coffee, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Beat until combined. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined than add flour.
In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 c. sugar and 2 tsp. cinnamon. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar to coat. Place balls 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.
Spread Irish Cre'me Frosting over cookies.

Irish Cre'me Frosting

In a medium bowl, combine 3 T. softened butter and 1 T. really strong, brewed coffee. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until combined. Gradually beat in 3 c. powdered sugar. Beat in enough half & half or whipping cream (1 to 3 tablespoons) to make a frosting of spreading consistency.

Store at room temp for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

My birthday was when? / Thankful Day 9

TODAY! My birthday was today!

It was like most days around here with the exception of a few special moments.

I have to say the highlight of my day was hearing Favre snort like a pig and repeatedly saying "duck" while watching one on TV.
It's all about the little things. *insert blissful sigh*

Brett did attempt to help me blow out the candles on my cake. Another highlight. :o)

I've had this song by Mindy Gledhill suck in my head all day.

It feels appropriate for this next chapter in my life. Change is in the air. Dreams are becoming reality.

Awesome!  

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Thankful Day 9:

I'm thankful for life. My life. (short, sweet, and simple)



Thankful Day 8

Day 8:
I'm thankful for healthy, handsome little boys. They are the light of my life. Everyday is brighter because of their laughter. My world is more full of love with them in it. Mama loves you, Brett and Favre!

circa 2009

circa 2011

Thankful Days 5, 6, & 7.......plus, my newest pumpkin patch album

Okay, so Saturday I was incredibly busy preparing for a mini photo album workshop I was hosting that night. Then Sunday, I was just beat and napped during the boy's nap time. All of which left no time for blogging since I spent very little time on the computer at all. So, this post will have to cover my thankfulness the last two days and today.
I have a special treat though. I'm also going to post pictures of the mini photo album that I taught at the workshop over the weekend. Yay! (Okay, so maybe I'm the only one excited about it but that's alright.)

Down to business........

Thankful Day 5:
I'm thankful for quiet moments with the ones I love. The moments where I'm overwhelmed to the point of feeling breathless by how much I love them, their love for me and how incredibly blessed I am to have them. I cherish those moments.

Day 6:
I'm thankful for the miracle of "two". My twins are going to be four in a few months and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the awesomeness of "two". It's mind boggling for me to know God created them at the same time. In the same womb. Right next to each other. Just amazing!

Day 7:
Thankful for my amazing, loving husband. Our life together only gets better. Our adventures more action packed. Our love stronger and my adoration greater. Thank you, David, for asking me to spend my life with you!


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Super fun stuff.

I've been so excited about sharing pictures of this album with you. Some of you may remember the one I made last year, here. I really loved using the cardboard for this particular album. It gives it a nice rustic feel to it.
For the cover I chose to use some of the ever popular pendents that are all over the blog world. Felt pumpkins were great textural addition as well.

Alright, enough chatter from me. :o)

Front cover

Most of the patterned paper, with the exception of one from My Mind's Eye, are various lines from Basic Grey.

The front journal tab, along with the Halloween tabs in the back are from Elle's Studio. 

The green alphabet stickers are "Thickers" in daiquiri by American Crafts.

Thankful Day 4

Day 4:

Thankful for a home filled with laughter. The musical sound of my children's laughter brightens my world. How awesome it is to have happy children!

"Laughter is... Sunshine in the heart and wings on the soul" - unknown