tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34850274863889559872024-02-07T01:51:16.001-06:00Lemonade StandCandisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-19327842983441422032011-04-21T23:52:00.000-05:002011-04-21T23:52:43.875-05:00I need a: How to Care Snails for Dummies Guide<div style="text-align: center;">Taylor got a little glass jar full of jelly beans at church this week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/5753b73f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/5753b73f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first thing he asked me was, "Mommy, can I pour these out and use this to catch tadpoles?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Brilliant!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">But, instead, he found a snail and decided it would be his first pet.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then another, and finally, this afternoon, another.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So now, we have 3 snails, in a jar, on my kitchen counter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/a25c7211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/a25c7211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HELP!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-44633969593959010222011-02-06T22:21:00.000-06:002011-02-06T22:21:03.186-06:00Farewell my beloved 20's At the stroke of midnight, it will all be over. Dooms day is staring me dead in the face. There's no going back after tomorrow. It's all downhill from here. I usually demand a week's worth of celebrating this time of year. I gave my husband a hard time about it a few years ago. He hasn't heard a word from me this time. After tomorrow, it's all stuck where it's at and the wrinkles only get more defined. Gravity has won it's battle by now.<br />
I have yet to tell anyone that I will be turning the big 3-0...tomorrow! My whole life I wanted to be a 20-something-er. I remember being a teenager and thinking that being 22 would be glorious! That 25 would be the absolute most perfect age. It would be the peak of my life...<br />
I have never been concerned about age, taken my "Asian" blood for granted. No matter how much Clinique de-puffer I use, the dark puffy lines beneath my eyes are here to stay. No offense to my friends, but I think 30 is old. I guess I can say that now. I DO FEEL OLD! Everyone keeps telling me that their 30's have been the best yet. If that's so, I'm going to be blown away with what all God does to top my 20's!<br />
When I turned 20, I met one of my best friends- Kalee and her mom Debbi. God fulfilled one of my 2, lifetime dreams by allowing me to go to the Philippines to share the news of Jesus Christ in villages along the Agusan River Valley on the island of Mindinao. I lost my real mother/sister to heart failure that summer too. When I was 21, I celebrated it with the Maid of Honor from my wedding, Mary Martha. I spent that summer in China, planting seeds of the Good News in Harbin. I lost another sister the next year to heart failure as well.<br />
When I was 22, I think, I am already losing my memory, Mary Martha and I had the ultimate privilege of spending 3 months in Thailand, teaching English cultural classes at a college in Bangkok, traveling throughout the northern hill country near Burma. Even spending a week down in the deep southern part of the country near, Cambodia, which was probably wiped out by the Tsunami a few Christmases ago. I even spent the night in a Thai hospital with the flu, sinusitis and bronchitis that summer. It was a whirlwind, but sharing the Gospel with everyone we met was at the forefront of our minds. School was sort of a distraction!<br />
Then, I GRADUATED COLLEGE!!!!!!!! When you are in 9th grade, graduating college never really seems a reality, kind of like the drive to Disney World, you never think you will get there. The end seemed like light years away!<br />
At 23, I attended the International Mission Board Conference in Virginia, and chose a missions position to be a salt trader in northern India. The next day, God, through the Holy Spirit, told me to go home. He had other plans.<br />
At His word, I moved to Okolona, MS, of all places, and had a dream job at Ann Taylor Loft in Tupelo, when, a month later, God blessed me by fulfilling my second life long dream--meet the man of my dreams, fall head over heels in love, get married, make babies and be a mommy! No lie, I wrote this one down in a journal somewhere so I would remember it. I only ever wanted to be 2 things growing up-- Miss America (I would have settled for Miss Mississippi! haha) and to be a mommy.<br />
My best friend Martha Ann and I married our husbands, a month a part. At 25, the age I thought was the perfect age, I had my first child, less than 2 months later, we moved to Washington, D.C., and Jim had, what he thought, was his dream job. At 26, I hadn't a care in the world, an entire foreign mission field in my condominium, was a part of a growing church plant in Annapolis, MD, and being mentored and taught how to love my husband and children by an older lady in our church. I made one of my favoritest friends ever...Kate. She's a real life ballerina! God drew us close over the 2 years our little family lived inside the beltway.<br />
By age 27, Jim's job had moved us back to Tupelo, I had our second son and we lived in what seemed like an abandoned subdivision with only 2 other neighbors for the entire next year!<br />
Jim threw me the best ever surprise birthday party when I turned 28. Turning 29 wasn't so bad, I was preoccupied with just having my first baby girl and Jim was starting his mid-life crisis by starting an entirely new career. Oh, and the Green Bay Packers did win the Super Bowl while I was in my 20's too!<br />
I now know why Jim wanted to avoid the hype when he turned 30...it's dreadful. Like coming home from church on sundays to a messy house, hungry screaming kids and a headache the size of Texas-dreadful!<br />
I never could have imagined God would bless my socks off like He did over the last 10 years, but He has. I don't doubt for one second that He couldn't or wouldn't do the same over the next 10.<br />
Over the last few weeks, I've been praying about this. Pouring my heart out to God about my role as a wife, mom, and child of His. When I was young, early 20's--I hadn't a care in the world. Only myself to think about. No excuses to not be in God's Word daily. Absolutely no excuses or reserves when it came to sharing the Law with the people I met. Now, even as an extrovert, I crave quiet, lonely moments, just so I can collect my thoughts, and focus on talking with God. Finding moments for Him to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">restore the joy of my salvation! </span></span> I find excuses all over the place now for why I didn't stop and love that person, or share the Gospel, when that is exactly what we should be about.<br />
So yes, I am sad about seeing my 20's go. It was a time of tremendous growth in my relationship with the Lord, lost loved ones, took a million and a half journeys, and began a family with my soul-mate.<br />
My hope and prayer for this new era (yes, I know I'm being dramatic!) of life, is that my zeal for Christ would only grow stronger and deeper. That I would be even more burdened for the spiritually lost. That I'd seize opportunities to share the Gospel and teach my children the same. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT FOR SOMETHING! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span>Oh, and that my memory would improve and that I would learn to embrace those gray hairs that keep popping up!<br />
Yep, that's about it! So, farewell 20's. It's been nice, sweet and even plain awesome!<br />
Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-33602929445727417522011-01-20T14:31:00.000-06:002011-01-20T14:31:56.611-06:00I'm so mad I could, and might just scream! I don't complain about much. Well, maybe I do, but I very rarely take to the web to vent my frustrations. I'll spare you the loud screaming, tantrum that my 2 year old threw when I had to take him into the North MS Pediatrics office in Tupelo this morning because he has been sick for a few days. He had gotten better by yesterday, but we were up with him all last night, hacking up his lung and throwing up at the same time, along with a fever.<br />
So this morning I whisked all three of my children, some still in their pj's, to the clinic before the early morning sick hours were over.<br />
Jim had to work out of town this morning and my babysitters were at school. So, Carrie Ann and Taylor really had no choice. Plus, I wanted to rule out that the muck in their eyes wasn't pink eye!<br />
We got there just in time and I was sooo impressed at how quickly they called us back to a room.<br />
Of course Andrew had a meltdown at the thought of having to stand on the scale to be weighed and his attitude only spiraled downhill from that point.<br />
I felt so bad for the staff. I had to weigh Andrew while the nurse held Carrie Ann. He screamed bloody murder.<br />
Then the nurse took a very light, very quick swab of the front of the inside of his nose. It's the first time any of my children had ever been swabbed, so I thought she did a great job, considering the fit he was throwing.<br />
While trying to get a swab of his throat, the doctor came in with his laptop, and wiped everything off the counter right into the trash, including the "swab" the nurse had just taken of his nose. I saw the nurse look, like, um...that was my stuff doc. What do you think you are doing.<br />
I was too busy trying to wrangle my squalling child, and keep a 1 year old off of the floor. The doctor said, I'll come back when he calms down. I didn't blame him!!!!!<br />
The nurse, reached into the trash can and took the swab with her. Um..........<br />
Had you been there, without a sinus cold yourself, not sweating and having had brushed your teeth, you would've had the cognitive sense to speak up.<br />
And honestly, I don't know that I was thinking about it at the time. My mind was too busy.<br />
When the doctor returned, he tried looking into his ears, listening to his chest, nose and throat, all without much love from Andrew. Andrew would not stop kicking him.<br />
The doc, rolled back on his little stool and repeated everything that I had told him already, congested, fever, mattery eyes, hacking cough. To him, it sounds just like the flu, but it's too late to give him anything. His ears are fine and we aren't going to do a strep test. No pink eye! So, he'll probably have fever on and off the rest of weekend. If he starts having trouble breathing or wheezing, bring him back in because he could get pneumonia.<br />
At this point, I'm stressed to the max because Andrew is still screaming uncontrollably! But I was beginning to get frustrated because I brought him up there, went through this, to get answers. I don't blame the doctor for wanting to get out of there as fast as he could, I would have too, but he's a pediatrician, it's the nature of the job! The doctor stepped out and came back really quickly and stepped just inside the door and said, "Well, the flu swab is negative, but I still think it's the flu. So again, if he starts having trouble breathing, come back, but other than that, it's the nature of the flu. Oh, I forgot your chart, let me go get it."<br />
When he came back, I was gathering our things, with Carrie Ann in one hand, Andrew was sitting on the floor with his feet against the door. The doctor reached his arm in and put the yellow check out form on my bag and walked away.<br />
I thought, good grief! Are you serious? Goodbye, good riddens, never come back, please! Whew!!<br />
I can completely understand the doctor's frustrations, and his eagerness to get us gone, but can you see my frustrations as a mother, who has a sick child and feels the doctor could care less that something is wrong. I expect more than the status quo. I expect doctors to want to know what is wrong, I want them to want to know!!! I want them to find out!!! Rather than say, well it's not this, but I really "think" its this! I want a doctor to be completely satisfied that he fulfilled his role as a children's health care provider!!! Is that too much to ask of the person I am paying to check over the physical well-being of my sick 2 year old????<br />
I guess what I wanted was for him to want to find out what was wrong with my son as much as I wanted to know what was wrong with my son! That's why I brought him to a doctor.<br />
Now let's get started on that swab. As I was leaving the office, it hit me, OH MY WORD.... the "negative" swab was the same swab that the doctor swiped into the trash, and the same swab the nurse had retrieved from the trash can, and the same swab that she had brushed just on the inside of the front of his nose!!!!! YES, I'm serious.<br />
I don't fault her for not getting a better swab, Andrew thought she was trying to kill him and was acting partly in self-defense, the other part, he was just plain mad!<br />
I was boiling, I wanted to cry. But I was done. And I really didn't know what to do!<br />
I called my good friend, who is a pediatric nurse, and who has two small kids' that are my kids' ages. She was appalled. She said a good, swab of the nose, should collect, not mucus, but membranes from the lining of the nose. And usually, when she gets a swab, sometimes the nose might bleed. I told her what happened. The whole dramatic story. Her advice, among other information was: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Past behavior will represent future behavior.</span><br />
I have left a voicemail for the clinic's manager. In the meantime, I will never, and I absolutely, mean <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ABSOLUTELY NEVER</span> use the North Mississippi Pediatric Clinic in Tupelo or recommend them to anyone, ever again.<br />
Is this how I should think, how I should feel? I'm beside myself with anger and dismay. I mean, what do you do in a case like this? Any suggestions?<br />
This isn't the first problem I've has with this same clinic. Twice, I've had to wait longer than 2 hours to have my newborns seen for their 2 week check-up. Most clinics, whisk newborns in and out, as to avoid any illnesses being spread. The most recent, I waited almost an hour to get a breathing treatment for my son who was having chest retractions and wheezing. Then, when I wanted to purchase a nebulizer to use at home, they gave me the biggest most ridiculous fit for wanting to purchase it from a third party, because it was more than $100 cheaper! Then earlier this week, when I called to get an appointment for all three of my children to come in, the lady on the other end of the phone, scolded me for not having the same pediatrician for all three of my children. (Taylor and Andrew have the same, and Carrie Ann has a different one--{she had a tummy issue when she was born, the clinic gave me the doc on call, which I chose to stick with because he knew her from birth and really seemed to care!}) She informed me that was just not right and who ever had scheduled my children's appointments in the past had not made me aware of the "rules" that a family of children should all be seen by the same doctor!!!!! I asked her if she was getting on to me for choosing different doctors. I was then told that I didn't let her finish--that it wasn't my fault, but that they had newer help in the clinic and they had simply made a mistake! So, you mean it's like a sorority and this is my hazing? WHAT????<br />
I know what different care looks like, I couldn't believe the quality of care Taylor received from his pediatric office when we lived in Northern Virginia. Dr. Baldrate-- I really, really miss you and your office!!!!<br />
There's not many options in Tupelo when it comes to pediatricians. We stopped using the pediatric clinic after my 2-hour wait for Andrew's 2-week checkup. and began seeing a family practitioner. However, last summer, he and his family left for the mission field and I have yet to find good, quality care for my children. HELP!!!<br />
I'll take your recommendations and your suggestions!Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-57234275063425285132011-01-11T22:06:00.001-06:002011-01-11T22:06:51.760-06:00Carrie Ann is turning 1<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AZs2LVy5YuWPg/0AZs2LVy5YuWPuaA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1294803777000/0/"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Twelve Months Pink Birthday Invitation</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>Wish them a <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birthday-cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">happy birthday</a> with Shutterfly.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-75741883459683904022010-12-16T23:54:00.000-06:002010-12-16T23:54:10.762-06:00Christmastime My fondest childhood memories are of Christmas. My mama always made this time of year extra special. It was packed full of traditions.<br />
Our tree was always cut from the back pasture and never resembled a triangle. Colored lights and silver tinsel were our theme.<br />
We had the green porcelain tree that had a light bulb inside that beamed through the little colored pegs on the tips of the branches. It stood in the center of the mantle above the fireplace beside the mechanical Santa and Mrs. Claus. I don't recall ever having stockings.<br />
My dad still has the candle lanterns we always placed in our windows. You remember, the ones with the white bulbs with orange tips? I used to love going through the house plugging those in every night.<br />
Mama always seemed to be in a jolly-ish kind of mood from Thanksgiving, throughout December. I'd sit and watch her meticulously wrap every present. {I now do the same thing myself}<br />
She baked a lot. I don't remember a lot of the details, but everyone always requested her Rum Cake for bake sales and gifts. Her chocolate pie was out of this world. That's a goal on my list next year...make the perfect chocolate pie!<br />
On Christmas Eve every one of my siblings were there for supper, and their children too. It was great! The cousins would bring their significant others and friends, even unannounced sometimes. That was okay with mama. She worked at a hosiery mill and always kept a few extra boxes of socks in the hall closet. If you were a girl, she'd pull out one of her Southern Living items that she had stock piled in said closet!<br />
There was always plenty of food. We finally got to use the fancy dishes. <br />
When they would begin to arrive at our house, my sisters and brothers in law would tell us that they had seen Santa in the sky, or that they had heard on the radio that he had taken off from the North Pole and was headed our way. I was the youngest person in our family. I ate the whole thing up. It was a fun, cheerful time. Not a care in the world down there at the dead end of Reece Road.<br />
And then, when the all the presents had been passed out, I would duck and peek, making sure that none had been forgotten under the tree.<br />
Then, the second wave of people would come. Daddy's side of the family. Our house was packed! It was great! They'd come for dessert and coffee. Then we'd do the whole thing again, I saw Santa here and there they'd say. He never seemed to be going in the same direction.<br />
Then, when all had quietened down and all the guests had gone home, I'd lay awake in my bed for what seemed like an eternity listening for the slightest foot step of the big guy in red. I was always so worried about him getting burned by the embers in the fireplace.<br />
Before I knew it though, it was morning! And Santa had indeed come and I must have fallen asleep because I never heard him!<br />
Christmas Day was just as special, just as fun. Not only did we celebrate the fact that it was Jesus' birthday, but it was also mama's birthday! The family was all together again that day. And MORE dessert!<br />
Christmas 1992 was mama's last Christmas. I was 11 that year. It's never been the same. There's been a void ever since. Santa never came after that. If I had known then what I know now, I would have bottled it all up and poured it all out for my little family now. {I can't listen to Faith Hill sing "Where are you Christmas" without balling my eyes out!}<br />
We aren't usually at our own home on the actual Christmas Eve and Day, and so for as long as we can pull it off, there will be 2 of each of those days for my kids! We usually celebrate Christmas Eve and Day with our little guys {and gal this year}, ahead of time, before we head up north.<br />
So, tomorrow, Friday, December 17th, is Christmas Eve and Santa comes tomorrow night! And on Saturday, it's Jesus' birthday, and we'll treat it as such- with a great breakfast and a birthday cake!<br />
But Jim's mom, she's got it going on! We head up to northern Illinois during the holidays, where there is almost always a promise of a White Christmas! Jim's whole family is there.<br />
We are there for about a week and there's always something baking, coffee brewing and Christmas music playing on the kitchen stereo.<br />
And on Christmas Eve...we all head over to Jim's grandma's house, just like they have Jim's entire life {he's the oldest of all the grandkids}. This year, the final tally comes to 33. From 5 months to 86 years old!!!<br />
And they have so many traditions, I'm still trying to figure some of them out.<br />
On Christmas morning, Santa even comes and hands out all 19 stockings to those of us at Jim's mom's house. Then we have a breakfast that is out of this world. Followed by the gift exchange, in order from the youngest to the oldest.<br />
So for now, I'll pour out all I can for my little anxious munchkins, mustering up all the great memories and creating some of our very own.<br />
Christmas Eve, crammed in a tiny, hot, suburban home might not be all that appealing, but my children will remember every second of it, and love every minute.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">From our family to yours, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">from the Brown's</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/Scan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/Scan1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-42992051042232837132010-12-13T17:31:00.000-06:002010-12-13T17:31:58.784-06:00White Chip Chocolate Cookies No lie, you can make these cookies with a baby on your hip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4fa57d17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4fa57d17.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/f6da930d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/f6da930d.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>{See Jim, this is why I need a stand mixer, then I would be able to make you more desserts!}</i></span></span></div> They are that easy! Usually, super easy recipes don't really taste all that great. And recipes off the back of product packages aren't that great either...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but</span> I'm telling you these are the exception!!! <br />
It's like eating a brownie cookie with little morsels of ooey goodness!!!!<br />
I'm headed to the Annual Troxler Cookie Swap in just a few hours and I'm taking a few dozen of these little treats.<br />
If you try them, you won't be able to stop at just one. Take that from a girl that is surprisingly <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">not</span> a big fan of cookies...I just have a husband who is!<br />
<i>All you need is this:</i><br />
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />
2/3 cup <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.verybestbaking.com/Toll-House/Products/MorselsAndBaking/Cocoa.aspx" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3da8bf; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa</a></span><br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened<br />
3/4 cup granulated sugar<br />
2/3 cup packed brown sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
2 large eggs<br />
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.verybestbaking.com/Toll-House/Products/MorselsAndBaking/Premier-White-Morsels.aspx" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #3da8bf; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels</a></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Preheat oven to 350. Set out your 2 sticks of butter and 2 large eggs and bring to room temperature. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>{use butter, not margarine, for cookies. The oil in the margarine can make the cookies too soggy.}</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4122fa6e.jpg" width="200" /><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/ddad29e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/ddad29e6.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/13684320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/13684320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">{I like to sift my dry ingredients together. My husband doesn't see why I would need a sifter, so I use my small metal strainer.}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/cfb7b5f2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/cfb7b5f2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By sifting it, it should turn out looking a little like this when you are done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/2612d32d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/2612d32d.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cream together butter and granulated sugar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/3465be35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/3465be35.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add in your brown sugar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/ce851ee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/ce851ee2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4312006d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4312006d.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blend in eggs, one at a time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then gradually pour in your dry mixture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/6eaa8dd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/6eaa8dd2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The batter will be thick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/54f50d1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/54f50d1a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Use a sturdy spoon to stir in the White Chocolate Chip Morsels! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{White Chocolate chips make anything better!}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/48254f29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/48254f29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/7db68ba1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/7db68ba1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, if you don't have these next two items, a small ice cream scoop and a silicon baking pad, you should seriously ask Santa for one this year! They are a baker's best friend! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/5056fce9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/5056fce9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This scoop, that I found second-hand, makes the perfect sized scoops for cookies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/471f1cfe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/471f1cfe.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Place scoops of cookie dough about an inch and half apart on baking pan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/c7bb7700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/c7bb7700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bake in preheated oven for 9-11 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4d524c34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4d524c34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This recipe yields about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">60 cookies!</span> I've got plenty for the cookie swap and a few left over for some hungry little boys and a very hungry daddy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/c9570144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/c9570144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cool on pan for 2 minutes then move to wire racks to cool completely! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/e9ddeb09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/e9ddeb09.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I even think a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup would take this "cookie" to a whole new level!!!</div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-37319029747512347112010-11-27T16:13:00.000-06:002010-11-27T16:13:21.292-06:00Biggest bang for your buck and your Community!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> Two owners of local retail shops in the Tupelo area recently told Jim that their family owned and operated businesses will not make a profit this year.</div></div> Our Sunday School prayer list has a family who had to close their family business this past week.<br />
A close friend told me her husband's business, which his parents own and employs many of their family members, is really struggling. She now must put her little boy in childcare and return to work.<br />
Maybe one little family spending a few of their hard earned dollars at a few family owned and operated retail shops won't make much of a difference during this holiday season, but a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">few families </span>could make a little bit bigger impression.<br />
It could mean a Christmas bonus, Insurance premiums for one more year, or even your neighbor's salary.<br />
Sure, the ornament I bought from the local gift shop down the road cost about three more dollars than it would have at my beloved Hobby Lobby, but this business won't turn a profit this year, and maybe, just maybe, if I shop there, maybe my friends will too, and then their friends too! Get the picture...hint, hint!<br />
My point being, when and where you can, support your local merchants and put the money back into the pockets in your community.<br />
It's really easy to do. Need some ideas...here ya go...<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1</span>. If you are out at the mall, check out those locals who rent booth space down through the middle of the corridors. Sometimes there's a church or civic group selling fresh baked goods.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2</span>. Get out! Get away from the popular shopping malls and centers and head to the boutiques. I recently needed some boots. My first thought was to head to Charlotte Russe in the mall and grab some cute ones that a million of other girls would have, with the help of a distracted teenager who would rather be anywhere but there. But instead, in my agenda to shop local, I headed downtown to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tupelo-MS/Voes-Boutique/148564458498974?ref=ts">Voe's Boutique</a>, who just happened to have all her shoes on sale 25% off, I got great customer service from a person who actually enjoyed her job, and found the cutest pair of boots and a sweater on sale too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tupelo-MS/Voes-Boutique/148564458498974?ref=ts" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt0o27cm7_HI8Kch4L1rrUXJJO6HJGwlD7Aq_12BXQIk4Zu4x1dA8Cwsa9-QCaMgWiPOGIwUMHaQy5pVIsVKQ4tl_aD-qVx4gQi9CT4TdO_hH1_vVkaMkC_iHbrpB5CzT5ErnaQjYt3w/s320/41167_148564935165593_148564458498974_313425_4195645_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3</span>. Get Online! Ask your friends about online boutiques! My friend Stephanie is a stay-at-home mom of 2 with one on the way this week! She sews matching mother/daughter aprons, bibs, burp clothes, dipee/wipee bags and soooo much more and sells them at<a href="http://ruffledcharm.blogspot.com/"> Ruffled Charm</a>, her online boutique!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ruffledcharm.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirACoI9yIUdrr3o6oBLZZZOLjoloqId03E9A35VHs-EddDk4oWQgrdLMJ72TE0IAL8ZEDg5gtSYsQQu8YVVmTF1vfPiqvAd-xz3uh6lQZu7KIdvUyZgxhFx0Fy4UWCQOYZTU_OjYwj9Qw/s320/DSC05216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4</span>. Give a gift card to a locally owned restaurant versus a national restaurant chain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5</span>. Gena Nolan makes these incredibly detailed and personal charmed necklaces, bracelets and other jewels. She gives half the cost you pay to St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Give her a call or email, tell her I sent you that way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-16.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-23.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-43.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-44.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6</span>. Neatest idea ever...Buy gifts that have a meaning and where your money actually goes to help a cause you are passionate about. Here's three of my favorites...</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> -The Scopel family is selling this really cool t-shirt to help raise money to adopt possibly, 2, children from Uganda. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4mwTONqgk1NFzi5YY2g7Mk025CXnneHg2q9VZqLfVq_v7ryXBc0GlrXhtqKMTaJQIWKdq5YAANiH9I2xuhRxY3S_jS288I0Kf1PghzEX9X9BoBFkEBUBIL6D7X0Ko58C9TBbCl_BVk4/s1600/NOITPODA3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4mwTONqgk1NFzi5YY2g7Mk025CXnneHg2q9VZqLfVq_v7ryXBc0GlrXhtqKMTaJQIWKdq5YAANiH9I2xuhRxY3S_jS288I0Kf1PghzEX9X9BoBFkEBUBIL6D7X0Ko58C9TBbCl_BVk4/s1600/NOITPODA3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Visit Amy's blog here and read her story, and see for yourself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://embracedinlove.wordpress.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Embraced In Love" border="0" src="http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p50/amyscopel/adoption/blogbutton2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6C6HLeEazolic3JVhmhth00ovCzDuUlXYAbMJwGqzXz84TTnr5OaCDIii3ieTrcZMWItjTJuUnous-pbXfkECaf3EHbC0Y9Yckcd-Gb9tI-ShzOsfIvtJBOz_mU7AuA0clwGhlIFLLs/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6C6HLeEazolic3JVhmhth00ovCzDuUlXYAbMJwGqzXz84TTnr5OaCDIii3ieTrcZMWItjTJuUnous-pbXfkECaf3EHbC0Y9Yckcd-Gb9tI-ShzOsfIvtJBOz_mU7AuA0clwGhlIFLLs/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg" /></a> -I've been following the Weimer family for some time now.<br />
The love for God and her children Heidi Weimer, the mom, has is very encouraging and inspiring as a mom. When I feel like I have a hard day with just my 3 little ones, I think of Heidi and think of the struggles she is going through. <a href="http://blessingsfromethiopia.blogspot.com/">Check out her blog and their fight to "find" their Ethiopian daughter, Eden.</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They have these cool "One Family" t-shirts! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf0wyaqRTLXK62G0d4vwh-Umd5WUxfjbsE6bv81IL9OcOxlA2i5AHfEBhcYoMgnQW6_llOMRUS3xlqzrQ4f4zT4SIuMkO3FeHnOeCXsGLuukxj_f89xP_2poJVxskKxugkQmpZCdmiZY/s1600/One+Family+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf0wyaqRTLXK62G0d4vwh-Umd5WUxfjbsE6bv81IL9OcOxlA2i5AHfEBhcYoMgnQW6_llOMRUS3xlqzrQ4f4zT4SIuMkO3FeHnOeCXsGLuukxj_f89xP_2poJVxskKxugkQmpZCdmiZY/s1600/One+Family+photo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shop local!!!!</div></div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-68823077699330337682010-11-18T18:02:00.000-06:002010-11-18T18:02:07.055-06:00They will love this Meatloaf, I promise <a href="http://www.thecrownrestaurant.com/">The Crown Restaurant</a> in Indianola, Mississippi, put a new spin on meatloaf. They plopped the big ole glob of meat down into a pastry and baked it in a cocoon. When I tried the new style about a year ago, little did I know the hit it would be in my house!<br />
When Taylor, the eldest son who says he doesn't like meat, saw me place the meatloaf into a pie crust and put it in the oven. He asked if it was cake...Why, yes son, it is...It is meatloaf cake!<br />
Tell any child that anything is cake, if they don't know much of a difference, they'll eat that stuff like it's nobody's business! Sorry, no money back guarantees.<br />
To make this scrumptious concoction, all you need is a meatloaf mix, 2 lbs. of your meat of choice (mine is ground turkey), and a pie crust.<br />
To mimic the Crown's and Taste of Gourmet recipe, I swap out the bread crumbs for Whole Grain Oats!!! Try it, I dare you. You will comment with many thanks!<br />
(If you want to order the Taste of Gourmet mix for yourself, here's a link to my friend Laurie, who can help you out with that! Click <a href="http://www.tasteofgourmet.com/index.cfm">here</a>)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If I have one on hand, I use one of those rolled pie crusts. I just roll it out thinner. Place it in your loaf pan, leaving the extra hanging over the edges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-39.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Place your meat mixture inside the pie crust.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-42.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wrap remaining pie crust over the top, sealing any open areas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-38.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bake according to the directions on your meatloaf recipe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And be prepared to be amazed! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Without a doubt, this meatloaf delivers a yummy, delicious, scrumptious...all of the above...dish! I usually pair it with a veggie topped with shredded cheese.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So now, when I tell my chillins' that we are having meatloaf cake for supper, they actually cheer. Even though, Taylor still asks for his meatloaf cake, without the meat! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bon Apetit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-27909707360640609362010-11-16T06:40:00.002-06:002010-11-16T06:40:00.651-06:00Be one of those who learn from others' mistakes... It was supposed to be an uneventful lunch playdate with Taylor's best bud Tyler. But it soon, became anything but that!<br />
As the boys bounced out of the car, I realized Andrew didn't have any shoes. I sat my diaper bag down on the curb beside me and I placed the shoeless child in the driver's seat while I looked for any sign of them in the back seat. "Don't touch anything!"<br />
There they were, on the other side. I ordered Taylor and Tyler to play in the flower bed while I resolved the issue. Each time, 3 to be exact, that I made it to the other side of the car to get the shoes, Andrew had locked the doors. The third, and final time, I dug my keys out of the diaper bag and marched over there and unlocked the door myself. He's 2, it is to be expected.<br />
I placed the keys on the seat while I adorned Andrew with his sporty silver and red tennies. We counted to three and he hopped out onto the ground. I closed the door and grabbed the door to retrieve the third child. Locked. hmm...that little...<br />
I dug around for my keys in my diaper bag that was still sitting on the curb. Still keeping an eye on two 4 year olds and a 2 year old playing in the Chik-fil-A flower bed, I see that the keys are still laying on the seat where I had placed them while socking and shoe-ing Andrew.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> lovely!</span><br />
It's okay, Carrie Ann's only a little fussy. What in the world do I do? Jim didn't have the spare key and was headed into a meeting. Tyler's mom, Deanna, had locked her keys in her car before and told me to call the police.<br />
She was right! The Tupelo police directed my call to the Fire Station and before I finished my conversation I could hear the sirens blaring from the new fire station just down the road. "Good grief ma'am, are they sending a fire truck?" To which she kindly and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">swiftly</span> replied, "Yes ma'am, they will be right there!" I was mortified. Deanna was mortified. The boys, all three of them, were excited...What's that sound?<br />
Visions of what was about to take place ran through my head. I leaned my head against my car and shook it. They are going to use the jaws of life to get this little angel out of my car. Who, by the way, had no idea she was in there all by her lonesome. I should have taken her sweater off of her, it's probably hot in there.<br />
They arrived alright, bright and loud. Lights and sirens. The boys loved it!<br />
I was so embarrassed. My car was a mess. I felt like the worst mother ever. Standing there, blaming it all on my middle child!<br />
Naturally, I'm a drama queen, but I was oddly calm. I kept wondering when the "freaking out" moment would come. When the tears would pour. Or maybe, I'm just getting good at catastrophes by now!<br />
While these guys shimmied and pryed their way into my passenger side door...{of course I took pictures!}<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This guy entertained the little guys...It didn't take much, all he had to say was, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">this is my truck! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taylor even entertained him a little...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this little princess had no idea what all the fuss was about! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She even slept through the alarm going off! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Safe at last! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moral of the story...learn from others' mistakes and if by chance you don't, have OnStar installed in your car or call the fire department, they'll be there in a jiffy!</div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0Tupelo, MS, USA34.2576066 -88.703385934.115725100000006 -88.9368454 34.3994881 -88.4699264tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-65271479996279278292010-11-15T11:18:00.005-06:002010-11-15T11:18:00.203-06:00Trash to Treasure I have this place in my bathroom underneath my counter that needed a new purpose.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> For the last two years it has been home to one of the many bouncy seats in our house. Admittedly it makes the best place to place a napping or playful baby while a busy mommy gets a much needed shower. I just pull it out and I can see baby and he/she can see me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I've been begging Jim for something else to go there. When I was pregnant with Carrie Ann, I decided a little vanity stool would look great there, plus give me a place to sit while I am drying my hair or putting on my make-up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> A little over a week ago, I was down at my dad's house. I was looking through some of his closets and look what I found on the top shelf of the bathroom closet!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know, exactly what I was thinking... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">It's perfect!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This was my mama's little seat that she always used in front of her dresser. It reminds me of her and her perfume that she always wore. With my dad's permission, I swiped this great find and lugged it all the way back up here to Tupelo, right to my bathroom! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/photo-4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It's exactly what this little space needed! I cleaned it up and washed the cushion, which I am sure hadn't been washed in more than 20 years. So, bye-bye bouncy seat for now. Carrie Ann really didn't like you all that much anyway. I hope that this little stool brings as many sweet memories to my children as it did for me!</div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-64171832943113143772010-11-14T15:10:00.001-06:002010-11-14T15:10:20.441-06:00It's Pizza Night! Over the last week, I have been on a mission to clean out my fridge, freezer and pantry. Jim's family will be here for Thanksgiving and I have to make room for all the goodies that we'll be making.<br />
Last weekend I cleaned out our fridge, ridding it of leftovers and everything that I had successfully grown. I checked expiration dates and scurried to put some things in the freezer. My pantry was full of tied off bags of ends of loaves bread pieces and about 3 boxes of lasagna noodles. Who needs 3 boxes of lasagna noodles? <br />
I like to keep odds and ends when it comes to food. If I am in the mood for oatmeal cookies, cornbread, or pecan crusted chicken, it feels good to be able to go to my pantry and pull out those ingredients.<br />
My supplier on the other hand, i.e. Jim, doesn't agree. He likes to see the bare shelves. Clean, clutter free pantry and find things on a moment's notice. NOT ME! {I think if he was really honest with himself, he'd be really glad I had two different types of flour and 2 extra bags of chocolate morsels when he got a sweet tooth and was itching for a dessert!}<br />
I find a sense of security and peace from knowing I have plenty of food. I'm pretty sure this has counseling session stamped all over it. But I'm serious. I'm trying to overcome it and I think this week I have come a long way! Our security only comes from one place and it shouldn't be food!<br />
When I went grocery shopping this week, I got the necessities and perishables...milk, bananas, lettuce, cereal, yogurt and butter. I figured I could make do for a week with all I had stock piled!<br />
So over the last week I've treated my family to tuna and goldfish, goulash, spaghetti O's and apples, oatmeal with whatever frozen fruit I could find in the freezer, a fresh bag of dried cranberries, muffins and some funky seasoned potato wedges that no one liked. Today for lunch there was mini-corndogs, mixed veggies with cheese and yogurt.<br />
Yesterday, I managed to scrounge up some chicken stuffed with spinach, feta and pine nuts (yes, I just had those things lying around), Decaf sweet tea, Sister Schubert's whole wheat rolls, whole cranberry sauce and stir-fry vegetables that I steamed. Sounded so good we invited the neighbor over who brought some Kraft Homestyle Macaroni!<br />
So now, the day before grocery shopping day, and my fridge is brighter than ever, the shelves are bare. The light shines all they way down to the apples in the bottom drawer! My pantry is looking better... I'm down to just 2 cans of corn, a box of Uncle Ben's wild rice, a few cans of vegetables and tomato sauce and still wondering how I can use all of those lasagna noodles before Thanksgiving.<br />
I am so glad it is Sunday and pizza night!Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-37450568593648314772010-11-02T22:02:00.000-05:002010-11-02T22:02:29.913-05:00Growing like Weeds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGg2kfKPdSpGX3nKWgr3FASa6QJv-9DvLTTGHdFe5ZetNWRCUGvDdbcNuezUhp1b4dReElWHu_b_bBhpuLz3fpAJe-25ztbrnaNMheLWvkT0OpoWy47lJbUTVwy0szq2r7zXLtGiYWS8/s1600/IMG_9787+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGg2kfKPdSpGX3nKWgr3FASa6QJv-9DvLTTGHdFe5ZetNWRCUGvDdbcNuezUhp1b4dReElWHu_b_bBhpuLz3fpAJe-25ztbrnaNMheLWvkT0OpoWy47lJbUTVwy0szq2r7zXLtGiYWS8/s320/IMG_9787+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I called my good friend Amanda of <a href="http://www.reflectionsbyamandasmith.com/">Reflections by Amanda Smith</a> to schedule our yearly family pictures, the scenario in the above photo is exactly what I had in mind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to post it right over there to the right, just to show you what everyday life really does look like in the Brown household. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm usually holding Carrie Ann, Taylor is always tugging me in a different direction and Andrew, he's usually being drug along, with his 'I hear you, but I'm not listening' attitude!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPWg1PAbWUoB5RE-DHGGIv_JuUSQSssrIdyv-ZgnjebPIwFUfRXLPqez0rUUc4jZevTsmLUwnN9N9lteMZKqC3p0LCKk9seLs1h2B_lAxEdiTiaiv-T7aWKww-VRLn7FSxN01mTuog-U/s1600/IMG_9705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPWg1PAbWUoB5RE-DHGGIv_JuUSQSssrIdyv-ZgnjebPIwFUfRXLPqez0rUUc4jZevTsmLUwnN9N9lteMZKqC3p0LCKk9seLs1h2B_lAxEdiTiaiv-T7aWKww-VRLn7FSxN01mTuog-U/s320/IMG_9705.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little girl, who turned 9 months old yesterday, is still wearing 3-6 month old clothes and on this particular day, was all smiles and full of character!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV4gFjM1Ogahium-xGoPI5PcSryTTFP4B_LQr32dZ6jS7bsw5ZiiSuc4_Gjbe7bG9MDVkWS29UNjFRZquHoB6T8XSV5iI_U5FZfcl4xvXs4kBfA3ftNkVuIdIq9ZVIWLmCvQ188Z2RH0/s1600/IMG_9720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV4gFjM1Ogahium-xGoPI5PcSryTTFP4B_LQr32dZ6jS7bsw5ZiiSuc4_Gjbe7bG9MDVkWS29UNjFRZquHoB6T8XSV5iI_U5FZfcl4xvXs4kBfA3ftNkVuIdIq9ZVIWLmCvQ188Z2RH0/s320/IMG_9720.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This train track runs right through downtown Summit, Mississippi, where Amanda's studio is located. These two handsome guys could NOT wait to play on it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All I could do was cringe at how dirty those baby blue pants of Taylor's were getting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPI-nH6Teh5LuaAsdDatf88TkqdG2fkHu46BCyv9pWe7iPfFu3soe7xHBGilWci65LcS4cNydeypKqaR_rH_c9OI30oDWJAoMsyUvRrfEozt4qoqRbwNVC4z-xaVT1RDF5tI5_oZMkyA/s1600/IMG_9740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPI-nH6Teh5LuaAsdDatf88TkqdG2fkHu46BCyv9pWe7iPfFu3soe7xHBGilWci65LcS4cNydeypKqaR_rH_c9OI30oDWJAoMsyUvRrfEozt4qoqRbwNVC4z-xaVT1RDF5tI5_oZMkyA/s320/IMG_9740.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you look closely, you can see how they looked by the final pictured...UGH!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUT...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taylor's Bebbi had this stuff...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKX9oL-tHGq1LHOLAufBej_6bU5DVxWfJ00k1oEQwoW4XwwTyl6uJo83Gr9Qx1Pgx13HpvLe1cdP1O3yKviv-Lhf65X_1NL9r-YF5B094U8ze-LbGSVo0SaaKUn8rKI-wwLesDB-wGTs/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKX9oL-tHGq1LHOLAufBej_6bU5DVxWfJ00k1oEQwoW4XwwTyl6uJo83Gr9Qx1Pgx13HpvLe1cdP1O3yKviv-Lhf65X_1NL9r-YF5B094U8ze-LbGSVo0SaaKUn8rKI-wwLesDB-wGTs/s320/photo.JPG" width="164" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And after a few washes and one treatment with Grandma's Secret Spot Remover...those pants don't have a trace of the railroad track anywhere on them! (You can get this at Hobby Lobby or Hancock Fabrics)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXgj6O3U0a7_Ms4DwQZpUCpXpxpL2Yo-7cHx1QGswdBhnvOu7Owy_9LNx-tF6rkiFXayMHw005oU9WV_hTJxGf9lTyeeUY90y6266Sf-H7xwxrtTKXlfvFUm5AHMlegnPzhLDtZzjABI/s1600/IMG_9772+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXgj6O3U0a7_Ms4DwQZpUCpXpxpL2Yo-7cHx1QGswdBhnvOu7Owy_9LNx-tF6rkiFXayMHw005oU9WV_hTJxGf9lTyeeUY90y6266Sf-H7xwxrtTKXlfvFUm5AHMlegnPzhLDtZzjABI/s320/IMG_9772+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Nfwn0gHRBpZ2RdVHubPhXnhsMNKXc8oXx18Mdbwhx7xcDKwiZ2vgFtNHkh0OkZVw7JzJ60S2dcWsJC_uauOagHMbOlX_5oA-qdoEKQsmdoavBRLK3crvw04wlbvFGc_9AZlrYs695mA/s1600/IMG_9785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Nfwn0gHRBpZ2RdVHubPhXnhsMNKXc8oXx18Mdbwhx7xcDKwiZ2vgFtNHkh0OkZVw7JzJ60S2dcWsJC_uauOagHMbOlX_5oA-qdoEKQsmdoavBRLK3crvw04wlbvFGc_9AZlrYs695mA/s320/IMG_9785.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Her daddy makes her smile so big! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uAoHsZeW1COflNQs-oJcWda6Fn50jCZ0QvfQYsCfuOjqa7wI-DGEB35o7gdc8mB0ggrTqmhhfIaovZBBHZLWGN8wnshn5JLrCOze5n9jC6JqmbNryyF5c31IEZ7y3q_ZDiArSdUFJqY/s1600/IMG_9810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uAoHsZeW1COflNQs-oJcWda6Fn50jCZ0QvfQYsCfuOjqa7wI-DGEB35o7gdc8mB0ggrTqmhhfIaovZBBHZLWGN8wnshn5JLrCOze5n9jC6JqmbNryyF5c31IEZ7y3q_ZDiArSdUFJqY/s320/IMG_9810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little stud muffin turned 2 this past July, and wouldn't crack a smile the entire morning. We had talked about it for weeks, he is used to having his picture taken by me all the time. He was just bound and determined to not let us get a single peep at those pearly whites. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpLoId9cjTGH9QZ6gFIPbUwrH-UlDZIDZtNN7gJlyLn3UCUp1RppQrOeVAQ4Ny9bOhZCaAju6FCKQAEbfNE536uVdjstPq6mCCk9AxHaCpBBWJj533gV81w2sh8Q1hNpxwN8lI3c8jO4/s1600/IMG_9815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpLoId9cjTGH9QZ6gFIPbUwrH-UlDZIDZtNN7gJlyLn3UCUp1RppQrOeVAQ4Ny9bOhZCaAju6FCKQAEbfNE536uVdjstPq6mCCk9AxHaCpBBWJj533gV81w2sh8Q1hNpxwN8lI3c8jO4/s320/IMG_9815.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You always wonder what went into a photo session to get some pretty amazing results. This not only epitomizes this day, but pretty much everyday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amanda was dying to use some new props for her time with Carrie Ann. My typed words wouldn't do these next few photographs justice...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeWtNFqg-GwdMYIrocY-tGOJpfjL6CP8pcWdjHmtF4qLPzxfshKxIUiOIkKVCOITuxgWlBIry34tFhBFNKTOdoOL_odSlHVqUUt0szx9Nbu4F7Y8cPROw4vujihHCfMOyLDR6_5CK-OU/s1600/IMG_9822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeWtNFqg-GwdMYIrocY-tGOJpfjL6CP8pcWdjHmtF4qLPzxfshKxIUiOIkKVCOITuxgWlBIry34tFhBFNKTOdoOL_odSlHVqUUt0szx9Nbu4F7Y8cPROw4vujihHCfMOyLDR6_5CK-OU/s320/IMG_9822.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylQBb3Jz_AaPjw5CCuqqmryeGCtg4GhM_6gz8CSdi4SQVUVDmtxptW7LvGhOczcCBQqy0V_RY7z8VuffAkFLqohLGJC0mGMOcDRwzbzU98pnmC9ZoYetZ7oUXouVX2Xgb5GUfqO-nLho/s1600/IMG_9836+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylQBb3Jz_AaPjw5CCuqqmryeGCtg4GhM_6gz8CSdi4SQVUVDmtxptW7LvGhOczcCBQqy0V_RY7z8VuffAkFLqohLGJC0mGMOcDRwzbzU98pnmC9ZoYetZ7oUXouVX2Xgb5GUfqO-nLho/s320/IMG_9836+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2ihTfu_wftVhtpl1RbMR6lf0Ra1eI0hGFVXQYkLjXWwJoJnrFPdOZGsWLuFdMJnmhHBc8jCHZhjPzZE_jLjHCQGNE1X3Fsa8gpfYw_HcJQVnIAMwuvNzVin6Khz9PbC3RF3EP3mH4X0/s1600/IMG_9840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2ihTfu_wftVhtpl1RbMR6lf0Ra1eI0hGFVXQYkLjXWwJoJnrFPdOZGsWLuFdMJnmhHBc8jCHZhjPzZE_jLjHCQGNE1X3Fsa8gpfYw_HcJQVnIAMwuvNzVin6Khz9PbC3RF3EP3mH4X0/s320/IMG_9840.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdKebwgLKJ6dLmAvFQHmKd7o1FbBleJsqjmJ6gKmeQ1vgiJCOEjtNXYdcGJRPiBfo2zy1MhkEfyefTuDEZGJ2aDf2LMfsbKK_GBMy8ZPwgV4NPpFg-75TtSlTiWGCrd1UVptWzNqG83M/s1600/IMG_9845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdKebwgLKJ6dLmAvFQHmKd7o1FbBleJsqjmJ6gKmeQ1vgiJCOEjtNXYdcGJRPiBfo2zy1MhkEfyefTuDEZGJ2aDf2LMfsbKK_GBMy8ZPwgV4NPpFg-75TtSlTiWGCrd1UVptWzNqG83M/s320/IMG_9845.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amanda, thanks for all your hard work. You definitely have an eye for the perfect shot and never cease to amaze me with your skill and talent! Keep up the great job!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 11px;"><br />
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<center><a href="http://reflectionsbyamandasmith.com/"><img alt="Make Time Stand Still www.reflectionsbyamandasmith.com" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4245221107_9298d2c6ba_m.jpg" /></a></center>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com4Summit, MS, USA31.2837867 -90.468431531.2654487 -90.497614 31.3021247 -90.43924899999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-7387391164885151342010-10-28T23:08:00.000-05:002010-10-28T23:08:41.223-05:00It's all he knows<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"> </span></span>I met a young man named Willie today. At least I thought he was young, I can't tell anymore, they seem to be younger and younger these days.<br />
He was pushing a broom around, dusting the floor. He was going back and forth. He had a raspy voice that was hard to understand. The stripes on his pants were the same mint green color that is on my bedroom walls.<br />
I've never met anyone like him before. I am naive. And seemingly, uneducated, at least for the day anyway. He comes from a world I have never known.<br />
He was about 6 feet tall. He was a trustee - "doing his time." Willie also delivers packages between the government buildings downtown. All I could think of was a big manilla interdepartmental envelope.<br />
He was bussed in this morning from a minimum security facility. He has 2 months left, well, as soon as the county jail reports the time he served detained there. Otherwise, Willie would be there until February.<br />
Naturally, I asked him what he did to get arrested. Proudly, he said he made checks. You make checks, say what? "Not like regular checks, business ones, like from Geico."<br />
Country girl here might have been around the world a few times, but it had been a long, long stressful day. Part of me wanted to laugh at the absurdity of his joy in breaking the law and the other half was praying, Oh Lord, you want me to say, what? The boy needed to hear the Truth! Total Moses moment. I wanted to make like Jonah and head to Tarshish.<br />
So, Willie, have you learned your lesson? Will you ever do it again. Through a grin, he assured me, if he had to, he would. Sad.<br />
Well, what are you going to do when you get out of here? Get a job that actually gives <i>you </i>a check and you don't have to make them yourself anymore? Of course not! It sounds so judgmental for me to say that, but I don't lie, he told me this himself. I did think it odd that he and the bail bondsman sitting next to me were on a first name basis, even knew that Willie was from Philadelphia and his mama goes by Miss Maddie.<br />
He was relaying a message to the bondsman to give to Miss Maddie. He's going on house arrest soon and needs her to send money.<br />
When he stepped out of earshot, I shook my head, asking, he's seems so proud to be a criminal, to break the law.<br />
In a sigh, the bondsman told me, "that's all he knows."<br />
The tones of the thoughts going crazy in my head changed.<br />
As Willie made his way back in our direction, the floor perfectly shining by now, he propped his broom against the snack machine and told me he had been doing it since he was 15 years old. I thought, cleaning government buildings? I think he understood my puzzled look. I was numb. My brain couldn't wrap itself around such things.<br />
"Naw, I went to college to learn about computers. Then, a guy there taught me how to <i>use</i> computers!" He said nodding and grinning with a smirk on his face. I couldn't help but giggle. It was 2 in the afternoon and I was having this conversation with only a banana in my stomach since 5:30 a.m.<br />
He was good at it too. He only got caught this time because he had a young, inexperienced guy working for him and he went to the wrong teller at the bank. He had a girl at the counter that would usually cash the checks for him. GASP!<br />
I asked him what he thought God thought about this. Was he not concerned about how this would look when he stands before the Lord one day? He assured me he was forgiven and He won't hold it against him. Even sadder. That's the Truth, but not the whole Truth.<br />
The subject was changed quickly to all the material possessions he had gained by ripping off banks and businesses. Cars, shoes, jackets, stereos, the list went on. He got to keep all of it, even after he was incarcerated. It's there at Miss Maddie's waiting on him. The authorities couldn't touch it. He had put it in his mama's name.<br />
I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, this is wrong!!! You should be shameful, embarrassed, somewhat remorseful, at least. But he was happy, almost gleeful. He was really good at making it look as if he was making the best of his bad situation.<br />
At least I knew now. Me and my big mouth. My nosey self. I just had to ask.<br />
I never expected his openness or willingness to share his story with me.<br />
I had seen Willie several times throughout the morning as I had traversed back and forth the government square. People walk by him all day, nodding to say hello, as we do here in the South. I wondered if they think the same things I think in those moments...wonder what he's in for? Oooh, did he kill somebody? Of course not, they wouldn't be a trustee if they killed somebody, would they? <br />
It doesn't really matter what I think, or his mama thinks, it matters what God thinks. God cares. He cares what Willie is going to do when his time is served. He knows Willie will most likely go back to the very same environment from which he came. He'll be faced with the same decisions again and again and again. But He loves him just as much as He loves my innocent toddlers. He cares about his soul.<br />
How can I show him grace and love if I don't open my mouth? People won't know I'm a daughter of the King if I just smile politely, open the door for them and try not to stare.<br />
Our conversation ended very soon thereafter when my business was complete.<br />
As I walked out of the building, Willie held the door, still clutching his broom. I thanked him and pointed my finger at him and told him to stay out of trouble. Just like a mama.<br />
I thought about Willie on the long drive home. I prayed for my friends who are a part of the jail ministry here in Tupelo and north Mississippi. <br />
It was a lemon of a day, but for this moment, it wasn't as bitter. I'll be back in that same place next week. Maybe Willie and I will meet again. I wasn't finished with our talk.Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-59774481165396212592010-08-05T22:24:00.000-05:002010-08-05T22:24:21.953-05:00Coming Clean Where in the world have I been? Because I sure haven't been camped out at my Lemonade Stand in quite some time! <br />
Mostly I've been playing on the floor with my 3 precious children! We celebrated Andrew's 2nd birthday in July and this month we have already celebrated Carrie Ann turning a half a year old and soon, haha, very soon, Taylor will be turning the big 4!!! Oh my word, I can't believe it! My babies are growing up and I feel like this time is so fleeting. <br />
When I look back at this time, 12 years from now, when Taylor is getting his driver's license, Andrew is growing hair in weird places and Carrie Ann begins rolling her eyes at me, I'm going to miss all the "controlled" chaos. <br />
It's days like today, when a simple trip to Lowe's leaves me wondering if my child would be okay after drinking the water from water falls in the garden center, that I want to remember the day as fun, easy. I don't want to miss a thing. I won't regret not turning my computer on for an entire month, spending every summer night letting my boys stay up late watching movies, or sitting on the couch with my husband til midnight watching detective shows.<br />
We've changed our routine, mixed things up a bit. The old one wasn't working out too well for me. The kids and I joined a gym. GASP! Yes, I actually exercised everyday this week! I might've broken a sweat once or twice, too! <br />
I've spent a lot of time in a little nook in my bedroom, in a place the boys have yet to look for me! Pouring out my thoughts, anxious ones at that, desires, prayers, cries and joys into a prayer journal. It's all muddled up in my head right now. Getting it down on paper makes things a little more clear. It's where I can come clean with my Lord, open His Word and saturate it with my tears-sad ones because I'm a mess, and grateful ones-because His promises are forever. He is merciful. I don't have to carry this heavy load. He sees each tear that falls and He is my strength. <br />
Needless to say, I've had a rough run of it these last few months. But I've remained on my knees. Stayed focused on the task I've been given. Tried to fight a good fight, even if Barney is singing in the background while I'm doing it! My house is clean, 3 burritos are wrapped snuggly in their beds, an unfinished craft needs finishing, the DVR is paused and 3 loads of laundry await my precise hand! <br />
I'll be back. Until then, enjoy these two songs I've been listening to lately by JJ Heller.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><object height="305" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hLjnaGpb5v4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hLjnaGpb5v4&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="305"></embed></object></div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-3452947439515589372010-07-14T15:58:00.000-05:002010-07-14T15:58:29.905-05:00My ending isn't the same...<div style="text-align: center;"> Somebody stole my journal and totally re-wrote this song! However, the ending isn't the same as my story!</div><div align="center"><embed align="middle" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="viewkey=ed817abf1907c2e2c2b2" height="270" name="tangle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" src="http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="330" wmode="transparent"></div></embed>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-16123763205815299152010-05-31T20:59:00.000-05:002010-05-31T20:59:24.468-05:00I. Can't. Function. We made it safely to the beach yesterday. For the most part, our 14+ hour road trip was uneventful...except for projectile throw-up, twice. We got all the way to the East Coast and my sunglasses broke. No biggee...I'm up for a new pair! Then the worst thing imaginable happened. My IPhone decided it's tired and it rolled over and died. <br />
I'm so lost. I'm so sick to my stomach. I haven't been able to stalk FB. Play Words or google everything under the sun! I can't even call my dad!!!!!! Do you remember when you knew everyone's telephone numbers? I do. I don't remember the numbers, but I remember the time before the age of the cell phone. And now, now I can't imagine life without my little white pocket computer. I can't even call my dad...I have no idea what his phone number is!!! I feel like I can't function without it. I know, it's a shame. Pitiful actually. <br />
Worst part...the part when the little ITunes notification came up saying it was hardware malfunction and it needed to be restored. Then upon clicking the Restore icon, it prompts me that <span style="font-size: x-large;">ALL</span><span style="font-size: small;"> my data would be lost if I restored my IPhone!!!!!!!!!!! It makes me sick to my stomach to think about losing all the pictures I have on that phone and hadn't backed up yet. Really!!!! As all kinds of worldly that it sounds, I am praying that my phone would be resurrected. If not, that at least all my pictures would be recovered. This surely isn't helping all that icky sand seem any more appealing. </span>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-64102492241864988772010-05-28T22:30:00.000-05:002010-05-28T22:30:42.467-05:00OBX or Bust Bright and early in the morning we'll load our entire gang up and head for the OBX. That's the Outer Banks of North Carolina! It'll take us 14 hours to get there. We plan to make the trip in 2 days, stopping at our beloved Hampton Inn and enjoying their free continental breakfast on Sunday morning. All the oatmeal Taylor can eat! He won't know what to do with himself!!! <br />
To be very honest with you, I personally could care less about the beach. Jim told me not to tell anyone that. But, I'd rather ride around the country in the car for a week than have to deal with all the sand, heat, loading and unloading. Plus- my kids are great riders. That's the one time Jim and I get to have long conversations in day light. Every Sunday night we load all 3 kiddos into the car for a 10 minute ride to Little Caesars. We can so easily tune out our kids when they are strapped in and aren't sticking their fingers in sockets or eating toothpaste. So while Jim has vacation-itis and can't wait to play in the sand everyday....I'm looking forward to the 14 hours of "seemingly" peace!!!Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-11779604585366903602010-05-16T15:56:00.001-05:002010-05-16T15:56:20.226-05:00My Daddy Just got off the phone with my daddy. He turned 79 this past December. We talked for 40 minutes about the garden, vacant land, leaky gutters and tomaters. It's raining in Meridian today and he told me he was lonesome. He got up early this morning and went down to his garden and found two of his butter bean plants weren't doing well. He then told me he dug through the deep freeze and found some old packets of canteloupe seeds, so he planted them. Maybe we'll have some later this summer.<br />
My dad is a diabetic and legally blind due to macular degeneration. Daddy said his arms were all bruised up because he had been working on the belt of the tiller and he couldn't see to do anything. He reminded me of the tiller. I remember it. I remember exactly where it always sat in the dirt floor of the barn beside the house. It' red and white and I always thought it would be cool to be able to use it. Man, that thing has got to be as old as me! It wouldn't pass all the safety requirements they have these days for sure. <br />
He wants a new four wheeler and he was insisting I bring his old one up here for my boys! Don't even get me started on all the reasons that is a very bad idea! He's had a rough couple of years, but I've been working on patching things up for him since last May. <br />
I've always been daddy's little girl and I guess I still am. He calls everyday to see how Carrie Ann is doing. I'm proud of him. He has finally started to call her by her actual name and not what he thinks it is or should be. He doesn't like her name. Daddy thinks I should have named her Patricia, because it's a pretty name. He says he can't see her, but that she looks just like me when I was that age. I'll take it! <br />
I could hear the swing squeaking. He was sitting on the front porch, listening to the water dripping out of the gutter. Said he was probably going to walk up to the neighbor's house and ask him to come take a look at it, because he can't see anything. <br />
Then he said, you know what I really want? What daddy, what do you really want? All he wants is some fresh rootabeggas, collard greens, butter beans and a pan of cornbread. Some good cornbread, he said. He said momma used to make them all the time for him and she just loved it that he ate them so much. He reminded me of all the fresh vegetables and tomaters that we'd spend all summer picking and storing in the deep freeze. I remember all the picking, shelling, blanching, canning, and pickeling. I even remember the sound of the pressure cooker, very vividly actually. Those were the good ole days to him. He said he couldn't see to cook any of it anymore and that the people who live with him won't cook it right. <br />
Yes, I am trying my darndest not to cry right now. It breaks my heart that he is not being taken care of in the ways that he needs. I go down to Meridian about every other week, just to take him to the barber shop and to the dry cleaner's to pick up his clothes. He has taken his clothes to the cleaner's ever since momma died. Said nobody can get them as stiff! Seriously, his blue-jeans pant legs can stand straight up! He's probably the only person in the world who takes holey, worn-out jeans to the dry cleaner's! <br />
We had to end our conversation when my two boys started jumping all over me and demanding attention. He said, okay, he just wanted to call and check on his little girl. He meant Carrie Ann. Told me to take care of her. I will daddy, I will. <br />
Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-54620189688254961132010-05-15T03:10:00.000-05:002010-05-15T03:10:02.377-05:00Worst Dessert Ever! I don't let Jim in my kitchen very often, and when I do, it's only as my sidekick. When he married me 5 years ago it was okay to have a dessert every night. I hadn't yet birthed <span style="font-size: large;">three </span>kids and had a job that kept me on my feet 8 hours a day. <br />
Now, well you know the story, my <span style="font-size: large;">sweet husband </span>requires a dessert <span style="font-size: large;">every night</span>. If I don't have something made he will scrounge through the pantry and fridge to see if we have the ingredients for whatever he is in the mood for. <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I got smart</span> a long time ago and started making him desserts that I didn't like just so it wouldn't be so hard to say no. But, there are only so many desserts that I am not going to like!!! Then I thought I was being <span style="font-size: large;">clever</span> when I just stopped making them, but that just opened the door for him to get into my kitchen and drive me batty. Yep, if I don't have a dessert, the <span style="font-size: large;">crazy man</span> gets in there and starts messing up my <span style="font-size: large;">kitchen</span>! It's not that he's not a good cook or anything, because he is, it's just that I'm afraid he might use the wrong side of the knife and put it back in the wrong place. And he really doesn't know the difference between Self-Rising and All-Purpose and I'd rather not explain the two! Just kidding. I'm just a control freak. <br />
Then one night, I had the <span style="font-size: large;">best-most-worst dessert</span> ever at a friend's house. She put a scoop of cookie dough in the bottom of an oven-safe bowl, baked it, and then served the cookie, in the bowl with a scoop of ice cream and chocolate syrup on top!!!!! <br />
You guessed it! I came home, made it for Jim and <span style="font-size: large;"><em>HE LOVED IT</em></span>. Big surprise, I loved it too!<br />
It's sooo awful, but so easy. And the best part is...it requires no messing up of my kitchen! I love it even more! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This has become my "go-to" dessert when I am not in the mood to make something or feel like thinking much that week. I make sure I always have the two key ingredients on hand: Ice Cream & Ready Bake cookies, like these: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rxo9bBGyqA-6FNlQVr8Xv2JIcsCcL0M8TtHFqWRj03Ob2ayO9VUzKlsMeQeDN2PWPq-tQekNCcFGyeea2MjeFqLOa_PYx12kFHUZV0OBxkBg91yOU2c1wMv7WfZ94tu5rib_Lib_4I0/s1600/100_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rxo9bBGyqA-6FNlQVr8Xv2JIcsCcL0M8TtHFqWRj03Ob2ayO9VUzKlsMeQeDN2PWPq-tQekNCcFGyeea2MjeFqLOa_PYx12kFHUZV0OBxkBg91yOU2c1wMv7WfZ94tu5rib_Lib_4I0/s320/100_2316.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">{If you are like me and don't want to be tempted with this dessert, you can do what I do and buy a type of cookie dough that you don't like!}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">The Tupelo Middle School Cheerleaders just came around selling those big tubs of cookie dough that you can keep in your fridge...Those are perfect for this dessert!</span></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, you will want a bowl like this. These are our everyday bowls that we use for everything.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BinY-zJ8yPEaurtIvUcyfkTHTS7wCPFCVrX1xmH8RKVYBx5s_UyxQDz49VgfsPiPfI3YxZ8WuEh2PEH-BA7PkS0CtHkWW62Mkf2EMXLDU55EAKdr9uOhzXeqDRZHoLqOGJamZ2hqikU/s1600/100_2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BinY-zJ8yPEaurtIvUcyfkTHTS7wCPFCVrX1xmH8RKVYBx5s_UyxQDz49VgfsPiPfI3YxZ8WuEh2PEH-BA7PkS0CtHkWW62Mkf2EMXLDU55EAKdr9uOhzXeqDRZHoLqOGJamZ2hqikU/s320/100_2315.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">But make sure it says this on the bottom::::::</span></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Oven Safe</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt_sBWQrnhyd-UiXv-Y10PirnsEJAJsf-VKV-88EkM4Ccw0cOi0J790bM8omtY7puIPg6Z6gfCwIX9DXw7dZo83oMA_PoQLqCXZJdh21Zi8Gs0jWVKUHVz66EoOk0mcDuBMWpaLA_ZjA/s1600/100_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt_sBWQrnhyd-UiXv-Y10PirnsEJAJsf-VKV-88EkM4Ccw0cOi0J790bM8omtY7puIPg6Z6gfCwIX9DXw7dZo83oMA_PoQLqCXZJdh21Zi8Gs0jWVKUHVz66EoOk0mcDuBMWpaLA_ZjA/s320/100_2313.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> Then you put a scoop, or 1-3 of those pre-cut cookies in the middle of the bowl. {I use 1, Jim uses 3!} </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">These cookie scoops in this pic are actually scoops of homemade cookie dough. I was making a batch and had enough left for 2 bowls of dessert. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhitsbiT49xTGuS_NZxlAoL9FNMdEqIIQvXylFS-09tcUMd9YjPu2oN4cJCSoyjtj8Oa_jrhCYTTCAIK-xUZIx7BmawVXT0rOjfDE7WncYS_3kcC1SyHAqhWYbRLM__knWVhryeyVSI8/s1600/100_2314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhitsbiT49xTGuS_NZxlAoL9FNMdEqIIQvXylFS-09tcUMd9YjPu2oN4cJCSoyjtj8Oa_jrhCYTTCAIK-xUZIx7BmawVXT0rOjfDE7WncYS_3kcC1SyHAqhWYbRLM__knWVhryeyVSI8/s320/100_2314.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Bake on 350 or whatever your cookie package recommends, for about 14 minutes. Top with a scoop, or two of your favorite ice cream and chocolate or caramel syrup and nuts...oh and the list just goes on! And that's it!!! You serve it in the bowls you make it in! See why I don't mind if Jim makes this one himself!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I suggest letting it cool for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven just so you can hold your bowl and ooh and ahhhh and let out a few mmmmmmmmmm's as you try to practice some self control and not lick the entire thing clean!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hLT_31lXTr6Alz_6BLeTC8jruWRuLJKIDnbQ2-6KMRzGxKWNht16ab96QgyVm9yeGmO6jZcKB9O5-_NCEoHd4xW0napzn4OgcdASYgFwFjY8zW3wsJIPwQN7gOwIYvdRqTTR5eCGwwo/s1600/100_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hLT_31lXTr6Alz_6BLeTC8jruWRuLJKIDnbQ2-6KMRzGxKWNht16ab96QgyVm9yeGmO6jZcKB9O5-_NCEoHd4xW0napzn4OgcdASYgFwFjY8zW3wsJIPwQN7gOwIYvdRqTTR5eCGwwo/s320/100_2317.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIW1GHwQhy5soQREhvQNrzwXBCMSIll72ohod3nWbihNy4cyfqircw9ourotxDq-sGCpGk6ugFNwJBLtJFyUdo_YWd4-d5a4yOPGYuodGWN4B3XTzm-BVm6mHVQn71QR-aiyPgGftqfk/s1600/100_2319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIW1GHwQhy5soQREhvQNrzwXBCMSIll72ohod3nWbihNy4cyfqircw9ourotxDq-sGCpGk6ugFNwJBLtJFyUdo_YWd4-d5a4yOPGYuodGWN4B3XTzm-BVm6mHVQn71QR-aiyPgGftqfk/s320/100_2319.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was out of chocolate syrup when I took these pics. Thank goodness!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsDEzneEl0UoahN1kwg_pplMh9ax3e7paRxgemgI3v1j86CeY3cRG0OnG_n_PEmVR2F2eXcryTm5G1ykOUkmw5qO0QVKPAqy5UqnS-MUO4m74SHsYtPb3naqvVuZOjDFdlg-9Ry4VOvc/s1600/100_2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsDEzneEl0UoahN1kwg_pplMh9ax3e7paRxgemgI3v1j86CeY3cRG0OnG_n_PEmVR2F2eXcryTm5G1ykOUkmw5qO0QVKPAqy5UqnS-MUO4m74SHsYtPb3naqvVuZOjDFdlg-9Ry4VOvc/s320/100_2318.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">You can thank me later for this one!</span></div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-69428085256354353252010-05-13T01:09:00.000-05:002010-05-13T01:09:36.738-05:00A Pound of Cake We leave for the beach in the Outer Banks in T-Minus 17 days and I still have 11 pounds of baby weight hanging out with me. I'm just like the next girl and I stress about my weight and jean size just like the next girl. I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to the beach vacation being planned so close to having a baby! {I really did miscalculate the timing...I even bought CA the cutest yellow-polka dotted bathing suit that is going to be way too big for her} <br />
So, ever since I got the go ahead from my doc, I've been <em>attempting </em>to exercise. haha! Mostly I've been walking at least 2+ miles most everyday, sometimes pushing 70 pounds of pure preciousness. I think I've done about a gazillion lunges. I gained about 22 pounds while I was pregnant, you can do the math...<br />
So with D-day quickly approaching. (That's the day I have to actually get the bathing suit out and try it on, just to make sure I can squeeze it all in, I wonder if they make any suits out of Spanx?). I've incorporated the help of my sweet neighbor, Virginia, and my very ripped and focused husband to help me. <br />
However, neither of these people are being very much help! I'll elaborate...<br />
Virginia's great, she and I have been walking together all week, but she enjoys my love for Creative Cake Cupcakes just like me!!! Enough said!<br />
And Jim....OH MY WORD!!!! He tried to teach me how to do a pull-up. But I think that bar in the closet is much better used as an extension to my clothes rack! I can't even do half a pull-up! I do good just to hold on! He told me if I would do those I would get ripped! RIGHT!!!! I'm sure he is right, but seriously. Tonight I asked him if he would help me work on my abs. He mentioned the number 500....500 what hun? Okay, we'll just do half. <br />
Then the nerve, oh the nerve....we got up off the floor and my sweet husband asks...Hey, we got the stuff to make that pound cake? Jim burns like 8,000 calories a day with all his running and all the other stuff he does. Eating a piece or two of pound cake right before he goes to bed can only help him! Me on the other hand, not only have no self control, I have no full factor since I've been nursing CA...I am <em>always</em> hungry! And the SUPERWIFE that I am, of course, I'm going to make him whatever he wants....because if I don't, he'll get my cookbook out and attempt to make it himself. <br />
He was hilarious! He smelled it when it was done baking. You should have seen his face when he saw it sitting on the counter. He made a beeline straight for it. That smile left real quick when I told him he had to wait 10 minutes. You would've thought he had gotten a bad time in a race. He was like a little kid. He walked around and around the kitchen island waiting for the thing to cool! He got the strawberries out and cut them up. Started to defrost the cool whip. He swung his arms back and forth. Like a kid at Christmas waiting for the grown-ups to stop talking and get on with the ripping open of gifts! <br />
The Pound Cake was surprisingly easy to make. All you have to have is:<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtHyGqFrDogThQYiil_v9POla_kUrIaH1Z4176lQzh5xAMuFmkG0mOKSHPaK-aEgRtjEbgJdcqI6-56vszExNkA6rWP0kzH0lhk1pbOBNEFRsLQz1KhWrFG-L2MsVUreED2dePwFMbL8/s1600/100_2618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtHyGqFrDogThQYiil_v9POla_kUrIaH1Z4176lQzh5xAMuFmkG0mOKSHPaK-aEgRtjEbgJdcqI6-56vszExNkA6rWP0kzH0lhk1pbOBNEFRsLQz1KhWrFG-L2MsVUreED2dePwFMbL8/s200/100_2618.JPG" width="200" wt="true" /></a>1 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">1/4 tsp Baking Powder</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">1/8 tsp Baking Soda</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">1/2 cup Sour Cream</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">1/2 cup butter</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">1 cup sugar</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">1/2 tsp vanilla</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">3 eggs</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Allow the butter, eggs and sour cream to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder and baking soda, until well blended. In a separate bowl, blend the butter at medium-high speed for 30 seconds. Slowly add the sugar. Continue blending until light and fluffy {about 10 minutes}.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFbvWwjoVmTVsHK4qcW-qBPf6nM8ttRQMTEZLpnDM4MIITwzHY29z2Ks3ymUV1MVKVjp7-UA8_Dbu2i_V82ehAOjJis1xbaIWFTousUfrX6NTtbJnU1Gr1iI-GSsMj75ImgooEFg16zw/s1600/100_2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFbvWwjoVmTVsHK4qcW-qBPf6nM8ttRQMTEZLpnDM4MIITwzHY29z2Ks3ymUV1MVKVjp7-UA8_Dbu2i_V82ehAOjJis1xbaIWFTousUfrX6NTtbJnU1Gr1iI-GSsMj75ImgooEFg16zw/s320/100_2621.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Blend in vanilla.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Blend in eggs, 1 at a time, blending mixture for 1 minute after each. Scrape sides of bowl frequently.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT75U9ZEQmdPSRgFFo2YCLfTTXvuDxzdYEvtqkVZduaXppE2IxLp673w1DG8zR-S9wbZpT4TAG-C1m3N-5UIQPy5epIGyCRXl5XjMhMqmcQBvHL3tAgzG0oqJCwCX6xGQwgkoSAAUzsm8/s1600/100_2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT75U9ZEQmdPSRgFFo2YCLfTTXvuDxzdYEvtqkVZduaXppE2IxLp673w1DG8zR-S9wbZpT4TAG-C1m3N-5UIQPy5epIGyCRXl5XjMhMqmcQBvHL3tAgzG0oqJCwCX6xGQwgkoSAAUzsm8/s320/100_2622.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Alternately add the flour mixture and sour cream, mixing at medium-low speed, just until combined. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD4tW8SKEVh_YCJGd7eoofe8uKeOh0lazklXscVINiqDNL1rIyofd3KBbpGS3utfI9JxmNGWhOmeXJpVX60_m82AbplXW0fGHXzCKzfnUdq3BYMn-im1jhVsEpVeD6dIeTKdm7V_GsiY/s1600/100_2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD4tW8SKEVh_YCJGd7eoofe8uKeOh0lazklXscVINiqDNL1rIyofd3KBbpGS3utfI9JxmNGWhOmeXJpVX60_m82AbplXW0fGHXzCKzfnUdq3BYMn-im1jhVsEpVeD6dIeTKdm7V_GsiY/s320/100_2623.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Pour into a floured loaf pan.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqgOwTpLM-psS6rdNU8dgEQjlHg9P-GdMZ1GQMX9_VMvmHCLeQhVXfMXC7cmjUgrTc82ZkpJJD8x-guNiwPhmZmkCMrLKANreD_Msn1HAx4WgLHRU_E5cOVuErUVTasL3tT6QfJQ5qXg/s1600/100_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqgOwTpLM-psS6rdNU8dgEQjlHg9P-GdMZ1GQMX9_VMvmHCLeQhVXfMXC7cmjUgrTc82ZkpJJD8x-guNiwPhmZmkCMrLKANreD_Msn1HAx4WgLHRU_E5cOVuErUVTasL3tT6QfJQ5qXg/s320/100_2624.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Bake for 60-75 minutes at 325 degrees or until the toothpick comes out clean. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgUeShbSx_jYFl3BjnzmrTCLfIeVOpaKAc8H2sdjP2K7fZA8LIz07DI4Swh5NCzbt5akkiIyO2hDAD904V3jcjWWl3I8DnctiA5Sr6JV6hHZz9Ty00SCApfKfKBATuqIyI-gq20imNPA/s1600/100_2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgUeShbSx_jYFl3BjnzmrTCLfIeVOpaKAc8H2sdjP2K7fZA8LIz07DI4Swh5NCzbt5akkiIyO2hDAD904V3jcjWWl3I8DnctiA5Sr6JV6hHZz9Ty00SCApfKfKBATuqIyI-gq20imNPA/s320/100_2625.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Let cool for ten minutes, remove from pan, cool. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiWYPPMuxdab3xPmZGIVhTwv9ML_HkEqJlwzgA2KcgQGqYVMqS5aJk3y5qomnhIWR33SFSiX_QBy6eKcZM0WsTyznOPo3-Ms86WE-338rDe33BGb_tNK52hQFAaQJznV03PikcSfBmnk/s1600/100_2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiWYPPMuxdab3xPmZGIVhTwv9ML_HkEqJlwzgA2KcgQGqYVMqS5aJk3y5qomnhIWR33SFSiX_QBy6eKcZM0WsTyznOPo3-Ms86WE-338rDe33BGb_tNK52hQFAaQJznV03PikcSfBmnk/s320/100_2626.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRifDOdRQ4rK-H36u8fFM-11cGM7FlQxFcRsAjdiA09djN0wkvPqNDTgF9o6xBQieGcEsJUJUsU6L6p22d2Nq0ZwEEBdFHDkCJufEFciW_lDFvTk88Q3GJeLrcJtDZtcsb9jPmhgIuZ1g/s1600/100_2628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRifDOdRQ4rK-H36u8fFM-11cGM7FlQxFcRsAjdiA09djN0wkvPqNDTgF9o6xBQieGcEsJUJUsU6L6p22d2Nq0ZwEEBdFHDkCJufEFciW_lDFvTk88Q3GJeLrcJtDZtcsb9jPmhgIuZ1g/s320/100_2628.JPG" width="240" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I used a paper plate....this was a super simple dessert that needed a super simple plate...and besides...it was 10:00 p.m. by the time Jim got to eat it!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysCsY2TndG3eRDYowyjxdWNebgcJCyeqiR1ypcQ914gHC8yrwPbTC9yRUUAbfeQIXZxMViIGlVp0mmxXqyz7MP1yDx0NsBE4IXwPGqX1LOYwD_5e7_bPPGkyWEpXYYfLWWo1L5Qfu3CY/s1600/100_2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysCsY2TndG3eRDYowyjxdWNebgcJCyeqiR1ypcQ914gHC8yrwPbTC9yRUUAbfeQIXZxMViIGlVp0mmxXqyz7MP1yDx0NsBE4IXwPGqX1LOYwD_5e7_bPPGkyWEpXYYfLWWo1L5Qfu3CY/s320/100_2629.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I love you hun!!!!</span></div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-86298928086907394822010-05-10T06:32:00.002-05:002010-05-10T09:50:07.573-05:00Mommy, he's pooping! We've reached one of the many hard parts of parenting a pre-schooler. Where certain moments warrant some very careful parenting. I think it's one of those instincts that are natural in little kids, like blinking and sucking---<span style="font-size: large;">TATTLING.</span><br />
Nobody likes a tattle-tale. I think it is sooooo annoying. Constantly it's, mommy, Andrew took my car. Mommy, he stole my cookie. It doesn't matter who it is or what it is. Mommy, daddy won't let me wear my football helmet to Church. Mommy, so and so pushed me. Mommy, mommy, mommy... It's hard to know whether or not the situation should be a teachable moment, especially if you did not witness the accused perpetrator of the wrongful act. <br />
Sometimes you see the actual shove. Do I say, Andrew, we don't push, that's not nice. Or do I say, Taylor, we don't tattle. Where do you find the balance? They are only 3 and 1 so I can't expect them to work all their problems out on their own, but a little lesson in conflict resolution can go a long way. <br />
Then, there are those situations where you wish your 3 year old would tattle. Like when the 1 year old is pouring out <em>ANOTHER</em> box of Panko bread crumbs on that blasted dry-clean only rug. Or when he's getting into the pantry for the fifth time, headed right for my flour. You really wish you heard that little whiny--<em>mommy </em>then!<br />
For instance...like tonight...Mommy, Andrew's pooping! Andrew's pooping! Andrew's pooping! I was in the kitchen, bathing Carrie Ann. It was hardly audible from there. Couldn't make it out very clearly, until the third time he screamed it. Jim was giving the boys a bath in our big bathtub. I think he was right there, but was taking care of some other business. I definitely couldn't leave what I was doing. I heard Jim taking control right away, telling them to stand here, stand there, do this...Obviously Taylor was telling the truth. <br />
That was one of those moments where being the tattle-tale was a good thing. We praised Taylor for telling us. Not that Jim wouldn't have noticed in the next few seconds anyway. But, we were proud of him. <br />
This parenting stuff can catch you off guard sometimes. So tell me, how do you teach your child the difference between good and bad tattling?Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-80464476564363687302010-05-09T20:30:00.000-05:002010-05-09T20:30:27.797-05:00Singin' in the Rain! Back, oh so long ago, before our little people got here and sleeping-in meant sleeping past 9 a.m., Jim and I ran out the front door of our house into the pouring rain. We laughed and frolicked {wierd word}, like little kids. I remember like it was yesterday. There's a certain smile you get when you do something that makes you forget every stress, tug and duty you have on your mind, even if it only lasts a few minutes. <br />
Sundays are rough. If you have little kids on eating and napping schedules, you know exactly what I am talking about. It all gets messed up. We always seem a little more stressed on Sundays than any other day. Just something about getting all, ahem, 5 of us now, out the door on time in pressed clothes and shoes, oh, don't forget shoes, hun. <br />
So last Sunday, when the monsoons came thru the South, I had a huge grin on my face when I told Jim I had a <span style="font-size: large;">GREAT</span><span style="font-size: small;"> idea! "After lunch, let's put on our swimsuits and go play in the rain!!! The boys will love it!" That smile I mentioned earlier, came across his face! Yippee!</span><br />
<div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It took Andrew a few minutes. His look is priceless.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRImnWBEVwQSf4OBSemJTe8Vks1UhdKBONngVUAIHG2zETsndzYe_00v5p6mIHejcNeAnJgNHrXdshLgzp9dOJaylaPrXTHF4Hr1hkVbGR9_h_4OmkLax2essPk2Lsei9BDE9WUHiqWQ/s1600/100_2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRImnWBEVwQSf4OBSemJTe8Vks1UhdKBONngVUAIHG2zETsndzYe_00v5p6mIHejcNeAnJgNHrXdshLgzp9dOJaylaPrXTHF4Hr1hkVbGR9_h_4OmkLax2essPk2Lsei9BDE9WUHiqWQ/s320/100_2583.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Daddy helped him out a little!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHqHGa2QbOdh6CeFdY7RXZULpKIzVOA4ETyIET4fu1fXEd7ROTKLLsVuLjNy4H0WUv8KA9KqJaAxXE6gSBMBNXxzutba870azsMTj31DHVDTDNfSI3NFo37XcCF8THUT9PJD9AmCSC1g/s1600/100_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHqHGa2QbOdh6CeFdY7RXZULpKIzVOA4ETyIET4fu1fXEd7ROTKLLsVuLjNy4H0WUv8KA9KqJaAxXE6gSBMBNXxzutba870azsMTj31DHVDTDNfSI3NFo37XcCF8THUT9PJD9AmCSC1g/s320/100_2587.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4lsQ5IhgqhlVf-2kkgQJgb8omktn3DjuaiKl5u5eB31rZQOL_KijNRXo8Rz2Qt_9ZgCPkGEUWNQ-EqR_Z3GYQn22pi66RNDG-VBSSRCj3k-3T10dnHtco_WfxP7uunYSxuPHk8V0Owg/s1600/100_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4lsQ5IhgqhlVf-2kkgQJgb8omktn3DjuaiKl5u5eB31rZQOL_KijNRXo8Rz2Qt_9ZgCPkGEUWNQ-EqR_Z3GYQn22pi66RNDG-VBSSRCj3k-3T10dnHtco_WfxP7uunYSxuPHk8V0Owg/s320/100_2585.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Taylor decided to go feet first.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BMkhAqjS1NY8J01UymShcBqMdIu2Qj3pfZdhiVkWw94UhTHJgiI6K8cXOaJm4Z5z9EYWFX8CxrTWOm7fHBNNsiJD8SMgqix43vstd74OH0O6gxnSIp2KmE69dbpIE8k2s5I-c6mT45g/s1600/100_2586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BMkhAqjS1NY8J01UymShcBqMdIu2Qj3pfZdhiVkWw94UhTHJgiI6K8cXOaJm4Z5z9EYWFX8CxrTWOm7fHBNNsiJD8SMgqix43vstd74OH0O6gxnSIp2KmE69dbpIE8k2s5I-c6mT45g/s320/100_2586.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">He doesn't really know what to think!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qht5AtjmhWOM3t9ygTCP6O8UF0WHhqD-cA-QCsQfmCUGqW0MJvKu_dczWurQElbYss-orxAop74T5lzFwH_F5x2hQhziws_ky5tYNWv2Fn-TwPAJkz3nL7VMQIeVuSqQvkauMyHbjTU/s1600/100_2591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qht5AtjmhWOM3t9ygTCP6O8UF0WHhqD-cA-QCsQfmCUGqW0MJvKu_dczWurQElbYss-orxAop74T5lzFwH_F5x2hQhziws_ky5tYNWv2Fn-TwPAJkz3nL7VMQIeVuSqQvkauMyHbjTU/s320/100_2591.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here comes the frolicking!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZKap6DjF9-zwLrP5F1cC47zD4az3cCZd_tt6GSIDvfQzgjx2NHS6UY3gRy43rBaJMJ6NcT-qXTm2Lat8_69739SjvmUUB5YNVvH91Z6GVzX5gzaEgpecoLGu9i0TVe4nd9lBnBFgln0/s1600/100_2597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZKap6DjF9-zwLrP5F1cC47zD4az3cCZd_tt6GSIDvfQzgjx2NHS6UY3gRy43rBaJMJ6NcT-qXTm2Lat8_69739SjvmUUB5YNVvH91Z6GVzX5gzaEgpecoLGu9i0TVe4nd9lBnBFgln0/s320/100_2597.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And splashing...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HFGt3m9JQmB25NeqN2Let2ZhDH7gCA3QB9pVY1UtAImRDvyLBHHTzODYMuKfmLMbc4doJyr4XbuVRj4VY3yq5xFA56l7K1BCx5F4Zl4gJOowXbmu73DPgdH4d0TJVqoiWJuvQVMZz80/s1600/100_2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HFGt3m9JQmB25NeqN2Let2ZhDH7gCA3QB9pVY1UtAImRDvyLBHHTzODYMuKfmLMbc4doJyr4XbuVRj4VY3yq5xFA56l7K1BCx5F4Zl4gJOowXbmu73DPgdH4d0TJVqoiWJuvQVMZz80/s320/100_2596.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNJ1Do_k33xFD0Zp8OL2MkBvE8lwUeizZCkSERbMgRJdcRqDs1-1cIeTmNgLI96mQGIfF6wE9jXD4JdnZ1R913GrCeA6MfKwLeNKdO051fU8nYlpbz11sT2ryX0b3snEmLxaFGy9vPt8/s1600/100_2598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNJ1Do_k33xFD0Zp8OL2MkBvE8lwUeizZCkSERbMgRJdcRqDs1-1cIeTmNgLI96mQGIfF6wE9jXD4JdnZ1R913GrCeA6MfKwLeNKdO051fU8nYlpbz11sT2ryX0b3snEmLxaFGy9vPt8/s320/100_2598.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I see it too!</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And running...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UQl4MvkPC_zRDdR-ibf2_BJYpD2crm-DMqYghkqAwPHsa86sHo_IGHsGW2GcNGJSg8vvmo5hqm-qpJon6FdjUe4bJfhVHK7NRQJs75EwmqDXxwD0M-xALnz-So4vymthQ-M2lv2TM3k/s1600/100_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UQl4MvkPC_zRDdR-ibf2_BJYpD2crm-DMqYghkqAwPHsa86sHo_IGHsGW2GcNGJSg8vvmo5hqm-qpJon6FdjUe4bJfhVHK7NRQJs75EwmqDXxwD0M-xALnz-So4vymthQ-M2lv2TM3k/s320/100_2594.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's that look I'm talking about...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRvMstesMvskdZl9iE5I2B4XiInfCWevQUA7qwyl1wdIkiJ8ekYbFQo-mwQB7zZWH8iI7DKJHjKhaDOKGS1N4MP0EkB0zuIhSnLe-nsYigTLk_wLSQhKMt0mBdpJIfjStNdHTVQMZyhI/s1600/100_2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRvMstesMvskdZl9iE5I2B4XiInfCWevQUA7qwyl1wdIkiJ8ekYbFQo-mwQB7zZWH8iI7DKJHjKhaDOKGS1N4MP0EkB0zuIhSnLe-nsYigTLk_wLSQhKMt0mBdpJIfjStNdHTVQMZyhI/s320/100_2593.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The poor turtle had a full load that day! He kept losing his shell.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXojQLj2yDh-_3d-UP9dCD_KDBDwAXTOWq7EBz2jE2TQ1HFj1n8WCqwtPMD1o1dpmemFFvguInoj-gD4Byt3Tbwpv6Deaiml4q_KE5uDFRfE9lcc7OfHvSr6DevzPd6HpoaUf1-5Hy14/s1600/100_2595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXojQLj2yDh-_3d-UP9dCD_KDBDwAXTOWq7EBz2jE2TQ1HFj1n8WCqwtPMD1o1dpmemFFvguInoj-gD4Byt3Tbwpv6Deaiml4q_KE5uDFRfE9lcc7OfHvSr6DevzPd6HpoaUf1-5Hy14/s320/100_2595.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We created fun, simple, free memories! And no one has come down with pneumonia...yet!</div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-21873731718972783792010-05-09T08:36:00.002-05:002010-05-09T08:36:00.432-05:00Fly home little Birdie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember the birdhouse that Grandpa Adrian helped Taylor make...<a href="http://herlemonadestand.blogspot.com/2010/02/house-for-birds.html">A House for the Birds</a>....well, we finally hung them out for the birds!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jim scoped out a branch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XWQecy8MiX3PX-5RnBqWIinscQ4VO8WAFu8G2xO9LOSqPvPbVLipf8SUgwJ9eyz4yTYfLpkkZA4fcmUZ_ViAb9EAs-oUVAmoZIkoI9G1ymqYarZN2tNohd8Xrn4lbukN_GZpCLgXtnE/s1600/100_2549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XWQecy8MiX3PX-5RnBqWIinscQ4VO8WAFu8G2xO9LOSqPvPbVLipf8SUgwJ9eyz4yTYfLpkkZA4fcmUZ_ViAb9EAs-oUVAmoZIkoI9G1ymqYarZN2tNohd8Xrn4lbukN_GZpCLgXtnE/s320/100_2549.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys helped too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAEMvZPCVH4k5oEoDgk486gNiliM4Yx422mdu3-hhdk4PJk1shuZfXmn7ovuDTCV-k4nq30wPGrS4u66hLWnHRGEPcuyo7cX8M4WROC258uQmNAw4TtWHt5-pSs2HgSlxPrVVf6Q9vxw/s1600/100_2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAEMvZPCVH4k5oEoDgk486gNiliM4Yx422mdu3-hhdk4PJk1shuZfXmn7ovuDTCV-k4nq30wPGrS4u66hLWnHRGEPcuyo7cX8M4WROC258uQmNAw4TtWHt5-pSs2HgSlxPrVVf6Q9vxw/s320/100_2550.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jim filled the birdhouse with birdseed. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUTYYZlNs9myk3nFxzegctHPgVYKan6TD295RLWJFfdgM87ewsRzcSgLF4yhs7Qz29lacOs1FLH5aN8uGZp7YhnvKtTbBbVlTPTeBaG6AsQ3vIW9BX0dFs5K_nltfVQ9nLC0MefP0PU4/s1600/100_2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUTYYZlNs9myk3nFxzegctHPgVYKan6TD295RLWJFfdgM87ewsRzcSgLF4yhs7Qz29lacOs1FLH5aN8uGZp7YhnvKtTbBbVlTPTeBaG6AsQ3vIW9BX0dFs5K_nltfVQ9nLC0MefP0PU4/s320/100_2551.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">{He looks cute using a screwdriver!}</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Look!!! Tweet, tweet...come on birdies....perfect little house just waiting for you!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-FgsXRU7JYGNv6GHrREspKq730Ws6ncSK9_YeiSw3Eo3v32FWifMhXDD2y01odg-WNYE4JQBth4H7DgOjyKeOEqE0apcV9RYDrK-yaecOWpw4G6-eed-XTU4zaUYUFTRFHL-6-ZxxeY/s1600/100_2554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-FgsXRU7JYGNv6GHrREspKq730Ws6ncSK9_YeiSw3Eo3v32FWifMhXDD2y01odg-WNYE4JQBth4H7DgOjyKeOEqE0apcV9RYDrK-yaecOWpw4G6-eed-XTU4zaUYUFTRFHL-6-ZxxeY/s320/100_2554.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We got a hummingbird feeder as well! Jim doesn't have much faith in it attracting any hummingbirds, so watch for those pics so I can make a believer out of him! ha!<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUVQTojNXK1qzrDCFSQ8qzmzjgKksGbRaEWRScvsE1GH-GO84rH6U7lK12xQ_phmWmzp_chWYH0kIOw4GKvnNGlvvvu7JqrMa4wLcjda32MXAaejxnH-2CTwr9ZMLznzyKw3BTnKhRSk/s320/100_2558.JPG" tt="true" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8ef2PEt-_fNcllMmfhLfFdn67LZcnAoDjCIukcgw-qrAOWlmk_TjxZrwWA510R2oY7gGcoyecPUZQegjHRYtU1UqA0sFUkPlvReM5aJ4ZNGSqCfQuU5NaCLUkHx41u-VzEW2hVrjgv8/s1600/100_2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8ef2PEt-_fNcllMmfhLfFdn67LZcnAoDjCIukcgw-qrAOWlmk_TjxZrwWA510R2oY7gGcoyecPUZQegjHRYtU1UqA0sFUkPlvReM5aJ4ZNGSqCfQuU5NaCLUkHx41u-VzEW2hVrjgv8/s320/100_2556.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vjTbDEuEsTSmvk-s7Mb1y-RGxvo0UmtkGNTszT7T9u2cBfJOEeJ-nizyTyCL4tBBZBMmdsPV20X1rhnJNjcQPdw3D_9WikWQY6bybjRv_GblpZU-AeYb_kz-XYUbore1_OKEIFZ04dg/s1600/100_2553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vjTbDEuEsTSmvk-s7Mb1y-RGxvo0UmtkGNTszT7T9u2cBfJOEeJ-nizyTyCL4tBBZBMmdsPV20X1rhnJNjcQPdw3D_9WikWQY6bybjRv_GblpZU-AeYb_kz-XYUbore1_OKEIFZ04dg/s320/100_2553.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-28752207214683588892010-05-08T00:04:00.000-05:002010-05-08T00:04:04.687-05:00Our inner Rachel Ray! You never know what to expect when you head off to cooking club! Get 13 ladies together and over appetizers and around the table you'll hear topics such as- freon gas {yep, apparently it makes the air conditioners work}, the relationship between heroine and pacifiers, facebook, bullying and washing lettuce and cabbage. It's a blast and I look forward to it every month! We get to talking and going on and on about stuff and forget the clock! It's so much fun-we get to let our inner Rachel Ray's come out to play! Tonight, however, I was interrupted by texts from Jim that my little milkaholic needed her mama. So I had to head out, but not before indulging in a very very delicious dinner. {For the compiled list of dishes, <a href="http://herlemonadestand.blogspot.com/p/cooking-club.html">click here</a>}<br />
<div align="center">Julie served the <span style="color: #cc0000;">White Bean & Bacon Dip</span>, pg 70, along with the <span style="color: #cc0000;">Rosemary Pita Chips</span>, pg 77. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/badefb1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/badefb1e.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">Jennifer made the best beverage: <span style="color: #cc0000;">Tao's Punch</span>, pg 100. I couldn't get enough of this stuff!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/7e890f22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/7e890f22.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Debbie brought <span style="color: #cc0000;">Baked Potato Soup</span>, pg 547. she didn't like it, but I thought it was GREAT!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ETcVIy0e3IwC1iBFI4MEp6UnQUG-xa5KYAJGhaORWl7nrdfoApv3Ire26W4Da0BEvKHE3qI9HGvEQ5i7YyRoB6x5Ox6JhpQzscgVAhK0NE1qT7iz_E4XEeIk0luIWAux98bXjqtUl9I/s1600/potato-soup-ck-1654706-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ETcVIy0e3IwC1iBFI4MEp6UnQUG-xa5KYAJGhaORWl7nrdfoApv3Ire26W4Da0BEvKHE3qI9HGvEQ5i7YyRoB6x5Ox6JhpQzscgVAhK0NE1qT7iz_E4XEeIk0luIWAux98bXjqtUl9I/s320/potato-soup-ck-1654706-l.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">{pic borrowed from cookinglight.com}</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Tiffany paired her <span style="color: #cc0000;">Simple Slaw</span>, pg 463 really well with the main dish! It was great and I will definitely be repeating this one!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/f170a743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/f170a743.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Wendy hit a homerun with the <span style="color: #cc0000;">Crisp-Crusted Catfish</span>, pg 283!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/82645867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/82645867.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Everyone raved over Lori's <span style="color: #cc0000;">Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter</span>, pg 580. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/c161d758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/c161d758.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Melanie, wow girl...I love me some mac & cheese and this one was a winner! <span style="color: #cc0000;">Creamy Four-Cheese Macaroni</span>, pg 331.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/7aadb62c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/7aadb62c.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sallie Belle's <span style="color: #cc0000;">Parmesan and Cracked Pepper Grissini</span>, pg 139, could be paired with just about any meal!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/32d25c5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/32d25c5a.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa, oh Lisa...that<span style="color: #cc0000;"> Strawberry Shortcake</span>, pg 168 was sosme kind of good!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4850ce04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/4850ce04.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{And don't you just love Wendy's dishes...what a sweet Mother's Day gift!!!}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we already saw my dessert{<span style="color: #ffd966;"><a href="http://herlemonadestand.blogspot.com/2010/05/good-ole-molasses-cookies.html">here</a></span>}...the <span style="color: #cc0000;">Molasses Cookies,</span> pg 194 that were so yummy and yet so healthy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2614.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll be soaking up the sun during next month's club meeting, but Wendy is filling in for me..thanks girl! Have fun at Julie's house!!! </div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485027486388955987.post-38289287575629578932010-05-07T13:17:00.001-05:002010-05-07T22:31:19.633-05:00Good ole Molasses Cookies It's Cooking Club time tonight!!! I love the first Friday of every month! As I mentioned before we are going through Cooking Light, The Complete Cookbook: A Fresh New Way to Cook. This month I have to bring a dessert. This cookbook is full of fun dessert recipes, but I'm going to go simple tonight. I am headed to the kitchen right now to start on Molasses Cookies. <br />
One of the purposes of our Club is to try new things, and to see what something looks and tastes like and what worked and didn't work for certain recipes. I re-make at least one or two things from each month's club. It's sooo much fun!!! This month's choice for cookies is to remind myself to go back to something basic and simple! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2614.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div> Here we go and I am sooooo glad that I didn't eat these things before I got to Wendy's house... they are just that good! AND....they are actually low fat!!! Yah, check out the recipe to see how these delish cookies can actually be considered a healthy choice!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> First though, I want to show you what you do when your oven is on 375, your hands soaked in cooking oil and all three of your kids wake up from their naps:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD84C4uHnprR3oVJRWC9D900Hu7RAzNNwnE7dCa26Id-i2UlE3HRtNeFM4z_MGH9p8FdnJ25EqYb4Ob74oZJN_yQ-ro0yj4K_qp4sLZ920FIO3fSYdOk6fWRb2nho03EGL5tf9QWT-cc/s1600/100_2615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD84C4uHnprR3oVJRWC9D900Hu7RAzNNwnE7dCa26Id-i2UlE3HRtNeFM4z_MGH9p8FdnJ25EqYb4Ob74oZJN_yQ-ro0yj4K_qp4sLZ920FIO3fSYdOk6fWRb2nho03EGL5tf9QWT-cc/s320/100_2615.JPG" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Yah, I know...she looks real excited to be there doesn't she!! </div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, back to the cookies... {I usually preheat my oven before I do anything, but wait...don't heat it up until you put the dough in the freezer. There will be plenty of time to heat it up then.}</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">You will need:</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 cup applesauce</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/4 cups sugar, divided </div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">6 Tbs butter, softened</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1/4 cup dark molasses</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 large egg</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 cup all-purpose flour</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 cup whole wheat pastry flour</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tsps baking soda</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp salt</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp ground ginger</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp ground gloves</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Cooking spray</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2600.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the picture that looks like a lot, but really these were super, super easy.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Spoon applesauce onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels, let stand 5 minutes. {I used 3 regular absorbant paper towels on top and bottom} Scrape into a bowl using a rubber spatula.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2601.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2602.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Combine the applesauce, 1 cup of the sugar and butter; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended {about 3 minutes} </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2603.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Add molasses and egg; beat well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2604.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2606.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">3. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups, level with a knife. Combine flours and baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves, stirring well with a whisk. {I used whole wheat flour, instead of ww pastry flour. If you do so, you can sub with 1 cup whole wheat flour minus 2 Tbs whole wheat flour for the 1 cup wheat pastry flour.} Add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating until blended.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2605.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Cover and freeze 30 minutes or until firm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2607.jpg" tt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Preheat oven to 375.</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. With moist hands, shape dough into 32 (1 -inch) {My batch made 48} Roll balls into 1/4 cup of sugar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2610.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Place 3 inches apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. <span style="font-size: large;">{I heart my silpat pad!} </span><span style="font-size: small;">That's a silicone baking pad that <em>nothing</em> sticks to!!! It realllly is the best thing since sliced bread!!! I use it for everything. If you don't have one, seriously, get off this computer and go get you one!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2609.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes. {8 minutes makes them good and chewy!}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2611.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/Daizy2911/molasses%20cookies/100_2613.jpg" tt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Now all you need is a very cold cup of milk and a comfy chair!!!!!</div>Candisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314120377556335261noreply@blogger.com0