Friday, October 30, 2009

halloween...take two

J has is on a total magician kick and has us refer to him as j the great. I love that he still likes to pretend...he's getting pretty tricky with those magic tricks too. he's even fooled matt and i a couple of times. my favorite trick though is when he had a fishie cracker in his hand and told us he would make it disappear. he turned around and we could hear crunching {as he ate it} and turned back around with an empty hand. {i'm so glad that kindergarten hasn't totally robbed him of his childhood!}
this little missy always wants things her own special way. as we were walking down the isles of target trying to get ideas for a costume, she would touch every costume and say, "nope, nope, no way, nope..." then as we were in the checkout line, she looks at me and says, "i want to be a cupcake...let's go to joann's and get some fabric. i'll cut out the sprinkles!" and cut out the sprinkles she did. we had fun making this costume together. i even taught her a thing or two on the sewing machine. she would sit on my lap and lower the presser foot and guide the fabric through while my foot handled the foot pedal. she also painted the styrofoam ball that became the cherry on top. she was upset when i crocheted her hat and didn't teach her how because i told her it was a little tricky for a 4-year-old. she finally resolved that i can teach her that when she's 10. i love making crafting memories with my girl.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

falling leaves


change is good...even if it is from fall to winter. the kids had so much fun today playing in our yard, and i had fun snapping pictures of them. today was beautiful. we hit 60 degrees...so the air was crisp {but not too chilly} and the foliage - gorgeous. i picked leaves out of G's hair for 10 minutes...totally worth it. super baby kept trying to eat the leaves and J & G would rake them into piles and then throw them all over the place...even if daddy already used the leaf blower to get them off the driveway...ooops! have fun driving over that tomorrow!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

my yard







{i'm in love with my views...sigh...}

Friday, October 16, 2009

halloween...take one


tonight we had our first halloween party...i don't have their "for reals" costumes done yet, so thank goodness for our dress-up box. {and thank goodness for TARGET'S 90% sale last year on costumes}. we went to a sheep barn to a party for matt's classmates and their families. let the sugar overload begin.

Monday, October 12, 2009

a walk through the park



we like to go for walks on sundays...even when it's 48 degrees outside. oh, we love the fall...but i want to cry thinking about winter. so we are enjoying every last bit of these beautiful days with the beautiful scene all around us.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

that midwest charm

we took a little drive {this shot is out my car widow while driving} to our favorite fall festival...this was our 3rd year there. it's become a bit of a tradition. it was the epitome of a perfect fall day. the air was crisp, the leaves were gorgeous...and the company {my family} was the best.


destination: BURNHAM ORCHARDS


oh how we love the fall...sigh...


the clouds were amazing


wouldn't this be the best house to live in?


busy bees makin' their honey


feedin' some goats.


pickin' some pumkins


some gourdes and squash for good measure.


and we're pooped by the end.
you want my cute bear snuggly...go {here}.
thanks nana for the outfit...it kept me so warm.
you want my super cute binki clip...go {here}.

Friday, October 9, 2009

mmm, mmm, {hawaiian-style} good

my mom got this recipe from a gal at church who's from hawaii...after i made it my hubby said, "this is amazing stuff". it totally is...and it's low calorie too {wink, wink}. it's really easy to make, just lots of ingredients.


HAWAIIAN BANANA BREAD
ingredients:
*3 ripe bananas, smashed
*1/3 C melted butter
*2-3 Tbs milk
*1 C sugar
*1 egg, beaten
*1 tsp vanilla
*1 tsp baking soda
*pinch of salt
*1 & 1/2 C flour
*2 handfuls coconut flakes
*2 handfuls of macadamia nuts
*2 handfuls milk chocolate chips

instructions:
*no need for a mixer for this recipe
*preheat oven to 350 degrees
*mix butter into the mashed bananas in large mixing bowl
*mix in milk
*mix in sugar, egg, and vanilla
*sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. add the flour last, mix.
*pour mixture into 1 buttered 4/8 loaf pan or 4 mini loaf pans.
*add the coconut, macadamia nuts, & chocolate chips to the top and "fork-whirl" it around
*for large loaf, bake 1 hour & 15 min - 1 hour & 30 min
*for mini loafs, bake 30 min -50 min
*the bread should slightly crack at the top, and coconut will be dark brown...make sure you can stick a toothpick in and pull it out with nothing on it.
*cool for 15-20 min
*remove from pan and drizzle icing on top

icing:
*1/2 C - 3/4 C powdered sugar
*3-4 cap fulls of milk
*mix two together until the consistency is bright white and runs slowly off the spoon. add more powdered sugar or milk to reach desired consistency. Make sure it's not too runny b/c it won't stick to the bread.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

soft molasses sugar cookies

{meet my new cookie jar from bath & body works.}


{and the perfect cookies to fill it}


{and some to give away}


molasses sugar cookies
3/4 C shortening
1 C sugar
1/4 C molasses
1 egg
2 C flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

melt shortening in saucepan, remove from heat. add sugar, molasses & egg. Beat well with beaters (i beat it right in the pan). Stir in dry ingredients (i add right to pan...no need to do more dishes!) DON'T beat with beater! stir in with spoon...it makes the cookies softer. Chill for at least 1 hour. Form into 1" balls and roll in white granulated sugar. place on cookie sheet 2" apart and bake 6-8 min @ 375 degrees.