What is cute and fluffy and white all over?

The newest member of our Family!

Meet Princess Sophie-

See, she is Cute (would I let anything not cute chew on my camera strap?!?!?!?)-

And she is Fluffy (she is non-shedding so that means lots of brushing)-

And she is White all over (blends in with the snow, note to self- do NOT let puppy out in snow storms)-

Princess Sophie is a Bichon Frise, she is 8 weeks old and very sweet. She was a gift to the kiddos from their Grandma, and Auntie.
How can you tell that she's a Princess you might ask? - For the simple fact that her servants -Minions- CARRY her everywhere.

Minion #1

Minion #2

(Minions #3 and #4 haven't been photographed in the act yet)

She is adorable and we are loving her bunches, I'm glad that she came just in time for Thanksgiving break so the kiddos can enjoy her lots before going back to the daily school grind.

We are sending out a great big THANK YOU to Grandma L and Aunt J!!!!!


I also want to send out a HELLO to my new Followers, and old of course, you guys Rock :)
I am always surprised at how small the blog world is, and it's full of so many great people and great stuff! I love it :)

I try to follow those who follow my Blog and I will comment on blogs that leave comments on mine. Sometime I can't get to or find a blog when a new person follows me, I think that is what happened with this great Blog-

Our Journey-
But I found you now! Super cute blog :)

The Mother Load-
Who is having a really great Giveaway right now!

A Nut in a Nutshell-
Fun to read and has lots of great book deals!

Menopausal New Mom-
Who makes me laugh, very fun :)

And Wishmaster-
Whom I don't know much about except I do know they have a New Moon preview on their side bar so that works for me!

I hope everyone is having a great Monday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Okay, Okay I know I am a little bit early. But I just got my turkey into the fridge to thaw and I got all excited!!!! The kids are out of school for the next week and I don't really think I am going to get anything else posted until after Thanksgiving. Soooooo I thought I would post my Thanksgiving Menu and recipes and ask for a little teeny weeny bit of help. First the recipes, then the help k?

Crockpot Wassail

I am making Turkey (duh, of course), I really wanted to try brining (spelled?) it but I don't think I am brave enough, maybe next year. I am however going to make a Rosemary, Sage Butter to stick under the skin and rub all over my Turkey- Yum :)

Stuffing, Stove Top, I am not a big stuffing fan or I would mess with it more I guess. Hubby is the stuffing fan and He likes Stove Top so that's how we roll around here.


Fluffy Whipped Mashed Potatoes

Turkey and Onion Gravy

Green Bean Casserole- still undecided if this is happening.

Veggie Platter

Baked Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingred;
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, quartered
1/4c. butter
1/4c. cream
1t. vanilla
1/2t. cinnamon
1T. brown sugar

Topping;
1/2c. pecans
1/2c. brown sugar
1/2t. cinnamon

Oven 350
Boil sweet potatoes until soft, drain, whip with remaining ingredients. Spread into and 8x8 baking dish. Sprinkle with the topping ingredients in the order given. Bake for about 20 min. Turn oven to broil, watch it closely I think I cooked it about 3 minutes on broil. Serve hot.

Rolls- my favorite recipe is here at AR.

My Gram's Lemon Fluff recipe- turned blue :) (I will post this later with a picture)

Pumpkin Pie


Banana Cream Pie- AR

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie- AR

Eggnog Creme Brulee


Raspberry Tiramisu

For appetizers- or game time later that evening-
I am making my Salmon cheeseball
and the Green olive Artichoke Dip- with leftover rolls.

Just posting all that made me feel stuffed!
Now I know I went a little crazy with the desserts but it's my favorite part :)
I was looking over my Menu and realized there was something missing............ Did you notice? Go look again, I will wait.............. Yes, you're right CHOCOLATE!!!!! How could I have forgotten the Chocolate!!!
I really can't decide what to make though, I already have 3 pies and I don't really feel like a cake would work. So I am asking all of you for help, pretty pretty please :) With Vanilla Sugar on top???
I need an amazing chocolate recipe to round out my Menu and I am counting on YOU.

Thank you all and if I don't post again until after the Big Day-

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Cookies, Cookies and more COOKIES-

So remember yesterday when I said I was off to make cookies?? I made cookies alright, it's been awhile so I went a little overboard, I wanted to have them for Thanksgiving and to try out some new ones to practice for Christmas cookies. The result? LOTS of cookies!! :)
Not that anyone is complaining around here :)

This first cookie is a variation of a cookie my Gram used to make, it's her recipe.

We always went to my Grandparents house for Thanksgiving and the cookie jar was ALWAYS full. As my Grandparents got older sometimes there would be store bought cookies in it and my Gram would joke and say that Grandpa made the cookies, because he was the one who did the shopping.
When she made cookies it was always a huge batch and when it got to the end of the stirring she would call Grandpa in to help her stir. They are the sweetest couple in the world, they were definitely made for each other.
They, very conservatively, had only 2 children, a girl and a boy, who then went on to give them 17 grandchildren, lol. As for Great-Grandchildren I am making a guess of 30 + 2 on the way. They had no idea it would happen that way :)
My Wonderful Grandpa passed away last year and he is very much missed. The holidays last year were really hard, I thought this year might be easier but I know he is still missed much by all. He had a long battle with Parkinsons, cancer and heart problems so I know he is no longer in pain, but I still miss him very much.

Cookies, back to the cookies, this cookie is my favorite of hers. I have many happy memories of making these with her-

Thumbprints

Ingred;
1-1/4c. flour
3T. sugar
1/2c. butter

Oven 325
Stir together the flour and sugar- cut in the butter- if dough is too dry add in a little water.
Roll into balls, place on greased cookies sheet and make thumbprint in them. Bake for 15-18 minutes. When done immediately fill with jam or jelly.

I added green food coloring and mint flavoring to the dough. Then I made a chocolate mint ganache for the filling-
1/4c. chocolate mint coffee cream
3/4c. chocolate chips.
Then topped them with andes mints.

These are called Monkey Peanut Butter Bars I got the recipe for AR, they turned out pretty good, the peanut butter frosting needs to be doubled though. The recipe is HERE.

Then I made an old favorite from AR- Big Soft Ginger Cookies. These are Awesome. Recipe is HERE.

And last, and my childrens favorite of the bunch, Andes Creme De Menthe Chunk Cookies, from Donna's- My Tasty Treasures- Thank You Donna! The only thing I did different, I didn't chill the dough like I was suppose to, I just went ahead and baked it. No patience, remember? :)

The result of my crazed baking?

COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!!!!!

Tagged and Pinned

No recipes today just a few special awards and a Tag :) :)

I received this Tag from my friend over at Who has the Thyme?
She very sweetly passed it on to me, the rules to this are pretty simple-
If you are tagged you must list five things that make you a
true, authentic mom, and then pass along the tag to five other deserving moms.

My list of five reason why I think I am The True Authentic Mom are-

1- I have said the dreaded- "because I'M the MOM that's why!!!" phrase more than I can count.

2- When I am given free time away from my darling monsters, in the back of my mind I am STILL obsessing and worrying about what they are doing, and if they are OK.

3- I can talk on the phone, help 3 kids with homework, make dinner, find a missing shoe, bake cookies for the bake sale, and yell at the dog all at the same time.

4- I know where to find everything that everyone is missing. Now if only I could find my OWN stuff, or brain, or SANITY!

5-I dread the day when my youngest turns 18 and leaves my nest. When I will no longer be needed to find a lost shoe, or give a healing hug/kiss, or help with homework. When I have no little sticky hand to hold or face to wash. When my Babies are all grown-up I don't know what I will do with myself. I have been a mother my entire adult life, from the time I was 18 so it will be quite a new phase in my life.

Now I was out of the loop when this was being given out so if you have already received this award I apologize. I am passing this on to 5 THETA Moms who inspire me :)

1- Betty- who guides her son with a gentle loving hand, I am learning from her that I need to not hold on too tightly to my children, I need to let them grow and stretch, try and fail, live and learn- Thank you Betty.

2-Chicago Mom- her daughter is her number one concern and her life revolves around her, she has such a sweet giving spirit, it shines through each and every post she writes- Thank you CM.

3-Donna- My Tasty Treasures- for her amazing juggling abilities, she juggle all those kids, cooking, blogging, working AND keeping her love life hot at all times. I have gotten TONS of great new favorite recipes from her wonderful blog- Thank you Donna.

4-Kys- Stir fry Awesomeness- I don't know how you do all you do, you are a great inspiration to me, also I have no clue what I would do with 2 crazy boys :) Plus she always finds time to leave me sweet comments- Thank you Kys.

5-Willoughby- she and her children seem so close, and they have so much fun together I love that. Her blog always has something beautiful going on and she taught me that its OK to laugh at myself because soon it will be only a funny memory- Thank You Willoughby.

I was gifted these 2 awards by 5th Sister, Thank you!
She is another Blogging Mother that I look up to.



The rules for this one are-

- put the lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
- nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
- link the nominees within your post.
- let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

I am passing this on to-

1-Holly at 504 Main- Her attitude, like her blog, is always beautiful.

2-Gracey- A dash of life- Always posts with such a great attitude, no matter what life has thrown her way.

3-Bashful Toast- she is just such a sweetie. there is always fun stuff on her blog- which I am still having problems getting too!

4-Holly- In the kitchen with Holly- Always has a sweet attitude.

5-Monica- Lick the Bowl Clean- her posts, pictures and comments are always so thoughtful and kind, plus she bakes cake for everyone! I wish I lived closer :)

6-Deb- Menopausal new Mom- a new friend that I am getting to know, she seems to take whatever life is throwing at her in stride with a happy attitude.

7-Lee- Headaches, Hotflashes, & Hormones- Her humorous attitude towards life always makes my day brighter.

8-RaoulysGirl- Her passionate attitude always get me fired up.

9-LB- Muddy Runner- always motivates and inspires me whether it's in the kitchen, being healthier or the amazing job he does with his daughters. I also like to think of him as my Blogging Mentor, he inspired me to start blogging.

10-RMax- good things come to those who blog- Her quirky, fun, New Zealand turned American humor is always fun.



This last one goes out to you all! 5th Sister said it so well on her blog, All of the blogs I follow and that follow me blog from their hearts, you are all AMAZING! Thank you all for making my blogging experience so Wonderful :) :)

Alrighty then, I am off to bake some cookies- yummy! :) :) :)

Bloggity Blogged Down

Hi all I am back. I have been back for a little over a week actually, I have just been bogged down with all the catching up I needed to do and with the things coming up and with the emotions I have been dealing with.

My trip was wonderful, I got to see all my SISTERS, and catch up with some great FRIENDS, but most of all I got to spend time and visit with my Gram :)
She hasn't been doing very well and I had been feeling for weeks that I needed to go and see her. I have SO many great and wonderful memories of my WONDERFUL Gram, she is one of those people who knows how to make you feel like you are the most special person in the whole world. Several of my Thanks giving recipes are from her so I will post more about that later.

I have 2 recipes for you, the first one my Cousin and I came up with while I was visiting. She is another special Lady that I couldn't do without :)

Hot and Mel's Artichoke Olive Dip

Ingred;
1 pkg Knorr spring vegetable recipe mix
1c. chopped, marinated artichokes hearts
1/2c. chopped garlic stuffed green olives
1/2c. mayo
1c. sour cream
1c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Bread or crackers for dipping

Oven 350
Stir together all the ingred except the bread ( of course :) and spread into a small baking dish. Cook for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

We had this with bread, chips and crackers it was delicious on all three. It's a new favorite for us :)




The other recipe I have is an old favorite of mine. A friend introduced me to pesto about 7 years ago, fresh, homemade pesto. I have never been able to bring myself to buy pesto since then, have you seen what passes off as pesto in the grocery stores???? ewwww.

Perfect Pesto

Ingred;
1c. basil leaves
1/4c. pine nuts
1/4c. parmesan cheese
1/2t. salt
1/4c. olive oil

Place all but the olive oil into a food processor, pulse until all is finely ground, drizzle in the olive oil while pulsing until all is combined.
Store in the fridge or you can freeze in ice cube trays for adding to soups and sauces later.

I am having mine over some chicken and pasta tonight, of course I had to try it right? :)

Perfect :) :) :)

I have received some very special awards from some very special Blog Friends that I will be posting sometime later this week.
Thank You All for the wonderful comments you left me.