Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Pumpkin Cookies

I made some delicious treats for Nolan's class yesterday for a little Happy Halloween gift. I used the same recipe on sugar cookies I made last year for Valentine's Day, and they were such a hit, it will be my forever go to recipe for fool-proof cutout cookies!
The recipe:

Vanilla-Almond Sugar Cookies

3 c unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 c sugar (Recommend using sugar that vanilla beans have been stored in)
2 sticks butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp pure almond extract

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine the flour and baking powder, set aside. Cream the sugar and butter. Add the egg and extracts and mix. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat just until combined, scraping down the bowl, especially the bottom.

Roll onto a floured surface and cut into shapes. Place on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let sit a few minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack.

For the icing, I used a tub of Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Buttercream frosting and added 4 drops of red and 6 drops of yellow food coloring (you may have to play with it a bit to get the exact orange you want).

I used green gum drops cut in half for the stems.

The finished product:
Happy Halloween!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Be a Blessing to Someone Else

Our family has decided to "Adopt-A-Box" this Thanksgiving season to provide for another family other than our own. We wanted to bless a family that could not afford to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal on their own. For only $40 we purchased the items below to box up and bring to our church next weekend. They will distribute the goods from there. I really encourage you to do the same through your church or for a family you know.

 With the items in the pic above, they will be able to make sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, peas & corn, cornbread muffins, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, pumpkin pie, sweet tea, and a $20 gift card to pick out their turkey from Walmart.

 All boxed up!


"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink"...whatever you did for the least of my people, you did for me."
Matthew 25:35,40

Friday, October 22, 2010

My 1st Field Trip!

Nolan went with his pre-k class to a small Pumpkin Patch right off the beach at Church of the Redeemer this morning. He has been looking forward to this day all week and asks me everyday if it's time yet! Once we arrived, the kids were able to pick out any pumpkin they wanted, listen to a short story, and have a snack. The whole thing lasted about an hour and Nolan was pretty whiny the whole time :( I'm not sure why he was ready to leave just 10 mins after we arrived, but as soon as his friend Chase arrived...we were good as new!

 Sophie, Nolan, and Davis ready to leave school!

 Nolan and Sophie checking out the pumpkins

 Nolan wanted a picture with me instead of his friends....being a little clingy at first!

 Where's Nolan's baby pumpkin?

 He finally found the "perfect" one!!

 Chase finally arrived!! Yay!

 The class picture

And that wraps up his first field trip :)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Love this man :)

So lucky to have such a handsome and fun hubby to do life with.
It's nice to occasionally get dressed up and enjoy some dancing every now and then. I feel so blessed :) Had a blast at JA Charity Ball last night babe!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Grow Garden Grow!!!

Several weeks ago, Eric devoted an entire afternoon to fall planting in our vegetable garden. Now after weeks of watering...we're really starting to see it flourish! We currently have basil, sweet red peppers and banana peppers and are anxiously awaiting the full growth of our creole tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and romaine lettuce. It won't be long!! We love our garden :)

 Nolan loves to water the garden

 My afternoon ritual unless Eric waters in the early morning!

 Peppers are almost ready

 This lettuce is going to save us lots of $$

 Can't wait for the broccoli and cauliflower to sprout!!

 Picking basil for homemade pesto tonight :)

  Creole tomatoes and basil has doubled in size!

Back view of the garden

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Southern Miss Homecoming

We had a blast this past weekend at Southern Miss Homecoming! I dropped the kids off with my parents on Friday and was able to enjoy a fun weekend with Eric and some close friends. The weather was way too hot...but hey...we are in Southern Mississippi, so what can I say!

Eagle Run 5k the morning of Homecoming. Eric beat me but....

I placed 3rd (my first running medal ever) in the women's 30-39 divison!


Me & Nicole

Nicole, me, and Taylor at our tailgating tent on Loyalty Field

 Me & Nicole with Alicia & her baby girl May

 Me, Joanna and Carrie