Oh. So. Good.

There are a few recipes that I just have to share because they were that good and will be in my recipe binder for good.  No surprise they are sweets...




Creamed Almond Bars
Crust (Mix together and pat into bottom of 9x13 pan; bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees)
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups flour

Filling (beat together until smooth; pour over hot crust and bake another 15 minutes; cool completely)
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon almond extract

Frosting (beat together, adding extra milk if necessary until a spreadable consistency is reached)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 tablespoons milk

OPTIONAL: Top with sliced almonds

*** This was unbelievably good!  I LOVE almond extract, though.



Caramel Corn Puffs
2 bags butter flavored puff corn
2 sticks real butter
2 cups packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup Karo light corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Pour puff corn in very large roasting pan with deep sides that have been greased.

In large heavy saucepan, melt butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar over medium heat.  Bring to a boil.  Boil for 4-5 minutes stirring most of the time.

Remove from heat and carefully add vanilla and soda (it will foam up).  Stir well to combine.

Pour over puff corn and stir until well coated.

Bake for about 1 hour, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes.

Pour out onto sheet pans that have been lined with parchment or greased foil and let it cool.  Store in airtight container.

*** This was a different twist to the traditional caramel corn because of it's texture.  It was crunchier and really good.


No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups cooking oats
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together.  Set aside.

In a small pot, melt butter, honey, and brown sugar over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble.  Reduce the heat and cook for two minutes.

Pour in vanilla and stir.

Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten.  The pour into lightly greased, small jelly roll pan and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness.  Be sure to press down so they stick together.  Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly.

Cool on a counter top to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into the bars.  Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

*** This became an instant family hit and will be made again in the future!

Weekend Fun

A few weekends ago we ironically took a winter weekend getaway with friends to a water park and it happened to be SEVENTY-FIVE DEGREES OUTSIDE.  Wowzers!  What a crazy weather spell we are in although I am not complaining at all.    

Three Bears Lodge proved to a be a lot of fun for the kids and adults, but busy.  Five co-workers turned girlfriends have nine kiddos - ranging from five months to six - which means we spend a lot of time watching, playing, redirecting, parenting and getting conversations in between all of that.  It's wonderful, though, to have friends who are in the same stage of life and understand the busyness of being working mothers.  

I....

really should have pulled out my camera more often during this trip.  I realize I have very few pictures and there's a whole lot of cuteness to document.

am thankful that cryptosporidium wasn't running rampant and that I didn't contribute to the recent problem.  Where will you be when your diarrhea comes back!?

love that we are able to continue the tradition that my parents started way back when.  Winter Blah Getaway Weekends are always fun and a highlight for Anth.

Children's Museum

This week Anth and I took a trip down to the Children's Museum with Gretchen and the girls.  Someone was VERY excited to check out all of the fun attractions surrounding Grossology!  (By the way, the burping and tooting displays were a kid favorite while Gret and I laughed hysterically with the "What is this smell?" hands on activity.  It harder than you would think to distinguish between the anus, mouth, armpit and feet smells.)
NOTE: Check out the capri pants on Anth.  Clearly packing away the size that's too small for him was a bad idea.  He's anti-6T even though he really does need to be moving a size up.  Oh well.  There are worst things!  At least he's wearing clothes!

Team work!
Last week at the dinner table Anth was talking about his day at Renae's house and declared that Adele was his best friend.  He's never stated anything about a best friend before this announcement.
So cute!  If you spend a few minutes with these two together you would see why they get along so famously...

It's discovery, play time for AAA!

Gretchen and I had the best service at the restaurant!  The waitstaff there was oh so friendly, kept us completely fed and were super cute too!  I love the smiles and all the imagination that was hard at work. A true testament that learning and fun can always exist together.

Andie Bug proved to be a water bug!

She loved the tot tables full of water and balls and fun things to look at. 

 What's this?!  

Oh, it has water coming out of it!

 I am feeling a bit thirsty....

 Man, this stuff is GOOD!

Too bad mom was around and had to put a kibosh to your fun, Andie.

Overall, the day was a hit with the kids and fun for the mommies as well.

Thanks, Changa Ladies for the invite!

Love for the Wonder Dog

I Heart Snail Mail!

A certain somebody was crabby....

getting mail didn't even cheer him up....

looking at the stickers on the back didn't put a dent into his mood...

then he saw the card and

the first genuine smile of the day and giggle erupted from him....

Perfect timing, Papa Willie!

Still giggling....

Yesterday Anth and I took a trip to Target.

 He really wasn't too fond of the idea of shopping...ugh; however, he was appeased with the BIG, "fun" cart and a stop at the deli for some popcorn.

After consuming most of the popcorn (How does he do that?!), the Bubs started to help me locate items and put them into the cart.

We turned down an aisle and I stated we were looking for Borax.

"We're going to find the Lorax and put him in the cart?!"

 I so love this boy of mine!

Yes! Let's find the Lorax at Target, purchase him and bring him home!

There's never a dull moment in parenthood...

Our Leprechaun

As Anthony would say, thankyouyou'rewelcome, Grammie Kathy!  The surprise St. Patty's Day gifts were a lot of fun to find in the mailbox, open with great anticipation and, of course, wear.

Our New Maid

Our new maid is helpful, super cute and, for whatever reason, likes to strip down when he does the dishes!  Oh how I love this little boy!

We love snow days!

Terrific Tie Tuesday!

This one is for you, Grammie Kathy!