I love this game

I know this post may seem silly, but I really am getting sick of looking at myself in the 1960s. So I thought I would post about my all time favorite game. I'm pretty sure my mom got me hooked on this game a long time ago because it seems like she is the only one I can ever remember playing it with. I've stayed up late nights trying to dethrone the "Racko Queen" with no luck. The even better part of this game is that now I have taught Lauren how to play and she loves it too. I don't have to beg anyone to play with me because I mention Racko and Lauren is always willing. We played together tonight and she beat me for the first time! Looks like another Racko Queen in the making...watch out grandmom! Racko....$5.99 The look on Lauren's face when she declared "Racko!"...definitely priceless.

Yearbook Yourself

I saw this on my friends blog and couldn't resist trying it. These are seriously hilarious (and slightly embarrassing!).


1960
1978
1982
1994

Yummy Deliciousness

I don't know what it is about fall, but all the sudden I feel a constant urge to eat soup and bake things I don't normally bake all year. Molasses Sugar Cookies (soft gingersnaps) seem to be one of the first things I love to make. Next comes the onslaught of everything and anything pumpkin. So, watch out...this is only the beginning!

Kate's Fantastic Gingersnaps (This recipe comes courtesy of a fabulous baker, Ellen. Somehow I inherited a 4 page sheet entitled Ellen's Favorite Dessert Recipes and they have become some of my favorites too. These cookies are super easy and one of my favorites!)

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar, plus extra for rolling
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 t. baking soda
2 cups flour
1/2 t. salt
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. ground cloves

Set the oven to 350. Cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar, and beat in the egg. Stir in the molasses. In a separate bowl, combine the baking soda, flour, salt, and spices. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture. Roll small balls of the dough in sugar, place them on a greased baking sheet, and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Oops...I did it again.

I pretty much convinced myself that after I ran my first 5K in May that I would never need to do it again. I had successfully checked it off my "do once in my lifetime" check list. Then I met my friend LeAnn who once again convinced me to run another 5K. I was really questioning our friendship until I finished the race unharmed and a little more exhilirated than the first time. Thanks LeAnn! And to make it even sweeter I finished 3rd in my age group (and yes, there were more than 3 of us). 10K here I come...NOT!

Got grass?

We do! It has been a long summer of subcontracting out our yard, but on Friday we finally saw the fruits of our labors when they laid our sod. It actually looks like someone is living here now! Of course the kids are disappointed that they can't play on it yet, but it will be kid ready before they know it! I never realized how much I appreciate little pleasures like grass!!

Gonna Be A Bear

Gonna be a bear

In this life I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd Like to come back as a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're suppose to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. you swat away anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

YUP, GONNA BE A BEAR

I can't resist posting this...

Lauren wrote this note to Nate while in time out for trying to stick a popsicle stick in his "butt crack." I hope not to offend, but this is just too funny.

First Day Jitters...nah!

Nathan was so excited for his first day of Kindergarten. I wanted to drive him to school and walk him to his class but he insisted on riding the bus and having Lauren take him. He was the most excited about recess and the HUGE playground!

Creamy Chicken and Biscuit Bake

I love chicken pot pie, however my husband does not. For several years I have been trying to make a chicken pot pie recipe that he would like and I finally found one. After making this creamy chicken and biscuit bake for dinner one night Jason told me "You finally got me to like chicken pot pie!" Maybe the fancy name helped.



1 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded, meat shredded (about 3 cups)
2 (5.2 ounce) packages Boursin cheese, crumbled (see note)
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1 1/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
salt and pepper
4 scallions, sliced thin
1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400. Heat chicken, Boursin, 1/4 cup cream, 3/4 cup broth, 1/2 t. salt, 1 t. pepper, scallions, and vegetables in a large pot over medium heat, stirring often, until cheese is melted and mixture is heated through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish.
Meanwhile, combine flour, baking powder, cheddar, remaining cream and broth, 1 t. salt, and 1/2 t. pepper in medium bowl. Space heaping tablespoons of batter about 1/2 inch apart over chicken mixture (you will have about 16). Bake until biscuits are golden brown and filling is bubbling, about 20 minutes.

NOTE: I could not find Boursin cheese. The "deli" lady told me it is extremely expensive and it is really similar to cream cheese. So I substituted the cheese for one 8 oz container of chive cream cheese and put it in the pot just as it called for.

Thank You Cougars!

Jason (who gets the husband of the weekend award) volunteered to take Lauren and Nate to the BYU football game in Provo. Until you have more than one child you really don't appreciate the luxury of just having one around for an entire day! I went to lunch with Kacie and Kelly and dropped Luke at my mom's. He fell asleep by the time I was done with lunch so I treated myself to a pediacure and a little shopping. I picked him up and went back to Pleasant View where he and I played for a little while before he went to bed. Then I thoroughly enjoyed cleaning and rearranging home decor (a bad habit of mine) for the next couple hours. It was heaven! I almost forgot this post is really supposed to be about and Jason and the kids at the football game...I was enjoying the memory of my day too much.

Mini Cheer

This is the second year Lauren has been a mini cheerleader. She did great!