Our Anniversary

The year we were married, spring came early and the trees and flowers were all in bloom.  I remember the wisteria bush at my parents house was full of vibrant blossoms and looked like a purple waterfall on the side of their house.  I can't remember it ever blooming like that before and I know it hasn't since.  It was spectacular.  Of course we took full advantage of it and used it as a back drop for several wedding photos.  It was a beautiful representation of our wedding day. 

Time has flown by - faster each year.  This year spring is slow to come.  The early flowers are out but the trees and bushes have yet to bloom.  It was sunny today but the temperatures were only in the 50s with a strong, cold wind blowing from the North.  This year, there's no correlation between the weather and our marriage.  My life with Brad is wonderful - fulfilling.  He surprised me with a beautiful jade necklace to represent our 26 years or marriage.  I love my life and I love my boys and as cliched as it sounds, they really are the light of my life.  It gets better every year.  Happy Anniversary to me - to us!

Gooey Caramel Cake

Here's another Pinterest post that stopped me in my tracks.  The thought of a Gooey Caramel Cake sounds divine! Probably especially so since I've been dieting for the last month and am missing goodies like this big time right now. 

Anyway, I had to take a minute to add this one to my list of recipes to try.  Doesn't it just make your mouth water thinking about it?  :)

Found Here

Gooey Caramel Cake

Ingredients

For the cake:
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups sifted self-rising flour
1-cup milk
1-teaspoon vanilla extract

For the filling:
1 cup butter
2 cups packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
16 oz confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

For the cake:  Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. Cream butter and sugar about 10 minutes until fluffy.  Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and beat until mixed.  Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour.  Divide batter equally among prepared pans.  Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

For the filling:In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and milk. Cook and stir over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in   vanilla.

Remove cake layers from oven and invert one of the cakes onto plate. Pierce cake layer with a fork over entire surface. Spread 1/3 of filling on cake layer. Repeat the process with the second and third layer.  

For the frosting:  Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil, and transfer to a mixing bowl. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Beat with a hand-held electric mixer until it reaches a spreading consistency.

Recipe from: sugarbananas

Six-Pack March

Here's an abdominal challenge for anyone who's trying to get in shape.  I'm doing this calendar and hope I can at least firm up my soft and jiggly baby tummy by the end of the month.  Come on and give it a try with me!  :)

Spotlight Week!

( Sorry it's another sideways picture!  I need to figure out how to rotate them - it shows upright on my computer but pulls up sideways on the blog.) 

It was Winston's spotlight week and as part of it, we made a poster for him to take to school showing his family, friends and things he likes.  He went through our photos and picked out these pictures to make his poster.  I helped him tape them on and added the words.  I think it turned out great (although I am just a little bit prejudice)!   :)

Chocolate Almond Pretzel Toffee

I love a good peanut brittle and when I saw this recipe on Pinterest I couldn't help but stop and say, "Oh my!"  This looks divine and I can't wait to give it a try.  Easter is coming up next month so this one is going on my list to make.  :)

Found here. 

Chocolate Almond Pretzel Toffee

From the kitchen of SteakNPotatoesKindaGurl

• 1 and 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp water
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 35 mini pretzels
• 2/3 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup roasted almonds, chopped
• a pinch or two of sea salt, for topping

Place butter, water, sugar, and salt in a saucepan and heat on medium-high heat until melted. Bring to a boil and let cook until mixture reaches a soft crack stage (approximately 285 degrees), when it reaches a light caramel color. Remove toffee from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Line pretzels close together in a single layer on top of a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pour the toffee over the pretzels and spread evenly. Let the toffee sit for at least 20 minutes or until hardened.

In a small microwaveable bowl, heat the chocolate chips in the microwave for a minute, stirring occasionally. Spread onto the hardened toffee. Top with chopped almonds and sprinkle with sea salt. Leave at room temp or refrigerate until chocolate has set. Break into pieces and store in an air-tight container at room temp.

Valentine Flowers

Sorry, this is sideways - I couldn't figure out how to rotate it so it would post upright.  Brad had the most gorgeous Orchids sent to me at work for Valentines Day this year.  I had to post a pic - just ignore all the files on my desk and focus on the lovely flowers.  Aren't they spectacular?

Fairy Tale Friday

Winston's kindergarten teacher has been doing an activity each week on Friday called Fairy Tale Friday.  She had us parents each sign up for a few time slots and then gave us a fairy tale to present to the class.  We have 30 minutes to read the fairy tale and do an activity of our choosing.  I signed up for three of them. 

The first one I was given was The Three Billy Goats Gruff; second was The Gingerbread Man; and the last one - that I did today - was Henny Penny.  It's been fun to spend time in his class and get to know the kids a little better. 

My favorite one was The Gingerbread Man which we did right before Christmas so it was fun for the kids to talk about making cookies.  I had them make a gingerbread boy ornament with cardstock paper and stickers - they turned out so cute!

This is a picture of our Henny Penny activity - we made chickens with a small paper plate with foam rubber beaks and legs, googley eyes and feathers that they glued on.  My sample is on the right and Winston's chicken is on the left.  I'm kind of sad that it's my last one and wish I had signed up for one more. 

Beautiful Song

This is something worth checking out.  Here's a link to Carrie Underwood singing How Great Thou Art and it's a truly touching and inspiring performance.  She sings it so beautifully!  I can't help but be touched by it.  She really puts her whole heart into singing this song.  Just watching and listening to her warms my heart and soul and brings tears to my eyes. I'm so grateful for a loving and forgiving Savior and hearing this song reminds me how blessed I am.