It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas~~~~

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!!

Fun Weekend!

First off...there is nothing cuter than a fresh bathed baby!! Oh the sweet sweet smell of Baby Magic!! I'll never tire of this smell! Poor Keegen is 5 and I still put the lotion on him after a shower. The other day he said..."MiMi...I really don't need lotion!" I said...as long as I'm giving you a shower we'll use the lotion! :) Too bad he's too big for me to wrap up, hold in my arms, and sing my silly made up burrito song!
ps...Preston doesn't think he's too big for lotion yet! Nobody tell him either!


Right after his bath!

"Are you kidding...you want me to smile again?"

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Sunday was our 17th anniversary! Mike requested Chicken fried steak!
AND...you can't serve it without mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Carrots, and homemade rolls!



This was a request too...Coconut Cream Pie!

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Saturday was a day spent at the game with 3 of my favorite boys!
Photo's are only of 2...I couldn't get Mike to pose with his Cowboy's "gun"!
The boys had a great time!

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

~Pumpkin Swirl Brownies~

1 Box Brownie Mix
(mix as directed on box)

Pumpkin Filling:
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 egg
3 T. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

*Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray.
*In small bowl, beat pumpkin filling ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Set aside.
*Make brownie batter as directed on box. Spread 3/4 of the batter in pan. Spoon pumpkin filling by tablespoonfuls evenly over brownie batter. *Spoon remaining brownie batter over filling. Cut through batter several times with knife for marbled design.
*Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out almost clean. Cool completely. Store covered in refrigerator.

NOTE: You may want to double this recipe and put it in a 9x13 pan! YUM!!

"What Happens When Women Say Yes to God"

Lysa's TerKeurst’s book...What Happens When Women Say Yes to God...hit the bestseller list! If you haven't read this book...it's a MUST read!! I HIGHLY recommend it! http://lysaterkeurst.com/what-happens-when-women-say-yes-to-god/

~Apple Cake~

I've had this recipe for years and don't make it very often because it's one of those dessert's that I could eat the whole thing! We had a Women's event in our church on Oct. 6th and I suggested this recipe as our dessert. I made 4 of these cakes! I've had several requests for the recipe so I thought I would post it on my blog!! Hope you love it as much as me!!

~Apple Cake~

Beat together:

1 c. oil~2 c. sugar~2 eggs~1 tsp. vanilla

Blend in:

1 tsp. salt~1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder~2 1/2 c. flour
Stir in: 3 c. chopped apples

Press above into a lightly oiled 9x13 pan.

Topping:

1/3 c. brown sugar, packed~1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Sprinkle over cake batter.

Bake at 350 for 35-45 min.

Vanilla Sauce:

1 c. sugar~2 T. flour

1 1/2 c. whipping cream~1/2 c. butter

2 tsp. vanilla

Cook over med. heat, whisking often,

until thickened. Serve over warm cake!

HaPpY 1st BiRtHdAy...Baby Mac!

I really can't believe it's been a year!!! WOW how time flies!! This little guy is 1 today! Happy Birthday Mac!!!
Love You!!

In the Mood for Baking!!

This cooler weather really puts me in the mood to be in the kitchen baking!! The following recipe is one that I found on a blog last year and just couldn't get enough of...thought I would share:

Amazing Pumpkin Cookies
2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix in bowl and set aside. In a large bowl cream together:
1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. canned pumpkin

Add 1 egg, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Add flour mixture.

Drop on a greased sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Glaze:
Heat to boiling and boil 2 minutes -
3 Tbs. butter
4 Tbs. whipping cream
1/2 c. brown sugar

Stir constantly.

Cool a little and add 1/2 cup powder sugar and 3/4 tsp. vanilla. Dollop on cookies.

*Tip: You may want to double the "glaze" recipe...due to the fact you will eat several spoonfuls before it even makes it to the cookies! :)

Headed to the kitchen to bake me a batch up now!!! Mmmmm!!!!!

Johnson Camera Fundraiser...

Check out the new fundraiser the Johnson's are having...
HURRY...IT ENDS NOVEMBER 1ST!!!!
click here

Double Trouble Wednesday...

Wednesday's are my "fun" MiMi day! I was blessed to get to have both of the youngest grandkids! It's always Aspen's day so when she had to deal with Mac...she was a little concerned that she wouldn't get my full attention! Once she adjusted, we had a fun day!


Cheers!


Lunchtime!


WooHoo...Poppy's home! Aspen's favorite place to be on Wednesday's. His lap eating his food...ps...she had already had lunch!


After Mac went home we went outside to play a bit. First time she has ever even shown interest in the cats! Poor kitty's...she mauled them to death...and the silly things let her!!


I think that's a "hug" or she's hiking it back into her arms!


Awww...sweet kitty! KISS!!


"I have a free hand...GIVE me another one!!!"


Walkin' on the rocks barefooted...totin' the cats! Again...Poor Kitty's!

Taste of Home Magazine DEAL!!!

I love love love a great deal!!! I found this on another blog and just ordered for myself!! 3 yrs. for only $11.97! IT'S A MAGAZINE FULL OF RECIPES!!!! Can't get any better than that!!!

Taste of Home ONLY $3.99/Year (up to three years).

Simply go HERE and choose from a one-three year subscription from Tanga when you use coupon code: TASTE at checkout.

Note: Tanga deals keep there deals at a certain price and then start dropping down the deals- so hurry – the price my go up a little as the deal runs through.

New Found Love...QUILTING!

Easy Peasy 9 patch!! The Possibilities are endless! I'm all about a "short cut" and let me tell you it can't get any easier than this!!


First pick out your fabrics! Using a 6 1/2 x 24 ruler cut strips of fabric that size...then using a 1/4 in. seam sew the three strips together. Press open seams. After sewing then turn your fabric and cut 3 strips 6 1/2 wide. You will have a little bit left over that you can use on another project some other day!


Place them together matching up your seams and sew them up. Keep in mind that in the finished quilt the outer corners will be the largest and the middle square will be the smallest.


After all is sewn together and all seams are pressed open find the center and cut that baby in half both ways! Yes...for me...this was hard the first time! I felt like I was "messing" up my quilt! But trust me....you'll love the outcome!


Turn the blocks however you like and then sew them together again! I turned and turned until I came up with the design I loved!

Can't wait to finish this! I'll post a picture when I do!

~Tailgating Treats~

^Cast of Characters


^Layering
When all put together...bake in a preheated 350 degrees oven for ONLY 5 min. or until chocolate starts to melt.
When you take them out...put a pecan half on top and smooch down. Let cool before removing.


^End Result


^Evidence of hubby stealing one before they were set!



Is this a chocolate day or what!! This is my contribution to tailgating for gameday today! GO COWBOYS!!
*Pretzel Turtles
*No-Bake Cookies
*Cookies & Cream Brownies

Too Close for Comfort!

This got a little too close for me! I was home alone and could hear the sirens going off in town. I decided instead of pacing the floor that I would go outside and join it! The clouds were moving faster than I could take pictures. I was amazed! The cattle were huddling and that made me a little nervous! I've always heard that animals can sense a storm. But for some crazy reason I seemed calmer outside where I could see and hear what was going on! I've never taken storm pictures before and was sure wishing I had a new camera to use!! Maybe next time!

Kasidi Joy...

Help bring this precious little girl home to her Forever Family!!

click on the fundraiser link below:
http://k6comehome.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-next-fundraisergiveaway.html

NEW Recipe...it's a keeper!!!

My Daughter in law, Molli, hosted a party at my house tonight! She brought delicious cupcakes (she made) & fruit:



And then we decided we needed something other than sweets! So...I rummaged through my cabinets and came up with this:
(I will DEFINITELY make it again! YUMMMM)

Jalapeno Party Dip

Recipe by MiMi's Mumblings

2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened (light works)

1 c. mayonnaise (light will work...but NO Miracle Whip!)

1/2 c. parmesan cheese (buy the wedge and grate it yourself, pre-shredded doesn't melt as well)

1 c. shredded cheddar/jack cheese

1 (4-oz.) can green chilies

1/2-1 (4-oz.) can diced jalapeno peppers, drained

(1/2 can is mild with a little bite, a whole can is spicier...adjust to your liking!)

4 garlic cloves, minced

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients and spread into a small baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until dip is bubbly and golden brown. Serve with Tortilla chips!

No sleep tonight!!!

THAT MY FRIENDS....IS A SNAKE ON MY BEDROOM CARPET! Ya think I'm gonna sleep tonight? VERY doubtful!!! I came in my office for my "nightly email check" and Mike hollered...grab your camera. I'm thinking to myself, it's too dark outside our bedroom window for a picture so what in the world does he want one of?!? I was too afraid to ask! I rounded up my camera and headed for our bedroom. The minute he said well, you can blog about our first SNAKE in the house...I just about screamed and ran for the hills! Wait, I am in the hills...
He said he had stepped on in after coming out of the bathroom and he wondered what had gotten spilled on the floor because it felt like water. Just so happens, it was on MY side of the bed! I said...(VERY BOLDLY AND LOUDLY) if that EVER happens to me I will probably have a heart attack so we better figure out where it came in so his brothers and sisters don't decide to visit too!!! I may just decide to sleep upstairs tonight... surely they wouldn't follow me up there??

maybe next year...

I wanted to share with you a blog that I LOVE to visit!! I wish today's post would have came out sooner when I had PEACHES running out of my ears! You can bet I'll re-visit this next year! Who would have thought of using peach halves? I just thought about all the slicing I was going to have to do and that seemed like to big of a task for me!!
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-can-peaches.html

ADOPTION!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahh Ha...I knew that title would get your attention!! Now that I have your FULL undivided attention...NO it's not us adopting!!! God hasn't tugged at my heart for it but...he has tugged at my heart to help a friend that is! I'll just keep letting them get up at night...change the diapers...do the homework...etc....you get the picture!! Praise God that there are people out there like the J family!!! They don't just think about something...they take action over and over and over again!!! God Bless them!!!! I wasn't a bit surprised AT ALL when I got the text from my friend asking me to pray for them that something BIG was happening!! I just knew it!! I had to call her right away. She had been heavy on my mind for a while. Now I know that some of you are saying...What in the world?? Why again?? And...you might even be rolling your eyes a little bit...Well, STOP it! It's not, I repeat NOT our place to question what God has lead them to do! It humbles me (A LOT) and I have to sit back and ask myself what am I doing to better this earth that God's put me on? It doesn't even have to be adoption, it can be ANYTHING! Am I taking action...or am I sitting around questioning why someone else is doing what they're doing?!!? Am I praying and asking "what next Lord?" "what do You want me to do for You today?" Ummm...I really don't want to answer those questions because if I did, I may just have to lie a little bit!
I sure didn't mean to turn this post into a sermon...it just happened that way! Or maybe I did and that's my way of doing what I feel led to do?!? Now...get on over to their blog and let's help 'em out!! And you might even win one of the prizes they're giving away!! They're GOOD ones too!

(food for thought): We help send Missionaries on mission trips don't we??



Click on the cute button above to take you to their blog!

Golden No-More!!

Remember this! Ahhh...just what I hoped for and more!


Close up detail...


Furniture in our bedroom that I was trying to match.

Project Complete!! My Mom will be so proud of me!! I've decided that by posting it on my blog...it makes me more accountable to complete it! What to do next????

UPDATE (8-20-10): This is for you Dawn! Because I was asked...I wanted to share my steps used in this project. 1) I used a hand sander and sanded the whole desk down to the bare wood. 2) I spray painted 2 coats (yes...spray painted it)...taping off the top of the desk so I wouldn't get paint on it, letting the coats dry in between each other. 3) Then I lightly sanded them down after they were dry with a 320 grade sand paper. While sanding I wanted the edges and parts of the bare wood to show through so I used a little extra "elbow grease" on those areas! 4) After wiping all the dust off with a soft cloth, I used stain and a small 1 1/2 in. brush to go over the exposed wood (corners...edges...etc.) which included the top of the desk that I had covered with paper. Then wipe off the "extra" stain with a dry soft rag. 5) Let the stain dry really good even over night if needed. If you don't then you will be working with a gooey mess. 6) Let the finish coats begin...I started with a spray can of clear Satin enamel. Spray-let dry-then lightly sand off the roughness. Then repeat about 4 times letting each coat dry in between. My very last coat I used the Polycrylic and a sponge brush and ever so lightly went over it all avoiding any pressure at all so I wouldn't have any little air bubbles which cause the final finish to be rough to the touch. 7) Spray the handles with the textured spray. WahLah...that's it! A brand new desk that you can walk by and be so proud of yourself for completing a project!!