Filed under: Uncategorized
I’ve had to many sessions this week to want to take pictures of the kiddos.. SO.. here are some from 2 recent sessions instead.
I haven’t even looked at all of the pictures for either session but here are a few I randomly grabbed and edited.









Filed under: 30 word thursday
SOOO Tired.. worked out at 1:30 last night before bed. BAD. IDEA.
Training for a 5K in October.. anyone want to join me? It goes thru the Cameron Park Zoo.
Filed under: Three Rs Thursday

I loved this book when I started teaching Brianna how to read. It’s very easy to follow, has cute fun little stories for the kids to read, and teaches phonics well. We didn’t make it all the way thru this book because towards the end other programs seemed to be a better fit for Brianna but I would highly recommend it as a starting point for reading. I’m planning to start it with Lorien soon and just take it very slowly. I never follow the script exactly but it is very helpful to have it.
Beware, this recipe is not for the healthy minded..
So, I love Esther’s chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes but they seem like they would be time consuming. So, I set out to try to make these as easily as possible. I’m sure I did sacrifice some of the flavor but hey.. they were easy! And still REALLY REALLY good. But beware.. these are VERY rich.
First, I gathered the ingredients..

- Moist yellow cupake mix and the fixings to make it according to directions
- Pack of the break-away cookie dough
- Ingredients for the icing (powdered sugar, vanilla, butter, chocolate chip cookie dough, and milk)
- Mini chocolate chips to finish them off.
Before you get started.. take the break-away cookie dough, go ahead and break it up, and put it in the freezer.. it needs to be frozen solid. This keeps it from cooking all the way when the cookies cook so you actually have cookie dough in the center. Then preheat the oven to the temperature your cake mix directs.
First make the cake mix according to directions..

Then I sprayed my cupcake liners w/ my non-stick spray.. helps them come off the cupcakes easier..

and filled up the cupcake tins (makes 24 cupcakes)

Next, get out your segmented cookie dough from the freezer.

and drop one into each cupcake

You then put the cupcakes into the oven and bake according to the cake mix directions (mine took a bit longer.. I think the cookie dough slowed them down some)
While the cupcakes are baking you mix up the icing.
- 4 1/2 C confectioners’ sugar (add more until it reaches your preferred consistency)
- 1 1/2 C butter (room temperature)
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tube of chocolate chip cookie dough (or make an eggless cookie dough recipe)
Mix together sugar and butter until they are blended and creamy. Add vanilla and milk and continue to beat for another minute. If desired, add more confectioners’ sugar to make it stiffer, add in the tube of cookie dough and blend well. Then grab your icing bag, and tip (I just use the throw away kind and slide my tip down inside it after cutting the edge.. of course you can just slap on the icing too if you don’t have time to get fancy)

Once the cupcakes are done take them out and let them cool (I was in a hurry and put mine in the freezer LOL) Make sure they are cool completely before you begin to ice them.

Waiting for the cupcakes to cool…

Ice the cupcakes, sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.. and you have a yummy, rich, cupcake!

Filed under: Scrumptious Sunday
Thursday’s meal.. a big yummy salad.. I love having salads toward the end of the week because it helps clear out the fridge.
This weeks was lettuce, spinach, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, poblano pepper, sweet peppers, carrots, tomatoes, grilled chicken breast, Parmesan cheese, and avocado. Yummy!


Filed under: Uncategorized
I’d like to introduce my new blog.. Kid in the Kitchen.. Some things will be the same.. but there will also be many new things on there.. Feel free to check it out.
Filed under: shopping saturday
Have..
an electric kettle. This is one of those gadgets that I never thought I would use alot.. but once I got one it is used more often than my microwave!
So, what do I use it for?
Every morning it’s used to make everyone oatmeal. I buy the individual packets of oatmeal (in a HUGE variety pack at Sams Club) and with this everyone has their own flavor of oatmeal ready to eat within 2 minutes.
I use it when I’m cooking rice or pasta.. nothing like getting the water to boiling within a minute or two and then pouring it into the saucepan.. really speeds things up!
Perfect for individual cups of hot tea or the occasional hot chocolate.
They don’t actually have the model I own anymore but here is a cute on available at target..

Want..
Another thing on my “want” list..

http://www.chefscatalog.com/product/12311-cuisinart-waffle-maker-waf-6.aspx
A big waffle maker! We LOVE waffles but I hate how long it takes to cook enough for all of us.. Something like this would be perfect. You guys know of anywhere else you can get a large waffle maker?
And a bit more fun..
this super adorable key hook

available here. http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Apartment/The+Better+to+Hold+You+Key+Hook
Quite awhile ago we had snacks at Zach and Angela’s house and Jesse just loved their popcorn maker. I’ve looked at them several times but didn’t want to spend the money on one when we had a perfectly good air popper at home. I found one today.. brand new in the packaging still.. at a garage sale for $3! I also found the kids each a thermos.. not sure which they liked best LOL




Filed under: Uncategorized
Brianna and I have piano lessons today.. I’m really enjoying taking them!
Momma made us a peach cobbler last night and it is SO good!
Everything’s booked for Gatlinburg trip!



