A Cold Thanksgiving

So we made it to Utah for the holiday, just in time for the cold temperatures to set in.  As we sat around Thanksgiving morning, we decided to give the Y mountain a try. After all, it's ONLY 16 degrees outside - how bad can it be?

 Actually, it really wasn't that bad.  Once you got movin that is.

 Yes, that's me in my ASU sweatshirt.  Go Devils!

 Allison and Randi were so hot from the hike, the steam was coming off their backs.

 On Friday we checked out the LDS Church History Museum in Salt Lake.  Pretty cool.  Did I mention it was cold outside?

 We headed indoors for a bit to warm up - loaded the kids with hot chocolate - then made our way outdoors again to see the Christmas lights on temple square.  Very pretty.

After that, we took them all to a hot dinner at the Blue Iguana in Salt Lake.  (It's official!  I can never move to Utah!  I would die without good mexican food.) 

Thanksgiving Madness

Cleaning, packing, studying, and running around like crazy!  We are headed out of town to see the fam for the holiday.  Sheez, I am pooped!  Can't wait for some relaxing time with the gang cuddled around the fire cause it's going to be cold where we are headed!  Hope your holiday is a good one!!!

Brownies From Scratch

Allison asked me yesterday, "Mom, do you think we could have a treat in our lunches?"
"I put treats in your lunches every once in a while" I said.
She looked at me funny, "Mom, really?  When was the last time?"
"Okay, okay" I replied. "What treats do you want in your lunch?"
"Brownies!"

I am not a big fan of brownies - especially because of the ingredients on the box mix.  (Partially hydrogenated oil for instance).

So I searched for a brownie recipe from scratch and found a winner!!!!  Seriously - these are really easy and good!  I admit that I was to lazy to sift anything - it still turned out great.  These taste better the next day for some reason.  Resist eating them right out of the oven.
Here ya go!

Cocoa Brownies

Ingredients

• Soft butter, for greasing the pan
• Flour, for dusting the buttered pan
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar, sifted
• 1 cup brown sugar, sifted
• 8 ounces melted butter
• 11/4 cups cocoa, sifted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square pan.

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs at medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. Add both sugars. Add remaining ingredients, and mix to combine.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8-inch square pan and bake for 45 minutes. Check for doneness with the tried-and-true toothpick method: a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan should come out clean. When it's done, remove to a rack to cool. Resist the temptation to cut into it until it's mostly cool.

Alton Brown : food network

Finding the Fire

I think my husband has talked me into an olympic distance triathlon in March.   I have always been competitive and loved to push myself, but over the last few years, I seemed to have lost my fire.

I don't know why that is exactly.  Maybe because my kids are busy with sports and school and homework. Maybe it's because I am busy making cake.  Maybe because I went back to school.   Maybe it's because of health problems.  Maybe because my body is getting older and doesn't recover quite as fast as before.  Whatever the reason, I just lost it.

But I really miss that part of me.  I want her back.  I want to allow myself to compete and let a little of my competitiveness go.  No need to win the race - just enjoy the ride - right?

So as I am stepping it up again - getting myself out of bed at 5 am - I am rediscovering the old me - the fire.  It is good.  I like this.

I think it might just be the trash talk that will soon come into play and my deep rooted desire to beat my husband in the race so I can gloat for months afterwards - who knows?  All I know is SHE'S BACK!

Win or lose - GAME ON!!!!!!!!

Just Dance

Favorite game on the Wii.  I got moves!

Caught!

Rusty is not allowed on the furniture in our home.  He is actually really good about this and we never have a problem - EXCEPT for the bean bag on the floor.  He KNOWS it's off limits, but occasionally when we are away, we will come in and find this.  He curls himself up into the tiniest ball possible, in hopes that we might not see him there.  Then he always acts so surprised when he does get caught.

He really is a naughty dog and I have considered sending him to the sausage factory!!

Silver Anniversary Cake

Simple and sweet

Back to School

Did I mention I went back to school?  Well I did.  Here's a few things I have learned so far...

1. I like math.
2. I am fascinated by my professors.  Some are extremely eccentric and I find myself wondering what kind of lives they lead when not in the classroom.
3. Irresponsible 19 year olds drive me crazy.  We all are busy - so get over it and do your homework!
4. Running a household and homework don't mix. 
5. I wish I knew what I know now back then.
6. I wonder what all these 19 year olds think of this almost middle aged women raising her hand.

I can't believe this semester is almost over.  Wonder what I will learn in the next!

Enchanted Cake

Sammi and I worked on this cake for a 10 hour project she needed for her church class.  The theme of the night was "Happily Ever After".  The room was decorated as an enchanted forest.  How cool was that!