Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ We saw a Movie, We built a Project & We had some fun!

Another weekend that was full of every moment non stop!

Friday Night was movie night at Cole's School

We saw Despicable ME!! LOVE IT

Saturday I worked the AM

Then rushed to Lowe's Kids Clinic for the boys!

Afterwards I texted Rachael and invited ourselves over for a playdate

The kids played outside and we browsed some awesome Knit Hat designs.

Sunday was church

Grocery Shopping, were Caden passed out

And stopped by my parents house

My dad was putting together their new gazebo for the hot tub.

It was a busy weekend and then Monday night was the church ladies planning party. One thing that is hard if your a mom with small kids and no one to watch them you have to ask for childcare to be provided. Usually it was given it would be provided but this time not so I of course had to deal with some huffing for some of the ladies. You have some of those people who always be a little on the rudyside but whatever. You want me to help and volunteer then you must help me :). We did get to pick our secret sisters which is kind of fun you can send gifts threw out the year and it will be revealed at Christmas. I'm so excited to make and send things.

Happy Week everyone so glad it's almost half way threw :)

Comfort Food (Soup & Dessert)

It's really cold here, no snow (Thank God) but it's really freaking cold so I thought why not make some soup for dinner. I found this amazingly easy recipe, Cole had THREE bowls and Caden my little one that will eat usually a BITE and TWO bowls!

Potato, Broccoli & Cheese Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 1/2 pounds peeled and cubed potatoes
• 5 cups boiling water
• 4 cubes chicken bouillon
• 3 cups fresh broccoli, cooked and drained
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

• Directions

  1. In a large stock pot saute onion in butter. Add potatoes, water and bouillon cubes. Cover, bring to boil and then reduce heat to medium and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
  2. Remove tough outer skin of broccoli stems and cook broccoli. Once cooked add to soup.
  3. In a blender or food processor puree half of the soup and return to stock pot. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Add cheese and heat soup through until cheese is melted. Serve warm.

Then the church had a ladies only meeting (We'll talk more about that on Wed and the daycare that is suppose to be provided). I like to always show up with a treat so I found this amazing yummy recipe!

Copycat Starbucks Peppermint Brownies

Brownies
1 (19 1/2 ounce) box fudge brownie mix
(I used Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Peppermint Buttercream Frosting
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Green food coloring

Chocolate Frosting
1/3 cup whole milk
1/4 cup butter
1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 325. Then prepare a 9x9 inch baking dish by spraying lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Cut a piece of parchment paper to the width of the bottom of your pan but long enough to extend over the edge of the right and left sides of the pan.

2. Sift brownie mix to eliminate any clumps. Then add melted butter, water eggs and 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Mix by hand just until dry ingredients are incorporated.

3. Pour into prepared pan. Bake according to package directions. Let cool.

4. Beat together cup powdered sugar and 1/2 cup softened butter. Mix in another 1/2 cup powdered sugar, then add 1 tablespoon milk, green food coloring, and peppermint and vanilla extracts. Spread frosting evenly over the top. Place brownies in fridge to firm up frosting.

5. Bring 1/3 cup milk and 1/4 cup butter almost to a boil over medium heat. Pour chocolate chips into a heat-safe bowl. Pour milk mixture over the top and let sit for 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and whisk until smooth. Use an electric mixer to beat in 1 cup powdered sugar until frosting is smooth. This will make more than you need, so remove 1/4-1/3 cup frosting and reserve for another use.

6. Spread chocolate frosting over the green frosting on the brownies.

7. Place back in fridge for about an hour to firm up frosting. Remove brownies from pan and slice into 9 pieces.

I'm linking up to Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, Tuesday at the Table, Delectable Tuesday, Delicious Dishes , Hearth and Soul and Sweet Sunday.

Manic Monday ~ Sweets for my SWEETS!

I've been on a baking mission Sunday, everyone wanted something sweet. The dog put in his request for some new biscuits, I wanted something for after dinner and the church ladies put in a request for cookies for the new people that come to church.

First off we start with the dog "cookies" that I swear smelled so good I wanted to eat one!

Easy Pumpkin Dog Cookie Recipe

found on Best Dog Treat Recipes

• 1½ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ cups unbleached flour
• 2 tablespoons dry milk
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Place all the ingredients in your bread maker and set it for the dough cycle.

Cut the dough into shapes.

Place the dog cookies on a lightly greased pan, and let them rise for an hour.

Bake the dog treats for 45 minutes to an hour, at 275 degrees F.

ALEXIS NOTES: She suggested leaving them overnight to dry in oven, our puppy likes them a little soft so I just put in air tight container (they can last for 30 days they don't last that long in our house). Also I only baked mine for 30 minutes.

Now on to a treat for mom!!! I'm trying to be better with not eating too much and lighter things if possible. I love Sparkpeople.com if you haven't gone there yet check them out, great for exercise tips & recipes.

Autumn Pumpkin Pudding

2 boxes sugar-free fat-free instant vanilla pudding (1.34 oz)
3 C. skim milk
1 can 100% pumpkin (15 oz.)
Pumpkin Pie spice to taste

Redi Whip

Mix first 4 ingredients together with a hand mixer until thickened, about 2 minutes. Chill for 5 minutes. Top with Redi Whip and serve. Makes 8 - 1/2 cup servings.

ALEXIS NOTES: I used french vanilla pudding & skipped the redi whip since I didn't have any left. (We won't talk about the week moment of me and a can of a redi whip ... we must just say that it is so fun to spray it in your mouth).

And when a person comes to church for the first time the youth will go take a bag of different cookies to there house the following week. I am one of the cookie makers :). NOW they want BIG cookies ... NOT one thing I have mastered (as you can see). So I made a smaller cookie.

Best Oatmeal Cookies

All Recipes

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

1. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, raisins, and vanilla. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture and stir until all of the dry ingredients are absorbed. Next, stir in the egg and raisin mixture, then stir in the rolled oats and pecans. Dough will be stiff. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an unprepared cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Allow cookies to cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

ALEXIS NOTES: I doubled the recipe, skipped raisins & pecans (since for ppl I don't know and allergies). Since I skipped those the batter was so runny I added in 2 cups of oatmeal.

Every High MUST have a low???

Yesterday started out as any day working in my PJ'S (YES I work from home so no one to dress up for). I'm enjoying my new coffee maker and my cup of coffee thinking today is ok. Caden (knock on wood) is almost 100% potty trained. Rick calls and says hey I'm off early tonight why don't you find a babysitter and we'll go to the comedy club down town? OKEY DOKEY, call a friend from church and her daughter that is in the youth group is available for the night!! I'm on cloud NINE thinking it is a good freaking day!

Then I go to Cole's school to pick him up, I at least combed my hair and put on nicer yoga pants. I don't usually go into the school, I pull up to the door and The teacher waves and Cole comes right out to the car. This time I went in to buy a SCRIPT (A Gift card for major retailer if bought threw the school they get a % and you pay the same amount). I walk in and the teacher walks over with the look NO parents wants to see!!! OH CRAP what happened, usually it's a normal chat Cole was a little hyper today but NEVER more than that. Cole is in the principals office and the principal wants to talk to you! Turns out Cole got in trouble not once but twice! First time he got up when he didn't know the answer and went over to look at a friends paper .... UGH. They worked threw it and went on then the teacher stepped out for a moment to use the bathroom and when she returned a kid said Cole called him a "Weirdo" maybe even with a little song added in! UGH UGH .... Well usually this wouldn't be a big deal he would have to apologize etc, but Cole wouldn't admit he did it! So off to the principals office and sat there for 3 HOURS since he still wouldn't admit it!!!! Ok so the kid even gives me the ebby vibe BUT NO it's not ok to call him a weirdo. Then I find out Cole has been having prob's he get's upset sometimes and tells them he wants to go back to his old school, but mom can't afford it. OOEEYY!!!! Then he sometimes say he didn't take his med's. Oh yes we had a nice ride home and dad even took him a ride and a nice talk!!!! KIDS .... I'm banging my head against the wall right now!

Rick and I did make it out on our date night after I feed the kids and put them to bed before the babysitter was dropped off. It was so nice to get out of the house, we go out maybe 2 times a year so I treasure the moments we can get away. The comedy club was fun and most of the comedians were funny! I ate food I shouldn't have and laughed so overall a good 2 1/2 hours out of the house. It was nice to put my mind at ease for just a little bit.

Rick took the babysitter home and I made myself a yummy cup of hot cocoa, it may have had just a hint of Baileys in it. What? I had a rough day! Prayers or thoughts whatever you may do that Cole has a better day at school today and will be able to move forward and NOT have a day like this again!

This is what I found in my bathroom!

Cole made a heart out of my necklace for me!!!

Got to love that little guy even with a bad day!

I'm Weak! I gave in for a new coffee maker.

A little back story =D. As many of you know Rick works 3 jobs (1 Full + 2 Part Time). He doesn't have many actual days off and when he's home and awake the kids are going to bed or just getting up ready to leave. Most of the daily routine falls on mom, which I have taken on and most days it's just life. Now of course I would love a day out with friends. I'm not a big go out to the club girl but just hanging with friends would be fun for me! Rick doesn't usually have weekends off and if he does I work Saturday AM and Saturday PM so both weekend nights are pretty much shot for me.

Now Rick doesn't go out often but he does get to hang with friends every once in a while along with he bounces at a bar so he gets the whole going out vibe. He's days off usually land during the week so he can go out with the guys. Which I don't hate but of course I little jealous and would love to go out too! Heck I would love to go on a date! So I was having a day the other night and he got to go out to a hockey game and out to play pool I was in a pissy mood and let him know it. Again NOT upset that he got to go out just pissy that I'm always in mommy mode and no me time.

So how to get me out of my pissy mood, yup you bribe me with coffee! And even better a coffee maker I asked for Christmas but didn't get do to getting the boys the dog. So YES I'm weak and sold out for a coffee maker ... lol. Not as good as going out but hey I do get some nice coffee for the AM =)!

I GAVE up never could win one and DARN if I couldn't get one to review so this paid all by us :).

Weekend Wrap ~ Fun Time & More Parties

Busy weekend as always and then I went to sit down to type this to find my headset for work wasn't plugged in so I tried and guess what the plug went into the headset ... CRAP. Tried to take it apart but no luck, I'm going to have to re order a new one. GREAT $60 for a new one, double crap. So this will now be a quick post while I freak out a little bit.

First I show you the boys having fun around here! The boys found the night vision glasses from last Christmas! Yup I keep coming into their room to find them in bed with these on!

Saturday was a busy day, I worked 6am to 9:30am had a nice little break. Then off for two birthday parties and then back home to work my 2nd job. It was nice to get out and we went to a friends house I haven't seen in a few years for her son's 13th PARTY (I can remember the day he was born). It's nice to reconnect with friends. It's funny I was so nervous to go since we haven't talked in a while. We didn't end on bad note just fell away for a while, but still got nervous as I drove up. But walked in and was greeted with hugs and smiles, of course there might have been one that didn't talk to me but overall a great day.

Sunday we had church then we hung out home, then Rick called he was working Monster Jam and thought the boys would enjoy. So I got them dressed and off we went! And the BEST part my bestie from elementary school was there and Rick walked her and her family over to our seats. It was so nice to sit with friends.

Happy Wednesday everyone, now I'm going to go back to freak out and what I'm going to do with my headset for work tomorrow AM. Since I do calls all day long and MUST have a headset. DOUBLE CRAP .... Is it worth the $40 extra to ship it here ASAP. UGH I must go insert my head in the oven know ... :).