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If you're having a rough day, go check this out.

Grosgrain: Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

I REALLY want to win!!! Wouldn't you?

Grosgrain: Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Goals Acheived

In August when we had stake conference, the theme was families. They handed out a copy of a family handbook that we produced by the church and the stake president wanted each parent to have one at their disposal. One thing that was brought up in that conference many times that really struck me was having family council. So we had out first one that Sunday night which was the last weekend in August. We sat together and decided to do some goal setting for the month of Sept. We set a financial goal and a spiritual goal. Our reward was going as a family to cold stone for ice cream. Everyday we were remined by the girls what our goals were and what we would get if we stuck to them. We decided that the last Sunday of each month we would have our family council to set goals for the next month. Here are pictures from our first reward outing.

Audrey's first trip to ColdStone

Siobhan posed this picture herself. And the black around her eyes? She somehow located a sharpie and decided that she needed glasses.

The fruits of an entire month with NO fast food and daily family prayer!


Audrey was so excited to go and has asked to go back as least one time everyday since. Mr. Will was there too he just didn't make it into any of the pictures.

So Pretty!

I grew these!

The crazy thing is that this only about half of what ended up blooming. They were so pretty and lasted a long time!

kindred Spirits

Audrey came up to me begging to hold Mr. Will. I love it when they do that...just shows how much they love him!
Of course Siobhan wanted to hold him too. The look on his face seems to say 'Am I falling out of this chair?'
They are all so happy together! I couldn't be happierand I don't think they could either!

Yum!

Alright, show of hands...for anyone who has known me for a long time, how many of you would ever expect me to voluntairily make and then eat tomato soup? Don't all raise your hands at once.....Well, last monday, that's exactly what I did. What you are looking at above is the tomato soup that I not only made and ate, but I made up the recipe all on my own! So here it is...

Meghan's 'First Snow of the Season' Tomato Soup*

1 can of Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes

1/2 red pepper

2 cans chicken stock

1/4 C of katchup

1 tsp Basil

1 tsp garlic Salt

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Rosamary

1 tsp Italian Seasoning

1/4 Liquid Smoke

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a blender, puree the tomatoes, red pepper and katchup. Put it all in the crockpot (did I mention I did this in crock pot?) Add everything else. Set it and forget it. I literally let mine cook on low ALL day! Probably about 8 hours. I also mixed some flour and water and added it at the end for some extra thickening. Serve with a warm dinner roll for dipping.

This soup is my new fav! Surprising huh? Everyone around here loved it including Audrey who doesn't eat anything! Enjoy! If you make it, let me know what you thought. The day I made it snow was in the forcast and it did snow so it was the perfect dinner for a blustery day!

*All of my measurements aside from the stuff in cans is approx.

Been Baking!

This summer I got really into baking. It's been so fun! I've made cookies and cakes and stuff which is pretty typical of me, but I decided to venture out into the bread realm. I found a delicious white bread recipe and as a result, I haven't bought bread in about 6 weeks. (I actually need to make some tomorrow.) I've made dinner rolls. They turned out yummy, but could use some improvement. I have made bagels three times and they are amazing! My Kitchen Aid is definitely getting a work out! Here are the recipes and some pics!

Amish White Bread
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour
Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes

How yummy does that look? So good with PB&J!

Homemade Bagel Recipe

Here is the link to the recipe-it's kind of long. Not complicated though.*

*The variations that I have tried are a follows. 1)Half white and wheat flour with basil and sun dried tomatoes. Really yummy! (pictured above) I just added the tomatoes and basil along with the other ingredients. 2) Cinnamon and sugar. Added that on after the boiling. 3) Parmesan. Halfway through the second ten minutes of baking-after I've flipped them-I sprinkled Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning on top.

*I've also experimented with cream cheese. With the sun dried tomato, I did scallion and herb, strawberry with the cinnamon and sugar, and sun dried tomato and basil with the Parmesan. If you want the recipes, let me know. No bagel is complete without delicious cream cheese!

Easy Dinner Rolls

(Sorry, no good pics-I still need to perfect this recipe. It's good though!)
1 cup water (110 degrees F)
2 packages yeast (Do not use the quick rising in this recipe)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
4 1/4 cups flour
Directions
Combine water and yeast in lg bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. With wooden spoon, stir in butter, sugar, eggs and salt. Add flour, 1 cup at a time and beat in as much as you can. (you will probably be able to use all the flour) Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Grease a 13x9 baking pan. Turn dough out onto floured surface. Divide into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth round ball. Place in rows in prepared pan. Cover and let rise for 1 hour; until doubled. Heat oven to 375*. Bake until golden brown, about 17 minutes.

For the Amish White Bread go here, for the bagels go here, and for the rolls go here.