Cookbook!

Okay, for those who are asking how they can get a copy of my Mom's cookbook... you can email her at vicki@smwireless.net to let her know you want one and give her your address. Just send her $5 and she'll print and mail one to you (you'll need to get a little binder to put it in). How exciting is that? I wanted to let everyone know so no one would get killed. (Becky! You are hilarious!!! Thanks for the laugh.) If you need any testimonials on my Mom's recipes or her cooking just ask any of her kids or in-laws or friends. This cookbook includes recipes from a popular Wahluke Ward Cookbook (which I LOVE) and lots of other good recipes that my Mom has collected over her many years as a wife and mother. Enjoy and thanks again Mom!

Worry Wart

Today was all about comfort. I didn't get out of my pajamas all day. I was busy though. I deep cleaned my house, organzied some and got a lot of things done. It was nice not having to get ready. I worked Monday and Tuesday and I work again on Thursday. I haven't worked this much for a long time and so far my shoulders, neck, back and hands are doing okay. The temp agency I signed up with has been calling me a lot so I already have next week filled with three days.

I temped in an office on Monday and I was SO nervous. I probably only slept 3-4 hours the night before. I was worried about making a good impression, being on time, finding my way around the office and understanding their dental software. It all turned out just fine and went very smoothly. In fact, one of the assistants used to work for the dentist I work for and I met a man that survived a crane falling on him. Yes, the crane fell through 4 floors and landed on him. He said his nose was flat against his face after the accident and he pulled it back into place. OUCH! He looks normal and he was the nicest man! It really is a miracle he survived. One of the dentists there even helped me do a dental chart and perio chart with one of the patients. He was the nicest dentist ever! Everyone else was busy at the time so he came to help me. The dental software was the same one I used in dental hygiene school, but it's been several years since then, but I caught on fast and it was fine. I'm glad I work in an office that has computers, digital x-rays, intra-oral cameras and all the up-to-date stuff so I know how to use it when going to different offices. I tend to worry too much so I need to work on that. Since I'll be temping a lot more this next week I hope I don't worry too much and actually get some sleep!

We bought an upright freezer off of Craigslist and I'm excited to get it hooked up. I've been looking for one for over a month and I think we got a great deal. I was even able to talk her down with the price. It was my very first purchase off of Craigslist. Now I need to get things to put in it. Kate will want popsicles since she kept asking for those when we were at my parent's house. Oh the possibilities.

Life last week

We're home now. It's been great to be away for a week and forget about things for a bit. Kyle had his "therapy sessions" while sitting in a tractor disking a field for hours at a time (getting it ready for my Dad to plant peas). He loved it. He would love to farm if it paid better. :) Everyone was at my parents for the weekend so that was fun. We even got to see our aunt and uncle that came from Utah for a visit. We spent our time relaxing, going to Tri-Cities to see family, getting our pedi/mani's (loved it), exercising (some siblings are training for 1/2 marathon's and 10k's), playing the Wii (gotta love battleship, boggle, yahtzee, tennis, bowling and mario kart), stampin' cards, reading, working on resumes, playing card games (hearts, scum and rook) and laughing. Thanks Boulder Resort for such a great vacation!

Carter and Kate with Grandpa Craig in the tractor. Love the blue skies!

I liked this picture because Preston was heading straight to the tractor. He would point and then walk/run to it. It was cute.

Preston loved (fatty) Addy. He always wanted to see where Addy was. They bonded. :)

Kate cookin' something up in the kitchen. It was nice to send Kate outside and not see her for a couple hours. She also played with the Barbies A LOT and my Mom loved listening to her play pretend and hear her conversations.

(L-R: Sara, Heidi, Marci, Sadie and Jeni)

For Valentine's Day my Mom made us girls these ADORABLE aprons. We loved them and look so chic, huh?! ha! I'm holding a new printed version of my Mom's cookbook that we got as well. She updates it every now and then and gives all of us a copy. It's great.

Mid-Winter Break Fun

I don't have anything to really blog about. I'm in a blogging rut, but I've enjoyed reading everyone else's. We've had snow, hail, rain and sunshine for the last couple of days. I've been working more and Kyle just "loves" being a stay at home dad. ha! Kate wants to play hide and seek all the time, which we sometimes do with her. I need to hire a 7 yr old to come play with her. :) Preston is getting into everything and likes to pull stuff out of cupboards and drawers. He throws mini tantrums and is trying to talk.

We are going to my parent's house for a week since Kyle has lots of free time and the dental office is closed for mid-winter break. My Dad needs help on the farm so Kyle is more than excited to go over and help him out. It will be therapeutic for him to be on the farm getting dirty. We'll also see lots of family this weekend which is always fun. My mom, sisters and I are going to do a stamp camp and so I've been trying to come up with a card idea. I am going to get a pedicure with Marci next week because my Dad gave all us girls a coupon for a pedi for a place in Tri-Cities. All in all it will be busy, fun, hopefully relaxing and a good break from work.

Delicious Red Velvet Cupcakes

I'm posting this recipe because I've already given it out to several friends- it's that good! And it it would be a perfect dessert for your family on Valentine's Day. Jeni found this recipe and my Mom made them for Jeff's open house. They were a hit and Kyle loved them. We went to a dinner party last week and I had to take a dessert. Kyle requested these so I made them for the first time and they were yummy and moist. This recipe is a keeper.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES:
Makes 30 (1 cupcake) servings.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 bottle (1 ounce) McCormick® Red Food Color
2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.

2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup two-thirds full.

3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened, 2 tablespoons sour cream and 2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar until smooth.

http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Desserts/Red-Velvet-Cupcakes.aspx