a day for exploring

A little place in the forest we found for some adventuring. I'm telling you, we just can't get enough. 

My littler sister and magoo. They're so cute together. 

things that make me happy

Weekends are so nice. It's especially nice to have dad all to ourselves. Having three kids gets hectic sometimes, let me tell you. Everyone including me is happier to have dad home. He's a good one too, plays with the kids, makes us breakfast almost every morning, true story.

Other things that make me terribly happy right now:

-looking out my kitchen window and seeing the blossoms on the trees

-the kiddos playing so happily (a nice break from the chaos)

-watching lots of Conference (as much as kids will allow) Conference weekends are the best

-gummy grins from one happy baby

-daffodils as we walk in the house

-Brett turning one year older (I still have a few years before

 I can stop saying he's in a whole other decade than me)

our weekend in photos

I loved every bit of Thanksgiving and I'm even more excited to be able to get ready for Christmas. I was set on getting most of my Christmas preparations done before December but I got the flu. And then so did everyone else. Ugh. But I got a good start.

Here are details of our little weekend:

decking the halls with little helpers 

 watching Christmas movies and snuggling with my baby girl

one lady bug found

eating Brett's amazing pancakes with apple-cider syrup (try it, I'll never go back to maple) 

bath time

play time

sister time

some Christmas shopping without kids ;)  

getting Indian food with old friends

getting my Christmas cards done (early this year, yay!)

Apple Cider Syrup

2 cups apple cider or apple juice
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix together sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg in saucepan. Pour in juice (apple and lemon). Cook and stir constantly until thickened and boils. Boil and stir one minute. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Serve warm over pancakes.

weekend photos

The weekend was so good to us.  We had a much needed date night, dinner at Setebello's. Then in pictures; my happy children sitting on the steps with popsicles in hand, a sure sign of summer. Sweet little braids and getting ready for our walk to church.

 

Most importantly the weekend proved to be a success because I found my chocolate chip recipe. You know how every good mom makes the best chocolate chip cookies? Brett's mom makes the best chocolate chip cookies but I just can't make them how she does.  I have other cookie recipes I like but I've never found a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I was happy with. Well, I finally found it, the one. Of course it's a Paula Deen recipe. I love that lady. Here it is, just for you.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

adapted from Paula Deen's Three Chocolate Chip Recipe

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3   large eggs

1 3/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1   (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup milk chocolate chips

Here's the trick with cookies. It's all about how you mix them. First you have to beat the butter and shortening until they are creamy and then add the sugars. Then you have to beat them until they are good and fluffy. Then there comes the eggs and vanilla, then the rest.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes. Her recipe says to drop them by the 1/4 cup and cook them for 12 minutes but I like my cookies small, Otis Spunkmire style.  

a bit of our weekend

We had the simplest of weekends. I loved it. There was celebrating Brett's birthday with family, working in the yard, watching Conference, doing a little painting, and a little relaxing. My favorite moment was watching Brett sneaking in a little nap all the while still being adored by his children.