D's first experience at a Japanese restaurant. He did not think that the "fire" was very funny! Try to ignore my obnoxious laughter, but his reaction is worth it!!!

In joy, Troye

Brownies with Coconut Ice Cream

I'm not a huge fan of chocolate. Okay. Now that the confession is out there, you may all scrape your chins off of the floor. I realize that it is not a part of the female DNA to not like chocolate, but anyone who knows me knows that I am a little off anyway. I do like chocolate if there is another strong flavor with it (like peanut butter, caramel, ect).

I do however like the flavor of coconut- but not the texture. I promise that I am not picky. I am just a little bit Sally. "I like it the way I like it."

The combination of these two recipes is perfect for me, and I think that you will enjoy them as well. Chocolate lovers and coconut lovers alike!

Brownies
1 cup butter
2 cups sucanat/ rapadura
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup organic unsweetened cocoa powder (the cocoa bean is one of the most heavily processed and sprayed plants, so this is one area that it is worth it to make the switch to organic)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder

Melt butter and combine all ingredients. Spread into greased 9x11 pan and bake for 20-25 min at 350 degrees. Top with homemade coconut ice cream!

Coconut Ice Cream
1 can coconut milk
2 cups whole milk
1 cup cream
3/4 cup maple syrup
2-3 tbsp coconut extract

Mix all ingredients together and place in ice cream maker according to manufacturers instructions.

Nice Photo Op and A First!

Nice Photo op...
My friend Laura at Baby Dolls and Beer Bottles tagged me for a take-a-picture-of-yourself-right now-and-post-it meme. She did not tell me what it was for and just messaged me that I had been tagged. So, like an idiot, I went straight to it.
And, here it is...

Cute, huh?

I've been asleep on the sofa since 8:30 because I have been puking. I woke up to puke some more at 11:30, and decided to use the hour of felling better to catch up on a few things on the laptop, and I stumbled upon Laura's message. Thanks, girl!

If you are reading this message, consider yourself tagged. I don't have the energy to go through and link everyone right now.

and A First...

I have been a Premier Designs Jeweler since 2000. It has been 8 1/2 years, and for the first time ever, I puked at a show. I have probably only hurled two or three times in that whole 8 1/2 year period, and this time, I had to break it down at a jewelry show. Lovely! I left my jewelry at my hostess' house. I hope the guests had fun playing in my jewelry box tonight!!!!!!!!!

Yumm... yummm... Yummiest burgers!

We made these burgers for the second time this weekend, and they are the best burgers EVER...as long as you have someone to work the grill...like my man! No need to limit them to the summer as the recipe says either. These are delicious when it is cold outside as well.

Summer Feta Burger with Gourmet Cheese Spread

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese,
softened
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 red onion, minced
2 lbs beef
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta
1/4 cup red wine
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

1 large heirloom tomato, sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced
8 leaves green leaf lettuce leaves
8 Kaiser rolls, split
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 clove minced garlic, basil, and dill. Cover and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat and cook 1 clove minced garlic and onion for 4 to 6 minutes, or until translucent. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
3. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate.
4. While the grill is heating, gently mix together the cooked garlic and onion, ground beef, pork sausage, feta cheese, red wine, egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Do not over work the meat mixture. Divide into 8 equal parts and form into patties.
5. Grill patties on preheated grill for 5 to 10 minutes per side, until well done. Toast the split buns on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes. Assemble the burgers by spreading 1 1/2 tablespoon of the cheese and herb spread to both the top and bottom of each roll. Place patties on the bottom half of the rolls and stack a slice of tomato, sliced red onion, and a leaf of lettuce on each burger. Add the roll tops and serve.

ENJOY!

In joy, Troye

Favorite Pantry

A random Favorite Things Friday post...I realized a couple of months ago, that I have never lived in a house long enough to need to re-organize anything. About the time that we got to the point of needing a little fresh organization in our home, we would move, which allows for re-organization in and of itself.

Since we have lived in this house almost three years now, it is time to make a few adjustments. I started with the pantry...

Since we have wire shelving in our pantry, I started out by having The Man cut very thin pieces of plywood to fit the shelves. I covered them in contact paper, and now small bottles don't fall over, and the weight is a little more evenly distributed.

I also added baskets to contain things like bags of chips, granola bars, and small baking items.

I also put things like extra flour, sugar, and oats in plastic containers. I want to switch to all glass, but that will take time (and $).

I added a shelf of quart sized glass jars to contain snack items such as raisins, popcorn, nuts and trail mix, and The Man cut a couple of two by fours to give some heighth for the back row. Looks great, huh?
Finally, although my spices are in a different place in my kitchen, I count those as part of pantry organization. I added a couple of tiered lazy susans- one with sweet spices, and one with savory- to be able to see (almost) all spices at a glance. I used to keep them in a bin that I had to pull out every time I needed something.

In total, this project only cost about $20 (for the lazy susans, quart sized mason jars-which I actually already had, plywood and contact paper).

J's class

On Valentine's Day, we had strawberry cupcakes in J-Man's class. He really enjoyed the super sweet icing!
D received this uber cute V-Day necklace made from saran wrap and candy. He had a really difficult time not touching it for me to snap a photo.

Mason... chillin' with his Capri sun

J got off of the bus Monday afternoon, and said, "Guess what, Mama? I have something VERY funny to tell you.

Tomorrow is FAT TUESDAY!"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.....

We celebrated Mardi Gras in his classroom with Masks and King Cake.

Ashley got the baby. I can only imagine what her mom thought when she went home and told her mother, "Mom, there was a baby in my cake."

Hummingbird Cake

I have never understood why hummingbird cake is named after a small bird. When I was a kid I wouldn't eat it at chuch potlucks because that sounded gross. For some reason a few weeks ago, I decided I wanted a hummingbird cake though, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. I asked everyone I knew if they had a good recipe, and no one did. Apparantly hummingbird cake is not that popular these days. I need a Great Aunt Edna who made it from scratch and who is willing to pass down the recipe to preserve it for future generations. No luck. I have no Great Aunt Edna.

I did find out some interesting theories on my quest for a recipe as to why it was dubbed hummingbird cake in the first place. One is that the cake is so good that it is eaten quickly like the rapid flapping of the small hummingbird's wings. Another is that it is so sweet like the nectar that the hummingbird drinks. Who knows or cares? The cake is just good.

Here is the recipe that I adapted, and it is delicious if I am allowed to say so. It is also very nutritious, but don't let that deter you from the moist yummy goodness that is this cake!

Hummingbird Cake

3 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp soda

1 cup honey granules (sub white sugar if desired)

1/2 cup sucanot (sub brown sugar if desired)

1/2 cup coconut oil (or whatever oil you prefer)

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 very ripe large bananas, mashed

1 cup crushed pineapple, with juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 large eggs, beaten

Preaheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray and flour two 9 inch cake pans or three 8 inch cake pans.

Stir dry ingredients together and then add all other ingredients, stirring to combine. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until the tops spring back when gently pressed with fingertips (about 20-25 min). Cool 10 minutes, invert to wire rack and cool completely before icing.

Buttercream Frosting

1 stick softened butter

8 oz softened cream cheese

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 pound powdered evaporated cane juice (sub powdered sugar if desired)

Whip cream with a mixer or whisk. Move to another bowl. Cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla and add powdered sugar continuing to mix with a paddle attachment until smooth. Fold in whipped cream.

After icing, cover top of cake with chopped pecans.

Getting Ready for V-Day!

Smoky Tomato Salmon Chowder

You guys are not going to believe this...

Wait for it...

Seriously, you should sit down...

It's Favorite Things Friday!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, if you are having trouble breathing, dial 911, and then keep reading because this is a good one.

It was a soup night, and fish was on the menu, so I made this Better Homes and Gardens recipe! Delish!

The only thing I changed was that once the soup was heated, I added 1/2 cup of heavy cream to make it more bisque- like.

Smoky Tomato Salmon Chowder
Start to Finish: 45 minutes


Ingredients
3 6-oz. fresh or frozen skinless salmon fillets
1 to 2 tsp. chili powder
2 medium red sweet peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
1 medium sweet onion, cut in 1/2-inch slices
1 jalapeño pepper,* halved lengthwise and seeded
2 14-oz. cans chicken broth
1 14.5-oz. can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 large tomato, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley
1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
Chili powder
Directions
1. Thaw salmon, if frozen. Pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and refrigerate while roasting vegetables.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place sweet peppers, onion, and jalapeño pepper, cut sides down, on foil-lined baking sheet. Roast 15 to 20 minutes. Loosely wrap vegetables in foil; let stand 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, place salmon in a shallow greased baking pan; fold under thin edges. Bake 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness or until salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork; keep warm.
4. With sharp knife loosen and peel off skins from peppers; discard skins. Coarsely chop peppers and onion; transfer to large saucepan. Add broth and undrained tomatoes. Bring to boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in chopped tomato and parsley.
5. To serve, ladle chowder into shallow bowls. Break salmon in pieces and divide among bowls. Top with avocado slices and sprinkle with chili powder. Makes 6 main-dish servings.
6. *Hot chile peppers, such as jalapeños, contain oils that may burn the skin and eyes. Wear plastic gloves when working with hot peppers or thoroughly wash bare hands with soap and water after handling them.

There are still plenty of soup days left this year, so definitely add this to your menu!!!!!

In joy, troye!

Post your favorite soup recipe to your blog, and add the link here. I would love to see what you have to share!

Coconut Oil Benefits

I have had a lot of question on FB about coconut oil, so I wanted to add a link to a great youtube expalining the health benefits here. Dr. Mercola promotes a certain brand, but as long as you get extra virgin and it smells like fresh coconuts you are fine. I cook everything with it- including bread- and it offers the best flavor of any oil out there!!!!!! Here's a little more 411:

Uninspired

It's not that I'm dead, just uninspired. If you can call what I do on this blog writing, then I definitely have writers block!!!!!!!!

So, I just decided to post a random photo to (hopefully) get back into the swing of things.

This is an oldie. This was in our temporary apartment in Savannah before we moved into our house. I found Jonah this way. I actually seem to remember a piece of toilet paper hanging from his mouth when I found him as well. GOOD TIMES!!!!!!!

Thanks again to the three of you faithful readers who support me even when I don't post. :) Love you!
In joy, Troye

All right already! I know, I know. It has been a loooooooooong time. I have been feeling very un-blogspired, and so I just haven't posted anything. I haven't even been moving photos over from my memory card. What is up with that?

So here I am.

Unfortunately, nothing fun or exciting has happened other than my friend, Laura over at Baby Dolls and Beer Bottles nominated me for this blog award:

Let me just go ahead and tell you how undeserving I am of any award, especially when you consider the fact that Laura had to facebook message me to even let me know about it. How embarrassingly pathetic is that?

Thanks for the award, Laura!!!!!!!!!

I would also like to nominate a few of my favorite blogs for this award. These people are much more deserving of blog awards!!!!!

1. Nikki, over at The Best Intentions. She is one of my BFFs, and she makes me feel better about not blogging because check out her last post. :) Sorry to "out" you, Nikki, and I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND!!! I also love her blog, and getting to see her precious family!!!
2. Just to make Nikki feel better, I would also like to nominate another BFF, Kristina at Momma's Banter. Seriously, check out her last blog post. She cracks me up everytime she posts (all four times!).
3. And, just to make Kristina feel better, I nominate Susannah, at Honey in My Coffee. One post, at Halloween!
4. Okay, now that I am done making myself feel better about not blogging, I would also like to nominate, Andrea, at Who Has More Fun Than Us. One of my favorite people and bloggers. You should seriously check her out. This is what blogging should look like, and we all aspire to be like you, Andrea!
5. I would also like to give a shout out to my sis-in-law, Sharon, at The Exploits of Sharona and JT. I love getting to see what she and JT are up too. Check this kid out... Is he a cutie, or what?
6. Next I nominate Amy, over at The Shafe Family. It is always fun to connect with old friends (not that you are old Amy, we've just known each other a long time), and see what they are up to!
7. I would like to nominate Kimberly, over at Kimberly's Daily Grace. You have to read her Biggest Loser post. HILLARIOUS!
8. Anna over at Little Bit Brown, whose "little bit" was born on my birthday last year and is the most precious butterball in the world. Anna, you are my idol when it comes to first time motherhood! Now put some photos on that blog, girl!

That's all for me... now here are the rules, so that you can nominate some deserving blogs as well.

So here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Party Pooped!!!

What a holiday season! This was the year of the party.

We started with pajama day in J-Man's classroom and the arrival of The Polar Express. Do you see the children sitting on the train? Their second grade book buddies joined us for the party.

After Ms. Corrigan read The Polar Express to the class, the teachers served a hot cocoa bar with fresh whipped cream, mini marshmellows, crushed peppermint, and colored sprinkles.
One second greader declared it "the best hot chocolate" he had ever tasted! Thanks, Buddy!
After hot cocoa, we got a call from the office that a very cold package had arrived from the North Pole. Our jingle bell necklaces had been shipped via magic straight to our school. They were still cold even!

Next was D's holiday party at school, in which all I had to do was send in a couple of boxes of graham crackers. Whew!

Check out this cute kiddo in the Santa hat.

Next was J-Man's school party. We decorated the teachers,decorated cookies for our snack,played a little bingo and M&M straw grab,made reindeer food to leave out for Rudolph on Christmas Eve,and made adorable snowman pins out of buttons (sorry no close up photo), and jingle bell door hangers.Somewhere in those days, we even managed to decorate gingerbread houses at homeand our family Christmas tree.


There was also a grown- up dinner party complete with leg of lamb, cocktails, and peppermint ice cream cake somewhere in the mix. How did I miss getting photos of that? Hmmmm......


We then celebrated Christmas with The Man's fam.

Complete with cul-de-sac football.

What a grab!

One of my favorite parties of the year is our annual Happy Birthday Jesus Party. Our craft this year was a terra cotta nativity.

The Force was with D-Man's Mary and Joseph. I did not, however, allow him to glue them there like he wanted.

We read the Christmas Story and decorated our small tree with nativity ornaments,

and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus (even though I am pretty sure D thinks we are singing to him here).

Finally, two days before Christmas. we had our home Polar Express party with the Sanfords.
Palette...Poses...
Popcorn and cocoa...
and Jaxon's constant reminders that the movie is about a train!

Wow! What a fun and exciting holiday season, and all of this took place before Christmas day!!! I'm settling down for a long winters nap!!!

...and to all a Good Night!

I Corinthians 13- Christmas Style

I usually think these kinds of things are pretty cheesy- and they are- but I really liked this one, and I wanted to share it with you.

Corinthians 13 Christmas Version
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, Strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, But do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, Preparing gourmet meals And arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, But do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home And give all that I have to charity, But do not show love to my family, It profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, Attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, But do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, But is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, But rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, Hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, Golf clubs will rust&But giving the gift of love will endure. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

I'm posting this as my Works for Me Wednesday as a reminder to all of us-ahem, I mean myself- that my Christmas focus should not be on the hustle and bustle, but on HIM and others around us! Head on over to Rocks in My Dryer for more WFMW tips.

In joy, Troye

Open House

It's BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes, so I want to take you on a very short tour of my Christmas Decor. Come on in the front door (complete with fingerprints because I want you to have the full effect)...

Say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus. They welcome you to our home where they sit atop the piano and cheer for our Dawgs (next season). Ahem!!!

Stop by the kitchen table for a snack.The Man is making Stadler Christmas Candies in the kitchen (recipe below).

Or enjoy some Ranger Cookies (recipe below) or Muffins as you gaze upon our Christmas Tree in the Morning Room.

Don't forget to check out the boys' homemade nativities from last year's Happy Birthday Jesus Party. And visit us next week to see this year's homemade nativity.

Take a glance at our Christmas cards on the basement door that is covered in wrapping paper, and then...

...have a seat in front of the fire place and enjoy some homemade hot cocoa (recipe below).

Here are the recipes:

Stadler Christmas Candies:

1 stick butter, softened

4 cups confectioners sugar

1 cup coconut flakes

1 qt nuts, chopped

1 small can sweetened condensed milk

2 bags semisweet chocolate chips

Mix ingredients together, excluding chocolate. Make into 1 in. balls. Melt chocolate in microwave and dip balls into chocolate thoroughly coating each candy. You may add parafin wax to your chips help the chocolate adhere to the candies. Dry on wax paper.

Ranger Cookies:
1 cup (2 sticks) Butter
1 cup Sucanat w/ Honey
1 cup Sucanat
2 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 ½ cups Soft Wheat Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
½ teaspoon Baking Powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ cups Rolled Oats
½ cup Shredded Coconut
½ cup Chopped Nuts
Preheat oven to 350.
Cream butter, sucanat w/ honey, and sucanat until creamy.
Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
Add combined flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; mix well. Stir in rolled oats, coconut and nuts; mix well.
Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.
Makes 2 dozen large cookies.

Stovetop Hot Cocoa

Mix 1/2 cup sugar (I use sucanot a brown sugar equivalent), 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa, and a dash of salt in saucepan. Add 1/3 cup water and heat over medium until mixture boils for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Then add 4 cups whole milk and heat until almost boiling. Remove from heat and add 1tsp vanilla.

Serve with cinnamon sticks, peppermint sticks, marshmellows or whipped cream and sprinkles. Caramel makes this an extra special treat as well. See previous post for salted caramel hot chocolate recipe.

Merry Christmas!
In joy, Troye

Mood Music

Jonah at the dinner table:

"We wish you a Merry August, We wish you a Merry August..."

And, yes, we allow singing at the table. I never understood why that was considered rude. ?

Merry August Everyone!!!!!

In joy, Troye

Wish Books Work For Me

Last year for the boys' Christmas wish lists, we got them each a poster board to glue cut out pictures of what they wanted for Christmas to. It worked well, but they were rather large and bulky (just in case you hadn't noticed that about poster board).

This year The Man came up with the great idea to change our format to a composition notebook so that they could carry it around. Because I told them they could not start their wish lists until after Halloween, on November 1, I wrapped two composition in wrapping paper and then wrapped clear contact paper around that. This has been a sufficient covering for J-Man, my oldest.

I will upload a photo after they wake up because they sleep with these books. My youngest carries his with him everywhere! Therefore I have had to re-tape his a couple of times.

They know that the Sunday paper contains the wish papers, and they destroy my house every Sunday cutting out pictures of things to go in their wish book.

And, poor D-Man has things in his wish book like Cheetos, Pop Tarts, and Chips Ahoy. Sad, deprived little child gets homemade treats, and he wants the store bought stuff.

So, that Works For Me. I hope you get some use out of it too. Head on over to Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer and check out some other Works For Me Wednesday tips.

Life with Boys

Getting ready for bed...
J-Man is jumping on his bed- it is such a calming process- and yelling "Poop" into our faces.
Repeatedly.
Over and Over Again.
J-Man: "Poop! Poop! Poop!"
The Man: "If you say poop one more time, I'm going to spank you!"
J-Man: "Pee!"

I betcha that doesn't happen in houses with all girls.

In joy, Troye!

D preformed for the group during his holiday luncheon.

In joy, Troye!

Highly Recommended

If you live within driving distance of Stone Mountain, their Christmas celebration should be top on your list of things to do this holiday season. It's not cheap, but even The Man said it was worth the money!!!!! For those of you who do not know my man, that is saying a lot.

Sorry, Baby. You're not "cheap" you're just money wise. :)
Here we are looking all cute and warm. A photo of us? What is that doing in here?


All bundled up for the train ride. When you take the train around the base of the mountain, you see a light show, and the train stops for telling of the real Christmas story. They even talk about the angels and baby Jesus. I was blown away.

J-Man on top of the mountain. They rode the cable car up to the very cold mountain top. Brrrrrr..........

For indoor fun, there is a super cool play area complete with foam ball guns and three story twisty slides. And, yes, that is the technical term.

The evening began with a small parade where Mr and Mrs Clause were introduced.

And, we ended the evening by visiting Santa to tell him about our list. J-Man wants a Transformer and a kid sized ping pong table- this was news to me. And, D wants a "big bus." No surprises there.

There is also a Polar Express 4D experience and the laser show is presented several times throughout the night. If that is not enough excitement there is also miniature golf.

And, this is what your children look like on the way home from Stone Mountain Christmas!

In joy, Troye!