We hurried home from church today and changed into play clothes so we could have a picnic outside. It is 60 degrees! I spread out a blanket and we ate a fabulous green salad with chicken, oranges, yogurt for the kids, and more no-bake cookies. Even Zac ate his banana-mango baby food outside on a blanket. It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we are going to take advantage!
Ty has been searching for a "man chair". He has been checking craigslist every day and today he found what he was looking for! It is a microfiber recliner. It is parked right in front of the television, and now so is Ty.
I made it to the store and brought home my special cocoa! I used some to make a batch of yum-o, no-bake cookies.
No-Bake Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup milk 4 tablespoons cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark) 1/2 cup peanut butter 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 cups quick-cooking oats 1/4 cup honey roasted peanuts (pulsed in a blender or food processor)
1. In a saucepan combine first four ingredients. 2. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute. 3. Remove pan from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until smooth, then stir in the oats and ground peanuts. 4. Drop by heaping tablespoon onto wax-paper lined baking sheets. 5. Let cool until set.
Almost every Friday night for the past year and a half we have been getting together with our friends to watch "Lost". We always tivo the new episodes during the week so we can watch them at our special viewing party. When a new season is not airing we watch old episodes online. It has become a huge highlight in my week. We are so involved in the show at this point. This is the final season of Lost. I'm not ready to leave the island :(
Last night my friend Amy hosted a little "swap and shop". Everyone came with loads of stuff that was headed to Goodwill. I left with some great finds! I am super excited about my freebies! I am loving this red pea coat. Can't you just see me wearing it to see the lights at Temple Square this December? :)
Also...name brand khaki pants! Score! I found a great dress (very 70's) but I will have to model it later. Thanks Amy! It was a fun night!
Today we are expecting a high temperature of 50 degrees, which would be warm enough for some outside play if it wasn't for the wind chill....Brrrr! Max and Mia are braving it.
I keep thinking that because the sun is shining it should be warm. Not quite! Maybe tomorrow!
Onto other matters of urgency....I am out of my beloved dark cocoa powder that I use to make my hot chocolate every morning :( Must make a trip or Saturday morning will be very sad.
Tonight: The latest "Lost" episode Chicken dinner with Rob and Lisa Jim and Pam's baby arrives - "The Office" Blondies! Happy Friday!
I do! I love it when Ty calls me on his way home from work. I quickly clean up messes and make the kids look cute. I put on some lip gloss and brush my hair. Sometimes I even start dinner. Ty walks in the door and we are ready for action! The kids give out hugs and kisses. I give out a kiss or two myself. and we pretend to have spent the day in a clean house looking gorgeous while preparing delicious food. ;)
It looks like warmer temperatures are in the forecast! I am already planning a picnic in the park for this weekend :) Spring! I can't wait to get outside again. I bundled the kiddos up yesterday and we took a walk around our complex. It felt so good to be out stretching my legs. I feel like I have been in a cave for months. I noticed my complexion in the mirror yesterday, and while I am a big fan of vampires, I don't really need to be as pale as they are. We have been eating soups, potatoes, and roast for several months and my body is starting to crave smoothies and salads. I am going to get healthy for spring! I plan on eating better (I know...the last post was about doughnuts), drinking more water, getting a little vitamin D from the sun when I can, working out a little more, and focusing on the wonderful moments in each day.
Tonight for FHE we made fresh buttermilk doughnuts! The activity seemed to bring out smiles and joy in all of us!
Ty was the doughnut hole master.
We got our little rings of dough all ready to go.
50 seconds per side. Just a perfect golden brown. Who needs Krispy Kreme?
We had a topping station. There was chocolate ganache, simple glaze, cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, and sprinkles. A little something to please everyone. Max and Mia stuck with the chocolate and sprinkles.
My favorite was the cinnamon sugar. A hot fresh doughnut covered with cinnamon....oh my it was divine!
The chocolate was pretty good too. We are all full of doughnuts and milk and have plenty for breakfast tomorrow. It was so good to have Ty home this evening and so much fun to do this activity together! Another good thing: Ty will be home tomorrow morning, which means I can hit the gym and burn the doughnuts off my thighs :)
Buttermilk Doughnuts
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting) 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg 3/4 cup buttermilk 4 tablespoons melted butter 2 eggs, plus 1 yolk about 6 cups of oil (for frying)
1. Mix 1 cup flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a mixer. 2. Mix the buttermilk, butter, eggs, and yolk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and then add the remaining 2 1/2 cups flour. The dough should resemble a cross between cake batter and cookie dough. 3. Heat oil in a saucepan to 375 degrees. 4. On a well floured surface, roll dough out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into circles. (we made our own holes by simply pulling the dough with our hands) 5. Drop dough rings into hot oil 2-3 at a time. Fry for about 50 seconds per side. Drain on paper towels and glaze, frost, sugar, and enjoy!
