snow day

I mainly took these pics for Aaron...but you all can view too.

 

We had some snow yesterday!

Riley loves playing in snow!



Owen loves being snuggly warm inside...ha!

backyard owl

We had an owl in our backyard recently!

It was pretty cool to see..

PB+J Pancakes

My mom came to visit us yesterday for the day.

Her and Riley had a fun day together!

I also had a fun day...alone.  I was able to get my hair trimmed and do some shopping all by myself.  It was GREAT and much needed.  I loved having a day off.  ;)

Thanks again, Mom!

 

Here is a little "thank you" I gave her...

 

I also sent her home with some cookies...

(a new recipe: Low Fat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies)

I made my first ever homemade bread!

Not bad, for my first time.

We're still enjoying the smell of sweet roses in our house too!

This morning (after Skype-ing with Aaron) I made PB + J pancakes for breakfast...

Amazing!

A very fluffy, light pancake!

We ate ours with Blueberry Syrup.

Yummies.

PB+J Pancakes

(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1 egg

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk (plus extra if needed to thin)

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, melted (15-30 seconds in microwave)

2 tablespoons oil

3-4 tablespoons butter, divided (for cooking)

Directions:

• Preheat griddle.
• In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
• Slowly add egg, milk, peanut butter and oil until combined.
• Let stand 5 minutes.
• Coat heated griddle with 1 tablespoon butter and pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake.
• Flip when a quick peek on the underside reveals a golden color.
• Repeat with remaining batter.
• Serve with fruit flavored syrup (like blackberry or blueberry) or spread with jelly or jam!
A cold glass of milk goes great with this too.  ;)

Makes about 11 pancakes.

Source: Parents, January 2011

I'm telling you, these pancakes will be a hit with your kids!

love February

February is a great month.

It's one month closer to spring.

One short month (which is good when your spouse is deployed)!

A month to decorate in white, pink and red! 
(when else would you be able to get away with this?!) 

Emillie, Hannah and I made the pom pom's

I am using the same ribbon from Christmas (where I displayed my cards)...
these are playing cards that I got at Hallmark, years ago, and use them to decorate.

from Hannah

from Emillie

garland

a banner my friend, Christian, made for my baby shower (2 years ago!) that I still use

Most importantly, February is a month to love.

It's not just about Valentine's Day. 

It's not about your relationship status. 

It's about showing those you love, just how much you really love them.  Your family, your friends, your husband, your kids.

For me, it's a love month!

fun mail day

I love getting mail.

Who doesn't?

It definitely can bring out a smile.

(Unless all you get are bills!  Ha)



Today I received a few goodies in the mail...

A letter telling me I won $100 to the Commissary (gift cards already included with letter!) for entering a giveaway.

A few more lovely Christmas cards.

A thoughtful (big) package from a dear friend of mine.

And a handmade, sweet, little necklace...



Today has been a fun mail day, indeed.


In January, I look forward to sharing more with you about that little necklace too...

december stuff

Baking cupcakes for a friend...

Drinking hot cocoa...

Organizing and sending out Christmas cards...

Wrapping presents...

Playing with toys...

Being lazy...

Hanging cards...

Making caramel apples...

Dyeing sugar for more baking...

Wrapping up cookies for gifts...

Its been a fun and busy month around here, and we're only half way through!

first snow

This past Saturday we got our very first snow of the season.

It was so pretty coming down, I enjoyed it (from inside).

We were lucky we didn't get hit as hard as some of you.

I pray that your power turns on soon, for those of you who lost it.

Stay warm!

I didn't want to leave the house to take a good photo, ha ha...sorry

While my hubby is in 100 degree weather, we are having snow in October.

Craziness.