If I had it to do all over again . . .

Have you ever felt like you wished you could re-do your wedding reception all over again? I've felt that way for years. Each year new ideas come out and they are prettier than the year before. Well, my niece is getting married in a year, and I've volunteered to help. It is so hard to try to stay out of the way and not give too much input because it is so fun to think of ways you would decorate things! So, I'm trying to keep myself in check and do only what is asked of me. But I did have so much fun putting together this centerpiece for a test. Luckily, she liked it. Oh, and for those of you who are wondering, what I would have done differently is taken the money my parents offered us in lieu of a wedding reception and run! Just kidding. I did have fun at my reception, I just felt stressed.

One more recipe . . .

O.k., this isn't really a recipe, it's more like the combination of two delicious items. Have you ever ordered Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough from any fundraiser? Well, Dylan and I love to get their peanut butter cookie dough (preshaped and ready to go!) and when there is one minute left on the timer when baking, you place one Dove milk chocolate in the middle of each cookie. Let cool for however long you can stand to wait, and then enjoy the chocolatey, gooey happiness! Soooo good. And yes, I drool like Homer Simpson when thinking of them.

Memorable Recipes

Isn't it wonderful when certain recipes bring back memories from the past? I was making some hot sandwiches that my mom used to make this time of year the other night, and it brought back all of these memories. First, there were the Friday's when my mom and grandma would get together to make a bunch of these sandwiches to take to the Friday night Clovis High football game (when my brother used to play). Those were fun, even though I've never been a big football fan. Then I remembered the Halloween parties I used to have! They were so fun! My sister-in-law would help me plan the haunted house for two weeks before they were held. We'd turn the back patio into a haunted parlor by draping black plastic from the patio roof. My parents usually had a lot of corn in their large garden that we'd take the group through, and one year we even had a haunted forest in the Eucalyptus trees where we had the wolfman hanging out. We never had a problem finding help, family members would always volunteer to dress up as Freddy Kruger or Jason wielding a chainsaw to scare my friends. And to think, sandwiches brought back all of these fond memories. They used to be called something like "Hot Crusty sandwiches", but I've renamed them to "Tasty Little Devils." They are really easy to make. Here's the recipe, and yes, I know. Just from the first few ingredients they sound like a gastrointestinal explosion waiting to happen, but those who've tried them really like them;)

2 4.5 oz. cans deviled ham
5 boiled eggs
1lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 can chopped olives
1 can green chili's
Salt and Pepper
1-2 Tbsp mayonnaise to moisten
2 bags of 12 count Sweet French rolls (my favorite is Basque)

All you do is cube the eggs and cheese and combine the first 7 ingredients. Then you open the rolls and scoop out some of the bread to make a nice pocket. Fill each roll with about 2-3 Tbsp. of filling. Wrap each sandwich in foil, then cook at 350 for 20 min. Be careful, because the filling is very hot and rather messy.

Customer reviews

Have you ever seen an infomercial, and just really, secretly wanted to purchase the product? When Dylan Jr. was a little tyke, we sent away for a video on some vacuum system that he would watch over and over. We have always told him that he is so gullible when it comes to infomercials. In reality, he gets it from me! Have you ever seen the commercial for the "Point and Paint"? Well, I broke down and bought it thinking that I'd surprise Dylan by having the bathroom painted while he's out of town. I just hated the thought of having to spend hours taping and masking just to have him spray it. Well, it wasn't too bad. It took about 3 hours, but I still have to do corners with a small brush. To be honest, the "Point and Paint" isn't too different from a roller, just not as messy. So, I didn't have to lay down one drop cloth or use any painters tape. It has its pros and cons, like where do I buy replacement pads? I couldn't paint nearly as fast as they claimed I could on the commercial, but all in all, I was satisfied.
Have you ever caved in and ordered an infomercial product? Was it good/bad?

Playin' a little hookie

I don't know how long it's been since we've been out of town as a whole family, but we were able to get away this last week. We went to Laguna Niguel and to the happiest place on earth, which happened to be all decked out for Halloween. We had a nice view of the ocean from our room . . .



We even got to watch a sunset wedding right outside our patio on the grass overlooking the cliff. It was a fun trip . . . a long trip. I'm so glad to be home, though. Now I'm inspired to decorate my house for Halloween!

William is 2!

I didn't get around to posting yesterday, on his real birthday, but I couldn't forget our little William. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. He always makes us smile, and always keeps me on my feet. Seriously, today I was chasing him through Target while he was pushing a Mega Blocks wagon around. Dylan just watched and laughed. Happy Birthday, my sweet William. Oh, and the new music is one of his favorite songs by the Imagination Movers.

Children's Book Review: Pizza Pat

There are several book clubs for adult books, and websites for adult book reviews, but I read children's books more than adults books. I've found some that have become family favorites, and I've run into a few that I wish I didn't spend my money on. So, I thought every once in awhile I'll review a children's book, and maybe those of you who read my blog can suggest some good ones as well.
Now on to "Pizza Pat", by Rita Golden Gelman. This has been a family favorite since our first son, Dylan, received it in the mail from one of those book of the month clubs. It is so fun for the adult to read out loud, and the children find the words like "gloppy" and "sloppy" fun too. It can get to be a bit of a tongue twister, especially if you are trying to speed up the pace, but that makes it more enjoyable!
Poor Pat, he works so hard on making this pizza, but the mice who steal it are so fat and happy at the end that you don't feel bad for him too long. I would definitely recommend this one for those who enjoy reading out loud to their kids.

Long gone are the days . . .

. . .when my calendar had days on it with no schedules!
. . .when I could spend an hour on the couch with the boys in the morning watching cartoons, cuddled up with them.
. . .when asked what I had planned for the day, I could reply, "nothing."
. . .when I could have a spontaneous outing or fun play activity.
. . .when I could take a long shower in the morning and take my time shaving my legs (now, some mornings, I do the "can it wait until tomorrow" feel along my legs).

Seriously, though, scheduled appointments go against everything I believe! My personality doesn't cope well with a full calendar, and I've tried hard for years to fight it. But with 4 boys, it is inevitable. Today was going to be my one day this week with nothing on my calendar but to pay one bill. Then, I had to schedule an unexpected doctor's visit for one son and as we were on our way out the door my other sons' teacher pulls up in front of the house. I completely forgot my youngest had his CITI kids appointment today! My brain is a "one-activity-a-day" type brain, and if there is too much going on, I just forget things like crazy. And I write things down! I have a calendar that I check every morning, but I still manage to forget things! How do people keep it together with such busy lives? Aren't stay-at-home mom's supposed to have more free time to get everything done?

I'm a basket case

We've had a lot of women in the ward who have either had babies, or are about to have babies, and when you've made a baby flower basket for one, you don't want anyone else to feel left out. So, I've been busy with baskets . . .

This one was a very difficult one. This was for a mom who doesn't know the gender of her baby yet. There's not a lot out there that is neutral.

This one has a very cute toddler dress for the center flower.

This was the first boy basket I've done. I was actually surprised at how it turned out. I loved the blue color of the little baby mittens put together with the mini daffodils.

Happy 4th of July!

I came upon this quote in a magazine that had included patriotic quotations in its' July issue. I just think it is a wonderful sentiment, and really makes me grateful for all who have made our freedoms possible