Island for sale?

In college, Ruth would talk about getting a private island and all of us living there.  This holiday season really makes me want my own island.  Because of holiday traveling, I got to see a few of my favorite people and reconnect.  The bad thing is that it makes me realize how much I miss them! BUT, if I had an island all of my favorite people could live there and I (or they) wouldn't have to travel hundreds of miles to be together!  So, whoever wins the lottery or becomes a millionaire is in charge of buying the island.  Good luck!

Thanksgiving Crafts

So, I was putting away my Halloween decorations and obviouly I was pulling out my Thanksgiving ones, when I realized.....I only have a dish towel with a turkey on it! So, I talked to mom and got some ideas.  First, I made a wreath...cute huh?

Then, mom and Karen cut out some wood for a pumpkin/snowman project, which I of course snatched up for free from them.  I went over for the day to mom's, let Ev enjoy the yard, and made these cute Thanksgiving pumpkins for my table.  

Now I have a little more so that Thanksgiving doesn't feel neglected when it has to be in the box with all the other holidays.  

Tyler Rose Garden

On our weekend getaway, we drove through Tyler, Texas and made a stop at the rose garden.  It is 20 something acres of mostly roses.  It smelled SO good!  We could smell the roses as we drove by.  Plus, did you know that different roses have different smells?  I didn't, but they do! 

Also, Tyler produces 1/2 the countries rose bushes.  Beautiful!!

3 years and counting....

Joe and I have been married for 3 years tomorrow, October 25.  It doesn't seem like very long until I think about everything that we have done together in that time....bought a house, moved to Idaho, moved back to the promise land( haha Texas!), had a baby (who is now 15 mo), traveled all over the US, and survived each other! It has been a good 3 years!  So, we are going to a little bed and breakfast to celebrate...

 and we are driving the Charlie the Harley....

 I'm excited to be on the bike for the first time since we bought it!!  

I have to admit that I didn't like motorcycles at first, but now I'm hooked!

My Wild Child:)

It is finally feeling a little like fall in Texas.  We have to get jackets out when we ride bikes in the morning!  It is so nice to be outside and enjoying the weather.  Times like this make me want to have a house with a yard again...

First off, isn't she just too cute?!?!  I think so, but I'm a little bias.  I spent too many hours worrying about having an ugly child when I was pregnant (seriously, I was concerned).

Second, I have raised a wild child!  I just thought that she was full of energy and like all the other 15 mo old kids.  She climbed all the way up the jungle gym to the tallest slide and went down, by herself, several times.  She was having a blast!  The other little kids at the park had to have help on the slide...maybe this is pay back for what I did as a child.

PS Nana made the jacket...cute huh?    

College & Cinnamon Rolls

The Ladies of Ricks Hall 290

Katie just asked me to share my cinnamon roll recipe. To be honest, I haven't made these since college.  Just to take a quick trip down memory lane....It was Ricks Hall 290 and we NEEDED sweets in the house, so of course I volunteered.  I made the cinnamon rolls that my mom makes for Christmas brunch.  They quickly became an obsession and could easily account for my Freshman 15!  Good times!  Here is the recipe, and I hope that they bring good memories to you... 

3 1/2 C warm water

1 C Powdered Milk(sometimes I use regular milk)

1 C Mashed Potato Flakes

1 C Sugar

1/2 C Butter- melted

2 tsp Salt

2 eggs-beaten

8-10 C Flour

2 TBS Yeast

Vegetable Oil

Cinnamon

Brown Sugar

More butter

Mix together water, milk, potatoes, and sugar. Then add yeast.  Then add butter, salt, and eggs. Mix.  Then slowly add the flour a cup at a time until well kneaded.   Pour some vegetable oil on the counter, spread around, then put the dough on it to rise for about 15.  Cover the dough for the 15 minutes.  Then punch the dough and roll it out on the counter with a rolling pin.  Try to make a large rectangle (sometimes I split it into 2 lumps of dough). Once it is rolled out, cover the top with a tin layer of mostly melted butter.  Then add a thin layer of brown sugar and cinnamon.  Add a layer of pecans if you like them.  Then roll the dough up and cut it into cinnamon rolls using a knife or dental floss. Put the rolls on a greased cookie sheet or cake pan, cover them, and let them rise to about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.  Then put them in the oven @ 350 for 12 minutes. Then enjoy!  

Ev's First Birthday

Ev & Mommy excited about the cake

Blowing out the candle....She was blowing, but mommy needed to help.

Shoving it in her face to get a better bite!  That is the Meager in her...

 My baby girl is 1!!!  I still can't believe it.