Thankful

Saw this today and had to come write about it. I have always told my kids to remember to be thankful for everything you have instead of asking for more. If one is not thankful for what they have then why would they think they deserve more. It is not just about saying thanks but about showing it. In how we treat the things we own, the relationships we are in and the strangers we meet is how we show if we are thankful or not. I hope that how I live my life has been a good example of this for my children ... I am very thankful for all that I own, the relationships I am in and the strangers that I meet. Writing this makes me smile.. I love my life!

Saw this on Pinterest* which lead me to a great new blog to explore (here)

*Warning ~ do not click on the link for Pinterest unless you have a LOT of time to kill.. it is way too much fun.. finding so many fun things I want to make.. and places I want to go and recipes and ideas and so many new blogs to read... it is a major time killer :) If you do have lots of time to kill and you would like an invite .. just get me your email and I will send you one right away :)

Dessert on Sticks

Today I spent some time in the kitchen. My sister is getting married in March and I am going to be making some desserts on sticks. Cake pops and S'mores were the plan today. Needed to see how many one cake makes and how long it takes.. so I know what supplies to get and how long it takes to make enough.

S'mores on sticks = easy easy easy.. and fun! Take the marshmallow.. dip in melted chocolate.. stick the stick in there and then sprinkle with crushed graham crackers. Twirl them over an open flame to toast the edges and they are ready to go!

Next time I am thinking I will not crush the crackers so fine.

Next up.... Peanut butter / chocolate cake pops. This was my first adventure with cake pops.. I have done a lot of cake balls.. but this was the first time getting them on the stick. I did not think anything about it.. until I had the ball slide right down the stick in to my hand. Needed a plan.. so I decided to take the cake ball.. then dip the stick in the melted chocolate and slide it into the hole and stick them back in the fridge for a bit... it worked!! Yay!! Dip and cover in crushed peanuts!

I made a few more... everything was the same.. but instead of peanut butter in the cake I added a chocolate cream cheese thing I made up... and then half of them I dipped in crushed MnM's ( again I crushed them a little too much.

I also left some plain.. just chocolate/chocolate. I was thinking all the time about the different things I could dip them in... or thing I could put in them.. I could put a rolo around each bit of cake.. or maybe a jr mint... I really want to do some coconut ones. I am thinking I need something with a white cake.. not everyone loves chocolate.. hmm I could do those in white chocolate.. any ideas there?

Walk on the Beach

Yesterday I spent some time on the beach.. it was warm ( for Jan) and so calm.. just walked and listened to the water just lapping at the shore.. no big waves. Ran into a friend with her two cute little dogs so walked with them for awhile and did some catching up.. was a wonderful walk.  Found some treasures and took some photos.  Very relaxing enjoyable couple of hours.  Today my shoulder is screaming.. but it was still worth it :)

Pretty green sea glass

Even though the sun was setting I just did not want to go 

Sea glass photo was added to Weekly Top Shot
Thanks to Madge @ The View From Right Here for the invite :)

December 5th 1969

That was the day I was born.. thanks to Heather from Home to Heather I went to find out ( here ) what the number 1 song was the day I was born.  I did not know the song by name.. or the group....pulled it up on youtube.. from the album cover.. I still did not know but I did start laughing.. then the song started.. oh yeah.. I know this song.. lol but the cover still has me laughing.. the cover makes me think of the too sexy for my whatever song.

Wordless Wednesday

Wrapping up 2011

Wrapped up the year by heading back to Montana and spending a few more days enjoying Yellow Stone and just being together!  Last year was truly wonderful and I am so excited for the new year. Big plans are to just keep going... keep working on getting healthy... keep working on our new shop... keep having fun and enjoying life!  

Bald Eagle

                                          

Bison

Paint Pots 

Some of the photos of our winter tour through Yellow Stone.. Some day I hope to live close enough to visit here anytime I want.