We Are Family!

A week ago we got our family pictures done. We could not have been happier with them! I could look at them every day. 

I'm so thankful for my family. I feel SO incredibly blessed that we are very close. We have Monday night dinners at my parents house (if the guys are not working)  If we want to get out for dinner or get out to go somewhere we call each other up. Even if we want a getaway/vacation we prefer to go all together.  I laugh my hardest when I'm with my family and honestly feel I am my happiest when I'm with them too!

I am so thankful for wonderful Godly parents that raised me. They put a lot of good values in me. I'm sure there were days when they were wondering if I was even listening to them, but I was!!! I find myself now repeating those same things they taught me to the youth and I know later in life I will teach my kids those same morals and values.

I appreciate and love them very much!

I'm also thankful for my wonderful sister and my brother-in-law! They are perfect for each other and are our closet friends. Love you guys!

You all know what I think about my hubby so I'll spare you all on going on and on about how much I love him. Haha! Here is our sweet little family.....

Everyone have a great week!!!

My Passion..... His Projects

Yes, the title pretty much explains it all and my hubby would completely agree haha!

 We have loved making this house our home. Yes, sometimes there was some grumbling. Me, when he suggested that we work in the yard. Him, when I got this idea that I wanted to do but could not help him in anyway, shape, or form. Sound familiar girls? =P

BUT, my hubby would have to admit at the end of the projects he is happy with his work and we shared many laughs working on it together. 

(Our Second Home is seems like!)

       

Painted our staircase railing. Loved how it turned out! (I was able to help on this one lol!)

This was a very special project. My Grandma Luke had given us this beautiful buffet and we painted it to match my dining set. Makes me so happy to have something in my home that belonged to her.

Painted our Laundry Room. 

(This is the before picture)

I loved this color when I saw it and thought I'm going to try it. I was so very happy with the results.

Still needs a few more things but I love doing laundry in there now. =)

Downstairs Bathroom Remodel

My Hubby ripped out everything in our downstairs bathroom. He put new tile in and painted. We also got a new vanity, mirror and chandelier. 

I loved how it turned out!

Now we are working on our bedroom. I found the material for my curtains and I'm hoping to make them by next week! I'll post pictures soon.

Thanks for following.... Hope everyone has a blessed day!

Recipe For Life!

I've been addicted to this new recipe. It has zero carbs, zero calories, leaves you with glowing skin and a bright smile. 

Recipe for a Happy Life
1 Cup Friendly 1 Cup Love 1 Cup Laughter  2 Heaping Cups of Personality and Fun   1 TBSP of  Great Friends  Dash of Humor & Smiles
First, wash thoroughly of all worry, bitterness, rumors, hate and jealousy. You should be left with a clean, new slate. Measure Great Friends carefully. Add in cups of Friendly, Love and Laughter carefully. Use generous amounts of Personality and Fun. Cook, keep temperature low and do not boil. Add dash of Humor, Smiles. Season to taste with Spice of Life. 
Can be served with new beginnings or taking chances.

Just had to share! Everyone have a wonderful day!!

Medicines, Surprises, Pumpkin Patches, and Date Nights

I know its a crazy title and I'm warning you right away this will be sappy! Haha!

I just have to say I am so thankful for my hubby. He is always making me laugh and feel loved no matter what we go through. You never know what your going to face through life so that's why its important to marry your best friend.

I know you all have been waiting for an update on our baby situation. I have tried eating certain foods and doing some of the things the doctors told me, but its obvious that I need more help. I recently just went on two medications which are going to help my hormones get on balance and help me ovulate. Some of the side effects we read up on were not so pleasant, but I knew it was well worth it. Dan recently had got promoted on his job and I had talked to my boss and cut my days at work to Mondays and Wednesdays. They had told me I'm supposed to be on the medicine for 3 months and its plan is to get my body back on track. Its already proving to be working and the side effects have been minimum. I'm very thankful for that.

This is where the rest of the title comes in.  Dan has been doing so much for me to keep my mind off all this and helping me feel better. Seem likes every time I turn around there is a surprise for me or he is surprising me by taking me out.

First he had my house cleaned. This was the first time I ever had that done and it was WONDERFUL! If anyone needs a great house cleaner I will give you the # of a sweet lady at our church named Brenda!
Here is the link to her cleaning page.........

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brendas-Diamond-House-Cleaning-Service/174422795926371

Next was him walking through the door with this wonderful piece of furniture. I had been drooling over every time I saw it a the store. I was so surprised!! Lots of Hugs and Kisses for him! ;-)

     
                                         ( My little Toile Pillows I made looked perfect on it.)

  I had been mentioning that I wanted to go to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins and decorate my porch. That night he planned for us to go. We got ready and headed out. It was the perfect day for it and we had a blast! Even got to visit my Grandma and bring her a pumpkin. She loved it!

The best one of all was that he had a planned for my birthday a night on the town in Seattle. He took me out to dinner and to the ride the new ferris wheel on the pier. It was such a romantic evening.

As I type this out I feel so incredibly blessed and thankful. God knew just what I needed in a soul mate and someone to help me get through tough times. Is everything perfect? Of course not but am I happy? Absolutely Yes!

I'm also so very thankful to my friends and family that have encouraged me along the way. I love and appreciate you more than you will ever know.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Ok, so everyone has been asking for this recipe and I have just have to share it! If your a cookie dough lover like us then you will LOVE these!

First step, Egg-free chocolate chip cookie dough is mixed up, scooped into cookie dough balls and FROZEN. The freezing will help the cookie dough STAY COOKIE DOUGH during the baking process.

If you’d prefer to bake your cookie dough a little bit, let the cookie dough peek out the top of the batter like this.  The top of the cookie dough will bake into a cookie-like texture, while the bottom will stay more cookie dough-like.  If you’d rather have more of a raw cookie dough in there, poke the dough underneath the batter.

I made mine so they baked up half and half- a little baked cookie on top and doughy underneath.

The frosting is an absolutely amazing-tasting cookie dough frosting!! 

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                      Couldn't resist posting a picture of the inside. Amazing!

                                                            The End Result!

Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes

Yield: 1 dozen cupcakes

Prep Time: 45 min + freeze time

Cook Time: 25 min

Ingredients:

COOKIE DOUGH FILLING:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips

CUPCAKES:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

COOKIE DOUGH FROSTING:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

GARNISH:
additional mini chocolate chips
12 mini Chips Ahoy cookies

Directions:

1. Prepare the cookie dough filling (see *Tips below): In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to stir together the butter, sugars, milk and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients and the chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the cookie dough is firm. Scoop out dough in 2 tablespoon scoops and place it on a cookie sheet. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with 12 liners. Place the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda and salt in a blender. Blend to combine. Add the water, oil, egg and vanilla. Blend to combine, scraping down the sides as needed a couple of times until all is well mixed. Divide the batter between the 12 cupcake liners. Drop a ball of frozen chocolate chip cookie dough into the center of each cupcake. If you would like the cookie dough to bake up slightly, keep the top visible as pictured in the post. If you'd like to keep the cookie dough somewhat raw, push it to the bottom of the cupcake wrapper, making sure that the batter comes up and over the dough.

3. Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcake portion of the cupcake (not tested through the center where the dough is), comes out fairly clean. Cool the cupcakes completely before adding the frosting.

4. Prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter and sugars until smooth and creamy. Mix in the flour, milk and vanilla and continue to mix until all is well combined.

5. Assemble: Frost cupcakes with a knife or scoop the frosting into a piping bag and pipe it on decoratively. Sprinkle mini chips on top and garnish with a small chocolate chip cookie.

Tips:

*You don't necessarily have to melt the butter and refrigerate the dough before scooping. The melted butter just helps the sugar dissolve a bit more so you don't have that grainy texture in the cookie dough. It is necessary to freeze it though.

Its Fall Y'all!

Its Fall time! Love when the weather starts changing and the leaves turn colors. I love when you get all excited to turn your fireplace on for the first time, get in your pj's, and read a good book (or read blogs all night like me lol!) Guilty!

I changed up the decor a bit from last year and added some leopard in. Here are some pictures........

My First Fall Tree 

Next was decorating my porch. I found an old planter at the thrift store.

It had a lot of character so I knew with a little bit of spray paint it could turn out awesome!

I was so happy with the finished product! =))

I needed something on the other side of my porch so I spiced up my lanterns a bit with fall decor too .

         Well there is a little peek into some of my fall decorating this year. Thanks for following :)