No Bake = No Win!

I like to think of myself as a decent, avid baker. I can make bread, rolls, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes, etc.  I find baking to be therapeutic. Even more so, I  REALLY like love eating the fruits of my labors! However, with the summer heat, I don't always like to turn on the oven. Here enters no-bake-cookies. 

A No-Bake-Cookie is generally made with sugar, butter, peanut butter or pudding, milk, and oatmeal. Then you can flavor how you like with chocolate, coconut, peanuts, or any other addition you prefer. The possibilities are pretty endless. They are cooked on a stove and do not require baking since they have no flour or eggs. I have found some truly yummy recipes like seen here and here. And I've tried them. But for some reason, they don't work for me.

My first batch came out too dry. I decided I must have added too much oatmeal. My second batch came out too wet. They wouldn't set up. You couldn't even pick it up off of the wax paper. I don't think I allowed the wet ingredients to boil for the length of time required.

Hmmm ... so I gave it one more shot. 

The third time, I made sure the wet ingredients boiled as they needed to. I added the oatmeal just a little at a time so it didn't get too dry. Then spooned them onto the wax paper and waited. They set up ... they weren't too dry ... and after they cooled, I tasted one. It was then that I realized, I don't like them all that much. 

Sure it was sweet, it was a yummy combination of peanut butter and chocolate, and it didn't crumble in my fingers. Yet I just did not like them. To me, it wasn't a real cookie. There wasn't that crispy outer texture with a chewy center and melty chocolate chips that makes a cookie a cookie. It didn't satisfy my "cookie craving". I guess for me, no-bake-cookies are a no-win! Better heat the oven...

**I will say that they were a hit with the kiddos. Of course, there isn't much sugar they won't eat!! **

Currently...

picked up this idea from my friend's blog which is so cute...check her out!

loving: These three little munchkins right here! They keep my BUSY, on my toes, and smiling! From the time we wake up until they all go to bed, we don't stop. Maecie is currently a busybody and has had baths after covering herself in Nutella, diaper cream, and lotion. But I laugh because who doesn't really want to cover themselves in Nutella?? And Clayton's stories are hilarious! And who could not smile at Miss Lucie?

reading: The Book of Mormon ... our Relief Society (women's church organization) challenged us to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. So keeping up the pace with 3 kids, in the summer has been difficult, but the blessings coming from this challenge are innumerable! I'm 85% through. Exciting and saddening at the same time. So many awesome things have occurred during this challenge. And I know that there are so many things I would not have handled as well had I not been so in tune to the Lord's words.

watching: my favorite summer shows ... "The Closer", "Rizzoli and Isles", "So You Think You Can Dance", "Covert Affairs", all DVR'd because there is not guarantee when all the kids will be in bed and the dishes done and I can actually stay awake to watch them!

thinking about: Clayton going to school for the first time! He starts kindergarten this year. I have to take him to the doctor's, dentist's (not a good outcome! A mom and dad with bad teeth = a kid with really bad teeth!), register him, get school supplies, etc. And then I think about how by the time I take him to school, take Maecie to preschool, pick Maecie up, have lunch and nap time, and pick Clayton up, the day is over! I have to make dinner and do homework (luckily it's simple in kindergarten) and bed! Time is going to fly by even faster!!

working on: Super Saturday! It's a day of crafting and gift making for the ladies at church. I head the committee in charge of the activities we choose for the day. It's so much fun and such a great jump start to the holidays. And even though it's not until October, it's going to be here before I know it!

wishing: my babies would stop growing! Clayton starting school, Maecie potty training, and Lucie starting to roll over ... I just want to freeze time and enjoy it while they are so cute and still love their mom!

The Greatest Man I Ever Knew

After going to school, having a career, starting a family, and creeping towards a new decade, I think I can safely say, in retrospect, there have been many turning points in my life. And by turning points, I mean little events that occurred that might not have seemed life changing at the time, but they really were. One of mine came at the age of 15ish.

It was Christmas and my large extended family was together. Often a round of karyoke or a request to "share talents" occurred before presents were opened. After one such event, my grandfather approached me concerning my love of music. He offered to pay for voice lessons, if I wanted. I have loved to sing since I was a little girl - singing in choirs and at church. When my grandparents moved to Atlanta, they gave us their piano so I could learn to play the piano. Now he was encouraging my love for music and offering voice lessons.

Looking back, this was a turning point in my life.  I began taking voice lessons, continued to practice my music and continued on to study music in college. It was this encouragement that led me to decide I wanted to teach music to others. I wanted to foster their love of music and give students the same encouragement my grandfather gave me.

Thinking back even further, my grandfather, that we call Papa Ed, would sing with us when we were little. He taught me a song with a funny story attached called "Show me the way to go home." In the song, a guy sings his song, goes into a bar, and a few drinks later, comes out singing it backwards. I remember trying over and over again to sing it backwards. I can still do it to this day!

As kids, my sister, Logan, and I would stay a week with Papa and Da (my grandmother) in  the summer. We would spend the days jumping on the trampoline, playing dress up, going for walks, and eating the yummy food Da would make! Papa would also let me help tend to the garden. He had cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers of all kinds. Growing things now gives me a sense of accomplishment. I think he helped to foster that.

My Papa was more than just an encouragement to my singing. He was an encouragement to live my life the way Heavenly Father planned. He was a great man to look up to and continually showed examples of service...not only to God but to everyone he met. Any time you saw him, he had some words of wisdom to share with you.

When Patrick and I were married, he was the one to perform our temple marriage ceremony. Without meaning to, he kept me from being too nervous. For one, because it was my Papa and he was talking to us like he would any other day. He expressed how proud he was of us and gave us advice on how to keep  our lives centered on Christ. And two, because he had a hard time pronouncing Patrick's last name, Beare. It's pronounced just like the animal, but the 'e' often throws people off. Papa kept saying "beer"! It was such a memorable and important day, and in his own way, he was able to make it even more memorable for us!

I come from a large family. Not only is my immediate family slightly larger than the norm, but my extended family is HUGE! What started with my grandparents, came 4 children, 17 grandchildren (and now almost all with spouses) and 39 and a half great-grandchildren! The larger we grow, the harder it is for us to all meet together. So my grandmother had us begin writing "memories" for Christmas. Every year we submit a memory that can have happened at any time in our lives. And we each get a copy of the one another's memories. It is the best way to share moments with one another and to feel a little closer, even when the miles are many!


At the beginning of July, Papa passed away. He suffered from dementia and you could notice a small decline over the last few years. I loved how he always knew that I belonged to him, he just might not be able to remember my name. He became ill and his body could not keep fighting. But he was at peace and "ready to meet Jesus". 


As the whole family got together to celebrate Papa's life, the grandchildren were asked to sing at his funeral. It was difficult, but we made it through two beautiful hymns. As I've previously mentioned, music has always been special to me. But since that day, every song I sing in church has a way of speaking to my heart just a little stronger. I think it's my Papa holding me a little closer to let me know that he is watching and that the choices I am making are the right ones. He was truly, the greatest man I have ever known! 

My grandmother with almost all of her 39 great grands!

Lost....

Every house has one. Heck, probably every car, room, and purse has one! It's the Land of the Lost Items!

You know, the place where all of those lost things go. You know they are around there somewhere, but just can't seem to find them. How many times have you lost your keys, chapstick, or an earring in your purse? Or your remote control at home? Or how many times have you lost just one shoe? Hello?! You didn't just wear one the last time you went out. I know these items are around the house. But where the HECK are they?!

I wish I knew where the Land of the Lost Items were at my house. Then I could find Maecie's shoe (yes, just one shoe), my black pair of sunglasses, my new scoop and measuring spoons (that are still in their package, just purchased from Pampered Chef!), and even my book. I have looked everywhere for these items and can't seem to find them! It's starting to make me go crazy since I know they exist and are around here somewhere....but where??

Where is your Land of the Lost Items at your house? Maybe it will give me some idea to where my items are...

P.S. Just after I wrote this, I found the scoop and measuring spoons in the couch cushion. Unfortunately, none of the other items were there.

Old Fashioned or Still Hip?

Being an almost-28-year-old with 2 kids, I try to stay fairly "hip". (I don't want to be an uncool mom.) I know most of the teenage lingo due to being a teacher and around kids. I like dancing and singing to the radio, but sometimes have to change the station so my kids don't memorize the risque lyrics. I like fun clothes that look cute and comfortable, but don't want all of my blessings being spilled out for the world to see.

That being said, I am curious to know if I am old fashioned, or still with it, in regards to one thing......the curling iron! It seems like whenever I go to the salon, my stylist is talking about being able to flip my hair out, making it straight, or curling it under. She constantly asks or refers to a flat iron. However, I have never purchased one. I have a curling iron and it does everything I need it to.

When the flat iron became popular, my friend asked if I had ever tried one out. My response was, and still is, why should someone with stick straight hair need a flat iron? If I do not use volumizing shampoo, mousse, a hair dryer with round brush, and a curling iron, I cannot accomplish having hair that is presentable. My hair will stick to my head and will look like it is dirty, needing a wash. So I follow the steps that have worked for me for many years.

This lack of change and being willing to adapt and purchase a flat iron ... does this make me old fashioned? Does this make me "unhip" to the times? Is my curling iron my 90's crutch??

Is there anything you worry about being your "old fashioned crutch"?