chocolate croissants

I endeared myself to my children this afternoon by making chocolate croissants for their snack. They swarmed like locusts around the oven, and if Hubs doesn't hurry home from work, I can't promise that the last croissant will still be waiting for him...

Here is the recipe, along with a picture of a happy snacker who really enjoyed his!

chocolate croissants (from Real Simple Magazine)

Heat oven to 375. Unroll 1 8-count tube refrigerated crescent roll dough and separate into 8 triangles. Place about 10 chocolate chips on the bottom third of each triangle and roll the dough up around the chocolate. Transfer croissants to a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper, if desired). Bake until golden brown, 12-14 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

things that make me smile...

...watching Hubs play the accordian - yes, really play it! - while dancing, to entertain baby C...

praying for my kids

Today I am praying for my kids...that all the things I am praying for them will be first in my own life, so that they may see me imitate Christ and be able to follow my example.




"Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1)

milk chocolate brownie cake

Tonight I tried a new recipe. Crock Pot Peanut Butter Pork Tenderloin. It was good, though definitely not a keeper. Hubs and E gave it a 7 out of 10, although I'm pretty sure that was only so they wouldn't hurt my feelings. Rocky and Daisy gobbled up the leftovers, and we moved on to dessert - enormous pieces of Milk Chocolate Brownie Cake with vanilla bean ice cream. Ahhh, bliss! Just what I needed to drop-kick my case of the blahs right outta town! The clan finished off the evening with some Wii Lego Star Wars. Hubs and I were having so much fun we just kept on trying for True Jedi status even after the kids were tucked snugly in their beds. Really, we bought the Wii for the kids (wink, wink)...

milk chocolate brownie cake

Preheat oven to 375. Grease jelly roll pan. Heat in saucepan: 1 cup margarine or butter, 1 cup water, and 1/3 cup baking cocoa. Remove from heat. Stir in: 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 eggs, and 1/2 cup sour cream. Pour batter into pan (it will be very thin). Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Frost when cool. For frosting, heat to boiling: 1/2 cup margarine or butter, 1/3 cup baking cocoa, and 1/3 cup milk. Remove from heat. Gradually add 16 oz. pkg. powdered sugar, and beat until smooth. Spread over cake.

Free movie rental

If you're in the mood to watch a movie tonight, here's a code for a free rental from Redbox, good until midnight tonight...HG7W56. New to Redbox? Go here.

a date with Dad

The other day Jon took each of the big girls out for a little date with him - E to Starbucks, K to McDonalds. As they chatted, he asked K what her 'dream date with Dad' would be. Sitting there with her hot fudge sundae, she answered, "This!" E gave a similar answer, although she "would kind of like to go to Sonic..." Just a little time with Dad, and a yummy snack, that's all their little hearts desire!

I remember going out to breakfast with my Dad when I was their age, and I loved those times. So take your kids out on dates! When you go run an errand, take one of them with you, and grab a milkshake while you're out. You just might make one of their dreams come true.

seeing green

All about mom...according to the kids

Here are my kids' answers verbatim. My comments are in parentheses.

1. What is something your mom always says to you?
E: Did you brush your teeth yet?
K:Go unload the dishwasher.
J: Wanna come with me to the store?

2. What makes mom happy?
E:Chocolate...or dad's smooches.
K:When dad gets her flowers.
J: Me giving her flowers.

3. What makes mom sad?
E:When we disobey.
K:When I disobey her.
J: My disobeying.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
E:I can't think of anything.
K: By talking silly.
J: By doing silly things.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
E:Annoyed by her little sister. (yes, Emily, she's talking about you 'borrowing' my clothes while I was at school!)
K: Kind.
J: I don't knowwwwwww....

6. How old is your mom?
E:33
K:34
J: 30

7. How tall is your mom?
E:Almost as tall as my dad.
K: 50 inches.
J: As tall as an adult.

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
E:Rachael Ray
K: Amazing Race
J: The Food Channels

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
E:Talks about interesting stuff, which I don't like!
K: Go on the computer.
J: Do secret things.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
E:For trying out new soups.
K: For going on Amazing Race. (This is K's dream for Jon & I, to win the million bucks on Amazing Race)

11. What is your mom really good at?
E:Kissing my dad.
K: Teaching her kids about Christ.
J: Making good stuff to eat.

12. What is your mom not very good at?
E:I've never seen you jump rope before. I mean you have had four kids.
K: Playing the piano.
J: I haven't seen anything that you're not good at.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
E:She makes us meals, changes Claire's diapers.
K: Be a mom - she takes care of her kids.
J: You take care of us.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
E:Garlic green beans. (????)
K: I'm gonna guess...nachos (really that's K's fave food!)
J: Potatoes.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
E:That she checks a whole lot of stuff off her to-do list.
K: How good she is about taking care of the house while Dad's gone. Cause you know it is pretty hard with four kids.
J: uhhhh....

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
E:Daisy Duck
K: Minnie Mouse
J: A princess (awww!) or a queen (even better!)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
E:We bake.
K: We bake.
J: We play fun stuff like Candyland.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
E:We both have blue eyes and are tall.
K: Our hair color, and we both love Christ.
J: Because we're both humans?

19. How are you and your mom different?
E:She has brown hair, I have blond, and I'm an animal lover.
K: I'm a child, she's an adult, I have brown eyes, she has blue eyes.
J: Uhhh, maybe because we're not the same age!

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
E:Because she does stuff for me.
K: By the way you care for me.
J: Because you give me hugs.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
E:His kisses
K: How he loves her, like getting her flowers.
J: because he kisses you (okay so we kiss a lot around here)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
E:Well she likes Costco
K: Costco
J: Walmart

our own Speed Racer

here are a few pics from J's 5th birthday party...
notice the red scarf on Speed Racer...he is all about the little details!

yummy food

We tried a few new recipes last week that everyone loved. And when I say everyone, I mean even E, our pickiest eater. She actually had seconds, which only happens once in a gajillion meals. And yes, I know gajillion is not a Scrabble-approved word. But you haven't played Scrabble with my husband. Anyway, here are the recipes. Maybe your picky eaters will like them too.

white bean, chicken, and chili soup (from Wondertime Magazine, Feb. 2009)

1 tbsp. olive oil
2 onions, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 large pinch cayenne (optional)
1 large pinch allspice
2 (4 oz.) cans chopped green chilies
2 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, diced (cook them to your liking before you dice them, if you'd rather)
4 cups chicken broth (a 32 oz. box)
3 (15 oz.) cans white beans (great northern or navy), 2 drained, 1 with liquid
1 (16 oz.) bag frozen corn kernels
8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, grated
Salt to taste

Heat oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat and saute onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, spices, and chilies, and saute for another minute. Add diced chicken and broth, and simmer until the chicken is opaque (if you used raw chicken), about 15 minutes. Add beans, corn, and half the cheese, and simmer another 15 minutes. Taste for salt, and serve with remaining cheese to sprinkle on top.


peanut chip cookies (from The Great American Cookie Cookbook)

1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar (I used light)
1 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth, your choice)
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

In large mixer bowl, beat first 4 ingredients until creamy and well blended. Beat in water, egg and vanilla. In medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Stir into peanut butter mixture until well blended. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool on wire racks and store in an airtight container.

These cookies were delish! The perfect combination of chewiness + peanut butter + chocolate. We'll definitely be making these again soon.