A New Adventure

There are so many words that could describe the experience that I had with Kate this week.  But I feel that it is best told in pictures (with captions). I feel that it is important to note that this is a first in my house.  Part of me wonders why it was my daughter and not one of my sons to have this "first", but what can you do?

Do you notice anything different?

Maybe in this picture...

or this one?

Here is the evidence.  The culprit was her brother's scissors that were supposed to be at school.

This is how I fixed it.

She has no idea what I am going to do to her!

WOW, so much hair!

 Now she knows.

But she's not mad!

 Her new look from the back.

She cut her hair so that she would look beautiful.  And she is beautiful, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, isn't she?

"Crack"

Tuesday's conversation

Eric:  "Mom, can you make some "crack" for my class party on Friday."

Me:  "Don't call it "crack".  Do you want me to make some of those chocolate cookies for your party on Friday?"

Eric:  "Yes, the "crack" cookies."

Okay, it's true.  In my house we have cookies that are called "crack".  I try to get my kids to call it by some other name, but they don't.  They are the "crack" cookies.

It all started last Christmas.  I wanted to make a new cookie to add to the plates of goodies I was giving away.  I found one on a blog called Chocolate on my Cranium and thought that I would try it. 

I gave a plate to my friend Steph and she LOVED them.  Since my family had not really gotten any I made more a few weeks after Christmas.  That was the beginning of the end, we were hooked.

Because Steph was pregnant I always gave her some when I made them (what pregnant women does not WANT chocolate) and I made them A LOT so she had them A LOT.  It was Steph that started to call them "crack" because they were so addicting.  She would eat the entire plate without giving any to her husband or kiddos.  And it is true, they are that good. 

Since I like making something really good I always give these cookies to people when I want to say "thank you" or offer them a special treat.  They also go to school a lot for class parties.  I have had people ask for the recipe and I give it freely, after all, it is not MY recipe but Cocoa's from Chocolate on my Cranium.  Who am I to NOT share the joy of "crack?"

What I find interesting is that these friends have made this addictive cookie and offered them to others and they too call it "crack."  I know this because I stalk your blogs (but lets admit it, you stalk mine too).  I find it fun to see how the recipe has travelled in my ward and among my friends with Steph's pet name attached.

But I have a dilemma.  The name concerns me.  What if a teacher overheard my son calling them "crack and does not understand the reference.  I mean really, who would?  I don't that I could deal with the investigation that would ensue.  Would we become the "crack" house?

So I need a new name.  The one that Cocoa gave them was "Chocolate Quickies."  While they are easy and fast to make the name "chocolate quickie" does not give the cookie justice.  I was thinking that you could help me by suggestion a new name for these divine cookies.  One that is a lot nicer then "crack."

To do this you need to have this cookie.  If you live near me and read this today call or e-mail quickly!  I made a batch and they might last a few more hours.  If you get me in time I will give you some.  If not, or you live far away, try and make a batch.  After you eat a few dozen (I promise that 12 would be a restraint) leave me a comment here about what you think that they should be called.  Don't you love this kind of challenge?!

To get the recipe go to Chocolate on my Cranium.  Just so you know, I don't use butter in my baking.  I use Crisco.  I think that it makes a BIG difference.  Happy baking! 

P.S.  Stock up on milk before you eat these.  You WILL need it.

One year older and wiser too

Eric turned 11 this month.  I could mention how I CANNOT believe that he is that old, but you know how it goes and so we will skip that part.

The fun part about Eric's birthday this year is that his birthday fell on a Monday, the same day that he was born.  It was fun to remember the events that led up to his birth, thinking about how 11 years ago Brandon's and I live changed, for the better.

The Saturday before his birthday he wanted to take cupcakes to his baseball team for the after-game snack.  This is what I made.

Then I had to make the cupcakes for his class AND his birthday party.  He wanted mint frosting and that's what he got.

This was the birthday cake that he wanted.  No sugar in this sucka.  No one drop.

We had a great big family party.  We had Grandma and Grandpa Piñon over, plus Uncle Aaron, Aunt Marissa with Gabe, Carly, and Lauren.  We also had our good friends the Browns and the Milbergers over.  Grand total = 23 We would have had more as we also invited the Johnson's, but they got sick.  Eric picked out a dinner or hamburgers and hot dogs.  Everyone ate and had a fun time.

And like any kid, Eric loved opening his gifts.  He got a couple of cool toys, books, and some fun stuff for his room.

It is was fun night for an awesome boy.  Eric is really growing up and often amazes me with his actions and his knowledge.  He is going to be a wonderful young man in just a few short years! 



Skirt Preview

Oregon (August 2010): Day 4 ~ the BIRTHDAY!

Okay, maybe I should clarify, we could not celebrate my Dad's birthday on his ACTUAL birthday because I was sitting in class that day (and he had to work).  So we celebrated his birthday the Saturday before the BIG day.  His best friend drove down from Canby for the event. 

We had lunch together.

 The "cake" that I made for him.

The birthday boy!

Best friend Mike with his wife Vicki.  Our family have know each other for 20+ years.

My Dad's birthday gift from myself; a feisty three year old.  She sang him a special song.  I wish that I had video of it.  It was so sweet!

Grandma and Kate.

Mike was playing with his iPhone and recorded this video.  There is not really anything specific on it, but it is fun to watch all the same.

This was my last day in Oregon.  Kate and I were homeward bound the next morning.  It was a nice visit.  I would have preferred to have my entire family with me and to have stayed longer, but it was not meant to be.  Being there for my Dad's birthday was the goal and we achieved it.  It was a wonderful visit. 

Oregon (August 2010): Day 3 ~ Beach Day!!

I had to go to the beach while I was there.  I love the beach; the sand. the water, the smell of salt water, the taffy.  It was the only thing that I wanted to do while in Oregon.  I don't think that my parents were all that thrilled, but they took us anyway. 

We waited for the best possible day and off we went.  We went to Florence which is closest to my parents current home of Eugene.  When I was growing up we lived in Portland and always went to Cannon Beach and Seaside, but they were too far.  The weather was warm, 80+, but really windy.  Here is Grandpa keeping Katie warm.  She was also tired.  We were on the look for the perfect taffy to take back home.

We walked along the docks were we saw crabs and other fresh fish (including tuna).  Katie was not impressed.

This little guy wanted to say "hi" too.  Katie liked him.

We saw the Coast Guard practicing maneuvers.

And then we hit the beach.  It was so windy.  Too windy to really enjoy it.  I was so bummed.  But my parents held Katie while I ran around and enjoyed the feel of the sand on my feet.  Which was AMAZING.  So warm, so soft.

My awesome Dad.  He is the reason why Katie and I made this trip.  The celebration for his big birthday is to be the next day.

So, despite the wind chill I rolled up my pant legs and headed into the water.  It was 'refreshingly' cold but I am glad I did it.  I wanted a day at the beach and I got it, although not exactly how I imagined it.  But I was happy.

Really, there are very few good descriptive words for the Oregon Coast.  The few that I find adequate are breath taking and awe inspiring.  I love the Oregon Coastline.

Here are my parents trying to protect Kate from the wind. I think that they enjoyed the snuggle time with her.  But it was too much windy for the adults and most certainly for a little girl, so we headed back to town and got some lunch.

This picture is so cute.  She was jamming out to the radio.  Happy little cutie-pie!

Oregon (August 2010): Day 2 ~ Eugene

So... I am finally getting to blog about the trip that I took almost two months ago.  Thank you for being so patient!

Our second day in Oregon was beautiful!  But our little native New Mexican Kate was too cold for the Oregon summer weather and wanted jeans and her coat.

We took her a farm nearby that has the most amazing activities.  Years ago I took the boys there for a hayride and a pumpkin patch, but since we were about more then two months out from Halloween they had flower picking (we did not do this.  They also have a tree farm to cut down your own Christmas tree).  You could also feed the goats.  Katie loved this and spent a lot of time (and several dollars) making these little guys fat.

They had a playground that she enjoyed with toys she had never seen before.  Why do they not have tire swings in Albuquerque?  Or Merry-go-rounds?  Those were always my favorite growing up.  It was fun to watch Kate experience them.

Oh, don't forget the tractor!

Then we finally had her convinced to go inside to the farmers market.  So amazing!  I loved all the beautiful produce that they had to offer.  I wish that we could get berries like this is New Mexico!

The biggest zuchinni I have ever seen and the price!

This farm grows all of the produce seen above.  Plus many more that I did not get pictures of.  They also sell a local companies honey and jams.  Oregon honey and jams are the best because of all the fresh berries and beautiful flowers for the bees to use in their honey.  I wanted to bring some home so badly, but was afraid that the jars would break in my luggage.  But I did bring home some flavored honey sticks for Brandon (raspberry, strawberry, marion-berry) and he LOVED them. 

And no trip to Oregon is complete without getting some local hand-dipped ice-cream.  This was Umpqua ice-cream which is so, so, so good.