Is This Thing On??

Okay. It has been months since I posted anything on my blog. I'm sorry loyal blog readers. I must admit that I spend the majority of my computer time doing work with the kids or on Facebook.
I've wandered over to my blog this weekend to see if there is a Christmas Tour of Homes. And there is! And nothing gets ya in the mood to blog like a little look around the blog world to spy on Christmas decorations. I've got to find my camera and take a few pics! Look for me soon...

WFMW: Summer Dessert

This week's theme for Works for Me Wednesday is "recipes". Here is a yummy recipe that I made yesterday for company. It is easy and doesn't require much effort, but it does require some time in the fridge. So, with a little planning you can have a tasty dessert ready for tonight's bbq!

Zebra Cake

Box of chocolate graham crackers

2 small boxes of instant cheesecake pudding

2 cups milk

1 cup sweetened, condensed milk

1 small container of cool whip

Glaze:

1/4 cup milk

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup white sugar

dash of salt

2 T butter

1 t vanilla

In a mixer: combine the cheesecake pudding, mik and sweetened, condensed milk. Fold in the cool whip. Beat for two minutes.

In a buttered 9X13, place a layer of chocolate graham crackers on the bottom. Top with half the pudding mixture. Spread another layer of graham crackers and the other half of the pudding mixture. Place a final layer of chocolate graham crackers over the pudding.

In a saucepan, over medium heat combine 1/4 cup milk, cocoa powder, sugar and dash of salt. Bring to a boil. Boil for one minute while whisking. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla. Spread over the graham cracker and pudding layers. Refrigerate overnight. (We ate ours after 6 hours in the fridge, but making this the day before would be great.)

Head on over to Kristin's blog to see more yummy recipes!

We Are THAT Family

WFMW: Summer Salad

Back when I was regular with my blogging I participated in a blog carnival called, "Works for Me Wednesday." Everyone would head over to Kristen's blog, We Are That Family, and post a handy tip or recipe. Since I'm home from school now I was excited about sharing a new recipe that I made for the first time yesterday. (And I made a double batch today!) It seems like a bit of an odd combination, but I promise that if you like tomatoes and peaches you will be wowed!

This would be a lovely salad at your Canada Day or July 4th picnic!

Summer Peach and Tomato Salad
(Based on a similar recipe in Cooking Light)

3 ripe (not overripe) peaches, chopped into bite size pieces
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped into bite size pieces
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion (almost a sliver size piece)
2 T white wine vinegar
1 T olive oil
2 t honey
1/2 t kosher salt
1/8 t black pepper (or more)
dried basil to taste
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Place all the ingredients in a bowl and gently toss. Eat and enjoy! I'm sure this recipe is even better the next day, but so far I haven't had any left over to try the next day!

Been Missing You!

So, things have been very busy here... as you can imagine.

But, now it is summer. We are all done with school and we are ready for some summer fun. Aaron completed 4th grade. Dave completed 2nd grade. Sam completed Kindergarten. I completed another year of Preschool. :)

I look forward to updating you with our summer adventures and our plans for the upcoming school year. There are going to be some changes for the next school year, but before I get into all that I want to have a little summer fun.

(This picture is from a visit to McGee Gardens in Vero Beach, Florida. They had a dinosaur exhibit this spring. Run for your lives!!!)

Eight Is Great!

Happy Birthday, Jesus

Nothin' says, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" more than a ton of Legos, a bunch of Nerf guns and a few remote controlled cars! I hope your Christmas was blessed!

Come on in!

Boys! Hurry up and let's get the house ready for all the bloggers on the Christmas Tour of Homes. I'll need your muscles! Okay, bring the Lego Advent calendar into the hallway. Set it up next to the Advent banner and our little nativity scene from Grandma. Who is going to open the little window? Okay. Now that Dad has the tree in the stand, how 'bout some Decorating Super Heroes? While you guys do that I am going to put my little Santa on the piano.

I'm going to look for the tree skirt while you get the new train going, Sam.

The tree skirt is under the tree and I put a little snowflake ribbon on the tree. I think the tree is ready! Aaron, will you set up the kids' nativity scene in the living room?

Here is the North Pole scene for you to put up, Dave and Sam.

Hey, kinda looks like Santa and the Baby Jesus were neighbors...

Sam, I brought this new Playmobile nativity from my classroom. Will you put it on the lamp table in the living room?

Aaron, will you add these cards to the card holder? Here are a few new signs to hang.
Aaron, when you are done with that book please put it in the Christmas book bin.

Dave, put the Christmas stuffed animals in the basket.

Sam, let's find a place to put your Jesus candy cane. And how 'bout Aaron putting the wreath on the door? Everybody outta the dining room... breakables!
We're going to need some treats on that new Santa plate, Dave.

Our guests might enjoy a chocolate cupcake with chocolate ganache and white chocolate cream cheese peppermint frosting. Okay, I think we are ready. Honey, will you turn on the outside lights? Let's welcome our guests. Smile, boys!

Merry Christmas, Friends.
May the love of Christ warm your hearts

this Christmas and all year!

Christmas Tours Past...

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Post-Christmas 2008