Even now...

A good friend of mine let me borrow a book this week by Karen Kingsbury called "Even Now". It was a beautiful story. I highly recommend it! I have to say I think I like it even better than Nicholas Sparks' books for the simple reason that the language and sensuality aren't in her book. Nicholas Sparks, while a fantastic writer, puts a little too much of that in his stories. I wouldn't let my teenager read them...but this one I would.

Too cute...

I found this little gem at the Good will up the street from my apartment. When I showed it to Josh we both got a good chuckle out of it. We already have the photo planned for when this little one gets here!

BTW...you know you live in retirement central when you go to two different Good Will's in the area and you can't find but one little onesie...but if you're in the market for a cane, walker or golf clubs...there's quite a selection available! Lol!

Belly pic...

Homemade Sweet Potato Burger Buns...

1/4 cup water
2 tsp yeast
2 tbsp soft butter
1 tsp salt
1 lg egg
3/4 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato (approx. 1 medium)
1/4 cup dry milk (if you do not have milk powder...instead of the powder and water use 1/4 cup milk and just omit the water/powder...I do this sometimes and it works fine...they do seem to dry out faster this way so if you can use the dry milk and water I suggest using it)
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

mix all ingredients...(don't let salt sit on top of the yeast...yeast doesn't like direct contact with salt)...after mixing...knead approx 6 minutes and place in greased bowl...cover and let rise for approx 45 min or until double in size. Shape into 6 balls, then one at a time roll dough into a snake shape...and form into a kaiser roll....see link: www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-kaiser-rolls-131586/ . Cover the shaped rolls and let rise another 25-30 min. Bake at 375 for approx 17-19 min until the tops are a rich golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool and slice. Enjoy!

The Choice...

I finished another great book last night. I hadn't been reading much lately because my attention span has been very small the last couple of weeks. The Last Song is still my favorite, but this one is definitely a great story as well! :0)

Belly pic...

I've mentioned it before...the belly keeps changing! Lol...not as in getting much bigger...but the "shape" of the bump. It's so weird to me, but everyone keeps assuring me that it's normal. I noticed that (well to me anyway) it looks like the bump is higher up now vs. when I first found out that I was pregnant...it seemed lower. It makes sense since I read that the uterus sits higher now than it was. Which is also why I kept getting those awful pains on both sides...apparently those were stretching ligaments. The last couple days were a little rough....I have been very crampy and my back has been pretty sore. I tried to find something about it in my book...but the only thing I can think of is that the munckin is simply growing. I'm not sure if it's because I have a very small build...or what...but I haven't noticed any scary warning signs (trust me that's always the first thing that pops in my head...I assume that is normal too). It's in GOD's hands and he can take better care of this little one than I ever will be able to, so I trust that whatever happens it is HIS will. I'm sure it will all be fine. :0) I'm still feeling the typical...nausea (all day long), soreness....fatique....I get hungry but nothing really tastes too great, or sounds very appealing. I think the only thing that has been really good were cinnamon rolls (Apparently baby doesn't quite yet share my enthusiasm for nutritious foods, lol). I've always loved Watermelon and I still do ...but after I eat it I don't feel so great. Anything with garlic and onion makes me sick. We live practically next door to Carabbas and the smell of the food is absolutely appalling (funny seeing as how much I LOVED Italian food prior to pregnancy). So I think that's probably about all that I can think of that has changed. Any guesses on gender? So far it's 2 and 2. My mom and sister think girl...my mother in law and sister in law think boy...Josh and I ....NO IDEA. We can't seem to think of any boy names we like enough though....and I have a never ending list of girl name ideas...hmmm...

Belly pic...

4-11-10

Rhubarb jam and shortbread...

Since I've been home sick and tired, the couch has been my best friend these last couple of weeks....hence my absence from the blogging world. I have been watching a lot of "Martha's Home" and "Martha's Garden" and though I can't seem to stomach much of anything right now, especially sweets...this recipe sounded and looked like one I'll definitely be trying once the morning sickness subsides.

www.marthastewart.com/recipe/rhubarb-shortbread

Enjoy...

Target brand Vs. Walmart brand...

So I've been trying out a few different products here and there both from Walmart and Target. Here's what I think...

Storage bags/aluminum foil.... buy Target! They're stronger.

Paper towels/Toilet paper.... buy Walmart! I like the Great Value kind that I posted about before better than Target's up & up. I think it's much stronger.

Name brand toiletries...Target seems to have the better sales. Walmart tends to have better everyday prices. I'd check both places if you can. I got some great deals at Target not long ago on everything from toothpaste and shampoo to Fabric softner.

Just a tip...

Carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and bunny wafers...

Cupcakes:

1 cup walnuts toasted and chopped

2 1/2 cups shredded carrots

2 cups all purp. flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cups gran. sugar

1 cup canola oil

2 tsp vanilla

*mix all dry ingredients in separate bowl.

*beat eggs until frothy, add sugar and beat until thick and light colored, add vanilla, and canola oil.

*add dry ingredients until just incorporated.

*pour batter into cupcake cups.

*bake approx. 12 min on 350 degrees (until toothpick comes out clean)

Frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

16 oz cream cheese

4 cups conf. sugar
2 tsp vanilla

zest of two lemons

**makes approx. 24 cupcakes.**

***cupcake cups from Target ($2 or so)...wafers from Michaels ($1.50 clearance plus coupon)***

Easter 2010....

Ok...let me just say, I felt huge yesterday. I can't believe how big I looked in the belly pic! I don't think I look that big today. I think in that pic I look a lot further along than I am! Seems like everyday I look different! Is that weird?!

Sunday Scriptures....

Happy Easter to all my blogging friends!!! I hope this day was filled with joy and loved ones!

"This is what is written: The CHRIST will suffer and RISE FROM THE DEAD on the third day and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in HIS name to all nations!"
Luke 24:45-47

Thank GOD for all he's done for us, for sending HIS precious son to us! Thank CHRIST for paying our debts so that we could be in good standing with the FATHER of all men!

While the cute little bunnies, and chicks, and eggs and all that goes along with Easter and spring is so much fun, may the true meaning of this day never be forgotten!