Easy Fruit Dip

Okay So I had to get un-tired/un-lazy for about 10 minutes. I washed some strawberries and grapes that I need to take to MOMS Group in the morning and decided that it would be nice to have some Fruit Dip to go along with it... So I started searching for a recipe, and unfortunately I do not have Marshmallow Cream, Yogurt, Jello but I do have cream cheese.. So I set the Cream Cheese Out so it could soften, and started thinking...... a couple minutes later after searching through the cabinets and refrigerator I pulled out Heavy Whipping Cream, some Powdered Sugar, and Vanilla Extract! So Here Is My, very basic using what I have, Recipe:

1 - 8 oz. Pkg. of Cream Cheese Softened
1 Cup of Heavy Whipping Cream
1/3 Cup of Powdered Sugar (I am guessing on this, I really just added a few spoon fulls)
1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

Beat Cream Cheese and Heavy Whipping Cream together (I did this until smooth and when I thought it looked fluffy enough it didn't take long at all with the kitchen aid mixer but with a regular hand held it could take a few minutes)
Then Add powdered sugar and Vanilla Extract.... Mix this for another minute or so.. and YUMMY!!
It is sort of the consistency of Whipped Cream but with a sweater and cream cheesier taste!!!

So Tired

I am so tired this evening.. And very thankful that my Mom cooked some very good gnocchi soup tonight! I have been gone all day long.. First I had Justus this morning, then Ansley and Justus both.. Then just Justus again.. but it seemed like the day was not going to end.. I did not make it home until 6:45 this evening and I feel like I have drove all over the world! Tomorrow Morning I have MOMS (Mothers Outreach Ministry) @ Church and I am very excited about a few hours of "grown up" time!
So unfortunately I did not cook anything to day.... :( But tomorrow and Friday are looking very hopeful, Thanks to Summer and Lauren! Thanks Guys!! Oh and Mom gave me a new cook book tonight Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics. There are a few good looking recipe's in there so if I get a chance I may make something out of it on Saturday!

Oh and Lauren, you tell Daniel to share recipe's with me anytime!!

A Challenge?

So I am not 100% sure where this inspiration came from... I guess it all sort of fell into place...



--My Grandparents bought Dustin and I a 5 qt kitchen aid stand mixer for our birthdays and I got a blank recipe book (that is dieing to be filled with recipe's) for Christmas from Mom. Then Dustin and I purchased a new sink and faucet for the kitchen and he also bought a new oven for our kitchen (that is supposed to be my b-day present!) And then last night we watched Julia and Julie.... Oh need I say more, it is a slow movie but I just fell in love with it. I found myself wanting to cook a huge meal at 1:00 this Morning.--



So then I had this bright idea that maybe you could start posting recipes for me to try out! This could be fun, right?? Now keep in mind that I love my Mom's cooking and I will be eating with her a few times a week! So I will not obligate everyday to cooking like Julia did! And remember that I do not cook often so you may need to be a little detailed!! Dustin is sort of a picky eater but he is getting over it, and usually if I cook it he eats it.. the one this he 100% objects to is sea food. So if you are weary that I may not accept your recipe challenge and cook what you take time typing out then ask me first I will let you know! But I want to know how to really cook, I am not here for "shake and bake" recipes, but if you do have a yummy recipe that is quick to make then go ahead pass it my way! And for all of you who add everything to your dish (mom) I want those recipes as well. I will post pictures of them on here as well!



So what are you waiting for send a recipe my way!!

-Mary Beth!

A Selfless Heart

As Ansley is getting older she is becoming more responsible. We have not always been big on giving her "chores" sure we ask her to do things but we really don't have a chore list. So one of the new things I do ask her to do much more often and with out help is to clean her room. Yesterday she did not want to go clean her room, and to be honest I really didn't feel like fighting a battle with her. So instead of getting up and making her march into her room and demand she clean it up or she would get a spanking.... (which I personally believe if you say if you don't do such and such then you are getting a ..... then it is the same as counting to three... which I think is completely lame and your kid is still semi-getting their way, unfortunately I "count to three" quiet often, and there is a book out called "don't make me count to three" this book has been recommended to me and I should probably buy it...) So back to my story of my laziness and not wanting to "battle" with my toddler.. Instead of "counting to three" I just said okay Ansley when I go in your room I will pick up everything in your floor and put into a basket, then I will donate it to little kids that do not have toys. I thought this was pretty smart but before I could say anything to Dustin (who was sitting beside me) about how clever that was. Ansley loos at me and says "Mommy, Where is the Basket?" I told her she ran and got it and started putting her Toys in it... She was so proud when she came and told me that she had her toys ready to go to other kids.. These were not her old broken toys either, they were new, one was even one of her new favorite baby dolls she had just been playing with the day before...
What a slap in the face to me. Was I beginning to teach my child to be selfish by threatening her with her things?? Thank Go d she didn't take it that way, and Thank You God that you showed me to teach my children to be more selfless than selfish!! I assure you all that I will be thinking more about my actions in the future.
-Mary Beth