Gracious Rain

February 4, 2011February 4, 2011

A Tale of Two Sisters

Once upon a time there were two sisters. They were very close because they were only a year and a half apart.

They played together and walked to school together and shared a room together for a million years.

But mostly–they liked to dream together about…someday. What it would be like when they were grown and had families of their own? They decided that it would be fabulous and that their children would be the most amazing, wonderful people in the universe. They would be very happy.

And they were right–on all accounts. But when they would get together, still they would talk about what it would be like…someday. They decided that it would be wonderful and everything that they’d ever dreamed of–and more. They would even be happier than before…if that was possible.

And they were right.

Laurie and Mark February 4th, 2011

Congratulations my sweet, dear sister. I’m so happy that your someday is…today.

May you be as happy as we always dreamed.

I love you with all my heart.

February 3, 2011February 3, 2011

Can You Guess…

what these three photos have in common?

No, it’s not that Jillian is in them all. That would be silly.

Need a hint? Ok, here’s one…

This picture has the exact, same thing in common. Give up? Ok, these four snapshots were all taken by none other than…

our resident TWO-YEAR-OLD Chompy!! Can you believe it?!

Pretty good–wouldn’t you say? I think she should win a prize or something.

Especially since I just learned how to use a digital camera three years ago.

Please don’t tell anyone I said that.

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Happy Birthday Jenny!

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February 2, 2011January 26, 2022

Marshmallow Brownie Bars

When my boy tasted these–this afternoon, he said, “I’m really mad at you right now.” Apparently, these chocolaty, marshmallowy, crispy things were threatening to mess with his, “I will get in better shape,” mantra. Oops.

My bad.

Here’s what I say. If he’s so dreadfully mad at me then why did he walk out of the kitchen licking the spoon muttering something about…”manna from Heaven?” Hmmm?

Marshmallow Brownie Bars

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/3 cups flour
3 tablespoon cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
4 cups fresh miniature marshmallows

TOPPING:
1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups crisp rice cereal

Directions

~In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

~ Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts if desired. Spread in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.

~Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes. Sprinkle with marshmallows; bake 2-3 minutes longer. Remove to a wire rack. Using a knife dipped in water, spread the melted marshmallows evenly over top. Cool completely.

~For topping, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a small saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until blended. Remove from the heat; stir in cereal. Spread over bars immediately. Chill.

Original recipe was found at Taste of Home.com

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Watch “Dane’s Birthday Wish”

Join Dane’s Charity Water Campaign

Marshmallow Brownie Bars

Ingredients

¾ cup butter
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/3 cups flour
3 tablespoon cocoa
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
4 cups fresh miniature marshmallows
TOPPING:
1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups crisp rice cereal

Instructions

In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.
Stir in nuts if desired.
Spread in a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.
Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes.
Sprinkle with marshmallows; bake 2-3 minutes longer.
Remove to a wire rack.
Using a knife dipped in water, spread the melted marshmallows evenly over top. Cool completely.
For topping, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a small saucepan.
Cook and stir over low heat until blended.
Remove from the heat; stir in cereal.
Spread over bars immediately.
Chill.

February 1, 2011February 17, 2011

Newbie Quilting and Giveaway

Day 1

Yes-sir-ee~I promised to try my shaky hand at making my very first quilted table runner for Valentine’s Day and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. This beautiful pattern comes from the “21st Century Charm School” blog, and it’s called All Boxed Up.

Oh, and I am very brave–just so you know.

Felt pretty confident with this actually, I mean, after all–I’ve been sewing since I was a kid. So what’s the big deal?

“Sew the squares together…” yeah, yeah.

Not so tough…

but wait!

What the HECK?! Why are my edges not matching up?!

The pattern says, “be sure to pin you pieces together as you sew, so that your edges don’t turn out uneven.”

Oh, surrrre. NOW you tell me. I’ve discovered that even if you read the instructions ahead of time, it’s very important that you then follow them.

Rats.

Meet my little friend Jack…the seam ripper. We’re very close.

So by the light of the moon, we ripped…Jackie and I…and …

this is what straight edges look like. This girl can be taught.

Now I bet you’re thinking to yourself, “Launi, what is your problem?! Why I could whip up one of these lovelies in twenty minutes.”

Well, here’s your chance to show me.

21st Century Charm School and Prairie Grass Patterns are giving away not one—but two– Table runner gift packs to two lucky readers! All the amazing MODA fabric you need to create your own beautiful-beyond-belief table runner!

To enter, click on either of the links above and go to the shop. Come back here and tell me which is your favorite pattern. Then I hope you’ll wish me luck with my first quilting project. I’m gonna need it!

I’ll announce the winners on Friday morning, February 4th at 10:00 am.

Run, run. Fly, fly. Tweet. Facebook. Tell your friends. Enter. Enter.

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January 31, 2011January 31, 2011

Well Babies

So we wait, and wait for the sniffles and sneezes and coughing to back off a bit so that we can take the little people to the pediatrician for their “Well Baby” check ups. Funny how that works–isn’t it?

Beckham loved the tiny light that made his fingers glow…

and was good with sticking out his tongue and saying, “Ahhhh.”

But when the doctor said, “May I look in your ears for a second?” he wasn’t having any of it.

She checked his tummy and heart and reflexes just fine, but he spent the rest of the check up with his hand over his ear…you know, just in case. Silly guy.

But Lily? She listened to her own heart, and stuck out her own tongue just at the right moment…

and giggled with the ear peeking and tummy rubs.

She loved it!

Now in the interest of full disclosure–I’ll admit, they didn’t really like the next part. You’ll notice that there are no pictures for their very first immunizations. That’s because I was on the “distraction committee” so that two three-year-olds didn’t turn into sixty-four wild hyenas.

Turned out–they were good little sports and got over the poke quite bravely.