Giant Chocolatey Reese's PB Cup cookies...

 

Dear Ashley...

You MUST and I mean MUST make these for my brother...

He will LOVE them with a capital L...

Therefore...

He will love ME for giving you the recipe!

Catch my drift?

I found this recipe off of a blog I was browsing and I was soooooo intrigued.  I mean, what's not to like:  Cookies...Good, Chocolate...Good, and Peanut Butter Cups...Good!  (3 points if you can name that TV sitcom I just used!)  Anyways...these are so rich and so good...they have a brownie like texture and taste with the PB cup in the center that adds even more texture and more yumminess...a must try for sure!  And when I say Giant...I mean Giant!  Like about 6 inches in diameter...therefore making only about 20 cookies!

Blog I found these on...http://www.heatherchristo.com

Enjoy!

Chocolate Cookies Stuffed with Peanut Butter Cups:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbs Vanilla
1 ½ cups cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups flour
20 regular sized Reese's PB cups

Cream together butter and sugars.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Add cocoa, soda, salt and flour and mix well. With a medium scoop (pampered chef) scoop out the dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet.  6 cookies per sheet.  Press PB cup into cookie.  Now take a slightly smaller scoop of cookie dough and place on top of PB cup.  Use your fingers to press the dough around the cup and into the bottom portion of dough.  Note:  By placing only 6 cookies per sheet, the cookies are allowed to spread to their maximum capacity making them so GIANT...which is good!  Bake cookies in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes.  Let cool just enough before devouring them!  I ended up with 21 cookies and they were perfect!

I realize that this is quite an expensive cookie to make and that it also doesn't make many cookies but...my kids were so excited to try them and I think they were perfect for this rainy Sunday afternoon!  You can also jump over the Heather C's blog to get a more detailed description and more pictures!

Look what I made...

Aren't they cute?

I got the idea from Make-it-and-love-it and she posted a tutorial at... http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/07/flip-flop-refashion-part-1-braided-straps.html

The possibilities are endless~

Zip.Zilch.Nada...

Didn't get past the application process...

AGAIN!

It's all about who you know these days...

and I ain't got too many connections...

grrrr...

Dream Job!

I don't think it's any secret that I have been looking for a job for quite awhile...

like over six months...

anyways...

I have training in phlebotomy and some CNA stuff and so that's primarily where I have looked...

I have applied for every job that I could commit too and some registrar jobs at local hospitals to at least get my foot in the door and then go from there...

I got nothing!

Zip.Zilch.Nada.

I got one interview at Davis months back but that was only because the HR director for that hospital is in my ward and the Bishop asked him to get me in...

I found out that my hours of availability were less than desired for that particular job!

I am trying to not be too picky about hours but...

I do have 5 kids and 1 hubby to think about here...

and I feel strongly that my family is and always will be my first priority!

But, there have been some opportunities where the hours would have been awesome for me and I applied to those jobs...

and there were more than a few...

but...

I can never get past the applying part...

so...

I am soliciting for your help...

I need your positive vibes sent my way...

cuz...

I just applied for what I would consider to be my 'dream job' at Ogden Regional...

it's a CNA job in the Family Birth Place...

R.U.Kidding.Me?

My total DREAM job right there!!!

I have always wanted to be an OB Nurse but I feel that my time for that one has expired...

(too much school cuz I'm too old and I have two toddlers still)

but I am qualified for this one...

I could totally do this...

and I would totally love it!

So...

send em' my way...

PLEASE!!!

The days are long...

This is by far one of my most favorite time of year...

I love that the days are so long....

and the evenings are warm...

and that the sun sets so late...

and that dinner usually consists of whatever you want...

meaning that cereal is okay (my kids call it anything night)...

I love that the air is dry and hot...

but I hate the sweating...

I love that the little girls love to get wet and that they usually end going through two outfits a day because of that...

I love the late nights and late mornings...

I love the ease of summer...

I love watching my kids play outside...

I love waiting outside for Chris to come home from work...

I was able to capture some fun moments from my little girls when we were out one night...

they were twirling and dancing and playing king of the mountain (which was me) and then they were doing my hair and giggling a ton...

It was one of those perfect moments for me...

so far the summer has been eventful...

full of sicknesses all around..

Sweet Addy has an appointment with an ENT to see if she needs her tonsils out fairly soon...

I am hoping we can wait for at least another year but the outlook is grim...

she has been sick for a month and her tonsils are touching as of now...

We have celebrated the 4th in Kaysville probably for the last time...

I am sick of all of the people (like 10,000) and the parade was a total bust...

I told Chris that we aren't going next year...

but we'll see...

The Kaysville fireworks were amazing however...

so a few points were earned that way...

My kids all say that we are celebrating in RF next year because it's way funner...

hahaha

Today we went to the Farmington parade and it never disappoints!!!

We are sort of parade junkies I guess...

Here are a few pics for your viewing!

Mischief!

 

 We had an unusual thing happen over here...

my older kids were never to into mischief and I was so lucky that way...

but when Jenner and Addy came along, things were way different...

the older ones never climbed on anything or dug things out of cabinets and the like...

Addy is a little monkey and we have to put up all of the stools and small chairs just to keep her from getting on the counter...

so imagine what happened when she decided to climb the dresser using the drawers for steps...

scared us all to death when we heard the crash...

Thanks to Rhett the Super Hero for his Super Human Strength for lifting all of the drawers off of her at one time to get her out...

Crazy!

I am so glad she is okay and not hurt...

and I am so grateful to Rhett for getting there faster than me and saving her...

it was a miracle she's okay!

 All four of those upper drawers are completely full and he lifted them ALL at once...

Also, we went to the dentist today and all 5 of the kiddos are cavity free...

YAY!

And, Addy and Jenner had their first exams and were exceptional patients...

aren't they the cutest!

Meatballs...

I'll admit...

I do not normally like meatballs...

but this recipe is exceptional!

My SIL ran across it in the Worldwide Ward cookbook and we have been making it ever since she introduced us to it!

It's delish!

 

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup quick oats
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup dehydrated oonion
2/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Form into balls using the pampered chef medium scoop. Place in a 9X13 casserole dish. Cover with sauce (below). Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Serve over rice.

Sauce:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
2 teaspoon mustard
1/2 cup barbeque sauce {Tony Romas Carolina Honey is the best)
2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Combine ingredients and blend thoroughly.  Note:  We usually 1 1/2 times the sauce cuz it's so good.

French Silk Pie...

I don't know how many of you are fans of this pie but around these parts...
we are HUGE fans!!!  

Every February, June and October in the past we would normally rush out the door to purchase one of these from the famous Marie Callender pie sales...
but have you noticed the price increase as of late???
It's RIDICULOUS!!!
So awhile back we were visiting my SIL and she whipped up one of these babies...
and let me tell you what...
it's FABULOUS and dare I say Much better than ol' Marie's version...
(not to mention way more cost friendly)

And this Father's day dessert was none other than...

French Silk Pie a'la Amy...

(or Sarah, depending on how you look at it!)

French Silk Pie:

Oreo pie crust (it MUST be oreo or otherwise your whole pie is a disaster)

1 cup sugar

¾ cup butter, softened (real, not margarine)

3 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

Beat sugar and butter for 4 minutes.  Add chocolate and vanilla.  Add eggs one at a time, beating on high speed after each egg and scraping sides of bowl several times.  Transfer to shell, cover and chill for 5-24 hours.  (better the longer you wait!)

Top with whipped cream and chocolate curls.

Note:  I discovered that beating the butter and sugar for a minimum of 4 minutes is mandatory or your pie will be grainy in texture...this last time I mixed for well over 4 minutes and my pie was delish!

 

Rice Krispy Candy...

 These little beauties are so delish...

I whipped up a batch of them yesterday and forgot all about them sitting in the refrigerator...

thankfully Taylor found them and wanted to try them...

who knows how long they would have been hidden in there...

Rice Krispy Candy:

2 cups Karo corn syrup

2 cups peanut butter

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup chocolate chips

7 cups Rice Krispies

Combine the corn syrup, peanut butter, butterscotch chips and chocolate chips in a large saucepan.  Melt over medium heat until smooth.  Add rice krispies and mix well.  Pour into a 9X13 pan that has either been sprayed with pam or lined with parchment paper sprayed with pam.  Refrigerate until set up (don't forget about them) and cut into small squares!

My babes...

Nicholai took some amazing photos of my kiddos and I love them so much!!!

I hope you likey too!

Heavenly PB & Oatmeal Bars...

These are sooooo good...

especially while still warm...

with a little ice cream on top...

Mmmmmmm...

Heavenly PB & Oatmeal Bars:

Cream together:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

Add and mix well:

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Add:

1 cup flour

1 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1/2 cup butterscotch chips

Press into a greased 9X13 baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.  Cool slightly before eating.  These are good with or without the ice cream...my kids prefer them without!

Sara...

I have enjoyed photography so much...

and after this last session...

I feel that I have seen the light...

literally...

like one of those A-HA moments...
I hope you likey!

I am sitting here laughing at me-self about these last two posts...

one basically suggests that I am not too happy (Dear self...in Little Letters) 

and the other suggests that I am doing great (ordering clothes for me-self...the same self that I am struggling to like)...

maybe I am bi-polar or something...

hahaha

(insert) evil laugh...

(insert) giggle...

see what I mean?

Me Mum's Day...

How was your Mom day?

Mine was good...

I didn't get out of all the cleaning and wiping...

but it was a good day!

What is it about Old Navy that I love?

I love most everything about their clothes...

and so for myself for Mom's day...

I ordered my some!

Hooray!

Little Letters...

Dear Taylor...

Stop growing up so fast!...

just stop!  

I am struggling with the fact that you are almost a teenager which means that you are almost in high school which means that you are almost in college which means...

well, I don't want to talk about it!

Just stop growing up...

mmmmm.....K!

Dear Addy...

Stop growing up so fast too!...

you are my last babe and I want to enjoy you longer...

although...

you are at a really hard stage right now and so maybe you can get like Jenner's age and then stop...

yeah...

I think that would work!

Dear Hollywood...

Your movies are lame...

just plain lame...

get on the ball and make some good ones again...

and ignore the need to rate all of them R...

because that's just plain rude!

Dear self...

why are you so LARGE...

why do you like to eat...

why can't you have skinny genes...

no not skinny jeans...

skinny genes...

why can't you feel beautiful to me?

Dear Mother's day...

It's about time!

Dear kids...

why are you so picky?

cuz I like to cook...

and I don't like Ramen all the time...

I like real food...

so figure that out would ya?

Dear Melaleuca...

Thanks for coming into our life...

I love all of your products...

I really love your shampoo and conditioner...

and laundry stuff...

and cleaner stuff...

etc.

Dear conditioner...

Thank you for giving Katy the idea to use you to shave her legs...

cuz I just shaved mine with you and they are Super Silky!

Genius...Genius!!!

.

Caramel Waffle Syrup...

Let me just preface this blog post with...

YOU MUST TRY THIS RECIPE!!!

and yes...

that's an order!

Special Caramel Syrup:

1 cube butter (the real stuff)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1 cup cream (heavy whipping cream)

1 tsp. flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. vanilla

Bring the butter, sugars, cream, flour and salt to a boil.  Boil for 1 minute.  Take off heat and add vanilla.  Let cool for a few minutes.  Pour over strategically stacked waffles...like this...1st waffle, 2nd cool whip, 3rd strawberries with sugar (thus making their own syrup) and lastly but certainly not least...the Special Caramel Syrup!

I promise...promise...you will LOVE it! 

Proud Mama...

So I am one proud Mama of Taylor right now...

She just finished her Good Works project for PP...

she donated all of the money she made babysitting for the month of April to my Bro and Sis-in-law for the passing of their little Sage...

They were given a Christmas Tree from the Festival of Trees this last year and they wanted to donate one this year in honor of sweet Sage...

the tree costs a ton of money to decorate and do it up right and so Taylor wanted to figure out a way to help out...

hence the Good Works project...

She was able to raise just over $100 and gave them the money on Sunday...

it was so AWESOME!!!

after they left our house my Bro-in-law sent me this comment on one of my posts...

it read:

Amy,

I want you to know how completely amazed I am about what Taylor did today.

I'm not sure if you could tell, but I had to struggle to keep my emotions in check when she said how much money she had raised and wanted to donate it all to help with Sage's tree.

I don't know of another 12 year old anywhere who having raised $100.00 and could spend it on anything he/she wanted, and then give it all out of the goodness of her heart.

There have been many acts of love and service given to our family this past year. This one, I will remember forever.

Please tell Taylor how much we love her and are grateful for the incredible generosity she has shown.

In the midst of much sorrow and tears, I have been uplifted to see the wonderful kindness of the human heart. Taylor's is pure gold!

With love,

Tyler

Like I said...

I am one proud Mama!

For Mindy...

This family was so much fun to work with...

we were all giggling the whole time...

even when little Peyton took a spill their mojo didn't stop...

this is just a little sneak peek for Mom and Chandler...

hope you like what I did with ya Chandler...