Back in the Saddle, Again

So, gee, it's been a bit since my last post.

Christmas is always a busy time. So I had planned to do better at the first of the year, but our computer had other ideas.

First it started randomly crashing, lots of blue screen of death threats on it's part. We tried to fix it, but to no avail.

So, no computer = no posts.

Now we have a new computer and I'm trying to get back in the posting habit.

Wish me luck!

Happy 4th and Happy Blogiversary

Wow! Has it been a whole year since we moved to Nashville? Guess so!

This year for the 4th of July we were in Ohio visiting Grandma and our "Canadian" cousins.

We got to go to the parade in the town I grew up in on the 4th. It has always been one of my most favorite things about coming from a smallish town. The parade is a true slice of Americana; marching bands, civic groups, business people, politicians, churches, and lots of fun!

Cowboy had the best quote about all the candy he and his siblings collected, "It's like trick or treating, except the houses are coming to you!"

Hope y'all had a great 4th!

Back in the Saddle Again

Howdy! Y'all might have noticed that there ain't be much postin' here lately.

Sorry 'bout that, but I've been a mite under the weather.

Ya see I did something to throw out my back on Jan. 1st and I've been really cozy with my heatin' pad since then.

Things are a mite better though and I'm gonna try to get back ta doing some real postin' again.

And So the End (of Another Year) Has Come

Here we are at New Year's Eve and it's time to review another year. We've faced some really big changes in 2008. Nasa Man finished up with his part of the Ohio project and moved on to Tennessee. This meant that he lived in Tennessee during the week and Ohio on the weekend from late April to about August.


In July the kidlets and I officially moved to Tennessee and we got our current apartment. We did spend some time back in Ohio for Cub Scout and Webelos camps, and getting our house ready to be put on the market.


We have really enjoyed being here in the South. We are in a really great Ward and have made lots of friends. Daddy has been able to come home for lunch most days, which is a real treat. We love only being 5 minutes away from his work instead of an hour and a half like we were in Ohio.


The boys enjoyed having the Princess join them in being Home Educated. They all have really grown and blossomed. It has been especially exciting for me to have Princess start reading.


December has been busy for us. We have had the usual Holiday bustle. Visits from Uncle Dan and Aunt Kay, and Grandma and Grandpa Van Hoose added to our fun. We also saw Game Boy make the big transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. (Post about that to follow)


We look forward to a bright and exciting New Year, and hope that the blessed peace and joy of this holy season is your's throughout 2009.

Eat your Rootbeer Float

Some people are true foodies. They make fabulous creations. They take fantastic pictures of the cooking process. People follow their blogs just to see what their next great creation will be. Like my wonderful blogger friend Chocolatechic.

Me, I'm just a simple girl. Every so often though I find a recipe that is so simple but so fabulous. This is my favorite super simple cake. It's even easier than Dump Cake. So let's make...

Rootbeer Float Cake

The cast of characters: boxed white cake mix, oil, egg whites, rootbeer.

Pour the cake mix in your bowl.

Add oil and egg whites according to the box mix directions.

Now for the magic -

add the rootbeer in place of the water called for on the box mix.

Blend according to the box mix directions.

Normally I would make this as a 9x13 sheet cake, great for potlucks,

or as a layer cake. This time though I was taking these as a dessert for

a Relief Society activity at church. So I thought I would try making

them as mini cupcakes.

Bake in oven according to box mix directions.

Aren't they cute? They need to cool completely.

So while they are cooling let's make some really yummy frosting.

Cast of characters: Dream Whip, rootbeer.

Mix according to package directions replacing milk with rootbeer.

It's best to chill the rootbeer and if you want the beaters and bowl.

Then frost and place in freezer to chill. After all this is rootbeer float cake.

Serve chilled! Yum!

A few extra notes. Use a good quality rootbeer, we love IBC. The stronger the flavor of the rootbeer the better you can taste the rootbeer in the cake. Chilling really brings out the flavor. And if rootbeer isn't your "cup of tea" you can use any flavor of soda you like. I love making this recipe with Stewart's Orange and Cream soda. I'm thinking of trying it with Stewart's Key Lime soda. Enjoy!

Chocolatechic Cookies

This past Saturday Mark and I were in Ohio for a get away to celebrate our 12th Wedding anniversary. We stayed at one of our favorite Bed and Breakfasts, Donna’s of Berlin. They are located in Holmes Co., Ohio, in the heart of Amish country. The kidlets stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Van Hoose.

We also got to visit one of my favorite bloggers, Chocolatechic. We had a wonderful time visiting and of course got to try some of her homemade goodies. I’m highly recommending that you check out her blog and get the recipe for these uberyummy cookies.

Our taste testers were up to the challenge.

And the verdict is...

YUM!

Hali thought so too!