Y is for Yarn

Mmm... I love yarn! I'm planning to become a yarn making machine in the next year and become better practiced in my knitting/crochet ability. I can not wait to get started! So far I have about 5 patterns I would like to start with but I am going to try and rein myself in and complete one at a time... now to choose which one...

X is for Xenotarsosaurus

Sha-bam! Bet you weren't expecting that one!

W is for Whatever

"...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
Phil. 4:8

V is for Vanilla

(photo)

Ah, vanilla... I love everything vanilla, except vanilla candles and perfume... strange I know, but the truth - what can I say?

I've actually been dreaming of a vanilla latte for a few days now... and a vanilla milkshake... such a shame the holidays are coming to an end... at some point I need to start dreaming of apples... and spinach... boo...

U is for Unexpected

Life is full of unexpected surprises, but then I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that. Unexpected surprises, unexpected gifts, blessings, losses etc etc etc.
Lately we've been dealing with, what seems like, lots of "unexpected" things. Unexpected disappointments, unexpected blessing, unexpected losses, unexpected travel, unexpected knowledge... hoping that soon we'll be able to get more to the "expected" side of life. To start making changes that need to be made, moving forward in areas that we need to move forward with. The start of a new year is always filled with expectations, here's hoping that we don't run into too many "unexpected" obstacles in 2013!

T is for Truffles

Making Cookie Dough Truffles, was quite possibly the best and worst decision I made this holiday season. They are so dangerously good! I covered half the batch with dark chocolate, and the other with milk chocolate. I prefer the dark, my mister prefers the milk... make up a batch and you decide (the cookies dough is eggless making it perfectly safe to eat raw!!)...

Cookie Dough Truffles
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup chocolate chips

chocolate for coating, chopped

Cream together butter and sugar then add the vanilla. Add the flour and milk, alternating, starting and finishing with the flour. Add the chocolate chips. Shape the dough into bite size (or 2 bites size) rounds and place on a cookie sheet for a few hours, allowing to become hard.
Melt the chocolate you will be using to cover the dough either in the microwave or in a dish over a pot of simmering water. Plunk the cold dough balls into the chocolate, covering completely and lift out using a spoon. Tap the spoon 4-5 times on the edge of the dish, allowing the excess chocolate to drip off then gently plop the chocolate covered balls onto parchment paper and allow to harden, either on the counter or in the fridge.
Enjoy!

S is for Santa

To "Santa" or not to Santa, that was the question for the past 4 years in our house. I have 2 brothers and my mister has one, out of the our 3 siblings, we are the only couple doing "Santa" with our kids. I understand the debate that some people have regarding Santa, but we have decided to let our children live that magic. Besides, seeing the excitement they have for that chubby old fellow, is enough to convince me that we are a Santa family.