Simple Girl

This week's been full of realtors and packers and painters photographers as we prepare our house for market and our big move up north.  On more than one occasion, the kids have heard the words, "When 'they' come to the door, just go down into the basement!"  Obediently, although not willingly, they oblige.  Fortunately for the girls, they have a new summer craft:  Knitting!  Arielle is already a pro with picture perfect stitches.  Maybe someday they can teach me!  We'll probably need a few more hats and scarves where we're going!

  I always look forward to the 15th of the month because it means that I get to try a new cupcake recipe from Martha Stewart's Cupcake Book!  When I first decided to participate in the Martha Stewart's Cupcake Club, I just thought baking cupcakes would be fun.  And easy.  And fun.  Little did I know at the time that if one actually bakes through this book, it's like going to pastry school.  These aren't just cute little cupcakes with decorations, each recipe is like a mini version of a delicious confection and each employs different techniques!  Almost two years later, I'm a much better baker because of it! In this month's recipe, we baked cupcake-sized cheesecakes.  The crust called for chocolate wafer cookies such as Nabisco's Famous Wafers.  Of course, no such cookie could be found in my local grocery store.  And why would they carry it?  I mean, what's a chocolate wafer without the filling?  Since no wafers ...

I never buy Oreos, except for Thanksgiving when we make Oreo Turkeys !  After you see my Black & White Cheesecake post tomorrow, you'll understand why we experienced a moment of Oreo Frenzy this afternoon!

Today is our dog's birthday, and yes, he was even born on Friday the 13th.  This might explain why he got stuck with the name he did. Kujo.  Kujo because my husband thought it would be funny to name a cute little white English Teddy Bear Doodle puppy such a hideous name (a.k.a. the big scary dog in Stephen King's psychological thriller) and Kujo spelled with a "K" because I have never seen said movie and when I went to the vet, that is how I spelled it.   Due to unforeseen circumstances, my husband ended up being out of town for twenty-some days after no more than dropping the puppy off at our doorstep. I had no opportunity to bring him to his senses.  The kids, having no prior association with the name, however, thought it was a much better name than the other choice my husband gave them: Spartacus.  By the time my husband returned, Kujo's name was well engrained. It was too late to change it. And so, despite his name, (and his Friday the 13th birthd...

I had to get the kids dressed and out the door by 7:30 this morning.  In the world of normal, that wouldn't be so unusual.  But in the world of summer, it seemed liked an unearthly experience.  Not for the kids so much, but for me. I admit it.  Getting up at 6AM every school day stresses me out.  I never really adjust.  My inner clock longs for summer vacation when I can stay up late and make up for it in the morning.  In my attempt to justify the Proverbs 31 woman who gets up before the dawn, I'm convinced that that chapter was written during winter.  In Norway.   This was our destination.  The orthodontist.  Here's a shot of Samuel and Anna in tandem.  I love it when I'm efficient.  Reclining chairs and cartoons?  I guess it helps ease the pain and suffering. The orthodontist is strategically located between Starbucks and Steak 'n Shake.  This is my new summertime favorite drink:  Iced co...

"Highly Addictive" --The Family Chronicles. "The best breakfast ever!" --The Daughter's Best Friend. These Cereal Bars lie somewhere between your basic Rice Krispie Treat and the Special K Bars that delighted me in my youth. Summer is always a good time to eat down the pantry so when I saw this GIANT box of cereal that was sitting untouched (don't you love COSTCO?), I decided that a little transformation would go a long way.  These bars will work with almost any cereal, but this low calorie, high fiber cereal left me feeling almost guilt free when I served it for a sleepover breakfast. The reviews speak for themselves, as does the fact that the entire pan was gone in less than 48 hours. PEANUT BUTTER CEREAL BARS by Rachel @ Simple Girl 12 cups cereal such as Fiber One Squares 2 bags marshmallows 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1 cup peanut butter Semi Sweet chocolate Chips for drizzling Grease a 9 x 13 inch cake pan. Melt ma...

Our Fourth of July festivities begin at 9AM and by 2 o'clock, after a kiddie parade and a HUGE neighborhood carnival, we're done.  I remember when I used to be able to Hula Hoop!  I think I'll put that on my list of things to do this year.  Try Hula Hooping again.  At home.  Alone. Happy Independence Day! We are blessed to live in this country!