TOTALLY RANDOM

Coleman, Lincoln, Jackson and Owen at the pumpkin patch.  It's so fun getting pictures of all four of them together now that they all live in Utah!

Spider Cider and tubs filled with chocolates for my VT ladies

Just some words to live by

This is the only picture I got from the Sweet 16 party I helped with

Sneak Peek

I am helping a co-worker with her daughter's 16th birthday party.  When she approached me, I was very hesitant because I am not that creative.  My daughters are... I am not.  I love making things, but most of the time they are just medicore but fun to do.  Sooo needless to say I have been stressed and reluctant about planning this party.  The party is today and I will be heading over to her house shortly to help decorate.  Here are the things I have been working on the past couple of weeks....

This is not what I had invisioned.  I wanted large letters but they were too expensive so I settled for making a plaque with her name on it. My camera is crappy so you can't really see the sparkly pink letters, but it turned out cute.  It will be hung with pink ribbon.  (Suejin is Korean in case you were wondering about her unique name)

This is the cupcake stand that I made out of a pizza pan, and silver plates from the Dollar Store.  The pillars are made from a tooth brush holder and cup I found at Ross.  I spray painted everything white and it looks pretty amazing.  This picture doesn't do it justice but it is really cute and will be even cuter with the pink and green cupcakes!

I found this cake plate at Marshalls for $3.99 and wove pink striped ribbon in it.  The picture quality is awful but the brownie pops were dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with white and green and tied with pink and green ribbon and twine. These brownie pops were a pain to make.  I hope they taste better than they look!

These are mints that I have been making for years.  Very simple and they always look nice and taste pretty good too. My kids used to love making them.  The ingredients are butter, Karo syrup, powered sugar, and mint extract. I added some white sprinkles this time.  I think I am going to put them on the brownie pop plate but not sure yet.

There will be more pictures to come.  I am praying that this will all come together and look really good!  They are having a big Asian meal first and then an amazing dessert bar with cupcakes, brownie pops, sugar cookies, chocolate fountain with rice krispie treats, strawberries, marshmellows and pineapple.  Should be fun!!

My four cutie pies

Owen is almost 4 months and getting cuter every day!  He learned a new trick this week. 
He rolled over!!

Coleman waiting for Lincoln to get out of school.  Sure beats waiting in front of the old school!!

The biggest cousin holding the littlest cousin!  Jack and Owen getting to know each other.

Welcome to UTAH Patrick boys!  What a gorgeous view they have!

Lincoln with the Panda Bear I sent him.  He loves stuffed animals and this week he loves Pandas!


(All photos courtesy of Facebook and Twitter!)

I Heart Fall

Fall is my favorite season.  My fall favorites are:

• Cold crisp mornings
• Sunny bright afternoons 
• Cool breezy nights   
• Great sleeping weather  
• Beautiful colors
• Crunchy juicy apples
• Baking pumpkin bread and cookies
• Candy corn and Halloween chocolates
• Coming up with Christmas projects
• Thanksgiving
• Comfort food
• Taking a brisk walk

I made this Fall picture for a friend's birthday.  I love the way it came out.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread - YUM!!!

From this....

To this...

 D e l i c i o u s!!!

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

2 cups flour

2 t cinnamon

1/2 t salt

1 1/2 t baking soda

6 T cocoa powder

1/2 c Canola Oil

1 c sugar

3 eggs

2 t vanilla

1/2 c sour cream

3 cups grated zucchini

3/4 c mini chocolate chips

Prepare two loaf pans with cooking spray or butter and flour. Pre-heat oven to 350.

Mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda and cocoa in a small bowl.  Set aside.

In large bowl beat oil, sugar and eggs til combined and fluffy (about 2 min)

Add vanilla and sour cream.  Stir in grated zucchini. Stir flour mixture into batter.

Fold in chocolate chips.  Divide batter into two loaf pans.  Prepare topping:

Topping

2 T brown sugar

2 T sugar

1/2 t cinnamon

Sprinkle topping over batter.  Bake for 50-60 minutes. 

Cool for 5-10 minutes and remove from pans.