Esther's Recital

Hello everyone! Happy Monday!

Remember those Ginger Cookies? Well, we made them for a violin recital by my dear friend Esther! Thought I would post some pictures of the fun we had.

Pumpkin white chocolate chip cookies!

Our ginger cookies!

Waiting to begin playing. Go Esther!

Ahh.. violin.

All the ladies

More ladies

Enjoying a good laugh...

The thinker.

Still more ladies...

The men.

My brother patiently posing for me.

Ringo

Costco Adventures

Today we went shopping at Costco with some friends. Little did we know we'd get an airshow on our way out!!! We saw the Blue Angels fly over our heads!!!

P.S. Just remember, I'm a PHOTOgrapher, not a VIDEOgrapher. ;)

Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

These little gems are SO yummy...

Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Feel free to adjust accordingly:

2 cups sugar (I got away with 1 1/2)
1/4 cup cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1/4 cup peanut butter

Combine sugar, cocoa, butter and milk in a saucepan. On medium heat, bring to a boil for one full minute.
Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal.

Drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Let cool for at least 30 minutes.

(**P.S. They're pretty gooey, but they firm up if you put them in the refrigerator.**)

Special thanks to Josh K for letting me share the recipe!

Esther's Favorite Ginger Cookies

The result of my mother's efforts...

Ginger Cookies

2 1/4 Cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 Cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 Tablespoon water

1/4 Cup molasses

2 Tablespoons white sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 Tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten slightly.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Before...

And after.

**Happy Birthday to Esther D**

Pumpkin Cranberry Cupcakes

I'm smitten.

End of story.

P.S. Thanks to the Marshall ladies for making these!

Enchanted Rock - 17 Miles North of Fredericksburg, TX

We were very warmly welcomed. For a sign, that is! 

Just so you know.. the little itty bitty dots on the hill? They're PEOPLE.

From the top! It was gorgeous!

At THE summit.. the cowboy boot proves we're still in Texas.

Another view from the top.

From the ground looking up... yup, it's TALL!

Rejoice! We conquer!

View out the rear view mirror on the way home.

Count Your Blessings, America!

Verse(s) of the Day

He turns a desert into pools of water,
    a parched land into springs of water.
And there he lets the hungry dwell,
   and they establish a city to live in;
they sow fields and plant vineyards
   and get a fruitful yield.
By his blessing they multiply greatly,
   and he does not let their livestock diminish.

                                            ~ Psalm 107:35-38

Verse(s) of the Day

Daniel answered and said:

 "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.
 He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
 he gives wisdom to the wise
   and knowledge to those who have understanding;
 he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with him.


                                  ~ Daniel 2:20-22

Verse(s) of the Day

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
   his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
   children of Jacob, his chosen ones!


                                      ~ Psalm 105:1-6, ESV

Verse of the Day

 He is like a tree
   planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
   and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

                                        ~ Psalm 1:3, ESV

A Funny Mystery Solved!

I know, this is a diversion from my normal photo posts, but it was way too funny to pass up!

On the way home from work today, my dad and brother were conspiring. Dad was going to take me out, and Matthew (my brother) was going to take my mom out. Since I usually don't care for Mexican food, Dad figured it would be safe to have Matthew and Mom go to a Mexican restaurant (they wanted to take us to different restaurants). While driving out of our neighborhood Dad asked me what I was in the mood for... and guess what? I wanted to go to Mamacita's, a local Mexican restaurant! (Of all places, I know.)

So, Dad and I enjoyed a DELICIOUS dinner, and then all of a sudden, our server walks by with a slice of cheesecake. We were planning on ordering some but we hadn't yet, so we pretty much ignored him, until he walked UP with it and said (quite playfully) "A beautiful lady bought this for you..." and puts the cheesecake down between us. "What is he talking about?" I wondered. "Maybe the manager was a lady and really liked us for some reason.....? Mom and Matthew can't possibly...." and then I looked over, and there they were, waving at us!!! We had a great laugh and kept laughing for a good while. Apparently our server had blocked our view when they came into the restaurant.

Just thought you all would enjoy that laugh as much as we did! Now, how to pay them back... :)

Isaiah 59:19

So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives. 

Wisconsin in the Fall

Thanks to the friend who let me borrow these. Behold, the beauty of fall in Wisconsin.

NOT MY PHOTOGRAPHY!

Thanks for reading!