Day 21 ~ A recipe

Seriously!? Any recipe?! .... just one?!! Oh, the things that are going through my head....

There's the enchilada recipe that we use...

There's the Hot Cocoa Mix recipe that I make at least three times during the winter...

There's our favorite way to do salmon...

There's...

Well, I am being lazy and I don't want to get up and find one from the kitchen. So you get my favorite cocoa mix, cause I make it a lot and it's easy to remember without having to go look. It comes from my other mother (AKA Grams) :)

(If you think you might like one of the other recipes, just ask!)

Gram's Hot Cocoa Mix

(everything is proportional, if you want a lot use cups, if you want a little use your 1/4 cup measure - super easy!)

6 parts powdered milk
4 parts powdered sugar
1 part cocoa powder

sift all together and keep in an air tight container (the sifting is important)

when you want some hot cocoa put 3-4 heaping spoonfuls into a mug and add hot water. You can also add marshmallows and/or creamer to taste.

Day 20 ~ A hobby of yours

I have many hobbies, as I mentioned yesterday

My first real hobby was cross stitch... we have a few things I have done around the house. And I am proud to say that Steve does pretty well at cross stitch too.
This is what he designed and stitched for his mom last Christmas

Another hobby I have had since childhood has been sewing. Steve and I both have jackets, pants (that have been worn out), and shirts that I have made. Faith and Megan have a number of dresses that I have done. I have also outfitted the baby dolls.

Here are a few things I have done in the last few years

The gift I did for Steve's cousin last Christmas


dress for Megan's 4th birthday


shirt for me... though right now it doesn't fit in the chest


originally done for Christmas 2008, but also worn in Rachel's wedding last year


dress I did for Faith's 4th birthday (she can still wear it LOL)

I also like crocheting!

A couple of afghans I have done

Steve's and the Flag (done just cause :) )

My most recent learned hobby is knitting. These are a couple of hats that I did for the girls this last year

I also like miscellaneous crafting... that is when I have time... oh wait...

Day 19 ~ A talent of yours

So not feeling very talented in very much these days, save for sleeping and baby feeding, I asked my family...

My daughter Faith says I am talented at being good (haha thanks!) and dancing... I guess coming from a 6 year old who hasn't really seen me try to dance (I cannot!), that is a complement.

My daughter Megan was quiet.

Steve, on the heals of Faith's dancing comment, said that I am a good bottle washer... Haha that only makes sense if you had seen the production of "Oliver!" that we were in 7 years ago :) I had one part where a small group of us were bottle washing and 'swishing' our booties. LOL

He was serious when he said that I have a talent for being able to help him to calm down or chill out if he is stressed or worked up about something.

I used to be talented at singing, but that was mostly in High School and that was a long time ago...

I would like to think I am talented at some of the hobbies I enjoy... sewing, crochet, cross stitch... but that is tomorrow's post.

Day 18 ~ My wedding

Our Bridal Shower (Steve's ma- Susan, Steve, me, Steve's Aunt Karen and his Grandma)


A small part of the rehearsal dinner (Beck, Rachel, me my bro- Michael)

Our Wedding was Aug 4, 2000 (that was a Friday). It was a bit drizzly (I've heard that's good) and yet a bit sunny too.

My day started with my cousin, and maid of honor, waking me up so that we could go get hair and make-up done. We then went to get a bit of food, which I later found out that Steve had gone to the same restaurant at some point (earlier or later, I can't remember). Then we went to the church to get dressed.

my parents!
I think there was some mad rushing to finish a dress or two...

ready and waiting in the hall

The ceremony was at 1pm

Mike and mom


my lovely girl, Ariella


Cousin, and maid of honor Rachel


as a side note my nice poofy slip didn't make it to my wedding- so my dress is a bit deflated :(

Flower girl- Jessica and ring bearer- Thomas

Post Ceremony pictures





My girls


Wedding party


The parents


The cake- made by my 'other mother'
(a Beth Moore term for the mommy in my life that didn't birth me)

Steve and I have never really been ones for big extravagant things. For our wedding ~ my mom sewed the dress, Aunt Marge worked on it too ~Nancy (Grams) made the awesome cake ~My Grandfather (remember the pictures from yesterday...) did the pictures ~Steve's Aunt Cathy and I did the flowers ~Mom also did Ariella's dress ~Rachel's dress was her own sewing and was first her prom gown :)

We had dinner at the Olive Garden, stayed the night in a hotel about 30 min outside of town, then on Saturday headed to California! We spent 4 fabulous days going to Disneyland and Knott's Berry farm.

I l♥ve this man more now then I ever did then. We have had our share of up's and downs and I wouldn't trade any of it... it has brought us closer together.

Day 17 ~ An art piece

I was really having a hard time figuring out what to put on here for today, but realized that pictures are art too... SO...

My grandfather made his living from photographs, like from a very young age. He takes beautiful photos. Photos full of emotion. I (actually the girls) have a couple of beautiful photos of butterflies that Grandpa shot

I think I will be sad to see these go when Faith and Meg move out of the house

and then my Grandpa found the world of digital imaging... and there is one photo in my house that is... well interesting, to say the least

(click on it to get the full effect)

LOL I am (I believe Steve is too) under the opinion that Grandpa should stick to just taking photos and not playing with them too much Haha

Oh and for the record... we DO NOT own a dog! (bottom right corner)