Chocolate Enrichment Night

It's been a crazy busy week, but I had to come on here and post about our fun enrichment last week.

Here's the invite that Glenda made-

We wanted to focus on building relationships. We played a game called Fast Friends- which is basically like speed dating. We had a topic and spent a few minutes discussing it before one side of the table moved on to the next person.

We asked everyone to bring a chocolate dessert and a recipe, which we made into a small little book.

Some of the yummy goodies.



Handouts that we could bring to the ladies we visit teach.



I shared this recipe.

5 minute Chocolate Cake in a Cup

4 T. flour
4 T. Sugar
2 T. unsweetened cocoa
1 egg
3 T. milk
3 T. oil
3 T. chocolate chips
splash of vanilla or other flavoring
optional toppings: whipped cream, powdered sugar or ice cream

Add all of dry ingredients in a mug and mix well. Next mix in the egg. Stir in milk, flavoring, and oil. After all combined fold in chocolate chips. Don’t have chips- try a broken candy bar. Nuke on high for 3 minutes in a 1000w microwave- increase time for lower wattages. It will start to crown over the top of the mug- don’t panic it will go back down. Remove and if desired add additional toppings. Enjoy!

Of course, I had to try it out first at home.

It was pretty, good, especially for a quick craving. In my opinion though, it did taste better after sitting for a little while.

And with a little vanilla ice cream.

Halloween Trail Mix

I feel a little silly sharing such a simple recipe- but it has been such a big hit at our house, I thought I'd put it on my blog.


Halloween Trail Mix
1 jar roasted, salted peanuts
1 box count chocula cereal
1/2 box of raisins
1 bag Halloween M&M's
optional: pretzels, fishy crackers, popcorn, licorce bites, cheese balls



Warning- you cannot each just one handful. We made this for Connor's hike last week and then again for our Halloween party on Saturday. Stay tuned for pictures from the party!

Days 3, 4 & 5

Day 3
The weather did not cooperate. The plan was to drive around Lincoln looking at the lights Troy put up, with a thermos full of hot chocolate and our jammies, but it was too icy. We have to be up in Lincoln on Thursday night, so now we are hoping to fit it in our schedule that day.


Day 4
Activities for a quiet Sunday afternoon.


That evening since Troy had a meeting at church, the kids and I worked on our spritz cookies. The first sheet of cookies pressed out perfectly, but then it all went downhill from there. I remember now why it has been 3 years since I touched that particular kitchen aid. Needless to say, I did not get the 12 dozen cookies the recipe professed it would make.



Day 5
Jameson was a few minutes early for basketball practice today, so we drove out to get a better view of this winter sunset.



Troy read us this story while we sampled a few of the cookies I made to finish up the neighborhood gifts. It is one of my favorite recipes to make at Christmas time.



Becky's Dipped Gingersnaps
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
4 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

additional sugar
2 packages vanilla baking chips
1/4 c. shortening
(I actually just use vanilla almond bark and it works perfectly!)

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and oil, mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in molasses. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into 3/4 inch balls and roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until cookie springs back when touched lightly. Do not overbake. Remove to wire racks to cool. Melt chips with shortening in a small saucepan over low heat. Dip the cookies halfway; shake off excess. Place on waxed paper to harden.

13 Things

13 Things I did today:

1. Put together a puzzle with my cute little girl who stayed home sick from school. Best .25 I spent at a garage sale. She loves her Pochahontas puzzle.



2. Laundry. See, I told you, it is never ending!

3. Dishes. While I was doing these Genna pulled a stool up so she could help. It was so cute, she was singing the whole time we were working. I asked if she learned that song at school. She said no, it was a Dragon Tales song about how singing makes the work go faster and more fun. I love PBS!

4. Talked with my good friend, Cheryl on the phone. Her son is not feeling good. Hope you feel better soon, Aaron!

5. Made this recipe. I know I read it on someone's blog and I can't remember who, I am sorry.

Lentil-Rice Casserole

3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup uncooked lentils
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1/4 cup minced onion
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Blend all together in a casserole dish. Bake, covered for 2 hours at 300 degrees. Sprinkle with cheese and baked for another 20 minutes.

I was actually a little scared when I pulled it out of the oven, but it was surprisingly tasty and everyone enjoyed it, except my little sweetie who didn't feel like eating dinner.



6.Cleaned out my tool basket in my office. It was a MESS! And I couldn't find my adhesive. It wasn't there, but now it looks so much better.

7. Made this scrapbook page:


8.Filed bills and other important papers.


9.Cleaned out my spice cupboard. It was LONG overdue.


10. I also labeled the lids after I was inspired to do so by Laura, the Organizing Junkie. Check out her post about this.


11. While I was doing the spice cupboard, I tackled the medicine cabinet as well. It always tends to gravitate towards chaos. I think one problem is that the little baskets have to be turned sideways to be taken out. Didn't fix that problem. But it is back to being organized again.


12.Got all nostalgic listening to this song: Come on Home by Everything But the Girl. Totally makes me think of my friend Rebecca and working grounds crew at BYU.

13. Made this little package for Mrs. Schrader. Jameson told us she was turning 50 tomorrow. They are all wearing black so she knows she is older than dirt. He also is going to write out 50 math problems for her(she is his math teacher).

Missionaries

We had the missionaries over for dinner tonight. We had my favorite marinated chicken, twice baked potatoes, green beans with cheese and bacon, homemade rolls and then ice cream sundaes with homemade hot fudge. It was really yummy, especially after fasting. We love having the missionaries in our home. We have awesome Elders serving in our ward right now. We have really grown to love them. Elder Barfield is being transfered this week. We wish him the best.

One of the reasons I love to have the missionaries in our home is because I think it is such a good influence for my own boys. We talk a lot about when they get older what it will be like for them to go on a mission. Troy has lots of great stories about when he served in the Texas Houston East mission and he shares those often with the boys. Troy and I both hope that the boys decide to serve a full time mission. Troy agrees with those who have said it was 2 of the best years.

Just in case anyone would like the recipe for marinated chicken- it is super easy. Marinate chicken breasts in 1 part oil, 2 parts soy sauce and 3 parts 7up or Sprite. Grill. The longer you marinate the chicken, the better it tastes. I always let it sit at least overnight. The last several times I made the marinade when I got home from the grocery store with the chicken. Just throw it in a ziploc bag and put it in the freezer. A day before you are ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge.