backyard pets

as i was looking out my kitchen sink while doing dishes,
i spotted this little guy in my backyard.
and then i saw he had three friends with him.
i love living in my own national geographic magazine.

what goes up must come down

tannon & i had so much fun with the midget & her parents in town!

she was here over st. patrick's day, which made her visit that much cooler.

we went to the Children's Museum, the zoo, the park, and ate lots of yummy food.

**warning. picture overload

best.st.patrick's.day.ever.

rawr

this little black fur-ball is pure happiness.

things that make you go mmmmmm

i haven't posted a recipe on here in quite some time.

i made this last night and it is ridiculous.

1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
2 squares (1 ounce each) white chocolate baking squares
2 Tbsp. milk
1 package cream cheese (8 oz)
1/4 C powdered sugar
1 C thawed, whipped topping
1/3 C semi-sweet chocolate
1 tsp. vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape cookie dough into a ball and place in the center of a large pizza stone or baking sheet. Use lightly floured rolling pin and roll dough to a 12-inch circle (about 1/4 inch). Bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are set. (cookie will be soft--don't overbake) Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes. Carefully loosen cookie from baking stone using serrated knife. Cool completely on pan.

Place white chocolate and milk in small bowl. Microwave on high 1 minute; stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Microwave an additional 10-20 seconds if necessary. Combine with cream cheese and powdered sugar; mix well. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture evenly over cookie.

Arrange fruits over cream cheese mixture. I used strawberries, kiwi, and bananas. Place chocolate morsels and vegetable oil in small bowl in microwave, uncovered, on high for 30 seconds or until chocolate is smooth. Drizzle over chocolate and fruit. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

*individual-sized mini pizzas would be cute, too!

stuck in the middle

who has read this?

this is the third book of the Children of the Promise series. i really liked the first two, but this third one seems to be dragging on... and on..... and on. i'm about ready to throw in the towel. does it get better? please say yes.

four score & seven years ago

as i was driving on saturday i was thinking about the evening exactly seven short years ago, february 13, 2003.

on that cold thursday night, i was sitting at my best friend's (maren) house trying to decide what outfit of hers to wear the next night. it was a very important decision, since the boy in my math class, whom i had been obsessing over, finally asked me on a date. our first date. on valentine's day.

as we were lost in our giddy, late-night conversation, i receive a text message. it was the cute boy from my math class. at exactly 12:00am, i read, "I JUST WANTED TO BE THE FIRST TO WISH YOU A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!" *yes, i remember the text was in all caps*

seven years later, i am so glad i was able to spend this weekend with both maren, and my math class crush!

i got to meet this little twirp, lucy. she is such a doll!

i hope you all had a fantastic ♥ day.

from my heart to yours

call me old school, but i love getting packages in the mail. meet helena. that girl gets package, after package, after package. i've always longed to see one of my very own sitting on my doorstep.

since snowmageddon, our mailman hasn't journeyed down our two-dead-end street for a while. needless to say, the mail has been a little backed up. as we were pulling into our driveway this evening, i noticed a few parcels sitting on our snowy porch. this isn't out of the ordinary in the newland family, since the husby is an e-bay addict. as we made our way to the front door, i noticed they were addressed to me. huh?

i recognized the handwriting on one of the packages immediately. my darling sister. she had so thoughtfully sent me a valentine-themed package.

how cute is that apron? and those valentine mugs (with a hot chocolate recipe inside)?

there was a bunch of other stuff, too, but you guys would just think it's weird... but everything was very thoughtful and personal.

and then i get to the one that was very unfamiliar. as soon as i cut the tape, red and pink papers started gushing out. i dig my way through the valentine bear, pistachios, heart-shaped cookie cutter, and skittles trying to solve the mystery. and there it is. a homemade card.

as i read the name my vision becomes extremely blurry and i feel a lump forming deep in my throat.

my thoughtful, caring, sensitive, & wonderful friend, jesse. oh how i love her.

i have known jesse since we were, oh, i don't know... this age:

as i dig deeper, i see another card that jesse had had the girls we worked with write a few words to me. those big jerks made me miss them even more.

i honestly can't recall a time where i have been so astounded by the thought, preparation, and time one has demonstrated on my behalf.

thank you. thank you for making me feel so loved, even though i'm so far away.