Workout Wednesday

This morning I worked out to Tight on time by Tamilee Webb. It was perfect because I really was "tight on time." My mom is coming, Eli and I are going to the library and of course Eli needs his naps. So...this dvd was appropriate. There are four ten minute workouts that you could choose from. They are arms and shoulders, total body rocks, super abs and total body tubing. I chose to do super abs and total body rocks.

Tamilee is a great instructor. She doesn't quite look like the picture above. They probably did a little bit of editing. Anyway, she made every second count towards toning my body. A clock is also displayed to let you know how much time is left. I don't know if that is a pro or con but I thought it was a great idea. The entire dvd is 48 minutes so if you can find time throughout your day, I suggest you rent or buy the video. It was fun and she is motivational.

Happy Easter

This year was a little different for me...at least I got to spend some time with my little guy. Isn't he adorable in his new tie? I think so... One good thing was that I didn't have to cook. Eli ate sweet potatoes and I had some leftovers. Yum! Where oh where was Adrian? Well, I took him to the airport. So...Easter was spent with Elijah and he was a delight. He always makes me laugh.

I also got to watch a Hallmark film-Beyond the blackboard which was excellent. Did anyone else watch it? I always love a good hallmark film especially when they show a 1970's or 1980's commercial. Awesome! Anyway, I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter.

Make it Monday

Sorry but I won't be making anything today since my husband is out of town. Stay tuned for next week...I'll be sure to make something delicious!

Birthday Bash Giveaway

There is an exciting Birthday Bash Giveaway at Eisy Morgan. Ashley is a wife, mother, sister and daugther. Her family lives in California but she lives in Colorado at the moment. She has amazing blog design skills. So check her out!

Enter The Ultimate Giveaway worth over $200!!!

Workout Wednesday

Today I worked out to Denise Austin's 3 week boot camp. It was definitely my style! I'll just need to remember to start working out when Adrian is gone. There were a few laughs from him. But, not to worry...it was a fun workout. There are two supercharged workouts and one ab workout. The two 20 minute workouts are cardio & strength intervals and athletic training. I didn't do the ab fat-blaster because I ran out of time. So, I'll try and do the workout again on Saturday.

Both workouts were easy to follow. I really like Denise Austin's style of teaching. She is clear, fun and motivating. They weren't incredibly difficult but I did have my water on hand just in case. It was definitely worth my time. So, go and check this one out at your local library. You won't be disappointed.

Meeting the Easter Bunny for the 1st time

Today, we went to visit the Easter bunny with Cassie and Claire. However, we didn't think that the bunny was too exciting. He was a bit boring. Boo Easter Bunny! At least Elijah smiled. I was afraid he would start crying. Then we made our way over to the Sweets factory. We wore blue hair nets and tried different candy. Yum! It was one fantastic day! Thanks Cassie. We had a lot of fun. Doesn't Eli look adorable in his new tie?

Make it Monday

Today for "Make it Monday," I am making Nut Lace Cookies.  It sounds fancy, doesn't it? I believe these are the same cookies that my Grandma Roberts used to buy. But, I'm not sure. I haven't had those in many years so I may be wrong. They sure are yummy.


Here is the recipe...I hope I don't mess it up. I've added my notes in red. Good luck!

1/2 cup blanched almonds
4 TBS butter
3 TBS flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 TBS heavy cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1-Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 1-2 cookie sheets. Make sure you have a good pan. I used one of my older pans and the cookies got stuck. The second batch was much better because I used an IKEA pan or maybe I got used to making them.

2-With a sharp knife, chop the almonds as finely as possible. Alternatively, use a food processor or blender to chop the nuts. I used a blender and it worked out great.

3-Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients and the almonds.

4-Drop tsps (literally 1 tsp-no more, no less) 2 1/2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake until golden, about 5 minutes. I baked them for 4 minutes the second time and they were golden around the edges. Perfect! Cool on the sheets briefly (about a minute, don't wait too long or it will be hard to lift off), just until the cookies are stiff enough to lift off.

5-With a metal spatula, transfer to a rack to cool completely.



This is the pan that didn't work. I had to throw them away and start another batch. But, it got easier. I'm bound to make a mistake when I bake or cook so I try to be prepared to start over.

Also, make sure to grease the pan well. I greased the pan and then used a paper towel to make sure the entire pan was greased.



I know they don't look perfect but I tried. They are breakable so be careful. Also, some got stuck to each other so be sure to space them evenly.

All done... Till next time...

Proud to be an american...

On Friday Adrian became a US citizen for his mother. So, I made him a candy gram since I knew it would be hard on Adrian to become an American. He is still British in my opinion.

First, we got there an hour early. Next, Elijah and I were taken downstairs to wait with all of the other family members. We were able to watch the ceremony on a screen but Eli was super loud (even Adrian could hear him and he was on the main floor). While our family members were saying the oath, they let us go upstairs to take photos. Luckily, I made a friend (her husband was from Sweden) whom I could trust to watch my stroller/car seat. Eli and I found daddy and took a few photos (they aren't perfect but oh well.). It was a little sad for me because I know how hard it was for Adrian to take the oath. However, many people were so happy to become a US citizen so it was neat to hear their stories. There were 55 people from Mexico, an 84 year old, many people from Africa and the Islands, etc etc. Overall, it was a nice ceremony but Elijah and I were glad it was over.

Football day

Today, Eli and I are wearing our football shirts. I thought it would be fun!

Naughty Boy

This morning I found Elijah getting into this!

He found it under the bed and somehow pulled it apart. Naughty, naughty...but it did make me laugh.

Workout Wednesday

This morning I worked out to a 10 minute solution-Dance off belly fat DVD! Yes, it was interesting. There were five 10 minute workouts. I did four out of five. The workouts were Belly blaster, latin flavor waist sizzler, attitude and energy, fat burning beat and dancer's silhouette.

As for my opinion...Petra Kolber was a little too fast. I know the workouts are only ten minutes but I felt "off" and really slow. I am definitely not a Latin dancer. That is for sure. When I went to BYU I took a couple of Hip Hop classes at 24 hour fitness with my roommates. And, I was definitely not a Hip Hop dancer either. I envy those that CAN dance.

Well, at least I tried a new DVD. I don't think I'll do it again anytime soon. Till next time...

Make it Monday

CHOCOLATE CRUMB BARS

For "Make it Monday" I made Chocolate crumb bars. However, I actually made them yesterday because we went to my brother's home for dinner. So, Adrian told me that I HAVE TO make something else today. So I decided to do walnut cookies again since he really likes them. Now, I just have to go to the store for some butter. At least I'm running other errands today... So, here is the recipe for the crumb bars. They sure were a hit last night...

1 cup butter

1 3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided

1 can (14 oz) Nestle carnation sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13x9 inch baking pan.

Beat butter in large mixing bowl until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar and salt until crumbly. With floured fingers, press 2 cups crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan; reserve remaining mixture. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Combine 1 cup morsels and sweetened condensed milk in small, heavy-duty saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Spread over hot crust.

Stir nuts and remaining morsels into reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over chocolate filling. Bake 25-30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen bars

Workout Wednesday

This morning I worked out to Denise Austin's body makeover mix. So, there are 3 boxy-toning workouts-firm upper body, lean lower body and tight abs. Each workout is 15 minutes. I can definitely feel it as I'm sitting here. So, if you want to slim and sculpt your way to a better body, try this DVD. It is fun and exciting. Also, it has a few ballet moves so it was interesting to see what my body CAN'T do. Oh well, at least I'm working out once a week. It was more than I did before. Oh wait, I used to run and I ran a 1/2 marathon. I guess I 'm a little lazy. Good luck. Till next time...

Oh, how I love getting the mail (but not the bills)

Guess what came in the mail yesterday? I new tie for Elijah. Of course I did win it from The little Gentleman's closet so go check it out. It is awesome. I decided to give the tie to Eli on Easter. I can't wait till he wears it.

  

 Look what else I got in the mail. This came from Target. Lots of free samples and more coupons. Yippee!

Don't you just love getting the mail? It is the highlight of my day (besides seeing my cute little guy). But seriously, it makes me happy when I know there are sweet treats in the mail. I love getting boxes, cards or whatever in the mail (except bills). I love the unknown,the excitement and anticipation. I love it all! I'm waiting for some kitchen labels I won to arrive in my mailbox. Oh how I love my mailbox and my mailman who sweetly delivers those surprises. I guess I'll wait till 4 till the mailman comes...

Easter decor

Oh how I love to decorate for the different holidays. I'm not sure Adrian likes my new subway art. Too bad! Oh and I made the carrots out of yarn, cardstock and glue. Wahoo!

9 month old

Elijah is now nine months old. Can you believe it? I'm sure I say that each month but I can't help it. My little guy is growing up and definitely needs a haircut. I'm too nervous to do it and I don't want to spend the money to do it so right now it looks funny. I'm not spiking his hair either. My dad made fun of it. At least he has those adorable two front teeth. What can Elijah do now that he is 9 months old???

-Can eat one of those yummy banana stars by himself. It is the cutest thing ever!

-Rolls over and over and over (not even close to crawling)

-NEEDS his mommy all the time

-He got sick for the first time (It was so sad too but he is better now)

So, what can your child/children do? I keep hearing that Tayvlee can stand up. Well, Elijah can speak four different languages so there you go.

Giveaway #6

By the way...I'm doing a sweet Giveaway on my other blog...http://emileeschristmasjoy.blogspot.com/ so be sure to enter and become my follower. Thanks and good luck to you all!

Make it Monday

COCONUT OATMEAL COOKIES

Today I am making coconut oatmeal cookies. I choose a recipe with ingredients that I already have. It works out great! Here is the recipe:

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup butter at room temp

1/2 granulated sugar

1/4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed

2 eggs

4 TBS milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1-Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets (which I now own...finally).

2-Spread the oats and coconut on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Note: I did 8 minutes and it was burnt so I had to redo it. Luckily I had enough oats and coconut to try it again. I suggest 5-6 minutes.

3-With an electric mixer, cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, then the milk and vanilla. Sift over the dry ingredients and fold in. Stir in the oats and coconut.

4-Drop spoonfuls of the dough 1-2 inches apart on the prepared sheets and flatten with the bottom of a greased glass dipped in sugar. Bake until golden, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Well, I fogot to do the "flatten with the bottom of a greased glass dipped in sugar." Woops! I guess I'm not perfect. Also, my dough was a little runny. The cookies were okay. I wish I were a perfectionist but I'm not so the best I can do is the best I can do. Good luck!

Next week...I'll need to use my new rolling pin. I finally have one. Yippee. Hope you enjoy!