The 7 Series: [1] Food [Goat Cheese Risotto Recipe]

So I recently got an Amazon gift card for my baby shower.  This already excites me to no end, I'm one of those people with an Amazon wish list constantly in the making, that falls asleep to images of strollers I can't buy or random iPhone accessories I don't need.  So when I got the gift card, along with a note from my sweet friend that said I could *gasp* spend it on myself!  I did just that.

I mean seriously, this little girl already has everything in the world she could need, and Mama's not gonna lie.  She likes to spoil herself sometimes.  So with my $25 burning a hole in my pocket I ordered a DicAPic waterproof case for my phone, I am constantly death-gripping my phone at the beach in order to get pictures of the kid's swimming while hopefully not losing my uninsured phone in the abyss & a book I had seen on another bloggers IG [crunchy_candid]

[Me reading my book at Pokai Bay this last weekend.]

The book is called 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker.

It's written by a Christian Mother of 3 and is basically about how she reduced 7 areas of her life down to 7 things each for a month.  I've just started reading Chapter 2 and I really dig it so far.  Since I'm trying to become a blogger with more purpose, and less scatter-brained rants about my children's bowel movements I decided I'd try and do a small series following along with her 7 things.

So first up, Food!  In the book Jen narrows down her food choices to just 7 things.  I will go ahead and put a disclaimer right now that I'm not going to do as she does.  Do not ask a 35 week pregnant woman with already finicky eating habits to now narrow down her choices to just 7.  If I was forced to choose tho my list would look something like:

1. Dr. Pepper

2. Coffee

3. Chocolate Milkshakes

4. Cereal

5. Bread

6. Smoothies

7. Pork Belly

So you see, not very healthy and more than half of those things are drinks.  I'm not going to put myself in that position.  I am a lover of food, but also, I hope, learning not to be a person of excess.  We start each Monday with a full fridge and by Sunday it's pretty bare bones.  I like it like that.  It keeps my fridge clean, I can see what we have & most of the things in our fridge are fresh foods.  

I have lost over 50 lbs. in the past 6 years, even AFTER having 3 kids.  Ok, right now I'm up 16 pounds but I have the baby to blame at least.  I attribute most of that to learning to eat better, loving my body, and wanting to give my kids a healthy attitude about the food they eat.  For the most part, we try. We also live off a budget of $60 a week for food for a family of 5.  While I would love to feed my family only organic vegetables, free-range chickens & grass-fed beef I live in reality.

  I do what I can while being thankful for everything we have, knowing how blessed we are.  

And I guess that's where I will go with food, that my family understand it's purpose.  We know food is nourishment for our body's, we don't waste it, we don't complain and we certainly don't turn down free food.  But food is not our everything, the amount of whole grains we eat does not effect our worth as humans.  Drinking water from the tap will not kill us, in other places it might.  We are blessed beyond belief to never go to bed with empty stomachs and if Oliver smashes one more Go-Gurt into his hair & carpet I will scream.

The end. 

Just for the purposes of this blog I will give the prices I paid for the food here, 

just in case you're wondering what a meal like this does to my budget. 

Plus this recipe is SOCLOSE to being 7 ingredients, I thought it fitting. 

Goat Cheese Risotto

1 cup short grain rice [.25]

2 Shallots, diced [.99]

1/2 cup Goat Cheese [1.50]

1 lemon [1.75.  Seriously? wtf lemon.]

Thai Basil, minced [Free from our Garden]

4 cloves of garlic, minced [.25]

2 1/2 cups Chicken Stock [1.25]

1/2 cup White Wine [.50]

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper 

Grand Total: $6.50 Serves at least 2 adults who eat a lot!

And 3 kids who would rather eat toast. :/ 

[1] In a large saucepan heat olive oil on medium heat.

[2] Add the onions and cook until translucent.

[3] Add the garlic and cook one more minute.

[4] Add your rice and stir for about 90 seconds, toasting the pieces, 

make sure you have enough oil to coat the rice.

[5] Add your white wine, stirring until it is all absorbed.

[6] Add your chicken stock,

 1/2 cup at a time making sure each addition has been absorbed before adding the next 1/2 cup. 

[7] When all your liquid has been absorbed and rice is tender,

 grate in the zest & add juice of your lemon.

[8] Stir in your goat cheese and season to taste with salt & pepper.

[9] Plate & sprinkle with Thai Basil!  Enjoy! 

Oh hot damn! [Grilled Jalapeno Poppers Recipe]

Wow!  Without even realizing it my blog has reached over 2,000 views!

I'm pretty pleased with myself, despite the fact that it's most definitely just the same 20 people reading every blog.  Including my Mom.  But oh well, I'll take what I can get.

I know most of my blogs have a theme, or I try to, in order to help myself stay focused and not ramble about nothing in particular.  But I feel like doing just that tonight, so I shall.  

1st thought.  Oliver's potty training is going well!  At 20 months he has become a master at knowing when he is going to pee and/or poop.  This is great, he will even take off his diaper to do it, even tho those who follow me on Instagram know that we pretty much let him be a pantless terror to make things easier on everyone.  Instagram: nicolehopefully in case you were wondering. 

Downsides so far.....he WILL NOT use his potty if there is already something in it.  If he has already peed/pooped and you haven't cleaned it out fast enough and he comes back to find it dirty he'll just pee or poop right next to his toilet.  Smart guy.  Only other obstacle we have had is he did happen to have one accident that unfortunately involved our iPad and it's Smart Cover.  Still trying to figure out how to clean that one.   Also if you happened to think we are awesome potty training geniuses cause Oliver is only 20 months you'd be wrong.  Jonas didn't get potty trained until almost 3 and had an incident involving his Nintendo DS and poop.  Ahh memories. 

In other news, school has started full swing!

I completed my first week back at college and feeling pretty happy about it.  I'm taking Human Development and little did I know it's something I'm actually interested in.  Hooray!  We did some Psych 100 review this week and next week we start on the Pre-Natal stuff.  I definitely feel outdated with my pen & notebook when all of the 18 year olds whip out their Mac books looking like Tumblr pictures or something but whatever.....my teacher looks like Liam Neeson so for some reason to me, it balances out. 

So, yep.  I am officially back in school & loving it!  It's much easier to appreciate an hour of calm 3x a week than it was when I was a teenager.  I know it won't always be this easy or exciting but I'm looking forward to this new-ish journey of becoming a student again.  And just to think, in 10 short years I may actually be a midwife?!  Ahh, to dream. 

And while I've been continuing my higher education the kids finally made it to their first co-op!  This is our first homeschooling co-op and I'm really looking forward to the year and everything that's to come. We meet every other Thursday and rotate teaching/snacks so we each end up doing it about twice a year.  At co-op they do music [the Mother dreaded recorder, or as I call it "screech of death"] along with art & science.  It helps the kids to learn how to listen to someone else and also let's them "socialize."  Eh, that was sarcasm but whatever. 

[All ready for their first day at Chestnut Grove co-op!]

I think I just realized my blogs do have to have a theme, there's no getting around that.  If there is a theme to this entry it's just that our lives are busy!  Even when we're trying not to do much there's still way too much to do, but I love, I crave it, and I wouldn't know how to live any other way.

In just the past few weeks of my Mom & sister leaving we've been to High Tea parties, learned about Essential Oils, cleaned, laughed, watched Hunger Games for the 3rd time.  I've had great talks with new friends, more Starbucks than I should have, and gotten the best mani/pedi ever.

I've started new books 7:An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess [which I'll blog about later] and Taking Charge of Your Fertility [which I should probably start reading now!]  I've had great talks with friends,  started working on American Heritage Girls badges with Lily [Sign Language is our First!]

Cleaned our van, contemplated changes, actually started getting ready for this little girl that is due in just 5 short weeks.  Gone to the library.  Gone to the park.  Gone to Whole Foods and spent way more money than we should have.  

So yeah, life is good.  I won't deny it.  Potty training.  Poop.  And all. :)

And tomorrow is my friend Dawn's baby shower!  

Almost everyone I know is expecting a little girl, and Dawn even with 2 beautiful girls before this is not an exception.  Looking forward to celebrating Alaula with her tomorrow and she requested my 

Grilled Jalapeno Poppers so here they are!  

Grilled Jalapeno Poppers!

You will need:

10 Jalapeños

1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese, packed

1 bar of Cream Cheese, however many ounces that is.  8?

Salt & Pepper to Taste

I package of Bacon, slices cut in half. 

Toothpicks

[1] Cut your jalapenos in half and using a spoon scoop out the seeds.

[2] In a mixing bowl or food processor combine your cheese, salt & pepper until well blended.

[3] Using a spatula, the easiest, fill the hollowed out jalapenos with the cheese mixture. 

[4] Take one half slice of bacon for each jalapeno and wrap it around, using a toothpick to secure it as well as you can.  BE CAREFUL.  If you poke the toothpick too hard and it goes through the jalapeno and under your fingernail you will be screaming bloody murder.  Trust me. 

Just try to get the bacon as secured to the jalapeno as possible.  As it cooks it will shrink and stay on better.

[5] Grill these on medium heat, turning as needed until the bacon is nice & crispy

 and the cheese is melted!  It's a party in your tummy! 

Identity Crisis.

The past few weeks or so I've been noticing how bad I've been doing saying my prayers, writing in my journal, reading my Bible, etc.  These things don't come naturally to me and when given 15 minutes of down time it's easier for me to Pin 15 things on Pinterest than it is to get into my Bible.  

It's not something I'm proud of but it is something I'm aware of.  I consider myself a Christian with Catholic leanings.  I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic church and then again in the Currituck Sound in North Carolina as a Baptist at the age of about 9.

My journey with God has been a long and winding one.  Times where I have strayed FAR off the path, never really admitting it was a problem at all.  Being off the beaten path is just cool right?  

I have gone to Sunday School, I teach Sunday School now.  I have stared in awkwardness as people speak in tongues and lay prostate on the ground.  I have had priests & minister's wives tell me I am a child of God, that I AM beautiful in his eyes, and at times those are the exact words I needed to hear.

I have praised his name and I have denied it.  

But finally, at this point in my life, I choose not to be ashamed anymore.  It still might not flow out of me easily.  It's easier for me to talk about being a mother or wife than it is about being a Christian.  Maybe because I'm such an imperfect example?  But aren't we all?  I just know I have gone months without the thought of God in my head.  Without a prayer on my lips and felt completely comfortable in this.  Sure, I felt alone, but I just thought that was the world and how I was meant to live.

Now.  Now I crave Him.  His word, his praise.  Sure, I still sometimes think of God as an afterthought as something I will "get around to" after I've done all the cleaning, texting & kid-rearing of the day.  But I know now that I want to change.  I want to wake up and think of His purpose for me for the day.  I want to go to sleep dreaming dreams of Him.  While this might be a noble idea I know it's one that won't come without me putting in the work, without acknowledging that without Him I am nothing.  I can do nothing.  The people of this world have failed me time and time again just as I fail those I love.  

But knowing that God's love never fails is an amazing thing.

Even more amazing is that I believe it. 

So while it's easy for me to find my identity in the labels of this world: mother, wife, student, daughter, sister, friend, baker, blogger, doula, drummer.  I know that my identity is in Him.  Not in the label of Christian, because by this world's and God's standard it's something I will never live up to.  Like any mother knows there's always someone willing to point out your flaws, where you've messed up, why they're a better mother than you, the same works for the label Christian and I know I'm wrong.  

I know I will never be enough for this world.  Just enough for God.  Just part of my dark but loveliness. <3

My personal goal for this week:  I have a prayer journal that I started in December when I desperately needed it.  It is the first journal that I have even come close to finishing and actually kept track of.  I have about 15-20 blank pages left and probably haven't written in it in about 2 weeks.  So I am determined to finish it up, there is a lot of stuff in there that I don't want to remember but I am ready to move on.  To forgive and let go.  For the next chapter in my book.  

Plus who doesn't love a nice shiny new journal? ;) 

Now.....FOOD!  

I made this enchilada sauce the other night for Zucchini Black Bean Goat Cheese enchiladas.

I was thinking they would taste weird and not Mexican-y enough for me but I was wrong!

This sauce is good, with a little heat and would be great for any kind of enchiladas.  Especially since I tried in vain to get like, 5 different people to send me the Trader Joe's bottled enchilada sauce, with no luck.  I guess this stuff will have to do!  Next time I'll probably make a double batch so I can just freeze it.  I want to say Adios Mother Fuckers here, but I know that will probably negate the previous part of my blog, but old habits die hard.  Ay yi yi.

Jalapeno Enchilada Sauce

2 cans Organic Tomato Sauce

4-6 pickled Jalapeno slices [could omit if you don't want any heat at all]

1/3 cup Chicken Stock 

1 tsp. Cumin

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1 small handful Cilantro leaves

Salt & Pepper to taste

1/3 cup Greek Yogurt

1 small onion sliced

1 clove of garlic

[1] Dump all your ingredients into a food processor or blender.

[2] Blend until everything is smooth and incorporated.

[3] Pour into a medium saucepan and heat on low-medium for about 10-15 minutes.

[4] Taste!  Adjust to your liking.  

Really simple and great for us folks that can't get good Mexican food.

Hmph. 

Nesting, nesting.....1,2,3.

Oh the joys of being a mother, the things that once would have been a burden are now my "guilty pleasures."  One of those things is cleaning a house in peace!  Yes, I love it.  

It seems weird but there is nothing more relaxing to me than cleaning the house in peace & quiet.  Well kidless, peace and quiet.  Some music on, today's pick is the Death Cab for Cutie Pandora station to get myself pumped up for the concert next week. [!] Maybe some iced coffee if I'm lucky, feeling a little shaky today so trying to stick to iced water.  All in all, the ability to actually finish something is great for my list making, task buster self.  

I realized today that Tulip is due in just 40 or so days!  Yikes!  While I'm all ready to snuggle my newborn babe I am NOT ready housewise.  My nesting instinct has kicked in full force since our visitors left and as I type I just pulled Marshmallow Blondies out of the oven and am washing a load of cloth diapers.   But still, there is more to do.  This blog is probably for myself more than anything, but then again aren't they all?  But I figured with that little time left I better make a list of what I'd like to accomplish.  Hopefully I can fit in everything I would like cleaned and organized among school for the kids, school for me, midwife appts, birthday parties, church, weddings, and relaxing.

 I know everything will be ok even if I can't get it all done, which I know in reality, I can't.  Especially with 3 young kids, I can't even keep 1 room clean for a whole day let alone our whole house!  Before this might have driven me to the brink, panic attacks and anxiety abound.  But now, ahh that peace.
  I really have been loving it.
It is such a release to know that regardless of what happens a clean house and a finished list are not the goals of this life, although my Type A personality will still beg to differ.

1.  Kitchen:  Clean under sink.  Organize under oven.  Deep clean fridge & freezer.  Clean windows. 

2.  Laundry Room:  Set up light/colored baskets.  

     Get rid of random crap that's not supposed to be in there.

3.  Pantry:  Organize drawers, move foil etc. to bench storage in dining room.  Purge Tupperware.                   

     Organize snacks.  Make list of things to stock up on.  Figure out what to make with all those dried  

     beans?  Sweep whole back room. 

4.  Back storage room:  Get rid of stuff!  Put together baby swing.  Take out all baby related items.

     Sort Christmas presents & make list of who we still need to shop for.  Label all boxes.

5.  Front storage room:  Clean out, get rid of useless stuff.  Rotate kid's clothes, put clothes too big for  

     now in storage.  Store ice chest & folding chairs.

6.  Bathroom:  Organize all pull-out cubicles.  Deep clean!!!  Make Dawn shower cleaner.  Get shower 

     bar for kid's toys. Clean windows. 

7.  Dining Room/Front Pantry:  Organize!  Clean all shelves.  Fill dry goods jars.  Make grocery list.

     Get rid of least used cook books.  Sort kid's book toybox.  Fold kitchen towels. Wood polish table.

     Clean ceiling fan & adjacent wall. 

8.  Living Room:  Clean/Organize white bookshelf.  Get rid of at least 5 things on it.  Put up last 2 big 

     picture frames, worry about printing new pictures later.  Clean entertainment center drawers.  

     Febreeze couch & carpets.  Wipe down walls.

9.  Tulip's Area [Front Room]:  Set up crib.  Put on new bedding.  Hang up circus tent.  Get white  

     shelving unit for clothes.  Organize/sort clothes.  Prep newborn diapers.

10. Bedroom:  Finish building closet walls.  Finish wall between our room & kid's room.  Organize 

      closet.  Get rid of AT LEAST 15 pieces of clothing and/or pairs of shoes, purses.  Finish organizing

      desk area.  Deep-clean mattress.  Clean white fan & move it to pantry. 

11. Kid's Room:  Get rid of stuff!  Finish sorting kid's clothes.  Clean ceiling & floor fans. Wipe walls. 

      Febreeze beds & carpets.  Organize dress-up stuff.  Set up table for art? Hook up DVD player. 

12. Van:  Get all crap out!  Vacuum SUPER good.  Re-arrange car seats.  Get new tires & oil change.

      Febreeze.  Get right sized bin for beach/outdoor stuff to store under Lily's seat.  Clean & install    

      Tulip's car seat.

13.  Downstairs back lanai:  Get all of our stuff moved to storage unit.  Put clothesline stuff in a 

       clean/organized area.  Fix tire on Phil & Ted's stroller. 

14.  Kid's classroom:  Organize!  Work on curriculum for rest of 2012.  Get girl's AHG badge binders  

       started.  Put together a Take it to the Streets binder for Lily & Jonas.  Prep Sunday school 

       curriculum for rest of 2012. 

15.  Misc.:  Return disposable diapers to Costco.  Exchange Diaper Genie and baby gate at Babies R' 

       Us.  Turn off Netflix subscription.   

This blog should probably come with a disclaimer that says something like....

 "Andy, do not read this blog."  

I have really high hopes that I can get all of this stuff done, and I love love love my lists.  I figure if I don't take any breaks, rest or breathe I can take two days to get each thing on my list done and still have a few days of rest before Miss Tulip arrives!  Not to mention that I have a creeping sensation she might be a little early, but we'll have to see if that one is right!

So here's a recipe for those Marshmallow Blondies!  They are so sweet but seriously so good.
Sometimes I'm just craving something not healthy & delicious and these just so happen to fit the bill.

Disappearing Marshmallow Blondies
from www.bakedperfection.com

1 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.  Melt the butterscotch chips & butter over low-medium heat in saucepan.  Whisk constantly until smooth, don't leave this or it will end up badly!  When it's done pour into a stand mixer bowl.  Turn on low.

2.  Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla & eggs.  The mixture will look weird at times, don't worry keep adding and mixing.  

3.  When it creates a thick batter turn off the mixer and fold in the marshmallows and chocolate chips.

4.  Pour batter into a greased 9x13 pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

5.  Let cool for at least a few hours otherwise they will be impossible to cut!  Our house is so hot right now they never really set all the way so I think I will put them in the fridge tomorrow.

A baby sprinkle turned pouring rain!

Oh pregnancy, you magical body crushing miracle you.

I've finally hit my uncomfortable point.  I'm pretty proud I've made it so far!

Saturday I will be 34 weeks, I really can't believe how fast time has flown and I'm still trying to accept the fact that this is most likely the last time I get to experience the joys [and pains] of being pregnant.

I am almost ashamed to admit that I am one of those women that love pregnancy.  I never throw up, I don't get hemorrhoids or swollen feet.  I do what I want and keep going.  Maybe since after having my first baby you don't really get a choice!  I feel the most beautiful when I'm pregnant, like my body has purpose and those extra rolls of skin are just baby love and that's ok. ;)

One of my favorite parts of being pregnant is having a shower!  I know, you're not really supposed to have a shower after the first baby especially if you've had 3 and already have both sexes of children but darn it I love a good party!  I also am constantly moving so there is really nothing that has made it from child #1 to child #4 despite the fact that they're only 6 years apart. 

So this time for Miss Tulip Bea I thought it would be appropriate to have a "sprinkle" or as I've seen them called.  My Mom and sister came in from California to help celebrate and I just really wanted an excuse to celebrate this new life with all my new found friends here on the island.  

<--------------- Dark Chocolate/Strawberry Cupcakes made by my sister, Jordan! 

 I should have known that my Mom, friends, and family would spoil me beyond belief.  And Tulip Bea is seriously set!  We had a great time just being together, enjoying the weather and getting ready for our little girl's arrival.  Which after the birth of my friend Bree's baby last week I am seriously getting so excited for, ahh newborns. <3

[My "sprinkle" had the cutest pink/jungle theme!  Pink. Zebra. Cheetah. Adorable.]

I am continually blessed and amazed by everything that was given to us for Tulip.  I have such talented caring friends and got so many beautiful home made gifts I loved it!  A new bow holder for Tulip?  Check.  A handmade Christmas pillow dress? Check. Lots of bows? Check.  A personalized cloth diaper and wet bag?  That too.  Seriously awesome.  Presents even came from afar with my biff from California spoiling me like she always does with a Bath Pod, bags of Rockin Green marshmallow scented cloth diaper detergent, The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears and a Boba Wrap! 

[A cloth diaper cake made by my friend Dawn.  She made it with Oso Cozy prefolds & a Thirsties cover!  I am a lucky girl.]

I had so much fun and was so relaxed just enjoying the company, I know I keep saying it but I just feel so lucky to have friends that encouraged me to relax, to sit down, to eat all things I need reminded to do!  

Even the games were fun, but then again I love shower games in general.  I'm a competitive person so any chance to win prizes I'm down for.  This time I just had to observe but watching everyone play games and win prizes was a blast.  

I wonder if it's bad that we did a Who Knows Mommy Best? game and the question was "What has Nicole been craving this pregnancy?" and everyone answered coffee & Dr. Pepper. :/

Just don't tell my midwife!

And of course Noni [my Mom] spoils her grandchildren that are already born so she had to give Tulip some love too!  New cloth diapers, a diaper sprayer [Thank God!], and a Nosefrida she knit me a boobie hat and got me a Beco Gemini carrier.  I'm pretty much in baby heaven.  Now I just need the baby!

So no I'm not lucky, I'm blessed [yes!]

By so many people that I adore and can't wait to introduce Tulip too.  A successful baby "sprinkle" if I do say so myself!

Check out my friend's Facebook stores! 

https://www.facebook.com/ArianasAccessories

[For family date timelines, pillow dresses, home made bows & wipe cases and more!]

https://www.facebook.com/BanginBabyBritches

[For WAHM cloth diapers & wet bags!]

Support your work at home Mommies! <3

[My BIG girl having fun at her sister's shower!  Doing it Mother/Daughter was so fun. :)]

Tulip: A flower symbolizing forgiveness.

Bea: Blessed, she who brings happiness. 

Vistorus Interruptus.

As much as I hate to admit it I am a creature of habit.  

I like to wake up every morning, enjoy my coffee, check my Facebook and slowly ease into my day.

Get my burst of energy by the time Andy gets home from work to start cleaning & doing school with the kids, etc.  Everyday may not be the same but most start with coffee and end with me snuggling with my love in bed.   

Having my Mom & sister here visiting from California is so awesome but it definitely throws off my Mama schedule and makes me let things go I might not usually be able to.  And while sometimes that is hard for my Type A personality it definitely does make things seem even more organized when I get back to it. So after a week or so of not blogging I actually missed it!  But time is short so I'll do my favorite type of writing, a list.  

My [current] life in numbers.

[20] minutes until I hope to be in bed. 

[19] the age my sister Jordan turned today!

[18] days till my first Hawaii doula client is due.  

[17] the age my sister Sierra turned today!

[16] my stupidest age, so far & hopefully ever.

[15] pounds I have gained this pregnancy.

[14] days until I start school again.

[13] pages of Fifty Shades Freed I've read.  I give up, I'm over it. 

[12] ingredients in the recipe below.

[11] babies latched on at The Big Latch-On West Oahu I hosted on Friday! 

[10] years I have been with the love of my life. 

[9] years until I am a midwife!  I hope. 

[8] weeks left in this pregnancy! Give or take a little.....

[7] months we have been back in Hawaii.

[6] tattoos I have.  For now.

[5] strawberry shortcakes I made for dessert tonight. 

[4] days left until my baby shower!  Yeay! 

[3] kids I have, for just a little bit longer. 

[2] notifications I have on Facebook, last time I checked.

[1] God I love! 

And by popular demand......

Homemade Jumbo Nutter Butters! 

from www.cookiesandcups.com

Cookies: 

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla

2 1/2 cups AP flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup extra sugar for rolling

Filling:

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup creamy peanut butter

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tbs. milk

For cookies:

[1] Cream butter, peanut butter & sugar in a stand mixer.

[2] Add eggs one at a time & then vanilla.

[3] In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda & baking powder.

[4] Slowly add dry mixture to wet in mixer, try not to over mix!

[5] When dough has come together roll into 1-inch balls and then form your balls into logs.  Ha. 

[6] Roll logs in sugar and place on ungreased baking sheet.  Keep them spread apart cause they get big!

[7] With a fork make a criss cross pattern on top of each log, while you're doing this pinch the log in the middle so it makes a peanut shape.  Very good. 

[8] Bake at 375 degrees F for about 10 minutes.

[9] Let cool on a rack while you make your filling!

For filling:

[1] Cream butter & peanut butter.

[2] Slowly add powdered sugar.

[3] Check consistency and add milk if you like, may take a little more or less or none at all. 

[1] Spread filling between two cookies & chow down!

Nutter Butter time! 

Life is good. People are too.

So we've been trying to adjust, yet again, to our new schedules.  School is starting up again, well kind of.....we do year round schooling but now it's REALLY time to focus.  Plus the school supplies are on sale at Target and a general feeling of school-iness abounds.  Andy has officially been working his new job for over a month now, and we've kind of gotten into the groove of things.  

But in general life is pretty good.  We get to spend time together as a family!  Something that was missing for us for almost 2 years.  The differences are astounding and if I ever questioned moving back to Hawaii I don't anymore.  The first time we lived in Hawaii I had a huge problem with being homesick, I missed the people I had known and I couldn't quite make any connections that felt real here.  This time around I am just so surprised and grateful at the awesome people God is putting into our lives.

I am still struggling with my trust issues, which I've mentioned before, I've been deeply hurt by people I have trusted to never betray me and while that hurt is still there I think God is trying to show me the goodness in people.  It's so easy to see the bad, the negative, the people that use you, the back stabbers, the women that act like life is still high school, and while I know they're still there I hope that maybe I've gotten better at not letting myself be used and praying that God surrounds me with people that make my life better and hopefully I do the same for them. 

Women that I have just met that encourage me instead of compete & compare.

Fellow mothers, breastfeeders, home schoolers.

Fellow Christians, Crunchy Mamas, wives.

All helping to build one another up, congratulate on jobs well done and children well raised.

Maybe it's something in me that's changing or I've just gotten lucky but I am truly so thankful for the women I have been so blessed to be friends with.  From my best friends, an ocean away in California.[ One who I got to see yesterday!] Old friends that send me an encouraging word on Facebook or messages to ask how I'm doing. To new friends that I am just meeting that have an honesty about parenting, the ups & downs but also the joys & rewards.  Those people I can laugh with, enjoy an iced coffee and just talk without feeling like I need to be impressive, that I can just be myself flaws and all without being taken advantage of.

[One of my best friends. <3  Although we are far in miles we have gone through so much together in the short time we have been friends.  She is genuine and such an encouragement to me when times are hard.  She is proof of God's goodness in people and I am forever thankful that she is a part of my life.]

It's just something I have been so thankful for that I can't explain.  As much as I try to fight it, I need people.  I need someone to go on clearance Target runs with.  I need someone to read 50 Shades of Gray with me and then make fun of it.  We we're not meant to be alone and I am so excited for the new relationships God is putting in my life, just to prove to me once again, that I don't know it all, people are not all bad, and sometimes it's ok to trust. <3

[Also many thanks to my dear friend FranQueen from the 6th grade!  She re-did my blog for me and got it looking all spiffy & Chevron-ed up.  I <3 it.]

And since I'm too lazy to type up a recipe I'll just pass on the goods that I've been given lately and tell you to check out www.coastal.com.  

No, I'm not one of those cool blogs where people pay you to write or anything, so there's no gimmick here or anything.  Cause if I'm not cooking, baking, or cleaning I'm looking for ways to save money!

But seriously.  I've gotten 2 FREE pairs of glasses from them & I love them both!

And by free, really the glasses and frames were free and all I paid for was $16 for S&H [to Hawaii!] and insurance on each pair.  Just a good deal people, I'm not gonna lie. 

If you've never ordered from them before just put in the code FIRSTPAIRFREE at checkout.

You have to pick from certain pairs, obviously, but there are tons of styles to pick from.  

I have a horribly bad prescription too, like I'm legally blind without my glasses, and I don't even pay for any of the thinner lenses and my glasses STILL look good.  Damn!

I also friended them on Facebook which is how I got a code for another free pair.

So yeah, I'm basically set for life.

Go enjoy people.  Enjoy life.  Enjoy free things.

I know I do.

[My newest pair!  Nerd glasses. 

 I had almost this exact same pair in high school.  They were not so cool back then.]