Thanksgiving Day Recipe Swap

My super great friend Kacee recently posted her favorite Thanksgiving Day recipe and asked in return that people leave a comment with their favorite Thanksgiving Day recipe! I thought that was such a great idea that I'm cpoying you Kace! :) This is my favorite from last year and as I told Kacee in my comment on her page, I had to make an extra pie after the first one got devoured, everyone wanted another slice! It is sooooo yummy and really quite easy! So give it a try but you have to leave me your favorite in return!! Thanks and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

CANDIED APPLE PIE CHEESECAKE

1 cup crushed Nabisco Ginger Snaps
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup Sour Cream
2 eggs
1 cup apple pie filling, divided
1/2 cup Walnut Pieces, divided
1/2 cup toffee bits, divided

HEAT oven to 325°F. Mix crumbs, butter and 2 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate.

BEAT cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each. Stir in 1/2 each pie filling, nuts and toffee. Pour into crust.

BAKE 35 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 4 hours. Top with remaining pie filling, nuts and toffee before serving

Crooker Shoes and Pizza Makers

(Long post but worth the read if you like to laugh!)
I love being a mother! No one can comfort the way a mother can, no one gets smiles, hugs or kisses like a mother gets, few are able to vanquish monsters from under the bed like a mother is able and the rewards of a mother far surpass anything I can imagine. The other day I got to enjoy one of those many rewards, the reward of getting a glimpse at the way a five year old sees the world. Any parent out there know that usually makes for a touching moment or a darn good laugh, this time it was the latter! First I have to tell a quick story about Irish. Earlier this week I told the girls they could watch a movie before bed and as it often does, that started a little argument between the two of them. I let them know that if they kept the arguing up much longer there would be no movie and bedtime would be right away. Irish thought about that for a minute and then said, "Ellie, we can watch your movie". I was proud of her and I told her so. I took her hand and explained to her, as I always do when she does these things, that she was being a peacemaker and that Heavenly Father and Jesus were very happy with her and she did a great thing. She literally squealed she was so proud! What a girl!
Now here are the actual things I wanted to blog about. A couple days ago we went to St. George to get some shopping done. Irish is in desperate need of some new church shoes so we hunted down a pair that she couldn't be more thrilled about. They are cute little brown heals. They are slightly higher than most little girl shoes but the thing that makes them seem like mommy shoes is that the heal is a little more narrow than most girl shoes. Anyone that knows me knows that I love to wear high heals (a perk of having a 6ft 5 hubby!). And Irish loves that I love to wear them. She calls high heals Crooker Shoes, for the sound they make when you walk. So cute! So when I showed her these Crooker Shoes in her size she could hardly contain herself! I wish I could have captured her facial expression in a photo to keep forever! And when she tried them on she simply had to walk on the tile flooring at the store... to be sure they were really real Crooker Shoes! Needless to say we got them for her and I'm pretty certain these are her favorite shoes she's ever owned! She's worn them to show her Grandma and Grandpa, Great Grandma Martha, Aunt Robin and Ada. She even tried to sneak out of the house wearing them... to rake leaves!!! Haha, little stinker!
That same day we were at Wal*mart. Collin took the girls to find Up on DVD while I went to get baby food. Apparently, when they were walking to meet back up with me Irish was holding the DVD and Ellie yanked it out of her hands. Irish did nothing, allowing Ellie to get away with being a little booger (which, to our demise as well as Ellie's if we don't knock it off, is really easy to do because she is so dang cute!)! Collin pointed out to her that she was being very grown up by not getting mad at Ellie and letting her hold it, to which Irish responded, "You know what that means..." Collin confused said "No... what does that mean?" Irish, "You know, you roll it, and spread it, and cut it..." Collin still confused just agreed with her at that point. When they met up with me he told me what went on then told Irish to tell me what she was talking about. The rest of the conversation went like this...
Irish- "I let Ellie have the movie, you know what that means mom."
Me- "Tell me what it means, I forgot."
Irish- "You know! You roll it, and spread it and you wear a chefs hat..."
Collin and I were completely lost at this point, thinking Irish had checked out! Luckily she decided she could whisper it in my ear. This is what she said...
Irish in my ear- "I let Ellie have the movie so I am a PIZZA MAKER!"
Collin and I LOST IT! But we didn't want her to feel bad or embarrassed so we both turned out backs to her and tired laughing out sides off silently. Which probably looked pretty strange to the other Wal*mart shoppers since our faces were beat red! All these times I've praised her for being a peacemaker she thought I was telling her she is a pizza maker!! And was excited about it!! And THAT is why I love being a mother!

Loving fall!

I love my ladies!

A Fun Fall Day

Here are some pictures I wanted to post just because I LOVE them! We were in the yard raking and picking up apples and things and just having so much fun that I ran into get my camera and ended up with these priceless pics! All I can really say is... Life is good.

Three Tiers for Three Years!

Here is Ellie's birthday cake that I worked so hard on! :) And let's face it, I made it just as much for myself as I did for my little lady! But I decided a little while ago that I wanted this cake to be my best yet and I think I did pretty well! I have to say I am very proud of this cake. I love the colors on it! I made the cake and frosting from scratch as well as the fondant so it taste really good too! The best part, though, was Ellie's face when she first saw it! I kept it from her while I worked on it (all day) so it would be a suprise and it was worth it! We got the picture above that I just love and it's a perfect example of how excited she was... she made her mommy happy! And I hope on her birthday she felt happy, as happy as a Tinkerbell loving, carefree three year old could possibly feel!

Ellie's Birthday Party

In my last post about Ellie's birthday I said we were gonna have her party on the next Wed. We did and it was fun! Ellie thought it was a blast which is all we were really concerned with. Here are a few pics from the fun filled night! Her cousins all came dressed up in their Halloween costumes as they were invited, but guess who absolutely refused to wear theirs... yes, the birthday girl! It was so strange to us because, since July, all she could talk about was being Tinkerbell for "Hall-a-leen". Really. Even when she met a complete stranger, she didn't tell them her name, just that she was gonna be Tinkerbell! Anyway, we tried hard to convince her but that's not easy with Ellie, so we just let her enjoy her party in the attire of her choice, which, by the way, was a t-shirt and panties. Yeah, we probably should have put pants on her but we were exhausted by that point. Thanks to all the aunts, uncles and cousins for coming and and helping us celebrate!

Good night Birthday Girl

She'll never be too old for me to take these "sleeping pictures".

Today was our Ellie's THIRD birthday! The picture to the left is of her this morning and the one above is this evening. It is so strange to me that she could possibly be three! Of course she acts like a three year old but I promise it was just last year that she was born. Time flies by the older you get and more kids you have. sigh. We didn't do much to celebrate today, we will do most of that on Wednesday when Collin can be here too. But, today she got to chose whatever she wanted to wear, which, fittingly for her was a t-shirt and panties, we played at the park (I made her put pants on for that, 55 degrees or not!) and she chose her birthday dinner, which was, again, fitting for her, pancakes, scrambled eggs and the piece de resistance.... SAUSAGE!!! The girl loves her sausage!

We are so blessed to have our sweet angel Ellie. I often hear others refer to her as irresistible and she really is just that. Something about her embeds itself into your heart and you are hooked on that little voice, that teeny frame and those huge baby blues. She and her sisters are blessings straight from heaven and it's nice to take a special day every so often, like a birthday, and really enjoy them for what they are. How meaningless, empty and trivial life would be without them. Happy birthday Ellie! You are loved far more than you could ever know!

Annual Halloween Party

A pic of the whole group!

Me and my date! ;)

Last night my brother and sister-in-law hosted an annual Halloween Party and it was a lot of fun! Collin was unfortunately unable to attend since he was in Vegas so I brought Emma as my date and costume partner! Emma as you can see, was a cute little bumble bee. She's precious! My first idea for my costume was to be a bee keeper, but that didn't work out. So, the day before the party I got the idea to be a flower, though I wasn't sure how it would look, exactly. I tried, unsuccessfully, to find one of those flower headbands but that turned out to be good because I think this was better and more creative! After having braided my bangs and putting two messy buns in my hair I simply placed my girls flower clips randomly in my hair. Then I drew the vines and flowers on the side of my face and wah-la! Anyway, the party was a blast! So many great costumes, from a nerd couple to a "cereal" killer, a plethora of laughs, great food and fresh pressed apple cider and of course fun games! Gotta love it! And I have to say, it was really nice to come home to sleeping kids!! Thanks for the fun Robin and Tyler!

Rich and Creamy Hot Chocolate... yuuuummmmmm

Ok, as to keep swear words off my family blog, kacee, I am now posting my hot choc. recipe! (you know I'm messing with ya kace, you're my fav!) SO... here it is:

Ingredients
1c. water
2oz. unsweetened chocolate (I use 2 squares of Baker's Unsweetend Chocolate)
1/2c. sugar
2 1/2c. milk
1/2c. whipping cream (enter the FAT)
1/2 to 1tsp. vanilla
Whipped cream topping

Directions:
Melt choc. in water on med high heat stirring with wire whisk. Add sugar, stir with wire whisk. Bring to boil and allow to boil for 3 mins. stirring constantly. Gradually add milk and cream mixing it well, especially after adding cream. Add vanilla (the less you use the more dark it will be. I use 1/2tsp., I prefer dark choc. over milk choc. every time) mix well. Heat to your desired temp, top with whipped cream (more fat) and ENJOY!!

So go try it if it sounds good to you and, seriously, let me know how you like it!! Another thing I like to do with it is kinda strange but I love it. My family picked it up when we were living in Europe so I grew up loving this. If you have some good Swiss cheese, cut a thick-ish strip and dip it in the hot chocolate! Salty and sweet!! Anyway, really, let me know how you like it! Email me or comment under this post!! Happy sipping!!

The Fat of Me!

Every winter for the last few years, I have one recipe I can't resist making and though it certainly wont be the death of me... it may very well be the FAT of me! So, being the good friend that I am, I am considering posting it so you all can join me in the race to gain those "holiday pounds"! I will definitely share it with anyone that wants it, but should I actually post it?! The recipe is for Hot Chocolate. I need to say first that it is VERY RICH and also that it is more on the dark side of chocolate than it is on the milk side! And lets not forget that it is definitely NOT lacking in the fat and calorie content. Like I said, I've been making this for a few years now and have fine tuned it to my taste preferences and I encourage you to do the same thing if you don't like it exactly the way I make it. So, do you want to try it?!?! :)

Primary Program

This Sunday, the 18th, is our primary program. As the Primary Chorister it is a HUGE deal to me! All the songs the kids have learned in primary this year have been in preparation for this program, and let me tell you, it will be amazing! I have been the chorister for the last three programs, this one included, and this one, I think, will be my favorite. The others were simply wonderful too but this years theme, My Eternal Family, is particularly close to my heart. Having lost my mother when I was just three years old my testimony of this gospel began and grew from the song, "Families Can Be Together Forever". When I sang that song in primary as a child it felt so good to me that I knew it had to be true, today I know that it is. And that is still where my testimony is firmly planted. Nothing could ever cause me to doubt that, not ever! And because I know that principle is true, all others of this gospel fall in line... this is the Lords gospel. So the kids in our primary will sing all these amazing songs, including "Families Can Be Together Forever", "The Family Is Of God" and "Come, Ye Children Of The Lord", just to name a few, and they each have their own little speaking parts. While I am, naturally, a tad bit nervous, I can guarantee that no one will leave that meeting not having been greatly uplifted, testimony charged or even planted! My experience is that the testimony of children, sung or otherwise, has the ability to soften even the hardest of hearts, to strengthen even the strongest testimony, and to bring a realization to all who hear that can not be denied. Be sure you make it to your wards primary program.

Ada's Bday Cake

My cute neice Ada turned 5 this week and I got to make her cake for her "Royal Birthday Party"! This cake was, again, super fun, though I did have a few issues with the cake itself, including the fact the cake ended up too short for the barbie, and a couple other things, so I had to be a little sneaky with the decorating! But Ada really liked it and I think it turned out pretty cute! Happy Birthday Ada! We love you!!!

Where's my SPOON?!?!

While I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner tonight Emma began to get a bit impatient, so I gave her a spoon to keep her occupied, as many of us moms do, and as usual, it worked! I went on doing my chores when, a few minutes later, she started fussing again. Really wanting to get the kitchen cleaned in one attempt I just worked faster. But a minute later she was too darn angry and needed my attention. I turned to her to try to distract her from her boredom when I realized why she was so upset... She apparently LOVED the spoon and was TORQUED that it had suddenly and mysteriously DISAPPEARED! After snapping a few quick pics, because, lets face it, this was PRICELESS, I worked my mommy magic and pulled the spoon right out of thin air, putting an end to those frustrated tears while reminding Emma that I really am the coolest! And yes, I was able to finish my less important, non-magical job in the kitchen! OK, maybe I did use a little magic! (thanks Mr. Clean) ;) I'm also posting a picture I took of her earlier in the day, pre-dinner messes, just cuz she is so cute!!

Good 'ol Trike

We went for a bike ride/walk today and the whole time I just really appreciated this tricycle we have. It's been so good to our family and is so darn cute! Watching Ellie ride it today made me sad to realize that one day (probably soon) it will ride it's last ride. It is so cute to see her little legs peddling that roadster down the street as she sits back and low to enjoy the ride! And the fact that is was Irish's before Ellie gives it more sentimental value... was Irish really small enough to fit it?!?! Hard to believe after having her fly past me again and again on her 20 in. 2 wheeler!! Anyway, thank you Schwinn for making one of this families favorite bikes!

Irish's first Field Trip!

Today was Irish's first ever school field trip. They went to the apple orchards in Rainbow Canyon. But the thing she was MOST excited about was riding THE BUS!!!! She had such a great time that apparently she fell asleep on the way home... drool and all!

Cutest Alien Ever!

This week marks the 100 year anniversary for the Lincoln County School Dist. It also happens to be Homecoming week. So you can imagine all the fun stuff going on around town all week in celebration for those special events. The schools have assigned each day this week a theme. For the elementary school, today is ALIEN DAY!!! Irish was pretty excited but also a little bummed because she didn't have anything alien to wear. So she and I looked at cute alien pics online to see if we could come up with anything we could put together. And this picture displays our results!! Gotta love the pipe cleaner!! She's by far the cutest alien I have ever seen... for sure!

Edgar family Famous Pancakes! YUM!!!

For as long as I can remember, and I'm certain longer than that, my dad has made what we call, Edgar Family Famous Pancakes and they are AWESOME! Really famous too, in fact a few of you, my blog readers, will know what pancakes I am talking about and know how delish they are! So, now this Edgar family tradition is carrying on to the point that the grandkids EXPECT these pancakes when Papa is around and you can bet that was the case this time too! Last night Irish told her Papa she couldn't wait for his pancakes in the morning. And apparently Ellie dreamed about them all night because at about 3 am I had to adjust her sleeping position so she wouldn't fall off her bed and when I did that she sat up like she was wide awake and said "Ok, it's time for pancakes... Irish, wake up, PANCAKES!" Then when the sun finally came up I heard Ellie start to stir then gasp really loudly and say "Irish, come on, it's time for pancakes" Next thing I heard was their little bare feet running to the kitchen as they yelled "GOOD MORNING PAPA!" What a wake up call! Check out my dad's pancake flippin' skills in the second picture from the top!

Road Trip... I think I may be just a teensy bit outta my mind

With Collin at work and Irish having a four day weekend, the girls and I packed up and drove to Spring City UT to spend the weekend with my dad. I was so nervous about how the drive would go doing it alone and with an extra body.. Emma... but it wasnt too bad. However, I would like to know if any of you mommys out there know how to take a bathroom break for yourselves while traveling, one, as the only adult and two, when all your passangers, 5yrs old and under, are asleep!!! Or even if they are awake... can we say "family trip to the handicapped bathroom stall, no one touch anything and keep your mouths shut so we avoid making any embarassing announcement about mommy's bodily functions!!" Sigh, anyway, we made it safely and are very happy to be here. We've missed Papa and Nana and are excited to get to see Auntie Fish (my sister Melissa) and Elyse and Isaiah. Maybe even Uncle Scott and his fam and Sam and Erin! All I know is while we are here I'll think about things other than our drive back!

Labor Day weekend

Pioche Nevada has a big Labor Day celebration every year and it's usually a lot of fun! We had a lot of family come home for it and that was the best part! On Saturday night there is a street dance on Main street followed by a light parade! Sunday night we go up to watch the fireworks. My new camera has a "firework" setting so I was excited to test that out... I've posted some of my favorite pics out of those (I was lame and forgot my camera for every other event that weekend so this is all I got). Then finally, Monday morning we go up for the Labor Day parade, catch the candy then head to the park for kid races, kiddie rides and DEEP FRIED TWINKIES! Yes folks, your read that right, deep fried twinkies, can you say deliciously disgusting?!?! UGH! My kids, as well as most of their cousins, look most forward to the kids races where they get 50 cents for every race they participate in! Then they do a money scramble... they throw coins, from nickles to silver dollars, into the baseball in field and on 3 the kids are let lose to collect what they can! Irish and Ellie came home with $20 between the two of them! It is pretty fun, something we look forward to every year!

Pear Pickin' with Dad!

A few weeks ago the pear trees needed picking so Ellie (and Emma too, in her own sorta baby way!:)) got to go out with her dad and do the honors. She thought it was great! Just one of the many experiences we have in Panaca that, for us, makes life so much better here than in Vegas. These pears are delicious by the way!

A new blog address?!?! That's weird...

Yes! I changed our blog address! I figured we are new enough on the blog scene that it shouldn't be that big of a deal, but, then again, we are new!!!

The first address, while cute and fitting for our family, was a fingertipful to type! This one is also fun, though, because there are at least 3 other Bleak families in our family that have a blog (if there are more, you gotta let me know!!:)). Also, Bleak blog sounds cool!! ha! And lastly it's pretty funny because of all the close minded people out there that refuse to acknowledge that fact that there are other pronounciations to words, let alone names, than just the english pronounciation! So to them, and those that do not know us, it sounds like this would be a pretty sad blog to veiw! haha! FYI, our last name, Bleak, is pronounced Blake... it's the Irish pronounciation! Anyway, hope you'll still follow us, even as bleak as our blog sounds! haha!

Ellie's school... on the trampoline!

Of course, on Irish's first day of school, Ellie was just as excited as Irish, which is why it was so sad when she begged to stay when we dropped Irish off, and then, after dropping Irish off, she went straight to her room when we go home and got her little backpack then headed out the door saying "C'mon mom, I go to kindergarden!!" It broke my heart a little. She was really deeply hurt that she didn't get to go. So she and I put a book in her backpack, some paper, a pencile and crayons and went to have our own kind of school. We called it "School on the Trampoline!" She loved it! We practiced writting the names of everyone in our family, drew pictures of things we saw, practiced our colors, read a book and then, of course, we jumped! We had a lot of fun and I think it was just as much for my good as it was for hers, it was so nice for me to spend time with my Ellie Joy like that! And it sufficed as far as she was concerned too, that is, until Irish got home and showed us the clay she made at school... Ellie's eyes welded up and she pouted, "I go to Kindergarden!" Soon enough Ellie... but not too soon!!

Look out world, here comes Irish... well, look out Panaca Elementary anyway...

Someday I'm going to have to find a way to get it though my head that I AM NOT 18 ANYMORE!!!!! Where does the time go, seriously?!?! sigh... Well, today was Irish's first day of school, sniff, sniff for mom. The day started out early, but that didn't phase our ambitious five year old! She requested the night before that I wake her up siging, "Happy First-day-of-Kindergarten to you..." you get the idea. So after I did that at 6am (school starts early, 7:45, only 4 days of school a week here!!) Irish got going! First we did her hair in her 2nd favorite way, because it is the 2nd fasted, then grandma fulfilled her request of a big celebratory breakfast consisting of bacon, eggs and cantalope, leaving out the sausage only because we didn't have any! But I had to stop her short of waiting for her breakfast in bed... like daddy got on Father's day! Then after her "IHOP" breakfast we laced her shoes, threw on her backpack and headed down the road! At school she was very excited to find her cubby, desk and backpack hook! Her teacher Mrs. Harding had the room looking great which added to Irish's excitment. Then after trying to get her to allow me a few pictures I decided I had better leave her to this new chapter in her life and I proudly, yet somehow lonesomely, left my first born baby to venture into the world of SCHOOL! So glad Ellie came with me to hold my hand back to the car! Needless to say, she did GREAT. I know she'll have a wonderful year in kindergarden. We are excited to watch her grow and become her own little lady. We are so proud of you Irish!