Avery's Visit

We were lucky enough to have our 8 year old niece Avery come stay with us for a couple days last week. We had a great time, she was a great shopping partner, we hiked and hiked, wrapped presents, and crafted it up. She is such a funny girl and we loved having her here!

As Avery called it, "going paparazzi." :)



Day 24 – a recipe

Shared this before, I'll share it again.  MMM... mouth is watering already!

Almond Puff

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup flour

2 tblsp water

1/2 butter or margarine

1 cup water

1 tsp almond extract

1 cup flour

3 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut 1/2 cup butter into 1 cup flour. Sprinkle 2 tblsp water over mixture; mix with fork. Found into ball; divide in half. On ungreased baking sheet, pat half into a strip 12" x 3". Strips should be about 3" apart. In medium saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water to rolling boil. Remove from heat and quickly stir in almond extract and 1 cup flour. Stir vigorously over low heat until mixture forms a ball, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Beat in eggs all at one time, until smooth. Divide in half; spread each half evenly over strips, covering completely. Bake about 60 minutes or until topping is crisp and brown. Cool. Frost with Confectioner's Sugar Glaze and sprinkle generously with nuts.

Confectioner's Sugar Glaze

Mix 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tblsp butter or margarine, softened, 1 to 1 1/2 tsp almond extract or 1 to 1 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 to 2 tblsp warm water until smooth.

Day 23 – a photo of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Something about multiple cross country moves in the last 2 years, most definitely has a big impact on my life!

Day 21- a hobby of yours

Hobbies, hobbies, hobbies! I have so many!

Scrapbooking, sewing, cross stitching, thrift shopping, shopping, painting, revamping, hiking, swimming, running, mountain biking, cycling, exploring, camping, exploring, playing with the fam, eating popcorn and watching movies, and the list goes on...

Day 20- A Talent of Mine

I'm very good at making messes, i.e. crafting and creating.  :) But ya'all here about that enough, so something else I consider a talent would be swimming.  It's been something I greatly enjoy and have excelled at.  Boring I know, but I'm way behind here again!

Day 19- Picture of a place I want to travel

The world!

[Photo Credit: Macdaddy World]

Specifically...

DC

Palm Springs/Southern Cal

Yellowstone

Grand Canyon

New York

Maine

Colorado

Dominican Republic

Hawaii

All of Europe

Holland

New Zealand

Austrillia

Africa

Southern America

Central America

Puerto Rico

Day 18- Photo of a Favorite Memory

I have so many great memories that I picked something from my childhood that I will carry through my entire life. 

I will always remember the great times we had while camping, vacationing, and basically just being with my family.  We always have such a great time together and laugh hysterically.  And on another note I should add a picture from my husbands family because I could say the same, but sadly I'm too lazy right now. :)

Either the Redwoods or Olympic Pennisula- I'll have to ask my mom.

Some where in the cascades, again I'll have to ask my dad or sister.

Christmas photo from Dec 06, pre-babes, pre-Ryan, but a handy photo and a good memory in and of itself. :)

Day 17- Favorite Website

Should I cheese it up and say...

http://www.sweetdaisydesigns.etsy.com/ or http://www.sweetdaisydesigns.blogspot.com/

As much as I may neglect it, I do love it, and love that it's my creative outlet. 

On another note, here's a few of my other favorites...

iGoogle- everything I need in one page!
Google Reader
craigslist- everything I need and more on one site!
Too many to name- numerous other blogs

All about me Day 10-16

Day 10 – a photo that makes you happy
Seriously how am I supposed to only pick one!? That's the main purpose behind taking pictures isn't it... to remember things that make us happy?  This one definitely ranks up there. 

Day 11 – a photo that makes you angry/sad

A happy picture of my dad on a camping trip "log-dancing" about 11 years ago.  Without going into a ton of detail and to put it simply... I hate MS.  It's a horrible nasty disease. 

Day 12 – something you are OCD about
??? Not much! I'm pretty easy going.  Maybe OCD about not paying full price for something? Totally drawing a blank here.
Day 13 – a description of what's currently in your handbag/purse/diaper bag!

Purse/Diaper Bag
Wallet
Lip gloss
Gum
Hand Sanitizer
My catch-all notebook
Pens
Snacks
Car cozy
Train or 2
Crayons
Diaper
Wipes

Day 14 – a photo of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day

How about anyone of these people!?

Day 15 – a photo of yourself and a new friend you met this year

I can't look at this picture without crying, I love this girl and miss her SO much! I feel so privileged to have lived by her for the year that we did and to get to know what a beautiful and amazing person she is.  Crafting and Target (and a lot of other things) just aren't the same without her!  One of these days I may actually be able to think about living away from her without crying- you can sign the Lis and Bobby move to Washington (or at least a lot closer!) Poll here. Just kidding there really is no poll but there should be!

Day 16 – a song that makes you cry

I Stand All Amazed


I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me;
I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died.
O it is wonderful that He should care for me
Enough to die for me!

O it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine;
That He should extend His great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

I think of His side, pierced and bleeding to pay the debt,
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no! I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
And testify all my desires He doth fully meet.

All about Me Day 9: Dream House

Take your pick... anyone of them found here would do. 

This is a house I've loved forever along I-90 in Montana, so much I even have a random picture of it. :)

Precision Craft Log Homes pretty much rock my world.  The following photos are courtesy of their site. 

Other than being a gorgeous log home, I'd like it to be in the mountains, but the weather still warm.  Close to water of some kind and of course close to family.  Not that I'm picky or anything though. ;)

All about Me Day 8: Your Favorite Quote

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."


by Marianne Williamson

all about Me Day 7: Person You've been Closest too the Longest

My family is a no brainer for this one, so enjoy the plethora of pictures I scrounged up...

Mom

Dad

Sisters

And of course the good ol' hubsters... together for 14 years and married for 8 in January. Still love him to pieces. :)

I was going to include an old one of us, but forgot when I had the scanner hooked up, I'll try to get to it next go around.

All about Me Day 5: Favorite Television Show

Favorite Television Show

We haven't had TV for most of our marriage, but that doesn't mean I haven't managed to find a few favorites...

Man Vs. Wild
Myth Busters
House Hunters
Income properties
What not to Wear
American Pickers
Criminal Minds
The Office
Parks and Rec

All about Me Day 6: My Favorite Book

I love me a good tear-jerker so despite the predictability and the same general story in every book, I love me some Nicholas Sparks, I'll devour one of his books into the wee hours of the morning if given the chance.  I just can't stop. 

Others that make the top of my list are of course the scriptures, 5 Love Languages, The 4 Agreements, Children the Challenge, On Becoming Babywise, and so many other great "self-help" books. :)

All about Me Day 4: A Photo of me as a Child

Since I've been slacking here's 2 pics of me as a child. :)