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. :)