When all else fails, go to the zoo.

I don't know why I say that. As I've said before, I really hate going to the zoo. It is ALWAYS at least 10 degrees hotter at the zoo then any place on Earth. But, nevertheless, I keep going. It's amazing how the thought of making your kids happy can make you do things that you don't want to do (ie-McDonalds, the Dumbo ride (right, Jill?), duck-duck-goose).

They always have fun at the zoo. And, even more fun with

COUSINS!

Sunday Share- Lemon Cake in a Jar

Since I feel crunched for time this evening, I'm going to share what I made this last week for my dear sister-in-law's, Aimee's, baby shower. I had seen on a couple of baking blogs the idea of making cake in jars and thought that it was so clever for a couple of reasons; A- It looks really cute. B- The cake will last for up to a couple of months in a jar. C- Sealing the jar while the cake is hot, makes for a really moist cake. D- Instead of cupcakes that need to be eaten within a day or two, you can put small jars in your pantry and pop one open anytime.

So here are my notes-

Any cake will do. I just used a lemon cake mix so that I could add a glaze for flavor.

Heat the oven as the recipe instructs.

Grease and flour the jars thoroughly before adding the cake mix and only fill them half full.

One box will make about 9 half-pint mason jars. Just do the math if you have different sized jars. (Walmart has a good jar selection.)

Line your jars up on a cookie sheet, not touching each other.

Now, I just turned the oven light on and watched them. When they rose to the top of the jars and looked dry on top, I poked them. You may want to follow the timing on the back of the cake-mix box for a glass pan and just watch them.

When they are done, immediately slice off the cake that has risen above the mouth of the jar. For my lemon cake, take the handle of a wooden spoon, poke down into the hot cake and pour about a Tablespoon of lemon glaze (powdered sugar and lemon juice) into the hole.

Last, after the cake has been out of the oven for no more than 2 minutes, screw on the lid. It will seal itself in a couple of minutes.

-Easy and fun!

Yet another post about Pat's Run

So fun to see that so many moms were out running this weekend for such a great cause. This was my very first run and I can't begin to express how much fun I had. I am not a runner, so besides just having fun getting away to do something worthwhile, I was proud that I could run under the time that I was shooting for (I ran 9 1/2 minute miles). Sara kicked my butt but, we knew that she would! Good job sister. See you at the next one!

Parmesan Smashed Potatoes

OK. This is in honor of Courtney's new "Sunday Share". A friend turned me on to this recipe a couple of months ago when she asked me to make it for a ward luncheon. I was hooked. Super easy and way yummy. The only variation that I make is that I don't put it in a mixer but rather smash it by hand. (Caution...this recipe is not for the calorie-conscious!)

3 lbs red potatoes
1 T kosher salt
1 1/2 C half-and-half
1/4 lb unsalted butter
1/2 C sour cream
1/2 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Place the potatoes and 1 T of salt in a 4-quart saucepan with cold water to cover. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer covered for 25-35 minutes, until the potatoes are completely tender. Drain.

In a small saucepan, heat the half-and-half and butter.

Put the potatoes into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix them for a few seconds on low speed, to break them up. Slowly add the hot cream and butter to the potatoes, mixing on the lowest speed (the last quarter of the cream and butter should be folded in by hand). Fold in the sour cream, parm cheese, the 2 tsp salt, and pepper; taste for seasoning and serve immediately. If the potatoes are too thick, add more hot cream and butter.

Serves 6-8

Enjoy!!

My Girls

What can I say? I absolutely love being the mom of three girls. That's not to say that I don't love being the mom to Cade, also. I really do. Cade is actually the most like me of all my children, (poor Casey). But, sometimes it's fun to just be girly with the girls. Or, as in these shots, not so girly on the four wheelers with the girls. It's not really the GIRL part of them that I love, because their clothes are over-priced and I'm not big on "BLING" and girl-attitude. What I love is when Cade burps and Phoebe looks over at me and rolls her eyes. Or when Sofia sings "Supergirl" at the top of her lungs while shaking her tush. (I guess that's how girls dance.) And when all three girls gather around the Polly Pockets and pick which one they're going to play with. ( Poor Lila usually gets the headless one with a chewed off foot.) I just love watching them be sweet together. And when I see them being happy, I can be proud and hope that I am doing my job and that they will grow up to be nothing less than fearless, empathetic, loving and faithful. (Isn't that really what we all want to be like?) So in the words of John Mayer, "Mothers, be good to your daughters,". We are so blessed to have them. I am so blessed to have them.

Livin' on a Prayer

I stole this image from Sara's post because I just had to agree, the concert was so fun! Sara's boyfriend, Ted, bought her tickets for Valentine's Day but, not being a huge Jovi fan, let her take me. Yeah!

Daughtry was great, too. But I do have to say, while Jovi and Sambora have aged well, their fans, not so much. There should definitely be an age and weight limit on safety pin jeans and leather pants.

Truly, though, Livin' on a Prayer might be one of the greatest songs of all time!

Thanks for the memories, Sar.

Run Fatboy, Run

This is such a great movie, especially for all of you runners out there. My favorite exchange:

"He's running a marathon."

"Why?"
"I know. That's what I said."

Actually, the movie kind of inspired me, silly as that is. Monday night, I found myself thinking, 'If he can run 20 miles before hitting the wall, I can push through these 4.' I know, it's just a movie. So funny, though!

Seriously...who stole the cookie...

What really sucks, is that the answer to that question is, me. OK, so I stole a few more than one cookie. What's wrong with me?! This is exactly why I don't bake or buy junk food from the grocery store. If it is around my house, I will eat it. But, sometimes I like to be the mom who has freshly baked cookies filling the air when my children come in from school. Unfortunately, I just don't have the willpower to have yummy sweets around my house. I'm so disappointed in myself and just having a guilt attack. I need some support. Does anyone share my pain?