Wishes Do Come True

Have you ever used the Mix N Chop tool from Pampared Chef?  It's used to chop ground meats.

For the past few weeks I have been wishing I had one.  I have seen them used at shows and always thought they looks like a great tool to have.

Well, yesterday I was searching in our drawer for the meat mallet when I found we had a Mix N Chop!  I guess I forgot I bought one.  I was thrilled when I found it, like seriously so excited.  I used it last night and it made chopping up the ground beef for Shepherd's Pie so much easier than using a spatula.

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too

I don't want to have a cake or eat one.

Devin and I had an interesting discussion last night.  Well, I thought it was interesting, maybe you'll think it was boring (should you decide to read this now).

Anyway, he asked me what kind of cake I wanted for my birthday.  I told him I didn't want one.  I said I would rather him spend 3 hours doing pretty much anything else besides spending 3 hours in the kitchen.  (It really would take like 3 hours since he does it all from scratch.)  Plus, I don't want the kitchen to be a mess of dishes and cake ingredients.  He said, "How can you not want cake on your birthday?"  I told him I don't really like cake anyway, so it doesn't matter.  "But it's your birthday!" he said.  Yes, since it is my birthday, I am deciding to have no cake!  Living 3 hours husbandless to get a birthday cake in return is not worth it.

On his birthday, he can bake himself a cake.  I'm not being sassy, that's really what he'll want--to bake his own cake.

I think he'll try again to convince me to let him bake me a cake.  It won't work.

Rolls Again

I like making rolls because they are pretty easy and they are a great snack for the kids.  So, I put some dough together and after it rose the first time, this little guy wanted to sit on the counter and help me.  

Here is the dough rising.  It's ready to be rolled into balls.

I got Henry some spaghetti and went to work rolling these out.  They're not very pretty, but I don't really care it they are perfectly round.

When I finished putting them in balls, I turned around and found Henry chowing down his spaghetti!

Messy, messy!

They turned out yummy!

I got him cleaned up and he had fun playing with some of the boys' hats.

4 Outta 5 Aint Bad!

Devin, "You're such a good cook, Sweets."
Ruthann, "Really?"
Devin, "Yeah, everything about this meal was excellent."

I have to savor this moment...

Lately, I have been making dinner about 4 nights a week.  And guess what?  I actually like it!  

And I figured out this little secret Devin has been keeping from me...it's not that hard!  I always thought it was hard and time consuming to make a good meal, so I was too intimidated to try.  But it's actually pretty easy to make something really good.  The more meals I make, the more I learn how to make other meals too.  It's kind of exciting!  (A little Molly Mormon sounding, I'm sure, but it's true.)

Gym Pants, Friar Tuck & Alton

I just love these little pants on Henry! I think they are so cute!

Cutest little profile!

Those lips!

I love noodles. They are one of my favorite foods and they are one of Jaxon's favorites too. I think it's safe to say Henry will be joining the club with his mama and brother.

Isn't this a neat pic? I was trying to get one of Henry and he grabbed the camera. What a perfect little frame!

We got some Utah cherries and while Devin made a pie Jaxon said he was "Friar Cook" (Friar Tuck from Robbin Hood) because there is one scene in the movie where the Firar uses a spoon like this to taste soup.

Then after baths we usually read stories before putting the kids to bed. Jaxon had a good long nap today so he wasn't quite tired enough for bed yet. Daddy asked Jaxon if he wanted to watch a show with him and Jax said, "Yea! I wanna watch the one with Alton." Following in Daddy's footsteps...they both enjoy Good Eats with Alton Brown.
On a sad note, take a look at what's left of the fudge I got from Disneyland. It's not the best fudge I've ever had. The fact that it's still soft after being open for a month proves that it has more preservatives than any other fudge I've ever had. But I have been enjoying it a little at a time to make it last and it's almost gone:(
Now I'm off to enjoy some cuddle time with my hot husband! Yea for Friday nights!

Christmas Goodies

Here are my cute boys making sugar cookies.  I basically had to beg Devin to let me get the Pillsbury sugar cookie dough.  He gave in because I never buy it and it was on sale.  I know it's got lots of stuff in it that's not good for me, but they are so yummy that I like to get them every once in a while!  Anyway, these boys are making homemade cookies (Devin would never put his name on store-bought food).  I just thought they were so cute I had to post these!  

When Devin cooks, he wipes his hands on his bum and you can definitely tell here:

I love this kid!

Halloween Trunk or Treat

FYI everyone planning on going to the Trunk or Treat tomorrow...someone I know, lets call him D. Miller, no that's to obvious. We'll call him Devin M. made his OWN chili powder for his chili. Yep, that's right, got his own chilies and did whatever it takes to make them into chili powder. He's crazy. Just use the stinkin' spice in the bottle! I know he loves making things homemade: maple syrup, blueberry pancakes (yes with real blueberries even though I LIKE the fake ones in the mix), pizza sauce, juice, cakes, noodles, refried beans, tortillas, pie crust, mac & cheese, bbq sauce, he even wanted to try making his own marshmallows! I think it's getting out of hand. We're not pioneers who lived back in the day when you couldn't buy those things at Frys! I think he would churn his own butter if he could! Where do I draw the line? No, I'm kidding...not about him making all that stuff from scratch, but about drawing the line. I think it's good for him to make his own stuff, but really? Chili powder?

Devin's Pride and Joy

I'm not talking about our kids, though I am sure Jaxon and Henry are also his pride and joy, but lately, it has been all about this...

Devin's waffle iron.

After having LoLo's Chicken and Waffles for his birthday, he researched all over to find himself a good waffle iron. He finally found the one he wanted at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I'm sure glad he found it because his waffles are dang good!