Monday, December 21, 2009

Cherry Bon Bons...


On Saturday a bunch of our family got together so Friday afternoon I went over to Grandma G's house to do some baking. I wanted to see how she makes her cherry bon bons, so we made those first.


Anyone who wants to make them, here is the recipe and directions:

1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup sifted confectioners sugar (although we did not sift it)
1 Tbsp Vanilla
food coloring
1 1/2 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt

maraschino cherries
(you could choose some different fillers but I would use a different icing or topping if I used any nuts or chocolate)

Mix all together until it becomes moldable...should be a little sticky. I used flour on my hands for each one so it would smooth out the bon bons. Use your floured hand to get out about a tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Push your thumb into the center of the ball and place a cherry inside then mold the dough around the cherry so it is in the center of the ball. Place on cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.
Let them cool and then dip each in bon bon icing and place on a flat surface.

Bon Bon Icing:

Mix one cup powered sugar
2 1/2 tsp milk...or cherry juice...just mix in until it is a nice 'dippable' texture
food coloring

Monday, December 14, 2009

Doug and I have a tradition that at Christmas we get a new item for our Christmas village. Each year, it is supposed to have something to do with something that happened that year. This year, we moved to our new house on an old tree farm. So, when we found this, we decided it was perfect for our 2009 addition:

Here is the town all put together...

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

We are definatly in the Christmas spirit around here! We have a pot of apple cider hot in the kitchen, peppermint mocha coffee creamer in the fridge and presents under the tree!
Doug and I decided to get our tree last week...here we are with the pick of the year!

Here Doug is getting the tree out of the van...

Decorating the tree...

Beautiful!

On Saturday we attended a Christmas dessert theatre...it was fun to see some old friends and enjoy a Christmas concert and yummy dessert!

We sat with Pam and Lawson Starnes...the best landlords/neighbors ever!

After the concert, we went with Lonny and Alana to Longview's downtown Christmas parade...it was COLD, but fun!

Lonny and Alana

After the parade a few friends came out to our house for a 'post-parade party'...no pictures of that! But when everyone was heading outside to leave, it started SNOWing!

Playing with Dallas...he LOVES the snow!


Doug got up early Sunday morning and took some pictures in the snow...I love this one with the sun rising...

Dallas, rolling around in the snow...

Here are just a couple of pictures that I like...
Selah with the puppies...and sitting up for the first time by herself!

The puppies warming up after a bath...

Our new piano in our new room...

Our Christmas town on top of the piano...finally the wallpaper looks like it was on purpose!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Thanksgiving mountain fun...

The day after Thanksgiving we met Katelyn and David and set out to the mountain to find snow. The mountain is all gated up so we drove around for a while on logging roads and finally got out and walked until we found this nice snowy hill...

We all sledded and took turns snowboarding until we were too tired to keep walking up the hill, here is Doug snowboarding like a pro...

Then we sat around drinking luke warm coffee and eating yummy WINCO sandwiches:




On the way back home the guys decided it would be fun to risk their lives for a picture under Scenic View Bridge...here it is:

Thursday, November 26, 2009

New room, new floor...

Doug finished the kitchen floor a while back...and just a couple of weeks ago decided it was time to complete the bonus room floor as well!
Here is the room before:

During...

Partially done...

Tada!...

It has made the bonus room SO nice! Now it has my sewing machine all set up in it and soon (Friday) we will have a piano in there too...very exciting!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Wedding Rehash...

I saw this on this blog...thought it was fun, and who doesn't like to talk about their wedding day??? Enjoy...

1. Where/how did you meet: We met at church. I was new in town and visiting my Aunt and Uncle's church, Doug and I ended up in the same Sunday school class...four months later, we were married.

2. 2. How long have you known each other: almost two years

3. 3. How long after you met did you start dating: dating? so overrated.

4. 4. How long did you date before you were engaged: lets say a month or two....

5. 5. How long was your engagement: About two days...

6. 6. How long have you been married: A year and a half. On Wednesday.

7. 7. What is your anniversary: May 18th

8. 8. How many people came to your wedding reception: around 125-150

9. 9. What kind of cake did you serve: A really good vanilla, marshmallow fondant frosting, with fruit fillings...SO yummy. It was the BEST cake ever! Also, we had a lemon filled beach decorated cake for the 'grooms cake'...fun.

10. Where was your wedding: We got married at a little villa on the Columbia River. The reception was held at First Baptist Longview about two months after the wedding.

11. What did you serve for your meal: Cake, mints, peanuts...

12. How many people were there in your bridal party: no party, just us (and the witnesses)

13. Are you still friends with them all: my imaginary party? sure, they're the best!

14. Did you or your spouse cry during the ceremony: No tears, all smiles.

15. Most special moment of your wedding day: Picking out our rings...we went and picked them out right after we got married...it was SO fun and special.

16. Any funny moments: That evening, we went to church and had a friend announce to the congregation that we had gotten married...it was the best watching everyone respond...

17. Any big disasters: Well, there was one that was diverted...we couldn't get ahold of mom and dad ALL day, they finally called that night...we were so nervous that they were going to find out from someone else!

18. Where did you go on your honeymoon: We went out to the beach...Seaside, Long Beach, Ocean Park...all those great places.

19. How long were you gone: 4 days

20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change: Probably my dress, would go a little fancier...not much just a little.



21. What side of the bed do you sleep on: I sleep on the left side of the bed. He sleeps on the right...unless we are at a hotel or something, then he sleeps closest to the door.

22. What size is your bed: Queen

23. Greatest strength as a couple: It's the joy we take in being with each other. We love spending time together.

24. Greatest challenge as a couple: Well, he's a "be-er" and I am a "do-er". He likes to just hang out and relax....whereas I love to travel and meet new people. It's been a challenge. (ditto)

25. Who literally pays the bills: I do, he makes it, I spend it.

26. What is your song: Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
27. What did you dance your first dance to: umm, dancing didn't really happen so much...not the romantic, everyone watching type dance...dancing in general happens often.
28. Describe your wedding dress: green and brown...knee length...
29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding: we didn't have any at our wedding but at the reception we had gerbera daisies and roses...

30. Are your wedding bands engraved? no

Go here for our blog post for pictures from our wedding day...
And here for reception pictures...

Friday, November 6, 2009

Fun with animals...

We have lots of fun with our pets! Here are some fun pictures from lately...also, the puppies have opened their eyes! There are a couple of pictures of them at the end...
Dallas and me...he is learning to give hugs.

Sampson terrorizing Jasmine...


Mug Shots...


Puppies...




Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween...

This evening was fun for us! We enjoyed Halloween night with friends and candy! Because we live out of town, ALL of the candy was for us...
Enjoy some pictures!
Candy!

CANDY!!

Cutie in the candy...

Caramel dip and Apples...yum!

Doug and Dallas (Dallas dressed up as white trash)

Lonnie and Alana (our Halloween party guests)

Movie time with the 'family'...

I like this picture...(Dallas is trying to figure out what the camera is)

After we all had our sugar fix...

Lonnie snuggled up for a nap with the cat and a puppy...

the end...

What did you do for Halloween????