Face Lift

Not sure if any of you follow my recipe blog but, just in case, I've decided to give it a face lift. I've had it a little over a year now and it's in desperate need of some pizazz! I've been dedicating a bit more time lately to it and it's turned more into a food blog rather than just a recipe collection; well, those are my hopes anyway. It's been so much fun for me; basically my only creative outlet that I've been able to pursue while raising two spirited little girls.

My posts in the beginning didn't have any pictures, so I plan on adding a lot more. I don't profess to be a great picture-taker, I don't even own a really nice camera, but I"ll do my best with what I have; maybe one day I'll get there.

I'm also changing the blog title to "Sweet Luvin' in the Kitchen," thanks Ben, he came up with it. The new URL will be sweetluvininthkitchen.blogspot.com and will be up and running Monday, January 4.

Hope you'll stop by and check it out; just click the link in the left column. I would also welcome any advice you more-experienced bloggers may have for me!

ERIN

Every time I look, I just giggle.

Lights at Temple Square

We finally made it to see the lights this year at Temple Square. I've been wanting to do this every year since I moved back here but I think I've only made it down once. Hopefully we can continue the tradition though for years to come. We went with all my family that lives here.

It's kind of crazy because there are so many people at Temple Square. We luckily came early enough to find great parking but the temple grounds were already packed. We stuck the girls in their snowsuits and they rode in the stroller; well, I guess I should say Erin rode in the stroller because Shelby only lasted about 10 minutes. She just couldn't sit still and wanted to be with her best cousin, Kate. Here is our first pit stop for pictures.

Erin was snug as a bug and hardly made a peep the whole time. She was happy though.

Unfortunately, I think there was just too much stimulation for Shelby, she kept trying to run off. About half way through our stroll, Ben ran to get her and we were separated until we went back to the car.

Next year, we'll have to remember a leash.

After we all got back to our cars, we popped open the trunks and shared goodies. Grandpa made hot chocolate, grandma brought her it's-not-Christmas-without-sugar-cookies, and I brought a new treat, egg nog cupcakes, because we're a little bit fiendish about egg nog in our family. Everything was de-lish and warmed us right up.

Shelby enjoying the goods. Ben said she cried for half an hour, saying, "I lost my mommy," until I finally met them back at the car. It made my heart sob that she was so upset and even the thought of her getting lost for real. We kept telling each other all the way home we were so happy we found each other. I love my family, I don't know what I would do without them.

One Christmas tradition that will never die!

For as long as I remember, I have been eating these babies at Christmas time. They are my all-time favorite seasonal candy. Brach's Christmas Peppermint Nougats. My parents started putting them in my stocking when I was little, kept sending me some when I went away to college and they even sent them to me on my mission. Now that I'm married and have my own family I have to buy them for myself. I think I made Ben buy me some one year, though, and put them in my stocking! I could eat the whole bag.

Over the years, I have also come across these Wintergreen Christmas Nougats, which are equally good. I could eat a whole bag of these too.
But, today, I found these gems at the grocery store. That's right, now they have cinnamon! I couldn't wait to get out to the car and rip the bag open. I snuck one while the girls weren't looking and it was oh-so-delish!
These are the best candy ever made. I have loved all the flavors that I have come across. It will never be Christmas without Brach's Nougats


On a side note, I don't know why I even go down the Christmas candy aisle when I go grocery shopping. After looking at food blogs all day and seeing the YUMMY Christmas treats everyone is making, like these Festive Candy Cane Centered Brownie Bites, and these Egg Nog Cupcakes, oh and don't forget these Chocaholic Mint Truffle Kissed Biscotti, that's all I want to buy. So, instead of just going in for the milk and a couple necessary items, I got to the register loaded with eggnog, cinnamon nougats and Hershey's Mint Truffle Filled Kisses and forgot the milk. Thankfully the bagger ran back and got it for me so I didn't have to brave the crowd again. Anyone need some Christmas goodies?

What is your favorite store-bought Christmas candy? What homemade goodies do you make this time of year?

Birthday, Part 2

We had a small family party for Erin's birthday on Sunday. My parents and sister were here and Ben's parents and a couple of siblings actually drove down to join us as well. We were happy they were all there. Dinner was simple but I agonized for weeks about Erin's cake, don't ask me why. I think I'm dilusional because she will probably only remember what we show her in the pictures. Anyway, I finally decided to combine a couple of recipes to make this sort of layered apple spice cream cake with apple cider frosting and dulce de leche in the middle. Erin loves apples so I though it would be fun for her. The cake actually turned out yummy and moist, which I wanted, and it wasn't too sweet. My favorite part was the filling though-you just don't get any better than dulce de leche. I decided not to frost it and instead try my hand at marshmallow fondant-you've got to try everything once right? Although it was a fun endeavor in which I learned a few things, I'm not sure I'll use it again. I'll have to get better at frosting things the old fashioned way, I guess. Here's my attempt at fondant:
























MMMMM cake....

And on a side note, Erin had her 1 year check up yesterday. She is a whopping 18.25 lbs and 29 inches long. She's happy and healthy, well mostly healthy, and the doc says she's perfect! Well, we think so anyway.

Happy Birthday to Erin!

I can't believe my baby turned 1 today! Time sure flies.


It seems just like yesterday we were rushing to the hospital (a month early) for her birth. If you missed the birth story, you can read it here.


Then, just like that we were home,


cuddling our 5lb little preemie.


Oh the hair...


Then the helmet...read about her helmet here.


Life on the farm. She wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up, I can tell.


Summer turns to fall...


Fall = apples, Erin + apples = heaven!


Good morning birthday girl. Love you babe!

A Sneak Peak...