Super Simple Kisses (and Reese's) Cookies

Today was about making cookies. The boys were not much into the jam but I thought this was more up their train of thought. So we made Super Simple Kisses Cookies. And for the Reese's loves, some of those, too.

Here is what we used.

This was simple and something the boys could help with.



After I sprayed the muffin pans, the boys broke apart the cookies and places one square in each muffin place. Our one package made 24.

Place cookies in the oven and bake as directed cutting of about 2 minutes of cooking time.

While the cookies were baking I divided up the candy we were using so both boys had their own.

Quickly after pulling the cookies out I used a rounded end kitchen tool to lightly compress the center of each cookie.

Then, being very careful not to touch the hot pan, the boys placed one piece of candy in each cookie. I decided to place the cookies back in the oven for another minute to melt the candy a bit more.

So with help from the boys we have our Super Simple Kisses or Reese's Cookies!!



Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam

Today I decided to try my had at making some strawberry jam. The kids eat a lot of PB & J and we all love toast so it seemed like a good fit. Here is what I did.

I needed:

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1 cup of light karo syrup

1 box of pectin

4 cups of sugar

3 1/4 cups of pureed strawberries

Wash and trim the strawberries

Purees the strawberries 1 cup at a time leaving some chuncks

Pour the strawberries and lemon juice into a pot.

Gadually stir in 1 box of pectin and set aside for 30 minutes stirring every 5 minutes.

Then stir in karo syrup.

I bought new jars since today was the first time I have tried something like this. I got the 1 pint wide mouth jars. You can save jars throughout the year and not have to buy any.

Be sure to wash the jars and lids before use.

Cook the strawberry mix on low stirring in the sugar gradually, constantly stirring. Cook for 2-3 minutes. do not let the mix get too hot.

Pour into glass jars leaving 1/2 inch for freezer expansion. After 5 minutes put the lids on and clean of the jars from any sticky mess. Every 3-4 hours turn the jars to prevent the strawberries from setting in one place.

After about 24 hours (time allowed for jam to set) put the jars in the freezer. Jam can remain in the freezer for up to two years!! If you are ready to use on, just take it out of the freezer and defrost in the fridge.

Here's hoping my Jam turns out well. I doubled my recipe so it made 8 pints.

Happy Sunday!!

Snapshot Saturday: Scouts

This week has been a good start to this new blog. It has even been fun. I was not feeling well so Foto Friday has turned into Snapshot Saturday. Here are some photos from the Cub Scout BBQ and crossover.



Preston and Payton on the swing set at our Cub Scout BBQ

This Friday night we were having our end of year crossover. This is our small yet fun pack.

 

 

I am a Cub Scout Den leader in our pack and these are four of my five boys going from Bears to Webelos.

Here is Preston and dad. Dad is putting on Preston's new Webelos neckerchief. Mom tried to stay out of any pictures.

I was in charge of sweets. Payton is so proudly showing for me. I made these Oreo cupcakes. Everyone LOVED them. I found them on another blog "The Larson Lingo." Check out her blog for an easy delicious recipe everyone is sure to love.

We have been involved in scouts sine Preston was old enough to join in the first grade. It has been something we have been able to enjoy together and watch him grow. When we moved from California to North Carolina I was asked to take over as the Bear Den leader. I am proud to say it has gone well with the parents approval. We have a Sleeping with the Sharks Experience planned for July.

If you are interested in joining or being an adult volunteer check out the Boy Scouts of America for your local pack.  

My Not So Secret Love Affair.....

Anyone who knows me knows I have a not so secret love. I have some form of my love affair with me most of the time and if I leave the house I have any number of items from my love collection.

What could it be? How about only the most AMAZING handbags in the WORLD!!!!

HARVEYS Seatbelt Bags!!!

Before I delve deep into my love affair I want share with you a little hump day purse dump. My facebook friends, fellow Harveys Lovers, and I sometimes do a purse dump. Here is mine. Keep in mind it was a busy day and I had to carry my bag of meds with me to the doctor.

I will lay it all out for you. In my Tough Love Boat Tote I have:

Paint By Numbers Clutch Wallet (center)

Black and White Mickey Mouse Make-Up Case (Meds, right)

My Kindle in a new Black Harveys Kindle cover (left)

Camera

Video Camera in a Black and White minnie coin purse (lower left)

Papers from the library today

Sunglasses case

Cell Phone in Harveys Armed With Roses minnie coin purse (center, camo)

Inhaler

Keys on a Harveys Razzleberry Lanyard (right, by make-up case)

Strawberry hand sanitizer

Tylenol

Pen

Bath and Body works lip gloss

migraine meds

Starbucks Card

loose change

Clariten Samples

And the all important Harveys cards.

These cards come with every purchase. When you have a Harveys people are bound to notice and when they do you can hand them a card to help them find their way to the website to get their very own. If you ever run out simply send an email to info@seatbeltbags.com where they will be glad to send you more.

For those skeptics who think I could never fit it all in the bag, here is my proof.... 

and zipped!!

Now that I have "Wowed" you with my amazing purse stuffing skills how about a few facts about these amazing bags and the makers?

MADE IN THE USA!! Need I say more?

The couple Dana and Melanie Harvey (who reside in So Cal) own the Harveys Seatbelt Bag Empire. They make their bags out of super durable automotive grade seatbelts, YKK zippers, heavy duty riveted feet, with monogrammed pocketed liners, and a lot of love!! But come on, they even offer a GUARANTEE!! Who does that? The Harveys do!! They are Guaranteed Tough!! There is a lifetime manufactures warranty on every bag no matter where you got it.

If something ever happens and it needs a repair... they can hook you up. And how about that unloved Harveys you found online? $20  and postage to sent it to them where your bag will enjoy a spa treatment and come back looking like new!!

OK, so let's make this clear. I DO NOT SELL HARVEYS!! I do, however, have a love affair with their amazing bags.

Check out their site and check back every First Friday of every month for something new.

But what Harveys bag should be set on the floor? I mean do you know what things are on the bathroom floor at your local restaurant? I don't even want to guess!! So how about a Clipa!!

These amazing and stylish hangers are perfect to keep any bag clean and safe. They hook right on your bag so you never lose it and come in MANY styles. And guess what.... They are made right here in the USA, too!! Harveys and Clipa, a match made in heaven.

I have the Maya on my bag today. And it held up to the test of my heavy bag.

Now that you are acquainted with my not so secret love affair, I hope you give them a chance. These are some amazing products made by some amazing people right here in the USA!!!

Say What?!?

I could not believe it. It finally happen. I have heard of this being possible but have rarely seen it myself. There I was, with my husband, alone in a movie theater, one a DATE NIGHT!!!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, there is still hope in this world for a couple with lives, jobs, and children to still have a few hours alone to enjoy something together.

This evening we took in the much awaited "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

The best part of the movie was the price. In this small town the movie theater has not been updated since before I was in high school. It is only two screens and there are no high-back seats. But for only $3.00 per person before 6:00 pm, who cares!! We got in and had popcorn for under $10.00.

The best part of the evening was being with my husband, for even just a short while, enjoying something together. A feat often attempted yet not often accomplished.

On Thursday "Kung Fu Panda 2" is being released.

Thursday is also the final day of EOGs (end of grade testing) for Preston. I am hoping to treat both he and Payton to an afternoon at the movies watching Jack Black as Po. We might just have to watch the first movie again to refresh our minds and be one with the panda.

Take the time to enjoy the small things in life...... With the best people in your life.

Gaga Gabor

Contrary to what some of my friends might believe, I am about as country as a Macy's store in So Cal. So recently when my family and I began our garden my husband decided he was going to start calling me Gaga. Random I think not. Remember the TV Show "Green Acres?" Well it is clear he does, but Eddie Albert he is not. My darling husband is  through and through country. A hard working country boy.

Add our children (born in California like their mother) into the mix and what a mess. Mud and spray n' wash are common in the house. I have often considered putting up a boxing ring in the back yard and see who wins. Non the less, they are my boys. I might invest in duct tape though.

We recently moved from our home in California, back to North Carolina where my husband and I first met. We are living.... wait for it...... in the house my husband grew up in. I will leave out his age but still tell you it needs some work. But is is now our home and we will remodel it one piece of sheet rock at a time. My neighbors are a man who hates my husband (how is that possible), my mother-in-law and her husband, and Memaw and PawPaw. I am sure as I sit here now that this situation will make for more interesting blogging. My father-in-law lives about 20 minutes away. Then there is my sister-in-law and her kids. (That vent will be for another day.)

My own parents live in Southern California, along with my brother, his wife (another vent I'm sure), and their girls. My many friends and my bestie are all in California as well.

So here I am. Gaga. An hour from anything resembling a mall, driving an over sized diesel vacuum (our Dodge 3500 lifted on 35s), being the stay at home mom my boys and husband need. Problem is, I am no Suzie Homemaker.

Welcome to my Country Fairy Tale....