Candy Cane Blossoms

Forget rolling out the sugar cookie dough to the perfect thickness,

cutting out the dough with cookie cutters,

and frosting them.

These are SOOOOO much easier

and cuter,

and yummier!

They're my new favorite Christmas cookie/treat!

Recipe from HERSHEY'S

What You Need

1 bag Hershey's Peppermint Kisses

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 Tbsp milk

Red and Green sugar

What To Do

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, remove wrappers from kisses

2. Beat butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla in large bowl until well blended

3. In separate bowl stir together flour, baking soda, and salt

4. Add flour mix alternately with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended

5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in red or green sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet

6. Bake 8-10 min. or until edges are lightly browned and cookie is set

7. Remove from oven; cool 2-3 min. then press kiss into center of each cookie

8. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.  Cool completely.

{ENJOY!!!}

I pinned it and then I made it...

This tree skirt.

I LOVE it!

Click HERE for directions.

I made mine a little different from them.
I used cotton material instead of linen 'cause the cotton was on sale for cheap.
I think I like the way mine turned out better.
It doesn't fray as much as the linen.
And I think it's a little more classy this way.
Just my opinion.

Anyway, it was really easy.
A little time consuming, but just throw on some Christmas movies and
get to some cutting and gluing and you'll be done before you know it.

PS...I still gotta finish decorating the tree :)

My newest hobby...

...is baking!

Baking BREAD to be exact.

Last month my new sister-in-law and I took a three-day 

(three hours each day)

course in downtown Houston on how to make artisan breads.

We learned how to bake

Rustic Italian

Focaccia

Ciabatta

French Baguettes

Sourdough

Rosemary Sourdough

Pain a l'Ancienne

Pizza Dough

My faves were definitely the baguettes, focaccia, and ciabatta.

And let me tell ya...these aren't exactly the easiest breads to make.

They aren't exactly super difficult either, but they are time consuming and there are certain techniques that would probably be hard to figure out if you didn't learn from someone.

Hence, why we took the class.
And it was totally worth it 'cause I learned a lot!

So far, since I took this class, I've made baguettes twice and focaccia once.

Ciabatta is next on my list.

I'm sad that I didn't get a picture of my focaccia, but here are some of my baguettes.

They turned out heavenly!  

I'm thinking of becoming a baker.

Not really.

But maybe :)

11 things to be THANKFUL for on 11/11/11

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  And even though the stores are already covered and full of Christmas Decor {which I actually really LOVE} I haven't forgotten about this month of THANKSGIVING!  And since today is 11/11/11 I figured I would do a little something on the blog.

I suspect many others may be doing something similar today, but here are 11 things that I'm especially grateful for on this unique day.

{eleven}

{ten}

DANCE

{nine}

TECHNOLOGY

Mainly so I can communicate with my family in AZ and see pictures and videos of my nieces and nephews who are growing up WAY too fast!

{eight}

{seven}
The Good Things in Life
...aka...

And no, it is no mistake that Diet Coke is on there twice.  I just really do like it THAT much.
And this is not to mention probably one of the greatest things in life...
IN-N-OUT
Ian Boy says it best...

{six}

and

{five}
TENDER MERCIES
I couldn't think of a picture for this...
but I'm sincerely grateful for those special moments where I know Heavenly Father is helping me out!

{four}

{three}

Which includes arguably the cutest nieces and nephews in the world!

{two}
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
mormon.org

{one}
That I get to spend eternity with this guy...

Mrs. Foster

Today I went down to the Social Security Office and had my name officially changed FINALLY...after being married for almost 5 months!

However, I'm wondering if I should have taken Phoebe's lead here and chosen a more fun and unique name.

I could pass as a Princess Consuela, don't ya think?

Our Spot

Some couples might have a special place.  Where they met.  Where they fell in love.  Where they spend their time together.  A place where a big or even small event occurred to make it special to them.  It's THEIR special spot.

Mine and husband's special place is In-N-Out.  Yes, I am serious.

Especially THIS In-N-Out.

It's on Ray Road just east of I-10.

Husband and I have frequented this particular establishment since the beginning of our relationship.  I wouldn't be surprised if we have been there 100 times together.

Some of you might be asking yourselves...WHY??????

Our reasons are as follows:

{In no particular order}

• Best hamburgers.  Hands down.
• Clean environment.
• Good prices.
• Nice outside eating area.
• Smart business.
• Friendly workers.
• Free refills of Diet Coke.

This is where he took me on our second date and many more dates to follow.

{If he could have a do-over, he would have taken me there on our first!}
This is where we would meet to eat and talk for HOURS!

This is where we really got to know each other and "Fell in LOVE"  Awwww...

This is where we got engaged.

AND

This is where we {including our families and close friends} ate right after we got married!

Since being married it's still where we like to eat and spend hours chatting about life, politics, moving, work, family, friends, finances, goals, future plans, and anything else under the sun.

Our favorite time to go is Saturday morning at 10 am.  

I remember when we first started dating he told me he went there nearly everyday for breakfast at 10 am.  My response, "I could NEVER have it for breakfast!"  I stand corrected.  It's the best time to go because there's hardly anyone else there, so it's quiet and the burgers are the best quality!  And we even have a favorite booth we like to sit at inside and a favorite table we like to sit at outside.

When we walk in they know us and have already called out our order.

• 2 Hamburgers. Animal Style. With chilies. A fry. A large drink. And a water.

Okay.  I admit.  We're obsessed.  And quite possibly a bit crazy. 

But it's OUR spot.

And we're going to miss it dearly when we move to Texas!

Good thing In-N-Out is making it's way to Houston.

They already have 9 of them built in Dallas, which is only 3 hours away.

I'm sure we'll be taking many trips there until it makes its way to our neighborhood!

Hey y'all! {Again...}

PS...This is the last time I'm going to use y'all in one of my post titles. Maybe.

PPS...The house has been sold.  We close September 30th; therefore, we're making the trek to where the "stars at night are big and bright *bum bum bum bum* deep in the heart of Texas" on September 30th.  That's 17 days from today.  Not quite sure how I feel about that.  Probably a mixture of excited, sad, nervous, anxious, happy...but mostly just excited!

So I kinda decided that when we move to Texas I wanna be like Tami Taylor from Friday Night Lights.
{And if you have no idea who she is and have never seen that show then you need to add FNL to the top of your Queue on NETFLIX pronto.}

I'm gonna add words like Y'ALL, and FIXINTO, and DADGUMMIT to my daily vocab.
AND
I'm gonna wear my sassy boots with my Sunday dress.

Anyway, she's one of my all-time favorite characters in a TV series.  Here's some of her y'alls!

Hey y'all!

We're moving to Texas.

HOUSTON, Texas.

When husband and I were engaged I remember asking him, "Do you ever want to move back to Houston?"

{His whole immediate family lives there and he lived there for 3 years.}

His response, "Maybe.  In the future if things work out that way.  But I'm happy to be here in AZ!"

That was approximately 5 months ago and already we have put our house up for sale and have made the plans to move!

So why are we moving to Houston?

Well...for lots of reasons. 

But mainly for husband's job.

Poor guy is scared to death that my family hates him and think he's "taking me away" from them.

But I assure all y'all...it was mainly MY decision to move.

Obviously, we wouldn't be going if it wasn't for his job.

But I had ultimate VETO power.

It is all kinds of crazy though!

The weekend we are planning on moving out there will be exactly a year from when he first asked me out.

Weird.

And so therefore, we will be moving there a little less than a year from when we first met.

Weird.

Crazy how much can change in just a year.

A year ago from now I had no idea that I would be moving to Texas.

And with a husband!

Anyway, we spent 2 weeks in Houston this summer so I could get to know his family and get to know the area, "just in case" we ever thought of moving there :)  

Well, now we actually are.

And we're super excited for this adventure!

Now I just gotta go find me some sassy boots :)

I'm thinking these will do!

Random Texas Facts:

• One must acknowledge a supreme being before being able to hold public office.
• Texas is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of territorial annexation.
• It is illegal to sell one's eye.
• The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845.
• It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.
• It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.
• It is illegal to milk another person's cow.
• The first word spoken on the moon was Houston.
• Texas possesses 3 of the top 10 most populous cities in the US.  Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
• Beer may not be purchased after midnight on a Sunday, but it may be purchased on a Monday.
• Texans fought a battle after the end of the Civil War because they hadn't heard the war was over.
• Ima Hogg was the real name of a Texas governor's daughter. {Hahahahahaha!!!}

Twins!

Husband and I got new phones.

{HTC Evo 4G-White}

We truly love them!

The way to a man's heart

Homemade Salsa Fresca

Well...it's at least the way to Nick's heart.

I think I was able to solidify our marriage even more when I made it for him.

Nick told me I could make it anytime.  I told him as "easy" as it is, it can be time consuming and tedious chopping up all those veges.  So we went to Target and bought THIS small 3-Cup food chopper thing.  I love it. And Nick loves it too because now I can whip out some Salsa Fresca in no time. Our goal is to plant a garden where we can grow most of the ingredients.

Maybe you already make this.  Maybe you already have your own recipe.  

But for you Salsa Fresca virgins, here's my 

EVER-SO-SIMPLE-AND-NOT-REALLY-MEASURED-SALSA-FRESCA Recipe

{Add or subtract according to your own taste}

Chop and Mix

8 Roma Tomatoes

1 Onion

1 bushel of Cilantro

2 or 3 cloves of garlic

1 Jalapeno Pepper

1 Serrano Pepper

(However, last time I made it I omitted the Serrano Pepper 'cause the Jalapeno was a HOT one)

Then squeeze the juice of 2 limes right in there.  And also add a dash or two of salt.

And TADA!  Amazingly fresh Salsa!

George: Salsa is now the number one condiment in America.
Jerry: Do you know why? Because people like to say "Salsa"

Watch the video HERE!

Our Home!

Lots of people have asked me to post pictures of our house.
I love our house!
It's beautiful and spacious.
The only downside...it's in Maricopa.
But I actually am already growing accustomed to living "way out there."
Here's a tour for those of you who care and won't get to see it in person...

The Front

Walking In
I love how OPEN it is.

The office + Bath #1
This is Nick's hideaway.  And as you can see, one 24" monitor clearly wasn't enough.

Wall sconces courtesy of Susie Crandell

The Living Room + Dining Room
Yeah.  This room is BIG!  And the ceiling is REALLY high.  I haven't even began (begun?) to think what I want to do in here.

The Family Room
I think we've got a good start in here.
Nick is REALLY proud of his sound system.

And just so you know, we got these couches yesterday.  This is what we've been using until now.  I'm not going to lie...I'm going to kinda miss that ugly blue blow-up lounge couch thingamajig.

The Kitchen
I think TRUE LOVE is the best way to express my feelings towards this kitchen.

The Backyard

My little corner!  It looks sad right now, but with a little TLC it's going to be pretty.

The Stairs
LOVE the banister.

Bedrooms + Bath #2
Typical rooms.  Just used as storage for us now.

The Loft
Empty.  But this could be a fun room.

The Master
It's big.  When we were looking for a bed, a lot of the salesmen would ask if we had enough room for a king.  That was usually followed by a chuckle on our part and us saying, "Yeah.  We'll be fine." And notice the gun in the corner.  Nick says it's there so he can protect me :)  Anyway, it's really boring right now, but we have some fun ideas.  Nick actually came up with something really cool for a headboard.  That will be blogged about in the future I'm sure.

So slowly but surely we're converting our house into OUR HOME!
We love it.
Come visit!

Our Wedding!

On May 21st, 2011 I married and was sealed to my best friend Nick Foster in the Mesa, AZ Temple.  It was the best day of my life and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

Here are some pictures that some of my family took...