a new find!

I was excited to find this new recipe. It's SO easy, the kids love to help unwrap the candy, and best of all they're totally DONE within 20-25 minutes. I think they'd look cute on a holiday plate of goodies...if I ever did those! ;)

Easy, Festive Chocolate Holiday Pretzels

1 bag pretzel snaps
1 bag Hershey's HUGS
1 bag Hershey's KISSES
1 bag holiday M&M's

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees.
2. Open the bag of pretzels and remove all the unbroken pretzels.
3. Place them on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets in a single layer.
4. Unwrap Hugs, place one on each pretzel, repeat for an entire cookie sheet.
5. DO ONLY ONE TYPE OF CANDY PER SHEET, as the Hugs melt much quicker than the Kisses.
6. Repeat using the Hershey Kisses.
7. Place cookie sheet/s in the preheated oven, bake for 4 MINUTES FOR THE SHEET OF pretzels and HUGS, 5-6 minutes for the pretzels and Kisses.
8. Immediately upon removing from the oven, place one M-n-M on top of each pretzel/chocolate.
9. Place cookie sheet in freezer for 8-10 minutes, to allow chocolate to harden.

cheese

This week is our last week of school before Christmas break. What that means for a mother of school-aged children is that there are CONSTANT requests for this or that to be brought to school, gifts for the "adopted families", volunteers to help out for parties. Not to mention, the wrapping-up of projects and what that means to moms everywhere.

So, I was not surprised to get an email about what Eliza's teacher needed for her holiday party. She's WAY into parties and is providing lunch for the entire class, having the kids bring things to make sandwiches. She had on her list of things she needed American and Swiss cheese.

So, I shot her back an email with this response, "I'll send in the cheeses...but I'll probably add some cheddar too. Swiss, American and Cheddar. I'm all over it."

When I went in for my math group volunteer time this week the teacher gave me a hard time about how picky I am about cheese.

I told her this, "If I could do one thing for America, I would get rid of American cheese." It's one person at a time in their own spheres of influence that can make a difference. ;)

reflecting

This seems a little anti-climatic, but I did want to document what a wonderful Thanksgiving we had! From the roadtrip to Nauvoo (15+ hours each way) to the family we got to see to the downtime and relaxation, this hands down has got to be the BEST Thanksgiving we've had in a VERY long time.

Nauvoo was beautiful! The weather was gorgeous. James and Dad were actually able to golf with Uncle Randy one of the days. While they golfed, Mom and I took the kids to see things at the Family Living Center (how the early pioneers baked bread, made rope, sculpted pottery, etc.) and then they got to throw rocks into the Mississippi River. Take a guess at which was their favorite? ;)

The temple was truly breathtaking--it seemed as though we were stepping back in time as we entered. What gorgeous furnishings awaited us inside and a sweet group of people and spirit.

We were able to visit with my grandparents and a few cousins, their kids and my aunt and uncle. The Thanksgiving meal was delicious...isn't it always when you aren't responsible for making the entire thing? James even played his hand at Tripoley for the first time ever and smoked us all.

Of course there was football and movies and breaking in grandpa and grandma's new house for the kids. I think they found all of the wonderful new hiding places. Uncle Brad was usually a good sport playing with them. We ended the week by spending some time at the Adventure Zone. What a GREAT place to have a lot of fun. My kudos to Uncle Randy and Aunt Kathy for building such a fun, fun place. We could've stayed there all day!

But, best of all, we returned home feeling REALLY REFRESHED!! It was just what we needed, especially with Christmas just around the corner. James has finished what has got to be his busiest year at Cooley. I am so grateful we were able to take a whole week off and get away!!