Thanksgiving!

                     Me and my aunt, she looks cute as always. Me? I look... ahem... 
                 Just a scary picture. Me and mike being silly, all that food got to our heads!
                  Aaliyah treated grandma to a foot rub!
                             My frozen mint dessert. I was not to fond of this one and I think that the family would agree with me on this one because I found so many slices by the sink with only one bite out of it! I will post the recipe just in case anyone wants to try it:)
                                 My mango-chutney carrots... really yummy.

So I am finding that I am terrible at keeping this blog updated. I find that some update day by day others a few times a month and then there is me.... whenever I think of it or remember! Anyhow~ here is some pictures of our thanksgiving and some lovely recipes to the dishes I made! 

Mango-chutney carrots

1 pkg (16oz) baby carrots

2 tbl spoons of water

1/4 C. Orange juice

2 tbl spoons mango chutney

2 tbl spoons butter

1 1/2 tea spoons fresh ginger root

1/2 tea spoon garlic

1 tea spoon curry powder

3 tbl spoons minced  fresh parsley

Place carrots and water in microwave on high for 4-6 min or until tender. ( I just steamed the carrots until done)

Meanwhile in a large bowl combine the OJ, chutney, butter, ginger, garlic, and curry. Cover and microwave on high for 45 sec or until butter is melted. Drain carrots; add to orange juice mixture and toss to coat. Garnish with parsley! 

Yield: 4 servings

Frozen chocolate mint desert

1 pkg. fudge brownie mix 

2 egg whites

1/4 C. Unsweetened applesauce

2 tea spoons vanilla extract

1/2 C. baking cocoa

1 1/2 C. fat free milk

2 pkgs large marshmallows

1/2 mint extract.... ( I would half that, it was very minty! )

1 carton whipped topping, thawed

2/3 C. cream filled cookie sandwiches

In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, egg whites, applesauce, and vanilla.

Spread into a 13 x 9 in x 2 in baking dish coated with baking spray. Bake at 350 for 18-22 min or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack.

In a dutch oven, combine cocoa and milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until cocoa is dissolved. Stir in marshmallows until melted. Remove from heat; stir in extract. Cool completely. 

Fold in whipped topping. Spread over brownies. Sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Cover and freeze for at least 8 hrs. Remove from freezer 10 min before serving.

Family pictures

On sunday I had my friend Rosie take our family pictures for our christmas card. We had some fun but had trouble with the wonderful sunlight so only a few picture came out alright. 

I do think we will still have to go to sears to get some good ones though. 

A Heart of worship

I love Sunday night celebration at church. For me, its a beautiful time of worship between me and God. I feel as if its just me and him in the room all else fades away, the worries of the world, troubles, stress.... everything. Gone. 

My heart is to worship. When I was small I would make up my own songs and sing to Jesus. And I must say that I still do (well I don't make up songs anymore). My heart is to love him and to follow him hole heartedly. I may mess up, time and time again  I try and try to do right. I find that the more that I worship, read my Bible, go to church, immerse my self in him that, that sin begin to go away. Even then, I don't do those things often enough. But the amazing thing is, is that his grace is so great that he still loves me and he will still be my God, he will forgive me with all my flaws past, present and future, he paid that price for me no matter how much I screw up. And that is why I have a heart for worship. I want to touch his heart like he has touched my heart. What he has done in my life, his faithfulness to pull me though the muck deserves nothing less then my best. My heart. My life. 

Our pastor has been going through Matt 26,27... the crucifixion of Christ. We have been there for a couple of weeks now and its good. Has made me reflect on some of the very things we tend to put in the back of our minds as Christians. It has made me take a hard look at myself and make sure that I am trying my best. And as I am saying this I am feeling convicted because I know that I can do better. 

Flowers!

A close friend of mine got married on the 30th of this month. I did her flowers. I have had no experience in doing flowers other then just my bouquets at home. I looked at pictures for ideas, I'm pretty creative when I want to be and it only comes out from time to time but when I get an idea or a "vision" of what I want to do I'm set on it and carry it out. This is what I did. 

I had two friends help me out. Michelle and Elrike, they as well had no experience with flowers but are just as creative as I am, if not more. Michelle did the brides maids bouquets and I did the boutneers and the bridal bouquet. 

Pumpkins!

Last night we carved pumpkins. The kids loved it, especally the slimy guts. When we were done we cleaned up and had a bowl of Beavers ice cream.... GO BEVS! 

Good by toddler age hello school age!

                                        Sad, I know, I cant figure how to make it right side up

                                       Aaliyah opening her gifts.

                                                       Singing "Happy Birthday!"
                                                   Great Grandma and Aaliyah.

                                        She wanted pumpkin pie, instead of cake! it is

                                        after all the season for it:)

Watching your kids grow up is such a fun thing to see their little personalities develop. It is a bitter sweet thing to as well. No more cute toddler age where they figuring out the world and how things work,  BUT no more temper tantrums and pushing the limits to see how much they can get away with. On to academic learning and new behaviors picked up from other children. Independence is always a plus. My little (well not so little anymore) Aaliyah turned 6 yesterday. Iv been reminiscing about when they were little babies, Both are in school now and are growing big everyday. I'm proud of the children they are and excited to see what adults they turn into. I pray that we can be good parents and that we teach them well enough to be successful in life. That they are grounded in the word of God and that they strive for him. 

Pumpkin Cookies

                                              The batter was tasty, mike and anthony kept

                                             coming in the kitchen for "tastes". 
                                              This was the first time Aaliyah has been intrusted 

                                               in helping me :)
                                                 Oh the anticipation! watching them bake.
                                                             Here they are all done!

Aaliyah and I made iced pumpkin cookies last night. My hubby was craving something sweet to eat and this is what I found on allrecipes.com!