Strawberry Shortcake

Wanted to share with you all this amazing dessert that has been in our house the past few days. Ryan bought some stuff to make Strawberry Shortcake a few days ago. I didn't have any cause, I knew he really wanted them and I'm not a big fan of them myself. But last night, I need something sweet, so I had made myself one. It was delicious and hit the right spot. :)

It's a mini one, stacked with our fresh delicious strawberries, we hand picked memorial weekend. Layered with cool whip and drizzled with strawberry juices. YUM!!! Doesn't this make you want to go and make yourself one?  Oh, how I am loving strawberries!!!

Staying STRONG in the STORMS of Life

This last Sunday, was fast and testimony meeting. One of my institute teachers posted this a few weeks ago and I think it is the perfect saying on what I have been thinking about this week.

"May we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
("Created for Greater Things", p. 74)

I know that when we dedicate ourselves to the Lord and His work, we will be able to withstand any trial and challenge that is given to us. It is only through our Savior, Jesus Christ, where we can accomplish and bear all things. He is my strenght and my courage. He is real. He lives. He loves each and everyone of us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Napping

The other day, I was really exhausted and just wanted to go back to sleep. Zoie was up and wanting to play with me. I didn't feel like playing and  I couldn't just go to sleep. I told myself I'd wait until I put her down for her nap, then I can go to sleep.

I waited for about 5 minutes, then told Zoie that mommy was really tired and didn't want to play. Mommy just wants to take a nap. So, she went and grabbed one of her books, climbed up and layed with me on the couch and we read  a couple books then we both took a long nap on the couch together. It was great and she went down and hour earlier than normal for her nap. I think she loves me. :)

I love my little girl and I know she is going to be such a big help when her little sister arrives in a few weeks.  Thanks for taking a nap with me Zoie. Love you girlie!!!

Banana Nut Muffins

I had a lot of bananas in the freezer and decided it was time to use them up. I made these delicious banana nut muffins for breakfast this morning.

I've been trying to make breakfast in the mornings, so the whole family can be together and enjoy spending quality time with each other. So far its been a success. I am glad I decided to make this possible, it's great to have the family together, talking, and enjoying some delicious meals. It has definitely made me think of new ideas for breakfast, and I know Ryan and Zoie especially love it.

I can feel that our family is growing closer together and stronger, especially with the Lord. Zoie gets so excited to pray, it may just be cause she gets to eat after prayer, but nonetheless, she gets excited to pray. I love my family.

Here is the recipe if you'd like to give them a try. They didn't call for walnuts, but I added some in just to spice things up a bit ;)

Banana Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 large bananas, mashed
3/4 cups white sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup butter, melted

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter.
• Fold in flour mixture and mix until smooth.
• Scoop into muffin pan.
• Bake 25-30 minutes. Makes 12 regular muffins or 48 mini-muffins.

HAPPY EATING!!!

Living Room Design

Hey all, I am trying to make our apartment more of a home, and not just a place we live in. With that said, I want/need your opinion on my design for the living room. A couple weeks ago, Ryan and I puttied all the holes in the wall, washed down the walls, and gave them a new fresh coat of paint. It absolutely looks amazing. We are renting so we weren't able to paint a color to the wall, its just another shade of white. It's incredible what a new coat paint can do to a room. It brightens up our living room so much more.

So I drew this picture in paint and want to know what you all think. I haven't hung anything on the walls yet. I plan on doing that later tonight or tomorrow sometime. Right now there is just paper taped to the walls of where everything may go. I'm excited to finally almost be done with this room, so I can start on the next one.

So you know, the lazy boy is actually suppose to be in front of the lamp, just forgot to fix it after I did everything. It's not 100% to scale, but gives you the gist of the layout in the living room.

Remember that mirror that I told you I found in the garbage at the beginning of April? Well, I am finally getting started on it. It'll be placed in the living room of course. ;) Here is a picture of the mirror. I'm excited to get started on this.

It's so big and awesome--LOVE IT! I plan on crackling the wood frame.

Happy Girl

Strawberry Jam

Last night, I decided to finally buckle down and make some homemade strawberry jam. It wasn't as difficult as I thought and it definitely didn't take as long as I thought. I ended not using all the strawberries for the jam, we are working on getting some rhubarb to make strawberry-rhubarb jam and pie. Can you say YUM....!!!! :)

I ended up making four completely full, pint size jars and one 3/4 the way full that we are currently using now. It tastes amazing and I am glad it was a success and a go ahead to make again.

I don't know much about canning or making jam, so all this was a first. I didn't have any canning equipment, so I improvised with what we had around the house. I had to first sterilize my jars and lids, which was no big deal. Then I mashed up my strawberries and added the sugar, lemon juice and pectin. It smelt so good. I learned that if you add just a little bit of butter to the mixture, you won't get a lot of foam to scrape off when it's done. It works, (not that I know the difference), but I barely had any foam to scrape off. Then I scooped the jam into the jars and had to put them back in the boiling pot. Getting them out was the hard part. Ryan and his friend had to double team to get the four jars out, with two tongs and ladle.  I couldn't do that part, I kept dropping the jars back into the water. :)Thanks guys!!!
Overall, this was a good experience for me and I am excited to make this a part of my family's life. I feel so "pioneery." (yes I think I just made that word up).

Recipe from here