tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41898214197727269592024-03-19T04:32:37.601-05:00The Glamorous Life of a HousewifeFinding the charm in chores and the magic in motherhood.Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.comBlogger1237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-69754526569695106502022-07-27T00:35:00.004-05:002022-07-27T00:37:20.657-05:00Dad. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi4wmqwWZxxYWko9B4CF7ZrzrqqwFPlBBxCxiz-fvJGse4Twiq3D4-Kh5SNZ0Ko0jclwi3ujvufxVwu2RPBwW_7WDmkDzJASxNSJpqjQGiLm2Ahjgwar5jqRhmD3ovFjvIRyLYPhIpGD6sqqfHvdQOoft-J54dJQDz9RA6jYJkolaVmoCuB7iqSzdWg/s1632/3F2F3288-EC9C-4CFA-8AB8-63B339948926.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1632" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi4wmqwWZxxYWko9B4CF7ZrzrqqwFPlBBxCxiz-fvJGse4Twiq3D4-Kh5SNZ0Ko0jclwi3ujvufxVwu2RPBwW_7WDmkDzJASxNSJpqjQGiLm2Ahjgwar5jqRhmD3ovFjvIRyLYPhIpGD6sqqfHvdQOoft-J54dJQDz9RA6jYJkolaVmoCuB7iqSzdWg/s320/3F2F3288-EC9C-4CFA-8AB8-63B339948926.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I’m extremely blessed to have had the relationship with my dad that I did. He wasn’t just my father, he was one of my very best friends. I can recall countless times being out to lunch with friends and getting my daily text messages from him. One time my friend asked what he was texting me about and I said “oh, just asking what I’m doing and where we’re eating.” She thought it was hilarious but to me it was my norm. I talked to my dad every single day about anything and everything. And he rarely ever missed a day texting me around 3:30pm, usually when I’m in the school pick up line, asking what I’m making for supper. More times than I can count I would get a photo later that evening of his dinner plate and he would have made exactly what I had told him I was making. “You flung a craving on me,” he’d say<span style="font-size: 28px;">.<b> </b></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZA2g-F5dtC56rtPqRVTQUn_JNDxHfSMfv6wVb3C67DYPJ3U4pWcK_nYorM9o3oo7al3yJL1YuhZZJ-qFJIYWK75nkhu3U2I5ahQ4wDuZvWocIGwOWyU3ZYFEcX_Vu-wiD0CdvDhSg2Zj_f87s34pJ6kQSZ75D8IBPXHl3CYTQimaudGXt74q0BqgSw/s2048/6BD84E6D-3D7E-480A-A941-2AF0DA41C5FB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZA2g-F5dtC56rtPqRVTQUn_JNDxHfSMfv6wVb3C67DYPJ3U4pWcK_nYorM9o3oo7al3yJL1YuhZZJ-qFJIYWK75nkhu3U2I5ahQ4wDuZvWocIGwOWyU3ZYFEcX_Vu-wiD0CdvDhSg2Zj_f87s34pJ6kQSZ75D8IBPXHl3CYTQimaudGXt74q0BqgSw/s320/6BD84E6D-3D7E-480A-A941-2AF0DA41C5FB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">My very first job was in college during the summer and winter breaks, and it was down at the drugstore with him. I was supposed to arrive at 9am each morning but would come bouncing in around 10 instead. “The princess has arrived,” the girls at the pharmacy would joke to my dad. He’d just chuckle and tell me I needed to wake up earlier tomorrow.</span><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> (We both knew that probably wasn’t happening.) When mom and I would want to go shopping she’d ask him if I could have the day off. He could never say no to her, plus he’d rather me have been with her so he didn’t have to worry about her being in Tulsa alone. I had lots of “days off”. </span><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> At the time I wished I didn’t have to have a job, but I’ve thanked God so many times this week for giving me those special days with my dad. I cherish them incredibly. We laughed and joked all day every day and I’d always try to sneak the thermostat up because he froze me out. He always knew if I bumped it up by even one degree and made me go turn it back down. I never knew how he could tell by one single degree, but I guess when you know a place inside outside and upside down like he did his pharmacy, he just knew. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLJVIOle5i3PRfDMnUfJ7zorywggeJ1vhgW63SAWalmUIiqzrRo1Ws20gspG7OvhSksmH2xrBGy0aLIlBk_N-9YIvsignzc1k4R9EoLmKCZhNQYk60OaO2622I81zGBvOo9_Fxpma_kKz_IhNJyZmsnqnXY8Q7FOJDf4Ob7TbTHmAvvEa0XlXyHs_hQ/s3354/C1845028-22E8-4952-BF8F-27285F3AD38E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="3354" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLJVIOle5i3PRfDMnUfJ7zorywggeJ1vhgW63SAWalmUIiqzrRo1Ws20gspG7OvhSksmH2xrBGy0aLIlBk_N-9YIvsignzc1k4R9EoLmKCZhNQYk60OaO2622I81zGBvOo9_Fxpma_kKz_IhNJyZmsnqnXY8Q7FOJDf4Ob7TbTHmAvvEa0XlXyHs_hQ/s320/C1845028-22E8-4952-BF8F-27285F3AD38E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">He was the most easy going guy in the entire world until the day Darin asked him if he could marry me. He grilled him and pretty much demanded answers about Darin’s future plans and how he intended to provide for me. Mom and I (and Darin) were genuinely shocked as we just assumed he’d smile and say “of course!”, since he loved Darin so much and they already had such a close relationship, but Dad surprised us. In fact, Dad never gave him a definitive answer so Darin had to come back the next night and ask him again! Mom was present that time so things went a whole lot smoother. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ8KCsF9XrU_9NELxbTStKttFCFCQPE4uKmlEnBK0KQ7qkzNsFVm-UGT3X3OzpHBJXImhPqq2l-ThgY2TD5yVRjktRQeGq9QZnEW_rKZ0R0c77rKW5-8-1V5gSYvuXwuSDd2fXj-yJyFamMBOe6Tb2LNkEcfuBu5ya4zoqMEyS7eeO2rV8oIu1YYD-Q/s1632/12F267E7-6508-46E9-A4A9-34E2C13E55C2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1632" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ8KCsF9XrU_9NELxbTStKttFCFCQPE4uKmlEnBK0KQ7qkzNsFVm-UGT3X3OzpHBJXImhPqq2l-ThgY2TD5yVRjktRQeGq9QZnEW_rKZ0R0c77rKW5-8-1V5gSYvuXwuSDd2fXj-yJyFamMBOe6Tb2LNkEcfuBu5ya4zoqMEyS7eeO2rV8oIu1YYD-Q/s320/12F267E7-6508-46E9-A4A9-34E2C13E55C2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I can’t even begin to scratch the surface of my parents relationship. Best friends since the 7th grade and together since the 11th. I can honestly and genuinely say, that after 45 years of marriage and me being there for almost 39 of them, I saw them have one fight. ONE. Of course it had to be on Easter when I was like 7, and since I never saw even so much as a disagreement among the two, I was convinced they were getting a divorce. Being in my own marriage now for 17 years now I have to laugh and applaud my parents tremendously for keeping disputes private and giving me such a beautiful, as-close-to-perfect-as-you-can-get picture of a covenant relationship. The best gift they ever gave my brother and I was loving each other as selflessly and faithfully as they did. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57U_gJA9X9148aeF8c3d1u5QceTP_RD3FDAge2-sqkYGm-QjPpy45FX9FgJ5AB7hpPxPTrzWE7aE1eNKC-b93U7kRPwRK8SFo80INIcni6mGioiAoWJbXyIkbgiPR0h9JhBTGuLKiULuPlHMYyj16dLr3Zc8WgFxt8j9XX2Q_6nXqh6FEfOhU5k4dnA/s640/2AF248AE-A188-4B4A-ABAD-6621FAAC43EA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57U_gJA9X9148aeF8c3d1u5QceTP_RD3FDAge2-sqkYGm-QjPpy45FX9FgJ5AB7hpPxPTrzWE7aE1eNKC-b93U7kRPwRK8SFo80INIcni6mGioiAoWJbXyIkbgiPR0h9JhBTGuLKiULuPlHMYyj16dLr3Zc8WgFxt8j9XX2Q_6nXqh6FEfOhU5k4dnA/s320/2AF248AE-A188-4B4A-ABAD-6621FAAC43EA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I’ll never forget when he visited me in the hospital after I delivered his first grandchild. He brought me a special box of chocolates and I remember thinking how sweet that was. I knew that even while he was so eager and excited to meet his new grandbaby, he stopped and thought of me, *his* baby girl first and that was his way of showing me that. No one was more proud of his grandkids than my dad, their Papapa. Oh how thankful I am that Levi had 13 wonderful years with him and Ezra, 10. They have solid, core memories with their Papapa that will carry them through their lives. Truly the best of friends. What a blessing. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHbZMLdnBO8Izgl8yxUVWyxB5Ea-SOZ8VtgCGfpD8hHhYqs5PSboAZ5T17Kjn7XU7MpYJCnow8UIcNvjk0FeRMltz7atpJlGsoIqNvaNnH88ZMchOlQQXmsE496VspUfFkallSheNZUTGVIyzl1u58Lw-IP2OSSh5ajTHu5LbordLlnNMhi2S5vGH_A/s960/65C00AF3-CDDD-442D-86E7-99FABB3DEBA2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHbZMLdnBO8Izgl8yxUVWyxB5Ea-SOZ8VtgCGfpD8hHhYqs5PSboAZ5T17Kjn7XU7MpYJCnow8UIcNvjk0FeRMltz7atpJlGsoIqNvaNnH88ZMchOlQQXmsE496VspUfFkallSheNZUTGVIyzl1u58Lw-IP2OSSh5ajTHu5LbordLlnNMhi2S5vGH_A/s320/65C00AF3-CDDD-442D-86E7-99FABB3DEBA2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-align: left;">I have countless stories and experiences with my dad, just truly enjoying one another’s company. These are but a glimpse into the thousands; I just wanted to share a peek of who he was to me. He and I are a lot alike in many ways so we genuinely understood each other. He was and always will be one of my very favorite people, and he made sure I knew he felt the same about me. Being in his presence was the most peaceful, safe, secure feeling in the world. I’ll miss him more than anything. I already do. </span></div><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zgv-OeybI8e2gUi5BYYlhmsaxKEkq9NbhymY7c1a5Xw-ri4h--KRAgQky0UuIJyxRjXzhQufKz0Dk5np_rudqLWqDO4C_GsKmEineRljf2mPrb0iTupV4-uxHxRfvlf57mM-nmFXbRnLf8EvZ8pIePG4BHmDSQHWwU7WbQLbi1gaYnDe-S_uGUaq5g/s2048/53F2E993-1405-43EE-903E-3511BDDB5743.jpeg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="2048" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zgv-OeybI8e2gUi5BYYlhmsaxKEkq9NbhymY7c1a5Xw-ri4h--KRAgQky0UuIJyxRjXzhQufKz0Dk5np_rudqLWqDO4C_GsKmEineRljf2mPrb0iTupV4-uxHxRfvlf57mM-nmFXbRnLf8EvZ8pIePG4BHmDSQHWwU7WbQLbi1gaYnDe-S_uGUaq5g/s320/53F2E993-1405-43EE-903E-3511BDDB5743.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-23807935051257601682022-05-30T07:01:00.001-05:002022-05-30T07:01:00.236-05:00Thirteen.<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">The years keep passing despite my efforts to freeze time. It’s impossible to believe my firstborn son is entering his teen years today. Can we rename thirteen to something without “teen” on the end? Thirtven has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/52107618947/in/dateposted-family/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="0-2"><img alt="0-2" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52107618947_92fba1d1f0_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thrift Store Prom</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">Oh, my Levi. Observing Levi as he ages and grows is honestly one of my greatest joys. Man he makes me proud. The boy is unapologetically himself at all times. He is not interested in the influence of anyone else because he is as certain of himself as he is that the sun will rise each morning. And I absolutely LOVE that quality in him. It’s truly something special that I have prayed since he was five years old that he never loses. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">The bridge between child and teen often feels like crossing a suspension bridge - steadying your feet and holding on tight as everything around you feels like it’s moving. But nothing is actually moving at all. Everything is as it always was and you’re the one moving - changing. You start off unsure, taking steps slowly as you ease into getting the hang of things. Testing the waters of new freedoms and bits of independence. With each step you get a little more comfortable and sure of yourself and by the time you reach the end you’re gliding on along, not even looking down at your feet. You step off the bridge, look back and think “that wasn’t so hard after all!” I pray that when he eventually takes those final steps off that bridge one day we can BOTH look back and say that! (Can I get an amen moms?)</span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/52108887124/in/dateposted-family/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="0-4"><img alt="0-4" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52108887124_d1f100e6f5_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In his element - waiting for a concert with a book. Two of his favorite things!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">As Levi starts the path that will surely shake, wobble and sway at times - I pray that the journey across will be the adventure of a lifetime, and that he walks with the confidence he keeps in knowing who he is, Whose he is, and knowing Who is walking beside him. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">Keep walking with Jesus, Weebie. Pursue your relationship with Him every day. He will keep your feet steady and your path straight. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br /><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/52108887069/in/dateposted-family/" title="0-1"><img alt="0-1" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52108887069_3bd16da8f1_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">I can hear my baby now, reciting this verse at 2 years old, sounding like this, “Trust in da Yord wiff all your heart, and yeen not on your own understanding. In all your ways, a-knowledge Him, and He will keep your paff STRAIGHT!” </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><b><u>I love you, love you, love you! </u></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: x-large;">Happy Birthday!</span></span></div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/52107618842/in/dateposted-family/" title="0-3"><img alt="0-3" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52107618842_97c5ebd623_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-88364206061961042032022-04-04T17:59:00.006-05:002022-04-04T18:12:38.405-05:00The Tale of the Chili Dog<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">In honor of my baby’s 10th birthday, I’m going to take us on a little trip down memory lane. The destination is not a sweet birthday tribute to my Ezra Ray (you can find that on today’s Instagram post), but rather, a revisit to one of the funniest cringe moments of my life.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Let me set the scene: I had just delivered 10 lbs and 1 ounce of hunka hunka sugar lovins. I was over the moon in love with my brand new beautiful baby and since they starved me for 12 hours before my c-section I was, well, starving. Whoever thinks it’s a good idea to withhold food from a 9 month swollen pregnant momma is out of their mind. But, I digress. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The surgery was over, I was rolled back into my recovery room, and I was ready to eat! I hadn’t eaten any lunch meat or hot dogs during my pregnancy to avoid any complications they can cause and ALL I wanted was a chili dog. I’d craved it for months and it was all I could think about. They had me separated from my new baby for a bit - the absolute worst part of a c-section by far. I laid there alone in my recovery room waiting for Darin to come back with my baby and then for the family to pile in. In that waiting period, Darin asked his parents to go grab me chili dog.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">He brought in the chili dog and aside from the precious new human that was just plucked from my loins, it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on. Piping hot with mustard and onions - this must be what Heaven smells like. He raised my bed so I could sit up and eat and got everything all laid out for me. I shoved that hot dog in my mouth with my head bobbin’ and toes wiggling - I’d never tasted such a delightful meal. Everything was right in my world. I looked at Darin, “mmm-ing” and smiling from ear to ear. It was one of those comforting moments of relief and satisfaction. An “ahhhh” moment. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I polished off my dog, fries and a large Diet Coke like it wasn’t no thing. Man, I felt so good. That c-section wasn’t so bad after all! I can’t feel a thing! I could do this every year! Life is good! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I handed Darin my trash and he tossed it in the garbage. Seconds later the nurse walked in. “Oh! You’re sitting up already! How ya feeling?” she asked. “Any pain?“ </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Nope! I’m feeling great, thanks!”</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Good”, she said. “Just stay in that position and I’ll come back in about 20 minutes and we’ll get you started on some ice chips. I know you’ve got to be hungry!” </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">My giant smile fell into a look of sheer panic. My eyes, big as saucers, darted over to Darin as if to say “DO. NOT. SAY. A. WORD.” “Oh, ok! Thanks, um yeah, ice chips - yeah, um, that sounds great!”</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Yes, you’ll work your way up solid food, but we’ve got to be gradual or you’ll get sick. And we don’t want that!” </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“Oh ok! Heh heh! Well ice chips sure sounds good! Heh heh, yeah I sure am hungry! Heh heh. Thanks!” </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I avoided all eye contact with everyone. With her. With Darin. With the trash can that had the giant 12 inch long silver hot dog wrapper poking out, stained with chili and cheese. Please don’t smell my chili dog, lady. Please don’t look at the trash can. Do I have chili on my face? Mustard? What happens if she finds out I INHALED A CHILI DOG when I’m not even supposed to have ICE CHIPS at this point?!</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I held my breath waiting for her to leave. As soon as that door closed I slowly looked over at Darin and we LOST IT. We laughed so hard my fresh incision started throbbing and I had to lay my bed back down. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">“I wonder why they don’t want me to eat?” I said. “I feel amazing!” </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">….</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Twenty minutes later, just about the time she came back with the ice chips - well - there were zero remnants of that chili dog left in my stomach. I thought my incision hurt when I laughed? Well trust me, that was NOTHING. I went from laughing to wrenching and I never wanted to lay eyes on a chili dog again. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">To this day I can’t see a chili dog and not think of that story. That poor nurse had to have been so confused. But all I knew is that I’d never been so thankful to see a bucket of ice chips in my life! </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-36600100152527464372022-02-25T08:46:00.008-06:002022-02-25T08:46:00.236-06:00A Sharks Tale.<p>*I meant to publish this months ago, but only had it half way written and completely forgot about it. This is the conclusion to our Disney/Universal Florida Vacation Recap. <u>The Beach Day!</u></p><p>In between our stays at Disney and Universal, we took a day to switch resorts and rest our feet. We absolutely have to squeeze in a beach day when we vacation anywhere near the ocean, and typically when we travel to Disney we take our beach day at the end of the week to truly rest. This time, since we were switching resorts, it just made sense to take it in the middle of the week. It was absolutely the best decision. Weather wise it ended up perfect, too. </p><p>We slept in and then headed an hour away out to Cocoa Beach to spend the day. I can't tell you how great it felt to not hit the ground running. This mid-week break was a true gift! </p><p>I had been seeing everyone talk about "pub subs" from Publix on the internet, so we decided to grab those for lunch to take and eat on the beach and then go out for seafood for dinner (my husband's request). We found a great beach, not crowded at all, and enjoyed a full day of fun in the sun.</p><p>We had no idea we would end up with such a story from our beach day, but boy did we! </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51900438185/in/dateposted-family/" title="1-2"><img alt="1-2" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51900438185_78b02e1c96_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p>Darin decided to get a little bit of work done during our down time so he perched up in the shade for a little bit while the boys and I played in the ocean. I had my camera out to take pictures of the boys in the waves and I tell you we had not been in the water for 2 minutes when Levi screamed, SHARK!!!! He saw it's fin sticking up out of the water and as he screamed, I looked down and a LITERAL SHARK swarmed around Levi's body and then made it's way toward Ezra, circling around his stomach. It was a small shark, but you better believe we SCREAMED and booked it to shore as fast as we could. I was running and screaming "SHARK! SHARK! SHARK!" and we cleared our whole area. Every was running out of the water and I looked up to the shore thinking Darin would be sprinting toward us to save the day, but nope - he was completely immersed in his work and didn't even hear us. I was incredulous. He got an ear full from me telling him how I could be dead and gone by this point and he'd be none the wiser. Unreal.</p><p>It was the rush of a lifetime and the boys were beyond thrilled about our shark encounter. It was WILD. Darin finished his work up and they went back in the water to hunt for the shark (crazies - I didn't get back in past my ankles after that whole ordeal!) Darin had a whole crew of kids with him looking for sharks. So funny!</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51899785456/in/dateposted-family/" title="1-1"><img alt="1-1" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51899785456_14e70730e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>We spent the rest of the day swimming and playing and most of all relaxing before the evening storms rolled in and we loaded up and headed out for some seafood. We stopped for souvenirs at Ron Jon's Surf Shop and if we weren't so hungry we could have spent hours in there - that place was amazing! </p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51899785551/in/dateposted-family/" title="1-5"><img alt="1-5" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51899785551_b894a417e8_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><p>We found the neatest restaurant that had the highest ratings in the area and I honestly think about that place all the time. It was one of those places that wasn't fancy or anything, but it was just FUN. The food was absolutely delicious, the waitress was the sweetest, and the atmosphere was one of those places where you just want to be. It was the perfect end to our beach day, and all of us agreed that was one of our favorite (and definitely most memorable) days of the whole vacation. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51898829577/in/dateposted-family/" title="1-6"><img alt="1-6" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51898829577_0765584000_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Plans, itineraries and reservations are super fun on vacation, but there's something about those spontaneous days that always bring about the very best memories. If you're doing a big Orlando vacation, I cannot recommend enough making time for a down day at the beach. Forget the crowded hotel pools or expensive water parks - get back to nature and enjoy the beautiful beaches in the area. Just beware of the sharks! </p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51898829322/in/dateposted-family/" title="1-3"><img alt="1-3" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51898829322_d814233b8b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com248tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-12799218976306952492022-02-24T07:30:00.004-06:002022-02-24T07:30:00.232-06:00A Close Call.<p> We don't get many big snow days in Oklahoma, so when they come the excitement is nearly palpable. We gather all the essentials to be "snowed in" (i.e. junk food), I usually have a puzzle or fun activity tucked away to do as a family, and we bundle up to play in it as much as possible.</p><p>Luckily enough we got a huge winter storm several weeks ago and we got a good 3 days of snow fun! Darin got off work early one day and loaded us up for a big adventure of sledding. He said he knew of the perfect hill about 40 minutes away, but assured us the trek would be worth it.</p><p>We loaded up and off we went, carefully driving down the winding, snow covered roads - the boys on the edge of their seats ready to get there and start the fun. I'd heard a few stories on the news the day before of some tragic sledding accidents in our area so we talked about the safety of sledding nowhere near cars or roads and being safe with our decisions. We talked about how in an instant our lives could be changed forever. When we finally rolled up to the hill it was much, much bigger than I had envisioned. The boys jumped out and were grabbing their sleds before the car was even in park.</p><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>I barely had my gloves on and the boys were already running up the SMALL MOUNTAIN ready to sled down. They reached the top, didn't even stop to catch their breath and off Levi went - sitting on his sled and flying down the hill. We were all shocked at just how fast he was going - it was as if here were on the luge in the Olympics - the kid was <i>soaring</i>. It all happened so fast I could barely process what was happening. I was standing next to a fence made from dense metal poles that I didn't dream he would come anywhere near close to as the other kids sledding stopped naturally well before that. But before I knew it, he was flying past me, laying flat, and at full force, slipping underneath the fence beside me. I screamed as he kept going ... past the fence that could have ended tragically had he not had ducked to lay flat, and he was quickly flying toward the road. He threw his feet off the side of the sled, dug his heels in the snow and came to a screeching halt inches before he hit the road.</p><p>My heart stopped. There was no traffic on the road at that exact moment, but easily could have been. I had just witnessed TWO near accidents in one pass down the hill within literal seconds of us arriving. Levi said as he was heading toward the metal fence and then into the road all he could think about were the stories I had warned them about on the drive over. He said he was thinking, "Oh no. I'm going to be the next accident." </p><p>I told him I had no doubt whatsoever that his guardian angel pushed him down flat, saving him from slamming into the poles face first and then stopping his sled moments before hitting the road. It all happened so fast he didn't have time to think, let alone strategize. It makes me sick to think about, but things could have ended up so very different that day. It's not lost on me that the Lord was with Levi soaring down that hill. If we could see into the spiritual side of things, I have zero doubts I would have seen angels hovering over my child. God is truly with us wherever we go. Shielding us, protecting us, and oftentimes<b> physically moving</b> us from harms way. I witnessed it firsthand. </p><p>Darin, Levi and I all stopped to catch our breath and process what had just happened. I was screaming, Darin was running to Levi, and Levi jumped up with all color drained from his face and a look of shock in his eyes. At the same time we all looked up the hill and there was Ezra sitting on his sled as he screamed, "HERE I COME!"</p><p>"STOPPPPPP!!!!!" we all screamed in unison. </p><p>We ended up moving further down to where there was a much longer distance between the bottom of the hill and the fence and ended up having the best day of sledding ever. But you better believe that after each run down the hill I squeezed my babies tight, quietly thanking God for His protection over their lives.</p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51899765648/in/dateposted-family/" title="1-3"><img alt="1-3" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51899765648_6ffb574a32_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div><br /></div><div><span class="text Ps-91-11" id="en-NIV-15407" style="position: relative;">For he will command his angels concerning you</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-11" style="position: relative;">to guard you in all your ways;<br /><span class="text Ps-91-12" id="en-NIV-15408" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>they will lift you up in their hands,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-12" style="position: relative;">so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-11" style="position: relative;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-12" style="position: relative;">Psalm 91:11-12</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-11" style="position: relative;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-12" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-11" style="position: relative;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-12" style="position: relative;">(or your face against a pole in our case!) </span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com312tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-81453814750804043012022-02-23T10:29:00.003-06:002022-02-23T10:29:16.753-06:00State Cooking Tour 29: North CarolinaNorth Carolina is known for their own version of BBQ. It more of a tangy/sour flavor than the BBQ we are used to down in Oklahoma, where our BBQ is definitely more smokey/sweet. The strong flavor of vinegar is the main difference! I've always been interested in making it so I was excited when we saw the Tar Heel State would be our next "stop"! <div><br /></div><div>This recipe was super duper spicy, so if you make it I highly recommend cutting back on some of the the pepper spices it calls for. My boys could barely eat it! I had lost my sense of taste due to Covid so I truly have no real bearing on how this challenge turned out, but my husband said everything was delicious! </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and you can't have Carolina BBQ without hushpuppies, apparently. No complaints here! </div><div><br /></div>
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<div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>CAROLINA PULLED PORK BBQ</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 (5 pound) bone-in pork shoulder roast </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 tablespoon salt </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">ground black pepper </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 ½ cups apple cider vinegar </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">2 tablespoons brown sugar </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 ½ tablespoons hot pepper sauce (We used Texas Pete, it's made in NC!)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (Do not add this much!)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (Do not add this much!)</li></ul><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directions</div><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"> Place the pork shoulder into a slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Pour the vinegar around the pork. Cover, and cook on Low for 12 hours. Pork should easily pull apart into strands.</li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">For the hushpuppies, I grabbed some out of the frozen section of the grocery store and fried them up for a few minutes. They turned out perfect and it was a quick and easy side. I love the idea of hushpuppies with BBQ and feel like OK needs to get on board with that tradition. </span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">---</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Now on to dessert!</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">Sweet Potato Pie is the official state dessert for NC and it happens to be my husbands very favorite pie. I'm not a huge fan, but I will say, it was tasty! It's very similar to pumpkin and I think knowing it was made from sweet potatoes is what freaked me out. But if you love sweet potatoes, you will love this pie.</span></div></div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div><b><u>SWEET POTATO PIE</u></b></div><div><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 (1 pound) sweet potato </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">½ cup butter, softened </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 cup white sugar </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">½ cup milk </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">2 eggs </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">½ teaspoon ground nutmeg </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">½ teaspoon ground cinnamon </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust </li></ul><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directions</div><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"> Boil sweet potato whole in skin for 40 to 50 minutes, or until done. Run cold water over the sweet potato, and remove the skin.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"> Break apart sweet potato in a bowl. Add butter, and mix well with mixer. Stir in sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Bake at 350 degrees F for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Pie will puff up like a souffle, and then will sink down as it cools.</li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">--</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">We couldn't have our state meal without enjoying another North Carolina favorite - Cheerwine!</span></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>Another state is behind us and onward we go! Be sure and let me know if you make any of the recipes I've posted for this state cooking tour - I LOVE hearing about it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time....</div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-18241403418791129632022-01-23T20:32:00.004-06:002022-01-23T20:32:34.987-06:00US Cooking Tour Stop 26: Connecticut<p> We finally got another northeastern state for my state cooking tour challenge, and I've got to say - it was one of our family favorites! I was excited about the recipes once I did my research on The Constitution State, but never dreamed it would be AS delicious as it was. </p><p>New Haven style pizza is Connecticut's claim to fame, and I wanted to make it as authentic as I could here in my rural Oklahoma kitchen. Which was no easy feat! I ordered the special Italian flour it called for, bought a new pizza stone to try and emulate the coal fire wood burning ovens used for New Haven/Neapolitan pizzas, and acquired fresh, authentic ingredients. I rarely make homemade pizzas but when I do I never go all out with homemade dough. This dough <i>absolutely MADE </i>the pizza. I cannot explain just how good it turned out, but if I have anything to say about this challenge I'll say this: <b>buy the Italian flour.</b> Trust me!</p><p>Connecticut's official state cookie is the Snickerdoodle, and their official state dessert is the Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwich. I never would have thought to make an ice cream sandwich out of snickerdoodles, but it was fantastic. We were all pleasantly surprised at just how delicious they turned out. Yum!</p><p>So without further ado, here are all the recipes for this wonderful state!</p><p>First and foremost you're going to need to get you some of this flour. I linked it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07144K4T6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07144K4T6&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=d6ce2af5850522bc767d7934d9d5e08f" target="_blank">HERE</a> because I couldn't find it locally, and I got it in 2 days. Easy breezy! </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51840009890/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1192"><img alt="IMG_1192" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51840009890_baa6f935fb_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p><b>Here are a few more links you requested!</b></p><p>I also had some requests for my pizza stone link, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BKJNJRG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B08BKJNJRG&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=2076108300275ca4ec7a8d61ea2a3dbd" target="_blank">HERE</a> it is. I highly recommend since it was a great price and it included a pizza peel. I felt like a professional pizza girl! I only wish I had another one so I could make multiple pizzas at a time. </p><p>I also ordered this pizza cutter because I don't like the rolly kind. They gunk up the cheese and just make a mess. This proved to be the best cutter for this style of pizza. Find it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08YGT68XL/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B08YGT68XL&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=897a01029a9a1c2fa472a91ec0fbcbb6" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p><i style="font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px;">As a participant in the Amazon Associates program, I may earn a commission from using the links. </i></p><p><b><u>NEW HAVEN STYLE PIZZA</u></b></p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51838299097/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1191"><img alt="IMG_1191" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51838299097_06e8aca299_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div><br /></div><div><u>Ingredients:</u></div><div><br /></div><div>4 C. 00 flour</div><div>1 package Red Star active dry yeast</div><div>1 Tbsp sea salt</div><div>2 tsp sugar</div><div>1.5 C. slightly warm water</div><div>3.5 Tbsp olive oil</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Sauce:</u></div><div><br /></div><div>1 can San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes</div><div>Oregano </div><div>Garlic powder</div><div><br /></div><div>Other ingredients:</div><div>Cornmeal</div><div>Fresh whole milk mozzarella</div><div>Basil</div><div>Pepperoni/any toppings you like</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Directions:</u></div><div><br /></div><div>Spray a large stainless bowl with nonstick cooking spray. </div><div><br /></div><div>Heat 3/4 C. water to 120 degrees. (For me that was 40 seconds in mircrowave.) Mix warm water, yeast and sugar in the cup of warm water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until a .5 inch foam top forms. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mix flour with olive oil and salt. Add the warm water/yeast mixture to a large bowl. Stir with a large spoon and add another 3/4 C. warm water to the mix. Roll into a ball, knead the dough, cover and let rise or at least 5 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>Smash the whole tomatoes with a dusting or oregano and garlic powder in a sauce pan. Place the stove on medium heat. After 10 min, adjust heat to low and cook for one hour. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cut dough into four equal parts. Use a wood cutting board to knead the dough. Knead and flip, pressing fingers in an outward motion. Place cornmeal on a pizza peel. Add the sauce and whole chunks of mozzarella. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cook at 500 for 13 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>We made a couple traditional margherita pizzas and couple pepperoni ones as well. All were equally delicious!</div><div><br /></div>
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</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now it's time for dessert!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>SNICKERDOODLES</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><u>Ingredients:</u></div><div><br /></div><div>1 C butter, softened</div><div>3/4 C granulated sugar</div><div>1/2 C brown sugar</div><div>2 eggs</div><div>1 Tbsp vanilla</div><div>2 3/4 C flour</div><div>1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar</div><div>1 tsp baking soda</div><div>1/2 tsp salt</div><div><br /></div><div>Cinnamon/Sugar mixture:</div><div>1/4 C sugar</div><div>1 Tbsp cinnamon</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Directions:</u></div><div><br /></div><div>Heat oven to 375 degrees.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mix cinnamon/sugar mixture and set aside.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar for 2-3 minutes with a mixer. Add eggs one at a time. Slowly add flour, tartar, baking soda and salt. </div><div><br /></div><div>Roll into balls, coat in cinnamon/sugar and bake for 8-10 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>For ice cream sandwiches, let the cookies cool and toss a scoop of vanilla ice cream in between two cookies and enjoy! </div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>It yields about 20 nice size cookies! </div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy having a taste of Connecticut! Please let me know if you make either of these recipes. They were both 5 stars in our family book! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-13186875075349854322022-01-12T18:52:00.002-06:002022-01-12T18:52:52.637-06:00US Cooking Tour Stop 25: Georgia<p> We are officially half way through the cooking tour, friends! Can you believe it? I hope to finish it off this year so keep on the lookout for your state. </p><p>Cooking Georgia's favorite foods in the dead of winter here in Oklahoma proved to be a challenge, but we made it work. I had really hoped to make fried green tomatoes and some other southern staples, but regular produce is hard to come by these days - let alone specialty items. </p><p>My menu ended up being pimento cheese and crackers as our appetizer, chicken and dumplings for the entree and peach cobbler for dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious! </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51817265416/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0632"><img alt="IMG_0632" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817265416_545c55a63e_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I did not make the pimento cheese. But I highly recommend Price's brand!</p><p>The chicken and dumplings were not the typical ones we are used to, but the recipe looked too good to not try and it came from an authentic Georgia resident. It was much heartier than regular chicken and dumplings, and sort of reminded us of a mix between dumplings and a pot pie. It was creamy, rich, and excellent! My husband said it was even better the next day for lunch. </p><p>The cobbler was made with canned peaches (gasp!) which it seems my Georgia friends are split on their opinion. Some of you said "canned is best!", while others said, "just don't use canned!" Well, canned is all I could come by, and I am telling you, I will make this cobbler again and again. It was so simple and absolutely delicious! </p><p>So, as promised - here are the recipes. </p><p><b><u>CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS</u></b></p><p>6 Tbsp butter</p><p>1 C diced celery</p><p>1 C diced onion</p><p>1 C diced carrots</p><p>3-4 cloves minced garlic</p><p>3 Tbsp flour</p><p>1 can evaporated milk (12 oz)</p><p>1 qt chicken stock</p><p>rotisserie chicken</p><p>1 Tbsp fresh thyme</p><p>Salt & peper to taste</p><p><u>DUMPLINGS:</u></p><p>2 C flour</p><p>1 Tbsp + 1 tsp baking powder</p><p>1 Tbsp thyme</p><p>Salt & pepper</p><p>4 Tbsp melted butter</p><p>3/4 C milk</p><p><b><u>INSTRUCTIONS:</u></b></p><p>1. Debone chicken and set aside. Melt butter and saute carrots, onion and celery for 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. </p><p>2. Add flour and cook for 1 more minute.</p><p>3. Add chicken stock and evaporated milk and bring to a boil. Add your chicken, thyme, salt & pepper and then reduce to simmer (uncovered) while you make your dumplings.</p><p>4. In a large bowl mix together flour, baking powder, thyme, salt and pepper. Make a well and add butter and milk. Stir to form a dough.</p><p>5. Form dough into golf ball size balls and drop into the pot. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.</p><p>6. Take a dumpling out and cut down the middle to ensure it's cooked all the way through. Serve piping hot!</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51816312017/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0609"><img alt="IMG_0609" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51816312017_b61229cb78_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><b><u>PEACH COBBLER</u></b></p><p>1/4 C butter</p><p>3/4 C sugar</p><p>1 C self rising flour</p><p>29 oz canned slice peaches</p><p>1. In a large bowl combine butter, sugar and flour. Mix to form dough. </p><p>2. Add 1/3 mixture to the bottom of a 8X11 pan and push down firmly into pan.</p><p>3. Top with canned peaches, juices included!</p><p>4. Add the rest of your crust topping and top with 2 Tbsp sugar and 1/4 C butter.</p><p>5. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes to 1 hour.</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51817378313/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0631"><img alt="IMG_0631" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51817378313_9db4f5c68c_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Georgia was such a fun state to do. I hope you make these recipes and let me know how you like them! Enjoy! </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-54691013495982102072021-12-28T22:01:00.001-06:002021-12-28T22:01:15.596-06:00The Step Back<p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I reduced my social media usage tremendously this past year by logging off of Facebook. It wasn’t a resolution, or even intentional at first. But the toll it was taking on me was evident so one day I just logged off and never logged back on. I remember the exact day, but that’s not important. The loud, obtrusive opinions on every single side of every single issue was too much. Just too much. So I peaced out of there and let me just tell you - the changes in my life have been significant. My headspace is clearer, the urge to constantly scroll to see what everyone I know is doing is long gone, I have more inner peace, and I genuinely have no ill will toward anyone because I don’t know what anyone is saying! </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Ignorance is TRULY BLISS, my friends. </span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Once I got off, I realized <i>real quick</i> what a true addiction that space was for me. I didn't see it while I was in the throes of it, but man - when I got off my eyes were opened and opened wide. Any addiction is unhealthy, and once you’re free from it you’re able to see just what a problem it really was to start with. For me, Facebook was a problem. A major time-waster, an all too often "need" to check it, and if I'm honest, a determiner of my mood. What’s with that? </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Oh, and don’t forget the "she liked my photo, so I need to go find her stuff and like it all back" black hole. I felt pressure on Facebook because they are all people I know in real life, unlike Instagram. I wanted to make sure I never missed "liking" everyones stuff and I could never catch up. It was a slippery slope from keeping up with friends to true addiction. For me, anyway. </span></div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>Also, keeping up with two social media accounts is just too much. I often posted the same stuff in each space and since I have a much healthier relationship with Instagram (more visuals - less diatribe), it made sense for me to keep one and toss the other. </div><div><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Now don’t get me wrong, there are some downsides to being off of there. I don't know about things all the time that are only posted about via Facebook. (Why did FB become our only source of communication? I don't understand.) And I’m in the dark most of the time about what’s happening in my community of people, but really - it’s not a bad place to be. It’s nice, really. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because the upside to that is m</span>ore<span style="font-family: inherit;"> lunch dates, more phone calls, more texts, more face-to-face visits, more actual, personal, real life catching up. And all the </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">unnecessary</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> is filtered out.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Anyway, if you’re feeling addicted - or weighed down - or guilty from any sort of social media usage wherever that may be, I highly encourage the step back. It’s truly been transformative for me in more ways than I’ve even mentioned. You may have thumb withdrawals for the first few days, </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">but within a few weeks time you literally won’t even think of it. Ever! </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">Now I need to scale back on my Tik Tok scrolling at night. Those ex-cult stories and cleaning videos suck me in every time! If I found an ex-FLDS van lifer who cleaned peoples houses while they told their stories, I may never log off. <br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Cheers to new beginnings and a fresh year to better our minds, bodies and souls. Log off and live on! </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-74680725520497033142021-12-27T04:30:00.001-06:002021-12-27T04:30:00.213-06:00As The World Turns.<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">I saw an adorable couple announce their pregnancy on social media the other day. The camera was perfectly perched to provide the best view for us as the wife surprised her husband with the news. It was super sweet to watch and I know they’ll forever cherish having that moment documented. I certainly would!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">But...</span></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">it got me thinking back to my pregnancies and the moments leading up to telling my husband. This was pre-smartphone, before we had video/cameras in our hands at all times. Had we had them, I’m sure I would have documented it. But you know, I’m glad we didn’t. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have those two moments, realizing I was pregnant with each of our sons, etched into my mind and heart. Every detail - every thought and feeling, it’s all still there. Sliding slowly down the wall in my bathroom in complete shock - quietly taking a moment for myself to let everything sink in and to thank God, and then jumping on the bed to wake up my husband. And then a few years later impulsively grabbing a test on our way home from a Friday night dinner out and just minutes later telling my baby boy he was about to be a big brother. I could go on and on. Every detail. Still there. I can play them like a movie in my mind. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And there’s something so precious to me that those moments are ours. Mine and my husbands. Not shared with or seen by anyone else but each other. Private. Sacred. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This newfound world of documenting life so easily is certainly amazing and </span>I'm so grateful for it.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I wouldn’t trade being able to capture so much of my boys childhood for anything. But I also wouldn’t trade the days before it. When we lived life in the truest form - without even a thought of documenting it for ourselves, much less anyone else. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think those of us who are on both sides of the spectrum of smartphones - having experienced life before them and after, are the ones who </span>struggle with them<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the most. Or maybe it's just me; I don't know. But if you're old like me, we know and remember the simplicity of being without them, and we know the fun and good of it as well. I mean seriously - I certainly don't miss the days of printing out 28 pages of Map Quest before going to a new city! But man, exploring that city with nothing but my eyes to take it all in </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and my mind to </span>remember<span style="font-family: inherit;"> it all sure was easy. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The older I get, the more I understand those who came before me - romanticizing their days of youth. You miss the simplicity of how things used to be and know that you're never returning to that way of life. As the world spins, technology advances, and everything changes. You can change or control how things are for yourself and for your family, but you can't change the world and the ripple effects these little devices have on society.</p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">I </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">often</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> wonder if anyone else feels this way, but I think that life before cell phones felt more real. Less blurry. More free. More like … living. </span></span></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-29417219899671741722021-08-10T11:41:00.002-05:002021-08-10T11:51:10.813-05:00Another Year Ahead.<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51370463199/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_2949"><img alt="IMG_2949" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51370463199_e2ff8791ce_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><div><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> never forget the first year of sending my oldest son to school. I was literally sick with fear and worry. </span></p><div dir="ltr"><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Am I doing the right thing?</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Should I keep him home one more year?</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Should I go all-in on the homeschool thing?</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What if this is the worst decision I’ve ever made?”</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You know, the gamut of questions we ask ourselves through every facet of parenting. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The whole summer before he started I asked myself these questions and as we neared the first day I would retreat to the shower each night to cry buckets so that he wouldn’t see me. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I knew in my gut what he needed, and that what we were led to was a direct answer to prayer. But how could I send my precious child into the big wide world without me? How could a 6 year old get through a whole day without his mommy? As my social one, he was <b>so</b> excited, but it seemed <i>impossible</i> for me to get through. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fast forward 3 years and the same scenario hit when sending my youngest. That time with even more dread, as he was very shy, a major homebody and a momma’s boy in every single way. Unlike his brother, he was not excited. <i>We were<b> both</b> very much not excited. </i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My youngest’s first day is honestly still hard for me to talk about. It was probably one of the most difficult things I’ve been through as a mom - simply because I had no babies at home anymore. When I walked into an empty house after dropping them off at school, everything changed. And boy did I feel it.</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was my first taste of letting go. Their first taste of independence. Necessary, good things that proved to be the very best decision we’ve ever made for both of them. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But man. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was downright gut-wrenching. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The Lord taught me so much about trust in those years especially. But had we not pushed them (and me, </span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">especially</i><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> me) outside of our comfort zones, they would have missed out on so much that God had planned for them - their experiences, their friendships, their growth of faith - all things they cherish deeply! And I would have </span>missed<span style="font-family: inherit;"> out on the blessing of experiencing God </span>in a<span style="font-family: inherit;"> whole new way.</span></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Parenting is hard. Decisions will make you crazy, knowing what you decide will determine the trajectory of their lives. From the minute they enter the world you’re faced with them. And honestly the social media culture just intensifies the doubt of those decisions - I’m sure all the newborn mommas can all give a resounding “AMEN!” (Trust me, I remember the days. I never saw so many “expert” first-time mommas in my life. Whew-wee!)</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The decisions are never going to go away. If anything, they are more frequent and difficult as our children grow. But what makes them manageable is prayer. Completely surrendering my will to God’s. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He already knows the plans for my boys! Plans to prosper them! To give them a hope and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11) He loves them more than I could ever imagine and as much as I want to protect them, I am limited in my ability. But God isn’t! He is with them wherever they go. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so thankful for that promise or else I would be a literal basket case. No like, for real. Ya girl would be Mayor of Melt Down Town without the peace Jesus gives me in the day-to-day.</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Though those tough “first” years are behind us, I still dread back-to-school. It’s forever my least favorite day of the year. They are always so excited to get back, but with every "first day" I'm </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">reminded</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> that the days of raising my boys are limited. And well, we just don't like to even </span>think<span style="font-family: inherit;"> about that, so let's forget I even said anything! But truly, even in the gloom of sending them back, I’m continually reminded year after year of the faithfulness of God to me, my husband, and our boys. </span></span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where He grows my children, He comforts me. Where He protects my children, He encourages me. Where He leads my children, He sustains me. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take heart, fellow mommas. Our babies are going to be okay. And you will be too. </span></div></div><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br /></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-35623765458928580582021-08-04T06:21:00.002-05:002021-08-04T06:21:00.269-05:00US Cooking Tour Stop 21: Iowa<p>Well, I have to say - Iowa was certainly a surprise! We were so impressed with the recipes that came out of The Hawkeye State that it is a contending frontrunner in the state cooking tour so far. Who would have thought? Iowa, no offense to those from there, is a state that I completely forget about!</p><p>Maid Rite Sandwiches, also known as Loose Meats was the staple recipe coming from the state. I had never even heard of these, so I was intrigued to make them and try it out. I have to admit, through my research I didn't think they sounded so great. People kept describing them as a "sloppy joe without the sloppy," and I just couldn't wrap my mind around what that would be like. I was imagining dry, flavorless ground beef sandwiches.</p><p>And that's where I was dead wrong. These little sandwiches packed a punch with so much flavor that we were all left speechless. Just trust the recipe and trust the process - it is a super quick, delicious meal that will now remain on my rotation of "easy meals". The best way I can describe it is a really flavorful deconstructed hamburger.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;"><b>Here is the fun story how they originated, back in 1926 in Muscatine, Iowa.<i> Butcher Fred Angell steamed hamburger instead of frying it and slurried in some spices. He offered one of his sandwiches to a delivery man who was so enthused that he said, “Fred, you know this sandwich is made right.” Voila!</i></b></span></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51355868151/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_2410"><img alt="IMG_2410" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51355868151_af3e304d29_z.jpg" width="548" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">MAID RITE SANDWICHES </span></u></b></p><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 pound ground beef</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon ground black pepper</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon sugar</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup diced onion</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup water</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 Tablespoon yellow mustard</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 Tablespoon soy sauce</span></li></ul><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix all ingredients in a large skillet.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brown over medium heat until meat is cooked through and most of the liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Serve on buns with desired toppings. </span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">I highly recommend adding a slice of American cheese. It melted into the meat and just set it off. Also, my husband and children strongly dislike mustard, and they could not taste it in the slightest. I had to tell them after they devoured their sandwiches there was mustard in them. So <b>if you aren't a mustard person, don't let that deter you from making these</b>. I promise you can't taste it - but it adds so much flavor to the sauce!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">**</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;">The dessert to come out of Iowa are no other than the famous Scotcharoos. I had never heard of these, nor had one, but believe me when I say WOW! These are a easy dessert that brings BIG flavor! My family absolutely loved them.</span></div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51356095673/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_2608"><img alt="IMG_2608" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51356095673_2b672cc058_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>SCOTCHAROOS</u></b></span></div><div><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup light corn syrup </span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup white sugar </span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 ½ cups peanut butter </span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6 cups crisp rice cereal </span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ cup semisweet chocolate chips </span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ cup butterscotch chips</span></li></ul><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Generously butter a 9x13 inch baking pan. Set aside.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large pot, mix together corn syrup, sugar, and peanut butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring until peanut butter melts. Bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat, and stir in crisp rice cereal.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Transfer mixture into a well buttered 9x13 inch pan. With your hands well buttered, pat it down into pan.</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a medium saucepan, over medium low heat, melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips until smooth. Spread over top of bars and let bars cool. Cut into squares.</span></li></ul>I hope you make these soon and let me know how you enjoyed them! </div><div><br /></div><div>Step-by-step video directions are highlighted under the state IA on my Instagram, whitney.at.home.</div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-76903457578879451932021-08-03T06:30:00.002-05:002021-08-03T06:30:00.290-05:00The Day I Scared a Stranger.<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">The other day the boys and I ran into Walmart for a couple missing ingredients I needed for my state challenge. In proper Whitney fashion, I ended up humiliating myself within 60 seconds of entering the building.</span></span></p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The kids and I came in chatting and walked over to pick out a buggy. Of course the one I chose made a horrible screeching noise and had two wheels that wouldn’t spin, so I turned around to grab another.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I then sauntered over to sanitize the handle and there was a large display near the sanitizing wipes that my boys were standing beside. When </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I approached the wipes I knew the boys were behind me, so I thought I’d be funny and make them laugh.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">As I snapped a wipe out of the canister, I inhaled and started to speak. <i>As soon</i> as the words started spilling from my mouth a man passed opposite me and looked over to smile kindly. But I’d already started talking. It was too late.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">In my most sinister voice with a ghoulish look on my face, I held up my wipe and growled, “<b>BE GONE CORONAVIRUS!</b>” as my eyes locked onto his and I stood wiping down my buggy. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">He kind of flinched and stopped pushing his buggy for a quick second as his jolly smile slowly fell into a look of confusion mixed with fear. He was startled to say the least.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">It all happened so fast. The chance of us locking eyes at the precise moment I declared the riddance of coronavirus was almost kismet. There was nothing that could have been done to stop it.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">He never saw my children because they were standing behind the display and he was on the </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">other side</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">. All he saw was a crazed, lone red-head who looked to be possessed, </span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">calling him the source of the world wide pandemic</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">.</span></span></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I wanted to simultaneously </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">explain myself and </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">crawl into a hole .</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">I wanted to grab my kids out from behind the divider and and say, “Haha, that was for them, not you! See? I have kids! I don’t think you’re coronavirus! I bet </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">you've never</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> even HAD coronavirus. I promise I’m not a nut!”</span></span></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">But I didn’t. I looked down, pushed my buggy and RAN.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">And here’s the kicker - my kids had been talking to each other and <i>didn’t even hear</i> my malevolent declaration. Instead of innocently making them laugh, I accidentally scared the wits out of a stranger.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I can only imagine his side of the story.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-47210992234731621432021-07-30T11:05:00.002-05:002021-07-30T11:05:44.999-05:00US Cooking Tour Stop 20: Wyoming I totally forgot I hadn't posted Wyomings recipes yet, and I couldn't leave you hanging on this one. Indian Tacos were the main dish and though I've had them countless times, I've never made them at home. This one was a hit and such a great twist on Taco Night! I don't know about you, but I get tired of the same old ground beef and crunchy shell tacos we always have. Once I made these and realized how simple they are, I'll be making them all the time. <div><br /></div><div>You have to try these! </div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">INDIAN TACOS</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div a="" data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51345362461/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1764"><img alt="IMG_1764" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51345362461_d30b82bf1a_z.jpg" width="480" /></div><div a="" data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51345362461/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1764"><br /></div><div a="" data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51345362461/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1764"><br /></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div><b>FRY BREAD</b></div><div><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups all-purpose flour</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon salt</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup warm water</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 cups oil, for frying</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><b>TACOS</b></span></span></div><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tablespoon oil</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 yellow onion, diced</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 lb. ground beef</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 teaspoons chili powder</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon cumin</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon black pepper</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon paprika</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 teaspoon garlic powder</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/8 teaspoon chipotle chili powder</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 (15 oz.) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, drained</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies, mild</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">*I did all of this, but next time I will just throw a packet of taco seasoning in there and call it a day. So much easier!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br /></span></span></div><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>TOPPINGS</b></span></p><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sour cream</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Salsa</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shredded cheese</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diced tomatoes</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shredded lettuce</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Slice avocado</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pico de gallo</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #222222;">Basically whatever you like on your taco! </span></div><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add warm water and mix using a fork until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, then transfer to a clean bowl and cover tightly in plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. </span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Divide the dough into equal sections by pinching off small balls of dough, then pat and roll out the dough balls into roughly 6-inch discs on a lightly floured surface. You should get 7-8 balls. Keep them covered with plastic wrap while you prepare to fry them.</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heat 3 cups of oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the oil temperature reaches between 350 and 360 degrees F. I just eyeballed it and they turned out perfect. Working in batches, fry each disc in the hot oil until the dough is golden brown on one side, then carefully flip with tongs and fry on the other side. Set on a paper towel to drain oil and stick in a warm oven to stay hot while the other fry bread is cooked.</span></li></ul><ul style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat, then add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the meat and brown with the onions.</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the meat is browned, add all of the spices, kidney beans, tomatoes, and chilies, and decrease the heat to medium-low. Stir everything together, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes, then use to top Indian fry bread.</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add any toppings you like to the base of fry bread and taco mixture, piling it high.</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #222222;">And for dessert we had Cowboy Cookies. They were seriously some of the best cookies I ever had - an amped up version of a chocolate chip cookie. I'm a sucker for any cookie with oats in them! </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><b><u>COWBOY COOKIES </u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51345591133/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_2416"><img alt="IMG_2416" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51345591133_9de00fb7eb_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup sweetened shredded coconut</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>3/4 cup chopped pecans</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>1 cup butter, softened</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>1/2 cup sugar</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>2 large eggs, room temperature</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>2 cups all-purpose flour</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>1 teaspoon baking soda</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>1/2 teaspoon salt</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>2 cups old-fashioned oats</span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span>2 cups (12 ounces) chocolate chips</span></li><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place coconut and pecans on a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 6 to 8 minutes or until toasted, stirring every 2 minutes. Set aside to cool. </span></li><li style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt Add to creamed mixture; beat well. Stir in the oats, chocolate chips and toasted coconut and pecans. <br />Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° about 12 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.</span></li></ul>I hope you make these recipes and have a taste of Wyoming with your family. I promise it will not disappoint! </div><div><br /></div><div>Step-by-step cooking videos are highlighted on my Instagram: whitney.at.home. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-12766655722535794302021-07-28T07:11:00.001-05:002021-07-28T07:11:00.281-05:00The Summer Reset<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51339067627/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_2298"><img alt="IMG_2298" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51339067627_bda65e05d1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<p><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">As we near the end of school every year, we have all these hopes and dreams for what our summer will look like. We make check lists of fun activities, plan out our yearly traditions, and romanticize the long, sunny days ahead of us. It’s going to be all fun, exciting, Leave it to Beaver family moments that will forever be engrained into our child’s mind, right?</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, no - of course not! That’s just not how life works. Sure we have exciting activities and vacations and the like, but those are just special days that are sprinkled in the regular days. And regular days are just as important,<i> if not more</i>. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your kids are creating memories in the simplest of moments when you’re just at home, together. <b>The “big days” and “adventures” sometimes get lost in the mix, but the consistency and security of the day-to-day is the very foundation of their childhood. </b></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Carving out time to cook or bake together, watching them do their tricks in the pool or trampoline and cheering them on, nightly supper around the table, craft days, game nights, berry picking, walks around the neighborhood, and long drives with good conversation that seem to always wind up at the ice cream shop....</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Simple, special moments. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So often we lose our grasp on the days flying past, telling ourselves, “we’ll do that next week,” and before we know it we’re faced with back-to-school commercials and school supplies lists filling our inbox. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And that’s when it’s easy to panic. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But wait! We haven’t done this! We didn’t go there! We have memories to create! It can’t be over yet! </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remorse! Mourning! Franticness! </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First, breathe. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><br /></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t put that negative pressure on yourself. We all know it’s easy to get caught up in the highlight reel of social media and the comparison game creeps in your mind, but don’t let it! It <i>does not matter</i> that Susie was climbing a new summit every weekend or that Bobby learned how to ride a unicycle while juggling fire sticks on the rim of the Grand Canyon. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your family summer is <b><u>YOUR</u></b> family summer. It can’t be replicated because it’s yours! And that’s the beauty and the freedom of it! </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A conversation with a friend this week sparked these thoughts, and I wanted to encourage you that time is not up! Summers not over. Create that space for the little moments with your kids that can’t be bought. Memories that cost nothing but that that they will cherish and take with them throughout their life. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you feel discouraged that you haven’t been the “fun mom” or are feeling guilty for losing your patience one too many times, know that those aren’t the things your child will even remember. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They just want you present. They just want interaction. They just want you to there. <b>They just want YOU! </b></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We’ve got a couple weeks left to make the most of this summer with our children. Let’s be intentional with our precious families the Lord has entrusted us with and finish strong! </span></p>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-42706924889513000912021-07-21T19:18:00.001-05:002021-07-21T19:18:00.325-05:00Theme Park Must-Haves!<p> I did a lot of research before our trip to Orlando on what to bring to make our long days in the parks as enjoyable as possible. I wanted to share some of our favorites so they might help you like they did us!</p><p><i style="font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12px;">As a participant in the Amazon Associates program, I may earn a commission from using the links. </i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I read all about these cooling towels and everyone claimed they were a life saver. I ordered them on a whim and thought we might use them out of desperation but </span>couldn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> really imagine walking around with one. </span>Well<span style="font-family: inherit;"> let me tell you right now - they saved my life! </span></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51326803196/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1914"><img alt="IMG_1914" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51326803196_1df93c89fc_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>One day in particular was uncomfortably hot and we were stuck in line (outside) while they shut down and worked on the ride. My husband pulled out the towel and soaked it in water from his water bottle and wrapped it around my neck. It was instant relief! The rest of it goes under your shirt and it's not bulky at all. It felt amazing. </p><p>They come in a pack of 4 so we each got our own towel and remembered which was whose based on the color! They also come with their own bag to store it in between each use. We saw so many people in the parks with these. </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073F1TBMR/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B073F1TBMR&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=13d45bf8ed4f1dbeb53c180bf8b5639b" target="_blank">Cooling Towels</a><br /></p><p>***</p><p>Next in the same category of keeping cool are two different portable fans. My mom got these for us and sent us with two fans each. Levi doubled up on fans one day and brought both of his. Not gonna lie - we were all fighting to use one of his all day as the rest of us forgot ours in the room. We didn't make that mistake again ... Levi wouldn't let us!</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51327465369/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1911"><img alt="IMG_1911" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51327465369_080ff33689_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>This fan was my personal favorite. It discreetly clips onto your pants and it's lightweight. Levi kept his clipped to his shorts and had it blowing up his shirt all day. Smart! It has 3 different speeds and this was an absolute life-saver standing in lines. I recommend this to everyone! </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088R8GTVQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B088R8GTVQ&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=c5a44338271504c5cb84820a7ce43945" target="_blank">Waist Clip Fan</a><br /></p><p>***</p><p>The next fan was one that wraps around your neck and has two fans blowing. The kids loved this one and the hands-free aspect was certainly a plus!<b> Both fans were allowed on all of the Disney rides</b>,<b> </b>however they were not allowed on most of the Universal rides. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51327468624/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1912"><img alt="IMG_1912" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51327468624_ee539b7fa0_z.jpg" width="481" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SPDM4PN/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07SPDM4PN&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=395510de994bf0c364c2826257866d5e" target="_blank">Portable Neck Fan</a><br /></p><p>***</p><p><b>You WILL need ponchos if you're heading to Orlando, especially in the summer.</b> Almost every evening there was at least some rain. Save yourself some money and purchase them before you go. The Disney ones are super cute, but very expensive for a poncho. We preferred the lightweight disposable ones as they were easy to carry around.</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51297910527/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0092"><img alt="IMG_0092" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51297910527_0f9b6870aa_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I linked a family pack below that comes with adult and child size.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XD821TV/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06XD821TV&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=565e09ebfe538c5dc0d821389d954e93" target="_blank">Family Pack Disposable Ponchos</a><br /></p><p>***</p><p>Inevitably someone is going to rub a blister from the 9,000 miles you're going to walk every day, so definitely throw some of these in your backpack!</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RLX2F8H/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07RLX2F8H&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=891f157ad2d1a75bb5d704c67c43c3dd" target="_blank">Moleskin Tape</a><br /></p><p>***</p><p><b>Even though it's the Happiest Place on Earth, there are still thieves, unfortunately.</b> If you don't want to worry about losing your wallet or it falling out during a ride, I recommend one of these neck travel wallets. They go under your shirt and your important documents, cards and cash are on your person at all times.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017AHHFNK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B017AHHFNK&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=f7e9697302ccb14498a3b158079dd736" target="_blank">Neck Wallet</a><br /></p><p>***</p><p>If your phone has a sorry battery life like mine, you're going to need a portable charger. <b>I bought this one and loved it because you can charge two phones at once!</b> I wasn't on my phone much so I only had to use it once at the parks, but it was so nice to have available and I keep it with me now all the time.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GP276CG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07GP276CG&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=984a2e2f61299ed32ee4595d9afdf1ed" target="_blank">Portable Charger</a><br /></p><p>***</p><p><b>Here is a money saving hack: Ice water is free at any restaurant, quick service or snack stand at all of the parks, so bring your own water bottle to fill up as needed! </b>We saved so much money doing this rather than buying 4 bottles of water every other hour and it stayed cold for hours since there was ice! I always prefer ice water to bottled.</p><p>I recommend bringing an insulated bottle over plastic so your water can stay nice and cold. </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B1WP27D/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B08B1WP27D&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=8b1e1c3928ea45c3741c5bf9ee0c7710" target="_blank">Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle</a><br /></p><p><b>And here is a list of other things to bring that I'm not going to link since you probably have most of these things on hand:</b></p><p>Sunscreen</p><p>Sunglasses</p><p>First Aid Kit / bandaids</p><p>Kleenex</p><p>Chafing balm or powder </p><p>Baby Wipes - these come in handy for after eating ice cream, etc.</p><p>I hope this information helps in planning your future trip. I appreciate the people who posted their own favorite must-haves as it helped me tremendously. It's better to be prepared than winging it and having to spend unexpectedly (and exorbitantly) once you're in the parks! </p>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-19496314700955920552021-07-19T06:30:00.006-05:002021-07-19T06:30:00.303-05:00Disney Vs. Universal<p> Ah, the age old question. Which is the better park - Disney or Universal? </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51320826193/in/dateposted-family/" title="phonto"><img alt="phonto" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51320826193_c2d8b24134_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I got bombarded with this question in my Instagram DM's while on our trip, so I thought it would be a fun to do a post noting the distinct differences that stood out between the two. Since we did both sets of parks in the same week, the differences stuck out more than perhaps they would had we separated them out by entirely different trips. </p><p>So, let's get into it!</p><p><b><u>The Apps.</u></b></p><p>Each park has it's own app which makes things a breeze to keep organized and all together in one space. However, the Disney app is far and away the better app between the two. From the moment we booked our trip, the Disney app had all of our information stored with easy access, from the dates of our stay, our resort information, our dining reservations, and park reservations. Everything was right there and streamlined for us. Universal resort accommodations are never loaded onto the app - they are an entirely different thing, so we were only able to access our tickets via the Universal app. Disney had the one-up in that everything in our itinerary was right there on our app with absolutely no confusion. </p><p>Both apps were extremely useful as far as maps and ride wait times went. I still have the apps on my phone and randomly check the wait times on my favorite rides just for kicks.</p><p>On the Disney app you could pre-order your food for Quick Service meals and then just walk up and pick it up. That was certainly a perk! Also, when a ride snapped your photo it was automatically sent over to your app. I loved that feature. </p><p><b>At Disney you solely use your app for everything - as your room key, park ticket, you even link your credit or debit card to it. </b>But we went ahead and purchased the magic bands so we didn't have to fumble for our phones. The magic bands were connected to our app so we just scanned it for entrance into our room and to the parks. Also if you wanted to buy something, you just swiped your magic band. We missed the magic bands so much when we went to Universal and had to use an actual room key and cash!</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51299352639/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1407"><img alt="IMG_1407" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51299352639_75e69edf44_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Disney wins this one.</p><p><b><u>The Staff.</u></b></p><p>This one stood out to us majorly. Hands down, Disney staff is the superior staff. I say that because everyone there went out of their way to make things "magical" for <i>everyone</i>. They were kind, gracious, helpful, and just overall genuinely wonderful to us as guests. If there was a problem they went out of their way to fix it, and the people running the rides were cheerful and upbeat, wishing us a magical day and all the happy greetings and salutations. </p><p>Universal staff was not. They just seemed more like people their doing their job, if that makes sense. We did have a handful of male employees in Harry Potter World fist bump little Ezra and comment on his "superior" House (Hufflepuff), and his face lit up every time. That made an impression on this momma, too. But in the main areas of the Universal parks, we ran across several disgruntled employees. We commented several times that "they would never!" at Disney. </p><p><b>Simply put - things like this are what sets Disney apart from the rest. I love the emphasis they put on HAPPY!</b></p><p>Disney wins this one.</p><p><b><u>Food Service.</u></b></p><p>Disney takes their restaurant reservation system to the next level. I will say they have everything down to a science, having to book your dining reservations 60 days out. I still can't decide if that's a good or a bad thing. It's sort of frustrating because reservations fill up so quick. I feel like people just book all the reservations they could ever want (and more than they need) and then when they get closer to the dates of their trip they cancel and just keep what they want. But in doing this, so many other people miss out on getting a reservation. You can keep checking every day to see if something opens up, but who has time to do that? It's sort of a stressor, but I don't know a better way for them to do it. My best advice is to research the restaurants and book them as soon as they open up for you.</p><p>All Universal restaurants are first come, first serve. And we never had a problem getting in to any of them. I did book reservations for two of them, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Mythos, several months out, but I think it's just because I was in panic mode because of Disney's reservation system. I did not need to do that, but it was nice to have a couple things already booked and ready for us. The regular reservation system seemed to work perfect and makes things way less of a frenzy.</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51312498573/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0758"><img alt="IMG_0758" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51312498573_23bfd01a7b_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>To order Quick Service meals at Disney you must use the app. At Universal you just stand in line and wait your turn.</p><p>Universal wins this one for me.</p><p><b><u>Transportation </u></b></p><p>Again, Disney has this one down to a science. Their bus transits were flawless and plentiful - we never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus to take us to and from the parks. </p><p>At Universal, our resort was literally so close to the parks that it was a quick 5 minute walk. There was also river boat transportation that we used when we were too tired to walk, and that was a lifesaver. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51313316380/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1648"><img alt="IMG_1648" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51313316380_d6f7018510_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Both parks have an excellent transportation system and we never encountered any sort of flaw in either of them. We never took a Universal bus, since it wasn't needed for where we stayed.</p><p><b><u>Ride Protocol.</u></b></p><p><b>Disney rides are, in a word, easy. </b>You can take your bag/backpack onto <i>every</i> ride there, there are no phone restrictions, and they have those rides so streamlined that they have you on and off of there in the quickest transition. I've never seen anything like it. Because it's so seamless, they're able to get <i>loads</i> of people on and off rides in a matter of minutes. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51312521548/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1650"><img alt="IMG_1650" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51312521548_636390ae19_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Universal wasn't like that. For so many rides, we had to check our bags into lockers, phones had to go in the lockers, and everything just ran so much slower. For some rides (like Velocicoaster) the lockers were free, but some of the rides you had to pay $2 to store your stuff just for the duration of the ride. If you left it in there to ride some more rides, they just kept charging you. </p><p><b>Universal had Express Passes free with our stay on property, so that was a game changer as far as rides were concerned. </b>Disney has put their fast pass service on hold due to Covid, so we had to wait in line for every single ride. Even at that, Disney's fast pass system wasn't as good as Universal's. </p><p>Disney gets a point for how they run their rides.</p><p>Universal gets a point for the Express Pass. </p><p><b><u>Rides.</u></b></p><p>If you want thrill rides, Universal is your park. The coasters are massive, unbelievably fast, take riveting twists and turns and are great for the thrill-seekers. The rides in Harry Potter World are unmatched, in my opinion. <b>They are the best combination of experience <i>and</i> ride and you hop off truly feeling like you've just come back from a different world.</b></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51313058404/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1651"><img alt="IMG_1651" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51313058404_a775eff322_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Disney rides are classic. What I love about them is that everyone can ride most of them. There are certainly thrill rides in the parks, and they are an absolute blast, but there just aren't as many of the coasters as there are at Universal. <b>The best part of Disney rides is that you can bring a family ranging from babies to the elderly and disabled and <i>everyone</i> has the opportunity to ride so many things. </b></p><p>Something else I noticed was that inside the queues for the rides, Universal had the Air Conditioning on such full blast that at some points I was actually cold. That was a welcome relief in the Florida heat and humidity! There were several rides at Disney that I commented how hot it was inside. So Universal had the one up on the AC situation.</p><p>I can't pick who wins the rides portion because I love the distinct difference in both. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a thrill and other times I want to sit back and enjoy the wonder and nostalgia of the Disney rides. </p><p>It's a tie.</p><p><b><u>Overall Vibe.</u></b></p><p>We noticed a stark difference after having been at Disney in the overall vibe at Universal. I can't really explain it properly as it was more of a "feeling", but <b>Disney vibes are just immaculate.</b> It was spic and span, and we saw staff cleaning everywhere we went. We were even in line for Peter Pan and a kind old Disney gent was vigorously scraping gum off of a cement wall. There were happy families everywhere - couples holding hands, children on their dads shoulders, babies sleeping in their strollers, kids laughing - people together and truly having the time of their lives. The Disney music and smells only add to the charm. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51298657136/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_9905"><img alt="IMG_9905" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51298657136_a391236e10_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>We heard a lot of profanity at Universal and it seems like so many of the people at the park that day chose to wear shirts with bad words on them. It could have just been a coincidence, and of course you can't control the crowds, but Disney just felt more family oriented and clean.</p><p>- </p><p>So when asked which one I prefer, it's hard to say because for this trip<b> I truly am so happy that we were able to do both of them. </b>I would not have changed one day of it! We honestly had the perfect time at both sets of parks. However, now that we've done Universal and have seen all the Harry Potter stuff, I don't really need to go back.* But I would choose to go back to Disney time and again, because ultimately I'm a Disney girl at heart. I would love to spend a week at Disney sometime doing all four of their parks! </p><p>If you've never been to either of them, and you're asking which one to do - I don't even know what to recommend. Both sets of parks are truly INCREDIBLE and each have such unique offerings. From Star Wars to Harry Potter and the Hollywood film charm to fairytale nostalgia - I have to say PICK BOTH! I would highly recommend doing half the week at Disney and half the week at Universal all day every day. And if you have the Express Pass, you don't need more than 2 days in Universal Studios. You can knock it all out easy. You could easily spend an entire week in Disney and still not see it all. </p><p>*(We will be returning to Universal, however, when they're finished installing the new NINTENDO portion they are working on. But that won't be ready for another 4 years. My kids are beyond excited!)</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51312338201/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1652"><img alt="IMG_1652" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51312338201_3fbafd3ffe_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><b>Here's one more tip - if you have a child who is a bit more apprehensive about rides, I suggest starting at Magic Kingdom and working your way up. </b>Magic Kingdom has rides everyone can ride. (I remember going when the kids were babies and I held 1 year old Ezra on my lap for so many rides!) Hollywood Studios has more thrill rides. And then Universal has tons of thrill rides. So if you start your week out with the easy parks and work your way up, your little one will likely be riding all the things by the time you hit Universal. I never thought in a million years that Ezra would ride something like Velocicoaster - but by the end of the week he felt like he could do anything - so he rode it and loved it. A major highlight for me was riding everything together as a family and I don't know if that would have been the case had we started the week at Universal. </p><p>I really hope my perspective helps some of you who are planning upcoming trips. If there are any questions I haven't answered, feel free to comment or shoot me a message on Instagram (whitney.at.home)</p><p>Next I'm going to share my list of MUST-HAVES that you need to bring to survive the parks! Get ready!</p><p><a href="https://www.theglamlifehousewife.com/2021/07/the-happiest-place-on-earth.html#more" target="_blank">Check out my Disney Recap here!</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.theglamlifehousewife.com/2021/07/our-universal-recap-rundown.html#more" target="_blank">Check out my Universal Recap here! </a><br /></p><p><br /></p>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-76874620366284360352021-07-15T06:30:00.004-05:002021-07-15T06:30:00.297-05:00Our Universal Recap Rundown!<p> When we planned our trip to Disney we knew we had to spend a couple days at Universal Studios so Levi could experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We knew Ezra would love it too, of course, but Levi is the Harry Potter fan in the family and has always wanted to go, so we made it a priority. So, instead of doing all four parks at Disney, we did two parks in Disney and two at Universal: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. </p><p>After lots of research, we ultimately decided the best option was to switch resorts mid-week. We stayed on Disney property for half of the week when we were doing their parks and the rest of the week at a Universal resort. We had originally planned a beach day at the end of the week, but since we decided to switch resorts, we threw our beach day in the middle of the week on the day that we switched. It was the best decision and I'll elaborate more on that on our beach day recap - but let's skip over that for now and keep up with the theme of the parks! </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51311329361/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0522"><img alt="IMG_0522" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51311329361_8b0efbee38_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><b>Everything we read about Universal said to invest in the Express Pass. The Express Pass lets you skip all the lines and essentially just walk right on.</b> There are only two rides that don't accept the Express Pass and that is the Velocicoaster and Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure, otherwise you pass all the lines. We had planned to stay on Disney property the entire time and then Uber over to Universal, but when we checked into the prices of the Express Pass (for the dates we were going, they were more than the price of our admission tickets!!!!), we found out that i<b>f you stay at a deluxe resort on their property, you each get Express Passes! </b>So, to make the most of our time and money, it made the most sense to switch resorts and stay on their property and get the perk of skipping all the lines. It seriously made our Universal experience so, so enjoyable! The lines were 180 minutes long on some rides, and with our Express Passes we never waited longer than ten. We were riding 3-4 rides per hour. </p><p>We stayed at The Hard Rock Resort and it was excellent. Our room was super spacious, beds were amazing, and it was just overall a fantastic stay. The quality of the hotel paired with the Express Passes made for a truly perfect time at Universal. We couldn't have asked for anything more!</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51312348735/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0809"><img alt="IMG_0809" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51312348735_2d3dcd5aa4_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><b>If you plan to do both parks in one week, I highly suggest switching resorts. There are on-property perks that you get with each park.</b> Transportation is a major perk and so much easier when staying on site. At Hard Rock we were just a 5 minute walk to the entrance of the parks or a charming little boat ride. We did both, and the boat ride was obviously the favorite! </p><p>Our first day we did Universal Studios. We got to enter the park an hour early since we were staying on property and we dead-headed it back to Diagon Alley as soon as we arrived to beat the crowds. The Harry Potter worlds are pretty narrow, so I recommend hitting it first so you aren't shoulder to shoulder with the crowd.</p><p>It was truly magical rounding the corner and stepping foot into Diagon Alley. Levi was on the moon! The attention to detail that went into it was truly incredible, and it felt like we were there. </p>
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<div><br /></div><div>We rode Escape from Gringott's first and let me just tell you, we were floored. Everything about it was incredible and so, SO fun! All of the Harry Potter rides were excellent. There was not one that we didn't enjoy! Our favorites were Escape from Gringott's, Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure (pictured below), and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. You walk through Hogwarts to get on Forbidden Journey and it is AMAZING. </div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51312046429/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0747"><img alt="IMG_0747" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51312046429_bc56f95a07_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>I snapped these photos were right when Hagrid's stopped and they're some of my favorite photos of the trip. You can just <i>see</i> how much fun we had!</div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51312308720/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0748"><img alt="IMG_0748" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51312308720_6eaaa1d98c_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you buy a wand there are several interactive spots where you can "do magic" with your wand. That was one of the boys favorite parts. It was so fun!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to do both Harry Potter Worlds, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, you will want to get the park hopper tickets.<b> If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express - a train ride that transports you from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade (Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure) and vice versa, you have to have a park hopper ticket. Otherwise, you can't ride the Hogwarts Express. </b>And how can you go to Harry Potter World and not ride the Hogwarts Express?! </div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>Hogsmeade was just as magical as Diagon Alley. I absolutely loved the snow covered roof tops and wonder of it all.</div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51310558002/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1620"><img alt="IMG_1620" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51310558002_ce3b441ddb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div><div><br /></div><div>You have to get a frozen butterbeer and some treats from HoneyDukes while you're there. We had lunch at the Three Broomsticks and it was super fun! The wait for was forever long, so get there before the lunch rush!</div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51310562952/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0753"><img alt="IMG_0753" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51310562952_2318750016_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><div><br /></div><div>We love, love, loved all the Harry Potter stuff there was to see and do. In my opinion, that alone is worth going to Universal Studios. It's a must-see. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of Universal was fun, too. On the second day there we focused all our time in Islands of Adventure and we had so much fun. We got to ride the Velocicoaster which just opened up 2 weeks before we got there. It was hands down the most incredible coaster I've ever been on. It was also so smooth and didn't jerk you around that it made for a comfortable thrill. Hulk, however, did not. I was jostled around like a rag doll on that one.</div><div><div><br /></div></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>I personally loved all the different cities we walked through in the original Universal Studios. Each place was so realistic to so many places that we've been. </div><div><br /></div>
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</div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51311503463/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0532"><img alt="IMG_0532" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51311503463_7a6191a3e1_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><div><br /></div><div>We ate dinner on our last evening in the parks at Mythos in Islands of Adventure, which is touted the best restaurant inside a theme park for several years in a row. The atmosphere was fun, and our waitress was great, but the food was just subpar for us. We had also read that their bread is the best thing they have and when we asked for a basket she said they aren't serving it due to Covid. Whatever that means... </div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51310586472/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0755"><img alt="IMG_0755" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51310586472_dc8401125e_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>I do, however, highly recommend Toothsome's Chocolate Emporium at Universal City Walk which is just right outside of both parks. Our food was delicious and the dessert was something to behold! The atmosphere is awesome, too. </div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51310705892/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_9656"><img alt="IMG_9656" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51310705892_30605a6153_z.jpg" width="522" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<div><br /></div><div><b><u>Must Ride at Universal Studios:</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>*Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts</div><div>*Revenge of the Mummy</div><div>*Jimmy Fallon</div><div>E.T.</div><div>Hogwarts Express</div><div>*Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit</div><div>Despicable Me (kids loved this one, I wasn't the biggest fan. It's a 3D ride.)</div><div>The Bourne Stuntacular (this is a show, and one of the best things we did there.)</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Must Ride at Islands of Adventure:</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>*Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure</div><div>*Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey</div><div>Flight of the Hippogriff (not a thrill ride, but a fun little coaster.)</div><div>*Velocicoaster </div><div>Spiderman</div><div>*Jurassic River Adventure</div><div>Hulk</div><div>Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have an Express Pass it would be no problem at all riding all of these in two days, but without the Express Pass, you probably couldn't get them all in. <i>I starred the ones I would choose if I could only ride four per park. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>There are a lot and I mean a LOT of 3D rides at Universal Studios. We prefer coasters/rides instead of 3D so those are the ones we will always choose. The 3D ones start to make you sick after a while and there are just so many of them. Kids usually love them, but parents can only ride so many before it gets old.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is also a super cute Dr. Suess land that the littles would love, but we just walked through it on our way to get this donut. Priorities! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>Overall, we had such a great time at Universal and honestly the Express Pass was a huge part of that. After having already spent 2 days at Disney waiting in lots of lines, we were beyond thrilled to walk right on in Universal. Had we done our trip flip-flopped, we probably would have been disgruntled at all the Disney lines - but we didn't know better yet! </div><div><br /></div><div>I still have a lot to say about distinct differences we noticed, and that blog post is coming next. But for now, I have to say we had THE BEST TIME at both parks largely because we were together. And together is our favorite place to be!</div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51311504158/in/dateposted-family/" title="Facetune_24-06-2021-20-16-40"><img alt="Facetune_24-06-2021-20-16-40" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51311504158_f3e7a33aa7_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.theglamlifehousewife.com/2021/07/the-happiest-place-on-earth.html#more" target="_blank">Read my Disney Recap here! </a></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-69112361191991313672021-07-09T06:58:00.009-05:002021-07-09T06:58:00.276-05:00The Happiest Place on EarthWe just got back last week from a great big Orlando Extravaganza, hitting up both Disney and Universal parks during our time in sunny Florida. It was such a great week creating some of the best family memories. But in my opinion, there are no memories like summer vacation memories, so really it didn't matter where we went - it was going to be the best. The rides and thrills and food and screams were just icing on the cake this year. <div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51298810368/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_9742"><img alt="IMG_9742" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51298810368_4e43c821ae_z.jpg" width="496" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><div><br /></div><div>Ultimately I want to recap our trip, hitting the highlights and answering questions you guys had for me along the way. I also want to note distinct differences we noticed, having gone to both set of parks all in the same week. I don't think the differences would have necessarily stood out as much had we not done it all in one week - but there are certainly things to note. </div><div><br /></div><div>But today I am going to recap our Disney experience! </div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Accommodations </u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>We stayed at Coronado Springs, mainly because we snatched it at a great price and the pool is supposed to be one of Disney's best. The grounds were absolutely gorgeous - it has the feel of a Spanish Riviera, and truly feels like you're on a tropical island somewhere. The pool was really cool, modeled after Mayan Ruins and had a really fun slide the kids loved, but pool time is super hit and miss on a Disney vacation when contending with weather and park schedules. We only swam at this pool once. </div><div><br /></div><div>The last time we came we stayed at Art of Animation, and honestly if we had it to do over, we would have stayed there again. I feel like there was more of an "adult" feel to Coronado Springs, and Art of Animation was truly all-kid and overall more magical. Also, our rooms were much nicer at Art of A. We were not impressed with our Coronado Springs room at all. Apparently they just renovated the main building there, but we were in one of the "casitas" and it just wasn't our favorite. A major highlight to our stay though was that we had a bus stop right outside of our building, so transportation was truly a breeze. I had read that Coronado Springs has one of the hardest transportation situations, but ours could not have been more perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51299668710/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1406"><img alt="IMG_1406" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51299668710_c5c1a5ac0f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>MAGIC KINGDOM </u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>We started our trip off with a bang at the classic and beautiful Magic Kingdom. We had the very best day! With masks and social distancing gone, it felt like the magic was back. We were able to ride every single thing we wanted and the lines were not bad at all. I think the longest we had to wait for any ride at Disney was 45 minutes tops. They are still at limited capacity which totally helped with lines in general. I wish they would keep the reservation system in place because it just helps so much with the wait times which makes for an overall more enjoyable stay. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51298627021/in/dateposted-family/" title="Facetune_21-06-2021-19-58-19"><img alt="Facetune_21-06-2021-19-58-19" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51298627021_cc98af5061_z.jpg" width="481" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>If you stay on property, you get to enter the parks an hour earlier than general admission. We got there early, snatched some castle pics while we were fresh (hello Florida humidity!), and headed back to Frontier Land to ride the coasters with the longest wait times. We essentially walked right on to Big Thunder Mountain and waited less than 10 minutes for Splash Mountain. Once those rides were out of the way we felt like we had all the time in the world didn't have to rush. We spent the rest of the day in Adventure Land, Fantasy Land and Tomorrow Land riding the classics like Small World, Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Little Mermaid, Haunted Mansion, etc. and enjoyed the new rides like 7 Dwarves Mine Train. We rode so many and made such good time that we were finished with rides by around 5pm! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Here's my list of must-rides from each Land in Magic Kingdom:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Fantasy Land</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>It's a Small World</div><div>Peter Pan's Flight</div><div>7 Dwarves Mine Train</div><div>Mickey's Philharmagic - not a ride</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Adventure Land</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Jungle Cruise</div><div>Pirates of the Caribbean</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Tomorrow Land</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Space Mountain</div><div>Buzz Lightyear</div><div>Carousel of Progress</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Frontier Land</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Splash Mountain</div><div>Big Thunder Mountain </div><div><br /></div><div><u>Liberty Square</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Haunted Mansion</div><div>Little Mermaid - which is not in a "land".</div><div><br /></div><div><b>When you are 60 days out from your trip you can start booking restaurants. Book them ASAP - the day it opens up for you. </b> I snagged one of the last dinner reservations for our specific day at the enchanting Be Our Guest AKA Belle's Castle. It was everything I hoped it would be and more! The whole experience, from walking in to leaving was magical. The service was top notch and the food was truly exquisite. It was hands down the best meal I had all week, both parks combined. </div></div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51299348599/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_9909"><img alt="IMG_9909" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51299348599_f2759110a4_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Each room of the castle was dreamy. The ballroom was dark and had snow falling outside the windows. The Beast came out to greet everyone several times but we never saw Belle. <br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51299360499/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1405"><img alt="IMG_1405" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51299360499_b5deb04d4e_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Truly such a fantastic steak. Everything about this dish was perfection to me! I also highly recommend the appetizer salad - one of the best I've ever had. Not pictured here, but man, I'm still dreaming about that salad. I'm determined to find a copy-cat recipe online, it was THAT good.<br /><div><br /></div><div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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</div><div><br /></div><div>For dessert the kids get their own Chip to "paint" with edible paint, a delicious truffle, and a dollop of the grey stuff - it's delicious. Don't believe me? ....</div><div><br /></div><div>The dinner was pricey, but it was our one splurge meal so we had planned for it. It's certainly not a place you would eat at regularly, but for a special meal on your trip, I would recommend this place time and again. You <i>have</i> to go at least once!</div><div><br /></div><div>Magic Kingdom will always be my favorite. The nostalgia and pureness of it can't be matched! It was the absolute perfect way to kick off our vacation.</div><div><br /></div></div></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<div><br /></div><div>Ezra had just turned one the last time we were at Disney, so it was truly like he was experiencing it all for the first time on this trip. Everything was so magical and special for him. This photo is one of my all time favorites!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51299355764/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0084"><img alt="IMG_0084" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51299355764_732fcc6ea2_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>We woke up bright and early the next day and caught the bus to Hollywood Studios. Again, we were in the parks an hour early and caught the longest line rides first - Tower of Terror and Rock n' Roller Coaster. Both are more "thrill" rides than anything at Magic Kingdom, and both cannot be missed. And they're right next to each other! It's perfect to ride one and then hop in line for the other as soon as you get there and then continue on through the rest of the park with minimal wait times.</div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>Fun and funny fact. As soon as we took this photo we turned around and saw some of the boys' friends from school! What are the odds? They're actually in the background of my photo! </div><div><br /></div><div>Hollywood Studios is one of our favorite parks because the whole feel of it is so fun. The retro Hollywood vibes are perfect! I could just walk up and down Main Street all day taking in all the sights and shopping the stores. </div><div><br /></div><div>Darin had told the boys the day before "now keep your eye out, because you never know who you'll see when you're at Disney World. Everyone goes here - we could even see a celebrity." Well as luck would have it, I rounded the corner in line at Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway and I spotted the lovely Busy Phillips and her family. I hit Darin in the arm and said, "IT'S BUSY PHILLIPS" and before he could even look her way I was over talking to her. I told her I was the biggest Dawson's Creek fan ever and that I follow her on instagram. She was literally SO nice. She was super softspoken towards me and and thanked me for everything I was saying to her. I told her she made my day and she looked so genuinely appreciative and said, "Really?! Oh, I'm so glad!" Ah! I was so excited! </div><div><br /></div><div>And of course I saw her in the hottest part of the day when I had been in a forever long line and was looking my absolute worst, so here's the black & white photo of us - for posterity. </div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51298136072/in/dateposted-family/" title="3EC75BC1-7F91-4583-981C-80A875A6F656"><img alt="3EC75BC1-7F91-4583-981C-80A875A6F656" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51298136072_f456d77d2d_z.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>Toy Story Land is a classic and just so fun to look at. The rides there are excellent, too. Slinky Dog Dash was a new one for us and it was great! We also saw Busy there, too. We literally kept seeing here everywhere we went the rest of the day. It was so funny! I told Darin I thought she was stalking me. Ha!</div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51299374194/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_0071"><img alt="IMG_0071" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51299374194_973d2d1967_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div><br /></div><div>We were really excited to see the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge and wow - it was truly something. I'm not even a Star Wars fan, but I absolutely loved it. It seemed other-worldly and realistic. I could imagine a true Star Wars fan would freak out in this whole area. We were amazed!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now let's talk about the new Star Wars ride - Rise of the Resistance. </div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div><b>Rise of the Resistance is the only ride in all of the Disney parks that requires a reservation.</b> <b>They open up the time slots for reservations at 7am and 1pm, and you can only secure one spot per day, meaning you can only ride it once per day.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>You reserve the spot through your Disney app the second they open up. I woke up at 6:50am and hit the button continuously to try and secure a spot and the very second it rolled over to 7am all the time slots were booked. I truly have no idea how I did not get one, but alas, I didn't. So we made sure to try again at 1pm. We had just finished lunch in the ABC Commissary and so many of us in there were on our phones trying to get a spot. I did the same tactic I tried that morning and by the luck of the draw, secured us a spot. There were people in there cheering as we all seemed to have gotten a spot at the exact same time! Disney comradery at its finest.</div><div><br /></div><div>My advice: if you don't get a spot in the morning, try again at 1pm. I had much better luck then and feel like there are much fewer people on there trying at that time since <i>everyone</i> is trying at 7am and only half are trying at 1pm. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once you get a reservation, they put you in a queue and they give you a time to come back and ride. Was it worth all the hubbub and theatrics trying to get a spot? 100% ABSOLUTELY. Do whatever it takes to ride this ride. All I can say about it is that it's not just a ride - it's an entire experience. And that made it phenomenal. </div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>When restaurant booking opened up for me 60 days prior, I booked an Italian restaurant at Hollywood Studios, but the only time slot available was at 1pm in the middle of the day. <b>If you book a restaurant and decide not to go, you must cancel within 24 hours or you will be charged $25/person.</b> <b>So if it's something you are not certain you want to do, give yourself plenty of time to cancel.</b> We decided a few days before going that we weren't going to want a heavy pasta dinner smack dab in the middle of the day, (heat, humidity, pasta and rides are not a great combo!) so we canceled our reservation there and decided to just grab a quick service lunch. It gave us plenty of time to do and see everything we wanted right before a torrential storm rolled in that evening. We then left the park and went to a nice leisurely Italian dinner outside of the parks (perk of driving!) and were super glad we made that decision. Plus, you're way hungrier at the end of the day from all that walking!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Here's my list of must-rides at Hollywood Studios:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Hollywood Boulevard</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Sunset Boulevard</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Rock N Roller Coaster ft. Aerosmith</div><div>Tower of Terror</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Toy Story Land</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Slinky Dog Dash</div><div>Toy Story Mania</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Star Wars Galaxy's Edge</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Millenium Falcon</div><div>Rise of the Resistance</div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51299937090/in/dateposted-family/" title="Facetune_22-06-2021-20-27-30"><img alt="Facetune_22-06-2021-20-27-30" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51299937090_c314fb8956_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div><br /></div><div>It was truly another magical day.</div><div><br /></div><div>This concluded the Disney portion of our trip and it was just so incredibly fun and perfect in every way. Stay tuned for what came next.....! </div><div><br /></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-76650484268878637772021-06-16T19:25:00.004-05:002021-06-16T19:25:41.165-05:00 US Cooking Tour Stop 19: Kansas<p> Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore!</p><p>My goodness, I have a case of the summer brain and totally forgot I hadn't recapped and posted the recipes for my last cooking tour challenge. I tell you when my children don't have a schedule, I don't have a schedule and it throws me all out of sorts. What day is it, anyway? </p><div style="text-align: left;">You cannot visit the Sunflower State and not see a BBQ every other mile, so it was an easy decision on what to make for the main dish. I actually went with my Mom's delicious BBQ brisket recipe and wow, it did not disappoint! I grew up with it, but I had never made it myself. The smell that filled my house as it cooked instantly took me back to childhood. </div><p>We had my in-laws over the week I made it and it ended up being the perfect week for rolling Kansas since a brisket feeds so many. I would say it was a success since my mother-in-law said she wanted the recipe to make it the next time we all get together. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51251167482/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8817"><img alt="IMG_8817" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51251167482_deba24acf3_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Let's get into the recipe! You are going to want to save this one to wow your friends and family this summer.</p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">BBQ BRISKET</span></u></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">6 lb brisket</div><div style="text-align: left;">3 Tbsp. liquid smoke</div><div style="text-align: left;">Garlic powder</div><div style="text-align: left;">Onion Salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">Celery Salt</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Sauce:</u></div><div style="text-align: left;">1 C ketchup</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 tsp salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 tsp celery seed</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 C brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 C worcestershire sauce</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 C water</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 onion, chopped</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 C vinegar</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sprinkle brisket with liquid smoke and seasonings. Allow to stand overnight, covered with foil and refrigerated. Next morning, sprinkle with pepper and Worcestershire. Cover and bake 5 hours at 275. Drain grease. Uncover and bake 1 hour with BBQ Sauce that has been combined and boiled for 15 minutes. Slice and serve. Serves 10!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51251897471/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8816"><img alt="IMG_8816" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51251897471_8358b3cf9f_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I served it up with a baked potato, mac and cheese, my moms famous baked beans (another story for another day), and hot rolls. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">--</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dessert for Kansas was a Dirt Cake! You really can't go wrong with a dirt cake - Oreos and a cream cheese pudding mix? It's bound be be delicious! And it was. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was quick and simple to mix up, and would be a great recipe to let your kids make this summer. We ate on it for days and it was just the right amount of sweet and filling to cap off a nice brisket dinner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51252939865/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_9311"><img alt="IMG_9311" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51252939865_47ddf59acc_z.jpg" width="481" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">DIRT CAKE</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">1</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">package</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">Oreos</span><br /><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">8</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">oz</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">Philadelphia Cream Cheese</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><br /><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">1/2</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">cup butter</span><br /><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">1</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">cup</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">powdered sugar</span><br /><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">16</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">oz</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">cool whip</span><br /><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">2</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">boxes</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> instant</span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> vanilla pudding</span><br /><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">3</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">cups</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">milk</span><br /><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">1</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">tsp vanilla </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">Crush ⅔ package of Oreos and place in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Set aside.</span><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">Mix cream cheese butter until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar and fold in whipped topping. Set aside.</span><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">In a separate bowl mix pudding, milk and vanilla. Fold this mixture in with the cream cheese mixture.</span><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">Pour over crumb mixture.</span><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-size: 1em;">Sprinkle with the reserve crushed Oreos. Let set for a few hours and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51251898311/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8886"><img alt="IMG_8886" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51251898311_7848c718b3_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let me know in the comments or on instagram if you make either of these recipes! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-53651942138726110912021-06-08T10:53:00.001-05:002021-06-08T10:53:12.060-05:00Round Up Tuesday!<p> I get lots of questions on Instagram for links to different things I'm using in the kitchen, or stuff seen in a photo or whatnot. Since I can't give out links on that platform, I thought I would do a round up of things I've been getting a lot of questions on lately. Hopefully it is helpful for you guys to have one space where I can compile all the most-asked about items. If it's useful, I'll try to make it a monthly thing!</p><p>First and foremost is THE most asked about item in my kitchen. When I use it I'm bombarded with questions about where to get it, so I am happy to share the link! Introducing, my <b><u>cheese grater</u></b>....</p><div><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a participant in the Amazon Associates program, I may earn a commission from using the links. </span></i></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51234653814/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8906"><img alt="IMG_8906" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51234653814_88d7807fbe_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p></div><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088CV8R63/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B088CV8R63&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=8e62ce15007a7791acdd7ae2eee7dded" target="_blank">SEYODA Graters for Kitchen,Cheese Grater Efficient Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Round Stainless Steel Blades,Easy to Clean Rotary Cheese Grater for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts. (Blue)</a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p><p>That thing is truly a game changer when it comes to grating cheese! </p><p>The next most-asked about item recently were my <b><u>spice jars</u></b>. I still smile every time I open my spice drawer and am greeted to perfectly uniform spices. And now I can finally find what it is I'm looking for!</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51234962060/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8911"><img alt="IMG_8911" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51234962060_ed3d0e02b8_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CRBKJ6X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B08CRBKJ6X&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=6cd710f20ba08c6be049d4ac6d8f9612" target="_blank">Aozita 24 Pcs Glass Spice Jars/Bottles - 6oz Empty Square Spice Containers with 810 Spice Labels - Shaker Lids and Airtight Metal Caps - Silicone Collapsible Funnel Included</a></p><p>Next is my <b><u>stainless steel olive oil dispenser</u></b>. I was on the hunt for a french style olive oil can and I stopped dead in my tracks when I came across this beaut. I honestly love it so much and I feel like Dorothy oiling the Tin Man every time I use it. It's a childhood dream come true! And it looks so pretty on my countertops. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51234941445/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8905"><img alt="IMG_8905" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51234941445_387c88db70_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BJHQHBN/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07BJHQHBN&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=272738af47d27166cc92335d540e6101" target="_blank">Stainless Steel Olive Oil Can Dispenser Pot Drizzler Canister Deluxe Silver Color 0.5 Quart (500 ml) Kitchen Tools Food Jar Cruets Utensil Storage</a><br /></p><p>Lots of you guys are asking me about the <b><u>Bissell Little Green</u></b>! We invested in this bad boy quickly after getting a puppy, and in my opinion it is a must. You can use it on furniture, rugs - anything with upholstery. It is easy to tote around and works like a dream! Even though you never want to see dirty water when it cleans, there's something totally satisfying about it at the same time. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51234683974/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8922"><img alt="IMG_8922" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51234683974_56091d8a9f_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016HF5GK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0016HF5GK&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=e4a01afb631c482fdea707936a19ec59" target="_blank">Bissell Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, 1400B, Green</a> <br /></p><p>And finally is the <b><u>Snuggle Puppy toy with a heartbeat</u></b>. This thing was a <u>must</u> when we got our puppy! The "heartbeat" inside the stuffed animal is so soothing for the puppy and they curl up to it and go right to sleep. They are used to sleeping right up next to their momma, so this genius product mimics that. We ALL got a good nights sleep once we got one! He is 6 months old now and even though we don't turn on the heartbeat, he still sleeps with his Snuggle Puppy. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51209640071/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8272"><img alt="IMG_8272" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51209640071_d7f39c6e55_z.jpg" width="481" /></a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0722XGRMB/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0722XGRMB&linkCode=as2&tag=whitneyatho0c-20&linkId=da29f90cf776f6a6e225525494cf6f3c" target="_blank">SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Biscuit</a><br /></p><p>Hopefully these links helped you guys out and answered some of your questions. Next time, I think I'll do a kid-based post and link fun things to help get you and your kids through the summer with a whole lot of <b>fun</b>! Let me know what you think!</p><p>Have a great Tuesday! XOXO </p>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-12335061512421717212021-06-02T06:15:00.001-05:002021-06-02T06:15:00.304-05:00A Bookish Birthday Bash!<p> My parents wanted to have the whole family over for a birthday celebration dinner for Levi and if you know Glamma you know that there is no throwing together a quick meal for a simple gathering - she is going to pull out all the stops and prepare a lavish feast to show the guest of honor just how special they are. It's the Glamma way! </p><p>And this day was no different. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51218488397/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8443"><img alt="IMG_8443" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51218488397_3d80c3bb66_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Levi is an avid reader and one of his favorite pastimes is falling deep into the pages of a good book. In the car, on the couch, in his room - the child is <i>always</i> reading. We often have to make him put his books away in the car so that we can enjoy his company. It doesn't matter if we're driving ten minutes to the grocery store or 12 hours on a road trip, as soon as that seatbelt is buckled his nose is hidden behind the front and back cover of his latest read.</p><p>Glamma played up on this love of Levi's and created the most spectacular table scape of BOOKS! </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51219953229/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8433"><img alt="IMG_8433" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51219953229_18f557bbb4_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>;</p><p>When I say she outdid herself I mean it. She took each place setting and created a <b>miniature living room</b> representing each and every guest! She ordered miniatures of each of our favorite books and interests and even had tiny records of our favorite bands scattered about our individual living rooms. I cannot even explain to you how fantastic it was!</p>
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<div><br /></div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51218513997/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8565"><img alt="IMG_8565" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51218513997_af4e7d896a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div><br /></div><div>I mean... COME ON! Literally the most adorable thing I have ever seen in my life. My living room is pictured above and it just so perfectly captured everything I love. Each setting was so personal and perfect for each person - the time and detail that went into all of it did not go unnoticed!</div><div><br /></div>
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</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Each place setting was like walking into a completely different home! How dreamy would it be if there were actual living rooms that looked like these?</div><div><br /></div>
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</div><div><br /></div><div>The rugs, the lamps, the coffee maker and coffee cups? I can't! </div><div><br /></div><div>Glamma's place setting was filled with her absolute favorite thing in life - the Bible and Bible study materials. So fitting and so cute!</div><div><br /></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51218531232/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8566"><img alt="IMG_8566" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51218531232_59d1bb372e_z.jpg" width="566" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>;</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only were the place settings filled with detail, but so was the entire table and even the chairs. The backdrop looked as if we were sitting in a library, there were new books scattered all over the table for Levi to take home as part of his gift, and each chair had a pillow that looked like a library card!</div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>I was speechless when I walked in and saw the spread. We all were. It was just so perfect and FUN. All of the kids (and us adults!) absolutely loved it. Glamma has a way of making you feel like a kid again.</div></div></div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>Oh, and the "Pixar Lamps" were such a cute touch! Perfect for Levi.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only did she do all of this amazing decor, but she also cooked up Levi's favorite meal of all time - her homemade fried chicken with all of the fixings. Absolutely divine.</div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>I don't know how she does it, but all of this is just what makes up who Glamma is. She is the most creative and giving human being, and we as her family love and appreciate everything she does for each and every one of us to make us feel like we are the most special person in the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was certainly a birthday to remember. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-26918165124101638262021-05-30T06:13:00.000-05:002021-05-30T06:13:00.261-05:00Weebie Turns Twelve. <div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">Oh friends, many of you have been here from the start. Long before I had children and was a young newlywed who only dreamed of becoming a mom and homemaker. This blog actually started out as "My Journey Toward ... The Glamorous Life of a Housewife." I dropped the first part once my dream became my reality. So many of you have watched me from the beginning - growing into motherhood and cheering me along. You are truly precious to me and your encouragement has been such a blessing over the years. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And today my oldest son is turning twelve. My WEEBIE! My baby. My literal angel on earth. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51212760425/in/dateposted-family/" title="Facetune_29-05-2021-12-58-47"><img alt="Facetune_29-05-2021-12-58-47" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51212760425_c863c93135_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have many feelings about it. I keep crying and telling my husband that I feel like twelve means it’s his last year of childhood. I know that’s not exactly the case, and my theatrics tend to get a bit out of hand, but gosh - he’s supposed to still be my precious 3 year old little sidekick. My best buddy. How can he be turning twelve?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51208418062/in/dateposted-family/" title="PID_4848"><img alt="PID_4848" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51208418062_396741b574_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">People warned me how fast it goes, but I thought to myself, “yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say. It’ll be different for us. It won’t go too fast. How could it?” And here we are. Everyone was right, and I was naive. Twelve years have passed in the blink of an eye and there was nothing I could do to make it different for us. </span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">My mom once told me, “I was there every single day of you and your bothers lives - at every event, every milestone, and every plain old regular day, and somehow I still feel cheated. It wasn’t enough time.” With each passing year I </span>relate<span style="font-family: inherit;"> more and more to that statement as it echoes in the back of my mind. I am super fortunate to be with my kids so much and yet somehow time is still racing by so fast in front of me that I can’t even seem to catch a glimpse of it. It's </span>leaving<span style="font-family: inherit;"> me in the dust with nothing but a breeze in my hair from its swindling swiftness. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51210213285/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_1653"><img alt="IMG_1653" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51210213285_10bb8b41c0_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s bittersweet, though. I think back on moments with my babies and though I would love to sit and rock them and kiss their warm little bald heads, I would never want to go back. Because watching who they are now and who they are evolving into is the most gratifying part of parenting for me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />So many of Levi’s precious little traits as a toddler have grown into some of his most excellent qualities now. And I know they will only build upon themselves and flourish even more as he continues to grow. Being able to have both profound </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">and</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> hilarious conversations with him is one of my favorite parts of watching him grow. Listening to his wise heart encourage his little brother, and his creative </span>imagination<span style="font-family: inherit;"> write and reveal a </span>captivating<span style="font-family: inherit;"> story in a matter of minutes. Seeing him be <u>the</u> most fun friend a kid could ever dream of having and him eager to be that friend to everyone. All of this only scratches the surface on who Levi is.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51210226130/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_3468 2"><img alt="IMG_3468 2" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51210226130_f2a12e7f73_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">They aren’t supposed to stay little. That’s not part of God’s plan. The beauty of life is to become. And my little Levi is becoming something remarkable. I’m just so thankful his daddy and I have a front row seat. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Birthday, Weebs. You are our pride and joy every single day. To know you is to adore you. I l</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ve you!</span></div><div><br /></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51208476592/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_8170"><img alt="IMG_8170" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51208476592_c4c7ed6b68_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-38442401657217095842021-05-27T06:25:00.000-05:002021-05-27T06:25:00.277-05:00A Dirt Bike Birthday!<p> Birthday tables are a tradition for my boys since they turned one! It's so fun looking back on all their past birthdays and seeing what they were into at each stage of their lives. We have come a long way from red wagons and Sesame Street and now we're into their favorite past times - like riding dirt bikes! </p><p>I guess that's what happens when you're about to turn TWELVE.</p>
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<div><br /></div><div>Yeah, that's right. I said twelve.</div><div><br /></div><div>My Weebie Boy is about to turn twelve and I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown over here. How are we one year away from there being the word "teen" at the end of his age? I can't even think about it. Someone send help. And cookies. Each and every variety of cookie, please.</div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>But we're going to ignore what's ahead of us in a year and focus on the here and now. He's just (almost) twelve. That's practically ten which is basically 6, so really he's still a toddler. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm feeling better already.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>I thought this table turned out super fun! Levi absolutely loved it, and I filled all the jars with his favorite treats. Simple, colorful and festive! Everything a birthday should be.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<div>I like to use decor that can be repurposed, and this Parking sign is perfect! It will go in his room as part of his decor as his bedroom is a reflection of all the things he loves - books, travel, bicycles and dirt bikes!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<div><br /></div><div>The cake made me laugh. I took a photo to our local grocer and it ended up way smaller than I intended and expected. The dirt bike and rider I bought to go on top looked gigantic on the track, but what are you gonna do? We all got a good laugh! </div><div><br /></div><div>We had a great time celebrating my favorite almost-twelve year old in the world! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189821419772726959.post-39544905558943435222021-05-19T21:21:00.002-05:002021-05-19T21:21:27.032-05:00US Cooking Challenge 18: Florida<p> My heart stopped dead in its tracks when I rolled Florida, because I was convinced it was going to be seafood. Thank my lucky stars Florida is known for the Cuban food, so I was safe once again. I know it's going to turn out that I roll all the seafood states in a row and am going to have a solid 2-3 months of straight seafood. Maybe I should hope to roll a seafood challenge soon just to get some out of the way. Oh man, I am dreading that <i>so</i> much.</p><p>But let's not focus on the negative! Let's focus on Florida! The Sunshine State!</p><p>Florida friends were quick to let me know that I had to make a Cuban Sandwich (also known as The Cubano) and Key Lime Pie. My mouth immediately started watering and then I went to work. Key Lime pie is one of my very favorites, but I had never made one myself. The Cuban Sandwich was new to me completely. </p><p>We were all major fans of both dishes and I highly recommend these recipes. They were scrumptious!</p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Cuban Sandwich AKA The Cubano</span></u></b></p><p><<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51190504366/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_7843"><img alt="IMG_7843" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51190504366_fc32a02242_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>></p><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.5px; margin-block-end: 0px; margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">pound</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">pork tenderloin</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">olive oil</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">orange juice</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2 </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">lime juice</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">minced garlic</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">dried oregano</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ground cumin</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">salt and pepper</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">16</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ounces</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cuban or Italian bread loaf</span> </span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">pound</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Swiss cheese</span> </span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">pound</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">smoked ham</span> </span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">pickle chips</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">mustard</span></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoon </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">butter</span></span></li></ul><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">- Place the olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk to combine and place the pork in the bowl. Refrigerate 2-4 hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r13pPEo3Wdw/YKXCGkrXoLI/AAAAAAABySQ/r-hagPWb-Hofr0Yz0RYtnOUAU3l8ItjdACLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_7844.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r13pPEo3Wdw/YKXCGkrXoLI/AAAAAAABySQ/r-hagPWb-Hofr0Yz0RYtnOUAU3l8ItjdACLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/IMG_7844.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">- Preheat a grill or skillet to medium high heat. Add the pork and cook for 7-9 minutes per side or until a meat thermometer registers 145 degrees F.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">- Finish cooking in the oven for 20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">- Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Cut the bread crosswise into 4 equal sized pieces. These are big sandwiches!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">- Place half of the cheese slices on the bottom pieces of bread. Top with layers of ham, pork and pickles.</span><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">Add the rest of the cheese on top of the pickles. Spread the mustard over the top pieces of bread, then place the tops on each sandwich. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">- Melt the butter in a pan. Place one sandwich in the pan. Use a heavier pan, such as a cast iron skillet to press down on the sandwich. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted. Repeat the process with the remaining sandwiches.</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Lora, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14.399999618530273px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lora, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><b><u>KEY LIME PIE</u></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); letter-spacing: 0.5px;"> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/141549150@N02/51190721653/in/dateposted-family/" title="IMG_7846"><img alt="IMG_7846" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51190721653_fd32de99a2_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Lora, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14.399999618530273px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div><div><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(90, 91, 90); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin-block-end: 0px; margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">FILLING:</span></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 tsp grated key lime zest</span></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4</span> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">egg yolks</div></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">14</span> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ounces</div> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sweetened condensed milk</div></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">½</span> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cup</div> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fresh key lime juice</div></span></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(90, 91, 90); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin-block-end: 0px; margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2</span> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cups</div> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">graham cracker crumbs</div> </span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1/3</span> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cup</div> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">light brown sugar</div></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2</span> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cup</div> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unsalted butter</div> <div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(melted)</div></span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 3px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinch of salt</span></span></li></ul><div><br /></div><div><ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin-block-end: 0px; margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: instruction-counter 1; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.</span></p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: instruction-counter 1; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Filling: </b>Whisk the lime zest and egg yolks together in a medium bowl for 2 minutes. Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk, then the lime juice. Set aside to thicken while you prepare the crust.</span></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: instruction-counter 1; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Crust:</b> In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and salt. Pour in the melted butter over the graham cracker mixture and toss to combine. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate, and pack tightly using the back of a measuring cup. Bake for 10 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.</span></p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: instruction-counter 1; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once the crust has cooled to room temperature, pour the lime filling into the crust. Bake until the center is set 15 to 17 minutes. Do not let it get brown on top! Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until well-chilled, at least 3 hours. </span></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></li></ol></div></div></div>Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02856701399951918040noreply@blogger.com8