John Deere Green

My brother-in-law thinks John Deere Green would 

be the perfect color for our baby BOY's room!    :)

The One and Only.....

IOWA STATE FAIR!!!!!!

I LOVE the fair!  Brandon and I had our first date at the fair 6 years ago and we have made it a tradition to go together every year since!  Well, this year Brandon was in Nashville for work, so Lillia and I got to spend over a week traveling between Omaha and Ames.  It just so happens that we were in Ames during the FAIR!  So I decided we'd better go while we had the chance!

We got up early on Saturday morning and hopped in the truck with my family and we were off!

 At the Animal Learning Center....Loved it!

 Taking a look at the crowing roosters!

 Cheese!  Enjoying a little snack!

 Needing a little snooze

Watching the Budweiser Clydesdales with Aunt Molly

It was a great day for the fair!  The weather was fantastic!  Finding Fair food for a gal with celiac is a little challenging, but we managed to get some delicious treats!  (Although Fried Butter wasn't on the meal plan for the day, unfortunately)  We did enjoy Cinnamon Roasted Nuts, Ice Cream, Sliced Caramel Apple with Nuts, to name a few!  We even met up with some friends throughout the day...Emily, Dave and Natalie!

Thanks for a great time at the fair, family!

Happy 30th Anniversary

We threw my parents a SURPRISE 30th Anniversary Luau at the beginning of August and it was a big success!  We had a great turnout, yummy food, friends and family from near and far, and, my parents truly were surprised!  It was so fun to celebrate with so many people, and even though it was hot, we had a good time!  Congratulations, mom and dad, on 30 years together!  Here's to 30 more!  :)

 Toasted Coconut Macadamia Cake with Rum Glaze

 Margarita Cupcakes with Key Lime Frosting

John and Kathy Packer....celebrating Hawaiian Style!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Shake

A few of you asked for the recipe, so here ya go!

Photo Credit and Original Recipe Here

Pumpkin Oatmeal Shake (adapted to my liking)

• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice (or more to taste)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1-2 tsp cinammon
• pumpkin pie spice to taste

Cook oats and water in a small pot stirring often until it becomes thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and let it cool a few minutes.

In a blender add milk, pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice. Add oats and 1 cup ice. Blend on high until very smooth. I add more ice to create a little bit thicker consistency rather than pouring it over ice.  Just be sure to add a little at a time. I also add some flax meal if I have it on hand.

Enjoy!  Makes a great breakfast on the go!  Or simply a nice change from the usual.  I find it quite filling!

Just typing this out makes me want to go make another one as it really was yummy!  And I think if I had it on hand I would have topped it off with a dollop of whipped cream!  :)  What's wrong with a little indulgence?!

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Mmmmm!  I am enjoying a cookie as I type....it may or may not be my fourth...but who's counting?

These cookies have only 7 ingredients that you always have on hand!  And they are delish!  So, for those of you who eat gluten free, or those of you who have a friend that eats gfree, tuck this recipe away and know that you can't eat just one!  :)

GF PB Choc Chip Cookies
1 cup peanut butter (the real creamy stuff like JIF or Skippy, you can't go healthy here!)
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt- could leave this out since the pb has plenty, but I always put it in, just for good measure!
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips-more or less to taste (semisweet are the best!)

Mix first six ingredients well
Stir in chocolate chips

Scoop onto cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes at 350
-be sure to take out once they start turning light brown...don't overbake
-allow to cool on baking sheet

A large glass of milk is the finishing touch to a plate of warm cookies, fresh out of the oven!  Enjoy!