New found love!

So yesterday I mentioned that I was on a mission to find a food processor. I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed....I didn't have a clue what to get. Was it worth it to buy a more expensive one? Was there certain brands that weren't as good? Was there ones that wouldn't be strong/sharp/quick enough to chop/grind certain foods? Good think Ryan was with me because I am the queen of indecisiveness!

Meet my new best friend:



We're gonna be great friends!

Ms. Hamilton Beach and I got rockin' and rollin' as soon as I got her unpacked and set up. My first experiment was Homemade White Chocolate Peanut Butter. I hate the thought of buying a $4 jar of in off the shelf (loaded with additives), so I got started with this...



Plain ole Peanuts

Ryan actually started this process...I secretly know that he was just as excited as I was. For one, I think he's on to my growing expensive PB habit...two, anything motorized and he's intrigued. I threw in a cup or more of peanuts and whirled 'em around for a couple minutes. When they were all PB like I added just a smidgen of vanilla (probably about 1/4-1/2 tsp). Then came this...



OMG...need I say more.

I love, love, love Ghirardelli chocolate, then I found white chocolate...now my life can go on! I could eat a whole bag of these little lovelies if I had no self-control (oh wait!). I put about 3/4 -1 c in a glass bowl and melted, you could use less and try to pretend it's healthier...but really...first, notice the "all natural" on the bag - totally healthy; second, hello! It's White Chocolate Peanut Butter...not fat-free gross nasty peanut butter, splurge with the darn white chocolate! You will thank me!

When the delicious chocolate was a smooth consistency I took a finger full scraped it into the processor and continued to pulse the mixture...

A little of this...

Some more....



And wha-la! White-chocolaty, peanut-buttery deliciousness!! Even Ryan was very impressed with my first attempt to make my own PB.  I even made sure to point out how cost effective it was! (Minus the food processor of course...but that baby will pay itself off in no time!). Pretty soon this was happening...




Spoons are for wussies!

After my taste-testing session. I decided I am one heck of a PB maker. That probably means I will tank the next batch...I'm already being too cocky! I think I'm going to have some of this on my banana for breakfast tomorrow! Yeah baby! I think my next project is coconut butter...then I'll attempt to make cocoa-nut almond butter...oh yeah!

Off to have a few another finger full before bed! It's protein right? Don't judge me!

Nighty-night!

XOXO,

Erinn

Nut butter!

Need I say more? Peanut butter of any kind has been my obsession lately. Add chocolate, even better. I could drive us into bankruptcy from buying expensive, delicious peanut butter. You think I'm kidding? Try me!

I can put it in about anything. In my oatmeal. In my smoothies. On my banana's. On a spoon, in my mouth (that's the best). So instead of buying $10 jars of chocolate almond butter or white chocolate peanut butter...don't judge. I have talked Ryan into buying me a food processor. I have no idea how to bust into the food processor world. To tell you the truth it's a little overwhelming to me...I mean is it okay to buy the $40 one? Or do you have to spring for the kitchen aid one? I am NOT going to spend $250 on one - yes, I saw $250 food processors, and laughed.

I am going to get one, and then I will come home and make this lovely thing:



Hello Lovah!

 This pretty little thing is homemade white-chocolate peanut butter. I've also gotta plan for some coconut butter...then a little combo choco-coconut almond butter. Oh my. I think I am in love. Don't tell my husband.

Off to dream about what I can smother in peanut butter...oh yeah...I said smother.

XOXO,

Erinn

100 Days!

Brooklyn had her 100 day celebration at school, they got to bring in a collection of 100 anything...Brooklyn brought in 2 rolls of pennies (creative huh?) ha! She wanted to bring 100 marshmallows, I'm pretty positive she wouldn't have come home with 100...

Special Child!



Whaaa!!!! I SO CRAZY!!!

Oh the excitement of Kindergarten! Nothing like party-ing it up on the 100th day of school! Hannah is learning that 4th grade is not so lucky...you get homework, tests, and no party's! Bummer! I'm not going to burst her bubble that it just gets worse! JUST KIDDING. I love my life, I love my life....

We decided to be super parents and take our kids to the bar the other day. Don't judge! There's not many places to eat in Mora! Plus, the girls love the high-top tables...and it was during the day...so ha! Not trashy at all! We did have a little family fun with the camera...

Hannah's attempt at a quick pic (apparently she didn't look thru the view finder??):



At least I was wearing a jacket, and not a low cut shirt!



Brooklyn's attempt at a pic (she got us, but doesn't have the focus thing down yet):





Nice Face Ryan...

Ya know...looking at pics I'm almost convinced Ryan is unable to take a nice picture...he either looks annoyed, ticked, or a like a loony (see above).

Hannah's signature look, maybe she gets it from her dad??:



You looking at me??



Here is the typical "Brooke Look"...Ryan would like to say she gets this from me...however I disagree. I believe I am 100% pleasant and delightful:





I didn't know lips stuck out that far!

 We had a fun time at the high-top table...the place was packed! We love that little place though! Whether it's all of us for lunch...or Ryan and I for a couple drinks!

Oh, cute thing of the day...I came home today to find some cuddlers:



Spoonin' Kitties

Good thing they are fixed, or we'd maybe have some little kitties runnin' around...the sad thing is these two are brother and sister. Maybe it's just sibling love!



Notice Tash's shame as she look's at the floor.

And yes, that is Pablo's arm around Tasha...and no, I did not stage this in any way. I walked in and this is how they were. They also do this in the bathroom on the bathmat when I'm in the shower. I have to step over them almost every morning!

Off to bed! I think I'm catching Hannah's illness so I'm gonna try to get to bed early and kick it, especially since we leave for Arizona next Friday morning, that's the last thing I need is any illness's!



XOXO,

Erinn





Is it spring yet??

Anybody else sick of snow??? I find myself monitoring the 10 day forecast daily to see if the 40's and 50's are coming back again! I'm so sick of winter!! I just want that great spring feeling!!

Last night Hannah had her little friend over so we went off to the movie's to see Rango...it was cute, but I'd wait to see after it comes out on DVD! Cute storyline though. Ryan and I need to find a babysitter so we can go to a grown up movie! There's a few we want to see right now!

Oh, FYI, we are looking for a new couch...so if anyone see's a good deal on a couch let me know!! I am ready to boot ours to the curb!

I saw a cute couch/chaise at Ikea (fairly plain) which is fine. What do I love about it? Ikea furniture is fully washable! You can take the covers off and wash them in the washing machine! How easy would life be??

Comfy and Kid Proof!

 I'm sure I could find some other things I need at Ikea also! Usually can! I go in there with one thing on my mind and we come out with a cart-full! And their delicious swedish meatballs are just icing on the cake!

I've got a ton of things I want to get done at home...now I just need motivation! Hmmm. Maybe I'll take a nap first?? Ha.

Happy Saturday!

XOXO,

Erinn

Patterns, Sleepovers, Strep, and Beads...

Brooklyn is learning about patterns in school. It's always great to hear about what she is learning...until she repeats thinks like: "RED, YELLOW, YELLOW, RED, YELLOW, YELLOW...that's a pattern!" or "3,5,3,5,3,5...that's a pattern!" or "A, B, C, A, B, C....that's a pattern!". Cute....kinda. At least we know she's learning!

Hannah's having a sleepover tomorrow. It's kind of cute cuz it's one of her old friends from her old daycare when she was 3 or 4...so it's like a little "reunion". We'll have to rent a movie and pop some popcorn...maybe we'll make ice cream sundaes! She's pretty excited...

Sidenote on that...after seeing how Hannah talks on the phone, I think we need to have a little phone etiquette crash course with her. She barely talks, sounds like she's super cranky, randomly takes the phone away from her head, and usually doesn't say goodbye (just hangs up). We'll work on that!

Ryan went to the dr today because his throats been bugging him for awhile. I looked last night and saw a white bump on the back of his throat and decided because of the outburst of strep in Mora right now, he should make a trip to the dr. Results showed no strep though - great! However he got the WORST dr ever and she didn't even acknowledge the white spot on his throat, so if it's still there in a couple days he's going back! Wifey's orders!!

Although under the weather, Ryan took care of the girls all night while I went out after work to go beading and drink wine with the girls. It was fun, except my creativity lately is out the window! I made a memory wire bracelet that I decided I cut way too short...I should have left a few more loops on so it wrapped around my wrist a few more times. Also, when I finished it it kinda reminded me of christmas (red and green), even though it was pink and green. So I whipped up another one and decided they would be cute for the girls...I need some inspiration when I go there! I get so overwhelmed by all the beads that I just don't know what to do!



One for me, and one for you!

That pic was from my phone, so it looks a little crappy...the girls love 'em though!

Oh, also...if you could keep my uncle in your thoughts and prayers. He was in a snowmobile accident and shattered his pelvis, he was airlifted to Rochester and is currently there waiting for the swelling to go down before they can do surgery to repair. He was able to sit up and eat a little today, but he's on a lot of pain meds. He's gonna have a long road ahead of him with surgeries and physical therapy. So...if you could just say a quick prayer for his comfort and quick healing, that'd be awesome!

Thanks all! G'nite!



XOXO,

Erinn