I hate being sick!

So I was on pinterest the other day (if you dont have it get it! its free and will change your world) and this was a remedy for colds! check it out and tell me what youthink!

You just eat 1tsp. honey mixed with 1/4 tsp. cinnamon twice a day for three days, beginning at the earliest sign of a cold.  The honey and cinnamon are both said to have antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties.

Goodbye 2011

The last few days I have been sitting back and thinking about 2011. I have been thinking what a year so much has happened to me personally and professionally that I cant comprehend all that has gone on. But it was an amazing year. I learned alot and I grew alot. I can say I am the happiest I have been in a very long time.

I am learning to stand on my own and find out who I am. But I am also learning to stand with someone beside me and make decisions together. Which isnt as easy as it looks. you would think someone elses opinion would be a good thing lol.  but its wonderful having someone to lean on.

I said good bye to my dearest friend of 15 years as I made the heart breaking decision to send her to doggie heaven. But shes in a much better place and showing the doggie heaven God that shes the princess. Then I welcomed the most wonderful, amazing, funny puppy into our lives. Miss Marley. Shes one of a kind but shes very much mommies dog. but she loves her brothers so very much. I have never met a dog who had so much love to give. She does things i dont understand but I still love her. its defently a growing experience for both jonathan and I.

Jonathan and I bought a house. I moved out from my mom (even though I have said I was never leaving lol) and now we are renovating it and making it our own. I love every minute of it. i get stressed out about it. but its all coming together. I moved to a little village called Doaktown. A place I would never imagine I would be. But I love this little community. Its quite and I am happy.

I am learning to restart my business in photography. to go back to the basics. I am in a new place and people have no idea who I am or what my business offers. But because I have to go back to the basics I am learning to fix the mistakes I had last time. I am getting a second chance. and again learning to stand on my own.

I am learning to be a "step" hockey mom. I spend my saturday mornings at the very cold hockey rink. And in the summer the very hot soccer field. But I love those boys. I love watching them grow and change over the year. And have their personalities shine on and off the ice.  I never thought in a million years I would want to be a step mom. But these boys bring more joy in my life that I could ever imagine. as sad as it sounds I am turning into my mother. I had a great step father whom I call DAD. Who was always there for me through thick and thin and as I learn from the best I know he is proud.

I have always loved to bake. but was always afraid to take a big step and try different recipes. this blog allows me to do that. I have had so much fun showing you different recipes and have lots more to show this year. I loved going to town and people stopping me saying oh i made this and it turned out great. and it was soooo easy!! thats my plan to make everything as easy as i can.

I have learned to have a little more Faith in my God. I have been tested and tested but I know that I have an awesome God who will never leave me nor forsake me. And will always walk with me and carry me when I need Him too.
This last few days I have heard whispers from some people wondering why I do what I do and questioning the things I have. its been really bothering me. I have worked very hard this year. and I have am proud to say I have alot to show for it. I have come so far and I have never been more happier in my life. But as I trust in God I know that its just Satan being very jealous.  As I look back at  a year full of events I cherish and love each one of them. God has blessed me with so much and I am thankful every day.

2011 was out of this world. I can only imagine what 2012 holds for me. I cant wait to see.But I am in such a good place I know that it can only get better!

Goodbye 2011. What a year.. I cant wait to see what 2012 brings!!

so 2012 what are my plans? to bake more, try and become a fulltime photographer, take more time for me, be proud of what i have done, and renovate some more. and take more time for fun! see you in 2012! I have also to try not to care what others think. I may say things or do things that people may snicker and or dislike me but its ok.

No fail chocolate peanut butter fudge

you will need:
1 cup butter
1 1/4 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups icing sugar

directions
melt in large sauce pan butter then add peanut butter
remove from hear
stir in cocoa, vanilla, and icing sugar
then place in a square pan
place in fridge

Enjoy!

Breton Brittle

You will need:
25 (or more) breton crackers (original, big ones)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions
preheat oven at 350
linen cookie sheet with tin foil
place crackers on sheet
combine sugar and butter in a sauce pan and bring to boil for about 3 mins
poor over crackers and bake for 10-15 mins
when they come out place chocoalte chips on top and spread around once they are melted

for decoration you can put sprinkles or whatever you want on top

Candy Cane Blossoms

These are super easy and super good!
a few little things i learned while making these: make sure your balls are small. they expand really easy.
also most pics i have seen of these the sprinkles are red and green separated i put mine together

you will need:
1 bag hersheys candy cane kisses
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups of flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 tblsp milk
red and green sprinkles (sugar)

preheat oven at 350
mix all together
then roll into small balls
then roll into sugar
then flatten a little
place on cookie sheet and bake for 8 mins
when they come out place hershey kiss on top!

Enjoy!

My favorite things in my Kitchen

I have been recieving emails about what to get their baker in their life. well here are somethings that I have in my kitchen that I cant live without!

1. Spoonula
This is from Racheal Ray and I LOVE them. Sooo love them. I dont know what I would do without them! when you are making soups or sauces you can just set it on the pot how awesome!

2. My Wooden Spoon ~ you always need a wooden spoon!!

3. Bench Scrap ~ at first i didnt think this would be good. but as i got to using it. i noticed i was using it more and more

4. Rubbermaid Containers ~ I have the best mother inlaw. Well I have the best mother in law either away! but she gave me these containers and when i went to the US I bought a ton of them cause they were on sale. they take up very little space and i love it!!

5. My Wilton Pans ~ these are made for baking. I only have 2 but I am so buying more!

Gingerbread Snowflakes

I make these every year. and every year I complain about how much I hate decorating them. My back gets sore and I get tired. But I still do it every year! lol but they are just so pretty!

You will need:
6 cups of flour
1 tblsp baking powder
1 tablsp ginger
1 tblsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup butter
1 cup molasses
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

Directions:
mix all the dry ingrediants together. then mix all the wet ones then add them to the dry.
You may have to kneed it a little
roll out and cut into your favorite shapes

Bake at 350 for 9-12 moins ( my oven took 11 mins)