Chocolate-Dipped Snowballs

Here's another fun recipe that I found in my FREE Kraft Food Magazine. I've made this treat for Thanksgiving and for a work party. They were a big hit at both celelbrations, and they are so simple to make.

Chocolate-Dipped Snowballs

• Prep Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Makes: 2 doz. or 24 servings, one ball each

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 pkg. (10 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallows

5 cups POST HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS with Almonds Cereal

1 container (7 oz.) BAKER'S Real Dark Semi-Sweet Dipping Chocolate

MELT butter in large saucepan on low heat. Add marshmallows; cook 5 min. or until marshmallows are melted and mixture is well blended, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal. Cool slightly.

SHAPE into 24 balls with moistened hands. Place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet; cool completely.

HEAT dipping chocolate as directed on container. Dip top of each ball in chocolate; return, dipped-side up, to baking sheet. Refrigerate 15 min. or until chocolate is firm. Cover and refrigerate remaining dipping chocolate.

An Engagement Picture

Something For The Fridge

Once a week I teach a Kindergarten class for 1/2 hour, and while I am sure that I could never teach them full time, the little guys are cute and sweet and funny. Yesterday one of my naughtier little 5-year-0ld students made this picture.

I asked him, "What are you drawing there?"
He answered, "That's you getting married in your wedding dress."
How darling! I love it when tough kids do something lovable like that.

Chocolate, Cranberry, & Oat Bars

Here is a yummy recipe for bars that I found in my
FREE Kraft Food Magazine. They turned out nicely and
have only 160 calories per serving.

(I substituted walnuts for pecans and chocolate chips for
chocolate baking squares.)

1 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup orange juice 1-1/2 cups flour 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats 1 tsp. CALUMET Baking Powder 1/4 tsp. salt 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) margarine, softened 1-1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar 2 eggs 4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup PLANTERS Pecan Pieces

PREHEAT oven to 350ºF. Combine cranberries and orange juice in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30 sec. Let stand 10 min. Meanwhile, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt; set aside. Beat margarine and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in cranberry mixture, chocolate and pecans. SPREAD dough into 13x9-inch baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. BAKE 20 to 22 min. or until center is set. Cool completely on wire rack before cutting into bars.

Happy Candy Day!

Today I will eat candy. I like to take advantage of the candy sales during this time of the year, and then I eat it all myself. Why would I give out perfectly good candy to a complete stranger?!?! My candy of choice this year (other than Peanut M&Ms, of course) are Take 5 candy bars. Sweet and salty!

I love the sweet and salty combo. At work this week, somebody shared a mix of candy corn and peanuts. It was pretty good. Did you know that Americans eat 35 million pounds of candy corn every year. That is enough candy corn to circle the moon 4 times. Although I prefer chocolate to pretty much every other treat, if the tri-colored candy is sitting around, I just can't help myself. And...here's a fun little website where you can Carve a Pumpkin.

My Super Sweet Running Shirt

I just picked up a new running shirt by Champion for outdoor running this fall and it is super sweet. The shirt is stretchy and made of wicking material to keep you cool and dry, it has a pocket for an MP3 player, and the sleeves have cuffs that can be flipped over your hands to keep them warm.


Available (in black) at Target for $24.99

Mmmm....Honeycrisp

I do not claim to be an apple connoisseur, but I recently discovered Honeycrisp Apples. A coworker introduced me to them by saying they were better than chocolate. Of course I did not believe her because nothing is better than chocolate, but I had to try one for myself just to be sure. Totally good...crunchy, juicy, and sweet....but not better than chocolate. They are my new favorite apple.

On sale at Target this week for 99 cents a pound.

Oh, Who are the People in Your Neighborhood?

One of my coworkers was browsing the list of sex offenders in the city this morning and informed me that she saw one listed as living on my street. I've known that there have been a few living within a couple of blocks from me, but I checked out the address to find that he lives across the street. Lovely. It made me think of a song from my childhood...


The People in Your Neighborhood
A song from Sesame Street
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, In your neighborhood?
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood,
The people that you meet each day?

Oh, the fireman is a person in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, in your neighborhood.
The Fireman is a person in your neighborhood,
A person that you meet each day.

I don't remember there being a verse for sex offenders, but there are more of those in my neighborhood than there are firemen. Ha!

Good News for Office Fans!

First of all, if you aren't watching The Office on NBC Thursdays you are missing out. It may take a few episodes for the show to grow on you, but give it a try.

If you are loving The Office as much as I do, here are three FYI's:

*Season 3 is on sale at Target this week for $27.99 (regularly $39.99)
*There are fun things on The Office website, like Dwight's blog
*You can view full episodes from this season

Enjoy!

A Better Bath

I enjoy taking a bath every once in a while, but I am always frustrated that I can only fill my tub about 2/3 full before the over-flow drain starts sucking down the warm water. But I found a cheap way to remedy the problem at Bed Bath and Beyond. For just $4.99 I enjoyed a tub completely filled with warm water. Actually I used a coupon for 20% off, so it was even less than that!

Technology Sadness

For the last month I've been thinking to myself, "I really should back up the files on my computer." Yesterday I was sad that I hadn't. My computer crashed. If this has ever happened to you, you know the sick feeling that accompanies the thought that you've pictures, music, and work. In the grand scheme of things, it isn't such a big thing. But here's a friendly reminder:

Prevent technology sadness by backing up your files!!!

A mother is...

"A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four
pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she
never did care for pie."

~Tenneva Jordan

It just doesn't get any better than this...

Two of my favorite treats have joined forces to create an irresistable candy sensation. Dark chocolate and Peanut M&Ms. I don't stand a chance.

A picnic, a walk, and a proposal...

That's what the Saturday before last had for me.

I said yes, by the way.

You're never too old for a trip to the zoo.

My sister and I recently visited Omaha to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Old Market. She's been hearing for a while now that Omaha has one of the best zoos in the country, frequently compared to the San Diego Zoo. We spent about 7 hours there only stopping for lunch. There was so much to see. If you are ever near Omaha be sure to make a stop there. The zoo was definitely worth the visit and the Old Market was a fun bonus, especially the Candy Shop.

Best Sneakers Ever!

Today I went for a run and I was thinking about how comfy my new running shoes are (Gel-Nimbus 9 by Asics). I picked them up a little over a month ago. I asked other runners what shoes they recommended, and everyone answered Asics as did the salesperson at the sporting goods store. So I got a pair and they truly are the best tennies I've ever owned. So if you're in the market new shoes, Asics are the way to go.

Thank you Liberty Mutual

I've been noticing the music on the new Liberty Mutual commercial and thanks to the Internet and iTunes I have been sampling music from HEM. How have I never heard of them before? Check out the commercial...

"The Part Where You Let Go"

and here's an older commercial featuring another song by HEM...

"Half Acre"

My sister the songwriter

Have you ever had that feeling when someone you are close to does something pretty amazing and your heart just swells with pride? I had that feeling tonight.

I was over at my parents' house and my dad, my sister and I were playing music out on the patio. Towards the end of our little hootenanny my sister sang a couple of songs she wrote recently. They were really beautiful.

Oh deer!

I had a fun surprise on my bike ride today. While enjoying the bike path by the river I spotted a deer. She was running on another path closer to the river and then came up onto the path that I was on only about 40 feet in front of me. I tried to keep up with her, but she was too fast even though I was going about 20mph. She must have realized that she wasn't getting far enough away from me because she quickly ran back into the tall grass and trees and I lost her. I love it when things like that happen. To my left houses and a dike. But to my right trees, river, deer. I just wish I'd had my camera.

A Fun Find

I recently attended an Art Festival and stumbled across a booth where a man was making name rings. He used a jewelers saw to carve names into silver or gold rings. He said that it usually takes him about 10 minutes to carve a ring with a single name, but he can put as many as 35 letters on a ring to make mother's/family rings which of course take more time. The rings were pretty cute so I decided to treat myself to one. All I had to do was give him my name and return later that day to pick it up. Check out Vickerman Name Rings.

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

I went to a women's book club tonight through my church. We are reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. The story is based on the book of Hosea in the Bible. I've read the book before, but as I'm rereading it I've been thinking a lot about what God's love is like. The more I think about it the more I realize that it is incomprehensible.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:17-19

Mountain Mama

I recently took a road trip to Billings, Montana to visit my man. The last time I had been to Montana was when I was in junior high and I hadn't seen mountains since my family took a trip to Colorado in high school. I remembered that the mountains were beautiful, but I had forgotten just how incredible they are.

We went to a place called Rosebud for a hike. We hiked up into the mountains 3 miles to called Mystic Lake. It was really pretty. The hike was not too difficult, although in some places it was a little tricky. We had a picnic at the lake and then headed out. We spent about 5 hours on our trek. The scenery was amazing.


One day we drove through Bear Tooth Pass. We went beyond Bear Tooth Pass to a gorge about 30 minutes away. We spent about an hour in Red Lodge going to the shops and getting coffee. My favorite shop was the candy store. They had every kind of salt water taffy.


We also went white water rafting in Absarokee, MT. I was sooooo nervous. The guide took us on a small raft - we were the only people and he wanted to try it out. We wore wet suits so it wasn't cold at all, but I wasn't a fan of wearing a skin tight body suit either! At one point on the trip, we climbed up the river bank and jumped off of a small cliff. Pretty wild, I know. We saw a bald eagle nest and a ranch previously owned by Mel Gibson. It was a lot of fun, but my back was sore from rowing the next day.

On the way home I stopped to visit a friend who was expecting a baby. I was hoping that she would have the baby by the time I got there, but no such luck. Thirty minutes after I left her husband called me to say that her water had broken. What timing!

I had a great time visiting friends and gallivanting through the mountains.
I can't wait to go back!

I'm a runner?!?!

I ran in the Fargo 1/2 Marathon last Saturday. It was an amazing experience. The weather was less than desirable: windy and cold. I optimistically wore a tank top and shorts and I was regretting that decision until I got into the run a few miles and started breaking a sweat. I felt really good until about mile 11, at which point a feeling of desperation came over me as I became acutely aware of every muscle in my legs and bum. But when I saw the finish line and my friends standing off to the side I felt great. Of course as soon as I stopped I felt horrible, but it was worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks to everyone who supported me during my training.

How not to give a retirement speech...

One of the paraprofessionals (education assistant) I work with is retiring this year. She's worked in the district for quite some time and the school held a retirement party for her the other day. The crowd encouraged her to give a speech. She did. It went something like this:

"I didn't prepare a speech. I'm not really sure what to say. I will miss the kids. I will miss some of you."

I wondered which of us she was going to miss. Too funny!

What died in here?!?!?

A recent e-mail from my sister...

"Your blog stinks! It smells kind of old and moldy like cheese that has gone bad!"

I just checked to see when I last wrote and I must admit that I am a very pathetic blogger. Will try harder in the future. My apologies to the handful of people who actually look this thing.

Getting in touch with my inner Irishwoman

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm only 1/6 Irish, but I am celebrating my Irish heritage today by wearing green and sporting my Claddagh necklace which I bought at a nice little Irish shop in Sioux Falls a few years ago. When I was looking at the jewelry in the shop, the owner began telling me the story of the Claddagh ring, and I was so fond of it that I treated myself to a necklace (it didn't seem like the kind of ring to by for myself). Here's the story....

A man named Richard Joyce set off for the West Indian slave plantations intending to marry his love when he returned. Joyce was kidnapped himself in rough seas by a band of Mediterranean pirates and sold to a Moorish goldsmith who over the many long years of his exile helped him perfect the skills of a master craftsman. When William III became king, he demanded the Moors release all British prisoners. As a result, Richard Joyce was set free. The goldsmith had such a great amount of respect for Richard Joyce that he offered Joyce his daughter and half his wealth if Joyce stayed, but he denied his offer and returned home to marry his love who awaited his return. During his time with the Moors he forged a ring as a symbol of his love for her. Upon his return he presented her with the ring and they were married.

The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown).

Golden Wisdom

Everything has its wonders,
even darkness and silence,
and I learn,
whatever state I may be in,
therein to be content.

Helen Keller, The Story of My Life

Free Things Are Good

When I cook, I like to cook. I just don't do it that often because I'm not a fan of eating leftovers for a week, and the bigger reason is that I don't seem to have much time for it. But here's a FREE magazine from Kraft that one of my coworkers told me about that I think I'll be able to use. I was told there are 4 issues every year. And for the good of singletons and busy people everywhere, HERE is a link for the magazine.

"Snow" Day = Productivity

My "Snow" Day Activities
1. Woke up @ 8:10 without alarm!
2. 3 loads of laundry
3. Crocheted
4. Made bed
5. Cat nap
6. Washed dishes
7. Dusted
8. Vacuumed
9. Filed paperwork
10. Balanced checkbook
11. Paid bills
12. Ran 6 miles
13. Regretted running mile #6
14. Showered
15. Visited parents for supper
16. A little fun shopping
17. Grocery shopping
18. Watched TV
19. Went to bed

Storm Day! Hooray! Hooray!

Words cannot express the joy I am feeling at this moment. Tomorrow is a snow day. I don't have to work. I get paid. Oh happy day!

I Am There!!!!

In September I posted that I was working on getting to the same size I was when I graduated high school. Well I met my goal and more! Now my prom dress is too big for me. Yesterday I had a fitness evaluation (basically I had my fat pinched) and it was really exciting. I've officially lost 80 pounds over the last 23 months, and since I started exercising 16 months ago I've lost a little over 10% of my body fat and 10 inches off my waist. Yay! Now I'm just working on maintaining (and getting man arms).

I will dance with you...

I was talking about the movie The Village with someone the other day, and I told them that it had a great love speech. They had no idea what I was talking about, so I thought I should share it here just in case you don't know about it either.

Ivy: How is it you are brave when all the rest of us shake in our boots?

Lucius: I do not worry about what will happen, only what needs to be done. How did you know I was here?

Ivy: I saw you out the window. No... I won't tell you your color. Stop asking......When we are married, will you dance with me? I find dancing very agreeable......Why can you not say what is in your head?

Lucius: Why can you not stop saying what is in yours? Why must you lead when I want to lead? If I want to dance, I will ask you to dance. If I want to speak, I will open my mouth and speak. Everyone is forever plaguing me to speak further. Why? What good is it to tell you that you are in my every thought from the time I wake? What good can come from my saying I-- I sometimes cannot think clearly, or- or do my work properly? What gain can rise from my telling you... the only time I feel fear as others do is when I think of you in harm? That is why I am on this porch, Ivy Walker. I fear for your safety above all others. And yes... I will dance with you on our wedding night.

Yummy Fruit Salsa

A gal from my church made this for our worship team yesterday. It was so yummy that I had to ask for the recipe. Enjoy!
1 pt. strawberries, finely chopped
3 kiwis, finely chopped
2 apples, finely chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup apple jelly
2 Tbsp. orange juice
Mix together and serve with cinnamon/sugar tortilla chips:
Brush flour tortillas with water. Sprinkle with cinnamon/ sugar mixture. Bake in 375 degree oven until lightly browned.

Memories, like the corners.....

I was hanging out with a friend the other day and somehow we ended up reminiscing about Sesame Street (specifically the Count counting and the number 12 song). If you are feeling nostalgic about either, check these out.

The Number 12 Song
The Count

Oooohhhh, The Sweetest Thing

My friend and her husband recently moved their treadmill from their living room to the office and she's no longer able to watch TV while she walks. Anyway, she told me the other day that while she was walking in the substantially more boring location her husband read to her to help pass the time.

Black Wednesday

It's coming. A little day I like to call Black Wednesday, or Thursday, or Friday, or whatever day it happens to be any given year. What is this day I'm referring to you ask? Valentine's Day. Well, here's a little laugh for all of the singletons out there.

Runny Nose Got You Down???

It doesn't matter why your nose is runny. The only thing that matters is that you do something about it. Check it out. Wear Snot Spot over your glove, mitten, or bare hand and wipe your nose until your heart's content.

I can't believe this is for real. I saw it in a health magazine. Don't believe me? Check out the Snot Spot website.

I have a blog?

I forgot.