Can I have a Napkin??

I am sitting in my empty house without much to do. My friend Robyn forwarded me this link and I got sucked into the world of YouTube.

A group called "ImprovEverywhere" has a lot of hilarious videos. A great place to have a few smiles and pass some time.

New House

Dennis went up to check in to the new base so we can move in on Friday. He snapped a picture for me of our new house. I think it is totally cute!!!

Goodbye House

Tonight is our last night all together in this house. Tomorrow Dennis leaves to pick up the keys to our new place and the movers come to take all our stuff away. I am really excited about our move and our new adventure, but I am sad to leave this place.

Here is a picture of Dennis and I when we came out to Norfolk for our house hunting trip. Oh, how things have changed since then!

We moved in, both started new jobs, found out we were pregnant, got promoted, HAD A BABY, won a car, raised a daughter, found out we were pregnant again...a lot has happened here.

While financially we bought at the wrong time, I am so thankful for this house. I remember being so giddy I couldn't sleep the night after our offer was accepted. This house has been so perfect for our family. We really were able to make it ours (and for the first time, paint walls!).

Here are a few pictures for memory's sake. And, yes, these are the pictures from when we put our house on the market, and in now way reflect the actual neatness of our house. It never actually looked like this (and as much as I wanted it to, part of me is glad for that).

We'll miss the first house that we ever owned. It certainly will hold a special place for me.

Cookies From Heaven

I think God blesses us in many ways. With family, friends, our health, and every once in awhile, a cookie recipe.

Let me explain. The other day we all went to lunch and after eating I (not surprisingly) decided to get a cookie. It turned out to be a delicious cookie. They called it chocolate chunk and I enjoyed every last bite. But, what made me sad was to know we are moving soon and I won't be able to get this cookie anymore. I figured I would have to search out a recipe, not knowing really what to call it. I even asked Dennis, "I wonder how they make the top shiny?"

Well, yesterday I was working on organizing the house. One of the things I wanted to do was use up some of the food in the pantry. I found a box of baking chocolate squares (and there is no way I could let those go to waste). I opened up the box to read the recipes on the inside and found one for Chocolate Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Imagine my delight when I read the words at the bottom..."Bake until shiny!" We had everything I needed so I gave them a try. And while they are not as perfect as the ones from the restaurant, they are a close second. Give them a try!

2 pkg. (8 squares each) Bakers Semi-Seet Baking Chocolate divided
3/4 C Brown Sugar
1/4 C butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 C Flour
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

Preheat oven to 350. Coarsely chop 8 of the chocolate squares; set aside. Microwave remaining 8 chocolate squares in large microwavable bowl on HIGH for 2 min, stirring after 1 min. Stir until completed melted. Add sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla; stir until well blended. Add four and baking powder; mix well. Stir in chopped chocolate pieces.

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased baking sheets

Bake 12-13 minutes or until puffed and shiny. Cool 1 min; trransfer to wire racks. C ool.

Makes about 2-1/2 doz or 30 servings, on cookie each.

Kangaroo Jacs

We went here on Friday and had a great time. I just started using this website and really like it. One of my favorite things is to make these collages so I thought I'd take our pictures from yesterday and try it out.

The Modern Cowgirl

Another New Lens

I bought another new lens. They just came out with this one (I wish it had been out before I bought the last one). I wanted one with low aperture but I had to auto-focus on my last one. This one focuses for me with is SO MUCH better! Here are a few shots right out of the camera from when I went to get Elyse from her nap





I like these in black and white too because it really shows off the lighting.


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