enjoying christmas lights

press media "a christmas party" 2011

Press Media Christmas Party

Dad giving prizes away!

family time

 Cute Arie and Mason. She just adores him.

Emmy came to visit! I just love this little girl! 

 Spending time with my wonderful mom! I don't know what I what do without her!

 Christmas card photo. 

 Harley likes scarfs almost as much as I do.

deck the halls

First tree. First Christmas. I was so excited I started decorating on Thanksgiving! Tys did such an awesome job on putting up the tree. So far its been a wonderful holiday season. We've seen lots and lots of lights, and lots and lots of Christmas movies. My favorite! 

christmas crafts

Cut an old t-shirt and make a head wrap. Easy and free.

Mod Podge, newspaper, old christmas balls, and a little bit of glitter. Easy and fun mix up for the tree. 

Made Christmas ornaments with our left over flowers from our wedding. 

annie play

Such a fun night with the Clements! Yummy food, and one of my favorite plays of all time! 

sundance

We had a fun little time up at Sundance. Hot chocolate, a wedding, beautiful lights, and a perfect scenery. Someday I want a cabin up there.  

the birthday boy!

Can you tell how much he loves to have his picture taken? hahah. It was a fun day to celebrate my wonderful husbands birthday with his family and mine. I just love him and couldn't be more grateful for him! 

fall is in the air

whit & jord

Congrats to the new mr & mrs Whatcott! We drove down to AZ for the beautiful reception and had so much fun! (Except Tysen driving threw the night on 5 energy drinks) But overall everything couldn't have gone better. We just love these two!

zzzzz...

I just had to post this. This is Harley EVERY TIME we get in the car. He loves the car and he loves to sleep just like that! 

Favorite Southwest BBQ Salad

Favorite Southwest BBQ Salad

2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped

1/2 container spring mix salad (costco)

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 bag precooked grilled chicken (costco deli), cut bite size

sweet baby rays bbq sauce

1 can black beans, rinsed & drained well

3/4 cup frozen white sweet corn

3 roma tomatoes, chopped

1 cup shredded jack cheese

1/2 cup sliced roasted almonds

*roasted red pepper dressing (see recipe below)

toss romaine, spring mix and cilantro together and place on a large platter. next, spoon on the corn and black beans. in a separate bowl mix chicken with bbq sauce. then spoon on salad. top with tomatoes, jack cheese and almonds. drizzle the dressing over the top. * this is a family favorite of ours, i hope you enjoy it!

roasted red pepper dressing:

1 8oz. jar roasted red bell peppers, (don't drain!!!)

1 clove crushed garlic

1 tbls dijon mustard

1/4 c. rice vinegar

1/2 tbls lime juice

1/4 tbls chili powder

1/4 tbls cumin

1/2 tbls Cholula hot sauce

3/4 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese

1/4 cup canola oil

in a blender, blend all ingredients except for oil, until smooth. finally, add the oil in slowly to form an emulsion. taste and season as needed. 

fun fall ideas

i LOVE white. 

apples and marshmallows 

candy corn painted pumpkins

cute owl cupcakes

pumpkin made with bunt cake pan. 

oreos, white chocolate & life savors.

fall wreath with burlap bow. LOVE it.

pretzels, hugs, candy corn.

drinks in pumpkin

would be even better with homemade oreos!

first summer

We had a wonderful summer filled with lots of yummy treats, fireworks, baking experiments, baby sitting, football games, watching Harley grow, biking trips, pampering trips to st. george, weddings, and many many movies.

Harley Cruz

Meet Harley Cruz, the addition to the Clements family! Tysen wanted a bulldog, Lauren wanted a small dog, so a mini bulldog it was! We absolutely LOVE him. So far all he wants to do is sleep and cuddle. Perfect! and only one accident so far. He's so sweet and so good and we just adore him! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

I've gotten on a new saturday treat kick so don't be surprised if we bring you a random treat on the weekend haha. These are very delicious and easy though! a MUST try! I found them off passionfoodie. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes (makes 12)

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 cup cold water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare cupcake pan by spraying with cooking oil and placing liners in the pan.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, shift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together vanilla extract, oil, vinegar and water.  Then slowly whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  The mixture will be wet but do not overmix.

Pour the batter into the cups until they are 2/3 full. Place cupcake pan into oven for approximately 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick is inserted into the center and comes out clean.

Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes.  Then remove to wire rack to cool completely before adding the frosting.

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups of powdered sugar
1 - 1 1/2 tablespoon milk (depending on desired consistency)

Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together to butter and peanut butter until creamy and there are no more butter lumps.  Add the two cups of powdered sugar and beat on low for 1minute.  Add milk and beat on medium for an additional minute.  Add additional powdered sugar if you want your frosting to be thicker.

Decorate cupcakes with frosting and sprinkle with chopped Reese's peanut butter cups

Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

We made this on Sunday for our neighbors and they are so easy and YUMMY you have to try them!

Directions:

1. Prepare the brownies: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with nonstick spray. In a medium glass bowl, melt chocolate in the microwave in short bursts of 30 seconds; stir after each burst and remove from microwave when melted and smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, mix butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Mix in melted chocolate. Blend in flour and mix just until combined (don't over-mix). Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake 25 to 35 minutes. Watch closely and remove from oven when toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

2. Prepare the cookie dough: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Mix in milk and vanilla. Mix in flour just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

3. Spread cookie dough over the cooled brownies. Refrigerate until the dough is quite firm. It's okay to speed up the process and place it in the freezer too. The firmer the dough, the easier it will be to cut into neat squares. Use a sharp knife to cut the brownies. You may need to wipe the knife off with a paper towel in between cuts since the fudgy brownies and cookie dough will tend to stick to the knife a bit. These brownies are best to serve placed inside cupcake papers and served with a fork.

4. If you'd like to add chocolate drizzle on top, melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of shortening in the microwave; stir until smooth. Scoop the melted chocolate into a zip baggie and snip off the corner. Squeeze the bag to drizzle the chocolate on top of each brownie. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top, if desired.

lovely quotes

I have a bit of a quote obsession. But I just can't help it.. they either make you feel justified in the way you already feel... or make you feel much much better!