let the cookie crumble

Okay so if you are wanting to make some awesome sugar cookies that you can actually frost and set on top of each other without it messing up the frosting try these ones. I love these cookies and they are so yummy, fun to make, and pretty easy. You can’t beat sugar cookies when you can cut out any shape you want with a cookie cutter and walla you have a pumpkin, ghost, or even a bat that look good.  The sugar cookie recipe is from Colby's mom and the frosting is from a Pampered Chef friend of mine, Rachael, thanks girls for the yummy recipes.

Sugar Cookies

1 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
4 c. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 TBLS. milk
2 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Add rest of ingredients. Roll on floured surface and cut out. Dough may be chilled before rolling. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 8 minutes.

Sugar Cookie Frosting

(This will set up so the cookies can touch with out messing up the frosting)
2 1/2 Cup of Powder Sugar
1/4 Cup water
4 tsp. meringue powder
1/4 Cup light corn syrup

Beat Powder sugar, water, and meringue powder on low until combined then beat on high 4 min. (or so) until soft peaks form. Add light corn syrup and beat 1 more minute. Then add food coloring. Spread on cookies and let cookies sit out overnight and enjoy.

Fast Bacon and Scarey Trains

We went to one of our favorite pre Halloween spots, Schnepf Farms. We always have so much fun there and it always gets us in the Halloween spirit. Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for holidays. I love fall and winter because of the holidays. I am all about creating traditions and this is one of them the we started once we had kids and haven’t missed a year since Brielle was born. This year we went with Lisa, Nate, Aubrey, and Dylan, and we all had a blast. The weather was nice a bit warm, but nice and everyone was happy.   We took so many picture while we were there that if you want to see all of them check out our photo gallery, there are some pretty cute pictures of the whole bunch. 

We had a blast riding all the rides, watching the pig races, enjoying yummy food, and of course going on the scary train ride.

They have some really great rides some of which included a rollercoaster, a bee ride, flying airplanes, swings, a huge slide, and a two-seater bike/car thing. So we had to ride them all of course and guess what the rickety rollercoaster was the kids favorite. I think my favorite was the two-seater bike/car thing that Colby actually pedaled Cooper and I by himself on a dirt road, it was hilarious. I was cracking up the whole time. Both Colby and Nate’s legs were burning after we were done. It was classic.

Then we had to take in the famous pig races where Aubrey and Brielle were chosen to cheer the pigs on as they raced. They had fun doing that, unfortunately their pigs didn’t win, oh well they still got a candy treat so they were all good with that.

Next we headed over to the Hamburger shack for some yummy grub. The kidos had hamburgers and we had pulled pork sandwiches. It was actually really yummy. We love the Schnepf Farms brownies. If you go you have to get a brownie. Yummy.

Then of course we had to do MORE rides, while the guys waited in line for the spooky train ride. After they waited like an hour for the train we headed over there and met them and did my favorite part of all of the farm experience the train. At night it gets spooky. It really is a bit spooky. When the train goes through the orchard people dressed up all creepy and jump out at you and scare the heck out of you. Brielle was in tears. I think Aubrey was just a bit shocked and had no clue if she should laugh or cry. It was way too fun. I love the train.


After the train ride we had to pile our dirty, dusty bodies into the car and head for the long ride home. The kids both fell asleep so it was into the bed they went right when we got home. Nice what more could you ask for! A great day, with great company, two sleeping kids, and finally and hour of peace and quiet to ourselves to rest tell we hit the hay.

chicken soup for the soul

This soup is quick to make, flavorful, and filling! Serve with warm corn bread or tortillas. This also freezes well. Garnish with chopped fresh avocado, Monterey jack cheese, crushed tortilla chips, or green onion!  Perfect for a cold (or even warm if you're in Arizona) fall evening!!!  The picture doesn't do it justice, my cousin, Heidi, made it one night and brought it to a Pampered Chef meeting and it looked and smelled delicious I had to try it and now it is one of our favorites. 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth (for creamier soup, use cream of chicken) (I like to use half and half
1 1/4 cups water (a lot of the times, I use the water that I cooked the chicken in)
1 cup whole corn kernels, cooked
1 (4 ounces) can chopped green chili peppers
1 (15 ounces) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces

Toppings:
Crushed tortillas chips, sliced avocado, shredded Monterey jack cheese, sour cream, chopped green onion

Directions:
1. In a medium stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, cumin, tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to boil, and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
2. Stir in corn, chilies, beans, cilantro, and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, and top with crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onion.  Yields:  8 servings

gorgeous gourds

Okay so if you are needing some Halloween or Fall inspiration check in each day because I am going to do some fun Halloween/fall activities for the next four days up until Halloween just to get us into the spirit.

Today we did a really fun activity I found last year in my Family Fun magazine (which by the way if you haven’t seen this magazine it is awesome if you have kids), the activity was called Gorgeous Gourds. It was really fun and turned out so cute. It would be really fun to do even after Halloween. I got gourds for really cheap at Walmart (2 different bags of different varieties) and then the kids and I went on a nature walk. We headed to Country Side Park and found fun thing to decorate our gourds such as pinecones, pine needles, rocks, leaves, pods, beans, berries, etc. Then we went home and later that night made our cute little creations. Are they not so fun, adorable and so creative? We had tons of fun and it was way cheap. (Oh FYI I used a hot glue gun to keep everything together) Now we have two cute gourd characters decorating our kitchen. The fat little round one is Brielle’s and the tall, skinny one is Cooper’s, cute little creatures. Have fun creating!!! (Oh don't forget you can always click on our pictures to see them nice and big, isn't Cooper cute with his gourd creation.)

Freedom, Kick Stands & Skinned Knees

Brielle did it, she conquered the bike without the training wheels. Yeppie. Colby took her out and helped her get started and she took off. It is so fun to see her riding around on her bike anywhere she wants to go, FREEDOM. We went for a walk the other day and seeing her on her little bike riding around stopping, starting, getting frustrated, falling, crying, yelling, smiling, it really brought back a flood of childhood memories. I totally remember my dad holding onto the back of my seat and then eventually letting me go and me just feeling like I was a little butterfly able to do and go anywhere like I was flying. What fun childhood memories. I love being a mommy and being able to create wonderful memories for my sweet kids that hopefully one day they’ll remember with their kids. I also love the fact that my kids have such a good daddy to help them, thanks Colby for all you do with the kids, they sure love you and so do I!

Brielle Bike Riding from Colby Bower on Vimeo.