so what's up with the cute cupcake pattern above? I want to make those.... only I stink at reading a pattern. honestly, i was sick of seeing my butt posted on this blog (from the previous header picture...) so there you have it, stolen cupcakes. I'm just blogging today about nothing really...this months visiting teaching message had something about doing what is necessary before the unnecessary things in life...so, I will make this short. I am thankful, oh so thankful, for relief society in my life. i am thankful to have connections with other women. i love the relief society for helping me make friends through visiting teaching. i love it for allowing me a place to use my "skills"...i love it for giving me opportunities to go to places like the care center to sing for women much older than myself (who offer me much food for thought), i love it for the way it ties me to my mom and grandma and her mom and her grandma. i love the association it has given me with people as far away as New Jersey to Arizona and some in between. i am happy to be a member of one of the largest women's organizations in the world, especially one that helps me to be a better person. if you want to read more about what RELIEF SOCIETY is all about go to http://www.lds.org

This is one of my favorite Sunday dinners... just thought I would share... I cheat on the pork loin however....I buy the marinated lemon garlic one from walmart $7.84 and shake on a little cumin... but the salad is my favorite! I love sweet potatoes and beans, it's a new combination but so yummy... especially with the citrus dressing..... you should try it! (*that one's for you Lisa!! :)

Ingredients
Serves 4
3 pounds center-cut boneless pork loin
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus 1 teaspoon, divided
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound total), peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime), plus wedges for serving
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 450, with racks set in upper and lower thirds. Place pork on a rimmed baking sheet. Rub with 1 teaspoon oil; season with cumin, salt, and pepper. Roast on upper rack until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of meat registers 145 degrees, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven, and cover loosely with aluminum foil; let rest about 10 minutes. (Slice off 1/3 of meat and refrigerate.)
About 15 minutes after pork has begun roasting, place sweet potatoes on another rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Season with red-pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper; toss to coat. Roast on lower rack, until tender, tossing once during cooking, 25 to 35 minutes.
In a large bowl, whisk lime juice with remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Add sweet potatoes, beans, onion, and, if using, cilantro; mix gently to combine. Thinly slice pork, and serve with salad and lime wedges.

What should we do today?

After Parent Teacher Conference last week, Sadie's teacher reminded me that my little 2nd grader could use some practice in the skill of counting money... so... on this "the King's Birthday"... as Sadie thought it was (aka Martin Luther King Jr. Day) we decided to pull out the change mug...

so how much do you think we have? and what can we do with such loot? Mason votes bowling... Sadie votes split it up and go on a shopping spree with approximately $4.05 each, Nick wants to do whatever Mason wants to do. So, we'll see....

BY GEORGE...HE'S GOT IT!

HE DID IT! HE FINALLY MASTERED THE ART OF SITTING ALL BY HIMSELF.



WHAT A GOOD THING. HOWEVER, EVERY NEW THING THAT MAKES MY LITTLE BABY GROW UP IS SO BITTER SWEET. I WOKE HIM UP FROM A NAP THE OTHER DAY JUST TO HOLD HIM AND SMELL HIM. HE'S SO CUTE AND LITTLE AND I SOOO DON'T WANT HIM TO GROW UP... YA KNOW?
NICK GOT "GROUNDED" FOR THE WHOLE WEEK FOR PUNCHING SADIE AND TO BE DOWN RIGHT HONEST... IT'S BEEN QUITE NICE JUST HAVING HIM HOME AND WITH ME. WE DECIDED TO RENT HORTON HEARS A WHO (great punishment huh?)

a cure for the "winter time blues"

I don't know what's gotten in to me lately...I've got the blues... but don't worry...NICK & I found a cure!!

Cocoa-nut Brownies:

topping:
1 1/2 c. coconut
1 1/2 c. walnuts
1/4 c. melted butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt

Brownies:
1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. cocoa
melt in medium saucepan... and add:
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt

spread brownies in 13x15 jelly roll pan that has been lined with foil and sprayed with pam..sprinkle on topping and bake @ 350 for 25-30 min.


I have no reason to feel down, I just get this way every once in a while...(must be the darn diet... he he)

Andy's got a brand new chair.....

honestly... who cares....I know..... but he's just so dang cute!!!

Yo!