Cake Balls!

Remember the other day when I mentioned that I made Cake Balls? Well, I did. I've made them a few times before and since they are sooo yummy I just had to make them again. So I did. And this time, I think I figured it out. 

They turned out just like I wanted them to. 

scrumptious.

Now, you should go and make some for yourself. It's very simple really. 

Get a boxed cake at the store (any kind you want) and get an icing you want to eat with it. Chocolate, strawberry, lemon, confetti. Any at all. Really, it's impossible to go wrong. Cake is good. Icing is better. Any combination of the two has got to be divine! 

Then you:

Bake the cake as the directions say to on the box. Let it cool. 

Break the cake into chucks and in a big bowl mix in the icing.

(don't use the whole thing of the icing though, just most of it : )

Stick the cake in the fridge for a few hours. 

Remove from the fridge and start rolling the cake into little balls. 

After (or while) the cake is rolled up ... 

Melt some candy melts or chocolate chips (white or butterscotch).

One whole bag works pretty well, but I have a second one on hand just in case.

Dip the cake balls into the icing. 

(I have found that the dipping is more successful when you pour the melted 

candy/chocolate into a mug or something). 

Then you get to eat the yumminess you just made!

See?! Simple! Easy peasy! 

oh, they are so good! Now, go make some and then invite me over so I don't have to make more and then eat them all by myself! : ) 

cheers! 

pinning?

I signed up for Pinterest today. I've heard (and seen) so many good things about it. And finally curiosity got the best of me. I had to see what it was all about. So I took the plunge. Signed up for a twitter account. And got into Pinerest.

So far, I'm not really sure what to do. I see lots of pictures I like and I click, "repin". Is that what I'm supposed to be doing? How do you make boards? How do you edit board? Or pictures? I need a tutorial. Maybe I'm just over thinking this. It's simple, right? Please tell me it's simple. How do you get your Pins(?) onto blogger? So many questions!

I always see cute little collections of pictures on your all's blogs and I just can't figure out how you do it! Although, I suppose I did just sign up for it. I'll figure it out, in time, right? Right.

If you have any help, suggestions, or other useful information I would gladly welcome it!

I hope you all have had a happy Thursday!

Cheers! 

Ned the Dog Trainer

A few nights ago The Hubs and I were hanging out with our small group. We all decided it would be a fun idea to walk to Dairy Queen (since it is boiling hot here!) and get some ice cream. yum. So we did. We leashed up the dogs and buckled in the baby (our friend's baby, not ours) and headed out on our way.

Before I go on I should say that we had Puppy with us that night. We were coming back from getting Puppy from The Hubs' parents house. We didn't have time to stop at home and get to our friends' house in a timely manner so we brought Puppy along. Which was fine with the friends. In fact, they have two doggies themselves. So it was like a little party. kind of. not really. But still, it was quite nice. 

Anyhow. Like I was saying. We leashed the doggies up and buckled in the baby. And we walked. And walked and walked. Until we got to Dairy Queen. Ok. Really, it wasn't that long a walk. It was quite nice. Except the part where we about died trying to cross the street because there was no traffic light. yikes. 

And then there we were at Dairy Queen for some ice cream. Not long after we had sat down at one of the nice tables and were drinking enjoying our ice cream a car pulls up. Not just any car. An old boxy rusty noisy car. I really don't pay attention to makes and models unless it happens to be a kind of car I lust after. Which it wasn't. Obviously. In the car sat two men. Talking. Loudly. They sat in there for a while after they parked. But I could really see them as my back was to them. 

After about five hours of them sitting in their car Man gets out. And kind of stumble-y like walks over to us. To our doggies. The two little doggies greeted Man well enough and thankfully Man's friend came over and ushered Man inside the building. whew. 

But then . . . not too long after [I still hadn't finished my blizzard, forget the fact that I'm a slow eater] Man comes back outside. And starts talking to us. Ok. Whatever. Fine. We'll be friendly and chat for a little bit. Then Man introduces himself as Ned. Ned started talking to The Hubs. So The Hubs asked Ned if he had any dogs. 

In my head I answered Hubs' question: "yes. Pitbull."

Bingo! That is exactly what Ned said. That and a Mastiff and another big dog, maybe a Rottweiler or something crazy. Anyhow, according to Ned he is a professional dog trainer. At least, that's what he told us. ...he never specified as to what kind of dog trainer he was exactly. Use your imagination. It's really not too difficult to figure out.

"Boy or girl? Boy or girl?" Ned slurs.

"Boy," Hubs says.

"Come here, girl!" Ned calls.

Girl, aka Puppy, does not go to Ned. In fact he scurries as far away from Ned as he can possibly get. I don't blame him.

Ned's breath is kinda stinky. Like, alcohol. Yes. You could say that. Ned smells of liquor. I hope he wasn't the one driving. And that if it was his friend driving, that Ned was the only one drinking. But... who knows.

"Watch this. Come here, girl," Ned calls to Puppy and grabs him by the leash. Or tries to at least.

"Boy or girl? Boy or girl?" Ned asks, again.

"Heh. Boy," reminds Hubs.

Puppy walks away. Ned moves so he is closer to Puppy. And promptly proceeds to wave his hand right in front of Puppy's face. "I can train her, watch," boasts Ned.

"No. That's okay. He doesn't need any training, we work with him at home," Hubs says.

"Boy or girl? Boy or girl?" Ned asks, yet again.

"He's a Boy," I say with very little annoyance in my tone I am sure.

"Come here, girl! I'll teach you a trick," Ned is not letting up. And he is getting a lot closer. To Puppy and to us. eh, no thank you, Ned. Ned continues to move his hand in circles and crazyness right in front of Puppy.

Puppy is getting annoyed. He is not the only one. "Hey, girl," Ned says as he sticks his arm right in front of Puppy's mouth.

Great. Ned is going to teach our puppy how to bite people. Won-der-ful. And that's when Puppy snaps. Bares his sharp little fangs, growls the meanest growl I've heard come from his mouth, and narrows his eyes with a look that could have killed Ned.

"We don't want Puppy to bite you, Ned," Hubs says.

"I won't sue you if she does. Promise, man." yeah right.

I stand up and start walking away. Hubs is coming too. [now looking back on it, I think I may have just started walking off without waiting for the rest of our small group to be ready to leave. I'm pretty sure I didn't care. That's not very nice of me now is it?]

Ned follows. "I can teach her. Girl, here," he says as he again hold his arm right in front of Puppy's face. Puppy is gettin' mean and cranky. I am a little scared for my life.

"We're leaving now. Bye, Ned." I say, curtly.

"Hold up. I'll give you $1000 for your dog right now. Look, I got it in my pocket," Ned offers as he pulls a wad of somethin' somethin' out of his pants pocket.

Oh. Good. Gravy. "We are not selling our dog," I say as I clutch Puppy to me and walk quickly away from Ned.

"$1000! Right here!"

"Nope." And I didn't look back.

oh, good goodness.

And then we [the small group had caught up by that point] walked back to the house and told a police man we saw about crazy Ned.

Now, there is good news here:

1. We are still alive.

2. Puppy didn't bite anyone.

3. We still have Puppy.

4. We know that Puppy is protective and can sense a bad guy when he sees/hears/smells one. I had always wondered if an unwelcome intruder came our way if Puppy would toughen up and attack if necessary. Now I know, yes, yes he will. And it is reassuring. I'm happy to know Puppy doesn't just bark the bark. He can be a tough little guy and protect me.

And that's the only happy ending to that little adventure.

oh, there are some pretty interesting people around, eh?  

Sorry for the longer post. I got a little carried away and nearly drowned in a pool of tears and fear just from recounting the events of this little nightmare story.

Anyhow. Toodles for now!

one thousand gifts

I was visiting Bloom the other day and she was talking about how she found a wonderful book, One Thousand Gifts and then she mentioned a challenge... to write down 1000 gifts you have been given. While I still haven't actually gotten my hands on the actual book I am excited to begin this little journey. 

I did go to the book store this weekend and I looked for the book, but sadly they did not have it. Shame. Now I am going to have to look elsewhere. Maybe I should wait to start my thousand gift journey until I get the book, but I'm just so excited and can't wait. Once I get the book and start reading it I will let you know more about it. Then hopefully you will be able to start a list of a thousand gifts.

As I read the book I am going to be linking up with Ann (ooo, I've never linked up for anything before! how exciting!) every Monday for my thousand gifts. I am sure it is going to take me much longer to think of my thousand things than it will for me to read the book. I think this is going to be a wonderful journey and that it is going to make me truly appreciate the gifts I have been blessed with.

So here I go, in no particular order with no particular number. 

1. Rain pitter-pattering on the roof over my head. 

2. Cuddle time with Puppy. 

3. Fresh picked blueberries. 

4. Little chubby sticky fingers and sweaty hugs. 

5. Reading in a quiet room. 

6. Falling asleep to a humming fan on a hot night. 

7. Driving to the airport to pick up a loved one. 

8. Chopping up artichoke hearts and mixing them in with yummy goodness to make Spinach Artichoke Dip. 

9. Cake balls, I finally got it right! [post to come on those cake balls very soon.]

10. Sunday afternoon naps. 

11. Sitting on a porch swing on the perfect fall morning. 

12. My job interview!! 

--- yes, that's right, folks! I have a job interview! It's tomorrow afternoon! I am so wonderfully excited and thankful for this opportunity. I was debating about wether or not I should put that up here because should I not get the job (which I will) I didn't want it to be known publicly that I didn't get the job and am a failure. But then I thought about how I should be honest as I know you all are. And I also know that I would be lifted and surrounded in prayer if I mentioned I had an interview and asked for some extra prayers tomorrow. So I'm sharing my happy news and asking that if you think of me tomorrow afternoon that you would just say a little prayer for me and my job. 

And that's where I'm gonna stop today. Like I said, this is a journey. It's gonna take a little bit to get to 1000. But that is okay with me! Now you should go link up with Ann and try this out for yourself! 

cheers!

Last Week

In honor of today being Friday and almost a whole week since I have been at my sister's house, I want to share some of my Minnesotan adventures with y'all.  

This is one of my adorable nephews, he was giving me some Tinker Bell chap-stick. I love his mop of curls! 

Maybe his Mama Papa won't appreciate this, but I just couldn't help myself! He is a stinkin' cutie!  

 

Remember when I told you we went blueberry picking? We did, and this is one of the "gigantic" berries he picked and promptly popped in his little mouth to enjoy. 

The cute sister pickin' her berries. 

 

little munchkin!

berries!  

 lots of berries. 

  

I would like to take this opportunity to say that it was quite chilly that morning. And it rained. And I was the only one without a jacket. Apparently I just wasn't very prepared. I'm not complaining, just noting to you all that I did not freeze to death while I was picking berries. Actually, it was really the perfect morning to pick berries. Perfect because it was chilly and a little rainy. And that is my favorite kind of morning. I would much rather be chilly than hot. Which do you prefer? 

I never realized that's what I look like when I munch on blueberries. 

my sister with all of her plunder.

my loot ... not too shabby, considering I didn't have any help ; ) 

I just want to eat him up! 

I love this pitcher and these kiddos! 

 [you should try spelling picture like that some time (pitcher), it lifts your spirits immediately. do it, you will thank me later :]

the farm 

chillin', and yes, the bunny is apparently reading a book : ) 

  

munchin on some of that yummy cake batter frozen yogurt I was tellin you about. I will post a recipe for that here soon, that way you can all enjoy some! 

Anyhoot. I know there were loads of photos, I just couldn't help myself. That's pretty much what I did all last week, hang out with some cuties and pick blueberries. Oh, and shop at The Mall of America : ) it's always a fun time with my sister. I just didn't take any pictures of that outing. 

Happy Friday, y'all! 

pretty please with sprinkles on top

I just wanted to share some of my birthday delights with you guys. 

Like this one... 

and this one...

[this is the homemade cake batter frozen yogurt I was telling you about :]

Anyhow, it was a pretty nice day. I pretty much did nothing. Well, actually, that's not completely true. I finished reading my book, The Help, so expect a little book review coming soon! I also finished two weeks worth of laundry. And I made the yummy frozen yogurt above. When The Hubs came home from work we went to dinner at P.F. Chang's. 

Pretty exciting. I know. 

So yes. Now I am old. Oh, and I learned something new yesterday. I'll impart my new found bit of knowledge on to you [just don't tell me, "Oh, I already knew that!" mmk?]. So, did you know that Martin Luther King Jr. was only 26 years old when he started his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement? It's true. He was. I never realized before just how young he was. Crazy. There's a man who did so much with his life, what have I done with my life up to this point? humm... I'll get back to you on that one : ) 

Anyhoot. Happy Thursday, y'all! 

home sweet home and some yummy cake batter frozen yogurt

Well, gee-peers. I feel like it has been far too long. And is has. Let me explain why. 

I was gone for 9 days on the mission trip I mentioned a little while back. But you already knew that.

What I didn't tell you was that when I got back we only had three days at home to get unpacked and do laundry (including folding and putting away) only to have to pack our bags right back up again. I didn't want to let the whole world know I was going to be MIA from my precious home for one more week. So I just didn't really say anything at all. Maybe I should have, but I'm weird like that. Although, now, if I ever don't post for a month you will probably know that I am not at home, which defeats the whole purpose of my not saying anything. Or maybe not. I suppose it depends on my location. 

In the Dominican Republic I really couldn't do a thing about it. No internet. No computer. No tv. No phones (not that I have a fancy phone anyway). No nothing. It was wonderful. Only, it was a little tricky to get back into having all of those nice things once again. kind of. I suppose it wouldn't have been too difficult to get back into a regular blogging grove had I not been on the move yet again from the Dominican Republic . . . 

to visit these three little loves of my life . . . 

[though, I soon discovered they were not all quite so little any more : ]

yes, yes. I got to take a nice short long drive way up north to Minnesota and spend a delightful week with my oldest sister and her little munchkins. 

But, now I am back home. And I have pictures loading onto my computer for picture stories to come later in the week (for real this time). I am excited about this. 

I am not excited about the fact that today I am as old as I have ever been in my life. I suppose you could say that every day of your life, but for some reason birthdays make that point stick out a little bit more. o bother. 

On the bright side . . . today is my birthday! And I get to go out to a yummy dinner with The Hubs. And I made some cake batter frozen yogurt! it is De-lish. I will have to post some pictures in the morning, if I remember to take any before devouring what is left of it, that is :D 

cheers for now!

I heart tea

It is simply delightful stuff. There is nothing better than a nice and steamy hot mug of tea. I have gone through phases of having different favorite brews. Earl Gray. Apple cinnamon. Peppermint. Chai. They are all Delish. So it's truly impossible to pick just one : )

I had forgotten how much I especially love tea on rainy mornings. Or overcast mornings. Or drizzly days. A whole day of gray skies and rain drops is only a day begging for a nice cup tea. Tis true.

This morning I had a nice hot cup of apple cinnamon tea. And it was raining. Sadly I was fully dressed and ready to go for a little run with my sister and was going to have to wait to finish my tea later. But just in the nick of time as we were putting our shoes on, a huge bolt of lightning struck with a rumble of thunder shortly following. Our run had to be cancelled postponed. Shame really.

Eh, at least I was able to go get all pretty, finish my tea, and enjoy a rainy (and some what stormy) day.

Oh, how I love me some tea : )

Happy sipping!!

Birthday Wish List : )

I tell you what, it's been tricky for me to get online after being without it for so long (nine days). It was nice to have nothing to do online. Not that I really usually ever have anything that I have to do online. I just browse and read blogs and write my own. I loved just chilling (when there was time to chill) with The Hubs and the other friends that were on the trip.

After we got back from the Dominican Republic The Hubs flew off to California for work and I drove all day to visit my sister. Being with my sister and her adorable chilins was so wonderful I just didn't really stop and take the time to write anything. Time is precious you know : ) I will have to upload some of the pictures and post them up here.

That's right. Get excited. Pictures from the Dominican Republic trip and from my sisters! how happy :D

Anyhow. Today I sent The Hubs a Birthday Wish List. Every year I voluntarily make one up for him. It's no trouble really. In fact I quite enjoy doing it. But for some reason, I didn't this year. So on Sunday The Hubs asked me about it and if I would please make one up for him. So I did. And since it is almost my birthday (I will be ancient in exactly one week. ah!!!) I thought I'd better go ahead and get that list to The Hubs : ) ... and I thought I would share it with you all. Since you know, I can.

Hannah's Birthday Wish List : )

an ipod nano - it's just so cute and little. And it can keep track of running: pace, time, distance. It's especially perfect since I am a professional runner. kehehe. 

see? perfect! 

A Lululemon Cool Racerback tank top. I tried it on in the store the other day and it is Amazing. Seriously. It made me want to run a marathon (or half) right then and there. I want it. I need it : ) It's just so comfy! 

A Pandora charm bracelet with a charm. 

[note to The Hubs: this is the bracelet I was talking about : ) I also happen to l-o-v-e this perfect little charm. I'm sure it will be the most expensive one since I didn't look at the price. kehehe. end note]

Night stands for our bedroom. Right now we only have wobbly little tables and the only thing that fits on top is a lamp and a cell phone. New and bigger ones would be loverly : ) 

Headbands I always look and admire them but I never get them even though I would wear them a lot. I would like me some I think. 

yes. these are some things I would especially like for my birthday. Don't let me stop you from getting me something from my wish list :D

I like them all a lot. That's why they are on the list. I'm just glad I don't have to be the one deciding what to get me from my birthday : ) kehehe. That's the hard part . . . for me at least! 

Sorry it's been so long. I think I should be able to get back on my posting schedule again! Also, I am soooo excited for all of my new friends and followers! You all make my day! I just love making new friends and learning about you all : ) welcome welcome! And thanks to all of you who have been a long for a while. I just want you all to know that I appreciate you and am so thankful for you each and every one! 

cheers! 

far far away.

I have been gone for the past week or so. Maybe you noticed.

I knew I would be away for nine days but I didn't really want to announce it to the world. Though, prayers from you all would have been wonderful, I am just a little paranoid leaving my house. Maybe that's silly. But I am. So I just didn't say anything at all.

But I was gone. For nine days I was in the Dominican Republic. Two couples from The Hubs' and mine small group went on a mission trip to the D.R. Unfortunately the other couples couldn't come along. But that's okay, one stayed and watched Puppy, he needed a home for a week and they were so very gracious and wonderful to watch him and keep him for us while we were away. The other couples were behind us in prayer and support while we were away. We could not have done it without them.

It was an incredible trip. We left early Tuesday morning (can you say 2 o'clock in the morning? cause yes, that is when we left) and got in to Santiago, Dominican Republic around 2ish or 3ish that afternoon. The Lord was gracious and wonderful and we all arrived safely and soundly with no delays or troubles. As did our luggage. We spent the afternoon and evening with the missionaries we would be working with that week and seeing the neighborhood we were staying in. [I took pictures but I haven't uploaded them yet, that will have to wait for tomorrow].

Wednesday morning bright and early we woke and got ready for a full day ahead. We were going to The Hole. The lowest place in Santiago. A former dump. People, families, children, and babies live and play down there. It is where we spent the next three days.

A few years back a pastor felt a call to start a church down there, so he started going and just playing with the kids and giving them candies. Drug Lords rule The Hole. But for some reason [can you say God?] the Drug Lords allowed the pastor to start a church and have not touched or harmed him, the church, or any of the people helping at the church. They guard it. They watch it and keep it safe. So a church building was built. Behind the church is a river. A nasty dirty dump of a river, but a river no less. This river has been eroding the land next to it, which is where the church happens to sit.

Because of the erosion that happens we helped build a retaining wall sort of thing. We carried rocks and filled cages so that they [the cages] would keep the water away from the church.

That is pretty much what we did. One day we played with some children. And between carrying rocks we would play with the kids in The Hole. It was a great way to spend the week.

I just wanted to share real quick like [well, kind of quick] about where I have been and why I haven't been posting. But don't you worry. I have stories to tell from the trip. And pictures. I will share those, I just wanted to give a little summary like thing : )

So get excited and be expecting oodles of stories and photos over the next few days.

I will leave you with this little video clip that G.O. Ministries [the mission organization we went to Santiago with] put together for us.

I am so glad to be back! I can't wait to catch up on all of your blogs! : )