Thursday, December 22, 2011

holiday baking


Is there anything better than holiday baking?
The mixing, the rolling, the cutting, the baking and the decorating!
I have been using this same great sugar cookie recipe for years now and if any of you are prepared for hours of kitchen labor, here's the recipe...

Sugar COOKIES
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Directions:
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.  Beat in eggs and vanilla with a hand mixer.
Make sure to SIFT the flour, baking powder, and salt and hand mix the entire mixture.
Cover and chill overnight.  
p.s the harder the dough the easier it is to roll out.

Now, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Roll out dough on floured surface.  Use the flour liberally on your hands and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking.  Cut into shapes and place one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
p.s  I always set the timer for five minutes and usually the cookies are perfectly soft.
Some ovens need to bake one minute longer but I wouldn't exceed 6 minutes or they will burn!!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

the tree is up!


We have been busy, busy, busy the last week 1/2 which contributed to the lack of attention on my blog!
We were asked to watch a family for a week and we had a fabulous time!  Going from a family of 3 to a family of 7 was quite the event as we drove kids to seminary, mutual, school, piano lessons and dance lessons.  Little Charlie loved having 4 additional siblings for a week and had so much fun with them.

On a holiday note,
the tree is up, the ornaments are dangling and 
we are counting down days till Christmas!

Friday, December 2, 2011

weekend plans

We have a few plans for the weekend which include...
getting a Christmas tree
holiday decorating
visiting with Leanna and Azzie
some holiday shopping
&
doing some laundry of course!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

visiting St. Nick


We went to an outdoor mall in Louisiana and had to visit Santa, of course!
All the cousins crowded around Santa and voiced their Christmas wishes.
It was the perfect family activity for the day after Thanksgiving!



Monday, November 28, 2011

Our Thanksgiving

...this picture sums it right up!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family.
Little C loved playing with his cousins as they danced, watched movies, played wii, played in the backyard and ate treats together.  Makes me wish they lived closer to us.
It was a crazy Thanksgiving with our family as well as a few families from Luke's ward, just like the Thanksgivings I remembered from my childhood!
I feel so grateful for my family, they bring so much happiness in my life!


Monday, November 21, 2011

our weekend


Our weekend was full of colored pencils and coloring books.
We spent time with family eating home cooked meals, playing monopoly deal (of course), and watching LOST after the little one fell asleep.  
Yes, the hubs and I got his mom and brother into the show and it's so fun watching it over again!
It was a nice weekend and we are looking forward to our Thanksgiving holiday with my family in a few days!  I love this time of year!

Friday, November 18, 2011

the end of our day includes...

Thursday, November 17, 2011

barnum's animal crackers

























Charlie III eats animal crackers because...
a.  he loves animals
b.  he loves sugar
and
c.  he loves snacks

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

puzzles

We went to a toddler story time yesterday and enjoyed every minute!
We read books, sang and danced, watched a short movie and made a craft.
Quite eventful for a story time!
Charlie usually can't wait to get to the children's section in the library where
he can play with the wooden puzzles afterward.   He is pulling me all the way to the small tables to get first dibs on the puzzles!  He means business when it comes to puzzles!
I'm getting some ideas for Christmas, I love Melissa and Doug puzzles as well as these vintage puzzles!

Monday, November 14, 2011

plans for Thanksgiving

 This year we will spend time with family in Louisiana for Thanksgiving!
Little Charlie will see all of his cousins on the Dellenbach side which include Ella, Logan, Lydia and of course, Azzie.  I'm looking forward to cooking, baking and shopping with my momma and sisters!


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

visiting The Biltmore





 We visited the beautiful Biltmore Estate yesterday.
The estate is nestled in the hills of Ashville, NC with lush landscaping, 
lakes and large pastures for horses and cows. 
We had a great time touring the home, even though the little one had enough after the first hour!
We stopped by the market cafe for lunch and finished the tour of the basement and outdoor gardens.
Such a great experience to take a peak into the lives of the Vanderbuilt family.
 


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

stop for cocoa


We made it to Greenville, SC yesterday afternoon and have loved every minute here.
We settled into our apartment and joined the in-laws for dinner at Trio and hot cocoa at Starbucks.
We walked around downtown the rest of the evening before stopping by the grocery store to stock up on some food.  I love the downtown feel here and all the nice people we run into.  
Everyone seems so happy here, a lot of laughs and smiles being exchanged from strangers. 
The "South" is a special place indeed.

Friday, November 4, 2011

weekend plans

I"m looking forward to a relaxing weekend before we head to South Carolina for a few days!
Remember last year Can't wait to visit downtown again!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

October birthdays

::    October birthday boys... Charlie (Oct. 25th), Jon (Oct. 22nd)      ::
::    the wee ones playing with grandma and grandpa    ::
::   Charles Sr. and Charles III   ::
::   Moira with baby Rylan  ::

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

party for Charlie




 We celebrated Little Charlie's birthday on General Conference Sunday.  It was simple, simple, simple!
We invited our family, good friends Mitch and Angie and even had the ward missionaries over!
We had my chili, Becca's cornbread (which I need to get the recipe), Leanna's spinach salad and plenty of dessert for everyone!  We ended the night opening gifts and playing the Dellenbach favorite... NAME game!! 
I am so thankful for this child of light in my life.  He makes me so, so happy and I love him dearly.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

trick or treat



How cute is Little Charlie in his costume?!
I had big plans to make him a darling magician costume, but let's face it, he really wanted to be a dinosaur/dragon!  Since he's really into animals lately it was a perfect fit!
Hope you all had a HaPpY Halloween!

Friday, October 28, 2011

haircut

Can I just say how wonderful it is to have a hairdresser in the family!
I was taking notes on how she was cutting his hair and I must say, I have done it all wrong for the last 2 years!!
My poor son!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

one year older

last year

Happy Birthday to my hubby, Charles Owen Baggett Jr.
I have spent the last 4 years on this day with you!
You are so special and I appreciate every thing you do.
You are strong, happy, teachable, humble, forgiving and such a wonderful husband and father!
I love you Char and hope this day is special!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

chili cook-off


Since chili cook-offs are right around the corner for your ward trunk-or-treat or work Halloween party,
I thought I would share this great recipe!
I have incorporated a few chili recipes I found online and now I would like to introduce my chili recipe!


Chili ingredients:
2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
2 small cans tomato sauce
1 (8 oz.) jar mild PACE picante salsa
1 chili seasoning mix packet
2 (15 oz.) cans dark red kidney beans, drained
1 (15 oz.) can light red kidney beans, drained
2 (15 oz.) cans chili beans, left in sauce

Directions: 
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and saute for 10 minutes, or until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired. 
Add the ground black pepper, garlic salt, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning mix and beans.  Mix well, reduce heat to low and simmer for at least an hour.   Serves 8 people.
ENJOY! 

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

cousins



 I love when my sister Leanna and her daughter Azzie come over to play!
The kids played and played while Leanna and I made a delicious homemade chili, I will have to share the recipe in another post!  It is always a treat to talk with Leanna, she is so level-headed and so inspiring.  She is such a GREAT little big sister and I love her.
 

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