Embarrassing Pictures

What kind of Mother would I be if I didn't have some embarrassing pictures of my little Fish. Here they are, of course I think they are adorable, but when his first date comes around in like 32 years, maybe he won't find potty pictures as adorable as I do.Father and Son napping after a 'long' winter hike

Snowy Day

As my devotees you know I have some bitter sweet moments with the Winter, and really more bitter than sweet. (I just like the hot sun, what's so wrong with that) Every winter I try to make it a little more bearable than the last...so on this snowy day I am going to enjoy a hot cup of homemade hot chocolate: I stole this recipe from Mer on her blog...she has the best recipes, I would totally link her but her blog is uber exclusive...

1 ½ cups whole milk
2 ½ T water
2 ½ T granulated sugar (I've found that if I use baker's sugar, it dissolves really smoothly)
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (use high-quality chocolate, 70% cocoa. Choose a chocolate you really love because it will be the most prominent flavor.)

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, water, and sugar. Place over medium heat and whisk occasionally until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture just to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the chocolate. At this point, blend the mixture. If you have an immersion/stick blender, you can do this directly in the saucepan (actually, don't do that if you have non-stick pans!); if not, you’ll need to transfer it to a regular blender. Blend for 1 minute (on high speed, if using a traditional blender - and take care (!), as hot liquids expand when blended). The finished mixture should be very smooth and frothy. Don’t skip the blending step. It helps to incorporate the chocolate and makes the texture velvety-smooth. Serve immediately. This makes 2 servings.

I add one step to that I include homemade marshmallows. Yes I know...I didn't really think you could make them at home...but I did and they are most incredible!!!

3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 cup ice cold water, divided
12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
Nonstick spray

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.

In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.

Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.

For regular marshmallows:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Enjoy!!!Recipe by Alton Brown

Is it time to get a Christmas tree???

I think it may be time to get some real Christmas tree.

Boy Pirate goes to Church

He is getting so big...check out the stuffed toy in the upper right hand corner...yeah Seth's dad gave that to Fisher...it is the ugliest goblin night mare giving stuffed thing I have seen.

Baby Wearing

I am loving that I can wear Pirate Boy everywhere I go...I wish I could while driving also...but that's just dangerous! Fisher is with me all day on the body which is great...he is such an alert baby and I think a lot of it has to do with him being on my body...I know a ton of parents do the same thing...and I love it.

Thanksgiving...I know what I am thankful for....

Every Thanksgiving Seth and I try to go on a mountain biking trip...it's a great time to go play and enjoy our time together.  This year Seth was not around for Thanksgiving he had some school stuff he needed to do in Pennsylvania so I was in Sandy with his family.  Well since it's Thanksgiving I thought it was only right to go mountain biking, you know tradition of heritage...however my mountain bike was in the shop and I all I had was Seth's bike.  So Seth's the Captain, Scott, Webber, and I went biking up corner canyon on Seth's bike...well Seth only has one gear on his bike...and corner canyon defiantly has some elevation gain...needless to say I almost has a heart attack!!!!  I have no idea how people ride with only one gear and not even an easy gear...I had to stop/fall over so many times just to breath!  Oh my goodness I was crazy!  I am no where near that good of shape to handle that kind of lactic acid overdose.  The even crazier part of everything was that I actually kind of liked it...you know pushing myself that hard...even tho I hated it while doing it.  I know it's sick.  So the next day Seth's brother was in town and we had to go do the same thing...this time there was a huge problem...mud!!!  We thought the trail would have been a whole lot drier and it was at the bottom.  The closer to the top we got the muddier it became...and no one wants to ride on muddy trails mainly because you tear up the trails...and let's be honest only jerks do that...and I didn't want to be a jerk so I had to walk it up in sections a little off the trail...it sucked...but I know what I am grateful for I am grateful for gears on my bike...and good lungs...and well everything in my life...I have an awesome life with awesome people surrounding me.  I say often but not often enough - Life is Good!