Cookie Dough Truffles

Cookie Dough Truffles
adapted from Taste of Home
½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup packed brown sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional, I did not add them)
1 ½ pounds semisweet chocolate candy coating, chopped

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla; mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts, if using. Shape into 1-inch balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and freeze for 1-2 hours or until firm. (The dough softens quickly at room temperature so it works best if they are frozen, not just chilled in the refrigerator.)

In a microwave safe bowl, melt candy coating, stirring often until smooth. Dip balls in coating; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. If desired, melt remaining candy coating and drizzle over candies. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 5 ½ dozen.

I got this recipe from my http://kitchencafe.blogspot.com. The cookie dough part was easy and tastes just like raw cookie dough. Dipping them well that was another story. Once I got the hang of it they started to look better. They taste so good even if the chocolate is kind of goopy. Spencer loves them. I made them to take to SLC with us but I don't know if there will be many left.

Tagged

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper because I think it is funner to open
2. Real tree or Artificial? has to be a real tree - Spencer tried to talk me into a sage brush this year
3. When do you put up the tree? first week of December
4. When do you take the tree down? when it's all dried up. Hopefully after Christmas.
5. Do you like eggnog? nope
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Sprite our parakeet. Vanessa and I came down the hallway and walked right past him on our way to the toys. Later as we were putting together our new Barbie house we needed a knife, I ran into the kitchen to get one and there was his cage covered in a sheet.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Mike or John - especially this year
8. Easiest person to buy for? Vanessa
9. Do you have a nativity scene? just 1 I would eventually like more
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? usually neither but I have broken down and send them to grandparents and the like
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? nothing
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street (the original), The Grinch (the original)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes one year we got more neighborhood gifts then we had planned and so a few things got mixed together to make a new gift.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? nutroll, peppermint gingerbread cookies, pineapple cookies, baklava, licorice caramels, cookie dough truffles,
17. Favorite Christmas song? I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day and The First Noel
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? this year will be the first to travel for Christmas
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star - Boston pointed to the star last night and said "twinkle star for baby Jesus"
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? presents in the morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? people complaining about Christmas
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? We have a hodge podge of ornaments made by my mom, fishing ones for Spencer, ones from my childhood, and now a couple for Boston. Every one is a memory - I love it!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? If I could choose I'd say Mexican. (burritos, fresh salsa, and chips) YUM!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? a hope to come true

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

This is Boston's favorite Christmas song.

Santa #2

Today was Spencer's work childrens Christmas party. They had pizza, punch, and cookies in the resteraunt with a guy there to tie balloon animals. And then Santa came. He always comes on the fire engine with the lights and sirens going. This time Boston was acting very nervous about Santa. We were almost the last ones called up. Spencer and I had already decided that I would video and he would take Boston up to Santa. We were prepared for him start crying and be upset.

He did great. Then Santa got back in the fire engine and headed to the North Pole. See you later Santa!

Santa #1

Friday Boston and I went to the ward Christmas party with our neighbors. I knew that Santa would be there so I had told Boston all about how you sit on Santa's lap and he gives you a treat. Boston waited quietly in line for his turn to sit on Santa's lap. He watched all the other kids get on his lap and talk with him for a minute about what they wanted for Christmas. When it was Boston's turn Santa held his hands out for him and Boston went to him. As soon as I turned around to take a picture though:

He did that no breathing kind of cry and I think it kind of scared Santa. As soon as I picked him up though he was happy again and wanted his "candy candy."(candy cane)

It can be done!

I think the trick is getting the right consistency for the frosting. I needed a little more but it looked pretty good to me. And Boston thought it was finger licking good!

Missing SLC

You know you live in WY when the doctor walks into instacare wearing Wranglers, cowboy boots, a plaid cowboy shirt and a huge belt buckle. And the nearest instacare is 30 minutes down the freeway - a freeway they close in the winter sometimes. Also the nearest hospital is also 30 minutes from our house and it is tiny (I think it has less than 50 rooms). I am really praying for good health here.

The Christmas Tree

Boston was so excited to get a Christmas tree. They have been up at the hotel since Nov. 1 and he sees them in the stories we read. Spencer put the lights on after dinner while Boston tried to put the needles that had fallen on the floor back on the tree.

I took a couple of ornaments and showed him how to put them on the tree. Then we got the camera ready and gave him one to put on the tree. He tried to get it on but couldn't make it stay so he threw it. It landed next to a rubber band and then he wanted to put that on the tree. When he couldn't get that to stay he threw a kicking screaming crying fit. (It was all very festive. We had Christmas music playing, snow was lightly falling, the fire was going and Boston was throwing a fit.) Finally he settled into running around the tree throwing ornaments around while we hung the rest of them up high. This is what the night looked like:

This photo is a lucky photo. In a couple of years I will have forgotten how this is actually a photo of him getting ready to rip the ornament off the tree and throw it as high into the air as he can. It will look like an adorable picture of him decorating the tree.

And he also discovered the water under the tree.

Pictures

Today we set up our in home photo studio and took some pictures of Boston. I wanted to get them done at Target for Boston's 2nd birthday but it did not work out. So we opened up the blinds and brought Spencer's work light in from the garage, hung a sheet ... ta da!

Don't you hate it when this happens. A perfect picture as long as you don't mind the top of his head missing.

Cake

I know that I am not very good at baking and especially frosting cakes. So with Boston's birthday coming up and it being the first one that he can eat cake at I have been practicing. I am not going for anything too fancy. Just two round cakes stacked on top with something in the middle. I thought I would frost it in dark blue and put stars on it because Boston loves "twinkle stars". I have a new respect for all the people who make and decorate cakes. It is not as easy as you might think. (Thank you mom for all the beautiful cakes you have made for me.) I can not seem to get the consistency of the frosting correct. Also I get crumbs everywhere in the frosting. But I have learned a thing or two. This time the cakes came out of the pans in one piece! I think I am going to attempt it one more time and then I may have to hire a very talented cousin to do it for me.

At least it tasted good and Boston thought it was great to have a practice birthday cake.

Snow Day

Boston had fun shoveling the walks and playing in the tree. Brr!

Baby Jackson

We got to meet Jackson John for the first time. Boston has been so excited to see his new cousin. He would carry around his photo and tell everyone "This is baby Jackson." He is a super cute baby. We love all his very blond hair. This is the best photo I have of all three cousins, Lily, Boston and Jackson. Jackson started crying and then Boston strarted crying because Jackson was crying and that ended the photo op.

Thanksgiving Friday

We had Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday with a couple of families from Little America at our neighbors house. Then Friday we headed to SLC and had Thanksgiving dinner at my mom and dad's. My Grandma Coleman, Great Great Uncle Clarence and Grandma and Grandpa Heslop were there. It was delicious and so fun to see all my grandparents at one time.

Highlights:

Boston saying "1 2 3 Smile" every time a photo was taken.

Boston trying to play catch with "Uncle Clarlence" while he was asleep on the couch.

When my mom asked, "Anyone ready for pie?" Boston yelled "YES!" faster than anyone else, jumped up from playing and ran into the kitchen.

Yummy pie!

Tagged

A. Four Place I Go Over And Over (other than home):

1. Library

2. Church

3. Post Office

4. Hotel

B. Four Of My Favorite Places To Eat:

1. Cafe Rio

2. Red Robin

3. The Mandarin

4. Mom's

C. Four Of My Favorite Things To Do:

1. Read

2. Play

3. Nap

4. Photography

D. Four Of My Favorite Books: (only 4!!!!)

1. The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place

2. Journey to the River Sea

3. The Mysterious Benedict Society

4. Eragon

E. Four TV Shows I Watch All The Time:

1. Curious Buddies Let's Move

2. Baby Einstein Van Gogh

3. Baby Einstein World Animals

4. News

We don't get PBS here so Boston watches videos and that's what is watched the most on TV.

F. Four Of My Favorite Movies:

1. Finding Nemo

2. Pretty in Pink

3. The Princess Bride

4. Remember the Titans

G. Four Of My Favorite Games:

1. Ticket to Ride

2. Hit or Miss

3. Loaded Questions

4. Pictionary

H. Four Of My Favorite Foods:

1. Popcorn

2. Licorice

3. Mom's Egg rolls

4. Homemade Bread

Goodnight!

Nighttime Ritual:
Read Stories-We read in a chair in my room. Right now Busy Toes is read EVERY night. He is really good already at getting me to read one more story. "I wantneed Goodnight Moon!"
Into his room-turn on the rain CD, get the "dolk-a-dot" blanket, say ready set go, turn off the light.
Look at the "twinkle stars"- he has a bunch of glow in the dark stars that he likes to count as soon as the lights go out.
"Go rocking"-sit in the rocking chair, talk about the day and what will happen tomorrow, list all of the people who love him, say a prayer, sing songs.
"All done rocking"-Stand him in crib, wrap in his soft blanket, one more hug and kiss.
The Exit-blow a kiss and close the door. Then he calls "Be safe!"(I say this to Spencer on his way to work and he picked up on it), "Goodbye Alligator" (his version of See you later Alligator!)

Fun with Daddy

Boston feeding blocks to Spencer.

Hopefully they have no lead paint.

Boston often says "I wantneed tickle"

Relaxin'

We made smoothies last night. As we were sitting at the table we noticed it was way to quiet and we had not seen Boston since we gave him his "sorbet" (soy milk and frozen fruit). We peaked around the corner and there he was;

laying down, head upside down drinking his "sorbet". He loves this little beanbag chair. He carries it around and plops down on it whenever he needs.

What an idea!

I have seen sets of blocks with architectural images on them so that you could build your own Notre Dame, medieval castle, or Arc de Triomphe. They look like a lot of fun but are kind of expensive so I thought "I can do that." I got online and found some pictures, then printed them with colored ink. I used colored pencils to add more color and then Mod Podge-ed them on to the blocks. It was pretty easy, especially the Boston ones. You could do this with animals or whatever else your child was into. I even thought as Boston gets bigger he could make his own drawing to go on the blocks. It would make the block set completely customizable. If you have never used "Mod Podge" they sell it with craft stuff. It is similar in consistency and looks to Elmer's white glue. But it does not make the paper bubble or wrinkle and when it dries it is like a thin layer of plastic. Amazing stuff!

Conversations with a spider

As I was making lunch today I noticed that Boston was squatting in the middle of the kitchen talking animatedly to something on the floor. On closer inspection I could see he was talking to a spider. He was obviously speaking "spiderese" because I could not tell what he was saying but he sure meant what he said.

We seem to have a lot more bugs in this house than in previous ones. Especially earwigs! Which I hate. Spiders etc. I do not mind but earwigs creep me out. The other night as we were reading stories Boston pointed at one of the picture in the book and an earwig crawled from under his sleeve down his hand and finger to the book. I grabbed it and threw it to the floor (brave I know) I think I may have even screamed a little. Boston asked "what was that?" I explained that most bugs we leave alone but those bugs we throw away. Even now I have shivers thinking of it. Yuck.

Altiods?

Boston loves Altoids ...

and Tic Tacs and all minty stuff. Is this strange? I thought kids hated that hot mint flavor. We have to hide the Altoids or else when he finds them he begs for one.

Another Guest

I know this sort of ruins the festive feel of the blog but Spencer wanted this posted. This is the fourth and meanest badger. He would lunge at you if you came near him. He growled and snapped at you if you just looked at him. Boston thought it was great. His mouth is bloody from ramming into the cage. It is gross so if you want more photos or video you will have to email or talk to Spencer.

Favorite Christmas Stories

Most of my Christmas stories are Santa related because I taught school for so long. I am looking forward to building my "real meaning of Christmas" library (I know Spencer is too). If you know of any good ones let me know.

How Santa Got His Job -Stephen Krensky
What Santa Can't Do-Douglas Wood
Snowmen at Night-Caralyn Buehner
Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear -Don and Audrey Wood
Santa Clause is Comin' to Town - Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

I tried to figure out how to post pictures of the covers of the books but, no luck.
Enjoy reading!

Found

We found an SD card we had forgotten had some photos on it. When we plugged it in to the computer these were some of the photos we found. The first two are of Boston at the hospital just after he was born. (he only used a binkie his first couple of days and then he figured out that there was no food and quickly wanted nothing more to do with it) The last is just after getting him home. What a cutie!

A Beautiful Day

For probably the last nice day in a while we went desert exploring. Spencer found an area near by that is like a mini Bryce Canyon Wyoming style. On our way we drove through a large herd of antelope. They were running right along side the truck. Boston loved it. Then we came upon three golden eagles and a raven eating something. They quickly scattered and this was the best photo I got.

We hiked around in the wind and found some great rocks. Boston kept saying "watch out for cactus's" He fell in one on Halloween afternoon when Spencer had him out in the desert. He got a lot of barbs in his hands and had little sores for the next couple of days. Hopefully that will be our last run in with cactus's. Well until the spring I think we'll be hibernating inside.

Reading

He gets his love of reading from his mother.

He gets his interests from his father.

He loves to get down the big books and pretend to read them. He talks away and turns the pages. Or he'll bring it to you and insist you read it to him.

I make a mess!

What do you say to that face?

Trick or Treat

Neighbors came over to have pizza before the big trick or treat. I spiked Boston's hair into a mow hawk and sprayed it green. He thought it was so cool to have "chaka burkey hair". He did not catch on to the whole trick or treating thing (maybe that's because there were only 5 places to go in the neighborhood.) He did love the jack-o-lanterns. He would yell "Happy Birthday" as we left any house with them. Whenever he sees a candle or something slightly resembling a candle he says "Happy Birthday" and then blows.

Another Guest

Spencer named him "Dagger"

Tagged

Andrea's tag:

Shoes-I love shoes. I have 50 + pair but usually end up wearing my tennis shoes. Right now I like guy shoe styles better than girls but my feet are too small to wear fit them.

Two at a Time-Hmmm ... Popcorn and lemonade, a book and a blanket/hammock, chocolate and pretzels, games and family.

Smells-I love the smell of rain and the mountains.

Kitchen Floor-I love the kitchen floor at my WJ home. It never looked dirty. Here it always looks dirty. Right now it is in need of a good mopping.

Closet-Once again I love my WJ master closet (a walk-in designed and made by Spencer). Here we just have a wall closet that is way too small.

Virginia's tag:

Sorry it took so long.

The 4th photo in my photos, V and I playing around in Snow Canyon.

Carving Pumpkins

This morning we carved pumpkins. Spencer scooped some guts out for Boston to mash, and skwish.

Boston did not really like playing in the guts. He pounded it a few times but then he wanted to get down. So ....

... he decided to organize the measuring cup/spoon drawer.

Ta Da! The finished product.