Como Zoo Day

My little brother, Leighton, can down to visit us for a few days over his spring break. I wanted to make sure we did something fun while he was here, so after much debate we ended up going to the Como Zoo. It was actually quite fun! Elijah, Leighton and I all got to experience our first trip to the zoo together!

Elijah loved looking at everything in the Rain forest and plant room...especially the ceiling fans. Ha ha! He also tried to grab some Ferns that we went under.

He did try to hold hands with one of the monkeys through the window, which was adorable. By the time we got to the Polar Bear [our last stop] he didn't really care anymore...he was too busy playing with his toys.

 We were there just about two hours and enjoyed a little packed lunch right before we left. Overall, it was a great first trip to the zoo.

Two Easy Dessert Recipes...

Here are two super easy dessert recipes that were given to me by two wonderful friends. They both have made them for our get togethers and then I started making them for things...because they are that easy and that GOOD...no lies.

Peanut Butter Pie by Bekah Miller

Ingredients-
  Graham Cracker Crust [Pre-made, ready to eat Reduced Fat]
 
Pie Filling-
  1/2 C. Chunky Peanut Butter
  1 C. Powder Sugar
  4 oz. Cream Cheese [softened] [I use Fat Free]
  8 oz. Cool whip [I used Light]

Combine PB, Powder Sugar and Cream Cheese. Beat until creamy. Fold in the Cool whip. Pour into crust. Freeze for at least 12 hours.

Strawberry Jello Pie by Jen Syversen

Ingredients-
  1/4 cup water
  1 pkg strawberry jello (can be sugar free)
  16 oz strawberry yogurt (can be light)
  8 oz cool whip (not frozen, just refrigerated) (can be light)
  1 Graham Cracker crust (can be low fat)
  Fresh Strawberries - cut (optional)

Method
  Bring water to a boil in the microwave. Then add Jello. After stirring those two together add yogurt.Then fold in Cool whip. Pour mixture in Graham Cracker crust.Top with strawberries.Put in fridge for 3 hours.

I really hope you enjoy these two yummy dessert recipes from My Kitchen to Yours...

Something new...

Well the time has come and I ''think'' I am ready for a change...in hairstyles that is.

I am indecisive and unsure of what I actually want. You men are thinking..spoken like a real woman, right...well back off. Just kidding, ha ha!

I am posting some pictures and then you get to vote! Now when you look at them think...brown hair, more volume and sometimes curly...when I don't straighten it.

P.S. I am having major issues with this post. The color of my heading is a gross brown. The credits for the photos are not showing up and I can not get the bottom picture to turn the right way even though it is saved the right way on my computer. I will work on these errors.

Easy Recipes from My Kitchen to Yours...

Today I thought I would share a couple recipes. The first one is a recipe for Crock-Pot Chili. My mom made this recipe up when my sister won't eat beans. This recipe uses refried beans as a way of ''hidding'' the beans/protein in the dish.

Crock-Pot Chili [Homemade by Sue Griffith]

1 jug V-8 Juice, Spicy
1 lb. Hamburger [browned]
1 can drained Kidney Bean
1 can Refried Beans

Place all the ingredients in the crock-pot for a minimum of 4 hours [on high] or on low all day. Right before serving add sour cream and cheese. ENJOY.


The other recipe I want to share is Double Puffy Oven Pancake. This is becoming one of our favorites and it is so easy. Josh also said, after I had made it for the first time, that his mom use to make it for them. A family tradition that I didn't even know about. How fun.

Double Puffy Oven Pancake [Betty Crocker Cookbook- Bridal Edition]

Prep- 10 min. Bake- 30 min. Serve immediately

4 Large eggs
1 c. All-purpose flour
1 c. Milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon [optional] [I added this ingredient..it's not in the cookbook]
Powder sugar [optional]

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Melt 1/3 c. butter in rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Brush butter over bottom and side of pan.
2. Beats 4 eggs slightly in medium bowl with wire whisk or hand beater. Beat in flour, milk, salt, and cinnamon just until mixed [do not over beat or pancake may not puff.] Pour into pan.
3. Bake 25-30 minutes or until puffy and deep golden brown. Serve immediately sprinkled with lemon juice and/or powdered sugar or topped with fruit. Enjoy.

Hope you enjoy these easy recipes. From my kitchen to yours....

Personality Test

My Personality

Neuroticism	52
Extraversion	38
Openness to Experience	6
Agreeableness	69
Conscientiousness	46

You rarely get angry and it takes a lot to make you angry, however you are not generally self conscious about yourself. You tend not to talk much and prefer to let others control the activities of groups. You prefer dealing with either people or things rather than ideas. You regard intellectual exercises as a waste of your time. You do not like to claim that you are better than other people, and generally shy from talking yourself up, however you will help others if they are in need. If people ask for too much of your time you feel that they are imposing on you. You have a strong sense of duty and obligation, and feel a moral obligation to do the right thing.

Free Poll Whooga

Updates...

First update:
   I have been thinking about improving the name of my blog. I like Life's Journey but I don't LOVE it! I want the name of my blog to stick in your head, make you want to read it and make you remember it!! My blog will consist more and more of recipes (I create or find), some photography/crafty things, and life updates. So, any ideas?

Second update:
   Monkey has been traveling, three places thus far (Mexico, California, Boston), and many more to come! As soon as he gets back he will be heading to Florida on a road trip! Then to Nebreska to see another Elijah and after that to New Mexico!

Third update:
   Elijah will be meeting his girl cousin in just 14 weeks!! I can't believe Kelsey only has a couple months left!!

Here is Elijah saying hi to his cousin!



A Positive Attitude

Today I opened my email to find a message from my Mary Kay Director, Kathy. The email contained the following inspiring message...

Positive Attitude

Will a positive attitude solve all your problems?
No, but it can open your eyes to the valuable opportunities within even the most difficult situations.

Will a positive attitude make you rich and powerful?
No, but it will serve as a constant reminder that you can achieve whatever you choose to achieve.

Is a positive attitude a way to escape from reality?
No, in fact a positive attitude is a very powerful and effective way to successfully deal with reality.

Will a positive attitude magically bring into your life all the things you desire?
No, but it can enable you to see and to follow the very real path from where you are now to where you want to be.

Will a positive attitude bring you any new energy or resources?
No, but it will give you vastly greater access to the overwhelming abundance that is already yours.

Do you want to fully live the best that life has to offer? A positive attitude will enable you to see it, so that you can be it.

-- Ralph Marston

Wow Ralphn Marston really had some great things to say about what a positive attitude can do for us! I think he could have added one last question "Don't you want to fully live the best life God has in store for you...with a positive attitude?"