feeding my addiction

I'm addicted to Scentsy. It took me a long time to get my first warmer, but after that I was a goner!
It started with an old high school friend hosting a fundraiser for a girl in our area with cancer. What better time to order something, I got some great smells, 2 beautiful warmers, and I helped out someone in need. Since then I love trying new scents. We got my son a buddy for Christmas and he loves it! Even my husband has started asking about something to put in his stinky work truck (he works in the sewer treatment plant)...I'm going to get him a travel tin to put under his seat. With all the money I keep spending, Meghann suggested I become a consultant and make some money off my addiction. Now I can introduce others and feed their new found addicitons...
Never heard of it? it is basically flameless candles. Warmers (using lightbulbs) melt scent filled wax. The smell fills the room. There are tons of different smells to choose from, so you're sure to find at least one that you like. I am often surprised to find that I like smells I never thought I would.
check out my new website. You can ever order directly from the website (if you're in the US and want to order, just send me a message and I'll tell you how to do it). If you want to smell the available scents, just let me know.
I'm excited for the new plug-ins available in Canada again and the March scent, Jumping Jelly Bean!

images from the Scentsy spring/summer 2011 catalog

the wrong book

I love books! I love to read! I've always had tons of book available to me (I love the library). When we started having kids I always made sure that we had lots of kids books and we read to them every day. I always wanted my kids to love reading as much as I do. Christmas and birthdays always bring new books. This year for Ryker's birthday he got a book called The Wrong Book by Nick Bland. It's a book about Nicholas Ickle, who is trying to tell his story but keeps getting interupted. Today Ryker was upset that Kayla was trying to take the book (insert screaming here), I let them work it out and the next thing I heard was Ryker "reading" the book to Kayla (he has the entire book memorized) and Kayla repeating the parts she knew (this is a big step in her speech, she's doing awesome with her speech) and Blake listening intently. These are the moments I love the most about being a mom!

Texas Sheet Cake is the Devil!

The other day at work we got talking about cookies and brownies. One of my coworkers said that her husband loves frozen cookies and brownies....brownies....Texas Sheet Cake is really good frozen (it doesn't quite freeze through, just really cold)...I haven't made Texas Sheet Cake in a long time...mmmmmm....so yesterday, I make Texas Sheet Cake....bad idea! It's soooo yummy...I don't know how it ever made it to the freezer before...this one won't...you should try it some time....

I use my stone bar pan (you need a large pan with edges ie. jelly roll pan)

mix together:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt.
set aside.
in a sauce pan melt:
1 cup butter
add:
4 Tablespoons cocoa powder and mix well, add:
1 cup boiling water.
stir and let boil for 30 seconds.
add chocolate mixture to flour, stir together.
in measuring cup mix together:
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
add this to main batter and stir until smooth.
pour in pan


bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
while the cake is baking...
in the same sauce pan, melt:
1 cup butter
when melted add:
4 Tablespoons cocoa powder
mix well, boil for 30 sec, remove from heat. add:
6 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
stir, add:
1 lb powdered sugar
stir until smooth.
pour over still warm cake.


you might want to wait until it's cooled off, or not (but take caution if you don't)
ENJOY!! like I mentioned before these are equally delicious directly out of the freezer (if they make it that long)


so delish!!

Kayla loves them...


24 hours later...(don't ask who ate most of it)

My wonderful hubby...

...surprise. without even reading my valentine's post, Chris bought me flowers for valentine's day! It was a pleasant surprise, he even had Ryker pick them out for me.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I've never really been big on celebrating Valentine's Day, just the usual valentine's cards in elementary school (when did valentine's become more than just a card with names??). I don't expect Chris to get me flowers or chocolates. The kids did get toast with a heart this morning (cinnamon toast to boot), and they'll get a treat after dinner tonight. I did want to blog about love or hearts or something...


It seems appropriate that I am currently reading Before my Heart Stops by Paul Cardall. It is a book of his life with "half a heart". I'm really enjoying this book, not sure if it's because I worked in PICU where we treated "heart kids"


This is the remarkable true story of one man's struggle to survive long enough to get a second chance at life.

Award-winning musician and popular speaker Paul Cardall was born, essentially, with half a heart. After living more than three decades with a congenital heart defect and undergoing six major heart surgeries and numberless procedures, Paul was informed that his heart would not beat much longer.

"Paul was a poor candidate for a heart transplant," says Angela T. Yetman, MD. "It would be technically difficult and possibly fatal ... but Paul was determined to beat the odds." And beat them he did.

Along the way, Paul wrote down his thoughts, feelings, and observations in an online blog called "Living for Eden," named for his three-year-old daughter. This book reflects those blog entries and additional intimate insight into a miraculous journey that convincingly shows that God knows us personally and that we are put here on earth for a reason.

Paul says, "I'm a witness that these soul-stretching experiences can offer us, if we let them, joy, wisdom, happiness, and a personal relationship with God."

After reading his story, you might also ponder the question, What do I need to do with my life ... before my heart stops?

the potter

I just finished book 3 of a great series about the Potter of Neiderbipp. This is a great series by Ben Behunin about discovering and becoming the best that we can be. Being better than we are, casting out fear and accepting God's will for us. These books have made me want to try pottery. I've wanted to try it before, but these have really sparked a desire. Taber has an arts and craft society, and according to their blog, are going to offer potter classes soon. I'll be the first one signed up when they do! So, if you're looking for a good book, or something new to try, these are great inspiration!

post 100

I was just going to do a quick blog about the Valentine's we made for Ryker's class, but I realized that this will be my 100th post. How can I not make it special! Problem, I have no idea how to make it special! So, I guess you just get a boring post about valentine's and maybe some new recipes...

I found this cute idea at sisters stuff blog and had to try it out. I love valentine's day, but hate that kids valentine's are all about the candy. I wanted to do something different, but more than just a silly card. Here's what we got.



I did freezer meals with a friend this week and wanted to come up with some new ideas. Here are two that I came up with. The first I've had before. The second, I hope it tastes as good as I think it will. Note: I make big batches of both, so I'm going to put down the amounts I used, if you want I can break it down to one meal.

Ham and Potatoe Casserole (A twist on funeral potatoes)

3 bricks of cream cheese
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans cream cheddar soup
1000 mL sour cream
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 bags cubed, frozen hashbrowns
8 cups cubed, cooked ham

mix cream cheese, soups and sour cream in large bowl. add hashbrowns, mix to cover potatoes. add cheese and ham. mix well. divide into 8x8 pans (this gave me enough for 6 pans). cover with tinfoil. freeze. To serve, thaw, cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour (or until bubbly and hot in center).

Southwest Chicken

8 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 jar of kraft sizzling salads spicy fajita cooking sauce
1 jar of kraft sizzling salads barbeque ranch dressing
2 cups ranch dressing
4 cans black beans (rinsed)
3 cans kernal corn

mix dressings/sauce, add chicken. stir until chicken coated. add beans and corn. mix well. divide into large freezer, ziploc bags. (I got 6 from this recipe). To serve, thaw, warm over stove. serve over rice, in tortillas, or over salad. Enjoy.


Scent of the day: Sandalwood and cranberries! YUM. in the bedroom: My Wish! What are you smelling today?

Hawaiian Haystacks

I've been craving Hawaiian Haystacks for the past few days, but it just doesn't seem to be working out...first we were in Calgary when I first wanted them. Hard to make them in a hotel room! then, on the way home from Calgary I wasn't feeling good, at all! Strep throat is back! yuck. I haven't been able to eat since we've been home, therefore, no hawaiian haystacks. I guess I could make them for just my family, but then I'd still have to make them later for me too (seeing just doesn't fill the craving). Until I'm feeling better I'll keeping thinking of them. until then, what are your favorite toppings for hawaiian haystacks?? I love pineapple, coconut, crunchy noodles, and cheese!