The sweet things they say...

Lately, the kids have said or done some things that have made me smile or even laugh out loud.

• The other night I took Hosanna and Judah to see some fireworks that were near our house. We had plenty of time, so I popped some popcorn to take with us. Hosanna would ask me before she took some out of the bowl that I was holding, "May I?" And then she would get some. Well Judah looks at me and says, "I may?" It took me a minute to understand what he was trying to say - may I backwards - but it was so cute because he said it like 15 more times. "I may?" All for a handful of popcorn.
• We were eating supper one night and Judah grabs a napkin and roughly wipes his face (like such a boy) and then he turns to Hosanna and asks her, "Do you need a napkin, Hosanna?" She said, "No thank you, Judah." That just really made me smile :)
• This morning when Hosanna got up at 6:45 am, she came and climbed into bed with me. She snuggled up against me and said, "I actually really love you." And giggled. That made me laugh out loud, it was so sweet.
• Little Zoe isn't saying much these days yet, but she is taking 5 or 6 steps at a time all around the house. She'll be walking soon!

We are enjoying these ages and stages. And look forward to the season of fall and the fun it brings!

As an avid cream cheese LOVER...

I find it extremely important to share this recipe with you.

PUMPKIN Cream Cheese - that's right, perfect for my favorite time of year, this is easy and delicious.

Here's what you need:

1 8 oz. block of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup of canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. ground ginger
1/8 t. ground nutmeg
1/8 t. ground cloves
1 t. vanilla
4 T. brown sugar

Beat together until smooth. Refrigerate.

We enjoyed this on a bagel and it was also wonderful spread on a graham cracker.

Simply UNBELIEVEABLE Cookies

I have a recipe that I must share. I have been on a quest to find a chocolate chip cookie that will satisfy everyone in our house (read: Jeremy). I have been unsuccessful, they get too thin or flat or whatever. Mind you a chocolate chip cookie is a chocolate chip cookie to me, but not too everyone.

We were recently camping and a friend had brought the perfect cookies. So I found a recipe that contained the important ingredient (a box of pudding mix!) and have since scored in the cookie making department.

The basic recipe is this:

2 1/4 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. shortening
1/4 c. sugar
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla pudding mix
1 t. vanilla extract
1/8 t. almond extract
2 eggs
1 pkg. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour and baking soda, set aside.

In a large bowl, beat sugars, butter, shortening, pudding and extracts. Add eggs, mix well. Beat in flour mixture.

Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

SUPER SIMPLE and so versatile! You can combine different pudding flavors with different chips and have a completely different cookie. At this moment, I am making some with pumpkin spice pudding mix and chocolate chips. This cookie turns out soft and definitely not thin OR flat. You will LOVE it!