Chinese Take - In

I love me some Chinese food. I don't, however, always love paying lots of money for it. So when I saw this dinner kit in HEB, I decided to give it a try.

I cooked it tonight and it was great!! It could have fed 4, but Jeremy and I ate it all. :)

So in case you were wondering how it was, I give this one a thumbs up!

On The Go!

Addisen is on the move! She can't crawl yet, but she can definitely get to where she wants to be!

I caught her on video Monday scooting around the house. It was like she was getting so excited as she realized she could go places. She is by the front door in the video but began on the living room rug. Man, how our lives are about to change.

Oh, she also is now sitting up in her crib when we go check on her. She also pulled up on the furniture all the way up on Monday! When did my baby become a big girl?

What I've Been Baking...

A friend asked me the other day what new recipes I have been trying. I am totally hooked on this Cinnamon Buttermilk Brownies recipe that a friend of mine found in a magazine (Better Homes and Gardens maybe?). So, I thought I would share the goodness with you! :)

cinnamon buttermilk brownies

ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk *
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk *
• 2-1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanillla
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

directions

1. Grease a 15x10x1-inch or a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan combine the 1 cup butter, water, and the 1/3 cup cocoa powder. Bring mixture just to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add the chocolate mixture to the flour mixture; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add the eggs, 1/2 cup buttermilk, and 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat for 1 minute (batter will be thin). Pour batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.

3. Bake brownies in a 350 degree F oven about 25 minutes for the 15x10x1-inch pan, 35 minutes for the 13x9x2-inch pan, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

4. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine the 1/4 cup butter, the 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and the 3 tablespoons buttermilk. Bring mixture to boiling. Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth. If desired, stir in pecans.

5. Pour warm frosting over the warm brownies, spreading evenly. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 24 brownies.

*To make 3/4 cup sour milk, place 2 1/4 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar in a glass measuring cup. Add enough milk to make 3/4 cup total liquid; stir. Let mixture stand for 5 minutes. Use 1/2 cup of the sour milk in the batter and 3 tablespoons of the sour milk in the frosting; discard remaining sour milk.

Also, I don't cut them into brownies. I am too lazy; I leave them in the pan. :)

My Daddy Does My Hair

This is what happens when Daddy gives me a bath without Mommy watching...

In case you didn't notice the Mohawk, here is another angle.

Round of Applause

Addisen clapped her hands for the first time tonight. She has been swinging her arms and beating other objects together, but this was a very distinct clapping motion. She even was hitting her palms together and making noise. :)

Happy Moments

Here are some pictures of Addisen's smiles lately.

A Snow Day!

God sent big, beautiful snowflakes to decorate outside yesterday!

Addisen kept looking at the snow. This is one of the few pictures where she was looking at me.

Hmmm... I don't think she was very happy here.

Snowflakes caught on Addie's head