{I MIGHT be superwoman}

I'm not sure . . . but I might be.  I'm seriously looking for a cape to wear in some pictures.  Just for future reference you know.  Being superwoman is exhausting and I have very little sanity left - that's the only reason I'm slightly doubting my powers but I survived and that's saying something.  

We turned in two Eagle Scout Projects to the Boy Scout office this week for approval.  These are some of the preliminary pictures.  I just needed verification since I'm beginning to doubt myself.

I'm probably not . . . but I MIGHT be superwoman.

I want two more of these, please . . .

{Oh, so easy ice cream "cake"}

  Homemade ice cream cakes are super yummy and so easy to make. 

My kids always ask for them on their birthdays, hot summer days, cold winter days . . . 

Honestly, the hardest part is walking back and forth to the freezer.  

I freeze mine between every step . . . exercise in advance.  Smart.  

You'll need the following ingredients:

1 half gallon of your favorite ice cream - I {heart} Blue Bell

1 jar of ice cream topping

1/4 cup of butter

12 oz. container of Cool Whip

1 pkg of Oreos

Well, not as many oreos as pictured!  I had some LARGE quantities on hand.  Extra Oreos & Cool Whip always come in handy.  Two to three "sleeves" from a large package like this or just a normal size package of Oreos will do.

Besides being easy, the best thing about homemade ice cream cakes are the options! 

My kids prefer Mint Chocolate Chip or Cookies & Cream so I use hot fudge topping.

Pecan Pralines & Cream is delicious with Carmel topping.  Of course, Chocolate Covered Stawberry ice cream is awesome with Strawberry topping . . . let me know what flavor combination you adore!  

{It will give me an excuse to make another for a taste test.}

Crush your Oreos - use a food processor if you have one or crush them the way I did during the pre-food processor college years and smash them in a Ziploc bag.

Melt your butter, mix in the Oreo crumbs and press into the bottom of a 9"x13" pan.

Pop the crust in the freezer and pull out your ice cream.

Let the ice cream soften just a little.

Go get your Oreo crust out of the freezer and cover it with scoops of ice cream.

Smooth out the ice cream and return it to the freezer.  Let it get good and frozen again.

You can go take a nap now if you'd like.  I know this has been hard on you.

Remove the lid from your ice cream topping and microwave for 30 - 45 seconds . . . just enough to soften it.  Spread it all over the ice cream and freeze it again.

Now that you can definitely find your freezer with your eyes closed . . . go get it out of the freezer again and cover it with Cool Whip.  Refreeze for a couple of hours before serving. 

If I ever had my own cooking show it would be titled, "The Distracted Chef."  I tend to wonder out of the kitchen and overly multi-task so not all my dishes turn out right.  This takes a few interrupted hours so it's perfect for me.

Melt in your mouth delicious!  

Okay, so ice cream melts anyway but it's so much better when it's melting in your mouth.

Homemade Ice Cream Cake

1 half gallon of your favorite ice cream

1 jar of ice cream topping

1/4 cup of butter

12 oz. container of Cool Whip

1 pkg of Oreos

1. Crush the Oreos, melt the butter, combine and press into the bottom of a 9"x13" pan and freeze.

2. Remove the ice cream from the freezer and allow it to soften just a little, remove the Oreo crust from the freezer and cover with scoops of ice cream.  Smooth the top and then return it to the freezer.

3. When the ice cream is throughly frozen take it out of the freezer.  Remove the lid from the ice cream topping and microwave it for 30 - 45 seconds.  You just want it to soften.  Spred it over the ice cream and then return it to the freezer.

4.  Remove it from the freezer, again, and cover it with Cool Whip.  Return it to the freeze for at least 3 hours.  Sprinkle with Oreo crumbs if desired for garnish.  

*Tip: Heat a knife by running it under hot water to make it easier to cut.

Tomorrow is the LAST day to enter my Very First Favorite Things Give-Away

Thanks to all who have entered!

{Flashback Friday}

I adore my children.  They make everyday worth waking up. 

(Being married to Sir Thomas is actually reason enough.) 

The part where my kids grow up so fast is not such a favorite.

My sweet cousin, Caroline, just welcomed baby Solomon to her precious family!  I'm so happy for them!!  He's #4 and I happen to think having 4 children is wonderful!

I'm so grateful for modern technology.  Having precious pictures of my children is priceless.  These pictures make me so happy.  I just wanted to look at them again - so here they are.

I have so many favorite pictures, someday I'll post more.  Looking at them makes me realize this is REAL!  It is a blessing to be a mother.  So many want the privilege and I don't want to take this journey for granted.

"A picture is worth a thousand words". . . I think it's because it would take at least that many words to describe the moment captured in the picture.

Now, they're BIG! And still oh, so handsome & beautiful.

When my crazy kids were WILD little kids . . . "knowing" adults would look at me with a bit of a scowl and warn (complete with wagging finger), 

"Just wait until their teenagers."

For the record . . . anyone with little ones, 

"Just wait until their teenagers!  It's SO much fun!"

Teenagers, at least mine, are wonderful to be around.

I love these happy memories!  We're going to make more tomorrow!

The preparations for the Birthday Ball are exciting.

I can't believe it's already here! 

I hope it's lots of fun and everyone enjoys it - that's the whole reason for hosting it.

{India's date}

Sir Thomas is so wonderful!

I  still don't know how I managed to get him but I'm so glad I did.

We were out of town when The Southeast Texas State Fair opened. Usually, we all go together but I think a family vacation is a good excuse to miss one year.

Fortunately, Sir Thomas took India for a 

daddy-daughter date Friday night.

She said it was THE BEST date they've ever had!

They didn't spend much money and only rode a few rides but they had a great time.

One thing we virtually never do is play the games . . . but Friday night was different.

India played one game and WON!

She loves stuffed toys and couldn't have been happier.  You may have noticed how stiff these stuffed prizes are and they're not very cuddly.  India's creativity and ingenuity never cease to amaze me.  

She found the seam used to sew the tiger closed and reopened it . . .

removed the styrofoam filler . . .

re-stuffed it with poly-fill . . .

and sewed him closed again!

(You will notice all the cleaning paraphernalia.  It made a BIG mess.  The styrofoam beads stuck to everything. Luckily, I like to clean.  Guess there's a future for these stiff critters after all.)

It is SO soft now!  Isn't she brilliant!

I have a feeling she will keep this treasure forever.  

(I hope her someday-spouse likes white tigers on the bed.)

{my favorite weekend}

My least favorite weekend of the year comes with the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.

I don't like to lose an hours sleep!

Lucky us!  We got to experience it TWICE!

England did not change the date for British Summer Time when the U.S. decided to change and begin Daylight Savings Time two weeks earlier and end two weeks later.

Yep, it was fun.

The good news . . . I also have a FAVORITE weekend!

(actually two of them)

I LOVE watching General Conference on the first weekends of April and October.

I feel like a new person!

This year was no exception.  All the talks were uplifting and inspirational.  I'm so glad I was able to spend the weekend with my family as we were uplifted and counseled by living prophets.

I definitely feel inspired to be of greater service,

tell people how much I love them,

be humble and work on my weaknesses.

I'm actually really excited to start listening to the talks again.

We started the best tradition a couple of years ago . . .

"Conference Breakfast"

The missionaries are part of this tradition.

They are so nice to go with us to a big buffet breakfast.

Jenkins & Kemp

Axtell & Kaufusi

Smith & Reed

We always take quite a crowd, but it's more fun this way!

 Breakfast was wonderful . . . many, many thanks to the kind people at Golden Corral for cooking AND doing the dishes.

Concerning Daylight Savings Time, once I get adjusted to the change, I actually really like it.  I guess I just want to whine sometimes.

Last, I expect to see quite a few new clocks on the market after hearing the sweet sentiments of Elder Richard G. Scott.  Years ago, he wrote his wife a note saying, "It's time I tell you I love you."  She put it in her kitchen clock where it has stayed for many years.  Etsy will probably be a mecca for such fabulous finds.  I'm hoping to get creative and make one myself because I love it!  I also want to give them to everyone I know.  

He's right, it is time that I tell you . . . I do love you!