Still counting… June 30, 2010

June 30, 2001- I changed my name from Miss to Mrs- and have never looked back

To my best friend, boyfriend, biggest fan, amazing dad and co-parent- the one I want by my side… here’s to continued blessing and to counting many more laughs, much love, and years of memories.

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Terry and I met in high school.  We were not sweethearts- not until he graduated and even then it was long distance and firmly planted in our friendship.  We were both very focused and committed to following whatever God had for us- which meant different schools in different states.  And we didn’t continue dating the whole time- but our friendship was very close and held strong.  He knows so much about me, my family and my childhood.  Long story short- he got jealous, we got back together, he proposed, I said YES.

9 years later-  a great family, a dog, a house, a great kid, and a relationship built on faith, lots of laughter, and a bond of true friendship that cannot be broken.  Love you to the moon and back.

Always-
*Rachel

www.sneakypillowjumper.com

.:Week of Us:. June 28, 2010

This week is our 9th Anniversary- I cannot believe it.

Around our house we celebrate weeks- not just days.  (Why? Because my guy likes to give gifts- and I like to get them.  Really he is the best at surprising me and getting me little things I love.)

Today- Favorite flowers from my favorite florist.

9 years may not be a major milestone- but we never want to grow tired of our love and friendship.  We have countless joys and triumphs to celebrate.  This last year we have been faced with the biggest challenges of our marriage.  June 24th was the 1 year mark of my shocking diagnosis of Ocular Melanoma.  It seems like when it rains, it pours. This year has felt like whatever could go wrong did.  But my prayer is that we are stronger for it.  We are surrounded by so much love and support from our family and friends- and we are in love with our little guy who makes our lives a joy.

So to my best friend:

Terry – you are my rock.  Your love and support during the trials of this year has brought us closer together.  I am honored and humbled to stand by your side.  There is no way I can ever repay you for the time and energy you have poured into my life to help me follow my dreams and regain my health.  Thanks for being my biggest fan.  For the hours of work you put in to take care of our family.  And for the laughter that always puts a negative situation into perspective.  And thanks for the beautiful flowers- I love you.  Happy Anniversary week.

*rachel

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www.sneakypillowjumper.com

Help a baker out… June 20, 2010

I have a handful of posts started- none of which are finished or posted. It’s how I roll.

So back to me- I think I have baked about 100 dozen cookies in the last 6 months. I have eaten about half of them- by myself. But the challenge to my baker friends is this- help me figure out how to re-create the Chocolate Duet Cookie from this restaurant.

Been experimenting with this recipe from a cute little blog I found last year- its pretty good. They are like eating brownies- but they still need a little tweeking to get them where they need to be.  I have tried espresso powder- just made them dry.  (Plus I bought the cookie from the bakery late one night- it was wrapped with an ingredient label- did not include espresso powder).  I think the taste is not far off- but the part I can’t get is the texture that is so perfect about the bakery-cafe version.

So this is a challenge to help me out- my waste line & reflux cannot handle another 100 dozen in an attempt to get this one right.  (And if you know how to make bagels like they do- teach me how to do that too.)

P.S.  This request is specifically directed to this great baker I know and whose blog I stalk- cause I think if anyone can do it-she can.  L

Bedside reading June 1, 2010

Sometimes I tend to get stuck on one thing. This is what my bedside table often looks like.  This is from about a month ago- it is currently filled with past copies of hand-me-down Food Network Magazines and new library books.
To be fair- the top book was actual reading.  (And in full disclosure- O’s bedside table often looks something like this too.)

There is this other cookbook that I love- of which I have checked out at the library and thumbed through at the bookstore-more then a few times.  But I don’t allow myself to buy many books- I save recipes online and try to conserve my limited space for storage- or that’s what I tell myself.  That is why I follow a few dozen foodie blogs- so many great ideas from people who do not have culinary degrees- no expense.

About a month ago a blog I follow was giving it away.  Guess what?  I won it- I don’t win many things, but I actually won it.  A big shout out to Leigh Ann at  Your Home Based Mom for her generosity- (and for actually sharing an autographed copy of one of my favorite cookbooks).  Check out her blog- she has great home cooked recipes like this one I have on my list to try.

So I grabbed my camera when it finally arrived and took a few picks of my oh-so-wonderful package.  It is from the author of one of the first blogs I started following last year- amazing recipes, stories, and photos from The Pioneer Woman. And her blog is not just a blog- there is an entire recipe community that I get great ideas from too called Tasty Kitchen.

I love this book.  Seriously- I have already made The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake. Ever. – several times.  AMAZING.

I get so much inspiration from blogs like the two of these listed- and at times I feel like I know the writers who share their lives with me every day through their stories, recipes, and ideas.  So I feel very blessed to win- even if it is random.

So what’s your favorite cookbook?  Or book for that matter?  (Always looking for new material to read!)  And do you ever win anything?  I am feeling lucky- will have to post about the other two giveaways I have recently won when I get them in the mail!  I feel like I should buy a lottery ticket or a ticket to Vegas.  Probably won’t push it though.

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Side note: I read a lot of blogs- and when I see a cool giveaway I enter (as long as it is simple, like leave a comment- not when I have to sign up for services I am not already involved in or give up my kid or anything weird like that).  I don’t search out giveaways- they are just part of the blogs I am already following.  I just felt a need to clarify that.  Ok.