VANILLA MILK- A Recipe.

Ingredients:
1 gallon organic whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
3 T. pure vanilla extract

Whisk or blend all ingredients together. Serve or keep refrigerated.
(this recipe could easily be halved.)

So easy, right? As I was planning Ethum's birthday party I was trying to come up with a fun drink. Last year, I made fresh-squeezed lemonade but I didn't feel like it quite paired with chocolate whoopie pies. Then, I thought about chocolate milk but I didn't want to mix chocolate with chocolate. It seems like every time you serve chocolate with chocolate, the sweeter one stands out and other one becomes not so tasty. Then, I remembered how much Ethum loves Horizon's vanilla milk, so I browsed a few recipes online and this is what I came up with.

-Amanda

NEW YEAR'S EVE and everything else on my mind.

So many festivity posts- my word! These have been a few crazy weeks for everyone, I think.. as it is every year (and thank goodness for that).
 I'm a little frazzled at the moment as we only have three weeks left in Houston before we make our trek to Pennsylvania- a new and a little frightening chapter in the life of our family. I'm sort of at a loss for what I should be doing to prepare to move across the country (besides packing). We're going to celebrate Ethum's 3rd birthday, with close family and friends, a little early this year. So, that means I won't start packing until after the party, which will allow me one week to pack. Hmmm...  I sure do love torturing myself, right? I could have the party somewhere else, but I just don't think it's as special that way.

well anyway, here's a peek at our new year's eve...

yep, our kitchen is really that smokey.

...and this is the product.

twelve candles for 2012.

Low-key, our house, and a good friend. Happy Birthday 2012!


-Amanda
ps. January 1st is our engagement anniversary. hip hip hooray!

CRAFT NIGHT.

For the past couple of weeks I have been hosting a craft night for my friends Emily and Sara. Last night we pulled together the ingredients for fish tacos. It was a great night. This is just a little peek at what we were up to. I hope you all are having a great weekend. Happy Sunday!

 - Amanda

(tbe photo quality is less than wonderful, I know.. I'm still learning!)

                                    

                                   

GET A LITTLE FANCY.

Here's a super easy way to spruce up anything from beef teriyaki to baked potatoes. All you have to do is cut your green onions or chives diagonally instead of straight. Voila! Could it be any easier? I bet you'll really impress your friends with this one :) You can also use this technique for other vegetables like carrots and asparagus.

 -Amanda