Happy Birthday Hubs

Monday was the hubs 26th birthday.

He says it's just one more year closer to 30, that he's just getting old. I think he's silly. 26 is young and so is 30. I am just thankful for another year we get to spend together!

While I was antique shopping in the mountains I found this store, that reminded me of a place you'd see on American Pickers. I was about to walk out the door after buying two mason jars when I saw this Avengers poster. The guy told me its from 1970. I didn't really care how old it was, I just knew Stephan would like it so I bought it for $30 and brought it home.

One of Stephan's only requests for this birthday was for us to make cookie cake. When we were dating we used to make and decorate a cookie cake, probably monthly. Back then we would buy a tub of cookie dough, put it in a round pan, add food coloring to store bought icing, and decorate our cake. Now that we're a little more skilled in the kitchen, Steph wanted us to make one from scratch. 

This is how it turned out:

The decorating is a little rough.... but it was going on 9pm and we were really just ready to eat a piece.

He seems happy with it :)

This might be the first picture we've taken together since February. Don't judge...

He said he didn't smile for real because there was chocolate in his teeth. 

Last night the celebration continued...

We went to see The Dark Night Rises. 

Which if anyone hasn't seen it yet, you should. Amazing movie!

After the movie we went to my favorite sushi place (yes I know it's his birthday celebration but he let me pick dinner bc he loves me so much), Rock and Roll Sushi. It was wonderful as usual.

While we were there we took a picture to send to my cousin in California, who was texting me. He didn't want to take a picture, so this is how it turned out. Cute huh?

I hope he had a great birthday!

I love you hunny! :)

No bread maker required

Once again I am blogging from my phone. This really is getting annoying. I miss adding picture to my posts and typing on real keys instead of the touch pad where I am constantly missing letter and what not. Oh the woes!


For some reason I was in the mood to completely destroy my kitchen this evening, um I mean bake. On our meal list for next week is homemade pizzas which meant that I finally had a good reason to buy some bread flour. Before making pizzas I wanted to try my hand at homemade bread. I found this recipe here http://afoodiestaysfit.com/2011/01/my-moms-famous-white-bread/ and for my first attempt and no stand mixer to use it taste fabulous! I posted a picture on Facebook of my first loaf and I will post an entire post of pictures as soon as I get a computer! My loaf sure doesnt look as pretty as her's do, but practice makes perfect I guess. It also took me longer to make my dough because I am still in need of a stand mixer and was using my hand mixer. It conveniently came with small puney bread hook attachments when we purchased it. Thank goodness or it would have been nearly impossible for me to make. My bread never rose to the top of the pan when I let it sit but I decided to stick it in the over anyways (mainly bc I'm impatient) and it turned out just fine! Okay so yummy bread everyone should try it! I am making whole wheat next time though for a healthier option, and because Stephan prefers it.

After the bread, or actually during the time the bread was rising, I made cookies. Really amazing sugar cookies. I found the recipe for those here http://caleighskitchen.com/2011/07/13/nannys-sugar-cookies.aspx These cookies have one ingredient I never would have thought to add to a sugar cookie and that's the dusting of nutmeg on top right before baking. I honestly almost omitted that all together but I figured why not try. Good decision because they are delicious!! The recipe called for lemon zest in the cookie but we didn't have any lemons and I didn't feel like getting Ephraim in the carseat to go out for one little lemon but the batter tasted a little too bland without it so I added a little vanilla extract, about 2tsp. The vanilla added a little something without overpowering the cookie. Good decision! I baked mine for 9 1/2 mins and they came out perfection! Not too hard but not too soft either. The recipe made 3 dozen so we shared some with the sweet old lady who lives next door! Ephraim loved visiting with her and so did I. I'm thankful for such a sweet neighbor in a neighborhood filled with some crazies!