Monkey Bread

Some time, last week, I was watching "Unwrapped" on the Food Network and they did a segment on Monkey Bread. It brought back fond memories of eating it as a child. So, I did a little searching on-line, and found a few recipes that I would try. So, Sunday morning, I woke up early and made monkey bread for us for breakfast before church. It turned out really good. It wasn't as good as mom made it when we were little, but it was still good. Andrew liked it, so that's all that matters. Here is the recipe I used:
2 tubes of flaky biscuits
1 cup brown sugar
2 sticks of butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup pecans

Mix white sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Cut each biscuit into fourths. Sprinkle pecans in the bottom of the pan. Melt one stick of butter. Roll the biscuit pieces in the butter and then roll them in the sugar mixture until well coated. Remove biscuits from cinnamon sugar and place in a greased bunt pan. After you have finished, bring brown sugar and butter to a boil and pour over the biscuits. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes and then flip the pan over to remove the monkey bread.

Clara's 5th Birthday Party

My Niece, Clara, had her birthday party this past Saturday. Her birthday isn't till July 4th.
My sister, Kelly, made a really cute birthday cake. I was really impressed with her cake decorating skills. Here are some pictures from the day.

Here is the Birthday Girl enjoying some Watermelon.
Sarah, Becky, Mom and Charlie enjoying the shade on a hot day.
The Cake
All the kids singing "Happy Birthday"
Leilani and some boys waiting their turn to fill up their water balloons.

Fun Times at McDonalds

Yesterday, I met Becky, Leilani, and Jalen at McDonalds for lunch. Becky and I had a chance to catch up while the kids were playing. They had so much fun. Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

Monkey Munch

Last night, Clara and Lindy came over to watch movies and make Monkey Munch. We had so much fun hanging out together. They are some of the coolest kids I know.
Monkey Munch is a great snack and really easy to make. And it tastes really good!!

Here is the recipe:
12 oz. box Crispix or Chex cereal
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
2 to 3 cups powdered sugar

In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips and microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring once during cooking, until mixture is melted and smooth. Place the cereal in another large bowl and pour the melted mixture over the cereal. Stir until the cereal is thoroughly coated. Pour the powdered sugar into a large plastic food bag. Pour the coated cereal into the powdered sugar and shake until it is well covered with the sugar. Store in tightly covered containers at room temperature.

Here are some pictures from the night.

Sometimes I Impress Myself...

Someone gave my sister-in-law a hooded towel for a baby shower gift and I thought to myself, "I could make that." So I tried, and I succeeded! It really didn't take long either. I really wish I had an embroidery machine so I could monogram them.

These will be gifts for my nieces and nephew, for their birthdays or Christmas.

Another Blanket

Last night I finished crocheting a blanket that I started several months ago. It started out as me trying to use up some extra yarn and then I ended up having to buy more yarn so I could finish the blanket. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this one yet. If anyone wants it, just let me know. It's not that big, but good for a lap blanket.

Baby Blanket

I crocheted this baby blanket for my sister-in-law, Abby. This is the first time that I have done this pattern. (I usually just do a standard Granny Square pattern.) It is yellow on one side and white on the other. I think that the blanket turned out beautiful, but it took a really long time to make.

My Fur Babies

I figured it was time to write a blog about my kids, Molly and Toby. Molly is a mutt, but we love her anyway. She is full of energy and lots of love. Toby is a Cocker Spaniel. We wanted Molly to have someone to play with, but he is content sitting next to me chewing on a rawhide. I love my dogs and I am so grateful that Andrew let me get them.

This is a video from a few summers ago, but is too funny not to share.

My Favorite Author

Within the last few years, I have discovered how much fun reading can be. When I was in school, I hated having to read anything. But since I discovered an author, by the name of Karen Kingsbury, I truly enjoy reading. She is a Christian author who's books are so inspirational. I am currently reading "When Joy Came to Stay" and it is so good. It is hard to put it down. The way she relates real life and every day living is wonderful. I am blessed to have a public library that carries many of her books. If the library doesn't have a specific book, I can usually buy it from Amazon or Half.com for under $10. After I finish reading it, I donate it to the library so others can enjoy it too.

It's Official!!

We found out that Andrew has been selected to be a part of the Interim Business Leader Program with Chick-fil-A! He will be traveling to Atlanta on July 6th for training. I will post more details as them become available. I am so proud of him and happy that all his hard work is starting to pay off. He is very excited about this opportunity.

Kung Fu Panda

Andrew and I went to see Kung Fu Panda this weekend. It was really cute. Jack Black was very funny, as usual. I would definitely recommend it.

Vegetable Garden

For the past three years, I have planted a small vegetable garden. It isn't your typical garden. I do mine in buckets. It works so well, and at the end of the summer, i don't have a big dirt garden in my yard. I just take the buckets, and store them till next year. I planted mine a little later then usual this year, but they are doing great. I don't have any veggies on them yet, but several of the plants have blooms and I can tell that I will have an abundance of tomatoes, squash, and zucchini in a month or so.

Tomato Plant

Squash PlantsZucchini Plants

June Flowers

I love the month of June. My Hydrangea is in full bloom and my waving petunia hanging baskets are overflowing with flowers. My Vegetable garden is also doing very well, but I will save that for another post. I guess I get my green thumb from my dad. He is always doing something outside with plants. Either planting, or watering, or weeding or at Lowe's buying more flowers. I think it drives my mom crazy how much money he spends on flowers every year. But I can relate. You spend a lot of money at one time, but get to enjoy the flowers all summer long.

Pumpkin Dilemma

A few weeks ago, I planted Giant Pumpkin seeds. I started them out in small pots and was planning on trasferring them to the ground when they were ready. Well, they are ready now, and I don't know where to plant them. I know that they will need a lot of space to grow and a lot of sun. My back yard has plenty of space, but not so much sun. What should I do?? If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Hopefully in late summer/early fall, I will be able to post some pictures of my giant pumpkins!

Here are what the plants look like now.

It is so HOT!!!

I spent the majority of this past weekend sitting in my parents pool. It was so hot! Saturday it was 97 degrees and Sunday was about the same. Right now, the thermometer says 99!!! Just a week ago it was in the 80's. They are calling for Isolated Thunderstorms the rest of the week, so hopefully that will cool things off a little.

Take me out to the ball game!

Last night, Julie, Jennifer, Jessica, and I went to a Greenville Drive Baseball game. We had so much fun! Greenville won against Augusta, 6 - 4. This has got to be one of the cheaptest forms of entertainment in Greenville. It was only $6 a person for an entire night of entertainment. If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommend it. Here are some pictures from last night.

We met the President... of Chick-fil-A!

Last Tuesday, Andrew and I had the opportunity to meet Dan Cathy, the President of Chick-fil-A. His father is Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A! It was an incredible opportunity to be able to meet him. He invited us to sit and eat with him and his team. He talked to us and really wanted to get to know us. What an honor. With the way things are headed for Andrew within the Chick-fil-A organization, I know that this was the first of many meetings with Dan Cathy.

Baby Shower

On Friday, the teachers that work with my Mother-in-law (MIL) hosted a baby shower for my Sister-in-law Abigail. As a gift, I crocheted this hat for the new baby. I am also working on a blanket for her, but I haven't finished yet.