Now I lay me down to sleep...

"...I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

Oh, and God? Please help me remember the following picture in a few years when my brother won't stop tormenting me. Thanks."

He is a beautiful little thing, isn't he? (He was copying me--I use a headband like this when I exercise. You should see him copying me exercise--even funnier!)

Let's get real.

I'm on an adventure. A journey, if you will. Come, walk with me.

I think it's gonna be a blast.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

One of our favorite ways to use up zucchini before it goes bad. (Not necessarily the healthiest, though!)

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1/2 c butter or margarine
1/2 c oil
1 & 3/4 c sugar
~~Cream the above well~~
Add 2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c sour cream or buttermilk (I also use milk in a pinch)

In a separate bowl, mix the following dry ingredients:
2 & 1/2 c all purpose flour
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 & 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Grate 2 medium zucchini (washed & don't peel it); you should end up with around 2 cups grated zucchini.

Add dry ingredients & zucchini alternately to creamed butter/sugar mixture until well blended. Add 1/2 package chocolate chips to batter & mix well.

Pour batter into 9x13 pan. Top with 1/4-1/2 bag chocolate chips. Bake in 350 degree oven for 40-45 min or until toothpick comes out clean.

I often use a 9x9 pan; bake for around 50-60 min, checking often for doneness.

Laugh it up

I'm finally uploading some videos from my new FLIP video camera. It does take awhile to upload, so I've been putting it off.

Here is Marc getting Kenna to laugh a bit.

And (if I remember correctly!) this video is of Z getting Kenna to laugh. She's just started laughing in the past few weeks & it's still hit & miss--we never know what's going to tickle her!

A good deal

On a whim, I swung by the KARM thrift store on the way home today. Look at this! A beautiful, 3-story dollhouse for my daughter (complete with pieces, including that cool grand piano at Z's left):


(I say daughter because my son is pictured here. Cut him some slack--it's a new toy. Anyone would be excited. Plus someone has to play with it til Kenna gets older, right?)

And check out that price tag: $9.99! I believe this originally retailed for somewhere around $65-$70. Even better: When I got up to the checkout, they had me draw a ticket for a % off my bill for a customer appreciation event they were having. Boy, was I appreciative--I got a 25% discount! So this beauty cost me a whole $7.50.

Just had to share that great deal with all of you! Thanks for indulging me.

Kielbasa Soup

I'm participating in a Comfort Food recipe swap over at Life as Mom. Head over there & check out some of the recipes!

This is probably my hubby's most favorite thing that we eat. It's one of the few soup recipes that I cook all through the year & not just during the fall/winter. Hope you enjoy!

Kielbasa Soup (makes 6 servings)

1/2 lb fully cooked kielbasa, diced
6 med potatoes, peeled & cubed
2 c frozen corn
1 can chicken broth (about 2 cups)
1 celery rib, sliced
2 carrots, peeled & sliced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
2/3 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp dried parsley (or 1 tsp minced fresh parsley)

In a large saucepan, brown kielbasa, drain. Set kielbasa aside. In the same pan, combine potatoes, corn, broth, celery, carrot & seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover & simmer for 15 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add milk, cheese, parsley and kielbasa. Cook & stir over low heat until cheese is melted & soup is heated through. (Be careful not to boil after adding cheese/milk or the cheese will separate.)

This is actually the first time I have looked at the recipe card in a really long time. I usually just use however much of each of these ingredients I have on hand & I always make a double batch because it goes fast. It's a really flexible recipe!

A few links...

• I love these posts about helping me to deal with my 3 year old... Learning with Preschoolers and Activities to Try with Preschoolers from Keeper of the Home
• My new favorite blog: Joy the Baker. Seriously, people. If you like food even a little, you're going to love this. I have so many new recipes to try...oh, and the pictures!!!
• Two more of my favorite websites: Life as Mom and Simple Mom. If you don't put anything else in your blog reader, these are the ones!
• If you're bored, or your children are bored, or your husband is bored....well, this is the one for you. Provides plenty of entertainment! A Lego A Day
• Two new recipes I can't wait to try from Pioneer Woman: Crash Hot Potatoes and Cinnamon Rolls

I could go on and on, but I won't. Gotta get supper finished up! (oh, and I've been collecting these over weeks, ok? this is not the result of my web browsing for today...otherwise my kids would be dirty & hungry & tired!)

And another thing...if you like any of these, let me know, would you? I know it's easy to lurk & not comment, but comments are SO fun!! You can always comment anonymously.