Quotable Lemony Snicket

Exacto has been keeping me supplied with all the volumes of "A Series of Unfortunate Events", and I am heartily enjoying them. Here's a great line from The Hostile Hospital. You have to read it out loud. . . .

"Just about everything in this world is easier said than done, with the exception of 'systematically assisting Sissyphus's stealthy, cyst-susceptible sister,' which is easier done than said."

Girl Scout Thin Mints recipe!

You're probably going to think I'm obsessed with this website. (And I probably am!) But I just noticed that the Top Secret Recipes website has a free recipe for the Girl Scout Thin Mints cookies! I love those, and didn't get any this year, (waah!) so I'm anxious to try it.

Also, just another plug for the book. For part of our at-home date last Friday, Chris and I tried out the recipe for "Chili's Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie" and nearly passed out with joy tasting it. It tasted exactly like what you get at the restaurant! (Good thing, too--it's a bear to make). But it made enough for our whole family to have it 3 times! Fun times.

Well, we were out of vanilla (due to the Wendy's frostys - ha), so we substituted cookies and cream.
Thank goodness Target has such good prices on ice cream!
(This is so not good for my trying to lose weight. . . .ahem!)

New website about our Savior

The Church has just released a website completely focused on the Lord Jesus Christ: JesusChrist.lds.org

It looks absolutely beautiful, and will be a wonderful way to help friends understand the restored gospel better. The paintings of Him on this website are some of my favorites. He loves us so tenderly, and is "mighty to save." How I love our Savior!

Attention: Readers of Exacto's Blog!

He has posted a fun poll, and is sad that only 1 person has voted so far. So, please visit soon! The poll ends in two days!
(See link to the left, under "Family").

Homemade Wendy's Frostys!

For part of our Valentine's Date last Thursday, we tried out a recipe I found on topsecretrecipes.com

Now, I have hesitated to recommend this website, because many of the recipes on it are not free. When I first found it, I was SO EXCITED because now I could make Olive Garden's Chocolate Lasagne and Carrabba's Chicken Marsala, etc., etc. But then when I clicked on a few of the recipes, I found that many of them cost a small fee to be able to access. HOWEVER. There are also many free ones, like the Wendy's frosty.

I want so very badly to post the actual recipe for you, but in order to access even the free recipes, you have to promise not to copy or post them anywhere. But I will say this: the recipe calls for only 3 ingredients, which we had on hand, and you probably do, too, AND it tastes EXACTLY like a real Wendy's frosty. One recipe makes enough for 2 large frostys. We loved ours!!!

So I checked the book out from the library, and the same promise holds. Each recipe is strictly copyrighted. I guess I may just have to buy the book. :) I have tried 4 or 5 of the recipes, and each has been fabulous! So, as my friend Malauna says, this is a shameless "product endorsement." ha! Try some of those freebie recipes on the website! This guy is really good at what he does!

Today

We have a tradition of visiting Benjamin's grave after church every Sunday. I love being there! It always feels so peaceful, and it almost feels like we're together as a complete family.

The tulips and daffodil bulbs we planted are starting to come up!

Valentine's Day in Bakerville

Incidentally, Exacto won "most unique" for his microwave Valentine receptacle.

Fluffy took a break from bike-riding to create this little gem.

Valentine Morning.
(Daddy made the pancakes!)

I bought this Valentine at Hobby Lobby, and we each wrote a special note to Benjamin on the back.

Came home to find this from my Sweetheart. . . .