8.29.2025

August Book

 Here is the book I finished this month.


This is a book that I have already read, but it’s one that I think is so good to read every few years.  Priya Parker works to help people create collective meaning in their lives through gatherings. She is a master facilitator and a strategic advisor that consults with group with all sizes, in all locations, with all different missions and purposes. It’s inspiring to think
of the intentionality she puts into group
dynamics. I highly recommend it! (Again!)

8.28.2025

Almost home!

 He comes home tomorrow. I am so excited!

8.27.2025

sweet treat

 We wanted to try a sugar cookie recipe for the upcoming holiday seasons where being able to bring themed cookies would come in handy. Eden and I had some fun:

We looked on Allrecipes.com and found this one…

The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

Prep Time:
 
20 mins
Cook Time:
 
10 mins
Additional Time:
 
1 hr
Total Time:
 
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
 
60 
Yield:
 
60 cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white sugar

  • 1 ½ cups butter, softened

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

  2. Beat sugar and softened butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.

  3. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least 1 hour (or overnight).

  4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness.

  5. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.

  7. Enjoy!

8.26.2025

in a jam…

My family gave me a fig tree a few years ago. Every year it gives us SO much fruit! This week I decided to try to make fig jam an and it turned out so good!

3 lbs figs (ends cut off and then quartered)

1/3 cup orange or lemon juice

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla 

1. Combine figs and sugar off the heat. Let sit for 30 minutes.

2. Combine all ingredients over medium heat. Once it starts to boil, lower heat and stir. 

3.Allow it to cook and stir from 45-1 hour. Once thickened, either use an immersion blender or pour ingredients into blender and blend until smooth to what consistency you choose. 

4. Place in jar and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. 

8.25.2025

pampered

 Eden has an entire set up for doing her own nails. Sometimes she spoils me and does my nails and it’s so sweet. This last week we watched Gilmore Girls and she did my nails. This is one of the many reasons it’s fun to be her mom…

8.22.2025

fridays…

 Kit and I love our date days on Fridays when the kids are in school. Last Friday was our first one of the year. We watched premier league soccer, made a trip to Costco and ate left over enchiladas from a recipe of Kit’s best friend and room mate’s mom from college. Such a chill day but so nice! With Kit being in Australia, I’m flying solo today and missing him even more…

8.21.2025

leaving on a jet plane…

 Today Kit leaves for Australia for 10 days. He's accompanying our friend Glenn as Glenn speaks at Alpha Australia conferences in multiple locations throughout the country. I’m so excited for him to have this opportunity but my goodness we will miss him. Australia, be good to these guys!