Thursday, November 22, 2012

WORD. {Happy Thanksgiving}

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best---
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
Yes. Yes. Yes.


Matthew 6:9b-13
The Message

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Date Night & What I watched on TV last night.

It's been a crazy couple of days since I last posted.
Saturday night I went on a date with these two in Kansas City.
I said, "Give me, Casanova." Ha.
We dined at a favorite place of ours. I ate almond crusted trout over a lemon orzo that was so good, I woke up and craved it for breakfast the next morning. Remember that scene in the parent trap when they are camping and the dad's girlfriend says that she'll wait for breakfast because she doesn't eat trout, and then she says, "What's for breakfast?"and the girls yell, "Trout". I could never imagine eating trout for breakfast until this weekend. Now I dream of it.  And I ate it alongside my favorite twins. :)

After dinner we went to see Bruce Springsteen.

We have recently caught on that the best seats are really behind the stage. They are generally less expensive and they are the best seats to see the band and backstage.
I posted this pic on Instagram that made a few wonder if the Boss needed a "bro".
Bruce is ripped, I tell ya---Springsteen and Jost. :)
-------------------------------------------------------
A couple of weeks ago a local tv station asked if they could interview Meg and me about Craft Weekend, and last night it aired. I couldn't decide if I was going to watch it, or not. My stomach hurt and I turned the tv off more than once right before it aired. In the end, I am so happy I watched. Meg looks great, and the ladies all look so happy. I miss those girls. Here's the story that Kakenews did on Whatever Craft Weekend.



If you wanna get on the waiting list to come, email us at whatevercraftweekend@yahoo.com. It would be so fun to have you join us!
---------------------------------
I need to keep moving this morning---did I mention that I have 25ish people coming to our house for a Thanksgiving meal this week? I've only been waiting 12 years to host and this year that turkey dream is coming true!
Happy Thanksgiving Eve to you!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Family Pictures

A couple of weeks ago my friend Megan, of Megan Hein Photography, stepped up to take our family picture.  We're not an easy bunch. Ella doesn't love to have her picture taken, Talia strikes a pose a little too easily, I am exhausted and grumpy before we even get there, and Bruce just rolls with all of us girls. It's work to get it done. Megan conquered all of our issues, and I am happy. Head on over to her blog to see what I've seen so far.

By the way, she also took our Christmas picture, but you won't see that today. You'll have to wait for that one. ;)

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Pumpkin Cheesecake

I have been a pumpkin cheesecake fan for as long as I can remember.
I'm not someone who wants to eat it in February. I certainly don't think about it in August, but around September 28th I can't stop thinking...
Pumpkin Cheesecake.
PUMPKIN cheesecake.
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE!!!
I craaaaave it.

In October, I start saying things to Bruce's mom like, "I really hope you're okay with pumpkin cheesecake at Thanksgiving again because I'm making it even if I'm the only one who eats it." 

Guess what? I'm not the only one who eats it.

I wish that were the case because then I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner on Black Friday. A little known not quite truth is that it's called black friday because you're supposed to wear head to toe black the day after that much food is consumed. 
This fall, I have been making this cheesecake (and this one!) for all of the Craft Weekends. In the past 30 days I have eaten more cheesecake than I care to admit. This is why I am declaring the entire month "Black November". Head to toe black all of November! Anyone with me?

It's that good.

Adapted from: The Kirby House Cookbook

Pumpkin Cheesecake
Crust ingredients
30 gingersnaps or 1 3/4 cups gingersnap crumbs
¼ c. white sugar
2 Tbs. butter melted.

Cheesecake filling
(3) eight ounces packages Philadelphia Cream Cheese
(3) large eggs
1 1/2 cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 15 ounce can of pumpkin
2 ½ Tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon cloves
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla

Whipped Cream
1 half pint of whipping cream
¼ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla or 1 teaspoon maple flavoring

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

To make the crust:
Place gingersnaps in food processor and pulse until fine. In a bowl, stir gingersnap crumbs, butter and sugar until all are mixed very well. Line the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper.  Spray the paper and the sides of the pan with a cooking spray to coat. Place crumbs in the bottom of the pan and pat down for an even crust.

Making the filling:
Beat the cream cheese, sugars, and eggs in a large mixing bowl for two minutes.  Add the can of pumpkin, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, whipping cream, and vanilla. Beat until just mixed all together. Then pour over the crust.

Bake the cheesecake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. When the cheesecake middle doesn’t wiggle much it’s done. Take it out and let it cool for 20 minutes. Run a knife around the outside of the cheesecake then release and remove the springform. Let the cheesecake cool completely. Don’t worry if the cheesecake has a crack in it. Whipping cream covers a multitude of sins.

Place the cheesecake in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve. This cheesecake can be made up to three days ahead of time.

When you are ready to serve, beat a half pint of heavy whipping cream, a generous ¼ cup of white sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla. Or for fun, try a teaspoon of maple flavoring instead of the vanilla!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Ten on Ten:: November 2012


Take a photo every hour for ten consecutive hours on the tenth of each month. 
Document a day of your life and find beauty among the ordinary moments. 

It's Craft Weekend once again on the 10th! I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today, 
but we also ventured out for some fun away from the house, too.
I'm usually the first one up at the house, but not so today. 
After my coffee, I made the cinnamon roll frosting. Yum!

Every single apron made impresses me. 
We spent some time at our favorite antique store.
At the barn, I noticed this faucet. We used to have one pretty similar on the farm I grew up on in Minnesota. I thought of the many times I would stop to get a drink out of it.
We made a thrift store stop and I scored these glass christmas ornaments for a dollar! 
The ladies got down to crafting.
I made dinner with my good friends, Julie and Julia.
 I served this Spinach-Apple Salad. Make it. It's soooo good.
Because we ate salad, we could also eat a little cheesecake. 
I served Pam's and a pumpkin one. 

Shopping, eating, cooking, and crafting made for a happy 10th.
I hope yours a good one, too.

ten on ten button


Monday, November 5, 2012

WORD. {Warning, I'm not wearing any makeup}

Post run today I gazed up at the gorgeous maple in our yard. I had no idea when I took this picture how close I would seem. Oh well.
Enjoy this Word. I am carrying it with me this week.
Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything
 in the One who makes me who I am.
Phillipians 4:13
The Message

Friday, November 2, 2012

InstaFriday

It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here: a birthday trip, my mom and dad staying four days longer because of the hurricane, lots of Craft Weekend, and just trying to keep up in general. I love having my camera phone with me.
It's not always the best picture, but it is captured. In years to come I will be reminded the good...and not so much. You'll see.

1. He was speaking my love language that Friday night.
2. God bless the farmers that get up before the sunrise.
3. Parents day at gymnastics class. Go Tal!
4. Apparently, I never said, "Don't draw on the couch."
(Not so good...at least it's happy. And I'll admit, I've left it because after I got over being angry, it kind of makes me smile. And my couch is 15 years old, which is one step away from being donated to our youth room at church.)

1. Stingrays always seem to have a smile on their faces.
2. Cupcakes for the birthday girl from Babycakes.
3. My girls asked me to ride the barrels with them at a local Harvest festival.
4. Rainbow girl. Reminds me of someone else I know.

1. Harvest sunsets are gorgeous this time of year.
2. Trick or treating is the best motivation to get homework done.
3. A "bluejay" and a butterfly.
4. Ready to "Gather" in November. My cousin Rachel made this for me at the October Craft Weekend.


I'm linking up with Jeannett today.

@kimberleejost is where you'll find me on Instagram. 
 It's just fun.
:)
 Happy November!

life rearranged


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