here is my latest hobby/obsession!! i am very into decorating for valentine's day! i think it's my favorite holiday! yep! you can really love on anyone and they aren't expecting it (unlike christmas.....i buy a gift for you, you buy one for me....) so i'm getting excited to love on some unexpecting people! so much fun!!
i took this idea from good ol' martha! it's been a lot of fun!

doesn't he need a hair cut?
daddy refuses! we'll see how long this lasts...oh boy!

breakfast of champions!
i love my girlies in the morning!

when in doubt post a picture!
here's my bright boy!

we are having a wonderful visit from friends that moved away. how healing it is to gain closure, perspective and insight from far-away friends. it is a soothing balm to our souls!!
may you too, receive a healing balm, closure, and new hope in your lives!
Peace!

Tonight i made the Pioneer Woman's pizza recipe :
Potato and Leek Pizza.
it was really good! i just need a mandolin to cut my potatoes really even and thin....much better than doing it by hand....cuz i had some crunchy potatoes...but it was still amazing with bacon, feta, romano and mozzarella! a really loaded yummy pizza!
i'm only inspired to add to it....a creamy sauce somehow...?
hmmmmmm......
it's worth trial and error on! :)
i am really happy with my pizza crust that i got from one martha stewart magazine.
it has helped me perfect pizza crust to perfection!!
what's the secret? don't over-knead the dough! let it be tacky when you let it rise.
amazing! who knew?
happy pizza making!

5 things i love:

1. being real with friends...good talks/updates on life--it's so refreshing!

2. a phone call from a friend far away--the other day i had an unexpected phone call from a friend-just to see how i was doing....wow! that made my day~!

3. shopping at ikea! --yep...going today! :)

4. reading a good book...fictional and non!! i'm reading Love and War by john and stasi eldredge--very very good on marriage! love the rawness!

5. my husband--he is ever giving and thinking of his beloved family. he is so appreciated!

i just thought i'd give you a glimpse of our Christmas morning breakfast! ooh yum!
it was good eats for sure. we are getting on a cooking kick around here...ryan just got a new cookbook! Alton Brown-- Good Eats! we are excited to learn and explore new recipes!
so....what's new around here?
Ember (5yrs) is growing a new tooth...yup!! but the loss of one isn't required apparently! it's very strange....the new one is growing in behind the old baby tooth...just waiting for that one to get kicked out soon!

Brighten--(20months) is growing in language and games! he loves being chased, so anything he can grab and run with, he will!! his language is developing so fast....

Adia (3yrs)--has started asking us in advance (the night before)--for a specific breakfast item for the following morning....eggs are #1, it was oatmeal today! she is our food-loving girl!

Ivory- (4yrs)--she is experimenting with facial expressions and excuses!! if it's not the headache then it's the yawn that will keep her from cleaning up the game room....that girl!

gotta love em! in all the area's of newness! we are blessed indeed!