Wordless Wednesday

"One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord & to meditate in His temple."

Psalm 27:4

{Tasty} Tuesday

Hot soft pretzels & football go together like peanut butter & jelly.  

We had a Bronco Party on Saturday (still too soon to discuss the results) where Bferg requested homemade pretzels.  The best thing about having a Foodie Husband is that he forwarded me the recipe that he found & I had everything we needed to make them.

Soft Pretzels

1 1/2 Cups Warm Water

1 Tbs Sugar

2 tsp Kosher Salt

2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast (1 Pkg)

4 1/2 Cups Flour

4 Tbs Unsalted Butter, melted

10 Cups Water

2/3 Cups Baking Soda

1 Egg Yolk + 1 Tbs Water, whisked together (for egg wash)

Coarse Salt

1. Combine the water, sugar & salt in a mixing bowl & sprinkle the yeast on top.  Allow to sit for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to foam.

2. Add the flour & melted butter.  Use a dough hook attachment on low speed until all the ingredients are combined.  Increase the mixer speed to medium & knead until the dough is smooth & pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 4-5 minutes.

3. Remove the dough from the mixer & place in a well oiled, clean bowl.  Cover with plastic wrap & place in warm spot until the dough has doubled in size; about 45-60 minutes.

4. Preheat the oven to 450* & line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper brushed with oil  (Or a Silpat not brushed with oil).  Set aside.

5. Combine the water & baking soda in a large pot & bring to a rolling boil.

6. Turn out dough onto a well oiled surface & divide into 8 equal pieces.  Roll each piece into a 24 inch rope.  Make a U with the rope & then cross them over each other to make the shape of a pretzel.  Set each pretzel aside.

7. Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 2 or 3 at a time (don't overcrowd your pot) & cook for 30 seconds.  Place the boiled pretzels on the prepared baking sheet.

8. Brush each pretzel with the egg wash & then sprinkle with coarse salt. 

9. Bake until dark golden in color, about 14 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.

Finished Pretzel.
I just used kosher salt because I didn't have coarse.
 I also made half of the batch cinnamon/sugar.

Poor Bferg watching the game.
He was stressed to put it mildly.  

Life According To My iPhone

1.Errands.  Lily style.

2 & 3. Silly pictures with Mommy's phone.

4. Mommy got handy.  Assembled new stools & got the blister to prove it.

5. A new discipline technique.  

6. Helping Daddy organize his duck hunting things.

7. Family Coloring Night.  Lalaloopsy & Hello Kitty...Bferg is a rockstar!

#HouseOfGirls!

The Real Deal

We kept our promise!  

Saturday was cold, overcast & the perfect day to hit the ice.

I love Bentonville!

It's not easy hugging, trying to look at the camera & keep your
balance while on ice!

Speedin'!

Twirling.

Lily & Daddy.

Mommy & Aubrielle.

Even on the ice you could see the girls' little personalities coming forth.  Aubrielle just wanted

was desperate to go fast.  She was getting so frustrated!  She never gave up trying though & the bumps & bruises proved it.

Lily on the other hand just wanted to twirl!  Speed was last on her list!  She exudes girl in her every move...even while on skates!

We finished our afternoon with crepes from Crepes Paulette.  I highly recommend the Turtle!  We had so much fun that we are planning to do it one more time before it closes for the season!

"Let all that you do be done in love."
1 Corinthians 16:14

New Year's Eve

We spent the last night of 2012 with some of our dearest & best friends.  

It was an evening full of great friends, yummy food & lots of laughs!  

The Girls.

The Guys.

The Kids.
(Minus Avery who didn't want her pic taken.)

I'm very thankful for such good friends!  Friends that always serve each other & others.  Friends who share values & a love for God.  The little girls out-number the little boys but we are hoping for a few arranged marriages from the group!  :)

Bferg & I rang in the New Year by ourselves on our couch.  Both girls managed to stay awake until 11:00pm...maybe next year they can make it until midnight.

2012 was a great year full of God's richest blessings!  

Aubrie turned 5 & Lily turned 3.

Brett took an amazing promotion by changing jobs.

My little brother got married & we added three cousins to our family.

We spent our summer between the pool & the lake.

And we even made it back to Colorado for a great time with family.

The Broncos are in the playoffs & Peyton Manning has won over this family.

God has been faithful & we cannot wait to see what He has in store for our family in 2013!

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:14

Lots of Christmas

We had a wonderful, relaxing & fun Christmas! 

Cue the picture bombing....

Christmas Eve Cuties.

Cookies for Santa.

Doc McStuffins...I have a diagnosis!

Legos...416 individual little pieces (to be exact).

Grammy, Papa & all the kids.

Sisters.

love.

More presents...

Sloppy kisses from relatives.

Snow!

Holding hands with Frosty.

I was really sad all weekend...I just didn't want Christmas to end.  Between our Advent time & all of our fun family time I am just having a hard time letting go of the Christmas season. I am also having a hard time letting go of my house slippers...we have a few more days until we must go back to reality.

"You will have joy & gladness, 

And many will rejoice at His birth."

Luke 1:14