And the Box of Chocolates will be share with...

Annie oh Annie, I hope you enjoy this box of Chocolate bliss!

Once again to all my good friends whose number Jarom did not roll, I apologize; I wish I could send all of you a box of chocolates. Spencer has suggested that you are welcome to come for a visit and eat all the chocolates your heart desires. We would love to see you all.

Merry Christmas

Random Thoughts

• Friday night at the ward Christmas Party Jarom asked Santa for a real shot gun... I don't even know what to say on that one.
• Do you ever feel like when you're forced into a situation the Lord provides you with skills to help you through it? I'll explain. I've blogged before about my inability to make bread. I've tried many times over the years and it is always a total and complete disaster; try as I might I could not produce an edible loaf of bread. With this new diet of Jarom's I started to make my own bread and honestly it's like a miracle has happened and I suddenly possess the ability to produce bread, it's a beautiful thing.
• There was more, but I can't think of them now. I fill them as I think of them.
• We call Nolan the Lurker... take a guess why.

Yummy, Yummy, Another Giveaway.

Well, here you have it, my dear blogging friends. Another box of chocolate. The dipping is going slower then I would like, but Patrice is coming home as I type this, so soon I will be able to conjure her into rolling the fondant while I dip the little balls of sugary bliss in pool of waiting milk chocolate and all our chocolates will be ready to send to you, my friend.

Now, let me just mention that dipping chocolates is harder then I thought and try as I may, I can not conqure the evil beast which cause all my chocolates to develop white swirls once they are cooled. The chocolates, however, are still tasty beyond your wildest dreams; if you don't mind your chocolate with white swirls this little box of decadence could be yours.

Just leave me a comment and on Wednesday 17th (in honor of my ultra cute nephew Luke's birthday) sometime after lunch one of my overly adorable kids will hold a fun little draw, then we will all gather around the computer in pure excitement to see who will soon be feasting on our lovingly made chocolates.

Good Luck one and all! All my draws so far have gone to my beloved Winnipeg, so if you're from the Peg your chance are good.

How to leave a comment.
For those of my friends who are not quite sure how to leave a comment, just click on the comment icon on the bottom of this post and when the new screen opens up, click on anonymous and then type me a little message.

Hockey Night at the Court House

It's Monday morning which of course means I have go through my house cleaning like a mad women. Week-ends are wonderful, but my house seems to get overlooked, therefore there is an abundance of untidiness for me to tackle come Monday. I'm almost done, the floors are swept, vacuumed and washed, all items are returned to their place. I've dusted, scrubbed, shoveled (that's right folks we got snow last night!) , uncluttered and lots of other fun, fun, fun house duties.

The only thing left is my bathroom - the most dreaded of all duties (well, that's not actually true, the boys bathroom is, but I'm going to save that little gem for Nolan, lucky kid).

In an effort to delay the inevitable, I thought I would share these pictures with you. They make me happy when I look at them. Playing street hockey seems like an activity every Canadian boy should be happy engaged in.

I love the rosie cheeks, the sound of the stick hitting the ball, the cheer when a goal is made or when the goalie has made a great save. I love the play by play I get from the boys when they come in the house.

Life is Good.

So good

Are you looking for a great gingerbread men recipe?

Check this one out

and the Ribbon Wand goes to...

I'm so excited for you Tricia!!! I know Alina and Janelle will have loads of fun twirling their little hearts out. What color of ribbon would you like, pink, yellow, green, black, brown or blue?

To all those whose number Jarom did not pick, I am extremely sorry, but check back next week as this week-end is another chocolate dipping week-end (our other batches are almost all gone) so I may be inspired to share another box with my dear, dear blogging friends.

It's beginning to look, smell, feel a lot like Christmas...

It FINALLY snowed today and the temperatures dropped below zero. Our lawn is no longer brown, it's white, the kids are no longer running around without coats; they are sporting winter coats, mitts, toques, and boots. I finally feel like Christmas is coming. Although I loved the warm temperatures, I was having a hard time getting into the swing of all things Christmasy. We have cold and we have snow and I am good to go.
















Most of my Christmas shopping is done and I'm feeling very good about myself and ready to move on to Christmas baking. I was perusing the Internet today looking for new and delicious recipes to add to my Christmas baking collection, which got me thinking - I bet all my friends have wonderful Christmas baking ideas. So here is my Questions to you my dear blog reading friends,

What is that one recipe you have to make every Christmas or it just wouldn't seem like Christmas?

I would love and very much appreciate it if you would share you recipes with me.

Here is my must have Christmas recipe:

Aunt Jane's Caramel Popcorn Twists
3 bags Old Dutch Popcorn Twists
1 lb butter - do not use margarine
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
2 tsps baking soda

Place popcorn twist into a roasting pan. In a very large saucepan (you'll find out why it needs to be big when you add the baking soda) mix together the butter, sugar and corn syrup. Once sugar is melted allowed to cook for about 2 minutes. Stand back and enjoy the show as you add the baking soda. Allow foam to cool slightly then remove from stove. Pour the caramel sauce over the twists and stir until coated.

Bake at 250 for about 45 minutes. Stir every 10 - 15 minutes. Remove from stove and cool on counter top. Once cooled break into pieces and try to resist.

I was introduce to this recipes the first Christmas Spencer and I were married. Aunt Jane always made it and I love it. It may seem like it makes a lot but believe you me, it goes faster then you'd like. I always end up making 2 or 3 batches every Christmas.

Yee Haw! Sheriff Jarom is in town

There was total mayhem at the old Court Ranch yesterday as Sheriff Jarom and 8 members of his posse congregated together to hunt down Notorious Nolan and retrieve their loot bags.

Sheriff Jarom - you do NOT want to mess with him.

(Isn't he so cute you just want to tackle him and kiss him to death).

Shout out to Spencer who did all the art work

The Sheriff and the Outlaw.

The birthday Cake

(I made it!!!)


Jarom and a few members of his posse.

Spencer and I survived yet another birthday party with WILD boys. Jarom and the kids had lots of fun, but I've decided this is the last birthday that will take place in our home. Although it was a lot of fun, so maybe I'll be singing a different tune next year.

The kids made pizza, played pin the badge of Sheriff Jarom (not a favorite), There's a snake in my Boot, Lasso the Horse, and Shoot Out while they awaited the arrival of Notorious Nolan. The kids loved tackling Nolan, so much that the goody bags got tossed to the side as Nolan was continually pummeled by 9 6 year olds.

Another Giveaway!!!

Today is sort of a blah day. I have tons I could be doing, but I'm not really into getting it done. I thought the best pick me up would be to have another giveaway as I love these so.

My Second give away is:

A Ribbon Wand.

My Sister-in-law and I make these fun little ribbon wands. As you can see, from these wonderful pictures, these are even for boys. Jarom and his friend had so much fun playing with them while I held photo shoot.

We make them in all sorts of ribbon colors, blue, green, black, brown, but pink if by far our most popular.

And there you have it, my dear friends. A Ribbon Wand. As it's Christmas these are great stocking stuffers or whatever. If you only have boys, still leave as comment as they will love them too (I'll make a special boy one just for you) or you'll make a little girls day by giving such a fun gift.

Just leave a comment and you are well on your way to receiving this little gem! Since our friends to the south are celebrating/shopping this week-end I'll make the draw when Nolan comes home for lunch on Wednesday December 3rd.

Simple Pleasures

Like many of the new houses now days, our has and fun little "bar" in the kitchen. The kids eat their lunch here every day. Nolan and Jarom sit on the stools eating their snack, doing their homework and chit chat while I putter around cleaning, preparing supper or more excitingly baking. I love this.


One of my favorites about the "bar" is putting one of my delicious creations up the ledge to cool. It makes me feel like the old grandma in the movies placing her bubbling blueberry pie on the window sill to cool; apron and all. I can imagine someone catching a whiff of my succulent dessert, snatching it and consuming it under a apple tree - in full blossom.

Spectacular Six

Yesterday morning at 4 am Jarom burst into our room proclaiming he couldn't wait another minute to open his presents. I tried to convince him to go back to bed, but after 2 hours of wiggling around in my bed the paper tearing began.

It was fun to watch the excitement on his face as he opened each gift.

We had so much fun preparing the cupcakes for Kindergarten snack. There was no knife licking or skittle sampling. Okay there was, but only by Jarom (don't worry I kept making him get a new knife).

King Jarom
(it was PJ day at school)

Look at how many girlfriends Jarom's has- 6 to be exact.

Jarom had so much fun yesterday he tried to make his birthday carry on into today. All day he talked about being the birthday boy.

In a couple of weeks are have having a cowboy party with his friends. If any of you overly creative souls have great ideas for games I'd love to hear them.

These are my brother-in-laws.

They are crazy... Crazy Fun!

We gathered at Rob and Tanya's to celebrate the wonderful people Rob and Cam are, consume vast amount of yummy food, and play a vicious game of Killer Bunnies. The bunny carnage considerable.

and the chocolates go to...

Congratulations Connie! I am so excited and hope you will enjoy this box of chocolaty goodness. Please e-mail me your address so I can get these goodies on there way.

Thanks to everyone who participated in my first Give away! I had so much fun I already have plans for a second, keep checking back!

My First Give Away!!!

Saturday we gathered together as a family to participate in the first ever Strate Chocolate Dipping Extravaganza! The air was filled with the sweet aroma of sugar, butter, corn syrup and cream bubbling away on the stove. There was beating, rolling, flavoring, melting, stirring, dipping and of course tasting as we turned all those wonderful ingredients and blocks of chocolate into the most wickedly delicious chocolates.

Since this was our first attempt at being chocolateers there were and still remain a few kinks to work out, and although the chocolate doesn't look perfect, they do taste divine.

The fruits of our labour.

Believe me it really was labour, we all have bulging biceps from beating the fondant.

Morg working those muscles to the burning point. That's right folks, evenMorgan is sporting a hair net - no little undesirables in our chocolates.


Now here is something that I am very excited about - a first here at Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom and I really do hope you will participate.

In my blog viewing I've come across more than one blog that does a give away and I've always wanted to have a give away of my own. This seems like the perfect opportunity to host my very first GIVE AWAY and share with you my friends a box of the chocolates .

Just leave a comment and Friday at noon I will be drawing to see who the lucky person is who will be receiving this box of chocolates in the mail. Don't they just look mouth - watering delectable.

Don't be shy and please leave a comment, I am more then happy to mail you this tasty box of goodness where ever you may be.

How to leave a comment.

For those of my friends who are not quite sure how to leave a comment, just click on the comment icon on the bottom of this post and when the new screen opens up, click on anonymous and then type me a little message.

Winter Pleasures

It's snowing today and I'm delighted. It's that thick, rich, wet snow that melts as soon as it hits the pavement, but lingers on the grass and trees. I'm sitting here sipping hot cocoa and baking chocolate chip cookies. There is something about watching the snow cascade slowing down that make me feel like there should be cookies baking merrily away in my oven.

Won't you come and join me for some cocoa and melt in your mouth cookies? I can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon.

A Zombie, a Cowboy and a whole lot of candy

Oh, another Halloween. I love Halloween, all the kids overjoyed with the anticipation of dressing up in whatever their imaginations can dream up or more accurately whatever their mothers can create or find in the store.

As a side note since I didn't comment on our pumpkin carving night I would like you to know that Nolan and Jarom both designed and carved out their pumpkin all by themselves. I thought they did a spooktacular job.

Halloween was such a beautiful night we left the door open and I could hear the the kids running from door to door yelling Trick or Treat! All I remember in Winnipeg was Halloweens filled with snow, cold and having to bundle up the kids so much we couldn't see their costumes. There was not jacket to be seen this year. It was wonderful.

This is Nolan, he is a hockey player Zombie. We thought since no one saw his costume last year he could be it again. Spencer did his make up.

Jarom ended up being a Cowboy and a very cute one at that. The original plan was for him to be a pirate. I bought all the accessories for the pirate costume and revamped the outfit and the day of his school party he refused to be a pirate and decided to be a cowboy. I had to put my creative juices to work and this is what we came up with.

This is the Haul. The boys should be coming down from their sugar high just in time for Christmas.

Side Note: For all those wondering, the dairy free diet is going much better and I'm seeing enough improvement to keep it up.

I can do this, I can do hard things.

It's been a hard week at the Court House. I think I've mentioned/lamented, whatever you want to call it, that Jarom is allergic/intolerant, again whatever you want to call it, to the protein in milk. It has recently come to my attention that maybe Jarom shouldn't be having any dairy products. Sunday, Spencer and I (mostly me) decided to conduct a two week experiment to see if removing all dairy in Jarom's life would clear up what ails him.

Now if Jarom had problems with the lactose in milk our lives would be substantially easier. Milk protein or a form of it is in EVERYTHING. You think of it and he can't have it.

Meals this week have been a bit of a nightmare. What do you make for dinner, lunch and breakfast when your child can eat practically nothing? As the week has gone on I've found more and more things he can eat, but of course he doesn't like the new food. Right now at this very moment I am hiding in my room as Jarom screams because he doesn't like his vegan hotdogs. Now I ate the vegan hotdog for dinner and I thought it tasted much better than the more commonly consumed dogs.

I've had some revelations about parenthood this week. I really like a parenting book I read called The Parenting Breakthrough by Merilee Boyack. She is all about teaching your children to be independent and work. My favorite part of the book is when she says, sorry I tired to find it in the book so I could quote it, but here is what I got out of what I read. I as a parent can/have to do hard things, when I find myself slipping in my resolve to do what is best for my child I need to head into my room and give myself a pep talk.

This has been going through my head all week and I've had to give myself many pep talks. One night I hiding in my room while Jarom conducted a 50 minute screaming, crying fest. I built myself up and then headed back out to face what was awaiting me.

If, you made it all the way through this post, thanks. I just needed to share.

Boo

A Conversation with Jarom

The following conversations took place this morning while we were leaving the house. Jarom was putting on his hoody.

J: I don't like to wear the hood. It doesn't make me look cool.
M: Okay
J: Boys are suppose to look cool and girls are suppose to look nice.
M: Do I look nice?
J: Yes, you have nice eyes. I like your hair.

I love this boy.

The Northcott's are Out and Nolan's In

Since the Northcotts stopped showing up for Party Night we've had to be a little more creative. Nolan seems to have taken after his parents (mom) and loves to play game. It's nice he's getting older now and can play adult games. He does pretty good at holding his own, but in the end, I of course win - now that James isn't around to stop me I have quite a few victories under my belt.

That's My Boy

In a highly intensive gym game Nolan suffered the following injuries: a chipped tooth and a black eye. Actually the black eye is a result of the nose injury. Nolan dove nose first into a fellow classmate. He did however make the save so it was all worth it.

Wednesday I got a call from the school letting me know that there had been a accident and Nolan needed to be picked up. I went to the school and followed the blood trail to Nolan's class. He was brave but as soon as we got in the van the flood gates opened. I did what every good mom does when their son is moaning in agony, proclaiming this is the most pain he has ever been in - I feed him ice-cream and let him watch a movie he wasn't suppose to watch. Worked like a charm. (in all fairness to my parenting skills, Nolan had previously seen the movies under his dad's supervision). Thanks to an exceptional dentist Nolan's tooth is back to it's former glory.

He is mending well, but would of course appreciate any gifts, flower, cards (with money) candy bouquets you wish to send.

I want to be Martha Stewart

Every day my e-mail inbox is filled with multiple ideas from Martha to make my life better. I receive organizational tips with a promise to help my house run more efficiently while still being beautiful. I receive a supper menu ideas - many of which I find very appealling, but are either made with milk or cream (out of the question with Jarom) or I can just hear the moaning and groaning I will have to endure after having slaved away cooking the perfect masterpiece of a meal. Lets be honest folks, Martha Stewart doesn't adopt the same quick and easy philosophy that Kraft does; her recipes are a little labor intensive. I also receive the cookie of the day - many of which look like they should be served at an afternoon tea and since my kids inhale cookies faster then I can bake then, I merely enjoy the beauty of Martha's cookies and promptly delete them.

However, I been drooling over this little recipes ever since it first arrived in my inbox. Butterscotch Blondies. Made with butter, skor bits, butterscotch chips and cashews. Since I have long proclaimed my love of brownies I thought blondies would be a good avenue to explore.

The verdict is still out of this little number. I bought peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch's and had to use milk chocolate instead, so I feel I can not properly critic this little dish. It sort of reminded me of thicker, moister cookie. Quite enjoyable, just not quite what I was looking for. Maybe it was the lack of icing - everything tastes better with icing.

If you've ever made this little number, let me know what you thought, I'd love to compare cooking tips.

Thankful Hearts

I have lots of Thanks-giving memories over the last 10 years, Thanksgiving with friends, Thanksgiving in the mountains, but this year was the first year in 10 years that I have spent with my family. My mom sets such a beautiful table that I felt like we had a feast with our eyes before we even sat down to a very delicious dinner. My Sisters were home and The Grandma's were there. There were jokes told and the traditional sharing of the blessings in our lives.

I was in charge of the salad and the pies this year. Can you say YUM! I love pie. My salad of choice was my very favorite; Pear, Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad. It is to die for delicious and if you beg me long enough and promise me wonderful things, I'll post the recipe.
Pumpkin chiffon Pie - Sooooooo good you'll swoon all over it proclaiming terms of endearment!

Look closely at Nolan's ears, is he Spock, is he Caesar?

Notice anything shiny on Rachel's finger?

Today we gathered with Spencer family down at the river bottom to be blown to smithereens. It had the potential to be a wonderful time spent together, but as so often is the case in Southern Alberta the wind had to go and show off it's mighty powers. We reconvened the party to our house, the kids played together while the adults played ticket to ride.

Can't you just stay little?

9 Years Ago

October 8, 2008

Nolan performing the traditional licking of the candles.

Happy Birthday Nolan!

A hiking they will go

Yep, that's right, the Court boys went on another hike.  Spencer's brother Cam loves to hike as much as Spencer does so they are eager to get out in the great outdoors and do manly wilderness stuff.  The boys  - Nolan, Jarom, Ethan and Hyden are  eager tag alongs.  Even Jarom has been converted, there wasn't any protesting this time when his dad told him about the hike. Although, I do agree with Jarom when he said to his dad, "I like the overall experience, just not the walking part".  (I'm thinking Spencer may have changed the wording a bit as overall isn't a word Jarom would normally use) 

  Crandell Lake was their destination of choice this time around.   There is a lake to throw rocks in, there are rocks to climb on, in, around and up, really what more do boys need?  They saw a moose, they sat around the fire, then all took turns peeing on it to put it out for the night. Good Times.

Now I know you are all sitting there thinking, what could Angela possibly have done with yet another week-end to herself.  It has come to my attention that some of my readers think I have too much childless time on my hands and although it has gone unsaid, I think they think I sit on the couch watching soaps and eatting chocolate all day.  I would NEVER point this person out, but the first letter of his name is a D and it ends in ALE. 

So this is what I did, I got to spend Friday night with my totally fun, cute nephews while their parents went to the temple.  Then today, I went and watched Conference with my 90 year old grandma, had lunch at the Lodge with her and her friends, then I got to spend some time showing her tendering loving care.  It was great.

THE REWARDS OF BEING THE MOM.

Spencer and the boys arrived home about 15 minutes before me.  I came in the house, put away my belonging, and waiting for my kids to attack me with hugs and kisses since they missed me so much they could hardly stand it.  Jarom sought me out, hugged me, kissed me, and informed me that Nolan was laying in his bed because he was sick.

I went to check on my Nolan and as soon as he saw me he started to cry uncontrollably.  I picked him up, loved him, dosed him up with some Tylenol and tucked him into my bed.  

I bet you're all thinking, "Why is this a reward for being a mom"?  I'll tell you.  There is something about seeing your child cry when they see you because you are their safe person, you are the person they want, that makes all the other drudgery of motherhood disappear.  I, as Nolan's mom can kiss away the pain and make his world right.  

I know it's not going to last much longer, so I'll enjoy it while it does.