Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies... Yes Please.

It's been a while again... I'm definitely slacking in sharing all the yummy recipes we've been trying over here, and I feel bad for denying y'all the experience of some of said yumminess. In an attempt to make up for it... I'm giving you a doosy. I always try to find something over-the-top crazy good to bring to our Sunday night small group at Church. I mean when else can I make 2 dozen calorie-filled treats without gaining 10lbs? Plus we have like 17 kiddos in our small group, so there's no chance of bringing any home afterward.

There are two fillings for these cookies... the Jet-Puffed Marshmellow Creme apparently makes them taste like the real thing (Little Debby version) but they are messy, since the creme starts oozing all over the place within minutes. Since I need to bake and take my goodies later, I picked the less-messy option and fell in LOVE with the deliciousness that was the whipped frosting. Either way, I'm sure y'all will be happy!

Here's what you need...

Oatmeal Cream Pies                                                  Pioneer Woman

Cookies:
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter (at room temp)
1/4 cup Crisco
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups quick oats

Frosting:
5 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
      OR
Jet-Puffed Marshmellow Creme

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350.

Grab your mixer and beat the butter, brown sugar, and Crisco. Smell the fat fumes. Now add the cinnamon & baking powder. Mix the boiling water & baking soda and add that in too. Slowly mix in the flour & oats... it'll be pretty thick!

Now use your cookie scoop to add little mounds of deliciousness onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on whether or not you oven likes to burn things. You want these cookies to be soft! Let 'em cool on a wire rack while you whip up the frosting...

Whisk the flour & milk together in a small pan over medium heat until it's really thick, then let it cool completely to room temp (this will seem like an eternity since you're dying to eat one of these babies.) Then add the vanilla.

In your mixer, beat the butter and sugar until it's nice an fluffy. Now add the flour mixture and in PW's words, "beat the living daylights out of it!" It will look like whipped cream when it's ready!

I used a heaping tablespoon in between two cookies... but you can use more or less or MORE. Just sayin'. Enjoy y'all!

Picture Project: The last 4 weeks!

Well folks, baby girl is a year old! I can't believe how fast it went! She's so very grown up, and although I want to cry sometimes wondering where my tiny baby went, I love her more and more each day. Bri and I are so proud of her and we just can't get enough of our sweet Lovebug!

On Fathers day, she FINALLY got her 1st tooth! We went out to lunch after church and on the drive home I felt it! It's still the only one she has, but it didn't seem to bother her too much, so I'm not too worried. She also tried a bottle of cow's milk for the first time that day.. she loved it and has had a little each day since then. I'm not really looking forward to the fact that she's beginning to wean... I'll miss that special cuddle time when it's gone.

She's picked up all kinds of new skills recently... shape sorting, holding her own bottles, sippys & smoothie pouches, running, stirring with a spoon and bowl, climbing stairs, block stacking, etc. She's also tried almost everything we eat and still loves it ALL! She can point to her eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and toes when asked. On her birthday, we asked her how old she was and taught her to hold up her finger for "One!" It's adorable and she does it all the time now and then beams with pride!

There were 55 people including kiddos and babies at her 1st birthday party... it was so overwhelming to have so many people celebrate our sweet girl! There will definitely be a post soon to recap all the DIY and crafty party goodness! Lovebug daintily picked at her cake... just like I thought she would!

We took a trip to the lake this past weekend and she did great driving down and back! Slept the whole way! Unfourtunately, she was up every few hours all night, everynight... which has us a bit worried about the trip to San Diego next week! At home, she's still sleeping about 8:30-7:30 or so.... and nursing once in the middle of the night.

She had her 1yr checkup... baby girl weighs in at a whopping 16lb 9oz! She's reaching all the 18mo skills and a few 24mo skills too... her Dr. was pretty impressed.

She got an adorable a frame tent from my BFF, and a Play Gym from my parents for her birthday... so our basement family room is now officially a playroom, full to the brim with toys! She runs around playing for hours and climbs her slide and the tunnels squeeling with joy.

I'm so excited to see what this next year holds for our Lovebug! Here are her last 4 weekly pictures...

Picture Project: Weeks 45-48

Oh Lovebug... our sweet baby girl's birthday is around the corner and we're in full planning mode around here! I can't believe what a little baby toddler she is! Walking around all over the place... it keeps her very busy. She seems to always have a mission and knows where's she's going and what she wants! If she can't reach something, she holds her hand out or points until she gets it. She's so dainty... always sitting down so gracefully. She such a little lover...hugging and kissing her stuffed animals and carrying them around everywhere. Most of them are bigger than her which is hilarious. She's a year old in 2 weeks and we definitely bought a 3-6mo size dress for her party! Tiny little walking baby doll, who thinks she's a big girl... that's my child.

Every morning, Brian brings her in after he eats breakfast with her and they wake me up with hugs and kisses! She squeals "Mama!" and tackles me... I think my heart melts into a puddle every time and it's the BEST way to wake up!

She's completely obsessed with Peas. Yes folks, my child is a self-proclaimed health-nut! She would rather eat fruits and veggies all day over anything else! She typically eats all the peas on her tray and throws the pasta/bread/cheese/meat onto the floor. It's lovely. At least I don't have to worry about her being healthy... but eat some calories girl friend!

She plays with her little kitchen her Auntie got her ALL the time. She stirs with her spoon and cup and offers what she's made to Mama. She's also trying to get into the cupboards while I cook... so we put her dishes in the bottom drawer and now she gets out bowls to play with while I'm busy in the kitchen.

She can put circles, triangles, and squares in the right holes in her shape sorter, she can point to eyes, nose, mouth, and hair and learns more every day! She claps when we ask her questions to mean "yes". She'll respond to "All done?", "more?", "hungry?", "snack?" "watch Elmo?" "Mickey?" and a bunch of other questions.

We've been keeping busy so far this summer. We spend lots of time with my sister and Lovebug is obsessed with her! If I say "Naenae's coming over..." she starts looking around and yelling "Nae-nae!" We've taken her to the water park and swimming a couple times and she absolutely loves it! Our little water baby!

I'm loving this age... each one seems to be more fun and exciting! Our sweet girl has got us ready for many more little ones running around this house!

Insta-Friday!

Another Friday folks, and we've been keeping busy around the Edwards household! Painting, painting and more painting... we might seriously be professionals by the time we're done getting all these walls done! Meanwhile, I'm getting ready for Lovebug's 1st birthday party, trying to make some Summer memories and keep up with all the normal Mama duties... whew!

Baby girl loves to read. Pat the Bunny is her current favorite.

Taking evening walks with Auntie Naenae... ah summer.

Date night with my Hubby... I'm a happy girl!

Sick little girl... watching Elmo & Cuddling helps.

A little Sunshine with her Daddy made her feel better too. 

So excited to use all these gorgeous vintage linens for Lovebug's 1st Birthday!

Thank You Dreamy Vintage Sheets on Etsy!

A day at the Waterpark with the girls... She loved the lazy river... that's my girl!

BLT with Avacado, potato salad & fresh fruit... I LOVE Summer time meals!

My sister finally got my to try the green smoothies... not too bad I must admit!

This one has frozen mango, pineapple, a banana, yogurt, and SPINACH... so weird.

I'm glad the TV is above the fireplace...

she'd stand right in front of it to see ELMO... her BFF.

Have a great weekend y'all!

Penne ala Betsy!

It has been seriously too long since I've posted a good recipe, and what better way to start whipping out all the new things we've been eating, than a Pioneer Woman recipe? Or her sister, Betsy's I should say. We're all unpacked here at our new house, and I'm back to making 5 meals each week, usually tryin' a new recipe or two. We've had this one a few times recently... it's a super delicious, super easy pasta dish with just a few ingredients and so much flavor! Please try it.... you'll thank me later. Okay?

Here goes...

Penne ala Betsy                Pioneer Woman                                                               

1lb penne

1lb shrimp

3 Tbsp butter

3 Tbsp EVOO

1 large onion

1/2 cup white wine

1 can tomato sauce

1 cup heavy cream

small bunch of basil

S&P

First, you'll boil your pasta to package directions, then drain and set aside. Meanwhile, chop up your onion, and basil.

Now if you want to be all "I cooked these shrimp myself and they are perfectly pink," then go for it. I have a walking 11mo who gets into everything, so I just buy Trader Joe's precooked shrimp, thaw them, and pop off the tails. They are delish. You decide.

Now grab a skillet and get that butter and EVOO over medium heat. Toss in your finely chopped onion and cook until their nice and soft and translucent, about 10 min. FYI... onion cooking in butter is one of the BEST smells EVER... just sayin'. Then pour in the wine, and let it simmer for a few minutes, and then the tomato sauce and the blessed cream. The smell and look of this lovely sauce will intice you to dip your finger in and have a taste... do so. YUM. Stir in the basil and the cooked shrimp.

When the pasta is drained, return it to the pot, and pour that beautiful sauce all over it. Stir, and serve up heaping bowls to someone, who will surely be impressed by the resturant quality dish you just made, in no time at all.

Have a great day y'all!

Insta-Friday!

I know I've said it before, but I seriously LOVE Instagram. It keeps a great list of memories in photo-form and Bri and I are planning to make an Insta-Yearbook of our life at the end of each year. Here's a great little peek into what's been happening recently...

Date Night with the Hubby... LOVE him.

Our Dinner... Mac & Cheese with BBQ Burnt Ends on top... Holy Cow. YUM!

Sweet Girl LOVES her Daddy.

Antiquing with Miss Lindsey... They heart each other! 

Had to fix the cushion cover on my Pottery Barn Couch... Grr.

Lovebug LOVES swim lessons!

We love to nap together... Daddy took our picture.... sneaky.

All packed up and saying Buh-Bye to our last apartment!

We just bought a house!

Woke up to this on Mother's Day... PERFECT.

20 hilarious takes later... Mother's Day pic before heading to Sushi!

The view from our back porch... Lovely.

Vintage finds at the local Antique shops.

Baby girl can WALK!

Have a great weekend y'all! I'll be chasing this one around the New House!

Picture Project Weeks 41-44

Oh Goodness it's been a while! We're all moved into our new home as of last Saturday! (Hence the month long hiatus from blogging.) I'm so excited to show you all pictures of our sweet house... a dream come true! More on that later. In the meantime... this little Lovebug is stealing our hearts more & more each day & is up to all sorts of new things!

At her "9 month" well check-up she was almost 10months and still only 15lbs! Such a teeny, tiny little thing! She had reached all your 12mo skills though, so as we suspected,  she's a smart cookie! We're hoping for a full-ride scholarship just like her Daddy!

On April 18th, (I will never forget this) she slept TWELVE hours! She goes to bed at 8:30 and sleeps until 8, only nursing at 5 or 6am! She's been doing this every night since then and Mama & Daddy are so very, very happy about this! Mama is starting to feel like a new person, and I'm able to enjoy her so much more when I'm well rested! (There still are a few random early mornings here and there, but overall, she's doing LOADS better)

Lovebug has stopped eating most baby food, except for the Earth's Best noodle soups, and such. She loves tortillas, all kinds of pasta, fruit (especially Mango), Vegetables (peas!) &  Earth's Best crackers and snacks! She eats a smoothie for breakfast with some O's, lunch and dinner are what we're eating, and then nurses 5 or 6 times a day.

She's still obsessed with Elmo (Since she was 6 mo old)... it's hilarious. Wherever we are if she sees an Elmo toy or video, she points or smiles really big & claps! 9am is Sesame Street in our house and Lovebug stops whatever she's doing to sit and watch while cuddling with Mama.

She also LOVES to read! Bringing Mama & Daddy the same books over and over is her favorite! She must now have her little pink and white bear rattle EVERYWHERE.... to nurse, read, watch Elmo, in the car, etc. If the world is ending... Bear must be there. (Also... Mama bought a back-up... so I can wash the other one. It was getting gross!)

Lovebug is quite the sassy child lately... her faces are so funny, but it's hard for Mama and Daddy no to laugh when we're trying to scold her... she going to be so very spoiled. Of course her new favorite thing to say is "No no no!" We also taught her to say Donut "Doe Doe", and she says "Naenae" (her Auntie) & recently "Ticka Ducka Ticka Ducka"... We have NO idea what that means but it's pretty hilarious.

She's all girl this one! She carries around her "baby" which is a baby Pooh bear with a diaper on and and swaddled in a blanky.... She'll give it & everyone else kisses and hugs on demand, and if she really likes you, she'll do it without asking! 

Most importantly... Baby girl WALKED on Monday night! She took four little steps and we caught it on video! (I'll post that soon) Crazy, tiny 10mo walking! She's been standing around without holding onto anything for a while, but she finally decided to show off her skills! We're so proud & we love her so very much!