I'm Baack!

For those of you wondering, no I have not fallen off the face of the earth! We have had such a busy two weeks!
We had a great Easter. The Easter Bunny came on Saturday morning since Phillip always has to leave so early for the first service on Easter Sunday. She got a sleeping bag and two new coloring books with crayons. She had a blast hunting Easter eggs! When she found the first one and discovered there was a surprise in it she had to sit down and eat her Skittles before she would look for any more. Notice she is carrying her baby "Saras" (Sara) as she looks for eggs!


Ashlyn received money in her Easter card from Grandma and Grandpa so we went to Target to pick out something special. She got a view finder, which is 3D, much cooler than the one I had twenty something years ago. She also got bubbles. She loves to blow bubbles herself so we got "toddler bubbles" which are spill proof and easy to get the wand in and out of.


Later that week Phillip flew to China for 10 days with work. While he was gone Ashlyn and I went to the Dallas area to visit my sister-in-law and her family. Ashlyn loved playing with her cousin Madelyn. They wore each other out every day playing baby dolls, kitchen, dancing, and going to the zoo. They were the true definition of silly giggly little girls, it was the cutest thing!

On Monday Ashlyn went with Madelyn to Mothers Day Out so Heather and I could go shopping and have a girls day out. We went to Sam Moon and both got some really cute jewelry. After an hour and a half at Sam Moon, yes I said an hour and a half, we went to Ikea. We didn't have as much time as we would have liked to shop in Ikea, but we definitely didn't come out of there empty handed.
Ashlyn and Madelyn had the best time modeling our new jewelry when we got home!


We had been searching for a Nissan Quest in our area and were not able to find exactly what we wanted. A couple weeks ago we found exactly what we were looking for in the Dallas area for an excellent deal. Heather and Jonathan were so sweet to go and look at it for us. They are probably the only people we would trust to get a vehicle for us sight unseen! Heather is a very detailed person and Jonathan is a mechanic, what a perfect combination! We bought the van and they kept it in their garage until I was able to come and pick it up. We love the van! We were able to get all the extras with it that were not a necessity but a luxury. We knew God had the perfect vehicle picked out for us if we would just be patient and wait on Him. Now that we are back in town we are going to list our Jeep and hopefully get it sold soon.

Counting Cutie!

Phillip and Ashlyn were home together this evening while I was at a meeting for the Women's Ministry. When I got home Phillip made the comment that Ashlyn was counting to 10. I didn't believe him since just earlier in the day we were counting to 5 and she had to repeat after me. But sure enough, she was counting to 10 all by herself!!
Sorry about the bad angle, Ashlyn just wanted to act silly when she saw the camera so we had to hide it.

Today was a very pretty day and we took advantage of it after Ashlyn's nap. We took a walk then played in the backyard. It has been either cold, misty, or windy so we haven't been out much.

I think Ashlyn is in the cutest stage right now. Although I have said that about many different stages. Except for the 18-24 month phase, whew those were the worst! She is starting to communicate so much more and has the sassiest facial and body expressions! Today she was eating her cheerios next to me on the couch and started to climb on me. I told her to be careful and she said "I hurt baby" and I told her yes. So she lifted up my shirt waved to my tummy and said "hi" then gave my belly button a kiss. She then proceeded to put cheerios in my belly button, telling me that "baby eat eerios". I died laughing!! She is so sweet.

Ashlyn absolutely loves to help me, whether in the kitchen or cleaning house. She actually cheers when I tell her we are going to stay home and clean, a little strange I know, she didn't learn the cheering from me. A couple weeks ago I was making Tuna salad and she pulled her stool out and wanted to help, so I let her peel a boiled egg. I figured it would be chopped up in the salad anyway so it didn't matter what the final product looked like. Phillip and I were absolutely amazed at how well she peeled it. So, this past Sunday I made chicken salad and let her do the eggs. She thinks she is so big!



I had to post this picture for my Dad. Ashlyn absolutely loves riding in the tractor with Pawpaw when we go visit. She talks about the tractor and cows on a regular basis. She was playing this morning with her tractor while holding her baby doll! Learning to multi-task as a momma already!

Biscuits

Ashlyn and I both enjoy biscuits for breakfast. I started to get lazy a couple months ago and was using Bisquick, what is easier than measuring out bisquick then adding milk? Beats cutting in the shortening at 7:30 on a weekday morning. Then one morning I figured there had to be a recipe to make your own without all the preservatives, so I went searching.
This is the recipe I found and I really like it. It is very easy to make up and tastes much better than Bisquick. The biscuits are much fluffier and don't have that twangy after taste. I have not tried the mix with pancakes or waffles yet. I normally use a recipe we really like but I will probably give it a try and see if we like them just as much. I am also going to use it for Sausage Balls. I usually make up a batch and then freeze them. Phillip likes them with a boiled egg or toast for his weekday breakfasts. They are easy to eat in the car.

Biscuit Mix
5 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
3 Tbsp baking powder
3 tsp salt
1 Cup shortening

Mix dry ingredients together then cut in shortening to crumble consistency. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
Use the mix as you normally would in your recipes.


Here are the measurements from a Bisquick box in case you don't have an old one to look at.

Pancakes
2 Cups mix
1 1/3 Cup milk
1 egg
2 Tbsp sugar

Waffles
2 Cups mix
1 1/3 Cups milk
2 Tbsp oil
1 egg

Biscuits
2 1/4 Cups mix
2/3 Cups milk

Bake at 450' for 8-10 minutes


Some tips I have learned along the way to make good biscuits.

• Don't over mix your batter or roll it out with a rolling pin. This will make them tough. Instead mix just until combined then pat them out on a floured surface.
  

• Brush or lightly dip the biscuits in oil or butter to make a golden crunchy top

Do you have any other secrets or tips to good biscuit making?