Short Stop

Baby and "Dack"

2012-02-23T18:00:00.002-05:00

He calls him, "Baby".

He calls him, "Dack".

Being a mother for these last seven years, so many aspects of my parenting journey are now predictable. How they'll respond at two. Who they'll be at four. What to expect from them as they grow and change.

But, this.

This relationship.

This closeness.

This love.

Between my oldest and youngest.

It has been...

It is...

The sweetest surprise.

Pinterest, Printing, and Pictures {A few little things.}

2012-02-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

I've got a few little housekeeping/bloggy things I want to tell you about so I thought I'd devote today to a few of those things and then we'll get back to our regularly (or irregularly) scheduled programming.

First, since I updated the design of this blog a couple of months ago, I've added a few features to make it more user-friendly. Because I love user-friendly when I visit other sites, and I wanna make visiting Short Stop well - user-friendly.

(This is where I insert a bunch of screen shots because I'm a visual person and NEED to see things in front of me or I'm a big ol' mess and I like to think everyone else is, too. Let's pretend anyway.)

1. I added a "Pin it" button to the bottom of each post. So, you can pin whatever posts/recipes you'd like really easily to Pinterest. (If you are logged into your Pinterest account, clicking "Pin it" will immediately take you just where you need to go).

2. I also added a "Print" function to the bottom of each post. Y'all have been asking me for this for quite some time, and I finally got around to gettin' 'er done.

I LOVE this print button because you can print the recipe however you'd like.

After clicking the "Print" button, you can choose exactly how you'd like to have it printed. You can enlarge the text. You can remove all of the photos so you just have text.

Or you can remove all of the images AND remove whatever sections of text you want to remove. So, for recipes, you can choose to keep whatever parts help you, and delete all but the final recipe if that's what floats your boat.

Note: If you want to keep one or two images, you can also pick and choose which ones you want to keep. Just unclick "Remove images" and by hovering over any image, you can delete it by clicking on it. Totally customizable to how you want it printed.

Here's yesterday's recipe for Homemade Reubens with no images and no extra babbling from me. Just the recipe. Ready to be printed.

In the upper left hand corner, besides printing, you can also save each post as a PDF or email it to yourself or someone else.

Pretty cool, huh? I hope this helps those of you who have been asking me for a print feature.

3. We really did go to Hawaii. And, some of you have asked me if you will EVER get to see photos. I'm working on them when I can, and also building a photo book of our photos for my husband and me to enjoy at the same time. So, while I'm buried under a pile of children and school fundraisers and dirty dishes, I'm still plugging away at choosing and editing my favorite photos.

BUT.

Here are a few for you to see today.

It is quite impossible to capture on film the beauty of Hawaii. But, the beauty is breathtaking.

Some of it is hauntingly beautiful.

The contrast between one place and the next - every shade of brown against every shade of blue. It's hard to believe you're on the same planet - let alone the same little group of islands.

Have you ever seen a bit of nature so beautiful that all you could do was sit and stare in awe? Not talk. Just stare. This was us one evening on Maui as we watched this sunset. God showed off like I've never seen Him show off before.

And, as much as I don't like being in front of the camera - (I am working on it. I really am.) - we did get pictures of the two of us. And, that doesn't happen much so I'm really glad we have them.

I gotta tell you that I am really in love with my husband, and we had the time of our lives on this trip. I'm so thankful that we got to go and I'll never forget the memories we made there.

Homemade Reubens

2012-02-21T11:30:00.001-05:00

Since we got our panini maker/press last year, I've been experimenting with all kinds of panini combinations.

Different meats. (Roast beef, turkey, ham, salami.)
Breads. (Oat, Wheat, Italian, 12-grain.)
Vegetables. (Peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion.)
Sauces. (Pestos, BBQ, Horseradish.)

A few months ago, I went on a Reuben craze.

I could. not. get. enough of them. So, our panini maker worked overtime as I made Reuben after Reuben and consumed an insane amount of corned beef.

With St. Patrick's Day comin' up, I'm about to start making them all over, again. Because corned beef will be on sale and I love me a Homemade Reuben. So I figured this would be a good time to finally share the photos I took a few months ago.

After making them over and over, this is my favorite combination:

Pumpernickel and Rye Swirl bread.
Very thinly sliced corned beef.
Swiss cheese.
Sauerkraut.
Homemade Thousand Island/Russian/mustard sauce.

I love this sauce. Not out of a bottle dressing. No preservatives. Just mixing a few ingredients in a small bowl. The coarse brown mustard in this sauce gives it that extra something than traditional Thousand Island or Russian dressing and is a perfect complement to the corned beef.

Building Reubens is easy.

Sauce on the bread. Top with cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut.

We use our panini press, but you can make these right on the stovetop, too. No panini press necessary. But, I love the grill marks and crunchiness that you get from a panini press. And, you don't have to use much fat.

So delicious.

You can stuff these as full as you'd like. I like a smaller panini because I'm a bit of a carb freak and love to really taste the bread - especially this pump and rye swirl. But, you make them however you like.

Homemade Reubens.

My new favorite panini.

And, perfect St. Paddy's Day grub.

Enjoy.

Homemade Reubens
makes 4 sandwiches...

4 tablespoons butter, softened
8 slices Pumpernickel and Rye Swirl Bread (like this one)
1 pound corned beef, thinly sliced
8 slices swiss cheese
1/2 pound sauerkraut, drained through a paper towel

Homemade dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons coarse brown mustard
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1/2 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.

Butter one side of four slices of bread and place them (buttered-side-down) on a preheated fry pan, griddle, or panini press. Top bread slices with homemade dressing, several slices of corned beef, sauerkraut, and another slice of cheese. Spread dressing on remaining slices of bread and place on top - dressing side down. Butter the tops of each slice of bread.

If using fry pan or griddle, cook on one side until golden brown on bottom then flip over. Continue to cook until cheese is melted and sandwich is warm throughout.

If using a panini press, cook until cheese has melted and sandwich is warm throughout.

Serve with french fries or chips and coleslaw.

One and One Half

2012-02-17T08:45:00.000-05:00

The Perfect Gift

2012-02-16T10:30:00.003-05:00

Lincoln only wanted two things for Christmas this year.

1. "A boy radio to hold on" - as he calls it. That he carries with him just about everywhere we go. I've been taking photos of him in all different spots and scenarios with his boy radio - listening to his music with his headphones on. At the end of the year, I will make him a book. "The Adventures of a Boy and His Radio". Or something like that.

2. A grill. Oh, how he begged for a gwill - just wike Daddy's. And, as I shared last month, one Sunday afternoon, I found him outside with his grill. With his Daddy. I didn't think his grill could possibly provide any more joy for this child as it did that day.

But, then his birthday came. And, some very dear friends of ours came over for dinner. Friends that know and love our boys. Stay until midnight, play wicked competitive games of Euchre, our kids are the best of friends, plan trips together friends.

And, they had a birthday present for Lincoln.

It was the perfect gift.

Lincoln.

Grill Master.

Yes, indeed.

Cinnamon Roll Cake

2012-02-15T10:30:00.001-05:00

You will love this cake.

Let me try to write that how I'd say it if you were sitting across from me at coffee and I was telling you about this cake:

{Arms flailing wildly. People staring. Me crunching ice.}

YOU WILL LOVE THIS CAKE, OH MY GOSH, IT'S SO EASY AND SO GOOD AND YOU KNOW HOW AWESOME EASY CAKE RECIPES ARE - YOU KNOW THE ONES THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE INGREDIENTS FOR AND YOU CAN WHIP UP AT ANY TIME BUT THEY'RE NOT A MIX BUT HOMEMADE BUT LIKE AS EASY AS A MIX? THIS IS TOTALLY ONE OF THOSE. YOU GOTTA TRY IT.

(My friends and family understand this well. It's my lifelong mojo.)

This cake is all the taste and goodness of homemade cinnamon rolls - but like 1/4 of the work. The cinnamon swirl throughout the cake is so perfectly buttery and just a tad bit crunchy, and the cinnamon glaze - well, it's heavenly.

This cake is an everything cake:

Breakfast.
Brunch.
Friends for lunch.
Mid-afternoon snack.
Dinner? (Don't judge me.)
Dessert.
Midnight snack.
Take to a new Mom.
Take to a sickie.
Take to the bake sale.

Try it.

You'll love it.

So will your family. Your friends. New Mommas. Brunchers. And, your husband sneakin' downstairs at midnight.

Enjoy.

Cinnamon Roll Cake
recipe adapted from Life As A Lofthouse via Pinterest...

Cake:

3 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup butter, melted

Cinnamon Swirl:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Cinnamon Glaze:

2 cups Powdered Sugar
5 Tablespoons Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 glass baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

With a mixer, combine flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly beat in the melted butter. Beat until well combined. Pour into the prepared 9x13 baking pan.

Topping: In a large bowl mix the butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon together until well combined and creamy. Drop evenly over the batter by the tablespoonfuls and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake. (Swirl all the way through to the bottom of the cake batter.)

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out (almost) clean.

While the cake is baking, make the glaze. In a medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon together with a whisk. Once cake is finished baking, drizzle evenly over the warm cake.

Dig in while it's still warm.

Save some for your family.

At least try.

No Rules

2012-02-13T09:45:00.000-05:00

Last night at Awana, the boys had Wacky Tacky night. It's simple: wear-whatever-you-want night.

The rules: There are no rules.

I don't know about your kids - those of you who are raising them alongside of me and those whose kids are now grown - but my kids would like to live in a Wacky Tacky world. When it comes to clothing, they'd like no rules. Every day.

In my house of all boys, I'd be running a nud.ist col.ony if I let them run the show. Truly. Clothing would be banned. Period. (Is this a boy thing? Cause I don't remember the little girls I nannied ever begging to run around buck nekked.)

I'm not too much of a stickler when it comes to what my boys wear. To school. To church. Anywhere, really. It's just not a battle I choose to fight. Dressing appropriately for weather and occasion? Yes. Important. What goes with what and striving to gain my own personal accolades or approval from others when it comes to the clothing on my kids? Not important to me at all.

So, when last night came around - the long awaited for Wacky Tacky night, my boys got to use their clothing to just...well...be them.

Whoever they wanted to be.

Offered the same options, same clothing bins, same closet and dresser, they chose their outfits.

And, you know what?

Max is exactly who we think he is.

Little bit gangsta.
Confident.
All swagger.
Up to somethin'.
Boss.

And, Jack is exactly who we think he is.

Superhero.
Little bit quirky.
Role-player.
Look at me.
Star.

The Swagger.

The Star.

Look out, world.

A Little Bit Broken

2012-02-03T14:00:00.002-05:00

It is always emotionally confusing for me when I come back to Baltimore.

Sometimes I call this "home". But, it's not really my home. Anymore.

My life in Raleigh - it is so full and I am so happy there. It is home.

But, here in the suburbs of Baltimore where I grew up, I know where everything is, how to get from here to there, and yet - as I drove past my old houses and old college apartment yesterday, I kept asking my husband things like, "Was that there before? Wonder when they put that in? Was that always so run down?"

As we slowly climbed up the hill past my high school and I pointed out the red auditorium doors and where I ate lunch and where I used to park my blue Toyota Corolla, Jack smirked and asked my husband, "Dad, is that where you first laid eyes on Mom?"

Laid eyes on Mom. Who is this teenager living inside my seven year-old?

Jason laughed. "No, bud - we met in college, remember? I'll take you there sometime and show you around."

My college campus. It is exactly the same. But, it's not. My dorm is still there - one of four, grey towers where I did a lot of growing up. But, new buildings have sprung up everywhere and parking lots abound. We drive past those old buildings quite often - where I schlepped a backpack full of books around and made lifelong friends. But as life would have it, the hospital is right across the street. And, the hospital, along with a desire to be close to our family when one of them is sick, draws us back here more often than we'd like it to.

I walked through Target today. The one I've been to a hundred times. The one where every cart squeaks. I asked a worker, "Do y'all have Valentines?"

He replied, "I always love hearing people from the South talk."

"I'm from Raleigh", I happily announced because I'm so proud of my city. "But, I'm really from here."

He gave me a sympathetic smile - the "If you say so" kind I give my four year-old when he proudly insists, "Free pwus free is TEN!" and sent me on my way. My squeaky cart and I rounded the corner and I rolled my eyes at how ridiculous I must have sounded.

Home is where your heart is. That's what they say. But, what if your heart is always in two different places?

Sometimes I think that means it's always just a little bit broken. For one home or the other.

So, here I am. Curled up on the familiar plaid sofa at my in-law's house. In Baltimore. Where a thousand of my memories and life stories were made. Where tomorrow - my family will gather together and celebrate new life. A baby shower. For my sister.

My heart is here. I'm home.

But, I'll be going home on Sunday.

Home, again.

2012-01-26T22:00:00.000-05:00

We got back from Hawaii this past weekend and I would just like to pause and say PRAISE THE GOOD LORD that my husband let me sleep until 1pm on Sunday because I don't know that I would have survived this week without that bit of grace.

Ever taken a red eye? Well, let me just say that the people folk strollin' through LAX at 4:30am are a very colorful and expressive crowd.

That is all.

My in-laws stayed with the boys all week while we were gone and they were and are such a gift to us. They stepped back in time 30 years and handled every challenge of caring for four children with such grace and love and we are so grateful to them for the way they loved our boys.

We've been taking it easy this week. Our boys are home on a break from school and we've been enjoying 60 degree days outside and playing games and just gettin' back to the normal stuff we do around here.

I've started sifting through our Hawaii photos and well - I did a whole lot of this:

I kind of a little bit love to take photos.

We did and saw so much. We even had dinner with the Obamas. Kind of. Don't really agree with their politics - but they sure know how to pick a restaurant.

I can't wait to share our trip with you and how much fun we had celebrating our first 10 years of marriage in such a beautiful place.

Hawaii is everything you hear it is - breathtakingly beautiful, fun, sunny, warm, sand-between-your-toes delightful.

We showed our photos to the boys.

Max asked when he and his brothers can go to Hawaii.

"When you're older and get married", my husband replied.

Max responded, "Ew. Gross."

Mmm hmm.

We'll see about that, sir.

Four

2012-01-24T09:30:00.001-05:00

You love:

Mickey Mouse.
Your belly button.
Cooking.
Fruit snacks.
The mall.
The Jesus Storybook Bible.
Frosted Flakes.
Snuggling "weally, weally cwose."
Pairing socks.
Mary Poppins.
Your "boy radio to hold on".
Cubbies.
Trampoline jumpin'.
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox.
Whatever Jack and Max are doing.
Your kitchen.
Target.
Your new grill.
Flashlights.

And, most of all.

"Tookies." {Cookies}

You are:

Ours.

And, we can't imagine life without our Winkin.

Happy 4th birthday - to a most special ~~please stay little for Momma~~ big boy.

Two Big Dreams

2012-01-13T23:15:00.002-05:00

When I was a little girl, I had two BIG dreams.

1. That I would get married one day.

2. That someday I would get to go to Hawaii.

This past December, my husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary.

And, tomorrow morning, he's taking me to Hawaii.

Our four little buddies will be spending the week here at home with their grandparents - who are loving us in such an immense and sacrificial way by coming down here to all the CRAZY and caring for our littles while we're gone.

They will be so loved. The kids. And, the grandparents.

I am happy. I am sad. I am exhausted and excited and I suppose when you leave part of your heart to go nurture and fill up the other, well - it's just a big ol' bucket of bittersweet.

So, while I head off to celebrate my anniversary and soak up every lazy, sunny minute with the one I simply can't get enough of - this little space of mine will be quiet.

Quiet. I'm looking forward to some of that.

And, sleep. I am really looking forward to that, too.

Ten years ago, my Jason married me.
Tomorrow, he's taking me to Hawaii.

I guess you could say he's my dreams come true.

My Favorite Christmas Present

2012-01-12T08:45:00.001-05:00

Pepper Jack Potatoes

2012-01-11T09:00:00.004-05:00

I love mashed potatoes.

Always have.
Always will.

I really love mashed potatoes and gravy. Mom's Roast Beef paired alongside a heaping pile of Creamy Mashed Potatoes with gravy smothering the whole thing - well, I'd rather have that for dinner than just about anything else.

But, most of the time, when I'm making potatoes as a side dish, there isn't gravy and the potaotes need to stand on their own. Like when I'm making:

Grilled chicken.
Shish Kabobs.
Steak.
Smoked sausage.
Ham.

This past Sunday, I had a block of Pepper Jack cheese in the fridge and whipped up some Pepper Jack Potatoes to go with the chicken my husband was grilling. Or should I say the chicken that my husband AND precious little three year-old were grilling. {sigh}

I LOVE Pepper Jack cheese. I really like spicy foods and Pepper Jack cheese has that zip and zing that makes it so good on crackers and on top of chili.

But, I discovered that it is also delicious paired with potatoes that are boiled until tender and mashed with butter, a splash of milk, and Pepper Jack cheese. Then topped off with more cheese. Because, well - can you really have too much cheese?

That's it.

Easy.
No fuss.
Weekday.
Sunday dinner.
Whenever.

A perfectly simple, flavorful, zippy side dish that you can serve with just about anything.

Enjoy!

Pepper Jack Potatoes

2-3 pounds boiling potatoes, such as Russets or Yukon Golds
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk
8 ounces Pepper Jack cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a small baking dish (ex. 8" x 8"). Set aside.

Cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Add potatoes to a 4 quart pot and add water to cover - about an inch above potatoes. Bring to a boil. Add a dash of salt to water. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes fall apart easily when pierced with a fork.

As soon as the potatoes are tender, drain them in a colander.

Place 2 tablespoons of butter in the bottom of a mixing bowl. Add potatoes. Beat with a mixer for 2 minutes. Add milk and 4 ounces of Pepper Jack cheese, salt, and pepper and slowly beat until creamy and cheese has melted.

Pour mixture into greased baking dish. Top with remaining Pepper Jack cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until cheese on top has melted.

*This recipe can easily be doubled and made in a 9" x 13" dish to serve a large group or to take to a potluck. It can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator and reheated when ready to serve.

When Magic Happens

2012-01-10T10:45:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, we got home from church and my husband started on dinner.

It was a grillin' Sunday - which means he's got the main dish, and I do the rest. I started peeling potatoes at my kitchen sink and looked out the window.

There he was.

The one I've been married to for 10 years. The one who wears gray Converse - which I find so sexy and irresistible. The one who has let his beard grow back so if you thought you were gettin' a photo of him with his baby face - well, not a chance.

I finished peeling the taters, went upstairs to change, and came back downstairs to finish up dinner.

Then I looked outside.

Sometimes, I can verbalize what a moment feels like. As a writer, I love the challenge of putting into words my thoughts in a moment - using my limited vocabulary to express what only words can.

But, sometimes - a photo says more than words can ever say. As a photographer, those moments are magic. They don't happen often - which is why they are so special when they do.

Well.

Somewhere in Raleigh, North Carolina, on a grillin' Sunday, early in the month of January, on the back deck of our home, a new Christmas present created one of those moments.

Magic happened.

Brunch Favorite: Hot Fruit and Sausage

2012-01-09T10:15:00.002-05:00

I was chatting on the phone with my best friend this weekend - telling her that I was preparing to go to a baby shower brunch.

"I'm taking that fruit and sausage dish", I told her.

She gasped. "You need to put that on your blog. That stuff is awesome."

I quickly grabbed my camera as I was walking out the door and took a photo of this dish that she, and so many of my friends and family absolutely love.

Because it does belong on here - as it's a family favorite that I make and serve all the time.

It's an unexpected combination - warm fruit and sausage all in one dish. But, this recipe takes ordinary browned sausage and combines it with chunked pineapple and sliced banana - coated with a brown sugar and cinnamon sauce that really is the perfect combination and is a great addition to any brunch table.

If you come visit us here in Raleigh, you'll probably see it the next morning on the breakfast table served alongside one of these main courses:

Stuffed French Toast
Savory Croissant Breakfast Pudding
{Light and Fluffy} Buttermilk Pancakes
Mixed Fruit Scones
Overnight Sticky Buns

I like making this dish when we have company because it's ready in about 10 minutes and I don't have to fuss around the kitchen to get it prepared. I like taking it to brunches because I know that there will be nothing else like it - and whether there are muffins, pastries, breakfast casseroles, potatoes or all of the above on the brunch table, I know this dish will complement all of it.

An easy, hearty, brunch favorite.

I hope y'all enjoy this one as much as we do.

Enjoy!

Hot Fruit and Sausage
recipe adapted from Taste of Home.

2 packages (12 ounce) uncooked or frozen sausage links (turkey, beef, or pork)
1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 medium bananas, sliced

In a large skillet, cook sausage according to package directions; drain. Drain half of the juice from the pineapple and add it to the pan along with the sausage, brown sugar and cinnamon; stir to heat through. Stir in banana just before serving.

"...You go and do something like this. And, TOTALLY redeem yourself!"

2012-01-06T14:30:00.003-05:00

This is my baby when he wakes up in the morning.

(Excuse the blurry iPhone photo.)

My baby bares an uncanny resemblance to someone.

Any guesses?

Need I say more?

It was the Jeff Daniels as Harry in Dumb and Dumber impersonation that finally did my husband in.

Sarah, you have GOT to cut his hair! And, I mean today.

I pouted and closed my eyes. Today? Today? This poor baby has this crazy, curly hair that I have been trying to figure out/understand/tame for months. One minute, it's ringlet curls all over his head. The next minute he's Lloyd's sidekick driving a Sheepdog around town. But, I just didn't want to lose his curls. I love his baby curls.

So, yesterday, I took him to get his first haircut.

I walked into the haircut place/barber/salon - whatever they're called anymore - and embraced my inner insanity:

This is my baby. I have never cut his hair because, well, look at it. See all these curls? But, in the morning, he looks like Harry from Dumb and Dumber, I have a photo, Do you want to see it, and when it's not humid outside at all or when he's slept on it or when it's not newly washed it kind of goes straight a lot and well, my husband says that I have to cut it or he's taking matters into his own hands and well, he'll buzz the whole thing off and I just can't handle it if those curls are gone forever because this is my baby we're talking about and I'm just not ready to have him be a teenager because I cut his hair and I know I sound crazy and really high maintenance and I'm not usually like this, I'm usually so laid back, you should ask my friends, I mean, I have four boys and I'd never survive if I was high maintenance or Type A but...

The girl cut me off.

I know just what to do, she said, as she put her arm around me.

Then she gave me a lollipop.

And, a Valium.

Thirty minutes later, I walked out of there - holding my new baby boy, and I squeezed him as tight as I could, looked him in the eye and told him:

You. look. MAHVELOUS!

And, he does.

Do you wanna see?

Here is my new baby:

He still has his curls! The girl said maybe they'd be gone when it was a lot shorter, and maybe they'd stay and guess what? THEY STAYED!

It waves around his ears and I could eat him for having waves around his ears.

Waves that turn into curls all over the back. Curls that are now 2 inches shorter but THEY'RE STILL THERE! Praise Jesus who gives us such good gifts like baby curls that STAYED.

Hello there, lovely.

He looks older to me now. No hair in his face or in his eyes.

A little boy haircut.

But, he's still my tiny in his blanket sleeper playing with his cars and being all precious and sweet.

I love you, happy one.

And, your new haircut, too.

World's Best Hot Chocolate {'Cause Baby, It's Cold Outside!}

2012-01-05T08:45:00.001-05:00

When I wanted a mug of hot chocolate, I used to rip open the ol' Swiss Miss packets. Because for my whole life, that's what hot chocolate was.

And, I have loved - I mean LOVED - hot chocolate for my whole life.

My brothers and sisters and I would come in from the snow, peel off our snowsuits, throw them on the floor by the back door, and Mom would have the little blue box of hot chocolate out on the counter along with our mismatched mug collection and the tea kettle would be buzzing until finally - it screached and hollered and made a big ol' fuss.

Then - WE GOT OUR HOT CHOCOLATE ON.

If we were lucky, there were dehydrated, pea-sized little marshmallows in the bottom of the packets. "You bought the marshmallow kind? YESSSSS!"

Right? You, too?

And, when we were finished, we'd play Pac-Man and Space Invaders and Pitfall on our Atari while we smacked our chocolate-y lips to have been given such goodness.

I still buy Swiss Miss for my littles from time to time. Because I'm nostalgic that way and it's just easy and LORD KNOWS we run out of milk around here.

But, for me - for our guests, for gifts, for most of the time - I make this recipe for hot chocolate. My sister got this recipe from a friend many years ago, and she and I will serve each other no other hot chocolate.

What I love about it:

It's a dry mix (keeps forever), but there is no powdered milk.
That unexpected hint of cinnamon.
It makes a big ol' pot. Or a mug. Or anywhere in between.
REAL chocolate.
I have the ingredients in my pantry - always.

And, it's the best. If you're gonna claim something is "World's Best", it better be.

This hot chocolate is THEEE best.

You will never want to drink Swiss Miss, again, because you will be so spoiled rotten by your homemade kind. And, you will save beaucoup bucks because you won't be hittin' up Starbucks for hot chocolate every mornin'.

A couple of tips:

1. I always make a double batch of the mix and keep it in a tupperware container in my pantry.

2. I usually use whole milk because there is a bit of water in the recipe. And, whole milk makes it richer and creamier and so delicious. {You can use any kind of milk (skim, lowfat) - just try it at least once with whole.}

3. This hot chocolate mix makes a GREAT gift. Mix up a batch, put it in a mason jar or tupperware container and attach the instructions. Your friends will love it!

As we head into the coldest time of year, make up a batch, a pot, or a mug of homemade, really good, really comforting WORLD'S BEST Hot Chocolate.

Y'all will love this recipe!

Enjoy!
____________________________________________________________

World's Best Hot Chocolate

Mix:

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (I use mini-chocolate chips)
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Store mix in an airtight container.

For 4 servings:

2/3 cup cocoa mix
1/4 cup water
4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large pan on low heat, stir cocoa mix and water until melted. Add milk and beat with whisk until smooth. Heat on low until hot. Add vanilla. Serve.

*For a single serving, add 2 heaping tablespoons of mix in the bottom of a mug. Pour 1/8 cup boiling water (don't measure - just add enough to cover the chocolate) and stir until the chocolate melts. Add milk to the top of your mug and add a splash of vanilla. Microwave until heated.

65 Years. A Great Big Family.

2012-01-03T23:45:00.002-05:00

Today, my husband's grandparents - who have become very much my grandparents and whom I love so dearly - celebrate their 65th anniversary.

SIXTY-FIVE YEARS. Of loving the same person. For better or worse. Every single day.

They will tell you that the secret to a life-long love is easy: Follow Jesus. Trust Him. Thank the Lord for every good gift.

Following through on that? Every day? Every month? Every year for sixty-five years? Not always easy.

I've watched them. For fifteen years, I've been watching the two of them. Taking mental notes as I tilted my head and wondered:

What is it about them?

And, here is what they say about life-long love - without using any words:

Hold hands.
Laugh together.
Cry when you mean it.
Whisper in each other's ear.
Put her coat on for her.
Repeat yourself. Don't say, "Nevermind."
Give grace.
Talk about good food.
Put your arm around her.
Call her, "My girl."
Retell the same stories.
Pray earnestly.
Give him knowing smiles.
Talk about when you first fell in love.
Relive your younger years.
Let everyone know you love her.
Let everyone know you love him.

Our family celebrated their anniversary with dinner and a slideshow of memories.

When a photo flashed of Gram sitting in the grass on a picnic in their early years, Pappy shouted, "There she is. That's my girl."

I pray and long for this kind of lifelong love. I want my husband and I to know this deep sense of trust and knowing and I want us to laugh together for our whole lives.

And, if the Lord will give them, I want lots and lots of grandchildren.

And, even more wiggly great-grandchildren.

I want to remember - as the years go by - the way Pappy always looked at Gram.

And, the way she always looked back at him.

65 years after their honeymoon.

Choo-Choos & Cheesesteaks

2012-01-01T21:00:00.002-05:00

Each Christmas since Jack was a baby, we've visited an amazing train garden at The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson, MD - not far from my in-law's house.

My kids love this train garden. And, while we're there, Jason and I hork down cheesesteak subs at Italian Gardens - an Italian restaurant right next door. This place has the BEST cheesesteaks we've had anywhere. We have yet to find a single place in Raleigh where we can get a decent cheesesteak sub (we never found one in Michigan either), so we savor every bite of our Italian Gardens subs when we visit each Christmas.

Trains for the buddies.
Cheesesteak-horking for us.

I believe they call that a "win-win".

This year, all FOUR boys got to enjoy the trains. Whitman was a wee newborn last year, and watching his little sixteen-month old face light up was pure delight.

We simply LOVED watching each of them.

This train set-up is incredible. There is so much to look at and it is so well done.

Baltimore Ravens stadium? Home of the 2011 AFC North Champions! Yes, please.

Helicopters flying above amidst dangling Christmas lights.

Each one of them takes everything in - in their own way and time.

The baby was so utterly precious. Looking at his Grandpa - then back to the trains. Then back at Grandpa. Pointing. OOHing. Giggling.

Mesmerized.

We love sharing these moments with our children.

Finding things we know they'll love, loading them and all the anticipation in the world into the car, and watching the magic unfold.

I love these little boys.

So very much.

And, the baby who owns these little feet dangling from Grandpa's arms, too.

A little bit of Christmas night.

2011-12-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

We left Christmas morning all over our family room, and loaded up the car to head to Grandma's house. We wondered if they'd be sad - leaving their new toys and heading out of town.

Nope. The lure of Grandma and Grandpa and cousins and aunts and uncles is so strong that they hopped right in the car and said, "LET'S GO!"

(That was an answer to prayer. Truly. We have never driven on Christmas day. So thankful.)

Mom's house. There are so many of us. It's the best.

Grandpa always reads the Christmas story before we open presents. It's a really special time with all of the littles huddled around the Christmas tree.

And, then it's full on chaos. A lot of laughter. A lot of squeals. A lot of, "Mom - Looook what I got!! NO WAY!"

There was some dancing. And, wide eyes that can't wait to get started.

I love their expressions. They're all so different - each one trying to take it all in.

And, Pappy. Sitting in the corner with utter delight on his face. He sits like this every Christmas and his expression is always the same. I wonder what he's thinking as he watches these little ones - eighty years younger than he is. I do know this - he loves them. So much.

The two newborns from last Christmas are now these precious little babies that are so wonder-filled that we just sit and OOH and AHH at them.

Whit - the Christmas tree was his favorite gift this year. At our house and at Grandma's.

Well, that and his little Maisy board books. He is so sweet pretending to read them. And, looking up at us and begging, "Again?"

Rachel - my husband's sister - is expecting a baby girl in March. She has won the hearts of all of my children and their cousins. She will be a fantastic mother. I can't wait to see her with her baby.

After we ate dinner, the kiddos snuggled in front of a movie and the adults got our WHITE ELEPHANT on.

The rules:

$10.
No food.
No gift cards.

It. was. HILARIOUS!

See that black and gold box? The evil-looking, horrible, loathsome one? That was the gift I brought. I wondered if anyone would touch it. (We are RAVENS fans in our family. Steelers = YUCK!) Inside? A Raven's purple casserole baker and purple and black striped socks. {I squeezed every bit I could out of my $10.}

See what Lincoln's holding? The Windshield Wonder. As Seen On TV gifts were Jason's brother and his wife's gifts of choice. Lincoln is still carrying that thing around. He wuvs to cwean.

Jason's sister, Aimee, opened the gift Jason brought - a yard stick-sized beer glass. This was the most popular gift of the night. The men all wanted it and stole and re-stole it from one another all night long.

Well, that and the COLD HARD CASH that my brother-in-law Justin brought - he froze a ten dollar bill in a bowl of water. Brilliant.

We laughed through the whole thing.

Christmas with our family - laughing, stealing gifts, babies playing, littles dancing, aunts peek-a-booing, Pappys gazing.

Full hearts from spending this Christmas day with the ones we love most.

A little bit of Christmas morning.

2011-12-28T17:00:00.002-05:00

'Twas the night before.

The night we get to play Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

It is just as magical for us as it is for them the next morning.

This year, we went to Target right after Halloween when the costumes were 75% off and cleaned them out of the boys' sizes in every costume we could find. We spent $3-$5 per costume and we couldn't wait to finally give them to our boys.

We hung them all over the room!

Spiderman.
Obi Wan.
Indian.
Thomas the Train.
Iron Man.
Waluigi.
Wario.

My children love to make-believe.

By the late-night glow of the Christmas tree, we showered them with our love for them.

Buzz and Woody - of course.

After many years of mismatched stockings, we finally ordered new ones this year. After having two friends with toddlers pull a stocking AND stocking holder off of the mantle and heading to urgent care for stitches, we decided to hang them on out-of-reach shelves this year. Until the toddling ones understand.

We stuffed while they slept.

We turned off the lights and went to sleep - with the gifts we'd chosen for each of them tucked under the tree.

"I can't wait," I whispered to my husband.

A few short hours later, they were up.

Wrapping paper everywhere.

Would it be a holiday without at least ONE of them feeling queasy? Jack - our over-the-top, wild one curled up in a chair. Barf bucket, glass of water, and his presents. It was pitiful.

Still - hand-picked gifts just for him bring on the joy.

It's what I've ALWAYS wanted. Is there any better gift as a parent? Their joy wrecks us.

It was just us. In the wee hours.

On Christmas morning. 2011.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T12:15:00.002-05:00

“I can’t stop loving you.
You are my heart’s treasure.
But I lost you.
Now I am coming back for you.

I am like the sun that gently shines on you,
chasing away darkness and fear and death.
You’ll be so happy -
you’ll be like little calves running free
in an open field.

I am going to send my Messenger - The Promised One.
The One you have been waiting for.
The Rescuer.

He is coming. So, get ready!”

(The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones)

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-12-19T09:30:00.001-05:00

I don't have the best recipes for everything. I kind of like the food I like and, well - I don't like what I don't like and you won't find recipes on here for foods that I (and my family) don't eat all the time.

Recipes you won't find on Short Stop:

Ground beef. Not a fan. I like a good burger once in a blue moon (Hello, Five Guys!), but that's about it. I use sausage in my pasta sauce, ground turkey in my chili, and ground beef casseroles are out. (I had a bad experience with Hamburger Helper as a child and that trauma runs deep, people. Anyone wanna try to convert me with a REALLY good ground beef recipe? I'm all ears.)

Fish. No likey. I have one tilapia recipe on here, but that's it. I do not like fish unless I'm at Long John Silvers. (This makes my husband cringe. "That's not really fish, Sar.") Fish just smells and tastes fishy to me. I've tried, but I just don't like it.

So, you see - I don't claim to have or know or make the best of everything. I don't even like a handful of things.

HOWEVER.

I do happen to have the best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe on the planet. It's OK if you disagree, but you may only disagree IF you've made Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies, tried them while they're still warm on the cookie sheet, and then if you still insist they're not the best, you must share whatever recipe you have that you think is better. Deal?

I didn't think Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies could possibly be improved upon. Because they are, in fact, without a doubt, absolutely, positively the BEST chocolate chip cookies on earth.

But, this past weekend, I had a bag of Andes Mint Baking Chips (they're everywhere this time of year) and decided that I'd add them to a batch of Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookie dough.

Folks, Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies just got better. EEK!

I made cookies out of the dough for my kiddos and their little friends. And, Pizookies for the adults.

They. were. AWESOME!

The mint was subtle - not like mint cookies where you add peppermint extract and you're like, "WHOA, NELLY - is this toothpaste?" But, combining regular chocolate chips and mint chips gave these cookies this perfect, minty flavor that was just absolutely divine. Mint and chocolate is one of my favorite combinations and these cookies are the perfect home for that duo.

A new twist on Mom's famous cookies.

Perfect for Christmastime.

Enjoy!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
(Note: This recipe is for a DOUBLE batch!)

1 1/3 cup butter
1 1/3 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
4 teaspoons vanilla
6 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 (10-ounce) bag Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream butter and shortening and two sugars together. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until combined. Add flour, 2 cups at a time. Add baking soda and salt with last 2 cups. Stir in chocolate chips and Andes baking chips.

Drop by large tablespoons (or small ice cream scoop) onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Cookies will seem underdone when first removed, but will set as they cool!

Cinnamon Toast Popcorn

2011-12-16T11:30:00.003-05:00

***Warning: This stuff is crazy addictive.***

This is my favorite way to eat popcorn. And, it just might become yours, too.

My kids LOVE cinnamon toast. Heck, I LOVE cinnamon toast. One day, while my husband was out of town and we were lookin' for a movie snack, I made a batch of this for me and my little buddies.

WE DEVOURED IT!

Cinnamon, sugar, and butter - melted together then drizzled over the top of plain popcorn, then baked for 10 minutes - just to bind it all together.

It's so easy. It's so inexpensive. It's so good.

If you're looking to make any last minute homemade Christmas gifts - but don't have time for cookies or candy or anything else fussy, you can make batches of this popcorn, put it into tins , and I promise you - not a kernel will be left at the bottom of those tins when you're friends and family are finished with them.

*Gift idea: We LOVE our Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper. It is one of the BEST kitchen appliances we own. It makes fresh popcorn (which is so much better and so much cheaper than microwaved popcorn), and the kids love watching it pop. One of these and a tin of Cinnamon Toast Popcorn would make a great gift for anybody!

Cinnamon Toast Popcorn. It's that salty sweet perfection we all love.

Enjoy!

Cinnamon Toast Popcorn

8 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place popcorn in a large bowl.

Combine butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a microwave safe bowl. (You can also do this on the stovetop, but the microwave is so easy.) Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave an additional 2 minutes. (Mixture should be bubbling. That's good!)

Pour mixture over popcorn and toss until popcorn is coated.

Place popcorn on jelly roll pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Store in an airtight container.

ENJOY!

Our Love Story, Part 4: Our Wedding Day

2011-12-15T08:45:00.001-05:00

Ten years ago today. December 15, 2001. Our Wedding Day. I always wanted a Christmas wedding.

As I prepared to post about our wedding day, I realized that it is quite impossible to post how I felt that day. And, as I flipped through the pages of our wedding album (and through 400 proofs), I realized that it would be similarly difficult to choose just a few pictures to share with you.

So, I'm going to share one very special story about that day, and a few pictures. Well, maybe more than a few...but, some of my favorites, and a few that will help tell a picture story of our day.

So, here it is. Our Wedding Day...

============================================================================

A Story

As a little girl, I had always dreamed of my Dad walking me down the aisle on my wedding day. So, when Jason and I got engaged, I was excited to share the news with my Dad and laugh with him about how fun it would be to take that walk together.

Unfortunately, my Dad got very sick in the months leading up to my wedding. As he and I were talking on the phone a few months before my wedding, he told me that he didn't think he'd be able to walk me down the aisle, and doubted he'd even be able to attend.

I was devastated. But, I understood.

Jason called me a few minutes after I finished that conversation with my Dad. I was inconsolable as I told him through oceans of tears that my Dad not only couldn't come to our wedding, but that my dream of my Dad walking me down the aisle was shattered.

Jason responded, "It'll be alright, SG. I'll come and get you, and I'll walk you down the aisle."

And, that he did. On my wedding day, as the doors in the back of the church opened, Jason came and got me, and walked me down the aisle. And, my Dad was well enough to watch from the front pew!

============================================================================

Getting Ready

This is Jason's favorite...

But, this is how I really felt...

"Do I really have to wear a piece of jewelry for the rest of my life?" Our wedding bands are both engraved with the same phrase..."for the hand that holds my heart"...

The girls. I am still great friends with every one of them! (Love you guys!)

The Ceremony

Jason coming to get me...

Walking down the aisle together...

By candlelight. The way I'd always dreamed.

Vows.

YAY! Finally married!

Two of my favorites...

Our photographer took a photo of everyone who attended our wedding. I love this keepsake. So many of these people are SUCH an encouragement to us and our marriage! (Click on it and it'll get bigger.)

Our Reception

We rode to our reception in a white stretch limo. We loved having time - just us - to laugh and just relax together before heading into our reception.

Our cake. A wrapped present!

We had the most delicious mocha filling inside of our cake. (I think the Lord knew to start caffeinating us early cause he was about to send us FOUR boys. LOL!) No cake face-smashing. Today? He'd cream me. Guaranteed.

Our first dance was to "Never Will I Leave You", by Michael Card. We took three weeks of ballroom dancing lessons while we were engaged and our instructor choreographed a dance for us. That is my Dad looking on...one of my favorite pictures! (I miss him so much. I'm so glad he was there that day.)

Jason had a big ol' time with this. I remember thinking, "Ack. EVERYONE we know is watching you" just as he removed my garter. This photo also shows the sneakers that I wore. There was no way I was spending this day that I had waited almost 5 years for in uncomfortable shoes. So, I wore platform sneakers. I decorated them with rhinestones, and shimmery silver ribbon for shoelaces. I LOVED them! (And so did Jason!)...

And, we were off to begin our happily ever after.

It was everything I dreamed it would be. It really was. It wasn't perfect or lavish or expensive. But, it was our day. And, I'll never forget how I felt marrying the one God chose for me.

Happy 10 years, my dear Jason.

You are such a gift to me.