"Crack Cookies"

"CRACK COOKIES," a.k.a. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  The food blog debate: lead with the story, start right away with the recipe, or hide it somewhere in the middle? I opted to share the story first and make you hunt a little for my famous recipe. Why the nickname "Crack Cookies"? You can thank my kids for naming my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies "Crack Cookies". They claim you can’t eat just one, two, or three—before you know it, you've eaten a few dozen, and you're begging for more. Apparently, it's a total addiction! (For the record: neither I nor my kids have ever done street drugs, so we are purely guessing here). Just how addictive are they? One autumn, my husband took a batch to work. It instantly became an annual fall request, turning into a tradition that required baking over 12 dozen cookies a year. Now, whenever I bring them to an event, I have to bake a separate stash just to keep at home. I always leave with requests for the next gathering, along with a few special orders. These cookies honestly turn people into monsters. This is the very first time I am making this recipe public. I dare you to try them and not get hooked. Bake a batch, let me know what you think, and tell me: did I make an addict out of you? 

1 15oz can pure pumpkin

1 box spice cake mix

1 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all 3 ingredients. Scoop onto a prepared cookie sheet and flatten a little bit. Bake 12-15 minutes. Let cool, or not, and enjoy. Yes, they are that easy. Share or don't; that's up to you. 

DISCLAIMER: "COMPLETELY LEGAL INGREDIENTS INCLUDED IN THIS RECIPE! NO NEED TO REPORT TO ANY 3-LETTER NAMED AUTHORITY!"

Rising Phoenix: The Next Chapter

Restarting after nearly ten years and using the title "Rising Phoenix: The Next Chapter" may seem a bit cliché, yet it feels appropriate as this blog is being restored following a long hiatus.

I've gone back and forth about restarting ye ol' Blogger and my daughter convinced me I should. I'm unsure of it's contents of yet, but it will be informative and hopefully entertaining. 

BASEBALL GAME

KC ROYALS vs

TEXAS RANGERS

KC WINS 6 - 5

H&R BLOCK NIGHT @ THE K

PLAY BALL !!!!!

After enjoying an all you can eat dinner buffett provided by H&R Block we got to enjoy the hot SUN for awhile before the game. Then the game it self. We got to witness David DeJesus hit his 500th Hit and actually witness the Royals win a game. Which this season comes on very rare.

Birthday 🎂

Kansas City Temple Celebration

KANSAS CITY TEMPLE CELEBRATION

"When you come to the temple, you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families."    Richard H. Winkel

In February, we got to see the temple under construction with Grandma Murray. 

In April, we went to the open house. 

In May we got to go to the celebration and the dedication.

After the celebration dance that Kristofer performed in, he got to take a private ride to Children's Mercy. Dehydration and heat stroke!

Kristofer's Ambulance Ride

"In addition to temples, surely another holy place on earth ought to be our homes. The feelings of holiness in my home prepared me for feelings of holiness in the temple."  —James E. Faust

"Just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side."

—Gordon B. Hinckley

"The temple endowment was given by revelation. Thus, it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart. "

—Russell M. Nelson

October 2010 - Pumpkin Patch

A few pictures from last years trip to the pumpkin patch!

We didn't have a chance to go this year. This year we are

going to visit the farmer down the road and choose some

of the beautiful pumpkins he grows. I love the fall time.

Lost, but not Forgotten

I noticed the last post was Aug 2009. That is when I started back to school and this blog got put on a shelf and forgot about, not meaningfully, if just happened. So much has happened over the last two years and I wanted to get my blog back up and running and caught up with the highlights of the last 2 very busy years. So what has happened in the last 2 years? Well, where do I start? 2 years ago my children were 4, 8, and 10 now they are 6, 10 and 12. They moved from Preschool, 3rd grade and 5th grade to 1st grade, 5th grade and 7th grade. They have moved from short and squatty, to tall, handsome and cute. I moved from having children at home with me to just me with all 3 in school. That adjustment is sad for me. I did a home childcare for 1 1/2 years until my class schedule brought me to an internship and other circumstances has brought it so I needed a job outside of the house. It hasn't been the easiest thing for me, being home when my kids are home has always been a passion of mine. I have been called some hurtful names for making the choice to stay home with my children, but I have known that is where I am suppose to be and hope that is where I can be again at sometime in my life. I have lots of pictures from our last 2 years of adventures I want to share but it will take me some time to post them so you must have some patience with me! I love my family and my friends and I hope and pray you will all enjoy my "catch up" project! :)