Author: thefamilyo

  • Blue Bell Ice Cream Comes to Colorado!

    Blue Bell Ice Cream is one of the top selling brands of ice cream in the country, even though it is only sold in select markets.  It has been around since the 1920’s.  They used to deliver ice cream by horse and carriage.  I wonder if that qualifies for the first Ice Cream truck?

    I had heard of it but never tried it.  Recently, I saw a friend’s Facebook comments that Blue Bell was coming to Colorado, then I saw it at my local store.

    Blue Bell Ice Cream in Colorado

    We went for the “Great Divide” flavor, classic Chocolate and good old fashioned Vanilla, combined but split right down the middle.

    blue bell

    It is creamy, so creamy.  Delicious.  I am one to usually want some nuts or something else on top.  But this was perfect all alone.  Yum.

    Blue Bell Chocolate Vanilla

    Turns out they created a flavor just for Colorado, here is the description from their website:

    “Blue Bell creates new flavor –

    Rocky Mountain Road Ice Cream –

    just for Coloradans”

    You can’t find this flavor anywhere but in the great state of Colorado! Rocky Moutain Road Ice Cream is a rich, dark chocolate ice cream combined with dark chocolate-coated peanuts, milk chocolate-coated pecans, white chocolate-coated almonds, and roasted walnuts, all surrounded by a flavorful marshmallow sauce swirl.

    bluebell_rockyMtn
    photo: bluebell.com

    Looks like I know what I will be trying next!

     

  • A Rainbow Layer Cake

    Oliver's Rainbow Cake

    My middle boy, my sweet, sweet Oliver had his 5th birthday party.  When planning his party I came across a blog post on How to Make a Rainbow Layer Cake she was inspired by this post and this post both on Rainbow Cakes.

    I was so happy because Oliver loves rainbows!  I also wanted to make the cake for him.  It isn’t perfect but I like it overall and it was made with love and a lot of frosting :O)

    I followed her directions and bought 2 cake mixes and 4 containers of frosting, I used Pillsbury.  I did not buy food coloring because I had some at home.  I found out later that I did not have the primary colors, I had bought neon.  I rolled with it.

    pillsbury cake mix

    I bought –

    • Red Hots
    • Skittles
    • 4 pack of tube frosting, fine tip
    • #5 candle and cupcake candles
    • Pack of Sugar decorations, Happy Birthday and Alphabet

    I baked the two cakes mixes according to the directions (egg whites only version).  Separated the mix into 4 bowls.  I then dyed each bowl.  I used a brand new Wilton 9″ round cake pan ($4 at Kings Soopers).  I oiled and floured the pan, then cooked each cake mix for about 14 minutes at 350.  I then cooled each cake in the pan for about 5 minutes, then onto a cooling rack for about 20 minutes.

    Layer the cake putting a thin layer of frosting between each.  Then apply a crumb coat of frosting and refrigerate for at least an hour.  Add final layer of frosting and decorate.

    rainbow cake

    frosting the layers

     

     

    rainbow layer cake

    Oliver

    the boys enjoying cake

  • A Spring Field Trip

    Daffodils

    We went to a wonderful, several acre outdoor space with gardens and ponds.

    Everything is just starting to turn green, flowers are popping up, ducks are swimming in the ponds.

    The air was crisp, fresh, perfect.

    hyacinth

     

    mockorange

    Preston Leaf Collecting

    prestons leaves

     

     

    Iris "Zebra"

    Iris "Lemon Up"

    daffodil

    plant

     

    crabapple

    pine

    leave

    jumping

    We walked around for 2 hours, discovering.  They have a super fun kids area, the kids can climb rocks, sit in a “cave”, and jump all around.  They also had a dock by the stream, perfect for pretending -this day, it was a huge ship that we all lived on.  :O)

  • Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket

    Open faced BBQ brisket sandwich

    I have always dreamed of making a yummy, fall-apart-it’s-so-tender, BBQ brisket. Honestly, though I was always intimidated. It just seemed like a process that I could not take the time to do. Some people spend years perfecting their brisket, right?

    Well recently my husband found out that one of our favorite football players, Terrell Davis, came out with a BBQ sauce. He picked up a bottle last time he went to the store and said we have to cook something good with this.

    I searched “slow cooker brisket” and found information on it. Turns out, this could not have been easier. Especially since I already had the sauce.

    I headed to the Meat department and found a nice looking beef brisket.

    Now it was time to make some open faced beef brisket sandwiches.

    Here it is, easy as 1-2-3:
    1. Turn slow cooker to 4 hours
    2. Pour sauce in, we used Terrell Davis’ Mile High Salute SPICY

    Terrell Davis' BBQ

    3. Place brisket in, fat side down, turn over for the last hour of cooking
    4. Enjoy the wonderful aroma that fills your house


    5. I served it on fresh italian bread, topped with sharp cheddar, pop in the oven for 6 minutes to melt.

    BBQ Brisket

     

    Delicious! LOVE THIS BBQ Sauce, so did my husband and we are picky.

    Terrell Davis Mile High Salute BBQ

  • My Favorite Consignment Sale starts in 2 Days!

    This event on happens twice a year.

    Next week is one of those times.

    Recently featured on Good Morning America, JBF is the best consignment sale around.

    Denver’s favorite Children’s consignment sale, JBF Denver, sets up shop next Thursday, Friday and Saturday (April 7-9th) at the National Western Stock Show Complex.

    If you volunteer you can get a presale pass to shop early, definitely worth it! This sale has anything kids offering, books, puzzles, toys, games, furniture, play structures, clothing, maternity and everything baby too.

    All merchandise must meet a strict standard to be included in the sale, the ensures that you don’t end up with less than desirable items. Be sure to make it there April 7th through the 10th, bargains like this only come around twice a year!
    JBF April 7-10

  • Blogging through the Gospels: Matthew 1

    SOAP

    Mom’s Toolbox is an excellent site to get inspired to dig into your Bible and be fed by the Word of God. Amy runs the site and she recently hosted a “Read the Bible in 90 days Challenge”.

    I did try to keep with the Bible in 90 but I have to say that I fizzled out about Day 8 because my life went crazy for awhile. I really wanted to get back into the Word in my quiet times so I was excited to see her new challenge to “Blog through the Gospels”.

    The first Day is Matthew 1, I am using her method to meditate and reflect on the passages.

    Matthew 1

    S: Scripture-This is what stood out to me:  [17] So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:17 ESV)

    O: Observation-Everything God does is intentional, everything is a part of His plan and His plans are perfect.

    A: Application-Trust in His Sovereignty, Trust in Him and His plans.  My plans are not His plans and my thoughts are not His thoughts.

    P: Prayer– That I look to Him and not the circumstances in my life.  He is eternal, my life here is but a vapor.

    Thanks to Amy and Samantha for sharing this journey!

     

  • The Homeschool Mothers Journal Week 6

    The Homeschool Mother's Journal

    Thanks to the Homeschool Chick and The Kelley Eight I will now be journaling this fantastically crazy journey we are on.  I am thrilled, excited and thankful!

    Week #6:

    In my life this week…

    Back to school after a nice little break to celebrate Spring!  Looking at houses, found one that seems perfect for us.  The only thing that I don’t like is thinking about it too much.  Need to leave with Him.

    In our homeschool this week…

    Preston is getting learn all about life in and around a 13th century European Castle.  I am really enjoying it too.  We are using an awesome Usbourne book called “Time Traveler” and it comes with Sonlights 1st grade core.  Has illustrations, explanations, cross-sections, it is fun!  Did you know Knights are the only ones of the Kings men to ride horses?  The ones without horses are Men at Arms.

    Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

    Hmmmm…. playgr0unds!  Couple of family birthdays too.  We got to see a lot of extended family which is always nice.

    My favorite thing this week was…

    Watching my 1st grader zip through a maze of multiples by 3’s.  I was really surprised at how quick he completed it.   We are doing Horizons Math and he took a unit test and aced it.  So happy that he is learning and I have proof (hint hint – Mom).  :O)

    What’s working/not working for us…

    Space is still an issue.  If we do get into this house, it will provide much needed space for my 1st grader to work, read and build things without his brothers destroying his work.

    Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

    Wondering about Switch on Schoolhouse for Preston when he hits 3rd grade, anyone use it?

    A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

    painting


  • Wordless Wednesday – Afternoon Tea

    Afternoon Tea

    I have always fancied the thought of going to have tea but I have never went.  Of course one of the daily deal sites recently offered Afternoon Tea at a 2 for 1 price.  I bought one and thought it would be perfect to take my sister for her birthday.  It was delightful!

    I have joined Wordless Wednesday from the Resourceful Mommy website to share my pics.

    petit four

    tea cups

    finger sandwiches

    Scone with Jam and coddled cream

    afternoon tea

    We went to the House of Windsor in Lakewood, I recommend!

    (if you go to their site, fair warning, they have a video with audio play automatically)

  • Party Food!

    yum

    This past weekend my mother hosted a fantastic birthday party for my sister.  My cousins chipped in and made the food, and it was amazing.  Really, really delicious!

    The Menu:

    Grilled Tri Tip

    Vegetable Salad with dressing

    Fresh Garden Salad

    Baked Potato Casserole (Kim’s version :O)

    Chopped, roasted green chile with garlic and salt

    I took pictures, of course!  Thanks Mom, Kim and Keri!!  Happy Birthday Sis!

     

    grilled tri-tip

    vegetable salad

    chopped and roasted green chile

    fresh and delicious salad

    "baked" potato casserole

    perfection

  • Mocha Tartlets, Mmmm

    I love chocolate! I always tell my kids, if they want candy, chocolate is a better choice then any of the “sugary” candies out there.

    I love coffee, espresso in mochas to be exact.

    I love cooking with Pillsbury refrigerated dough products, they are verastile and easy to use.

    So here we are!  A concoction of 3 things I love.  Enjoy!

    tart shells

    chocolate filling

    tarts pan

    tartlet

     

    Mocha Tartlets

    1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

    1 cup milk chocolate chips

    1/4 cup butter

    2 tsp Fine Ground Espresso (I used Illy)

    MELT (30 seconds in microwave, stir, heat 20 more seconds)

    Roll out Pillsbury dough of choice (I used crescent rolls)

    Cut out circles with cookie cutter

    Bake 8 mins on 350 degrees (monitor their progress)

    Remove, use tool (I used the end of a wooden spoon) to form shell

    Use pastry bag or cake decorator to squeeze chocolate mix into shells

    Top off with chopped nuts or sliced almonds

    COOL

    Enjoy!

    Download PDF: Mocha Tartlets Recipe (Right-click save as to download or click to view in browser)