Thankful.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! One of my favorite Holidays! Thanksgiving and Christmas ( the holidays ) is my favorite time of year! Being surrounded by family and loves ones is the ultimate gift. I have so much to be thankful for this year so bare with me as I jot them all down! : )
I am thankful for my husband, not only because he treats me like a Queen but I am so lucky to have him. I am Thankful for our growing love and devotion to one another, and knowing that it will only get stronger.
I am thankful for my family, The craziness, the full house, the kids, the loudness,the love, I wouldn't change it for the world.
I am thankful for my parents, letting Cody and I stay with them while Cody gets going in his business. If it wasn't for them I don't know where we would be.
I am thankful for getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy (so far)! I am thankful that it is a BOY! I always wanted a boy first. : )
I am thankful for my spicey girl who never fails to make me smile everyday.
I am thankful for my fellow staff members who make the long nights at the gym always memorable.
I am thankful for the kids I coach, always working hard, wearing their heart on their sleeves.
I am thankful for my angel boy shoogies. This holiday is his day and it will ALWAYS remind me of what he accomplished for Cody and I and always remind me We would not be where we are today without him.
I am thankful for my grandma being in town for thanksgiving. I know shes going through alot with her pain and sickness, but holds it back and still comes down to see her "favorite" grand kids! :)


Okay now some little things I am so thankful for .. ahh.
Caffeine free coke, for my pregnant coke cravings.
Forever21.com
My rebel camera, I can shoot everyday life in style !
headbands.
bobby pins.
Sundays.
cute boots.
stuffing.
lemonade.
Victoria gardens.
Victoria secret sweat outfits.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving!!!
Much love,Tal

Gingerbread men.

Gingerbread men have always been a big part of christmas for me! I remember in elementary school my school would have the annual "find the gingerbread man" game during christmas! It was always my favorite! The little guys always bring me some Christmas spirit! This year I want to start a tradition and spread some christmas cheer to loved ones!

Ingredients [metric]
•3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
•3/4 cup sugar
•3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
•1/4 cup water
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•2 teaspoons ground ginger
•2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
•1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
•1/4 teaspoon allspice
•1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
•3 1/4 cup flour

Royal Icing
•1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
•Either:
◦1 large egg white
◦equivalent meringue powder and water
•1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
•1/4 teaspoon orange extract
•paste or gel food coloring (optional)

Directions
In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in the molasses and water. In a medium bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring constantly. Divide the dough in half and flatten to a round disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill overnight. (You can freeze half or all of it if desired for later use.)

The next day
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease your cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface roll out one of the disks, leaving the other chilled. Roll to a 1/4 inch thickness, adding more flour if needed. Cut the cookies into desired shapes and place about an inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 6-10 minutes depending on the size of the cookies. Cookies should be firm but not browned. Reroll the scraps and continue to cut and bake until the dough is gone. Cool the cookies on the cookie sheets for three minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling. Frost if desired with royal icing and let dry for 24 hours. Store in airtight containers.

Royal Icing
Traditionally egg whites are used in making royal icing, but because of concerns about salmonella I have switched to using meringue powder. While more expensive than an egg white, the icing comes out perfect every time and there is no need to worry about letting children or the elderly enjoy the cookies. It is very important not to overbeat this icing as it can (and will) break down. You can use the icing white, or tint it using paste or food colors. Liquid food colors will make the icing too watery - unless you are using meringue powder and substitute some of the food coloring for the water.

In a large bowl beat the powdered sugar, egg white, cream of tartar, and orange extract on medium high speed for 5 minutes. Check and see if you can form peaks with a teaspoon. If you cannot, beat at a higher speed for a minute more and check again. Beat and check at thirty second intervals until the peaks will form. Tint icing with food coloring if desired.

18 weeks & catching up!

Haven't been on in quite awhile! Yesterday was my first day @ 18 weeks! I am finally over the nausea, and slowly gaining some weight! I lost 13 pounds and have gained back 2! Yayyyyy, haha. I have been busy hanging out with my Grandma and making my Christmas Cards! Ill post pictures of those bad boys later! My Grandma is in town from Kennewick, WA. She comes down once a year for about a month for Thanksgiving or Christmas! I gotta soak in my yearly time with her! Today she is staying with my sister, so I have some extra time! : )

We find out what we are having on Monday the 23rd. We are so anxious/excited!! I think its a boy.. but my family swears its a girl. They are going to be surprised when its a lil man. Haha. A couple days ago I felt the baby for the first time! It is the craziest feeling. I actually got scared and jumped the first time it popped me in the belly, haha. Now, I wait for those little pops & flutters all day just so I know my little bun is doing okay! : ) Cody has warmed up to me now that Im starting to show and the baby is starting to move. I swear he is just like his dad, he thinks its "alienish" that I have a baby inside me. Its quite hilarious the things he thinks and says. A baby is definitely a new and different experience for him. (Ive been around them with my 3 sisters since i was 9, baby shmayby.) Just glad this one is mine : )

So once I find out what we are having I want to start a project. I want to make the baby some cute baby blankets. I have no idea where to start, but with the help of google and Joann's I'm sure I can figure it out...hopefully.

We have a busy month coming up! Jaydens Birthday party, my doc appt, Thanksgiving, BLACK FRIDAY ( yes!) , Open house (FIERCE), our first competition, thoroughbred, Christmas cookies, Legend in Vegas, Christmas Eve & Christmas! Ah, this is the BEST time of year! I love it. Im so glad we got our tree up 2 weeks ago : ) I can come home after shopping , wrap the presents right away and get the under the tree for as long as possible! I wish it was the Holiday season all year long!

Well I think Ive caught up enough for now, Ill be back Sooner than later !
<3 Tal