Shopping for a Cause!

My Family & I made the front news of both the Albany Democrat Herald & Gazette Times news paper just under the crease! It was a very well wrote story by Kyle Odegard who also braved the Black Friday crowds with us!

http://democratherald.com/news/local/article_37f6b310-35e0-11e2-b3fd-001a4bcf887a.html

It was so sweet of someone to care about our family story & that Community Outreach got to have their story out there also! More people need to know what they can do & this is a fun way to give back! Thank you again to everyone involved! Also thank you to my wonderful Mom Linda & Aunt Luann for giving our families the wonderful tradition, memories & ability to continue this amazing gift of giving! I have to say now that I'm older I grow to love Black Friday shopping almost more than Christmas Day!!

Thanks"giving"

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year! Thursday thanksgiving we stuff our face with food, Friday is shopping till we drop, & Saturday is Civil War football! Mostly because of the Black Friday shopping I get to do with my entire family & the yummy pumpkin pie! I'm super excited today, we just received our adopted family from Community Outreach and we got a single mom with 5 boys! It's going to be so much fun shopping for them, It's our tradition every year for as long as I can remember, this year something extra special is happening. My family & I get to share our tradition with the community, the Gazette Times & Albany Democrat Harold want to join us on Black Friday to experience it & possibly do an article about us! I mean how cool is that! I hope more people get to make a new tradition of there own & help there community! It's something fun that we love to do & we never wanted any recognition from it, but its nice that someone thought our story was special!

On another note I'm nervous for our Civil War it's going to be a close game I feel & since I'm a Duck that works & spends most of my time in a Beaver town ;) I really need my duckies to win big for me so I don't have to take a bunch of trash talk from people lol! Go Ducks!

Fall time is my favorite time!

Don't get me wrong I love summer a lot but fall might have to be my favorite since its socially acceptable for you to bake & cook everyday & people will eat it now too! I also finally have time for more blogging. What a whirl wind of a summer & Indian summer for that matter. My annual Halloween/ zombie shooting party is coming up on the 31st! I love to see all the little kids dress up and this year instead of just letting them grab a handful of candy I have decided to make little goodie bags with candy and toys in them! Super excited for that plus as always Mike & I will be dressing up! This year we are going as Marilyn Monroe & JFK conspiracy style, I'll have pill bottles in my hair & as a bracelet Mike will have 1/2 a brain sitting on his shoulders! Last year we dressed Tajuan up so where thinking this year T-man might have to be the "second shooter" lol! It's a perfect plan and I'm über excited! Thank goodness for Pintrest I have been fringing fun Halloween food ideas on there!

Speaking of pintrest I made Pumpkin cookies last night from a yummy recipe floating around on there! I'll share it with you right now...
I cut this cookie recipe in 1/2 just cause it makes a lot!

The BEST Pumpkin Cookies EVER
adapted from Salted Sugar yeild: about 5 dozen cookies

 Ingredients:

•  2 cups sugar (1cup)
• 2 cups shortening (1 cup)
• 2 cups pumpkin (the can should say 100% pure pumpkin…don’t accidentally buy the pumpkin pie filling! You don’t want the sweetened stuff) (1cup)
• 2 eggs (1egg)
• 2 tsp. vanilla (1tsp)
• 5 cups flour (2 1/2 cups)
• 4 tsp. baking powder (2tsp)
• 1 tsp. salt (1/2 tsp)
• 2 tsp. cinnamon (1tsp)
• 2 tsp. baking soda (1tsp)
• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tsp. nutmeg(1tsp)
•  ¾ tsp. cloves
• used a 1tsp of all spice in replace of the pumpkin pie spice & cloves

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• In an electric mixer, blend shortening and sugar.
• Add pumpkin and mix.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each one.
• Add vanilla extract and mix.
• In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Add your dry ingredients to the wet ingredients one cup at a time
• Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes (I found that mine were perfect after 12).
• Meanwhile, make your frosting 
• Once cookies have cooled, frost and add your favorite festive sprinkles. Enjoy!

Vanilla Butter cream Frosting  
*If only making this frosting, make one and a half recipes. Makes a lot I cut in 1/2

• 4 ¼ cups powdered sugar
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• ¼ cup half and half
• add orange food coloring for a festive touch (I did 8 drops yellow, 5 drops red)

They turned out very good!

The little bit of frosting on them was to die for! Its a nice small & quick recipe for that pumpkin craving! A little fun fact the picture of the cookies was taken with my new iPad! I am in love with it and do everything on it even though it supposed to be for work!

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Tonight I am hosting a birthday dinner for my wonderful mom who is proudly turning 49! She does not know it yet but I am starting to think this is even better than 50, she has been a San Fransisco 49ers fan for so long that I think being 49 is awesome sounding because now when people ask she can say 49..ers lol! I think its appropriate to have a dinner tonight and watch our 49ers stomp on some Lions in the Sunday night game!


The Girls

A little craft project I did recently for someone's wedding shower was an idea I found on non other than the infamous Pintrest! I took a plain glass candle holder from the Dollar Store, wrapped rubber bands around them, and picked up spray paint from Michael's craft store along with a candle holder tray. I spray painted the glass in brushed metal carmel with the rubber bands on, doing 3 coats because you want them to only show light through where the rubber bands are...

Let paint dry over night then remove rubber bands. Note: over a garbage can because they leave little flakes all over including your fingers. Wipe off gently with a dry paper towel to remove any flakes.

Don't they turn out so neat! I was way excited, I had to make some for my mom too! Another thing you can do to go along with it is put whole coffee beans at the bottom only a 1/4 full and place a vanilla tea light on them. As the tea light warms up it warms the coffee beans around it and makes the room smell like warm vanilla coffee!



Warning a sad & heartbreaking post...

 I don't know if I shared this already but I brought home my dog Jazz from the farm a couple months ago. She is 16yrs old and had a very good life but farm life is hard so I thought for her remaining days she would love to come live with us where we could give her constant attention and she could be inside! In love, In love she was it was so hard to get her to go back outside while we were at work lol!

Yesterday was a hard decision to make for me, and I didn't want to do it but she is my dog so I was the only one who could make the choice. Jazz had cancer and the only bad thing about bringing her home with me was all the rich senior food, treats, and city water speed the process up a bit. I know it seems weired to say that but unfortunately the heather she got the more it gave cancer a chance to thrive. She was still very happy here moving around waging her tail and it was hard to tell she was in pain except she had a bleeding tumor that had taken over her in tire right eye, & into her right gums, There was no denying at this point that it had to be painful. It grew very fast everyday more & more I waited as long as humanly possible before making the call. She is resting next to her sister Kibbles (my sisters dag) at our farm.

I am a new Auntie!

My boyfriends sister had her baby little baby girl on Aug 21st @ 9:19am. We are just so excited she is finally here and so far its been 6 days shes been here but we are loving being Uncle & Auntie Emm!

For being a 1st baby in the family she did not talk very long to come into this world! She made up her mind of when she was going to be here and nothing slowed her down!

A very happy Uncle

Peyton & Uncle Mike

Uncle Mike & Auntie Emm

Auntie Emm & Peyton!

Uncle & Mommy w/ Peyton!

We have had a whirl wind summer that's why I have been MIA from blogging and I would not except much more from me until fall lol! I have lots to say but not enough time to get it out in text!

My little Sister graduates College..Tear!!

On June 17th my little sister Natasha R Mackey born in 1990 graduated from Oregon State University! I know what your thinking how could this be that kids born in the 90's are graduating college, I know right scary! Her ceremony was very special cause the gest speaker was the first lady Michelle Obama, so it was wonderful to get to see her revive a daploma in this once in a life time opertnity! Seeing my sister so happy and excited was moving, I dont think I have ever seen that big of a smile on her face for a whole 7hrs lol!

Standing in line to be seated!

Time has just moved by so fast, I swear it was just yesterday that she graduated high school or even just yesterday that I graduated high school. No no no its been 6yrs since high school for me, where dose it all go from here? Well here is my little sister, I just dont think im ready to let her be this old. Plus her 22nd Birthday is in two weeks...WHAT! No wonder I have gray hair!

Michelle Obama speaking

Cold Michelle, Mom, & Aunt Luann

Me & Dad

Me & Mike

Mother & Daughter

Dad, Tush & Mom

Aunt Luann, Tush & Uncle Donald

I cant say much more about it cause ill start crying but we are all so proud and what an amazing little sister I have!

Skydive Adventure!

My good friend Tim is up in Oregon on leave from 29 stumps and while he was here I got to spend 2 whole days with him! Here is a little back ground on us just so you know how we tick. I want to High School with Tim all 4 yrs and than we ended up at the same University where we became very close and our friendship stuck! Now I had been Bungee jumping for my 18th birthday so when I meet Tim he had the same dare devil quality I possessed (yes where both crazy), and on his 21st birthday I took him bungee jumping just him and I.

So naturally after that I told him one day I'll take you skydiving since its the next thing on our (lets see if we can kill ourselves) list.  About 3 years went by and lots happened, he has become my hero in the armed forces, served 8 months over seas and I have my own business working my butt off as well! When Tim and I were making plans for his return & leave up here in good old Oregon aka Home, I just knew exactly what special thing we had to do together! by now I'm sure he thought I forgot and that it was never going to happen but I would never forget such a thing I promised before he left to join the devil dogs and promised all those years ago!

On to the main event we went... Mike (our new dare devil side kick), Tim & myself hoped in a newly washed Jeep Rubicon and head on our road tip to Central Oregon Skydiving in Madras, OR!
We look back now and even though it was a 3hr drive we're all so happy we had to drive cause the weather we left behind was rain and gray(no dive weather) central Oregon right after Sisters was beautiful and sunny!

Our little dive plane and the Jeep going on its 1st real dangerous adventure!

Mike chose to be the 1st test subject and suited up! Tim & I decided with bungee jumping under our belts its best if Mike just go's for it without thinking twice!

Go Mike!

Last chance to back out..naah!

Mikes dive, look for the little tinny black dot in the sky! Oh and enjoy the comentary..

To me it just seems so surral still that I totally jumped out of a plan at 10,000feet, free fell for almost 1 minute and than had a birds eye view on a gorgus day of the earth! Yeah it was amazing plus i got to do it with 2 sexy men what else could a girl ask for!

Me getting suited up!

Way ready after I let both boys dive 1st!

I think the boys were a little nervous so I let the "ladies" go 1st as I took a back seat! When it came time for me I was more than ready!

My dive video, and yes I got pink & purple on my parashut!

I cant even discribe it the jump was amazing and I had a smile the hole way down!

Mike and I after my dive!

Tim & I with gooffy smiles!

74 graduation cupcakes!

I was asked by one of my coworkers "Since you love to bake cupcakes, could you make some for my husband & daughter's graduation party...I'll pay you?" "Of course" was my answer! Here was her criteria...

1) Two different cupcakes one for her daughter graduating from Crescent Vally High (maroon & gold/yellow) and the other for her husband graduating with his PhD from OSU (black & orange)

2) Do what you think is best I need about 72 cause there are around 100 people invited to the graduation party!

Holy cow lol! I got right to work on the trial cupcakes! After 2 batches of test cupcakes I finally found the recipes I was going to use with some tweaks of my own! Here are the test cupcakes, not quite perfect. Red velvet was too dry & butter cream not quite right...

Decided to go with Red velvet cupcakes with yellow/gold cream cheese frosting to represent Crescent Vally High! Then dark chocolate cupcakes with orange butter cream frosting to represent OSU! Please realize how hard it was for me to make these cupcakes being a U of O fan! Now here are the actual cup cake recipes I used, how I mixed them and what the final product looked like!

Kitchen prep-had to make more room on the counter lol!

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

by: browneyedbaker

makes about 36

preheat 350*

3 sticks of butter

1/2 cup dark Hershey coco powder

2 1/4 cup cake flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

6 eggs

2 1/4 cup sugar

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups sour cream

*Beat butter & sugar together until creamy (very important) always takes longer than you think. In separate bowl measure out your cake flour & coco powder. To your butter & sugar mixture add in eggs one at a time & mix well. Mix in sour cream & vanilla extract, blend in salt, baking soda & baking powder than slowly add flour & coco mixture 1/2 cups at a time letting each blend. Fill cupcake cups 3/4th full & bake 18-20 mins!

Butter Cream Frosting

2 sticks of butter

1/4 cup + 2T milk

5 3/4 cup confectioners sugar (to the consistency you want)

1teaspoon vanilla

Orange food coloring (in my case)

*Mix butter & sugar until well blended then add milk, vanilla & food coloring  (my case orange) until consistency you like.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

by browneyedbaker

makes about 36

preheat to 350*

1 1/2 sticks of butter
2 1/4 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup coco powder
red food coloring (in my case I used Burgundy frosting coloring form Michale's)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 cups + 6T cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

*Cream butter & sugar until fluffy and blended. Add in eggs mix than turn to hi speed & completely mix together. Coco powder, vanilla, red food coloring (to color) mix until color is completely blended. Even scrap sides & blend more. 1/2 buttermilk & cake flour stir. Than salt, baking soda & vinegar blend. Add remaining buttermilk & flour slowly letting each blend.

Cream Cheese Frosting

3 pkg cream cheese softened

3/4 cup butter softened

3 cups confectioners sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

food coloring (in my case)

*Cream together cream cheese & butter until creamy. mix in vanilla (yellow & tiny orange food coloring) than gradually stir in confectioners sugar.

It was a very fun adventure to make a TON of cupcakes and Mike helped me out a lot! Maybe a bit more practice and we have a good cupcake gig going! Here is a picture of me 'riding dirty' to drop off my stash!

    Congratulations to all the 2012 graduates!

Time or lack there of!

Where in the heck did May go? I swear it was just the start of May and now its June, then to top it off tomorrow is me & Mikes 1yr..holy moly where did the year go? My 11hr work days must be keeping me too busy to notice how fast the days are slipping away. I should tell you about all that has happened in May but it would be a lot to catch up on and to be honest I cant really remember everything I have done lol! However, I got to enjoy my Sunday... Mike, Tajuan & I went to see the OMRRA sprint motorcycle races up at Portland International Raceway! It's so much fun picking out your favorite bike & rider then cheering them on even though you don't really know them at all, I also make Mike tell me all the makes & models of the bikes (I think he secretly likes it)! Tajuan is becoming a fast bike dog, he loves watching the bikes and being outside!

Daddy & Son watching the motorcycles

He is so funny cause he really does sit & watch the bikes fly by! It was not a super sunny day but it did not rain so we were all happy, and bubba still found some warm sun by the end of the races to rest in! He had a hard day watching bikes, going on rides, and meeting lots of people!

Tired out puppy!

The whole fam had a very good day! I think we're all pooped out a little overcast sun kissed and looking forward to relaxing on the couch!

T-man & Mommy riding up to PIR

Mike & I our second year @ PIR!

Memorial Day

Its wonderful to have an extra day off for most people, they will be able to get out with friends & BBQ but we still have to remember what this day means to a lot of people in the US. Its not always a happy day, in fact for a lot of people its a sad day a time for them to remember their loved ones they have lost, to thank them for what they have given for the rest of us. I am not going to push this in any ones face which is why I am writing it on my blog. I want to take a moment to thank the 2 hero's in my life, one I have lost that will always be a hole in my heart and one thank goodness is still with me safe & sound stateside. Even if its a little typed message to someone you know who has served just say thank you, it will mean the world to them!

My Hero!
USMC Hay's, Timothy
This is an outstanding man with great accomplishments in his life! He has a wonderful loving family who anyone would fall in love with once you meet them! He just finished his 1st tour in Afghanistan and made it home safely last month! Very very soon I will get to give him a big bear hug probably cry on his shoulder a bit and than jump out of an airplane with! Hes has always been my adrenaline buddy and very close to my heart!

us back in the college days

Strong

Brave

Kind & Loving

Smart

Thank You! Cant wait to see you in a few short weeks!


My Hero I lost.
Cpl. Kory D. Wiens & Sgt. Cooper
94th Mine Dog Detachment, 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade
We lost Kory & his dog Cooper on July 6th 2007, Kory the age of 20 not even old enough to drink. He was an amazing solider and only dreamed of protecting his country & the ones he loved. I still remember every moment of what happened the day I was driving home from work and got the phone call. That memory will never leave my head and I will never forget the people who helped me through it.
 It was a sunny Friday evening when a very close friend called me and told me the news, I proceeded to yell at her and tell her and I quote "That's not a fucking funny joke." than hung up on her and started crying, barley making it home in my tear fog. Two days later on Sunday to try and numb some of my pain I rushed out & got a memorial tattoo on the top of my left foot for him and his dog Cooper. He would have loved it, tattoos where our thing! I cant even say much on here without tearing up, it is very hard even to this day. He was the most kind gentle man I have ever had the chance to meet. When I was able to talk to him over seas he never let me think I had anything to worry about, he was always happy & asking how I was.

Reminds me everyday. Love & Miss you both!

I have so many good memories of his and I's conversations that keep me smiling on most days. I still keep letters we exchanged.

Letters

Us in 2005 on graduation day!

In Psychology class!

one of my favorite pictures of him & coop!

Here is a video that was done amazing of him and coop. Be sure to have tissues its emotional and touching.
Thank You so much and know I think about you two always! I Love & Miss you all the time.