Happy 4th of July!

We are headed to Door Co. for a long weekend. My brother in law and his family are joining us tomorrow night. It should be a weekend filled with boating, fireworks and lots of cooking. He likes to cook as much as I do!

We hold these truths to be self evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are
Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness.

-Declaration of Independence
in Congress
July 4, 1776

Thanks Entertaining Mom!

Thanks Entertaining Mom! Dinner was great. Check out her blogs (the links are on the right hand side of mine) for the recipes!

Pumpkin Bread

I made a few loaves of pumpkin bread today to take to the cottage. I got this recipe from an old boyfriend, and lets just say this is the best thing I left the relationship with. Although it probably is a fall bread, it's so good we eat it year around.

3 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups sugar
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups solid pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

* Sift dry ingredients together.
* Add all remaining wet ingredients.
* Mix until moistened.
* Bake in 2 loaf pans in preheated oven for 1 hour 15 minutes (Or until toothpick comes out clean)
* Let cool for 5 minutes.

While bread is still warm, brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with a mixture of 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. (Although I always double this part because it's so good.)

If it sounds like a duck...

Got to love a President who knows what a ringtone is! Watch it here

What I'm Reading...

Queen Takes King by Gigi Levangie Grazer

The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews (I hope there is a sequel)

Stuffed by Patricia Volk, about a NYC Restaurant family (you'll laugh and cry)

Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
(I keep casting this series in my head, Mark Consuelos should be Ranger)

I read all of these in the past week. Now, I'm out of reading material. I'm bored! Any suggestions?

AHHHH!

And all is right in the world!

Best Mom on the Block

I am the best Mom on the block (this week)! We splurged on this blow up slide/pool thingy and the kids are loving it. I get to spend time reading (I read two books this weekend), while lying on the hammock in the shade. The kids run for hours, eat a good meal and plunge into a night of uninterrupted sleep. It's a win-win for everyone!