sweet*

sweet*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

I had the day off from work today and decided to try out a recipe from the Taste of Home Cooking School that a friend and I went to back in October. They turned out pretty good. They are a very sweet treat. I made mine with a cookie scooper that I have. They are too big. I'd make them smaller next time.

The recipe can be found here.

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1-1/2 pounds dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped
Directions
In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour, alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Shape into 1-in. balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.
In a microwave bowl, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip balls in coating; allow excess to drip off; Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. If desired, remelt remaining candy coating and drizzle over candies. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 5-1/2 dozen.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2 each) equals 240 calories, 12 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 12 mg cholesterol, 46 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.
Cookie Dough Truffles published in Taste of Home December/January 2005, p28

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48/52 stripes*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

stripes*
It's after Thanksgiving so we can officially start getting ready for the Christmas season.
We had a nice Thanksgiving over my parents house. My mom always goes above and beyond with cooking. We had so much delicious food. My aunt and uncle and grandma were there, also.
This week is the week leading up to David's birthday. I can't believe it. I'm getting so old. Let's see... 17 years ago Mike and I were in our apartment. We decorated early because we knew our little bundle of joy would soon be here. We had an ornament party. All of our family members came over and brought us an ornament to symbolize our new life together. We still have many of them and I remember that day when I decorate our tree. Over the years we save the decorations for after David's birthday. It's my way of keeping his birthday and Christmas separate.

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47/52 body*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

body*
The body of a pumpkin pie!! I can't wait to get my hands on some this week for our Thanksgiving Holiday. Yummy!

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."
~W. T. Purkiser

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46/52 *, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

untitled*

I did not follow the theme this week. Instead, I procrastinated and decided to shoot these Fizzle Skittles in a shot glass. So very random. Have you ever had these? I found them at Halloween. They are similar to PopRocks by the way they fizzle in your mouth. They are addicting. They are kind of gross. But they are kind of good. lol But be careful, they will make the roof of your mouth sore.

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45/52 create*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

create*
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams

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44/52 fall *, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

fall*

The kids had fun carving their pumkins this year. These are the end results. Emily wanted to carve two. David's pumpkin must have been picked too soon, as the seeds inside were unusable. Good thing Emily's had plenty of seeds. What is Halloween without pumpkin seeds?

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43/52 Holiday Flash*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Holiday Flash*
I didn't follow the theme for the week... was unispired by the idea. It's no offense to anyone. It just wasn't nudging my creative side.
I've had this cute little camera for a couple of months now. I decided she needed to make her debut. I'm not sure if she works but maybe someday I'll find out. I'm not even sure where I can get film and have it developed.
So until then....

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42/52 my day*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

my day*

This photo represents a typical Sunday for me - laundry day. Since it's my only day off of work in a week, I play catch-up on laundry and other house cleaning. These are my work clothes, every day I'm in these black and blues. It's seems to be all I have left in my closest.
I can't seem to get very creative in my pictures lately. lol A pile of laundry??
I can't even come up with anything to write here.

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41/52 tradition*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

tradition*

It's a fall tradition for Mike & I to take the kids to the Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Patch. Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree fall day in Michigan. We headed to Apple Charlie's in New Boston, Michigan to pick apples and get pumpkins. We had fun picking apples. While we were there, we decided it was a little to early to get carving pumpkins, so we ended up not getting any. Instead we brought home Cider and Donuts.... yum!

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The week's theme is black and white. Emily's homecoming dress is black and white and the highlight of the week. I found it fitting for my photo of the week. She had a fun time at the dance. A group of girls (only a couple of them had dates) went to dinner. She was quite disappointed in her food. How hard is it to mess up fettuccine alfredo? I'm tempted to call them today.
David didn't go to homecoming... he wishes now that he did. I feel bad for him.

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38/52 friends*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

friends*
Milo playing with one of his many friends.

Hi everyone. Not much new to blog about. School has been going good so far. It's homecoming week. I don't know who is more excited, the kids or me?? Emily is costing me a fortune. lol Boys are so much easier. I do have to do something about David's suit though. His pants are getting a bit snug. Oh and a tie to match his dates dress.
I can't wait to show you pictures next week!!
Have a good week.

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37/52 bokeh*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

bokeh*

This is one of my favorite things to create with my camera; soft, bubbly, bokeh.

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36/52 view through*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

view through*

I feel like such a slacker for getting this in so late in the week. I should have posted this last Sunday.
Anyhow, this is the "view through" the conservatory at a local park.

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35/52 color*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

color*

Laying out under the umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) and not a cloud in the sky. What a perfect Michigan day it was today. I could stand it if all of the days were just like today.

Last couple of days from a week off of work, and once again I didn't do a darn fun thing. Well... I shouldn't say that. We went to Cedar Point on Sunday. Emily took a friend who was not a fan of coasters. eergh! I felt bad for having her sit for a good part of the day while we went on a few of them. She insisted she was fine.
On Monday Emily and I went to shop for a homecoming dress. She found one that she really likes. It's pretty I have to admit. I am not ready for her to be growing up.
Tuesday the kids and I went back-to-school shopping. That was fun too. I remember how important that was to me when I was in high school.
As most of you know too... David's first varsity football game was Friday night. I love watching him play! It's always exciting to me, even if his team loses. I didn't get to go to real football games in high school so this is so cool to me. I love it.
So that's about it. Hope all of you who are reading this have a wonderful week ahead... the last week of summer. *sigh*

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"Happy Birthday" edition*

I made these vegan cupcakes (her request) for my Emily's 15th birthday. They are just as tasty as "regular" cupcakes. I can't tell the difference. They are Cookies-n-Cream flavor.
I think she had a good birthday. On Friday, the two of us went to my favorite salon and got a pedicure. This was my second one ever. I'm not completely sold on the idea. lol
Today David and her friend took her out for Sushi. She liked it! She had the vegetarian, of course. So no raw fish. David had some though.   :-P  After lunch they went to Coldstone and then to the mall. Her friend got her a cute shirt that says "What's on your mind" and an area that can be written on with a washable marker. It also has a blue share "button".  It's cute. (I didn't get it at first, it's a FB shirt). For dinner we went to Red Robin with my parents. I hope she had fun.... Sunday it's Cedar Point!

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33/52 home*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

home*

Well, this is not exactly my home. And it's not exactly anyone else's home either. These sunflowers are surrounding the Domino's Petting Farm. They are so pretty. I was tempted to take a few home with me. But out of respect of other's I left them alone. Instead I took a ton of pictures. ;-)
This past week, the kids have been busy. David is now officially practicing for varsity football. He's been conditioning all summer. He had his first scrimmage Saturday. Emily has been cleaning her room and getting things together for the garage sale that she and her friend had. She only made $23. But it's $23 that she didn't have before.
I've got one week left until a vacation. Nothing is planned other than getting back-to-school shopping done.
Have a great week ahead!
Jen

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32/52 light*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

light*
Went to IKEA Canton yesterday. I love that place! Everything is so cool and the set up is awesome. We were in the childrens' section and I just had to photograph this wall of lights. I always love seeing it. It's so colorful and whimsical. I was wishing I had my XSi with me, or at least my S3is. Oh well... my blackberry had to do. Of course... I can't leave things alone so I slapped on a polaroid frame on this over at picnik.

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31/52 summer*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

summer*


A sunny "picture perfect" day. What a way to welcome in the first day of August.


Honestly, I've never really gotten into this book. I started it about 4 years ago and didn't get past the first chapter or two. I usually like Jodi's books too.
When I think of summer songs ... this one that you hear now (Soak Up the Sun , Sheryl Crow) is what almost always comes to mind. How about you? That Kid Rock song is a good one too... how can it not be?
So how is your summer going? It's flying by so quickly. Let's see... we spent a few days up north at the lake. Had fun tubing down the Au Sable.
I'm trying to make the best of the rest of summer but there are too many working hours. Oh joy! What can I do?  I just want some sand on my toes. I'm thinking of buying some sand and putting it in a sand box with my beach chair inside of it.




*** 
"People take pictures of the Summer, just in case someone thought they had missed it, and to proved that it really existed."
-- Ray Davies

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30/52 repetition*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

repetition*

A few little daisies from my garden just before I put them in some water to make my window sill look pretty.

My brother was in the local paper.

"Self-made carver keeping the beat in Oneonta"

This is an article about my brother, Dan. He has taught himself to make, carve drums.  Check it out. It's really cool! I also linked the photographer, Susan Moore's FB album. 

link to the photographer's FB album.