Sounds good

Trail Mix Cookies
Energizing trail mix is really easy to eat when it’s baked inside cookies!

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups candy-coated chocolate candies
1 cup peanuts
3/4 cup raisins


1 . Heat oven to 375°F. Beat sugars, peanut butter, butter, shortening, vanilla and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, oats, baking powder and baking soda thoroughly. Stir in candies, peanuts and raisins.
2 . Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet; flatten slightly with fork.
3 . Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

the gift

The oufit Crewe is wearing in the picture was a gift from Ethan and Natalie.....when he was born. They gave me the outfit and said that they didn't know sizes but they looked so small that they thought he would wear it very soon. It just now fits. The shirt is a 2T and the shorts are 4T. (in real shorts Crewe doesn't even wear 4's yet). We love this outfit and it only took 3 years to fit. Yeah. Thanks for the great gifts guys.

not much

I have not posted anything in a few days because I felt like I had nothing quarky to comment about. We had a really nice simple weekend. The weather has been killing us and most eveings we hide out at John and Aj's to escape the heat. We have little window air conditioners but the can't keep up with this Arizona heat.( we are NOT in Arizona) We went swimming this eveing at Sandy's and when we left her house the temp said 117. HOLY CRAP!!! I didn't sign up for this. Crewe and I also escaped today by going to the free family movie. "Jonah, a Veggietale movie". I can't get the theme song out of my head. GREAT!!!

Cake

We went to a birthday party for one of Crewe's friends today. He loved it.It was a Strawberry Shortcake themed party. Crewe kept saying, "Clara (kayleen's little girl) LOVES THE SHORTCAKE!" Also, no surprise ..... he LOVED the cake. And I love him.

We love Waffles

So I have not been in a cooking mood....It is over 100 degrees everyday. Go figure. So we have been dinning on waffles. Here is my latest favorite recipe. It is so good.

Waffles
1 3/4 c flour
2 tea. baking powder
1/2 tea. salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
3 eggs
7 tablespoons of vegatable oil
1 1/2 c. milk

Preheat waffle iron. Sift dry indgredients. Separate eggs, putting the whites in mixer. Beat the egg whites until they are stiff. Put whites in a bowl and set aside. Now in mixer, add egg yolks, oil, milk with the dry indgredients. Beat until there are no lumps in the batter. Fold the egg whites into the batter. Pit a full 1/2 c. batter in your waffle iron. This recipe makes about 8 waffles.

The boys

When crewe finds the camera he always wants me to take a picture and say cheese. It is hard to actually get him to sit still for the shot and he always wants it to include his cars. Go figure. Well I got one shot only because it was with his dad. So this is the best I can do.

Things of Joy

So we have had the worse week in the Palmer history. Instead of dewelling and listing all the crap that has happened this week, I am going to make myself think of a list of things that bring me joy.

1. The egg rolls from Trader Joes. They are crispy and spicy and I love them. They also are only 1 point of a piece in Weight Watcher land.

2. Gilmore Girls- There are three episodes on tonight. All re -runs but still....Also the new season will be back Sept 28th.

3. Rich. Everything about him is wonderful, delightful and awesome. He is cleaning right now as I sit and type. I love that he is a complusive cleaner.

4. Books. So with the "sickness" plaguing our house, I have been able to read, read, read. I am rereading Jane Green's books. I read them so long ago that they seem new. A very nice feature.

5. Last Comic Standing. NBC 9pm tuesday night. Enough said.....

6. How Crewe talks. He found a feather yesterday that floated out our couch. It was white. It was floating around his mouth. He grabbed the feather, brought it to me and said, "Crewe's chocking on Donald Duck."

We arE sick

This is a funky picture of crewe watching a show. (it makes me laugh) Crewe is sick today. I was up last night with me for a LONG time. ( we don't really have to get up in the night anymore with him.) So this moring his fever was high and when I was trying to give him medicine he decided to throw up all over me. Great! Then i put him in the tub. I brought in a popcicle for him. He looked at me and said, "No, thank you. Red popcicle is gross!". HOW DOES HE KNOW WHAT GROSS IS?

Emeril Live

Rich I are watching Food tv tonight. I told Rich that I didn't want to watch Emeril. He never makes anything I want to eat. I WAS WRONG!! We saw Emeril make the best looking cookie. He called it a cake but it really was a large cookie pie. I hope someone makes it and enjoys it.

Giant Chocolate Cookie Cake (rich wants to rename it)
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
Confectioners' sugar, for garnish
Sweetened cocoa, for garnish
Sweetened whipped cream, accompaniment
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 14-inch, light colored, round pizza pan with parchment paper and grease the parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, beating well after the addition of each.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix with a whisk. Add to the butter mixture, mixing to incorporate, and add the vanilla extract. Fold in the dark and white chips and the nuts. Spread across the bottom of the prepared pan and bake until the edges are golden and the cookie is set but the center is still slightly soft, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To serve, sift confectioners' sugar and sweetened cocoa over the top, and cut into wedges. Serve sweetened whipped cream on the side.

50 random things about me

1. FIRST NAME? ashley

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? no one. My mom worked at a bank and a woman she worked w/had a daughter named ashley and my mom liked it. So one day she had a girl and named her.....

3. LAST CRY-this morning

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? not most of the time

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? roast beef

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS
WITH YOU? Totally. I am a hoot!

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? I have tired many times but never longer than a few months

8. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Not at all

9. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

10. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Hell no. This is why I would
not be good at the Amazing Race.

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don't really like cereal

12. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Never. I mostly wear sandals but even when I get home from working out I just pull my Nikes off.
13. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? not really, see question 3.

14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? I don't really like ice cream. When I do eat it I like Pralines and Creme from Baskin Robins

15. SHOE SIZE? 9! My feet crewe when I was pregnant

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I am way too sensitive. I can always be worked up about something

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My mom, everyday

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I always do :)

19. What color PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? I am not wearing pants right now and my shoes are off.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? a bagel

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Crewe is watching Dragontales.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? a purple crayon
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Paris
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE
PHONE? my mom

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE
ATTRACTED TO? smile

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? very much. She is a real hoot.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Italian sodas

28. FAVORITE SPORT? no thank you

29.EYE Color? grayish

30. HAT SIZE?size huge!!!

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Negative

32. FAVORITE FOOD? bagels, salads, the artichokes from Houstens, the lipita from Torres, All food from Billings

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy Endings

36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIE THEATER? Superman. We tried to see the movie in 3-D but it was sold out. Who knew that a early showing on a tuesday night would sell out?!

37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? pink (with a jean skirt)

38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall I love the fall. hot during the day and sweaters at night.

39. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs. Nice big ones.

40. FAVORITE DESSERT? warm cookies. all cookies

41. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I couldn't say

42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I couldn't say again

43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? i am reading a cop/killer book. Michael Connelly is the author. Oh, the title...."lost light"

44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? have a laptop

45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Rich and I watched "dirty dancing-havannah nights" hehe Then we watched a "grey's" rerun.
46. FAVORITE SOUNDS? music that makes you want to swing your hips

47. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles

48 THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Europe

49. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Hmmm, special talent. Couldn't say.

50. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Provo, Utah

Book signing

Last night I went into the city for an author's signing. I met Emily Giffin, author of my favorite book, "Something Borrowed". It is the best chic lit book I have ever read. She was there to promote her new book, "Baby Proof." She spoke for 45 min about how she came up with the story line for "Baby Proof", her thoughts, her process. She included a small reading from the book and then took open questions. It was really cool. She was smart, witty and very kind. If she felt like she had more to say when someone asked a question she would add, "email me and I will talk to you more about it." She was a total smart ass that made references to People magazine and "Friends." I think she was speaking to my soul!!!!!
READ HER BOOKS!!!

Dentist

I hate the dentist. (Sorry, Nan, I love you but not your profession). I am afraid of the dentist. It makes me sick to even think about having to go the dentist. I woke up in the middle of the night worrying about going to the dentist. Why go? BECAUSE I AM IN PAIN!!!! I have never had such intense, awful tooth pain. EVER!!!! It woke up in the night 3 times with aches and screaming pain. SO, I went to see my dentist here in CA. (Normally I go to the wonderful Dr. Natali Schofield in UT and she gives me Valium to make it through the day). So I went to Dr. Kearl (who is also Rich's uncle) and it went okay. He then sent me to another Dr. To talk about having a root canal. WHAT! A root canal. And it will take 2 appointments to take care of it plus a crown from the dentist. AND IT IS GOING TO COST $1200. That is more than our rent!!!! I am not a happy woman. I am going to face the music today at 3:15pm. I hope I make it back alive. (can they give me an epidural for this??????)

Crewe is in love....

> Crewe is in love right now. WITH CARS!!! He carries them around at all times. He drives them up and down the walls in the hallway. He drives on displays in the stores and on windows when we are in restruants. He carries MANY cars at 1 time. "The Purple car, the blue car, daddy's porsche, the tow truck and the red car." Five cars at all times. Even when he sleeps.

Wonder Spot

I am reading a book right now. "The Wonder Spot" by Melissa Banks. It is the same author who wrote " The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing". I am enjoying the book but I am not LOVING the book. I hate that when it happens. I want to be reading a book that I think about all the time or at least wanting to read. Not chosing to watch "Dragontales" AGAIN!!!! I wonder when Crewe will be able to read by himself.....

Russia

Russia. Do you want to go to Russia? Vacation? My friend just emailed me from Russia. She is on vacation. She said," I am having quite an adventure here. dont speak the language, cant read
the cyrillic alphabet. people dont speak english. a few times ive just
started laughing hysterically bc it's all so absurd!" Sounds like quite the vacation!!! hehe

PS This is a picture from France...couldn't find a Russia picture.

Grey' Anatomy

So my reasons why I love "Grey's Anatomy". But tonight I love it because it is on....Thursday night. I believe it is the pilot and another episode from season 1. Did you know that each episode is titled, based on a title of a song? Great music in the background. You can go to their homepage and get a list of the music that is played on each episode. My favorite is Ben Lee, "Catch my Disease".

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

We went to the river yesterday. It was warm and delightful. Rich and Crewe are riding on the boat and being models. I love them both so much.

Have a happy 4th of july!!!

Five CROWNS

The game "Five Crowns" is one of the best games out there. It is so much fun to play and I won tonight! Yeah! The game Gods are smiling down on me!

I still love FRIENDS!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the television show "Friends". I have been watching the reruns latley and I have been enjoying it all over again. What do I love?

1. It's so funny. I laughed so hard at the one when Ross "is fine".
2. I love it when Monica shouts, "I know!!!"
3. Chandler and Monica just went through infertility testing. I know what that feels like.
4. I love when Ross goes to the spray on tan place and ends up with an 8 on the front and 0 on the back.
5. I Love when I refer to the characters as people I know and my friends act like it is normal.
6. I love quoting scenes with Kayleen.
7. I love the pre-laugh I give when I know the upcoming joke.
8. I love that reruns are on everyday.
9. I love the Brad Pitt Episode.
10. I love this show.