Cannot Be Held Responsible

I'm a two cups of coffee into my morning.

One cup: Still not safe to talk to me

Two cups: I can hold a conversation, but cannot be held responsible for my words.

Three cups: My kidneys are now working overtime, but I can finally begin my day.

Four cups: I can conquer the world!!!!!!!!!

So, I'm blogging on two cups.  Just warning you!!!!!!

Yesterday I worked my tail off on these signs.  All because I was in the mood to get a little crafty (and also because I'm a wanna-be super mom).  

This is Ryan's.  

Because I was also channeling Betty Crocke.....I made these!!!!  Recipe will be at the bottom of this post (in case you want to forfeit your New Year's resolution).

Then I sat my hiney on a bleacher seat.  Again.

I thought it was fun taking pictures of the student section with my signs.  

How cute are our Hornet fans?  Ummmm....VERY CUTE!!!!!

Here are all three of our Coaches.

The guy in grey is Coach Marsh.....his name is Tim.

The guy in the black argyle sweater is Coach Cunningham....his name is Tim.

The guy in the white shirt and red tie is Coach Cool.....his name is Tim.

Nope, not kidding.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients: 
Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup flour
2/3 cup chocolate chips

Cheesecake Filling:
10 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions: 
1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Line an 8" square baking pan with parchment paper or foil allowing a little overhang and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Mix the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 6 minutes. Remove pan to a cooling rack. Leave your oven on while you prepare the dough.
3. While the crust is cooling, prepare the chocolate chip cookie dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt and vanilla until smooth and thoroughly combined, about 1 minute. Mix in the flour on low speed, and mix until just incorporated. Mix in the chocolate chips. Set aside.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in the egg and vanilla on low speed just until incorporated. Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust. Using your hand to form clumps, distribute the cookie dough onto the top of the cheesecake batter in teaspoon-sized clumps. Be sure to use all of the dough. 
5. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the top feels dry and firm (the cookie dough) and the entire pan looks set if given a gentle shake. Move bars to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Chill in refrigerator overnight or for at least a couple hours.
6. Lift the bars out by the overhang and cut into squares for serving.


I found the recipe on this blog........Brandy's Baking

New Year = New Lists

I'm going to table my Christmas (part 2) post until later this week.  

#1. There are TONS of pictures and I'm dreading the comentary.

#2. People......I am soooooo done with Christmas.  The thought of looking at the pictures nearly brings tears to my eyes.

So, I will skip forward temporarily.

It's a New Year!!!!  2012!!!  Holy smokes they sure come around quicker and quicker nowadays.  We had a little bit of family and a little bit of friends over to celebrate (and it was nice).  

Normally I make the New Year's Resolution to bless someone every day.  I thought this year that I would add to that some.  2011 was a little difficult for me.  I wasn't sad in the least to see a different number on the ole' calendar.  I'm making a vow to make 2012 happier!  (More on that in a bit).

So, here is my list....... 

#1. Drink more water and less Diet Coke.

It's really not fair.  Why can't Diet Coke be good for me?  Why does water have to taste so blah?  Anywhoo, so far, I'm doing a better job.

In summary....

and less.....

#2. Plan meals ahead so there is less eating out.

We are gone nearly every single night.  Ball games, play practices, and whatever the heck is happening in our home, takes us away from our family table.  I believe that if I just planned better, we could avoid some of the impulse super sized Big Mac meals. 

#3. Exercise more and be aware of what I eat.

I go through spurts.  I have to say that last year, I did much better in the "healthy eating" catagory.  I want to continue that though and possibly improve on it.  I downloaded four apps on my phone called, "Ab Workout, Butt Workout, Leg Workout, and Arm Workout".  In case you're wondering, the apps target my ab's, my butt, my legs and my arms.  I did them all yesterday and my buns especially are a little achy today.  Achy is probably a good thing.  Achy means......DO IT AGAIN, and AGAIN, and AGAIN!!!

#4. Go to church regularly.

I'm starting a bible study on James on January 19th.  Pretty pumped up about it.  

#5. Ali Edward's "One Little Word"  started on 1-1-12.  I have picked a word each year for the last three years.  I try to be mindful of it.  This year, I am choosing HAPPY.