The Day After Halloween

Success!
We had a few melt downs due to lack of sleep and a constant stream of sugar, but for the most part, Halloween went off without a hitch again this year!

Kalynn revived the late, great "Mean Queen" Marie Antoinette with the props I brought back from Paris this last Summer.

I dreamed about taking back the streets of Manhattan from Slimer with my homemade Proton Pack and hugging up on Venkman:

Jason channeled his inner 80's electric unicorn loving self and rocked the neighborhoods of Fort Collins with his tight rolled jeans.

Just like last year, Kalynn racked up a pile of candy that is going to take us months to consume. We got more Kit Kats and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups than anything else so it's time to put them to good use and make another few cheesecakes!

The thing I love about this recipe is that it doesn't have to be Reese's. Last year Kalynn came home with a bucket full of Butterfingers, Heath Bars, and Snickers to use for cheesecake. They all work for this recipe. 

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup finely crushed chocolate graham crackers

1/2 cup butter, melted

13 individual Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

3 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 egg yolk

1/4 cup milk

Normally when you make a graham crust, you combine the butter and the crushed graham cracker, press it to the bottom of your pan and bake it. However, with this recipe you skip the baking step because when the chocolate in the Reese's (or whatever) melts, it solidifies the crust on it's own. So all you need to do press the crumb mixture to the bottom of your pie pan or spring form pan or whatever you're using. I happened to use a rocks glass because that's what I had handy, but you can use a spoon or a measuring cup or basically anything with a flat bottom. 

(or just buy a pre-made crust from the store)

Next, chop up your candy and make a layer directly on top of your crust. I used 8 individual Reese's Cups for the layer on the bottom of the crust but if you have more to use, then use them!

Cheesecake filling:

In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese (make sure your cream cheese is softened! I blew out the motor of one of my hand mixers trying to do this step with freshly refrigerated cream cheese) sugar, flour, and vanilla until combined. Add eggs and egg yolk all at once, beating on low speed just until combined. Stir in milk. 

Pour filling into crust and candy lined pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes for the 8-inch pan, 40-45 minutes for the 9-inch pan, or til center appears nearly set when shaken.

Cool  cheesecake completely and chill at least 4 hours. 

Chop and sprinkle your remaining candy cups on top of cheesecake. We had Reese's Pieces, Reese's Fast Breaks, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. It really doesn't matter. You can also add chocolate syrup for garnish. 

Now that Halloween has come and gone, it's time to pack up the creepy crawlies and bust out the Thanksgiving decor. I've come to the realization that countdown calendars are the way to go with a little one running around the house. I don't have to tell her every single morning how many days are left until the next holiday. Plus taking a ring off the chain, or opening a door from the house (or whatever your countdown) gives her something to look forward to. This year I made a felt tree. Felt is great because it's super cheap and it sticks to itself. Perfect for a 3 year old. 

I used whatever colors of felt I had around the house, cut out 30 little leaves and stuck them on the branches. Each day she takes a leaf off, tells me something she's thankful for, and puts it in the "Give Thanks" pouch.

When I was at the Home Depot yesterday buying potting soil I made a stop by the paint department and grabbed a couple of paint samples. They make great turkey tails!

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween! Don't forget to brush your teeth!

College.

Lets play catch up a bit here.

Kalynn is officially 3 years old.

Everyone tells me the terrible twos have nothing on the thunderous threes. So far, this is proven to be extremely spot on. She's very opinionated, very stubborn, very determined and very sassy. She makes her own path, right or wrong, and she doesn't take no for an answer. I'm not 100% sure if this is an age thing, or a hereditary thing. I guess we'll find out in due time. Either way, trying to tame the wild, or at the very least trying to keep up with her, is exhausting. Fun, but exhausting.

It seems like the crazier life becomes with a growing toddler, the faster it goes.

I'm having a hard time believing that 2012 is already over, let alone the entire month of January and half of February in 2013. Sometimes it's nice to slow down a bit and remember what is truly important. Mainly, the people I love.

When we visited California a couple weeks ago, it was really important to me to get some pictures of Kalynn with my grandmother (her great-grandmother). She's been an awesome staple in my life from before I can even remember and I really wanted to figure out a cool way to capture of all 4 generations of women in our family:

I absolutely love love love the idea of this picture. Being more physically distant from that side of my family then I have been in years is really hard sometimes, so having this little piece of them to on hang on Kalynn's wall is really special for us.

And with time flying by quicker than I expected, I also came to the realization that we need to be financially prepared for things that will come faster than we thought they would. Like Kalynn going to college.

Because she is going to college.

Every holiday I get asked by friends and family "is there anything that Kalynn needs?" "What kinds of things does she like?" "What types of toys does she play with?" And the truth is, She's three. And a spoiled three at that. She has more toys than she knows what to do with. More importantly, she has more energy than any person I've ever met so sitting down and playing with anything for an extended period of time is just out of the question most of the time. Sure, she loves to open gifts and have new toys and we're not unappreciative of the things that she has gotten and loved over the years. A few of those toys have even become part of our permanent daily routine, but truthfully, at least at this point, we're blessed to not lack any traditional type of toy or clothing that she needs.

Gradsave.com is a way for our friends and family to give the gift of education instead of traditional presents for any of Kalynn's special occasions, holidays and birthdays. College is expensive. I'm currently in the process of paying back a portion of my student loans and it's almost impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel. What we're trying to do, is to not let Kalynn have a giant mound of debt after she finishes her degree. After seeing the final bill of my own college experience, and imagining the inflating cost of a college education 15 years down the road, it's frightening to think where we'd be if we didn't start planning right away.

Gradsave is super easy to use and it's 100% FDIC insured. We've set up an account for Kalynn so all anyone needs to do if they wish to donate is go to her profile page. All donations big and small are welcome. As soon as she hits her $1000 goal, that money is then transferred into her 529 college savings fund and her Gradsave goal starts again at zero. This website makes it so easy for friends and family to participate in an extremely practical gift that she'll never outgrow no matter how old she gets. It's pure genius.

If you'd like to make a donation or if you'd just like to check out Kalynn's profile page, CLICK HERE.

Other than time passing far too quickly, things are returning to normal since the excitement of holidays and birthdays has come to an end. We're gearing up for Valentine's Day by planning a little photo shoot that will be posted later next week. Hope all is well with all of you!

xo

Giving Thanks

Well,

I haven't been on lately because I really haven't had anything interesting to say. But I guess that's the point of this thing; to come as I am, interesting or not.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and as the day settled down and the evening found me wrapped in my electric blanket with a glass of wine, my mind wandered to the things I was really thankful for.  

Over the last 12 months, everything that could have changed, did in fact change. It has been a year of peaks and valleys to say the least. I've lost some of the most important and influential people in my life, and I've held onto a select few that I know will stand with me to the end of the world and vice versa.

But at the end of the day, I'm left positive and thankful.

Thankful we have a roof over our heads filled with warmth and clean water. Thankful I have the means to supply my baby girl with healthy food that will allow her to grow up strong and nourished. Thankful she will have the ability to receive a great education. Thankful I have a steady(ish) income. Thankful I have a partnership with Jason that above anything else focuses on loving our daughter and doing what is ultimately best for our family. Thankful I have the opportunity to tell my parents how much I love them whenever I want and they are here to say it back and truly mean it. Thankful for technology which keeps me in touch with loved ones that we are unable see day to day. Thankful for my own private spirituality and the ability to have that as my own. Thankful for my amazing sister and our new chapter together as state-mates and best friends. Thankful that I'm lucky enough to wake up in one of the most beautiful places in this country and cheers my coffee every morning to the foothills of the gorgeous Rocky Mountains.

I am thankful that I have the ability to give and receive love. Because in the end it's love and love alone that really matters.

But above all else, there is one little humbling creature that I can't be thankful enough for. The word "Thankful," is more of an understatement than I can even express. She's changed my life, lifted the standards, opened my eyes, and shown me the whole world.

Happy Thanksgiving ♥

Movember

Overview of Movember - (www.movember.com)

"During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo's, these men raise vital awareness and funds for men's health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives.

Once registered at www.movember.com, men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as 'Mo Bros', groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember. 

The Movember Effect: Awareness & Education, Survivorship, Research
The funds raised in the US support prostate cancer and testicular cancer initiatives. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and our men’s health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG Foundation. Together, the three channels work together to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with our strategic goals in the areas of awareness and education, survivorship and research.

Movember - a global movement
Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne, Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.9 Million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to participate with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and the Czech Republic. In addition, Movember is aware of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas supporting the campaign and men’s health cause across the globe, from Russia to Dubai, Hong Kong to Antarctica, Rio de Janeiro to Mumbai, and everywhere in between.

No matter the country or city, Movember will continue to work to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, and to act on that knowledge, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.

In 2011, over 854,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas around the world got on board, raising $126.3 million USD.

Big steps have been taken towards changing attitudes and habits relating to men’s health around the world, but there is still much to be done to catch up with the women’s health movement. Via the moustache, Movember aims to fulfill its vision of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health by continuing to spark conversation and spread awareness of men’s health issues each year."

My sister was recognized for her efforts with Movember last year through her work:

This year through The Brighter Writer, I hope to raise awareness as well.

(yes, my mustache and I are both brunette now) 

Kalynn says: "Tis the season! Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow!"



Left Over Halloween Candy

This was the pile of Halloween candy Kalynn had before noon from trick or treating downtown. By the end of the night it had multiplied and by morning I had a mound of chocolate that I didn't know how to contain. It was like I fed a mogwai after midnight and it had turned into something unnatural and out of control.

My brain immediately went into damage control mode and I tried to figure out what the hell I was going to do with it all.

Just eating it seemed so boring.

So I decided to pull out my fancy ice cream maker, whip up a batch of vanilla and at the very end of the churning process I dumped in 2 cups of chopped Kit-Kats, 3 Musketeers, M&M's, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Whatchamacallits.

One of the best things I've ever made.

I also decided to make a left over half Snickers / half Butterfinger cheesecake

  Candy Bar Cheesecake Recipe HERE

(Whoever invented this pie pan is a genius by the way.)

So two cheesecakes and a tub of ice cream has taken out quite a dent in our dilemma.

That being said, we still have an assload to unload.

If you have suggestions, please let me know!

On a side note, it's been freezing cold here. We've been staying indoors, eating chili and crafting. So far we've made a hand print turkey:

The Pinta (or maybe the Nina or Santa Maria)

We've also watched Pocahontas a million times and made our own costume:

I hope everyone is staying warm!