Friday, August 27, 2010

Favorite New Summer Recipe

I love to try new recipes when I have the time. I found this recipe last winter in a collection of "Taste of Home" recipes and have been saving it to try ever since. We had a great crop of raspberries this summer and I'm so excited that I found a good use for them. Warning: this recipe is not a healthy one, but it's really good.

Raspberry Struesel Coffee Cake

Filling:
3 ½ cups raspberries
1 cup water
2 T lemon juice
1 ¼ cups sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch

Batter:
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup cold butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup (8 oz. ) sour cream
1 tsp vanilla

Topping:
½ cup flour
½ cup sugar
¼ cup butter, softened
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Glaze:
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tsp milk
½ tsp vanilla

In a saucepan, cook raspberries and water over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add lemon juice. Combine sugar and cornstarch; stir into fruit mixture. Boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes.

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture is like crumbs. Stir in eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Batter will be stiff.

Spread half of batter in a greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Spread raspberry filling over that and then the rest of the batter. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over top. Bake 350 for 40 – 45 minutes or until golden brown. Combine glaze and drizzle over warm cake.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

First Day Horray!

We had a good start to the school year. Both kids were excited to go and be back with their friends. Anthony started 3rd grade in Mrs. Whaley's class and Meghan moved the Middle school this year in Mrs. Mitchell's 5th grade. They both seemed happy to start off on this new adventure. Julia was a little sad to be left behind for another year, but her preschool starts tomorrow. Here's to a wonderful school year!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Update!

I've realized that there is one problem with blogging. I enjoy the journaling aspect of it and keeping in touch with others, but I get too busy to blog when there is so much going on! Here is my attempt to catch up since April. Happy, busy, summer!

Davis, California Trip - 2010

We had a great stay in Davis. We got to see old friends, visit our favorite parks, swim, and just relax.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

We had so much fun here! They have animal shows, rides and play places. It was basically never-ending fun. We got to go with my parents and our friends Jacie, Joseph and Katie. What a great day!

Dillon Beach California - August 2010

We love Dillon Beach! Kevin and I went there after we were first married and found about 20 whole sand dollars. It has always been one of our favorite beaches because there are tide pools and fun sand dunes to play on. It was a great place to share with the kids.

Summer 2010 - Grandma & Grandpa's 70th Anniversary

My Grandparents celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this summer. We got to attend a reunion in their honor held at their farm in Payette, Idaho. It was great to see all the family that we haven't seen in awhile and get caught up.







July 2010 - Summer day trips

We've really enjoyed having my parents stay with us this summer. We took quite a few day trips to show them around the area.
Big Springs


Geocaching - Island Park area

4th of July 2010

The kids always look forward to the piles of candy, chocolate milk and goodies they get at the 4th of July parade. Later that evening we went to a BBQ and had fun setting off fireworks with our neighbors.

July 2010 - Anthony's Baptism

On July 3rd Anthony choose to be baptised. It was such a special night. We are so grateful to all our family that could attend. It made it a great night for him.




Sunday, August 15, 2010

May 2010 - Father/ Son Campout

Kevin took the boys to the Father/Son camp out. They had a potluck dinner, played kickball and then nearly froze to death in their tent. (John came home to sleep). May is a little early to camp in Idaho.




June 2010 - Daddy/Daughter Hike

For Meghan's Activity Days group they planned a Daddy/Daughter hike. They hike the Cress Creek trail and had a fun day together.


June 2010 - Raingutter Raggatta

Anthony turned eight just in time to join cub scouts for the rain gutter regatta. He loved making and racing his boat.


June 2010 - Anthony's 8th Birthday & Johnny's 2nd

Right after school gets out we get to celebrate Anthony & John's Birthday's. We started off the day with Birthday muffins. Had a pizza lunch at the park (our city has free lunches all summer). In the afternoon we went to the movies and then had dinner at Applebee's. After stuffing ourselves silly we went for a long walk and finished the day off with a piece from their camping cake. Our stomachs are glad birthdays only come once a year. We love our boys!