Hershey's Kiss Cookies



These cookies are not only easy to make, but incredibly addicting as well. When I got engaged my family all compiled recipes to create a family cookbook for me as a bridal shower gift. It is something I will always cherish and I find myself constantly looking through it for dinner, side dish and dessert ideas. This cookie recipe has been my 'go to' cookie recipe lately because they are so delicious! 

This recipe belonged to my Aunt Sandi who passed away several years ago. She was one of those people you aspire to be like; one of the most kind hearted people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. My daughter Amelia was actually named Amelia Sandra after her, so it's even more meaningful to me to be able to bake these with her. I hope you enjoy... they are yummy!

Ingredients:
1/2 c butter or butter flavored Crisco (I use crisco)
1/2 c peanut butter
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 egg
2 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla 
1&3/4 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Cream butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and white sugar

Combine egg, milk and vanilla. Add to creamed mixture

Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to above mixture

Form into balls and roll in white sugar. Bake for 10 minutes. Press a Hershey's kiss into the top of each cookie as you remove them from the oven. 

And if you have a little one helping... make sure your unwrap a few extra kisses just in case little fingers snitch a couple. 









Ashley Elizabeth
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Ten things that make me happy



If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1. My family! Spending time with my family is my most favorite thing! 

2. Friends! I am so thankful for the friends I have in my life. There are a couple of them who are always there when I need them. 

3. Crafting. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a major craft addict. I love crafting of any kind. 

4. Waterfalls! I have a serious obsession with waterfalls. A couple of weeks ago I went into FREEZING water just to swim under a waterfall. LOVE! There isn't anything I find more peaceful than sitting in silence watching a waterfall.

5. Road trips, even if they are just short day trips. I love getting in the car, cranking up the music and heading out on new adventures. 

6. I love kids! I don't think I could do daycare if kids, even at their crankiest moments, didn't make me happy. I love playing around and goofing off when the littles. It is definitely the perfect job for me. 

7. Freshly cut and colored hair is the best! It helps when you have an amazing hairdresser who rocks it every single time!


8.  Cooking and baking with Amelia! She always loves to help.

9. Going to church! My faith and being Catholic is very important to me and makes me incredibly happy. This is a picture of my First Communion back when I was in second grade. 

10. Taking a deep breath and relaxing. I get so caught up in the stress of everyday things that I need to remember to step away and just relax... that's what keeps me happy.





Ashley Elizabeth
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July 27, 2013


Yesterday was such a wonderful day! Amelia and I got up at 2:30am to get ready and hit the road by 4am to make it to my best friend's wedding. Carrie and I have known each other since we were 3 years old and we have been through so much in the past 25 years. Really, I can't think of an event in my life that Carrie has not been a part of in one way or another. Carrie and Nich are so perfect for one another. She looked absolutely stunning on her big day at Honeyman State Park. I am so glad we were invited to celebrate with them.
Her dress was beautiful! Part of it was a dress she had bought, and part was her mom's wedding dress. 

The wedding was on a lake and the entire setting was beautiful! 

Amelia at the wedding

My girl and I

Amelia was exhausted by the time we headed out from the reception, she fell asleep before we even left the parking lot. I decided to head home up Hwy 101 along the coast. Amelia slept for over 2&1/2 hours so we grabbed some dinner in Lincoln City when she woke up, and then played on the beach for a little bit. It was a wonderful day! 

Us in the car





LOVE this picture. 
Ashley Elizabeth
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Bubble Snakes



I'm always looking for new activities and fun experiments for the kids and I to do. I never thought I would have a job where it would be okay for me to crawl around in yoga pants, dig in the dirt, run in the sprinkler, get paint all over and create a bubbly mess.

Today we decided to make bubble snakes. I believe I saw this idea on Pinterest a while back and it was one that stuck with me. This activity is incredibly easy and costs nothing if you have the items on hand.

What you will need:
1 plastic bottle (I used a 20oz pop bottle)
terry cloth or a thin wash cloth
rubber band
liquid dish soap
water

First I cut off the bottom of the plastic bottle. I used a piece of terry cloth that I had in my fabric bin and cut it to fit the cut end of the bottle, and then secured it tightly around with a rubber band. Make sure that the terrycloth fits snug and that you have about an inch overlap. Next I had Amelia mix up some dish soap with water. We used 1/2c soap to 1/4c water and stirred it together. Then we headed outside for some serious bubble fun! Dip the cloth in the soap so that it is completely saturated and then just blow and blow and blow on the drinking end of the bottle. The outcome... bubble snakes and tons of laughs.





Ashley Elizabeth
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Friend Making Monday


friend makin mondays

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Let's Talk About TV

1. Share your current "must-see" TV shows. At the moment I'm not watching anything on TV. The shows I do keep up on when they are on are: Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Parenthood, Nashville and Hart of Dixie

2. Do you prefer reality shows or sitcoms? I like both

3. Who is your favorite talk show host? I don't watch a lot of TV like this, but Ellen is by far my favorite talk show host when I do decide to turn on some daytime television. 

4. Which network(s) do you turn to for news? I look online when I feel like I need to catch up on the world, but other than that... I'm not a fan of watching the news.  

5. Do you have Tivo or DVR? If so, which programs do you have set to record? I don't have either.

6. Have you ever started watching a show simply because you heard so much about it on social media? If so, which one did you watch? I usually start watching shows because one of my sisters recommends it, or because it looks appealing on Netflix. 

7. List any TV series you own on DVD. Viva La Bam, Family Guy and Keeping up with the Kardashians. Haha, I don't even know why I have Family Guy and Keeping up with the Kardashians, but I used to be a major Viva La Bam fan back in the day. 

8. Do you have a subscription to Netflix, Hulu, etc.? We have both. Since we don't have dish or cable, we just stream Netflix and Hulu on our ROKU.

9. If you could star in a TV show that already exists, which one would you choose? Scandal... I dig that show right now, or Hart of Dixie because I love the guy who plays Wade. 

10. If you could bring back one TV show that is no longer on the air, which one would you choose? Brothers and Sisters












Ashley Elizabeth
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Portland Highland Games 2013


Yesterday we went to the Portland Highland Games and it was a total blast. My older sister Erica has been playing with the Portland Police Highland Guard for quite a few years now and they always compete at the games. It was cool for the first part of the day, but then the sun showed itself and even under the covered grandstands I acquired a sweet sunburn. Here are a few pictures from the day.















If you've never been to the Highland Games, I recommend going next summer. It is always a blast!
Ashley Elizabeth
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A girl and her kitty


I've been snapping pictures of these two snuggling since the day Rudy came into our lives. I just had to do a blog post because it really is the cutest thing ever! This is going to be all pictures, but they make me smile! If you are Facebook friends with me then you know my obsession with them, but if not... here is my little slice of heaven.




















Ashley Elizabeth
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