From Ashley to Awesome

My little family weekend getaway

Posted by Ashley Elizabeth August 04, 2013

This weekend we decided to head out of town on a little camping trip. It was sort of a last minute trip, but it was definitely worth the frazzled prep to spend a few days away. We absolutely love Tollbridge Campground just outside of Parkdale, Oregon. It is quiet and well maintained... and the best part are that they have showers. I have camped plenty of times the old 'roughing it' way and I much prefer this campground. We headed out Friday afternoon and got one of the last two spots available. We set up camp, made dinner and hung out around the campfire.

I love this picture of Mark trying to jam our queen size air mattress into our tent. It really does fit, it just doesn't look like it does here.

Our little camper. Amelia is an awesome traveler. She is up for any adventure.

Just hanging out in a field near our campsite

waking up after a chilly night in our tent

Amelia picked some flowers for our picnic table.

I am a major fan of the Hood River area so we often head that direction. Packer's is a fruit stand we always stop at when we are in the area. We enjoyed a little ice cream in the nice sunny weather.

We stumbled upon Lawrence Lake when we were driving around. It is a huge lake and quite pretty, but I'm certain I would never camp there. It was packed with trailers and tents all over... and a line a mile long for the nasty hole in the ground bathroom.

Just some pretty scenery

Mark made a mean fire the second night we were there

Amelia and I take pictures of ourselves when we are bored. She thinks it's super fun. This is one of the few 'not so silly' pictures

my everything

When I was younger I remember my parents taking my sisters and I to Little Crater Lake. I remembered that it was incredibly beautiful, clear and blue but I hadn't been back since then. I really wanted to stop on our way home so we made a little detour to check it out. Just as I had remembered... pretty amazing. The small lake is 45 feet deep and as clear as can be. You can toss a rock in and watch it fall all the way to the bottom. The water is 34 degrees chilly and as bright blue as I had recalled.

I'm so glad we stopped

On our way home

I love camping and can't wait to head up there again for our family reunion/my Grandma's 90th birthday party at the end of the month. Maybe we will find some new sights to see.

Ashley Elizabeth

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High Five For Friday

Posted by Ashley Elizabeth August 02, 2013

I haven't done a High Five For Friday post for quite a few weeks. Linking up today with Lauren at The Lauren Elizabeth for H54F before my little family and I head out of town for the weekend.

1. My best friend Carrie got married Saturday at Honeyman State Park. It was a beautiful day! I'm so glad Amelia and I were able to be there.

2. Amelia and I at lunch in Molalla this week.

3. The blanket I'm working on. I still have to put the back on it, but I am so happy with how it is turning out for just being a few scraps from my mom's fabric bin.

4. The Oregon weather cooled down a little this week, and I LOVED it! I am a true Oregonian. I like the warm weather, but the cool days are so nice.

5. Amelia made a tent in our living room this week. It was fun to watch her play under there.

Ashley Elizabeth

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Hershey's Kiss Cookies

Posted by Ashley Elizabeth July 30, 2013

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

Posted by Ashley Elizabeth July 29, 2013

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

Posted by Ashley Elizabeth July 28, 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!