cake batter bark

So, even though this was delicious, I was disappointed because it did not taste like cake batter at all. I even put in twice as much cake mix as the recipe told me to. But it just tasted like milk and white chocolate with sprinkles. It is really pretty, though!

subway art

I've come across this blog which I adore.
It's called Craftily Ever After.
And it is so fun.

Often, there will be a free Holiday print out that I've started to love. I keep a picture frame in my living room to fill with the most recent installment of someone else's creativity.

Here is the Valentine's Day version, which I am anxious to put up!

your laugh for the day

music

Without music life would be a mistake.  ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.  ~Gustav Mahler

Music is the universal language of mankind.  ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Here is one of my favorite songs, Zigeunerweisen by Sarasate. My favorite part of the song starts at 5:25.

garden plans

Mr. Webb and I have planted a garden for the past two years, and have loved it both years. We've had successes, and we've had disasters. But we are planning on a garden again this year, and I've been a little excited about planning what I want to try this year.

This year, we're going to grow a few things we grew last year. Like cherry tomatoes, large tomatoes, green peppers, anaheim chiles, jalapenos, and peas.

We're also going to try a few new things. Maybe some carrots (tried last year and failed), some green onions, a lemon cucumber (tried two years in a row and failed), basil, spaghetti squash, and garlic.

Mr. Webb also spent some time this past fall digging up our flower patch and burying more tulip bulbs than you'd imagine. So hopefully in a few months, we'll have tulips out our ears! I can wait to see the gorgeous flowers and eat my yummy produce!

my to do list

Every year in January, I get inspired to set goals and try being a better person all over again. Usually I don't last long on my keeping my goals, but I always try. I try at other times during the year, too, but obviously January inspires me more than most other months.

Although the new year has only been around for 10 days, I've already been doing pretty well with my goals this year! I made dinner every day last week, and Mr. Webb and I have only missed one night of scripture reading so far!

One of my bigger goals was to trying new things. Whether it be recipes, crafts, or games, I just want to be more open to trying things.

Mrs. Mordecai over at Be It Ever So Humble wrote a post yesterday about creating things, and made a list of things she has already created this year. So I thought that since I'd been looking around for new things to do, I'd make a list of things I want to create. Here are a few of the things I want to try out this year:

1. Sew a Purse - I bought the pattern and fabric last year when I purchased the fabric for this no-sew purse, but I haven't made it yet. My mom said she'd help me out, so hopefully in a week or two it will be done.
2. Cake Batter Bark - I love cake, but cake batter is super delicious, and something I've missed immensely since I've been pregnant. So this recipe is definitely something I'll be trying soon!
3. Cupcake Stands - I shouldn't have to tell you about my cupcake obsession. I love them. The end. But if I can make four or five of these cute stands, then the pictures of my cupcakes might look more professional. Maybe.
4. Greeting Cards - Making cards is something I've done for quite awhile. I've always loved to make them. Birthday cards, usually. But last year I don't think I sent out more than 2 cards. So this year I'm hoping to get back into the groove of making and mailing everyone birthday cards. Let me know if you want one. :)
5. My Own Recipe - I like to cook, but I am a strict recipe follower. Except with chicken. If it's chicken, I just through some seasonings in a bag, shake and coat the chicken, and plop it in the oven. But I want to make up at least 2 of my own recipes this year. We'll see how that goes.
6. Butterbeer Cupcakes - As an avid Harry Potter fan, I don't feel the need to explain why I want to make these.

I'm sure I'll add more to the list as the year progresses, but for now, I think that's a good start!

chocolate cupcakes with caramel glaze

I haven't made cupcakes in quite awhile, so when my coworker reminded me that it was my boss's birthday, I was very excited to make cupcakes! She wanted either chocolate or lemon cupcakes, and since I already had the ingredients for chocolate, I went with that. I looked up a caramel frosting, but it turned out really runny. So I just decided to use it as a glaze! And it was deeeeeelicious!

pregnancy ups and downs

A few people have asked me if I'm going to write a post about how my pregnancy has been going, so this is me writing a post about how my pregnancy has been going.

 baby's face

 baby's feet - my favorite part of the ultrasound

baby's bum and legs - it's a girl!

I'm almost 2/3 done with my pregnancy! Yesterday I hit my 23 week mark. So basically...I haven't really recorded my experiences anywhere. No journaling or anything. I'm so bad! But I'll put a few things down here for now.

My first 3 months were better than most people get to experience. I only had morning sickness for a few days. It didn't last long, because I figured out very quickly that I only got sick when I didn't eat. So really, I never actually threw up! Just a few dry heaves. Gross. That was too much information. Sorry. So, other than that, it was pretty awesome.

Pregnancy Downers:

• head and back aches
• being hungry ALL the time
• the awkwardness of clothes being either too big or too small, but never actually fitting
• never being able to get enough sleep to feel not sleepy when I wake up
• not getting to eat cookie dough or cake batter or runny eggs

Pregnancy Ups:

• being able to eat food ALL the time and not feel guilty
• not being too sick like most people have to be when they're pregnant
• craving healthy foods instead of junky foods
• having a baby inside of me. that moves around
• almost getting back to my pre-marriage weight in my first trimester

the christmas season

Firstly, and most important, we found out on Dec. 15th that we're having a baby girl! If you didn't know we were having a baby...well...now you do! She'll be arriving sometime around May 4th. Meet our little baby!

A little bit before Christmas, we got a LOT of snow. Sure, it almost completely melted the next day, but it was so fun! Plus, we have an amazing family who helped us shovel out.

We had a great Christmas! Our cat, Molly, had lots of fun with the wrapping paper! Mr. Webb and I woke up early to do our own Christmas, then we drove over to his family's house and had Christmas breakfast and gifts with them. When we were done there, we went to my family's house, had a second breakfast, and opened gifts with them.

I'll try to be better at blogging, but I make no promises!