Cake Balls...okay I did it!

Okay, so I finally tried to make cake balls.  Lauren told me that she cried the first time she made them, she was so frustrated.  As much as we bake, I could not imagine them being very hard to do...so the fun began.


Cake Balls

Bake a cake according to directions on the BOX :)  Any flavor you desire.
While the cake is warm, fold in, one can of bought icing... Any flavor you desire.
I used the Funfetti cake mix and icing. 
After mixing, refrigerate 2 hours.
Roll in small balls.  Freeze at least 6 hours.
Remove from freezer, melt white chocolate in the microwave according to directions on package.
Dip each ball in the mixture, let dry on parchment or wax paper and decorate as desired.

Wah lah, here they are!  :)  I am not sure I really know how to dip these lil' stubborn things, but I will learn...

Peacock Blue...

This is an old pic of the family room, with valances and blinds...

I am in Love with Peacock Blue.  I went to Pier 1 Imports and purchased
these curtains, took down the valances and blinds, and wah lah...
Not the best pics but it gives you the idea of a "change"... :)

Date Loaf Candy...

I love to bake this time of year...you may see more sweets posted!

Date Loaf Candy is a family Tradition

1 cup white sugar

2 cups brown sugar

1 stick butter

1 cup evaporated milk,

Combine in saucepan, cook over medium heat till candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees.  Don't let the thermometer skare you, this is so easy!

Remove from heat and add 1 cup chopped pecans, and 1 cup of chopped dates.  ( I use the Dole dates, already chopped, resealable bag).

Stir, stir, stir, I wait till it thickens just a tad, then I use a cookie scoop and spoon onto big trays lined with parchment paper.  Let cool, and then transfer to a cookie tin.  This candy is devine, even more devine with coffee!  Oh my, I must go grab a piece.

Turkey Humor...

I would love to see my family's face if I did this! :) 

Big Plans...

D L Moody,
"If God is your partner, make BIG plans."

I heard this quote today after reading Proverbs 16:3, one of my favorite verses.
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
   and your plans will succeed."

I pondered on this today as I received news in my business that I was not the "chosen" Realtor.  Yes, I had sought after this client, but I also knew, that I had prayed for God's will in this situation.  As I read the email today, I was at peace.  God truly is my partner, how can I fail?  So, once again, in reading the Bible this morning, about committing all to God, and then listening and retaining what I hear  preached, I was totally "okay".  We have to remember, do our best, and leave the rest to God.  Hey, he is bigger, he is better, He is God.  From the beginning, what beginning?  we cannot comprehend, the "beginning", but HE  was, and will always be.  I think I am getting off the subject, but I was listening to James MacDonald this week talking about how vast the universe is, quoting what scientist believe, concering size, galaxies, vastNESS...if that is a word?  I woke up yesterday morning thinking about the  EARTH, just dangling out in space, I am just a DOT (.), yet, God ordained me from the "beginning".  There we are again, the "beginning".  If you go there in your mind, how can you not believe there is a GOD?  I bet when D L Moody, said, make BIG plans, could he have possibly been thinking about how BIG our God is, how BIG our universe is? How nothing is impossible with God? Hmmm, just sayin'.......

Deep thoughts, more deep thoughts, I am still pondering tonight...

903 Joel Drive, Tyler, TX 75703...

New Listing...
903 Joel Drive, Tyler, TX 75703  MLS # 10016479  $139,900
Click below for the virtual tour !

 http://vu.realbiz360.com/Listing-880689.html

Pecan Pie Mini Muffins...

This pic courtesy of the internet, I forgot to take one...

My mother's friend Eugenia made these mini muffins, oh my, they taste just like pecan pie.  Talk about portion control, :)

Pecan Pie Mini Muffins

Combine 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 t baking powder, and 1/4 t salt.  Stir together 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 large eggs lightly beaten and 1 t vanilla.

Add to dry ingredients. Stir till moistened.

Spray mini muffin pans with "Baker's Joy + Flour".  Fill 1/2-2/3 full. 

Bake at 350 until toothpick comes out clean.

(A Southern Living Recipe)

Surely Says...Texas Real Estate Update...

For those of you who do not receive my monthly real estate postcard, here are the stats
on  November 2011  card.
Single Family Residential MLS Home Stats
2011 YTD SOLD Stats
$0-$100K          323     22%
$100-$200K      753     52%
$200-$300K      236     16%
$300-$500K      116      8%
$500K +             27       2%

10  Month Current Supply of Properties on the market.
Avg Price Sold           $172,041
Median Price Sold     $144,500

Keeping you informed!

Easy Gingerbread cookies...

In medium bowl, pour one Gingerbread mix, 2 T melted butter and 1/4 cup hot water.
Stir till moistened.
Preheat oven to 350.  I roll 1/2 t dough in a ball and roll in sugar.  I can fit around 60 cookies on a
large cookie sheet.  I then slightly flatten with a glass dipped in sugar (do so, so slightly)...
Bake for around 8 minutes.

I eat a handful of  these cookies everytime I pass  them.  I love ginger!
Enjoy!

Cake in a Jar...

Bake Red Velvet Cupcakes, Cool on rack.

I bought 1/2 pint jars...

Cut each cupcake in half...

Put bottom half of cupcake in each jar...

Pipe icing on top of cupcake...

Put top of cupcake on icing, mash down slightly...

Pipe icing on top and sprnkle or decorate to your liking...

Side view... screw on  lids...

Tie ribbon around each jar, insert plastic spoon...

Another view...

And another ...

Single view...

I printed labels for Lisa's 50th Birthday Party...

These are so cute and so yummy!
I first saw these on Pinterest!

It's not IF, it's WHEN...

We are studying James right now in Sunday School.  I have pondered on these thoughts today, 

James 1:2-3 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

In talking about trials, Jim quoted "It's not IF, it's WHEN"... of course, my mind went immediately to termites, yes termites.  That is what I tell clients, "it's not if, it's when"....I know, I know, I just got you completely off the subject, but I am still human, real estate does take over part of my personality.... to say the least... :)

Anyway, God did not say maybe, he said "whenever"  which means when, which means, trials are going to come into your life, (surely-no doubt).  I am in the midst of a trial right now.  So if I truly believe in God's Holy Word, then I surely know that my faith is being tested and that I AM going to develop perseverance. I often tell others, God's grace is sufficient for each day.  I can truly testify to his sufficiency.  He is sufficient TODAY, in the present, in the moment, right now, right this very minute!  Why do I worry?  Live Today, don't doubt tomorrow, don't relive the past, just today!  Trials bring us closer to God, temptations take us away from God.  Which do I want?  I will take trials, hands up!

Okay, a little humor, "it's not IF, it's WHEN"!  I am ready for some turkey!  Sick humor, I know!

Desktop background...

I love setting my desktop backgrounds with favorite pics.   Just right click on your mouse and select "set as background"... wah...la... :)

Licked...ugh...

I know I posted this pic a few days ago, BUT, oh my, this tongue,

I picked Layton up from daycare today.  I told him we needed to go get the car washed.  We pulled into the car wash on Broadway and Grande, and Layton loved walking down the hallway watching the car move along the track.  He could not figure out,  how it was driving by itself. :)  Anyway, I went and sat down in the waiting area and he walked over to the doors leading outside and just stood there watching the men drying the cars.  I looked up and he had his "tongue" on the plate glass door, going back and forth, back and forth.....on that, omg, dirty, germ infested, licked, nasty, God forbidden door.  I almost had a silent coronary... I patiently, removed him from the situation and told him he might really, really, really get sick from that lick.  I have to laugh now!

Lauren if you are reading this, so sorry... yuck, gross, omg, yuck!  I suppose he will survive.  If I had had a bottle of windex, I would have sprayed him!  (get it?, Big Fat Greek Wedding movie, the father sprayed everyone and thing with windex, a cure all).

Love this little rugrat though!
Muahhhh......