White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the holidays. We sure are! We are keeping it simple and Homespun here a Star Cottage, by making the majority of our gifts this year. So needless to say, we've been quite busy.

I posted Pictures on Facebook a couple of days ago, of The Girls and I, making White Chocolate Peppermint Bark. One of my favorite things to make. And due to the overwhelming number of phone calls and e-mails asking me for the recipe etc. I decided to just post the recipe Here. It is so easy to make and its a really fun project for kids ;) It's always a hit at parties. It Makes for great chrismas gifts for friends, family, teachers, neighbors, etc. I Hope you all enjoy the recipe and have a fabulous Christmas Season with your families.  And don't forget Jesus is the Reason! ;)

God Bless, Molly

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
You will need about 2 1/2 lbs of White Chocolate Wafers, the kind you make molded candies with.
And 1 full cup of crushed peppermint candies, (Put candies in ziplock bags and let the Kids go to town hitting it with a wooden spoon, ladle, etc.)
Melt the chocolate it in a double boiler. Then stir in 3/4 cups of the crushed peppermint candies and mix well (save a quarter cup of the candy bits to sprinkle on top when you are done)
using a rubber spatula, spread the chocolate mixture onto a waxpaper lined cookie sheet (the bigger the cookie sheet, the thinner the bark and vice-versa) Then to finish it off, Sprinkle with the leftover candy bits to make it pretty ;)
Let it cool over night (Hide it from the midnightsnacking Hubby) and then break it into bits in the morning.

*Variations*
You can switch out the peppermint for crushed lemon candies instead, and it's amazing! Or use Dark Chocolate and Crushed Almonds or Craisins etc. Have fun expirimenting with different kinds of Chocolate and crushed goodies.

Somebody's sad because she didn't want to share the candies with anyone ;(

Then Edy the Sweetie got happy, when she found out she got to crush them to bits ;) 

Lily lou lou Checking her Progress ;)

My 3 Little Monkeys

Last fall just around the time that I found out that I was expecting baby #3, I started searching for something special that I could make for the girls and the new baby, and while visiting one of my favorite crafty blogs I stumbled upon the most adorable and free pattern on mmmcrafts for "Molly Monkeys" . It was the perfect gift. The pattern was very easy to follow. Finding the time to work on them, however, proved to be quite difficult! But I managed to finish them just in time for Chloe's arrival ;)

I made them with the leftover material from the quilt I am also making for the girls.

Click here to see it.Their eyes match my girls eyes ;)I think these monkeys are up to something! My 3 little monkeys, just love their Molly Monkeys ;) Thank you Larissa for sharing your creative genius, and for helping to make 3 little girls very happy!

The Birth of Chloe (our little "Pearl")

(one day old)

I went in to the city for another ultra sound Monday, hoping my placenta had moved so I wouldn't need a c-section. It was partially blocking my cervix throughout my pregnancy and they wanted to check it out one last time before I went into labor. I was really set on having a homebirth so when my midwife mentioned the possibility of a c-section I was a little freaked out. We had been praying it would move, and indeed it did. Praise the Lord. But, while I was there, they discovered that my amniotic fluid was very low, so they had me stay for a non-stress test to make sure Chloe was doing okay. Boy I was anxious and sick to my stomach worried about her. Praise God, they said she was fine, but they wanted me to come into the city again in 3 days for another non-stress test and try to induce me the following Monday. Yuck. So I asked the doctor @ the hosp what he thought about me getting things going on my own, because I didn't want to be induced and I really wanted a drug free birth. And he said go ahead and try to make it happen. You've got the OK from me. So I spoke with my midwife and tried every home remedy in the book all in one day. One of them was bound to work, right?! Pineapple, Black Cohosh, Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, Balsamic Vinegar, & the dreaded Castor Oil, You name it I did it. And I also mowed the lawn, scrubbed floors, and climbed stairs over and over again & walked around the neighborhood. Then I fell asleep exhausted from all my efforts, and a little disappointed that nothing had happened and thinking I'd better just prepare myself to be induced on Monday. Then sure enough, by midnight I was waking Kevin up with contractions. So we walked around the neighborhood again, to keep them going. And @ 5 in the morning I called my midwife and she met us in the city. When I got there I was hooked up to the monitor briefly to check and make sure everything was okay and she checked to see how much I had dilated. I was a 3. Then they unhooked me and sent me on my way to the beautiful courtyard to walk around. I also spent some time on my birthing ball. Then around 10:00 am My midwife checked me again and decided to break my water, as it never seems to break on it's own. Then I headed back out to the courtyard. Soon enough, the contractions became too intense to walk, so Kevin got the Jacuzzi going in my room and I hopped in. It was amazing without the drugs, I was so much more aware of what my body was doing. In previous deliveries with drugs I still felt pain, horrible pain, but it was generalized and I had no Idea what my body was doing, and the labors were long and drawn out. But this time I swear I felt myself dilating. I couldn't hear the radio in the bathroom, so Kevin was singing to me while I was in the tub to get my mind off of the pain, and I tried my best to sing along. Soon I felt ready to deliver and climbed up onto the bed (NOT laying on my back) and asked my midwife to check me. I knew I was close, I was a 9. So I grabbed Kevin's Strong Hand and got ready to push while he rubbed my back with the other hand, and looked into my eyes. ( He is so romantical) I began to ask the Lord for help as the pain intensified and then my favorite song (Lead Me-Sanctus Real) came on the radio. It was awesome, I really felt the Lord was with me. And within a couple of seconds and a few pushes, Chloe was here, happy, healthy and Beautiful. I am very pleased with how everything went. My Hubby was incredible, my midwife was awesome and all the staff, were super sweet and supportive and really seemed to love their jobs. My midwife said that Kevin was a great coach and other nurses said they were jealous, cause he is such a wonderful and supportive man and really handsome to boot. I am incredibly blessed!

As usual, God's plan was better than my own ;)

Our Little Pearl has Arrived!

(one day old)

Chloe Evangeline

Born~6-30-10 @ 12:12 pm

Weight~7 lbs 10 oz

Length~ 20.5 in

Flower Girl

Lily's Sunday school teachers, Alan and Maureen (Lily just adores them) got married this weekend and Lily had the honor of being their flower girl. She was so excited and nervous, but she did a fabulous job and had lots of fun ;)
I had a good view of the ceremony, but I was sitting in the third row behind lots of tall people, so all the photos had peoples arms and heads in the way. Ugg! I am hoping to get some good copies from them when they get back from their honeymoon in Isreal.

Photos

I have no Idea what to write about, not for lack of action, but rather for too much. Life has been a whirlwind lately. I am just hoping it slows down in time for Chloe to be born. Ahhhhh! I've still
been taking lots of pictures in hopes to be able to document what's going on in our lives, and fill in the blanks on the blog when I get a chance, but just the thought of finding the time to sit down and write about it all has been overwhelming. Not to mention all the projects we've been doing, one of wich is organizing all of our old photos. I've been trying to scan and make back up files and create albums and fill frames, I can't believe Lily will be five this fall and I only have one photo album finished. I need to get crackin'! My mom kept all our photos in boxes under her bed, and I swore I would never do that. And guess what, it's already happening to me, and I'm trying to fix it.

Surprise Baby Shower

My Friends Michele and Karen are so thoughtful, and threw me a surprise baby shower for my "little pearl" Chloe this weekend. Kevin was in on it too! I can't believe they all kept a secret for so long. I was completely surprised, especially being that I am having my third little girl and didn't really need too much for her arrival. Even so, It was such a blessing and so much fun to have a relaxing afternoon with friends and delicious food. I am so thankful to have such great women in my life ;)

Kevin's Recovery

Thanks so much for the encouraging comments and prayers. Kevin's hernia surgery went very well. He still has some discomfort, but all in all, he is doing great and the doctor said he's healing well. He went back to work last Thursday, earlier than expected, so that was good. Though I have to admit, I enjoyed having Kevin home, and so did the girls. My folks drove out from Maine, a few days before his surgery, so they could watch the girls for us while we drove down to NYC with Grampa Gary. Grampa did all the driving and let us sleep. He is such a wonderful man. The girls usually come along to NYC for Kevin's tests and quarterly check ups, and they do incredibly well, but being that this was a more serious visit and we had the possibility of staying more than one night in the city, not to mention Kevin has had to take time off from work to make the 6hr trip to NYC 4 times since January, so needless to say, we were happy to take my parents up on the offer to spend time with the grand daughters. We missed the little munchkins like crazy though and talked about them the whole trip. When we got back home, my folks stayed a few extra days to help out even more. It was a really nice and relaxing visit. My mom took over the house, everything, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, And Oh My, can that woman cook! That might annoy some people, having the mother/mother in law take over, but for us, It was a nice break. All I had to do was take care of Kevin and the girls, and Kevin's job was to get better. It was like staying at a Bed and Breakfast, with nicely made turned down beds and everything. Kevin actually asked Gamma if they wanted to stay longer, hoping they would, but alas, they had to leave the Sunday after his operation ;( We are both so thankful for their company and all they had done to really bless us. They also helped us on a few projects around the house and yard (as Kevin shouldn't really be doing any handyman stuff and I'm getting huge!) My dad started building me a small pantry/canning closet in the kitchen, while he was here. I'm so excited! More on that later though.

We are so blessed by all of our parents and the sacrifices they continue to make for us.

Thank you Gamma & Pappa & Grampa Gary ;) We love you all so very much!

One night while daddy was home recovering, we roasted marshmallows and made smores in the back yard. It was a nice treat ;)

Scrappy Decoupage Pots & Pom Pom Bunnies

My mom (aka~Gamma) is so crafty and has so many ideas from doing childcare and running a certified preschool program for over 20 years. She came out for a visit a few weeks ago and made some pom pom bunnies and decorated these pots with the girls to celebrate spring, using leftover fabric from the quilt I've been working on. How I wish we all lived closer. My mom, my sister, my girls and I, would have so much fun crafting together all the time.
Eden's Bunny is MIA around the house somewhere. She wanted to sleep with it, and now it's gone. I'm just hoping Hailey our pooch didn't eat it.

Eden Elizabeth ( My Little Ruby)

I love both my girls so dearly. They are so very different and special to me. I am eager to see what our "little pearl" Chloe will be like when she arrives.

As for Eden, My oh my, this girl is quite the character! She has been happy and silly ever since she was born, always making everyone laugh. We knew she was going to be a joyful handful, she just had that look in her eye from the start. She never sat still and was always into things. Before she could walk, she was climbing the bookcases in the living room, and a week after she turned one, she climbed out of her crib. She only slept in it at nap time anyways, but it still made me nervous, so that day I took the crib apart and put a twin mattress on the floor so she wouldn't hurt herself, only to have her climb the gate and get out of her room. She even figured out the child safety locks. If it's quiet in the house, you know she's up to some mischief. She definitely keeps me on my toes. And getting her to sit still for a picture is a dificult feat. I was very blessed to get a couple of serious pictures before she started to act silly and try to make mommy laugh.

Princess Lily Belle and her Faithful Companions ;)

 

Silly Lily lou lou ;)

My silly Lily lou lou, what am I going to do with you? ;)

Lily walked into the kitchen this morning, wearing a lampshade on her head, and giggling like crazy. There is always some sort of silliness happening here at Star Cottage.

Painting @ the Picnic Table

I am so happy spring is here and we can enjoy more time outside as a family. I love to serve the Girls lunch and do crafts with them outside on the picnic table. Clean up is easy and it saves my kitchen from becoming a disaster area. Today we had some fun painting with Daddy. Lily chose to paint mostly letters and numbers and stayed very clean. Mommy and Daddy painted landscapes, While Eden did more "free spirited paintings" and got covered from head to toe ;)

Happy Saint Patrick's Day ;)

Thanks for the St. Patty's Day Sweaters & Rainbow Necklaces Gamma!

Here is the photo shoot I promised. Sorry it took so long. We miss you ;)
 <3 Little Lily Lou Lou & Edy the Sweety!

This one is my favorite ;)