Zander Mans Birthday

Happy Birthday Z man!

We had lots of fun at Zanders birthday party, we finally got the pool filled just in time, they were doing the last load of water as people were driving up! So now we can cool down this summer, it has been soooo hot this year its usually not this hot until September!

We have a bunch more fun things coming up this summer, like Justins brother and kids are coming for a week so lots of fun family get together, Annalyse's baptism and birthdays like crazy! Busy busy summer!

Fishing

Saturday Justin's work had a catch and release fishing day. They have this huge man made lake that they stock, so it was easy for the kids to catch stuff, which makes it real fun for them!

Waiting......
Zander got the first one! Just a little perch though.

And the big catch of the day goes to Annalyse with a 15inch bass! You go girl! I just wished we could have taken him home and fried him up! MMmmmm....

I would have gotten a closer picture but I was trying to keep Madden from jumping in the lake!!!

Lots of summer fun! And we have lots more coming up!

Monster Cookies

Another recipe I have been promising to post!
This one is cool because it has no flour, just lots of oatmeal! And super yummy, I will actually eat one or two of these :)

Oatmeal Peanut butter Cookies
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups m&m's, or chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl beat the peanut butter and butter with an electric mixer on med. speed for 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar, regular sugar, baking powder, and baking soda; beat until combined. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined. Stir in the rolled oats. Stir in the m&m's or chocolate chips.
Drop by spoonful(or use cookie scoop, way faster and every one is the same size) onto a cookie sheet bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. cool one minute on cookie sheet.

Strawberry Ice cream

I know! I know! I've been slaking with the posts! And people have been waiting for this recipe so I am putting it up before the summer passes me by!
This is by far the best strawberry ice cream-EVER! Cream and sugar, how can you go wrong!

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream
2 cups hulled and halved strawberries(about 12oz)
3/4 cup sugar
Ice water
1 pint half and half (I use cream :)
2 large egg yolks

Now I just mix everything but the strawberries in a bowl for about 5 minutes and then dump everything in the ice cream mixer, because I use farm eggs from a friend who has chickens, so I know where the eggs come from and what they are being fed. But for those of you who want to cook it here is the rest of the recipe.

In a med. glass or stainless bowl, combine the strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar; mash with a fork. Set the bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice water.
In a med. saucepan, bring the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and the half and half to a simmer, stirring occasionally. In a heat proof bowl, whisk the egg yolks, then gradually whisk in about half of the cream mixture. Poor the mixture into the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, over med. heat until steaming and frothy, about 3 minutes.
Strain the custard into the bowl of strawberries. let stand, whisking occasionally, until cool.
using an ice cream maker, process the cool custard according the the manufacturers instructions.