Food Tribute to Great-Grandpa Sucher

So, my great-grandpa was an excellent cook! Oh, and he made a mean sugar cookie. Now--the recipe has been passed down through the Sucher family and made it my way this week. I called my mom for the recipe, and I think my dad was more excited to pass it on. "Oh, we are going to have to have your mother get out Great-Grandpa Sucher's recipe," he said. "He was a great cook." We Sucher's are proud of our fine German heritage and family members.

Last night I went to work on the recipe, after being warned by Mom that it was a little time consuming. Boy, the non-baker in me really felt overwhelmed at first, but I was very happy when I tasted the final result. (Just like when Mom and Grandma made them!) Needless to say, my kitchen looked like it was hit by a tornado--and I looked like I barely walked away from a duel with a bag of flour. (Note to all: I am a baking novice, but I have dreams of someday being a cupcake/baked goods queen. Watch out, world!)

One last note: I have to admit that I felt like I was paying a culinary tribute to my great-grandfather last night. I am sure Dane thought I was being ridiculous, but I really thought a lot about my family while I slaved away on the treats. It was a moving experience. (Is it weird to have a bit of a spiritual experience in the kitchen?)



I am feeling bold and gracious--so here is the recipe for some perfect sugar cookies--really fluffy ones!

Great Grandpa Sucher's Sugar Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Mix the following ingredients well:
2 cups sugar (if you like them really sweet, add a bit more sugar)
1 cup butter
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
enough flour to make the mixture a soft, rollable dough (this was the hardest for me to determine personally)

Roll out the dough and cut out cookies. (I recommend keeping the dough fairly thick because I love thick, fluffy cookies.) I baked the cookies in the oven for ten minutes, and each batch came out perfectly. Top the cookies with your favorite cream cheese frosting.

(If anyone decides to try this out, I hope you love them as much as I do!)

Giveaway, Not By Me

So, I am posting about a giveaway on Jess's blog in order to get an extra entry in for "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies." I am telling ya, I have wanted to buy this book for the last several months, but I keep getting other books instead. There are just so many options out there! Anyway, I just won a book off of the Goodreads website, so I am feeling so good about my chances in this drawing.

Now, I am posting to be polite and to get the extra entry, but don't go thinking that you should enter--you will be decreasing my chances! Ahh! Anyway, I will keep you posted (only if I win!)

Tender Mercies

Right now I am in Boise and my bff Dane is back in Pocatello holding down the fort. I have left Dane home while I ventured off for work, weddings, family visits, etc., and never--no, not even once--have I cried. Now, of course I missed him--don't go thinking I didn't.

Well, this week I left Sunday night for a week of work in Boise and McCall. I knew it would be a great experience, but I couldn't quite get myself to leave, until the very last moment. I started crying when Dane packed everything into the car and couldn't stop for about the first twenty minutes of driving. I missed him terribly--it was cute, really--but it was pretty pathetic. I am a grown woman, for Pete's sake.

I had a rough start, but the week just smoothed right out. It has been full of some blessings--small ones from hearing a song that I just love to big ones like safe travels and good work experiences. Though I have been a bit of a baby this time around, I sure do know that I have wonderful friends and family members who take great care of me. I have been blessed by the graciousness of others during this trip and have made some wonderful memories. How I hope to be like my friend Kayla, who provided great homemade food (it was heaven)and conversation. And someday I will be as good to others as my Uncle Mike and Aunt Becky are. They make me feel like one of the most special person around. I am proud to claim them!

I still miss Dane, but good friends, busy work, and plenty of homework are helping the time pass quickly. I really do believe that the little things in life make the biggest difference. I hope I can capitalize a bit more on the small things and really pay attention to them! Heavenly Father watches out for us and proves time and time again that He loves us unconditionally, perfectly! I just have to pay attention to all of the little details, and I can't help but know that there is a God out there, who loves us enough to show us all the time!

Alex, Come Home!

So, there is some work being done around the apartments on the roof of the building (it was in need of some major work). Well, the fabulous roof workers are busy finishing up the roof, but they did forget one important fix--our dish! (It has been disconnected for over a week now). Now, I am really, well almost really, enjoying the lack of television, because it directly correlates with some positive results. Take these examples:

A. My time for reading has increased positively
B. My excuses for laziness have decreased significantly (fewer distractions, I guess)
C. My home is a tinge cleaner and dishes have managed to stay done
D. I have managed to find a ton of time for homework (which I have surprisingly LOVED)
E. Our list of recorded movies has shortened as movie-viewing has increased somewhat

Now, I noted that I have ALMOST enjoyed the lack of television. I offer my one sadness....the absence Alex Trebec from our life!




*Photo courtesy of sexymustaches.com (What a website, wouldn't you say?!)

Dane and I watch "Jeopardy" every weeknight together, our own little Battle of the Sexes. Without this show, our knowledge base and competitiveness have both decreased! Alex, come home!

A Good Little Break

The holidays are fabulous...spending time with family, thinking about what is really important, counting your blessings. It is a refreshing time, and I really wouldn't mind celebrating holidays all year around. (I say that especially as I returned to the office today!)

Instead of giving you a recap of everything, I thought I would just say that Dane and I enjoyed the time we were able to spend with our family and friends. We had plenty of comfortable spend-overs, plenty of fabulous food, and had plenty of laughs. Gratitude for our family members continues to grow and grow!

I must admit that there really isn't anything better than this though...



A night at home in your very own bed!

Though I wish the holidays would last the whole year, I am very happy to spend a few nights at my own home and am very ready to get back into a groove.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

And this is what I found...

I came home from work one day last week, and this is what I found....

























Dane had finished his Christmas shopping, had wrapped all the presents he purchased, and was making Christmas treats for our friends when I walked in the door. (We made a ton and accidentally ate most of them before they could be delivered--good intentions, right!?)

Someone was really feeling the Christmas spirit last Thursday.

We, here at the B. Household, hope everyone has a great holiday! We hope you enjoy the time you spend with your families, the kind words exchanged, and the beautiful winter weather. We hope that the true Spirit of Christmas is easily found! We love you all and wish you a safe and merry and blessed Christmas!

A Late Introduction

I can't believe that I have waited so long to introduce everyone to our third family member! So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to.... (dun, dun, dun-dun)

HAROLD (picture soon to follow in the post)

We are so proud of Harold, our real-life ficus tree. He is strong, needs very little water, still has his leaves even though we were told he should be "bald" by now, and produces some much-needed oxygen in our home. What a wonder this little guys is!

For Christmas the last couple of years, we have sported a very large, but very sweet loan-er Christmas tree courtesy of Aunt Jeanie. We thought we would simplify a bit with a tree that doesn't occupy 2/3 of our living room. So--what could be better that dressing up Harold with a little bling--his very own. (Am I sounding ridiculous right now?!)

So, here he is, in all of his glittery, glowing glory! He really is our Christmas tree (this fact threw my Grandma Bonnie into a bit of a loop, I think)! I hope you like him as much as we do!





Of course, I wanted to add a few close-ups of our handsome man!