Happy cake... Gum drops bring smiles!

Gum drops.....

bring smiles.... and feed your inner kid!!!

This was such a yummy photo that I had to blog about it twice (to see the other blog go to http://www.liveitupalittle.blogspot.com/). I was shopping the other day and could not resist the colors in the candy aisle. The gum drops (actually these ones were called spice drops) just called my name. I grabbed two packages, then found myself in the baking section. A white cake (with pudding in the mix) and white frosting in a can (actually, two cans.... white with whip cream is what the package said) would accompany the cute little gum drops. I baked the cake. Cooled it. Frosted it. Arranged the candy on the top and sides. Then I refrigerated it... after I swiped some frosting and a few candies off the side. This might be the happiest cake I've ever made. Well, maybe the cake wasn't actually happy... but it made me happy! It was a tie between this one and the rainbow cake on the Whatever blog (you will find the recipe at http://www.megduerksen.typepad.com/). I do have to say though... my cake took only minutes to make (minus the baking and cooling). Next time you are in the candy section of your favorite grocery store.... grab a bag or two of something you remember from your childhood and top a cake with it. I dare you! For the record I might try the Swedish Fish next time. After all I am part Swedish.... and my kids love those red fish... and our last name is Fisher.

What a fabulous idea!
- Tracy

cutest purse

Love it.... love it.... love it!!!!..... Thanks, mom

My new Emilie Sloan purse...

(and behind it you will see my new outdoor candles given to me by G, S, T & A.... love them!)

I went to lunch with my mom yesterday. I am missing my family and needed a pick-me-up. Out of all the yummy restaurants in our town we chose Subway. I love their BLT (with white cheese) on honey oat bread. Throw in some Bakes Lays and a Diet Coke.... and I am in heaven! Afterwards we happened to stop by this fabulous outdoor shopping center called
UpTown (http://www.uptowngigharbor.com/). She needed to pick up something and I was having a nice time with her. Why not extend my day... shhh... don't tell anyone I wasn't painting (we all need breaks). The owner of the center happened to be walking by. And of course she is my mom's friend. She let us take a peek at a new store called Bella (http://www.bellakitchenessentials.com/). Wow!!!! Love it!!!!! There was the CUTEST purse inside. I wanted it sooo bad. But I promised the kids I would refrain from buying things until after our Mexico mission trip. You know what happened next? It was the best part of the day. My mom bought it for me. Thanks, mom! The colors make me think of summer. And you can just wipe it off. It is made out of oil cloth (I believe that is what it is called). A purse my kids can touch and can be near my paints.... can you think of anything better? Bella Kitchen Essentials officially opens this Thursday. Go check it out.... It's in Gig Harbor, WA. And by the way, Gigi (my mom) bought the kids something there too. I will blog about it later this week. And I do have to say that once you hear about the kids item, your kids will make you go out and get them one that very same day. Seriously.
Happy Tuesday to you all!!!
-Tracy

My kids' favorite pot roast recipe

Pot roast.... mom used to make it... grandma used to make it.... I remember is was something they got out of the oven on a cold, winter night and carved it up at the Sunday table.

Well, times have changed...

This recipe is one I serve all year round. It only takes 3 ingredients; and about 1 minute to prepare. It does take 8-9 hours to cook... but that's the beauty of it....

This morning I took the kids to school, went to the grocery store, made the pot roast, set it aside.... now I can get to my painting, then get the kids from school, take them to their practices (acting and sports)... then be home by 8pm to a home that smells soooo good when I walk in. The ingredients are a little unusual. But, trust me.... your kids will sing your praises. And your husbands will think you cooked all day. When the husbands get home make sure you ask how their day was and turn on a little baseball... this makes the pot roast taste even better to them... and it might get your dishes cleaned!

Enjoy!

- Tracy

Pot Roast

1 chuck roast

1 can Coca Cola (do not use diet)

1 pkg. Lipton Onion Soup Mix

Place chuck roast in crock pot. Sprinkle the soup mix over the roast. Pour Coke over top. Cover and cook slow and "on Low" for 9 hours. Serve right out of the crockpot and watch your family smile!

Favorite signs...

Since Brooke has started her cheerleading practice I thought it would be a good idea for Mason to get some cardio work going for football and for me to start heading towards one of my goals (run 5 miles before I am 50.... and I mean 5 miles at one time... not in the next 3 1/2 years). We found that the lower school parking lot is great. Nobody is there. Brooke goes to cheer and Mason and I walk/run/skate. Last night he brought a friend. They had so much fun. I was loving it. I called a few friends on my cell and walked for an hour.... then they pointed it out.... the sign..... the one that said "no skateboarding"!!! I swear I have never seen that sign before. I am going to assume it means during school hours since it is in the bus zone. I told them next week they can bring a football and practice their throwing, catching and punting... and bring a few friends. I don't see any sign that says "no football"..... darn, why isn't there a sign that says "no exercising/relaxation spot/area only good for reading magazines/enjoy your moment"???
Someone needs to work on a sign like that for us 40-something year olds.

This sign always cracks me up!

Alderbrook Resort.... Union, WA

http://www.alderbrookresort.com/

Signs..... they say it all!!!!!!

-Tracy

An overnight with "the girls"... age 12 to 46!

You gotta love those photo booths. One day I will own one in my home!

Alderbrook Resort.... Just another day in paradise... with matching towels and noodles.

"The dress".... purchased two months ago. Altered. Worn once. Worth every penny!!!

A memorable gift. The moms made homemade picture frames. This one was to Brooke from me. Filled with my wishes for her.

"Roy"!!! Our cake had a name. Ashlyn spent hours on it. The recipe came from www.megduerksen.typepad.com blog. It was delicious!!!!

Cheers to getting older! Notice only the teens were cheering to that one???

On the dock. A connection that can't be explained in words.

Dramatic performances as they wait for their friend to curl her hair.

Made up. Curled. Cute.

13 fingers to signify 13 years of fun!

You've Got A Friend In Me.... -Toy Story

Age 13! So grown up. Yet so young at heart. I remember the day you were born. The sweetest smile. The softest hair. The most beautiful eyes. You were truly a gift from God. Now it is 13 years later. Thank you Auntie Barb for letting us stay in your cottage. Alderbrook Resort is one of my favorite places. When Brooke was asked where she wanted to stay for her birthday, she said it was between a fancy hotel in Seattle (with white robes, slippers, a pool and room service) or Alderbrook. And what do you know... Alderbrook it was! A memorable weekend.... A cat named Brooke, a view of Bill Gates beach place, swimming, hot tubing, sauna and steam room, fancy clothes, yummy food, endless chats, tons of questions, volleyball in high heels, sleeping bag giggling..... and lots of fun. I am so proud of my daughter. I love her just as much today as the day they placed her into my arms. Now what do you think Mason will want to do on his 13th bday? I'll bet he will want to spend the night at some video game store and eat candy.... then go home and watch sports all night on the big screen! Pure heaven I can imagine. I will blog about that in 3 1/2 years. So for now I will cherish my moments with my kids as I watch them grow. May the lessons of life be good ones always.

Love, mom

17 years married!!!

It's official.... 17 years married!

17 years.....

1 Thanksgiving proposal

1 super fun wedding

1 really bad motel room (we forgot to get a place to stay)

various jobs (one had a two hour commute and we carpooled with our first born baby and Barney music the whole time... that lasted 6 months... we got different jobs and bought a new home)

tons of friends

3 rentals

2 homes

2 kids

4 sets of grandparents

no pets (yes, yes, yes... we will get some one day)

1 palm tree

a few vacations

acting classes

cheer camp

car pooling

volunteering

sports galore

many Little League games (tonight... our 17 yr anniv. dinner will be either hot dogs or hamburgers at the Little League fields under the lights!

2 toasters

PRICELESS!

This is our third official toaster for our entire 17 years of marriage. Yeah, I know, that doesn't sound real good. Oh well... we did get new appliances two years ago... but forgot to get a toaster. I could not handle the two slots any more. Especially when our son asks for 3 Eggo waffles every morning. Not real romantic... but it I wanted one! And he listened!!! Greg came home two nights ago, grabbed the kids and headed off to Target (I got that much out of them... they wouldn't tell me the rest). I awoke this morning to a new toaster... with 4 slots. I really wanted the one from Costco. It's big and shiny and really cool. But when I saw this one I knew the three of them picked it out and were so excited. It reminds me of how far we have come. So, this is my new toaster.... and I love it!!!!

Also, notice the Crown Royal next to it. A customer of Greg's gave it to him as a thank you. When asked what he likes to drink he said Crown Royal... knowing it was MY favorite drink. I included it with my anniversary gifts. And finally the card... a romantic one. That did it... I might need to rethink my gift (a round of golf and a coffee card... shhh... don't tell him). But I know he will love his just the same.

I've got to get back to my gumdrop cake I am making. Maybe I will share a photo of it when I am done. This is for the kids. Happy Anniversary family!

- Tracy

p.s.... Greg said we'd go to Vegas soon.... are you in Chad and Julie??? Elvis could renew your vows again!

Live The College Experience shirt...

I love WSU...

and I love Annie for modeling this shirt!

My family and friends all want to know where they can get the T.FISHER by MY U shirts! The photo above is the new "college experience" shirt that was shown at CAMEX 2010. It even made it onto the CAMEX website for a few weeks.... and that is pretty amazing. I can certainly say I was proud. MY U in Florida is printing these (along with 6 other designs... which will be on my blog this month). They are available to any college buyer that contacts their MY U rep. www.myuapparel.com These tshirts are really fun. Each college gets to choose their own fun facts. They are not only creative.... they are a one of a kind concept that the buyers can be proud of having a part of. My goal is to have them in 100 colleges by the end of the year. Please feel free to pray, wish, hope or just watch the magic happen. Let's get the word out to the colleges and fill the stores! And for those family and friends who keep asking me...... I promise... they are coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Tracy