10 Things you Never Knew...

About the writer of this blog

I was tagged to do this fun little post by my dear friend Cynthia. And on this snowy day with the boys out sledding with their daddy, the little Beau asleep (for probably 2 more minutes...have I mentioned he is a terrible sleeper!), the house picked up and the laundry put away I thought 'YES!!!'

10.) I really like my house picked up and organized. The beds have to be made everyday and the counters have to be disinfected every day...that one might be a little OCD. The toys all have there special place and...I am embarrassed to say this one...but as we are putting toys aways I count to make sure all the toys are together. If we have 10 little people, I count to make sure there all together...you get the point. ANAL!

9.) I really cannot function in the morning without my coffee. Before we do ANYTHING I have to have that cup in hand. For Christmas we got a coffee pot with a timer and it has been the best. thing. ever. Waking up in the morning to already brewed coffee...yes please!

8.) I dress the boys alike...pretty much everyday. If Jacob is wearing sweatpants, Baker and Beau will wear sweatpants. If Baker is wearing brown pants then the other two have brown pants on as well. You get the point.

7.) I love watching movies. Especially romantic movies where I need a box of tissues by my side.

6.) I want more children (God-willing) and I DO pray that we are blessed with a girl someday...but I really want 5 boys all in a row. My own little basketball team!

5.) I have my toes painted all the time, even in the winter...I really just like to have pretty toes!

4.) Before getting pregnant with Beau John Paul we had a miscarriage. Little Cecilia Anne is in heaven looking upon us everyday. I ask her to pray for me everyday and I feel especially close to her when receiving our Lord in Holy Communion. I miss her and am blessed to have had her with us for a short while. Our family has a little saint in heaven praying for us.

3.) I really wish that I could sing. And believe me I can not...at all. Sometimes I pretend that I can.

2.) I like to cook...but I don't LOVE it. I wish I did but I don't. We are pretty simple over here and when I bake...it's usually from a box!

1.) I make popcorn almost every night....its our favorite!

Well there you go folks! 10 things you never knew! Make your own! Can't wait to ready others!

My 5 Favorite Kitchen Appliances

I love to be in the kitchen and I love to cook and bake. A friend posted on her blog a few days ago her 5 favorite kitchen appliances that make her life easier. I thought...what a great idea! I shall do it too!

#1 Stand-alone Kitchen Aid Mixer

This has made my life so wonderful when it comes to baking pizza dough, breads, cookies of all sorts and much, much more. It is so wonderful to have it mix all the ingredients for you while you are doing other things... like getting the next ingredient ready, preparing the pan to bake it in or going to help your toddler who decided it would be a good idea to climb in the crib! It just makes life EASIER!!!

#2 Coffee and expresso machine

If it was not for a cup of coffee...or two or three in the morning I would never have any motivation to do anything around the house! There is nothing like drinking coffee in the morning while you watch your little ones play or on Sunday mornings with your husband!

#3 Waffle maker

We love to make a large breakfast on Saturday mornings! It is a tradition in the Staples' house to have waffles, bacon, eggs and fruit for us all to enjoy! We love to make waffles...it is so easy to make the batter and then pour it onto the waffle maker...within minutes we have warm, golden waffles for us to enjoy!

#4 Large skillet/griddle

This is also a much needed appliance when we make our breakfast. It plugs in alone and we can cook our bacon on it while using the stove for other things. It is especially nice when we have people over for breakfast...it cooks a lot.

#5 Grill

I do not use the grill as much as my husband but we do love it! I usually prepare the food for him to cook! There is nothing better then the taste of grilled chicken or a hamburger! We love having people over to BBQ! It is our favorite!

These are just a few of my favorites, that we use ALL the time and makes our life easier...what are yours?

Butterscotch Banana Bread

This bread is a special treat in our house....it is SO yummy! I got the recipe from Dave's mother...she used to make it for him when he brought home his report card. For every A he got a loaf of banana bread. It was/is his favorite and that is what he requested for good grades!

1 3/4 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup mashed bananas (very ripe bananas work best)

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup melted butter

1/4 cup milk

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

1 (6 oz) pkg. butterscotch morsels

Stir together first 6 ingredients and set aside.

Combine mashed bananas, sugar, eggs, and butter...mix well.

Alternately mix flour mixture and milk to banana mixture.

Stir in nuts and morsels.

Pour in greased loaf pan.

Bake @ 350 degrees for about an hour.

Cool for 30 minutes before removing from pan.

**This is an easy recipe. The hardest part is getting it oot of the pan as the morsels may stick. I have started cutting wax paper and lining the bottom of the pan which keeps it from sticking. I also find if I use a little more than 1 cup banana the better it tastes!

Hope you enjoy!!!!!