Saturday, March 30, 2019

Banana pudding


I made Paula Deen's banana pudding, and it is just one of those recipes that must be propagated! The additions of cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and buttery Chessmen cookies really make it out-of-this-world (and I'm not even a big banana pudding fan!) It's a simple recipe to follow, so add it to your potluck favorites. :)

Ingredients:

2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
6 bananas, sliced
2 cups milk
1 (5 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
  14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 
12 ounce container whipped topping (thawed)


Directions:

Line the bottom of a 9x13 dish with one of the bags of Chessmen cookies.

Layer all of the banana slices over the cookies.

In a bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, blend the 2 cups of milk with the vanilla pudding mix. Set aside for a moment while it thickens.

In another bowl, using the mixer, blend the sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese until smooth. Then fold in the whipped topping until combined.

Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture. Stir until well-blended.

Pour it evenly over the banana slices.

Lastly, put a layer of Chessmen cookies over the top. Refrigerate until you're ready to eat!


Friday, March 15, 2019

March life


Every year, it feels like such a long wait for spring, but it's getting closer, and we're so ready!

The Zimm boys keep their days busy with schoolwork, Legos, reading, coloring, and let's be honest - lots of arguing! I certainly am ready for my head to hit the pillow at night.


August resting with his hand on the baby :)


I've been drinking a spinach & berry smoothie every afternoon, and it's such a great pick-me-up!


Nolan reading Richard Scarry to Auggie - some of my favorite moments to see :)


One morning, August and I had the craving to make chocolate chip cookies.


He basically helps pour all the chocolate chips in, and he taste-tests.


 August had his two-year check-up! Everything was good. The nurse gave him a shot, and he cried until he saw the Spiderman bandaid and immediately stopped his tears.


I love this happy face!!


N & E were seriously excited to get some new matching jammies!


 We went to their cousin Levi's 4th birthday party - and it was such a fun day!


On Ash Wednesday, we dug out our "Waiting for the Lamb of God" banner. The boys can count down the days to Easter and anticipate the joy of the Resurrection.


Also, before bed, we've been reading "The Jesus Storybook Bible" for the first time, which does an awesome job at tying each of the stories of the Old Testament to the need for Jesus to come as the Rescuer.


Steve had a week-long spring break, and we decided not to try and go anywhere. We spent a little bit of time driving around Indianapolis, and we visited a cute donut shop one morning. The chocolate frosted donut was pretty tasty!






I saw these bouquets at the market and somehow refrained from buying one. I didn't recognize the huge pink flowers (bottom right), but someone shared with me that they're proteas. Gorgeous!


We visited Steve's work, and his new office on campus. We don't get there very often, so the boys thought it was fun!


 Cutest little college students I ever did see.




Our first spring walk! Definitely a red letter day!


xo
Rachel


Tuesday, March 5, 2019

February highlights


We spent most of February cooped up inside the house, so it didn't feel like there was a lot to report at the time, but looking back - we had some really fun highlights! 



For Groundhog Day, Steve and I surprised the boys with groundhog pancakes for breakfast, which they thought was awesome!


We went to a Home Depot workshop and made candy heart boxes.



August has started doing the projects, too!


On February 3rd, we always remember Hannah, who would now be 35. Nolan prayed, "Dear God, please tell Aunt Hannah I said 'Happy Birthday.'" Yes. Miss you forever, sister.


The constant state of our playroom. Or, maybe I should just call it, Lego Room.


On the 100th day of school, we did several cool projects to celebrate. Here, Nolan and Ephraim had to count out 100 Legos and build something with them.


And here, we counted out 10 pieces of 10 different snacks and organized them on a sheet of paper. They loved this!


They also spent time building towers with 100 plastic cups!


Every day is a wild one!


Waiting to pick up a pizza on a Friday night.


Sweet smiles.


Ephraim is a drawing machine! He watched Toy Story and made this picture.


For Valentine's Day, we made these super easy hearts. Just pretzels, melted chocolate chips, and Wilton jumbo hearts!


They spent a whole morning and afternoon making Valentines for each other and their cousins. 



Steve came home from work with a heart-shaped Giordano's pizza and fresh, white tulips! Good man!


The day after Valentine's Day, we headed to Target for some clearance candy. They savored their Dove heart boxes for a week!


Steve was busy putting new trim around our bedroom doors. We're also painting the doors white and adding some dimension to them. They are starting to look really good!


The closet door here is one that he's already finished. 


Sleeping angel.


Just after getting his hair trimmed! TV, highchair, lollipop = key.


Tired & happy parents.


We haven't had too many warm days, but we've been trying to get outside when it's 45+.


I love this little guy who can't stay still long enough for photos!


Hanging out in the church nursery.


When Daddy comes home from work, everyone talks nonstop at the same time to show him everything they've been up to. He's very popular.


Our last big thing from February is that we redid the dining room floor! Steve just installed the new wood floor in July. He stained it "Weathered Oak", but once he put the clear poly over the top, it began to turn an amber/orange color. It wasn't what we had envisioned colorwise, so we took the plunge and sanded it down.


Before


After.
Instead of an oil-based poly, we used a water-based sealant, and it turned out so beautifully!!


That's a wrap for Feb! March was pretty good, too, and I'll get that post up soon!


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