The Buerglers

I am a sucker for mint. Ever since the "if you're good at the mall we can get ice cream" days, mint chocolate has been my favorite combination.  When I was in college and procrastinating studying for exams I liked to bake. One winter I found the Andes Mints baking chips.  (Be on the look out, they're usually only available around the winter holidays. If you see them stock up...and send me a bag.) I've made them almost every winter since.  Though... they almost always came out too dry. This year I tweaked the recipe a little bit and it seemed much better.   Instead of 2 and 2/3 cups flour, I used just a little over 2 cups.   I was out of vanilla extract but Dr. Google informed me that you can substitute any flavored alcohol for an flavored extract , as long as you pair a complimentary flavor.  I just happened to have Creme de Menthe in my liquor cabinet.  This combination of changes was a sure upgrade. I made a double batch (I used 5 c flour for ...

Eric, Evie and I wish you the merriest of Christmases!  For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominions rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace -Isaiah 9:5 NAB I'll be taking a week or so off from blogging to spend time with my family and to prepare our 2012 year end review and the top 12 posts of 2012!

Wow! I haven't participated in this link up since JUNE .  So what are we loving these days at the Buergler House?  So many things. In fact I've debated about breaking this into multiple weeks, but nah...I have too many other fun things to write about! In no particular order.  I am loving....  Berkey Water Filter. Eric and I read about this on Kitchen Stewardship (a catholic-hippie-foodie-mama). It's a bit pricey. But our tap water smells like a swimming pool and we don't believe in bottled water , so we thought the investment was worth the money. Merry Christmas to us!   Thred UP   (we each get $10 if you sign up and purchase through my link!!!) - It's a baby and kids online consignment sale. Genius right? I bought Evie 6 items, some still with tags "from" Baby Gap and Gymboree, including a flannel shirt dress and a sweater dress for a total of $40 with free shipping.  They are in mint condition. Quick shipping. And the...

Measurements: Weight: 25lbs 5oz (>97%) Length/Height: 31.0 (95%) Eats: Almost anything we're having that she can pick up with her fingers; 25-30oz of formula Diapers: graduated from 3s and went straight to 5s, almost out growing one brand of cloth diapers (yikes!) Clothes: a few 12-18 months from Gap or Old Navy, they're so generous with their sizing! 18 or 24 months at Carters! Firsts for Evie Halloween Election Day, Pictures with Santa and a Pair of TOMS Evie made it through an hour long line to vote on a cold rainy day, shopping at Phipps Plaza, and Pictures with Santa, so Grandma Buergler spoiled her with a pair of sparkly TOMS! Milestones Walks with help Zooms around in the walker at Grandpa and Nana's house Stands for a moment or two on her own Is trying to take steps up small stairs, like on her slide Saying things like, "mama" "dada" "dog" "uhoh" "deh-e" ( Delaney ) and "...

After a few too many Buergler Family Christmas photos taken in matching outfits, my mother-in-law heard Dan and I's grumblings and put us in charge of the family photo.   No, seriously.  We hadn't even finished taking last years card picture (we were at the portrait studio waiting on the photographer) and Eric's brother-in-law (Dan) and I were griping about the matchy-matchy pink outfits (to honor Evie's arrival) and we were charged with picking out the outfits, location, time and date.   Well, I waited 49 and a half weeks hoping she would pull something together, but no. She held to her word.  As I would too if my kids were complaining!! I scoured photography websites and read the latest on family portrait sessions.  The first thing most of them said....gone are the days of the matching outfits.  I pulled together a few sample palates courtesy of Pinterest and photography blogs.  I sent this email with a sample of attire: As the des...

It's that time of year again when Sam sends out his hilarious invitation and we festively gather around to toast to friendship and to decorate little gingerbread people to look like us.  I've been honored to attend this party almost since it's conception. For your reading pleasure, I have included the invitation from Sam. It's nearly the best part of the event! Hello friends, family, and democrats...Atlanta's second of it's 2 seasons is upon us.  As we begin to enjoy these somewhat-colder-but-not-quite- winter-coat times, I ask you to take a few minutes and think about what this year is missing?  What memory would make your holiday cup of joy overflow?  What could make an election year even better?  What could possibly come close to putting a cherry on top of an undefeated Notre Dame Season Sundae? The answer is simple my fellow holiday happiness hounds, and the opportunity to fulfill your wildest dreams is fast approaching... ...