American Girl

We went to TX for my nieces high school graduation. It was the first time that the whole family has got away together in over four years, and that's all the further back I can remember.

On the way home, but WELL out of the way, Jeff surprised us and took us downtown for an afternoon of fun. We showed the girls where JFK was shot and took at tour, I know good-all-american family fun, especially for little girls.

The NBA Finals were being played and we saw all kinds of fans all over the place and drove by the arena. We took Ammorae to the Galleria to do some window shopping, probably more torcherous than fun! Ha ha! For lunch, outside the Galleria is one of the biggest American Girl Doll Stores and Bistro. If you have a little girl than you know exactly what I am talking about.


It's another toy craze that's swept the nation. I have 5 girls and you will be shocked to find out that we do NOT have 1 American Girl Doll in the entire house. Of course, Aydan & Addyson would love to pick one out to have, to hold, and to cherish, but they cost $100 a doll. WOW, and that doesn't include any clothing or accessories.

That place was a flurry of PINK! Pink, pink, and more pink. We have all girls and we try to stay away from the Pink-only girl sterotypical everything. BUT it was such a sweet place. We loved it. There is a salon where you drop your "Doll" off and let her get her hair done. They have salon chairs and all for them. There was the most precious 70+ year old little old lady primping a dolls coiffe.

You'd think the 2 floors of clothing, accessories, and furniture would be the highlight, but no it gets better! The BISTRO. One very confident, loving, 6' tall, dark headed daddy escorted all six of his ladies into the lovely dining room for an experience of a lifetime.

Since we did not have dolls of our own they carefully picked special dolls for each one of the girls to dine with, minus Ammorae -she wasn't playing along. They each chose a three course meal, appetizer, entree, and dessert and had the time of their lives. As the meal progressed Ammorae couldn't contain herself anymore and completely losened up and joined in the fun. If you've ever wanted to hold your pinky high, this was the time.

After that much fun, they didn't even beg to buy a doll, they were satisfied and it's quite clearly one of the most special trips the Bryan girls have ever had. Thanks brave and thoughtful daddy!

Cherry/Blueberry Cheesecake Tarts

EASY RECIPE

2 8oz. Pkgs Cream Cheese (softened)

1 C. Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 Eggs

1 Box Vanilla Wafers

1 Can Pie Filling (Cherry or Blueberry)

Muffin/Cupcake Liners

Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin pans with liners. Beat cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Add sugar & Vanilla. Add Eggs one at a time. Lay a wafer in the bottom of each muffin liner. (flat side down) Spoon mixture over wafers. Bake 20 mins. Completely cool. When it cools it makes a perfect little well for a spoonful of pie filling. I usually try to put 2-3 cherries on each.

So easy that anyone can make them and look like a pastry chef. You're friends and family will be impressed! Perfect for a potluck, picnic, or bbq!

I am adding all of my recipes to the bottom of my blog, be sure to go there and look for some more EASY recipes. I will be adding them ALL summer long!

This dessert costs $7.00. You usuall have sugar, liners, vanilla, and eggs in your pantry.

40/29 News Interview

My OLD computer is barely letting me eek out a message here and there. I've yearned to journal each day and share it with you, but haven't been able to. Sorry!

Last Friday we were interviewed by 40/29 News. It was so much fun and had such a
For those of you who don't know, Jeff started couponing a couple of months ago. We decided it would be a continual family project. After we realized that we could do so much more than stocking our pantry we started giving all the free items to our church to use for several different ministries. I asked the choir to help and the church. They bring their Sunday inserts and we work with them all week long. The story is about one place the goods went.

Thursday night the entire family loaded up and shopped our hearts out. When the little girls couldn't stand any longer, I took them home and let Jeff and Ammorae finish it up. They came home at 11pm. We shopped for over 4 hours.

We have started a website called Couponing For Christ, look us up. We will be updating it daily starting next week and sharing all the "secrets" and good deals, so you too can get everyday FREE items and serve those around you. couponingforchrist.com
God has blessed us so we can serve others, we DO NOT hoard or keep our items, we pray that you do the same thing.