George W. Bush Presidential Library

The George W. Bush Presidential Library opened on the SMU campus in Dallas in May 2013.

I have been wanting to go every since it opened.  Thankfully, yesterday we had that opportunity.

Our family has visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA, and we have also visited the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, TX twice.

I find the Presidential Libraries fascinating!

It was such a beautiful day in Dallas.  A great day to visit the Library.

Ashlan's favorite part of the Library/Museum was the display of dresses that the First Lady wore.

We both agreed the First Lady has great fashion taste.

A large section of the museum was dedicated to the Sept. 11 attacks.

A very emotional display with numerous play by play videos of each plane crash, stories, pictures, and they even had two massive steel beams on display that came from the World Trade Towers…

There is no possible way anyone can walk through this section and keep a dry eye.

 This museum has more technology displays than the others we have visited.

Brent and Ashlan decided to join in on "A Presidential Decision"

They got to pick a category (they chose Hurricane Katrina)

They were giving all the facts that President Bush was given and they had to make a decision on how to best handle the situation, after getting opinions from staff at the federal and state levels.  

They only had a certain amount of time to make their decision and they both agreed it was stressful!

After our visit, we had wanted to dine at the cafe on sight at the Library

 called Cafe 43 (GWBush was the 43rd president)

But once we got in there, it was an hour wait and we were starving!

We will have to go back soon just to enjoy the cafe on the grounds of the Library.

Such a beautiful day in Dallas,  on the gorgeous grounds of the SMU campus, with a memorable tour through the GWBush Presidential Library.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescents

It's been awhile since I've posted a

Pinterest Told Me To Cook It

Last night was one of those nights were dinner was found on Pinterest.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescents

(picture courtesy of Pinterest)

Don't these look yummy!!!

Let me tell you - the entire family goggled these up.  They were easy to make and super easy to enjoy!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescents
Makes 8 crescents

• 1 can crescent rolls
• 4 tsp honey mustard dressing
• 4 slices baby swiss cheese 
• 8 slices deli ham
• 8 fully cooked, frozen breaded chicken fingers 

1. If not already done, bake the chicken fingers/strips and set aside. Once that is done, Preheat oven to 375

2. Separate crescent rolls into 8 triangles. Spread 1/2 tsp of honey mustard on each crescent. Place one half slice of baby swiss cheese on top of crescent roll. Place 1 slice of ham on top of cheese and top with chicken finger. Roll up crescent and place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken fingers and crescents.

3. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

**Kate doesn't' like swiss cheese so I made a few with cheddar cheese instead of swiss**

I highly recommend this recipe!

Oreo Bars

I got the baking bug today, so I made Oreo Bars.

They did not disappoint!

(sorry my camera took such a lousy picture)

Shopping List

1 box chocolate cake mix

1 1/2 sticks of butter, melted and divided (read below)

2 eggs

1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, at room temp

4 cups of powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 (8 oz) tub of Cool Whip

10 to 12 Oreo cookies, chopped

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Spray (I use Pam) a 9x13" baking dish.

In a large bowl, add cake mix, 1 egg,  and one stick of  your melted butter and stir with a spoon until combined.  Spread cake mixture across the bottom of your baking dish.

Using a hand mixer and another clean bowl, mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.  Divide the cream cheese mixture into two bowls.

In your first bowl, beat in your second egg, the remaining 1/2 stick of melted butter and cocoa powder.  Spread this cream cheese mixture over your cake mixture in your baking dish.  Smooth it out across the top.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes.  Do not over-bake.  This should be gooey in the center!

Allow your cake to cool, and while it's cooling, add half of your chopped Oreos to your remaining bowl of cream cheese mixture along with your Cool Whip.  Spread that over your cooled bars and then sprinkle your remaining Oreo pieces on top.  Let everything chill in the fridge at least one hour before slicing and serving.

Ashlan came home from school and went straight for the Oreo Bars!

She gave them two thumbs up!

50 Day Challenge

Thanks to a friends boost of encouragement, I have decided to join her in the 50 Day Challenge.

What's this 50 day challenge?

Well, in this case, it involves running. 

She challenged me to run at least a mile every single day for 50 days straight.

I love the fact that this challenge keeps it simple.  All I have to do is run a mile a day.  I can run more if I want, but all I have to do is a minimum of a mile for the day to count. 

 Every day.  

For 50 days straight.

I started this challenge on Jan 2

(I don't begin anything on Jan 1st for any reason.  

I want to enjoy the first day of the year without any restrictions or commitments)

So as of today, I'm 3 days in on the 50 Day Challenge.

I love it due to the fact that a mile is all I have to do to make the day count.  

Day 1 - I ran 3

Day 2 - I ran 1.5

Day 3 - I ran 1

Ashlan even became very interested in this challenge and wants to join me every day.

(she only joins for the 1 mile runs)

I told Ashlan to take a picture of me before I head out on a run and she suggested I pose as if I was running...

I'm feeling really good about this challenge.  I can do this.  

After all, 50 straight days of exercise just feels like a good thing!