Baked Vanilla Bean Donuts with Strawberry Frosting

I can't believe my little Brooke will be turning FIVE in just a few weeks.  Donuts are her most favorite breakfast treat.  We decided on a breakfast donut bash to celebrate, so I whipped up these yummy donuts for a mini "photo-shoot"!  They are super tasty - I'm not a huge donut fan, but these are very cake-like and the frosting is delicious. I posted a picture on instagram, and had a few requests for the recipe, so I thought I would share the recipe I used on the blog today!  Next time, I think I will make these chocolate cake donuts using the same strawberry frosting.  Yum....

Baked Vanilla Bean Donuts with Strawberry Frosting

{shugary sweets}

Ingredients:

For the Donuts:

2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp kosher salt

2 tsp vanilla

1 vanilla bean, scraped

2 eggs

3/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp melted butter

For the Glaze:

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 tsp vanilla

4 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp strawberry gelatin powder (or raspberry, cherry, etc.)

sprinkles

Preheat Oven to 325.

In a large mixing bowl combine all the ingredients until blended.  Put all the batter in a large ziploc bag and cut the corner.  Fill the donut pan 3/4 full with batter.  Bake donuts for 10-12 minutes.  I also used a mini donut pan, and I baked those for about 7-8 minutes.  I always press lightly on the donut while it's baking, and if it springs back I call it done!  :)  Remove from the pan and allow the donuts to cool before glazing.

To prepare the glaze add the milk, cream and vanilla to a saucepan over low heat.  Stir and heat until warm.  Whisk in the gelatin mix and then slowly whisk in the powdered sugar.  Remove from the heat.  ***I made 1/2 of this recipe for the glaze mix and it sufficiently covered all my little donuts!***

Dip the tops into glaze and immediately add the sprinkles.  I did a few at a time, the glaze hardens quickly and I wanted my sprinkles to stick!

Enjoy!!!  I kept mine in a ziploc container overnight, and I think they tasted better this morning!

Teal and Co. {and a great deal!}

Last weekend I got to take a few photos for my friend Liz and her business Teal and Co.  Liz and I have been friends since Nissi and Brooke were sweet little babies.  We met in child birthing class, found each other in walmart soon after the girls were born, started Teal and Co. together, and now she runs the business on her own and is doing an AMAZING job with all her beautiful masterpieces.

                               

I love all the patriotic colors - perfect for July 4th!!!

It's amazing to see how much these two have grown into beautiful young ladies over the last few years..     

Teal and Co.  is featured on Very Jane TODAY!!! Go HERE to get these fabulous bow ties at an amazing price!  Snatch them up in every color!

Make sure to like Teal on facebook!

Destin Vacation 2013

Here are some photos of our Destin Vacation.  We went with most of Landon's family...the one's that weren't able to go were missed.  The ocean is one of my favorite places to be.  We tried to soak in every minute, but of course the week flew by as all vacations do...

After 2 days of traveling, we unloaded the cars and headed down to the beach!  The twins were super insecure about the sand, but ended up doing 100% better than last year.  

Brooke is our little fish.  She was completely soaked, and even apologized for getting her clothes all dirty.  It was so fun watching her be so free, and enjoying the ocean like she had been there just yesterday.  

We took some family pictures by the beach Thursday night.  I'm still REALLY learning how to take  photos, but I love capturing special memories shared with loved ones.

Here are Poppy and GiGi with some of the grandkids.  There are three beautiful blondes missing!

Such a fun, relaxing week.  Looking forward to the next time we will get to visit...with one more kid in tow!

"Brooke-isms" {volume II}

It's been over a year since this post.  I can't believe how big my sweet Brooke is getting!  She is a very smart, sweet and beautiful child.  She always thinks about everyone else's well being first.  I'm so thankful for that quality in her.  She is also pretty good at making us laugh these days...

Here are some of her latest "funnies"...

While we were telling Brooke about our friend Melissa who recently announced she was expecting, Brooke replies...

"Why is there a baby in her belly? Why would she EAT her baby?"

Um.....

Landon took Brooke to Lowe's one night and she saw a couple things that sparked her interest...

While walking past the toilets she saw that they carried a bidet...

"That's weird, Daddy it's a little small bath!"

When they got home that night this was her prayer....

"Dear Jesus I pray for Mommy and Daddy,

Sissies, PaPa, Grandma, GiGi and Poppy.

I pray that I would share my toys...

And please let it be my birthday soon

so I can get that Tangled book from Lowe's."

Last week I went to wake up Brooke to get ready for school (soon after the Lowe's Trip)...

"Mommy when I closed my eyes I saw Tangled!"

My favorite sweet moment with Brooke lately....
"Mommy don't cry....Daddy loves you and I love you.  Most of all God loves you and sent His son."

My heart overflows with love for this sweet girl - I'm so thankful for the sweet gift of motherhood God has given me.

snow day!

We had a "surprise" snow day today!  I say surprise, because here in Oklahoma you can't always rely on the weather forecast.  Also because just a few days ago I was wearing flip-flops.  

Lily & Lauren stayed on the porch but still had a good time!  We couldn't find any gloves so they sported daddy's socks on their hands.  

 

Brooke had a blast - the only thing she wanted to do was to make a snowman, so we did just that!  It was just a mini snowman, (since I couldn't find gloves anywhere either) but she LOVED it!  Mission accomplished.  Hope you all enjoyed the snow as much as we did!  

November - where have you gone?!?

November has come and gone - it's amazing how fast time flies the older you get.  I'm really trying to cherish these little moments with the girls.  I can't believe how big they are all getting!  Landon and I have been married 5 years!  We went on our first weekend away without the girls.  It was only for one night, but we had an amazing time together and felt refreshed after our little getaway!

We stayed at the Keeter Center in Branson, MO.  It is a beautiful lodge and they spoil you with fresh milk and cookies at turndown service, and a rise and shine breakfast!  We LOVED it and spent a lot of the time laying in bed and watching TV.  Ah - such a luxury!

Here is Brooke at her Thanksgiving program at school.  I didn't get to join her for the lunch but Landon was able to go and eat with her.  She loved that special Daddy Time.  

Seriously - these two melt my heart ever day.  They have their share of fighting, but they are truly best friends and do everything together.  

We started a tradition a couple years ago where we eat a traditional dinner as a family and then write everything we are thankful for down as a family.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  I am SO blessed having these three sweet girls to spend each day with.  

The Christmas Season is in full swing here - we are all decorated and are excited to celebrate all month long!  It is my favorite time of year and it is even MORE fun now that the girls really get excited about it almost as much as I do!  Hope you have a wonderful week!

July Happenings

We had a great 4th of July with friends & family!

Brooke spent the night with her friend Nissi.  They both did great and had a blast thanks to Liz & Alfie.  

Lauren hasn't left these sunglasses out of her sight for a week.  She went to bed with them one night, and woke up with them in her hands.  

Lily got a baby with her birthday money a couple weeks ago.  She LOVES her baby, but doesn't want to sleep with her.  She wants to put her to bed at night, and asks for baby as soon as she wakes up in the morning.  I just love this crazy hair.  

All my girls before we go to cousin Addie's Birthday party.  I just love how girly they look!

Fun in the SNOW!

Miller Sandwich!

Brooke even came out to play for a little while. She doesn't own gloves, so she borrowed Poppy's!

Love my husband!

The 3 oldest Miller girls sledding!

The 3 youngest Miller girls, staying warm inside. They are all getting so BIG!