Current Rambles ~a stolen idea

Posted on February 5, 2012 by admin

What a great idea, i stole this from my really good friend Becky over at Becky’s Buzzings ….it’s just a fun little current update on the day in the life of me!

Books: I only read two books on my vacation because i literally was obsessed with Words with Friends on my iPhone…mom and I played for 3 days straight on the way home and dad said “i’ve never seen you two so quiet in my life” (words i never thought he’d say) I started the trip with Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and to be honest, it wasn’t horrible but i didn’t love it! I am also a fan of Nicholas Sparks but i think he either totally woos you with his books or he leaves you wanting more. The Lucky One fell into the latter category for me….once again, not terrible but didn’t love it. I just started Unbroken (finally) and i’m also excited to read The Host, Divergent, and Life of Pi

 

 

Music: a song I’m loving and have been for a awhile is Cold Play’s I will Fix You and a few others i absolutely adore are Mika and Rosi Golan

Colors: of course i will always turn to pink…hands down my favorite…if i could be surrounded in every shade of pink, i would be ever so happy…i would have a pink house, a pink car, a pink bedroom…but i’m loving orange right now too

Drink: Green Tea Lattes with sugar free vanilla remains my drink of choice for the moment…for the adult moments in me (which aren’t very many) any IPA beers and Relax Reisling are my faves right now

Fashion: colored tights….loving them….if i’m not in my yoga clothes and UGG boots, i will more than likely be wearing a dress with colored tights and fun flats….my fashion goal always is to not match…i put polka dots with stripes and pink with red…i ADORE fashion….ADORE….every morning, i’m excited to get up and figure out what i’m going to wear that day…it sparks my creativity every morning….these are a few of my new favorite purchases

TV Show: The New Girl is by far my new favorite T.V. Show…i love Zoe….she is so quirky and adorable…i want to be just like her!

I’m also loving The Bachelor, Biggest Loser, Parenthood, Modern Family and Happy Endings…but hands down, The New Girl is my favorite

Food Craving: whatever is in front of me….i love it all! if i had to pick something, i would say either CherryBerry’s or smoked string cheese..oh yeah, and of course Sushi Masa

Wishing For: a bathroom makeover…..it’s coming soon…a big tub, new tile, new vanity and countertops and a fresh coat of paint…can’t wait to sink into my bubbles and kindle…also wishing my parents a safe and successful trip to our first art show in Oklahoma City next weekend

Needs: does shoes count? no, how about the inspiration to design new greeting cards? or just the inspiration to start painting? yep, i’m gonna go with that for my needs right now

Recent Triumph: i went into my Dream Vacation with the mantra of “be afraid of nothing” ~which is huge for me, because i have a TON of fears…for some reason, i always think “what if this goes wrong” and in my opinion is a HORRIBLE way to live life….so going on Space Mountain (i hate roller coasters), swimming in the ocean (i hate swimming in anything other than swimming pools where i can see the bottom and know it’s fish free) and riding the AquaDuct (waterslide at the wayyyyyy top of the cruise ship) was all HUGE for me!

Blessings: Now i could go all big time on this one and say ‘my family’, ‘my job’ blah blah blah…..but i’ll say right now, my blessings are coffee in the morning, my Betsey Johnson slippers, this fabulous winter we are having, and being able to take a month away from my paint table…i totally needed it

Bane of my Existence: politics…..short and sweet

Super Bowl Team I’m Rooting For: i could honestly care less….i’m one of those people that don’t even like watching the SuperBowl  for the entertainment and commercials…but i love the cozy time next to my husband…so i’m sure i’ll watch…and since he’s rooting for the Pats, i think I’ll go for the Giants….makes it a little interesting….we may even have to make a wager

What’s on the Menu: not sure yet….i have chicken breasts dethawing so thinking either Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi or Chicken Parmigiana….but i’m not closing out the idea of Jimmy Johns yet either

Movies I’ve recently watched: Just went to Big Miracle with Gracie yesterday…it was good…i liked Dolphin Tale better but we both enjoyed it…Jerime and I rented Crazy.Stupid.Love and i thought it was fabulous….we also watched MoneyBall and even tho i drug my feet the whole time about renting it, i enjoyed it

Movies I’d like to watch: I cannot wait for Hunger Games…..CANNOT WAIT! The Vow looks so good…love Rachel McAdams and because I read the books, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and The Lucky One

Weekend Projects: a girl’s day (accomplished) and working on Gracie’s homework and unpacking and laundry (still not accomplished)

New favorite products: i just used my Cuisinart panini maker yesterday for the first time….i made a prosciutto, mozerella, pesto panini with sun dried tomatos….so good.

I also am getting into essential oils and i’ve had fun making concoctions for tummy aches, sore muscles and chapped skin….i find it really amazing what oils can do and i’m really suprised it took me this long to start using them.

I also just started using John Frieda’s Brilliant Red Shampoo and Conditioner….my red hair started fading a little from vacation but this stuff has really been amazing at bringing back the reds….another “fake red head” trick i found out about is brushing some cornstarch into greasy spots on your hair…..red hair is the fastest fading color so you are supposed to stay away from washing it a lot……so my bangs tend to get a little greasy…..if you brush cornstarch onto it and let it sit for about five minutes, it takes the grease out…..yay for dirty hair!

 

 

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In and Out of Reality with Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

Posted on February 4, 2012 by admin

On my 4th day home from vacation and reality is sitting in…..for the past few days i have been able to escape into catching up on The Bachelor, The Biggest Loser, Revenge, Modern Family, Happy Endings and The New Girl (loved every minute of it!) Now, my unpacked suitcase is staring at me

and worse yet, my laundry pile is starting to overthrow the bathroom….can’t i call on maid service? Like the sketchy girl from the bachelor (Courtney), i blow out a candle and wish for it all to go away…..NOT WINNING…..so as i put away my flip flops and sunscreen, i settle into the fact that vacation is over and i’m home to stay

So to find a little bit of indulgence in my everyday life, i decided to make Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes…after all, who can do laundry on an empty stomach?

Pancake Batter

  • 1 cup of buttermilk (I never have this on hand so I just add a few squirts of lemon juice into my milk)
  • 1 egg
  • let this sit for about 2 minutes
  • add to it:
  • zest from 2 lemons
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 T of sugar…(i just grab with my hand so you may want to add more or less)
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 T poppy seeds
  • 1tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup canola oil

Whisk, Whisk, Whisk….now heat up your pan (i set my stovetop on #4…if it gets too hot, you’ll burn your pancake…and we just can’t have that!) and pour some canola oil in when it’s warm (this is the key to the crispy edges….my family’s faorite part)…now pour in batter, wait till it bubbles on top….and FLIP!

FOR THE LEMON GLAZE

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

drizzle over pancakes and sink back into relaxation mode

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A dream is a wish your Heart Makes…a Magical Luxury Disney Dream Fairytale

Posted on February 2, 2012 by admin

This was by far the best vacation i’ve ever been on…..truly truly remarkable…..i can’t even begin to describe the whole thing…it was like i was trapped inside a dream inside a dream. For those of you who have ever thought of booking a cruise with Disney…do it! DO IT TODAY! You will be blown out of the water by the amazement that takes place. I’ve included some helpful tips so you can enjoy every bit of your dream vacation…

TIPS

1. do character greetings early…the lines get busier during the end of the cruise….and stand in line for the princesses early…..we waited until the last day and went down 20 minutes early and still waited over an hour in line…you will find a list of character greetings in your daily navigator in your room…..plan ahead

2. you have to go to EVERY SINGLE theater performance….these were my favorite….each show is only 1 hour long and absolutely the best entertainment i’ve ever seen….the first night, we bought a souvenir cup but after that we took advantage of the free beverage bar and brought in our own drinks for the performance….we got our seats about 20 minutes early and i recommend sitting near the isle….lots of the performers come down the isle to enter the stage

3. if you are going to swim with the dolphins…i highly recommend going to Atlantis Resort in Nassaw….included in your tickets is a free lunch so you can completely make a day out of it…..BOOK EARLY

4. speaking of nassaw…..walk on the sidewalk at ALL times…..the locals drive like mad man….seriously….CRAZY….but they were all so nice and welcoming

 

5. fireworks are shot off on the starboard side of the ship…..this takes place on Pirate Party night…if you’ve got any pirate costumes, bring them….our dinner mates actually waited until after Halloween and stocked up on clearance pirate customes…fabulous idea! We bought Gracie a TinkerBell costume on the ship and she fit in perfectly with all the pirates

6. there is free coffee, free soda and refreshments available at all times….the coffee was a LIFESAVER for me! we also enjoyed the ice cream station….ALL THE ICE CREAM YOU WANT….so yummy

7. read your personal navigator everyday to figure out character appearances and any other special events…..

8. on the day of Disney’s Private Island Castaway Cay….stay back on the boat while everyone leaves the ship to ride the Aqua Duck (the waterslide on the ship)

9. The first night leaving Port Canaveral will be very rocky. At that point in the ocean, you are above a fairly shallow shelf, which the Gulf Stream then passes over. As such, it will roll the ship a lot. If you are prone to sea sickness, take your meds prior to getting on-board, and take them through the first night. If you find that you need meds, there is a large basket of anti-seasickness drugs available on the counter in the Medical Center. After the first night, you generally won’t feel much movement. The boat moves slowly the last 2 days (on a 4 day trip) and it was the PERFECT speed for me!

10. bring more dress clothes than you think you will need….every night you get to enjoy a fabulous theater production and fancy dinner…also, if you tend to get cold, bring a few light sweaters to keep you cozy and comfortable

11.  bring a carry on bag with you the day of boarding….your luggage is delivered at a fairly great time, but if you want to enjoy swimming before your wardrobe gets there, pack it into a backpack….then you can enjoy the sun while your luggage is in transit

12. there are 2 special “treasure hunts” on board for kids….we did “the case of the missing puppies” and we all loved it….you activate a special magic card and search around the ship for clues hidden in pictures…it was so much fun and a great way to see different areas of the ship

13. register your kids for the Oceaneers Club before you board…they will get a special magnetic bracelet to wear the whole time….this is their tracking device….now to be honest, i was one of those moms that was worried to leave her child behind while my hubby and i enjoyed some time at night…..no worries…it is highly secure and you set your child up with a secret password that you used to drop off and pick up… Gracie enjoyed every minute of it….we only took her there about 1 hour each day….by then i was ready to go back and get her….after all, we were on a FAMILY vacation

14. pack your own beach toys and snorkel gear if you have it….we just packed a small plastic pail and shovel and it worked fabulously for building our first sand castle

15. if you like soft marshmellow pillows, you will be in heaven….they were way too fluffly for me…next time, i will bring my own pillow….and Gracie had her own secret bunk bed which was pulled out for us every night while we were at dinner and tucked back into the wall every morning….she felt so special

16. all the gift shops on the ship are closed during the hours you are on land…..so if you need something, plan accordingly and buy while you are at sea

17. we booked a room with a veranda and i wouldn’t do it any other way….some of my favorite memories are sitting out there at night and waking up early in the morning and doing yoga while the sun rises…..absolutely perfect

18. there are two options for dining and shows every night…you will choose the first seating dining package or the second….we choose the second which put us at dinner every night at 815…we did the theater show at 615….in my opinion, this worked out perfect for us…we had time to enjoy our day, grab a snackie at 4 and then enjoyed an hour long entertainment show before we ate dinner…i’m sure there are pluses to each but i loved the way we did it

19. tie a decorative ribbon or bow around your luggage so it’s easy to find on the last day…everyone’s luggage is put out in a big area for you to grab…we had black luggage (along with everyone else and their brothers) so, a ribbon on your luggage will make it stand out among the rest

20. the dining experience was a dream come true….it is set up in a rotation so you get to enjoy each dining area…the Animator’s Palace was our families favorite…as your meal begins, the whole dining room is transformed into an interactive treat featuring Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo….Crush, the surfer-dude sea turtle from “Finding Nemo,” will make a special appearance, swimming around the restaurant and interacting with guests…it was magical

21. speaking of the dining experience….your wait staff will follow you from dining room to dining room and will place napkins in your lap, call you by name and treat you like royalty….enjoy anything and everything from the menu…you can order it all if you want (and don’t think i wasn’t tempted) For example, on the last night, i couldn’t decide between the sea scallops entree or the prime rib entree…so i ordered them both…..i also had a creme brulee at one restaurant and loved it so much, i ordered it the second night…even tho it wasn’t on the menu….the first night i ordered a diet coke with cherry grenadine and cherries….the following nights, guess what was waiting for me when i arrived…yep, you guessed it…a diet coke with cherry grenadine and cherries…our wait staff was incredible…gracie loved the food and when she asked for ketchup they poured the ketchup onto her plate in a mickey mouse design

The whole trip was FANTASTIC….we enjoyed every minute:

RELAXING

TOES BURIED IN THE SAND

DANCING

DOLPHIN KISSES

OCEAN SEA SPRAYS

MAKING MEMORIES

DISCOVERING AND EXPLORING

AND WRAPPING ALL THE LITTLE LOVE PIECES INTO OUR HEARTS

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED A GLIMPSE INTO OUR TRIP TO NEVER NEVER LAND

 

 

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If you can’t join ‘em….eat dessert~

Posted on January 10, 2012 by admin

I’m getting old….like any other person on the first of the year, i’ve been hitting the exercise more than normal….maybe a little too much…but hey, i’ve got a cruise coming up in a little over a week…what could be more incentive than that? when i’m holding in plank and lowering into chaturunga (a basic push-up~slowly lowering for you non yogis) and my arms are starting to burn….i whisper to myself….”No underarm wave as your parents send you off on the disney dream” …..incentive right? and on the racquetball court….geesh….i can’t even explain….something takes over….i “stephie graff” grunt and fly all over the place…diving, banging, sliding….ALL OR NOTHING….that’s pretty much the way i live my whole life…..problem is, i’m not in my 20′s anymore….

to sum up my day, i had the best but hardest yoga practice i think ever and then 2 hours later i walked on to the racquetball court…..10 minutes in, my groin snapped and i walked out of the court and sat for the next 45 minutes watching my mom, dad and jerime play cut throat…jealousy seething through my teeth and pain seething through my groin….jeepers creepers…..seriously? so, i came home and did what any normal person would do….drowned myself in individual toffee apple crisps with vanilla ice cream while watching the bachelor….gluttony at it’s finest right? if you can’t join ‘em……eat dessert…..

Toffee Apple Crisp

  • 1 apple….diced
  • 1/8 tsp flour, sugar and cinnamon

place apple in a single serving ramkin (is that what you call these? these cute little individual platters of heaven?) then mix the below ingredients and add over top of apples

  • 1 T brown sugar
  • 1 T old fashioned oats
  • 1 1/2 tsp flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp cold butter
  • 1 tsp toffee bits

cook at 375 for 15 minutes….take out and stir and cook an additional 3-5 minutes and top with vanilla ice cream….no matter what is going on…this will make everything better….

 

it wouldn’t be fair though if i did not share what we had for dinner….because if toffee apple crisp was the highlight of my night…this was the precursor….Asian Lettuce Wraps…..o.m.golly gee whilackers…..fab.u.lous.

Ingredients:

  • 1lb ground chicken breast
  • 1/2 medium onion, minced
  • salt & pepper, a dash of each
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch nob fresh ginger, peeled & minced
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 1/2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/2 Tablespoon water
  • 1 Tablespoon natural peanut butter
  • 1/2 Tablespoon honey
  • 1 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (or more if you like it hotter)
  • dash of fresh pepper
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1/2-8oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained & chopped
  • matchstick carrots
  • bean sprouts
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • 10-12 large outer lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry

Directions

  • Heat a large, non-stick skillet on high. Add chicken, onion, salt & pepper, and cook until chicken is nearly done, stirring often to break up the meat. Add in minced garlic and ginger, and continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink.
  • Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, combine sesame oil, soy sauce, water, peanut butter, honey, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce and pepper. Microwave for 20 seconds, then stir until smooth. Add into the skillet and stir to combine.
  • Add green onion, water chestnuts, carrots and bean sprouts into the skillet then cook for 1-2 minutes until the onions are soft and the water chestnuts are heated through.
  • Sprinkle with almonds, and serve with cold lettuce leaves
serve with peanut dipping sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons peanut butter
  • 1 Tablespoon hot water
  • 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste

Directions

  • Combine all ingredients and whisk together (a special thanks to Iowa Girl Eats for a happy tummy night!)

So now i guess the right thing to do is this….

But remember, my baby brother called yesterday and wants to take me to sushi and out shopping…..

and no way i’m passing that up….pulled groin or not…..

 

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CAN.NOT.WAIT.FOR.SUNSHINE.DRESSES.PAINTED TOES.BEACHES.MICKEY.DOLPHINS.FAMILY.LOVE.AND.MEMORIES.

Posted on January 8, 2012 by admin

 

 

 

Yesterday, i became reacquainted with my paint table…i have to admit….it was hard…like triple dipple super duper double dog HARD….but custom orders always way heavily on my mind until i finish them….even though i read 2 books this week (and thoroughly enjoyed it) i couldn’t fully relax knowing i had 7 orders i had to pump out….so i pinned down this weekend to immerse myself in a world of color and got all my orders done….phew! now i can go back to my kindle baby….these are the two books i read this week….

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JN1D4G/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title ~i finished this one in one day….i’ve been fighting a cold for over 2 weeks and last Sunday was the worst…so i cozied up in my new christmas pjs and read for 6 hours….one of my favorite days ever! the book was good…it’s one of those books that continuously haunt you…..different…spooky….twisted…..worth reading

the second book i read was a 99 cent download on amazon…and i LOVED it…couldn’t put it down…read it in 2 days…

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003I84M9Q/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title...i just loved it! 

Now today, i can relax, read, cuddle and enjoy every minute before i head to yoga tonight and have dinner at Grille 26 afterwards with my favorite yoginis…..yay! here are a few of my little goddesses (minus the Mother Goddess (mom!) and Micara and of course OUR SEAN!)

Another thing i’ve loved getting back into is….COOKING…. (i think my family is pretty happy too!) Last night for dinner i made tilapia florentine…..it was excellent…i love tilapia…maybe not as much as my daughter…but i love it….i had 4 fillets and she ate 2 outta the four….love how great of an eater she is….she’ll try anything….and i mean ANYTHING…and wherever we go, she always wants to try something new…a girl after my own heart….a FUTURE FOODIE….

Tilapia Florentine

 

  • 1 package fresh baby spinach
  • olive oil
  • 4 tilapia fillets 
  • juice of half a lime
  • 2 teaspoons garlic sea salt
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 Directions

 In a large nonstick skillet, cook spinach in oil until wilted; drain. Meanwhile, place tilapia in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with lime juice. Sprinkle with garlic sea salt. In a small bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese and spinach; spoon over fillets. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. 

the incredible shrinking spinach…

I served with Glazed Carrots…always a family favorite….

Glazed Carrots

  • 3 tablespoons dark-brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 1/2 pounds baby carrots, peeled and trimmed
Directions

add carrots to boiling water and cook for 10-12 minutes until tender…when to desired tenderness, place in a glass casserole dish….melt butter, water and brown sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil…boil for 1 minute and pour over carrots….cook in oven for 15 minutes

and for dessert we had Coconut Rice Pudding with Toasted Almonds…spectacular!

  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds
  • 1 cup arborio rice
  • 4 cups lite coconut milk (about 2 1/4 cans)
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar 

Toast the almonds in a dry nonstick frying pan over medium heat until lightly golden and fragrant. Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool. Make the rice pudding: combine the rice, coconut milk, milk and sugar in a medium saucepan and cook over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook, stirring often, until rice is tender, 20 minutes.
Serve the pudding warm sprinkled with the almonds.

RECIPE ALTERED from technicolor kitchen

and yet one more recipe….holy moly….i’m on a roll…or should i say doughnut? 

Apple Doughnuts with Cinnamon Glaze

i used my batter recipe from my Doughnut Muffin Post HERE  but i doubled it…. the only thing i didn’t double…i actually cut in half, was the sugar…..

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt or light mayo
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup milk (soy milk works nicely too!)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 an apple diced

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and grease muffin tin or a doughnut pan, set aside. Mix up the  sugar, yogurt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Then, add in the milk, baking powder and flour until just combined. Add 1/2 diced apple to the batter and Fill muffin tins about 3/4 full and bake for 20 minutes. For the glaze i used 

  • 1 T melted butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 T of milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • sprinkles of cinnamon

Now don’t laugh at me…..but I am ahead of the game on something…..TOTALLY AHEAD of the game…..i’ve already started packing…..i leave in 10 days and the excitement is overwhelming me! I’m super excited for the cruise and for Disney World…but what i’m really excited about is being able to wear all my cute little sundresses and flip flops…CAN.NOT.WAIT.FOR.SUNSHINE.AND.DRESSES.PAINTED.TOES.BEACHES.MICKEY.DOLPHINS.FAMILY.LOVE.AND.MEMORIES.

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Bucco Di Beppo’s Copy Cat Spicy Chicken Rigatoni, 4 layer lemon pudding cake and a families Disney Dream Vacation Bucket List

Posted on January 5, 2012 by admin

Last Night was a slight preview of what our lives are gonna be like in 13 days! We all gathered at my house for Spicy Chicken Rigatoni and to make our Disney Bucket Lists….it was so fun to sit and listen to what everyone’s intentions are for the trip….i’d love to share all 10 of each of ours but that would seem so tedious…and since i’m always trying to speed things up, i’ll share the top 3 on everyone’s list….

we started with our little Gracie

  1. Go on a magic carpet ride
  2. meet the princesses
  3. eat at a fancy restaurant

Jerime’s

  1. Snorkel
  2. Do something i would never do (this scares me….considering he has no fear)
  3. Get a massage (i likey)
Mom’s
  1. Go on one ride with EVERYONE
  2. Use my new camera
  3. kiss a frog (which she says…she will find a frog and kiss it…gotta see this one!)
Dad’s 

  1. Encourage everyone to enjoy everyday while we are there (awwwww!)
  2. Ride Peter Pan Ride with Gracie (double awwwww!)
  3. Have a nice date with my wife (triple awwww!)
Danny’s 

  1. Eat at Orlando Ale House (our favorite restaurant there)
  2. Drink a new kind of beer
  3. Beat Chantel in Words with friends (we’ve got an obsession right now! bring it on brother!)
Chantel’s

  1. Do yoga at least one morning on the boat and one at the resort
  2. visit Epcot and drink something wild from a foreign country and eat something wilder
  3. Ride Space mountain with my daddy

 i LOVE these lists! such a fun way to set personal goals….we each are going to bring our lists with us everyday and cross off the things as we do them….let’s hope we come home with memories in our hearts and everything crossed off!

For dinner I made Bucco Di Beppo’s Spicy Chicken Rigatoni…this is one of Jerime’s and my favorite meals when we go to the cities…so i was super excited to try this one out….

Ingredients

  •  olive oil
  • 1 Tbs crushed red pepper
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbs chopped garlic
  • 3 chicken breasts, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cup. Marinara sauce (i used Bertolli Five Cheese Sauce
  • 1 cup light Alfredo sauce (i used Di Roma Light Alfredo Sauce)
  • 3/4 cup peas
  • 1 lb Rigatoni pasta, cooked according to package directions
  • additional 1/2 t crushed red pepper (for garnish)

In a sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add crushed red pepper, salt, black pepper and garlic and sauté just long enough for garlic to caramelize and red pepper to release flavor into the oil. Add sliced chicken and sauté briefly to coat in spices and garlic. Cook until Chicken is done….about 15 minutes Add Marinara Sauce first and then Alfredo Sauce and bring to a simmer…. add peas and incorporate into sauce. Toss with the sauce. Place pasta and sauce in pasta bowl, reserving the majority of the chicken to be placed on top of the pasta. Using a rubber spatula, scrape any remaining sauce from the pan to the pasta. Garnish with crushed red pepper and serve.

i served with Breadsmith’s Parmesan Cracked Black Pepper Bread (our favorite…see the little thief-ers hand in the picture)

i also had a little fruit tray with grapefruits, bananas, and grapes….the grapefruits are sooooo fabulous right now

and for dessert, we ate the rest of my 4 layer lemon pudding cake with cream cheese frosting

Ingredients: (i doubled this recipe to make 4 layers in 9 inch round cake pans)

 

  • 2 pkg lemon cake mix
  • 2 pkg Jello fat free sugar free instant lemon pudding
  • 2 cup vanilla yogurt (i use Activia)
  • 6 egg whites
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cup 7 UP

 

Directions:

 

Combine first 5 ingredients, beat on low for 1 min…gradually beat in soda and pour into a 4 9 inch round cake pans…i only have 2…so i just did two and then waited for them to cool and cleaned them to reuse…Cook at 350 for 30-35 minutes… Cool completly…then lay the first layer and spread some frosting and repeat layers covering the top layer and whole cake with remaining frosting

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 2 carton cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 4 tsp lemon zest
  • 4 T lemon juice
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
blend all together with a mixer until smooth and then put a light layer of frosting on each layer of cake….almost like the glue that holds the layers together


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2011 wrapped up in my favorite photos

Posted on January 3, 2012 by admin

the other day….when i said i don’t nor will ever make new year’s resolutions……I LIED….”gasp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” i actually made one yesterday……it’s a simple one really but it involves watching the world around me…..

TAKE MORE PICTURES

Here are some of my favorite photos from last year~

 Here’s to hoping my Canon captures more memories than dust! Did you make a resolution this year? What was it?

 

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French Toast Casserole with Strawberries

Posted on January 1, 2012 by admin

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • french or whole grain baguette cut into 1 inch chunks
  • vanilla
  • cinnamon
  • strawberry puree
  • whipped cream

melt butter and add brown sugar….stir to mix…pour into bottom of glass casserole dish….layer baguettes over top….beat eggs and add milk and vanilla…pour over top of baguettes…sprinkle with cinnamon….you’re supposed to let sit overnight….i had one hour before my little monkeys got out of bed….and it was just perfect….cook at 350 for 35 minutes….take out and add about 3/4 cup strawberry puree over top and stir to mix….cook an additional 10 minutes and top with whipped cream

my two little hearts….enjoying the first day of the new year…so blessed

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Bringing in 2012

Posted on January 1, 2012 by admin

What a group….what a night…..nothing like bringing in the new year with loved ones and happy tummies…. 

The kiddos loved the hot cocoa bar 

toppings included

  • mini chocolate chips
  • toffee bits
  • mint bits
  • crushed candy canes
  • marshmallows of all types
  • whipped cream

here’s the crockpot hot chocolate recipe…so easy…..
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14oz)
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 6 cups of milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

cook on low for 2 hours and stir once in awhile

i also made my strawberry puree which can be added into moscato for adults or into 7 up with a twist of lime and whipped cream and sprinkles (fresh strawberry spritzer recipe HERE)

i made a 4 layer lemon cake (cake recipe HERE)

and fondue (which i found at world market)

dippers included

  • apples
  • grapes
  • whole grain baguettes
  • french baguettes
  • piorgies
  • tortilla chips
  • pretzels

our new kitchen lights were installed just in time for the celebration and i absolutely adore them…i sent my hubby to lowes at about 2 in the afternoon….kissing him goodbye and letting him leave with 100% trust that he’ll pick out the best 3 pendants…i’d say he did really well…don’t you?

we laughed, ate, played games and brought in the new year with happiness and togetherness….2 of my favorite things……happy new year!

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Top 11 recipes of 2011

Posted on December 30, 2011 by admin

Following suit on some of my favorite blogs, i’ve decided to share my top 11 recipes of 2011……i at least owe you all that right? 

in no particular order….here they are… drum roll please…..i envision you all using spatulas as your drum roll salute

1. THE BEST SALSA EVER! (promise…..try it…you’ll LOVE it and never want another salsa in your life!)

2. White Chicken Spinach Lasagna

3. Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi 

4. Homemade Blueberry Syrup and our favorite Pancakes 

5.  Bananas Foster (seriously a favorite of mine!)

6. Thai Peanut Noodle Bowl

7. Caramel Sticky Buns 

8.  Homemade Granola 

9. BBQ Pulled Pork Loin in Crockpot 

10. Rainbow Layer Cake using my favorite Pudding Cake recipe (i know….a 2 in 1….just for you….) 

11. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Enjoy some of my favorite recipes…..and let’s hope 2012 brings lots more happy tummies…in our house and in yours!

 

 

 

 

 

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