Silohette Giveaway

Ok I know this is a bit silly but I really want this machine!!! Here is another giveaway. So amazing!

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-time-huge-giveaway-worth-over-300.html

Silhoutte

Have you seen this thing yet? It is like something the Jetson's would have...I think it may make you dinner and put on your makeup (not really but people need to get on that). Ok, anyways a fellow blogger is giving this away...yay free products!!!! I know that I couldn't convince The Hubs to buy this for me so I will just have to try and win it. It cuts paper for paper crafts with designs you can download or design yourself..wall vinyls..stickers...everything!!!! Super fun....if you don;t hear from me for awhile you will know I won it. http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/06/silhouette-craft-cutter-giveaway.html

My Garden

We recently moved into our new home in March. The owner walked us around the back yard and gave me a quick tutorial of all her plants and trees. I tried to remember everything, because I love flowers and trees but I don't know much about taking care of them. Most of our grass is dying because who has time to hand water their lawns these days? (Yes, we have no working automatic sprinklers...ugghh). I tried to not kill anything....but there have been a few casualties. There might be hope in resuscitating them though..I'll have to read up on that. The other day I was looking through my husband's office window. We have a shed and then next to that a rose bush and Peach Tree. Peaches are my favorite fruit..however...I always forget to water this side area because well it is on the side of the house I never see daily. When I was looking at the Peach tree through the office window I saw...you guessed it...PEACHES. Amazing..I thought surely there would be no fruit this year because of my neglect. I picked a handful but there are still another dozen or so. I am so excited I can't wait to make some cobbler and peach iced tea..mmmm. Then I thought I better check my Orange Tree and sure enough it is loaded with fruit. I picked a dozen and there are still a couple dozen more. I also have a Lemon tree that produces beautiful lemons for my weekly homemade lemonade. There is also a Plum tree but I am pretty sure those don't give fruit until Fall or some time later. Finally, I have a beast of a tomato plant...I forgot to take pictures but it is about 4 ft tall and about 6 ft wide! It is a combo of regular red tomatoes and then a million of those yellow pear tomatoes.

I really hope I can hone my green thumb and keep these beauties alive. I feel like a lil' ol' country girl out picking her harvest...but this city girl is a little afraid of bugs and critters..so she will have to wait for The Hubs to help pick the rest of the fruit waiting for her.

Happy Summer!

Oh how I love Summer! I hate that I have to work though...times like these I wish I was a teacher, so I could enjoy this season to it's fullest. I would be at the beach at least once a week. I would be a golden brown tone instead of marshmallowy...or better yet pretty much clear! Hope you all are enjoying your FIRST DAY OF SUMMER! At least I get to be in the pool for round two of swim lesson with Shane!

Refreshing Summer Side

Last night I was in the mood for something light and refreshing. I saw this recipe for an Orzo, Mozzarella and Basil Salad. I made a Chicken Sandwich to go along with it. It ended up not being such a light dish...The Hubs and I were so full. It was really good though.

Orzo Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 1/2 cups cubed fresh mozzarella
cheese
2 fresh plum tomatoes, seeded and cut
into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed
Directions:
1.
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain well, and let cool.
2.
Mix the mozzarella cheese cubes, tomatoes, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt with olive oil in a salad bowl. Gently mix in the orzo pasta, and toss lightly to coat the ingredients with oil.

Happy Juice

Do you have that one food or drink that just makes everything better? You know the one that picks you up after a long day at work. Something that makes you all giddy just thinking about it. The one that is a little treat for when you feel the need to reward yourself. For me, it has always been Dr.Pepper or what Scott calls my "Happy Juice". Awwwhhhh..that beautiful ice cold maroon can and it's 23 flavors...it can do no wrong. Oh wait, actually that Maroon can is a huge part of why I keep packing on the pounds. It has cost me quite a pretty penny in my daily excursions to drive through and get my fix. So, one month ago I kicked the can to the curb. I have to admit I have done this before, but this was the easiest for me. Surprisingly I did it during the Summer. There is nothing better than an ice cold soda on a Hot Summer Day!

I am not a soda person in general. I actually don't like anything but Dr.Pepper. I thought that if I gave Dr.Pepper up first it would help in giving up other foods that are bad for me. I did not loose any weight and that was a bit discouraging. I even thought that I should just start back up again drinking because, hey, I obviously didn't gain (or loose) anything from stopping. I actually have become quite angry. But, I know that in the long run it is good. So farewell, Dr.Pepper, you have been so comforting in my time of sadness. You have brought me great joy in my times of celebration...but eventually you will bring on more pounds...diabetes and other aliments that no Dr. would ever condone.

Next up, I would love to cut out a lot of my sugar intake. Less than two months to my sister's wedding and I need to get serious!

I 'm a Pepper, he's a Pepper,

She's a Pepper, we're a Pepper,

Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper, too?

Be a Pepper. Drink Dr Pepper.

Whoa, whoa, whoaaaaaa! I went to search for a picture of a Dr.Pepper to include in this blog and found a Caffeine Free Dr.Pepper. Why was I not aware of this? Why does So cal not participate in distributing this product? Oh well, it still has the same amount of calories and sugar, so there is no need to envy those who can get this goodness.

Tornado Shane

I always remember my mom coming into my room growing up and saying "It looks like a tornado went through here!". Well, I guess it is payback because my whole house looks like a tornado went through it, spitting out stuffed dogs, diapers, toys and all of mommy and daddy's shoes. Shane also decided to test mommy's patience with the dog food and water bowls today! He has been copying a lot of what Vinnie, our Boston Terrier, does lately. I knew it would happen eventually, but I didn't expect it this soon. I know he knows better, but he goes and sticks a handful of dog food in his mouth and splashes in the water bowl. I swear I feed the kid! I guess he prefers a little crunchy snack of Science Diet every now and then. I repeatedly told him NO and walked him away. A few times I could hear the wrestling of the dog food and would look over and he would look at me...smile(loosing a few in the process) and start to sprint away! I try not to laugh and I scold him. Today he even had his first time out in his crib. I had had it. It is amazing the look he gets in his eyes when he knows that I caught him and he starts to book it. Boys are tough. I allow dad to step in because he is a lot more scary looking than mommy. Just a raising of his eyebrows is enough to get Shane to leave the crime scene and not return for at least another 30 minutes. So needless to say it was a physically and emotionally draining day. Trying to figure out the best way to punish an almost 14 month old is hard. It is not like they understand reasoning...close but not quite yet. Time out can only be effective in the crib..but you don't want them to associate the crib with punishment. I am all for spankings but are they too little to truly understand their effectiveness? Oh boy, maybe Dr. Dobson has a chapter on this in his book on raising boys I am reading. I have learned so many great insights to understanding boys. As a matter of fact, I am beginning to even understand my husband better...amazing:).

With all the never ending clutter of toys and all things Tornado Shane I find myself trying to keep it all together. I don't mind that the baseboard are dusty or my windows need cleaning, but I really want to use my time effectively. I want to fit in exercise, family time, Reading to Shane and myself, hobbies, church ministries...etc. I think sometimes it is impossible to keep a clean home. Now I do work full time so I totally can see if I were a stay at home mom that I could find a lot more time, but I know it is still very hectic. I came across this Facebook post that I absolutely love... it read "To live everyday like it's your last is not always about doing something new, different, exciting and noteworthy. I think it is, in large part, about doing the ordinary with excellence". So that is what I am going to focus on this week. Doing ordinary things with excellence. If I don't get to go somewhere amazing or get to the project, that is ok. I will clean those baseboards like no other! Oh I almost forgot. Today Shane tested my patience, but he did the sweetest thing ever...he took out the trash. Yes, his first chore. I think it was his way of apologizing:). Daddy was pretty excited too!

Christmas in May..why not

My sister starts playing Christmas music in about September and I usually give her a hard time about that! I have to admit Christmas is always such a busy time of the year I am always glad it lasts so long but I am usually happy to see it go. With all the hustle and bustle I don't always get to all of the crafts I want. One of my favorite Christmas festivities is our annual Women's Christmas Brunch at church. One, because my Aunt makes the BEST stuffed French Toast and two because I get to decorate my own table. So I was looking at this crown on a blog I was reading and it sparked an idea for my table theme this year...We Three Kings. I love crowns and what better way then to use the Three Wise men or Kings of Orient. So, I then went to my trusty site, Ebay, for unique ideas. I came across these Queen's Crown Stamped Glass Coasters!

Aren't they lovely? I was so excited and the best part is that I was the only bidder. So I picked up these unique coasters for only .99cents(plus 9.99 s/h). I believe they are too small to fit my wine glasses in but I am thinking of setting my tea cups inside. They just reminded me of a crown and I couldn't pass them up. I also got the cutest Crown Staffordshire England Bird of Paradise Demitasse Cup and Saucer. That has nothing to do with Christmas but it was only 9.00 and I was the only bidder as well. I definitely shopped victoriously! So, I still have sooo many ideas floating through my head...I wish it wasn't seven months away! Here is my table from last year.

I'm seeing dots

POLKA DOTS that is! This year polka dots are the it thing. I have seen them in fashion and interior design. I recently saw a kitchen on Sarah's House(my favorite tv show) that had Dune colored barstools with white polka dots...so cute! I just bought a yellow and white polka dot frame from target in hopes it will inspire some ideas for my guest bedroom. I want it to be cherry and bright...what better design to do that than polka dots. Have a bright sun shining day!

Oh I completely forgot to add my Marshall's find...these lovely grey and white polka dotted towels. I feel that polka dots are pretty bold so I think I maybe done with purchasing any more..but it sure is fun to look still.

Nautical Lighting

I am not sure if it is my name or living in beautiful Southern California...but I love everything to do with the beach. We recently moved into our new home and it is pretty outdated. The front porch is in serious need of some lovin'. I painted the door..however it is too light, so I am going to redo it a darker grey. I added a few pots and a new door mat. It is starting to spruce up...but it really needs a new light fixture. I came across these adorable nautical light fixtures. I already made a trip to Lowe's where they had one that I sort of liked but nothing that I really had to have. The Hubs was there with me and persuaded me to not purchase it..along with many other items. In the end I am glad he was there to curb my impatienceness, because I am sooo getting these..one for up front and one for my back patio.












Old and Busted, New Hotness, Back Patio Jewelery

Brownie Pops

My new favorite dessert!

Brownie Pops
Ingredients:1 pan (13x9) brownies, baked and cooled
1/2 cup chocolate frosting
1 lb chocolate-flavored candy coating
40-50 lollipop sticks
Decorative toppings (sprinkles, nuts, coconut, etc) I just used sprinkles and decorated with the candy coating.
Preparation:1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil or waxed paper.
2. Place the brownies in a large bowl, and crumble them roughly with your hands. Add the chocolate frosting, and begin to mix it with your hands into the brownies, working until the brownies are crumbs and the mixture is evenly moistened. You want the brownie mixture to easily hold together when you press it into a ball, but still retain a little texture. My personal preference is to have some “crumb” left to the brownie, so that it is not just a gooey frosting ball. Of course, tastes vary, so add more frosting if you want a fudgier pop.
3. Using a cookie scoop or teaspoon, form the mixture into small balls and roll them between your hands to get them round. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
4. After the pops have been frozen, remove them from the freezer. Melt the chocolate candy coating in the microwave and stir until completely smooth.
5. Use a skewer to poke a hole in the bottom of each brownie ball. Dip the end of a lollipop stick into the melted coating, then stick this end into the hole made by the skewer, to help hold the stick in place.
6. To prevent cracks from forming in the chocolate coating, you want to dip the brownie pops when they have lost some of their coldness from the freezer, but do not allow them to get so warm that they fall off the lollipop stick when being dipped. I’ve found that a moderately cool temperature is best. Dip the pops one at a time in the coating, holding the dipped pop over the bowl and allowing excess coating to drip back in the bowl.
7. While the coating is still tacky but no longer dripping, sprinkle the desired toppings (nuts, coconut, sprinkles, etc) on the brownie pop before setting it on a baking sheet to finish setting. Alternately, you can stick the pops upright in Styrofoam to allow them to finish drying.
8. Brownie Pops can be served immediately, or they will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The chocolate coating will get softer as time progresses. Allow to come to room temperature for best taste and texture when serving.

My Dream Kitchen

Since my husband and I have been married (almost seven years) we have lived in six different homes/apartments. Moving that much you learn what you like and dislike about a space. My mom recently informed me that there were a few nautical rooms featured in Veranda magazine this month(May-June Issue). I have been toiling with the idea of turning my Living Room into a Nautical "themed" room( I hate themed rooms, but I think I can pull this one off). Anyways on the first few pages I came across my dream kitchen. Everything down to the hardware and ladder was absolutely divine! I have always loved those ladders you see usually in libraries. I first fell in love with them in Beauty and the Beast. Ever since then I have been determined to have one somewhere in my home. Wouldn't that be great in a kitchen...you could use it to reach your cookbooks or appliances you rarely use. I immediately went to the designers website http://www.downsviewkitchens.com/ to check out MY kitchen. I even showed it to the Hubs and he approved. Lately I have been on a girly design kick and he has threatened to throw away items I bring in that are too girly! How rude! So when he said it was awesome I was so happy. Not that I can afford this kitchen, but to know that we are on the same track is a feat. So here it is:

Bridesmaid and Sister Duty

My sister is getting married in August and I (of course) am a bridesmaid. This is actually the first wedding I have ever been a bridesmaid in..can you believe it. None of my high school friends are married yet and all my current friends were already married when I met them (and I am assuming I would have been all of their Maid of Honors). So, I was asked to take on the task of planing and hosting her Engagement Party. I was so excited. You ask me to plan a party and I am all over it. However, the weekend before was my son's 1st bday(post to follow) and I was pooped.

Lately I have been somewhat obsessed with polka dots and since I live with two boys I wouldn't dream of sneaking them in the house(well maybe in the guest bedroom which I soon plan on taking over...post to follow). So I thought, ooohhh, what a great theme black and white polka dots would be. Much to my dismay Party City no longer carried the plates and other items I had once saw. BOO! As I went around the store I did find another theme of roses, champagne glasses, love birds and a few other engagement like doo dads on them. I purchased those along with some coordinating paper lanterns and was all set..not soo excited as I was with the polka dot theme...but none the less they were bought( on clearance).

Oh...I should mention my original thought...Diamonds....everyhwhere. Crystals and tulle cascading down from my patio cover. A mini wedding cake adorned with rows of diamonds. Then I went wedding dress shopping with the sister and came to find she doesn't do sparkles! I know I don't get it...but it is "her" day and so that plan was scratched.

It ended up being an intimate gathering of her family and her fiance's family..along with the wedding party. It never fails at the end of a party I bought and made way too much food...way too many plates and napkins..but you know what I don't mind one bit...and now I can use them all for her next bridal shower..that I was just informed we (Maid of Honor and I) are hosting. Round 2 of 5 I think...my sister loves a party and I love giving them!

All Aboard!

Welcome! I am so glad you decided to check out my new blog. Please check back as I plan on adding quite a few posts in the next few weeks. Please forgive the layout as I am still designing it. I hope that you can find something useful on my blog. I wanted to share mama stories...wife tales(new not old)...recipes(failures and sucesses)...sites that I love...design ideas...crafts...you name it...if I love it you will see it here. Enjoy my bloggin buddies!

Party Here...Party There...Party Everywhere!

Boy oh Boy...I threw two major parties in two weeks. I loved it and hated it all at the same time. I have been struggling personally with finding time to fit everything in lately. I know this is a common frustration many new and old mom's have. I thought I would be different though. I thought, I am organized enough to keep things running smoothly. Boy oh boy was I wrong. You see although you may set aside time to do things..life still happens. And in your plans, there are your children's plans, friend's plans, family plans and other human beings who think they have it all together as well...plans. I am trying to roll with the punches and keep my sanity. I feel like I don't really even "do" anything. I wake up... work..take care of my adorable son...clean... shop(grocery..the worst kind of shopping), and then make dinner and back to bed. You always hear women wanting "ME" time. I think that sounds a little selfish..but everyone does need time to do things they love. Planning parties is actually something I love. So, like I said, it was a love/hate relationship I had going on with these parties.

I, of course, made way too much food...but I want to try so many different things all at once! In fact at both parties almost every single person said they were coming. You always account for those who get sick or may have to end up working..but I still thought I was planning well. Anyways, I could have cut everything in half...but if I had I am sure I would have needed to send The Hubs to get more..that is just how it always goes. Geesh, I could so write a book about this. I think every woman could!

Shane's 1st birthday was the first party we hosted. It was so much fun! I decided to stick with his nursery theme and go with the cowboy theme. I ordered the cutest invitations online from Etsy. We had tin buckets filled with peanuts and of course a BBQ feast. I know that Shane will have no recollection of this day..but momma loves to plan parties and unfortunately whether or not he ever cares to remember the small details like peanuts in a bucket...it is gonna happen. Sorry sweetie..momma has issues!

The second soiree..was my sister's Engagement Party. Now I have to say I had not given this party as much thought as Shane's. Because kids bdays are fun..but anything to do with weddings I am all about and if I began to put all my energy in it...it would have been a mini wedding:). Originally I had planned this very formal occasion. Diamonds, crystals, mini wedding cake...black and white. Yeah..that did not happen. I snapped myself out of that lala land real quick. You see that would have cost me a pretty penny. I love my sister and if I could have I would have, but I don't so I won't. I ended up finding some cute plates that were specifically for an engagement party on the clearance aisle at Party City..which I do not care for their selection I must say. I made an array of desserts: mini cake, cupcakes, brownie pops and ring and wedding cake sugar cookies. It ended up being a casual evening. People don't dress up anymore. In my mind engagement parties are formal..you drink fine wine...men wear their finest..women all in dresses...Frank and Dean in the background...WAKE UP!!! Oh sorry I faded away to my lala land again. We now drink soda in our jeans and try to make an appearance and leave asap so we can get back to our crazy hectic lives..oh the good ol' days.

Wow, can you tell it has been awhile since I have written??? I guess I had a lot to talk about, with my fondness for the old days, party etiquette and party planning. Now to the good stuff pics and recipes..that's all you care about...not my ramblings:).

Brownie Pops

Ingredients:
1 pan (13x9) brownies, baked and cooled
1/2 cup chocolate frosting
1 lb chocolate-flavored candy coating
40-50 lollipop sticks
Decorative toppings (sprinkles, nuts, coconut, etc) I just used sprinkles and decorated with the candy coating.

Preparation:
1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil or waxed paper.
2. Place the brownies in a large bowl, and crumble them roughly with your hands. Add the chocolate frosting, and begin to mix it with your hands into the brownies, working until the brownies are crumbs and the mixture is evenly moistened. You want the brownie mixture to easily hold together when you press it into a ball, but still retain a little texture. My personal preference is to have some “crumb” left to the brownie, so that it is not just a gooey frosting ball. Of course, tastes vary, so add more frosting if you want a fudgier pop.
3. Using a cookie scoop or teaspoon, form the mixture into small balls and roll them between your hands to get them round. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
4. After the pops have been frozen, remove them from the freezer. Melt the chocolate candy coating in the microwave and stir until completely smooth.
5. Use a skewer to poke a hole in the bottom of each brownie ball. Dip the end of a lollipop stick into the melted coating, then stick this end into the hole made by the skewer, to help hold the stick in place.
6. To prevent cracks from forming in the chocolate coating, you want to dip the brownie pops when they have lost some of their coldness from the freezer, but do not allow them to get so warm that they fall off the lollipop stick when being dipped. I’ve found that a moderately cool temperature is best. Dip the pops one at a time in the coating, holding the dipped pop over the bowl and allowing excess coating to drip back in the bowl.
7. While the coating is still tacky but no longer dripping, sprinkle the desired toppings (nuts, coconut, sprinkles, etc) on the brownie pop before setting it on a baking sheet to finish setting. Alternately, you can stick the pops upright in Styrofoam to allow them to finish drying.
8. Brownie Pops can be served immediately, or they will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The chocolate coating will get softer as time progresses. Allow to come to room temperature for best taste and texture when serving.

Ranch and Bacon Dip (How can you go wrong?)

I served this at the Cowboy BBQ

1 8oz container of Sour Cream

1 pkg Ranch Dip Mix

1/4 cup of Bacon Bits

1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Mix all together and enjoy..so simple. I like to serve with Triscuits.