Tis the Season

It's strawberry season in Florida. I just bought these at a ma and pop shop here in town. Fresh picked. Another southern Perk, 2 strawberry seasons! Wahoo!! Snow bunnies eat your heart out.

Flabulous: From Flab to Fab

TWINKLEBEE ElSEWHERE !I am doing another blog. Go here. Let's face it, it's easier and more fun to be healthy when you have support from others. What better way to learn then from others in the same boat or that have been there. You all have have great ideas, tips, knowledge about workingout, roadbumps that thwart efforts, eating healthy, etc. Share them! I've just started it, so come visit!

Chocolate

In honor of Valentines Day approaching I'll share my latest find. Made me giggle.

Oh how I love chocolate.
Chocolate doesn't talk back... although it does leave it's mark on your hips. Dang that "Balance in the universe" stuff.

A Fun Night With the One You Love

Saturday night left Husband and I sitting on the couch trying to decide what to do. We had played around with the idea of going to the circus (I've never been but have always wanted to, is it much fun?) but opted out. With both of us busy, although we are pretty good at it, cooking has become the dreaded chore. With grocery shopping for the week still on the to do list, we decided to use our evening to make some pre-made dinners for the freezer. We gave ourselves a budget to spend, made a list and we were off.

We were so excited. Normally we dread cooking. Maybe the idea of coming home for 2 weeks of meals already made and not having to cook had something to do with that. We kept asking to ourselves out loud while giggling, "Are we total nerds for being so excited about this?

Recipe For: A fun Night with the one you love...

A little bubbly to spice it up- We are the non alcoholic type, but whatever makes it fun for you works. Sidenote: The Apple Wildberry Cider wasn't our favorite flavor. but it was ok.

Some Fun Music-

The one you love- Hopefully that one you love has cooking skills, that helps :)

A little Hoover- who leaves no dropped scrap uneaten resulting in a crumb free kitchen floor. This season's must have!

Less Dishes- Love that!!

Note- Try to plan meals that all use the same type of meat. We bought a 3 lb pack of extra lean hamburger. From that package we got 2 meatloafs (each pan can feed 2-4), 2 pans of enchiladas- each pan feeds 4-6, and 2 8x8 pans of Lasagna feeds 4. If it's just the two of you, you can look forward to leftovers for lunches or to stretch out your dinners even more.

Meatloaf - So easy!

Throw in a couple Potatoes to bake at the same time and whaala

1 1/2 lb. Ground Hamburger

1 egg

1/2 large onion- chopped

1/2 cup crushed bread crumbs-flavored crumbs make it tastey

1/4 cup swiss Cheese

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper

Garlic Powder

pinch of Basil and Parsely for taste

1 1/2 TBsp Worchester Sauce

Mush it with your hands and throw in a bread pan

Little bit of Ketchup on top to keep it moist.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour

All wrapped up ready for the freezer.

Lasagna-

We also made White chicken enchiladas . It took us about 2 hours total to put together 8+ meals. Most large enough to feed us for more then one meal. I don't know about you but 1 good home cooked meal in the evening can talk up almost as much time. Try It!

Involve the Kids:alot of kids love to help, make it a family project. They can smash breadcrumbs, help sprinkle cheese etc.

Pink and Green

Pic via the lovely Joel Dewberry

Oh how I would love for this to be my next Quilting Project, or to just own the fabric in this quilt. Isn't it beautiful? It would look so lovely sitting on my shelf.
Alas, it will have to wait, I have another project in the works, will post pics soon.

Did You Get Your Christmas Card?

If you got your Christmas Card from me...


Then someone has stolen my identity and used it to send out my christmas cards for me. 'cause....
I bought some super cute Christmas cards this year, but with finishing up the school semester, packing for the Christmas trip and being busy at work, I ran out of time to send out the cards this year. So if you were worried you got axed from my christmas list, dry your tears, you're still on it, you just won't get one until next year!

Got these pics of internet, didn't want to spoil anticipation of my cards for 2009 :)

Tea Party

Cindy is at it again. SO creative.
Makes me want to have a tea party. smile.

Demarle Banana Bread

You know what it means when your bananas start looking like this...


Luckily I happened to receive the Demarle Pans I ordered in the mail this weekend. They are silicon (so non stick Yay!!) with glass woven throughout. Made in France. They are commercial grade that professional chef's use. That being said, you would think I cook a lot... um... yeah... sure... but I can say I'm all about easy, and boy these are like a dream. My sister sells them, when she came to visit last year she threw a party and did demos. I was in love with the product and finally ordered some at their end of the year sale.

This one is a muffin tray. You can make quiche, muffins etc. Keep them regular or flip them upside down for a decorative look.

Yeah.. so my camera is only half working... taking pictures crooked even though I line them up correctly.


The Mini Charlotte Tray- Little bite size goodness.

Kev and I call these poppers. Just grab a couple and pop them in your mouth. Cute & Decorative.

WORLD'S BEST JAM

I made my first ever batch of freezer jam. My dad happened to have 1 bag left of his secret stash of Loganberries. They are only grown in particular regions. He can only get them when he visit's Oregon and can fly them back. Homemade Loganberry jam really is the best jam. Sweet but still tart.

LoganBerry- thawed from the freezer. Looks kind of like a blackberry.

A bowl of thawed loganberries in their own juice ready to be made into jam.

The main ingredient :)

Stirring in the Pectin for consistency. Dad made a batch and I made a batch. He let me bring my batch back with me. What a guy to share the coveted berries!

Yep, the pink striped pants are back, and check out the cool apron. That was our father's day gift last year to the master chef from Disney World, so he could be the coolest grandpa ever.

Ready to go in the freezer. I couldn't believe how much simpler it was then I thought. Bring on the strawberries!

CHRISTMAS IN INDIANA

Pardon my unflattering, non matching striped pajama pants. THey were the warmest comfiest thing I had brought hence them being in so many pictures. sigh... the shame :)

The title of this post should be "FROSTBITE". It was SO cold! My dad took these first few pictures of the Ice storm that came in right ahead of us. When we pulled up it was -10 degrees + windchill.



Cosmo had never seen snow or been in a place so cold in his young little life. When we got out of the car after our trip he wouldn't go potty because it was too cold out there. He would pick up his paws and limp like he was injured. Sooo... we took him in the house. My step-mother just got brand new green couches. He hopped up on her new ottomon within the first 5 minutes we were there and lifted his leg and let it loose. I was SO EMBARASSED. Hence the sheet laying over the ottomon to protect it from a confused cold little doggy.

going to work outside...

THE BIG ONE- This was the gear needed to take the dogs on a walk. This is the kind of coat they use in the Alaskin Plains in the dead of winter. The fur is Cayote to block the wind and snow.

The sign coming into town where my parents live. Like the sign suggests, there are alot of Amish horse and buggies in the area.

Cosmo and Yuki. Step mom called these two BFFs. They wrestled and played all day long.

Christmas Eve Family Tradition- Making Gingerbread and Sugar cookies for the stockings.


our stockings on xmas morning including Cosmo's in the middle (his looks full but there is just a bag of bones in there to freshen his breath :)

Little Brother Phil is known for his creative wrapping skilz. This is tin foil and Duct Tape ribbon and bow.

Dad didn't want to be left out in the creative wrapping department. He didnt use newspaper this year (miracle) but opted for reusable bags. Nice job Dad!

Kev got me a Wii and Wii Fit for Christmas. I got him Rockband in the hopes he'd get me a Wii. Good thing he did or I would have looked really silly!

Husband and Brother Rockin out!

Dad took us out to FIVE GUYS burger joint. Good stuff.

Kev got a new baseball glove from Dad for Christmas. On the last day we were there the snow melted enough for a little "Catch"

Luncheon with the Ladies

This is my company Christmas Luncheon. We ate at an upscale hotel "The Bohemian in downtown Orlando. We are an all female company including the owner. It get's loud when we're all together.

This is Gina my tough New Yorkin Friend. We needed a pic of the hotel because it was GORGEOUS! Would love to stay here.

Habitat for Humanity

I'm a youth leader for the girls 16-18 years old. The week before christmas we did a service project at the mall. We wrapped presents for people, all proceedes went to Habitat for Humanity. A service I want to do in the future too, It was loads of fun. They're always looking for volunteers!

Red & Green- Stockings and Things

Computer has been on the outs, but here is a little taste of what my house looked like for Christmas.



I made this for my very first Christmas being married. Holiday shopping this year reminded me why I'm not a professional wreath maker, but it will do :)

The Tree & Christmas Quilt

Kev and I love to travel. We decided instead of collecting all kinds of junk from the places we go, we would buy an ornament from each place so that each christmas as we decorate the tree we are reminded of all our fun travels. Here the first one is a wooden moose that we bought in Jackson Hole, WY. The Angel is from Naussau Bahamas, it is made out of conch shell and has carvings of boats and the ocean on it.

Our stocking holders

Stockings made by auntie Mary.