Cookies and Cocoa

     Today I am enjoying my first official day off of school in about 3 months.  I just ended another trimester, so that makes 3 down, and 3 more to go.  Monday I start studying Labor and Delivery and Pediatrics, which are the two subjects I've been looking forward to since the beginning.  I'm not sure which field I want to go into, but I know it's going to be one of those two, and that excites me.  In the mean time, however, I've been catching up on a bit of housework.  Yesterday, Monkey brought home a 100 A on her big sight words test that covered all the words they've been learning since the beginning of the year, so we celebrated by turning some of her Halloween candy into yummy cookies.  So here's a recipe that is a classic:

M&M Cookies
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 cups M&Ms, plus extra for topping

Preheat oven to 350.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper, or grease the baking sheets.

In a large bowl, or in the bowl of a KitchenAide mixer, blend both sugars, shortening, eggs, and vanilla until mixture is well blended and fluffy.  Add flour, baking soda, and salt.  Mix until well incorporated.  Add M&Ms, and gently stir.

Gently roll dough into small balls, and press onto the prepared baking sheets.  Add a few M&Ms to the tops of each pressed dough ball.

Bake at 350 9-11 minutes, or until edges are golden and middles are set.

     Now, what goes better with cookies on a chilly November evening than a nice warm mug of hot cocoa?

World's Best Hot Cocoa
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup half-and-half

Combine cocoa, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan.  Blend in the boiling water.  Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously.  Once it begins to boil, simmer and stir for 2 minutes.  Don't let it burn.  Stir in milk and hear until hot throughout, but don't bring mixture to another boil.  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Distribute evenly among 4 mugs.  Add 1/8 cup half-and-half to each mug.  Top with mini marshmallows if desired.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Monkey!

     Okay so I'm a slacker.  I was supposed to post this on Monkey's birthday, but then my computer died.  Thankfully my awesome brother-in-law is a computer genius, and he revived my sweet Mac.  He also changed my hard drive icon to a zombie in honor of it's reanimation.  Last Monday was my daughter's 4th birthday, and I am amazed at how quickly the time is flying by.  She will be starting school in a little over a year, and I don't know what I'm going to do with myself.  I get teary eyed at the thought of her in a cute little school uniform with her backpack on her back.  I'm probably going to be one of those moms who cries the first day of school.  Scratch that "probably", I cried just this weekend at the sight of her wearing a bit of eyeshadow for the first time.  My husband thinks it's funny to bring up all the ways she'll grow in the coming years, just to see if he can get me to go all weepy again.  Jerk!

     Thankfully, she's not too big for themed parties yet, because I get a kick out of planning them for her.  Last Saturday we celebrated her birthday with a Princess Party, and she had a blast.  Of course I want to share some of the goodies.  First, the invites.  I had my awesome sister take a few shots of Monkey at the local park back home, and then I used Shutterfly to upload them and turn them into cute invitations. I can't figure out how to load the link to the finished project, but here's the picture she took.

Getting ready for the party

     I also had fun thinking of princess-themed snacks this year, and of course Pinterest helped a ton.  First and foremost, there's the cake:

     It may not be professional-looking, but I'm proud of it.  I found a cool tutorial on how to use a coloring sheet to create a chocolate mold of whatever image you want, and I used it to make each of the princesses you see on the top of the cake.  Monkey enjoyed eating the rejects.

Next I made Snow White's Caramel Apples, and although they tasted great they were not photogenic.  They were simple and yummy, though, so here's what you'll need:

1 (14 oz) package caramel
2 TBS milk
Granny Smith apples, sliced in half and cored

Pour caramel and milk into a medium sized bowl, melt in the microwave for 1 minute.  Stir.  Microwave for another minute.  Stir and pour into cored apples.  Let set, then slice and serve.

     Next, representing my favorite princess, I made Belle's Roses:

You'll need:
strawberries
White chocolate
pink food coloring
red icing
kabob or lollipop sticks

Wash strawberries, and skewer them onto the kabob/lollipop sticks.  Melt the white chocolate in the microwave according to package directions, add a few drops of pink food coloring.  Dip strawberries into chocolate, covering up to the white portion, and let set.  Once the chocolate is set, using the red icing, draw outlines of the roses onto the layer of chocolate.  Let set then serve.

   Representing Cinderella, we had Fairy Godmother's Magic Wands:

You'll need:
White chocolate
Pretzel rods
Sprinkles

Melt white chocolate in microwave according to package directions.  Dip pretzels in chocolate.  Decorate with sprinkles and let dry.

   We even had an assortment of sugar cookies shaped into Enchanted Castles, Tiaras, and Cinderella's Glass Slippers.  These were topped with an almond powdered sugar icing dyed the various pastel colors.

For drink, we enjoyed refreshing Princess Punch and my homemade sweet tea:

For the punch you'll need:
2 qrts pink lemonade
2 qrts rasberry sherbet
2 L lemon-lime soda

Add all ingredients to bowl and serve.

For the Sweet Tea:
   Clip 3 large Community tea bags (or 6 small bags) to the side of a gallon-sized pitcher.  Boil water and add to the pitcher until the pitcher is nearly full.  Let it steep for about an hour.  Remove and discard bags.  Add 3 cups of sugar.  Stir and enjoy :-)

Even our chips and dip and various trays had a nod to a certain princess movie.

"Chip"s and Dip

"Tiana's Tempting Trays"

Ariel's "Dinglehoppers"

     All-in-all it was a very good party, and of course Monkey racked up on gifts.

     I'm thinking I'll be going through her toy box and purging next time she's not looking.  Now it's time to go clean out my Birthday Party board on Pinterest until Monkey picks the theme for next year.

*Thank you to my awesome sister for taking the pictures and helping set everything up for the party!*

Then they gave me drugs

     Well the teeth came out yesterday, and I am still here.  The anesthesia didn't kill me, but it sure put up a good fight after the surgery.  I'm feeling a lot better this morning, and I'm finally holding down some food.  My husband thought it'd be a good time to fill me in on all the randomness that came out of my mouth after the surgery was over.  Apparently there was a nurse who helped him get me into the car, and I told her she was too short, and that I'd crush her if I fell on her.  Once seated in the car, I kept grilling the poor nurse on whether or not my husband actually listened to the directions.  Apparently I expressed my concerns rather adamantly because she had to reassure me that they went over everything several times.  I responded, "Good, because he forgets things a lot!"  I remember this slightly because I heard the nurse reassure my poor husband that it was just the drugs.  Ha!  I think that was my only lucid moment.  Next J got into the car too, and was nice enough to video the following conversation:

   
     I have to give my husband props for being an excellent nurse yesterday.  He was really freaked out that I'd bite my tongue off from talking so much, but thankfully that didn't happen.  After getting me settled in at home, he helped me change my gauze and take my meds before making sure I was asleep so that he could go pick Monkey up from daycare.  Monkey has a pretty yucky cold right now, so he was going to bring her to a doctor's appointment, but they got into a wreck on the way home.  It wasn't a big thing.  No one was hurt, and his car was barely scratched, but they were too late for Monkey's appointment, so J was on double duty with two sick girls, and he did a fabulous job!  It helped that a really good friend of mine brought over some soup, bread and cookies for dinner, so that took some of the stress off of his shoulders.  Finally around 10:30, I was starting to feel like me again, so all I wanted to do was stay up, but poor J was exhausted.  He soldiered through an episode of The Big Bang Theory anyway before I let him pass out.

    Since I'm not allowed to have any real food, I want to share the recipe for the shake J made for me this morning, which was delicious.

Apple Pie Shake
1 pkg Spiced Apple Cider, prepared and chilled (We used Alpine brand)
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
3 scoops vanilla ice cream
Scoop of Whey Protein (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth.  Enjoy!

Recipes for a Good Morning

     Happy Friday everyone!  Today I want to share with you two breakfast items that are extremely yummy!  The first is a DIY Mocha Frappuccino that'll save you plenty of $$$ if you're like me and addicted to those little 4-packs of Fraps you can get at most grocery stores.  These are yummy, but very sweet, so feel free to play around with the sugar amounts if you have less of a sweet tooth.

Hmmm....morning bliss :-)

Here's what you'll need:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup condensed milk
10 cups brewed coffee (I use Community Dark Roast, but you can use your favorite blend)

Brew coffee to your liking.  This can be as strong as you want, so just do your thing ;-) While the coffee is brewing, pour sugars and condensed milk into a 2-quart pitcher.  Pour freshly brewed coffee over it, and stir well.  Let sit in the fridge over night, and enjoy the next morning.

  I could not have made this at a better time.  I couldn't sleep last night, so I was awake until 2 am playing Words with Friends with a relentless partner who would not admit defeat.  Then I was awoken at about 7 am by a restless pup who had eaten his entire bed (again) and wanted out of his kennel.  Then I came downstairs and saw this in the fridge, and the world was sunny and bright once more :-)

Then next recipe I want to share is much better for you, and tastes just as good :-)  This is another Pinterest find: Baked Oatmeal.

This is the perfect recipe for a Sunday brunch or if you have a large family.  It was so good; I can't wait to make it again.

So here's what you'll need:

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces, chopped
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

Preheat oven to 375°F and generously spray the inside of a 10-1/2 by 7 inch baking dish with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.

1. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, orange zest, Chinese five spice, salt, half the walnuts, half the strawberries and half the chocolate. (Save the other half of strawberries, walnuts and chocolate for the top of the oatmeal). In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract.
2. Add the oat mixture to prepared baking dish. Arrange the remaining strawberries, walnuts and chocolate on top. Add the banana slices to the top then pour the milk mixture over everything. Gently shimmy/shake the baking dish to help the milk mixture go throughout the oats.

Cheers to New Starts

   It's official!  I'm unemployed.

   I've been working for a while at a really nice company that was originally founded in Mobile before it branched out to Gulfport and Pensecola.  Due to recent changes, the owner decided it'd be best to close their doors on the Gulfport branch.  This means I'm out of a job, but I'm actually okay with this arrangement.  Well, more than okay actually, I'm excited!  With only XX amount of days left before J deploys again, I'm looking forward to some time at-home with him and my baby girl.

   I'm also looking forward to another new chapter in my life.  I will be returning to school in the fall.  I have been wanting to do this for a while, but the timing never seemed to work out.  Something always came up to get in the way. Yesterday, I went by the local community college to confirm that all of my financial aid is in order, and it looks like I'm all set to start school August 20!  I can't wait.  Being the nerd that I am, I've always loved school.  I excel in that atmosphere, so it will be good to be back in it.  It will also provide a good distraction while J's deployed.   Hopefully it will help the months pass by a little more quickly than last time.

   With all these new starts headed my way, I should have been out celebrating on this beautiful Spring day.  Instead, I was stuck at home sick while my husband and daughter were at the zoo with family.  Oh well, you can't have it all, right?

   I am feeling a little better now, so I think it'll be safe to share a drink recipe with y'all.


This Watermelon & Strawberry Lemonade was so good I almost drank the whole pitcher myself.

 You need:

8 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
1 cup strawberries, halved
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar (original poster called for 1 cup, but I found that was a bit too sweet)
2 cups water

In batches, combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  This was so yummy; I'll certainly be making it again.

Cheers :-)

Playing Catch-Up

     Welcome back, November!  Yes, I realize my greeting is about a week late, but in my defense life has been crazy lately.  Although, I believe the definition of life is crazy so let me rephrase:  life has been life. :-)

     As many of you have seen on Facebook, we had a very good Halloween this year.  Our Halloween gathering went off without a hitch, and everyone had fun.  Even if I am a a tad bit late, I'd like to share some of our ghoulish foods and scary decorations.  Let's not forget the awesome costumes!

     Of course, I want to talk about the food first.  Since our guest list was small, we kept the food simple.  Bbq chicken legs that were supposed to be wrapped in bloody gauze (we got sidetracked and forgot at the end), bloody punch, homemade tortilla chips cut into scary shapes, deviled eyeballs, and (my favorite) graveyard cupcakes all made for an interesting array of appetizers.

    Here are a few pictures from that night:

We believe the cause of death to be blunt trauma to the head.

     As with every good Halloween party, we all dressed up.  I loved seeing what each person decided to arrive as, and I myself had an especially fun time in my "Cyndi Lauper" get-up.

Our whole crew. 

Me with my oh-so-scary husband. 

I was getting into character.

      As you can see we had a good bit of fun that night.  And before I move on to more recent events, I have to share a couple of completely adorable pictures of my daughter from Halloween night.

(She was Ariel, just in case you were wondering lol)

    So on to more recent events.  November has brought with it a couple of weekends of relaxation that were not to be found during October.  I'm extremely grateful, because I need the time to get my house back into shape.  Plus, I get extra time just to relax and enjoy having my beautiful baby girl and wonderful husband.  It also provides more time for cooking! (You knew I was going to be throwing that out there soon.)

    Yesterday, for breakfast, I tried a new muffin recipe that turned out rather well.  I found the recipe for these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins on Pinterest.  I'm being lazy this morning, so you actually have to click the link. :-P 

      Well, it's about time for me to actually get serious about going to work today.  I will make an effort to blog again soon, although I'm not making any promises.  ;-)

Pizza and Beer, Butterbeer that is....

    As I'm sure most of you read, I drowned my precious computer late last week while attempting to wash dishes and surf Pinterest simultaneously.  It obviously doesn't pay to multi-task.  The consequence for my folly is that I'm now typing on my husband's PC (yes I realize I'm running the risk of starting a PC vs MAC debate).  Don't get me wrong, I really don't care about the difference between a PC and a MAC, but since they are so different, I can see why people pick one side and stick to it.  I prefer my Mac simply because I find it easier.  That's just my opinion on the matter.  I don't need to hear yours :-P  That's why I'm the blogger, and you're the follower :-D

    Now that y'all have just discovered the true reason behind my blog, I think it's time I share what I've been up to since I put my poor Mac out of commission.  Of course, I have a few recipes I can't wait to share
:-)

    I was in a pizza mood this past week, so I made two versions of it.  Both came from Paula Deen's September/October 2011 issue, and both were very scrumptious.  The first was a Philly Cheesesteak Pizza.

You'll need:

1 (16 oz) pkg refrigerated pizza crust dough (or do what I do and buy a pkg of prebaked pizza crusts, they come two to a pack, so you can make both of these pizzas)
1 lb extra-lean ground beef
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
2 TBSP spicy brown mustard
8 slices provolone cheese
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 tsp Montreal steak seasoning

If you're using the refrigerated dough for the crust:
Let pizza dough rest according to package directions.  Preheat oven to 450.  Press dough into a 16" pizza pan or a rimmed baking sheet.  Bake for five minutes.

If you bought a prepared pizza crust your directions start here:
In a large skillet combine beef, bell peppers, and onion.  Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes or until beef is browned and crumbly and veggies are tender.  Drain well.
Spread mustard over pizza crust.  Top with provolone cheese, beef mixture, and mozzarella cheese.  Sprinkle with steak seasoning.  Bake for 8 minutes or until crust is browned and cheese melts.  Cut into wedges, and enjoy!

The Philly Cheesesteak Pizza was J's favorite.  Mine however was this next one.  It's a Chicken Club Pizza, and it's phenomenal!

What you'll need:
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup ranch dressing
1 prebaked pizza crust
1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken (or leftovers from last night's bbq, or whatever)
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 avocado, sliced
1 cup tomato
2/3 shredded lettuce

Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and ranch dressing until well combined.  Place pizza crust on a baking sheet, and spread with cream cheese mixture (I would recommend using only 1/2-3/4 of the ranch mixture; I used all of it, and I was scraping cream cheese off as I ate.)  Sprinkle chicken and bacon over pizza.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado slices.  Enjoy!

   I really think this was Monkey's favorite as well.  She liked both better than normal pizza, but she's her mama's child when it comes to her love of avocado!

  Soooooo, a friend of mine is slightly obsessed with Harry Potter, and by slightly, I mean she-who-must-not-be-named quotes it all the time.  Fortunately, I'm a pretty big Harry Potter fan myself, so I totally understand.  Sometimes I'm the only one who catches her quotes, but that's cool, because that means I can text her about awesome HP-related things I find.  The other night, I invited her over for dinner, and she was overjoyed when I pulled out the butterbeer recipe I have been dying to try.  I'm too lazy to type out another recipe so you can click here.  We both enjoyed it, although I did find it to be a bit too much.  I don't think it was too sweet, I think it was too buttery.  I may try it again with less butter, but for your viewing pleasure, here are a couple shots of the yummy concoction:

   And since I don't know how long it will be before my husband lets me take over his computer again (especially after he sees that I ragged it in this post), I'll give y'all one more for the road. It's a butterbeer latte, and theis was hands-down yummy!  I wouldn't change a thing about it, and if I could make myself wake up on time for a change I'd make it every morning.

I found the recipe on Pinterest, but I can't find the original post, so here's the photo:

   Now that you're probably sick of me again, I'm signing off  :-)  Here's hoping my amazing brother-in-law can save my poor computer before I get used to this stupid PC and have to relearn my Macbook all over again.  Nighty night all!