Memorial Day Weekend 2011

We had a great weekend.. mostly outside thank the Lord! Gardening, walking, swimming, park-going.. and almost a parade.. (maybe next year.. SJ fell asleep right before it started..)

{loves water..}



we hung out in our suits pretty much all weekend since it was so steamy.

The weekend ... Must be around 86 degrees, beautiful and sunny, very perfect for the holiday that starts off the summer, dont cha think?

Swingin at the park after dinner..

and a little slide action with Daddy

Memorial Day - Monday

We had a BBQ at my Uncle and Aunt's House, and I made .. what else? Cupcakes.. These were patriotic cupcakes though... Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Buttercream frosting...

I had never made Cream Cheese Buttercream before... OMG.... to die! I used Martha Stewart's recipe from her website, and it was really super easy .. 4 ingredients I think.. Cream Cheese, Vanilla, Powdered Sugar.. and Butter ... THATS IT!

I dressed em up nicely with some holiday decorations and flags I found at Michael's over the weekend.

{pic with Aunt Kathy.. Ka Kee as she calls her}

cousins Clare and Samantha.. both born in 2009

Momma and SJ

My Momma and her sista.. Auntie Maureen

These two cousins were so adorable playing together.. they really got along so well, and Im so glad we were able to snap a few adorable poses.. This one is them looking at the guys outside playing Bocce Ball..

It was a great Memorial Day weekend, just what we needed, good weather, family food, and fun!

SUYL - Desserts!

This week I feel so behind, I wanted to however join this week's SUYL at Kelly's Korner, because it features one of my favorite things.. DESSERTS!!!

I have many many favorite dessert recipes.. including one of Kelly's fav's Cake Balls!
I love making cupcakes as you can tell if you are a follower of mine or family member.. Im making Red Velvet Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Buttercream this weekend for a family cookout on Monday... so stay tuned!!

But for now, here are a few recipes/favorites that might not be on the list already for this linky..
Hamburger Cookies

(image from Yahoo Images)
I first was introduced to these cuties in college, I think it was my friend Kristen's mom? She sent her back to the dorm with a huge plate of these.. and I was hooked!!!

Ingredients:
4 drops green food coloring
1/2 teaspoon water
1/4 cup flaked coconut
48 vanilla wafers
24 chocolate covered thin mints
1 tablespoon sesame

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
In a bowl, combine food coloring with a few drops of water. Add coconut and cover the container, shake until coconut is tinted. Set aside.
Place 1/2 of the vanilla wafers, flat side up, in an ungreased cookie sheet. Top each wafer with a peppermint patty. Place in the oven about 1 minute or just until chocolate begins to soften.
Remove cookies from oven and sprinkle each mint with 1/2 teaspoon coconut (for lettuce). Place another vanilla wafer on top and press gentle. With a clean paint brush, brush the top of each hamburger with just enough water to moisten so that the sesame seeds will stick when sprinkled on top of each cookie. NOTE: You can use canned chocolate frosting in place of peppermint patty, then eliminate the baking.

(recipe from Allrecipes.com)

S'Mores Bars

I got this amazing recipe last summer, and seemed to make it for EVERY family gathering.. and multiple times just for fun! they are addictive, amazing, and just talking about them makes me want to bake a batch very very soon! (you'll see what i mean once you try 'em)

Here's my blog post with recipe and pics from last July:

http://themalenicfam.blogspot.com/2010/07/smores-cookie-bars.html

Cant wait to see what good ideas are on the linky list!

Happy Friday!

Us Lately....

If the first pic isn't a hint... we hit the road for Ohio this weekend.

It was my 10 year college reuinon & a nice visit with my in-laws.

When we got there "Baka" was watching my two nieces, so SJ got to play with the girls and they had so much fun together and really played very well.

Samantha and Julia - three weeks apart - both turning 2 in July.

I have many more pics from our little getaway, but for now I thought i'd better post since its been sooo long! We stayed till Sunday, then came home.. Another reason why I havent posted is we stayed out till 1am (mathew and I) on Saturday.. and Im not sure how long it will take to recover, but I sure STILL feel exhausted, and its Wednesday... yes Wednesday!

In other news.. If you live near a Target or SuperTarget.. you need to go buy one of these mixes, they are sooooo good. I love scones.. not to sweet, and goes great with coffee.
This mix is so good!

I ate one warm right out of the oven, that MAY be the reason I was instantly obsesssed with them, ha!

After unpacking and getting back into the grind, I was thinking about meals on our way home and making grocery lists.. so Monday we went to the grocery store where I got all bug-eyed... and grabbed SO much .. and we needed basically everything.. fruits/veggies/meat/milk/etc..
We came home to a bare fridge, so I decided to make Homemade Chicken Soup with Crepe Noodles....

Samantha digs Crepe Noodles..

Other than that, Im getting ready for our Garage/Block Sale next week, trying to finish up some Artwork, and I received an order from a local friend for a stool for a baby shower that needs to be done by June 17th!!!

I promise to post pics once they are off the camera.. Hopefully later today or tomorrow..

Im desperately looking forward to Memorial Day weekend... I need another few days off. ha!

We dont have much planned, just a little garden work, a picnic at my Aunt's house, we might have people over Sunday, and there is a parade literally at the corner of our street on Monday.. so SJ will im sure LOVE it!

SUYL - Favorite Main Course Meal

I have many favorite Main Courses.. I love to cook.. I love watching the Food Network & Reading Cooking/Baking Blogs.. I try to be my own Martha/Ina/Giada.. haha

One of my favorites is:

{Homemade Chicken Soup with Crepe Noodles}

I can make this recipe with my eyes closed I've made it so many times..

and Samantha LOVES it ....BONUS!

Now, I know I hate when I ask people for recipes, and there is never an exact amount.. but this is one of those you have to play with until you get it right.

Ingredients:

1-2 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)

1/2 bag carrots - chopped in big pieces

1/2 bag celery - chopped in small bite sized pieces.

3-4 large onions (white/yellow) whatever you have cut/diced

Chicken Stock

Water

Garlic 2-3 cloves/minced or chopped
Vegeta -2-3 tbsp

Thyme - 1tsp

Parsley -2 tsp
Sea Salt -1 tsp (may need more later)

Fresh Pepper - 1 tsp

I start by using a BIG pot.. adding 1/2 stock or broth and filling the other half with water (equal parts stock and water. I then add all the veggies and chicken.. bring to a boil.

Then I season the rest of the soup with Vegeta/Parsley/Garlic/Salt/Pepper/Thyme and let slow cook until veggies are tender and soup tastes the way you like.

Here's the kicker.. I make Crepe Noodles to put over the soup ...

ahhhh they are DELISH! I never thought of this until meeting my Croatian husband.. My mother in law made soup with Crepe Noodles.. OH MY GOODNESS.. I never wanted a plain old noodle again!

And you can save some whole crepes and have em for dessert too!

Ok I think I've talked myself into making this for my family really soon! Its SOOO yummy!

Looking forward to gathering some new recipes to try from Kelly's Korner (SUYL)!!

What Im Loving Wednesday

No matter how busy I am with life, blogging slacks on some days... but I always make it a point to remember to post for this linky! Maybe because it forces me to take time out to be thankful for things, and its also mid-work week.. which means the weekend is almost here! yea!

So here goes:

What Im Loving Wednesday

{New Cute Tops}

My wardrobe after being pregnant/nursing & living in the south where it was too hot to be cute most days.. has suffered.. So living up north again, I look for little bargains wherever I can find em!

I treated myself last week and found a couple cute things!

Strapless Dress/Tunic

I love this dress/top.. I say dress/top because I remember watching "Monster In Law" and loving all of JLo's outfits.. they were simple, yet adorable.. and in one scene she pairs a dress/long top like this one with tight jeans.. which I plan to do with this shirt as well.

Zebra Boho

Im loving animal prints and they are everywhere ... babies, decor, women, girls, teens..

This is a lightweight shirt that I picture me wearing with a tank underneath/with jeans/shorts/or as a bathing suit cover up! It was only 12.00!

Purple Pumps

I "lost" these during our move, and just found them again.. I love love them, not sure where Im going to wear them, but I just love the deep purple.. very "sex and the city".. and I WILL find the perfect outfit for them!

{SJ's New Monogram Decal}

I made her a canvas..

well that didnt turn out so well.

(its now hanging in her CLOSET.. ) if thats any indication to how bad it was.

I decided to try decals, since that seems to be the new hip decor choice seen lately..

{pic is a little ok VERY dark.. its very dark and rainy today}
I really like how it turned out.. I think I like decals. I can see more of them in my future.. Plus, no nails in the freshly painted walls.. which hubby appriciates! ha!

and Lastly.. but maybe my favorite LOVE:

I CAN SEW!

My Aunt came over and showed me how to hook up my machine, and get it going..

Stay tuned, I think Im gonna like it.. Im already loving fabric hunting...

Stealing from PF Changs!

A while back PF Chang's was a favorite place to dine...

In college and post college, we had a location pretty close to my apartment.

One of my all time favorite appetizers there that

me and my friend Erica used to ALWAYS get was:

Lettuce Wraps

Have you ever had em?

They are TO DIE FOR!!!

Very light and tasty .. and not heavy on the carbs!

The "wrap" part is a lettuce leaf!

I found a packet of sauce in the grocery store and decided to try to make 'em on my own for dinner tonight!
All the ingredients AND recipe are on the back of the sauce packet.. so easy.

They turned out fabulous!

Communion & Playdate - We are alive!

Slacker.. I've been MIA..

Here's a couple things we've done in the last week or so..

Sunday, we had a communion party for my cousin Abigail.

It was during naptime, so my Mom and I went..

I made Abby this cross to match her canvas I did for her room

She had two cakes! One chocolate and one vanilla.

{me and my momma}
It was a nice chance to sit and eat/talk with my family and not be running around after SJ, or worried about her eating/not getting hurt, or having stranger danger with all the people that were there.



Playdate
Last Thursday, we went out to my friend Julie's house for a dinner/playdate and to see her new 2 month old baby girl Annabelle! Julie and I have been friends since Kindergarden. And have gone to the same Grade School, High School & College together.

Now we're having kids together! ha! Its so great to have kept a long time friend. We always have a great time when we are together.. Mostly laughing about how silly we were when we were younger .. and all the funny/bad things we did! ha!

{Samantha enjoyed Jackson's little playhouse!}

She LOVED Annabelle, she was giving her the softest kisses, and she kept going over to her and SCREAMING... "BABY BABY BABY!" haha.

{fuzzy pic-- Annabelle, Momma & SJ}

I think we may need a little SJ Cottage for the backyard..

She would have stayed in there all day!

{sittin pretty - 5.12.11}

Of course I volunteered for desserts ....

I made Peanut Butter Cookie Cups with White Chocolate Buttercream..

And Samantha ate one WHOLE one by herself, after a double helping of chicken, broccoli and potatoes.. uhm, Growth Spurt??? I think YES....

My mom was just loving holding this little one..

{Mom and Annabelle - 2months}

And Julie's precious son Jackson - he's 15 months...

The weekend was a wet one, but we planted the rest of our garden, and I have my hanging plants on my front porch so that makes me smile!

ABC and 123

Lately Mathew and I have been getting surprised by the
amount of knowledge our little peanut knows!

{daily routine with this puzzle}

She counts to 10, Knows all her letters and colors, and is remembering things that even momma's brain cant remember, ha! Its tough to keep up with her some days..

Im asking her "what did you say bubba?" and she'll point out something I mentioned 3 days ago, my half fried Mommy Brain can't remember, but my almost 2 year old DOES!! Its amazing. Im so proud of her..

She amazes us every day.. and scares us too.. Scared in a good way.. Well, maybe Im a little scared because I really really struggled in school in Math and Science subjects, so I fear I wont be able to help SJ if she needs me someday..

Hopefully this will be where Daddy steps in and takes over! ha! I think they even have online Tutoring Companies too! That is great, I wish they had that when I was in school! The words "calculus" and "trigonometry" really freak me out, yes even now!

We do work with her though.. constantly. Almost every night after bath, she and daddy sit on the couch and do all her puzzles

What Im Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

Here's What Im Loving this Week!
Im Loving THE Best Cornbread Discovery

I made Chili on Monday night, and have had this mix for a while.
Im always hesitant to make cornbread - turns out dry and tasteless.
This came out so moist and sweet... unbeleiveable for a box mix!

Wilton 1A Tip!
For those lovers of sweets, baking and all that jazz.. you'll understand why tips are essential to cute and tasty cupcakes/cakes..

I found this one and I've been searching for a large round tip FOREVER... No one seems to carry it, not Michael's/JoAnn's

Now I can try to make cupcakes look like Georgetown's!

Im lastly loving the warmer weather

Small things like leaving the front door open all day

and hanging sheets outside to try

Its the simple pleasures Im enjoying these days...

Mother's Day Weekend 2011

It was my 2nd Mother's Day!
Weather was Gorg! All Weekend!

Friday we went out to dinner as a family.. no big deal, just grocery store..

We did a little grocery shopping, this week they had double coupons, so I was fumbling through my endless attempt to be organized when it comes to coupons, and I did get a lot of great bargains.

Saturday it was beautiful out. Light breeze and around 62 ish?

We took a morning walk in our town to the hardware store, and then to see the

WATER!!! (she loves water)

and throwing stones too..

Later Momma and Daddy went out on a date! Mexican and Margharitas.. ahhh so good!

We were going to keep going and try a few more places for drinks, but we actually missed our baby (does that sound weird) We're with her all the time, and the one night we could have stayed out as late as we wanted, we come home early cause we missed her! ha!

It was great to get out anyway as a couple..

Mother's Day

{my card from Daddy & SJ}

We woke up and Daddy made breakfast.. eggs, hashbrowns, coffee & juice.. It was GORGEOUS again! This time it got to almost 70 today..

Daddy took SJ to the Park, and Momma had some quiet time.. ahhh ....

I didnt do anything WILD .... just cleaned! .. and did some small projects I've been waiting to finish up...

like this one above...

I spray painted an old shelf I thrifted for her shoes,

and I also added hooks underneath for SJ's purses/toys...

I did laundry and hung our sheets OUTSIDE .. I absolutely love lovethe smell afterwards!

Then after a nap, we headed over to my Mom's house.

{loves the slide and Gigi's House}

We had a cookout and sat outside since it was sooo nice.

SJ ate like a horse. The child seriously had no limit today with food.

We bought my Mom an indoor hanging porch swing, and SJ gave her this cute angel that says Grandma's are angels send from above to provide us with friendship, laughter and love..

My Mom got me a gift certificate for an hour long Swedish Massage..

ahhh I cannot wait to use it!

{Momma's Day 2011}

The menu consisted of Hot Dogs/Hamburgers, Corn on the Cob, and I made Potato Salad.

For Dessert we had 2 cakes (Ultimate Vanilla & Coconut) and Apricot Jello (which we forgot to eat.. ha!)

{the ultimate cakes!)

SO good, SO full, what a great Momma's Day.. and great weekend in general.. sad that its already over!!