Grape-tacular Smoothie!

My lil man loves this smoothie! He says, "This is super yummy!"

Grape-tacular Smoothie
6 oz grape juice
6 oz strawberry yogurt
6-7 frozen strawberries
1/4 cup crushed ice

1) Add everything except ice to blender and blend on low to medium speed for 15-30 seconds to chop strawberries.
2) Add crushed ice and blend for 10-15 seconds on high speed.

Enjoy!

(photo credit: webmd)

Twilight Saga: Eclipse Party Preview

Some of my mom friends and I are Twilight Moms. We are all going to see the midnight showing of Eclipse in June! Ohhh I can't wait! So to get us ready for our big night I am hosting a Twilight Saga Pre-Eclispe Party!

I have everything all planned out. I have already downloaded all my free printable quotes and drink labels from HWTM.  Look at these awesome printables she designed.

I created some other super fun printables in photoshop and will have them available for download after the party.

I have my menu all planned out. I will be serving themed appetizers, desserts, popcorn and candy. Twilight and New Moon will be shown and also a fun game!

And of course...can't forget the mommy drinks which I've asked my guests to bring their favorite one.

A sneak peak into some of my menu:

Team Jacob

--La Push Pizza Bites ~ Circular mini pizza bites with tomato sauce, fresh pesto, sundried tomatoes, feta and mozzarella.

--Werewolf Kibble ~ Homemade Caramel Popcorn

--Quileute Peaks (aka James Island) ~ High Hat Mini Cupcakes with a different cupcake paper of course.

Team Edward

--Bella's Ravioli ~ Baked Ravioli with Marinara Dip

--Italiano Bruschetta ~ Pecorino Romano Bruschetta with Roasted Red Pepper Sundried Tomato Spread

--Twilight Cupcakes ~ Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache. Topped with fondant chess board topper and red chocolate chess piece.

Can't give away anymore because some of my readers are coming to the party! I want it to be a surprise!

Photo Credits: HWTM, Caramel Popcorn, Baked Ravioli , and all other photos were taken by me.

FireHouse Cook Off...My Fireman's Station Needs Your Votes...This is the last day!

Please click this link and Vote for City of Stuart Firefighter Dave Harrow...not only is he a good cook (I mean the guy even brings his own knives to the station)...he is pretty darn funny too! Just wait until you see his video.

Today is the last day to vote for Dave!!

Thanks love you guys!

3-D Fondant Puppy Cake Toppers

I love baking and making cakes but have always wanted to try and make some 3-D figures. My friend's twins just had a party and her daughter wanted a puppy cake. So I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to give it a try.

Here are my puppies...well a puppy and a half. The purple one was digging a hole on top of the cake with chocolate sprinkles for the dirt. I used some candy bones found at the dollar store and I made a little fondant bowl with purple sanding sugar for the food.

To make these I did ALOT of research and after trial and error I found the best method for my figures.

It was to buy ready made white fondant like Wilton's or Satin Ice and add some sprinkles of tylose powder and knead very well to make a quick gumpaste. Divide it into small blocks and wrap in plastic wrap and place in ziptop baggie. Then, you can color your fondant/gumpaste as needed.

I also found the best method was to use all vegetable shortening to prevent sticking to your work surface and your hands. Some people use cornstarch or even confectioner's sugar but the shortening worked awesome for me.

To make the puppies, I used edible glue which is made in a small bowl with a lid from 2 tablespoons of warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of Tylose Powder. Gently stir with a toothpick and allow the Tylose powder to melt at least 1 hour.  It will look like it is not blending but if you leave it on the counter for about an hour if you are in a hurry or in refrigerator overnight covered.

My Early Anniversary Present...I'm so excited...

Fireman came home from the air force base with an early anniversary present for me.

A BIG bag...and inside was this:

Yes...that is right folks I am the proud owner of my first D-SLR...a Nikon D3000!

I'm sooooooooo excited I can barely contain myself!!! Love that man!!!! I was totally caught off guard. I had no idea! I mean I talk about wanting one to document all the beautiful memories of our children growing and our family but never did I think I would really get one!!!!! Yaaaaa-hoooooo!!! I'm shouting from the rooftops!

Now all I need to do is learn how to use this thing! LOL!!!

The Twins Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Drops...Mmmm!

I tried a new version of this recipe and these things taste and have almost the same texture as Reeses! Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm is all I have to say about these yummy morsels!!!

Add the natural peanut butter to your bowl. It is important to use natural peanut butter meaning peanut butter containing only peanuts and salt in the ingredients to get the Reese's like taste and texture. I think we used Smucker's Creamy Peanut Butter.

Add the confectioner's sugar, vanilla and salt. Looks like somebody got caught tasting the peanut butter. LOL!

Your mixture will be a little crumbly but when you form the peanut butter balls it will come together nicely.

Mmmm-mmmm...Look at all that peanut butter deliciousness !

Then, dip those babies in the melted chocolate and make yourself a cute lil swirl on top with a toothpick. I realize there are no dipping pictures. Dipping 20 PB drops with 4 1/2yr old twins plus using a camera was too much for me LOL!

After all that hard work you deserve to take a bite and enjoy! Ok well if you are like me...maybe 4 or 5 bites and enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Drops
Printable Recipe

2/3 cup Creamy NATURAL Peanut Butter
2 1/2 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 salt
1 cup confectioner's sugar
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
2 tsp vegetable shortening

1) With a mixer, combine peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt on low.
2) Add confectioner's sugar and mix until well blended.
3) Add additional confectioner's sugar if needed.
4) Shape into 1" ball. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and put in freezer for 15-20 minutes.
5) Put chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in microwave safe bowl.
6) Microwave for 45 seconds on medium. Stir and repeat until completely smooth.
7) Working quickly so PB balls do not get soft, use a fork to dip PB drops into melted chocolate, rolling around to completely cover. Gently tap fork on edge of bowl to remove excess chocolate. Place on parchment paper. If you wish, you can use a toothpick to create a little swirl on top. Refrigerate or freeze. You may need to put chocolate back in microwave will dipping to re-melt and stir until smooth.

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing you a special day to all the mom's out there!

Here is a sweet poem I wanted to share:

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day

With little time to stop and pray

For life's been anything but calm

Since You called on me to be a mom

Running errands, matching socks

Building dreams with building blocks

Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes

And other stuff that children lose

Fitting lids on bottled bugs

Wiping tears and giving hugs

A stack of last weeks mail to read

So where's the quiet time I need?

Yet when I steal a minute, Lord

Just at the sink or ironing board

To ask the blessings of Your grace

I see then, in my small one's face

That you have blessed me

All the while

And I stop to kiss

That precious smile

I hope you have a special day with your mom, your little one's or with someone special in your life!

(photo credit)

Mother's Day Brunch Menu...Recipes Included

This year I will be hosting a Mother's Day Brunch at my house! Hopefully, my hydrangeas will still have some of these gorgeous blooms on them!!

Here is the menu I planned for this Sunday. If you need any ideas for your own brunch I have included some printable tasty recipes. Just click the links below. I plan to print out my menu on nice cardstock and post it in a shabby chic frame on the buffet table.

MENU

Blueberry Lemon Scones with Honey Butter

Assorted Pancakes - Blueberry & Chocolate Chip

Warm Maple Syrup

Fresh Fruit Salad

Crispy Bacon

Turkey Sausage Patties

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs with Assorted Mix-ins

Croissants

Sliced Honey Ham

Carved Turkey Breast

Orange Juice

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Spa Water

Mimosas

Fruity Rum Punch

I'm participating in these great link parties:

Thank You Sweet Pickles and Chocolate

Just wanted to say thanks a bunch to Dena @ Sweet Pickles and Chocolate for this special Cinco de Mayo Rave Review! Check her out for Rave Review Wednesdays!