Welcome Back!!!

Back from from my little Blog-Cation!

Didn't realize how long it has been. Now that the kids are in school and my yucky morning sickness is FINALLY over time to get back to blogging :)

I have super yummy recipes and fun stuff to post...like holiday crafts, room makeovers and more!!

Photo Credit: Key Posters

Versatile Blogger! Yay! PLUS A Big Announcement!!

YAY!!! I got an award from http://www.straightstiches.blogspot.com/!! How sweet to think of me! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Plus check out #1 of things about me for my BIG announcement!!!!

Here are the rules:

1) Thank the person/people who gave it to you and leave them a comment.

2) Share 7 things about yourself.

3) Pass the award on to 15 bloggers, whom you have recently discovered, and think are fantastic.

OK...so here goes with the 7 things about me!

1) I will be 10 weeks pregnant tomorrow. YES this is my big announcement to blog world and why I have been MIA for a few weeks! Not feeling well at all!!!! LOL!

2) My dad taught me how to cook! So I have him to thank for all the awesome creations!

3) Met my hubbie online before online "dating" was even popular. We were not even on a dating site! And here we are many years later with twins and new one on the way! Life works in mysterious ways!

4) While getting my master's, I produced a human protein used for cancer treatment in a leaf. Crazy right! If only that could get approved by the FDA! Medicine could be sooo cheap!

5) I was so sick with my first pregnancy with the twins...I lost 15 pounds! Uhhh ya...if that could only happen when I wanted to actually lose 15 lbs! What is wrong with this picture! LOL!

6) I am a natural red head!

7) I lived in Nassjo, Sweden in high school and can speak, read and write Swedish!

Here are the bloggers who I am passing the award to! Please head over and check them out!

1)  http://www.knock-offwood.com/

2) http://www.achicabakes.com/

3) http://www.kevinandamanda.com/

4) http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/

5) http://adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com/

6) http://craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com/

7) http://sawdustandpaperscraps.blogspot.com/

8) http://www.thetshirtdiaries.com/

9) http://lovelypapershop.blogspot.com/

10) http://mackenziescraftymom.blogspot.com/

11) http://craftedition.blogspot.com/

12) http://www.homeandheartsblog.com/

13) http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

14) http://33shadesofgreen.blogspot.com/

15) http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Straight Stiches!

 

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!!!