Valentine's a Little Early

This year I will be in NYC for V-day....so we had to make due with the time we had together....We whipped up a great dinner, dessert, and cocktail fit for two Valentine's lovers!

 Ribs, oven-baked asparagus, and pink mashed taters....thanks B!!! It all turned out great and was SO delish!

 Red velvet cupcake, heart shaped cookies, and white chocolate dipped strawberries...all paired with a chocolate marshmellow adult beverage.

 Along with her amazing VT wreath..Marsha also requested new sugar scrub...so I whipped up a batch for her

She's sad to see me go...and loves laying on the laundry....

Cruisin...Happy 50th Renee!

Our lil winter vaca to the Keys and Cozumel was a blast...all in honor of Renee's 50th birthday! Here are a few pics to re-cap all the fun we had!

 Enjoying the sunshine and sandy beaches in Key West!

 Such a Bad-A scooter driver.........................

 Captain's Dinner night...we enjoyed prime rib, potatoes, and lobster....Renee skipped the beef but got her fill by getting 3 lobster tails...what a treat!

 Happy Birthday Banana Cat!

The boys found this HUGE hermit crab in Cozumel....they didn't think there was a crabby in there at first until it was laying on my beach chair and I looked down and saw claws coming out...AHH

Fight Night: 100lbs vs 10lbs- Battle Over the Raccoon

It's kinda like one of those unlikely friendship kinda stories...except instead of a lamb and a duck being BFFs it's a 100lb Lab and a 10lb Weenie. They play as rough as a lion catching its prey, but with the care and grace of a prima ballerina...you don't come across that every day. This is a quick video clip of them playing tug-of-war with a toy raccoon. It's Sandy, the lab's toy, but while she tries to protect it she wants to keep Dezzie coming back for more...too funny!

On My Mind...

Hello & goodbye Monday....well...basically! Only 1 hour to go. I can hardly stand it! WHY? I'll let the picture do the talking...

That's right...Dillon, Brittany, Ryan Carr, Steve and I are all going with one of the best women (aside from my mother, aunts, and gramma) I know for her big 5-0 birthday...Renee. We are crusin' to Key West, Cozumel and back again..short and sweet but oh so needed. After this hectic Monday, it cannot come fast enough!

A few other things that are on my mind...

 This lady's blog is all about her journey & how she's getting there...first one kid, now a second and her ups and downs to get back to her fighting weight. She is so funny and really puts humor and weight loss into perspective for us regular people. Check out her blog here

 I found this cute guy on Pinterest and wish I had a child's room or craft room to do this for. Maybe if I ever get a proper desk at work I will have space for a smaller version to add some color to the drab, depressing environment.

Lastly...this is what I have on my mind that I need to be doing right now...RUN RUN RUN...after the garbage lunch I had today all I want to do is leave right now and RUN it all off. AHHHHHHH for most of you bikinis aren't for another 3 months...for me...2 days! WHAT?!?!

Not sure how much time I'll have on my hands between running, packing, and getting excite...don't take offense I still <3 you guys. But have a grrrrreat week and I'll check yah when we get back..hopefully a few shades darker and my head in the clouds :)

Dirt Cake

So I was on Pinterest this afternoon and saw an old favorite...I HAD to make it as soon as I got home! I got the recipe from Mississippi Kitchen. Her motto is "don't blame me if you get fat"....too funny! I'll be sure to steer clear of anymore of her recipes for a while. HA! I failed to take pics...and mine isn't as pretty as hers...so here is one of her pictures to entice you the way it did me! ENJOY

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescents

Last night I was craving a little bread, spice, and cheese...I found this recipe online....so I decided to try it out for an appetizer last night. I think they turned out great and were a real crowd pleaser! The four of us devoured it with online 1 slice to spare.

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescents

Here's What You'll Need:
1 tube regular Crescent Rolls
1 (4 ounce) can Diced Jalapenos (you will actually only use half of the can/jar...or to taste)
3/4 (8 ounce) cube cream cheese, room temperature
1 Tbsp. sugar

1. Roll out the crescent rolls
2. Combine cream cheese, jalapenos, and sugar
3. Spread the mix on top of the dough
4. Roll the dough up like a rug
5. Slice the rolled dough and lay the slices on their end like a cinnamon roll
6. Pop in the oven for 15 or so minutes at 350 degrees
ENJOY!!!

Chicken & Rice for the Sick Boy

Well..we successfully got through Monday!!! D has been feeling a little under the weather and requested a light dinner...perfect! So I called my mom and she sent over her Chicken and Rice Soup recipe. Here it is...it is sooooo good, and warm, and "light"!

Chicken rice soup

What you'll need:

Leftovers from Rotisserie Chicken, or Chicken Breasts
1/2 carrot
1 Celery stalk
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
32oz of chicken broth
1 cup Bismanti rice
 
1. Sauté celery, onion, carrot , & garlic cloves
2. Throw veggies, rice, chicken soup, chicken broth, and water to the consistency you like and let it cook the rice for 30 minutes....or until the rice is tender.
3. Salt and pepper to taste & serve
**Croissants go great with this if you want a little something to sop up the broth!

Just wanted to share a few of my favorite things right now....

 1. Watching Dez devour her bones in 2 days...such a funny lil dog

 2. A new craft I am doing for someone....sneak peek!!

3. There are a few things here....LOVE the show 24, the Yankee Candle scent-Soft Blanket, and the fact we still have some Christmas decor still around :) Santa likes the beach too!

Have a great Tuesday!!!