The Flavor of the Day

Happy Hump day my dears! It's Wednesday, and I've got quite a fun little morning planned...off to lunch with two of my best friends at The Puffy Muffin...yippee. Nothing like some chicken salad and poppyseed bread to put a little pep in your step on an otherwise "normal" day.

Before I forget, I did want to announce the winner of the Gigi Collection Leather Clutch Giveaway:
a big congratulations goes out to Allyson at Cupcakes and Candy Canes! I'll be sending your information along shortly so you can claim your gorgeous new handbag. And a big thank you to everyone who participated...yall make it so much fun to host giveaways and I love having the opportunity to surprise someone with a little gift every now and then.

In other random news, I FINALLY got my Zulily order the other day. I had bought this dress and bloomer set way back in February and it arrived at my door...talk about cute and affordable-I love a good steal of a deal and this was only $10.

I miss my weekly manicures and pedicures. And no, I don't mean fancy sessions spent at the nail salon, yet me alone in my bathroom doing them all by myself...last night I bought some fabulous new polish {OPI Big Apple Red to be exact} so maybe I can try to juggle things a bit better so I can have pretty nails again. There is something so classic and stylish about the perfect red polish, don't you think?

And because no post is complete without a little tidbit of helpful information, have any of you tried the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches? Holy bananas they are amazing. I may be trying to shed some pounds, but I cannot for the life of me give up sweets completely. And at a mere 140 calories with 1.5 grams of fat, I don't have to feel too guilty for having one little temptation every now and then! Any other special {tasty, yet not too bad for you} treats I need to know about??

Perfect Holiday Treats

Let's face it, I've been cooking and baking a little less frequently lately since we've had some slight changes--understatement of the year. However, with the holidays in full swing, I can't help but want to get back in the kitchen with my apron on to whip up some tasty, festive treats...today, I am linking up with Natasha over at Schue Love for the Christmas Cheer Party:

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies via Recipe Girl

Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies via Our Best Bites

Pistachio Cupcakes via The Girl Who Ate Everything

Candy Cane Punch via Taste of Home

Reindeer Corn Cookie Bark via Your Home-Based Mom

Frozen Peppermint Cheesecake via Smuckers

Peppermint Crunch Milk Chocolate Cookies
from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Can you tell I'm just a girl who loves anything and everything peppermint? I can't seen to get enough!

Sir Cooks A Lot...Festive and Fun Summertime Treats

We've been baking, cooking, and grilling up a storm lately...for one, trying to save some extra change for other forms of entertainment this summer, and because eating in is SO much healthier for you, too! Though these aren't "nutritious" persay, here are some new summer-worthy treats for holidays and parties, fun nights in, and just because we all need a little sweet treat every now and then.

Berry Cobbler via Our Best Bites

Pina Colada Cake via My Fabulous Mother

Ingredients

1 white cake mix
3 egg whites
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 can pina colada mix
1 8 oz tub of light cool whip
1 package of flaked coconut
Directions
**Preheat oven to 350 and bake cake as directed on box instructions
**Pull out of oven once done and immediately poke holes all over cake
**Mix together can of sweetened condensed milk and pina colada mix and pour all over cake
**Place in refrigerator overnight to chill
**Take out and then cover cake with cool whip as the icing and then top with coconut
This is a BIG crowd pleaser and perfect for hot summer temperatures to cool you off!!

Festive Fruited Cheesecake Flag via Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Lemon Meringue Pie via Everyday Occasions

Apple Pie Spice Cake via All Recipes... I made this yesterday and it is fabulous!

So tell me, what's your favorite summertime treat to make?? I am always looking for new things to make so send them my way (or show me where to find them) please!!

Friday Has Never Looked So Good

Oh heavens thank you for it finally being Friday...this week has drug on {and on and on} in my book and I am elated the weekend is right around the corner. I was getting anxious and counting down: 1) because work is just too much these days, and 2) because we have a nice little relaxing weekend ahead of us which rarely happens.

Last night, Jenna and I had our first encounter with Noodles and Company. Overall, for the price, I was impressed--think fast casual like Pei Wei--and the food was yummy. I had the pasta rosa and a small salad and it was $8...definitely worth sampling again!

Afterwards, I went home to get to baking. My company is having our annual almost-summer picnic at work today so I made my first attempt at Lemon Blueberry-Filled Cupcakes. A little trial and error, but this Betty Crocker pulled it off and they turned out yummy...and I know Jeff loved being the guinea pig taste-tester this go-around. This is perfect for a summertime treat! Here's the recipe:
Ingredients
1 box lemon cake mix
1 tsp lemon extract
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 can blueberry pie filling
cream cheese icing
Directions

1. Mix cake mix, lemon extract, milk, and eggs together on medium speed until fluffy
2. Put 2 tablespoons of cake batter in each cupcake liner. Then top with 2 tablespoons of blueberry pie filling and then fill remainder of cupcake with cake batter.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes and then let cool
4. Frost with cream cheese icing--and as an extra addition, top with lemon peel and/or fresh blueberries

Even better, I got to use my new cupcake carrier Candice got me for a shower gift...since I am forever more baking and bringing sweet treats to parties and celebrations, this is PERFECT, not to mention it carries up to 24 cupcakes! You must run out and get one {via Macy's Martha Stewart collection}

So for this weekend, we're going to start off tonight with date night. Trying out the new sushi/japanese hibachi restaurant near our house for something low key and then taking it easy. Tomorrow morning, I'm headed to begin Operation Finalize Wedding with Mom and it'll be nonstop madness with full picture recaps to follow. Sunday we're doing our normal routine of church, working around the house and hopefully taking advantage of some good weather before having Jocelyn and Nick over for dinner to round out a weekend at home. Happy Friday friends!

Love is Actually All Around

Happy Valentine's Day friends!!! I was beginning to have the early stages of "blogging withdrawal" since it's been since last week since I've been in touch...isn't it crazy how much you miss blogging when you're preoccupied with other necessary activities? I have to admit, absence does make the heart grow fonder and its nice to know I have stuff to write about since I've been gone.

Let's see, it's been a whirlwind of a week... escaping the snowstorm in Nashville just hours before it hit, attended 2 days of sales training and group-think sessions with my team in Denver, went bowling at Lucky Strike for meet and greet time, and then flew home late Friday night...oh jetlag I loathe you.
Saturday, the Y and I had a much needed rendezvous--a perfect way to get back into my normal routine. Then it was off for shopping and lots of "me time", and then we had Mom and Dad over for dinner so we could all catch-up. I made the best new dip--Creamy Bacon and Cheese Dip, recipe to come soon! Then, Jeff and I got to open our very first wedding gifts from Mom and Dad...can you tell how excited I was?? It's like Christmas, but BETTER!

Opening our boxes of goodies!!!

Our Lenox all purpose crystal glasses!!

And the open vegetable bowl--I know, I get really ecstatic for china like any girl ;)

Salt and pepper shakers!!

Yay!!! We love you Mom and Dad--thank you for EVERYTHING!!

Sunday morning, we went to church, and then I headed out for girl time with Mom... shopping with that woman never gets boring ;).

The rest of my night was spent baking for our Valentine's Dinner tonight, (the Cherry Sweetheart Cake via Tidy Mom) and doing all my house-wife duties like laundry, grocery shopping, and cutting coupons... oh and the final happy moment of my weekend--our engagement announcement was featured in the paper yesterday--yippee!!

Can you spot us??

 The close-up! Mom did a fantastic job, as always

And just a little shout-out to my number #1 valentine... Jeffrey, I love you more and more each day, and I am so thankful I get to spend not only today, but all the days of my life with you. My world is better because you're in it, and I thank my lucky stars for God bringing you into my life. You are everything I have ever wanted and I can't wait to celebrate our next Valentine's Day together as husband and wife. I love you the most, forever and always. OXOX

Candy Kisses

Around V-Day {only a mere 1 week to go friends}, I get to be this emotional basketcase... call me crazy, but I love everything about this holiday--not so much the overly done "Hallmark Holiday" persay, but the thoughtfulness behind, and how you can come up with something creative and homemade, which to me is way more special.
This February 14th, Jeff and I are foregoing the typical "take me out to a romantic dinner" fuss kind of night. Instead, we are going to skip the not-so-sentimental gifts and we're going to spend time at home together cooking for just the two of us. With that in mind, I know the key to my fiance's heart and it's all about the food...
He isn't aware {and I am doubtful he'll venture on here to read} that I already bought heart-shaped muffin pans from Target a few weeks ago to surprise him with breakfast in bed that morning... I know he will love this and I am perusing my favorite shops on Etsy to find the perfect card--here are some of my favorites:

You Make My Heart Happy Card Via Lucky Duck Designs

Me + You = True Love Card Via The Paper Peony

Fish Kiss Letterpress Card via Wiley Valentine

Peas and Carrots Card via Studio SloMo

 
That night, we're planning to cook a gourmet dinner and then end with a baked goodie, or two... there are SO many holiday-ish desserts I am wanting to bake right now that this is going to be hard to narrow down:

Chocolate and Strawberry Filled Cupcakes via Tidy Mom

 Oreo Ice Cream Cake via Southern Plate

 Cinnamon and Sugar Toasted Fruit Nachos via Picky Palate

 White Chocolate and Cherry Shortbread Cookies via Recipe Girl

Rice Krispie Valentine Treat Pops via Skip to My Lou

 Valentine Confetti via This Blessed Nest

What do your V-day plans involve this year??

And of course... leaving you with a daily quote chocked full of inspiration:

But love, I’ve come to understand, is more than three words mumbled before bedtime. love is sustained by action, a pattern of devotion in the things we do for each other every day

Final Days of 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

I fell behind yet again... this month is flying by friends, which makes me super sad as I am loving this winter filled with seasonal treats, lots of shopping for presents, coats, and scarves, and everything that encompasses Christmas time. So today I promised myself I would finish Aly's blogging challenge--better late than never, right???

Day 11: New Years Resolutions for 2011

I am working on these currently so this will have to wait a few days while I sit and ponder =)

Day 12: Holiday Decorations

It's not anything special, but I am loving the way our house feels during the holidays...so comfortable and "homey" to me--love having a mantle to finally hang stockings on, too!! I have so many crafty projects I want to complete for next year, but with so much hustle and bustle, we didn't get to do as much as I originally hoped for this Christmas

The Man Cave Tree--our special ornaments/"artificial" tree ;)

 Before we decorated our real tree upstairs in the formal living room

 All lit up for the holidays...

 Our other tree is my favorite... white, silver, and gold!
And of course my favorite PB stockings embroidered with our names

 Our entryway table with my new mercury glass lamp

 Outside...we ONLY do white lights and kept it very simple this year--candles in the windows, too! Next year, I can't wait to add wreaths and nutcrackers to the front porch!

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

I love anything with peppermint so these are RIGHT up my alley!

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies via Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Day 14: Oprah's Favorite Things:

What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience?

I'd take any and all of the following please Orpah...

Black Christian Louboutins

Louis Vuitton Luggage

Custom Letterpress Stationery

Nikon 3000D Camera

Patagonia Fleece Vest