Ha! I'm a Mrs....

Well, my big day has came & went.  

I married my best friend & had an awesome wedding!  

But with most great things, 

it didn't come without it's obstacles. 

That is when you realize just how awesome 

the people in your life truly are!

We were on a budget, a quite tight one.  

We knew what was important to us &

we were fine without the rest.  

My motto has been that through it all, 

s long as we were married on the beach, 

that was all I really cared about.  

Everyone & everything was second next to marrying my honey!  

There were people that wanted to be there, 

but things happen & situations are just that. 

We definitely had a great party with everyone 

once we got back...save that for another day!

Most things all fell into place exactly where needed.  

We have amazing family & friends 

who would do anything for us.  

To see everyone at our wedding, 

all pulling together & getting things done.  

All of them making sure our (my...lol) day 

was everything we wanted 

really made me realize how truly loved we are.  

OUR family, the blood , the chosen & the "new", 

gave us the best gift of all, being there to support us.  

With out them, my vision would have never been seen. 

Girls Weekend...Sometimes it's just necessary!

This past weekend, my friends & I went away for my

Bachelorette party 

 Some "Brides to be" are excited about 

getting all dressed up,

going out dancing, 

wearing a tacky veil 

& having strangers suck candy off their shirt.  

NOT this Bride!
Being in my mid-thirties (ouch.....that hurt a little), 

I am just too old for the 
"Traditional Bachelorette Party"  
I have been with my fiance for 13 years, 
my so called "freedom" has been long gone 
& I am just fine with that.  

We rented an awesome log house in the woods, 
in Maryland and had a very relaxing 
Labor Day Weekend. 

Thankfully we saw no bears.

One of my good friends from High School is a 

Pure Romance consultant.

She did a demo & that was a great time!

I highly suggest it for a Bachelorette Party.

Nothing like starting off the night with some naughty things. 

Plus it definitely helps lighten the mood.

I'd rather check out things to spice it up in the bedroom, than be grind-ed on by some stranger in a banana hammock 

& tube socks...but that's just me!

The guys from Magic Mike were the only strippers we needed!

It played continuously on the TV in the game room, lol

We had a "feast" the guys would've been jealous of...

Ham BBQ

Pulled Beef

Candied Keilbasa

Pasta Salad

Ziti

Coleslaw

3 Bean Salad

Cheesy Potatoes w/Bacon

Fruit Salad

Beer Bread w/dips

Guacamole & chips

S'mores Cupcakes

and 

"Stripper" Cake...hee hee

I had the party I wanted.

We reminisced about our wild days in our 20's, 

discussed our grown-up relationships & 

had a great time without having to worry about

changing diapers, making dinner & cleaning the house.  

I'd say it's exactly what everyone needed! 

Deep Fried Oreos

A few weekends ago we went camping with my future brother in law & his family.  We had 5 kids under the age of 9, which can be a bit of a challenge.  Lucky for us, we were only about 45 minutes from home. Kids these days aren't always "thrilled" to be in the great outdoors.  As a kid, my parents took us camping all the time.  We always found ways to occupy ourselves, even if we didn't want to.  Our next camping adventure, I will be sure to come up with some ideas for the kiddos.

My future BIL brought his deep fryer, he is an avid outdoors man so he has all kinds of camping gadgets.

Well, I heard deep fryer & thought.....DEEP FRIED OREOS!!! 

Yes, that is excatly what every bride to be should be thinking about, LOL! So I grabbed the rest of the pancake batter & a few packs of Oreos and hoped this would be doable.  Not only were they doable...they were down right delicious!

  

I simply made batter & to be honest, I had no idea how much batter was there, I just added water.

Then we dipped the Oreo cookies into the batter

Then put them in the deep fryer at 300 degrees for about 2-4 minutes.  

*Note---Make sure you put them in one at a time.

They are done when they are golden brown. 

All we were missing was the powdered sugar!

Next time you have some fresh oil in the deep fryer try these out. 

An easy crowd pleaser for sure!

Sweet & Spicy Pork

It's been so humid here that the thought of the stove, oven or grill just makes me sweat!
I have been trying to utilize my Crock Pot on those hot & sticky summer days.

Recently I have discovered an AWESOME sauce at Costco, 

Robert Rothschild Farm Roasted Pineapple & Habanero Sauce

It is great on everything I have tried it on.  

Shrimp, chicken, pork......it's all good!

With it being another hot one out there, I decided to bust out the crock pot and experiment!

Ingredients:
Pineapples in juice or syrup
2 lb pork tenderloin
Pineapple & Habanero sauce

 I started out with a can of pineapple slices in heavy syrup, I would have preferred juice.  Oh well
I placed pineapples at the bottom of the pot

Next I added the pork loins, each one was about 1 lb.

Then I poured in the syrup from the pineapple. 

I added a small can of pineapple chunks with juice & 

a few jalapenos with about a half cup of the juice from the jar of jalapenos.

I cooked the pork for 3 hours on low, then I put it on high for about 2 more hours.

They don't take very long to cook because they were only 1 pound each.

I tasted it without the sauce & it was sweet with the slightest hint of the jalapeno. 

Mason ended up eating it with BBQ sauce, so it's kid friendly 

before the pineapple & habanero sauce.

Next time I want to spice up the meat while it is cooking.   

I'm thinking I need to  add fresh jalapeno & definitely use pineapple JUICE.

I really suggest you make this Roasted Pineapple & Habanero Sauce 

part of your summer meals, you won't regret it. 

Have a great day & hang in there,  Friday is almost here!

At the pool with my 2 year old...

As we all know, no one can ever fully know what to expect with a toddler.

And being a first time mom, I had no idea our trips to the pool would be so different this year.  

Last year Mason was all about being held in the water, kicking away.  

This year, I felt like it took everything in me to coax this boy just close enough so I could put my legs in.  

Mind you, it is about 90 degrees & all I have been thinking about is breaking in my awesome 

new bathing suit from Lands End.

FYI-If you have a large chest, this is the bathing suit top for you!!!

It comes in cup sizes & has under-wire for extra support.

I don't like spending my day adjusting myself, hoping that one of the girls doesn't pop out.

http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-beach-living-adjustable-scoopneck-tankini-top/id_231497

Ok, back to the pool...
After today, I have learned that my trips to the pool will be MUCH different from now on
and I've learned that I am NOT a fan of "baby" pools.

Why you ask?

#1 Pee       We all know it happens. I witnessed my own kid take a #2 while wading around the 1 ft pee bath.  It definitely didn't make me feel better when a 4 yr old not wearing a swim diaper makes direct eye contact with me & says "I peed".  Thanks for the confirmation!

#2 Bugs     I am not a fan of them.  Living or dead.  Usually the ones in the little pool are in buggy heaven. 

I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Creeps me out either way!

#3 Toys      I feel like I had to carefully investigate which toys Mason would like to play with.  All the while explaining to him that those boats & trucks weren't his, but I would be sure to get his very own next time.

#4 Parents    Some parents pay no attention to their children.  Maybe me being a first time mom, I am a little more observant than necessary.  But if your kid is throwing stuff & snatching things out of the other kids hands, maybe it's time for some discipline?

I felt like such a rookie!  

How did I know that trucks are just as cool cruising around the pool, as they are in dirt...

Pretend fishies are great & it is ok for the kids to squirt each other with water guns...

Back to basics, good 'ol fashion fun...I like it!

With a plan for tomorrows trip to the pool,
here is hoping that Mason warms up to the idea of the pool.

Memorial Day Weekend

Summer is almost here!  

I am hoping that Mother Nature is done playing games & stops the temperatures going down into the 30's.

The low here tonight is 39 degrees......not cool! 

With Memorial Day coming up this weekend to kick off Summer 2013, 

what better time to share some festive, easy ways to show you patriotism!
Here are a few ways to decorate around the house.

Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend...

Thank a Service Man or Woman for what they have done for us!

There goes my brain again.....catch it!

I have been meaning to come on & share some ideas.  I just cannot seem to find the time.

Friday was supposed be the day! Dad was off, so I could finally make my way back to my "office".  

Then Mason decided that he wanted Daddy AND Mummy to go to the park.

How could I say no to that???  

So off to the park we went.  Afterwards we had lunch & went home to take naps.  

Not a productive day, but definitely a well over due family day!

Since then we have been busy, busy!  I had a relaxing Mother's Day & an amazing dinner. 

I am a  very lucky lady

Besides our very active 2 year old son, our wedding has been taking a lot of my time.
Choosing to "Tie the Knot" on our vacation has been a bit more planning than I thought. Thanks to my BFF in California, who has had her own vision of my wedding day, we have got to amp it up a bit.  

She is right though, it's my wedding day! 

Here is what I've been working on for our ceremony at the beach

I love this for the aisle.

A special tribute to our boy Mason

Mason jars used as vases with flowers for the aisle

My best friend's husband is making a pergola, similar to this one, for us to 

stand in front of while we exchange our vowels.

He is a master prop maker from LA....I can't wait to see what he comes up with

So there are a few of the things I have been up to in planning our wedding.  Our ceremony is going to be short & sweet.  Crossing our fingers, the rain doesn't ruin my plans!

I have a bit of a hectic weekend coming up, but there is some quiet time in my future, at my future in-laws.  

I will have some things to share soon! Have a fabulous week!

Photos From:

Pergola

http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/644128/

Benches

http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/wedding-benches-latest-trend-in-outdoor-seating/

Easy Blue Cheese Dip

Happy Hump Day!!!

It's a rainy day here, so I've found myself wanting to EAT!  With our wedding less than 5 months away, snacking is not the best rainy day activity.

So I decided to make some Blue Cheese Dip to go with my veggies!  I always bug my fiance to make it, but he must be off of his BC game because it hasn't been tasting so great.  Or someone is pulling the old trick of screwing something up so you don't have to make it, lol! Either way today was the day I conquered Homemade Blue Cheese on my own. I never realized how easy it was.  And since I am "trying" to eat lighter, I used light ingredients where I could.

BLUE CHEESE DIP

This is all I used to make my dip

1/2 C. Mayonnaise
1/2 C. Sour Cream
5 oz Blue Cheese Chunks
Salt & Pepper to taste

Mix together in a bowl & chill......if you can wait

Enjoy this dip with veggies or your favorite wings!
Have a great rest of the week!

Pudding Shots

Hope everyone's week is going well.  This past weekend we were out of town,  my future Brother In Law's girlfriend threw him a Surprise 40th Birthday party.  I like to try to make something when going to a party when I can.  This time I decided to take Pudding Shots!

I started making them after my brother's boss' wife (got that? lol) told me about them.  I have always made jello shots, so when I heard about the pudding shots I had to try them out.  I have been on a personal mission to perfect the pudding shots & try a variety of flavors!  Now my friends are requesting pudding shots instead of the jello.  A lot of people have never had them or are afraid to try them.  Well have no fear, Pudding shots are a great little "adult" treat.  

You will need the following to make 

Chocolate Strawberry Pudding shots

3/4 C. Milk

1 C. Strawberry Vodka

1 box of Instant Pudding

1 tub of Cool Whip

Hand mixer

Spoon

Measuring Cup

Gallon Zipper Bag

4 dozen 1oz cups & lids

Start by mixing your milk & pudding.  Then add your vodka & mix until blended.

Next fold in the Cool Whip with a spoon.  

Be sure not to stir it, you don't want it to get too runny. 

Transfer your pudding into zipper bag.  

(Setting the bag into a container helps to fill the bag with out making a mess)

Cut off the tip of one side of the bag & distribute into cups. 

You can find them at party or restaurant supply stores.

Top the shots with lids & let chill for about 2-3 hours

When serving your shots, you can get creative & use toppings also.  

I would use mini chocolate chips to top these ones off.  Use your imagination!

I will continue to share my pudding shot recipes with you as I discover new & tasty ways to make the perfect    

pudding shot!

Enjoy & have a great rest of the week!

Lobster Pizza

What a busy weekend!

The days go by so fast.  And days like that, a quick dinner recipe comes in handy.  During Lent I discovered a quick, tasty & easy meal with things I already had in the fridge.

Lobster Pizza

Roll out the dough & top it with Alfredo sauce

I used Pillsbury's Crescent Seamless Dough Sheet and about 1 Cup of left over Alfredo. 

I added 1/4 tsp  garlic salt into the sauce.

Then put on chopped roasted red peppers

Add imitation lobster meat.....my fiance loves it!

Top with mozzarella or provolone, which ever you prefer.  I even added a little parm

Bake at 375 for about 10-12 minutes.  

It's an easy meal that you can put together with anything that you have left over in the fridge.  I have also used left over taco meat & made taco pizza.  I will save that one for another day.  

Having a few Pillsbury items in the fridge keeps your options open for a quick, affordable meal. 

Have a great week!

Absent Minded Bride To Be

If you have read about me, you know that I am engaged.  I am in the "planning" process......which has left my mind a bit scattered.  My fiance & I have come across a few bumps in the road, but things are finally getting back on track.  We are getting married at the beach at the end of this summer, on our vacation.  We have just a few friends & some family members joining us.  But then we are coming home to have a big PARTY! 

I actually get to plan 2 parties & I love every minute of it !

I've shared some of my decorating ideas that I have been tossing around.  I am trying to incorporate my decor for both the ceremony at the beach & the reception party back home.  I am a part-time Party Lite consultant and have a large collection of product....as do my great customers (my friends).  I have also used various Mason jars & other jars I have accumulated. I love the beach & have been collection shells since I was a teenager. I dream of living at the beach......one day! 

Hope you enjoy & get inspired for 

Summer to finally rear 

it's lovely face !

Beef Vegetable Soup

Happy Thursday!  Believe it or not, I have been making lists & organizing since my 1st post!!!!

With Mother Nature having a sense of humor & a fibbing little groundhog, I figured I would share my: 

Homemade Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe

Although I went off of a similar recipe on All Recipes.com, I was lacking somethings in the cupboard.  I improvised & it turned out delicious.  

Ingredients:

1 lb beef stew cubes

1 lb fresh green beans

1 bag of baby carrots, cut slightly julianned

1 bag of frozen white shoe peg corn 

1 can of diced tomato (you could use fresh if you would prefer)

2 cans of low sodium beef broth

2 cans of low sodium vegetable broth

1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Cook the beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt & pepper in a skillet.  I used my wok, we use it for everything at our house.  Once the beef is done, transfer into your crock pot.  Then put in the rest of your ingredients.  Cook on High for about 5 hours or Low for about 7.  I find that it really depends on your crock pot.     

My 1st post!

I am a HUGE fan of lists!  Even if everything doesn't get accomplished every day, it will still help with my day to day life.  What ever doesn't get done today, can wait til tomorrow.

With Spring creeping up on us, it's a great time to start your "Spring Cleaning" lists. Hope you all remembered to Spring Ahead!  From changing out the clothes for the season or getting your porch or patio ready for summer, a list will help you be efficient & keep you on track. That being said....it's time for me to start a few lists for my week ahead! Have a fabulous Sunday!