Kitchen Meme

I've been doing a lot of baking lately. Bake sales, parties, company. Whatever the occasion I have been digging for a recipe to try or to whip up. Lately my favorite thing to bake is cupcakes. As in just about everything, there are whole blogs devoted to Cupcake Love. On one blog, The Busty Baker (ladolvicita.com) I found this Getting to Know Me Quiz and I knew I'd have to copy it here! David with a chocolate marshmallow cupcake.

Getting to Know Me!

Metal or Non-stick? Metal and I love parchmant paper when making cookies.
Cast iron or Stainless? Stainless.
Cutting board: Wood or Plastic? I have one of each.
Knife: Carbon Steel or Stainless? I don't even know.
Kitchen Aid or Hand Mixer? I love my Kitchen Aid! I've even given her a name, Matilda. Matilda the Mixer.
Cooktop: Gas, Electric, or Induction? Currently I have electric. Now if only I could go back to a smooth top...
Side-by-side, Freezer on top, Fridge on top? A side-by-side that I am constantly struggling to get all of my stuff into.
Apron or Whoops? I'd love to be an apron girl. I really want one. Hey, my birthday is coming...
Mashed Potatoes: By Hand, Ricer, or Mixer? Usually I mash potatoes by hand, but I have been known to use the mixer once in a while.
Sandwich or Wrap? I like a good wrap, but I'm good with a sandwich usually. And I love subs.
PB& _____? Whatever kinda jelly is in the fridge. Usually some strawberry preserves.
Pancakes: Syrup or Applesauce? Syrup! Ever put syrup and brown sugar on your pancakes? My friend Jen taught me that. Pretty indulgent, but I'm worth it!
Cakes: Scratch or Mix? Usually by scratch, but I keep a good stash of mixes. There are lots of cupcake recipes that start with a mix.
Chili: Beans or No Beans? I'm okay either way.
Napkin: Cloth or Paper? Lots of paper, but I'm thinking about buying some white cloth ones and keeping them out in a pretty rectangular basket. Anyone know where I can buy a bunch of them for cheap?
BBQ: Takes the whole weekend to make or Take Out? Take out.
Chicken: White or Dark? WHITE. I'm pretty adamant about not wanting any part of the chicken other than the breast.
Ice Cream: Cone or Dish? Waffle cones or a dish. Bring it on!! Aaron with a chocolate chip cookie cupcake. (Yellow cupcake with a cookie baked in the bottom and chocolate chip buttercream.)

Meme Fun

Mega Meme

1.Do you like cheese? Yes, but I'm not terribly cheese adventurous. Pretty standard stuff, and let's skip the mold if we can.

2.Have you ever smoked? Nope.

3. Do you own a gun? Disc shooters, Nerf guns, cap guns, water guns, guns chewed from toast, guns fashioned from Kid'nex and Lego...

4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? my IPod is jammed full. Thanks, Hubby.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Silly, but yes. Usually jacks my blood pressure up a bit, too.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Tasty junk food. Let's do all beef, lite. Grab the mustard.

7. Favorite Christmas song for all time? O, Holy Night

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? orange juice

9. Can you do push ups? I think I can... I think I can...

10. Who is your favorite Grey’s Anatomy Character? I watched this show one time years ago and can't remember a single thing. Now, House. That is a medical show I watch.

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? wedding ring

12. Favorite hobby? reading

13. Do you eat “exotic” foods? no

14. Do you have A.D.D.? Why do you ask?

15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? I procrastinate way too much. Maybe you should ask me tomorrow...

16. Middle Name? Ellen

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? "I wonder what tv show the boys are watching" ; "It's a bit chilly in here." "I could go for Diet Pepsi right now."

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? blueberry pie for DH's birthday, rice, strawberry milkshake

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, Diet Pepsi, orange juice

20. Current worry right now? Getting "back on the wagon" with my diet and exercise routine

21. Current hate? TRAFFIC

22. Favorite place to be? Out for dinner or the movies!

23. How will you bring in the New Year? champagne, finger foods, my boys, and a movie

24. Where would you like to go? IKEA

25. Name three people who will complete this? Anyone! (Let me know, so I can come look.)

26. Do you own flip flops? brown and teal Carolina girl

27. What shirt are you wearing? red and white

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't know

29. Can you whistle? only by breathing in

30. Favorite color? purple

31. Would you be a pirate? No, I hate the torn clothing look, but have you seen my profile pic?

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? VBS songs. I Am A C...

33. Favorite girl’s name? Ellen Rebecca

34. Favorite boy’s name? It's a three way tie!

35. What’s in your pocket right now? wadded up tissue and a cell phone

36. Last thing that made you laugh?

37. Bed sheets as a child? rainbows and unicorns

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? cut my foot on a beer bottle

39. Do you love where you live? There's some great things about living here.

40. How many TV’s do you have in your house? two

41. Who is your loudest friend? Susan H!! ;)

42. How many dogs do you have? none, but have a puggle?

43. Does someone have a crush on you? Three little boys keep smiling at me and bringing me stuff...

44. Do you get embarrassed easily? more easily than I like

45. What is your favorite book? Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

46. What is your favorite candy? chocolate

47. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? no

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Now Thank We All Our God (And I don't mean that tongue in cheek...); Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; I'm But a Stranger Here, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? sleeping

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Did I sleep that late??

Sweet Tea, Please

I love sweet tea. Well, even after three years of living in South Carolina- where sweet tea runs in the veins of many- I can't get into the syrupy sweetness of full "sweet" Sweet Tea, so I order my "sweet tea" half and half. That would be a glass of half unsweetened tea and half sweetened tea.

I recently bought myself an iced tea maker so that I can make my own iced tea to my own sweet liking. If I'm out and want to purchase a sweet tea, though, my favorite place to get it is at McDonald's. For only a dollar you walk away with a cup large enough to burst your bladder.

Yesterday things went terribly wrong with my sweet tea. Now, there is lots of scientific research money at work concerning perfection and the ratios of sugared tea to non sugared tea. I poured my own half tea and then half sweet tea, so I could have the exact ratio. I slapped on the lid, bit the wrapper off my straw, inserted the straw and headed for the table. I had a sip and got only unsweetened tea. So, I discreetly blew bubbles into my straw to "mix" the sweet tea (on top) with the unsweetened tea (on the bottom). (Ratio... ratio... ratio.) (Don't laugh about blowing bubbles in my drink. The kids didn't see me and it works!) I sampled again. No sweet anywhere. I sent my son to the drink counter to add in some sweet tea. I sipped again. Okay there is no sweet in the sweet tea.

I approach the counter. I notify the pregnant employee that there isn't any sugar in the sweet tea. (I always feel sorry for pregnant people working at stand up jobs. I told her I would go home and put my feet up just for her, but I digress.) She offers me sugar. Now, I don't mean to be rude, but doesn't everybody know that you can't add sugar after the ice? You get a crusty bottom and limited sweetness. Not to mention, a sandy texture going up your straw. Oh, you have to be so careful with the ratio... No, thank you, I don't want sugar.

She offers to fill my glass from the drive thru's sweet tea jug. That would be fine. Thank you.

She hands me back a full glass of tea and I put the lid on and head out the door. On the way home I am buckeled and safe and I take a long swig from my tea.

You know what she did, don't you? She poured out all my unsweetened tea and filled it to the brim with sweet tea! Ugh!

I really had no point in telling you this. I just want you to feel sorry for me because I didn't get any tea yesterday!

:)

This Little Piggy...

Got a toe ring! I know, I know, why in the world would you want to put a ring on an ugly toe, but for some odd reason I couldn't resist. Do you think toe rings lead to tatoos?

Is That a Milk Mustache?

Anyone else get a little twitchy when the milk cap goes missing? Urg!

Meme Fun!

Cookie Madness is one of my favorite blogs. Yummy recipes for baked goods and entertaining blogging all by Anna. I saw this meme on her blog and had to participate!

1) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER. The Veggies Tales Movie about lazy pirates. I'll admit that I was disappointed. I long for the days when The Veggies Tales took a bible story and made it "vegetarian". Ah, hey, the movie was free and the popcorn was salty.

2) WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? To My Dearest Friends. I'm not too far into it, and to be honest, with moving preparations I really am lacking the attention span it takes to read a sentence, let alone a whole novel.

3) FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Scrutinize. Very fun game that includes a timer and speed. I'll admit a little quirk about myself here... I'm not a huge fan of board games. And mostly it is because I can't stand to wait while you realize that it is your turn. PAY ATTENTION! That, and I hate to explain the rules.

4) FAVORITE MAGAZINE? OOh, OOH, I love magazines! Glossy pages and articles that can be read in random, quick order. Scrapbooks, Etc. is my favorite scrapbooking magazine. I'll read just about any momma-friendly magazine... Taste of Home, Family Circle, Better Homes, Victoria...

5) FAVORITE SMELLS? Hands down... wedding cake. I am certain that Heaven will smell like wedding cake. I also like lemon, oranges, apples, cinnamon, cookies, and chocolate. I like toilets that smell like Pinesol and clothes that smell like Cheer & Downy and babies that smell like that pink Johnson & Johnson baby wash. The only flower smell that breaks up my cleanser/food fragrances is lilacs.

6) FAVORITE SOUNDS? A can of Diet Pepsi being opened, S laughing, A giggling, and D guffawing, cats purring, kids playing in the pool.

7) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? Being lost.

8)WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE? Should I really be having a Diet Pepsi this early? Is there any orange juice? Who's all awake and how much tv have they had?

9) FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE? Chick-Fil-A.

10) FUTURE CHILDS NAME? Ellen has always been the name we've picked for a baby girl. I like Rebecca and Libby, as well. If we had another boy (and-you-know-it-would-be-a-boy) we might name him Micha Jay.

11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—’IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’d… get my nails done, give more to church/missions, travel...

12) DO U DRIVE FAST? a little fast. Just a bit. Not too much. That would be reckless.

13) DO U SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? No, but don't mess with my blankets!

14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY? Cool.

15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? A 1972 red VolksWagon Super Bettle.

16) FAVORITE DRINK? Diet Pepsi.

17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD… paint my nails, organize my closets, scrapbook, clean, blog, sleep, exercise, etc...

18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI? yes.

19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? I would love to add some blonde highlights.

20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS U HAVE LIVED IN. Huntington, Fort Pierce, St. Paul, Windsor, Bowling Green, Fort Wayne, Oviedo, Greenwood, and MovingOnceAgain

21) FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? None.

22) ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Since I saw this on The Cookie Madness Blog I have to tell you that Anna puts up a new cookie recipe just about everyday. Now that is cookie baking inspiration, folks!

23) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED? Dust Gorillas.

24) WOULD U LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?? The other options pale in comparison... ;)

25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night owl. Oh, how I wish I were a morning person...

26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP? Scrambled

27) FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX? in the corner seat of our sectional sofa. I'm looking forward to relaxing on the enclosed porch at our new place, though.

29) FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? I want to rattle of the name of some deliciously loaded chocolate ice cream full of bits of nuts and brownies, etc, but I usually buy vanilla and then I can doctor it according to my whims... oreos, caramel, chocolate sauce, mini M&M's, sprinkles, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, mini chocolate chips, whipped cream, fresh strawberries, brownie bits, etc. (...Not all at once, people...)

30) OF ALL THE PEOPLE U HAVE TAGGED, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST? I'm not sure, but here are some wonderful blogs! If you want to enjoy some meme fun, as well, leave me a comment, so I can come see how much we have in common.

With an Angel on My Shoulder
All Rolled into One
Here at Our House
Pilgrims at Ashley Avenue
Three-Girl Circus

Ace of Cakes

Isn't calling.


Let's backtrack...


A few days ago a friend asked if I would bake a cake for her daughter's third birthday. A cute occasion for a cake! I told my friend that I can bake a cake, but I'm not a cake decorator. She insisted that a simple, chocolate pound cake was what she wanted to serve her guests. Maybe some baking M&M's baked in for decoration.


Okay. I'm your girl. I load up Matilda. (She's my mixer. She lives on my counter so she deserves a name!) All goes well. Lovely recipe, beautiful baking in the oven, fabulous smell in the house. I cool the cake and go to flip her out on the serving tray.


Nothing! Nope. Nada. Not a budge. Twist. Shake. Do the Come-Out-of-the-Pan dance. PLOP! Ugh. The M&M's had sunk to the bottom of the cake (actually the top when you do the whole flip thing) and were sticking to the pan. Badly.


I tried whipping up some glaze to cover the blotched surface of the cake. Bahahahahah-haha.


I was distraught! How could this happen? If I were baking that cake for Nogoodreason it would have been a beauty, but this was quite possiblly the ugliest cake ever.


Then I got the giggles! What else could I do? The cake was a flop. Ace of Cakes isn't calling. The grocery store had a sale on chocolate creme cakes. And Alli is a very cute three year old! (BTW, it tastes absolutely delish!)

Summer Fun!

I was over at My Little Corner and saw her summer meme. I couldn't wait to participate. Feel free to have a little summer fun over at your blog, too!

5 Things I Love about Summer:

Birthdays!
Playing at the park
Fresh strawberries, peaches and blackberries
Free movies at the local movie theater
Swimming

5 Things I Hate about Summer

Heat
Humidity
Bugs (You'd think with three boys somebody would be killing the bugs besides me!!)
No paycheck
Late bedtimes for the kiddos

June Joys...

I love the beginning of June. School ends, baseball ends and it is my birthday.

Flip Flop Mama!

I've never liked flip flops. I really hate anything stuck between my toes. And I don't really like looking at my ugly feet. Like I said, I'm not a huge fan of flip flops.

Now, I always buy my boys a new pair for the summer. There was even a post last summer about S' flip flops, but I've not owned a pair since high school... at least.

I really want something easy for the trips to the pool and beach, but I just can't bring myself to waddle around (because that is how I walk with plastic shoved between my toes) with flip flops.

My friend, Susan (the one that lives close to me) and my teaching assistant, Patty, both tell me that I just need to buy better flops that use ribbon or cloth for the thingie between the toe. Yeah, right.

Then I found these. Notice the ribbon between the toe thingie. Notice the cushy sole. (There is even some tread on that sole). And, I might add that this is the first thing I've ever bought that is Carolina Girl. (For those of you out of the state of SC that means it has the palmetto tree and crescent moon on it.)

And, extra bonus... these exactly match my bathing suit... chocolate brown and turquoise. (The pic isn't great. The suit really is brown and the dots are tiny. And my hair isn't that long. :) )

I guess I'm going to be a Flip Flop Mama, after all!

(I bought the flops at a local shop, but I did find them online at judyellenboutique.com. How cool is that?!)

Tracy, These buns are for you!

Drooling yet? Several weeks ago I emailed an old friend, Tracy (and I'm not saying she's old) to wish her a happy birthday. I promised her a phone call and so far I've still not made good on that offer. Life just keeps bumping my to do list...
Well, a few weeks ago I cleaned out my cupboards and came across a few packets of yeast. I used one packet to make pizza dough. I don't quite have the hang of how thin to roll pizza dough, but my family is willing to work with my not-so-perfect pizzas.
After the kids went to bed I used the other packet of yeast to make cinnamon rolls. Into the wee hours of the night my bread maker made this fabulous dough. Then I rolled out and filled the dough and set them aside to "double in size" I baked these incredible rolls and while they were still warm, topped them with a cream cheese icing.
Boy, were they good. Good really is an understatement. They were delectable.
Now, you're wondering what Tracy and cinnamon rolls have to do with each other. So, I'll tell you. When Tracy and I were kids, like so many little girls, we would spend the night at each other's house. We actually lived a distance away (but went to the same school... go figure) so we would stay the whole weekend. (We had fun from the bus ride over on Friday night through church In Town on Sunday morning.) We always had a blast (and I loved her family) doing all sorts of stuff. When I was at her house (in the middle of an orange grove) our traditional Friday night supper was hamburgers (1.5 for me) and Saturday morning we would eat warm cinnamon rolls and chocolate milk for breakfast. Just the kind of fortifying food we would need to play Barbies All Day!
So, Tracy, I will eventually get to calling you, but until I do, These Buns are For You!

Scent-sational

I haven't really worn perfume in quite some time. I avoided perfume while I was nursing my babies. (I wouldn't want to snack right next to an aroma point, KWIM?) Once the babies were no longer babies I was so busy that the thought of smelling good was pretty far down the list of to-do's. (Shower? Check. Perfume? Not right now.) For an occasional event or an evening out I might dig around the cabinet and find an old bottle.

Just recently I was talking to a coworker about her lovely fragrance and I decided it was time to get a new perfume. And my Dh and children thought 'fume would make a good Mother's Day gift.

A little perfume history... White Shoulders was my first perfume. In the past I've worn Halston, Anne Klein and White Diamonds. My mother always wore Beautiful and Estee, both by Estee Lauder.

I like floral, fruity, citrus-y, and woodsy smells. I don't smell good in musks. I wanted to keep it "light."

On Mother's Day I had a yucky cold and decided that shopping for perfume with a stuffy nose was a bad idea. A few days later, with clear nasal passages, we were off to buy a new scent for Mommy. I armed myself with a list of "recommended perfumes" courtesy of some pastor's wives that I know in cyberspace and a few recommendations from friends.

My pockets were full of spritzed cardboard. My arms were full of "spritzes." I smelled LOTS of perfumes. My boys smelled LOTS of perfumes. Then they knocked over a display of sunglasses. We left the store. When we came back to the store I started at the Estee Lauder counter. (Opposite side of the cosmetics area...)

As I mentioned, my mom was an Estee Lauder fan and often, when I miss Mom, I will go to the perfume counter just to get a whiff of the fragrances she wore. I thought I had smelled all of the Estee Lauder collection. And then the sales lady brought out a different bottle, Pleasures Exotic. She actually had to open a new box. Apparently, this perfume is frequently stolen.

I knew instantly that it was the perfume for me. Fruity, floral and light. Tropical and yummy. Just what I was sniffing for.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the FRAGRANCE of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the AROMA of Christ among those being saved, and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15