Thursday, December 29, 2011

Frozen Hot Cocoa Cocktail


       Wow-ladies, I have something special for you....just in time for New Years and you
        are soooo going to love love love this! What is better on a cold winters night than
        hot chocolate?? Well,  hot chocolate with vanilla vodka, of course!! The most -
        wonderful thing about this cocktail recipe is that...You get a full blender full of
        goodness to share with your guests! Enjoy and garnish the glass with pretty sugar
        and your night is, set!!
                                                              Frozen Hot Cocoa Cocktail

           4 ounces of hot cocoa mix
           3 cups of milk
           3/4 cup Vanilla vodka
           4 to 5 cups ice
           mini marshmallows, for garnish
           sugar, for the rim

         In a blender, combine cocoa mix, milk, vodka and 6 cups of ice and blend until
         smooth. Serve in martini glasses and garnish!


                                                                 One for me and one for you!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

2011, Year In Review!!!



                                                      mozzarella-tomato-and-avocado-salad
                    This recipe was/is my all-time most popular recipe. To this day it gets the
              most views than any other post. Simple, fresh and delicious is always a winning
              combination.

               Well ladies, it's that time of the year again...This is my yearly round up post
        of all of my favorite goodies of the past year and your favorites as well. It has been
        quite a delicious year for me and a great year of growth and finding myself. Thanks-
        for sharing this ride with me. I look forward to 2012 and bringing you the best of me.

 

                                                                 chocolate-peanut-butter-treats
                                           I loved these fun treats and they are so perfect for children.



                                                               watermelon-sherbet-cups
                                                    A perfect and easy way to eat sherbet!



                                                                       butterfinger-cake
                                              A sinfully delish cake that the entire family will love.



                                                            toasted-marshmallow-milkshake
                                      There are very few words to describe how incredible this shake is.



                                                                      greek-pasta-salad
                                                    One of life's greatest pleasure...in one bowl!



                                                                 mexican-meatball-sub
                                                 Oh, I could eat you everyday with pleasure!



                                                                      lemon-drop-martini
                                                 Every once in awhile we all need a great cocktail.
                                                  This would be a perfect New Years Eve, Drink!



                                                                         pina-colada-dip
                                              I still daydream about how scrumptious this dip was!



                                                                   california-roll-in-bowl
                                          I made this meal because of my LOVE for sushi runs deep.



                                                                       cannoli-bruschetta
                                                                  A dream come true!!!!!!!



                                                                      pizza-meatloaf-cups
                                         Serve with wine and crust bread and you have a perfect meal.

             There you have it a year in review. It was hard for me to pick and choose. I hope
        2011 was a great year for you all and cheers to a beautiful upcoming 2012!!


                                                         

Monday, December 26, 2011

Bacon Breakfast Casserole


         Comfort food in breakfast form is this tasty casserole. It's simple and down right
     tasty. Such a great meal if you have guests coming over or a mommy group... You can
     add in any veggie you'd like to this dish. I kept it pretty simple but onion and peppers
     would be great in this. Experiment and have fun and enjoy this scrumptious breakfast.

                                                             Bacon Breakfast Casserole

          12 sliced of bacon, turkey or regular .....cooked and crumbled
          2 cups garlic croutons
          2 cups cheese croutons
          2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
          2 cups milk
          salt and pepper
          garlic powder
          1 tablespoon prepared mustard
          8 eggs, beaten
          1/4 cup butter, melted
          fresh parsley

         1) Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan. Place croutons in casserole dish and pour butter over
         the croutons. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
         2) Mix eggs, milk, mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper, pour over cheese mixture.
         Sprinkle bacon crumbs on top.
         3) Bake at 325 degrees for about 45 min. Let stand 15 min.
          Serve with fresh fruit and your favorite condiments.

         Linking to myuncommonsliceofsuburbia

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas To All.......


Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas!!!
I hope Santa is very good to you and that joy and happiness surrounds you!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Eggnog Loaves


                 Do you love Eggnog as much as I do? Do you start to crave it by the
         end of July? Your kids start asking when is the next time they have some? When
         you walk near the dairy isle and you spot it. Does your heart start racing faster? Ha.
         Mine does. With each bite of this bread you will be in Eggnog bliss. Enjoy a loaf and
         share some with your neighbors or family members. Don't forget to make some
         cinnamon butter to go along.....Merry Christmas!

                                                                       Eggnog Loaves

             2 1/4 cups flour
             2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
             1/2 teaspoon salt
             1/2 ground cinnamon
             1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
             2 eggs
             1 cup eggnog
             1 cup sugar
             1 stick of butter, melted
             2 teaspoons vanilla extract
             2 teaspoons rum extract

           1) In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
           In another bowl, beat eggs, eggnog, sugar, butter, and extracts. Stir in the dry
           ingredients until moistened.
           2) Pour into 4 greased mini loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 min.
           Cool and share.

         
         

Sunday, December 18, 2011

DIY Christmas Tree Crayons


               This was such a fun little project I did with my 5 year old daughter. She loved the
      fact that she was able to break crayons on purpose!! Ha. This DIY could not have been
      any easier....Also, these are great gifts for school children, nieces and nephew but I -
      truly love the thought of them as a fun stocking stuffer. Be creative and have fun.


       All you have to do is take the paper off of the crayons and break them into 3
      pieces. I bought these silicone trees at Target and the best part is that you can use
      them for baked goods after this project.


                  Place your colors in the trees and preheat your oven to 275 degrees and bake
                                                                    for 10 to 12 minutes.


                              Let them completely cool in the trees and then pop them out
                and this is what they will look like. They come out perfectly and are so darling.


                     Put them in some cute bags and label them and I'd say you'll give a gift that
                will impress any little one. Happy Holidays!!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Target Giveaway $50!!!



             Tis the season...for giving!! I was at Target today and while I was waiting
     in line patiently, I saw this cute little gift card and you all came to my mind. There are
     no words to describe the joy that you have all brought to my heart. Thank for stopping
     by my blog and always showing blog-love. I truly appreciate it. This is a small way for
     me to say THANK-YOU. Whether your new to my blog or have been with me from
     the start...you can enter. Here are the rules.
 
                   You can enter 3 times.

             1) You must follow me on google friend connect...this is the only rule.
             2) Follow me on twitter and tweet about it.
             3) Tell me your favorite holiday memory.

        A winner will be picked one week from today by Random.org. Good luck!

       Congrats....Tiffany from Savor Home!!!!!

               

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Pear and Arugula Flatbread Pizza


      It is my mission to bring you awesome quick meals. I lay awake at night trying to
    be creative and write recipes. Sometimes I wake up out of a deep sleep and start
    writing my thoughts on a certain recipe. I actually don't even leave the house without
    a pen and a little notebook...I find inspiration all around me. This recipe came to me
    when I saw a jar of Fig Butter just hanging around. Holy Yumminess!!!!!

                                                        Pear and Arugula Flatbread Pizza

      2 flatbreads
      red onion, a few slices
      1 pear
      a handful of arugula
      1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded
      goat cheese
      olive oil
      fig butter

       Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush Flatbread with olive oil and than put on some of
       the fig jam. Sprinkle on the mozzarella and top with arugula. Add the sliced pear -
       onion and goat cheese. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
       "Note" this would be a great appetizer at a holiday party...cut into wedges and served
        with some chilled wine wine or spritzer.

     Linking to.....Nastasha at Shuelove, one of my favorite bloggers.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Salted Truffle Chocolate Pie


        Pie, oh sweet and salty pie. Oh, how I love you. Smooth, creamy and oh so
        very dreamy. Did I convince you yet? Pie just makes me instantly happy. Right before
        I stick my fork into a piece of pie, I smile. True story. Make this and smile, too.


                                                         Salted Truffle Chocolate Pie
        PIE FILLING
        3 squares of Godiva semi sweet chocolate, cut into pieces
        1 cup of butter, softened
        1 cup of sugar
        1/4 teaspoon of salt
        1/3 teaspoon of vanilla extract
        4 organic eggs
        truffles
        sea salt - I colored my salt to be festive.

        CRUST
        1 1/2 cups chocolate wafers, crushed finely
        6 tablespoons butter, melted

        1) Mix chocolate wafers and butter until well blended. Press into a pie plate
        and chill until firm.
        2) Melt chocolate in microwave and set aside to cool.
        3) In a small bowl beat butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually beat
        in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in cooled chocolate and vanilla until well
        blended.
        4) Add eggs one at a time, beating on high speed 2 minutes after each egg.
        Pour into shell and chill for 2 hours before serving. Arrange truffles and moist
        with a touch of water and sprinkle salt.
 
        Linking to schuelove and homestoriesatoz

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Cranberry-White Chocolate Shortbread Bars


                 I really, truly would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with all of you.
            Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing??? I love the thought. I would serve you a
            warm drink and share with you these awesome holiday bars...because, they are
            so darn good. Until that day comes of having you over. I will post this recipe so
            everyone can enjoy...Sweet and Tart.

                                             Cranberry-White Chocolate Shortbread Bars
             Filling:
             2 cups fresh cranberries
             3/4 cups white sugar
             3 tablespoons water

             Shortbread:
             2 cups all-purpose flour
             1/4 teaspoon salt
             2 tablespoons cornstarch
             1 cup salter butter, room temperature
             1/3 cup brown sugar
             1/3 cup white chocolate chips
             1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

            1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9x9 baking pan.
            2) In a medium saucepan, place the filling ingredients in the pan and boil
            for 5 to 8 minutes or until filling becomes thick and saucy. Remove from
            heat and let cool.
            3) In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch and salt. Set aside.
            4) In another bowl with an electric mixer cream butter and sugar until
            smooth, add vanilla. Gently stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated.
            Stir in the white chocolate chips.
            4) Evenly press two-thirds of the shortbread into the bottom of the prepared
            pan. Then evenly spread the cranberry filling over the shortbread leaving
            1/4 inch border.
            5) With remaining shortbread dough, using your fingers, crumble it over the
            cranberry filling. Then lightly press the dough into the filling.
            6) Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow
            to cool in pan and cut into squares.
       

Monday, December 5, 2011

The Grove in LA


                     On Friday, I went to The Grove in LA with my daughters and we spent the
                                    day eating, shopping and and having a great time together.
                               If you have never been and are ever in the area..it's a must stop!


                                                 World famous and historic farmers market!
                               What a great feeling to be able to get fresh produce and in December.
             

                                                               Vibrant and Gorgeous colors!


                                                               Desserts ~ don't mind if I do.


                                                         Entertainment was everywhere....


                                                 I loved these lights they were everywhere.


                                                    Now this is not a sign you see everyday in LA.
                                                                                 CUTE!
                                           So there you have it a fun filled day in Los Angeles..........
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