Fourth of July

Hello Everyone! Its been entirely too long!
I have been over come with school and two million other things and apologize for not blogging sooner!

So we went to a family friends house and absolutely had a BLAST! I managed to whip up a quick easy dessert before we went and wanted to share...

I made a red, white, and blue trifle.

I started with my gorgeous trifle bowl! 

Then I got a pre-made angel food cake and cut it up into cubes and set it aside.

Then I gathered the fruit I wanted. First some gorgeous blueberries....

and my stunning strawberries!

and the final key is whipped cream....

I started layering them, starting with the angel food cake and ending with whipped cream...

I had left over fruit so I decided to make a flag on top. .... 

It was a little cliche but it turned out great!

Here's the final product...

Happy 4th of July!

Easter Treats!!

So every year for Easter, my family makes a menu and everyone gets something to bring. Somehow, this year, I was not assigned anything! I decided I wanted to do something super yummy, simple, relatively inexpensive, and something that I can make in bulk! lol I found the perfect recipe Oreo Cream Cheese Truffles! 

First you need one pack of Oreos

about 12 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips.... (you may use a little more or a little less so have back ups just incase)

and an 8 oz package of cream cheese

First pull out about 8 oreos and put them in the food processor. Chop Chop Chop and set those to the side. We will use those later!

Next chop the rest of the oreos and put them into your mixer and add the cream cheese....

Then take your chocolate chips in another microwaveable bowl and microwave them on medium heat until soft.... It should only be about a minute. 

 In the mean time, get your tray ready for the truffles... I learned the hard way to cover your tray with parchment paper or wax paper so while they are cooling they won't stick to the tray!

Next, start making your truffle balls. I used a measuring spoon to keep my truffles roughly the same size.

I scooped them all and put them on the tray to get them ready for dipping

I decided to make each a little more round by rolling them in my hands before dropping them (carefully) into the melted chocolate. Without moving the balls make sure they are all covered with the chocolate. I used my spatula to cover the balls in chocolate

Then scoop the out with a fork, gently tapping the fork to the side of the bowl to get all the excess chocolate off. Then place on the parchment paper and let them cool while you finish up with all the other truffles. I put mine in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving just to make sure they were completely cooled and firm.

I think next time I will decorate them just for an added fun! They were are HIT at Easter dinner and were completely gone BEFORE we even started officially eating dinner! So I think I will also hide them until after dinner next year! lol 

Incredibly blessed!

I have to admit sometimes, when life is busy, it is very easy to forget how incredibly blessed I am. As I sit here thinking of all twelve million things going on in life I have to be appreciative to God for blessing me EVERYDAY! First, I am blessed to be married to such an amazing man! Absolutely NO ONE compares! He is the jelly to my peanut butter! lol  Next, I think I frequently take my family for granted. They always have been here (and always will) so I forget there are those that are not as lucky as I am. My family is so unique and I would be lost without them. They are my North Star. When I lose my way they guide me back. Like I said, INCREDIBLY  blessed!
Happy Saturday!

Boutique

Its official! My previously listed creations (bibs, t-shirts, onesies, paci clips, burp cloths) are in a boutique in Norman called Merrybelle's. Its on Main St. and it will be open this Saturday from 11-6 but it doesn't officially open until May 13th! Nonetheless I am absolutely through the roof with excitement!!! I can't wait to post pics of the set up!!

Here is my new mission

http://www.marthastewart.com/285746/french-macaroons

These Days......

Here are a few things that I have been loving these days:

1. So my best friend has the best recipe for Raspberry tea. This is the absolute best drink when company is over. She uses Bigelow Raspberry Royale.

She brews it in her coffee pot and while its still hot she pours sugar in (to taste). 

I am officially in LOVE I can't get enough Raspberry tea and had it for my birthday dinner this week!

 2. I went to a Tupperware party and was really impressed with the products (not the sales lady but thats for another day) and have been looking for something comparable. I went and bought this  24 piece storage container set from Bed Bath and Beyond and LOVE it! Not only was it on sale but it is exactly what I was looking for!

I also ended up getting a large order from Tupperware so we will see which  I like better!

3. Here is a new one for me! I buy (and inevitably through away) a lot of fruits and veggies everytime I go to the grocery store. I heard about this at the tupperware party and immediately went hunting for the perfect crisper. It has been added to a small collection I now have. (I got several from Tupperware too). I absolutely LOVE it! Not only does it make my fruits and veggies last longer but its also the perfect size for my fruits and veggies and my fridge.

The words on the side are a guide to help you remember how much humidity your fruits and veggies need. Its great!

4. I have always kept my eyes peeled for a trifle bowl that I'm in love with and I have yet to find one..... until now.... Taaaaa daaaaa! I found this beauty at Wal-Mart for $10! Um... yes please! Not only was it a GREAT price its a classically simple yet gorgeous serving dish!

Cant wait to make a dessert in this for the holidays or maybe even a get together.

5. We are moving at the end of May and I have used this time to get rid of anything we don't use regularly and to update a few items that need updating. This is our new shower curtain by Amy Butler. I am loving all of her new patterns and home decor! This will be a GREAT new addition to our home.d

6. I saw these for $0.99 at Target and could NOT walk away! These are absolutely perfect for cutting my fruits and veggies down. Bonus, who can walk away from 4 brand new paring knives for ninety-nine cents?! Not me!

7. Did you know that when you cut lettuce with a metal knife it oxidizes the lettuce and makes it turn brown quicker?! Ya, me neither until this tupperware party! Since I buy ( and throw away) so much lettuce because it turns brown before I can finish it, I figured I would try this and see how it works..... So far its amazing and A LOT sharper than I would have though a plastic knife could be

and yes, I did have to learn that the hard way! lol

8. I was in desperate need of a new cutting board for several reasons. The first reason being that the one I have is wooden and needs to be treated with mineral oil. Number 1 who even knows where to find mineral oil and number 2 after spending almost an entire semester in microbiology I have learned quite a bit about the spread of microorganisms and cross contamination.... I was ready to have an antimicrobial surface to cut my fruits, veggies, and meat on! And I found this at Target for super cheap. (of course on sale)

Extra Bonus, the color is super fun and there are rubber grips on the bottom so this won't slide across the countertop while I am cooking!

9. I have been looking for a covered pie/cake stand, as well. Psssssst, I found one! This was also on sale and happens to be one of my favorite brands of glassware.... Anchor!  I have always liked the look of anchor glassware... nice clean lines..... good heavy quality glass...... and $10! um.... yes please, again! This was a GREAT "happy thursday" gift from CJ!

I'll have to explain "happy Thursday" next blog!

I hope you can find things you have been loving these days! 

Happy hunting!

Tasty Tuesday: Lemon-Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Tasty Tuesday: Lemon-Cream Cheese Cupcakes

All I can say is..... YUMMY! These look sooo good!