~My Two New Favorite Things~

I love these fleece Acorn socks. They are so warm and soft. They fit my feet perfectly and the funky colors and designs are too fun!

I’m totally lovin’ my Jack LaLanne’s Power Juicer. I’ve been drinking Dr. Oz’s green drink every morning. It’s really quite good.

Make the breakfast drink that Dr. Oz swears by! This "green drink" is high in fiber, low-calorie and rich in vitamins.

Ingredients
2 cups spinach
2 cups cucumber
1 head of celery
1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root
1 bunch parsley
2 apples
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. This makes approximately 28-30 ounces, or 3-4 servings

*NOTE: I put it all in my juicer

~type you soon~

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~Surprise~

I LOVE my hubby because he’s so crazy…and keeps me on my toes!

Look what I woke up to this morning. Before I realized what it was, I screamed and tried to smack it to the ground.

He’s huge! Is he not the cutest thing! I think he needs a name…

~type you soon~

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~Death by Yoga~

I popped out of bed this morning and decided to start my day off on the right foot—healthful breakfast and some yoga.

 A dear friend gave me, Power Up –The Best of Rodney Yee box set. There are 3 DVD’s  so as I glanced through them I decided on the Energy Balance Yoga—who doesn’t need energy and balance. Little did I know 25 minutes into this workout I would have a near death experience.

Rodney Yee, kicked my butt and is responsible for me seeing the light. Oh, the ache, oh the pain…it all happened so quickly…as my body refused the last pose and I crumpled and clasped to the floor I heard a faint clicking sound. I thought I’d hear harps and angels…curiously, I forced one eye open to see my daughter hovering over me with her camera.  

As I lay in fetal position I ponder many things, who is Rodney Yee, how can I get that camera out of my daughter’s hands, the friend that gave me these DVD’s is she really a friend, can one die from yoga…

Camera has been confiscated and pictures have been deleted…

~type you soon~

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~I was a Good Girl~

A lot has happen in 2011…and since He sees me when I’m sleeping and He knows when I’m awake...I never know what list I’ll make it on. You can imagine my surprise and jubilation when I discovered I wasn’t on the naughty list (a few family members protested this decision and I was quite thankful that it didn’t go to vote).

I must say, being on the nice list is thrilling and causes one to dream of marvelous gifts that are basically unattainable.

I had my fingers crossed for a French Chateau…but unfortunately that wasn’t under my Christmas tree. But the next best thing was…a Kindle Fire!

What was the first book I read on my Kindle…Winning the Wall flower, by Eloisa James.

Eloisa James… and her novella are solely responsible for Christmas dinner being delayed by 2 hours because I couldn’t but the Kindle down. The story was so cute!

I have a feeling the kids will be neglected and the house will fall into shambles...I LOVE this Kindle.

I’m so being a good girl next year….;o)

~type you soon~

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~Merry Christmas~

Good morning… goodnight…wherever you may be—I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

(To my French family, Joyeaux Noël. Je t'aime!)

If you are searching for that last minute Christmas gift I have a few suggestions...

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect

No matter what you do, have a beautiful day.

~type you soon~

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~New Book~

I'm almost finished with my next book! Secrets is a romantic suspense. It should be out in the next month or so!

Ashley Dawson has a gift—she can communicate with spirits. Her life profoundly changes when she is urged and guided, by a spirit, to the house of Nathaniel Marshall—a man who doesn’t believe Ashley’s bizarre accusations and makes no attempt to hide it.

When Nathaniel discovers a cunning man who disappears as quickly as he appears is stalking Ashley, his fear for her safety consumes him. Their terror is taken to a new level when several murders throughout the city surface.

~type you soon~

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~Grown-Up Rum Pound Cake~

This cake is amazing, super rich, and is for the adults because I don’t boil the rum glaze. I also change it up a little by using Captain Morgan’s Parrot Bay Coconut Rum in the glaze and spiced rum in the cake.

 

          Ingredients

       

      Batter

1 package yellow cake mix

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (this is the small box)

4 eggs

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup Captain Morgan’s Rum (any rum will do ;o) )

Glaze

1/4 cup butter

4 table spoons water

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup Captain Morgan’s Coconut Rum

       

    Directions

Preheat oven to 325F. Grease loaf pan liberally with butter.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix. Mix in the eggs, water, oil and rum. Mix well and pour batter in the greased pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

To make glaze: melt butter, water, and sugar on medium-low heat. Once the sugar has completely dissolved remove from heat and stir in rum.

When the cake is done let sit for 10 minutes in the pan. Pour the warm glaze over the warm cake while the cake is still in the pan. I let it sit in there for about 5-10 min (to soak up the glaze) then I flip it out on a plate. Slice and serve.

If you plan on giving it as a gift let cool completely before wrapping it. I like to fold it neatly in wax paper and tie it up with a beautiful bow.

** Taste the glaze as you are making it. Sometimes I add a little less rum or a little more sugar…whatever I think it needs. So have fun with it!! This is great for New Years too!

Enjoy!

~type you soon~

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~Christmas Spirit~

I just love the season! If you are not in the spirit yet hopefully these pictures will inspire you!

~type you soon~

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~Timbers Birthday~

It’s Timber’s 1st Birthday today. I can’t believe how much she has grown over the year. Here’s my first blog post about her.

She has brought so much joy to our lives. She makes us laugh all the time because she’s so silly. Right now she loves to get in the car and go look at Christmas lights!

She loves toys that squeak, to chase squirrels, Chinses food, and to chase her tail.

She despises the vacuum.

 She can fall asleep anywhere!

All Grown Up!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Timber!

~type you soon~

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~Second Hand Store Treasure~

I totally scored with this scarf. It is so thick and warm. I’m not sure if it’s wool, but it’s very heavy!

 I love the color because it goes with everything. I believe it is handmade. I was talking with a friend…showing it to her and she believes that it’s crocheted not knitted. I’m not sure what the difference is—but I LOVE IT.

It was only .25 cents! Whoo-Hoo!

~type you soon~

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~Cranberry Bread~

Last night we had dinner with friends. As we were leaving I was so excited when I was handed a loaf of homemade cranberry bread which is one of my favorite breads.

It’s breakfast time right now and I just had two pieces. They were so yummy (actually I really wanted three pieces).

Here's the story...

The first piece I ate with butter—delicious...but I thought it would be heavenly if I toasted it...

The second piece I ate toasted with lots of melted butter—I was right it was heavenly...but I thought it would be divine if it was toasted just a little bit more…

The third piece caught on fire in the toaster…the house is now filled with smoke…fingers are crossed the smoke alarms don’t go off…we can barely breathe…toaster is now sitting on the back deck….

Lesson learned…greed along with expanding thighs will not be tolerated and are subjected to divine intervention…I apparently only needed to eat two pieces of the delicious cranberry bread.

My eyes are burning so I have to step outside.

~type you soon~

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~Homemade Almond Roca~

My family LOVES Almond Roca. I’m not the best candy maker so when I found this super easy recipe I was so excited. This doesn’t take that long to make and is so yummy.

Super Easy Almond Roca

1/2 cup dry roasted almonds chopped (from Costco)

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

1 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons boiling water

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Rubbed a little melted butter all over an 11-in. x 7-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Evenly sprinkle chopped almonds in the bottom of the greased baking pan. Set aside.

In a saucepan over low heat, cook butter and sugar for a few minutes. You want the butter to melt and the sugar to dissolve and become bubbly. Add water and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat. As you cook you’ll want to stir often—scraping the bottom of the pan and around the sides too.

Cook until a candy thermometer reads 300 degrees F (hard-crack stage).

Quickly pour over almonds. Wait about a minute or so then sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Let the chips stand for 1-2 minutes and then spread and swirl chocolate over candy with a spatula. I chop some more almonds and sprinkle them over the top (just so it looks pretty). Let the Almond Roca cool completely and then break into pieces.

A few side notes: I love to give this as a hostess gift. Just put the Roca in a zip lock bag and then put it in a cute holiday container.

If you are a little short on time and you need the Roca to cool quickly just pop the pan in the refrigerator so it’ll cool faster.

Since I’m not the best candy maker I find if I heat the Roca to the 300 degrees slowly I don’t burn the sugar.

If you want thinner Roca used a bigger pan. If you want thicker Roca use a smaller pan.

Enjoy!

~type you soon~

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~Perfect Holiday Appetizer~

Last night I went to a dinner party where they served the most delicious appetizer. It was an amazing sun-dried tomato, pesto, & cream cheese spread. I hovered around it for way to long (yes, my scale lied to me again this morning). It was served on crackers but I think it would also be great on bread or toast.

It looks elegant and tastes divine. I was totally surprised when the hostess told me she bought it from Costco.   

I can totally see Giada de Laurentiis serving this.

~type you soon~

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~Countdown~

The countdown is officially here! Can you believe it’s already December 1st? Christmas is my holiday. I love the decorations, the music, the cooking and spirit of the season.  When I was a little girl, my mom taught me to appreciate the festivities and Eloise taught me to simply LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! the season.

(first edition)

(most recent edition)

(look at that face...she just makes me smile)

Don’t forget your Advent Calendars. My kids LOVE them. It’s a fun way to keep track of the big day…and who doesn’t like to wake up to a piece a chocolate first thing in the morning.

I usually buy mine at Trader Joe’s, but you can get them at any grocery store.

~type you soon~

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