Fresh Tomatillo Salsa

Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo so I have been testing out some of my favorites.  Fresh is the key word.  And this is so fresh! This salsa is a nice change from a red tomato salsa!!!!  It was my first time having tomatillos and I must say I love them.  I followed a recipe from Annie's Eats (source below) but did change it up just a tad. 

Fresh Tomatillo Salsa
Ingredients:
-4-5 medium size tomatillos, husked, rinsed and quartered
-1-2 large garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
-1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped for a less spicy salsa; remove just a few seeds for more spice.
-1/2 to 2/3 cup of cilantro roughly chopped
-1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt
-water to thin as you like.

Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender.  I used a blender and pulsed it to a course puree.  You could more if you prefer a not so chunky salsa.  Add water to thin it out if you like.  Transfer to a serving bowl and ENJOY with warm chips.  This makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Notes:
-You could also use 2 serrano peppers.
-You may notice red flakes in my salsa.  I removed all seeds and membrane in the jalapeno and it just was not spicy at all.  So I added red pepper flakes.  It worked. 
-This salsa would be great with the Fresh Lime Margaritas I shared yesterday.

Hope you enjoy!

Source:  Annie's Eats .

15 years

It was like a fairy tale when we met.  And I had my fairy tale wedding too.  But unlike a fairy tale this became a true story.....a love story.  A romantic drama still being written as I type!   Each chapter (year) filled with love, laughter, drama, heartache at times, suspense, surprises, twists and turns, new adventures and so much more.

I felt it from the first time I met him.  I just knew he would be a part of my life.  And on April 17, 1999 he became my everything.

I could write for days sharing so many wonderful, happy details leading up to this day.  I might make you cringe and maybe even cry sharing heartache and gut wrenching hard times we have been through over the past 15 years together.  It all is part of who we are today as husband and wife.  But really it does not matter what has happened in the past.

The most important thing is we are still together and our marriage is stronger than it has ever been.  And the reason for that is our faith in God and the commitment we made to one another 15 years ago today.  Wedding vows are a sacred promise between bride and groom in front of God.  A promise to love each other and be committed to each other even through thick and thin.....AKA good times and bad!  And that promise is something we have never taken lightly.

This man.  Oh how I adore him!  This day reminds me that God truly loves me.  He gave me the most wonderful person and chose him to be my lifetime partner.  I will forever be grateful. And blessed!  Love brought us together as husband and wife.  And gave us a best friend for life.  

To my dear husband, 

You have shown me what love is.  You are the reason for my happy days and the comfort in my sad days.  And sometimes you are the reason I scream, stomp my feet and pout.  You cheer my successes and comfort me in my failures.  I am so very proud to be your wife.  Happy Anniversary Honey.

I love you,

Tasha

Cookie Pizza

This is the easiest birthday treat ever!  I'll let you know right from the start it is not homemade.  There is nothing about it that is homemade!  But in my opinion that is perfectly alright for birthdays if it is what the birthday boys want.

We've been making it for years.  Many times for parties and play dates, but never for their birthday.  ALL children love it.  Its basically a big sugar cookie with candy and marshmallows.  You could easily change it up to suit your child's favorite chocolate candy.  And BTW, BIG kids love it too!

I see you back there!  Photo bomb by the birthday boys.

Cookie Pizza
1 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough
flour for rolling ball of dough
MM chocolate candies
Snickers Bars chopped (I used the King size...its actually two bars in one pack)
1/3-1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350.  On a lightly floured surface, knead the cookie dough into a ball.  Transfer the ball to the cookie/pizza pan and roll into a 10-inch circle, flouring the rolling pin as needed.  Bake at 350 for for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and top with candies and mini marshmallows.  Return to oven for 7 more minutes to soften candy.  To serve cut into wedges or squares.  

Tips and hints:
*I think more Snickers would be better.
*When cut into a pizza wedge this is over the top sweet, kick you in the gut good!  Next time I will cut in squares.
*Easter idea---Pastel MMs and the PB eggs! 

Enjoy! 

Brownie Pie

Before I share a super decadent chocolate treat that would be perfect for your love on Valentine's Day let me catch you up a bit.  We ARE ALIVE!!!  For lack of a l  o  n  g boring story of why I have not blogged in almost a month let me just say this......it's not that I don't want to blog anymore, it's just that I don't care to blog right now.  If you are a blogger you will totally get that.  BUT something hit me to share this.  It hit me as I dished out the last two pieces of this Brownie Pie to the boys last night.  As it has always been on my blog when I try a new recipe that we all totally adore I must share.  So without further ado I give you this. 

Warning! It's rich!

This is a chocolate lover's dream!  Can you see all that ooey gooey goodness?!?!  We didn't stop here folks.  I made homemade whipped topping to cut all the chocolate because there is a bunch!  I also think just a couple fresh strawberries or raspberries on top would be so pretty.  And for Valentine's Day! YES!  Before I share the link let me tell you how this "pie" came about.  We are a family that loves to cook and bake.  Or just basically be in the kitchen together.  We all also love to watch Food Network.  So the other day me and the boys were watching Ina.  She was making this beauty.  On the show she called it Brownie Pie.  The recipe online she calls it Brownie Tart.  Call it whatever you like! 
We call it GOOOOOOOD! Here recently math has moved to the kitchen.  The boys love to help and make things so I figured we could kill two birds.  They learn more about fractions, common math and learn to cook at the same time.  ALL BOYS need to know how to cook!  So when Matthew saw this recipe he asked if they could make it.  I bought all ingredients and supervised.  They did a great job.  It is harder on me to let go in the kitchen.  It is so out of my comfort zone, but it truly is the only way they will learn.  Now if you are wanting something super rich you must give it a try.  It is super easy too!  You can find the recipe HERE .

Happy Tuesday y'all!  Just remember you've been warned!

Love Is In The Air

One month away. It's not a holiday lets just get that clear right up front.  What it is however is a sweet day to show/share some love. 


I have yet to settle on what we'll do to celebrate Valentine's Day, but I will have to come up with something.  There is no way Matthew will allow me not to!  For now we are all feeling the love around here.


Love is in the air.


 

Brown Sugar Pecan Scones

Of course if you read my post from yesterday you know very well why I made these scones. 

That's right for our Downton Abbey watch party TONIGHT!!!!!!!  I'll spare you all my excitement and get on with the scones.

So on to the recipe.

Brown Sugar Pecan Scones:
Ingredients:
-1-3/4c. flour
-1/2 c. brown sugar
-2 tsp. baking powder
-1/4tsp. of salt
-1 c chopped pecans (and eight halves for the tops-optional)
-1c. heavy whipping cream( I have tried half and half before and was sorry I did!  Stick to the heavy whipping cream) 

Preheat oven to 425.

Mix dry ingredients together. Stir in pecans. Add cream, stirring just until soft dough forms. If too wet, add extra flour 1Tbsp. at a time. On floured surface, gently knead dough 5-6 times. Place on greased cookie sheet and pat into an 8" circle. Score into 8 wedges, gently separating. Sprinkle top with sugar. Bake 15-20 min. or until golden brown. 

 

**This recipe will also work when you change the brown sugar to 1/4 cup regular sugar and change 1 cup of pecans to 1 cup of cranberries, mini chocolate chips or any other dried fruit or chip you prefer.  I have also made these with just sugar....no fruit or chip.**

 

Now get ready for Season Four of Downton Abbey TONIGHT, January 5, 2014!!!!  8:00 central time!!!  Now I am off to make shortbread cookies!

 

Enjoy!

Downton Abbey Season Four-Are You Ready?!?!

The wait is almost over and I could not be more excited!!!!! (OK maybe a little more!)  It is something I look forward to all year long.  Right after we celebrate the new year we have something else to look forward to.  A new season of Downton!

 

And NO I will not just go ahead and buy the DVDs!!  I so look forward to the anticipation each week to prepare our Sunday evening around this amazing show.  Pretty much the best show ever! 

 

Besides it gives me a good excuse to have a tea party.  The boys love that part too. 

 

So are you ready?  I am making my list today for our Watch Party tomorrow night.  I'll admit I have seen some spoilers and know I few things that will happen this season, but I don't dare share them here!  All I'll say is YOU MUST WATCH IT!!! 

 

It's going to be good!!!!!!!  Let the countdown begin............

Happy New Year!!!

I know I am a few days late, but none the less....

Happy New Year!!!!!

Things are in full swing with changes constantly hitting us daily.  Change is good right?! 

I am so very thankful for all the changes and lessons we had last year.  And now we are ready for more!

Changes that come daily in life are certainly not always easy, but they make us strong and that is when we grow.  Like every other January this time marks when I get my stuff in order!  A time for me to organize, to time I desire to see clear, fresh lines and thinking about how I want this year to be different. 

When life is not always cupcakes and daisies, when the coffee pot totally overflows(seriously!!!), when your desires are not always met, when people disappoint you, when your camera dies right as you are going to take a picture of the first EVER bluebird you saw or when your children crack nuts all over the floor and don't bother to pick them up and you step on a shell, yep, that is when you (me) must stop and think about what really matters.

So that is my goal, resolution, hopeful---whatever you want to call it---for 2014.

To "Focus on What Matters".

Will I do it every single day?  Probably not.  But I have hope to!!!  And I will turn it over to my Heavenly Father to lead me daily.  It really comes down to attitude and making your day/life what you want it to be.  You know kinda like with children you pick your battles.  Life is the same way.  You have the choice daily as to how you will see things, react to certain situations, what you will allow to make you mad (and or happy) and so on and so forth. 

I have hopes this year of focusing on what matters.

Do you have goals, resolutions or hopefuls for this New Year? 

What We've Been Up To

I did not intend to take a break from blogging.  It just happened.  And when I thought about blogging nothing came so I knew it was to be. 

I suppose it might have to do with my different attitude this December.  A while back I blogged about saying NO to lots of things this year during December. 

IT HAS BEEN FREEING! 

We've been out of school for a week and will take this week off as well.  I can't believe Christmas is two days away.  December goes way too fast. 

So here is what we've been up to.

There have been many mornings like this.

Cisco time

Several hours during the day were spent like this.

Volunteering at OCS....helping a local church bring in toys.  The TRUE spirit of Christmas is giving!

And shopping was often done like this.  I pretend I don't know them.

WHY?!?!
 

I did try a few new recipes this season.  And a few afternoons were spent like this.

Childhood memories of licking the bowl.

And quite a few evenings were spent like this.  I bet we have watched more movies this December than we have the entire year!

Polar Express

It's really all about the memories for me in December.  It warms my heart to hear the boys say....."Remember last Christmas when we _______?"


So today I tell you this.........

God bless and Merry Christmas!!!  I seriously doubt I'll post again before Christmas Day.  Enjoy your family and friends.

Cookies 'n' Cream Fudge

We certainly have our favorites around here during the month of December.  BUT I love trying something new each year.  Over the years I have had many flops in trying new things, but when I have a keeper you know I love to share it here.

Oh my sweet goodness!!  This fudge is so stinking rich you need only a small piece.  Trust me.  And these squares above are way too big!  Anything with an Oreo cookie is grand in my book.  This recipe I found in one of my favorite cookbooks to browse through for the holidays.  The 2011 Southern Living Christmas Cookbook.

And lucky for me I will not have to type it out.  You can find it online HERE .  I always read reviews before making a recipe, but with this one I did not know it was online prior to making the fudge.  Don't let the reviews scare you.  My fudge came out fine.  I will agree with one reviewer that thought it should have cooked five minutes instead of three.  And real white chocolate would have been better, but the white morsels worked fine for me.  Also mine set up just fine.  I did allow it to chill for the full two hours.  Maybe longer since I was busy doing other things.  But it set up well and I was able to cut into small chunks without it falling apart.

Like I said above, IT! IS! RICH!   A little goes a long way.  I like this factor in a Christmas treat.  It enables me to make something for our family and then share.  I quickly made up a box for our neighbors and thankfully Brant took some to work.  The boys were convinced it should all stay here, but it is so sweet we sure do not need it all.  Plus the fun of making treats at this time of year is to share.  I made it in an 8 inch square pan so it was really thick.  It is a keeper with all the guys and for sure a special treat at Christmas. 

**Mint Oreos would be good too!**

What special treats are you making in December?

Dye FREE Halloween

Before kids-circa 2004. 

I grew up celebrating Halloween like many of you.  And I enjoyed it. Probably for no good reason other than it was fun to dress up and pretend you were someone else.  And I LOVE candy. Is that a good reason to perpetuate the so called "holiday"? I don’t know but frankly we have gone back and forth on it for a few years now.  And this year we decided to allow the boys to enjoy the fun of it all.  Morally questioning Halloween is not what this post is all about. 

Halloween 2007

Rather than a moral dilemma, I have had a bigger concern.  That is how to allow the boys to participate in Halloween without being bombarded with artificial dyes and flavors that will turn one into a raving lunatic.  To some, eating the traditional Halloween colored candy is all FUN.  For others it is enough to make you scream.  YOU, the parent, doing the screaming!!!  If you have a child who is sensitive to dyes you know exactly what I am talking about.

Halloween 2008

At first when we decided to go ahead with this whole Halloween thing I totally forgot about the candy.  Seriously, it was all about dressing up, buying the costumes and planning for the night.  Then after giving in a few weeks back and buying candy corn (which has dye) we noticed that cRaZy kid coming out again. 

Well GREAT!  There goes our Halloween plans!  I knew that instant I had to come up with a plan B.   

Let me back up and give a little info on some things I have learned about the dyes in the foods we all love to eat. 

We started watching all foods closely months ago.  Anything with dyes we passed up or allowed and just "prepared ourselves". We prepare for what is to come.  That may sound funny, but we have seen first hand what these nasty dyes can do to our child.  The fact that he can exhibit exactly what is wrong with the crap in our “food” within mere minutes, and sometimes for a couple days after, turned out to be a good thing.  It made me realize this behavior was not totally his doing.  And it made me pay special attention to what really is in all the food we buy.  Or rather did not buy anymore.  We noticed the changes when he ate anything with dyes....specifically RED 40 and Yellow 5!  It was sad to say it felt like we were doing a science experiment on our son. 

RED 40-reactions may include temper tantrums, hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, uncontrollable crying, screaming and kicking (what we call crazy fits), nervousness, dizziness, inability to concentrate and sit still among other findings.  Seriously!!  Often when Red 40 is eliminated from your child's diet a remarkable change is noticed--almost immediately!!!

YELLOW 5-reactions may include hyperactivity and loss of concentration. 

This stuff isn’t good for anyone, even if they don’t turn into Jeckyll and Hyde! 
They are made in a lab with chemicals derived from petroleum, a crude oil product, which also happens to be used in gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt, and tar.

NPR.org: “Artificial food dyes are made from petroleum and approved for use by the FDA to enhance the color of processed foods.”

 

So now you can see why I was a little SCARED about this whole Halloween thing!  That is until I did my research and considered thinking outside the normal Halloween jack-o-latern box. 

 

Fret not my friends!  You can actually provide your child with a dye FREE Halloween!  Yes, it takes a little more effort than running in a store and tossing bags of candy in the cart.  You will have to shop around, look carefully at every label, maybe purchase online and buy other things besides candy. 

We will attend a church carnival on Wednesday night and then trick or treating to a few houses on Halloween.  While at the carnival and trick or treating chocolate is a free candy.  Meaning they are allowed to EAT UP!!  All other candies they will hang onto until we get home.  At that point we'll do the swap. 

So here are a few ideas for you if you are looking for a Dye FREE Halloween for your little ghosts and goblins.  Or Ninjas.

Twix bars, Yummy Earth lollipops and gummy worms, chocolate covered banana chips,
temporary tattoos and glow necklaces.

To be honest this is MORE than enough, but I know my parents will drop by with a little something more.  And Halloween night we plan to trick or treat early and come home to make kettle corn.  I am not the least bit concerned about it not being all candy. But I am concerned and realizing I will probably be staying up late with two little boys that will be bouncing off the walls from SUGAR OVERLOAD!

OK, so I know you are probably saying, "Chocolate is yummy, but where is all the good candy?"
The gummy worms and lollipops are there.  And they are gooooood.

 

Yummy Earth is a favorite of ours.  We have been a fan of the organic pops for a few months now.  I recently discovered that many Walgreen stores now carry some of their candy.  I was so excited!!  Yesterday I picked up a couple of bags for this week.

 

Mango Tango is my fav!

Back to the chocolate.  I have good luck with finding many different chocolates/candy bars that do not have dyes in them.  But I do look closely.  Too bad M&Ms are not one we can have.  BUT there is a brand out there that does a knock off M&Ms. 

UNREAL Candy offers REAL candy.  Not junk!  I have found the candy coated chocolates (M&Ms) and peanut butter cups (Reese's PB cups) at CVS.    

 

Other ideas I think most kids would LOVE: Fruit Rope , Fruit Snacks , Nutella and GO! snack packs , silly string, fake fangs and any kind of glow stick, bracelet or necklace.  It doesn't all have to be candy.  Think outside the box!

 

I hope I have provided you with a few ideas to have a Dye FREE Halloween.  Be safe, have FUN and take a ton of pictures!  For us it's going to be a night of treasured memories without all the nasty dye. 

 

Do you worry about the food dyes in Halloween candy?



Another Year, Another Wrinkle

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
~Mark Twain

Wrinkles and grey hair-HA! Dark circles and tired, blood-shot eyes......that's funny.  Signs of aging mean nothing to me.  It all has to do with how you feel and of course how you conduct yourself.

So yesterday I took advice from two eight year olds (along with a certain family member) and had a sorta holiday from school.  And we played! 

I had the royal treatment-homemade gifts and signs, love notes and cards into the evening, works of art on my body, candy just because, coloring and drawing and pretty much nothing or anything we/I wanted to do.  Yep, it was a laid back birthday.

  

And then last night I celebrated with family over for dinner and DESSERT!!!  Pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese icing and butter pecan ice cream.  YUM!

Did you expect something else?

My bones may feel forty-six, but my heart feels much, much younger!


"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”
~Sophia Loren

Out of the Wreck I Rise

Stunned and excited!  Sans the make-up

A couple of months ago I came across a blog that I instantly fell in love with.  I wasn't looking for a blog at the time, but the leather cuffs this blog writer makes and sells in her Etsy shop.  Much to my dismay I learned her shop was closed at the time.  BUT I also learned it would reopen in September!  So I settled to learn more about this blogger.  She quickly captured me with her adventures, love of our Heavenly Father, her style and obsessive picture taking.

Becky Strahle of Farmgirl Paints is one super talented woman.  She paints, is funny, loves to thrift shop, has an amazing positive attitude, a tremendous wit and makes some super rocking leather cuffs! 

Oh the cuffs.

When I saw the cuffs I knew I had to have one.  These leather cuffs without a doubt are my style.  They are inspirational word cuffs.  I love inspirational words.  Little reminders to help me in life.  Little reminders to encourage me at any given time.  I needed a cuff!  And I needed words to wear!  OK wanted. 

So I started following her blog in hopes to find out the exact date she would reopen her Etsy shop.  It seemed quite fitting she would reopen during my birthday month!  So thus my birthday gift was born.  Brant was fine with me picking out my own gift.  Especially one like this with wording I would wear on my wrist.

After thinking about what I would order the words came to me.  Words I have been reading for a few years now.  Words I refer to often during trials of life. 

Her shop opened on September 3rd and I placed my order in less than 5 minutes.  You might say I was super excited to order my cuff.  Becky was great to work with!  And so kind when I totally forgot to order the "blank".  The blank is the silver plate the wording is hand stamped on.  She emailed me back and I picked out a blank and the order was made. 

Yesterday a little package came in the mail.  I was so excited to see "Farmgirl Paints" on the envelope.  I quickly opened the package to find the cutest little bag and card.

I opened the bag and there it was.....my leather cuff.  Of course I instantly put it on and was like a little kid (see picture above).

LOVE!

Isn't it amazing!  Don't you want to order one with your own custom wording?!  Well if you do you better act fast.  Becky's shop will close today.  She is an occasional shop.  Because she hand picks her supplies and each item is handmade it takes time to restock.  She will be closed for October and reopen in November for 10 days.  So act fast TODAY!  Or start thinking about the wording and google "Farmgirl Paints leather cuffs".  You'll get tons of ideas.  She also has ideas on her blog.  Link above.  Click HERE to go to her Etsy shop while it is still open.

You can find out more about the wording for my cuff here.

Five on Friday #3

{{ONE}}
Ready or not school begins MONDAY!!!!!  I still have a few little details to prepare for before Monday....special breakfast, first day treats, "school" photos---pretty much a FUN first day!

{{TWO}}


And now for the make-over reveal of this boring rooster.....

BEFORE


And AFTER!!!  Rise and Shine sleepy head!  He makes me smile.  I've had this rooster for over 15 years and he has never made me laugh and smile the way he does now.  A little Sunshine Yellow paint can do wonders for my spirits.  I think he needs a name.  Have any suggestions??

 

{{THREE}}
Speaking of color......and I mean FALL colors.  Despite the warm temps still lingering on you know from recent posts I am in the Fall mode.  What about you?  Did you put your Fall decorations out yet?  Have you inadvertently picked up Fall colors when clothes shopping....you know deep rich orange, browns, jewel tones?  Have you gathered all your pumpkin recipes (yes, I have!!!)?

{{FOUR}} 
And one more about color-and this could be FALL colors too!  Many of you know I am on a quest to embrace my ever growing grey hair.  In that quest old color and highlights were growing out.  Not a very pretty growing out color. So yesterday I decided to tone down the nasty, brassy color and add lowlights.  The lowlights are as close to my natural color as she could get.  It is a much darker color than I have had in years!  But it toned down everything growing out and it comes close to matching my natural dark eyebrows.  It is a nice change going into fall. 
A word to anyone with virgin hair-embrace your natural color!!!!

 

{{FIVE}}
And I saved the best for last!!!  This weekend marks a VERY special time!  My sisters and I, along with our families, are celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary!!!!  
50 years is a long time!!  So needless to say we are having a town party!  It's a small town so we figured we could invite everyone..........hehehehe.......if they only knew what we had planned. 

Happy Weekend All!!!