Sweet Success

I did it! I completed my very first cake. Although I had some errors It turned out pretty darn cute! I didn't beat myself up too hard about my fondant cracking or the fact that the cake was leaning slightly toward the western hemisphere! It's my first cake...I wasn't expecting perfection...well maybe just a tad bit?! I am proud of myself for accomplishing and totally

dominating the cake hurdle! I can't wait to make another one.

We had fun licking the spoons and mixer attachments! :o) Everything was relatively easy to make, the only thing I really had a problem with was my red & blue fondant. The red fondant was the first color I started to mold because I had to make a "1" and his name. Well..after getting very frustrated because I couldn't find a nice medium between too dry and too sticky I gave up on the red and just made the "1", balls, and polka dots. The bottom tier was supposed to have red stripes and I decided to omit them because the fondant was cracking and just plain getting on my nerves! So...I made it work! The blue fondant was not as temper mental as the red, and the yellow was PERFECT. I don't know what the deal was...but I vow to find out how to do it correctly without cracking! :o)

I froze my cakes a couple of days before I decorated. I had no problems with sweating or anything. I took them out of the freezer first thing the morning of decorating and let them thaw out a little bit in the plastic and then unwrapped them a couple of hours later while I made more buttercream and leveled the cake and crumb coated it.

Improvements can definitely be made...but it's my first cake...give me a break here kids! Practice makes perfect!

Cake Boss...?

I have been teaching myself how to bake and decorate cakes! (don't laugh.) And when I say"teaching myself" I mean being taught by my aunt but because we live 8.5 hours apart...It's more of teaching myself and asking her questions/youtube when I get stuck. My reason for doing this came from inspiration from my aunt because well...I'd rather you SEE why then me explain how AWESOME she is! soo here are a couple of pictures...

She is AHH-MAAAZING! My first attempt at this will be my son's 1 year birthday cake! I am so excited about doing this! I have cake freezing in my freezer right now and Buttercream hanging out in tupperware on my counter and 3 mounds of fondant sitting in my fridge. Yup! FONDANT! I am such a professional! haha I cant wait to start putting everything together and watch it form into a beautiful masterpiece such as the ones above...well hopefully.

I have had fun with my KitchenAid Mixer making my buttercream, which I think was more fun "taste-testing" than actually making it! Reagan thought so as well! (pictures to come!) I can't wait to show y'all the finished project and ALL the fun I had on the way!

non-gourmet hamburger casserole

So in my previous post I mentioned something about making hamburger casserole and how much my husband "loved" it! haha well I made it the other night and I figured I would share the recipe because, well, it really is yummy and, did I mention, SUPER easy? soo Here ya go...I hope your husbands don't have "gourmet" taste buds like mine does...

1 lb. ground beef (I use lean ground beef)

1/2 cup (or more) your choice BBQ sauce

1 16 oz. can baked beans

biscuits*

cheese...lots and lots of cheeeese!

(*Biscuits can be pre-made frozen that you've thawed out or from a can or you make them out of Bisquick mix-just follow directions on the box)

Preheat oven to 425. Brown your meat in a skillet, drain.

Pour in your BBQ sauce and baked beans and stir until it begins to do bubbly things.

Pour it into a 2 qt. casserole dish and arrange biscuits on top of mixture. I line the outside of the dish with them making a circle and if you have any biscuits remaining you can put some in the middle of your Circle O' Biscuits! Place your casserole in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until biscuits are pretty and golden colored. MMM...This makes me hungry thinking about it! :o) When your oven timer starts beeping...pull it out and pour 5 lbs of cheese on top...no J-K! haha maybe 1 cup or soo...however much your heart so desires! put back in the oven for about 3 minutes so the cheese is melty and goooey! After the end of that 3 minutes, take it out and cool...or not...and ENJOY it with a huge glass of sweet tea- no lemon! :o)

ZUMBAAAA!

I began working out with Zumba yesterday. I am thoroughly impressed so far! I have been doing some yoga and that’s been fun, but I decided to step it up a bit. Whew boy! What a HUGE step it’s been!

I was watching TV one day and saw an infomercial for Zumba. (I had never heard of it or even knew that they had actual classes in town that were available to go to.) So….I had a wild hair and I dialed the number! (I have never ordered ANYTHING from an infomercial before so this was pretty exciting! Haha) I received my colorful, rectangular Zumba package in the mail one day while I was in North Carolina visiting the hubby so I was super excited to get home and rip it open and start Zumba-ing…yeah.

My laziness kicked in, as usual. I opened the box and looked through all of it but neglected to put the stinkin’ DVD in the DVD player! I started doing Yoga instead… The Zumba package comes with like 25 different DVDs (not really 25 it’s like 5), all with different work outs. So one day I finally stuck in the one that says “Basics and 20 minute Express”. I began the “Basics” portion and it takes you through a step-by-step breakdown of all the steps….yeah…not into that! So I took it out and boxed it back up and stuck in the corner…haha I know…

Well fast forward to today and then rewind to yesterday! (ha) I got another wild hair and thought, “let’s just DO IT!” So, I put in the DVD that says “Sculpt and Tone”. I figured, I was a cheerleader for 12 years, for Heaven’s sake! I can catch on to the moves without the step-by-step breakdown!”….and I DID!! It was sooo much fun and such an incredibly intense work out! The best thing about Zumba is that you’re dancing the whole time so you don’t feel like you are actually working out...well, except for the buckets of sweat dripping from your face, neck, back…and every other body part!

As you’re working out it takes you through different styles of dance

• Cumbia

· Merengue

· Reagaeton/Hip-Hop

· Samba

· Salsa

· Calypso

I think that’s it, but I might be missing one or two styles. Anyways, you go through each style one at a time so it makes it go by fast! And once I saw the screen that says “Cool Down” I was like…”wait, I just started”…but then thought “Thank God!” haha I felt completely rejuvenated afterwards and this morning woke up excited about NAP TIME so I could do some Zumba booty shaking!

If you are looking for a fun way to work out besides the usual aerobics and weight lifting or what nots that you do at the Y…or wherever…, I URGE you to either buy the DVDs and do it in your own home (during nap time is when I do it….I mean really, WHEN ELSE would I have time!?) or find a gym who’s hosting it! I know it’s fun in my living room so I’m almost positive it’s a blast in a gym!

www.Zumba.com

From Housewife to Chef

I am normally not the "chef" of our family, that's my husband's job. After we got married all of my images of me with my apron on, standing in front of a stove while my husband sits on the couch watching "Futbol" (SOCCER!...his preference...NOT mine. Just to make that clear) all went out the window! He enjoys cooking for his family, and frankly I don't mind either! When we were first married it was him with his apron on standing in front of the stove and me sitting on the couch watching FOOTBALL (SEC...Alabama...Roll Tide! I think you get the picture here!).

Now...2 years later I have been forced into the kitchen. Thank you, U.S. Army. I really do enjoy cooking and lately I have surprised myself AND my family. I think my husband underestimated me and my hamburger casserole that I made once and he told me liked it...which, I found out later he didn't. (NICE honey, real niiice!) It really is yummy, I swear! It's just a simple dish and doesn't take too much time to make...which is probably why he didn't like it. You see, when my husband cooks a meal he starts at 5pm...we sit down to eat at around 11pm! That's NOT an exaggeration people! (ASK HIS MOTHER! haha) God love him! His food is reallly yummy and definitely worth the wait...don't get me wrong...but HEAVENS,MAN! I can't wait 6 hours to eat supper!

Plus, I was raised on "throw it in the oven" meals. (wasn't I mom?)

So recently, since I have been forced into my apron, I have made a plethora of meals for me and our children and even my husband when he's home! I actually bought some recipe books (Budget saving meals and The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook! to name a couple) They have been amazing.

Tonight, I made a recipe off of the back of my Bisquick Box!! Ultimate Chicken Fingers...so good! And not fried! It calls for paprika, but I subbed it for Montreal Chicken seasoning because I didn't have paprika. I paired it with some Mushroom Rice (I originally typed Muchroom...ha! it's late guys...give me a break) and it was really scrumptious to say the least! Anyway..here's the recipe for my supper this evening....

Ultimate Chicken Fingers

-Boneless/Skinless Chicken breast/tenders (I used a package of about 8!?)

- 2/3 Cup Original Bisquick Mix

-1/2 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese

-1/2 tsp. salt or garlic salt (I used reg. salt)

-1/2 tsp. paprika (I used Montreal Chicken seasoning *MCS)

-1 egg, slightly beaten

-3Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

Directions:

HEAT oven to 450. Line cookie sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. In 1 gallon resealable plastic bag, mix Bisquick mix, cheese, salt, and paprika (*MCS)

DIP half of the chicken into the egg; place in bag. Seal bag (very important!) and shake to coat chicken. Place chicken on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken. Drizzle butter over chicken.

BAKE 12-14 minutes, turning halfway through bake time, until no longer pink in center.

ENJOY! :o) We sure did....oh! and for the rice...I just bought one of those Rice Side dish packages in the grocery store....soo yummy and soo fast! Reagan loved the chicken! and because it wasn't fried and I used organic chicken tenders it made it even better! :o)

skiing after baby...YEAH RIGHT!

Happy Monday!!

Vacation is o-v-e-r! soo sad...but I had a great weekend! Saturday, I went to Prattville to hang out/shop with my cousin who came back into town from North Carolina! I love her! But of course, every time I get out of the house it storms...What's UP with THAT!? We had a good time together though, but she headed back to NC today. So, Safe travels for her!

Yesterday was father's day and I was soo grateful to have that time to spend with my daddy! I wish Chad could have been here...but we get to celebrate his daddy-dom in about a week when he comes home! :o) I'm so excited about him being here! But let's talk about yesterday....

We went to the Lake! (In Alabama, you're not cool unless you go the lake/have a lake house...lol) My grandparents have a lake house on Lake Martin and it's THE place to be in the summa time! I have lots of very fond memories of being there as a little girl, a teenager, and now an adult. We used to go to the lake almost every weekend when I was in Jr. High/High School. It's the best, needless to say. I can remember taking friends up for the day and jetting off on our wave runner headed no where but the infamous "Chimney Rock". Here's a pic of it for all you "UN-cool" people out there...lol

Basically people take their boats to this area and climb up these rocks and see how high they can climb and eventually JUMP...The "goal" is to climb to the very highest point and jump from it. YES, people have died from jumping off of the highest point. YES, I have jumped from these rocks...but NOT the highest point. I have jumped from about the middle of that. Anyways, This area in front of these rocks and beside it get soo crowded you can barely drive a boat through it...ESPECIALLY on Holiday weekends. It's almost ridiculous. BUT going back to all of my fond memories at the lake...I can remember taking friends out here and trying our best to impress anybody who would look at us. haha pathetic..I know! but we were 15-16! only natural. but those were the best times of my life when I was a teenager. Summertime = Lake and Lake=FUN...always!

So, going to the lake for father's day was a blast. It was the 1st time I had been there in about a year. We had a blast...I even tried to (learn how to) ski....4 months out of having a baby....WHAT WAS I THINKING!? well, obviously I WASN'T! speaking of that....can I get a babysitter 3-4 times a week for about 45min to an hour so I can hit the gym, that I'm paying for and haven't been in like...2 YEARS!? k.thanks! Definitely need to build my muscles back up...it's so sad..because I used to be so strong...really, I was! I used to throw girls in the stinking air (cheerleading) for Heaven's sake! and now....well, I can't even ski! I did almost get up a couple of times...but kept on letting go of the rope handle...I didn't know what I was doing wrong...and my poor daddy kept trying to figure it out too and he was trying to tell me how to pull myself up...every time I let go of the rope I could just almost see the annoyance on his face as he slowed the boat down and made a wide U-turn to get the rope back to me so I could start over again...haha I finally gave up...hands burning with friction...and arms like noodles...We got back to the cabin and borrowed the tube next door and tied it up, Lord have Mercy!

This deserves another paragraph.lol. The tube was a blast. I managed to stay on until we started heading back to the cabin... Daddy slowed down a little bit because he had just done a whipping turn and I almost fell off because I was sliding backwards and my grip was about to be gone from the handles. As he was slowing down and about to speed up the tube was tilting downward. I was laying flat on it and the way it tilted I was diving in the water head first....well I couldn't get control of it sinking so I sort of jumped off and the tube went over me somehow and about a gallon of water swooshed up my nostrils....omg! That's the worst ever....needless to say (again) We tied up the tube and I got back in the boat and we headed back towards the cabin..I was through! and EXHAUSTED!

So...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the daddy's out there! I am so thankful for my daddy and my husband. my kids and I are SO blessed! :o)

Can I get a little help in the church door PAHH-LEASE!?

I don't think I go one day without being surprised by my kids! They are so little but they amaze me everyday. Will (3.5 months old) is getting soo big! And I swear he's looking more and more like his daddy everyday! This picture was taken on Memorial Day weekend. We drove up to NC with my in-laws to visit Chad! It was a blast!

Reagan on the other hand is SUCH A BOOGER! lol I cant even explain all the crazy stuff she puts me through on a daily basis, but she is soo sweet as usual. (This is Reagan on NC at Joe's Crab Shack...dancing!) We had Vacation Bible School last week. I helped my aunt teach 1st graders and, THANKFULLY, the church had a classroom for Reagan's age AND Will's age. I struggled getting them in the door by myself everyday, but I succeeded... By the 4th day (of 5). I finally realized where the easiest place to park was so that I could maneuver a stroller while holding Reagan's hand...You should have seen me! I was a mess...It's times like those where I REALLLLY miss Chad. haha not that I don't all the time...but I definitely take advantage of his help when we are together! VBS was so much fun and it made me realize that that is something I want to do as much as possible as the kids are growing up. Wherever we are I want to help in that way. To teach small kids about Jesus and play games with them and do crafts. The last day we were there I went to pick-up Will and Reagan and Reagan's teacher handed me some things she made! It was so much fun getting my child's first arts and crafts project! The teacher took pictures of the kids and developed them and put them in these cute foam frames from a craft store and decorated the outside to match the theme of the week, which was cowboys. They also traced her hands on a piece of construction paper and wrote "God made me special." at the top....I think I almost cried when she handed me that. Such a sweet moment getting their first craft project! haha I'm so weird....but I can't help it...I love novelty stuff like that!

I am not really sure how close we are anymore to moving...Chad hurt his back during his training and now he's on medical hold until the next training rotation......yay. soo I'm thinking we'll be here for another 4 months at the latest!? I hope....maybe...just maybe...I'm SO BEYOND ready to move to a different state....possibly COUNTRY...but I'd rather not think about the latter. I'd rather get used to moving out of Alabama first...k.thanks. But who knows!? I just know wherever we'll be will be where God wants us and I'm okay with that. But do ya think He could hurry this up a bit...I'm so anxious and I have been ever since November 9, 09 when Chad left for stinking Basic! haha God's timing....

In other news....my in-laws are coming over and I need to light a few candles...and vacuum, maybe!? ....