Burgers & Gelato

     Last weekend, we took a trip to El Paso to stock up on some supplies and groceries from CostCo.  Afterward, we found this great place called Independent Burger for lunch.  It was delicious! 

Kinley and Liam liked lunch too!

The hubby and I tried out the Bacon to the 3rd Burger!

Oh man, It was AWESOME!

I even tried out a Stella Artois Cidre.

I like hard ciders and this one was pretty good too!

I thought the light fixtures on the ceiling were really cool.

After lunch we went across the parking lot to this little cafe for some dessert.

We got some chocolate and strawberry gelato.

It was Kinley's first time to try it and she LOVED it!

It was a little cold, but that did't stop her from eating it.

Liam and I mixed our flavors to make Chocolate Covered Strawberry, YUM!

Gelato can definitely be a little messy, but oh so yummy!

The hubby just enjoyed his double espresso.

My little lady being cute outside while we waiting for Liam and daddy.

What a great family day!

Kinky Bubbles

Cocktail recipe from Kinky Liqueur

What you need:

2 oz KINKY Liqueur

2 oz Champagne

Strawberries cut into hearts for garnish

How to make it:

Pour chilled KINKY into a flute, then top with chilled champagne.

Garnish with strawberry heart, then ENJOY!

Dark Chocolatey Fondue

Recipe found on Pinterest

What you need:

6oz dark chocolate bar/chips

1 1/4 cup heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 TBsp unsalted butter

How to make it:

Heat all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly so chocolate doesn't burn.

When ingredients are well combined and chocolate melted serve in a fondue pot over a Sterno burner to keep warm, then ENJOY!

Cheesy Fondue

Recipe from Mommy Savers

What you need:

1 tsp minced garlic

1 cup dry white wine

1 tsp lemon juice

2 cups Swiss cheese (shredded)

2 cups Gruyere cheese (shredded)

1/2 tsp dry mustard

pinch of nutmeg

How to make it:

In a saucepan over medium-heat, simmer the garlic, wine, and lemon juice until liquid reduces.

Turn the heat to medium-low, add the cheese and blend well until melted.

Add the mustard and nutmeg.

Keep warm over a Sterno burner with a fondue pot, then ENJOY!

Teacher Valentine's Gifts

     Next week Liam's class is having a Valentine's Day party and will be exchanging Valentines.  Liam picked out some fun Skylander Sticker Valentines to give to his classmates, but I thought we should make something a little more special for his and the other teachers.  So here's what I came up with..... 

Here's all you need:

Glass Lightbulbs 

Ribbon

Valentine's Scrapbook Paper

Valentine's candy

I found these at Hobby Lobby.

I printed out "You BRIGHTen my Valentine's Day!" then had Liam sign his name at the bottom,

Then cut them into little squares with my paper cutter.

To make them cuter, I used some decorative scissors and cut around the edges.

Next, I stuck the square onto the Valentine's scrap paper using some scrapbooking adhesive. 

Then cut around to make a border.

You can either use the decorative scissors again or a corner rounder.

Then, punch a hole in the corner for the ribbon to go through.

Fill the lightbulbs with your favorite candy, I chose Milk Chocolate Valentine's M&M's.

Then, I tied the note onto the lightbulb with the ribbon.

They turned out so cute, I made some for my friends!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Maple-Oatmeal Scones

Recipe from Food Network

What you need:

Scones-

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour 

1 cup whole-wheat flour

1 cup quick-cooking oats, plus additional for sprinkling

2 TBsp baking powder

2 TBsp graduated sugar

2 tsp salt

1 pound unsalted butter (cold and diced)

1/2 cup buttermilk (cold)

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

4 extra large eggs (room temperature, lightly beaten)

1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp milk or water (for egg wash)

1 cup pecans (toasted and chopped) - optional

Glaze-

1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

How to make them:

Scones-

Preheat the oven to 400˚F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of the electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Combine the flours, oats, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

Blend the cold butter in at the lowest speed and mix until the butter is in pea-size pieces.

Combine the buttermilk, maple syrup, and eggs, then add in quickly to the flour butter mixture.

Add in 3/4 cup of the pecans.

Mix until just blended, the dough may be sticky.

Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface and be sure it is combined.

Flour your hands and a rolling pin, then roll the dough to 1 inch thickness.

You should see lumps of butter in the dough.

Cut into 3-inch rounds with a plain or fluted cutter and place on prepared baking sheet.

Brush the tops with the egg wash.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are crisp and the insides are done.

Glaze-

Combine the confectioner's sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla.

When the scones are done, cool for 5 minutes.

Drizzle each scone with 1 Tbsp of the glaze.

Then sprinkle some of the uncooked oats or the remaining 1/4 cup pecans on top of the scones for garnish, then ENJOY!

My Little Valentine

     Last week, Kinley and I attended a Valentine making party.  We had so much fun being crafty and creating Valentine's together.

Kinley made a valentine for herself...

Then we made one for brother...

Then one more for Daddy!

After some Valentine making, we enjoyed some yummy brunch.

Amanda our host made some awesome Creamy Tomato Tortelli Soup,

and I made and brought some Snickerdoodle Bars.

What a fun way to start February!

Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

 Based off recipe from Recipe Swagger

What you need:

2 big cans Condensed Tomato Soup

2 cups half and half

1 cup whipping cream

2 cups chicken stock

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

1 package pepperoni

2 packages cheese filled tortellini 

How to make it:

Add the tomato soup, half and half, whipping cream, chicken stock, salt, and pepper into a large stock pot over medium heat.

Once simmering, drop in the tortellini into the soup.

Cook according to the package directions.

Add in pepperoni to heat through.

Once tortellini are cooked, serve topped with Parmesan cheese, then ENJOY!

Snickerdoodle Bars

Recipe from Averie Cooks

Here's what you need:

Bars-

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)

1 large eggs (room temperature)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

2 cup all purpose flour (sifted)

Frosting-

1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)

1/4 cup cream cheese (softened)

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 to 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)

splash of milk (if needed)

pink food coloring (optional)

How to make it:

Bars-

Preheat oven to 375˚F.

Prepare a 8x8 or 9x9 pan by lining it with foil then spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars.

Add the eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon, mix until combined.

Add the flour and mix until just combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

The batter will be thick and sticky, like cookie dough.

Use your hands if necessary to spread it evenly.

Bake for 19-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the pan comes out clean.

While bars are baking, prepare the frosting.

Frosting-

In a large mixing bowl, mix the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Add the vanilla and powdered sugar (one-half cup at a time after 3 cups) and mix until desired consistency is reached.

Carefully, add the food coloring, one drop at a time and mixing throughly.

After the bars have cooled, frosting them.

Garnish with sprinkles or candies.

To store them, keep in an air tight container in the refrigerator (due to the cream cheese and butter frosting).

To serve, cut into bars and ENJOY!

January Crafternoon

     It's that time again! Time to gather my fellow Crafternooners for our monthly craft day!  This month, Jennie hosted a Tea Party themed Crafternoon.   Look at all the yummy Tea Party treats

Jennie made this yummy Orange Pecan Tea Bread, 

Mini Blueberry Cheesecake Bites, & Tomato Cucumber Bites,

Elizabeth brought some awesome chocolates from The Chocolate Lady,

and I made some delicious Strawberry Cucumber Tea Sandwiches.

 I also made some of these 

Black Tea Cupcakes topped with Whipped Lemon Mascarpone Frosting drizzled with Honey

This month's craft, we busted out our sewing machines, scrap fabrics, scissors, 

and thread to create some reusable gift bags!

Personally, this is only my second attempt at sewing!  

Elizabeth is cutting her fabric and Marisa is already sewing!

The ladies getting their sew on!

Here are my bags I made!  Aren't they "SEW" cute?!

I made one for Liam (Transformers), one for Kinley (Rainbow), and one for me (Paisley).

I'm so proud of myself for completing not only one, but THREE!

Looking forward to our next Crafternoon, which I will be hosting next month!

It will be February...so think Valentine's Day!