Happy New Year!

     Wow! Can you believe it's already 2014?! Craziness!  How did you spend your New Year's Eve?  We stayed home and chilled.  I busted out the Happy New Year party hats and tieras, beads, horns, and poppers.

Kinley liked wearing her party gear

Liam like doing the poppers and reading the jokes

Dinner time!

Even our kitty Sparky wishes you a Happy New Year

After the kiddos went to bed, I made up a yummy cheese tray for the hubby and I

We popped the champagne and watched the ball drop in New York.

New Year's Day we still had some champagne left,

so I made good use of it with a Mimosa with breakfast!

Happy New Year everyone!

Hope 2014 brings you a happy healthy year!

Christmas Day

     I hope you and your family had a great Christmas.  We sure did!  Usually, we head to Texas to spend the holidays with our families, but this year we decided to stay home.  Which was a nice change.  

Santa came!  He ate the cookies and milk we left out.

And the apple for Rudolph is gone!

Zippy even left a farewell note for Liam, since he went back to the 

North Pole with Santa.

Merry Christmas!

(We all must have been really good)

Zippy even left one last surprise.

He set the table and brought some Elf friends for the kiddos.

Meet Spike & Twinkle 

Liam was up first and ready to open presents.

We had to hold him off a bit so Kinley could wake up!

Kinley didn't know what to think when she saw all the toys.

She didn't know which ones to play with first.

WOW! Look at all those gifts!

Kinley loves all her gifts

Liam wearing his new cape MeeMaw made him

 and playing with is new Light Saber.

Pretending to be General Grievous, The Emperor, and Jedi Liam.

My parents gave me a new waffle maker for Christmas.

So I put it to good use for our breakfast.

I made some Nutella Swirl Waffles, bacon, and some fresh fruit.

Kinley cooking up some yummy

Liam and daddy played his new Skylanders Syro's Adventure game.

For lunch I made some Christmassy Pizzas!

Kinley having fun on her Rocking Giraffe 

her Aunt Alicia and Uncle Brandon gave her

Liam's Angry Birds Mighty Eagle!

That thing is HUGE!

For dinner the hubby helped me make this fabulous Christmas dinner.

Pancetta Wrapped Beef Tenderloin

Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts & Balsamic

Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Bacon in a Mustard Cream Sauce

7 Up Biscuits 

Then a Cinnamon Custard Pie for dessert!

The day went by so fast! Can't believe it's over already!

It was fun and relaxing spending time with my family.

Pancetta Wrapped Beef Tenderloin

Recipe form My Recipes

What you need:

1 5-6lb beef tenderloin*

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp coarsely groung pepper

3 TBsp olive oil (divided)

14 very thin pancetta slices

wax paper

3 garlic cloves (minced)

2 Tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)

kitchen string

* We used two beef filet mignons instead of the beef tenderloin, since it was only us two who would eat them, and adjusted the recipe to suit the proportions.*

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 425˚F.

Sprinkle tenderloin with salt and pepper.

Cook tenderloin in 2 Tbsp hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes on each side or until browned.

Let cool 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, arrange pancetta slices in 2 rows on a large pice of wax paper, overlapping to form a rectangle the same length and wide of the tenderloin.

Sprinkle the garlic and rosemary over the tenderloin.

Place tenderloin on edge of 1 long side of pancetta.

Tightly roll up the tenderloin with pancetta, using the wax paper as a guide.

Discard wax paper.

Tie the tenderloin with kitchen string, securing at 1 inch intervals.

Transfer to an aluminum foil lined baking sheet.

Brush tenderloin with remaining 1 Tbsp oil.

Bake at 425˚F for 30 minutes or until pancetta is crispy and meat thermometer inserted into center of tenderloin registers 120˚F(rare).  

Let stand 10 minutes.

Discard kitchen string before slicing.

Serve with horseradish and ENJOY!

Nutella Swirl Waffles

Original recipe from A Beautiful Mess

What you need:

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup corn starch

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup buttermilk (I used regular 2% milk)

1/3 cup oil

1 egg (room temperature)

1/3 cup Nutella

1 TBsp Canola oil

How to make them:

Preheat waffle maker.

Whisk together flour, corn starch, sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Stir in the buttermilk (or milk), oil, and egg.

Allow the batter to rest for 20 minutes.

For the Nutella, thin it out by adding some canola oil in a microwave bowl with the Nutella.

Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds, then stir a little.

Then swirl it into the batter before pouring into your waffle maker.

Pour batter into waffle maker and cook until cooked through, golden brown, with a light crisp.

Serve with butter, syrup, and more Nutella, then ENJOY!

Cinnamon Custard Pie

Recipe from Martha Stewart

Here's what you need:

1 medium dish Pate Brisee (or pie dough)

All purpose flour (for surface)

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups milk

1 vanilla bean (split, scraped, pod reserved)

2 whole cinnamon sticks

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (plus more for dusting)

12 large egg yolks (room temperature)

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp arrowroot or cornstarch

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

Turn out pate brisee onto a lightly floured surface.

Roll down to a 1/8 inch thickness.

Transfer and press dough into a 9inch pie dish and flute edges.

Line dough with parchment paper, leaving 1 inch overhang.

Fill with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake until edge just begins to turn golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Remove parchment and pie weights.

Bake until crust is golden about 15 minutes more.

Transfer dish to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Bring cream, milk, vanilla seeds and pod, cinnamon sticks, and ground cinnamon to a gentle simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 20 minutes.

Remove vanilla pod and cinnamon sticks, discard.

Whisk together the yolks and sugar with mixer on medium speed until pale and thick, about 2 minutes.

Add hot cream mixture and arrowroot, whisk until mixture is smooth.

Pour through a fine sieve into the cooled piecrust.

Skim any foam from surface of filling.

Bake until pie is just set but center is still slightly wobbly, about 50 minutes.

Transfer dish to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Lightly dust top of pie with ground cinnamon then ENJOY!

7 Up Biscuits

Recipe from Key Ingredient

What you need:

2 cup Bisquick

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup 7 Up

1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

How to make them:

Preheat oven to 450˚F.

Cut sour cream into the biscuit mix, add 7 Up.

Makes a very soft dough.

Sprinkle additional Bisquick mix on a board and pat the dough out.

Melt 1/4 butter then pour into a 9 inch square pan.

Place the cut biscuits in the pan and bake until golden brown.

Take out and let cool, then ENJOY!

Green Beans with Toasted Walnuts & Balsamic

Recipe from Healthy Seasonal Recipes

Here's what you need:

4 tsps extra virgin olive oil

4 tsp garlic (minced)

1/2 cup walnuts (toasted and chopped)

2 tsp aged balsamic vinegar

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 lb fresh green beans (trimmed)

How to make them:

Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat.

Add garlic and cook, stirring until the garlic is barely showing signs of turning brown, about 30-90 seconds.  

Immediately pour into a large mixing bowl to stop cooking.

Meanwhile add 1 to 2 inches of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer attachment, cover and bring to boil over high heat.

Add green beans to steamer, cook covered until beans are crisp tender, about 4-5minutes.

Transfer the green beans to the bowl.

Add walnuts, balsamic, and salt.

Toss to coat then ENJOY!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Bacon in a Mustard Cream Sauce

Original recipe from Closet Cooking

What you need:

1 1/2 lbs brussels sprouts (trimmed and quartered)

1 Tbsp oil

salt and pepper to taste

4 strips bacon (cut into 1 inch pieces)

2 TBsp unsalted butter

1 small onion (diced)

1 clove garlic (minced)

2 TBsp all purpose flour

1 cup milk or cream

2 TBsp grainy mustard

1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano cheese (grated)

salt and pepper to taste

How to make them:

Preheat the oven to 400˚F.

Line a baking sheet with foil.

Toss the brussels sprouts in the olive oil, salt, and pepper, spread them out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Roast in the oven until golden brown about 20-30 minutes, flipping them half way through.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a pan, set aside and drain all but 1 Tbsp of bacon grease.

Add the butter to the pan with the grease, let it melt and bubble.

Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Mix in the flour and let cook until it just starts to brown a little.

Mix in the milk/cream, mustard, cheese, brussels sprouts and bacon, season with salt and pepper.

Let simmer until sauce thickens, about 3-5minutes.

Serve warm and ENJOY!!

Sunshine Award

The other morning I woke up and discovered I was awarded the Sunshine Award by my friend Tamara over at her blog Confessions of a Part-Time Working Mom!  

The Rules:

     Display the award on your blog, then give 7 random facts about yourself.  Answer the 7 questions I had to answer, then nominate any amount of bloggers you choose up to 11.

My 7 Facts About Me:

1.  I was in a beauty pageant when I was younger and actually placed 5th!

2.  When I was pregnant with Liam I had a HUGE craving for cereal! And yes, there are 7 boxes of cereal in that picture! I could never decide on just one! With Kinely I was obsessed about anything pickled! From pickles to artichokes to olives to banana peppers...I wanted them all!

3.  I have to admit, yes I am a kinda of a Vampire fan! I am totally a Twilight Fan!  I have the books, soundtracks, scores, and ALL of the Blu Ray movies!  I even hosted a Twilight Breaking Dawn Birthday Party for one of my Besties.  I also love True Blood!  I have the Sookie Stackhouse Series books and True Blood DVDs!  Even made some True Blood Red Velvet Cookies to snack on while watching the episodes.

4. I received a Best Cheesecake Award in the Vandenberg AFB Spouse's Club Bake Off with my White Chocolate Cheesecake topped with Mandarin Oranges & Cranberry Compote!

4.  I grew up as a military brat and have lived many places growing up, then married back into the Air Force and have lived in a few more places!  I was born in Georgia, then moved to Berlin, Germany (before the wall came down), then to Florida, lived a little in Ohio with family before moving to Terciera in the Azores, Portugal, then to Texas (where my dad retired and I met my future hubby), I moved out to Colorado to be with him (we got married & had Liam), moved to California, currently we are in New Mexico (Kinley was born). 

5.  I love making fun edible masterpieces for Liam.  Especially around the holidays!  Can't wait till Kinley is old enough so I can make some for her too! Here are a few that I have come up with!

6.  I love being crafty.  Since Liam was about 9 months old we have been making cards for all the major holidays and send them to our family and friends.  Now Kinley is old enough to make some too. 

7.  I've always loved writing, especially short stories.  A while back my mom talked me into writing a children's book.  So I did, it hasn't been published, but I did make it into a real book using Shutterfly using my illustrations.  I was inspired by my Grandma Hazel who's nickname was Toots growing up and she loved red foxes (which explains why I love them so much!) I'm hoping one day I can get it published, who knows.

Here's my book if you want to check it out:  Toots and the Golden Coin

Questions for Me:

If you could go back in time ten years and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?

     Just to have fun and enjoy myself with my boyfriend (future hubby), friends and family before the big responsibilities like being a wife, parent, home owner, etc set it.

What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

     I love ice cream so that's a tough one, but I would say my newest favorite is actually Sea Salt Caramel Talenti Gelato.  I know it's not technically an ice cream, but it's soooo good!

If you were to take me on a date, where would we go and why?

     I am a huge foodie, so it only fitting that I take you to Avant Tapas & Wine Restaurant, one of my favorite Wineries and places to get some great food!  Of course, it's in California, so we will have to take a little trip, but definitely worth it!

   

     

Above all else, what are you afraid of?

     I am actually afraid of losing my family and friends.  Miss my grandparents all the time.

What would you do if you new you couldn't fail?

     I would run my own party planning business or a cupcake shop! I love to plan/host parties, and of course baking cupcakes!  Here's the most recent party I planned, Christmas Cookie Swap.

And here's some of the Cupcakes I've baked up!

What has been your favorite age to be and why?

     I don't really have a favorite age.  I had a great childhood.  I just wish I would have enjoyed it more and not try to grow up too fast.

Coffee or tea?

     I like to drink coffee, usually a White Chocolate Mocha, Pumpkin Spice Latte, or a Peppermint Mocha every once in a while.  They are more of a sweet treat for me!  I love Startbucks, but our Nespresso Machine makes a pretty awesome coffee too!  As far as tea goes, I only drink sweetened hot tea when I'm sick.  I can't stand flavored tea!

I would like to give the Sunshine Award to some of these great blogs I follow:

Lil' Mrs. Tori

Blessings A 2 Z

FIVE DUDES AND A LADY

Disney 'n Diapers

Little Wonders' Days