Barbie for the girls

I can hardly wait until Liya and Lilly are old enough to come to my house to play Barbies.  My daughter was never into Barbies, but I never outgrew my love for Barbie and her friends.

I wish I had this much energy.  Moving day into the new home begins in just 10 days!!  Yikes!

The stress of buying a new home has made me really appreciate the benefits of chocolate!

Buying A New Home

The Old Bathroom

Yes, after all the indecision, we finally bought a new home.  Lots of pros and cons, and one of the things I'll miss about the old home is that we made the house "ours" whether anyone else liked it or not.  We personalized it with our tastes, and now we start over, but not sure if we can afford to add the upgrades to the new home.  Mike Trice, our "tile guy" did a fantastic job on the guest bathroom.  He has promised to come up with new ideas for the new home.  So nervous about starting over.  Photos are of the old bathroom.

March Birthday Dinner

Thinking about having the kids and their young families over for a birthday dinner for my father-in-law.  I love this color palette, but I can't seem to find table cloths anywhere that match these colors.  Thinking about how to use these colors to decorate the patio if it's nice out.  I couldn't find any paper lanterns that match either, so I might have to change the color scheme.

Bunco Night

We have a great Bunco group.  We used to play with 12 ladies once a month, meeting at a diffrent home with a different theme every month.  With hectic schedules, we have cut it down to 4 nights a year - Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.  Tonight, I'm hosting the Winter Bunco.  My aunt came up with idea of using our game cards as seating placement cards which works out great.  Inside the name cards are the tally sheets. We eat dinner, visit, then clear away the plates and begin our games.  Each guest brings a gift in the $20.00 price range, and at the end of the night the guests pick a gift in the order of who won the most games, to who lost the most.  It's great fun, always good food (in fact, I'm cooking paella tonight), and I love spending time with family and friends.  I printed out name covers for the water bottles because we always seem to be asking who's drink is this?  I guess I should print out wine labels for some of the girls...

Craft Room

I have made good use of my old kitchen cabinets by putting them in my Scrapbook room, but the room needs some sprucing up.  I want to add some color and maybe even paint the cabinets white, but for now, here are the "before" pictures.  I'll post the "after" pictures when the room is completed. 

Ready for lunch

His favorite soup and sandwich, chocolate frosted brownies, and great nephews = happy

Happy Valentine's Day

This Valentine decor for my husband's lunch was kind of fun to make with the free Valentine printables.

Free Cupid Printables

http://blog.catchmyparty.com/2011/01/11/free-valentines-day-printables-from-magnolia-creative-co/

Queen of Hearts Valentine Party

I love the whole black and red theme, rather than the usual pinks and reds, or even purples.  Everything just pops. http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2011/01/queen-of-hearts-valentine-shoot.html

Aunt Jonni's Spanish Salad

My Aunt Jonni is a fabulous cook.  Not only is she great in the kitchen, she loves to entertain.  Love her recipes, love her!

Dessert Recipe

Valentine Berries and Cream Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home Valentine Berries and Cream Recipe  

 

Valentine Berries and Cream Recipe

Directions

• Line a 9-in. heart-shaped or square pan with foil; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Pour into prepared pan, swirling to coat the bottom and 1-1/2 in. up the sides.
• Refrigerate for 1 minute, then swirl the chocolate to reinforce sides of heart or box. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. Using foil, lift from pan; remove foil and place chocolate heart on a serving plate.
• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Combine confectioners' sugar and cocoa; add to creamed mixture with milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
• Gently fold two-thirds of the whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Spoon into heart. Insert star tip #32 into a pastry or plastic bag; fill with the remaining whipped cream. Pipe around the edge of heart. Garnish with strawberries. Yield: 8-10 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1/2 cup) equals 388 calories, 32 g fat (19 g saturated fat), 104 mg cholesterol, 96 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.

Originally published as Valentine Berries and Cream in Taste of Home February/March 2000, p25

• Prep: 30 min. + chilling
• Yield: 8-10 Servings

30 30

Ingredients

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 2 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped, divided
• 1-1/2 cups fresh strawberries, halved

Valentine Soda Pop Gift

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/02/05/printable-soda-pop-lables-valentines/?

I thought this gift idea from SKIP TO MY LOU was cute.  You can decorate the cardboard carrying case any way you want, perhaps with photos?  Love it!

Cooking

I HATE TO COOK, but love to entertain!