Thankful Thursday..........

Rough days this week. Rough days of always running, trying to do 1000 things, Not feeling to well. Then one of my girlfriend's call me or text me and that is what  puts a smile on my face when I’m not happy.

Spontaneous hugs and/or kisses from "Hubs". 

               A sunny, breezy 79 degree day. that lasts longer then two    days.....WITH NO RAIN!!

letter–a real letter–in the mail. I get a little thrill when there’s a rare piece of proper mail. Cards, thank you notes, or oh a letter.

                                       Fresh blueberrien sale at Costco for $3.99. All for me!

The time spent with my girlfriends this past week...and realizing that for the first time in my life I have all the people that I need or want in my life....

Watching TV with Chris at the end of the day. Even if we’re not snuggling or even on the same sofa. It’s shared unwinding time, and we love most of the same television shows. 

                                             Puppies & Baby belly laughs. They are perfect.

      Our "Fur babies" Cuddling up with us. They are the softest petting them is very soothing.

Rough day? What rough week? I don't remember now what was so rough about it.....but one thing is for sure I am glad that I have another week of things to be thankful for! 

Wordless Wednesday......

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday

Twilight themed Virgin Bloody Mary 

The Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail that's almost as old as Edward. Like him, it only gets hotter with age.

Garnish with a skewer of olives to jazz up the drink's presentation at your Twilight party. 

For the 21 and over crowd, add 1 oz. - 1/2 oz. of vodka to make this virgin a vamp.

Ingredients

• Pinch celery salt
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• 7 drops Worcestershire sauce
  
• 5 drops hot sauce
  
• 1 (6-ounce) container tomato juice
  
• Some celery stalks
  
• Some cherry tomatoes
  
• 1/2 Oz lemon juice
  

Steps

• Combine all of the ingredients in a highball glass containing ice, stir well, and serve with a celery stick and cherry tomato.

Twilight-Inspired Mushroom Ravioli with Butter 

& Parmesan Sauce

Mushroom ravioli is a must for any Twilight party since Bella orders it on her first date with Edward at a restaurant. This version has a nutty flavor that adds depth and complexity to the dish.

Ingredients

• 2 packages (11-oz.) fresh wild mushroom ravioli
  
• 1 Cup unsalted butter
  
• 1/2 Cup fresh basil leaves
  
• 6 Tbsp toasted pine nuts
  
• 1 Whole nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  
• 2/3 Cup grated Parmesan
  

Steps

• Cook the ravioli in a large pot of boiling salted water until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain and put on a platter.
  
• Meanwhile, cook the butter in a heavy medium frying pan over medium-high heat until pale golden, about 4 minutes. Add the basil leaves and cook until lightly fried, about 2 minutes. Add the pine nuts. Pour over the cooked ravioli. Grate 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg directly over ravioli. Sprinkle Parmesan over dish and serve.

Twilight-Inspired Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 Cup unsweetened applesauce
  
• 2 Cup(s) all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 Cup sugar
  
• 1 Tsp ginger
  
• 1 Tsp cinnamon
  
• 1/8 Tsp nutmeg
  
• 1 Tsp baking soda
  
• 1/4 Tsp salt
  
• 2 large eggs
  
• 1/2 Cup oil
  
• 1/4 Cup apple juice
  
• 1 Tsp vanilla
  
• For The Caramel
  
• 2 Cup(s) sugar
  
• 1/2 Cup water
  
• 1-1/2 Tbsp light corn syrup
  
• 2/3 Cup heavy cream
  
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  
• For The Cream Cheese Frosting
  
• 8 Oz cream cheese, room temperature
  
• 1 Cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
  
• 1 vanilla bean, cut lengthwise and scraped
  
• 1 Lb. (4 cups) powdered sugar, sifted
  
• Garnishes: pretzels, red sprinkles, mint leaves, black sesame seeds
  

Steps

• Preheat oven 350F.
  
• Combine flour, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine. Crack the eggs into a separate, medium sized bowl and beat with a form to break up. Add the oil, apple juice, vanilla, and apple sauce and mix to combine. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until all ingredients come together.
  
• Scoop into cupcake papers about 2/3 full. Bake in 350F oven for 20-22 minutes, rotating the pan after 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  
• To make the caramel: Put sugar, water and corn syrup in saucepan, stir just to combine ingredients. Turn to medium-high heat, without stirring, for 5-10 minutes until caramel turns an amber color. Wipe down any spatters with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. Lower the heat a little and add the cream and butter. (Caramel will bubble!) After the bubbling decreases, stir caramel to break down lumps. Pour into a pyrex measuring cup to cool.
  
• To make the frosting: Whip the butter and cream cheese together in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until creamed. Add vanilla beans. Gradually add powdered sugar. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
  
• To assemble cupcakes: Fill cupcakes with caramel using the cone method. Dollop a fairly good amount of frosting and shape into a spherical shape.
  
• Roll cupcake in red sprinkles to cover the frosting. Break off pretzel and stick into the top to resemble a stem. Insert a mint “leaf” in the frosting near the stem. Notch out a “bite” shape and arrange 3 sesame seeds to resemble apple seeds.

Meet Me Monday

1. Did you or do you play a  instrument?
Yes in jr high I played the flute. Did the marching band thing then in 9th grade I played the Cello & violin and loved that more then anything. But didn't keep it up and I really wish I would have. Maybe as an adult I should take it up. I always loved to sing so I gave the band and orchestra to sing. 

 2. What is your pet peeve while driving?

Whoa Nelly!! Don't get me started! I have my list. 

First off it is like finger nails running down a chalk board to be a passenger in a car except to be in the car with my Dad. When Hub's is behind the wheel I feel as if I am in the car with Mr. Magoo. Holly crap my pants... he is never paying attention and if he looks to the right he takes the wheel where his head goes and he always rides the lines I would much rather run into the ditch then the on coming cars. Its funny though he has been in zero accidents and I have been in a ton!! He gets tickets and I have none..so I guess we are tied. :)

Letting people pull in HELLO!!! I just did you a favor MOVE IT!

My biggest driving pet peeve, though? (Ooooooh, this one REALLY gets me...) Is when there is NO one behind me and that is when they decided to pull out in front of me and not just wait the two seconds.... idiots. Be patient. Your time will come, and unless you are rushing to the hospital for some emergency...cool your jets and wait your turn.

3. Would you rather have a housekeeper or unlimited spa services?

This is a pretty easy one for me......because of the OCD Freakinglly clean freak I am my house never really needs attention. ( Maybe this will happen once we adopt our baby.) 

I would go for the spa........this would be good because I would kill two birds one stone!  One of my BFF's has her own spa and its like heaven once you go April you wont go back. 

So I would pick that so I could get some much need BFF time ( that we hardly get because life is so crazy busy!) but also to relieve the stress of life! 

4. Is there a song that you hear that will take you back to the moment, like a junior high or high school dance?

Oh Many! Let's see Vogue,  The humpty dance, Tom's Diner, Summertime,  Good Vibrations, Groove Is In The Heart,   Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) so many more but that is what I can think of right now... makes me want to load up that I-pod with that music! :)

Sorry its Sunday...

First off let me just say that I am so sorry that I haven't been writing as much as I would like. The day's are just flying by. I have been so busy I always think that in the summer is when you have time to rest but that just isn't the case. In fact summer is when it gets hopping. 

I had girlfriends and family over on Friday night 

for a pre-birthday craft night 

&

Stella & dot

&

Gi Gi Hill

It was alot of fun and "Hubs" made lemon drops that were to die for!

SO that kept me busy that day then

yesterday I went and did a house cleaning job

( In case you are like me and have OCD this is a great sickness to have when you get a cleaning job)

I ROCKED it! 

I love cleaning I put my i pod in and go.

Today I am Nannying and as the little one sleeps I pick up and read or write my blog. 

I can't explain to anyone how blessed I feel to have the chance to work for these people. 

They are amazing. ( but I wouldn't think anything less for such great friends.)

This week coming up is going to be so busy.

Tomorrow I am going to go to my Girlfriends and we are doing italian food!

Then we are watching Twilight ,New Moon 

All to prepare for the newest and next movie

Eclipse

I am 110% excited to go see it. 

We are going to hang out at the local bar, 

 celebrate my b-day then walk up to the best movie theater in the world

The firehouse theater

The next day "Hub's"and I are going to get ready for a camping trip.

We are going to Kalaloch & Ruby beach

We are going with my Grandparents Nanna & Poppie & My Mom & Dad.

It is going to be alot of fun, we go every summer have from the time I was 5. 

My Dad & his sisters went every year growing up and it is an amazing place.

& because I am a 14 year old girl trapped in almost 33 year olds body.......

We get to go to FORKS!!!!

at the same time......

Now you throw in the 4th of July weekend and we are even more busy!

 So if I am MIA for a few days 

Please don't hold it against me...cause this girl loves her follwers.

Thankful Thursday!

This week I am thankful for the Sun! I am loving that I have had the sun in our little rainy PNW.  I love the fact that the bright sunshine and the blue skies with the fluffy clouds.

I love my backyard! If I could have one birthday wish it would be a Hammock for the back yard.

To lay in and to read all of the summer books I would love to read. 

I am thankful that I have the love of my friends and family.

I am thankful that its summer because this weather has made me feel

kinda sad. 

There are days when I can be in a crowd and still feel alone.

Very

  overwhelmed.

At this point in my life I feel like my life is so complicated.

 I don't know what I can do to change that.

I need to slow down. 

Summer is when you should take it down a notch.

I feel like its when I am running the most.

I get this way when it is close to my Birthday.

I second guess everything I have done in my life.

So with that Said I have to say. 

I am blessed that I have so many friends

& a close family 

to make me know that I am never alone even when I feel like it

& for that I am Thankful!

Wordless Wednesday