A "Pinteresting" Wrap

Chicken/Cashew Lettuce Wraps

(click for recipe)

My Dad and I love to cook together and it's definitely one way we bond and spend our time together (besides hunting and fishing).  He is a grill master and I love to be his assistant.   Well, this time the roles swapped and I was the head chef and he was my assistant.  I have a bunch of recipes on pinterest, where you can find them under my "favorite recipes" board, so check it out! This is where I find all my meals lately and where we got this dinner inspiration! Hope you enjoy!

Here chick chick chick......

Sautéing the garlic and onions with other yummy sauces! 

Mix it all together...

My Dad taught me a secret to getting the stem out.... Bang it REALLY hard on the
counter and then you can pull it right out! 

Here ya have it, a healthy and fast lettuce wrap!! Now there is no excuse for dinner taking too long or not trying to be healthy! 

So, I advise you to get a Pinterest account and start pinning away!

I Enjoyed This Article On Coffee Shops In Portland

If you're a coffee loving, java jive diner hopper, then I have your next trip planned! 

Click this link to taunt your taste buds with this fabulous coffee shop tasting guide in Portland, Oregon!

Plan Your Coffee Vacay

and check out this silly video about Shizz Baristas Say! 

Peace, Love, and Coffee

Get Caught Reading A Good Book!

I've always cringed at the sound of a teacher giving a reading assignment in school.  I certainly have never as a student, just read for pleasure! Who does that? [haha] Actually, I do now!  Anyway, I'm always seeking for self-improvement, and I am finding out that books are one of the greatest sources for that. [ok, so I'm slow] Several years ago while enjoying a great cup of coffee in Barnes and Noble, I looked around and saw all these books, and people with their noses in them.  I thought to myself, a book would be a great accessory to my outfit.  It dawned on me that maybe I should be taking reading more seriously.  Then I stumbled upon a bright yellow book with a happy face on it.  It was appealing and I began to read the back cover and my interest was sparked!  I bought the 4:8 Principle by Tom Newberry and that's when I started a new habit of keeping a good book at my disposal.  When I finished this book I shared it with my close friends and they just loved it!!  So, I encourage you to read this book if you need a good pick me up and a good positive happy read! 

I recently just finished "His Needs Her Needs" and really benefited from it.  My boyfriend, Chad, and I read it together and discussed it after each chapter.  I advise anyone who is in a serious relationship to read this!! The current book we are reading together is 101 Questions You Should Ask Before Getting Engaged, and Devotions For Dating Couples.  This will make you discuss deep questions and learn so much about one another!  There is always room for improvement and I am always open to storing it in my memory. 

I guess what I am trying to say is, if you were caught dead, or if someone was snooping through your things, what book would they find you reading? 

Nothing is worth reading that does not require an alert mind.  ~Charles Dudley Warner

Shizzz JorAbi Say #sillyeverydayfun

Okay, so the crazy youtube videos about "shit girls say" is just spreading like "Fro Yo" shops on every corner.  So you know my friends and I have been quoting every line on this particular youtube clip....... Shiz girl say 

If you watched that, then hopefully you can find some humor in this next video..... ENJOY!!!

So, when I go visit my fabulous friend Abigail in LA, this video is an example of our everyday lingo with one another.  Shizzz we say!

Precious Moment

One last hug for the Bride and my BFF, Kalee
before her and her Husband, Randal go Honeymooning! 

Bacardi Rum Cake

This was made for Ricksta's 53rd Birthday!! He has helped so many people and
has definitely been an inspiration in my life! Thanks!

I found this recipe off thebakingpan.com

Ingredients:

Small amount of vegetable shortening and flour for preparing pan

Batter:

1 cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped

1 (18 ounces) packaged yellow cake mix with pudding in the mix

4 large eggs

½ cup cold water

½ cup vegetable oil

½ cup light or dark rum

Glaze:

½ cup unsalted butter

¼ cup water

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup light or dark rum

Tip: Use standard measuring cups and spoons or scales for accurate measuring.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare one 9 or 10 inch fluted tube pan; generously grease the pan with shortening and dust with flour.
   
   Batter:
2. Sprinkle the nuts over the bottom of the prepared pan.
   
   
3. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, combine cake mix, eggs, water, vegetable oil, and rum; beat until thoroughly mixed. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula so the mixture blends evenly. Spoon the batter over the nuts and smooth the surface with the back of a large spoon.
   
   Bake:
4. Bake 1 hour or until a long toothpick, wooden skewer, or cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place pan on a wire cooling rack to cool for 10 or 15 minutes then remove cake from the pan and place the cake on the wire cooling rack to finish cooling.
   
   Glaze:
5. In a small heavy saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in water and sugar; bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes stirring constantly so mixture does not burn. Remove from heat. Stir in the rum.
   
   
6. Use a long toothpick or skewer to poke several small holes in the top of the cake. Spoon the still warm glaze over the top of the cake and allow to soak in. Repeat until the glaze is used up.
   
   Tip: Serve cake using a pretty cake plate and cake server for a delightful presentation.
   
   TheBakingPan.com

Pinterest Inspired Bridal Shower For My BFF, Kalee!

So, here are a few inspired Pinterest DIY (do it yourself) projects we made for my very Best Friend, Kalee! She is marrying the love of her life, January 21, 2012.  The event took place at my Sister's wonderful Casa in New Mexico.  The day was cold and foggy, just perfect for a cozy shower with your favorite peeps and treats!

Turtles, just pretzels, rolos, and pecans!

I cut burlap strips to add decor to the mason jars, and it also
acted as a sleeve for the hot apple cider.

We had various chalkboards hung around with love quotes.

Our "Love Wreath." Now she can take it home and hang it up and read some sweet words of love
written by some wonderful people.

My dad and I made homemade dinner mints! They were so yummy!

This was our Carmel Apple Cider bar. We used cute labels on all of
our drink pitchers, tied with burlap string.

Lemon Curd Cake Balls

Our Citrus Mint water, next to the mint tray!

My favorite, the coffee bar!! We labeled all of our creamers and coffees so
you wouldn't have a crazy mixture of random flavors in your cup! 

Let us feast!

Guest book table

We all devoured this maple sugar, peppered bacon! (behind it, the joy vase was
a pinterest project created by my sister, Heidi)

Cotton Tree's were perfect for a winter Bridal Shower!

The Beautiful Bride to be!

Admiring her lovely gifts on display...

BFF and M.O.H.

Mothers/Daughters

"Hostess" with the Mostest

Some of the lovely Bridesmaids!

This is really happening, we are all so excited for the "RICH" Wedding!!

Kalee, and Boss Heidi!

BFF Mothers and Daughters, still going strong!

We love our Mama's!!!

I could just squeeze her guts out!!!

<3

Father of the Bride! (our favorite movie to watch is now really happening)

Groom Randal Rich is so sweet and came to help load all of their gifts!! Congratulations you two!!! Y'all can start your "happily ever after" you've always dreamed!