Showing posts with label My Favorite Things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Favorite Things. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The greatest presents make their way to my mailbox!

So, there are a slew of reasons that I have not been able to post this post until now. I promise it has very little to do with laziness or Sookie Stackhouse and much to do with technology. After major camera/computer issues (GRRRR - if you hadn't noticed lately, I have been posting cell phone pics, pics on my work comp and scans from the office), I am FINALLY able to blog the much-anticipated package I received through Kate's blog swap from Amber!!!

But first, let me say how awesome Amber was to have as a partner. She was so much fun to shop for, and although we only know each other by what we read, I had to stop myself from buying more and more great things that I knew she would love! Check here to see all the neat stuff she got in her package.

Ok
, on to the goodies...I didn't get a picture of the before wrapping because I was too excited, but Amber fit everything into a boot box with cute wrapping and tags. After ripping open my package five year old on Christmas Day style, I found all of this great stuff!!

Goodies for Riley and Gidget, a polka-dotted "J" koozie, a hat, Chapstick, nail polish, candle, OREOS! (my all time fave), great tote, magnetic shopping list and a yellow box.

What is that fabulous yellow box? Yellow Box flops!! Anyone who knows me knows that I am addicted to these flip flops. I have at least ten pair in different colors and styles, and Amber got me the cutest pair in blue that happen to match at least three different outfits in my closet!

Here's a close up of some more of the goods.

I have been wanting a pink Dallas Cowboys hat to wear with my jersey for so long, and Amber actually included this at the suggestion of her husband. It's so perfect, and it made its debut last Thursday during the preseason game! I wish I had a picture of that!

The Chapstick, which is a cant live without item for me, is tropical scented and has shimmer. I don't typically venture outside of the plain jane kind, but this stuff rocks! I got a new OPI shade, and that great koozie is residing at the lake. You can never have enough koozies at the lake!

Then, there's the Circle E candle. You ladies outside of certain areas in Texas probably aren't privileged enough to know of Circle E Candles. They are the best! And the best fragrance?? Bird of Paradise! Seriously, this single fragrance outsells all of their other fragrances combined. I've never met a woman who didn't love Bird of Paradise!

And, it always makes me happy when someone remembers my babies. Amber was awesome enough to include some spa wipes and yummy cookies for Gidget & Riley.


A HUGE thank you to a new friend, Amber, and a gracious swap hostess, Kate!! Please forgive me for the tardiness of the post. Amber, I need to ask you about your new camera. I'm not sure if mine is going to make it. I sure hope I didn't forget anything. I feel like I remember taking more pictures, but these are all I was able to salvage off a corrupt memory card. Let me know if I did!

On another fun note...I won a giveaway!! I never win anything, but last week, I got a little email from The Beauty File letting me know that I had won her 100th post giveaway. I picked out my prize from The Inglenook Decor, and it was on my doorstep when I came home from the lake this weekend. Isn't this candle holder precious?

It does not yet have a place in my home. I am working up a complete re-design of my living/kitchen area, and I am saving this baby for my new look! Please check out both The Beauty File and The Inglenook Decor for lots of lovely ideas and decor!

Wow, that was long. Watch out - she's back!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Fabulous Friday

It's time for another edition of Danielle's Fabulous Friday! Today's topic:


My absolute favorite summer treat is Ice Cream!


Blue Bell's Mint Chocolate Chip is my all-time fave. Other honorable mentions are Rocky Road and Cookies & Cream.

While we are on ice cream...Oreo Fudge & Ice Cream Cake


This is a HUGE hit anywhere I have taken it. It is so yummy and easy!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed, divided
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) Jello Chocolate Instant Pudding
8 Oreo Cookies, chopped (about 1 cup)
12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches

Directions:
1.Pour fudge topping into medium bowl. Whisk in 1 cup Cool Whip.
2. Add dry pudding mix; stir 2 min.
3. Stir in chopped cookies.
4. Arrange 4 ice cream sandwiches, side-by-side, on 24-inch-long piece of foil; top with half the Cool Whip mixture.
5.Repeat layers. (You have to do this FAST or your ice cream will melt! I usually have my husband take the sandwiches out of the freezer and unwrap them as I need them to speed things along.)
6.Top with remaining sandwiches. (I put in the freezer after this step to help it form up before frosting. It really reduces the problem of melting ice cream.)
7.Frost top and sides with remaining Cool Whip.
8. Bring up foil sides; double fold top and ends to loosely seal packet.
9. Freeze 4 hours.

My next fave summer treat is Grape Salad!


modified from Recipe Zaar

This again is a BIG hit. I usually cut the recipe in half for serving 4 or less.

Ingredients:
4 lbs red seedless grapes (I personally make mine with red grapes only, but you can use 1/2 red, 1/2 green if you would like.)
8 oz sour cream
8 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (can be more or less, I don't measure.)
A splash of milk

Topping (I don't even make this up until just before serving.):
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
1. Wash and stem grapes. Set aside.
2. Mix sour cream, cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla by hand until blended. (This is where I add the milk. It's hard to get the right consistency by hand, and the milk helps in the stirring. You can add more, but you don't want the mixture to be runny! It needs to be able to coat the grapes. I have used a hand mixer before in a pinch.)
3. Stir grapes into mixture, and pour in large serving bowl.
4. Chill several hours or overnight.
5. Add brown sugar/pecan topping (use as little or as much as you'd like) just before serving.

What are your favorite summer treats??

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Still Golden.

Bea Arthur

May 13, 1922 - April 25, 2009

Thanks for all the laughs!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

These are a few of my favorite things...

The Golden Girls - original Sex & the City.

OPI nail polish - They have the best colors, and it stays on the longest!

Glass Kitchen tacos - best in town!

Hot baths - I've always preferred a bath to a shower.

ThePioneerWoman.com - she seriously has it ALL!

My husband's baby blues - his eyes make me melt!

Justin Timberlake - JT is the man. Don't hate!

The Holiday - seen it at least 20 times.

Chapstick - just like American Express. Don't leave home without it!

Beauty shop days - I get to get my hair done on Friday!

Grits - Tony & I like to eat them with butter and sugar.

Fishing - but I don't clean them. Period.

Jillian Michaels - I wish I could get her to kick my butt in gear!


Edited to add: I just noticed that I wrote my last favorite things blog on 2/25. Huh, trend in the works?

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

These are a few of my favorite things...

Edamame - such a yummy, healthy snack.

Crape myrtles - love them all, but purple is the prettiest. C'mon spring!

Gucci Eau de Parfume II - Tony picked this out for me a few years ago, and now it's all I wear!

The Target circular - Sunday morning ritual.

Circle E Candles - Bird of Paradise is the best!

Juicy Couture tracksuits - so super comfy.

Oreos - with milk, of course.

Big Love - love, love, love that show!

Hoyt Hartmangruber (our best friends' son) - adore that little guy!!

PerezHilton.com - guilty pleasure celebrity gossip.

The Eagles - seen them in concert twice!

Naked Juice - Black & Blueberry Rush is my ultimate fave.

Fireworks - 4th of July will be here before you know it!

Fresh cut lilies - so pretty.

Fried egg sandwiches - add a little ham, and they are extra delicious!

Pinot noir - love a glass or two with dinner.

My bed - it's a struggle to get out of it everyday.

Monday, February 23, 2009

I ♥ Kate Winslet!

Did you see her acceptance speech last night? I love, love, love her! She is so elegant and poised, yet still so genuine and real. It was so cute and sweet to see her acknowledge her parents like that! She's such a class act, and as she is my favorite actress, I was thrilled to see her finally win! Yay!

Monday, February 2, 2009

My personal fave

My favorite commercial from the Super Bowl last night was the golfing E*TRADE baby. I just love that little guy! "Why don't you try reading the rules, shankapotamus?" Too funny!

His other one was cute too!

What was your favorite?