The Birthday Boy

I can't believe that 12 years ago this sweet and amazing bundle of joy came into my life.

He is such an wonderful young man.  He is kind and loving and oh so talented.  I love the boy he was and the young man he is becoming.  I am so blessed that God gave me the chance to be his mom. My life would be so empty without him. 

Happy Birthday "B"!

Saturday's Cocktail

For this week's cocktail, I wanted to do a variation of a smoothie I make for my kid.  Of course his version is not spiked!

You will need:

1 can orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk (any kind is fine - whole, skim, soy ... etc.)
1/2 cup of sugar or sugar substitute to taste
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups ice or to taste

Combine all ingredients, except ice, in a large blender and blend until smooth and creamy, make sure all the sugar has dissolved and is well incorporated. If desired, add a splash more water or more milk. Add the ice and blend until smooth.

I added 1 to 2 ounces of my favorite coconut rum and I've also added Pinnacle Whipped Vodka to each serving. Makes approximately three eight-ounce servings

Cheers!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Today I made Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.  They were for a co-worker who is on Weight Watchers and doesn't bake.  These cupcakes are so easy to make and so is the frosting and the BEST part is that they're only 4 points.  I've been on Weight Watchers since last August and have found so many amazing and yummy recipies that I thought I should start sharing some. 

The cupcakes consist of:
(1) box spice cake mix
(1) can packed pumpkin

Mix the 2 ingredients together with a mixer and fill muffin tins that have been lined 2/3 full. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until done.

While they're cooking I made the icing.

The icing consists of:
(1) 8oz. pkg Neufchatel cream cheese - softened
(1) cup confectioners sugar
(1) tsp. vanilla extract

Mix together with a mixer until creamy. 

Once the cupcakes were cool, I put the icing in a piping bag and piped some icing on each cupcake.  I was supposed to use all the icing, but I really didn't need to. 

They turned out so yummy and the birthday girl loved them!

Enjoy!

Sunday's Inspiration

Saturday's Cocktail

This week's cocktail is a Summer Sangria with Rum

You'll need:

bottle red wine
1 cup light rum (such as Bacardi Puerto Rican Rum)
1 cup simple syrup (see recipe below)
2 plums, pitted and sliced
1 pint cherries, pitted
1 pint strawberries, sliced
sprig of mint, optional
12 oz lime soda
ice (optional)

METHOD

In a pitcher or glass bowl, combine wine, rum, and fruit. Gently muddle the fruit into the alcohol by pressing and stirring with a large spoon. Stir in the simple syrup (and mint if desired), cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1-2 hours. Before serving, stir in the lime soda. Serve over ice if you wish.

Simple Syrup

Makes 1 cups.

You'll need:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

METHOD

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sugar dissolves, about 3-4 minutes. Cool completely.

Cheers!

Finally Friday

Here are a few pictures from my week.  The weather has been really nice here in S.J. and it's been great weather for a bike ride, playing with some chalk, and just enjoying the sun.  Hope you like the pics I've chosen for this post and have a great weekend.  Mine is going to be full of yard sales, both mine and ones I want to go to and cleaning.  I've been obsessed with cleaning lately.  Don't really know why and I'm not going to question it.

Riding with "B"

Playing with chalk on the school playground

Medical bag I sewed for the house lab in my classroom

Quote I posted to my hubby on Facebook

Sun flares and a steaming cup of tea to warm up my morning today

Sunday's Adventure

Today I went on a 9.5 mile bike ride with my son.  He loves to ride his bike and I do too, but there never seems to be enough time in the weekend to go.  Well today I decided that enough was enough and I dropped everything else on my plate to go for a ride with my son and we had a blast.  We brought a friend along, but that didn't take away from the joy of riding with my cool kid.  I can't wait to do it more and more this year.  I will say that my legs are hurting right now, but it's worth it.  I'm getting in shape and this will definitely help that! 

So I say to all of you on this beautiful sunny Sunday ... go riding with your kid.  They grow up to fast.  Happy riding!

Saturday's Cocktail

Here's something new friends.  I'm going to post a seasonal cocktail every Saturday.  This one is so yummy.  It includes:

red wine - I prefer a Shamong Red
diced strawberries and peaches
Sprite - I used diet
Mint garnish and ice!

Cheers!

finally friday

My life in photos from the past two weeks.

My favorite bunny decoration

Cupcakes for my pre-k kids

Easter flower from my hubby

Always remember our firefighters who risk their lives for us every day.

Romaine, grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, barley, and a bit of Parmesan cheese.  Yum!

Carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, 

also my first attempt at using a piping bag.

Hot tea and the sun was shining.  What a great way to start a day off!

My favorite pretzels

Tuesday morning's entertainment

Weight loss update ~ lost 1.8 lbs. for a total of 32.4 lbs.

t-shirt tueday

I've let a lot of my favorite types of post lag and realized that I need to pre-post my post, which in my mind means to set them up and just hit post on the days I want to post them.  We'll see how that works out, but for today here is a pic of a great t-shirt I purchased on a recent trip to Hershey Park. 

Happy Easter

My wish is that today you find the blessings the Lord has given you and that the time you spend with your families and friends bring you joy and happiness.  Happy Easter!

Crunchy Carrot Treats

I've seen this idea all over the web and decided to make them for my preschool class.  We're not aloud to give out candy, so I opted for this yummy, crunchy treat instead. 

I used:
1 large container of Gold Fish crackers
Disposable Wilton icing bags
Green curling ribbon

I scooped (1) one cup of Gold Fish crackers into 15 icing bags and then tied them up with the green curling ribbon.  Cost was about $12.00 and it took me all of an hour to make. 

The best part is that the kids loved them and so did my co-workers that I showed.  You still have time so go ahead and whip up a batch for family and friends!  Happy Easter!

Sunday's Inspiration