I Can't Wait To....

I'm linking up with Carissa today over at Lowercase Letters.

1. Make these gorgeous treats....

{Macarons by: Bakerella}

These have been on my "must bake list" for quite some time... however, I haven't had a kitchen scale. Remember a few weeks ago, when I talked about CSN stores letting me do a review on an item in their store?

Well, I finally decided, that it was high time I got myself a kitchen scale. So I picked out this beauty, and just got confirmation that it was shipped today!! :) You will all have some pictures of some lovely macarons coming your way!!!!

(Side Note: Macarons are a french dessert, and are usually measured in metric units, so you have to have a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurements, making yummy treats!)

2. Speaking of Bakerella...

Do any of you follow me on twitter? If you do, you noticed on Friday that I found out Bakerella was coming to San Francisco on Saturday for a book signing of her new book, Cake Pops!!

So, I dragged Archie up there with me in the pouring down rain! I totally geeked out on her, and I only hope she can forgive me for totally gushing, being super odd and strange, and telling her, "I have a food blog too!" What an idiot I am! :) In fact, I'm hoping she just forgets me all together, and then we'll all be good. I did get a picture though! :) And she signed my book - so at least I'll remember meeting her. By the way, her book is GORGEOUS!! And it's filled with the most amazing pictures of all of the most creative cake pops you've ever seen. You should go buy one... and find where she's signing books near you... and make a fool of yourself so she forgets meeting me! :)

My sister and her family came....

And we all had the best time ever. We did so much in just a week's time, but it was awesome! I love those kids!!! Here are a few quick pictures I was able to capture.

Just the Girls

Archie and Gavin looking at the Sea Lions in San Francisco - I LOVE this picture!

The whole gang at the Golden Gate

At Muir Woods (the Giant Redwoods)

They quickly became best friends. Gavin walked Capo around my house (inside) on a leash, and Capo willingly let him do it. All... day.... long...

The boys getting ready to surf at Carmel

Isn't this the most amazing view!

Tough guys!!

Hope you all have a great week!

Read more...

Miscellany Monday

I've joined in with Carissa at Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday

1. CUPCAKE - On Saturday, some good friends and I had a little outing - we went consignment shopping and went to try out a new-to-us cupcake place in San Jose. Love's Cupcakes is downtown San Jose, has a fun vibe, and offers lots of yummy choices (see picture below!) I have been on a hunt for a good place since we've moved to California. I've tried all over the Bay Area, trying to compete with the Sugar Bakeshop in Charleston. I'm beginning to think it's not possible, but Loves is a good competition. Smore's, pumpkin pie, snickers, red velvet, mocha - enough to make my heart go pitter patter! :)

2. Can't Get Enough - of these cute faces... Spending time with them in Charleston for only a few days was just not enough! Love these kiddos. Here are just a few of my favorites that I captured.

My niece Ava with an apple bigger than her face! :)

My nephew Bryson... I wonder how he lost those teeth? :)

Gavin and Ava - seriously, all this food is larger than their heads! :)

3. Flames - are shooting out of our wall heater! I mean literal flames.... It really can't be safe. So we quickly turned it off and called the landlord. Hopefully we'll get that fixed before the 55 degree highs and rainy weather kicks in this weekend. For now, 80 degree highs... yes please!

4. Southern Snack - When I was in Charleston, I was reminded of one of my favorite snacks that I haven't had in years. It's definitely a Southern food... Pimiento Cheese. I used to eat a pimiento cheese sandwich almost every day for lunch in high school, and my friends almost barfed! :) But I love it! And I know lots of others who do. It's great for an appetizer, on a buffet table for the holidays, or just a little afternoon snack.

Pimiento Cheese (By: Paula Deen)

Ingredients:

1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup grated sharp cheddar

1 cup grated Monterey Jack

1/2 cup mayonnaise

sprinkle of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to taste

2-3 tablespoons pimiento's, smashed

1 tsp. grated onion

Directions:

Grate cheddar and Monterrey Jack and place together in a bowl.

Using an electric mixer or a mixer with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Chop pimientos until fine - *Note - I had a difficult time finding just a jar of plain pimientos, so I bought olives mixed with them, and separated them.

Mix remaining ingredients together with mixer until well combined. Serve with fresh veggies, crackers, or triscuits.

Read more...

Saved For a Rainy Day

I decided to take part in my friend Carissa's Miscellany Monday, because it would be a great way to get back in the swing of things. So here's Miscellany Monday on Tuesday!

I'm sorry that I have been completely absent for about the last month. It has been QUITE the month! I might not have any readers left due to this crazy absence! Is anyone there?? :)

1. We did in fact go to Vegas over July 4th weekend, and had the most spectacular time with some amazing friends! Since they are locals, they showed us everything from different hotels, how to get free tickets to awesome concerts at Mandalay Bay, going to where they film Pawn Stars, seeing a new Cirque De Soliel "Elvis" show, amazing restaurants, and of course some awesome home-cooked food as well. My friend Derek likes to cook as well, so him and I chatted, cooked, and recipe looked, and my husband and his girlfriend made fun of us and ate free samples! :)

Breakfast at Hash House a go-go! Yes, we did split it, and yes, that was still a lot of food!

At the Venetian. It's so gorgeous, it makes you feel like you actually might be in Venice!

I'm in heaven! A chocolate fountain from floor to ceiling!!!

Just a little fun, posing for the camera on our hike!

2. My aunt passed away 2 weeks ago on Saturday. It was very unexpected, and was very hard on the family. I made a very impromptu trip back to the East Coast to be with my family and remember my aunt. The circumstances were horrific and shocking, but the time together with my family was sweet and priceless. I was there for three days (was only supposed to be two, but I had a flight cancellation of course), and got some amazing one-on-one time with just my family and these cute patoots! :) I have the cutest nephews and niece alive!!! Just excuse the HORRIBLE picture quality. In the rush of things I forgot my camera, so this is just taken with my Blackberry camera.

This is Bryson. He's so sweet! And he got to show me his mad skateboarding skills!

This is Ava Marie, She's playing peek-a-boo and doesn't like having her picture taken! :)

This is Gavin - he's my cuddlebug! :) He likes to sit in my lap for a long time!

I don't have one of Landon... he was movin around too much. :)

3. While I was in Charleston I got to meet some of my good friend's Katie and Tron's new baby girl, Selah. She is exquisite!!! So precious, but just as precious was seeing some of my best friend's being parents! They are so awesome! Check out how beautiful she is.

4. I ran my first 10k yesterday! It felt so good. Something I've been wanting to do for a while, and I finished the whole thing. My biggest goal was to not stop and walk at all, and I did it. I even ran way faster than I had been training to run. I had a blast! Next up, a half marathon!

Forgive the horrible picture, once again, I forgot my camera, so I used the BB, and I had just finished a 10k for crying out loud! :)

5. I made these a long time ago, and saved the recipe/pictures for a rainy day. Well, today's my rainy day, because it's been so busy, that I haven't done hardly any cooking.

I always find it so hard to find a good recipe for a chocolate chip cookie. They are always too cakey or fall too flat, or taste too much like flour. But this recipe definitely beats them all. And surprisingly enough, it comes from Cooking Light. I wouldn't say the recipe is good for you, but it does a better job of cutting down the calories than most chocolate chip cookie recipes!

I always make the full batch, but only make about 4 at a time to bake, wrap the rest of the dough in plastic wrap, put it in the freezer, and then pull it out when we want some. It lasts for months this way, and I don't feel bad about eating a whole batch of cookie dough.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE (By: Cooking Light)

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 10 ounces)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large egg whites

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk.

3. Combine sugars and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.

4. Add vanilla and egg whites; beat 1 minute.

5. Add flour mixture and chips; beat until blended.

6. Drop dough by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray.

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

8. Cool on pans for 2 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

Read more...