Too Good Not To Share

This were SO easy to make it's almost {almost, but not really} embarrassing!

 Mix up your favorite brownie mix and bake in a mini muffin pan. When they're done, let cool for 2 minutes and then press down the centers. Continue to let them cool until they are ready to be removed from the pan. Fill each center with a little caramel {I may add just a tad more next time.} Pipe on the yummy frosting. This is so light and yet so flavorful. I made these for an *After the Parade Party* at our friends home on Sunday so I used cute shamrock wrappers in keeping with the festivities. 


Our town had their parade a week after St. Patrick's Day this year due to all the other events in neighboring towns.
Today I packaged up a few for friends. These certainly made a hectic chaotic Monday a little more bearable :)   Let's be honest, chocolate makes any day of the week better! Just in case you needed another peek at the chocolate goodness!


*I'm planning to make these for Easter with the addition of mini Cadbury eggs perched on top to create a little nest.


 Milky Way Brownie Cups 


Brownie mix 
1/2 cup caramel topping
8oz container whipped topping 
2cups chocolate chips 

Mix and bake brownies according to directions on the box.


Let them cool for 1-2 minutes and then gently press down centers. I used the bottom of a large whisk. Continue to let them cool until they are easily removed from pan. 


Melt chocolate chips in the microwave. I start off with 45 seconds and continue from there until they are melted. 


Add chocolate and whipped topping to mixer and whisk on high until blended and smooth. 


Spoon 3/4 tsp of caramel into each cup. 


Pipe frosting on top of each cup 




Enjoy!

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Weekend Routine

We began a weekly tradition of Friday night pizza when my son began elementary school. It was often enjoyed in conjunction with a movie. When we lived in Michigan, we had a group of great friends that gathered at the end of each week. It was something to look forward to and kicked off the weekend. I cherish those memories.

Friday night was greeted with homemade pizza. I love the flavors of Greek pizza ~ yum! To appease those that feel the need to have meat on their pizza, I made a spicy sausage pie.

Saturday morning brought my normal run around routine. I'm really feeling like my weekends are in a rut if you will. I spend the better part of the day dashing from one store to the other preparing for the upcoming week. This particular Saturday was no different. I donned my new favorite boyfriend jeans and flats. It's really beginning to feel like spring {for the north} around here. Yay!




Since I'm out and about for several hours, I need a snack {lunch} to keep up my stamina.

 


I do allow myself a little reward for all my hard work keeping my family healthy and home in order :) Yes, I'll say just about anything to justify spending almost $5. on coffee. 
It's ridiculous!


It was the perfect weather to break in my Christmas gift from my son. It was warm(ish) with a light rain. I thought I'd snap a quick photo to send off to Nicholas modeling my jacket he gave me. Why is it that something that should be so SIMPLE turns into a major project for me?! Ugh! I will admit that when I went through these photos, they provided a good laugh. There were many more but I'll spare you the pain :)


Thanks Nicholas!
I love my jacket and you're right ... it's exactly what I needed ;)
 

After visiting many stores, shops, and markets ... why can't someone invent a one stop shopping mart that carries everything I need? ... I returned home with my goodies. My favorite purchase were the flowers from Trader Joe's! Not only is their selection fabulous but the prices are amazing!
 

Feeling a little crafty and desiring some bright colors with some seasonal changes, I made a new front door basket and a sign for St. Patrick's Day.


 




I do try to keep up with my home during the week but, it never fails, by the weekend it too needs my attention. 


I took this one quickly as I was walking out the door. No, we don't keep the ottoman in the middle of floor but Bentley prefers it in this spot and moves it when we're not looking. He's a tricky one!

 


He looks innocent enough but don't be fooled! :) 


I had to laugh at his "smile" when I snapped this photo of him. I think he was really begging me to take him with me on my weekly tour of the city.





The new week is in full swing and I'm off and running. How do you streamline your weekends? I'm open for suggestions!


Hope yours is going to a be a great one!

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Made It but Just Barely

It's been a crazy busy week and I'm more than excited to have the weekend arrive. I've once again managed to cram as much as possible into my two "free" days but I'm looking forward it regardless. 


 Here's a sneak peek ~ 


* Dinner with friends at our favorite restaurants


* Tackling my art room {Lenten project 40 bags in 40  days} I just hope to make it out alive! :)


* Begin my new project ~ turning an armorie into a wine cabinet 


* Market shopping and Trader Joe's




Wishing you a relaxing and enjoyable weekend before it starts all over again on Monday!

       

  Is anyone else having trouble with Google Chrome? I'm not liking the changes!

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Unexpected Surprise

It has been spring like here in New England for weeks. I'd pretty much given up having any resemblance of winter this year. That all changed in a mere few hours.


This is what we woke up to this morning ...

It's amazing what you can get accomplished with an extra 90 minutes in the morning. 


 * make cookies 
 * clean out the frig 
 * laundry * chat with a friend 
 * prep for dinner 


 The best part of this delay .....  It's FRIDAY!

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Love Knots

When I found this idea a few months ago, I knew right away that I wanted to do this for my Valentine's gift to my classroom children. It was perfect for our "teammate" approach this year. The friendship bracelets were a huge hit! All the children were so excited to choose their colors and put them on! Due to the excitement level, I plan to make them again next year. 

*I made 27 of these sweet little things and it took me almost an entire day over the weekend. This did not include the time it took to make the cards and assemble them.  Next time, I'll pace myself and begin early!

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My Sweet Valentine

This is one my favorite days of the whole year!

It has nothing to do with chocolates or flowers {not that I don't love getting them} that are a highlight of the special day.

On this special day, I'm given one of the greatest gifts ... a home cooked meal by my husband.

This is true love!

He creates a fabulous menu, shops for all the ingredients, cooks, and cleans the entire kitchen {this is a gift in and of itself!} while I sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the show.









Our menu ~

Porterhouse steak with green peppercorn, garlic, and sun dried tomato butter

Lobster tails

Goat cheese mashed potatoes

Fresh green beans

Spinach salad with strawberries and a homemade vinaigrette







How can you not love a man who turns your strawberries into hearts?!




For dessert {as if dinner wasn't enough} we had Ina's brownie pudding with salted caramel gellato ... yum!



It was all amazing.


I'm a very lucky lady to have such a sweet hubby!




*I made a delicious salad for lunch today with some of my leftovers :)

The greatest gifts are given from the heart ~ these are the ones that are priceless and will last a life time!

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Another Fun Filled Saturday Night

While it may not really feel like winter here {highs of 63 this weekend} our entertaining has taken on the quiet, laid back, comfort food, feel the season beckons. I really enjoy this after all the fuss of the holidays.


On Saturday evening we had our friends over for one of my favorite meals ... comfort food! The best part was that Kevin did the cooking. He recreated a meal, from a restaurant in our area, he had a couple of years ago. Braised short ribs in birch beer with garlic mashed potatoes were on the menu. Yum!


My only task was to come up with something to nibble on while he was finishing up dinner. I made my stuffed gouda wrapped in puff pastry. This was something I thought up many years ago and it's my go to for something cheesy and savory.



1/3 cup kalamata olives chopped
2 (or more) cloves garlic chopped
1/4 cup roasted red pepper roughly diced
4 sun dried tomatoes roughly sliced
1 heaping teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes




Slice the gouda round in half and layer the filling. The order isn't important.




Wrap the gouda round in one sheet of Puff Pastry. Bring the corners together and seal them by pinching together.


Brush with a simple egg wash.


Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.





Serve with a fruit selection of your choice or with thinly toasted baguette slices. We were already having a heavy meal so I decided to for go any additional carbs.






This is basically my husband's way of appeasing {teasing} me for my endless requests {nagging} of taking pictures. He was being quite the ham behind the camera. At one point I was laughing so hard I was actually crying.





We had a great evening together. The guys talked about boring guy stuff ;) and Courtney and I caught up on really important matters like new phone apps, Pinterest, sales and new nail colors. These are life altering topics of utmost importance! :)

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