How have I not made these before?

CAKE BALLS

Well, probably because I do not like cake. I have never, EVER been a fan of cake. At birthday parties, I was the kid who asked for extra ice cream, and didn't want any cake to go with it. I LOVE cheesecake, as all of you know. Regular cake is not my thing.

Cake Balls are a differen't story!
 These my friends are delicious, even if you are not a cake fan like myself. The center is SO moist and strangely addictive! I kept poping them in my mouth thinking, "Oh I shoudn't." I couldn't eat that many when I first made them, because I had eaten too many chocolate covered strawberries, and Cadbury mini eggs. SO I was already on a sugar high, but after that sugar buzz killed over, I really was poping them in my mouth.

Its a messy process, but worth the effort. I am definitely no chocolatier! I really didn't have the patience or skill to make these cake balls look gorgeous. I know they don't look very good, but they do taste very good. That is all the matters to me :)

I used a strawberry cake mix, with cream cheese frosting for the center. It was a good choice. You could do Red Velvet, Chocolate, Carrot Cake, Yellow, or whatever with either regular chocolate or white chocolate coating. I brought some to work and they were devoured. My boss suggested a peanut butter/chocolate mixture for the center. YUM!

FREE STUFF makes me happy

I got this awesome  8 x 10 CHARLIE BABY collage for free at Walgreens yesterday:

I couldn't leave without buying some cadbury mini eggs. I LOVE that it is that time of year again! Its time to stock up!!!

and its about time Redbox came out with a free code. I got a free rental last night.

I know its not much, but getting free stuff yesterday made me happy. There is a Walgreens practically next door to us, so I didn't even have to travel far to get it.

I was in such a good mood, even with doing laundry all day that I came home and made chocolate covered strawberries. Adam sure is going to enjoy those after I pick him up from the airport. I get to leave soon to go get him, and I very happy about that. He has to leave a day early (Sunday evening), so we are going to enjoy every min of our Saturday together.

I have started to eat better, for the Stake Challenge. Obviously not every meal. I still have dinner and dessert, but I am eating a healthy breakfast and lunch. I have been eating oatmeal, and eating more fruit.

I am bringing Adam dinner. I didn't have to cook tonight. Watervue did. I love that they cook us free meals at least once a month. Here is what they offered tonight:

And now I am off to the airport. I probably wouldn't have even blogged about these things, but Adam's flight was delayed, and there was nothing interesting on t.v. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

French toast with blueberries,caramelized bananas, and whipped cream & Bacon and Parmesan Pasta

So have I ever mentioned how much I love french toast? Well, I think that is an understatement. When I was a kid, my mom would make a yummy breakfast most Saturday mornings. We had a choice between french toast, waffles, puff pancakes, regular pancakes, or cream of wheat with brown sugar. I always wanted french toast. I didn't even have to think twice. It was my favorite breakfast food until I met the d' Huarts. I still can't remember if you capitilize the D or the H in their last name. Anyways, their traditional Saturday breakfast food was crepes. As soon as they introduced me to those scrumptious things, I became indecisive about what I wanted for breakfast.  As Brian Regan would say, "Both Favorites." And to this day they are both still my favorite breakfast foods. Sometimes I crave one over the other, but usually they both sound good.

Sunday Morning I took french toast to a new level for me. I made carmalized bananas to go on top. I would have to thank Norma's (one of the restaurants we went to during our N.Y. trip) because their Wazza Waffle inspired me, but I will have to most definitely thank  Mr. Harding  because I got my recipe from her.

Needless to say, we had a very good Sunday brunch. My husband doesn't usually eat anything in the morning, but he ate a lot of this!

I am a pasta addict. No, but seriously! If I could only eat one genre of food the rest of my life, I would choose Italian. I could not live without pasta. I love that you can do so much with it. However, it is a real shame that it makes you fat!!! There is no way I will ever be super skinny. I love food way too much. I barely maintain my weight now, because I love food way more than I should. I will eat when I am still full. I just enjoy it. I do have self control though. Its not like I uncontrollably stuff myself. I just choose to eat way more than I should (most of the time). With that said, here is a new pasta recipe:

Bacon and Parmesean Pasta

1 lb Bacon

1 lb Penne Pasta

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup cream cheese

2 eggs

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Fry or bake Bacon - Sprinkle w/ Red Pepper Flakes. When done, Remove bacon until cool enough to handle and roughly chop.

Meanwhile cook pasta in boiling salted water- I always add some olive oil

Place cream cheese in a small saucepan. Heat over low until cream cheese is melted, and whisk until smooth. Add parmesan cheese, eggs, and pepper and whisk until blended.

Drain Pasta and return to pot. Immediately add the white sauce and toss to coat. The hot pasta will cook the eggs. Stir in the bacon, and enjoy!!!

I said goodbye to boring hair yesterday....

and said hello to fun highlights and side bangs. I am picking up Adam from the airport tonight, and can't wait to hear his opinion of my new hair style. I feel young and wild again. RAWR! ha.

Ignore my humid and sweaty face. Its hot in this apartment. Its like 90 degrees... can't wait for the AC to kick in.

Favorites

Jessica Simpson heels

I just bought these the other day. I can't wait to wear them. They are really comfortable despite the huge heel. I personally think Jessica Simpson heels are even more comfortable than Steve Madden heels, so these are a new love of mine.

Steve Madden Sandals

I got these last summer in White. I love them. They are comfortable and cute. I look forward to getting a different pair. These are nice when you want to wear something a little more dressy. Otherwise, my rainbows or reefs are what you will find me wearing most. I got my first pair of Steve Madden shoes in middle school, and get this, I still have them! They are a little outdated, but they are so comfortable. I will get rid of them eventually, but they just make me happy. I only wear them like once a year. ha.

BCBG, MAX Studio, Max Edition, or Ann Taylor Loft dresses

I bought an ivory silk woven BCBG dress the other day, and I call it my marry poppins dress. Love it. I also got a cute and comfortable grey dress from Max Studio, and love the floral design around the neck line. I have a purple dress from Max Edition. Purple is my favorite color, so naturally its one of my favorite dresses. I got an Ann Taylor dress right after High School that I still have and love. It was my first favorite.

Paige Denim Jeans

I also like Joes Jeans, Seven For All Mankind, Mek, and Big Star But Paige jeans are definitely my favorite! I have a couple pairs, and one of each of the other jeans. I think because they are so suttle, and not everyone knows they are designer jeans makes them my favorite. They are all awesome jeans, and fit so well. I have yet to try Hudson jeans. My friend Celine sported a pair last time we hung out and I thought they were super cute. She also introduced me to Joes Jeans.  Nordstroms/ebay supplied me with the rest. I have tried True Religion and I do not like them at all. I have also tried Miss Me and really liked how they fit, but I just don't think they are my style.

Jessica Simpson Skinny Jeans

They fit great and are totally affordable

Juicy Couture, and Victoria Secret Swim

I got the Juciy Couture black skirted bottom the other day. It is super cute, and I can't wait to wear it this summer. I also have a vicotria sectret tankini and bikini that I really like.

New York & Company Sweaters

I bought a bunch on sale a couple weeks ago, and love them.

OKAY enough about clothes and shoes.


Food/ Drink interests lately

1) Ever since I have mosved to Texas I have been in LOVE with Philadelphia Rolls. I am starting to like sushi which is totally weird, but its actaully good stuff. I have had these Rolls probably like 15 times which is a lot considering my husband hates sushi. I order it from Taste of Asia at work, or pick it up from Central market whenever I get a chance.


2) MarketSide Spinach and Artichoke Hummus with Rye Bread

3) Blueberry Dannon Light and Fit Yogurt

4) Pinneapple

5) El Milagro tortilla chips from Central Market

6) Chick-Fil-A Fries dipped in their Chik-Fil-A Sauce

7)

 8) Peanut Butter and Nutella Sandwiches

9) Blue Bell Chocolate Mudd Pie (My Fav), Carmel Sundae Crunch,  Happy Tracks, Carmel turtle cheesecake

So there you have it. All of my favorite things at the moment. I probably should start cleaning, doing laundry, and getting things done, but I am so sore from Zumba last night that I just feel like bumming around.

Valentines Day

My boss gave me flowers at work today! It was totally unexpected, and really sweet.

Came home to a homemade card from my valentine! He sure loves me. He is going to take me out to pick out a plant when he gets home. He always gets me roses but I told him I wanted a plant a while back, so that is what he wants to get me. He jokingly said he was going to get me a love fern. I don't want one though. Can't wait for him to get back from Pennsylvania.

I picked up lots of fruit from Central Market today, and I couldn't resist getting myself a valentines gift. The creme brulee was sooo good. I put some raspberries on top and enjoyed every bite, while I watched the bachelor. Not that I needed any more sugar. I actually took the box of See's candy with me today.

Michelle is finally GONE! yay!!! Chantel needs to go next.

Valentines Day Weekend, and Stake Conference weekend with our favorite pals

Last weekend consisted of Stake Conference and hanging out with some of our favorite people out here in Texas.

BJ's before the Saturday Adult session of Conference. We love their Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Its our fav.

I made something new for dinner and dessert


Shrimp Pasta in a Foil Package. Recipe from Pioneer Woman.

Chocolate melting cake. The recipe is from Carnival Cruise. I baked it too long though. The middle should be more runny. It was still good though.

This weekend we celebrated Valentines Day because Adam is leaving early tomorrow morning for Pennsylvania.

We went to Logan's Roadhouse for dinner. It was a lot like Texas Roadhouse.

Yummy honey butter rolls

Appitizer: some cheese dip

Dinner: Filet Mignon, Salmon, baked potato, mac and cheese, ceasar salad

I was trying out the camera settings. I like Candid shots sometimes. No poses, just us in the moment.

Adam got me back by snapping this shot of me. I sported one of my spring scarfs that night. I am so happy this next week is going to be 70 degrees. I am glad that the snow/ice didn't last long.

Dessert: Cinnamon Roll Sundae. I ate all of it. I am such a pig sometimes!


After dinner we went to the movies and saw Just Go With It, and really enjoyed it. It's really cute, funny, and entertaining the whole way through the movie. It's a chick flick that the boys will enjoy too. I like the tradition of Adam taking me to a chick flick every Valentines Day.

The next day Adam made brunch

Vanilla Crepes (my fav)

Then we finished up the second season of Friday Night Lights. We are SOO into this show. We have put 24, Heroes, Castle, and everything else on hold.

Then my hubby took me to get my eye brows threaded, to get my Seven For All Mankind jeans hemmed at the tailors, and to the nail salon to get a pedicure and manicure. I have the best Valentine!

Afterwards we went to the Stake Valentines Dinner and Dance. I got to slow dance with my Valentine while we exchanged kisses. We had a good Valentines weekend. We had lots of sugar!

Didn't have any other paper besides the pink and white, and all I had were pens and a highlighter. I made this card before Adam got out of bed. I had to be quick. I think it turned out alright.

Thanks for the Valentines Package Mom :)

Oh so I had to speak in Church today! It was on Service in the Church. I talked a lot about the good samaritan and why its important we follow the example of the good samaritan. I got a lot of compliments, so I think it went well. People actually recited back things that I said that touched them. I was just happy that people actually paid attention. Someone told my husband that my talk really helped him, so its good to know that I at least effected one person. I get so nervous before I speak, but once I get up there I am all confident. It is totally weird, but its better than being nervous while giving the talk. Anywho, I hope you all have a fabulous Valentines Day tomorrow! Going to get back to watching the Grammy's now.

Our 7 month old

                                               Instead of getting red-eye he gets blue-eye

He loves to give kisses

and play tug of war

We think he is full grown. He hasn't been growing for a while now.

Notice all the jackets stacked on the stools. We just had a huge snow/ice/sleet storm, so we like to bundle up with as many layers as possible before we go out.

For some reason Charlie likes to lay like this.

And whenever he gets a chance he loves to lay his head on our pillows. It's not very often. I am not a fan, because I have to vacuum and clean the pillows after.

Sometimes he comes on car rides with us. He can get car sick if he is in the car too long though.

Charlie loves sleeping with Adam

But most the time he sleeps just like this. lol

I trained him a couple months ago to spin for carrots