Red Velvet Cheesecake Blast

Oh my, our friends at Sonic have done it again!  They certainly have concocted a tasty ice cream confection that I was not able to pass by.  Two of my favorites, red velvet and cheesecake, swirled together in a fantastical frozen treat was too good to be true! 

At the very least it was "Sonic Good"! 

What are your favorite treats of late?

Red Velvet Cheesecake Blast

Oh my, our friends at Sonic have done it again!  They certainly have concocted a tasty ice cream confection that I was not able to pass by.  Two of my favorites, red velvet and cheesecake, swirled together in a fantastical frozen treat was too good to be true! 

At the very least it was "Sonic Good"! 

What are your favorite treats of late?

Bangers and Mash

The Barefoot Contessa, one of my favorite Food Channel personalities, is the author of one of my Christmas gifts this year, her How Easy is That? cookbook.  I had been looking forward to trying one of the delectable delights within its pages and at the same time realized that I had quite a few potatoes in my pantry.

Therefore, I chose a recipe that would include mashed potatoes, the British favorite Bangers and Mash.  I had not heard much about this dish as I recall although the name did have a ring of familiarity as I glanced through the pages.  This recipe for mash was specifically mustard mash and it did not disappoint.  Although I had dreams of uses chicken and feta sausages, these things of dreams did not exist at my local HEB, but the sausages I found were yummy enough.  Now do not get me wrong, we have several fine HEB establishments where I live, but the ingredients for the dish did make me long for a Central Market or Whole Foods nearby.  One of the ingredients was creme fraiche, which I modified with a little bit of cream and buttermilk.

Needless to say this recipe might not be on the top of a lowfat menu, but it is devine and full of flavor.  Perhaps next time I will plan a strategic trip to Austin or Dallas for the true, more accurate ingredients and try again.  And, if you are wondering if the title of the book is true to the recipes within, I will leave you with the photo I took of the finished product:   

I did add my own Green Giant single serve broccoli and cheese for a little veggie, but the rest is all Ina!

How Easy is That?! :)



Bangers and Mash

The Barefoot Contessa, one of my favorite Food Channel personalities, is the author of one of my Christmas gifts this year, her How Easy is That? cookbook.  I had been looking forward to trying one of the delectable delights within its pages and at the same time realized that I had quite a few potatoes in my pantry.

Therefore, I chose a recipe that would include mashed potatoes, the British favorite Bangers and Mash.  I had not heard much about this dish as I recall although the name did have a ring of familiarity as I glanced through the pages.  This recipe for mash was specifically mustard mash and it did not disappoint.  Although I had dreams of uses chicken and feta sausages, these things of dreams did not exist at my local HEB, but the sausages I found were yummy enough.  Now do not get me wrong, we have several fine HEB establishments where I live, but the ingredients for the dish did make me long for a Central Market or Whole Foods nearby.  One of the ingredients was creme fraiche, which I modified with a little bit of cream and buttermilk.

Needless to say this recipe might not be on the top of a lowfat menu, but it is devine and full of flavor.  Perhaps next time I will plan a strategic trip to Austin or Dallas for the true, more accurate ingredients and try again.  And, if you are wondering if the title of the book is true to the recipes within, I will leave you with the photo I took of the finished product:   

I did add my own Green Giant single serve broccoli and cheese for a little veggie, but the rest is all Ina!

How Easy is That?! :)



Fun Fashion Friday

Hi Friends!  Yesterday, I wore a dress to work, which I am known to do on occasion, and remembered an amusing anecdote about said dress that I thought would be particularly "blogworthy".  This dress is one that I found when my precious friend Megan was visiting earlier this fall.  We went to this great boutique call Roots, which just has fabulous clothes and I saw this dress and fell in love.  It is so versatile and can be worn just about year round.  I love the frills and the purple color. 

I even decided to wear it as my party dress for my birthday!

Here I am with my cousins at Thanksgiving wearing said dress with a black long-sleeve and leggings for the cooler temps. 

I have to admit that the thing I love most is the pinafore-like sleeves with the ruffles that stand up.  It  was the detail that first drew my eye to the dress in the store.  Well, after further review, I now know that I am not the only one who chose a ruffly pinafore-like dress for her birthday...

Oh, Molly, I guess it wasn't my idea after all.  You see, Molly was my very first American Girl doll.  I still remembered how I agonizingly pored over each page of the Pleasant Company catalog trying to decide which doll would be the right one.  Since as a second-grader I had recently gotten glasses myself, I decided Molly would be the perfect choice.  I loved reading all about her adventures during the World War II era and had such fun adding to her wardrobe and accessories.  Anyway, seeing that picture brought back fun memories!! 

Hope you all are having a fabulous Friday and a Happy Weekend to all!!

Fun Fashion Friday

Hi Friends!  Yesterday, I wore a dress to work, which I am known to do on occasion, and remembered an amusing anecdote about said dress that I thought would be particularly "blogworthy".  This dress is one that I found when my precious friend Megan was visiting earlier this fall.  We went to this great boutique call Roots, which just has fabulous clothes and I saw this dress and fell in love.  It is so versatile and can be worn just about year round.  I love the frills and the purple color. 

I even decided to wear it as my party dress for my birthday!

Here I am with my cousins at Thanksgiving wearing said dress with a black long-sleeve and leggings for the cooler temps. 

I have to admit that the thing I love most is the pinafore-like sleeves with the ruffles that stand up.  It  was the detail that first drew my eye to the dress in the store.  Well, after further review, I now know that I am not the only one who chose a ruffly pinafore-like dress for her birthday...

Oh, Molly, I guess it wasn't my idea after all.  You see, Molly was my very first American Girl doll.  I still remembered how I agonizingly pored over each page of the Pleasant Company catalog trying to decide which doll would be the right one.  Since as a second-grader I had recently gotten glasses myself, I decided Molly would be the perfect choice.  I loved reading all about her adventures during the World War II era and had such fun adding to her wardrobe and accessories.  Anyway, seeing that picture brought back fun memories!! 

Hope you all are having a fabulous Friday and a Happy Weekend to all!!

River Rocks and Winter Garden

I took down my Christmas decor and replaced it with a more neutral palatte.  I hope that it is also soothing. :)

When I went to Hobby Lobby to get my necessary materials for my jewelry board, I saw that river rocks were on sale.  I had been trying to come up with something new to put in my apothecary jars before I put in my exciting find for Spring that I obtained from a journey to Canton this Fall and thought the river rocks would be perfect.

In other news, I did finally finish Winter Garden and it was wonderful!  I highly recommend it.  It is such a wonderful story of mother/daughter and sister bonds with a good amount of history to boot.  Have your hanky ready because it is an emotional journey, but definitely worth the taking.  Now, I have started reading The Help and it is even better than I could imagine.  Hope you have had a wonderful week!

River Rocks and Winter Garden

I took down my Christmas decor and replaced it with a more neutral palatte.  I hope that it is also soothing. :)

When I went to Hobby Lobby to get my necessary materials for my jewelry board, I saw that river rocks were on sale.  I had been trying to come up with something new to put in my apothecary jars before I put in my exciting find for Spring that I obtained from a journey to Canton this Fall and thought the river rocks would be perfect.

In other news, I did finally finish Winter Garden and it was wonderful!  I highly recommend it.  It is such a wonderful story of mother/daughter and sister bonds with a good amount of history to boot.  Have your hanky ready because it is an emotional journey, but definitely worth the taking.  Now, I have started reading The Help and it is even better than I could imagine.  Hope you have had a wonderful week!

Keeping up with the Jones's (and a Few Others)

This weekend was so much fun!!  The Bears and Lady Bears were both playing on Saturday, so Mom drove down for some basketball fun. :)  She got to town at lunchtime on Saturday and we enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Amelia's.  Then, we went to Lane's and looked at sweet outfits for Little B!  After shopping, we headed to the Ferrell Center.

The men played at 3.  Here we are at halftime.  After the men's game, we had a little time before the women's game, so we were able to meet some of the Bears after their game!!

Fred Ellis

Anthony Jones and Nolan Dennis

Melissa Jones was just arriving for the Lady Bears game and was so gracious to pose with us!

Quincy Acy and AJ Walton

 

Perry Jones III

It was so fun to get to see these guys in person and was so nice of them to stop and take pictures with us.  They played a great game and so did the Lady Bears -- 2 Big 12 victories!!  What a great day for Baylor Basketball!!!

Keeping up with the Jones's (and a Few Others)

This weekend was so much fun!!  The Bears and Lady Bears were both playing on Saturday, so Mom drove down for some basketball fun. :)  She got to town at lunchtime on Saturday and we enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Amelia's.  Then, we went to Lane's and looked at sweet outfits for Little B!  After shopping, we headed to the Ferrell Center.

The men played at 3.  Here we are at halftime.  After the men's game, we had a little time before the women's game, so we were able to meet some of the Bears after their game!!

Fred Ellis

Anthony Jones and Nolan Dennis

Melissa Jones was just arriving for the Lady Bears game and was so gracious to pose with us!

Quincy Acy and AJ Walton

 

Perry Jones III

It was so fun to get to see these guys in person and was so nice of them to stop and take pictures with us.  They played a great game and so did the Lady Bears -- 2 Big 12 victories!!  What a great day for Baylor Basketball!!!

Jewelry Update and Other Tidbits

After the last post, I realized it might be fun to show you my jewelry organizer with some actually jewelry on it!! :) Here is the finished product:

 

Here is a close up of the pin I stuck through the fabric into the foam board.  As you can see, you can also just poke earrings in the board, too!

Then, you hang the necklace on the pin.

Or the bracelets. :)

Here's a closeup.

For some reason this picture is sideways, but you can hang dangly earrings as well.

Here's another sideways photo, but I wanted to show you the beautiful necklace my brother and sister-in-law gave me for Christmas.

And the adorable frame, too!!  I can't wait to put a picture of my nephew in it when he arrives!!  Yes, it's a boy!!!! :)  I'm one thrilled soon-to-be Aunt!

Edwin and Megan also gave me some incredible earrings, but I happened to be wearing them when I took these pictures.  :)

Here's a little "c" from the parents.  I heart initials!

My Auntie Di and Keen gave me this beautiful candle and I recently purchased the little tray in the background to hold my perfume!  I just love the gold pattern on the candle and the delicate charm!

Well, friends, I'm off to read more of The Winter Garden.  It was our book club book and we met last night to discuss it, but I am still determined to finish it!  I think I should add finish books before book club to my New Year's Resolutions!!  I don't know what our group is reading next, but I hope I can dive into The Help very soon!!

Jewelry Update and Other Tidbits

After the last post, I realized it might be fun to show you my jewelry organizer with some actually jewelry on it!! :) Here is the finished product:

 

Here is a close up of the pin I stuck through the fabric into the foam board.  As you can see, you can also just poke earrings in the board, too!

Then, you hang the necklace on the pin.

Or the bracelets. :)

Here's a closeup.

For some reason this picture is sideways, but you can hang dangly earrings as well.

Here's another sideways photo, but I wanted to show you the beautiful necklace my brother and sister-in-law gave me for Christmas.

And the adorable frame, too!!  I can't wait to put a picture of my nephew in it when he arrives!!  Yes, it's a boy!!!! :)  I'm one thrilled soon-to-be Aunt!

Edwin and Megan also gave me some incredible earrings, but I happened to be wearing them when I took these pictures.  :)

Here's a little "c" from the parents.  I heart initials!

My Auntie Di and Keen gave me this beautiful candle and I recently purchased the little tray in the background to hold my perfume!  I just love the gold pattern on the candle and the delicate charm!

Well, friends, I'm off to read more of The Winter Garden.  It was our book club book and we met last night to discuss it, but I am still determined to finish it!  I think I should add finish books before book club to my New Year's Resolutions!!  I don't know what our group is reading next, but I hope I can dive into The Help very soon!!