What I've been stalking this week!

Ah-choo!

gesundheit

Really, you have to love those Mid-winter colds, that take residence for a week or so, and make smelling, or tasting your food, quite a bit difficult....and the biggest bummer, is that Father Winter either is on vacation to Bermuda, or has been taken hostage by one of the three other seasons, as it will be in the Mid to upper 50's this weekend, and feel more like March, than January....Drat....Maybe a little fresh air and sunshine will blast this cold to the moon....

and just for the record, will not be contributing to any ransom demands to return father winter to us....sorry....

pinterest.com via ediblecrafts.craftsgossip.com

Anyway...I had to just start this post with this Fantastic image I just pinned.....You can't not love Pinterest! These Monster Cupcakes are so flipping cool! I can't stand it! Might have to snag a Monster Themed Party this year for Noah's 4th Birthday!

Besides Pinterest...which is a daily......okay to be honest...hourly stalk.....

Here are the other places I've been this week! MUST go See

Probably my new Most Favorite Family and Lifestyle Photographer Ever! The inspiration just oozes from her blog! Let's just say I Pin a lot! Simplicity Photography

Always a treat for my senses....the amazing and tasty Cheeky Kitchen

Another one of my favorite places to go....A hard read, yes, a sometimes tearful read...absolutely...an important read, about a mother trying to navigate this world after the loss of her beautiful son, and the importance of educating and funding research for childhood cancer....without a doubt! Rockstar Ronan

I hope everyone has an Amazing first weekend of the New Year! I'm going to be stuffing my pockets with tissues...and taking the boys to the Park today....This weather is insane...but you will definitely not hear me complain!

See you all on Monday, with what I'm realizing about parenting two children!

In The Kitchen: Red Leaf Salad With Creamy Buttermilk Dressing

Now if you have noticed....which I have to admit I didn't, until it was so graciously pointed out to me recently, that I have a Carb problem....well, I don't think it's a problem, but my nutritionist at the Y, does, my thighs do, and well....those adorable size 6 hot pants that I haven't been able to wear since 2007 do as well. It finally hit me, that maybe my love affair with carbohydrates, is bordering on stalking charges, when I saw that ALL of my In the Kitchen Recipes thus far have some sort of Carb lovingly included....But Lord they are so stinking good, how could I NOT share? right? Or so I keep telling myself....

I decided this week in honor of a New Year, my New (though somehow repetitive) Resolutions....and my size 6 Hot Pants, I would share a recipe that doesn't involve carbohydrates.....it wasn't until after I made this amazing dish, that I looked at the nutrition label on the Buttermilk Carton....and low and behold.....there it was.....sigh.....Well at least the Dark Red Leaf Lettuce counteracts those carbs.....or so I hope.....

Next Recipe I promise.....or I think I will......

In any case, this amazingly easy, and amazingly tasty Red Leaf Salad with Creamy Buttermilk Salad takes no more than 5 minutes to prepare, and is so good....I devour every last bite....and sometimes even lick the plate.....sometimes....

Red Leaf Salad with Creamy Buttermilk Dressing

Salad

1 Small Head Red Leaf Lettuce, torn into Pieces

1/2 Cup Red Onion sliced into Quarter Slices ( I like Larger slices, you could also chop)

(optional) 1/2 c. Cooked Bacon crumbled

Dressing

1/2 C. Buttermilk

1/2 C. SourCream

1/2 C. Mayo

1/2 Tsp Onion Powder

1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder

1/4 Tsp Salt

1/4 Tsp Pepper

Combine Salad Ingredients together in a large bowl

In second bowl, combine Dressing Ingredients, whisking until smooth. Store in Refrigerator until ready to serve. Place some of the salad onto a plate, and drizzle with 2 Tbs of the dressing on top of the salad. top with some fresh cracked pepper.

A New Year's Resolution Giveaway!

Happy Happy 2012...

Today, mainly because I'm only 3 days behind.....

and because I'm so Pumped with my New Years Resolutions......

SO pumped!

I thought what could be better than sharing two of my Resolution tools with a "New Years Resolution style Giveaway".....

I want to give one lucky reader 2 Fabulous Resolution tools!

My two biggest resolutions this year are to finally kick those last stubborn 30 pregnancy pounds.......

and become somewhat more organized......Now this resolution has been up on my list for the last decade or so.....and every year, I swear it will be my year....

well I'm feeling 2012 will be my year.....and I feel it will be your year too!

So to aide me.....and one of you lucky readers, I'm giving away

A Year Subscription to Self Magazine! I love Self Magazine, because it focuses on Total Well-Being. It gives advice on everything from Fitness and nutrition, to beauty and style. It understands that to sustain a healthy lifestyle, you need to have the mind, body and spirit all in sync. A fabulous tool to help get into fighting resolution form!

The School Years Organizer from Mom Agenda! My husband is so excited to think that Noah's artwork, preschool report cards and his first school pictures will no longer just be migrating around our Kitchen island....they will finally have a home! This Portfolio has folders for each school year from Pre-K all the way to 12th grade. To make keeping and storing those important mementos easy and organized.....such a concept...organization....

To win Both of these Fabulous "New Year's Resolution Tools" All you need to do is leave a comment answering this question!

"What is your New Years Resolution?"

Are you wanting to shed some pounds or get organized like me? Are you wanting to help out your community more by volunteering? Is your resolution to have some more "you time" or finish that novel you've been trying to read all last year.....whatever it may be, just leave a comment with your resolution. You can leave your resolutions until 11:59 PM EST Jan. 9th

I will chose at random the winner on Jan 10th.

Happy New Year!

Happy Happy New Years Eve! It seems like only a short time ago, we were saying goodbye to 2010...and looking forward to all that 2011 would show us in her 365 days.....I've been so blessed to say that she has shown me so many more happy days, than sad.....Good times, than bad.....and has blessed me with another year to spend enjoying being a wife and mother.....

I thank you all for spending the year with me.....especially as I've been trying to find my balance....You've stood by, and I am so grateful....

I wish you all a wonderful and blessed New Year....I wish you strength in times of trial....I wish you laughter in times of joy....and I wish you love and comfort and peace.....and I look so forward to continuing this journey with you in the coming year!

Happy New Year!

Lesley

I thought I'd share what I am drooling over this final weekend of 2011!

Some amazing culinary delights at White On Rice Couple!

One of my Newest Photographer Crushes Andy and Jenna Photodesign

Feeding My Inner Nester at Nesting Place

Always a good place to land for a spell The Macs

Mr Sweet Eyes

I think God new exactly what he was doing when he designed my children.....especially when he designed Mr. Stinkeroo here....

He gave him all the orneriness that one little baby body could handle....then he added a bit more for good measure.....because, well God has a sense of humor kind of like my husband's.

Now to offset being such a corker.....God gave him the best defense mechanism he could conjour.....one, he knew would work 99 times out of 100....oh, he outdid himself, when he gave my baby the Biggest pair of Brown Eyes any boy could have....and if that wasn't enough, he decided to frame them with long, luxurious lashes, that make me cry......

God knew these eyes would aid him throughout his life.....in getting out many a sticky situation....

Think Puss in Boots....Sometimes I swear I even hear music....

I'm onto you, Mr. Sweet Eyes....you and your secret weapon....

though it is still quite up for debate, on whether I will able to harden myself to the affects those Big, Chocolate Brown Babies have when directed my way.....

I hear from the man of steel who co-parents with me, that I've gone soft.....but really.....how could anyone not be affected.....at least that's what I keep telling myself.....

I might need to add anti-sweet Eye Training to my list of Resolutions for 2012....

Maybe if I look at his nose when I scold.....

or turn him around, and talk to the back of his head.....

Maybe I should carry a pair of baby sunglasses with me, then, when he's decided that unloading a bag of flour on the floor sounded like a great idea.....I can just plop those puppies on...and be immune to their gaze, which can reduce me to a pile of mommy mush....

Ah, who am I kidding? I'm writing this post not 10 minutes after fishing out one of my bras from the toilet.....

sweet eyes 25.......mom 0

In The Kitchen: Fried Apple Fritters

I've spent the better part of the last 2 days, working diligently to clean up the toy, wrapping paper, and packing peanut explosion that detonated in my living room on Sunday morning...

It is definitely, you can say, my LEAST favorite part of the holiday season.....though playing chicken in a badly designed parking lot with a crazed, last minute Christmas Eve shopper, ranks right up there too....

I realized today, that I needed something to turn my post Christmas blues around....and what better way, then completely changing directions.....and instead of cleaning up a mess.....I'm going to make one!

I brought out my Grandma's old handwritten cookbook....the one with the yellowed, dog-eared pages.....but with recipes that will make my husband drool from half a world away, my sons clean their plate, and I bet would even tame the craziest of Christmas shoppers.....

These Beauties....with their golden brown color....and glistening with their dusting Cinnamon and sugar has renewed my Holiday Spirit, my faith in my fellow man.....and completely made me forget my new years resolution of .......what was it again?

Must not have been important.....

Fried Apple Fritters

1 Egg

2/3 c. milk

1 t. veg. oil

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/4 c. plus 2 Tbs Sugar, divided

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/8 tsp. Salt

5 Apples, (Granny Smith work Really well)

Peeled, Cored and Thickly sliced.....note I said Thickly

(too thin, and they will fall apart)

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Vegetable Oil for Deep Frying

Directions

1. Combine Egg, Milk, and oil. Mix until blended, then set aside. In a separate Bowl, Mix Flour, the 2 Tbs of Sugar, Baking Powder and salt. Pour Dry Mix into Egg Mixture., and Blend until Smooth.

2. Heat oil in deep sided skillet....I highly recommend investing in a Cast Iron Skillet! Heat oil to 365 Degrees

3. Dip Apple Slices into Batter, throughly coating both sides. Deep fry 1-2 minutes on one side, then flip, making sure both sides get nice and evenly browned. Drain, then sprinkle with 1/4 C. Sugar and Cinnamon.

4. Eat alone....or.....serve with Vanilla Icecream

Must Have Monday: Valhalla Brooklyn

Having spent a few years of my pre-baby life, surrounded by gorgeous Designer Handbags, it was only a matter of time, before my personal taste in handbags went from beer level....to champagne....though I drooled daily over the amazingly beautiful bags, bearing the labels of Chloé, Burberry and Marc Jacobs, I just couldn't quite bring myself to open up my 4 year old Coach Bag and upgrade....

Fast forward 4 years later....and my champagne taste, though watered down....and usually leaning towards the newest and greatest Diaper Bag, I still have an oversized soft spot for those gorgeous leather creations, that would pay my car payment for about 6 months....

My Beer Budget, and My Soft Spot have found something they both can covet and I'm in full hearted agreement, on the drool worthy creations coming from Valhalla Brooklyn.

Hand Made, High quality leather handbags.....that ....get ready, are under $400......Can you stand it? I can't either.....

I am determined to be sporting the lovely Larch Bag that sells for $319 (picture 2 and 4)....Sigh......

Hands down Style Points....and Large enough for all my stuff and the kids stuff? Double Sigh.....

Please, don't just take my word on it, you can drool over all the amazing creations yourself......

Valhalla is sold in a few Small Boutiques, and on Etsy.

Baking

How can you tell when the Christmas Season is in full swing at our house?

When two boys channel their inner Cake Boss meets The Swedish Chef....

My mini Culinary Masters....know the ins and outs of Holiday Baking.....

Rule 1) Who needs measuring? A REAL Baker just Feels the recipe.....

Rule 2.....Taste Testing is a must....for quality control purposes....

Rule 3.....Live by the advice of the incomparable Ms Julia Child

“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude.”

In The Kitchen: Sausage Wontons

What do you get when mix Italian, Tex-Mex and Asian Cuisine.....and put them together in one small, delectable morsel?

Only probably one of the most amazing appetizers to have tickled my taste buds in a longggg time!

I'm so in game mode, with getting ready for the onslaught of Holiday Shindigs......and my 2nd Annual Dirty Santa Party is going to be my hit of the season......so I'm already firing up the kitchen, to make sure the food is as amazing as the Holiday Festivities....

and taking a cue from Brad Paisley....who so eloquently says

"It's like we're all livin' in a big ol' cup

Just Fire up the blender, mix it all up"

I only had time to take two Photos of this amazing Dish....as My mouth just couldn't wait to devour every last one......

Sausage Wontons

1 lb Italian Sausage (casings removed)

3/4 c. Salsa (I like mine Medium)

1/2 c. shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese

1 c. Shredded Cheddar Cheese

2 oz Diced green chilies

olive oil

24 Wonton Skins

Sour Cream

1. In Large Skillet, brown sausage over medium heat, breaking up the large pieces, so that it is crumbly. When sausage is done, remove with slotted spoon and drain remaining grease. Discard grease from skillet, then return the sausage.

2. Add salsa, cheese, and green chilies to the sausage, and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat, and let cool to room temperature

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Brush 24 mini muffin cups with olive oil. Press 1 wonton wrapper into each muffin cup. Fill each prepared cup with a full Tablespoon of Sausage mixture.

4. Bake Wontons for 1o minutes at 350 degrees, until edges of wonton wrapper begin to brown. Then Transfer the Wontons from the muffin tin, to a baking sheet. Return wontons to oven, and bake an additional 8 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of Sour cream!

REVIEW: Melt Buttery Spread!

I want to start by saying.....

I LOVE Butter.....I love how it makes EVERYTHING you put it on...taste better.....Whoever said it's better with butter...sure as heck wasn't lying.....

I'm a Paula Deen Groupie.....

I become just a little bit more than giddy when I see her bring out her favorite ingredient....and create what are in my opinion....culinary masterpieces (I know Anthony Bourdain and I could go round and round on that one)

There's just one little pesky downside to all that buttery goodness.....It's not the healthiest of food items.....

Way to be a pooper at the party....

There is a NEW and exciting Guest at the Butter Party though....and it has renewed my excitement with being able to endulge in my Butter obsession....without so much of the unhealthy side effects.....I'd like to introduce you to Melt!

Melt is not Butter.....and it is not Margarine that has all those hydrogenated oils....

Melt is certified 95% organic, Gluten Free and Contains those "Good Fats" that unfortunately Butter Doesn't have.

Melt is a Butter Substitute that is made using Virgin Coconut Oil, Flax Seed Oil, Palm Oil and Canola Oil, "healthy Cooking Oils" which has an amazing 20% less calories than Butter.....

I've been slathering Melt on my Biscuits....and Toast....and anything I can slather it on.....I've baked with Melt, Sauteed with Melt....and eaten it straight from the tub.....It has a slight Coconut taste to it, which butter obviously doesn't have....but you certainly don't even notice it once you cook with it....and I don't mind having a little "taste" with my butter anyway.

Recently as you remember I made My AMAZING Toasted Almond Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting.....They turned out so moist, and so delicious...Melt did not alter the quality of the recipe at all....and with something that just looking at it, adds pounds to my hips...it's nice to know I was able to reduce the calories a little bit....and add some added organic ingredients!

You can purchase Melt on their Website, or at Select King Soopers, Fred Meyers or Whole Foods Stores. You can locate a retail location close to you, by checking out their store locator page.