Happy Birthday Tara

Today I am going to go a little off course. This is not about a yummy recipe that I discovered. It's about a wonderful lady who came into my life many years ago....actually her whole family  came into my life but today we are just going to talk about her......Tara

Tara is a really good friend and her family is like my family....oh and she is my boss!
Today is Tara's birthday and I thought everyone should get a peek at this amazing woman. She has so many sides to her. Business Woman, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Aunt, Mentor, Girlfriend, Book Author, Singer, Dancer, Makeup Artist To The Stars, Best Cookie Maker In The World.....and the list goes on!!

Tara you have soooooo many people that love you. You have touched so many lives with your love, friendship, and compassionate nature. Your acts of service are endless, your hearts always has room for one more. You could never see another human being in need and not do your very best to reach out and help them. Today we celebrate you and the day your were born. That day the world became a much better place!! In celebration of your birthday I have put together some pictures to show just some of the many sides of Tara....Lord knows I could fit them all in. You are like Sybil without the mean parts...LOL.

A rare picture of us together because I hate having my picture taken!

Tara belongs to and heads up several groups and organizations along with many other wonderful talented people.

There are several events each year at Anastasia's Attic (Tara is the owner) in which we dress up in costume for the events. This is Tara with her boyfriend Jeff. They clean up pretty nice don't ya think?

Tara is a BIG TIME animal lover. She is mom to a  miniature goat named Godfrey and a sweet tortoise named Goliath. She has taught Godfrey to shake, give a kiss and a few other tricks. He loves his mommy very much.

What would a beautiful witch do without an owl!

Tara loves her family and making memories with them. Here she is at the festival of colors with her brother, sister and nephews. Though she is a girly girl and loves her make-up and bling. She can get dirty with the best of them!

Sexy Masquerade Witch at Halloween

Beautiful Fairy ....an event at our store. The little girls love to come in each year and see what kind of fairy she will be.

A Pirate Wench on Pirate night!

Our Little Black Dress Event.

Her niece and nephews call her "Butterfly Tara"...doesn't she look like one here?

This was at my 50th birthday party. With a fifties theme I asked her to dress like Olivia Newton John in Grease....Wow...she really looks hot!!!

Tara always has time for her family and friends.

The back of the book she co-authored with Lisa Nichols.

Tara even meditates in still...LOL

Now I need to give credit where it is due....Tara has the most amazing Mother in the world. She is incredibly loving, giving, compassionate, selfless, and funny. I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree. But then again all of her children are like that!

Tara's Mom....Sharon Starling.

There are so many more pictures I would love to include. But will stop now so her head doesn't get too big...LOL. Tara...I hope you know just how much you are loved, appreciated and admired by soooo many. Thank you for being one of my best friends and the greatest boss in the world.

Happy Birthday Beautiful!!

Lisa's Mexican Caviar

I celebration of Cinco De Mayo...I am reposting this amazing dip. Perfect anytime, but with the holiday coming up next week, I thought this was perfect to share!!

A sister story....first I met Regina (on the end in the white shirt) and we became the best of friends. She and her sweet husband Jim introduced me to my husband Scott and even sang at our wedding. She can always make me laugh and has a heart as big as Texas. We have shared many laughs and tears over the years. We will always be friends!!
 She then  introduced me to her sister Theresa (in the middle)...ohhh how she makes me laugh. She is such a nut and so very creative. She now sells her beautiful jewelry at the store I manage.

Then I met Lisa, (left end in the green) what a kind hearted and funny lady she is. We share a love of cooking and blogging!! Did you notice a theme with these sisters. They are so kind and loving and are a riot to be around!

Regina also introduced me to this recipe, but told me she got it from Lisa. So today we will be spotlighting Lisa.

and her wonderful Mexican Caviar!

Now don't let the picture scare you. I am a much better cook than I am a photographer. This dip is AMAZING!!! It is good anytime but with the holidays coming up and all the parties and family get togethers you will be involved in believe me you will want to make this. And buy at least 2 bags of the "Frito Scoops" or Tortilla chips because you will become as addicted as I did and won't be able to stop...LOL


"Mama Lisa's Mexican Caviar"



10 roma tomatoes chopped small

1 can whole kernel corn drained

1 can black eye peas drained

1 can black beans drained

1 green bell pepper chopped

1 small red onion chopped

1 bunch cilantro chopped (leaves only)

2 limes (juice only)

2 ripe haas avocados

1/3 bottle of light Wishbone Italian salad dressing

1 large bag of Frito's scoops (for dipping)



Put it all in a large bowl, scoop with Frito's and enjoy!

Thanks Lisa for providing this wonderful recipe.

I am linking to:
Little Brick Ranch
I Heart Naptime
Picket Fence
Debbiedoos

My Meat and Potato Men

Would the men in your family be totally satisfied with meat and potatoes...mine would....or at least my husband would. My 17 year old son decided  a little over a month ago that he was no longer going to eat meat. Ladies...this was a BIG shock!! Up until then my son could wolf down a steak before I could even get it on his plate.He always called himself a mean, meat eating machine. This did make my life easy because as long as I had some kind of meat in the house and a bag of potatoes they were happy.

Now I am always looking for recipes I think my 6'4 280 pound,size 13 shoe wearing son will eat. He is actually becoming a pretty good cook himself now that he can't pop a frozen meat lovers pizza in the oven!

Here is one of our favorite potato side dishes. It is quick, easy and seems we always have all the ingredients in the house. We really like it with eggs on a lazy Saturday morning, or with chicken, fish, grilled pork chops, and of course my husbands favorite meat loaf. We always make them when we are camping. I bet your men will like it too!!

6 large potatoes or 3 baking potatoes ( I just usually cook one potato per person and if there are leftovers that's great too).
1 Large onion
4 tablespoons butter (yes I know....and you may need a bit more depending on the amount of potatos you use. But the flavor is amazing)
Salt and Pepper or Season salt...I like that better myself.

Wash and poke a few holes in your potato's.
Put them in the microwave and cook until fork tender.
While potatoes are cooking, cut your onions into rings and then cut in half.

Once potato's are done, cut them into bite size pieces.

In a large skillet put your butter, potato's and onions in. Salt and pepper or pepper and season salt to taste. Cover (or not...sometimes my potatoes are not soft enough when I take them out of the microwave) and let cook until onions and potatoes are tender.

I am linking to:
Not So Homemade
Little Brick Ranch-Foodie Friday
At The Picket Fence
I Heart Naptime
Debbiedoo's

5 minute Pineapple Pie

This is an old post but thought it was worth reposting for Easter. This pie is light and ooooh so yummy. It's easy to make and would be a great dessert for your Easter dinner. Sorry no photo...but here is one of Lis instead. She is my step children's mom. She is the one that gave me the recipe. The only think I do differently is I add a  little cool whip to the top for a little garnish or I add a bit to the top of each slice as I serve it.


5 minute Pineapple Pie

2 graham cracker crusts
1 large cool whip
1 15oz crushed pineapple
1 8oz tidbits pineapple
1 can sweet condensed milk
14-16 squirts of lemon juice

Drain all the juice out of both cans of pineapple really good

Mix cool whip and milk together add pineapple lightly toss together
add the lemon juice squirts as you are stirring it will get stiffer pour into the two crusts can be eaten right away but better if put into the fridge for at an hour.

Spring-Easter Cake

I am sure most of you have seen the Kit Kat cake. The one with Kit Kat candy bars all around it and the top filled with some other kind of yummy candy like M & M's or chocolate eggs right??? Well I have wanted to make one for awhile now and decided today was the day. There is a family in the neighborhood with the most adorable kids...well all the kids in my neighborhood are adorable but the Klingler kids as I call them just happen to love my chocolate cake. Today was their lucky day. When it was done I took it to them. Hope they enjoy it.

I love to use the colors Lime Green and Hot Pink for my Easter table so I thought I would use it for my cake as well. All I did was make my favorite chocolate cake, frost it, trim the Kit Kat's to size and tie a ribbon around it. It was soooooo easy!!

I decided to change the top decoration a few times to see which one I liked the best....here are the results!

Spring Flowers

Peep Love Birds

Seeeee I told you they were love birds...
Look at the cute eggs they left behind!

I am sure there are so many ways to decorate a cake like this but my skills in this area are limited to well.....me and my talents...LOL. This worked for me.

I am linking to:

Little Brick Ranch
At The Picket Fence
Jam Hands
Dittle Dattle
All Thingz Related
Debbie Doos
Blessed With Grace
Savvy Southern Style

Getting To Know You

Sunday, March 27, 2011Getting to know YOU!


Keely over at Mannland 5 is hosting Getting to know You Sunday's again and so I am going to participate for the first time. How about you.....

So today's questions are:

1. What inspires you? I am a blog stalker...I love to look at other blog and get ideas. There are so many talented ladies out there with so much to share.






2. What was the last thing you bought yourself?  A bracelet





3. Would you rather watch a movie in a theater or from the comfort of your own home? At home if I am feeling like hanging out in my sweats, at the movies if I am in the mood for going out and of course the popcorn is better there!





4. Household chore you don't mind doing? Cooking...I love to cook!





5. Coffee or tea? I love coffee, and was raised on it. But I did give it up for religious reasons. I have never liked tea, but do drink hot green tea when I have a sore throat.





6. What could you eat every day and not get sick of? Chocolate of course!





7. What's the last book you read? Living Proof





8. Do you think you "look" your age? Some days I look younger and some days I look much older. I think it depends on what is going on that day and the stress level...LOL I am 51!

Orange Brownies

I am a born and bred southern girl living in Utah...LOL!!

I love all things southern! Grits, cornbread, fried chicken, hoe cake, magnolias, dressing ....we don't call it stuffing and the recipe is much different, and PAULA DEEN!! Yes, I love Paula Deen. I love the way she talks, the way she cooks, the way she has a hug and a kiss for everyone she meets....she is the epitome of a Southern Gal!

These days I don't make much fried chicken or corn bread because the older I get the more those things stick to my ribs hips! But my sweet tooth teeth will always be a part of my Southern heritage. And what is better than a pan of brownies...maybe 2 pans...LOL

Are you looking for something fresh and different for Easter dessert this year? Well, you just found it. You make them with an orange cream cheese frosting like the ones shown above, or just a lite glaze like the ones shown below. Either way you are going to love them!!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

4 eggs

2 teaspoons pure orange extract

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Glaze:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan and set aside. In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest and beat with a handheld electric mixer until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven and pierce top of entire cake with a fork.

Glaze

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stirring until smooth. Pour glaze over cake. Cool cake and cut into squares.

If you would prefer the cream cheese frosting the recipe is below.

Cream Cheese Frosting:


1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

4 tablespoons softened butter

1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons orange zest

2 tablespoons orange juice

In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electric mixer. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until it is all combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Spread over brownies.

Family and friends will want you to bring these to every party and family get together!!

I will be linking up with:
 Dittle Dattle 
 AtThe Picket Fence
 Christina's Adventures 
Little Brick Ranch
Jam Hands
All Thingz Related
Debbie Doos
Blessed With Grace

My Amazing Daughters.

Just feeling so lucky today to be a mom. Want to see my amazing daughters....go HERE
 Guess now that I blogged about them I will have to give my son's and son-in-laws equal time....next month!

Big Changes Are Coming.....

I love my bedroom....and I hate my bedroom! It's nice and big, has a pretty bay window and has a fantastic view of the mountains. But it is boring!! I am so tired of the way it looks. Granted it looks 100 plus better than when I moved in...yucky ivy wallpaper and the previous owner had painted ivy vines all over the master bath coming out into the bedroom...OMGosh......it was HORRIBLE!

 But now it is just boring and I need a change!!

See...waaay too much brown and boring! The honey pine furniture MUST GO!!!

I loved this in 1995 when I had it customed made. Lots of drawers and it hides my TV. But now....not so much. Good thing is my daughter wants it to go with the matching four poster bed I already gave her. Hey she is young, single and poor...LOL

No...I am not allergic to color and yes I was on drugs when I decorated this room....LOL. Not really but can I use that as my excuse? My sweet husband really wanted to be in on it and didn't want it to frilly so we settled on a whole lot of brown!

No....you are not seeing things....all I put to fill up all that space was one little bench! Ok stop laughing...we all have decorating disasters in our past...and I am sure there will probably be a few in the future! But as I said....there are big changes coming!!!

Yes, there will be some color, and  new bedding, the cute bench as been moved to the guest room, and my sweet husband said he will stay out of it this time, it won't be so formal, more relaxed and comfy. I'm too old to be formal and stuffy...relaxed and laid back, and comfortable is more my style these days.

A hint you say...you want a hint...ok...here's a few hints! Let's see what you think!

I'm Soooo Excited!!!

WooooHoooo!!!! I am soooo excited! For soooo long I have wanted new appliances for my kitchen. They were getting old. The stove and microwave were here when we moved in. I brought the side by side fridge from my other house and we bought the dishwasher new when we moved in about 6 years ago.

Way too many magnets but I have such cute grand kids and they love to color pictures for me.
The appliances were not terrible, just getting old. I longed, and I wished and I prayed.... and they were still here. But then I started to save $$....

We decided to get a new fridge, and it came the day before my sister came for a visit. I was so happy to get it but now my appliances didn't match and the new fridge made the old stuff look really bad. Well, my sister went to open the microwave and broke the handle right off...I could have just kissed her!!!
My husband just laughed and shook his head and said go ahead and get the microwave and a new stove. Well I was in my Tahoe and driving down the street before he could blink...LOL. And this is what I have now!

I really love my new appliances!! It is so fun to have something new. The oven is also a convection oven which is nice...well...when I finally get the guts to try it...LOL. The microwave really says a lot about our society and how we eat. It has a button for popcorn, frozen pizza and chicken nuggets....I had to really laugh at that because my grand daughter reminded me that chickens don't have nuggets!!

They all have buttons and gadgets that my old ones didn't have. I am keeping my owners manuals very close at hand. I also learned that stainless steel shows finger prints a lot more than the standard white. But keeping them clean is worth it. I am so thankful that my husband and I both have good jobs and we were able to pay for them. We paid off our credit cards and cut them up years ago and made a vow to never have credit card debt again. So when we want something we have to work and save. Saving for something is not always easy...but it is so worth it. Since we just got a new washer and dryer a few months ago we should be set for awhile......maybe....I do have my eye on a really cute coffee table...LOL

Spring Fever

Are you as tired of the cold weather and snow as I am? I know most of us don't really like to clean. OK, we love the results but not the actual cleaning part. Except in Spring...I love to open up the windows and clean all day. The fresh air, the clean smells after the house being closed up all winter. The sounds of the children in the neighborhood starting to play again. Yep....I love Spring and all that goes with it!!

Are you over the WINTER BLUES

 and have a touch of SPRING FEVER?

Ready to get rid of some things, open the windows and smell the fresh air, get organized, dust off the patio furniture and put away the snow blower...well ME TOO!!!

A friend of mine told me about this site with some really good helpful spring cleaning tips.

Go HERE to get your Spring On!!

Kiwi Chicken Salad

Snow, Snow, and MORE SNOW....I am sooooo over the snow!! OK I know we need the moisture for future water use. I know the ski resorts (here in Utah) and other places rely on it big time but it is almost March and the stuff just keeps coming. Yes it is beautiful to look at and fun to play in ...for A SHORT TIME!!!

I am dreaming of temperatures in the 70's spent on my back patio with a cold glass of something and my wonderful husband at the grill,holding a pair of tongs. Our dog will be laying in the cool grass and chasing the birds that dare land in his back yard (no worries...he has never caught one and no birds were harmed while writing this post)!

Are you waiting for and wishing for Spring as much as I am? Do you long for frosty glasses of lemonade and cool summer salads? Look no more!! I am a salad freak, nut, lover and just found an amazing one over at Cheeky Kitchen. She was contacted by Dole...yes the famous pineapple people and asked to come up with a recipe for them....WOW right! And after this recipe I bet they offer her a job!

Doesn't that look soooooo cool, crisp and inviting!!

I can just look at the picture and know I am going to love it. I bet you will too!!

Kiwi Chicken Salad


This simple, flavorful recipe is the perfect way to use up leftover chicken breast. The savory flavor of grilled, rotisserie, or oven-baked chicken—whatever you’ve got in the fridge!--mixed with the tartness of tropical fruits, and the subtle bite of cilantro-lime dressing is a splendid combination. The recipe can be made in minutes and stores well in the fridge up to 12 hours.

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced

4 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

2 starfruit, peeled and sliced

3 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced

Juice of 3 limes

3 tablespoons light olive oil

3 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons chopped cilantro

Salt to taste
Directions:

Place the chicken, kiwi, starfruit, onion, and cabbage in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey and cilantro. Add a pinch of salt. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and carefully stir until evenly coated with the dressing. Serve & enjoy!

Decorating Dilemma!!!

Usually all my posts are about food or food related subjects but today I need some advice from some  of you that are really good at decorating. I have a decorating dilemma!!!!!!

 This was my front room (as we say here in Utah) I can't call it formal by any means but it is the front living room (as apposed to the family room which is one level down). The room you see when you ring my doorbell and I answer it...LOL

(ALL PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE WHEN CLICKED ON!)

I need curtains because those big blank white squares of mini blinds are killing me!!! But I just have not found any premade that I like and I don't sew....I know...I know...what kind of woman am I. I cook...really well in fact...but I don't sew and I no longer feel any shame in it...LOL

So...getting back to my stark white mini blinds....I wanted to do something to add a little color but not spend a lot of money. This is what I came up with (for the time being) ...I still want curtains or drapes or something pretty on the windows!

I added two of my extra dinning room chairs.....(free)

I bought two pillows for the sofa to add a little color. ($ 6.00 each at Target)

My BFF Tammy found these for me at my favorite store in the whole world "Hobby Lobby" I put one one on either side of the window, for a little more color. They were 1/2 off!!

I love my bird cage from "Home Goods"
So....the question is....does it look a little better and what more would you suggest I do (other than some color on the windows).  I'm open here ladies...give me some suggestions!!

Contest Alert!!

My new bloggy Friend Christina is having an awesome contest at her blog Christina's Adventures. Check out all the cute things she has on her Etsy site...she has loads of talent!!

We use her awesome clipboards in our store everyday and just love them.

I Love This Dressing

Do you just love that pretty green Cilantro Dressing you get on your salads at those trendy Mexican restaurants? I do...In fact I could eat the Pork Salad at Cafe Rio EVERYDAY...and it has to have that creamy green dressing!

I have tried a few of the knock off recipes and none compare to this one!

Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

1/2 cup Ranch dressing (I use light)


1 large jalapeno, seeded and ribs removed, and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 tomatillo, husk removed, cut into 8ths (that is the green rough tomato looking thing...LOL)

2 teaspoons lime juice

1/2 cup cilantro leaves, lightly packed

Combine everything in a blender and blend until smooth.

Makes about 3/4 cup dressing


I found this and many other wonderful recipes at "Bake Off Flunkie"

Look What I Found

What a wonderful Day!! Not only did I find an old friend Anissa whom I have not seen for years, but I also found out that she has a wonderful recipe blog Anissa's Kitchen just filled with mouth watering, yummy treats. I have been cruising it for hours just wishing I could taste each one.

Chicken Broccoli Pasta is one of my favorite things to order when dinning out and I found out Anissa had it on her blog I though I would share it with you!

Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Pasta


1 lb penne pasta

1 ½ cup broccoli

1 ½ to 2 cups cooked chicken

1 Tablespoons butter

2 cloves garlic can add extra (we did)

2 Tablespoons flour

¾ cup chicken broth

3/4 cup milk

2 Tablespoons parsley flakes Red pepper flakes (to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

1/3 to ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (can add extra we did)

Cook pasta according to directions. Melt butter and add garlic in medium sauce pan cook over med heat for 1 min.Add flour and cook for another min stirring constantly, Stir in broth and milk and cook stirring until sauce boils and thickens, Add chicken and broccoli and stir, Add parsley, salt, pepper, pepper flakes and cheese. Stir till cheese is melted. Add pasta and toss till covered. Serve with extra parmesan on top. This was very yummy and fairly easy to make .