Happy Birthday To Me!

That's right, today is my birthday!  I won't tell you how old I am, but I will tell you that I'm one more year closer to 30 and I'm still not sure how I feel about this.

I want to say I have come to terms with it, but I don't think I really have.  When I hit my "mid-twenties" it was a rude awakening for me.  No more acting irresponsible.  I could no longer do stupid things and have people laugh it off because, hey, I was in my early twenties and that's what we did, ya dig?

No, once I hit 26, my mid-twenties, people expected me to act mature, responsible, and frankly, I didn't want to.

I still don't want to.

Here's to another year!

Applebee's Blue Coconut Margaritas

 I loved this drink so much that I begged the bartender to give me the recipe after the first time I had it!

3 cups Sweet and Sour
1/2 cup Sauza Gold Tequila
1/2 cup Blue Curacao
1 cup Coconut Rum

Makes 2 drinks.  Dip rims of glasses into sweet and sour mix and then into salt.  If you have a large enough shaker, place ice in shaker and add all drinks, shake.  Strain into glasses and enjoy.
I just add all ingredients to a pitcher, mix with a wooden spoon and poor into glasses :)

Italian Amaretto Margaritas

Just in time for my birthday, I may have to try this one out instead of my usual


4 fluid ounces amaretto liqueur, plus additional
white sugar
6 fluid ounces frozen limeade concentrate
6 fluid ounces tequila
1/2 cup orange juice
6 cups ice 

Dip the rims of 4 margarita glasses in amaretto, then into sugar; set aside. Pour the limeaid, tequila, amaretto, orange juice, and ice into the bowl of a blender. Puree until smooth, then pour into prepared glasses.

"Made With Love" Event!!!

 

This sounds amazing!

July 18th to the 24th, it's almost over!  Check out the original post for more information and TONS of links!

From The Reynold's Mom

Welcome to the 2nd "Made With Love" Event!

This event features handmade artists and designers who have joined with us in sharing their talents this week. On just my blog, I have 29 sponsors. Each one has been reviewed, and is offering a giveaway prize to my readers! THA NK YOU to my wonderful sponsors for making this event possible!

Baked Doughnuts

Found over at:  Alisa Burke

These look SO yummy, I can't wait to try them out!

 

Combine Dry Ingredients:

2 cups of cake flour

3/4 cup of sugar

2 teaspoons of baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon

and then added the wet ingredients and mixed everything together-

3/4 cup of buttermilk

2 eggs

2 tablespoons of butter

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

Next I added the batter to the doughnut pan.

and baked at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes.

I let them cool and then dipped the doughnuts in melted butter and then dipped then in cinnamon and sugar.

And while I put another batch in the oven I quickly devoured a warm cinnamon and sugar doughnut.

going....

going....

just about gone :) yum

For my second batch I made a simple glaze-

1/4 cup of milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups of powdered sugar.

Combine everything in sauce pan and heat on low.

Whisk everything together until combined and remove from heat.

I dipped the doughnuts into the glaze

and set on a drying rack.

Regardless of the glaze or topping these doughnuts are so delicious but taste more like cake than a fried doughnut- a perfect way to satisfy a doughnut craving :)

Italian Dinner Rolls

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
1 egg
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 

In a mixing bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and seasonings. 
In a saucepan, heat the milk, water and 2 tablespoons butter to 120 degrees F-130 degrees F. 
Add to dry ingredients; beat until moistened. Add egg; beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. 
Turn onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes. 
Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 16 pieces. Shape each into a ball. 
Melt remaining butter; dip tops of balls in butter and remaining Parmesan cheese. 
Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan or two 8-in. round baking pans. 
Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. 
Bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. 
Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Friendship Bracelet Swap

This sounds like fun!

Slow Cooker Roast Beef

Note:  I have a 6 QT slow cooker, you may have to adjust to your cooker size.

2 packages brown gravy mix
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
4 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs onion powder
1 tbs garlic powder
1 tbs sea salt
2 tbs Italian seasoning
2.5 to 3 lb choice cut rump roast
6 cups water
4-5 small to medium potatoes
2-3 small to medium carrots

Add first 7 ingredients in slow cooker and stir to mix.  Add rump roast.  Cut potatoes and carrots then add them.  Cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours.  Time varies from cooker to cooker.

Ice Cream Milk Shake

1 cup milk
2 scoops of your favorite ice cream

 

Place ice cream and milk into a blender and blend on high until smooth.

Another New Twist On An Old Classic

1 package mini marshmallows
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups cocoa crispies
3 cups Golden Grahams cereal
2 tbs milk

In a large saucepan over low heat combine and melt peanut butter, milk, marshmallows.

When melted add both cereals and mix well.

Pour mixture in a greased 9x13 or similar sized pan or baking dish, let cool, cut and serve.

New Twist On An Old Classic

6 cups crisp rice cereal
2 tbs vanilla
3 tbs butter
1 package mini marshmallows

In large saucepan over low heat combine and melt butter, vanilla, and marshmallows.

When melted stir in cereal, mix well

Pour into greased 9x13 or similar sized pan or baking dish, let cool, cut into squares and serve.