Banana Bread and Words with Friends!!!

I cannot believe that 2012 will be here on Sunday!    I hope that Mayan Calendar is wrong!  LOL!  

G's Festival of Lights Concert

at her school she performed Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree.   SO CUTE!!!

The Limoncello turned out A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and it was way better than the stuff from the store!!!!  The Giants won so that meant SHOTS FOR EVERYONE!!!  It was so delicious that a certain someone (who should remain nameless) was high-fiving and hugging everyone!!!     This next game the Giants have to beat the Cowboys in order to make it to the playoffs....let's just say that every Giants fan around the globe is hoping for a victory.   

She called it her "Deer in Headlights Pose"

Okay my friend Steph (from my hair salon) got me hooked on Words with Friends.   I am completely addicted and have numerous games going.    Right now I have 2 games at the same time with my friend Nancy!  LOL!!!    I can completely understand why Alec Baldwin got kicked off his flight....I feel your pain Baldwin brother!!!

Here is the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread that I included in my goodie bags that I passed out to a few people.    It's so easy squeezy!!!

Choc. Chip Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

3 or 4 ripe Bananas Smashed (not drunk smashed...HA!)

1/3 cup of melted butter

3/4 cup of sugar

1 egg beaten

1 tsp. of Vanilla

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cup of Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 cup of Choc. Chips (or as much as you like) 

Mix Butter and Bananas with a wooden spoon

Mix in Sugar, egg and vanilla

sprinkle in Baking Soda and salt

add Flour

mix in choc. chips last.

Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/

Look at this cute Christmas wrapping paper she created.   I just love her more and more!!!

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!!!

LimonCELLO!!!

Ever since I saw the episode of Danny DeVito acting CrAzY on The View I've always wanted to try Limoncello..... I mean if it has Danny DeVito passed out in his Limo then by all means I wouldn't mind trying it!  So I finally bought a bottle and it was great!   It reminded me of a Lemon Drop Martini, and I LOVE Lemon Drop Martinis!!! (Lemon Drop Martinis are one of Oprah's favorites too...just a little FYI)    

After I brought it home I showed E and his friends (b/c they were over watching a Giants Football game and after every touchdown it would be Limoncello shots for everybody!!!   So it stuck (at least for this season)

So I Googled "Limoncello recipes" and the first one that popped up was Giada DeLaurentis' recipe.   She has to know what she's talking about b/c she's on the Food Network after all!!!   The recipe looked easy enough it was basically Vodka, Lemons (Lots of Lemons) water, sugar and TIME.    And to my surprise I was able to easily obtain all 4....Yay Me!!!  
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/limoncello-recipe/index.html

So here we go......

Stage #1 and we have to wait 4 days!

LIMONCELLO

Ingredients

• 10 lemons
• 1 (750-ml) bottle vodka
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 2 1/2 cups sugar

Directions

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.

Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

I plan on bottling it up and giving it as gifts along with Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and Peanut Butter and M&m Cookies!!!    

It's December!!!

Oh my goodness where do I begin?  

Okay so last week I got an email from G's Agent and she had a very big audition for NBC....so we trekked into NYC and she did great!   I think they were looking for an older kid (she's only 6) but fingers are still crossed!!!

While we were in the City we decided to try a new Restaurant so we went to Mars 2112!   It was so much fun!!!   Everything was red and there were red rock formations everywhere also martians walking around.   I felt like we were in  Men in Black scene!   

Oh YeaH!!!!   

After Thanksgiving we went to Lancaster, PA. for the Christmas Show.   It was a nice, sunny and warm weekend.   We did a little shopping, ate some delicious Amish food, and went to the Pendleton Store!!!!   That was the highlight of my weekend.   They had Pendleton Towels for only $30 and Mugs for $12!!!    LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!!!

Wishbones and all....

On Thanksgiving Day my Mom would let us sleep in b/c she was usually up baking pies, pies and more pies. She would always make her usual Pumpkin and Raisin Pies. (She was the only person I knew that would make Raisin pie...hmmm I haven't had that in 10 years!!!)

My Dad was usually out huntin' (b/c it's Deer Season) so that meant we were able to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!! I would sit and flip from channel to channel hoping I wouldn't miss anything....

About Noon my Dad would come home and we'd load up everything that Momma made and would head over to Grandma Peggee's house. As soon as we opened her door the smell of Thanksgiving would hit us. Oh that glorious smell of Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Sweet Tea!

We would help set the table....if we made it there in time either Brandon, Melinda or I would get to break the wishbone and hopefully our wish would come true! (I wonder if kids nowadays even know what a wishbone is?)

After Dinner someone would call to see what movies were playing in  B-Ville.   Then we'd load up the car and go see the one we all decided on!   Ahhh such wonderful memories! 

I want to wish my cousin Israel a very Happy Birthday!  Dang, You are getting old! 

Samuel, Israel, Raymond, Brandon, Chancellor, Isaiah, Daniel, Trey and Brad

 

They look so handsome!

Thanksgiving is closer and closer....

It's officially less than one week until Thanksgiving....My favorite HOLIDAY!

I love everything about Thanksgiving.   Being Thankful, Great food, Family and Friends.   It wasn't until I moved out here to NJ that I witnessed my first Lasagna placed at the table.   WTH!!   I've never seen such a thing, where was the real cranberries and Dressing????     I've learned to adapt....I make my favorites but we usually eat them during the weekend.   

Last year my best friend Margie and her husband came out and spent Thanksgiving with me!   I was VERY THANKFUL that they flew all the way out here....It was Awesome!   We went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC.   What a perfect way to experience it....It was my first time ever seeing it in person and I got to see it with my BESTIE!!! 

I remember watching it every year as a child and the smells of freshly baking pies, dressing and turkey filling the house.   

Surprisingly there wasn't any traffic going into NYC and there wasn't a wait on the Lincoln Tunnel.   We got in and out of the City.   The crowd wasn't so bad (it actually kept us warm) and we were home by 12:30 to put the turkey in the oven and enjoy a glass of Sangria! 

BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!!!

Hanging out with Santa before Thanksgiving???

I'm ahead of schedule this year....HOORAY!!!!   

As I was beading Gianna's new moccasins Late Tuesday night/Early Wednesday morning I had a tired/delirious idea!   I was going to make our Christmas Card say, "Moccasins were hung by the chimney with care...".   I've never seen a Christmas Card with that particular wording and thought it would be Perfect!!!      So after G got out of school, I loaded up her Osage clothes, whipped up a pretty red bow, and away we went to Picture People!  

So we get to the Mall and Picture People didn't have any Candy Canes small enough to fit in the moccasin (they only had props that were 2 feet long)....what was I thinking?   I knew I should've bought some in advance....I had a particular vision in mind.    So we whisked down in hunt of Christmas Candy....we found some in Gertrude Hawk Chocolate!   SUCCESS!!!    

G was extra fabulous and was being FIERCE....working that camera! 

 

(RuPaul Song playing in my head)   You better WORK! (cover girl)  Work it Girl (give a twirl)  Do Your Thing on the runway.... 

Merry Christmas 2011

I love this photo...It's my favorite!  

After Picture time G wanted to go down to see if Santa was in the Mall and we were in luck HE WAS!!

Santa wasn't even sitting in his seat, he was hanging out talking to the picture taker guy.   Buh!  It wasn't until he saw that G was coming that he ran back to his chair.  I wanted to laugh so badly but I couldn't!   So I'll laugh now...Ha hahahah!  oh Ho ho ho!!!  

She explained to him how she wants a Mad Scientist Kit and he can "google it" to make sure he knows what it is!    She's Crazy...another thing I wanted to laugh out loud about! 

Nice List!  Yay!!!

Where has the time went????

Wow!   I've been gone for a while.   Yup, my life has been busy and I still haven't won the lottery!  

We celebrated Veterans Day by going to Downtown Toms River for the Veterans Day Parade.    It was very nice.   Thank You to the Men and Women in Blue....We Love You!!!  

God Bless America!

G and I made these signs to show our support for our Veterans.

I had my first Bow Party on Friday Night and it was a BLAST!!!   Four of my friends came over and I showed them how to make Bows.   It was so fun....we had a few drinky drinks, picked out ribbon and made some of the cutest bows EVER!!!   I'm just a little sad that I didn't take any pictures.   What was I thinking???  

Here is a Thanksgiving Bow I made.

Thanksgiving is only a week away....Where did the time go?  If anyone knows where the time went be sure to let me know!   I am bringing desserts and wine....I was thinking maybe making cherry cobbler and pumpkin pies.   What do you think? 

Tis the Season to be shopping.....

Fun Fun Weekend!

Friday night was Vendor night at Downtown Dance Academy and I went as a shopper!   My poor hubby was probably so nervous....but I didn't do that much damage!   I ordered a super cute Cheetah Petticoat skirt for G and a Cupcake shirt.   I also bought two really cute flower blooms from Seaside Blooms!  Chatted with the Mary Kay lady about having a party at my house (I LOVE MAKE-UP!) and then went out for Drinky-Drinks with Angela.   I haven't been out in soooo long that I kinda felt awkward, but that soon wore off after my 2nd Malibu Bay Breeze.      I had a great time with Angela, we talked about ourselves more than our kids.....we needed that time BADLY!!!   LOL!    

Saturday was Cold and off to the Soccer Fields we go!    BRRRRRR!    G scored two goals!  Yay G!!!   Next it was time to go to Michael's Craft Store before the OU Game started!   B/c once kickoff starts I am not leaving the HOUSE!    As soon as we got home we had a hour before the game started so it was QUICK CLEAN THE HOUSE!!!   Kitchen check, T.V. room check, picked up front room check, dining room check!     G wanted to sweep the floors and help, awww she is sooo sweet.   Before I knew it she was playing Cinderella and wanting me to yell orders to her, this girl is so funny, but I complied.  She began dusting all the furniture, putting toys away, wanting to mop (I should've let her do that one),  and I was able to sit and watch the OU game.   After the 1st Quarter and the Cinderella game wore off, she wanted to sit and watch the game with me and do her turkey crafts we picked up at Michael's.     Saturday was a great day!  

Sunday was Fall Back and I used my extra hour by going to the Food Store early Sunday.   Got my newspaper and food for the week.   I determined that I love going Food shopping while everyone is sleeping.   Then when I pull up E and G both come out and help me unload groceries!   Good System So Far!!!

Busy Bee....

I have been so super busy....busy busy bee!

Monday night was Trick or Treating, Tuesday I walked, G had swim and Soccer Pictures, Wednesday I walked, G had Ballet and Tap and I worked on my bows, Thursday I walked, delivered bows to Shear Inspirations, and I set up a FB page for Cuppy Cakes Bows!   Whew!!!  I swear I burned a million calories over the past 4 days!!!  

I was going to Blog on the Things I'm Thankful For......So Far Nov. 1st-5th

#1 My Loving Husband.  He allows me creative freedom and is always supportive of my crafty ways! 

 #2 My Beautiful Daughter....she keeps me grounded and always smiling.  I love when she stops her day to make sure I know she loves me.  She's the BEST!

#3 My Best Friend Margie.   She and I have a bond that surpasses over 25 years.  She helps me look at a situation through new eyes.   She always has a moment for me and I LOVE HER FOR IT!  I always said that if I went the lottery I'm building us houses side by side!!!    Together Forever!!!

#4 Our Home.  Home Sweet Home.   It's not a house, but a HOME.   

#5 My Friend Michelle.  She is my best friend here in NJ.   I love the time we spend together, even if it's for 15 mins.   We have the kind of friendship that picks up right where we left off....she's Amazing. 

It's November....

My Favorite Month of the year!

When I think of November I think of some of my best Memories...Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving at my Grandma Peggee's house, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, My Brother Isaiah's Birthday, College Football is in full force and Native American Month!!!

I don't know which one to talk about first!!!    Okay I'll start with Native American Month! 

Thank You to my elders who continue to teach and preserve our ways.  And THANK YOU to those who have gone before us, for your strength and willing to survive at all cost.   May God continue to Bless your generations and beyond!   

I love this old picture!

My Great-Great Grandfather Kah-Wah-Ho-Tsa (RoanHorse)

An Old Osage Camp. 

My Baby Picture....

My Favorite Native American....G, she is soooo cute!

This was my Great-Great-Great Grandfather.  He lived to be 103 years old. 

He witnessed a lot of changes with the Osage People, he lived when the waters were pure and there was plenty of buffalo. 

Happy Native American Month!  

Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet!!!

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday was our Trick or Treat Day b/c of the HUGE Halloween Parade here in Toms River.   The Parade is 3 hours long!!!

In OUR Halloween Tradition, the meal last night was given SPOOKY NAMES....Spaghetti was called worms and blood, the Meatballs were Monkey Brains, and the Chicken Parm was Fried Rats!!!   LOL!  G loves telling everyone we ate Fried Rats and Monkey Brains!!!!

I made a lot, b/c we had company and of course for leftovers!  Here is the recipe for Monkey Brains.

MONKEY BRAINS

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

2 lbs. of Ground Beef

1 lb. of Ground Pork

Tastefully Simple's Tomato Garlic Pesto about 1 1/2 Tbsp.

Lots of Onion Powder

2 cups of Fresh Seasoned Bread Crumbs

1/4 cups of Milk

2 Eggs

Seasonings: Dried Whole Oregeno,  Salt, Pepper,

FOR BREADCRUMBS:

Get out your Handy Dandy Food Processor.....Grab 8 slices of white Bread, add Dried Whole Oregano 1 1/2 Tbsp., Processs,  add Salt, Process, Pepper, Process until bread crumb consistancy.

Mix into MEAT, Pesto, Onion Powder, MILK, and Eggs

Shape into Balls, I used 1 Tbsp. Scoop

Line on a cookie sheet with Parchment Paper.   (Parchment Paper is the best stuff of earth!!!)

Bake for 30 mins.

See one was missing b/c I couldn't resist tasting it!

Throw Meatballs into the Pot where you are heating up the Sauce....let simmer for about 20 mins. 

G Vants to Eat Monkey Brains and worms!

I was an Old Lady....G kept yelling, Hurry UP Grandma!!!

This was our Party spread for the Giants Football Game!!!  

Have a Safe Halloween Night!!!

Halloween Memories.....

G's first Halloween.   She was the perfect little Honey Bee!!!

Now my little Honey Bee wants to be a Ballerina Zombie!!!

Posing with her Pumpkin and favorite black cat....

I made these ghosts 2 years ago.   I traced our hands....awwww such memories.   That little fish is RockStar our Beta Fish.   We are on RockStar #2 but this last one has been alive over a year!!

G and her Best Friends!!!   Aren't they the Bee's Knees?!!!

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween Weekend!!!

It's Friday!!!!   Yes, the best day of the week!!!    

And it begins.....

I am soooo sorry that I haven't blogged anything yet.    I'm busy making bows!!!!

Here are a few that I have made so far.   You should see all the ribbon that I have, now I can't wait to go into the Fashion District to go ribbon shopping!!!!

The Purple is a Soccer Bow for G...her team is named the Sparkles

The Orange and Black one is for A., G's friend.

A Bow for G to wear to Ballet.

Ahhhh.....my first bow I made.    it's so cute, I think I'll keep it forever!