Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies

After a hard day at work & a delicious spicy jalapeno salad, Hubby & I wanted dessert. Well, we had a problem. I used most of my sugar making his birthday cake & just finished the bag by making banana bread. I had to search around for recipes that only used brown sugar since that's all that is left in my cupboard. What did I find? Brown Sugar Oatmeal cookies. (I knew Betty Crocker would have something!)

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup softened butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

2-3 cups oats

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat the brown sugar and butter together. Add the vanilla & eggs until well blended. Beat in the flour. Then using a large spoon, stir in the oats. On an ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough into large mounds about 2 inches apart. Now if you're making them monster-sized like I did, you'll only make about 8 cookies. I just wanted to make a quick dessert & not stand at the oven all night. Bake 12-14 minutes until golden brown.

These turned out so big, so delicious, so flavorful, I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to the white sugar way...

I hope you enjoy!

xo

The Kennedys

I know I'm not the only one that thinks the Kennedy's are ridiculously stylish. Even the ones who were in their prime decades and decades ago could be in magazines today. Actually, that is a true statement, not an opinion- Vanity Fair featured John Jr. & his style in the April 2011 issue. Basically what I've come to conclude is prep never goes out of style.

First is JFK (stop drooling, ladies). Are those Ray-Bans on his head? Anyway, a polo & khakis are always an acceptable, ageless ensemble.

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Then there's my favorite Kennedy, Miss Jackie O. She is 100% flawless! A lot of people think "O" (Onassis) is her maiden name, but it's actually her second husband's last name. After JFK was killed, Jackie met shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis & they married. Now that her name is straightened out, let's look at her beauty.

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What do we have here? Well that's JFK Jr. of course. You can't really get a good idea of his fashion sense without seeing his body...... am I wrong?

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Oh & that's Carolyn Bassette (John Jr.'s wifey). I had to use this picture because I'm in love with her coat. In case you missed it, those two, along with Carolyn's sister, died in a plane crash in 1999.

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Then we have the elegant Maria Shriver (yep, still a Kennedy). She is timeless...

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For those of you who slept during history class, the Kennedys are like American royalty. No, I don't agree with everything that goes on in their private lives (ahem, which should've been kept private if you ask me), but I think each one of them is completely fascinating. Mrs. Maria Shriver continues to impress paps with her fashion choices & the one & only Jackie O. will always be remembered for her impeccable style. We all know the men are cursed, but ahh... to be a Lady Kennedy....

When you need a new outfit for any occasion, just think about what a Kennedy would wear. You'll never go wrong!

xo

Glossybox is Coming!

I'm going to sound a bit whiney, but here goes... I want a GLOSSYBOX!
As far as I know, they haven't announced a US release date or what the cost is going to be, so I have yet to determine if I'm going to fork over the money or if I'll have to ask for a subscription as a present for my birthday.

Just in case you haven't heard about the craze, a glossybox gets sent to your house, either upon your request or yearly subscription & has 5 high-end beauty samples in it for 10 Euros per box. Like I said, I don't know if the US cost will be the dollar equivalent, but I'd say probably (according to current exchange rates that's just over $13 US dollars).

For those of you who think this idea is genius & can't wait, try this. It's called BirchBox & is already available to Americans. A plus side to Birchbox is that it is only $10. A downside is that some months it may only contain 4 items.

I was just recently informed of MyGlam. It's the same concept, but a video is included showing you makeup techniques for the products in your box.

Let me know if you receive any of these desirable packages & what you think!

Any recommendations on which one to go with?

Republica Dominicana

Last summer was definitely one to remember. Hubby & I spent some time in the Dominican Republic. While looking for a new place to go this year, I can't help but reminisce about the sweet smelling air, the amazing food, & ridiculously friendly people we experienced in Punta Cana. Here are some pictures to hold you over until I can get to a new destination.

p.s. some suggestions for where to go next are greatly appreciated!

 (it looks like I've had enough of whatever was in that cup haha)

We were so sad to leave, but it was a wonderful experience & we will go back eventually.

Don't forget to leave suggestions for the next trip J & I should take!

xo

Banana Bread

What do you do when your bananas become over-ripe? In my mind, there's only one thing to do- make banana bread.

Ingredients
2-4 bananas (depending on how banana-y you want them)
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1-1/4 cup flour

When your bananas look like the picture below, you're ready to make bread.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
No need to turn your mixer on for this recipe, just use a spoon. Mash the bananas, then mix the butter in. Add the sugar, egg & vanilla, mixing well. Mix in the salt & baking soda. Add the flour a little at a time.

Pour the mixture into a 4x8 inch loaf pan.

Bake for 1 hour or until it turns golden brown. Let it cool, then serve it up!

I prefer butter on mine, but you could serve it with fresh fruit or plain.
This blog is slowly but surely turning into a foodie blog. I'll work on spicing things up!
xo

{Homemade} German Chocolate Cake & Icing

I have a doozy for you, but I think you can handle it. This homemade German chocolate cake is the most tedious food I've ever made. It was so worth it though. The rich flavors could never be duplicated from a box. I got the original recipe from a cookbook passed down to me from my Grandma.

Cake Ingredients:
1 package (4 oz) German sweet chocolate
1/2 cup water
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups cake flour (I used Swan's Down)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk

In a saucepan over low heat, stir chocolate & water until chocolate is melted. Set aside to cool.

In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter & sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Add the chocolate mixture & vanilla. Mix well.

In a separate mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda & salt; add it to the chocolate mix a little bit at a time, alternating with adding buttermilk, making sure after each addition everything is mixed very well.
In another mixing bowl, beat egg whites until they become very fluffy. Add egg whites slowly to the mixture.

Grease & flour a 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove from pan.

Now for the icing.

Icing Ingredients:
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 bag (7 oz) flaked coconut
1-1/2 cup chopped pecans

Combine milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter & vanilla in a saucepan; cook & stir over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat, stire in coconut & pecans. Using a spoon, stir until icing is cool & has reached desired spreading consistency. If it doesn't thicken to spreadability, add more coconut & pecans. Then place it in the fridge for a few hours. This should help thicken it right up.
Frost away & serve it up!

Give it a try for your next holiday or birthday- this recipe is sure to impress!

xo

Easter Sunday

For Easter, J & I headed south to spend time with my family. I took a few shots before the food was dug into & the party really got started.

Of course, my Mom went over the top with the amount of food she prepared.
Her attempt at a Pinterest project: Chick deviled eggs (she said she took the eyes off because they looked evil).

Rice Krispie treats with sprinkles.

Gooey cheesey potatoes.

Fruit with caramel sauce.

You can't tell from this picture, but these croissants were enormous.

And tons of candy!

She also had coleslaw, makings for sandwiches, hummus & veggies.
My Mama (with a not so awesome hair day).

And my puppy nephew, Buster. Just look at that face!

And then my brother stole my camera...

My Easter was full of lots of love & family. I hope yours was too!

xo