New Things To Ban Myself From

Currently? Target. Chocolate. Chips & Salsa.

New addition? My oven. It's an evil, evil little appliance that serves no purpose other than to produce sweets and general yumminess that cannot, repeat cannot be consumed by SP who is so freaking close to her goal weight.... But, at the same time, SP cannot resist said yummy treats and generally eats them at all hours of the day, regardless of how hungry or um, full she is.

So, no matter how much your oven teases and taunts you, do not make this cake. Especially, do not serve it with vanilla ice cream. Trust me on this.

(not that I know anything about that... ah, who am I kidding? You take Target away from me, I've got to find refuge somewhere).

But, seriously, don't make the cake. (but, if you do, it's totally worth the 500 bagillion WW points)

Bonus: I didn't even have any for breakfast. The same cannot be said of myself yesterday.

Me: 1 Target: 0

So far.

Remember how the UPS guy was going to bring me a new black dress? Well, yesterday, he did.

And the dress?

Too freaking short. And, I'm short.

So, I have no idea what is going on with this dress other than an evil conspiracy.

I could wear it with leggings.

Which means I have to be one of those leggings people (which, hurts my soul a little bit--no offense to you leggings wearers, I just have never done this).

And, of course, buy new leggings (because I own exactly 0 pair of leggings). Which I won't do.

So, the dress is just sitting in my closet (can't return it--long story). Staring at me. Wanting to be worn to our BBQ this weekend.

Hmph.

Hopefully, I'll have gotten myself in gear by the time husband graduates (5 weeks people! 5 weeks! Pray for jobs, seriously) and then I can wear it to his graduation. Because that would be cute, right?

So, ha. I am stronger than Target.

They even sent me a coupon yesterday. I threw it away.

I'm awesome.

What to do today

If you're these guys, absolutely nothing.

Ella Mae is the perfect sized little pillow for her big brother. And they have no intention of moving.

It's a good day to stay in bed and snuggle, don't you think?

Too bad someone has to earn the money that keeps the fancy dog food in their bowls.

Also, I'm wearing flats to work today. It's like some sort of weird parallel universe.

I have a problem

You see, like most 20 somethings, we live on a budget. An even tighter budget thanks to the economy and my husband not working this semester because the company he worked for over the summer opted not to hire new staff until after the first quarter. Lovely (please Lord let him find a job before graduation).

So, all the lovely home improvement projects, the ability to actually shop at Anthropologie for more than a candle, actually putting money in savings--yeah, kaput. So, in my desires to re-vamp my wardrobe and really look and feel fantastic (inside and out people, Princesses have self esteem issues too) in 2009, I have relied heavily on my best friend, Target.

Now, if you've been with me for a while, you know my love of Target (is this all she talks about?). But, after last nights "I'm just stopping to get some lotion" (which really, I was-- I didn't even get a cart or basket!) faux pas, I am putting myself on a clothes shopping self inflicted spending freeze until we a) put more money in savings, b) take care of things around that house and c) I buy the husband his graduation present.

This is a really big step for me because I firmly believe that my shopping at Target is way better than me say, stopping at J. Crew or BR on my way home from work, but, I realize I need to chill the heck out. After all, how many black dresses could I possibly need? (The answer? One million. And I'm only 2 shy of that number).

But, my parting gift to myself, was this lovely dress (which naturally looks ten thousand times better in person)

Freaking Target.

So, let's all help keep SP accountable and no more clothes shopping. Even if it was from Target.

Hey, anyone have tips on the whole "shopping in your closet" thing? Because, I clearly suck at that.

But weren't my last Target finds awesome?

Still Frantic

But, I managed to get in a run yesterday (thank you weather Gods). Now it is rainy, rainy, cloudy and the perfect staying in bed weather. Which is exactly what the Butch and the Mae were doing when I left for work today.

Sometimes, I just want to be a pampered pooch.

Currently, I am drinking Crystal Light with fiber trying to stave off hunger because I am flipping starving and since yesterday I may have resorted to eating Reese's Pieces that I threw away out of my own personal under the desk trash can (uhmm, humiliation setting in... now), I have decided that I will not eat junk today damnit!

It's a good thing those cookies are gone.

Now I just have to worry about the gummi bears that have recently taken up residence in my pantry. I don't know where they come from.

I think the dogs bring them in.

Traitors.

Frantic

We're busy in the royal kingdom, so, no Musings today.

The Data Sheet From Hell has returned (sweet!) and am prepping for a meeting re: said data sheet. Lovely.

And, in last ditch I'm Awesome, Please Give Me A Raise efforts, we are taking on more projects--thank goodness for the Ipod.

We're also panicking about church meeting this Saturday, followed by church dance responsibilities, 12-13 year old slumber party at my house next month, meetings, meetings, meetings, and general not sleepingness.

Also, we baked brownies (shame!) and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (my personal best--no, bad! shame!)

Lovely.

If the weather cooperates, am planning a nice long run around mi casa after work. (weather Gods, are you reading this?)

What are you doing?

Will you please come eat the cookies?

Taste of Spring

In honor of the first day of spring, I thought I would share my favorite recipe for a bright, springtime treat (which I will be making this weekend).

Creamy Lemon Faux Cheesecake

You'll need:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. softened cream cheese
1 can Eagle Brand milk (condensed)
1/3 c. lemon juice
1/2 c. sour cream
zest of one lemon (it gives it some color and a little punch of lemon)
1 lg. graham cracker crust (um, I stopped making graham cracker crusts from scratch years ago--don't judge, I am all about speed in the kitchen)

How to:
In medium size bowl beat cream cheese until fluffy.
Add Eagle Brand milk
Stir in lemon juice, sour cream and lemon zest; blend ingredients well.

Chill 20 minutes then pour into crust.

Chill 2 hours and garnish with lemon slices.

Ta da! A yummy, creamy cool lemony treat--perfect for gorgeous spring and summer days.

Now, if you'd like to read on, this is my No Fail Fourth of July Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie (my nieces call it Snickers Pie, Butterfinger Pie, whatever, it's fantastic and my sister makes it on the 4th every year.. that, and her to die for strawberry pie, for which I do not have the recipe...sad)

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie

You'll Need:
3/4 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, divided
1 large oreo cookie crust (or chocolate graham cracker crust)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/4 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
2 chopped up regular size Snickers bars, or Butterfinger bars (divided) (candy bar choice depends on preference, I've used both)

How To:
Spoon 1/2 cup of the fudge topping onto bottom of crust, add 1/2 of the chopped candy bar into the fudge. Place in freezer 10 min.
Mix peanut butter and milk with wire whisk in large bowl until well blended. Add dry pudding mixes; beat 2 min. or until well blended. (Mixture will be thick.)
Stir in one of the chopped up candy bars (this will leave 1/2 chopped candy bar remaining)
Gently stir in half of the whipped topping.
Gently spoon over chocolate layer.
Top with remaining whipped topping.
Sprinkle remaining candy bar on top.

Place in refrigerator 3 hours or until set.
Drizzle with remaining 1/4 cup fudge topping just before serving.

(and now my mouth is watering. Awesome).

Enjoy!

The Search is Over

Success!

I finally found the perfect gray dress. I have been looking for the perfect gray dress for years. Years, I say! I have the perfect brown dress, the perfect black dress (ahem, several, actually), the perfect red, purple, the list goes on--but, no princesses closet should be without a gray dress. It can be dressed up for evening, worn to work, or the perfect church dress. Why on earth is it so hard to find?

Last week, during a quick Target run (sure) mine eyes stumbled across this lovely gem (LegallyBlondeMel will appreciat the horrors of the Target website pictures).

It's first rate fantastic. The fit is perfect--um, it actually makes me look like I have a chest--who knew! I tried it on and may have done a little dance in the Target dressing room.

I bought it in purple too.

And was considering black. But, the nice UPS is bringing me a new black dress later this week, and I don't think I can convince the husband that I need another black dress (but this one is perfect!). His words to me while I was showing him my online shopping cart last week "Really? You don't need another black skirt. Or black dress." (he's right--shh, I didn't say that).

So, head off to Target and pick yourself up this lovely dress.

In purple, gray, or black.

You'll be glad you did.

PS. Wore the dress yesterday for a fabulous lunch with one fabulous blogger (had so much fun, can't wait to do it again!). I have officially dubbed it my 'lunching dress'--which means you know it'll work even if you eat too much--not that I have any experience with that or anything.

I have a thing for Australia(ns)

Last night I watched The Man From Snowy River (favorite movie from growing up years--probably explains why I married a rancher type--that, and the fact that I want a pony) and The Mentalist (uhhmm, Simon Baker is Australian).

My children will grow up watching this movie, mark my words... Oh, and don't even let me get started on Hugh Jackman.. le sigh...

Too bad I had planned on cleaning the master bedroom and bathroom.

Whoops.

I suppose that's what tonight is for, right? What's another day with a messy house?

My point exactly.

One Year Ago

We signed the papers on our very own home. After back and forths about the price, we finally settled on a compromise and I took an early lunch to meet the husband and our realtor to seal the deal.

It's been a great year in le humble abode, although, we'll be the first admit, it isn't nearly the way we want it to look.

We had popcorn ceilings (evil), wallpaper dating back 30+ years (not kidding) and massacre style splatter paint in the hallway (awesome). All those things were rectified within the first week after closing, but, my friends, the downstairs guest bathroom has been ignored.

Until last night.

I came home to my husband painting it (seriously, who is this guy?). He had told me he would prime it, but, I had no idea painting was involved.

So, this evening, I will return home to a guest bathroom that is no longer pea soup puke green (ick) with matching pea soup hardware--no, no, I will be returning to a watery blue bathroom, with antique ivory hardware.

And it only took us one year.

Sweet.

(this isn't exactly the best picture, but, you can sort of see the lovely pea soup color on the ceiling that hasn't been painted blue yet--mind you, this is after a coat of primer)

Question

Why must the Candymakers of America stock the store shelves with Easter candy a good month in advance?

I was able to avoid the Valentine's bombardment because that stuff was only around for a few weeks.

My willpower is weakening. I haven't purchased anything. I don't just buy candy just to buy it.... But, it's flirting with me every single time I step into the grocery store.

(obvious solution: no more grocery shopping. Hmmm...)

Especailly since you all know my love of the Reese's mini eggs--the perfect ratio of chocolate to PB. And Whoppers Robin's Eggs.

Lord help me.

If I'm going down, you're coming with me

I should not be allowed to be home alone and making goodies for baby showers. There is a slight chance that I finished off the GS cookies, had some gummi bears, and may or may not have licked melted chocolate off a spoon.

Several times.

(Good thing I ran yesterday)

So, since I've clearly fallen off the wagon this week, here is your chance to come with me.

Sticky Toffee Brownies

Start with your favorite brownie recipe (or um, buy the kind in the box from the store, no one's gonna judge)--I use my sister's recipe, but, I'm sworn to secrecy.

OK, got the brownie batter mixed? OK, good. Now, here's the fun part.

Ingredients:

1 cup (divided) chopped, broken, etc Heath bar bits, Almond Roca bits, etc (most grocery stores will have bags of Heath bars with the chocolate chips)

1/3 cup Reese's Peanut Butter Chips (do not use butterscotch, you must use peanut butter)

1/4 cup Mini Chocolate Chips

1 12 oz bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

1 recipe or container of chocolate frosting

1 jar of caramel sauce topping (any brand will do)

Directions:

-Once you've got your brownie batter mixed, add in the Heath bar/toffee bits

-Add in the Peanut Butter Chips and the Mini Chocolate Chips

-Mix well and evenly

-Bake according to recipe directions

-Once brownies are done, remove from oven and sprinkle bag of semi sweet chocolate chips over the top

-Let set for about 30 seconds to 1 minute

-Pour half the container of caramel sauce on top in a zig zag pattern

-Allow chocolate and caramel to set up for about 30-minutes to 1 hour

-Spray a large spoon or spatula with a non stick cookie spray and once the chocolate and caramel has set up a bit, use spoon or spatula to smooth out the chocolate and caramel into a layer of sticky goodness on the brownies

-At this point, you can let the chocolate set (usually several hours) and enjoy, or, let chocolate and caramel harden (it won't totally set) and then top with chocolate frosting

-Top with chocolate frosting mixed with remaining 1/2 cup of Heath bits

Viola! Sticky Toffee Brownies.

Go make some. Like, right now.