Chat

No, the title of this entry is not "chat".... like "I had a chat with my friends."  It's chat! Cat!  My very first French word that I learned from my very first French friend, Annabelle!

You know what is even better than French words?  French Crepes!  I have had crepes before, but only at  like... Bob Evans (that is so embarrassing to admit...) and lets face it... I hardly think that they compare to the delicious masterpieces that Annabelle prepared for dessert in my very own kitchen using Nutella and flaming liquor.  I mean who doesn't like Nutella and flaming liquor?

Annabelle in action

If you look closely at the right side of the
pan you can see the flames...

I think I'm in love.

I have decided that I love crepes!  You know what I love even more??  That Annabelle promised to teach me how to make them... Mmmmm...  It was a perfect start to a perfect weekend, but more on that later!

10 Reasons Why My Sister, Micah, is Amazing.

I grew up in Podunk Indiana as an only child.  Yes my parents played with me and let me have friends over and loved me and game me everything I could have ever wanted, but I always wished for a sibling.  Someone to play dolls with and whisper to at night when I was supposed to be going to sleep.

So when I got married to my wonderful and handsome husband Caleb, the fact that I was gaining an amazing sister only sweetened the deal.  Although I doubt Micah would have played dolls with me as a child hehe :) she is everything that I could possible hope for in a sister, and even more... in a friend.

So in honor of my sister's most recent accomplishments and awesomeness... this post is about her... and I call it "10 Reasons Why My Sister, Micah, is Amazing!"

Number 1: She has her picture mass printed on brochures!

Number 2:  She is a hero!

Number 3: She has her picture printed on a life size banner for all to see!

Number 4: A whole band comes to play music for her!

Number 5: She has her own cheering section and some of them dress really funny!

Number 6: She gets her own half time show.

Number 7: She is talented and people hand her plaques.

Number 8: She gets special escorts onto the court.

Number 9: She can dribble a basketball.

Number 10: People throw beautiful flowers at her!

Okay so I don't want everyone to think that she is only amazing at basketball so here are some bonus reasons why she is really cool...

She is the best BINGO player that I know. The truth...

She even won some Sham Wows....

She loves animals.

And she is an all around beautiful person.

I love you Micah!!!  P.S. Please don't be mad about the cat picture... the devil made me do it!

Rose Petals and Valerian

Do you ever have one of those days?  You know... the one where you walk in the door after work only to find the cat has puked on the floor and you realize you forgot to get the meat out to thaw so it looks like its going to be frozen pizza or leftovers?  It's one of those days that even though you can't put your finger on what quite went wrong you know that there were one too many things that didn't quite go right...  And then you burn the frozen pizza that you didn't want to make in the first place, but you had to because the chicken was frozen and by the time you cleaned up the cat puke you didn't want to look at food anyway....  Yeah... it was one of those days... 

So what to do on such a joyous evening?  You start by having a hot cup of this and remind yourself that its not so bad and that most of the time you really do love your cat.  After a few sips  of this heavenly, warm, golden liquid you'll forget all about the cat puke and burnt pizza.

Perfect Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day and this one was definitely the best.  I think that this one day a year is an excellent reminder of the importance of expressing your love everyday and showing your significant others... whether they be friends, partners, or co-workers.... how much you care.  

Okay.  To some of you this first picture may not look like much. Especially taken on my piece of crap point and shoot... But if you live in the Mid West I think you will agree that this is the best picture in this whole post.  SUNSHINE!!!!  

Thats me and Caleb!

Plantain Sundae at our Sunday Valentine Dinner

I always cut off the top of Caleb's head... oops!

Caleb surprised me with flowers!  They were waiting for me at the front desk after my 9:00 appointment!  They smell wonderful and I love being able to brag to my co-workers that yes, my husband is amazing.... 

Doesn't my desk look great with fresh flowers!

I wanted to do something special so since Caleb had work and then go to class I prepared a candle lit dinner apartment style.  Apartment style meaning we have no table and chairs and had to eat on the couch!  I think the candles and wine really fancied things up... what do you think?

Good Music+Candles+Yummy Food+Wine=A Hot Date!

Once again... crappy point and shoot camera picture...

Mixed greens salad with strawberries and balsamic vinegarette,
Turkey tetrazini, and crusty bread. 

Yum!

Caleb hates dressing up so we had Valentine dinner in our PJ's!

I hope all of your Valentine's Days were as wonderful as mine!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today has been a good day.  I've stayed busy preparing Valentine's Day treats.  I made some Homemade Chocolate Ganache for Caleb to take to work.

This sauce is delicious and sooo easy to make!!

I also made Cake Balls to share with my co-workers.  I love these simple treats and they take no time at all to put together.  All you need is a cake mix, eggs, oil, water, cream cheese frosting, and candy melts!

1. Prepare a cake mix according to the box directions.

I cannot figure out how to flip the pictures right way up...

Don't worry... I didn't reuse this beater!

2. After the cake comes out of the oven, dump it in a big bowl and crumble the cake up finely.  

3. Now add a can of cream cheese frosting to the cake mix (one can per box mix).  Stir the cake and frosting together.

4. Now, form the mixture into balls and place in the refrigerator to set up.  This will take about an hour.  After the balls are firm, melt the candy melts in the microwave and roll each ball into the chocolate.

5. Drizzle with chocolate and thats it!  Done!!

Delicious!!  Have a Happy Valentine's Day!!!