4th of July

Here is the final look for my 4th of July table!

Click here to see the "before" look

What are your plans for the 4th?

Here's my menu for tomorrow:

Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

[inspired by this post on Homesick Texan's blog ]

PW's Perfect Potato Salad

[ click here for the recipe ]

Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs

[click here for the recipe]

PW's Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever

[click here for the recipe]

I plan on trying various flavors on the drumsticks, not just chipotle.

I have made PW's potato salad several times, and it's my "go-to" recipe

The same with the Tex Mex Deviled Eggs

I haven't made PW's chocolate sheet cake, but I'm sure it'll be "delish"!

Summer Reading - Texas Style

Marfa Shadows by John DeMers

I just got this book in the mail from Amazon!

Can't wait to start it...

Has anyone read it?

Its a fiction book about a chef in Marfa, TX

The Icing on the Cupcake

by Jennifer Ross

This was recommended from my book club

The main character lives in Dallas, TX

Her fiance breaks off the engagement

and

she ends up in New York

She likes to bake cupcakes, so the book includes recipes

I just finished reading it

It is totally chick lit,

so if it's your thing, I recommend it!

Go-Go Gadgets

My new iPhone is here!

o

m

g

got these to go with..

now I just need...

this bumper

to protect it

Twilight Trilogy - The "Pre" Party

Remember when I received Edward in the mail?

Misty and I planned a little party

before we started

the 6 hour movie marathon to see

Twilight, New Moon &

Eclipse

Check out our "black" carpet sprinkled with roses

Edward is waiting...

We prepared a "make your own mini pizza" bar

with a caesar salad

Nothing like eating roasted garlic

before a 6 hour movie marathan

with 8 of your closest friends

These glasses were dipped in blood

(mixture of karo syrup & red food coloring)

Twilight Bloody Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

with vanilla ice cream topped with blood

(just kidding - it's raspberry)

Of course these wines

were bought

(at Central Market)

for their names

Red was just ok

but

 First Love was very good

This is a dark red champagne

It was yummy

Misty put these 6 hour movie survival bags together

(can you see the 5 hour energy drink in there? it really worked)

The movies were great!

I've seen Twilight 4 times now. 

I've seen New Moon twice

Eclipse was awesome

Now off to plan the Breaking Dawn party...

...Part 1

Crazy for Coconuts

Loving this new scent from Bath and Body Works!!!

Hearts

Remember how I love hearts

Check out these heart bowls from William Sonoma

I was very lucky

These were on sale for $9.99

I can't wait to use them!

Meet Sookie

Meet my goldfish, Sookie

Ryan and I finally agreed on a name today

I kept calling her "Fishy" - and he thought that was too wimpy, he wanted a boy name and kept suggesting stupid names based on shows. Finally, I said, "Let's name it something we both like.  We joked about Sookie, and he said, "Ok, it can be a girl, if we can call her "Sookie".  I love it.

I've had her for 3 weeks now

I thought getting a goldfish would be easy

So, I didn't really do any research

Just stopped at a neighborhood pet shop

My main concern was how many to get

I mean, do goldfish need friends?

When I mentioned to someone that I was getting one,

The first thing out of their mouth was, "You have to feed them everyday"

I'm like, "Duh, I raised a child, he is 24 - I think I can do that"

What I didn't think about was that they can't live in regular tap water

They also require their bowls to be cleaned daily if not every other day

The big thing is that while I have Sookie in a bowl, goldfish really require 20 gallons of water

or a tank with a filter

So, when I got this bright idea from a popular magazine suggesting that goldfish are great summer table decorations

I did not know that goldfish really require more than just a bowl and some water to survive

So, this is a public annoucement

Do not just purchase a goldfish randomly

Research it first

I wish I had.. if so, I wouldn't have gotten one

but...

 I will say this...

I was worried when I got her home that maybe I took her from her family and friends

Seriously, I had these thoughts...

is she a girl or is it a boy?

she's very fluffy and pretty, so I decided she's a girl

..was she married..

did she have kids..

was she a sister..

did I take her from her best friend..

OR...

....

did I save her from a horrible life..

..and

maybe

just maybe

she is happier in her bowl

now that she has her own room

she seems to be okay...

sometimes it's like she is frolicking in the water

or maybe she is just a spaz like me!

Things that make me smile.....

...flowers

 (especially baby roses)

&

...a good deal

These were a "manager's special" for $3.49 each

@ Kroger

LOVE it

Praw-leens

aka pray-leens (pralines)

I found this book from Half Price Books

Junior League of Baton Rouge, Louisiana

River Road Recipes IV

Warm Welcomes

Entertaining Menus from Our Homes to Yours

Copyright 2004

I was inspired to buy this book after reading

this post on Home Sick Texan's blog

I found this recipe, and just had to try it

Pralines without a candy thermometer... wow

I just happened to have all the ingredients in my pantry

So, here we go 

Microwave Pralines

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) pkg light brown sugar 

1 cup heavy cream

1/4  cup (1/2 stick) butter

2 cups pecan pieces

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

Combine the brown sugar and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl and mix well

Microwave on high for 7 minutes, stir

Add the butter and microwave on high for 7 minutes longer and stir vigorously

Stir in pecans and vanilla

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.

(Do this quickly)

Let stand until set

So quick and easy!

There are some really awesome recipes in this book...

stay tuned for more