key lime deliciousness

So I was asked to try out a product  recently...That's not usually my thing, but this really worked out.  

The kind folks from Plentiful Pantry sent me a big ol' box of goodies.  There was everything from soups to pasta and sauce to desserts.    What's the hook?  These items are easy to make mixes that need only a few extra ingredients.  NICE!

It being Fall Break, I had made plans to have the girls' fourth grade teacher and her newish baby over for lunch.  I had already planned on sandwiches with lots of fixings, and Tonya was bringing salad.  I just needed something sweet.  Dylan picked out the Key Lime Cheesecake Bars several days before strictly based on the box.  This particular mix needed 16 oz of softened cream cheese, 5 tbsp on butter and a cup of hot water. EASY! 

The step by step directions were a cinch to follow.  The only prep was to make sure I'd left out the cream cheese and melted the butter in the microwave. 

Mixing was simple and quick.  In no time, I'd gotten everything together and was ready to throw my treat into the fridge to chill for the prescribed hour.

The finished product did not disappoint. The dessert gelled perfectly, looked great and tasted even better.  Everybody loved it.  The chocolate cookie crust worked well with the tart creaminess of the key lime cheesecake filling. 

The biggest problem with this dessert has been that since I made it, the girls have eaten little else.  Seriously.  It's day 2 and the thing's just about gone.  I caught Dylan eating a huge piece for breakfast this morning. 

I know I'll be ordering this item again, and luckily I have a coupon code.  Enter BEEBEE25 at checkout and you'll get 25% off anything you order from Plentiful Pantry.

hayden in action

This was taken by Taylor (can't you tell?) on August 8th 2009.

why i heart kettle korn

• Prevents me from working on more important tasks I should be completing, e.g. laundry, packing for everyone in the house but me, cleaning, reading, working.
• Random, hard as a rock, break your tooth un-popped kernels allow me to practice my filtering while eating skills.
• Eating half a bag while hiding in my bedroom after a long day of sitting in silence brings a stone in my stomach comfort that wasn't there before.
• Love trying to dig corn husks out the space between my gums and teeth with any razor sharp object handy. Woo hoo!
• Salty-sweet flavor satisfies like nothing else can.

9 days

I am mesmerized.

welcome

Hayden Elizabeth arrived on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 3:33 in the afternoon.

She weighed 6 lbs and 12.9 oz and is 19.25 inches long.

She entered the world wide-eyed and contemplative.

I can already tell she is wise beyond her years.

why i love brad pitt

Just finished watching Ocean's Thirteen. Seeing this reminds me of how delicious I find Brad Pitt. Me and a billion other men and women, I know. But COME ON! He's amazing. How can a person be that yummy? And why couldn't he have lived next door to me during my teen years? Now would be fine too. I promise I would only admire him from a distance. Angelina would never suspect a thing. I'd just look at him. I swear.

tooting my own horn...

And Emeril's too.

Having just returned from New Orleans, I had a hankering for some etouffee. After a little searching, I landed on Food Network's page and good ol'Emeril. I found Crawfish Etouffee, and while I did substitute shrimp for crawfish (those little baby lobster-looking guys are not too easy to find in the desert), it was pretty freakin good.

Brandie Crocker, indeed!

where i've been

Mississippi River ... This was my first glance. Can you tell there was 90% humidity?

This is on the River Front Trolly after a few drinks. I'm not usually this friendly.

Drinking in the afternoon at a place called Mulate's. Good food; great Bloody Mary's!

Caroline cruisin the streets of N.O.

Excited at the prospect of 4 days of adult company and meals without kids.

In a room waiting for a session to begin, Caroline & Marti begin comparing crusty heels.

Highlights of the Journey:

• Getting about 50 minutes of sleep Thursday night then getting up at 2:30 am to make our 5 am flight
• Enjoying an adult beverage at just about every meal (yes, even brunch once)
• Witnessing Marti & Caroline just a little bit tipsy after an evening of fun
• Walking about 500 miles on extremely poorly maintained N.O. sidewalks & streets
• Eating zydeco meat pies & crawfish etouffee (DEEE-licious!)
• Watching the hotel housekeeper just remake the beds after telling her we were checking out
• Paying for an airport shuttle in advance, waiting over an hour for said shuttle to show up, being told be airport shuttle dispatcher that our shuttle wasn't going to show and that she'd "advise us to call a cab"
  

i hate cauliflower

But this was good! DD even ate it! Now that's something.



Middle Eastern Roasted Cauliflower

6 c cauliflower florets (about 1 medium head)
1 tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp curry powder
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 c canned petite diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 c raisins (I omitted this)
1 tsp chopped fresh parsley

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl; toss well.
3. Place cauliflower on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 500 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring once after 5 minutes.
4. Combine tomatoes, raisins, and parlsey in a large bowl. Stir in cauliflower.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature.


It took about 25 minutes to make, and like I said, it was surprisingly delicious!