Open Mouth...Insert Foot ! & White Chocolate Funfetti Chip Cake

What a week it's been. Not only was it cold again but I suddenly out of nowhere developed a nasty sinus infection and a cough you would expect out of a 90 year old Grandpaw! I was so glad I was off on Wednesday and thought I could rest all day and kick it, but no...this crud had other plans for me. So I was out of work on Thursday and felt worse than I did Wednesday!! Thank goodness for antibiotics and Nyquil because by Friday I was feeling 50% better...good enough to go into work. It was a very long day, but I made it through! Today is even better...not coughing as much .... not to mention the weather is absolutely gorgeous is south Louisiana! Darn bi-polar weather!!!

Have you ever made a comment to someone and the minute it came out of your mouth (or typed words) you just knew it could be taken the wrong way? Yep, happened to me too! That's the problem with email, social media etc...you cannot get your tone of voice, your emotions across simply by typing them, hence they can get misconstrued! And I know I can try to explain and say I am sorry only so many times...the words once spoken {or typed} are out there. My heart was so heavy all afternoon yesterday that I could barely concentrate on my work, thank goodness we weren't too busy. I apologized...and explained...but have not heard back from her yet. So I am not sure if she is really upset with me, angry, hurt or just has not had time to respond. She is the last person I would ever hurt intentionally. She has been there for me countless times...she is my BFF, my shoulder to lean on, my sista....my Chiquitita. And I love her very much. I know we will be just fine...but Lord I hate it when we aren't. 

Are you watching the Olympics? USA took the first Gold Medal! How awesome is that?

GO TEAM USA !

 

Here is a simple "fun-fetti cake to bake...maybe for your family for Valentine's Day?

 Hmmmm now that's an idea!!

Enjoy!!!

WHITE CHOCOLATE FUNFETTI CHIP CAKE

 

Ingredients

1 white cake mix

1 box instant white chocolate pudding mix (4 serving box)

1 cup plain greek yogurt

4 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1 cup milk

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles + more for topping

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 teaspoon shortening divided

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, yogurt, eggs, oil, and milk. Beat on low for 1 minute, then beat on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in the sprinkles and mini chocolate chips by hand. Pour batter into a greased 10 inch bundt cake pan. Bake at 350* for 55 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before turning out onto a plate to cool completely.
2. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl with 1/2 teaspoon shortening. Heat for 30 seconds. Stir until melted and creamy. Place in a plastic baggie with one tip cut off and drizzle over the top of the cake. Repeat with the white chocolate chips. Top with the extra sprinkles. Let set before serving. Keep covered on the counter for 4-5 days. Makes 1 cake/14 slices.

This cake recipe is compliments of....

White Chocolate Funfetti Chip Cake 

Seriously Leon? And French Toast Monkey Bread!

We have just experienced a winter storm named Leon! Leon is a name of Greek origin meaning "LION". Well he came in like a lion, lingered like a kitty, caused havoc in some cajuns who really don't know how to deal with these winter-like conditions. But we survived Leon...we were prepared...we hunkered down with supplies that we normally stock up on for hurricanes. And we waited...for snow...or sneaux! But Leon said noooooo... but here's a little sleet and icy roads for ya! Thank you Leon, how kind of you! Our experiences with hurricane preparations served us well! We got this! South Louisiana...it's home and we love it!

The extent of our ice...

Mighty impressive huh? 

Are you ready for spring? Yeah I thought so.

Here is a yummy French Toast Recipe for you to try...de-lish!!

FRENCH TOAST MONKEY BREAD

 2 rolls of Pillsbury Crusty French Loaf
4 Eggs
1 cup of Milk
1 tbsp.  Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Cinnamon/Sugar (whatever ratio you like)
1 cup Maple Syrup
A Bundt Pan (any baking dish will work)

Directions

Bake up the French Bread according to the package directions..set aside!
Cube the bread into approx.  1.5?  pieces and add them into a large bowl…

In a medium bowl mix the Milk, Eggs, Vanilla and Cinnamon Sugar until it’s smooth and custard-like. 

 Pour it over the bread cubes…
Let that soak for about 10 minutes, stirring to make sure it’s evenly coated.
Pour the Maple Syrup into the bottom of the Bundt Pan (or your baking dish)…

 Then top the Syrup with the Custard soaked French Bread and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until it’s firm and bubbly!  Let it cool slightly…

Invert your serving platter onto the top and flip it out!  Serve and enjoy!

This recipe compliments of...

FRENCH TOAST MONKEY BREAD

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

BrRrRrRrRrRr are you ready for some really cold temps? Mind you, today it was 70! The rain is arriving as I type, then this is what we are expecting the next couple of days......

Told ya!! I absolutely love the cold weather...my knees, not so much...plus I have a nasty cough/sinus infection....so that doesn't make for a happy combination! But it is what it is. Even my ears hurt and I have not had an earache since....well I don't even know when! Doctoring myself with Nyquil and breathing treatments...praying I feel better tomorrow. I have been in and out of bed all weekend. So stay warm folks...and stay indoors if you have that option!!!!

What an awesome way to start off our new year with a BIG win last night from our New Orlean's Saints! And they said we couldn't win on the road...in the elements...HA! Now onto Seattle. I hope the momentum keeps up and we go all the way to the Super Bowl! You will never find more true blue fans than our Saint's Fans! I know its a team effort but it sure helps when you have leaders like these two...

 

GEAUX SAINTS!

BLESS YOU BOYS!

So have you made some new years resolutions? I only made one and that is to try not to worry

so much anymore...I told my kids my new motto is "It's not my worry". They don't think I can

stick to it....because they know how much I worry. But I am determined to do it!

Resolutions never really made much sense to me...because we normally make some that

are unrealistic, so we set ourselves up for a let down and failure. So if you do make

a resolution...make it attainable or resonable.

You can do it!!!

This is going to be a HUGE year for me...

I will be turning 60 <gasp> in 4 months from now.

How the hell did that happen???? I remember turning 40 like it

was yesterday. So much has changed in my life since I was 40!

Some good...some not so good...some very sad.

But it has all made me who I am today, and quite honestly,

I cannot change a thing, so

60 here I come!

Since we still have lots of football left to watch...

here is a tasty dip to make for your tailgate parties!

Jalepeno Popper Spread

 

Ingredients

2	packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1	cup mayonnaise
½	cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
¼	cup canned chopped green chilies
¼	cup canned diced jalapeno peppers
1	cup shredded Parmesan cheese
½	cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
	Sweet red and yellow pepper pieces and corn chips

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the first five ingredients until blended; spread into an ungreased 9-in. pie plate.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; top with bread crumbs.
Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.
Serve with peppers and chips.
Yield: 16 servings.

The Grinch and EggNog Cake

Rather smart man...the Grinch! I think he was absolutely correct in that thinking! It's something we should all remember during the holidays. We all get so caught up in the hustle and bustle, shopping, wrapping gifts, cooking, more shopping, parties and even more shopping...whewwww by the time THE day arrives, we are worn out....and probably a lot less $$ in our pocketbooks! But the spirit of the season is giving .... so we give! And then we delight in the joy in the faces of those we give to...so it comes full circle, bringing us joy as well.

I remember Christmas' of past when we were children...we gathered at my MawMaw's house, the excitement building all day. We would all groan because they made us sit down and eat before opening gifts...we were too excited to eat, but did as we were told. The gifts under the tree were overwhelming, and not a one of them had a name on them! MawMaw knew exactly which present belonged to who. We all got the normal socks, slippers, pj's etc, and of course a book of lifesavers! One year we each got a yard stick that had bubble gum all along one side...we thought we had struck gold!!! You see, we didn't have expensive extravagant gifts, but we were so blessed and felt so rich...

and we were rich, in love, in family, in togetherness and in faith!

That's what its all about!

 Things were so much simpler then.

Thank God for memories!

I hope the coming week brings you peace and you remember to slow down,

and remember the true meaning of

Christmas.

EGGNOG CAKE

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup canola oil

1 cup eggnog

3 eggs

1 Tablespoon rum extract

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

 

1 teaspoon salt

 

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 1/2 cups flour

For the glaze

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

3 Tablespoons eggnog

dash of nutmeg

mini chocolate chips for garnish, if desired

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugars, oil, eggnog, eggs, and extract until well combined. Sift together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cloves, and flour. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Do not over beat.
2. Spray a 10 inch bundt pan with non stick baking spray. Gently spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes.
3. Cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. If needed, level the bottom of the cake with a sharp knife before placing on a serving tray.
4. Stir together the glaze ingredients. Spoon over the top slowly. Let set for a few minutes. Top with mini chocolate chips if desired. Cut into 14 slices.

EGGNOG CAKE

YES...we also had one of these....

Heart on my Sleeve and Warm Apple Cake

Hurtful words....oh how they sting. And once spoken, you can say I am sorry, but you really cannot take them back. I know I have done my share of saying hurtful words, and I am ashamed that I did. Altho I do tend to wear my heart on my sleeve, so I allow my heart to be wide open most of the time. Given the choice, I think I would rather wear my heart on my sleeve than be cold hearted and stand-offish. I seem to be wearing my heart on my sleeve today, not sure why...but I need to shake it. Its a beautiful day outside, fall is in the air, my favorite time of the year. What is your favorite time of the year?

I think I know what has me feeling this way....my baby girl is leaving on Monday for 8 days in Jamaica!Yes...the child who is deathly afraid of elevators, is flying to Jamaica! I am so excited for her, yet so worried. I know I just need to put it in God's hands....He will take care of her!!! She has never been away from home for that long...Lord help me LOL. You would swear she is a baby...well she is MY baby, even though she is 22!!

Isn't she pretty? Yeah, I think so too! Have fun in Jamaica Addie.....have the time of your life! This is the resort she is going to....
JAMAICA ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT

I think my girls at work love me...look what they picked up for me the other day....yep they do listen when I talk! Thanks Kristy and Angelique!!!

I love these and search for them every Halloween!

YUMMY!!!

Speaking of Caramel Apples...here is a tasty recipe for you to try. 

MOIST CARAMEL APPLE CAKE

 

1 pkg.  cake mix
1 pkg.  JELL-O Vanilla or French Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup water
4 egg
1/3 cup oil
3 Granny Smith apple (chopped)
20 KRAFT Caramels
3 Tbsp.  milk

Directions

1.Grease and flour 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan.  Beat first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer on low speed until blended.  Beat on high speed 2 min.  Stir in apples.  Pour into prepared pan.

2.Bake 50 min.  to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool cake in pan 15 min.  Loosen cake from side of pan; invert onto wire rack.  Gently remove pan.  Cool cake completely.  Transfer to plate.

3.Microwave caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min., stirring every 30 sec.  until blended.  Cool 10 min.  or until slightly thickened.  Drizzle over cake.

THE LITTLE THINGS

I know we have all heard the saying "it's the little things in life that are important"...and altho we believe that, it isn't until you actually experience one of those "little things" that you truly appreciate that saying! Let me explain...over the past couple of years, our family ( my siblings ) have had our share of ups and downs...more downs that I care to admit. Far too often we let pride get in the way, we kept things inside instead of speaking up and addressing the real issues, we felt like "its her/him and not me", we held grudges, we hurt one another thus hurting ourselves and sad to admit, we gossiped about one another to the others. I know that no family is perfect and siblings all have thier share of disagreements. This past weekend, my older (haha) sister Becky and my brother Randy planned a weekend get away for us, our spouses and our Mom. We visited our tiny coastal town of Grand Isle, La. 

We stayed at a very nice and spacious "camp" that lacked nothing...on the beach...it was beautiful! 

I will be the first to admit that when this was originally planned, I thought, "oh Lord, all of us together in one camp for 3 whole days?" But let me tell you...it was perfect. It was just what we all needed. We reconnected, reminisced, laughed and ate like H.O.G.S ! Not one ugly word was spoken, everyone had a smile on their face all weekend...it was the best! I love my siblings so much and was so glad to be able to have that time with them. We are so blessed and sometimes we forget that. The past is just that...the past. We are all getting older and we need to get every single bit out of our lives that we can...while we can. And I feel we did just that this weekend.

 We watched the sunrise and the sunset...

we just sat outside and enjoyed the gulf breeze..

.we had a sing along compliments of my brother in law Vincent...

we took a few family photos...

 Mom with the 5 of us

 

The brother-in-laws with Lisa, our sista!

 

 The brother-in-laws! Crazy bunch!!

 The five of us with our "Daddy Blankets"

My sister, Roxane made these for us using Daddy's shirts.

One of our most prized possessions!

(The 5 of us with our spouses)

and we all felt my Dad's presence there with us!

 This is a picture of my Daddy in Grand Isle many years ago.

That is his original hat and camera that he was wearing in the picture.

 And here is Randy wearing Daddy's hat and camera...he looks so much like our Daddy!!

It doesn't get much better than that! I am so proud to call them my siblings and I love their spouses very much! My heart is content....everyone should feel that...all the time. Don't let a day go by without letting the special people in your life know how much they mean to you. Will we still have our ups and downs? I am sure we will, but I think we all have a new appreciation for "family"and I don't think we will allow unimportant things to come between us again.

Mom and Dad.....ya done good!

My Dad

Well Daddy, we made it through another year without your physical presence, but Lord your presence is felt daily for all of us! We all miss you terribly, yet we all know that you are finally "home" with no health issues...no worries... no pain....and the awesome love of our Lord Jesus Christ...how awesome is that?
Our memories serve us well and will sustain us, until we meet again. I love you Daddy!