Monday, June 29, 2009

Cute Free Blog Templates

I honestly could change up my blog every week. I love playing and resdesigning! Check out this cool FREE website with some adorable blog templates. Love it!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Pistachio Dream Cake

This is a wonderful light refreshing summer cake. It is also a Weight Watchers recipe, so you can feel good about eating it in your bikini.The ingredients are simple and the cake does not include oil!
Here is the finished product complete with the whipped topping!

Pistachio Dream Cake
1 pkg. white cake mix
2 pkg. sugar free Pistachio pudding
8 oz. vanilla non-fat yogurt
3 egg WHITES
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup diet 7-Up (cherry 7-Up works too!)
1 1/2 cups cold skim milk
1 container fat free whipped topping (aka Cool Whip)
Mix together cake mix, 1 pudding, yogurt, egg whites, vanilla and beat on low for 1 minute. Slowly beat in 7-Up. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Mix together milk, 1 pudding and cool whip. Spread over cooled cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

I Heart Anthropologie

If I could only shop one place to decorate my home, I think Anthropologie would be it! They do the best job of making vintage look cool again. From crystal door knobs to intricate table linens, they have my number! I visited them today for a couple of gifts for me and for others. Here are some of my new and old finds.....
I bought this place mat and both plates today. I plan to hang the plates on a wall in my kitchen. I want to update my kitchen/dining decor with bright fun colorful dishes that I can change out with the seasons.
The silverware plate stand is a new find.
I love love these measuring cups. They were a gift from my girlfriend Brandy.

I bought my "J" a few years ago while shopping in San Antonio with my Goddess Girls. I also bought one for a wedding gift today.
They have an awesome collection of these little bowls in every color. I own 10 of these! I use them in my scrapbook room for accessories, on my desk at work for paperclips, in Abby's room for her medicine, and in the kitchen for spices and decor.
Finally, I bought these measuring spoons today for a birthday present. Hmmm, anyone reading this with a birthday coming up? Do you know who you are? I loved them- the littlest one is for a pinch. Only my grandmother's recipes call for a pinch. I couldn't resist!
The Austin located is at 6th and Lamar next to REI and Book People. Enjoy!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Easiest Scrapbook

Anyone ever used Picaboo?
Picaboo is a website with free downloadable software to make your own book. All you need is pictures- digital pictures. The software includes everything else- fun fonts, variety of paper backgrounds, accessories like fun photo corners, graphics, etc.
Your book can be as many or little pages as you like. After you put it together you pick the binding- linen or leather- and the color. It ships directly to you in about one week. The price depends upon the pages, but with shipping each of mine have been less than $40.
I made one to capture our wedding last year and did a second one for Father's Day this year. They are wonderful to place on the coffee table and look at regularly. I recommend them for grandparents for Christmas, as bridal party gifts, to capture a child's birth or birthday, graduation, college years, you get the picture!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Put An Apron on It!

I own a couple of cute aprons and love to give them as gifts. I find that when I am not feelin' it in the kitchen, a cute apron makes me much more domestic.... if only it can make the dessert I am baking low fat! I recommend keeping one in your pantry for such uninspired occasions. I bought a cheap coat hook at Target and hung mine for easy access.

I have had my apron for a few years and found it at Paper Source. I have also seen cute ones for less at Target, Cost Plus World Market, and Stein Mart.

Kyleigh is modeling my apron a few years ago. She wore it while making my favorite kid-friendly No Bake Chocolate Chip Pie. You'll thank me for this one!

PS- You can also convert your apron into a child's apron by folding the waist up before tying it. If hung on the child's neck the waist would likely fall at their knees. Grab the waist section and put it where their waist is naturally. It will create a "pocket" in the front where the fold of extra fabric is.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Flavored Water of the South

It is rare to find me without a sweet tea in arm's reach. My hairdresser calls it the flavored water of the South!

I have noticed tons of restaurants advertising that they now offer sweet tea and it thrills me. I honestly select my lunch locations based upon their sweet tea quality.

Here are a few I have noticed now offering sweet tea. Please add to my list so we all can drink more "water"!


- Schlotzsky's- they even have green tea!
- McDonalds- need to try it!
- Wendys- very good fresh tasting tea!
- Arbys- tastes more like Crystal Light tea, I would guess it is from a powder.
- Taco Bell- my friend Jenny says it is addictive!
- Cheddar's- tastes great!

Of course we can always get sweet tea at Chick-fil-a, Sonic, McAlister's Deli, Golden Chick and any legitimate BBQ restaurant.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Best Chicken Ever!

I can not endorse this chicken recipe with more enthusiasm! Marcus made it for the first time tonight on the recommendation of two of my girlfriends and it is easy, involves minimal dishes, quick, low fat and super tasty! What more could you want?
French's Crunchy Onion Chicken
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups/4 ounces French's Original or Cheddar Fried Onions (we used cheddar because cheddar is better!)
2 tbsp. flour
1 egg, beaten
Crush onions with flour inside plastic bag. We used a quart size baggie.
Dip chicken breast into egg and then coat in onion mixture.
It'll look like this.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 short minutes and enjoy!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Rustlin' Robs

My husband does not love shopping Fredericksburg's Main Street like I do. I can spend hours and all of my dollars buying home decor, jewelry, chrismas ornaments, and crosses. When we found a store he likes, I hit the jackpot.

If you are trying to find a reason to shop in Fred, go to Rustlin Rob's. It is a man store! The entire store is about food and they even let you sample everything in the store. You can dip your wheat things and pretzels until your heart is content. They have cold dips, hot salsas, sweet cobblers, fresh fudge, and canned goodness. Plus, they are a rare store on Main Street with a bathroom for customers. I guess that is in case you do actually sample until your heart is content!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Homemade Cherry Limeades

This is super easy and tastes just like Sonic's cherry limeades! A great summer treat!
1- 2 liter Sprite
1- frozen limeade
1- jar Maraschino cheeries
1- lime
Mix the Sprite, limeade and cherry JUICE together. Add a few cherries and lime wedges for garnish. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Scrap Blog

Check out www.scrapblog.com. It is filled with online images from some top name scrapbookers and companies that you can use to create digital scrapbooks and blog headers. What a cool find!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

2009 Family Reunion

I attended my Powell Family Reunion in Center Point, Texas on Saturday. My father is the youngest of 8 and they are all still alive and usually attend. With each of them having children and grandchildren and the siblings of my grandmother attending we draw a big crowd. And, like a good Southern family, we drink lots of iced tea. Sweet tea usually goes first!






Along with BBQ and sweet tea buying the BEST peanut brittle in the auction is an annual favorite. The auction is made up of donations from attendees and helps fund the meat and rental on the hall. This year's auction featured homemade pickles, jelly, brittle, leftover brisket and chicken from lunch and fresh vegetables from a family member's garden. You can't go wrong with the food.

PS- I did have my green jello mold! It was as good as always.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Stock Up Your Pantry

I love having dips on hand in case I find myself entertaining. I am a working gal, a wife, a Mother and a party hoster. I think having dip mixes, like this one, on hand are important.

With most dips, just add sour cream and mayo or cream cheese and butter and a dippable food and you can host a party! They are almost always yummy, feel more special than Ranch or salsa, and come in a huge variety of options.

I find them in the most random places- gift shops, kitchen stores, fairs, festivals, Junior League Christmas Affair. So, stock up on dips and invite me over!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Family Reunion Staple

Does every family reunion come complete with a Lime Jello Salad or is it just mine? We have it every year. Who brings it? It must be an older great Aunt because I don't know anybody under the age of 50 that would make this.
That being said, I eat it every year. If I am craving it and my family isn't meeting, Luby's does the trick.
So, next weekend is my family reunion. I'll be sure and check out the green blob and enjoy my annual serving of cottage cheese. Heaven knows I won't be eating it in any other way.