Favorite Friday

DIET COKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe I haven't featured this favorite thing of mine yet! And take note of how I put a picture of a fountain Diet Coke...because if I had my choice it would fountain all the time. I've been know to get in my car and drove up to 7-11 just to get a fountain Diet Coke when I have cans of it in my fridge. For reals...sometimes I just HAVE to have that extra carbonation. A lot of times I stop and get a fountain DC on my way to Panera too....because they have Pepsi. I can do Pepsi....but there are days it's just worth that little extra effort to bring my own.

And how 'bout how my family thinks my Diet Coke is a community drink and they all drink out of it....then when I come back for a sip it's practically gone?!! I usually have just one a day...I crack it about 11am....and then nurse it through lunch....usually that will do it for me...but since I'm a night owl, and also get up pretty early there are days when I have another one in the late afternoon as a little pick me up. Oh, and by the way....the Treatgirl calls it "pop".....do you???

Cubby's Personalized Cupcake

I was making cupcakes for a dear friends 40th birthday the other day and of course the kiddos wanted to sneak one. I had my bin of sprinkles out and Cubby wanted to decorate his own.



He piled each and every sprinkle I had on top of his!



"uuuuuuuuuummmmmmm good."

Fun at All Times

We went to Cedar Point last week and Cubby announced on the way there that he was going to have FUN AT ALL TIMES!!!! We were meeting my cousin the Gerberagirl, her hubs The Trooper and their little cutie patootie Tish.....it was a blast!



Here was our view out of the hotel window every morning....




Chip and The Trooper spent a ton of money trying to win animals stuffed with sawdust from China for Cubby and Tish....it was like they were in Las Vegas...they just couldn't stop!!



We spent both afternoons in Soak City...everywhere we have gone away to this summer has been 90+ degrees, and Cedar Point was no exception....it felt so good to cool off....check out this shot I got of Cubby shooting out of the water slide...it was just random, I didn't even know it was him coming out...it was so sunny I couldn't see the display on the back of my camera...I just snapped it!



I was in charge of the fun in Snoopyville with Cubby and Tish because I DO NOT go on the rides....I'm perfectly fine with it...but I know it was tempting to everyone else to see if they could get me on one!!! I waivered for a few moments......but didn't break my streak...



They liked the bumper boats...



...and check them out with their hands in the air on the kiddie roller coaster!





The Dragster was THE RIDE of the trip....these pictures do not do it justice....you have to be there and HEAR it......and see how FAAAAAAAAAAST it is!!!



Here is Chip, T, Cindylou, Gerberagirl and the Trooper going over the top at top speed....the whole ride is only 17 seconds!!!



Then you shoot straight down and spiral a few times. OMG! I could barely watch......but they all loved it!



A few other crazy rides I would never fathom of riding either.....



And before we knew it we were heading home with our new friends that cost about $30 each and are filled with sawdust! But we had FUN AT ALL TIMES!!!!!

Stuffed Peppers

I can't believe I have never made stuffed peppers before....I guess my mom didn't care for them because she never made them....and growing up I didn't like for green peppers so I never missed them. The reason this recipe may have caught my eye is because it's made with red peppers! I came across it in Redbook magazine in April and it's been kicking around my desk for a few months waiting to be tried. I was a little anxious wondering if the kiddos would like them...well, I got 2 out 3, which isn't bad! I actually cut the recipe in half.....and a few of us put taco sauce on them after they were baked for some added zest! Yuuuuum! Here's the recipe:

6 large red peppers
2 1/2 cups long-grain rice (or the rice of your choice)
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1/2 medium sized sweet onion- diced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, with their juices
1 10 oz. can Rotel dieced tomatoes and green chilies
16 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated (about 4 cups)
pepper
salt

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cut the bell peppers in half, top to bottom. Remove seeds and the ribs. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, cook the rice according to package directions. In a medium skillet, brown ground beef, onion and garlic. Drain the meat. In a medium saucepan, bring the tomatoes to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, rice, tomatoes, pepper and salt and mix until blended.
3. In a 9x13 inch pan, place the bell peppers skin side down. Evenly divide the beef mixture among the pepper halves. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle with cheese. Return the pan to the oven, uncovered, for about 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.

Goodwill Update

Okay. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...my Goodwill ROCKS!!!!! Click HERE to see a bunch of other things I've previously scored at my local GW. Well, let's get the party started and let me show you the new wardrobe I've acquired over the past few weeks. This whole entire outfit I got on separate occaisions...The top and shoes were both from Target...brand new with the tags on...$3.99 each! I've found out our local Target donates brand new stuff on Thursdays. I had been looking for a white skirt since last summer and was starting to give up hope until I found this one from AnnTaylor! It fits perfect!



hmmmmm...all dressed up...maybe I should skip cooking dinner and go out with all of the money I saved :) $11.97 for everything.



Wowza!! Look at how happy I am in this smashing skirt!!! Brand new with the tags on too! From INC. one of my favorite brands....what crazy person donated this???? $3.99. Okay....it killed me to pay full price for the Calvin Klein pumps from Macy's, but they fit like slippers and after searching forever for the perfect pair of black pumps I splurged.



Here is a closeup of the bow and lace....I KNOW!!! REALLY CUTE!!!



Alrighty then, I have no where to wear this 100% silk Christian Dior blouse with french cuffs in the very near future....but doesn't a girl need something like this in her closet????? For REALS! Christian Dior. At my Goodwill.



Looky...here's the proof.



These pictures do not give this jacket justice....and let me just get it out there that I have a weakness for jackets....you'll see :) But this is the prettiest shade of eggshell blue...which just happens to be one of our school colors......blue and black. And it's also by INC.!!



Maybe for the football banquet at the end of the season??



Moving on...look at this terrific sweater coat from Ann Taylor LOFT. I sooooo can't wait for that first crisp fall day when I can bust this out and feel cozy. I've also found out that the Ann Taylor LOFT in my town donates their clearance items that do not sell. People, just be patient.....everything ends up at my Goodwill!



See?? I'm not lying.



uh huh...another jacket. The Treatgirl may need an intervention. But really, I do wear them because I'm ALWAYS cold....a side effect of my thyroid condition. So even in the summer I always bring a jacket with me...even on 90 degree days. This is a linen hoodie jacket from Gap. Just a light weight linen jacket perfect to take along anywhere.



At the end of winter I was on the hunt for some casual, everyday pants...it seemed like all I wore everyday was jeans. Look at these cute khakis from Merona at Target. Perfect for knocking around.



Yep. Those are the same ones in green and I bought both of them :) The treatgirl has a habit of getting multiples in different colors if she likes something.



A cute little linen top from AnnTaylor LOFT.



This is a chocolate brown sweater with a littel shimmer to it from NY & Co. Again, I'm sure I didn't really NEED it...but it sure will look cute when it gets a little chillier out.




Whoops! Another jacket!! This is a chocolate brown velvet number from the Banana Republic. Let me say it again, no.....I truly didn't need another jacket. But for $3.99 I couldn't leave it there. And I do have a rule that I follow....for however many things I bring home to my closet, I weed through and pull that many things out to give away or donate too. Keeps things under control :) So, what are you waiting for? Get going and find yourself a new wardrobe for under $50 bucks like I did!

Favorite Friday

This week I had to share my new favorite to-go cup. These are THE.BEST! I came across them last month when I was at my Mom's in Florida. They have a double wall, keep things cold for a really long time and have these really great thick straws, they even come with 3 back up straws too! My mom had two of them, only hers were from Starbucks with their little logo on the front. I used them all week long...when we were out and about I browsed through a few Starbucks but couldn't find any to bring home with me. Well, the week after I was home I found one of these at Target for $9.99......I was soooo excited, but a little bummed because I thought that was a little much, but...oh well, the Treatgirl decided she really needed it.

Then today, when I was in Costco....don't you know they have a 3 pack of them for $18.99! Much better!! I think they'll be perfect for the kids too. Maybe they'd be a favorite of yours too :)

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I can remember the first bite.....it was like it was yesterday......heaven on earth....my real life friend Jennifer Juniper brought me a cute little bag full of these to share at kickboxing one morning....yeah, I know....but we're friends like that...and I ate 4 of them on my way home...and I only live about 6 minutes away! Then I wolfed down the other two standing over my kitchen sink. I didn't even THINK about sharing one...PEOPLE!!!! These are that good!!! I haven't been this excited about a cookie since I mastered making sugar cutout cookies all by myself!

You have to run over to Jennifer's blog and make these ASAP!!! Click HERE to get going......I made a few changes along the way......I actually used a cup of butter....I didn't have any Crisco....and after I brought the butter to room temperature I saw it was supposed to be "unsalted" ...but I couldn't wait anymore :) Also, I didn't butter the cookie sheets.......I just used my handy-dandy silpat mats......And I SWEAR grating the chocolate is amazing!! Don't be tempted to just use a whole bag of chips...can you believe I actually had a 6 oz. Dove chocolate bunny from Easter stashed in my cabinet???? I can't believe the kiddos missed that one!!!

Anywhoo..........give these a try, then stop back and thank the Treatgirl...she knows a great treat when she tastes one!!

A Cute Little Town

I thought I'd take you around the cute little town where my Dad lives....East Aurora, N.Y.....there are adorable little shops and places to eat...it is also the birthplace of Millard Filmore one our past presidents...also, the headquarters for Fisher-Price Toys! The West End Gallery has the coolest wares from artisans around the area and a great place to stop and browse...



Marcy & Joe's Bar Bill is the local watering hole....they are famous for the "Beef on Weck" sandwiches....it's a "Buffalo thing"...they slice the beef right off the bone and it's served on a kaiser roll with rock salt and caraway/kimmel seeds on top, called a "kimmelweck" roll...hence the name...beef on weck! Locals like to put horseradish sauce on it.....I add a little ketchup...but beware...if the horseradish is fresh it will clean your sinuses right out!!! Their wings are terrific and behind the bar is a rack with all of the locals personalized mugs that they use when they are there. I've been coming here since I was in high school....in those days the drinking age was only 18!! Yikes! Over holiday breaks from college and when you know anyone will be in town, this is the place to hang out.



Here's the old-fashion movie theater...



And the Woolly Lamb is a yarn shop where I learned to knit when I was growing up. They have the most amazing offerings of yarn, patterns, inspirations and ideas. I could spend days in there.



Then there is Viddlers. It's famous!! Even Martha Stewart did a big spread on it in an issue of Living a while back......it's a 5 & 10 that is celebrating it's 80th anniversary this year. You can find ANYTHING you need in there. My kids always beg to go there every time we're up to visit.




The red and white awnings and big clock out front have been there since I can remember....but the guy sitting on the roof...Mr. Viddler is fairly new :)



Let's peek around inside....there are souvenirs, toys, games, puzzles...



Banks, baby stuff, cosmetics, and craft things....



Housewares, pots and pans,



kitchen items and gadgets.....all decades before the first Bed, Bath and Beyond opened up!



And cookie cutters, oh my!



There is also a ton of candy......things from long ago you can't find anymore.



And "penny" candy in glass canisters.



And this popcorn machine has been here forever. A bag is only 25 cents. When I was little my mom would get some for my sister and I while we walked around through town.



Here's the little coffee shop....I love the coffee cup with the steam coming out of it...and the colorful umbrella tables just beckon you to stop and sit for a spell.



How 'bout this cute shoe and accessory shop. Lot's of fun! We love walking around for the afternoon...it always makes me want to move back!