GETTING TO KNOW YOUR THURSDAY

It's that time again folks.  I want to get to know you and vice versa. 

Yesterday, an aquaintance and I were discussing the tendencies of autistic children.  We were talking about OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).  She mentioned that studies have shown that a high percentage of children with autism are born to Type A personalities.  That is one thing that I am not.  I think I would be considered pretty easygoing - too easygoing in most instances.  BUT, I do have several OCD tendencies that I cannot deny. 

4.  I can't stand for a door to be "cracked" while I'm in the room.  Either shut the door or open the door.  I feel like if it's cracked, I'm being watched - like on murder movies, there is always a killer hiding behind the door and watching.  That FREAKS me out!!! 

3.  I have to do my makeup in the "correct" order:  foundation, eyebrows, eye shadow, eyeliner, blush, mascara and then lipstick.  If I get out of sync, it completely screws me up.  I'll walk out of the door completely made up except with sparse eyebrows or something dorky like that.  I am such a creature of habit. 

2.  I despise wet peanut butter.  It's disgusting!  My son's favorite snack is a big ole spoon of peanut butter.  He generally gets his own peanut butter jar because he eats is straight out of the jar.  I insist that he licks the spoon clean or wipe it out with the paper towel or something.  If it goes straight to the sink, it gets wet and yucky and stinky.  ICK!  I hate it! 

1.  This is my big one.  My mom and sister know what it is.  Anybody who has helped me clean my kitchen after a meal, know what it is.  I am downright FREAKY about loading my dishwasher, especially my utensils.  I have one of those long untensil holders that takes up the entire side of the bottom of my dishwasher.  I want specific things in each compartment.  From back to front:  3 spaces for large utensils and knives, 2 compartments for forks, 2 compartments for spoons, 2 compartments for kids size utensils.  I know it's weird, but it's SOOOOO much easier to unload when similar things are all together.  AND, all knives must point down for safety! 

Okay.  There you have it.  My OCD tendencies out there for the whole world to read.  Please tell me I'm not alone in this.  Come on!  Spill!  Tell me all your dirty little secrets!!! 

Fat Free Chewy Chocolate Cookies

Well, it's that time of year again.  I am counting down to summer, bikini swimsuit season and long days at the lake relaxing.  Just floating around on your air mattress, soaking up the sun with a tall glass of...sweet tea and watching the boats go by.  Yeah right.  Reality check!!!  Actually, it's chasing four kids around the dock while they fight over the floaties, the jet ski, squirt you with water guns while you try and get some sun, constantly applying sunscreen on those pale babies and yourself, while handing out snacks and drinks and towels and fishing things that shouldn't be in the water, out of the water (cell phones, sunglasses, etc.).  All of this while you're desperately trying to suck in your gut everytime a boat comes by with people you weren't expecting to come by when you are donning your swimsuit from three years ago.  UGH!  The joys of summer! 

So, I'm desperately trying to lose a few pounds.  But, I am a chocolate lover and it's soooo hard to find something that meets my chocolate needs that isn't high in fat and calories.  This is my staple recipe for having my cake cookie and eating it too.  I found this recipe years ago when I was doing Weight Watchers.  I couldn't even tell you where it came from.  Sorry to whomever should get the credit, but I did find the same recipe today at Recipezaar.


FAT FREE CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 egg whites

Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.  In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  Stir in corn syrup and egg whites until blended.  Dough will be thick and sticky.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls of mixture onto cookie sheets.  Bake in 350 degree over for 7-9 minutes or just until set.  Cookies will be soft when pressed.  Cool on wire rack.

Yield:  30 cookies
1 cookie:  60 calories, 0 fat, 1 WW point

I totally lifted this picture from Recipezaar too.  So sorry it's not my own, but this is what they look like.  No you can have your cake cookie and eat it too. 

I'm linking up to Tasty Tuesday @ Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday @ Blessed With Grace.

WEEKEND WALK

This weekend was the 3rd Annual All Out For Autism Walk in Arkansas.  It wasl POURING down rain until we pulled in to the parking lot.  Suddenly, the clouds parted and the sun peeked out like a little girl making her grand entrance at the recital.  The rest of the day was GORGEOUS!  Numbers were lower than usual, due to the weather.  Here are a few pics of the 2 Mile Family Fun Walk.

My 4 kids and my niece (K) and my nephew (M) before the walk. 

Hubby, E, L and me.  Our shirts were HUGE and I'm pretty sure my camera adds 20 pounds instead of the usual 10 - I'm just saying.

During the walk, J was dying to take off running even though this was the Fun Walk.  (I don't know why they call it that?!  Is walking fun?  I think they should have an autism shopping spree!  That sounds like fun to me!  OR maybe an autism movie marathon?  Count me in!  Autism Cookie Eating Contest?  I'm the first one in line!!) 

My sister and me and nephew M behind us.

After the race, we hit On The Border!  YEA!  I love me some white cheese dip!

My sis and my Mom.

All of this walking and partying in honor of this little guy: 

The light of my life.  My sweet L!

Thanks to my whole family for participating, including my Aunt T whose picture did not turn out. 

I Finally Made A Chalkboard!

After seeing all the cute chalkboards made out there, I have been dying to make one for my kitchen.  I really didn't want to spend much $ because, as usual, I have more important things to spend my money on (food, durn dentist bills, dance recital costumes, etc. UGH!)  I've been to Goodwill, flea markets, etc. looking for a great frame or something to use to make my chalkboards.  I found NOTHING!  Then the other day, I spotted this sitting in the corner of my kitchen. 

It's a calendar frame in hunter green.  I used to have it hanging on my wall.  I loved it, until all my kids got bigger and I had to start scheduling more and more events, doctor's appointments, etc.  It was a pain in the neck to take the frame down everytime I wanted to check a date in the next month.  I finally just quit using it and in to the corner it went....and stayed....for months....but that's another issue. 

I got out my Glossy Black Krylon and went to town.  Then I got out my Krylon chalkboard paint and painted it directly on the back.  I didn't have to add a piece of wood or anything!  I love it when it's FREE!  This is what I ended up with.

What do you think?  The best part is if I ever want to put a calendar back in it, it's ready to go.  Okay, maybe that's the second best part.  The best part is that it was FREE!  FREE!  FREE!  YEA!  I love my free chalkboard.

I'm linking up to Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Chocolate Sundaes and






  
 


   

Pretty Little Mermaids

I have had my eye on the precious mermaid fabric for over a year and I finally scored some.  YEA!  It's so stinkin' cute!  It's even cuter paired with my favorite print....polka dots! 

Got the cute leggins at Old Navy.  They match the blue perfectly.  My plan is to make her some capris out of Michael Miller Malibu stripe, but I haven't had time yet. 

Check out the back. 

I love, love, love this pattern.  I'm so glad it's been warm enough in the south for her to wear it. 

Hope everyone has a great day! 

I'm linking up to Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Chocolate Sundaes and

 


   







  









  

DECORATING DILEMMA PARTY @ AMANDA'S BLOG

Amanda is having another Decorating Dilemma Party and boy do I have a dilemma!  HELP!  I actually have two dilemmas today.  I hope that's okay. 

Hubby and I got a great deal on a flat screen TV a few months ago.  We wanted to put it on the mantle for several reasons so that's where it went.  My couch and loveseat are "floating" and facing the fireplace/mantle.  I like the room this way, but what I don't like is that when you walk in my front door, you see the back of my loveseat.  I HATE the view from the front door.  Check it out!

How HORRIBLE is that open blank space with nothing to see, but the back of my loveseat???  YUCK!  It's probably over 6 feet of nothing right there.  Hubby thinks we need to leave it open - probably because until recently, we had overflow crap just sitting there and he's finally glad it's gone.  He says adding furniture there would look to crosded because of the hall tree.  I totally DISAGREE!  I would love to have a buffet table, sofa table or even an antique church pew like my sister-in-law's.  Who's right?  What do y'all think this space needs?  Is there someway y'all can think of to disguise or at least draw attention away from the back of my loveseat?  I thought about putting something directly behind it, but since it's a recliner, I'm not sure.  Maybe something directly across from my hall tree there on the left?

#2 PROBLEM:  My Mantle

As you can see in the above picture, my TV AND the durn DishNetwork box are on the mantle.  I know technically, the TV probably shouldn't be on the mantle, but in this case, it's function over fashion or decorating or whatever.  Anyway, any ideas how to disguise that ugly box?  I thought about just covering a canvas with some fabric or some painted canvvas or something.  any other ideas? 

I do realize we still haven't hidden the wires that are dangling from the mantle.  I will get to it.  I promise.  Eventually.  One of these days.  It's on my Honey Do List!.  And please excust the tray table with the computer on it by the back door.  I brought it in from the bedroom and had to put it somewhere just for a little while.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Run over to Amanda's and post your Decorating Dilemma.  Nothing like a little free advice!

THE PERFECT DATE

So, Amber at aefilkins is having a party.  She wants to know your idea of a perfect date.  So, I'm joining in.  Hop on over and fill Amber in on your story. 

So, at this point, I'm not that hard to please.  I'm living in 1500 sq. ft with Hubby and four kids so practically any date that doesn't involve kids, is perfect.  BUT, if we're talking dream date....let's see....

Picture this.......

it's 8:00 in the morning and the kids are gone for the day and night(to either Nana's or Aunt T's house) and I have a whole two hours to myself to get ready.  I lounge in a steaming hot FULL tub (in this dream my hot water heater is fixed and heating to full capacity so I don't just get 4 inches of hot water) while reading through my Glamour and Southern Living magazines.  Then I get out and put on a little makeup, do my hair and put on my cutest size 6 (this is MY dream and in My dream, I'm a size 6) - casual, not dressy outfit.  Hubby is wearing his new linen shorts and pink shirt because he looks so cute in that outfit.  He tells me how beautiful I am over and over and I keep catching him looking at me of the corner of his eye (again, my dream).  We hop in the car and head out for lunch - Mexican of course.  I eat tons of white cheese dip, tacos, quesadillas, etc.  - YUM!  Then, we head to do some antiquing and shopping at the promenade.  We pick up some new furniture for the house and that rug I've been wanting because it's too expensive in my real life.  Then we decide to hit the movies - twice.  Nothing like a good double feature that doesn't involve cartoons!  Then, we head out for dinner.  We talk and eat and talk.  Hubby tells me how lovely I am and that he is so glad he married me, etc.  etc.  After dinner, we head home, all by ourselves.  We get home to our empty house and.....wonder....if we're going to be able to sleep with all the quiet.  We put on our jammies and eat dessert (something chocolate) on the couch while we watch TV.  I tell him before we go to sleep that he's my best friend and I like him a "real lot".   We sleep for 12 hours straight before we go get our babies. 

Yep, that sounds pretty perfect to me!  Like I said, at this point in my real life, a trip to Home Depot without the kids sounds good to me - or even a conversation out on the trampoline under the stars after the kids are asleep.  That sounds dreamy too!!

Mexican Chicken Casserole

This is one of my GO TO recipes when I'm in a hurry.  It goes together really quickly and I LOVE it.  The ingredients are:

Tortilla chips, crumbled
2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or cut up (can chicken if you prefer)
1 can Ranch Style Beans
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel
2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place you crumbled tortilla chips in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.  Layer chicken, then beans, including sauce,  on top of tortilla chips.

 In a seperate bowl, mix together soup and rotel.  Pour over chips, chicken and beans and top with cheese.  Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 

Now, wasn't that easy and delicious?  I almost always have everything I need right there in the pantry.  Serve with a salad and you're good to go. 

Credit for this recipe goes to my cousins, Debbie and Sandy.  It's been one of my favorites for 20 years and is one of the first dishes I learned to cook all by myself. 

I have a confession, I just finished off the pan, all by myself.  It was good too!

I'm linking to Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace. 

Framed Floating Initial

I am working on a wall of M's - for my last name - not M&M's although, that does sound excellent right about now!  Anyway, I saw some cute little ones at Hobby Lobby that looked like a single initial on glass, framed in black.  Um, I can do that!  I got this old frame which I quit using because the cardboard hanger thing broke.  It's been sitting in the closet for over a year. 

Isn't it lovely?  I got out my trusty can of black spray paint and went at it.  While it dried, I went to work on the "M".  I found a pretty "M" I liked on Word and enlarged it and printed it out.  I turned the printed "M" over and I put the glass pane right on top.  Then I got out my black paint pen from Wal-Mart.  I traced the outer lines of the "M" and then filled them in.  EEEEASY! 

When my frame dried, I used my Gorilla Glue to attach the glass into the frame.  Then I stapled a ribbon on back and it's ready to hang.  What do ya think?

Not perfect, but free is always good!  I like it! 

I'm linking to these parties:

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 

TOP THREE THURSDAY INSTEAD OF GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Instead of doing Getting To Know You Thursday, I am linking up to Top 3 Thursday at Confessions of a Working Mom.  Swing on over to Elizabeth's blog, link up and spill your Top 3 "Guilty" Celebrity Crushes. 

3.  TEAM JACOB!  Oh my Gracious!  Nobody should be allowed to be that hot!  BUT, he is young enough to be my kid!  No, I am not a cougar!  BUT, I'm not dead either. 

2.  Ryan Reynolds.  He was on Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza forever ago.  Did you see him in The Proposal?  Oh my Gracious!  He is HYSTERICAL and HOT!  Did you see the abs on that boy? 

1.  Nathan Fillion from Castle, also formerly of Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza.  I think he is so funny and cute, cute, cute!! 

* I still have a total crush on Hubby, even more so than these three! *

I'm linking up to:

Come on and join the fun!

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY

Oh wait, wrong speech.  Sorry that's the speech I practice in front of my mirror every year after the Oscars, ya know, just in case I ever get to be in a really great movie and get nominated and stuff.  Y'all do that too, right?  Anyway, my precious bloggy friend Melissa awarded me with the Sunshine Award. 

Maybe it was my bright shining personality?  I'm not sure, but why question it, right?  Anyway, like I said, it's from my friend Melissa.  You must check out her blog.  She finds the best stuff!  I swear we should all get together and make her take us shopping to her favorite spots!  Also, you have to check out her table redo.  It is so totally cool. 

The rules of the award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog within your post.

2. Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.

3. Link the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they have received the award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you have received this award.

AND the nominees are....in no particular order....

 

 

Homebody Holly 

 

SerentiyNow4Amanda 

 

Sugarnstrawberries - WritingOutLoud 

 

This Is Thy Year  

 

The Happy Homebody 

 

SweetPea 

 

Goldfish Crumbs - Jen and Juice 

Confessions Of A Working Mom

 

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Beautiful 

 

WhackyWhimsy

 

Southern Inspiration 

 

BLines 

 

These are the ladies who inspire me on a daily basis.  Love them all, so give them a visit and get to know them all!

 

Thanks again Melissa.  You're the best!

FIRST DISHING PARTY AT AMANDA'S BLOG - COME ON Y'ALL!

My Bloggy Friend Amanda really throws a great party.  In fact, hers is the first McLinky party I ever participated in.  Today, her party is about Dishing It, so let's get this party started (I'm bobbing my head to music while doing the "white man overbite" - name that movie!!??  Anyone?)! 

I started this blog about six months ago.  I started it for several reasons.  We have family out of state and I thought it would be a good way to keep them up to date with what's going on.  Also, I wanted a place for my customer/clients to keep up with what's going on in my world of sewing (boutique children's clothing), to place an order if they see something they like, etc. and to link it to my Facebook Page and Etsy shop.  Also, I am a blog reader myself because as Oprah says, she "likes to see how other people live" (in other words, we're NOSY) and I love to comment on other's posts.  I thought it'd be nice to have a place to communicate with eachother (and besides that, I couldn't figure out how to comment on other people's without having one myself).  And, last but not least, there is so much going on in this crazy house of mine, that NOBODY listens to me or even hears me for that matter, so I was just talking to myself like the crazy lady who lived in the shoe, that had so many kids she didn't know what to do - so I thought I'd type to myself instead of just talking out loud to myself (wow, that was a run-on if I ever heard one).  That way, Hubby doesn't call the Crazy Police to come haul me off to the padded room.  It's a release of sorts where I can just pretend that somebody gives a hoot about something I have to say.  Oh, and one more thing, I often walk into a room and can't remember why I went in there, so I thought it best to write type things down that are going on with the kids because frankly, after they said "Mama", I quit writing stuff down in their baby books.  I'm sooo bad! 

Wow, I am long winded, huh? 

Next question - blog title.  Okay.  My etsy shop is called "froufroubritches".  Here's the story.  I've never been a girly girl.  I have always been a jeans and t-shirts kind of girl.  I always called things with ruffles, bows, rhinestones, etc. "froufrou" when I was growing up.  And, I call pants "britches" (not sure if that's southern slang or just country).  The first thing I ever made my daughter was some cute little capri pants out of some great Moda fabric and I called them her "fancy pants" or "froufroubritches".  That's where the name came from. 

Favorite thing to blog about?  My kids, decorating, cooking, sewing, just my silly little musings, like I said, nobody listens to me so I can say what I want. 

Nest question:  "If you had to choose one famous person to become your blog's next devoted reader, who would you pick?"  It would probably have to be Paula Deen.  I just love her.  I think we'd get along famously.  We're both from the south, we're both fabulous cooks (well, one of use is anyway - you don't know - I might be really good cook, or not), one of these days when I decide to quit using that semi-permanent dye from Wal-Mart and get ready to face my age, I'll have pretty silver hair like she has (I really will, it runs in my family, my mom's is gorgeous!) and maybe if we got to be really good friends, she'd re-do my kitchen in that gorgeous beadboard with cream cabinets with the umber glaze, and an awesome professional grade stove and a frying station....oh well, a girl can dream, can't she? 

I can't think of an answer to the funniest comment someone left me right now.  To be completely honest, it's 1:20 in the morning and the Benadryl I took an hour ago has really kicked in and I'm having trouble pulling up that information from my very tired brain. 

Can't wait to visit with the other girls at the party.  woo hoo.  (that was pitiful, huh?)   I'll be more chipper tomorrow - after sleep and coffee!

HOT HOAGIE LOVE

Today I thought I would share a new favorite of mine.  My sister directed me to one of her favorite recipe blogs MyKitchenCafe and to one of her family's favorites - Hot Hoagies.  I had everything I needed, so I threw it together for supper the other night.  It did not disappoint. 


Hot Hoagies


(from Tiffany M.)



1 loaf french bread, cut lengthwise

2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (in a pinch, you can use two large cans chicken breast)

1/2 cup light mayo

1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream

2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tablespoons dried)

2 cups shredded cheese (I used a combo of monterey jack and sharp cheddar cheese)

Olives, chopped (0ptional – I omit these due to my kids’ preferences)



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place french bread on large baking sheet. Mix all topping ingredients together in a bowl. Spread topping evenly on top of both lengths of french bread. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and edges are lightly browned. Slice into pieces and serve immediately.

Actually, I did leave out the parsley and substitute dried minced onion for green onion.  It still turned out fantstic.  I also topped mine with a little Provalone and let it melt on top.  FABULOUS!  

Here's my picture.  It's not near as pretty as Mel's without the green parsley.  Maybe you should go look at hers.  It was good no matter what it looked like.  I served with a big ole green salad and it was MARVELOUS!!

Check out Mel's blog sometime.  She's got some great stuff on there.  Thanks Kelly for the dinner suggestion.

I'm linking up to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

POLKA DOT PEASANT DRESS

I am in love with polka dots!!  Even my homecoming dress in high school was polka dots (still don't know how I managed to sway the rest of the court about that, luck I guess).  Anyway, I fell in love with this fabric when I picked it for the girl set of bibs and burpies for twins for a baby gift order.  You can see that post here.  Anyway, I bought extra because the fabric is precious.  I knew I would make something cute for E with it.  Here it is: 

Polka dots and zebra!!!  My two favorites in one dress!  It doesn't get much better than that!  I'm linking up to Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge, Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, and Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Chocolate Sundaes and

Monogrammed Plate

Is it considered "monogrammed" if it's painted instead of using thread?  I don't know, but I didn't know what else to call it. 

I found a white melamine plate at Wal-Mart on clearance for $1.50 and contact paper at DollarTree for $1.  I printed off an "M" and placed my contact paper on top of it. Then I used my Xacto knife to cut the "M" out of the contact paper, stuck it on my plate and then painted it with black spray paint.  This would have been easier if I had a Cricut, but sadly, I don't. 

Anyway, it didn't turn out perfect - or anything close to perfect, but it doesn't look so bad up on top of my cabinets.  You can't see all the imprefections way up there. 

**I feel the need to point out that I took this picture on top of a step stool for a closer look.  You can't actually see the block of wood over the trim of my cabinets...unless you're 7' tall!**

Not perfect, but good enough. 

I'm linking up to Frugalscious Friday at Finding Fabulous, Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge and Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, Weekend Wrap Up Party at Chocolate Sundaes and

 

  

GETTING TO KNOW YOU THURSDAY - CAREER DREAMS

I cannot tell you how much I love reading everyone's blogs.  (My hubby thinks I'm nuts, btw).  Do your Hubbies get it?  Mine didn't even know what a blog was, much less, why anyone would want to put their life on display, but he's pretty cool about it now.  Anyway, I feel like I've gotten to know some really great people through this little blog, but I want to know more (I'm nosy that way).  So, I thought, why not make Thursday the day to get to know eachother.  Each Thursday, I will post something about myself and ask you to share a little info too.  The topics will be very varied - from significant happenings to favorite things. 

Today's topic is  What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up???  (Is that correct grammer - the tense, I mean?)  Are you doing it?  Are you doing something you never thought or intended you would?  Did you start doing it and realize that you hated it?  Are you still trying to get there, but life keeps getting in the way?  Tell me your story.

Here's my story:  I was never one of those kids who had big dreams of a career.  When I was in elementary school I remember telling people I wanted to be a secretary.  Well, I did do that...and hated it (and on that subject, to all of you who yelled at me because my boss didn't call you back - NOT MY FAULT!  I gave him the message!  UGH!).  I remember telling people I wanted to be married with kids as my job.  Well, I did that too.  I still love that, btw.  But, the thing I really wanted to do was be an actress.  I LOVE movies and TV.  I love a good story, especially a story that makes you feel something, hence my love of Hallmark movies.  I think it would be so amazing to be part of something that tells a story of a person or a family that you otherwise would never get to know.  They make you feel a part of them, like Sophie Okanado in Secret Life of Bees (a Must see, btw) or Nicole Kidman in Autrailia or Sandra Bullock in Hope Floats - the way they channel their emotions into a character is amazing to me.  BUT, I was a really shy kid so I never tried out for much of anything in school.    I did sign up to be an extra in a couple of movies, but never got a call back.  I was in two commercials as a kid, but only because my mom worked for the company they were advertising.  My acting skills consisted of eating hot dogs with other kids and hanging out at the zoo with some other kids.  Maybe that's why I love hot dogs so much - one of the highlights of my life.  That's kind of weird, huh?  I do realize that I am not exactly leading lady material, but I think I could do well as the slightly chunky yet funny best friend/sidekick of the star or some really dramatic roles.  It worked for Kathy Bates!  My Hubby does say that I am a Drama Queen and I wear the title proudly. 

Anyway, let me hear you dreams!  What did you want to be when you grew up?  Leave me a comment.  I am considering turning Getting to Know You Thursday into a McLinky party if I get some response.  What do y'all think?  Tell me your stories!!!

COPYKAT COZYMEL'S GUACAMOLE

If I had to pick a favorite food, other than chocolate, it would most likely be something Mexican.  I LOVE tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, burritos, refried beans, and don't even get me started on white cheese dip because I'm pretty sure it could be a food group all by itself.  It's the most wonderful thing EVER!  Close second?  Good guacamole.  I LOVE guacamole.  Frankly, I used to think it was gross.  My mom and dad ate it when I was little and I just didn't get it, but then again, I didn't like anything green back then.  I worked at a Mexican restaurant in college and fell in love with guacamole!!!

One of my favorite places to eat Mexican food is Cozymel's - and not just because of the wall of frozen drink machines behind the bar.  They have AWESOME "Table Side Guacamole".  After ordering it at LEAST once a month for several years, I finally paid attention to what the ingredients consisted of and I've been making it at home ever since. 

This is what you'll need: 

1 bunch of cilantro
5-6 avacados
tomato
onion (optional)
2-3 serrano peppers
1-3 limes
1 orange

First, cut open your avacados.  Slice into the avacado from long end to long end - when you hit the pit, rotate the avacado to the other side while cutting with the knife.  Then just pull apart. 

The inside should be green.  This is a good avacado. 

BEAUTIFUL!

This is NOT a good avacado. 

EEEEWWWW!  Throw it out!  BLEECH!

Now, take your good avacado and remove the pit and spoon the beautiful green out of the skin and into a shallow glass or plastic dish. 

Chop your tomato (I use about a half), your onion (again, about half if you use it at all), 1 clove garlic, peppers (after taking out seeds) and chop your cliantro.  **I like to strip the leaves and only use them, although I have seen people use the stems as well.**

My beloved cilantro.  It makes everything taste clean and yummy!!! I LOOOOVE CILANTRO!!! 

Now, throw it all in the dish with the avacado and mash it up with a fork to the consistency you like.  Now you need to add your lime and orange juice.  **To get more juice out of your citrus fruit, first microwave it for 20-30 seconds and then roll it back and forth on the countertop under your palm for about 20 seconds before cutting.**  I usually add about two limes and half an orange, but add until it tastes right to you.  Add salt and pepper to taste, stir it all up good and CHOW DOWN! 

YUUUUUMMMMMM!  Remember, avacados are good fat!!

I'm linking up to Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays.