Netflix This!!

Cute, quirky movie. The kids and I were craving pie afterwards (go figure!). We used up the last of the monster blueberries we picked last summer and baked a yummy pie.

Aha!!

Looks like Omid and I were BOTH right!

Chocolate Croissants - Tres Magnifique!

I have made chocolate croissants for breakfast two days in a row. I had to do something with the extra ganache I made the other day. Neither the kids nor Omid has complained about breakfast. I may have to take these to the next potluck too. They are so easy and delicious.

I made an extra batch to give to a friend who needs some TLC right now.

Tucked inside valentine baggies.

Directions on how to bake them (they taste best right out of the oven).

I snagged one of Nas' valentines and made a little flag (Hope you are feeling better!).

Chocolate Croissants
1 package Pillsbury Croissants
1 recipe ganache

For the ganache, I melted 2 t butter, 1 cup chocolate chips and 1/3 c whipping cream (+ more if the chocolate ends up dry). You want a smooth, glossy chocolate. I refrigerated the leftover ganache (it will turn to fudge!). For the croissants, spread the ganache over the unrolled croissants and baked them for 11 minutes at 375*.

This baby...

This baby...looovvveesss the sunshine.

This baby...wanders all over to find a sunny spot to sit & sun himself.

This baby...is photogenic, but detests cameras in his face (unless it's Lara Blair's camera. She pays him in treats after all).

This baby...enjoys waiting for unsuspecting pedestrians to walk by and then scares them with his terrifying bark.

This baby...does not know he is a dog (& we're not telling him he is).

This baby...is our baby & we love him!

Make This!!

These were so easy and fun to make!

Fortune cookie recipe-click here.

A few tips:

* Only make two at a time.

*They will get puffy - don't worry.

*Have your fortunes precut & ready to go.

*These babies are HOT and you WILL burn your fingers. I used an oven mitt & spatula to make the folds; then hung the cookies on a glass to cool.

Sweet Valentine Ideas

I think these Valentine's Day ideas are just too cute! I am most definitely making the fortune cookies!!!

diy fortune cookies

heart attack

toothbrush valentine messages

happy valentine tea
blow a kiss flip book

cupcake picks
scratch ticket valentines

Bedbugs 101

Yuck! I heard on the radio yesterday that bedbugs have made their way to Seattle. One good tip I learned from the radio story: keep your suitcase off of your hotel bed. For more info, click here.

Netflix This

If you liked My Big Fat Greek Wedding (which I did), you will most likely enjoy this movie. I'd heard it received terrible reviews, but I was determined to watch it anyway. Omid and Matty did not want to watch it. Matty said, "Another chick flick?" I told him it was a comedy, not a chick flick. He said, "Don't expect me to laugh." I kept track of Matty's laughs: during the movie he laughed 11 times. Omid laughed even more. I read that this was the first movie since 1957 to be granted permission to film at the Acropolis.

Jones Soda Labels

I love the Jones Soda labels. So creative! I found out today that you can submit your own photos and ask friends to vote. So...please vote for Matty or Remy to end up on a Jones Soda label. Nas is still looking for an acceptable photo of herself. When we submit hers, I will add it. Thanks for your support!

Remy:
http://www.jonessoda.com/gallery/view.php?ID=0001112127

Matty:
http://www.jonessoda.com/gallery/view.php?ID=0001112130

Please Vote YES for Camas Schools!

Paws for a Cause

I felt like a celebrity mom this afternoon. Nas and I took Remy to his Paws for a Cause appointment. We walked in and Lara and two staffers from the Humane Society were so excited to see Remy. They all yelled, "REMY!!!" Remy loved the attention! Then Lara introduced Remy to the staffers and also the director of the Humane Society. She explained that Remy was her 'Rock Star' and also her PAWS poster child. I didn't realize what she meant until I came home, opened the ordering guide and saw Remy ON THE COVER! He is also on the inside. So proud!

Cover of the ordering guide.

Remy did great at his appointment! He performed on cue & did everything Lara asked (while working for treats, of course!). He also ate ALL the treats she had available. It's a good thing we were the last appointment of the day. Thanks Lara!

Want to donate to a good cause? All the $ goes directly to the SW WA Humane Society. There is still time to book an appointment!

Make This!!

I found this recipe on Bakerella's site the other day. Oh my gosh! This stuff is better than the white chocolate popcorn I make. Make it! You won't be disappointed!!

close up

Yummers!

Korean BBQ

Omid sent me an email at 5:15 p.m. last night suggesting we go out for Korean BBQ. I was so happy, because I still had no idea what to make for dinner and there were no leftovers. It was either Korean BBQ or breakfast for dinner. Neither the kids nor Fari have ever eaten Korean BBQ & they were in for a real treat. Omid ordered the 'party platter' for us to grill. Short ribs, shrimp, chicken, & rib eye steak. YUM!

Lots of side dishes & kim chee. Omid was the only one to eat any kim chee.

Our table top grill.

Omid expertly cutting & grilling the meat (with scissors!!).
Fari thinking: I hope I like this!

Naseem SO HAPPY we didn't order her doganee tang: cow knee bone soup.

Actually....Nas wanted to order off the kid's menu (chicken teriyaki). I told her that if she didn't like the Korean bbq, then I would take her to McDonalds. Nas loved the bbq so much, we were off the hook for McDs. :)

Make This!!

Need a quick, easy and delicious quick dinner idea? Make this! Last night I had to use up some leftover chicken and didn't have enough time to make enchiladas. I chopped up half an onion with two cloves of garlic and browned them in a pan. I added two stalks of celery and let that simmer for about 5 minutes. Next, I diced up the leftover chicken and added that to the mix. Then added 1.5 cups of water and the spice packet from the couscous and let it come to a boil. I added the couscous, took it off the stove and let it sit for 5 minutes. Delicious! How delicious? My two picky eaters ate every bite.

The Biggest Loser

Has it inspired you yet? I LOVE this show! I just started watching in November and am addicted. This show is what got me off my butt and moving! Just watching last season the changes in Rudy & Danny were amazing! I wanted to run/walk a marathon 11 years ago, but didn't have the drive. In November, I watched Rudy & Danny run 26.2 miles. If they could do it, I can do it. Now, I am on my way.

Bob & Jillian...thank you for inspiring me!!