Frugal Finds

Confession

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OK, I have to spill the beans…

First of all, thank you to everyone who commented on my top from Jay’s Holiday Party!

I’ve been embarrassed to divulge where it came from…

About 4 hours before the party I ran to Wal-mart to pick up a few odds and ends and was walking past the Women’s clothing section. Some $5 workout shorts caught my eye. As I was checking those out, this gorgeous aubergine top came into view. I thought, “Hmmmm, this is kinda cute and more of what I was looking for.” Checked the tag and, it too, was $5. Seriously??

Sssoooo, yes, I wore a $5 (Lord only knows what material it is) top to Jay’s party. I am amazed that it is still in one piece and I may actually be able to wear it again!

Moral of the story…if you run into Wal-mart for cough drops, keep your eyes peeled because you just don’t know what you might find!

top

Food

Soupy Tuesday

This is the easiest soup on the planet. Another recipe by way of my sister!

Black Bean & Salsa Soup

4 ingredients + 2 toppings = Quick & easy meal

I use chicken broth in place of the veggie broth. Instead of the green onions, I substitute just a bit of shredded cheese and/or a lowfat sour cream.

Sometimes I serve with pepper jack grilled cheese sandwiches or quesadilla triangles.

Enjoy!

soup

Food

Pepperminty Goodness

Finally made the Peppermint Brownies.

They are really good.

A bit time consuming, but worth it.

Tomorrow the kids will deliver some to their pediatrician’s office and I will send some to work with Jay so they won’t mysteriously jump into my mouth.

If you decide to make these delicious little gems, I suggest cutting them into tiny bite size pieces since they are very rich and, not to mention, loaded with calories! I made mine in a 9X13 pan and got approximately 50 1″X1″ squares plus the 6 triangular pieces I used for the photo. So, it makes TONS without even doubling the recipe!

Again, here is the recipe I used: Peppermint Brownies

I had to go ahead and up the caloric intake a bit more and add the crushed candy canes on the top. I also added about 8-10 drops of green food coloring to the peppermint butter cream layer to make it  a little more festive! (as far as I know, that doesn’t add calories!)

Here is the final product:

brownies

And here is the assistant who helped me:

ras

Well, not really, but isn’t he the cutest? Love him!

Fashion

13.1

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OK…I’m putting it out there so I have NO excuses.

I am planning on signing up for the Las Vegas Rock N Roll Half Marathon on December 5, 2010.

We were in Vegas last weekend when this was going on. I thought, “If The Biggest Loser peeps can do a FULL marathon, then I can certainly do a half with almost a year to prepare, right?”

So, there you have it. It’s out there and now I HAVE to do it!

Maybe I should ask for these from Santa this year:

nike-air-max-running-shoes13.1 miles…here I come!

Peppermint Brownies tomorrow ~ I promise! (Had to commit to the half-marathon first!)

Fashion

Back To Reality

Whew! Feels like almost a week since I’ve blogged…wait…it has been almost a week – and it was a busy one!

Vegas was great.

What is is about Vegas? It’s like you enter a time warp once you’re under the bright lights of Sin City. One day in Vegas = 3 days in regular life. The hours just sort of all blend together and you never really know what time it is. When you return home, it feels like you’ve been gone 3X as long! Vegas’ll do that to you.

We had a FABULOUS time, though! Jay celebrated his 40th in true Vegas fashion ~ no holds barred!

One of the highlights (for me anyway) was a trip to Serendipity 3…I’ve heard great things about this fun, whimsical place, but had NO idea that Vegas had been blessed with one! Thank you NYC for sharing!

The moment I walked through the door, I was in love. Right up my alley. So colorful and happy!

Their signature is the Frozen Hot Chocolate. I don’t care how cold it is outside, I will always be able to welcome one of these into my life! It is ridiculous. It is a big bowl of chocolatey goodness topped off with a pound of whipped cream, chocolate shavings and several HUGE straws! So fun!

Here is a pic of the monstrosity! I highly recommend this place for a meal or a frozen hot chocolate for dessert!

hotchocolate

I am thinking that, for the holidays, they should add some pepperminty-ness to it! Maybe substitute the chocolate shavings with some crushed candy canes? OH YEAH!!!!

Flashbacks

Then & Now

Sometimes looking at old pictures makes me sad.

It makes me realize that if you don’t stop and take the time to ENJOY life EVERYDAY that, before you know it, you’ll be so far down the road, looking back and wishing you had taken in more sights along the way.

Here is a picture from 4 years ago.

then

Elliott’s first Christmas. I remember this day vividly ~ like it was just last week.

But it was FOUR years ago! The days and weeks go by so fast.

She is now a big sister and a big girl…

now

Sometimes I wish I could just slow it down a bit, but all I can do is take it one day at a time.

Some days go fast and some go s…l…o…w, but they are all special and lead up to the next milestone.

Speaking of milestones, we are heading to Vegas this weekend to celebrate Jay’s 40th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Babe!

Here’s to the next 40 years…

Before we know it, we’ll be celebrating our children’s 40th birthdays and we’ll look back to this weekend in Vegas and it will seem just like yesterday!

Enjoy all the “THENS” in your life because before you know it, they will be “NOWS”.

Food

Artichoke Dip

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Happy December!

Trying to get ahead this holiday season since we’re leaving for Vegas on Saturday morning!

Cards ready to send out, tree trimmed, Santa visited…what next?

Here is a picture of the kiddos decortaing the tree with Popsi who came to visit for a few days after Thanksgiving:

tree

And here is a quick recipe that you can take to your holiday get togethers. Super simple and super delicious!

I don’t recommend substituting lowfat cream cheese and mayo with this one…it just isn’t the same. In my opinion, you’d be better off not eating it at all. Sorry!

1 can quartered artichoke hearts in water, drained
1 brick cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. dill weed

Chop artichoke hearts or put in a small food processor (that’s what I use). Put cream cheese, artichoke hearts, mayo and parmesan cheese in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir often to keep from burning. Once everything is heated and combined, add the garlic and heat a few more minutes. Add dill weed at the last minute and give it one last stir. Serve with sliced baguette or crackers. Enjoy!

Flashbacks

One Year Ago Today

Happy Turkey Day…or should I say Happy “Elastic Waistband” Day!

I hope that wherever you are, whatever you’re doing and whoever you’re with that you have a holiday filled with laughter & LOVE.

Feels like we were feasting on “the bird” and all the fixins just yesterday!

Here is a pic of my little cuties from 365 days ago:

kids

cuz

Holden celebrating with his 99-year old great, great cousin!