sometimes you just know...

waking up in your favorite pjs. 

slurping up the yummiest smoothies known to man (neon green straws make them better).

(note to self: take care of that manicure right away!)

having the time to settle in for a good cereal box read.

getting a brain freeze over and over again, just for fun.

finding all your favorite shirts in the clean pile of laundry.

Sometimes you just know the day is going to be good.

There are some crazy messes around here today, I mean crazy. This week has flown by. I've pretty much just been keeping my head above water. I'm thankful for the people around here who quietly fished a bowl out from under all the dirty dishes and just washed it for themselves this morning.

Carl and I will be down to one kiddo this weekend as the girls have a "girls only" adventure planned with their grandma. Rest assured that we won't be moping around here without them. There are some pretty fun people coming to crash here tomorrow night. I can't wait to hang with them. Guess I'd better go wash some towels or something. 

Hope you can feel your good day coming on!

Happy Weekend.

BLTA + BC + RRP

(Bacon Lettuce Tomato Avocado + Blue Cheese + Roasted Red Pepper)

The days are warming up, and quickly too. I am happy for that. It is high time for some summer eatin'.  This was last night's dinner.  Pretty tasty if you ask me!

Here is the recipe for 4 sandwiches:

8 slices of crusty white bread (I used toasted sourdough)

1/4 cup mayo mixed with 1 tsp dijon and 2 tsp worcestershire and 1 small clove of garlic minced

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (I used about 1 Tbs per sandwich)

cooked bacon (I used two pieces per sandwich- but knock yourself out)

4 leaves romaine or green leaf lettuce

cooked and sliced chicken (a great way to use left-overs!)

8 roasted red peppers (I used the kind from the jar and put about 2 on each sandwich)

1 avocado sliced

There you have it.  Just toast your bread, slather the mayo mixture, sprinkle the blue cheese. Then layer the lettuce, chicken, peppers, avocado and bacon. So yummy!

Want another great sandwich?  Alicia posted this recipe a few weeks back and we've eaten it twice since then.  Delish.  Even the kids gobbled it right up!

The kids are out of school come friday.  I am beside myself with excitement!  I'm also gathering my thoughts for a year-in-review post to culminate our first (and perhaps only) year in the public system. I'm also working on teacher appreciation gifts.  Go make a sandwich and come back!

Sorry, a date, and some cake

** I'd like to start by appologizing for my lack of discretion yesterday.  I am sincerely sorry if it offended anyone. I really do not condone foul language nor would I allow my children to speak in such a manor. I was mostly just being cheeky and could've done a better job of keeping things wholesome.

Moving on to something more plesant...

Birthdays are abundant around here during the Spring. It was Carl's day yesterday. We spoiled him with a massage at the tennis club on his way home from work, homemade mac n' cheese and an ice cream cake. We have dinner out planned for just the two of us this evening...would you believe it's been more than a year since I've been with this man without our children present? I am a teensy bit nervous, and almost bashful. It is kind of like dating all over again- but better. Better because we are married. Better because I don't have to worry that I have something green in my teeth, or stinky garlic breath (he'll tell me). Better because I don't have order cheap because he's paying (we're paying). Better because I don't have to expend so much energy trying to keep the conversation going (oh the blessed, BLESSED silence). Better because I don't have to wonder if he'll kiss me (he will). Just better, you know?

My mom used to make this cake for me all the time as a kid.  I would request it year after year.  It is so easy to make...thought I'd share.

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake:

2 pkgs chocolate wafers (I use these)

2 T butter melted

1/2 gal of cookies n' cream ice cream (chocolate chip mint is also yummy)

1 C heavy whipping cream

6 T powdered sugar (or to taste)

*Coat a springform pan w/non-stick spray, and place it in the freezer.

*Put one package of cookies in a gallon ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin. 

*Mix melted butter and crushed cookies and press into the bottom of the springform pan to form a crust. Return the crust-filled pan to the freezer.

*Pull the 1/2 gallon of ice-cream out of the freezer and let it soften for 15 minutes or so. When it reaches a spreadable consistency spoon half of the ice cream over the frozed crust.

*Then, layer whole uncrushed cookies on top of the ice cream creating a thin middle layer.

*Spread the remaining ice cream on top of the cookies and freeze for a minimum of 2 hours. 

*A few hours prior to serving mix the whipping cream and the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread it on top of the ice cream cake and top with a handful of crushed cookies.

*Put it all back into the freezer for an hour or so.

*When it's time for the Birthday Song and candles, unlatch the springform pan and light it up baby!

Enjoy.