Dishwasher Fail

And the sad part is, I still didn't want to throw it away... Better luck to you and your heated dry!

Cake Stand Heaven!

Oh. My. Goodness. I just fell head over heels in love and just had to share with you. Because you are my friend...

Enjoy the eye candy or buy yourself a little treat over at Sweet and Saucy Supply. Why, how did you know my birthday is next week?!

There's also a giveaway going on over at Bakerella. I debated whether or not to tell you about it so I would have a better chance of winning. Its a good thing we're such good friends, huh? :)

Happy Tuesday, Friend!

Shortbread and Helicopters

 I've been so behind on blogging lately, I forgot what funny story I had to tell you about this recipe. It probably had something to do with G and his RC helicopters.

He kept asking for me to send him the pictures of him with his helicopter, so I finally posted them. This is about the extent of my knowledge on RC helicopters, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. I do have to say that I am NOT a fan of the helicopters flying above my head- it gives me a creepy feeling! Someone has noticed this and has made a fun game for himself....ha :)

I made my Fiesta Chicken salad for dinner one night and since I happened to get some fresh strawberries on sale, I decided to make a quick shortbread to go with it. The shortbread is like REALLY good on its own cut into bars, as long as you don't overcook it like I did. Its hard to tell when its done since it doesn't really get brown on top, but if you cook it too long it will be crumbly. It will still taste good when you cover it with strawberries and vanilla bean whipped cream. :)

Its a simple family recipe my Aunt wrote down in this sweet book she sent me for Christmas. The buttery deliciousness of these shortbread "cookie" bars should not be overlooked!

 Easy Buttery Shortbread
For a 13x9 pan

• 1 lb (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 pinches salt (omit if you use salted butter)

Cream butter until fluffy and smooth. Add sugar and beat until combined. Add flour and salt on low speed until well blended. Press into 13x9 glass pan. Plenty of butter here- no need to grease the pan! :) I halved the recipe and baked in an 8x8 pan. Poke holes all over top with fork- don't forget this step! Bake at 400 for 30-45 minutes. Be careful not to overcook. It will not brown much on top...

Apricot Pepper-jelly Chicken

I was intrigued by this recipe, which started off as Orange Marmalade Chicken. I found some apricot pepper jelly (at Marshall's, where else?) and decided to try that instead. I LOVE a little spicy in my food, but this was definitely not too spicy. My roommate had a little too and she said she really liked it. The other bonus was how quick it was. I think I made this around 9pm, and I was very pleased to be eating in less than 20 minutes! :) My idea of a perfect meal... I just made some basmati rice, but you could serve this over sprouts or lettuce too. I think this will be a hit at your house too!

Bruschetta Pasta

This recipe from Bree is a breath of fresh air. It's so easy and quick to throw together, yet tastes so fresh and mature! It really is the perfect weeknight meal.

A couple friends came over after our Tuesday kickboxing class and we whipped this up pretty quickly together. They both loved the freshness of the basil and tomatoes and asked for the recipe. So I sent them home with all the leftovers! Don't get me wrong, this is a good recipe, however I am not a huge tomato fan. I thought I might like this pasta anyway, since I love the other ingredients, but it was not my favorite. I just cannot eat raw tomatoes- no fault of this recipe though!

Dirt Pudding and Ducks

Let me begin by telling you that I am seriously obsessed with this dessert! It all started on Valentine's Day when my friend Kelly brought some to our sweet treat party at work. I ate enough for at least 10 people and she was even so sweet as to bring me a Tupperware with leftovers the next day- heaven! I confess that I may have hidden said leftovers from the bf because I knew how much he would love this. He loves anything with Oreo. I bugged her everyday for the recipe (Thank you, Kelly!) and then was dying for an occasion to make this delicious treat. Note- I have told myself that it is NOT acceptable to make this for no reason and have it sitting around the fridge waiting for me to eat it. Its FAR too dangerous. I forced myself to wait for an event where at least one other person would be present to help eat it!

Fast forward to the Oscars a few weeks later and I was ready to go. I got a plastic bucket and shovel from Michael's for $1, along with some plastic flowers. This was so quick to whip up! I did make myself feel better by using low fat/fat free everything. It was a hit- and Kelly taunted me with another one of her delicious pudding recipes- Banana! Now I'm looking for another party I can bring this one too... yummmm!

On a side note, while the dirt pudding was chilling before it was time to walk down the red carpet, the bf and I headed out to the "pond" for a walk and enjoyed the lovely weather and duckies. :)

One had an eye on G! Actually, he had his only eye on G... There must have been a serious pecking order fight! And now that I think about it, these are geese...HA

Some people can't leave their technology at home!

Spring Table Makeover

Remember when I told you my mom was coming for a visit and had never seen my apartment? Well I had a lot to do to get ready. Suddenly I was interested in a nice table setting....  :) I discovered our new Home Goods store in South Austin- my heart was beating so fast when I walked in! I went on my lunch break, so I had to be quick quick quick, but I managed to scrounge around and was inspired by this little green water vase (it came with the tiny cup on the right too)...

Which led to this...

What do you think?

I love the bright Spring colors! :)

It's almost too pretty to eat on... 

Oh and I ended up using the water vase and the little cup for separate vases! Sorry I didn't snap any photos with the flowers...

I also got this mini cake stand from Marshalls for around $7 a couple days before (I know. I have a serious problem). And the cake I made was actually too big for it, so I filled it with some colorful fruit I had laying around in the bottom drawer of my fridge.

I'm so glad its finally time for Spring! :)

Mom makes it to Austin!

I apologize for my lack of blogging last week. I do sort-of have an excuse- my sweet momma was in town for some much-needed girl time! She has been to Austin before, but not for almost a year and a half, and had never even seen my current apartment. We had four action-packed days of fun- including lots of shopping, eating, desserts, wineries, festivals, and a little educational visit to the Capitol. Its hard to take a lot of pictures when there's only two of you, but we tried! I sure do miss her! :)

As soon as we got back from the airport, she had a no-bake cookie craving! Recipe coming soon...

My favorite King Cake arrived in her carry-on!

Delicious dinner at Wink- loving the polka dots!

My beautiful Mamma at the Kite Festival

Me trying to fly my butterfly kite

So many kites!

 

Wine tasting in Fredericksburg, TX- cerca 11:30am...

Becker Vineyards

Feeling good!

Enough said

Perfect end to the afternoon

Bess- Sandra Bullock's restaurant in downtown Austin

Outside one of the "bachelor's" bars on West 6th St

Inside the Texas Capitol

Of course we managed to go on the day there was a big hooplah- Planned Parenthood protest

Mom and her friend Poornima

Last lunch at Nordstrom's Cafe- our fav!

 Phew. We were both so exhausted after this visit, but I had such a good time! Love you Mom! Next time I think we should squeeze in a visit to the spa... :)