Ooey Gooey Butter Cake ~ Day 22

My new thing today came about because my BFF since 4th grade called. Yep, we still joke and say BFFs because we have known each other that long. She knows what I am thinking before I say it, and knows every story about me. My whole family thinks of her like family. She couldn't get rid of us if she tried.

Well, she is in Bass Lake for Christmas with no internet. She calls with a favor, "Can you find Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey Butter Cake for me online?" So I do, and start asking questions while I read her the directions. What is this cake, why is it so important, and should I try it? Her answers were as follows: It is amazing, seriously soooooo good, we absolutely need to make it, and yes, yes, you should definitely try it, it is that good.

Our new thing for the day was Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Gluten free style. Butter baby, Paula loves the butter. http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/view2/gooey_butter_cake/ I substituted the yellow cake mix for a Pamela's gluten free vanilla cake mix and added an extra egg. It was VERY GOOD. Paula's seems a little more gooey than mine but I knew my family would say ooey if it was too gooey. I thought it was perfect. My neighbor came over and ate two pieces, can anything made with butter taste bad? The fact she said MMMMM MMMM several times made me think it was a hit. It is worth making, try it for yourself this week, you won't be disappointed.

Jo Malone's Orange Blossom ~ Day 21

We had our annual gathering at our friend’s home for Christmas. This has become a tradition for us over the past few years and I look forward every year it draws near.

My friend and I both have three girls, all very close in age. They are more like family than friends, and each Christmas we gather together to exchange gifts and have our own Christmas celebration. We had another wonderful evening with great food and great friends. Sarah is my friend who understands me and often seems to spoil me too. She will go out of her way to do things to just make me smile or feel special, not just with a gift, but with her actions and her words. If I ever need to talk or to laugh she is there, she is truely one of a kind. Tonight she surprised me with something she knew I really, really, wanted. I mean I really, really, wanted it bad. Her first question Christmas morning was "Did you get that perfume you are dying for?" I answered "No, but I did get a lot of things I am super happy about." Little did I know she had already gotten it for me.

My new thing for the day was the most wonderful scent of Orange Blossom by Jo Malone. If it isn't something you haven't smelled, you need to, it is heavenly.

Christmas Blessings ~ Day 20

Christmas was amazing. The girls woke up at 7 am ready to rip it up, literally. Watching their faces and my husband’s face while opening presents, was the best feeling on earth. The excitement and joy they receive from even the littlest things brings such joy to my heart. It makes all the madness of shopping, traffic and late nights of wrapping worth it.

This year I received a few new things that I have never owned before, or had since a child. First was a sleeping bag, my very own. I haven't had one since elementary school, that one was red with a giant Garfield on it. My new one is green, no Garfield this time. I am officially ready for camping this summer.

Next was a blue tooth. Yes, you probably can't believe I haven't gotten one already but I always hated it when people walked around with one it their ear. I could never tell if they were talking to me or were on the phone. It drove me crazy. My husband thought it was about time I got one, and I think he is right. I tried it on yesterday and I kept tripping out because I felt like I needed something in my hand, so I grabbed a cloth and started to clean the counter. I am sure it will take time to get use to.

I also got a mp3 player, all I can say is I am stoked. I can't believe how small those things are. The last player I had required a tape, and when you went for a jog or walk, the deck was so heavy it would start to pull down your pants. I was blessed this year, my family really took time to look for things they thought I would love, it was very much appreciated. I feel very lucky.

Our whole family had a new thing this year. We had Christmas dinner with a very good friend on our street. It is hard not living close to family, especially around the holidays but sometimes great friends become like family, and they really help make the holidays something special. So off we went with our ham over to our neighbors. Not only is she an amazing cook, but an amazing friend. We all had a wonderful time and left with a FULL belly. I had to include pictures of the beautiful meal she made.




I feel so blessed in life. Today included so many new and fun things, but the best parts are the family and friends we share it with.

Chocolate, Chocolate and Chocolate ~ Day 19

Last night we spent Christmas Eve at our Friends home. I really miss my family that live in another state, but felt very fortunate to spend time with such wonderful friends. It seems we spent the evening talking and taking in chocolate of all kinds.

The new things for the evening include chocolate gluten free brownies with peanut butter chips, and a yummy chocolate martini. Both were outstanding.





Two new things for the evening and wonderful friends to share Christmas Eve with. It was a fantastic day.

Starbucks - Day 18

What kind of person are you? Do you go to through the line at Starbucks looking for something different or do you already know what you want 30 minutes before you get there. When it comes to Starbucks, I know what I want before I arrive. If it is the winter months I want a Decaf Soy Pumpkin Spice Latte with whip on top please.

I got in line with my husband and was arguing with myself. Yes, I was protesting something new. Why try something new when I already know what I like, why chance it? I may hate it, I may waste $5 dollars on a latte I don't like. Besides, it is just a coffee, why not do something else. The goal is not to stick with the same old, same old, it is to try something new, so damn it, I did it. It doesn't have to be a huge thing, it just has to be a new thing. It is to the break the patterns and the routine and to enjoy new things.



All I can say is, Caramel Brulée Lattes are AWESOME, I love the candies on top. It was my new thing for the day.

Calling all my Peeps!!!!

I am looking for some fun new things to do this new year. If you have any ideas or things, food, places to go, things I shouldn't be living with out, activities or anything, send them my way. I would love to hear them!!

Shepherds Pie ~ Day 17

I have always wanted to make Shepherds pie but never have because of the meltdown I knew would follow. For some crazy reason, 2 of 3 children in this house hate mash potatoes. Tonight I decide too dang bad, mamas making a Shepherds pie!!

I got the recipe off of food network http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/shepherds-pie-recipe2/index.html It had 5 stars, so I had hope. I altered a few things, gluten free flour instead of regular all purpose, ground beef instead of lamb and 1 cup of corn instead of corn and peas, because well, I was all out of peas.



The outcome was a surprise success. Even though it had mashed potatoes, the kids ate it and they all loved it. My oldest asked for seconds and my two that "didn't like mashed potatoes" mixed it all up together and threw it down. Our six year old kept telling me, "I can't believe I like this, it must be a different kind of mashed potatoes." "Sure it is", I said winking at her.

My new thing for the day was Shepherds pie and I am heading back for seconds.