Happy Early Birthday To Me!

My parents wanted to celebrate my 21st birthday with me so we went to Capos Italian restaurant, only this time I wasn't so shy with the camera.

I love the atmosphere at this place. It's just so classic! Our back server (the one who pretty much did all of the work) was wonderful! He laughed and joked with us which made it seem not so mobster-ish hence the flash photography.

They're so cute. A word of wisdom: Ask the server how much the special is before ordering or else you end up paying $45 for a steak that wasn't exactly worth $45. Oops! We now know better! I had a wonderful time and I can't believe that I'll be 21 in less than a week!! Thank you Momma & Pappa! We love you!

Spoiled Rotten

This past weekend my parents got to come down and visit from Canada. It was a whirl wind of an adventure and we had so much fun!

There was LOTS of eating! We stopped at Costco and my parents were amazed at the selection at the food court. Our menu in Canada has pizza, hot dogs, and an ice cream cone, not nearly as exciting. Daddy and I had to tag team to finish his ice cream. Note my stunning hat! I love it!

We decorated...

... while others slept.

We had a mini Christmas since Mom had to carry her tile on so it wouldn't break I decided to give them their gifts a little early. Ho Ho Ho!

On Friday night Mom and Dad came to the Rain Forrest to see my mad twisting skills. They then rushed away to go and see Donny and Marie. Donny was the one who inspired my mother to join the church. She was the first one in her family of 6 to join and now all of her family and their families are members. All accept G-pa... but we'll get him eventually. ;) They said that it was a really great show.

While at Wal-Mart I stumbled upon some sweats for $5 a piece. Let's be serious you can hardly buy the material for that to make them yourselves. They now reside in our emergency kits. Yes we will look like convicts but everyone will be able to find us :)

Of course there was TONS of shopping!

We had so much fun! It was so nice to have some quality time with just my parents. I miss them dearly and am so thankful that they were able to visit. I love you both!!

Dear Life,

My head is spinning, please slow down so I don't loose what, all be it small, portion of my life I seem to have under control.

Thanks

Christmas Came Early

Jakob is now an official gun owning American. He got a Sig Sauer P226 for a steal of a deal. He's had his eye on this baby for quite awhile now and once I gave him the green light to purchase one, less than 24 hours later he had one in his possession. (yes this means that once we get settled down in a house I get a dog!!) I still do not feel comfortable holding it. It feels like a toy to me since I've never held a real gun before. The lethal thing bothers me. I'd probably just end up killing someone, like my visiting teachers, when they drop by unexpectedly. I will learn how to shoot it at the range however but I've decided that's the only place that I'll hold a gun. Merry Christmas love! (only a month and a half early)

AHHHHHH!!!

Me: Jakob, what is this thing on my face?
Jakob: That is a zit love
Me: A ZIT! I NEVER GET ZITS!! How long will it last?!?
Jakob: A few days.
Me: DAYS?!?! I'm never wearing face paint again!!!!!

For the record I never went through the I've-hit-puberty-and-now-my-face-looks-like-a-pus-filled-volcano stage. Certainly I was awkward what teenager isn't but zits, no way. I currently have 3 and I think I might die! I shall never paint my face again!!!

Sully the Scarcrow

Back home in Canada my mother made a baby scarecrow out of my little brothers clothes. Once Mom Tobler and I made our caramel apples I had to think of a place to put them. The basket I got at a yard sale (as you know I have a testimony of yard sales) along with the hay bale and pumpkins. All I needed was a scarecrow so I wandered over to D.I for some answers.

I got the coveralls and the shirt for 2 dollars each the bandanna I had left over from last years New Years party at the Wynn. I stuffed him full of plastic garbage bags (you know the ones that you save from Wal-mart and hardly ever use, ya those ones) and tied the ends of his arms and legs with raffia.

I absolutely love him. Jakob carved his little pumpkin head and I shoved a rolled up file folder inside his shirt to give it some support. And the best part is he's easy to store and I can keep him out until thanksgiving!!! It doesn't get any better than that!

Trick or Treat

We chose treats... lots of treats.

Caramel Apples:

To make caramel apples you'll need a candy thermometer and yes you can do it without it but you'll have to test it in a small bowl of cool water for consistency. Do yourself a favor and buy one. Other than that you'll need 1 can of condensed milk, 1/2 cup butter, 1 bottle of Light corn syrup and 2 cups of sugar.

The first time around I just put everything in a pot and mixed it together which apparently was wrong but we didn't notice any difference. What your "supposed" to do is combine the syrup and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil. Once sugar is dissolved alternate adding milk and butter in small quantities until used up. Really we didn't think it mattered. the first time around we also boiled it to "hard ball" temperature which was too hard. Batch 2 we stopped at "soft ball". Once you reach your desired thickness add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

We then transported it to a small crockpot to keep it warm enough to dip. MMMM looks sooo good!

Then you poke your apple and dip....

... roll in nuts and decorate with festively coloured chocolate.

Aren't they just gorgeous!?

Cake Balls:

I think since the time that I moved here 2 years ago I've made about 1,000 of these. They are just so simple and can be done in so many different ways! Step one is to bake a cake, any cake you want and let it cool completely.

Once your cake it completely cool find the biggest bowl you have and dump it in. Your going to break up it until it's nothing but crumbs. That's right, you heard me, destroy that beautiful cake.

Next you'll need jar of frosting. We have found cream cheese to be best but that is just a personal preference. No you cannot make your own frosting unless you want to battle with constancy.

Empty the entire jar and start mixing it into your now crumbled cake. Now is the perfect time to add chopped nuts or chocolate chips of you'd like. Chopped pecans are a personal favorite!

Roll it into relatively small balls (one bite is best) and freeze. From experience the cake ball will stay together MUCH better when you go to dip them if you freeze them first. Whip out that chocolate melter and away you go!

Like I said easy! Plus one box of cake goes a long way! Happy Halloween!

A Frightful Sight!

After a month of planning we had our Halloween party. It was full of games, laughter, food, fun and prizes!

As you might of been able to tell from my previous post I was Neytiri from Avatar! This was my first year that I had actually put thought and consideration into a costume and let me tell you, I had fun! Yes I did braid my own hair. I added pieces if yarn with beads and feathers though. It didn't take me near as long as I thought it would. The best part however would have to be my yellow contacts! Worth every penny!

My super hero husband! Easiest costume ever! We just had to buy the blue shirt from DI (which ended up being some young woman's camp shirt from 2004) and black hair spray for $2 at Wal-Mart. Note: If you find yourself using this spray for any occasion know that it will make a mess of your tub when you wash it out!

No party is complete without smoking drinks...

... mummy pizza's...

... & candy. This was a 400 fluid oz jar. Jakob and I filled it up for our candy count. Can you guess how many pieces are in there? Hint: Marah was way under!

We made Haunted Mansions. Stu (aka Knight in shining armor) took the trophy for Dracula's Dwelling. Let's be serious he had a bubbling hot tub.

The ladies! I love them all to bits! I couldn't ask for a better group of friends!!

Jack and Sally (aka James and Jenna) so stinking cute.

Marah the belly dancer and Courtney Maid Marion.

Stu & Courtney won Spellbound Set (Cutest couple)

The Phantom of the Opera set Chuck and Jess were a close second. Chuck did win the big jar of candy. There were 603 pieces. We cheated and added a bag of chips inside. So deceitful.

Ryan was runner up for best costume!

We had so much fun and want to thank everyone for bringing appetizers and desserts. (Or as I put in the invitation deserts). I can't wait for next year! I'm thinking we'll have to do a murder mystery dinner just to shake things up a bit. Happy Halloween everyone!!