Nothing says childhood mems like this!!

Benny and I took a trip to AZ!! YaY back at home sweet home. It is so fun to be back and especially with this man! I never thought we would be back here together where I was born out of ALL PLACES! Ben is having one of his dreams come true this year with starting a full restoration of a 1949 Mercury. His "boat" has made its home at Drive Lines, one of the worlds bests Merc restoration shops in Phoenix, Arizona. We are here to see the progress. We are both super excited. There is nothing like seeing your husb light up over his toys!

 We also went to Dunkins! WE HAD TO bring back two doz to the fam. We grew up riding our bikes down to the local Dunk's on Saturday mornings to get the worlds best dones and then bringing the doughnut holes back!!

Last but definately not least we ate at the best breakfast resturaunt EV called The Daily Dose. Benj got Strawberry Crème Brule Waffles-- YUM TOWN!! They were topped with fresh strawberries, vanilla bean crème brule & whipped cream.

 And I got Banana Bread French Toast... so stinkin' good!
It had caramelized bananas, candied pecans & thick sliced banana bread with crème brule & caramel served with a side of turkey sausage to even things out a bit.

 Thanks to an wonderful weekend with ONE INCREDIBLE MAN!! I can't wait until his toy car is ALL done!

Hurricane Michel

 

WOW!! It has been a crazy six months. When it rains it pours and we had Hurricane Michel stop by for a visit. Things have settled down... THANKFULLY and we are back to our normal (what's normal?) selves! I am thankful more than ever for an incredible husband that understands me! He knows my needs and definitely knows whats best for me even when I don't seem to know. He is the man of my dreams. My love for him continues to grow more with every day. I am blessed to be by his side. Life is a whirl wind!! Just when you think you have it ALL figured out, it is time to laugh cause there is always something in store for more personal growth, learning and development.

I'm thankful to my Heavenly Father for taking me by the hand... and some times more in his arms and holding me tight through tough days. I am humble and grateful for all that we have in our lives. We are truly blessed!!

No pain, just beauty!

Getting our brow tint on in my esthetics room! 

Anything is more FUN with TwO.

LoVe YOU MiSS DaNiEllE!!!

Another day... Another workout....

LOVE MY workout side kicks!!! I've been helping two of my besties from the salon learn how to train. working out has never been SO MUCH FUN or FUNNEEEEE! Thanks ladies. 

Our relationships truly were love at first sight from the day I started working at Visions Salon. 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!

ICE CREAM! ....kinda .....sorta.... ok, not so much! These are so much fun and EASY!! I've made the cone cake pops but these are even more of a fav! Benny and I were assigned dessert for Trent's birthday. I've been wanting to make these so it was perfect.

FOR CUPCAKES:

12 SUGAR CONES

1 1/2 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

1 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER

1/2 TSP SALT

1/2 CUP UNSALTED BUTTER, ROOM TEMP

1 CUP SUGAR

3 LARGE EGGS

1 1/2 TEASPOONS PURE VANILLA EXTRACT

3/4 CUP MILK

FOR DECORATING:

SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

GEL-PASTE FOOD COLOR

MELTED CHOCOLATE

CHOPPED ROASTED PEANUTS

MARASCHINO CHERRIES

ASSORTED CANDY SPRINKLES

STEP 1: Heat oven to 350°F. Remove center of a 12-inch tube pan and cover with a double layer of heavy duty foil. Use a skewer or paring knife to poke 12 small holes in the foil, 2 1/2 inches apart. Gently place a cone in each hole, pushing it down until only about 1 inch of cone is showing.

 

STEP 2: Make cupcakes: Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add Eggs, one at a time. Beat in vanilla, add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk. Beat until completely combined between flour & milk! Fill each cone with 2-3 tablespoons of batter. Bake rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cook completely.

STEP 3: Fill each cone with 2-3 tablespoons of batter. Bake rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cook completely.

STEP 4: Decorate Cupcakes: Tint the buttercream pink with gel paste food color. Use an ice cream scoop to place buttercream (untinted or pink) on top of cupcake, then top with sprinkles. For soft serve cones, use a pastry bag. Decorate with nuts, cherries & sprinkles. Serve immediately!

 

Happy 32nd birthday Trent! WE LOVE YOU!!

To DIE FOR Potato Salad--

 

What is a BBQ without some good potato salad?? It most definitely IS NOT so here is one of the best! This summer has gone by so fast for us. I cannot believe I have only made this once this entire summer—today, being twice! Every time I make it I, along with others want to 
lick the bowl clean so with that said...

I hope you enjoy this one as much as we do!!

Ingredients:

• 8 medium potatoes, cooked and diced
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 celery ribs, sliced
• 1 cup onion, minced
• 5 hard-boiled eggs
• paprika

 Directions:

• Boil peeled potatoes in salted water until done.
• Cool to room temperature 
• Place diced potatoes in a large bowl. 
• Mix mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, garlic powder and pepper in another bowl. 
• Add to potatoes.
• Add celery and onions and mix well.
• Stir eggs
• Sprinkle a little paprika on top
  
  *Serves about 8, 1 cup servings!

Strawberry REZ

 

 We had such a fun week at Strawberry. I decided if the lowest kingdom of heaven is here on earth and anything like our cabin on Strawberry Reservoir I'm totally content! Although I told this to my father in law and he said; "I would be too except you can procreate. I want to procreate for eternity!" FUNNY and true! It is so peaceful at the cabin and yet so dang FUN! We loved our company this trip with Aaron, Bri, Cija, Jaron, Jonathan, Carley and the kids! Every time we get away I realize how busy we fill our lives. I find so much joy in the simpleness of watching a movie, playing a game, reading a book, playing with my nieces and enjoying good food with the best people! I don't know why I fill my life so full but it is my new goal to take a moment every single day to enjoy some simplicity. Ben and I are so blessed! I'm so thankful to him and our parents for all of their hard work and dedication to our family in order to enjoy so many nice-eties!!