1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY SUCCESS!

Good Monday to all!
So this past Saturday was Chloe's 1st birthday-where has the year gone??!! Needless to say it was a great party attended by wonderful friends and family! Craig's Mom & Gram drove down from Canada to partake in the festivities!

I decided on Friday to prep as much food as I could, reserving a few hours before the party for final prep and cooking of the hot foods-timing wise it all worked out.

Thanks to our early rising daughter, we were able to get the house decorated Saturday morning. I know that a few weeks back I shared Chloe's decorations-well I took one of the napkins to our supermarket to have them put the design on her cake and here it is!



Cute right?! We loved it and it tasted good!
And they even made her a "baby cake"

She had fun tearing into it-she was kind of dainty about it, but once she figured out that is was cake and okay to eat she tore into it!

I has so much fun planning the party, and didn't skimp on the food. Now I know that I shared my menu a few weeks back, but working and hosting guests etc. I decided to scrap a few items on the menu and get help from the super market deli.
So here is what the final menu consisted of.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Mini-Twice baked potatoes
Veggie tray
Fruit Tray
Stuffed cucumbers
Cheese and crackers
Mini Pita Sandwiches
Cake & Ice Cream

I made everything except for the pita sandwiches and the cake.
So I was asked by a few of our friends if I could share the recipes and or course I said I can-just check my blog!
So here they are.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Ingredients:
Bacon (I LOVE fully cooked bacon)
Fully cooked shrimp-peeled & deveined
Garlic Powder

Directions:
Sprinkle Garlic Powder over the shrimp, then wrap each in a single piece of bacon. Place the wrapped single layer on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 5 minutes. Serve with toothpicks and enjoy! Easy Peasy!

Mini-Twice Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:
Mini new Potatoes(Red skinned potatoes)
1/2 c Milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped bacon
Salt & Pepper to taste
Chives for garnish
1/4 cup Olive Oil

Directions:

Pre-Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl combine the olive oil and salt & pepper along with the potatoes. Coat with the oil mixture and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes. Once baked turn the temp down on the oven to 350. Remove the potatoes and once cool cut in half and scoop out the insides-leaving a layer around the inside to hold the potatoes "up" once filled. Put the potatoes in the bowl with the remaining ingredients. Fill each potatoe skin with the filling and place single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in the 350 degree oven for 5 mintues or until the cheese has melted. Take out place on a serving dish and garnish with the chives! YUMMY!

Everything was yummy and filling since this was a party happening during the dinner hour! I would say that my little Monkey enjoyed her first birthday! She not remember it but we have made memories that we can share with her later in life!

Like this one!

 And this one!

Cheers!

Erica

BLAH!!! Wednesday!

So yeah..it's Wednesday! YIPPEE...throw a party-NOT! I was up wayyyy to late last night cleaning for the in-laws visit. They roll into town this evening, and while they don't pull the white glove treatment when they come to visit I feel the need to have my house SPOTLESS! So yeah that's the reason for the blahs today. Upside to the day it's nice outside so I will be able to get out during lunch and walk and breathe in the clean Colorado air (no not a cliche-it really is clean).

As it stands right now I should be working-but clearly I find this to be a more enjoyable way of getting through my morning, but seriously I need to finish this blog up, drink my coffee in silence and work my little booty off!

I will post dinner tomorrow-I am cooking tonight, and I know you are dying to know if Craig got chili in a can last night-well he didn't I did what I do best second to cooking-I dialed Pizza Hut!

Happy Friday Wednesday (see already trying to fast forward the week)!


Cheers ~
Erica


PS-Little gossip to get you through the day! U R WC!


Dancing with the "stars"-yeah this cast is a little light in the stars category!


Kendra Wilkinson-Known for dating Hugh Hefner and posing for Playboy.


THE KARATE KID!! Ralph Macchio-I had a poster of Ralph taped to the back of my bedroom door when I was like 11!


Kirstie Alley-Cheers, Look Who's Talking, Veronica's Closet-that's about it for her!

There are more "stars" this season but I don't know who they are, why they are on this show so I think this one will be a snore fest!

Tuesday Mash-Up

So it's Tuesday, and with my week being crazy I figured it was only fitting that my blog followed suit!
This blog is about everything and maybe a little bit of nothing!
First up dinner last night.
Now with a busy week at work and getting prepared for my in-laws to be here tomorrow I knew there was absolutley no way I was cooking last night-first I informed Craig that dinner would be chili in a can. Once we got home that plan changed. I managed to go beyond cracking open a can! Proud of me I know right...!?
We did have a "meal" that I made quite a bit when I was single-I give you rotini with mushromm basil sauce! Don't be fooled by the name I dolled it up-it's box of rotini noodles and a jar of mushroom with basil sauce! That's it..I won't go into the instructions for this one-I think it's self explanatory! Nonetheless-it was yummy!
Tonight-well tonight really will be chilie in a can-I have stuff to do in preparation of the in-law's coming into town tomorrow night!
I anticipate cooking so I will be able to share that with you!

Other stuff on my radar-well the Oscars, The Bachelor and the new cast of Dancing with the "Stars". Yup, you got me I like boring awards shows and reality TV!

While I enjoyed watching those awards being handled-even though I watching the entire show on fast forward-THANK YOU DVR! I really watch the show for the fashions! Here are some of my hits and misses! IMO


Loved this simple, yet elegant look on Jennifer Lawerence!


Keeping with the red theme-I am BEYOND loving this look on Sandy B. honestly this is my fave of the night! Eat your heart out Jesse James


Reese Witherspoon-simple and classy! She is a favorite!

Celine Dion-making new mother's this world over jealous! Think she's wearing spanx under the dress?


Can you say-"Hello, Old Hollywood!"-Amy Adams nailed the look!


Natalie Portman-Making pregnant women look good!


Cate Blanchett-I just don't get it!

All in all I think everybody played it safe in the fashion arena-but they were great to look at an commentate on nonetheless!

Well-I gotta get off my rear and get outside!

Cheers

Erica

DIET!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I have uttered the one word that I never thought I would ever have to utter-DIET!!
AHHH!! Say it isn't so-but sadly it is. Chloe will be 1 next weekend and I still need to lose another 30 lbs. of baby weight. The baby weighs 20 lbs now, so I can't keep up this facade! Enter the diet!
Step 1: Getting off my butt on my lunch hour and getting outside(weather premitting)or on the treadmill in our office gym.
Step 2: Giving up my beloved-that's right I gotta say bye-bye to my love Dr. Pepper! We've been through thick and thin-but I think you are keeping me thick so sayonara!
Step 3: Changing the way I eat. Now I don't eat horribly, I have the occassional fries from McDonald's, or have a piece of pie-but I gotta think heathlier. Enter the dinner that I "made" last night.
Now I warned Craig that I wasn't sure how it would taste. We had Chicken Tostadas-yeah they were okay but since I didn't put sour cream on them they were a little dry-and I forgot the black beans! But if you are brave, I am going to share this recipe with you. Maybe you can tweak it  and let me know how it works for you!

Chicken Tostadas

Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Black Beans-cooked
Brown Rice
Avocado-Chopped
Fire Roasted Tomatoes(heated if you like)
Chicken-chopped( I used a rotisserie chicken from my local deli)
Baby Lettuce
Greek yogurt
Cilantro-chopped


Directions:
Place the tortillas in a hot oven-I went for 450. Bake until crisp about 3-5 minutes.
Top your tortilla with 2 cups lettuce, 1/4 cup rice, 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup tomatoes, 1/4 cup chicken, 1/3 cup avocado, 2 tbsp cilantro and 3 tbsp yogurt.

Now yours might taste better since you won't forget to add the beans-I will attempt this recipe again sometime maybe with the beans mine will be better 2nd time around!
let me know what you think!!!


I am known for having a sweet tooth-so to satisfy those after dinner cookie cravings I like to have this little "treat" simple, easy and yummy.


Fruit "Parfait"

Ingredients:

Low-Fat Vanilla Yogurt
Granola
Blueberries
Strawberries-chopped


Directions:
Spoon 1/2 cup of your yogurt into your favorite bowl top with 1/4 cup granola, and 1/4 cup of the berries and enjoy!

I have served this one for breakfast as well as dessert.

So off I go on my quest to lose my baby belly!
Wish me luck!

Party Time Preparation!

I cannot believe that my baby will be 1 in less than 2 weeks!!! Where did the time go???
She's toddling around and drinking whole milk out of a sippy cup!! Soon we can potty train and ditch those nasty diapers!! But first I must plan-and I am just about done!

First off I had to come up with a theme-taking from Chloe's nickname of Monkey I found a really cute 1st birthday website that had the perfect little girl Money themed decor. I highly recommend this website for all of your planning needs http://www.birthdayexpress.com/
They sent me a catalog with coupons and when I placed the order online I had forgotten the coupon codes, so I got on the live chat and was able to get the codes! They shipped out the package with an anticipated delivery date for this week-but I got the box last Friday WOO!HOO!

Check out the theme!

Cute right??!!

I picked up the streamers and extra plates in the pink color from Wal-Mart just in case.
Now I have been told the 1st birthday party is more for the parents than the child-a celebration of her turning 1 in 1 piece and Mommy & Daddy still functioning at 100%! So bring on the party!!!

We decided not to invite kiddos to this party-it will be close friends and Craig's Mom & Gram are coming down from Canada-so 10 people total! It will be a nice time with Chloe as the center of attention!!

I just have to order her cake, get balloons and wrap up her presents! I just keep thinking back to this time last year and March 5th couldn't get here fast enough, and now here we are a year later!! It flew by!! Sometimes I wish that I could just stop time!

Lasts stop on the party planning train will be food-I love a good party and enjoy making the food and planning out all the yummy nummy stuff.
Here is what I have planned so far-keeping in mind that 98% of the guests are adults!

Veggie & Dip Tray
Fruit with Fruit dip( I will share my yummy fruit dip recipe the closer we get to the party-it's not chocolate!)
Cheese and crackers
Mini twice baked ptoatoes
Chicken skewers with a sesame ginger dipping sauce
Bacon wrapped shrimp
Chive stuffed cucumbers
I might come up with a few more-but I think that is plenty along with cake and ice cream!

So more to come later!!

CHEERS!
Erica

Ahhh...the weekend!

So here I am on a Sunday night doing my usual....laundry, chasing after Chloe and attempting to cook something yummy-yet healthy for dinner. I think I have accomplished that goal tonight-true test will be in about 40 minutes when everything is cooked.

So tonight is my last night to eat and drink WHATEVER I want. Tomorrow I start eating super clean, no sodas and I intend on running starting tomorrow WISH ME LUCK-I'm gonna need it! So tonight even though I should be eating something fatty and greasy I am going for yummy and healthy. Join me won't you??!!

Tonight is lemon-herb roasted chicken with zucchini and squash saute with a side salad and cresent rolls(there's the fat & carbs).

So first the bird!!

Lemon and Herb Roasted Chicken

Ingredients:

1 roasting chicken

1 lemon

1tbsp mixed herbs(I used oregano, parsley, thyme and a little garlic with pepper)

1 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Pre-Heat oven to 375. While oven is heating prepare the bird. Remove the giblets, neck all the gross innards. Throw them out, use them for gravy whatever you want-just get them out of that bird.

Slice the lemon in half and place one half in the cavity of the bird. Squeeze the other half of the lemon into a bowl, mix in the olive oil and herbs. Brush the bird with the lemon and herb mixture. Place the bird breast side up into a roasting pan and bake for 90 minutes or until your meat thermometer reads 185 when placed in the thickest part of the thigh. Also make sure all juices run clear-not pink.

Once cooked take out and place a tin foil tent over and let the bird rest before cutting into it-this allows for all of the juices to re-distribute back into the meat-thereby preventing a dry chicken. I would suggest removing the skin before serving to cut down on some of the fat. YUMMY!

Zucchini & Squash Saute

Ingredients:

3 medium zucchini sliced

3 medium squash sliced

1 tbsp olive oil

1tsp parsley

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp pepper and salt

1 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp minced garlic

1/3 cup part skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Saute the sliced veggies and garlic on a pan with the oil. Cook until crisp-tender. Stir in the hersb and reduce heat to med-low for 2 minutes. Remove from heat add cheese and cover until the cheese metls. Serve with your favorite main dish!

ENJOY-let me know what you think!!

CHEERS!

Erica 

VALENTINE'S DAY AT HOME

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!


So let me set this up for you. Even before the weekend we had already planned to have Valentine's Dinner at home, but without me cooking it!!! There is this fabulous catering company here in town that I use exclusively for work, and who also catered our wedding last! I knew they would have yummy food-so lucky for me they were running Valentine's dinner specials-take and eat at home. They were offering 3 different packages and after looking at the selections we went with the mouthwatering Tri-Tip and all the sides! We have had this Tri-Tip 2 other times so we knew what to expect and we weren't disappointed! So, funny enough Sunday Craig started feeling pretty lousy and was walking around in a Ny-Quil induced coma of sorts, so having this dinner at home worked out!!!


I went after work and picked up our full meal. They had it packaged nicely, along with re-heating instructions and even provided a taper candle for our table!


I was fully prepared and went out an bought a Valentine's Day table runner, nice candle holders and heart shaped floating candles! Along with the dozen red roses that Craig got for me our table looked great! I heated everything up, poured us each a glass of red wine and pulled the high chair up to the table while Craig threw a log into the fireplace!


Now it wasn't as romantic as I am making it sound. For one I had a husband who felt like crap, I had a headache and Chloe was sooo fussy that we spent more time entertaining her than talking, but we did toast to the meal so there is that!!


Craig bought a dozen roses for me, and a dozen pink roses for Chloe-very sweet right??!!


This year we went the sentimental route for gifts(no jewelry here!) Craig got for me a really beautiful Willow Tree figurine decpicting our family, and a nice pen with my name on it.
I went a different route for him. I bought a simple glass jar with a top and found 31 different love quotes, thoughts about marriage and love printed them on red and white paper, folded them and put them into the jar and tied it with ribbon. He took his first one last night and assured me the gift wasn't corny-it was sweet and very unique! But I did give him a picture of me from 2 years ago in a nice heart frame.


Chloe was a little harder to buy for-but I got slightly creative. I purchased a heart shaped basket and got a sweet little stuffed animal, a small Valentine's themed snow globe, a new rubby ducky with kisses written on it and a stretchy necklace and bracelet since she is obsessed with mine-she liked her gifts as much as an 11 month old can!!


All in all it was a nice Valentine's Day at home!!
How was your day of love??!!