Sweet treat

This year I wanted to make rice crispy treats for my neighbors, since it's super easy and we have a ton of kids in the neighborhood. So when I came across a instagram post on adding cake batter, I had to try it. 

They are delicious. I can't believe I haven't tried these scrumptious treats before!

Cake Batter Rice Crispy Treats

• 
  

3 Tbsp. butter
1 (10 oz.) bag of mini-marshmallows
1/3 cup yellow cake mix
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1 (1.75 oz.) container of sprinkles

Method: Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir until they begin to melt, adding in cake mix one spoonful at a time so its combined. Stir in rice crispy cereal so it is completely covered with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle in half of the sprinkles and mix. Press into a baking dish (any size will do) and top with remaining sprinkles. Let sit for about 30 minutes before cutting. 

Unfortunately I have to go to the store and get more because my kids have inhaled most of them. 

 Just watch out for the sticky fingers. 

Off to buy Melons

I was introduced to Pamela Salzman's blog a few months back by my mother in law, and I have been hooked ever since. I only wish I could be as organized and healthy as she is. I must say that she has pushed me to be a little (ok, maybe a lot) more conscious of what I'm eating and giving my kids. I usually try to be really good about that stuff, but I would day it's not 90/10, maybe closer to 70/30. Check out her blog and especially reasons to not drink soda. She just did a post on Watermelon Agua Fresca. It looks so delicious I am going to the store today to get me some melons.

Love it - Ice Cream Sandwiches

Last weekend was my lovely niece's 3rd birthday party.

 Her amazingly talented Mama put together a "Bubbles & Butterfly Party". 

As usual it was nothing short of spectacular, however there was one part of the party I couldn't stop taking pictures of... or eating for that matter. 

I thought these little ice cream sandwiches would be great for any party or just on a hot day with your kids in the backyard. 

Method:

 Sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two home made chocolate cookies,

 then roll the sandwiches in a topping of your choice.

Rainbow sprinkles were definitely a favorite, however

crushed oreos, graham crackers, and mini chocolate chips

were super yummy.

Don't these look delicious! 

My baby girl couldn't get enough!

Happy Birthday P-dog. Check out Me Oh My for more party tips, design ideas, how to's, and just about everything in between... oh, and more pictures from her daughters beautiful party!

pimp your smoothie

If your anything like me you will love this snippet from Women's Health Magazine. So far I loved the Cherry Bomb.

Cherry Bomb

Blend 3/4 cup frozen cherries

1 kiwi, peeled and quartered 

1/4 cup orange juice 

1/2 cup coconut water

3/4 tsp agave nectar and 3 ice cubes. 

Serves 1. 159 cal, <1 g fat (<1 g sat), 38 g carbs, 129 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 3 g protein 

**Trick it out even more: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder for an additional 15 to 25 grams of protein. 

Recipe

I recently posted that my mother in law made Ramos House Warm Banana & Berry Shortcake. I got a few requests to share the recipe so here it is. 

photo taken by Nicci on Instagram

Warm Banana & Berry Shortcake

makes 6-8

4 Bananas, sliced

3 cups mixed blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries

2 tbsp butter

3/4 cup of white sugar

6-8 cooked biscuits *

2 cups of sweetened whipped cream

Method:

Saute bananas with butter in a pan until golden brown. 

Add the sugar and cook until the sugar dissolves and begins to caramelize. Add Berries and saute for an extra 30 seconds, and then set aside.

Cut biscuit in half and pour hot fruit over the bottom half of the biscuit. Top with fresh whipped cream and the top of the biscuit. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve warm.

*Disclaimer: We did not make the *biscuits, we made a white cake which was delicious, but not the same.

Buttermilk Biscuits 

makes about 25

20 oz flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup baking powder

1 scant tsp. salt

3/4 cup butter, cold

1 1/4 cups margarine, cold

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Method:

Sift Flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl and set aside. Cut cold butter and margarine into 1/2 inch squares. By hand or with a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour mixture until the butter pieces are the size of large peas. Repeat procedure with margarine. Add the buttermilk and mix until the dough is just combined, being careful not to over mix. Turn the dough out on a floured cutting board and roll out to 2 inch thickness. 

Using a biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits and place onto cookie sheet. Cover in plastic wrap and place in freezer for at least 2 hours. Bake biscuits from frozen on upper shelf of 375 degree preheated oven approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown. 

ENJOY!!

4th Block Party

Our 4th was loaded with lots of fun in the sun. We started off with a Parade with all the kids in the neighborhood. They all decorated their bikes and road around our cul-de-sac. Afterwards I slaved away in the kitchen and made Aunt Nicci's pasta salad (delicious) and the berry tart I talked about in an earlier post. Thanks for the recipe Kris!

Then we headed over to our neighbors house for a bbq, which was so fun. Then I rushed home got the kids washed up and in their jammies and head out for the fireworks. My honey put on a little show for all the neighbors and handed loads of sparklers to the kids. They were in heaven.

After all the craziness we jumped into the truck and headed up the street to watch 3 fire work shows off in the distance. It was a perfect 4th. Hope you had fun too.

Now go enjoy this beautiful weather and get outside!

Happy 4th of July weekend

THE ITALIAN SKY

I hope your heading somewhere nice and cool, like the beach or pool.

MY BABY GIRLS' TOES

We painted our nails for the occasion

CINQUE TERRA, MONTEROSO BEACH ON OUR ITALIAN VACATION

got our bathing suits on, 

JORDY AND PRESLEY'S FESTIVE FINGERS

and all decked out in our patriotic colors.

Tonight we will all be looking to the skies for some lovely firework shows.

GIGI BAKING WARM BERRY & BANANA SHORTCAKE

and our bellies will be nice and full from all the food we ate.

I'm either making this delicious WARM BERRY AND BANANA SHORTCAKE or this BERRY TART.
Love Holidays and
love love love summer time.

TGIF- White out

After I saw this picture in Domino Magazine a while back I knew my next couch had to be 

1. Leather 2. White 3. Tufted

So after searching and searching for the perfect couch with no luck, I decided to have it custom made. We used Sofa Craft, and couldn't be happier.  They literally will make anything you bring them, so I showed them this picture and they made me this lovely couch. We've only been in our house for a year so excuse the nakedness of my family room. It's one thing at a time over here, this is what we got so far

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and while your at it why not whip up some sweet treats. I think I will be making these for the kids. ENJOY!

For the Recipe of these cupcakes and all things yummy head over to Young Married Chic.

Eggs Benedict

I love this breakfast, it easy to make and so yummy. I don't make it too often, but I couldn't resist for my hubby's birthday breakfast. Add some avocado, bacon,  & maybe spread with cream cheese add a little tomato, and cheese and you've got a gourmet breakfast at home. Enjoy!

Recipe found here for the sauce (make sure to add cracked pepper), and here for the ingredients for the eggs benedict. Also you can just buy the store bought mix for Hollandaise Sauce and just add butter and milk. Both are great.

Have a Banana

Pictures via Sheena from the little red house

My kids are obsessed with Banana's right now and are always asking for a chocolate one. I have been wanting to make them myself, but just haven't done it yet. Now because of this post I will be doing it this week with my kiddos. Can't wait.

TGIF - Bon Appetit

It's been a long week, sickness and all sorts of things. I'm just glad it's FRIDAY!! Tonight we are having friends over for dinner and I couldn't help but want to make everything in this article. You gotta love Gwyneth, she might just be too perfect. I'll be steaming up the kitchen today. What will you be doing?

Enjoy your weekend. 

Cleanse yourself

Today I am cleansing. It's been going great although, I hit a tiny speed bump at lunch when making the kids sandwiches, but I conquered. I'm able to have a snack 3 times a day if I need which I think is an apple, 6 almonds, celery, or these nasty chocolate (can't really be chocolate) wafers. I've had an apple. It was euphoric. 

Whenever I am cleansing I read up on health sites. This is where I've been clicking today. 

~ Six snacks you should eat everyday

~ Eat this not that site

~ Isagenixs 30 day cleanse guide

Photos by the little red house

Also I will be making this Strawberry Leather for my kids, it's healthy, looks simple, and delicious.. right up my alley. 

 Oh and if your wanting to maybe win a $10,000 giveaway from Lonny and West Elm.

Click HERE, hey why not.