Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Paisley Turned 1



My darling 2nd granddaughter celebrated her 1st birthday last Sat June 14th!
It's amazing how the time just flies by these days, as it only seemed like yesterday I was there with my daughter, Jade, as she gave birth to her darling cute baby girl - Paisley.


A few hours after she was born!


So... Tiny!



She loves to make funny cute faces!


Jade & Paisley
My daughter & granddaughter at The Festival Of Trees in Utah


Paisley with her big Uncle Brad.
Brad is my son!


Summer is here, time for the paddling pool :)


This really makes me giggle every time I look at her!!
Check out those cool sunglasses.


Pretty in Pink.


Mama, what did you do to my hair!!


HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY
PAISLEY


Mmm... CAKE!


Birthdays are just the best :)

WE LOVE YOU
PAISLEY X





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Monday, June 16, 2014

Strawberry Cupcakes


Yesterday was Fathers Day and for dessert, I made some strawberry cupcakes with
strawberry frosting, topped off with a fresh strawberry and chocolate drizzle and sprinkle.



They didn't last long either. And the few that remained were eaten, for breakfast!!


They were, so moist and tasty. The fresh strawberries used in the batter were the best.


And I didn't have vanilla extract( for shame I know)
I used strawberry instead, which really enhanced the flavor!

I used s recipe from Martha Stewart online site.
Click HERE to view the recipe. 
I will say this, its so worth the time to make these cupcakes!




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The Men in my Life - Fathers Day 2014


Ugh, I am a day  late in posting about Fathers Day:(
But, at least I'm getting to it now :)

Yesterday was Fathers Day and for us it was simple, but rather sweet day.
I am unable to hop across the Atlantic ocean and go see my dad and wish him a Happy Fathers Day, but I can call him and wish a Happy Fathers Day instead, as well as send him a card. I miss having my dad close by and with his speech being unclear and slow (from his Brain Hemorrhage many years ago) Plus his hearing is fading, make for Chatting on the phone is very short and sweet.

This is my dad today.


This was my dad, before his brain Hemorrhage
We took a trip to Dan yr Ogaf Caves & Dinosaur Museum when I was 9.
My mam, told my dad to look scared for the photo! Lol, he obviously didn't listen.
I LOVE my DAD.


Now for the 'Other' man in my life, the man who is the father
 To our 2 darling little tinkers, Seren & Carys.

He is my very handsome and rather sexy
Jason.
Hey, good looking!

Like I mentioned our Fathers Day was a simple, yet sweet one.
Seren had bought Jason a Batman T-shirt and one for herself! I know Batman!!
But, Jason, had showed her the animation Batman show the other day and that's been all she's been talking about, but as she calls it, 'Heroes.'

Daddy also got some yummy Ghirardelli milk chocolate and Lindt intense orange chocolate, along with a google play gift card and cards. 

AND

A Tasty Chicken Dinner with homemade gravy and veggies, followed by




Ohhhhh, so good!


Seren wears her Batman T-shirt! While admiring the sprinkles on the frosted cupcake.


Carys, on the other hand, insisted, I take off the frosting so she could eat JUST the cupcake!

So to all the Fathers, past, present & future out there,
I hope you had or spent a Happy Fathers Day with the ones you LOVE.








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Thursday, June 12, 2014

Coconut Chicken With Mango Dip




COCONUT CHICKEN WITH MANGO DIPPING SAUCE

I love chicken! And with the summer already in full swing, I don't want to be slaving away, cooking in an already hot apartment, with crappy AC. 

So, while browsing Pinterest, my sister-in-law pinned a pin.
And boy, did the chicken look so good and tasty!
See the original post HERE.

I must admit, my pictures don't do the meal justice, as I had my 4 and 2 year old banging forks on the table, whining that they wanted to eat NOW. The original post, her pictures are beautiful!
And, I long for the day when I have fabulous daylight in my beautiful new home and can take stunning pictures like her.

But anyway.... I decided to make some Coconut Chicken for myself
 (Oh, and my family too, can't leave them out, right)






THEY WERE SO GOOD.
I did tweak the recipe a bit, to my taste, but in all honesty. They were luscious, crunchy and moist and the dip, oh my!
Talk about delicious, I think I ate a whole boatload, Lol.



I served my coconut chicken with some couscous and a fresh mixed garden salad, with
A fresh and tangy cucumber, red onion, dill side.


But just in case you can't find her blog post here is the recipe.
Tweak it for your own palate.

Coconut Crunch Chicken Strips with Creamy Honey-Mango Dipping Sauce

(Makes 16 strips, serves 2-4)
Ingredients:
• Vegetable oil for frying
2 chicken breasts (skinless and boneless), sliced length-wise into 4 strips, then those strips sliced length-wise in half, making a total of 8 strips per breast
• Pinch curry powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Pinch cayenne pepper
½ cup flour
2 eggs
2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
1 tablespoon chives, finely minced
• Creamy, Honey-Mango Dipping Sauce (recipe below)
Preparation:
-Begin by filling a medium-sized pot about half-way with the vegetable oil (roughly 6-8 cups), and bring the temperature of the oil slowly up to 350° while you prepare the strips.
-Place the chicken strips into a bowl, and add the pinch of curry powder, a couple of pinches of salt and pepper, and a pinch or two of cayenne pepper, to the strips; toss the strips to coat them in the seasoning, and set them aside for a moment.
-Set up your “coating” station by putting the flour, along with another couple of pinches of salt, pepper and cayenne pepper, into a medium-sized bowl and blending to combine; put the eggs into another medium-sized bowl and beat them, and put the sweetened shredded coconut into another medium-sized bowl; to coat the chicken strips, dredge one strip at a time into the seasoned flour and coat it well; next, dip it into the beaten eggs, and then into the shredded coconut; press the strips into the coconut very well to coat them thoroughly, and place the coated strips onto a plate to hold until all strips have been coated.
-To fry the strips, work in batches by adding about 4-5 strips into the hot oil, and allow them to fry for about 1 ½ – 2 minutes, moving them very gently with tongs every now and then, until they are a deep, golden color; remove from oil and place onto a paper towel-lined platter to drain, and sprinkle each batch with a pinch of salt and pepper while they’re still hot; repeat the process until all strips have been fried.
-Serve the strips hot, garnished with a sprinkle of the minced chives and a side of the Creamy, Honey-Mango Dipping Sauce.
Creamy Honey-Mango Dipping Sauce ingredients:
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup frozen mango chunks, thawed
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
1 tablespoon honey
• Pinch (small) curry powder
3-4 drops Sriracha sauce (add more if you like it spicier)
½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Preparation:
-Add all ingredients into the bowl of a food processor, and process until completely combined and well-blended; serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for a couple of days.




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Monday, June 9, 2014

My Writing -- Life Changes


Here is my next piece of writing - again, this is from my creative writing course on Mastering Dialogue
Click HERE to visit the site


Lori, looked over at the couple who sat across from her, holding hands and making googly eyes at each other, she smiled, “When's the big day?”

The young woman turned and smiled, “Tomorrow. You?”

“Four and half months," Lori rolled her eyes. "But I wish my day was tomorrow too.” She chuckled.

“What fun, isn't it. I mean all the preparations and whatnot, then poof, the day is finally here.”

“Yes, it is....” before she could finish, a door opened and out popped a middle aged lady. “Lori, we're ready for you now.”

Standing up, Lori smiled at the smitten couple, “Best of luck.”

“You too.” The couple replied.

Lori followed the well rounded, silver haired woman down the brightly painted hall and was asked to wait in yet another room. Drumming her fingers on the magazine, she thought, where is he? She knew Zack was a little forgetful, but for this? I'm sure he'll be here, he's just running late, she mused.

The door opened and in strode the most drop dead gorgeous guy she'd ever seen, “Good afternoon Lori,” His hand reached out to shake hers. “I'm Dr. Turner. But please, call me Avery, it's less formal.” He smiled.

Lori was dumbstruck for a second and unsure where to look. Zack was handsome, but, Dr. Turner, was breathtaking and he looked like he'd just stepped off a photo shoot. His rich brown hair was styled just right and his piercing blue eyes seemed to look deep into her soul, then was his smile... Oh his smile! She shook his hand quickly and squeaked out, “Nice to meet you, but where's Dr. Epstein?”

“He's away on vacation and I'm filling in for him. Is that okay with you?” He sat down on the swivel stool and moved closer to Lori.

“Sure.” She smiled as her face blushed.

“Well, let's get on with it, is there anyone joining you today?” He squirted rubbing alcohol onto his hands and rubbed it in.

“My husband Zack, but...” she glanced at her watch. “I think he's running late.”

“No worries, we'll get started. I'm sure he'll turn up.”

Lori laid back on the table and rolled up her top and pushed the top of her jeans down. As Dr. Turner squeezed the cold gel onto her tummy and she remarked at how cold it felt. Picking up the transducer, he moved it over her belly and on the screen next to her, appeared her sweet growing baby. The ultrasound went really well and Lori couldn't be more happier. So, on her way home, she'd decided to stop at the mall to pick up a cute pink outfit for the baby girl.

On her way back to her car, Lori spotted Zack, standing by his car. Just as she was about to call out, a woman walked up to him, leaned against his body, her hands grasped at his hair... Then they kissed! Lori's eyes widened unable to comprehend the scene playing out before her. She felt sick to her stomach as a mountain of questions swirled around in her head. She steadied herself against the wall and waited until Zack and his girl were out of sight. Albeit shakily, Lori made it back to her car, but the drive home was a blur.

“Hey Lor, I'm home.” called out Zack. He stepped into the living room, dressed in his stone washed designer jeans and Ralf Lauren T-shirt and in his hands he was holding a mixed bouquet of flowers. “Hey babe, these are for you.”

She took the flowers, looked at them and sighed, thinking to herself, he can't even buy me flowers, that I actually like. “Where were you today, Zack?” she asked.

“I had a meeting, why?”

“You forgot!”

“Um... Was there something important, I should have remembered? A birthday or something?” He plonked himself down on the sofa and picked up the TV remote.

Lori couldn't believe his 'matter of fact' behavior, “You missed the Ultrasound!” her voice quivered.

His eye scanned the TV screen, “Oh yeah. That was today, my bad.”

Lori's heart beat faster, her hands felt clammy, “You're bad... YOUR BAD! You knew we had that appointment today, I reminded you before you left for work this morning.”

Zack seemed unfazed, he'd finished scanning the TV channels and stopped on the sports channel, “Sorry, babe. You know me and my memory.” He rolled his eyes and pulled a stupid face.

“Your memory, suits you fine when it's got anything to do with you. It's everything and everyone else, you tend to forget. But lately you have been worse and on this matter... I beg to differ.”

He scrunched his eyebrows and pulled a face, “Huh? What are you on about?”

“You know full well what I'm on about!” Her rage bubbled up inside of her. She stood and said,  “You are a liar.”

“What are you on about Lor?”

“Don't Lor' me. I hate when you call me that. My name is Lori. I said... You are a Liar! You didn't have a meeting today. I saw you.”

“I did have a meeting, it ran long.” He shuffled nervously on the sofa and tiny beads of sweat began to form on his brow.

Lori, paced back and forth, “That meeting of yours, did it have long blonde hair, big boobs and wears a size 0 by any chance?” her impatience barley in check.

Panic washed over Zack. She'd seen him! Now he was in trouble. He racked his brain to think of something to say and blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “Oh her. Gosh, she's just one of the temps they hired, she missed her bus so I offered to give her a ride home.”

“Liar!” Lori yelled her fists balled at her sides, her face flushed and her belly felt like a rock. She knew feeling like this wasn't good for the baby. Dr. Turner, had told her that her blood pressure was a little high and for her not to get too stressful. She picked up the flowers and threw them at him.

“What did you do that for?”

“You deserve it, And you're blatantly lying to my face? I SAW you, kissing her and I can smell her sickly perfume all over you.”

He picked at his fingernails, “Ah. It was nothing.”

“It didn't look like nothing. How long has this been going on for?”

Zack stood and stepped closer to Lori, his hand outstretched, “Come on babe, please.”

“Don't come near me, you make me feel sick.” She rubbed her tummy, a wave of nausea washed over her. Holding the arm of the chair, she sat back down, her hands shook as she drank a sip of water.

He'd been caught, but as far as she knew it was just that one kiss, so he played it down, “Okay, okay, I admit it. She kissed me, I kissed her. It happens, babe.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and gave a sly grin.

“STOP CALLING ME BABE!' Her face reddened more, and shaking her fists at him said, "It was more than that, how long has this been going on for?”

“A few months.”

“How many?” The realization was beginning to set in, that her husband was a scum bag.

“Since before you got pregnant, I guess. Look, I didn't mean for you to find out this way.”

“And what way, would you have me find out? You jerk.”

She was about to stand up, but Zack motioned for her to stay sitting. He'd had hoped he could buy some time, but looking at Lori now, he'd had enough and in a way he was glad she'd found out. He'd gotten tired of, thinking of ways to get out of doctors appointments, and dinners with her family. It was about time she knew the whole truth, "We'll since all that is out in the open, I may as well tell you everything. "He cleared his throat and said, “I'm leaving you."

A puzzled look crossed her face, "You're leaving me? What? Why?"

"I've never loved you Lori, you were an option that seemed good at the time.”

“An option? What the hell does that mean?” She glared at him.

Zack ignored her stares and walked over to the mini bar, poured himself a large glass of whiskey and answered, “Money. You had money and lots of it and I was in debt. So I married you. " He took a sip from his glass. But gosh Lori, you're such a bore and a miss goody two-shoes, plus your not that good in the sack. So I had no choice... I slept with other girls,” He chuckled. "They were very good distractions too.” And taking a long sip of the whiskey, he licked his lips, pointed his glass at her and with an air of contempt said, “But you had to go and ruin everything. You got pregnant! I told you I never wanted a baby, let alone become a father. What were you thinking?” He turned his back on Lori. “Anyway, don't expect anything from me. I will sign away any right to that kid. So this is what I'm thinking,” he tipped his glass back, allowing the last drop of whiskey to fall into his mouth. “Oh, and I'll keep all the money I already have accumulated, as well as a substantial payment for signing my rights away, then I'll call it good.” He poured another glass of whiskey and downed it one whole swig.

Lori couldn't quite believe what he'd just told her. How didn't she see his lies? Her mind swam with thoughts of disbelief, disgust, anger, hurt and that he'd only married her for her money. She felt ashamed. Ashamed, dirty and he'd slept with other women too! A shiver ran up her spine, as she realized she never really knew the man she thought she loved. Tiny things slowly started to fall into place now, details she'd overlooked before, now hit her full on and he'd  not only charmed her, beguiled her and used her. And after what she heard from his lying lips and she'd do anything to get rid of the vile man that stood before her. Even if that meant paying him off.

Lori kept her gaze on the little pink boutique bag, that sat on the floor next to her feet, she mumbled, “I'll have my lawyer draw up the paperwork.”

“Great. If you don't mind, I'll stay here until the papers are drawn up.”

Lori stood, her jaw clenched, “YOUR LEAVING NOW!” She wagged her finger at him, and don't ever come back.”

Zack stepped back, his hands in the air, “Okay, okay. No need to get all worked up.” He sauntered past her towards the hallway. He picked up the keys to the car and yelled back, “Oh, by the way, I'm taking the Porsche.”

Her whole body trembled from head to toe. She sank back into the rocking chair, her head ached from the whole ordeal. She gently stroked her belly and whimpered, “It's just you and me now.” Then she buried her head in her hands, and sobbed.

Copyright 2014 Freckles. All Rights Reserved.















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Saturday, June 7, 2014

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats



Rice Krispie Treats, you either don't like them or you love them.

Well, in this case you're going to LOVE them.
Firstly, they are super easy to make, secondly did I say you're going ot LOVE them :)


You, get the gooey, stickyness from the marshmallow, crunchiness from the Rice Krispies
And then in my opinion comes the best,
The salted caramel topping :)


Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
  • 3 TBSP butter
  • 1 10-oz package regular sized marshmallows or 4 cups mini marshmallows OR you can use marshmallow fluff a 7.5 oz size 
  • 6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
  • 1 package Kraft Caramel Bits
  • 2 TBSP milk
  • About 2 tsp coarse sea salt


Melt the butter, in the microwave.
Today, I used the marshmallow fluff
 ( but if your using regular marshmallows, you will need to melt them)
Mix the melted butter and marshmallow together 


Add the Rice Krispies and stir well. I spray my spoon with non-stick spray. Our if you like to use your hands, you can spray them too, that way you don't get the mix stuck all over  your hands. Well, that part I don't mind - I get to lick it off! Albeit make sure you wash your hands before handling the treats again!


Press the krispie mixture into a sprayed pan. I used non-stick spray again.


Place the caramel bits & milk into a dish and pop in the microwave and melt for about 1 & 1/2 min.
Stir and if they haven't quite melted pop them back in and do 15 sec increments until ther are melted.

STIR well and then pour over the top of the Rice krispies. 


Next sprinkle the sea salt over the caramel.
Pop in the fridge to set. 
Take then out and cut into squares. 

ENJOY!

SALTED CARAMEL RICE KRISPIE TREATS









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Sunday, June 1, 2014

Seven Deadly Sins of Writing.


I subscribe to Writers Digest and I love getting emails that contain wonderful insights and great help on how to become a better writer.

I especially liked a recent email I received  written by a wonderful writer named, Brian A. Klems and I would like to share it with my readers.

How many of the points do you say 'yes'  to? I know I did :)

Seven Deadly Sins of Writing
Click HERE to read the full article


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