Beer Battered Coconut Shrimp

I have never been a fan of seafood. My husband, on the other hand, loves it. Thankfully, I do like shrimp, so when he gets a craving for seafood, this is my go to recipe. The shrimp come out with a crispy coating that's just delicious!

Ingredients:

1 egg
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup beer (any)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 cups flaky coconut
24 shrimp
oil for frying

Directions:

In a medium sized bowl, combine egg, 1/2 cup of flour, beer, and baking powder. Place 1/4 cup of flour and coconut in separate bowls.

Hold shrimp by tail, then dredge through flour. Shake off excess. Dip in beer batter mixture. Shake off excess. Roll shrimp in coconut. Place on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Heat oil to 350 degrees in a deep fryer. Fry shrimp in batches. Fry for 2 - 3 minutes on each side, or until shrimp starts turning golden brown. Remove shrimp, and let oil drain on paper towels.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

*If you don't have a deep fryer, I used to use a heavy 3 qt saucepan with hot oil that fried them just fine.

Wordless Wednesday~ Burnt Dinner

This is how dinner usually ends up burnt in our house. One large dog sleeping on my feet as I try to cook.

Happy Memorial Day!

I want to take today to thank all of our service members, past and present, for all the sacrifices they make for our freedoms! Happy Memorial Day!

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Cotton Candy Maker Test Run

Mariah's birthday is coming up next week, so we decided to do a trial run on the cotton candy machine I got for Mother's Day. How do you think it worked?

The machine says you can use any hard candy. We bought a bag of Jolly Ranchers Hard Candy, and just in case it didn't work, I bought this 5 pack of Cotton Candy Sugar from Amazon for $25.

We started out with the Jolly Ranchers.

It took about 5 minutes to really get the floss going, but after that, it was pretty quick to form a cotton candy ball.

I realized after that first attempt that I should have left the stick hovering over the top of the bowl instead of putting it inside and scooping the floss up. It didn't make a nice poofy ball, but made it really tight. It still tasted like cotton candy, but it wasn't that soft cloud you normally eat. You can see the tight ball it made here.

So we tried again, both with the sugar and with more Jolly Ranchers and finally got it right:

 

The verdict on the Jolly Ranchers vs the sugar? They both fluffed up into soft, fluffy balls. The sugar had a nice flavor, but all the colors were very faint, almost white, no matter what flavor you chose. As for taste, Allison, my 8 year old, didn't have a preference. However, my 12 year old enjoyed the Jolly Rancher made cotton candy over the sugar. We did notice it had a much sweeter flavor than the sugar did, and it had better coloring after flossing up.

Please, Thank You, & Two Way Streets

It’s getting to be that time of year again where summer gatherings are in full swing. This is also the time of year that huge life events take place and invitations start pouring in for celebrations. I like parties, family gatherings, and almost always attend any event that I am invited to. Yet, I was thinking the other day that last summer I went to a wedding, college graduation, and a baby shower, all of which I gave very nice monetary gifts. Do you know how many "Thank You" notes I received? None! I find this very rude and offensive! I feel that if you have time to send out invitations, then you have time to send a quick thank you as well. This really irks me too on the invites that I feel I received just because I would be another gift giver. You know what I am talking about. Those people you never hear from until they have a party where gift giving is the norm. The college graduate did post an informal "Thanks to all who attended my graduation" on his Facebook wall. I don't want to be collectively grouped into a tacky Facebook shout out when I took time out of my day to attend your event and gave a nice gift. It doesn't have to be hand written either. With all the technology out there to reach people today, I think it would be ok to send a quick text, email, or even a Facebook message acknowledging the gift and saying thanks. It doesn't matter how it's delivered, just make it personal. I know there are those who say they don't gift give for a thank you. I guess I feel differently. If I give you a gift, I expect a thank you. It’s good manners. If you can't find the time to say thank you, I will not be finding the time to attend any more of your future events.


I have also had people expect me to do for them without a polite request. I had one person say, "There is a family at my church that is struggling. I'm going to need all the clothes your girls have out grown." And since I am a sahm, "I need you to watch my kids on xxx day." Look, I love helping people, but please ask, don't demand.


Also, my mom and I were discussing how we have attended every event of a certain family member for the past few years, yet she has not been to one of ours. Functions and communication are two way streets. I like to feel like I am a valued part of someone’s life, so when it starts feeling a little one sided, it’s time for me to move on. If relationships are important to you, you need to learn to give as well as take. 

If you are sending out invitations for any life events this year, do remember that a little please or thank you will go a long way!

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Wordless Wednesday~ Broken Swing

Last year storms broke a branch off one of the trees:

And down it came, right through the swing set:

Weekend Roundup! Sunshine Weather

Don't you just LOVE this time of year? I think I am the happiest when summer starts rolling around. I live for warm weather weekends! There is just so much to do, and there's nothing like breathing in all that fresh warm air after being cramped in a house all winter long. We had such a fantastic weekend, but it sure did go by quick!

We did a lot of grilling...

Planted flowers...

Went to yard sales. Allison got a pair of Moon Shoes for $3 and hasn't taken them off since...

And spent some time finding shells and playing in the lake...

Did everyone else have a great weekend?  Canadians, how was your long weekend? What are your normal warm weather weekend plans?

It's Not About The Wedding...

Most little girls dream of their wedding day. I was no exception. I always had that Cinderella fantasy wedding in mind. I think my family had that in mind for me as well. From the minute we got engaged the pressure was on. It was expected to be perfect, and day by day the guest list was growing, as was the stress of the planning. I was now a stay at home mom after quitting my full time job, with benefits. It was taking longer than planned to save for this perfect wedding. Then a blessing happened. I became pregnant with our second child and I had no insurance. 

 

“We need to get married asap!” I told Jason. We were nowhere near ready for the elaborate wedding everyone was anticipating, but I needed insurance.

The next morning I woke up and called the Justice of the Peace.

“We can marry you today if you get here before 4:00” they said.

I called Jason and shared the news. Then it was set. He would leave work and we were getting married right now. With only our mothers and my grandmother in attendance we took our vows that day. There was no fancy dress, hundreds of flowers, or wedding guests. No big reception or cake that could pass off as artwork.

I’ve attended quite a few weddings since then. I’ve watched down to earth women turn into bridezillas, people spending thousands of dollars on a wedding, yet can’t afford a down payment on a house, and even though my best friend had one heck of a beautiful wedding, she admitted that it went by so quick, she doesn’t remember much about it. Thinking back now, my wedding may not have been ideal or fit the mold of others ideal weddings, but it couldn’t have been more perfect for me.

We’ve had many ups and downs through our marriage, but at the end of the day I feel so blessed to know that no matter what, I’ve got my husband by my side. He’s seen me at my best and at my worst and still stands beside me every day defending me, honoring me, and loving me. Tomorrow will be our 9 year wedding anniversary. A fairytale wedding wouldn’t have added any more sparkle or love to our lives. After all, it’s not about the wedding, it’s the marriage that counts. And I’ve had one fabulous ride on it so far!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

When the weather starts warming up, I get smoothies on the brain all the time. The only problem is, there aren’t many places to get one around here, unless you want to go to Dairy Queen. Paying $4 for a smoothie just doesn’t sit well with me. So, I thought I would share my favorite homemade smoothie recipe today. This recipe will make enough to serve 2.

Ingredients:

12 Frozen Strawberries

1 Peeled and cut up banana

1/2 Cup Skim Milk

1/2 Cup Vanilla Yogurt (I don’t use light. I like the full fat yogurt. I think the light varieties give this a weird flavor)

3 Tablespoons White Sugar

2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Top with whipped cream. Serve.

*The smoothie will be thick. If you like yours a bit thinner, add more milk. If you prefer fresh strawberries over frozen, use 12 fresh berries and 7 cubes of crushed ice in place of the frozen berries).

Wordless Wednesday~ Baby Cake

I love this cake my cousin made for a baby shower!

My New Nephew & Family Through Adoption

Yesterday my little sister gave birth to my newest nephew, Micah! Of course, being the doting auntie that I am, I was immediately smitten with all 7 pounds of him. It was such a joy being one of the first people to greet him into the world. There’s nothing more wonderful than new life!

I also want to tell you about 2 more people that I met yesterday as well, but a little back story first. My sister is young. She’s still trying to get her life together. The pregnancy was unplanned and she knew that she would not be able to care for Micah the way he deserved, so our hunt for adoptive parents began. There were many couples scrambling to be at the top of the list for the baby, yet finding that one perfect fit was a challenge! Though there were plenty of people who would have made great parents, it is very stressful trying to find that one couple who 100% feel like the perfect fit. We thought we had found the right couple until they let us know they were planning on moving to England with the baby. This did not fit into my sisters open adoption plan as she was hoping for a few visits a year with the baby. So, with only 2 months left, we had to scramble and start the search all over again. Through a family friend we heard of a couple that seemed to fit her needs. A lunch date was set up and an immediate connection was felt by everyone involved. That “Aha! You’re who we’ve been waiting for” moment just kicked in. My sister has been bonding with this couple for the past 2 months and they have all become very close. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting the adoptive parents for the first time and feel that Micah has truly been blessed with the most wonderful parents! They were the most down to earth, genuine, and good hearted people I have ever met, and you can feel their warmth almost instantly. I think my sister has done a courageous and wonderful thing in choosing adoption for her son. How amazing is it that 2 months ago we didn’t even know these people existed, and now, through Micah, we will be bonded with them forever? I think it’s pretty cool!

                 Because my picture was horrible, here is my mom holding our new joy :)

Look What I Got For Mother's Day!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day yesterday! I know I sure did! I got so spoiled, I didn’t want the day to end :)

The girls surprised me with breakfast in bed. Usually eating in my bed is a no no because I hate crumbs on the sheets, but Allison has been dying to do this for months, so Jason gave her the ok. What did she serve? Toast. One of the crummiest foods there are lol.

I got some pretty awesome presents. Allison gave me a lunch bag full of hand made pictures. Mariah gave me a framed hand made chalk drawing she did in art class. She was pretty upset because one of the dogs took a bite out of it, but I told her it gives the picture a little more character. We will always look at that fixed part and remember Rocky every time we do. You can see the black line where we had to fix it on the right side of the picture.

 

And, since I am a nerd like that, I got a cotton candy maker! Woo Hoo! Yes, I am still a big kid. Last year I got a snow cone maker, so this was just a perfect addition! I am easily amused by these nostalgia machines, and since I LOVE party throwing, it is certainly going to come in handy. I was told that the cotton candy machine was for me. However, I do have a sneaking suspicion that the girls are going to want to use this far more than the number of parties that will be thrown here!

 

 

But, best of all, today I get to meet my newest nephew. He is scheduled to be born at 9:00 am. I can hardly wait!

Happy belated Mother’s Day to all you mommies out there! How was your day? Did you do anything special?

Hot Chocolate Popcorn

One of our families favorite things to do on the weekends is family movie night. What family movie night wouldn't be complete without popcorn? Plain popcorn just doesn't work in this house. It always has to have a little something sweet thrown in, like M&M's or Reece's Pieces. Nothing is yummier than that salty and sweet combo! This is one of my all time favorite sweet popcorn recipes. Be warned, it is very addicting!

 

Ingredients:

2 bags regular or lightly buttered microwave popcorn, popped.

2 cups mini marshmallows

1 packet powdered hot chocolate mix

1 12oz bag Wilton vanilla candy melts

1/4 cup melted semi sweet chocolate.

Directions:

Mixed popped pop corn and marshmallows together in a large bowl. 

Melt candy melts according to package directions.

Pour melted candy over popcorn/marshmallow mixture. Stir to coat popcorn.

Spread mixture over waxed paper and immediately sprinkle with powdered cocoa mix.

Drizzle melted semi sweet chocolate over top. 

Let set until all candy and chocolate have hardened. Serve. 

Store in an air tight container.

What I Learned From My Mother In Law

I thought in honor of Mother's Day, I would tell you a story about my mother in law.

16 years ago, I started dating my now husband. I met him through work, so he already knew my parents (my dad hired him into the restaurant we worked at), but it took a few months of dating before I met his. Quite honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted to. Jason was their only son and the baby of the family. I heard all kinds of horror stories about mothers of these kinds of kids, and I really wanted no part of it.


It was winter by the time I met them. I remember being a quiet girl, not really trying to engage them in too much direct conversation, but answered their questions as quickly and politely as I could. It wasn't the worst first meeting, but I was sure glad when it was over. We put on our coats, said our good byes, and made way for the car. Just as I was reaching for the car door handle... THWACK! Something smashed into the side of my head! I turned to realize Jason's mom hit me with a snowball. I was stunned!


"You're mad, aren't you?" Jason asked as he drove me home.
"No, I'm just surprised your mom just hit me with a snowball. She doesn’t even know me that well."


To this day he still thinks I was ticked, but honestly I wasn't. I was just shocked at what had just happened. I was brought up to mind your manners and always be polite. You don't hit someone with a snowball on your first meeting, and certainly not when they aren't expecting it because their back is turned. Who does that? Even now I don't know what she was thinking. Maybe she was hoping to run me off or maybe she was trying to break the ice and show her playful side. I may never know. She’s done some weird things over the years, and I stop questioning her motives a long time ago.


What I do know is over the past 16 years I have learned so much from my mother in law. Things like:


Kids are going to get dirty. The dirtier they are or the more ice cream they have on their face, the happier they are.

Expensive designer clothes for kids are ridiculous. If they don't stain or rip before they outgrow them, it's still a good bet they won't fit next season anyway.

Kids would rather you spend time with them doing the simple things over getting new toys. If your child asks you to play, do it! They won't want your company forever, so when they ask, use that time for all it's worth. Childhood doesn't last forever, so everything else can wait. 

Every holiday is an excuse to have a party.

It’s important to take a few hours a week to spend just with your spouse. I think my mother in law is a strong part of my successful marriage. Ever since my kids were born she has taken them every single Sunday for 3 hours in the afternoon. We get so caught up in other things through the week, it’s nice to take those few hours to just go to lunch and reconnect. 

Introduce your kids to new things. Some things I never thought my kids would enjoy (like going to train museums) are some of our most fond memories because she pushed us to go.

Life isn't a beauty pageant. Throw on those ugly snow pants and take your kids sledding! No one cares what you are wearing, but you'll care someday over the missed opportunity to have fun because you were worried more about making a fashion statement than playing with your kids.

Take every opportunity you can to create memories for the people you love.

Most importantly, it's good to know that you can whack someone with a snowball and they will come to love you anyway.

                                    Bingo is always fun when played with Grandma!
                                                      

Wordless Wednesday~ Smores!

Cashiers and Coupons

I like using coupons when I grocery shop, but ever since Christmas, I have noticed they are becoming a bigger hassle than normal to use. I am by no means one of those extreme couponers the television show is about. I don’t think I use more than 10 on any given shopping trip, but even that seems to send the cashiers into a big tizzy! Some days I leave the store wondering just who is training these people?

I had a Meijer store issued coupon for $5 off ANY item in the trim a tree department. I bought 3 boxes of candy canes.

Cashier: “I don’t know what “trim a tree” means, so you can’t use this."

Me: “Trim a tree is anything that you find in the Christmas department you can decorate your tree with. You put candy canes on a tree, right?”

Cashier: “No, you eat them.”

Me: “Just take the candy canes off the order and I’ll use it on something else next time.” I wasn’t going to stand there and argue.

At Kroger I used 50¢ off any Green Giant vegetables. Cashier hands the coupon back without scanning it.

Me: “Is there a problem?”

Cashier: “You bought green beans, the picture shows corn.”

Me: “Coupon says ANY. Please read the words and not the picture.”

Cashier scans coupon, and it goes through fine.

I had another Meijer store issued coupon for 25 free photo prints, up to $6. They were on sale that week, so my 25 prints came to $4.75.

Cashier- “Your prints don’t cost $6, they are only $4.25. You can’t use this since you didn’t spend $6.”

Me- “Coupon says “UP TO $6. Take $4.25 off."

Cashier- “Exactly. You didn’t spend $6. Use the coupon next time when your order is $6.”

I just paid, then I went to the service desk and got my $4.25 back for the coupon she wouldn’t take off.

Not a coupon story, but the store had soda on sale, limit 2 cases. I was buying 2, my husband was buying 2. We make our way to the uscan and cashier comes running over. I know there is a limit of 2. You have to pay full price for 2 of those."

Me- “I’m paying for mine, he is paying for his.”

Cashier- “Limit 2!”

Me- “Yes, per customer. I am a customer, I am buying mine. I will pay for mine, then he will scan and pay for his, seeing that he is a whole new customer. I am getting my limit of 2, then he will get his limit of 2.”

Cashier throws her hands up and stomps off. She is now known as “pop cop” every time we shop at that store.

Look, I get the fact that there are greedy jerks out there who use coupons in manners they weren’t intended, but you just shouldn’t treat every customer who uses one as a criminal. Is it really worth losing a customer over a 40¢ coupon? I don’t think so.

Do you use coupons at the grocers? Have you noticed an increase in the coupon patrol lately? 

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Frozen Yogurt Dots

Yesterday was the first day where it felt unbearably hot this year. As soon as the girls got home from school, they immediately started asking for ice cream or popsicles. Of course, I didn’t have any. I had no desire to run to the store for any either. And where the heck is the ice cream truck when you really want it around? I usually cringe when I hear that stupid “Pop Goes the Weasel” music blasting around the neighborhood, but yesterday, I would have gladly ran to the truck with open arms.

I started tearing through the fridge looking for something cool and refreshing that would satisfy my kids, when I noticed I had a few yogurts sitting there. *Ding!* A light popped on (in my head, not the refrigerator) as I recalled seeing frozen yogurt dots on Pinterest once. Yep, it’s Pinterest to the rescue again. What ever did mothers do before that gem of a website was around?

We filled a pastry bag with the yogurt, then squeezed dots onto waxed paper. Popped them into the freezer. An hour later we had our cool and refreshing treat that is much healthier than ice cream anyway! 

Wordless Wednesday~ Boxers & Bubbles

Who says bubbles are just for kids? Those Crayola colored bubbles sure are messy, but oh so fun!

Don't forget to enter my Charm It Charm Gift Set Giveaway! Only 7 days left!

8 Year Olds & Phone Etiquitte?

My 8 year old has a new found love of the telephone. These past few days I have been thinking that we need to round up all the 8 year old phone users and teach them proper phone etiquette.

The phone has been ringing way too early on the weekends. When I answer, I get, “Who is this?” What ever happened to “Hello, may I speak with xxx?”

When I send the neighborhood kids home because we need to start getting ready for bed, the phone rings not even 5 minutes later. It doesn’t matter that they have just spent all day here, or they heard me tell the girls it’s bedtime. They still call.

Oh, my child is not a perfect phone user either. She was speaking with her friend the other day. I said “Allison, wrap up your call. We are getting ready to eat.” *Click* Just like that, she hangs up on her friend. No goodbye, no nothing! “Did you just hang up on your friend?” “Yes. You told me to get off the phone.” Now, I don’t talk on the phone a lot, but I am pretty sure she has heard me say good bye every time I end a call.

The real kicker. A boy from her class called while she was out. When she returned home, I told her she could return the call. She puts on her plastic high heel play shoes and took the phone out on the deck. Um, he can’t see you and your fancy shoes, and excuse me, but you are 8. There is no such thing as a private phone call in this house at your age.

While I have never been a big fan of the phone, I am really not enjoying it here much lately.

Are your kids big phone talkers? What age did they start making their own calls? What limitations do you set on phone use in your house?

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