What's happening in my playground

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Allee Turns 2!

"You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine, You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Gray".....

Sunshine Party and Allee Turns 2! Allee is a bright spot in my life, and brings out so much love inside of me, and giggles, too! Allee invited a few of her special friends, and a few of her special relatives, and we had a sunshine party in the park right behind her house!

We had tons of fun with yellow and white decorations. Yellow, really, makes everyone smile doesn't it? Yellow lanterns hung with ribbon from the trees, a special sunshine cake especially made by our favorite baker Sharon, yellow cookie bars, lemon yellow cupcakes, banana pudding cups with mini vanilla wafers and whipped cream, chocolate dipped yellow pretzels, mac and cheese bites, pulled pork sliders, watermelon, Thai salad, toddlers cups filled with grapes, cheese and a pretzel, and lemon crazy straw cups. A big bouquet of yellow balloons lasted the entire party .... and only came loose and flew away as the last little toddler was toddling home.

My sweet granddaughter is turning 2. Can time just....stop?

Our Sunshine. Allee

Birthday Girl on the Slide

Yes, it's my birthday and I am going back to the slide!

Yellow Flowers...Happy

Sunshine Cake, Sunshine Pretzels, where are the cookies?

You Are My Sunshine Party!

Can we say it again...we love yellow cookie bars?

Bubbles for the little sunshiners

Great Grandma Betty, 3 weeks shy of 87, and Allee

Allee lovin' her new kitchen, and phone from Grandpa Steve and Grandma Beth

Allee and Nannie

Dad, Allee, Mom

Friday, March 2, 2012

Suzanne is Double Three's!

Suzanne celebrated her birthday in March. What a fun birthday and fun age! 33! Life is SO good at 33 and middle age hasn't even hinted at arriving. Suzanne looks fabulous, and is a busy mom and wife, career woman and full time graduate student at Boise State. I am so very proud of her, and all that she has become.

But for me, 33 years ago on the day my first and only baby was born, seems like yesterday. I close my eyes and see her little baby body, all 7 lb 8 oz of her, laying in my arms and truly being amazed at the miracle of birth. So happy birthday to Suzanne, and to me too, because the day you were born, my life changed forever. Thank God for Little Girls.

Suzanne and her Nike cake - 33rd birthday cake baked by Sharon Siebenburg!

Birthday Girl and Mom

Birthday Girl and Dad

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

YoungBlood Mineral Cosmetics

Not sure why I am posting about products I love, but, well, they are products that I truly love! Have you ever looked a woman's skin, noticed her foundation and how smooth and flawless her skin looked? I have a friend who I had to ask "what foundation do you wear" and she told me the story about YoungBlood Mineral Cosmetics. Her faced was radiant!

The mineral foundation, lunar dust, mineral rice setting powder, pressed blush, mineral primer, the kabooki brush, everything about YoungBlood is fabulous. It's light, provides great coverage and feels like silk going on every morning.

I am so in love with YoungBlood that I enrolled in a two day training workshop in March and will become a certified YoungBlood Make-Up Artist! Gotta say, I am excited and hope I can train other trainers and as well as make women feel beautiful with the right products.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

VaniCream - MyCream!

I am like every woman in the world who wants to have soft skin, free from wrinkles, dry patches, red spots, and age spots.

10 years ago on a visit to my dermatologist, I asked the doc what is the best product to use for moisturizing? I have spent thousands of $$$$ on moisturizers like Estee Lauder and Oil of Olay. He quickly said "VaniCream, no prescription needed but order at your pharmacy". I wrote that down as fast as I could and off to the pharmacy I went. It took a day to arrive from Salt Lake City and can I tell you, I haven't used anything else since then? VaniCream solved my dry skin dilemma! I use it every night after I take off my make-up (I use Ponds Cold Cream to remove eye make-up and Cetaphil to cleanse my face). I put VaniCream on my eyes, my face, my neck and even my feet!

Love Love Love VaniCream!

Run to your local pharmacy today and order a jar (16 oz, ask for a pump) or a 4 oz tube.

They also have 4 oz tube of sunscreen.

You'll have to try it, I am one happy girl now that I've discovered VaniCream.

Age spots will need Renova (cream prescription from your doctor but so worth it).

The No Junk Food Challenge

Tomorrow is the first day of Lent, and I am going to start the "No Junk Food Challenge". Basically, no processed food. Eat real food...lean meats, fruits, vegetables. 21 Days. I hope to go longer.

I know last week with Valentine's Day and my birthday I ate way too much sugar and my body was screaming. I have to tell you, I am no dietitian, but sugar is toxic. I am not saying I don't like it, but it's bad on our cells and organs and well, makes belly fat.

Chips...oh I love my chips! I will miss them so.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Idaho Ceremonies

Drum Roll Please....

I am a Wedding Officiant!

After much thought about how I enjoy helping people on one of the most important days of their lives, I have become an ordained minister through American Marriage Ministries and can officially marry couples! I am here to help you, one step at a time, to plan the ceremony of a lifetime. Simple, romantic, traditional, or non-traditional. The day is yours and I can help you along the way.

Please go to my website www.idahoceremonies.com or blog at www.idahoceremonies.blogspot.com. You can also reach me at 208 - 407 - 8899.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Full Moon and Southern Idaho Desert

Thinking of my dad, Moon Mullen, on this night of the full moon, January 7th.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Gloria 1942- 2011

My older sister, Gloria, was 16 years old when I was born. She always said she was embarrassed to have a baby sister at 16, you know, the parent thing, she said she didn't like to think that mom and dad had s e x. But apparently that changed when they brought me home. The story is I was named after my great aunt Mary Victoria Melvin Clayton. Aunt Mary had no children so I was given her name. Gloria said when I came home from the hospital that she didn't want me to be called Mary ... too old fashion for a little baby girl ... so she nicknamed me ... Vicky. Thanks Gloria, I owe you big time!

On December 15, 2011, Gloria Darlene Mullen Thiem Bailey Queen passed away. Gloria suffered for many years from diabetes and heart disease. One of our last fun trips together was to Florida in November, 2006 and she was so happy to be in the sunshine. She celebrated her 64th birthday with us and I am so very thankful we had this time together.

So many times I called Gloria asking for advice... from what to feed Suzanne when she was 6 weeks old to asking for her recipes for Buckeyes and Potato Candy. I cannot put into words how much I loved her, and how much our family will miss her. Your first Christmas in Heaven Gloria I know was a glorious one! We will see you again one day.

Vicky, Gloria, Ann, Clearwater FL Nov 2006

Vicky and Gloria, Dunedin Marina, FL Nov 2006

Rose, Ann, Vicky and Gloria Nov 8 2006, Gloria's 64th Birthday, Little Italy, Dunedin FL

Six Mullen Sisters, 1996 Springfield Ohio

Vicky, Debbie, Annabel

Barbara, Darlene, Gloria

Five Mullen Sisters, 1960 Springfield Ohio

Vicky, Darlene, Debbie, Gloria and Annabel

Saturday Fun with Nannie!

Allee and I had a great day together....did a little grocery shopping and took a walk in the neighborhood and explored the sites and sounds of a winter's day. We were busy little bees and then it was time to get a few zzz's in before going home to Mom and Dad.

A winter's walk at Nannie's house

Paul's Market has yummy cookie samples...go ahead, put the WHOLE cookie in...

Is there nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby with her pink Mimi (blanket) and beach towel?

Boise State Broncos Basketball

It's January, it's cold and it was a great day to watch Boise State Men's Basketball take on Air Force. Okay, so we lost. BSU lost their way in the 2nd half. But, Allee had a great time watching the game, ate a little popcorn and cheered for her Broncos in her Grandpa's glasses!

Cherry Chip Cookies

Do you like soft cookies? I do, and the secret ingredient to making soft (not crispy) cookies is .... instant vanilla pudding mix! My pantry is now stocked with instant vanilla pudding (sugar free) so I can make our favorite cookies on a cold and wintry Sunday like today.

Award Winning Soft Cherry Chip Cookies

Ingredients
2 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 package instant vanilla pudding (I use sugar free)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cherry extract (or vanilla if making chocolate chip cookies)
2 cups cherry baking chips (or semi sweet chocolate chips if making chocolate chip cookies)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional

Preheat oven to 350'. Sift together flour and baking soda, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and cherry extract (or vanilla). Blend in the flour mixture. Stir in the cherry chips (or chocolate chips) and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet (I use my Silpat baking mat, it's the best). *** Optional - cookie dough can be rolled in conconut before baking.
Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool few minutes, transfer to wire cooling rack.

Super Bowl Hot Chicken and Cheese Dip

Sinfully delicious. You will need a sturdy dipper for this hearty warm dip. I used the new Wheat Thins FlatBread Tuscan Crackers to scoop and savor the Hot Chicken and Cheese Dip. Practiced this recipe today for Super Bowl Sunday and it's a hit so I'll be making it again in two weeks for the Super Bowl - February 5th - Giants vs. Patriots.

Super Bowl Hot Chicken and Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softene
1 (8 ounce) sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced (optional)

Place shredded chicken in a medium bowl, and mix in cream cheese, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, green chile peppers (and jalapeno pepper, if you choose). Transfer the chicken mixture to a medium baking dish.
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Serve with hearty dippers or bread chunks.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Toddler Girl is a Basketball Superstar!

The talent gene pool doesn't fall far from the basketball net! Allee it seems has inherited her mom's coordination and focus for shooting a basketball. I love watching this video of 19 month old Allee, "ruffled" up and shooting hoops!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

7 Up Biscuits

These easy and delicious biscuits remind me of Popeye's Chicken famous buttery biscuits. They are super quick to make.

7 Up Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7 Up (not 1/2 can)
1/4 cup melted butter

Cut sour cream into bisquick, add 7 Up. Makes a very soft dough. Sprinkle additional bisquick onto a board or counter, and pat dough out. Cut using a biscuit cutter or glass. Melt 1/4 cup butter, pour into a 13x9 pan. Place cut biscuits in pan and bake at 450' until golden brown.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Creamy Hot Cider Nog, A Warm Welcome

From Southern Living Magazine, Nov 2011. Mull over some cozy, festive cider. Pairs well with a roaring fire. I can taste this on Christmas Eve already.

Hot Cider Nog

Whisk together

2 cups half n half

1 cup each milk and apple cider

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp each salt and ground nutmeg

in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly 15 - 20 min or until mixture thickens and coats a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup bourbon if desired. Top each serving with whipped cream, garnish with cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon and apple slices if desired. Makes 5 1/2 cups.