Mexican Food

I have a weakness.  This my husband knows is true.  Actually, I have 2 weaknesses when it comes to food:  Pasta and Mexican.

Taco Braid

I am always in the mood for one or the other.  Once I overheard 2 of my youth members (my husband is also a youth pastor) say they didn't like mexican food.  My mouth utterly dropped to the ground.  How dare they!  Mexican food is like Chinese food... it's not an acquired taste is it?  I thought everyone liked Mexican food?

Step by step instructions.

You know where they serve the best mexican food ever????  And I mean EVER?!  San Diego.  Hands down.  I measure how good a mexican place is by their nachos.  I can't help it.  That's my standard.  

Chicken Tamale Pie

My favorite nachos place by far has to be from a hole in the wall taco stand in San Diego.  I can't even begin to tell you how good it was.  Let's just say I went there 3 times in 2 days.  I could have kept going but my husband insisted we try other places.

And once my husband and I stopped at a restaurant on our way to the airport and had the best mexican seafood soup.  My husband burnt his tongue while slurping it down and didn't even complain!  Yeah, that good.  I don't even like seafood (yeah, I know, I know) and it was delicious.  We look forward to visiting my sister-in-law in San Diego.  Sounds like we need another trip.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

So I bet you're wondering why I am not posting recipes and pictures of nachos.  Well, let's just say I haven't tried or tasted anything that even comes close to the nachos in San Diego.  Not even a teeny bit.  I am beginning to wonder what ingredients they put in those heavenly nachos.

Something Fruity

Beware.... you may not be able to contain yourself.  All of these pictures below are from Bakers Royale.  Bakers Royale has become one of my favorite sites.  The blogger, Naomi, makes the most beautiful treats and she shares her wonderful recipes.  She makes me want to bake and make desserts -even though I would usually rather slave away at making a delicious hearty dinner.  I have to say... I am in the mood to attempt these delightful treats.

Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles anyone??  The are extremely easy to make.  So easy that I might just make them for my daughter's birthday!


What about this Strawberry Icebox Cake from Bakers Royale?

 
Or... these Strawberry Lemonade Trifles?
 


Frosted Raspberries and Creme Bites
 

 Mini Berry Tarts
 

Strawberry Shortcake Bars


Yum, yum, yum!  Thanks Naomi for sharing your recipes.  I cannot wait to try them!

Scream for Ice Cream!

Who doesn't love ice cream?  I mean, really?  It's the best treat in the world, even in the winter time.  You have an endless list of flavors and possibilities!  My sister-in-law will only eat vanilla ice cream.  That is something I still cannot wrap my mind around.  Why only eat vanilla when you can choose everything else?!

From Blow Out Party:
 



 Banana Split Mini Bites and Banana Split Trifle from Bakers Royale




 Ice cream party hat and the coolest ice cream cake you will ever see








Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes from MyCakeSchool



And finally... DIY Ruffled Ice Cream Cones from Icing Designs

Are you ready for some ice cream????

Friend gatherings

All friendship pictures are from Pink Preppy Lilly Lover

Friendship is such a beautiful thing.  Each friend seems to bring out a different side of you that no one else can.  Their laughter, voice, advice, encouragement, support, and honesty is like no other.

Lately, I have been missing my friends.  We have all been quite busy in our daily lives of working, taking care of the family, and getting ready for the cold winter months here in Minnesota.  We have not been able to get together just for the fun of it.  Well, I came across a few pictures that made me yearn for a get together.  Perhaps we shall do something soon.  Here are a few ideas for our next meetings... 

Lanterns strung over a beach area.  Yes, it's a bit cold here right now to do this... but maybe in the summer time.

 A brunch with my closest friends.  Look at how the flowers bring a sense of warmth and beauty to the table!  Love the light brunch/lunch with deviled eggs and mini pulled pork sandwiches.
 

Beautiful pink candies almost too pretty to eat.  (Ok, so this isn't an idea for a hang out... but it's something we can have there!)



An elegant candy bar. This would be so cute for a bridal shower or even wedding!
 

A crepe bar for breakfast fun...  This is for my sister and friends who took french class and have always longed to visit Paris!



Picnic Buffet
How cute are the salads in the mini cups?  That way the salad dressing won't run into your sandwiches and get the bread soggy.  Everyone can bring a small blanket to spread out on the grass.  A time to relax and enjoy each other's company.


Oh, the joys of being together. 








 

Yummy desserts

Don't these raspberry marbled mini cheesecakes look so delicious?

 

Or how about these strawberry cupcakes??
 

Pink Twinkies anyone?



Or this baby cake?

Valentine's Popcorn??  Looks so good!


Pink eclairs?
 

And Pink Marshmallow Pops?

More Ideas

Downsizing is always difficult.  Especially when it involves downsizing a party.  We have about about 30 family members here in lovely Minnesota.  And I am not talking about extended family.  I am talking about my husband and my immediate family and their kids.  Out of 6 siblings, I have 4 siblings residing in MN and my husband has 5 siblings out of 10 here.  You add in the spouses and kids and viola - there's about 30 of us.

No Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake

Another problem that has crossed our path is my husband's volleyball schedule.  He is an assistant coach for a D3 volleyball team.  Tryouts are happening the same night as my daughter's birthday from 6-8PM.  Since her birthday falls on a Thursday, it's a bit tough to celebrate the birthday earlier or later due to everyone's work and sleep schedules.  I have this tradition to celebrate my children's birthday on the day of.  Celebrating their birthday before or after the date just seems -how do I say this- not as special.  

Pink Ruffle Tea Party.

 So what have we concluded?  Nothing definite yet.  Maybe celebrate the birthday before or after the tryouts.  Maybe just a dessert celebration to avoid the hassle of making a delicious meal for 30+ people.

Party Streamer Party

 Honestly, I do not know how our family will take this.  They always expect food.  At my son's birthday in May, I only served dessert.  I made sure to tell everyone in advance so they could eat before attending the party.  And even so... everyone came hungry... expecting food.

Crepe Flowers

I always have food.  Something scrumptous and delightful.  So what kind of party would it be if I didn't have food?

Rose Cupcakes

Flower Pops

Flower Wrapped Favors

 Here is another curveball at you.  My husband and I are saving to buy a house.  He said has set my budget at $100.  WOW.  Priorities, right?  What am I going to do?  Is this some kind of challenge?

First Birthday Party

Portrait Area

Candy Necklaces and Yogurt

So for the past few days, there has been war waging in my mind.  A part of me is furious with my husband's schedule and budget.  A part of me is up for the challenge.  And so I have been surfing the endless web.

Large Pompoms hanging over dessert table

Trying to find the cheapest and cutest things imaginable for my darling daughter... 

Bottom right photo of pompoms as decor on table

Glitter Sparkly Tablescape using baby food jars and tealights

Ladies and gentlemen, what you are looking at here is what I have found.

Donuts

 The party is in exactly 3 weeks.  Time to get started. 

Birthday Wish Wreath

More ideas for my daughter's birthday party...

Birthday wish wreath