FEBRUARY & FOOTBALL CUPCAKES

FEBRUARY IS FINALLY HERE! Here's what my main man thinks of Valentine's day..

How the Grinch Stole Valentine's Day. Period. He wasn't feeling this shot, but he still managed to give me a centerfold pose; crossed legs & all. Can you believe he's only 15 months old?! He is one funny kid! -- This weekend the High School cheerleaders are competing, and I can't wait to see how well they do! They traveled to Dallas this past weekend for a sporadic competition that we just found out about and.. (with less than a weeks notice!) took 1st Place in their Division & BEST OVERALL! I couldn't be more proud. Their routine is super cute, (& choreographed 100% by me & my friend Ashley. Bragging rights, much?) so I'll have to post a video for ya'll after they perform on Saturday & Super Bowl Sunday.. Yes.. I won't be watching the Super Bowl this year (so devastated. NOT!) J will be staying home watching it with Cash, and whining because the Saints won't be there again this year. Of course I won't be leaving them empty handed.. I made a 1/2 dozen trial cupcakes to make sure they'd turn out cute.. but I'll be making an entire batch of these bad boys for MY boys to enjoy on Super Bowl Sunday.. Maybe this will prevent that frantic yet ritualistic phone call that I get every time I'm not there: "WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO EAT?!?" All I did was bake Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing (a favorite in our home!) Then, I filled a Ziploc bag with White decorating icing, cut a tiny corner from the bottom of the bag, and piped the laces. They aren't perfect (again, TRIAL RUN!) but my boys seem to appreciate the little details I put into everything.. or at least they betta!!! ;)

 

The next few suggestion I'm about to give is a good one. For all of you who have hopped on the "toning shoes" bandwagon, PLEASE, PLEASE PUHHHLEEEZ pay close attention! First off, I totally condone wearing toning shoes. I think it's a brilliant idea..in fact, I wish I would've invented it. I went shopping for a pair of sneakers the other day, and opted out in buying them not by choice, but because they were all too big :( One of the cons is that the smallest size they come in is a 6 1/2, which means little feeters like me can't join in on the fun. But if you ARE a BigFooter (ha!) here's a tip from me:

Please buy the Reebok Easytones. They are slender & feminine with no added bulk, and the reviews seem pretty legitimate. There is no reason.. and I mean NO reason to EVER EVER EVER by Sketchers Shape Up's.

AWFUL! They are like a bad 80's horror film in the form of a platform shoe. Please don't. Or at least never near me. These bring back toooo many memories of my platform "Spice Girl shoes." Waaaayyy too close of a design.

Since it IS the first day of the "Love month", I thought I'd share the perfect "date night" entree. This meal is light, healthy, and just filling enough & it's perfect for a date night at home. Pair with a nice white wine, and you're good to go!

 

LEMON CHICKEN PENNE PASTA

NEED:

- 1 pound dried penne pasta

- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks.

- 3 cloves garlic, sliced

- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

- 3 tbsp. Olive Oil

- 2 lemons, juiced

- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

- S&P

- Garlic Powder

- Onion Powder

 

STEPS:

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, until al dente. Drain well.

2. Season chicken with S&P, Garlic Powder and Onion Powder. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add chicken. Cook until golden & cooked thoroughly through, and remove to a plate.

3. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to a saute pan with 3 tbsp. of olive oil and saute until fragrant. Add the cooked pasta & turn heat off. Mix all together.

4. Remove pasta to a large bowl. Add chicken to the warm pasta and season with S&P. Add the juice of the 2 lemons and toss. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bon Appetit!

*P.S. To make it pretty for your honey, garnish with Chopped Parsley and a lemon slice on the side!

 

Hope the FIRST DAY of everyone's FEBRUARY is FABULOUS! I'm still interested in feedback on what all of you like to read about the most. This is my form of expression, but I'd also like to make sure I'm keeping everyone entertained! Let me know what YOU want to see more of, so I can make it happen, Cap'n! (who you? YES you! all 5 of you who read this blog religiously!)

 
...I couldn't close this "First Day of February" Blog without a little story about the word FEBRUARY.  I'm not sure WHO it was that taught me this particular story when I was a child (an old teacher? a babysitter? SOMEBODY FESS UP, ALREADY) but it's basically the only way, to this very day, that I double check my spelling of the word February.. I can't say going through the story in my head each time I type/write the word doesn't get redundant, but it works. And I thank the mystery person who taught me this story, because I plan to use it for my kid(s) as well!

FOREWARNING; This story is a bit ridic. It's in no way believable but it was a simple, whimsical way to remember how to spell. Bare with me here!

"There once were two twin girls that looked EXACTLY alike. One was named Feb, and one was named Ary.  They dressed the same, talked the same and even had freckles in the exact same spot on their noses.  Even their own mother couldn't tell them apart! The only way people knew who was Feb and who was Ary, was by the silver charm necklaces that they wore on their necks, with their name on it.  One day the twins were playing outside, and they lost their beloved necklaces!  They were so so sad, and went crying to their mother.  As soon as their mother realized the necklaces were gone and she could no longer tell her girls apart, she turned to one of the twins & said:

"FEB R U ARY?"

And that, ladies, is how you spell February.
Now meet Feb & Ary: 

Or my older twin sisters.. but close enough...