Dirt Pudding and Ducks

Let me begin by telling you that I am seriously obsessed with this dessert! It all started on Valentine's Day when my friend Kelly brought some to our sweet treat party at work. I ate enough for at least 10 people and she was even so sweet as to bring me a Tupperware with leftovers the next day- heaven! I confess that I may have hidden said leftovers from the bf because I knew how much he would love this. He loves anything with Oreo. I bugged her everyday for the recipe (Thank you, Kelly!) and then was dying for an occasion to make this delicious treat. Note- I have told myself that it is NOT acceptable to make this for no reason and have it sitting around the fridge waiting for me to eat it. Its FAR too dangerous. I forced myself to wait for an event where at least one other person would be present to help eat it!

Fast forward to the Oscars a few weeks later and I was ready to go. I got a plastic bucket and shovel from Michael's for $1, along with some plastic flowers. This was so quick to whip up! I did make myself feel better by using low fat/fat free everything. It was a hit- and Kelly taunted me with another one of her delicious pudding recipes- Banana! Now I'm looking for another party I can bring this one too... yummmm!

On a side note, while the dirt pudding was chilling before it was time to walk down the red carpet, the bf and I headed out to the "pond" for a walk and enjoyed the lovely weather and duckies. :)

One had an eye on G! Actually, he had his only eye on G... There must have been a serious pecking order fight! And now that I think about it, these are geese...HA

Some people can't leave their technology at home!

Spring Table Makeover

Remember when I told you my mom was coming for a visit and had never seen my apartment? Well I had a lot to do to get ready. Suddenly I was interested in a nice table setting....  :) I discovered our new Home Goods store in South Austin- my heart was beating so fast when I walked in! I went on my lunch break, so I had to be quick quick quick, but I managed to scrounge around and was inspired by this little green water vase (it came with the tiny cup on the right too)...

Which led to this...

What do you think?

I love the bright Spring colors! :)

It's almost too pretty to eat on... 

Oh and I ended up using the water vase and the little cup for separate vases! Sorry I didn't snap any photos with the flowers...

I also got this mini cake stand from Marshalls for around $7 a couple days before (I know. I have a serious problem). And the cake I made was actually too big for it, so I filled it with some colorful fruit I had laying around in the bottom drawer of my fridge.

I'm so glad its finally time for Spring! :)

Mom makes it to Austin!

I apologize for my lack of blogging last week. I do sort-of have an excuse- my sweet momma was in town for some much-needed girl time! She has been to Austin before, but not for almost a year and a half, and had never even seen my current apartment. We had four action-packed days of fun- including lots of shopping, eating, desserts, wineries, festivals, and a little educational visit to the Capitol. Its hard to take a lot of pictures when there's only two of you, but we tried! I sure do miss her! :)

As soon as we got back from the airport, she had a no-bake cookie craving! Recipe coming soon...

My favorite King Cake arrived in her carry-on!

Delicious dinner at Wink- loving the polka dots!

My beautiful Mamma at the Kite Festival

Me trying to fly my butterfly kite

So many kites!

 

Wine tasting in Fredericksburg, TX- cerca 11:30am...

Becker Vineyards

Feeling good!

Enough said

Perfect end to the afternoon

Bess- Sandra Bullock's restaurant in downtown Austin

Outside one of the "bachelor's" bars on West 6th St

Inside the Texas Capitol

Of course we managed to go on the day there was a big hooplah- Planned Parenthood protest

Mom and her friend Poornima

Last lunch at Nordstrom's Cafe- our fav!

 Phew. We were both so exhausted after this visit, but I had such a good time! Love you Mom! Next time I think we should squeeze in a visit to the spa... :)

Curious Monkey Bread

G loves the zoo. He loves monkeys, especially. Sometimes I liken him to Curious George. For Valentine's Day this year I gave him a "Day at the Zoo."

Aren't you kinda (but not really) impressed with my first attempt at PhotoShop to make the "tickets"? Except, I used Pixlr (a free web version). I loved the way the turned out. I also found some other things he may need at the zoo- or for a ride to the zoo. Of course, I had to make some monkey bread too.

It sure would be great for breakfast, but I made it for dessert since it was a weeknight. I did all the steps up to putting it in the oven the day before and then kept it in the fridge overnight. I took it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before I wanted to bake it then baked as direct. SO YUMMY!

I've never made monkey bread before, and I rarely ever eat it, but you have to try this one! It tastes like mini cinnamon sugar butter doughnut holes. G was impressed. I was proud. You can pull it apart with your hands and eat it like a monkey. I prefer a fork. :)

Come and Knock on My Door...

...My coffee filter wreath will be waiting for you!. YAY! It's finally on display for all who live at the farthest end of my apartment complex to see! Sorry, the lighting is so bad in the hallway..

I love the white against the red! The ribbon did not hold up as well as I expected, but oh well! I still love it. :)

Want to make one of your own? Directions here.

Have a great weekend!

2 Minute Mug Chocolate Cake!

Say what? Say yes! I had a mad dessert craving the other night and did not need/want to bake an entire cake. I had heard of this before, so I did a little googling and less than 10 minutes later I had already over-indulged. :) Amazing, eh? This recipe could use a little tweaking, and there are so many variations out there, but I did not have time for that. Next time I would sub melted butter for the oil, and maybe cook a little less to make it more "lava" like. YUM! Can't really beat a cake in 2 minutes though!

Coffee Filter Wreath

I've been wanting to make this wreath from The Nester for a while now. I finally did it! The best part? It cost less than $5. The second best part? I did it all myself! Total time took about 3 hours probably- but I did it in two parts since I ran out of filters halfway through. I just did it while sitting in front of the TV though, which is probably exactly what I would have been doing anyway! A couple minor hot glue burns (and a ruined manicure) later... TADA! :) Don't you love it? Arent' you proud of me? Why, thank you! :) You are too sweet.

Oh and I thought it was kinda cute that while I was doing my crafting "hobby," the bf was playing with his helicopter. When I took a break because I ran out of filters, he asked if I wanted to go outside to play.

Please take me outside?

A.K.A. go to the "lake" by our complex so he could play with his other "hobby"- a fancy remote-controlled boat.

Yes, those are my kitchen shears... sigh...