starlight starbright.....

There is something about the romantic glow of a candle in the evening....I often have them burning in my house, in many of the beautiful tealite holders I have collected over the years. I always tell myself I have too many, but then get sucked in when I see another one I like....

I will never forget (man I feel like I say that a lot!) the glow in the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station when we walked into our wedding reception over 4 years ago....it was magical! I, along with my sisters and girlfriends decoupaged over 100 mason jars with tissue paper and doilies, to house flickering candles during our reception. Since our wedding was in December, when we stepped off the trolley at around 5pm, the sky was dark...setting an amazing scene for all of those jars that we worked so hard on!

So yet again, while at The Cross Decor & Design www.thecrossdesign.com I found, yes you guessed it, another tealite holder I had to have....

http://thecrossdesign.com/new/ibiza-lanterns

Here they are, creating an amazing masterpiece of light on my dining table as I sit and write this post! At $14.50 a piece, I had to buy two...this is the smallest size, and they only get bigger and better from here! I was very impressed with the number of trinkets I found in this store yesterday, although only leaving with these, I have a feeling I will be back soon to purchase some other goodies (I am in need of another Saijo Persimmon Voluspa Candle).

Just one of those things that makes my house feel like my home.

K

and the recipes continue.....

Real Mac & Cheese

3 cups macaroni

1/2 cup of butter

6 tbsp white flour

2 cups of milk

1 tsp salt

3 cups grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Grate the cheese and divide into two amounts: a 2 cup pile and a 1 cup pile. Cook your macaroni as normal, strain the water, put back into the pot and put aside. In a medium pot melt the butter. Add the flour all at once whisking briskly, keep stirring for at least a minute. Now gradually add the milk with one hand while still whisking with the other. The sauce will become thicker. After about 5 minutes, stir in the 2 cups of cheddar cheese, and the tsp of salt. Once the cheese is all melted, pour the cheesy mixture over the macaroni in the pot, combine well. Pour into a 9x13 buttered casserole dish, and sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

Serve with a nice big green salad so you don't feel so guilty!!

Enjoy!

K

chili rubbed BBQ pork tenderloin

One morning, on Regis and Kelly, they made this pork tenderloin that looked and sounded so yummy. I added it to my menu this week, which was last nights dinner...it was amazingly yummy! and tender and flavorful! I served it with corn on the cob and a homemade potato salad, it was a hit! And was super easy!

Chili Rubbed BBQ Pork Tenderloin

2 pieces whole pork tenderloin (cleaned with silver skin removed)

2 tbsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp onion powder

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp vegetable oil

Combine all the spices with the vegetable oil, rub on tenderloin. BBQ at med/high heat for 15-20 minutes turning frequently (I sliced it in half at the fattest part to make sure it was cooked). Let rest off the grill for 5 minutes, cut into 1/2" thick slices.

The recipe says to baste the tenderloin with 1 cup of bbq sauce a few minutes before it is cooked and ready to come off the grill, but I just saved the bbq sauce for dipping.

Here is the link from the Live! with Regis and Kelly website!

http://www.dadt.com/live/recipe-finder.html?_q=pork%20tenderloin

Tonight's dinner is homemade mac and cheese with a nice big green salad!

Looking forward to this one too!!

K

chicken enchiladas and a nice cold beer

I knew this weeks menu looked yummy!! It started off awesome, tonight's dinner was amazing (next blog post) but yesterdays was a blast from the past! My mom used to make these, and I remember them being super yummy, why have I not made them since then!? Here is the recipe, best enjoyed with a nice frosty beer, on the patio, when the sun is shining!!

Chicken Enchiladas

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into small pieces

1/2 block of cream cheese (I used the whole block)

1 red pepper chopped

4 green onions chopped

1/2 tsp ground cumin (I didn't have this, didn't effect the recipe)

salt & pepper

10-12 corn tortillas (white or yellow)

1 1/2 cups of your favorite salsa (I used Pace)

Topping

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 cup of additional salsa

2-3 finely chopped green onions

Cook your chicken well in a pan with a tbsp of vegetable oil. Add your cream cheese, red pepper, green onion, cumin, salt and pepper. Once everything is combined and the cream cheese has melted, put aside. Steam your tortillas until pliable (I microwaved mine for 45 seconds wrapped in a tea towel). Spread salsa on the tortilla, then add two spoonfuls of chicken mixture, roll up, leaving both ends open and place in a rectangular greased casserole dish, continue until all your 10-12 tortillas are filled and placed in your dish (mine were in a row). Spread salsa on top of your rolled tortillas, then sprinkle with grated cheese and green onion. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Serve with fresh chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

Enjoy!!

Don't forget the beer :-)

K

Dwell for Target

Another Dwell item that I scored for Anabelle at Target on our most recent trip into the USA. I wonder if it will be the same when it makes its way into Canada?? I sure hope so! There are so many treasures in those walls....I am upset I never came across any of John Derian's stuff while I have been there.....check his website out, I drool over his stuff....it was a piece of his that prompted me to want to get a tattoo....www.johnderian.com I will get it one day....

K

all thoughts no action

Why is it I find myself daydreaming about all of these things I would love to do...belly dancing, kayaking, learning to speak Spanish/Italian, playing soccer, or baseball...always when I am in the car, driving to wherever, work, groceries, soccer practice, hockey practice, the mall....I get so excited thinking about "what if?" "what if I wasn't so CHICKEN" I know that there shouldn't be any "what Ifs" in life..and I am probably the first one to tell someone else to just go for it..but I seriously am chicken!! I would love to take that Zumba class, or learn how to belly dance (but what if there is a performance at the end!?) I fantasize about having my friends and family see me rock the stage, and have my kids and husband do proud of me in the audience, but by nature I would rather be the one in the back helping with the costumes or something.....I watched the movie Burlesque the other night, it gave me goosebumps watching them dance. They were incredible! It looked like so much fun! They were so confident and sexy, and that voice that Christina Aguilera has, MY WORD, its amazing!!

I always shy away from partaking in the fun things, for someone may just be watching me, and waiting for me to mess up and tell me about it! I don't have the 'who cares' attitude, and I get offended way too easily...although, the other night, I did bust out, and joined the Electric Slide, and messed up along the way, but laughed, and kept going....it must have been those vodka soda's!!

I was honored with some award in grade 12...my mom even came to the assembly where we would all be recognized...I told her I was not going up on stage. I heard them call my name. I sat there, my heart pounding, I watched as the students just filed across the stage and shook hands with the faculty head and the principal, there was no individual attention. I could do that....I could....I was extremely proud of myself when I got up, and accepted my award...

I am sure some of you also were witness to how fast I 'walked' down the aisle at my own wedding.....my mom told me she could feel my heart beating in the forearm...my dad told me to slow down....I couldn't, wish I would have, there would have been nicer photos...

My dad helped me make the most amazing drum in elementary school. Little did I know, I would have to play it in front of the school....

There is a belly dancing class, put on by the City of Burnaby, registration starts now....the classes start in the fall...I have not registered, I am still chicken...what is it going to take for me to snap out of it!?

Thank goodness I like cooking..but even cooking makes me edgy, especially for my in-laws....

K Chicken

just a little bit fabulous!

~Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting~

Bake your cupcakes according to the box, either Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines, in pretty cupcake papers. Let them cool.

FROSTING

1/2 cup butter

1 cup smooth peanut butter

3 tbsp milk

2 cups icing sugar

Cream butter and peanut butter. Gradually add sugar, stir in 1 tbsp of milk at a time, between mixing the sugar in. Mix until smooth and creamy. Put in piping bag or spread on with a knife. Top with chocolate chips, Reese's Peanut Butter Chips or chunks of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

Enjoy!

K

ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM...

we're going to the moon!

While breaking down the box from the score of a kids wagon I got at Walmart, I thought about making something for the kids to play in...I asked Noah what he thought, he said..."a rocket ship!" So I cut the side of the box, turned it inside out, taped the side and off we went! I ran out of tinfoil, so their isn't as much 'chrome' as I would have liked, but there is a control panel on the inside and its Nasa approved! Noah told me he didn't want to fly to Mars because it was red?? Hmmmm....looks like this rocket ship will be staying here on planet Earth!

K

a necklace kinda picnic...

This was the image on my email from BabySteals this morning. I chuckled because it kind of reminded me of myself. Sometimes I feel silly putting on a necklace with a sundress or a nice watch, or earrings, just to go out and do something with the kids....fact is, why should I feel I need to underdress because I am "just hanging out with the kids"? That is my life, I am always out with the kids, and I think I should look lovely along the way, wether it be a picnic, grocery shopping, or a wedding....I think I have always been this way. Never did I wear sweat pants to school, or not get ready...I enjoyed looking nice, and not for others, for myself. It made me feel good. Kinda like wearing nice sexy undergarments, they make you will good, give you a little 'pep' in your step, well, it does for me anyway! A little way to do something for ourselves, when 15 out of 10 times, we think about our kids before us!

K

grateful

I have been busy sewing up drool scarves and making tutu's for all my lovely customers! I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all that have supported me and this little home business! I truly enjoy making lovely little things!!

This is my most recent favorite fabric! Poppy, the colors are beautiful, and it makes for a lovely drool scarf!!

Feel free to contact me with any questions or requests!

lovelylittles@shaw.ca

K

birthday

birth-day /"berTHda/ Noun

the annual anniversary of the day on which a person was born

29 years ago today, I was born on my mom's 30th birthday. Not quite what I think she had in mind for celebrating, but it wasn't like she could drink anyway!

It sure is an honor to share this day with such an amazing woman. We are so similar it kinda scares me....

Happy Birthday to us! I love you mom xoxo

Kristen

Sunny Saturday...

Sometimes the best days are the ones that aren't planned.....the ones that just go with the flow, with no expectations. I find myself often creating plans in my mind, only to be disappointed when they don't follow through like I have imagined.....I do that often.....a little too often I think. I blame reality television.....it's not really reality.

Enjoy the sunny days :-)

K

looking for a fabulous new tenant(s)...

Hello all! Hoping you can spread the word....we are in search of a new tenant(s) for our 2 bedroom basement suite here in the Heights!! No smoking, and no pets...private entrance, private personal laundry, full bathroom, full kitchen, great storage, good size bedrooms, big closets...close to skytrain and bus routes, $1200 a month including utilities :-) Please let me know if you have someone who may be interested! Available July 1st.

Thank you!

K

oh mr sun, sun, mr golden sun!

The sun finally decided to make an appearance for more than one afternoon!! Man I forgot how much I enjoy just staying home on our deck when it's sunny! Bring out the little pool, the music, a beer...and we are good to go! In the past year, since Anabelle has been born, I really have realized how much of a home body I have become. I truly enjoy sticking close to home, just goes to show how much I enjoy my living space. I also hate lugging crap around when I am sticky and sweaty, so its easy just to stay here, and have everyone at our house!

This year most of all, I have lovely scenery in my yard! My peonies are off the rocker, blooming like crazy!! I have shrubs, and flowers, and hostas, weeping cedars, and a palm tree! Hanging baskets and potted grasses and a lovely green lawn!! I am so fortunate to have a brother in-law that works so hard and always makes everything look so beautiful! My solar lights are even working (most of the time) I am looking forward to the upcoming summer nights on the deck with great family and friends!!

This past weekend was a great sunny one! Friday night was my Seraphim Jewelry party, which was a great success! Everyone made gorgeous bracelets!! Check out

www.seraphim-jewellry.com Book a party, they are so much fun, we all had fun designing our own personal bracelets! Saturday was Hats Off Day, in which Noah was in the parade, with Gilmore Preschool! And Sunday, after a nice afternoon at home on the deck, we strolled down Commercial Drive, for Italian Day, and had an ice cream!! For the first time, Anabelle had a cone of her own, as I know she would have been all over Noah's and screaming for her own anyway.....I just plunked it in her hand, and she went to town!! At first, she was like, "what do I do".....then, she figured it out!!

A great weekend! No sunburns, a few scrapes and bruises, a fat bloody lip from the bouncy castle....but nothing more than twists and turns along the way while letting the kids have fun! Bandaides and Polysporin in the medicine cabinet, cold beer in the fridge, sweet sunshine in the sky and love in our hearts! This summer is going to be great! Live and love life....

K

I had a craving!

While grocery shopping, I had an intense craving for pesto (I am not pregnant)! Strange, because a few years ago, I got violently ill after eating something pesto, but it was from a package, and I don't know if it was just coincidence!? I grabbed a bunch of basil, and threw it in my cart!

Yesterday, before going to work, I quickly boiled some tortellini, and zapped up my basil with some olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese and salt and pepper in my mini food processor. I tossed it with the pasta, and I was out the door. Anabelle loved it, Noah even ate it, and Fredo said it was delicious. I ate the leftovers when I got home. It was fresh tasting and yummy!!

Fast Pesto

2 cups of fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup olive oil

3 cloves of garlic

salt and pepper

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Throw it all in a food processor, blend until smooth, toss with freshly boiled pasta!

K

CRAB CAKES!

I have never made crab cakes....but upon searching for dinner ideas for the current weeks menu, I came across this recipe on the SaveOn Foods website! They were absolutely delicious, and along with them, I made some homemade tartar sauce to dip!!

Yummy Crab Cakes

1 lb crabmeat, cleaned and flaked (I bought the canned one)

1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped onion (I used 3 green onions)

1 large beaten egg

1 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp tabasco

3/4 cup bread crumbs (I used cracker crumbs)

Vegetable oil

Mix crab, pepper, onion, egg, dry mustard, tabasco and 1/2 cup of bread crumbs. Cover and refrigerate for an hour. Shape into patties, coat with remaining bread crumbs (I put the crumbs in a shallow bowl and just put the patty right in, making sure they were coated). Heat oil in pan, oil should be about 1/2" thick. Fry the patties until golden brown. I think mine were about 2 minutes per side. Place the cooked patties on a plate covered with paper towel. Serve warm.

Tartar Sauce

Two big heaping spoon fulls of mayonnaise

2 tbsp of green relish

1 finely chopped green onion

salt and pepper

I served them with corn and a nice green salad, with apples and feta cheese :-)

K