Fantasy Fudge

My mother-in-law recently mentioned that she wanted fudge, so I made some! Everything went well with two minor exceptions... First, I didn't read the ingredient list carefully enough and did not have enough chocolate. I had to run to the grocery store quickly as I had already put the buter, sugar, and evaporated milk in the pot. I really need to pay attention! Second, I forgot the vanilla! I did take a little nip off the mixing spoon and it still tastes good despite this mistake. Considering it cost an arm and a leg to buy fudge, this is the way to go! The recipe is on the side of Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme jars!

Ingredients:

3 Cups Sugar

3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)

1 small can evaporated milk (5 oz. Do NOT use sweetened condensed milk)

1 1/2 package (12 squares) BAKER's semi sweet chocolate, chopped (super messy)

1 jar (7 oz) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme

1 cup walnuts (I did not use this)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Line 9 inch square pan with foil. Allow foil to extend over sides.

2. Place sugar, butter, and evaporated milk in a large saucepan. Bring to full, rolling boil on medium heat. Stir constantly (or it will scald!). Boil 4 minutes then remove from heat.

3. Add chocolate and marshmallow creme, stir until completely melted. Add walnuts and vanilla.

4. Pour immediately into prepared pan. Let stand at room temperature for 4 hours before cutting. Cut into 1 inch squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

If I Had a Dollar for...

each microscopic Styrofoam ball that we sucked up in the vacuum tonight, I would probably be a millionaire. Caleb's nap did not go so well today... in fact, it was a disaster! He was quiet, so I thought he was actually sleeping. Puh! When I came to get him out of bed I discovered that he had chewed a hole (this is why I refuse to let him have a dog... I don't want things getting chewed, ha) through his Lightning McQueen Car plush. This plush contained said Styrofoam balls. The picture above really does not do the situation much justice. The balls were under his bed, on the floor, on the bunky board, between the bunky board and wooden rail, all over his sheets, all over his comforter, and stuck to his stuffed animals. The best part is that they have a strong static charge! They are stuck in our hair, clothes, and shoes. This is spreading the Styrofoam balls to every inch of my house. I am determined they will still be surfacing ten years from now. Help!

To add injury to insult, 4 year olds are good at that, he also succeeded in totalling his expensive room darkening blind. Jason will have to buy ANOTHER one from Home Depot on the way home from work tomorrow.

I made him sit in time out for 30 minutes. Then I did something kind of mean... His swim school called and cancelled his class for tonight because there was an "accident" (a kid pooped in the pool) at the pool. I told him that he wasn't going to swim class because he was punished. He was devastated. In some small way it honestly felt like justice! For tomorrow's nap I will be watching the video monitor, it may be more interesting than New Jersey Housewives any way!

Garlic Ranch Chicken

We tried this recipe for the first time this week and it was DELICIOUS! The leftovers also made one of the best chicken salad sandwiches I have had in my life!

Garlic Ranch Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup fat free ranch dressing
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 tablespoon fresh basil

1. Combine the dressing, garlic, and basil in a gallon size ziploc bag. Add chicken to bag and seal. Allow to marinate for 1/2 hour (we marinated ours over night).
2. Preheat grill to medium heat.
3. Grill chicken breasts for 6 to 8 minutes on each side, turning occasionally, until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

YUMMO!

Life's a Beach

This weekend we went on our summer vacation in Ocean City, MD! For the most part (minus my brother's parked car getting hit by a drunk driver) we had a wonderful time. We spent most of our time on the beach or in the pool. We also indulged in all you can eat steamed crabs for dinner two nights in a row (Higgin's Crabhouse is amazing!). I even got to take a two hour nap!

Blake was initially scared of the sand. He stayed in this position for five minutes, unsure of whether or not he wanted to move in it. He quickly changed his opinion though and was eating the sand in no time!

Caleb stayed in the sand the entire time. He was terrified of the water! I'm not sure how to get him over this fear, I don't think there are ocean swimming lessons! He did enjoy swimming in the pool at our condo. He was actually independent.

Blake taking a nap at the beach.

My precious little boys! What makes this picture even sweeter is that they got in this chair like this on their own.

Letterboxing

This weekend we dipped our toes into the waters of letterboxing for the first time. Never heard of it? A few weeks ago we had not either. Basically all throughout the country people have hidden boxes, it's essentially a treasure hunt. Each box contains a stamp, ink pad and journal. You carry your own unique stamp and journal. When you locate the letterbox you put your stamp, name and date in the letterbox journal and you put the letterbox stamp in your own journal.

Our first letterboxing experience was at Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA. We only found 1 letterbox and we know there are 2 more out there. It was an exceptionally hot day and after locating 1 letterbox we were beat! We plan to locate the other 2 before this season is over. To read about the letterboxes at Dutch Wonderland visit: www.dutchwonderland.com/stay_play/letterboxing.php

For a more thorough explanation of letterboxing and locations for letterboxes all throughout the country (not just in amusement parks) visit: www.letterboxing.org

Caleb really got into this "treasure hunt" and it's a cheap way to have fun! We look forward to finding more soon!

The Karate Kid Movie

This week we went to the Karate Kid prescreening in White Marsh since I won passes from Fox 45 News. I was excited to win these tickets because it was actually a movie that I wanted to see (I've won passes in past that I didn't necessarily want).

The movie was pretty good! It had a lot of humor intertwined with the drama. Jaden Smith's acting and skills are insane! He is also so cute that I could just pinch his cheeks! My two complaints are that it was very predictable (like the Titanic you kind of knew how it would end) and way too long (2 hours long).

I give it 3 out of 4 stars, if you don't get to see it in the theaters definitely redbox it in a few months!

Party Hardy!

We have just survived 5 parties in 5 days!


It started on Friday when I threw my Mom and sister Sara a Memorial Day themed cookout for our monthly "ladies night." I am very fascinated by Sandra Lee (Food Network... google her) and the concept of "tablescapes." Mine aren't nearly as elaborate or fancy as hers because of my budget, but even a quick trip to the dollar store can spruce up any party! I had everything from red/white/blue lights to balloons!

On Sunday (we went to Pennsylvania on Saturday and visited Dutch Wonderland/Chocolate World) we went to John John's birthday party in Fallston. The Weidinger family really knows how to throw a party! From the dunking tank to musical chairs Caleb really had a ball!

On Monday we went to Jason's parents for a Memorial Day cookout. My family was invited too, so it really made for a nice day! I was happy that Caleb actually swam in the big pool, even if it was only for a few minutes!

Today, Tuesday I threw a baby shower at work for a coworker. My mother in law was really helpful and had a lot of decorations for me to borrow. The best moment was when Jenn's Mom and kindergarten teacher walked in from Frederick. I had gotten her Mom's phone number through the grapevine and invited her. The look on her face was priceless!

After the baby shower at work (and field day all day) I came home, quickly showered, and then Blake and I headed to Stacey's for our small group picnic. I am sad that I won't see these ladies every Tuesday for a couple months!

We are so blessed to be invited to so many parties/be able to have so many parties. However, I think I am partied out for now! I am looking forward to a quiet weekend. :)