Family, recipe

Let’s Go To The Park! Easy Hot Chocolate Mix

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The first thing my grandkids say to me the minute I walk in the door is “Grandma, can you take us to the park?”  I love a park from growing up in the city – our favorite one is on 35 Street between First & Second Avenue. Both Merci and I and our sisters and friends spent hours and hours playing or hanging out. Here is a photo of us hanging out 🙂35stpark

Ha, what a crew !……Anyway, as long as it is not raining (because they want to go, no matter the weather)  I try to get them to the park for a hour or so.parkIt was early in the day and the kids had the park to themselves.  Natalie is the climber. (Imaging me yelling).park1

It was a great day for a car race! This is very serious stuff – lots of concentration needed. (Imagine me rooting!!!)

park2A good time working up to  some hot chocolate – I am so  ready 🙂 (Imagine me shivering)

Easy Hot Chocolate Mix

  • 1 1/2 cups dry NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
  • Pinch of salt

Directions

PLACE all ingredients in medium bowl.  Whisk until evenly blended.   Store in tightly covered container at room temperature until ready to use or package.  Makes about 2 cups mix.

Recipe to attach:

Spoon 4 tablespoons cocoa mix into mug.  Add one cup boiling water; stir well

 

easyhot coc

Family

Dolls In The Party

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Who said you cannot make a wedding day go smoothly in a matter of a few months. Not me!

My niece Dana, and her now husband Phil did.  Preparation for the wedding began late August and within 4 months they had it all pulled together, without a hitch mind ya.
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wedding 016Dana and her three bridesmaids picked their gowns all on one run…They all went to David’s Bridal and found exactly what they were looking for.  Really all in one shopping spree.  I could not believe it.

 As soon as my niece saw The Westbury Manor she knew that this was the place to have a wedding party…I mean PARTY!

wedding 003 Now as for my sister, the mother of the bride, well she was a little undecided …she really was not liking her  mother of the bride dress.  Don’t know about you but I thought is was nice dress…even made her look thinner…don’t tell her I  wrote that.

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All the bridesmaids and the bride truly looked spectacular, but the children they stole the show.  My niece had 3 ring boys, 3 flower girls ,and one junior bridesmaid, 7 children in all…Really, I have never went to a wedding with so many children in the bridal party.

wedding 036Of course one ring boy, and one flower girl were Christian and Sophie.

 I have to admit that I did not have any faith in Christian.  I told my daughter-in-law, “Christian will never walk down the aisle.”  Christian was  going to cling to his mom as soon as he sees all the people.

 Boy, were we surprised.

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Even the 18 month old flower girl surprised us.   wedding 049

You read me right, 18 months.

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I was truly surprised that when the boys came down the aisle they really caused a stir.  How sweet these little guys looked in their tux’s.  Yes the boys were a hit…not that the little girls were not…just that they got the AHH’s, and how cute they are, remarks.wedding 062

We danced that afternoon until the sun went down.  I danced so much that my toes are still pinging from dancing in high heels.   You should have seen my shoes, they were so great.  I am already thinking of when I can were them again…which will not be so easy since they are sparkle gold….wedding 092Christian went through the whole day wearing a mardi gra mask, after the cerermony.   The mask gave him his Bruce Wayne turning into batman feel…I just love him so crazy much.

wedding 025I do love them both more than life itself…watching them enjoy the wedding and see them act so grown up ish made me realize their precious moments are a once in a life time event…some day, just like my children, they will be grown and going their own way…

Here’ s to dolls in any party.

mb

Shopping

Another Day At The Market – Exteme Couponing

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20121216-100913.jpgAnother Sunday going to King Kullens. for my daughter while she is on maternity bed rest.  I have to say I’m getting good at this.  I did the whole shopping list  in a hour.  The Wonderful Roasted Almond Accents gave me a problem. I knew they would be by the produce section near the lettuce but I just could not find them. So I finally asked for help and the nice produce guy nodded behind me – I turned around and there they were on a display tree. I must have walked by them at least 6 times.

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At the end of the transaction I saved 70% off the original bill.  I was so happy that all the coupons went through without a problem.  The cashier was so happy for me. She gave me a high five and said “You go, girl” !!.  Do you extreme coupon?

 

Here is a video to give you a place to start 🙂

Did You Know, recipe

Garlic Not Gaelic

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 Did you know that garlic is rich in antioxidants, which help destroy free radicals?  That garlic may help prevent heart disease and even slow down hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), lower blood pressure, between 7% and 8%.  Garlic may strengthen the immune system, which in turn helps the body fight diseases such as the big ‘ C’.

In one study people who ate more raw or cooked garlic were less likely to develop certain types of cancer, particularly colon and stomach cancers.  Yes, the study indicated that there was a 30% reduction in risk of colorectal cancer among people who ate a lot of raw or cooked garlic.

Sorry, but taking the pill form does not seem to have the same effect.

All in all that tiny white bulb can give a powerful punch.  I don’t know about you, but I do love the aroma of cooking garlic, and let me not ignore garlic’s contribution to flavor.  OK, the smell of garlic, on ones person, can come off just a mighty strong.  I mean it does not repel vampires for nothing!

Here is a simple recipe that calls for garlic.  Now depending how much you love garlic will depend on how much you use, in any recipe, but in my book you can never over use garlic.

Garlic Shrimp

2 lbs jumbo raw shrimp

2 2/3 tbsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves

2 tsbp fresh parsley

Sea salt to taste

Clean rinse and pat dry shrimp.  Mince garlic. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet to medium high heat and saute garlic for about 1 minute.   Add shrimp, cook until shrimp turn pink, about 3 -4 minutes.  Be sure not to overcook.  Serve sprinkled with fresh parsley and sea salt.

mb