All Kinds of Yumm

"Reunited, and it feels so goooooooooood....."

This is how I feel at this very second. I've missed you guys terribly. In case you were wondering, the move went great. Awesome, actually. If there is any benefit to having a husband in the ministry, it's the amount of helping hands available when you move.

Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you, why is it so hot outside? I'm not okay with it. I'm a little afraid of what the summer holds if the spring is this intense. So in light of us moving (and because it's hotter than dickens outside), I threw together a fun little smoothie. Not a serious smoothie. It's not the kind you'd take home to your mother. It's the kind that you take on one or two dates, then realize that long-term, you want to find a serious smoothie.

I repeat: this is not a serious smoothie.

I understand that I'm sending conflicting messages about this. Let me clarify: this is a dang good smoothie. But it's so simple, it's hard to take it seriously. Real smoothies have health-beneficial powders, 7 different types of fruit, trendy names like "Cabana Banana" and cost $9 at Smoothie King. This estimated $2 smoothie (for 2 large servings) can't possibly be the real thing.

Who's to say?

I'll leave it at this: my husband, who is the pickiest eater alive, has completely finished his. In under 6 minutes. Because it's a good stinkin' smoothie. He compared it to a strawberry eclaire. Come to think of it, this would be perfect for an after-school snack that's not packed full of calories (wouldn't want to spoil any appetites). It would also be great for an outdoor summer get-together. But I'm not going to tell you how to live your life. I just offer great suggestions like this one.

Ingredients:

5 strawberries (tops removed)
10 ice cubes
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons Splenda or sweetener (if you're an artificial sweeteners, go for the real stuff. It won't kill you)
1 tablespoon vanilla

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together. Serve with a strawberry as garnish.

Love and too-good-to-be-true,

My sweet, sweet Wonkie turned 3 this past week.

Isn't it crazy? I remember the day he was born. I know everyone says that, but...seriously. He's an actual person now. A person who has birthday parties and who actually tells me what he wants for his birthday. No more guessing. What Wonkie wants, Wonkie gets.

Wonkie wanted a plane. And not just any plane. A fast one. He wanted a fast one. This kid has a crazy imagination. He thinks a monster named Biscuit lives in between my legs (the knee-area, folks). He searches for it every single time I visit, and even bids Biscuit good night. He's so polite. Even to the imaginary monsters. This monster, Biscuit, has, however, left me a feeling a little bit uneasy.

When Stefanie, my lovely super-woman sister-in-law, informed us that they were throwing a birthday party with all of friends, I had to contribute. I can't show up to a family function and not bring a dish of something. Especially when it's a bunch of 3-year-olds. They're the true critics-they'll tell you what they really think about the food.

So I chickened out. So what? I felt like succeeding. These are easy. And tasty. And bacony. And cheesy. And I just want to eat 'em all up.

Kinda' like my little Wonkie.

Ingredients:

1 8oz can of Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
2 tablespoon Ranch Dressing
6 slices of bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled 
1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely shredded Italian blend cheese
1 tablespoon dried chives
Garlic salt

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F.

Spray pan so the rolls won't stick. Because they will.

Unroll dough; separate into 2 long rectangles.

Pinch together any non-sealed areas of the dough. And ignore my dry, red, wintery hands. Tim said that I definitely don't have "The Price Is Right" hands. Agreed.