Mountain Dew Bundt Cake & the solution to hoarding

I never make cake.  My husband doesn't care for it.  Something scarred him as a child with cake and we can't figure it out.  He only eats carrot cake.  He considers it a vegetable.  Right?

This story has two questions.

1.  If I don't make cake...Tell me why do I need the 2 bundt pans in the closet?
 (ANSWER... I must be a hoarder.)

2. Why was there a can of mountain dew in the pantry?  We don't drink that soda.  (ANSWER....  It belongs to a child living here?)

The obvious solution to both questions....MAKE CAKE.    The husband & I are watching our diet this month.  We are really trying to eat better and cleaner.  We won't eat this...RIGHT?  He hates cake. I don't care for mountain dew.   It is a winning solution for all and the pantry gets cleaned out in the process.

MOUNTAIN DEW CAKE

1 yellow cake mix
1 small box of lemon instant pudding
12 ounces of mountain dew
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs

Mix it together.  Pour into a greased & floured bundt pan.
Bake @ 325 for about 50 minutes.

Let sit in pan for 20 minutes to cool before flipping.

Glaze...

3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup + 1 Tb Mountain Dew
1 small teaspoon of lemon extract  (yes, I had that too...go figure.)


I suppose you are asking yourself who ate the cake.  Between 4 teenagers in the house and 2 adults.....that picture is all that currently remains of the cake.  It was an epic diet fail. However, the pantry did get cleaned out!!!

Creamy Avocado Lime Ranch...my new best friend.

Sometimes a good idea just hits me.  Occasionally, it isn't as great as I originally planned.  This afternoon it was amazing.  OH my!   If you have ever been to Chuy's in Plano..this stuff is similar.  I think the avocado is what makes it so yummy.

2 cups of buttermilk
3 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix
almost a half cup of mayonnaise
1 jalapeño
1 avocado
1/4 cup cilantro
1 lime, squeezed
1/2 t. cumin
a small handful of cilantro

Vitamix until it is creamy and light green.  The avocado pit was lonely.  I tossed it in the bowl.

I grilled some chicken and drizzled it on top of my salad with multigrain tostito scoops and some fresh salsa.   The boy child,  C.G. was double-dipping.  He said it had changed his life.  He ate salad willingly and cleaned his room.  

Salsa......coming soon to a blog near you.

Don't judge a chip by the thumb holding it.....I need a manicure.

My latest finds......

This like-new Italian Leather Chair.....  67.00  SOLD!

Laughing while a friend poses...........priceless.

I have been wanting another oval fiesta ware plate.  They are between 25 & 35 dollars retail.  I know this because I own 4 of them in other colors.  It all depends on where you shop.   Both appear to have never been used.  The smaller plate was 1.99.  The platter........  4.99.  YES,  I am winning the thrift shop game.   My friend up there, M.B.,  has mentioned we should start a blog and brag about our winnings.  Maybe I should tell her it's too late???  Nah!!!!

Hummingbirds...Bring 'em On.

I don't have them..... YET.    I ran across this feeder at the local thrift shop...it was 1.99!  The balloon top is glass and it has the colors baked on.  It is heavy and hangs by a beaded wire loop.  I love it.  I think it would retail for about 20.00.  It looks nice.

Hummingbird Food
2 cups water
1/2 cup white sugar.

Boil the water.  Add the sugar.  Stir it around for 5 minutes or so until the sugar is dissolved.
Squeeze in a few drops of red food coloring.
Cool.

Please don't buy this stuff!  It can be made for less than a quarter.  All it takes is about 5 minutes of your time!

Easy Peasy...Seriously!

(the above pan...Vintage .Le Crueset.  Price... 2.99.  Yes, the local thrift shop.)

Bring on the birds!

BIRD??  Did someone say Bird???  Tramp is quite the hunter.....

He is also quite the napper....

My son, the Superhero.

My youngest, C.G. needed an original superhero costume for a DNOW weekend at church.  He didn't have a clue what he wanted to be.  He is 13.  I can't fault him for that.....when you are cute the options are endless.  We went with what  could be made using my limited sewing skills. 

The idea is get 2  large t-shirts at the thrift shop.  Wash them!  I bought a red & a purple.  Cut them exactly the same size on the back side of the shirt and leave the neck hole open.  DO NOT CUT THE NECKHOLE apart!!  Flip it over so it is inside out and sew the two shirt sides together.  I didn't sew the bottom.  It was already finished and I didn't want to bother.  Turn them right side out, iron and then sew a line of topstitching along the outer edge of the folded seam.   I cut the large yellow sun shape out of yellow broadcloth and backed it with the iron-able wonder under.  After that,  I again topstitched the edges down and ironed on the "STASHE".  

That's it.  EASY PEASY!

The "Stache" was found at Hobby Lobby with all the other iron on decals and letters.

The big boy...... that would be R.S.  He is my oldest daughter's "SPECIAL FRIEND".   We like him.  

Totally-Yummo Breakfast Muffins.

These muffins were made for the girls in honor of their spring break.  Please understand that if you do make these babies......have a portable container ready to send them off elsewhere.    I know my readers and I love you.  BUT, none of you were at home so I sent them with Miss C. for her friends at Starbucks.    She thought of them as party favors.  Yea, that works.

I will post the recipe here soon....keep checking.  I just need to find it.   Yes, this post didn't happen yesterday.......  Yes, it did happen.  Yes, they really are that amazing.  And yes, you will need to eat more than one!

Leadership

Last night, my baby MG was named the Colorguard Captain for WHS 2013-2014.   It was her greatest achievement to date.  That girl was on fire...........  She looked like this when she arrived home from school.  But, she wasn't wearing this little number...  Too bad.

My  advice and wisdom to her is be the leader you would want to have.  Own the title...BUT DON'T LET IT BECOME YOU.   Give of yourself.  Use your privileges with responsibility and have wisdom & grace in all situations.  

Style & Attitude is important too!



WE LOVE YOU BABY!