Happy Birthday Michael!

My husband turned 31 this past Friday! He spent it working a 24 hour shift at the fire department. We will officially be celebrating it with the family at our weekly dinner at his parent's place on Monday. Mattias and I went by the station and brought homemade Peanut Butter Cup ice cream and White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Bars. Kind of a weird mix, but if you know firemen, you must know that you can't come by the station without ice cream! They were both a big hit and I enjoyed spending a little bit of time with my husband and his co-workers. There are always good laughs and Michael's battalion chief just loves Mattias. I am so proud of my husband and the man he is. If you know our story, you know that Michael and I have known each other most of our lives. I always had a "crush" on him and I am proud to say I still do. My husband is so gifted and I am so blessed to be his wife. I love watching him get into his passions. I am proud of him riding his 100's of miles on his new road bike, building his dream guitars, learning new tricks on the computer, taking care of our new home and most importantly how much he loves his son and I. I am a lucky woman to have such a wonderful husband. It is such a joy watching my son and husband playing together. I try to soak up all the memories and capture every picture that I can. What a joy it is to be a wife to such an amazing man. Happy Birthday Honey! What another wonderful year to come...

*Recipe: Aida's Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salad

I can't wait to try this one out!

Ingredients

For the dressing

• 1 1/2 cups packed fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup good-quality extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the salad

• 4 ears corn, kernels removed (about 3 cups)
• 1 1/2 pounds grape tomatoes, halved (about 3 cups)
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella, diced
• 2 medium avocados, diced

Directions

Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender, using 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper to taste; process until smooth. Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Let sit at least 15 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

Sticky Fingers Scones Mixes

You simply must try these Sticky Fingers Scone Mixes! I recently had a taste of these delicious scones on a visit home to visit my parents and brothers. My mom had made them for breakfast. They were so tasty and the best part.... all you do is add water, mix, and bake. It doesn't get any easier than that! I had to try them for myself. I went to Cost Plus World Market during their sale and picked up a package of chocolate chip. They must be very popular because all they had left were a half dozen of the chocolate chip flavor. The sales clerk showed me the wall that usually displays all the other flavors but they were sold out. My first attempt at making these scones were a success! Absolutely moist and so tasty. I can't wait to have an event that I can make them for! The usual price is $4.99. One package makes 12 individual scones or one large piece which cuts into 8 pieces.

http://www.worldmarket.com/lev/4/productId/7175/index.pro

Create a Quick Terra-Cotta Pot Centerpiece

Create a Quick Terra-Cotta Pot Centerpiece By Madaline Sparks

Use old flower pots to make decorative topiaries for your next cocktail party.

What You’ll Need

• Sharp scissors
• Floral foam (available at craft stores or florists)
• One small juice glass to fit inside each pot
• A small dish (for soaking the foam in water)
• 2 dozen to 3 dozen ranunculus
• Standard terra-cotta pots (between 3 and 6 inches in diameter)

Also try with: Roses, lisianthus, carnations, chrysanthemums.

Step 1

Cut a piece of foam to fit inside each juice glass. Soak the foam in water for a few minutes, until it’s fully saturated. Remove the leaves from the ranunculus stems.

Step 2

Gently place the foam into the glass and the glass into a pot.

Step 3

Cut the stems at a sharp angle and stick them into the foam, starting in the center and working outward.

Step 4

Rotate the pot as you go until the surface is covered.

Create a Floral Table Runner

Create a Floral Table Runner By Madaline Sparks

What You’ll Need

• Sharp scissors
• Drinking straws
• 2 boxes of wheatgrass (sold in flats or boxes at health-food stores and flower shops)
• 12 to 16 gerbera daisies
• A pencil

Also try with: Poppies, black-eyed Susans.

Step 1

Cut the straws to match the height of the grass.

Step 2

Snip the daisy stems so they are slightly longer than the straws, then gently slide each stem into a straw. If the straws are too narrow for the stems, slit the straws from top to bottom.

Step 3

Poke holes in the soil with the pencil. Stick the straw-sheathed flowers into the holes.

Step 4

Lightly water the soil to help the flowers stay fresh.

Party Idea...Wing It!

I love this idea from Martha Stewart. I already have plans on using it for the next baby shower I throw!

Let a flock of colorful paper butterflies loose, and you'll instantly give party decorations a lift. Trace the template onto a folded piece of paper, cut out the shape, and unfold the wings. (For different sizes, photocopy the template, reducing or enlarging the image.) Attach some to paper lanterns with tape or glue dots (sold by the roll at crafts stores), then fold the wings upward for true-to-life flutter form. For topflight cocktails, make 2 slits in the center of a butterfly cutout, and then slide a straw through.

Thank you Mom!

Thank you Mom for wanting to give me everything,
even when it wasn't possible.

Thank you Mom for always looking out for me,
even when I didn't want you to.

Thank you Mom for bringing me 7-up, chicken soup
and the red bucket when I wasn't feeling well.

Thank you Mom for always having a ready ear
when I need someone to talk to.

Thank you Mom for always believing in me
that all my dreams could come true.

Thank you Mom for being patient with me
when I had lessons I needed to learn.

Thank you Mom for teaching me that
a mother's love in unconditional.

Thank you Mom for teaching me that
with God all things are possible.

Thank you Mom for praying for me
and knowing that God was hearing your prayers.

Thank you Mom for showing me how to be
a good Mom myself.

Thank you Mom for showing me how
strong a mother's love really is.

I love you,

Happy Mother's Day!

*Recipe: Santa Fe Enchilada Bake

Santa Fe Enchilada Bake

Prep Time: 20 min Total Time: 1 hr

Makes: 8 servings

What You Need!

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1 each large onion and green pepper, chopped

2 cups salsa

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen corn, thawed, drained

12 corn tortillas (6 inch)

1 cup Sour Cream

1-1/2 cups Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese

Make It!

HEAT oven to 400ºF.

COOK and stir chicken, onions and peppers in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat 10 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Stir in salsa and corn.

ARRANGE 6 tortillas on bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; cover with layers of 1/2 each chicken mixture, sour cream and cheese. Repeat layers; cover with foil.

BAKE 40 min. or until heated through, removing foil after 30 min. Let stand 5 min.

Kitchen Tips

Healthy Living

Save 40 calories and 5 grams of fat per serving by preparing with Reduced Fat or Light Sour Cream and 2% Milk Shredded Four Cheese Mexican Style Cheese.

Serving Suggestion

Top with chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce and chopped cilantro just before serving.