The Sound of Batman at the Olympics

Where do I start?! The past few days have been pretty freaking stellar.

Thursday  - Saw an awesome rendition of The Sound of Music at the best theatre ever. Which meant I could get dolled up a bit for the occasion. Fake eyelashes included.

{Shoes: N. Rack; Tshirt & Necklace: Target; Skirt: Boutique in LA}

Friday - The Olympics began. Oh.My.Gosh. My life has revolved around nothing else since. I love the Olympics more than any non-sports playing person probably should. PS - wasn't this awesome? (I couldn't find the whole clip, but that was really the best part anyway.) Oh and also this commercial always makes me tear up a bit. Especially since it hits my soon-to-be-mommy nerve.

Saturday -We went to "shoot the tube" (aka fill a little ghetto area with water that builds to shoot you down through a tube under the freeway when you break the dam/road signs holding back the water) with the hubby and his cousins. Well for clarification, HE shot the tube with his cousins and I hung out with his awesome aunt.

Sunday - We went to one of my favorite of the hubby's cousin's mission farewell for our church. And found out she has a rockstar voice to match her awesome personality and spirit. And THEN for dinner we went to one of my favorite friend's house for dinner with her and her hubby. Talk about an fantastic day.

Monday - .............well we ate these...........sooo  - it was a pretty awesome day.

Tuesday - Leaving in t-minus 10 minutes to FINALLY see the new Batman movie. In IMAX. Iamsostoked.

So You Think You Can Dance

SYTYCD and I have a rocky history. I first found out about the show during season three, and LOVED it but then fell off the SYTYCD bandwagon until last season. But I've done some awesome catching up. You know, YouTube stalking the missed seasons. So here are my favorite few dances from the last 8 seasons (since I'm watching SYTYCD as we speak, I needed SOMETHING to do during the commercials).

PS - Orange seed loves SYTYCD too - he was kicking and moving like crazy during the show! Maybe that's because I forced him into dancing the first three months of his little existence.

Sabra & Neil - Sweet Dreams

Hok & Jamie - Hummingbird/Flower

Katee & Joshua - No Air

Chelsie & Mark - Bleeding Love

Melanie & Mark - I Got You

Melanie & Neil - Total Eclipse of the Heart

Melanie & Marko - Turn to Stone

Sasha & Melanie - Sonya Tayeh Routine

Christopher Scott Opening Routine

Jordan & Tadd - Vulture Routine

Robert & Allison - Fix You

Lacey & Neil - Mia Michaels Routine

Pasha & Lacey - Robot Routine

Lacey & Kameron - Mia Michaels Routine

Kayla & Kupono - Addiction Routine

Tyce Diorio Opening Routine

{Another} Christopher Scott Opening Routine

And my cute friend Katelyn reminded me of this gem:

Melanie & Marko - Lightbulb Routine

Plus my bro asked for a YouTube playlist of all the dances. There you go, dear brother!

Mexican Russian Sandies

The other night I wanted something sweet (surprise, surprise). So I went to my go-to favorite cookie growing up. Russian Tea Cakes/Mexican Wedding Cakes/Sandies - they're basically butter and sugar covered in more sugar - what's not to love?! And you may not know of my almond extract obsession just yet, but oh, you will. So naturally, I add some to these cookies to make them just a little more mouth watering.

 

Sandies (aka Russian Tea Cakes aka Mexican Wedding Cakes):

1 c Butter

1 tbsp Water

2 1/4 c Flour

1/3 c Granulated sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

1 1/2 tsp Almond

1 c Powdered sugar

1) In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on med-high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. 

2) Beat in the water, vanilla and almond until combined. Beat in flour, then shape dough into 1" balls. Place about 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheet. 

3) Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. 

4) Gently shake cooled cookies in a plastic bag with powdered sugar 2-3 times until evenly coated.

The bump's big debut

Well, after my last post I decided to go and try on a million bajillion outfits in order to beat my hourly dressing rate. And then I thought I better get the long awaited (at least by my mom) baby bump pic. I actually wore this outfit to church a couple weeks ago, but never got any pics of it. I'm usually hungry and change into sweats so fast my outfits don't stand a chance, but ironically Sundays are usually the day I look the most put together. Anyway, I present to you: The Bump! I even managed to smudge on a bit of lipstick so you all wouldn't guess I was wearing sweats and no makeup all day :)

{Shirt: F21, Skirt & Belt: H&M, Shoes: Target - I got them for like $3 last year! Necklace: Thrifted}

Summertime

So the lack of outfit posts have been because I simply don't know how to get dressed these days. The bump is more difficult than I thought to cover up in a flattering way, resulting in almost an hour everyday trying to find something that will suffice.Especially since outfits that I wore last week, don't fit this week. To remedy this problem I've done what every other girl would do in my situation - I made a Pinterest board full of prego inspiration and have vowed to go shopping as soon as possible. Until then, more food talk is in order around here. Beginning now. You see, I love anything related to summer. But I especially love the food. I mean, I LOVE the food around the holidays like nobody's business, but coming in a close second is the summertime grub. So why don't you stay awhile, Summer? Because I could eat these things a few dozen more times.

   

{Fully} Loaded S'mores Cookies

So the hubby tends to all the smelly scouts at our church. In fact - he is the head smelly scout (aka the Scout Master). It's really quite perfect for him because if you knew my hubby you'd know he's pretty much a 12 yr old boy himself. Well, every so often I  decide to bake up a little something for said smelly boys, and on this particular occasion I decided something s'mores was in order. But I couldn't find what I deemed to be a perfect s'mores cookie. This one, this one and this one came close.....but when I asked the hubby whether I should do one of those or the concoction pictured above he chose my version. And I'm pretty happy he did, because these turned out pretty rad. And they were super easy. Hoorah! Anyway, I went with this recipe as a base which is apparently the best chocolate chip cookie ever. Well - let me tell you. I made a few normal choc chip cookies before adding in all the s'mores stuff and it came pretty close to being the best ever. The texture is right on and they ARE super chewy, but I'm thinking to use the browned butter technique I've tried before from here to make it truly the perfect choc chip cookie. I'll keep you posted on that one. But for now, without further ado, the s'mores cookie recipe!

{Fully} Loaded S'mores Cookies:

Base recipe for cookies c/o  Apple A Day & topping idea c/o Intimate Weddings

Ingredients: 

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened (if your cookies typically come out flat like mine because of the altitude, use 1/2 c. butter flavored shortening, and 1/4 c. unsalted butter)

3/4 c. brown sugar 

1/4 c. granulated sugar 

1 egg 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

2 c. flour 

2 tsp. cornstarch (the secret ingredient to make the cookies super chewy & awesome)

1 tsp. baking soda 

1/2 tsp. salt 

1 c. chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate)

3/4 c. Mallow Bits (aka Itty Bitty Marshmallows)

3/4 c. broken up pieces of graham crackers

Mini Marshmallows

Hershey's chocolate squares, cut into half of the pre-scored cube size

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3.  Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chips, graham cracker pieces & mallow bits.

4.  Drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet by tablespoons or by using a cookie scoop.  Bake for 5-6 minutes, then put two pieces of Hershey's chocolate & two mini marshmallows on top of the cookie, pushing in a bit. Bake for an additional 3-4 minutes. 

5.  Let cool on the sheet for five minutes.  Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Gosh I love fruit

Really is there anything better than fresh cut up strawberries and mango? No. Well........maybe ice cream. Or popcorn. Or cheesecake brownies. Or cheesecake! Or cake. Or....well whatever, I'm happy with my fruit.

Mr. Mraz

I'm back from Girls Camp! And listening to this song on repeat. Like ten times in a row repeat. I just kinda love it for so many reasons. And I may have also just taken a break from this little post to make a ringtone of said song. I'm not obsessed or anything.

In other news here are some random thoughts I've collected over the past, idk, 4 months? So watch out - it's one doozy of a list. But there are some gems in there you won't want to miss. Then again there are some you'll probably wish you had. It's a gamble.

 - I constantly worry that my blog labels aren't perfectly organized. Like what exactly deserves a label of "faves?" My OCD does not like the uncertainty one bit.

 - I have a growing list of lullaby type songs on my phone so I can practice them in the car to make sure I know all the words. I may or may not but definitely plan on having the list by my rocking chair to make sure I don't forget my options. Cute or crazy?

 - The awesomeness (or awkwardness) of saying out loud, "Come on, Laura, you can do this" when turning around super duper quickly for the best ever parking spot before someone else snatches it up.

 - Isn't this the most awesome thing you've ever seen? Where do I sign up?

 - Speaking of being obsessed with songs, the hubby has had this on repeat for the last few weeks. But it's a rad song (& music video), sooooo I don't really mind :)

 - I'm pretty sure I need a sleep number bed. Stat.

 - Does anyone else have trouble shaving kneecaps? I swear I shave in every position possible and there are still stragglers. I've all but given up.

 - Realizing I'm talking out loud to myself in a store when someone passes by. Talk about embarrassing. 

 - Contacts and airplanes - are they not the most crazy things ever?! I mean you throw a few tons of metal in the air, and put a piece of plastic in your eye to see, no big deal.

 - Diet Mt. Dew tastes just like Sprite. 

 - According to the hubby I apparently talk about wanting to be part of a bank heist at least once a month. But to clarify - I don't want Bonnie & Clyde action - more Ocean's Eleven/Italian Job type stuff and I mean, really, who wouldn't want to be part of a heist like that?

 - Why is there no light in the freezer? Because if you're heading to the kitchen for a midnight snack I'm betting it'll be more ice cream and less carrots.

 - Having a husband means not doing simple tasks simply because they're easier to do with someone else. Like making the bed.

 - I may have lost the cap for our laundry detergent, so now just dump in how much I think should be in there. So far, no explosions of soap = success.

 - The other day the hubby came home to find me in sweats, one of his tshirts and bright coral lipstick. I got a very strange look even after I explained that I hadn't worn that lipstick for awhile and summer was going to be over soon so it was necessary.

So my mom is the most thoughtful woman on the planet

I think I've mentioned that I'm the Camp Director for a group of girls at my church's Girls Camp (that happens to be next week - prepare yourselves now for the lack of any blog presence around here). Well - my amazing mom sent me a "Camp Care Package". How freaking cute is that? She included a homemade pillowcase (which was a tradition when I was growing up and went to this same camp for her to make for me each year), mini Snickers, those little peach rings that are amazing, fruit flavored Mentos, travel Kleenex packs, some super awesome granola bars and the highly coveted in our family homemade fruit leather. I've been a good little girl and have only eaten one piece of the fruit leather, but the mini snickers didn't stand a chance. I told myself that I was saving them from a terrible melty death sure to be had up at camp, but I'm pretty sure I would have eaten them even if it was freezing outside. Thanks, Mom - you are simply THE BEST.

4th of July Food

 

Pinterest inspired fruit flag. I know - theirs kicks my butt, and no, I don't want to talk about it.

I tried to go the sparkler route with these cupcake toppers, so I got the "trick" candles. Well, it just looked like a birthday candle. Boo. BUT the pop rocks sprinkled on top did the trick. If you're into that sort of thing, that is. Personally, I don't like the feeling of my head exploding. But the hubby does and he was pretty cute to rave all about them to everyone who came over. I kinda just love that man.

Another epic cake fail. I tell you - cakes and I are NOT getting along lately. And Pinterest? You lie - this was SO not "easy". I'm gonna say my problem is I make my cakes too moist. So there. Your dry cake looks excellent but mine tastes better. At least in my head that's how it is, and we all know my head is always right.

Happy 4th of July!!

 

 So these pictures may not be "Pinterest worthy" according to my dear hubby, but they sure were good to eat! The pancakes, not the pictures, that is. Happy 4th of July!!

Let's talk some more about food

Apparently this little baby is obsessed with food. Hence the last 8 out of 9 blog posts (I totally counted) have been about food. Usually sugary food. I'm not sure whether to apologize or to tell you you're welcome. SO I figured it would be appropriate to do this months awesome list about food. Here are 31 of the best recipes I know of that are out there on the webosphere.  Some you may have seen already, but they're good enough to be repeated. I'll even spoil you and include pictures this time. I know, I am THAT good.

1 - Baked Cheesy Taquitos - (Good without the chicken too)

2 - Skinny Baked Potato Soup - (Creamier than the full-fat version, blogged about here)

3 - Greek Pasta Salad

4 - Seasoned Roasted Potatoes

5 - Gourmet Grilled Cheese

6 - Quinoa Burger - (You can leave out the Cumin and do a simpler dip of sour cream, greek yogurt, garlic powder & dill)

7 - Crisped Prosciutto & Avocado Crostinis

8 - Lemon Meringue Cupcakes - (These take FOREVER...thanks to Martha and her over complicating everything...but they're totally worth it)

9 - Avocado & Grilled Corn Salad w/Cilantro Vinagarette

10 - Peanut Butter Butterscotch Cookies - (Blogged about here)

11 - Crescent Pizza Pockets

12 - Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

13 - Itty Bitty Cinnamon Rolls

14 - Tres Leches Cupcakes

15 - Lemon Crinkle Cookies

16 - Elotes

17 - S'mores Bars

18 - 30 Minute Baguettes - (These actually live up to the hype and are super easy)

19 - Turtle Cupcakes - (Blogged about here)

20 - Root Beer Float Cookies - (To be blogged about soon...)

21 - Homemade Hostess Cupcakes

22 - Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Chicken Bites - (We baked these instead of frying as instructed here)

23 - Mini Caprese Salad Skewers w/Balsamic Drizzle

24 - Nojitos - (Must use Sprite Zero, the club soda is gross!)

   

25 - Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream - Strawberry or Mint Oreo

26 - White Chocolate Mousse Tarts w/Raspberries & Pistachios

27 - Pavlova

28 - Sour Cream Apple Pie w/Struesel Topping

29 - Penne w/Spinach Sauce

30 - Sweet Potato Fries - (We cut ours thinner and bake until a bit more browned)

31 - Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies - (More on this one soon....)