Candy Candy

I have been craving some sweets! So I copied Ina Garten and made some candy. And it is to die for! I could eat it all in one night. Maybe this is why I failed my glucose test today. So now I have to take the 3 hour test to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. I'm not really worried. Maybe I should just limit my candy intake.

First get your candy toppings ready. I used pecans, dried apricots, and dried cranberries. I chopped the pecans and apricots into small pieces. These need to be ready before you melt the chocolate.

Then pour white chocolate into a glass bowl. Heat it in the microwave for 30 second increments until nice and smooth.

Pour the chocolate out on some parchment paper. Ina does hers in a perfect rectangle, but I think it is more fun not to be perfect. Just spread the chocolate out into a thin layer using a rubber spatula.

Pour on your toppings! Add whatever you want.

Ina uses pistachios.

I like pecans.

My mom uses cashews.

Pour the toppings on right after the chocolate is spread out. You don't want it to hardened before you get all the goodies on. After all toppings are on, gently press down on them to make sure they stick to the chocolate. Doesn't it look pretty?

Let it sit for at least 15 minutes. You can even put it in the refrigerator to hardened faster. Once it has hardened, break it into pieces, and eat!
This could also be done with milk chocolate and toppings can be changed to your liking. However, if you leave out the apricots, you will be missing out big time!

It is divine!

A Tribute to Toomer's

2005

2006

2010

Preggos Goes on Vacation

Last weekend Nick and I took a little trip to Pensacola, FL. We enjoyed some good seafood, a walk on the beach, and shopping. Well, I shopped. Nick actually had to work on Monday and Tuesday.

We stayed in a lovely old hotel that used to be the Pensacola train station.
This was the view from our room when we arrived. It was beautiful!

On our last morning I enjoyed some room service for breakfast. Check out my view from bed. It was great!While I waited for Nick to finish up his work for the day I took my book to this pier and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and sunshine.

Nick's office is the building in the middle. What a great view. How do they get any work done? Me on the beach at 23 weeks (I'm now 24 weeks along). I think it is time to retire the bikini.

Our next vacation was this past weekend. We spent Saturday in Auburn. My cousin John George and his fiance Mary Kendall came to watch the Mississippi State and Auburn basketball game. We walked around downtown, bought some AU National Champs t-shirts, ate turkey wraps at Amsterdam, and enjoyed some coffee at the new student union.

JG and MK.

Mary Kendall's first trip to Auburn.
They have been engaged for one week now! Congrats! Looking forward to August!

The Auburn Arena was great. It is a really nice facility. The game was actually a little boring, except for my foot-long corn dog. Auburn was down about 20 points the whole game. I was about to fall asleep. Then, in the last 5 minutes, we started our come back. Auburn won by a few points! We were shocked! We felt bad for Mary Kendall (State fan), but we think she brings Auburn good luck (in AZ and now in B-ball).


No more vacations are on the calendar.

Just waiting for June!

At least the pool opens in less than a month!

Mexican Food is Good

I didn't cook much the first part of my pregnancy. This was due to nausea, headaches, late working, and fatigue. I have recently felt better and become more organized with my meals. I plan my meals for the week and only go to the grocery store once a week. I've been cooking some regular items, but I've also tried to branch out and try new things. Here are 2 new Mexican dishes that are good and easy to make.

I've mentioned before that I love Mexican food! I craved Mexican food before I was pregnant! I love it for a few reasons. One, it taste good. What could be better than meat, cheese, sour cream and a little spice? Two, Mexican food is easy to cook. We had 2 Mexican dishes in the past 5 days. Both were simple and delicious. Both of these recipes came from the cookbook Bells Best.

Mexican Casserole
1 lb ground beef
1 onion
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can red kidney beans
1 cup grated cheese
1 pkg of Mexican corn bread

Brown ground beef and onion; drain and set aside. Drain all canned veggies and mix with beef. Add cheese and pour in casserole dish.
Mix corn bread according to directions on package, then spoon over casserole and bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until corn bread is golden brown.
*I used regular corn bread mix because it was in the pantry.

* I added a little fajita mix to the meat to add a little favor and spice.

* Next time I'm going to use more cheese. This casserole just fell apart, and I think more cheese will help with that. I'm also going to try some black beans in there.

*I would also add some diced jalapenos to the casserole or cornbread.

*Serve with tortilla chips or rice and beans.

Great easy meal that ingredients can be added to or taken away from to fit your liking.

Enchiladas
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small can chopped green peppers
1 pkg. flour tortilla shells (8 inch)
1 can Mexican sauce
1 can tomato sauce
salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic salt (season to taste)
3-4 cups graded sharp cheese

Brown meat. Add salt, pepper, garlic salt, chili powder, and onions. Add can of tomato sauce and cook for 10-15 minutes.

Warm tortilla shells in oven (only a few minutes). Place small amount of meat and cheese on each shell and roll up.

How to roll up your enchilada without all the stuff falling out!

1. Fold top over meat.

2. Tuck in the meat.3. Fold in the ends. 4. And roll. 5. Ta-da!

Place on cookie sheet and sprinkle remainder of cheese over enchiladas and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Mix can of Mexican sauce and chopped green peppers to make sauce to pour over enchiladas when done. * I also made a batch with chicken. I cut it into cubes and cooked it the same way as the beef. * I added about a teaspoon of fajita mix in with the meat.

*Use Mexican sauce or enchilada sauce. I added a little chicken broth to it for better taste.

Enjoy these meals! Keep warm this weekend!

Adios!