Big and Little

  How can 2 brothers that come from the same parents and only 2 years apart turn out so different?   Yes Venti is huge and yes Grande is tiny...but wow...what a difference huh?  Venti is 6'4" and Grande is 5'11".   As different as they are in size they are that much different in personality.

They were raised in the same house...by the same parents...ate basically the same thing and yet turn out to be so dramatically different!

Hard to believe when looking at this picture of Venti and Grande that they are only 27 months apart and more then 100 lbs different!!

Some siblings look like carbon copies of one another and others are a mix of genetics.

Which group do your kids fall into?

Birth Order

Having children of all the same sex does not mean they have the same personality...by any means!

They are as different as night and day! 

What do they say about Birth Order?  Read on....

First Born

Newscasters and TV talk show hosts tend to be first born or only children. Over half of U.S presidents were firstborns!  Firstborns are natural leaders. They also tend to be reliable, conscientious and perfectionists who don't like surprises. Although, firstborns are typically aggressive, many are also compliant people pleasers. They are model children who have a strong need for approval from anyone in charge.

Only Children

Only children are firstborns in triplicate. They are even more responsible and even bigger perfectionists. They usually get along better with people older than themselves.

 Middle Child  

These kids are the most difficult to pin down. They are guaranteed to be opposite of their older sibling, but that difference can manifest in a variety of ways. Middle children often feel like their older brother gets all the glory while their younger sister escapes all discipline. Because the middle child feels that the world pays him less attention, he tends to be secretive; he does not openly share his thoughts or feelings. 

Middle children may not feel they have a special place in the family so friends and peer groups become much more important. They can usually read people well, they are peacemakers who see all sides of a situation, they are independent and inventive. If a firstborn is a company's CEO, the middle child is the entrepreneur.   

Last Born

Babies of the family are social and outgoing, they are the most financially irresponsible of all birth orders. They just want to have a good time. Knowing that these kids love the limelight.
While lastborns may be charming, they also have the potential to be manipulative, spoiled or babied to the point of helplessness.


Children are all different and have to be parented in different ways!


Parenting The First Born

•  Your child already feels the need to be perfect in every way. "Improving" tasks your firstborn attempts on her own will only increase the pressure she places on herself.

•     Take Two-On--One Time: Firstborns respond better to adult company than children of any other birth order. Firstborns often feel that parents don't pay much attention to them because they're always concentrating on the younger ones in the family. Make a special effort to have the first born join you and your spouse in going out alone for a treat, or to run some kind of special errand.

Parenting The Middle Child

•      Make Time To Listen: Remember that middle children tend to avoid sharing how they really feel. Although it's important to set aside time to talk to all of your children, it's particularly important to make this happen with the middle child because he is least likely to insist on his fair share of time.

•      Allow Child to Make Decisions: Empower your middle child and make him feel special by allowing him to make choices such as who gets to bowl first or what the family will eat for dessert. This will help alleviate feelings of always being overshadowed by older and younger siblings.

•      Update the Family Album: This may sound silly but it truly is important. There tend to be a billion photos of the firstborn and about six of the next child. To a child flipping through the family album, this is a sure sign that he's not loved as much. Be sure to have photos of the middle child alone, not always paired with the older sibling.

Parenting The Last Born

•      Stick to the Rules: The saying "he gets away with murder" is based in reality. Statistics show the lastborn is least likely to be disciplined and the least likely to have to toe the mark the way the older children did. You can be sure your older children are watching you closely!

•      Hand Out Responsibility: Lastborns often wind up with less to do around the house for two reasons. One, they are pros at ducking out of work. And two, they are so little and "helpless" that the rest of the family decides it's easier to do the work themselves. You want to raise a confident, self-reliant child so don't promote this helpless image.

•      Applaud Accomplishments:  Lastborns are well known for feeling that nothing they do is important. Make a big deal out of accomplishments.

Parents' Birth Order

We've been discussing children's birth orders, but it's important to realize that parenting style is also influenced by the parent's own birth order. Parents subconsciously identify with the child who holds the spot in the family they occupied themselves. A lastborn dad might think his youngest antics are cute while mom sees them as irresponsible.

Also, firstborns are perfectionists their whole lives. As parents, they may set standards that are difficult for a child to reach. This makes them frustrated and their children unhappy.

      Children are truly the future of the world, and by understanding what influences their personalities, we have a better chance of making the future amazing. 

When I read about birth order and personality traits, I'm amazed at the similarities to my own boys!
Does this hold true in your family?

Tuesday Beauty Tips - Antiperspirant Causes Cancer?

The leading cause of breast cancer is the use of antiperspirant.

What? A concentration of toxins leads to cell mutations: a.k.a. CANCER. Yes, ANTIPERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are an antiperspirant/deodorant combination...go ahead...check!

Deodorant is fine, antiperspirant is not.

There has been much speculation about antiperspirant being linked to breast cancer. While no scientific evidence has been found to validate such claims, it certainly has people thinking more about their choices in how to banish their B.O.

What's the difference between Deodorant and Antiperspirant?

•  Deodorant is an antiseptic enhanced fragrance that kills the odorous bacteria in your sweat.  

• Antiperspirants work to block the pores in your sweat glands so that you don't perspire; ergo, you don't emit body odor. They contain paba, aluminum compounds and parabens, which mimic estrogen (and estrogen promotes the growth of cancerous cells in the breast). These chemicals can get into your blood stream through razor nicks in your armpits.

Nearly all breast cancer tumors occur in the upper outside quadrant of the breast area. This is precisely where the lymph nodes are located. Additionally, Men are less likely (but not completely exempt) to develop breast cancer prompted by antiperspirant usage because most of the antiperspirant product is caught in their hair and is not directly applied to the skin. Women who apply antiperspirant right after shaving increase the risk further because shaving causes almost imperceptible nicks in the skin which give the chemicals entrance into the body from the armpit area.

While studies have found parabens in breast cancer samples, there is no hard evidence that using antiperspirants leads to breast cancer.

The choice is yours to make. For anyone who worries about breast cancer, it is important to get regular mammograms, eat right, exercise and control your stress level.

Whenever I read about something like this...it makes me think...and if down the road someday they came to realize that this information is indeed true and I didn't listen, then I would be very disappointed in myself for not taking the advice.   For all we know, this could be all untrue...but we really do not know one way or another....and I don't like to take those kind of chances.  It all does make sense when you think about it!

For those of you who choose to wean yourselves off of any controversial antiperspirants.....just in case...I choose to wean myself off of antiperspirants and went shopping for a deodorant!  Not an easy task!  Everyone I looked at had aluminum!  The only one I could find was in the Men's line!!  Ha!  Now I'm going to smell like a man!!   Well better to have a piece of mind and smell like Brut!  lol......anyhow, Degree makes Deodorant.  Degree Silver Ion.  I purchased this one:

Joe asked the other day what that smell was...guess he will just have to get use to me smelling like one of the guys!

Money Tree

Grande bought his own brand new car!  A 2010 Nissan Sentra!  He is so proud of it!  Hopefully this will teach him responsibility!

We pay for the boys car insurance. Right now there are 4 cars on our insurance...including 2 boys..Venti had a speeding violation 2 years ago..so that's on there...Grande is considered a "youthful" driver and so that's on there...Something has to be done here! Our bill is outrageous!!

Since Venti is done with college next month and starts his new job June 7th he should be more then able to pay for his own car insurance...right?? I thought we would give him a month into his job and then..."here ya go son"...your very own car insurance bill!"

Is that mean or have we paid for it long enough?

Did I mention we also pay for their cell phone bills? I'm thinking that has to stop too once they graduate college!  Enough is enough.....right??

Date Night!!

Joe and I try to have Date Night every Saturday night.

 We mostly just go to dinner..sometimes a movie...but now that he is working nights (Saturday and Sunday included) and he has to go in to work at 8pm, so we just go to dinner. 

Finding time in our busy lives to do something special with our significant other is really important.  It doesn't matter where you go..or what you do...as long as you are together and spend that one on one time...its very important to do this!  Once we have children we tend to not make this a priority!

Before marriage, most couples spend enormous amounts of time together.  However, after marriage, the time spent together tends to decrease, often significantly.  It is reported that only 25% of married couples have regular date nights!

Not spending time with your spouse happens for many reasons including the kids, work schedules or just everyday life. As responsibilities start to increase, the time spent with your spouse decreases.
The best way to get some time with your honey is to make that time a priority, and an appointment!!

You would not miss a doctor's appointment, so do not miss a spouse time appointment.  Schedule at least one chunk of time each week to spend with your spouse, and just your spouse. It is good to get family time in, but you can't forget that in addition to being a parent, and an employee, you are also a husband or wife. Make sure that role does not become secondary to the other roles you play!! 

Also remember that you don't have to spend money to spend time together!  Have a Date Night IN!!
Make something special for dinner and get a Red Box movie!  You are together and that is what is important!!!

Never loose sight of what's important because even though we love our children more then anything, we have to first have a great relationship with our hubby to be a great parent to our kids!

Enjoy your time with your hubby!!

Lipstick

                                           What is this??

                       That is my lipstick and it always looks this way.

Obviously I have no idea why I put lipstick on like this but I do.  lol.

What does your lipstick tube look like???

Grocery Tips!!

I recently had a request from a reader asking me some tips on feeding a large family!  It is no easy task and I'm sure I could save way more if I tried.  Here are some of the things that work for us:

• Shop in bulk with a list. (we shop at Sam's Club...alot!)
• Speaking of Sam's Club, their whole chickens are only $5 and go a long way...have it with rice a veggie....use it to make chicken quesadillas, use it in your chicken soups, any way that you use chicken...its cheaper AND it will save you time!
• Take one of those whole rotisserie chickens...remove meat from the bones, divide into 5...add a salad (a whole container of Spring Mix at Sam's for $4.00) and take it to work for lunch!  Super savings! 
• Buy your produce at farmer's markets or roadside stands..much cheaper then the grocery store!
• Eat 1 or 2 meatless dinners a week.
• Serve homemade soups or chili and breads with meals. 
• Crock pot meals go a long way.  I have the 7 quart size.  I make ham, green beans & potatoes or a roast with carrots and potatoes.
• Cut meat in small pieces; it feels like they are getting more.
• Pasta once a week.
• Macaroni & Cheese (I'll share a great & easy recipe soon)..serve with salad or green vegetable and applesauce.
• Take the time to clip those coupons!  It does make a difference!  You can also find some online like here or google: grocery coupons to find more.
• Make a list of what's in your pantry!  I don't know how many times I've purchased something only to come home and find it already in the pantry!  I have a large inventory! 
• Get a magnetic tablet and put it on the refrigerator...write down the things when you run out! 
• Have breakfast for dinner (we usually have French Toast, waffle fries & bacon).
  
• Allow the kids to eat at their friends and grandparents whenever invited.

We all like to treat ourselves and dine out...some more then others!  And when you can dine out and save at the same time, even better!  Click here to find some deals!

Those are some of my tips!  I would love to hear some of yours!!

Tuesday Beauty Tips! Make-up!!

I have used alot of different brands of make-up with modeling...some good, some bad!  In my day to day life when I'm not modeling I don't wear alot of make-up.  I use a pressed powder (I do not like foundation), eye shadow, eyeliner, blush and mascara.   Alot of Moms don't take the time to wear any make-up!  You don't want to do that!  You don't want to become the Mom that let herself go!

Babies may be the ultimate style camouflage: They're so cute that they draw attention away from the dark circles under your eyes, the neglected hair, and a wardrobe that revolves around sweatpants!

If you are one of these Moms, change that!  Take just 3 minutes and 3 products!  

• Something on you lips...whether it be a colored lip balm or lipstick...I'm not talking about bright red or anything...just a simple shade of pink/mauve or which ever matches your complexion the most.   Makeup pros say that if you only have time to do one thing, do your lips — it can instantly brighten up your entire face! 

• Dust on some color. A subtle peach shade works for most skin tones and can be lightly brushed on cheeks and eyelids for a hint of color. For a warmer look, you can do this using a pressed-powder bronzer, but use a light touch to avoid dark splotches and streaks!  

• The 3rd product would be Mascara. 

 I have searched high and low for the right Mascara...not an easy feat!  I have tried Chanel, Lancome, Bobbi Brown, YSI...most of which are very expensive and was never 100% satisfied!   I was reading a review about a new mascara called L'Oreal Telescopic. 

The first time I used this I really liked the way my lashes looked. They looked well defined, thick and long but not clumped at all. I did not even need to use an eyelash comb. I was very pleased that at the end of the day, my lashes had not stuck together or flaked at all. They looked just as they did when I first applied the mascara. After using this for over a week, I still feel the same way. I love this product, it is the best mascara I have ever used.

Drugstore.com has them right now Buy One Get One 50% Off and they are only $9.48 each!  What a bargain!

The important thing is for you to look good and feel good about yourself every day.  If you take a few extra minutes for yourself in the morning, you can look and feel your best.  Not to mention your new-found self confidence will make you a better parent!   Go Moms!!

Four 10 year olds

Shorts birthday was yesterday and he wanted to take 3 friends for pizza and a movie.  How hard can that be?  Piece of cake!   The Mom's dropped the boys off at our house at 1:30pm.  We get to the pizza place, place our order and sit down.

Then the fun began.

Self serve sodas apparently means taking your cup down the line of selections so you can sample some of each in ONE cup.

Putting garlic, peppers and cheese on your pizza until you can't see what the pizza looked like to begin with...and then asking for another slice because you don't like it (not!).

Using your one finger to eat your pizza....that consists of poking your finger into your pizza and swooshing it around...getting as much sauce and cheese on your finger and then eating it.

Wooden chairs are apparently the best playing field for farts.

                    Can't your just see the mischief on their faces?

Short was not doing any of these (honestly he wasn't). My boys know to behave!

After an hour of torture, we get in the car to drive to the movie theater.

Short wanted to see, "Diary of a Whimpy Kid."

We got their early.  Like 40 minutes early.  The other movie hadn't even left out yet.
We had to entertain them by taking pictures of them with Shrek.

Since we were so early, we got first choice of seats.

So we choose the very back row.

Hardly anyone came if after us.

Yes!!  No one in front of us!

The movie was just starting and in walks a group of 4.

And they chose the row right in front of us.

Why??  There were 100 other seats!!

Apparently the boys were less then thrilled about this.

And apparently these people didn't like when the boys laughed, or chewed or took a drink or opened a wrapper.

They told them to be quite several times.  I didn't know until after the movie because we left a seat in between us and the boys and didn't realize everything that was going on.  We were only 1 seat away from the boys and I didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary from the boys!

So why would you come in at the start of a movie and sit directly in front of someone else when you have the entire theatre to pick from and then get annoyed when four 10 year olds in back of you laugh?

After the movies the boys told us all about this on the way home.  Had I wished I knew this because I would have said something to them!  I'm sure we all have a movie theater story to share (feel free to tell).

The movie was funny...they really enjoyed it...minus the discruntle people in front of them!

Happy Birthday Short!!

Happy Birthday Short!  You are no longer in the single digits!  My baby is 10!!  Sigh....

Off to the movies and pizza with 3 friends! I hope you have the best day ever!

A Hickey!!!!

Tall asked if I'd drive him to school this morning.  He normally rides with the boy up the street but for some reason he wasn't going to school today.  So I set my alarm for 1/2 hour earlier.  That 1/2 hour sure does make a difference!   Not only did I have to take Tall to school but that meant that I had to take Short as well because his bus would come while I would be taking Tall to school.

I threw on some sweatpants, put my contacts lenses in over my still sleepy eyes, grabbed breakfast for Short to eat in the car, and out the door we went.

The conversation on the way to school went like this:

Me: "Your wearing a Polo today, why didn't you wear one yesterday?" (They go to Catholic school and wear the uniform Polo shirts in September, October, April & May, and the uniform shirt & tie the other months).

Tall: "Um cause I didn't have any that fit."

Me: "What do you mean...you have a whole closet full."

Tall: Not ah...I only have 2."

Me: No, there are more in there...you just didn't look."

The rest of the ride was small talk...we were both half asleep and Short sat in the back munching on his breakfast.

So we pull up in front of the school and Tall gets out of the car...."bye...love ya."

He was just about out of the car when I glanced over at him.

My eyes wander down to his neck.

Is that......

Noooooooooooooooo........

I think it is........

But it looks like one....covered in make-up!!

A hickey!!!!???

Omg....can't be!

I was half asleep but I know what I saw!!

Not Tall!  He's been talking to this girl and she picked him up on Tuesday.  He was only gone for a little while...noooooo.

I was so shocked that I couldn't even holler to him...."hey..what's that on your neck"...even though I know full well what it is!

So I sit there for a couple of minutes processing this.  Short is still chomping away in the back seat.

I decide to send Tall a text.

Is that a hickey on your neck!!??

5 hours later I get a text back.

"Ummm kinda yeah."

Ummm kinda yeah he says!

My only response that I could think of right then and there is, "that better not be my make-up you used to cover it up."

My son gets a hickey and here I am worrying if he used my make-up!!

"haha Mom..no its not."

So then I said, "you better come home and watch 16 and Pregnant!"

"haha Mom...its only a hickey and you and Dad prob had lots when you were younger!"

Oh no you don't...don't try and take the attention off yourself and on to me!

That also explains why he wore the shirt and tie yesterday..to cover it up!!

Sigh....

Do I lock him up forever?  After all he's the one with the white t-shirt situation!

Life with the boys was so much easier when they were 3!!

Short order cook!

Dinner in our house is always a major production!  Especially when Venti is home.  When he is eating dinner I have to make as much for him as I would make for the other 5 of us put together!

• If I'm making a roast, I have to get 2.
• If I'm making potatoes, I have to use 10 lbs.
• If I'm making chicken I have to use 4 lbs.
• If I'm making spaghetti, I have to use 2 boxes and make 3 lbs of meatballs AND sausage and 2 loaves of Italian Bread.
•  If I'm making Chicken Puffs (I will share the recipe for these soon) which are Venti's favorite, I have to make 36 of them.
• If I make Meatoaf, I have to use 6 lbs of burger.

You get the idea.  This is why I needed a pantry the size that I do!

Somewhere along the way someone didn't like what I was making for dinner.

And what did I do?                          

Made him something different.

Big mistake!

What did that turn into?

Me being a short order cook!

"I don't like that" seems to happen just about every dinner. 

Venti eats everything.

Grande doesn't like alot of things.

Tall doesn't like everything alot of things.

Short eats almost everything...or he will at least try it.

So instead of me just making dinner, I have to think first, "who doesn't like this"....and then I have to plan something else for them.

Its a pain.

And its my fault.

Shouldn't have started it way back when.

Can I take your order please?


Anyone else have a similar situation or is it just me?

Moving

Its official.  Venti is moving!  As you know he graduates next month from Penn State.  We was offered a position at 5 different companies which was really good considering that his roommate that is also a Civil Engineer didn't get any job offers!  3 of the offers were for companies around the area we live in, 1 was in Delaware and the other one was in Maryland.  He really, really wanted the job in Maryland....and he got it...which means he has to move....to another state.  Its only 80 miles but its still another state!
So now he has to scramble and find an apartment.  He graduates May 14th and starts his job June 7th!  Not much time!   And now Mocha wants to quit her job and move down there when him!  Not sure if that is a good idea or not.  Jobs are hard to come by and I don't want him to have the burden of all the bills.   She would be moving there in October any how when they get married.  I am happy for the fact that he wouldn't be alone if she moved too.
On Saturday we are going apartment hunting with them!  That should be interesting!  I'll let you know how that goes!  They have 7 apartment to look at in one day.  I just hope they find one they like so that he can check that off the list!

I spent most of the evening stuffing and addressing his graduation announcements.

 One month from today...he is graduating.

I am so proud and happy for him!

Tuesday Beauty Tips-Wrinkles and your Pillowcase!!

If you are waking up every morning with lines on your face from sleeping on your pillow, you may want to change your pillowcase!  Here’s why: When you sleep with your face all mushed up in your pillow, you could be creating something called compression wrinkles, which are fine lines that form on the skin when it's crushed. When this action is repeated night after night, the amount of collagen and elastic tissue decreases.  It's similar to the way repetitive motions contribute to wrinkles; Squinting leads to crow's-feet; frowning begets frown lines; initially these wrinkles will disappear during the day but eventually the repetition causes them to become permanent.   If you particularly sleep on one side more then the other then you probably have more defined lines on that side.

 The answer?  Switch to a satin pillowcase!  You can get them on Amazon for around $9.50.  They also have them at Bed Bath and Beyond for about $5.00.  There are some on the internet for up to $75 but you don't need to spend that!  You can get one for just a couple of dollars!

Ninety-nine percent of the population sleeps on a cotton pillowcase, but since cotton absorbs moisture, it can dry out your hair and skin.  At the very least, most hairstylists recommend sleeping on a satin pillowcase to help keep your hair from getting matted, tangled, and frizzy since cotton cases tend to have a coarser texture, which can rough up your hair, especially if you're tossing your head or rubbing it against your pillow at night.  Cotton pillowcase's will absorb your nightly facial cream where as satin will not.

I truly believe it is the single most important thing I have done for my skin, and will always be my best beauty secret.

Happy Anniversary to me!

Today, 24 years ago I married my best friend! Happy Anniversary Joe! I love you!

 My goodness we were young!!  I wrote Joe this note and wanted to share it with you:

I didn’t realize that 24 years ago would turn out to be the best day of my life.
I met you when I was just a young girl..and you a young boy.  We really didn’t know what love was…until now. 
The thing that is the most amazing thing in our relationship is that we are always there for each other…no matter what it is…the ups and downs…if it affects one of us, it affects both of us and we work through it.  We handle every situation by giving each other the support we need.
We make each other laugh.
We are each other’s best friends.
We look forward to each day together and get sad when we are apart.
We enjoy the time we spend…even if we aren’t even doing anything…its just the fact that we are together….and that is love…pure love…unconditional love…something that is so rare that we can’t see it in any other couple…our love is one of a kind and we are so lucky to have each other and be here for each other.  Its something we don’t take for granted and we know that life is so short and we don’t waste it on stupid stuff anymore.  We cherish each and every day together.
I love you more today then all the days we are married added up together.  I can’t put it into words how much you mean to me and how you are my everything…my other half…my friend…my husband.
Here is to the next 24+ years together and I look forward to each and every day that we get to be husband and wife.
Happy Anniversary!   I Love You!!

4/12/2010   

We had a really nice weekend.  It was so nice to get away..even for just one night!  We did some shopping and had a really good dinner!  We ate at a steak/rib house and we had the BEST dinner rolls I have ever eaten!  They were so soft and fresh and warm!  And they came with Sweet Butter which made them even more delicious!

The house was still standing, the kitchen was still amazingly clean!  I was impressed!  The laundry was over flowing but that's ok!  
Grande's car isn't starting right so he is using my car to go to school today...yikes! lol...I hope it returns the way it left!
Short's birthday is this coming Sunday and we had told him no more birthday parties, so I suggested he pick 3 friends and we go to the movies and for pizza...should be interesting! 
Happy Monday!                

Ultimate Blog Party 2010!!

I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 hosted by 5minutesformom!  Make sure you go and check it out!  What a party it will be!  Lots of new friends to be made!  Since its a party, I wanted to tell you alittle bit about myself!!

When I turned 40 it was a huge eye opener for me. I couldn't believe where all the years have gone. I thought to myself that I have a life too even though I'm a Mom and a Wife and yet I wanted to do something for myself.  I have been pursuing modeling for the past 4 1/2 years. I have been I have been inundated since I turned 40 to do some photography work and I really love it!

In my spare time, I take ballet lessons, which I love, and have been doing for 7 years now however this year I decided to take the year off. I am hoping to start again in the fall but we will see what's going on then. I am also a licensed Cosmetologist and have my Real Estate license. I have worked as a Promotional Model in the past which was very interesting! My current job I am a Salon Educator! I educate salons on products that the company I work for manufactures. I take really good care of myself and my husband and I walk 3 miles everyday...at least we try to!! I love to cook! Cooking for 5 boys (counting my hubby) is not an easy task! I think I live at the grocery store!

I am truly blessed with my family and I'm so proud to have 4 sons and such a loving husband. I feel beautiful inside and would like to show the world how beautiful I am on the outside! Stay with me on my journey through life when the kids are growing up and moving out and yet your not sure where the time has gone!

Wow you should see the list of prizes!!  Should I be fortunate to win one, I would be honored to receive:


Toshiba Laptop

US11 – A $100 gift eCertificate to Restaurant.com
US39 -Be My Guest certificate ($250 value)
US95 – $100 Gift Certificate to Restaurant.com
US112 – $50Amazon Gift card
USC 3 – A $50.00 Target Gift Card
USC15 - $50 Target gift card to one winner
USC 35 -$50 CASH Paypal Transfer
USC 39 – A $50 paypal cash prize for one winner

Pretty awesome huh!!  Come join me and lets all party!

Away for the weekend!!

Monday is my 24th Wedding Anniversary!!!  Joe and I are leaving Saturday morning and coming back sometime on Sunday!  Just the 2 of us!!  Venti is coming home today and we are all going out to eat tonight for his birthday and so he is supposed to be in charge of the other boys while we are away.
Should be interesting.  I'll be sure to fill you in on Monday on how our weekend went and how our house survived!!

Have a great weekend!!

Easy Yummy Orange Cake!!

For Tall's birthday in March he requested his favorite Orange Cake! I wanted to share the recipe with you because it has been a favorite in my house for a very long time. My Grandma use to make it and it was always my favorite and now I make it for the boys. It is very simple and easy to make!

Ingredients:
1 Yellow Cake Mix
1 Large Orange

2 lbs Confectioners/Powdered Sugar 
1 Stick butter (not margarine)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Make the cake mix as directed...set aside until cooled.

Melt the stick of butter in a large bowl in the microwave (about 35 seconds).

Add the 1 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla to the melted butter.

 Beat butter and vanilla with mixer for about 40 seconds.

Take the large orange and use a grate and grate the peel into the bowl...go the whole way around the orange but only grate the very outside of the orange...don't go too deep!

The picture above shows you about how much of the peel you should have.

Next cut the same orange in half.  Squeeze as much of the juice as you can into the bowl.

Next add 1 lb of the powdered sugar.  Mix on medium speed.

Add the other 1 lb of powdered sugar and mix well.  You may need alittle more or alittle less powdered sugar depending upon how big your orange is and how much juice you squeeze out.

All done!!  Icing the cake!!

Yummy!!!  It is so delicious!  If you want your icing more "orange" in color you can add a couple of drops of food coloring.

Let me know if you make this and how much you enjoyed it!!