Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer Treat



I feel like within the last week summer has really begun. I don't know why. I keep thinking "Summer Time is here finally!" So to kick off our summer I decided to make a Key Lime Pie. I have never done it before and it was delicious. Everyone loved it. And it was so easy. I never knew Key lime pie was that easy. Also the recipe I made was not too tart. Here is the recipe and when you have your next party make this!

I froze my overnight. Also once you take it out of the freezer serve right away. I did not do that and I no longer had frozen key lime pie just regular key lime pie.

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup key lime juice
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch cream of tartar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 lime, sliced
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Mix graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter. Press into 9 inch pie plate and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

  2. Separate 2 of the eggs, placing the two egg whites into a mixing bowl. Reserve the yolks in another bowl.

  3. To the yolks, add one whole egg, lime juice and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk until smooth. With clean mixer blades or a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until stiff, but not dry. Fold whites into filling mixture. Pour filling into partially baked crust.

  4. Bake in preheated 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 10 to 15 minutes or until set. Let cool at room temperature, then freeze 4 hours to overnight. Just before serving, whip cream with 2 tablespoon of sugar to form stiff peaks. A Serve decorated with whipped cream and lim e slices.

    Saturday, May 28, 2011

    HOME!

    This week Bryan and I got a notice saying our rent was going up. We were not surprised but believe we have the worse location in the complex and they could not raise it! We live next to the gate on a busy highway. What more can I say!
    Even though our rent went up we did not want to drive around for days looking at tons of apartments and homes. I really did not want to move into an "apartment feel" place. We live in a town home now and like the "homey" feeling. Bryan just told me to get over it!
    On Friday, (Bryan had school off) we went to breakfast and decided to drive along this one road we like. They have a few rental properties and though we would look at 2 or 3 of them. We were driving and I told Bryan just go to Camden Apartments. I have been there before and knew they were comparable to where we live now.
    We walked in and saw that they only had one design of a three bedroom town home. It was exactly like ours but only a few dollars less. For the money its was not worth the move. A few dollars less, smaller square footage, no way! BUT they did have a three bedroom DETACHED garage on the third floor for a ridiculous price. Bryan and I almost fell off our chairs, it was so cheap.
    We left saying we will think about it. I got home and instantly hated where I lived. Knowing that I could get pretty much what I have now (the new place is about 100 square feet smaller) for 500$ less I was why am I living here? So I told Bryan this is a deal and I don't think its going to last long and I think we should take it.
    Two hours later we were back at the new complex signing papers and giving them a deposit. I felt good the whole time and was actually excited.
    BUT then we got home and I started to panic. I was like our current place is awesome, bigger, more closets, and a town home. Why am I leaving? I thought we would live here for 4 years. I seriously thought we made a mistake. Then, Bryan looks at me and says Janelle we are saving so much money we can do so many more fun things instead of being house broke! I knew he was right. I want to do so many things here but our budget does not allow it. Now with our rent being so much cheaper we can do so much more! That makes moving 2 miles down the street worth it!
    Last night my dream was about how I was going to decorate the place.

    Thursday, May 19, 2011

    Garden


    I have always wanted a garden. One of the big reason why I wanted to buy a house in Florida so I could have a huge garden. BUT, I was so scared to actually start one. I was nervous I would kill my plants and that would mean I have no motherly instincts...weird I know.
    BUT, when my mom was in town we went to home depot and bought planter boxes, soil and herbs. I have basil(from my mother-in-law), mint, cilantro, and parsley. I chose those herbs because they are the ones I use most. I was so excited. We set up the planters and put them on my deck. Ever since I check on them daily, water them daily and make sure they are growing properly. I feel like a very good mother to them. Now, I want to get a tomato and peppers plants!

    Tuesday, May 10, 2011

    I started my count down to...

    Most of my friends know that I am OBSESSED with Taylor Swift. I think I have listened to her new CD everyday since it came out in October. I am going to her Concert on June 2 and I am SO EXCITED. Bryan gave that to me as my birthday present and I have been giddy ever since. So its official- I have started my count down to Taylor Swift Concert!!
    22 Days and counting...

    Now All I need is my Taylor Swift T-shirt!!

    Sunday, May 8, 2011

    Uncle Bryan and Ava

    Ava LOVED Bryan while she was in town. I was chop liver to her. She would wake up and ask for him. He studies in our office so Ava would knock on his door and wait for him to answer it. At one point Bryan was studying and Ava was on his lap coloring. Watching them interact was so cute to me. I know Bryan is going to be a great dad. He loves to play with kids. Ava is very particular about many things. Things you would think a kid did not even care about. For example Ava wants certain people to get her out of her car seat. I was never allowed to do it. But Bryan was. We were at the pool and Bryan left to get lunch and Ava would follow him and stand at the gate and watch him walk away. They would cuddle on the couch together. Bryan and Ava had a blast together!

    Bryan rubbing her face and she was starting to fall asleep.

    Uncle Bryan studying and Ava coloring.

    Thursday, May 5, 2011

    Let the Memories Begin!

    My sisters and I drove up to Disney World. We met Brandon, Michael-ann and the kids there. All I can say is that it was a blast. I literally did not want to leave. Its so magical and brings back so many memories. You can act like a kid again and not look like an idiot. When I got home I told Bryan we are going to be a Disney Family.
    Sunday- Drove up, checked in and immediately went to Magic Kingdom. We did the rides with Ava. She loves rides. All day long all she says is rides!
    Monday- We went to Magic Kingdom in the morning. Once it got really hot we went to the pool for a few hours and that night we did Hollywood studios. I believe this is the best way to do Disney World. Play in the morning, relax by the pool in the afternoon and then go back to the parks.
    Tuesday- Alisha and I went to Epcot and rode the rides. Then, we went to Hollywood studios to ride our favorite rides one more time. We met up with Brandon and Michael ann and the kids by the pool. Marissa went to Magic Kingdom again so Ava could ride more rides! That night we all went back to Epcot and hung out and walked through all the countries. I love Epcot. You feel like you are in the real countries. The food is so good there. We ate this authentic Mexican restaurant in Mexico and it was delicious.

    There is so much to do there. We had 3 days and probably only did 25% of all the awesome things we could do. I was constantly amazed at all the detail Disney puts into its architecture and rides. You feel like you are in Disney Country. I forgot all my worries.

    In Hollywood Studios

    Waiting for a ride!
    The Princesses!

    Ava loved the live shows.
    On Main Street