Here’s a little welcome basket

My 15- year old niece is coming this week to spend her spring break with NWH and me.  We love having guests and have an entire week of fun stuff planned.  We’ll both be working during the day but are going to try to do things in the evenings that she’ll enjoy.  Here’s a little welcome basket I put together for her yesterday. 

How cute is this!!  It has a candle, bath stuff, manicure set, finger nail polish, note pad, note cards, picture frames, a photo album, and a a luggage tag!  There is also a cute wooden “J” hook she can hang in her bedroom at home. I got everything from Michael’s, and it only cost $25!! I sure hope she likes it.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Wedding=PRESENTS!!

Okay, so far I’ve only been posting about things “After the I Do”, but I really want
to help any of you out there in the “Before the I Do” stage so let’s talk about one of the most daunting tasks on the pre-marriage to-do list, REGISTERING.

Yes, I know many are thinking who doesn’t love running around a store with a gun shooting everything you could have, want, or dream of; it’s like Christmas on steroids, right?? Well lemme tell ya.. it ain’t easy! In fact, it can become extremely overwhelming.

It’s kind of like you know you’re going get stuck with a bunch of junk you don’t like if you don’t choose everything perfecting. You’re trying to match your bowls to your plates, and your plates to your napkins, ugh.. get what I’m saying???

Well here are just a few tips I would give anyone getting ready to choose their dowry.


1. Only pick items you’ll actually use.

If you and your beau don’t own a king size bed, don’t sign up for king size sheets! Yes NWH and I registered for King Sheets and we both owned Queen beds, don’t ask!

2. Choose appliances that are all the same color and the same brand.

Even though we had no idea where we’d be living when we registered, we selected all stainless (you may like white or black). When we got to our new apt everything looked fab because they all coordinated.

3. Decide on one type of serving or entertainment pieces.

Another boo boo I made was registering for a few copper pieces, a couple wood things and a lot of silver and pewter. In the end that is just what I had.. a little bit of this and a lot a bit of that. I wound up having to return a lot because I didn’t have enough to make a complete set. So just choose one and register for everything in that collection!

4. Finally, take back what you’ll never use, and don’t feel bad about it!

I think this is something me and my NWH did well. We started returning as soon as we received items we had no use for, and that included things we had registered for! You can only use so much pyrex, so bring one back and get the salt and pepper shakers that you don’t have!


I’ve also compiled a list of things that me and NWH use all the freaking time! I can’t imagine life without them!! These should be on EVERYONE’s registry list. Heck, these should be on everyone’s CHRISTMAS list!

Perfect for the dinner table, not too bulky and very classy!

I have to have my coffee!! This Cuisinart not only looks good, it makes a GREAT cup of joe.

I didn't say everything was fancy.  This little thing is on $7.99 and is the best dish mat EVER!! (Not that I hand-wash everything, but the fancy stuff can't be put in the dishwasher, bummer huh?)

One word...Emerilware nonstick (okay two words)

I didn't even know what a mixer was a few months ago!  I do now.

Another appliance by Cuisinart that is both functional and pretty.

Lastly, this bamboo utensil thing is just awesome.  They also make small and larger boxes for your drawer of junk!  Love this thing!!

Okay, I think that is all for now.  Anyone else receive a wedding present they can't imagine life without???

Tacos Gown Fancy

To set the stage, I should mention that my mother is known for her talent in the kitchen. Not only did she grow up cooking for two sisters, she's a dietitian (which means she cooks and plans meals for a living). Basically the woman knows how to make anything taste great! I have witnessed her take 10 random ingredients, put them in a pot and feed an army.


With her talent, there was never a need to help in the kitchen growing up. I did try once by pretending to be on the Food Network. I made a pot of chili and acted like the TV cooks by adding a little dash of this and a little pinch of that; after it was finished I think I all but emptied my mom’s spice rack.


These first few months of marriage have really challenged me and forced me to practice in the kitchen. Now tonight’s menu is just tacos, but wait till you see how I've learned to turn a simple meal into an oh so elegant dining experience with a few presentation tricks!


The only things you need for a taco dinner are the following:

1. Skillet for browning the meat and mixing the seasoning. We received the Emerald's pots and pans as a wedding gift and I absolutely love them!

2. A collier for draining the meat.

3. A box of Old El Paso taco dinner kit (my husband likes hard shells and I like the soft so we get the box with both!)

4. The extras: lettuce, tomato, sour cream, cheese, taco sauce, etc.

5. Utensils for stirring and serving.


Now, just follow the directions on the box. Don't forget to drain the meat, and I learned this one the hard way...you can't drain it in the sink. It's grease and it must be drained over the garbage can.


Once your meat is brown and you've added the taco seasoning, cover your pan at let it simmer on low. The longer the meat sets in the sauce the better the tacos taste!


Another wedding gift we received that takes even a o dinner to the next level is this pewter 4 section serving tray. Put all the "extras" in this tray. I put this on the table that way my husband and I can make our own tacos the way we want them!


Setting up the dining room is easy with a few things. Because I have a round dining table, I use round place mats on bottom followed by round silver chargers and then round "midnight palm" plates. A chocolate napkin on the right side of each setting along with a fork completes the table setting! See how fancy tacos can be!