Happy 2013! 2012 brought a lot of changes for me. New city, new job, new friends…bring on the adventures of 2013!!
For Christmas this year, I stayed in Austin. My parents came down to spend the holiday with me and my aunts & uncles.
Haley loves visitors!
Family brunch at Kerbey Lane Cafe. Everyone loved it!
My aunt & uncle at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Every arts & crafts fair should have a live band!
Shopping at the Domain
Dad & I taking a break from shopping to sit outside & enjoy a beer.
Love this new dish towel that my aunt Ann got me!
My Dad asked if we were going to have our breakfast date at Whole Foods to get coffee and a muffin like when they visited this summer. Yes yes! A new tradition! 
Brunch at Magnolia Cafe
I made Christmas Eve spaghetti & meatballs!
New owl nightlight lamp from my parents! My owl obsession is going strong!
My cousin Kristy has had a great 2012….getting fit! I’m so jealous proud of her!
My cousin-in-law makes a great turkey!
Mom & Ann
I made fudge for the first time!
Thanks again Mom & Dad for making the long drive down to spend Christmas with me. But next year…leave the flu at home.
When my friend, Sarah, was in town about a month ago, I told her about my love for made-for-TV holiday movies. Think Lifetime, ABC Family, and the Hallmark channel. I got her sucked in one morning watching A Christmas Wish with Kristy Swanson. It was a tearjerker. Sarah was a goner. I’ve brought her over to the dark side. I now text her whenever I find another good holiday movie. So, I wanted to share the wealth with you all as well.
These movies are perfect during the holidays when you are home and need some background noise basically. Have these movies on when you’re baking, decorating the tree, wrapping presents, doing laundry, etc.
I posted last year my “rules” for picking these holidays movies. So, far these movies are my favorite ones I’ve watched this holiday season…
1. Hitched for the Holidays
This movie with Joey Lawrence was by far my favorite TV Christmas movie! I’m almost embarrassed to say how much I liked it!! I immediately text Sarah to tell her how good it was. Yeah, Sarah was at a Ray Lamontagne concert at the time. Julie = nerd, Sarah = awesome
2. 12 Dates of Christmas
Amy Smart & Mark-Paul Gosselaar?? Duh, that’s a no-brainer that it will be good.
4. Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade
5. Holiday High School Reunion
Take these movies for what they are. Cheesy, mindless fun…the plots are predictable, but doesn’t everyone want to see a happy ending in December?!
Pumpkin Carving Party at Mary’s. I didn’t carve this pumpkin, but was so impressed by it!
This was probably after I told Jessica that Flight of the Conchords weren’t relevant anymore.
On Saturday morning, I went to a clothing swap party. There was a lot more loot to go through than just in this picture.
In addition to some clothes, I also brought Mimomas & muffins!
The best part of a party from 10 am – 2 pm is that you can start with cinnamon rolls & then advance on to cheese straws and hummus!
Someone also brought kolaches! I’ve had sweet kolaches before, but this was my 1st savory kolache with cheese, peppers, and sausage. So good!!
In addition to the clothing swap, it was also a Stella & Dot party!
I got these jade earrings pictured and 2 necklaces. But at least my clothing swap items were free!
I got 2 tank tops, 2 shirts, and a cute black Express skirt that I love.
Saturday night Halloween party at Jessica’s. I was a black cat. Meow!
Eyeball apps!! Mozzarella and olives for the eyes drowning in marinara sauce for the blood.
Blinged out trophies for the costume contest winners.
This evening, I went over to my aunt & uncle’s for dinner for my cousin-in-law’s birthday. My aunt sure knows how to pour a generous glass of wine!!
Chili & corn bread muffins…perfect Sunday night fall food!
Strawberry cake with strawberry icing & strawberry ice cream, my fave!
Happy Birthday, Cary!
My thoughts exactly!
Frozen strawberry margarita! I was already well into this one…
UNO Attack! Sadly, I didn’t win any rounds.
Loved this quinoa salad and….
…this Asian slaw!
I love these little poppers things so much. The only things I love more are…
…my beloved Killer Beez!!
See ya next year, fireworks!
Have a great 4th of July!!
I hope your day consists of food, fun, friends, family, beer, sun, laughter, and sparklers!
Do you have big 4th of July plans?? I’m going over to my aunt & uncle’s for a BBQ. I’m planning on bringing a dessert and some sort of side dish.
Do you have ideas for me?? I will reciprocate with some ideas for you!
Sharing is caring.
Appetizer:
Sour Cream & Bacon Stuffed Tomatoes — so tasty!!
Tortilla Pinwheels — I may very well make these for 4th of July tomorrow myself. They are a proven crowd pleaser!!
Drink:
9 times out of 10, I’m beering it at a BBQ. But if fruity is more your taste, try a:
Side Dish:
Patti LaBelle’s Mac N Cheese — Patti knows her mac & cheese!!!!
Entree:
Dessert:
Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies — Cookies are a great BBQ dessert since people graze all night long. They’ll want dessert, but may not have the stomach room for a whole piece of cake/pie.
Brownie & Marshmallow Crunch Bars — I haven’t made these gems in over a year, but they were so good. Maybe they’ll be at my aunt & uncle’s tomorrow too!!
What’s on your menu tomorrow??
Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom!!!!
Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks.
Love,
Your Pumpkindoodle
Now that I’m living in Austin, I find myself craving Mexican food all the time!
I made this chicken tamale casserole for lunch today. Just in time for Cinco de Mayo! Ole!!
It was super easy to make and very tasty.
I hope your Cinco de Mayo weekend is filled with yummy food and margaritas!
Chicken Tamale Casserole
Recipe from Six in the Suburbs
Ingredients:
1/3 cup skim milk
1 egg
1/2 tablespoon taco seasoning, for the corn mixture
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1 14.5 ounce can cream style corn
1 8.5 ounce box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 4 ounce can green chiles
2 cups shredded, skinless Rotisserie chicken
1 tablespoon taco seasoning, for the chicken
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 10 ounce can red enchilada sauce
3/4 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Fresh chopped Cilantro, for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, add your milk, egg, 1/2 tablespoon taco seasoning, cayenne pepper, can of cream style corn, Jiffy corn muffin mix, and can of green chiles. Stir mixture until combined. Pour the mixture into your prepared pie plate.
Bake corn mixture for 15 minutes.
In the meantime, shred your Rotisserie chicken. Combine the shredded chicken with 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, salt and pepper.
After 15 minutes, remove corn mixture from the oven. (It will still be pretty soupy.) Pierce the corn mixture with a fork quite a few times throughout. Pour enchilada sauce over the top of the pierced corn mixture. Place the shredded chicken on top of the sauce. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the chicken.
Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let casserole stand for 5 minutes.
Top with cilantro, if desired.
I added a dollop of sour cream to mine. And you should add some avocado slices as well!
Serves 6-8.
