Broccoli and Sausage Breakfast Muffins

I love Breakfast Sausage Casseroles. This week I came across this breakfast MUFFIN recipe. It was screaming at me to cook it! I found this version (muffin style) to be more appealing then a full 9x13 casserole! Hope you enjoy this recipe too!

You'll need:
1 pound Italian Sausage (sweet, mild, hot variety depending on your preference)
1 cup broccoli florets
8 large eggs
1/4 cup milk (or half and half depending on how you're feeling that day)
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp baking powder
salt & pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese as needed





1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. In a large saute pan, over medium high heat, brown Italian Sausage for about 5 minutes, or until the sausage is no longer pink. Remove from heat and stir in broccoli.
3. Whisk together eggs, milk, oil and baking powder. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Lightly spray a 12-cupcake pan with oil.Spoon out the sausage and broccoli mixture evenly into each cupcake.
5. Ladle the egg mixture over sausage and broccoli.
6. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.



7. Bake for 15-20 minutes.








I'll definitely be making these again!

Mommy-Daughter Day

Ashlan and I spent a fun-filled day together earlier this week. One of Ashlan's favorite places is the Dallas Nature and Science Museum .. They have a new summer exhibit called Chinasaurs (dinosaurs found specifically in China) that she wanted to see, as well as the Aquarium that is next door to the museum.
About to walk through the Chinasaur Exhibit


Walking through the science wing of the museum



Outside of the Nature Museum


And finally, into the Aquarium



We ended our day at the Magic Time Machine. A restaurant I loved as a kid. The restaurant hasn't changed a bit, which means it needs some serious updating! But it was a fun time for sure, especially since Belle (Disney Princess) was our server!


I loved having this Mommy-Daughter day with Ashlan. I am so blessed to have her!

Ice Cream Sundae Kit

My friend, Shannon, sent me this fabulous gift idea! It's an Ice Cream Sundae Kit!



Wouldn't this be a great gift for a new neighbor, a friend's summer birthday, your child's swim teacher or caretaker? All they need to do is supply their own ice cream! The boxed gift contains cones, bowls, sauces and candies. I love it!

Check out more details on this cute gift at Tip Junkie

Sweet 16

Nick celebrated his Sweet 16 this month! Since he was going to be in Maryland for his actual birthdate, we celebrated before he left.
His restaurant of choice to celebrate was Braza Dancante. It's a delicious brazilian steakhouse, all you can eat meat! (unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera out to dinner)

We came home after dinner to celebrate with gifts and cake!

Nick's favorite gift was of course his new hockey stick!

I wanted to custom order a special cake for Nick, but he insisted on a Carrot Cake from our local grocery store. He loves that carrot cake that much!

Happy Sweet 16, Nick!


I'm sure you're thinking, "So, did he get a car for his birthday?" The answer is no....not yet. He just got his learner's permit a couple of months ago, so he has some time before he is ready to get his license. At that time, we may or may not surprise him with a car! Shhhhh!!

Paint n Party

Earlier this summer I found a coupon on Groupon for 30% off at Paint n Party. I thought this would be a fun INDOOR activity to do with the girls since the heat in Dallas is unbearable this summer.

We finally made it there a few weeks ago.


They had shelves and shelves filled with pottery to paint. The girls had a hard time making a decision on what to paint!

Kate opted for one large item: a peace sign piggy bank. Ashlan opted for several small items: a monkey (not pictured-planet, two fish)

Smocks on and ready to paint!




Ashlan's stash.

Kate's bank


After you have completed painting them, they will glaze and fire it. You pick it up a week later and it'll be all glossy and pretty! What a fun time with the girls!

Frozen Hot Chocolate

I found this drink online and I think once I indulge in it, my body might think I've died and gone to heaven. I love any kind of frozen drink and I love hot chocolate. Put those two together and yes, I've found heaven. I'm going to make this for the kids today, but there is one special boy I'll be missing whom I think would love this! My nephew, Mason. I know he loves hot chocolate and I know he likes a good milkshake! Mason, if you are reading this, tell your mother to grab these ingredients at the store so you can make it!



Ingredients

3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons (1 packet) hot cocoa mix
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, divided
4½ cups ice cubes
whipped cream
mini marshmallows, optional

Instructions:

Combine sugar, cocoa mix, and butter in top of double boiler that is set over gently boiling water. Stir often until melted and smooth paste forms. Add semi-sweet & white chocolate chips; stir. When chips begin to melt, slowly stir in 1/2 cup evaporated milk. Stir until smooth and velvety. Cool to room temperature.

Combine chocolate base mixture, remaining evaporated milk and ice in blender (in batches, if necessary); cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into individual glasses. Top each with whipped cream. Sprinkle with additional chopped chocolate chips & mini marshmallows, if desired. Serve with a straw and spoon.

Recipe compliments of Mama Foodie

Rice Krispies Tangy Watermelon Treat

Not only does this treat look like watermelon, it also has a tangy flavoring to go with it! Enjoy!



INGREDIENTS

1 bag marshmallows
1 bag strawberry flavored marshmallows (I couldn't find these so I just used another regular bag)
½ cup butter, plus extra for greasing
8 cups of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies
1 packet watermelon-cherry drink mix ( I didn't use the drink mixes either. I used green and red food coloring)
1 packet lime drink mix
Raisins or chocolate chips for garnish

For the Green Layer

Grease one 9” round cake pan and set aside.
Place four cups of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies in a large bowl.
Melt ¼ cup of butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Add regular marshmallows and stir till melted and well blended. Cook two minutes longer. Stir in lime drink mix and stir till well blended.
Pour marshmallow mixture over Rice Krispies and stir till well coated.
Using a butter spatula, press mixture around the outer rim of cake pan to desired to width (about one to two inches.)

For the Watermelon Layer

Place four cups of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies in a large bowl.
Melt ¼ cup of butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Add strawberry marshmallows and stir till melted and well blended. And then cook two minutes longer. Stir in watermelon-cherry drink mix and stir till well blended.
Pour marshmallow mixture over Rice Krispies and stir till well coated.
Using a butter spatula, press mixture into the remaining area of cake pan.
One cool, add raisins or chocolate chips for garnish.

Harry Potter's Butter Beer

Earlier this summer, we visited Disney World and Universal Studios. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Harry Potter Area of Universal Studios, and some of the special treats they served there were Butter Beer and Pumpkin Juice. We were surprised at how YUM the Butter Beer was. Here we are at Universal enjoying Butter Beer (and Brent with Pumpkin Juice)


We enjoyed the Butter Beer so much, that we couldn't wait to get home and attempt to recreate the drink. We googled online to find several recipes similar to Butter Beer. And I say similar because Universal will not release the true recipe they use. I found a website that listed several different recipes for Butter Beer. Click HERE for the website for those recipes

I opted to try recipe #2 because it didn't involve ButterScotch. I am not a big fan of butterscotch.

Here is the recipe I used for ButterBeer (which was a success!)

Ingredients:

1 pint of vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 bottle (24 oz.) vanilla cream soda (very cold)

1. Allow ice cream to soften, about 30 minutes, and bring butter to room temperature, about 2 hours

2. Blend butter, sugar, and spices in large bowl



3. Add to ice cream and freeze




4. Heat cream soda in a pot until warm but still carbonated (at least 3 minutes). You could also just go with the very cold cream soda (my preference) and have a more frozen/slushy drink.

5. Fill each glass with a scoop of ice cream mixture and pour warmed or chilled cream soda over ice cream

6. Serve!


Mason enjoying his drink!

The kids gave this recipe a thumbs up!

Pineapple, Banana, and Coconut Smoothie

This smoothie has everything in it that I love - Bananas, Pineapple and Coconut!



Pineapple, Banana, Coconut Smoothie (great for Breakfast!)

2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
1 large banana, cut into chunks
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1/2 cup ice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 smoothies

Cookie Bowls

Don't you love these! I have to buy this pan!


It's a Wilton pan. Check it out here.

A Fabulous 4th

Since most of Brent's family were in town for the 4th, we decided to take everyone to the lake for a weekend of fishing, water sports, BBQ, fireworks, swimming and relaxation outdoors!



It was a hot weekend, but overall, we had great sunny weather - with an occasional cool breeze.


All the wet swimsuits and towels proved that our weekend was spent in the water for the most part!


We enjoyed Smores at night

Kate and Mason (cousins)

Chris and Laura

Laura and I

Chris and Mason with their grandparents

Cousins!

Lots of fishing was done

The Family


I am blessed to be married into this fun, wonderful family!