No Bake Dessert Recipe: Oreo Fluff

Looking for a super simple dessert?  This is it.  A little taste of heavenly Oreo fluff.  We made this for our party last weekend and no joke, it was gone in a few minutes.

Here's what you need:

1 box 3.5 oz White Chocolate instant pudding

2 cups milk

1/2 cup mini marshmallows

1 container of Cool Whip

1 package of Oreo cookies (I used family size Double Stuff)

Mix the pudding per directions.  Add the Cool Whip and marshmallows.  Crush the Oreo cookies and fold in.  I saved a few for garnish.  That's it.  You're done.  I let mine sit in the fridge to firm up a little before serving.  Delish!

 

End of Summer bash

Hey friends! After coming off a tough week, we ended with a big summer BBQ with 50+ family and friends.  We called it a pool party but only the kids hopped in for a swim.  The adults played corn hole, hung out and played some games at our pool table.
It officially started at 5:00pm but we had people there early.  I called it a night after midnight and my husband stayed up until after 2:00am.  That's a good party!
We had the food catered from a local BBQ spot.  We served pulled pork, smoked turkey, mac & cheese, baked beans and corn on the cob.  I made pasta salad and a couple desserts from recipes I found on Pinterest.
I didn't take many pictures but here are a few to share.  Hope you are off to a good week!

Beautiful Summer Bride

Hold up, wait a minute.  Did y'all see this last week?  43 years old.  Gorgeous.  Jennie Garth is looking better than ever.  Rock it, sista.    

Weekday getaway

After having a tough weekend, I took Monday off and had an overnight stay with my nieces and nephews.  We tried a new spot and it deserves a post of it's own but here are a few photos from our little getaway.  We enjoyed it so much we are already looking for another time to go before the kids go back to school but definitely plan to stay two nights instead of one.

We started with family night at Farris and Foster's Chocolate Factory.  The kids LOVED it.

 

We packed up after family night and checked into Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa.  We got a 3/2 with more than 1,400 square feet plus a family room and kitchen.  Amazing.  Perfection for our little herd.  We are definitely headed back soon.  

This place is a gem....and we got it for less than $200 in SUMMER.   Check it out.

I am feeling much better after my weekend.  Got the garage door fixed yesterday, got my car dropped off for repairs and got my rental.  Hoping to get some good news on repairs today or tomorrow and get back to normal.  Hope you are off to a great week.  Cheers!

And the award for worst weekend ever....

Ever have one of those days where everything goes wrong?  Yep, that was me this weekend.

To rewind a touch, my little 14.5 year old dog Alex was not himself Thursday morning.  He has a neurological disorder so there is the random day he is not feeling the best so we chalked it up to a bad day.  By that evening, he was panting nonstop and was so restless he couldn't lay still.
Friday morning was tough.  He was disoriented and walking into furniture like he couldn't see.  I called into work and we were at the vet at 7:45.  Our little buddy had a stroke.  I was sure we'd have to put him down but the vet actually discouraged us and said to give him 7-10 days and he could snap right out of it.

We got some meds to let him sleep it off and went back home.  There wasn't much else we could do but I decided to just work from home so I could keep an eye on him just in case.
Saturday completely fell apart.  Alex was still very out of it and now couldn't walk.  We called the vet again but he said it's normal and to let him rest.  All his bloodwork came back and they said he looked great.  I went to my niece's wakeboard competition in the morning and came back home.
Alex was hanging in there.  He loves to lay by the pool so I took him out for a while and we sat on the porch so he could get a little fresh air.
My soccer team was having a BBQ so I ran over for an hour.  My niece Payton asked to come back with me and on our way home we were hit by a car.  The driver was traveling at extremely high speed and lost control of his Porsche.  He hit the left rear corner of my Escalade at 50+ and sent us across four lanes of traffic, across a median and spinning a 180 into oncoming traffic.  OMG.
My niece was completely hysterical.  Screaming doesn't even describe it.

 

 

It started pouring down rain as they completed the report and I was in complete shock.  Just seconds before, my niece and I are chatting away and next thing you know we are spun into oncoming traffic. 

Unreal.  We are okay.  My car will need some repairs but his obviously got the worse end of the deal.

My sis came and picked up Payton and I went home to dry off.  It was another hour on the phone with my insurance before I was back on dog watch.  I let Alex lay on my chest, partly because I was feeling sorry for myself and partly being sad he was so sick.  I moved his bed to the end of he couch and read a magazine.  About 8:30, my bad day got worse.  I saw Alex moving around a little, readjusting in his bed and I called Simon in.  We changed his bedding for him and got him settled back in.  Just moments after that, Simon noticed he wasn't moving.  We stared at him for probably 15 minutes, before realizing he had passed.  We had to put a dog down last October from kidney failure but this was totally different.  Our little buddy was so peaceful and didn't make a peep. We were both right beside him. Not knowing what to do, Simon called the ER vet to see if they could take care of him.  Simon wanted me to stay home with our other dog Isabella and try to keep calm.  

Last year when Esea was taken to the ER vet, the next day Alex had to be taken too.  They never diagnosed anything other than emotional trauma.  Sooooo sad.  :(

Simon had the ER double check Alex he text'd me that Alex had indeed went onto puppy heaven. Geez....what a day.  We were so heartbroken.  14.5 years is a long time to have our little pal with us. 5 homes, our wedding, 6 kids births....our little dogs have been there for it all.

After shedding some tears, I decided to pull it together Sunday and get some chores done.  I walked out to the garage only to hear some terrible noises and the springs breaking.  Nothing major but come on, like I haven't had a bad enough weekend.  Isabella and I relaxed the rest of the day doing some chores and taking it easy.  I talked Simon into going out with his buddies on their four-wheelers so he could get out for the day.  Of course, his side-by-side ATV breaks and he has to be towed in.  Wow.  

My little twin nieces surprised me with some flowers, dinner and a sleepover.  I was already scheduled to be off with them for an overnight trip today and aside from the insurance, police report, etc calls that will have to be made, I am hoping to have a decent day and put our bad luck behind us.

Monday has a bad rep but hey, after a terrible weekend...that babe isn't sounding too bad. :) 

New skincare product --->>SK-II

I am the newest member of the SK-II train.  I have read and read on this and finally splurged.
The price really was the factor that held me back but as we get older, especially with my outdoor lifestyle, it's an investment. I have been using Epicuren and Cellex and they have been good but I leaned towards the SK-II for it's "skin balancing" effects.  My face is still without noticeable lines but the oil drives me bonkers!  Hoping this will help some.

 

The reviews are exceptional for this facial treatment.  I just started Friday last week so of course there are not really any noticeable changes yet but I am excited to keep going and see the results.
It was this article from www.thestripe.com that sealed the deal for me.  That article tortured me for months before I placed my order.  Updates to come.....fingers crossed.

Details
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is the brand’s signature product with a bestselling and much-awarded formula that features 90% Pitera™, the miracle ingredient discovered over 30 years ago that remains essential unchanged until today. Its irreplaceable formula gently exfoliates the face and helps moderate the skin surface renewal cycle while improving the appearance of the five dimensions of beautiful, crystal clear skin—spots are less visible, wrinkles are reduced, skin texture is more refined, firmness is improved and radiance is beautifully elevated.

How to use: Soak a cotton pad and gently smooth onto your face for one minute. Turn the cotton pad around and gently pat onto your face and neck for another minute. Apply every morning and night after cleansing and toning.
By SK-II.
Ingredients

Saccharomycopsis Ferment Filtrate**, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Aqua (Water/ Eau), Sodium Benzoate, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid. *Pitera.

Weekend birthday party + 2 new recipes

Dang, last week slipped right past me.  I hoped to hop online a couple more times but came home late every night.  Simon grabbed some Italian to go for us Friday night and just as I was ready to change into jammies and get ready for the weekend, I realized I needed to run to the grocery store and whip up some desserts for my nephew's birthday Saturday.
For the first dessert, I found a "cake" version of strawberry shortcake.  It is ridiculously simple and seriously takes less than five minutes total.  You can make it whatever size you'd like.
Since I was also making a pie, I went a little smaller on this.

1. Choose your cake pan.  I used a loaf pan since I had to travel with it.  Line the bottom with Twinkies or a similar "cloud cake".

2. Using strawberry glaze, (found in produce section by caramel dips) cover Twinkies with the glaze as much as you'd like.

3. Layer with sliced strawberries.  This took my the longest.  For the loaf pan, I was probably 4-5 strawberries.

4. Top with whipped cream.  That's it! 

I also did a coconut cream pie, per Shane's request.  This recipe is also super simple and no-bake.  My husband talked me into making two of these so we could keep one at home.  :)

 On to the birthday..........Shane turned the big 15!

We had a little summer party for him at the lake and took the kids tubing all day.

 

Now, on to my second recipe.....

 

I recently went to a friend's party and they had a glass dispenser of yummy mojitos.  I had to know the secret for making big batches and to my surprise, they used Crystal Light as the base before adding mint, limes and rum to finish it off.  

From that moment, I must have hit 10 different Wal-Mart and Targets before going online to finish this mix.  It was delivered Monday and I couldn't wait to make a batch.  I did non-alcoholic this time but have a little summer BBQ coming up soon and cannot wait to make a couple gallons.  It was a little more sweet than I expected but once I drank some, I topped off with water and it was perfect.

Hope y'all have a great week.  

Best weekend in a while

Wow, I really had a great weekend.  That extra day off was so magical.  I got to do so much but still at a slow enough pace to enjoy everything.  Lots to cover, here goes....

Lunch with three of my closest friends.  (L-R: Nikki, Angie, Julie) 

 

Some afternoon Checkers with a little arguing over the rules before dashing off to hibachi dinner.

 

Ice skating...why not?  It's a holiday weekend!  These outfits though......

The kids got dropped off with mommy so Simon and I changed clothes and headed to Port Canaveral for some fun adult time with some friends.  Note, black bra is a must with a black t-shirt.  oops. :)

Saturday lake time with the fam.

 Out and about catching fireworks on the river.

Sunday baptism for Blake, Angie's son.  Nikki is his godmother.  

What an awesome way to end the weekend.  Love these special friends of mine.

Hope you are off to a great week.  I was so excited to watch the World Cup game last night. Wow.

World. Champs. It was perfect timing, Sunday night with NASCAR rain delay and nothing else really on TV so the entire country cheered on the ladies and what a game it was.  #ProudToBeAnAmerican