So, we tried this recipe from Josh's Men's Health magazine that sounds awful, but it's crazy healthy! You put old-fashioned oats, cottage cheese, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a blender and make pancakes. I know, it sounds crazy, but it actually tastes just like bread pudding, only way healthier!

It's defnitely one of my new favorite ways to sneak protein into my diet!

Here are the actual measurements:

1/2 c old fashioned oats

1/4 c cottage cheese

2 eggs

vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon

That amount makes about what you see in the picture on the plate.

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I also tried another awesome recipe that I got forever ago off Big Mama's blog. I just don't have many reasons to make a cake. So I just made it for Josh to take to work. It was AWESOME! You could probably find a better frosting recipe, depending on what your frosting preference is, but the cake was so good. And I'm not even a cake person. This is halfway through the process... you just need to try it to understand how good it is!

I had so much fun planning MOH's shower! I love planning parties! Before you see these pictures and think I'm totally insane, you have to know that the girl loves all things pink and sparkly. Just take a look at the presents everyone brought...

AM spent a crazy amount of time making these paper purses for favors...

and Mom bought all kinds of pink things to stuff inside!

Grandma's Basement of Wonders produced a lifesize bride...

And a teddy bear bride!

I went a leeettle crazy with the table

And with the bedazzling

I was so excited when I found these enormous plastic rings at Walmart

The Basement of Wonders produced exactly the right amount of pretty dish sets

And my favorite part... the food! This party was perfect for feeding my baking bug. These little brownies are fun. They're just regular brownies made in muffin cups (Grandma made them in foil which made them crinkly). You put a heart shaped paper on them and sprinkle with powdered sugar!

These are fun, but maybe a little too unique. The frosting is cinnamon, which is great for my family, who loves cinnamon, but might take some people by surprise. But they're fun little bite sized things that are too cute!

These are a favorite family recipe - Raspberry Squares. (actually, raspberry diamonds on this occasion). They're kind of like a shortbread with rasberry jelly baked into them.

These were Grandma's suggestion and I'm so glad she did them, because MOH loves them! They're oreos covered in a chocolate mold. You can get the molds at Michaels.

These were a huge hit. They are pretty simple, and don't seem like anything special when you read the recipe. But people LOVE them! You all have to try them! They're a Betty Crocker recipe.

And this was the biggest hit of all. Coffee punch! Apparently it's a Southern thing, because my Northern family hadn't had it before.

And finally, our poor little merignes. Also a family recipe, and one of my absolute favorites. But they turned to mush in the humidity. :(

We played the clothespin game, except with BLING!

The centerpiece was "wife advice," inspired by a centerpiece at one of M's babyshowers that she posted on Facebook :)

And for a final bit of pink and sparkle... tiaras for the bridal party!

I almost forgot to give credit for the amazing picture to AM and her awesome camera which I am badley coveting. They less amazing pics are mine.

She is so cute in these videos...

I WENT TO BUFFALO THIS PAST WEEK FOR MOH'S FIRST SHOWER! I WILL PROBABLY POST EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THE SHOWER, BUT FOR NOW I'M AT WORK (ON LUNCH BREAK!) AND I HAVE NO PICTURES, SO YOU'LL HAVE TO SETTLE FOR TRAVEL STORIES.

I FLEW OUT OF CHARLOTTE WHICH IS A PRETTY NICE AIRPORT. THERE'S A BATHROOM ATTENDANT. SERIOUSLY. I THINK SHE CLEANS THE TOILETS EVERY TIME SOMEONE USES THEM. AND SHE MAKES SMALL TALK WITH YOU AND OFFERS YOU MOUTHWASH AND LOTION.

AND THEN THERE'S NEWARK. DIRTIEST BATHROOMS EVER! AND SUPER CONFUSING. FOR SOME GATES, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO GO OUT AND BACK THROUGH SECURITY TO GET TO YOUR NEXT GATE! THANKFULLY I COULD TAKE A SHUTTLE TO MINE. BUT WHAT IF YOU ONLY HAD 30 MINUTES BETWEEN FLIGHTS!?

AIRPORT RESTAURANT WORKERS CRACK ME UP. THERE'S THE DETROIT ONES, THAT TEND TO BE INCREDIBLY RUDE AND ACT LIKE IT'S THE BIGGEST INCONVENIENCE IN THE WORLD THAT YOU'D LIKE TO ORDER A TOASTED BAGEL.

AND THEN THERE'S NEWARK. ON SATURDAY IT WAS CRAZY BUSY AND I WENT TO MCDONALD'S. THE MENU IS VERY SMALL, SO YOU KIND OF HAVE TO KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR. WHICH I DIDN'T. WHICH WAS A PROBLEM.

"CAN I HAVE THE SMALLEST SIZE CHICKEN SELECTS?"
UMMMM (GUY AT REGISTER NEXT TO HIM POKES THE BUTTON)
"WITH RANCH?"
UMMMM
"AND, I'M SORRY, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY'RE CALLED... THE FROZEN YOGURT WITH OREOS MIXED IN?" (I CAN SEE THE SOFT SERVE MACHINE WITH THE OREOS ON TOP OF IT, SO I KNOW THEY HAVE THEM)
UMMMM YOU MEAN A FRAPPE?
"NO, THE FROZEN YOGURT WITH THE OREOS MIXED IN"
UMMMM YOU MEAN THE PARFAIT?
"NO, THE THING WITH THE OREOS MIXED IN"
(ASKS MANAGER) WE DON'T HAVE FROZEN YOGURT. WE HAVE ICE CREAM
"OK, CAN I HAVE THE ICE CREAM WITH THE OREOS MIXED IN"
(ASKS MANAGER) THAT'S A MCFLURRY
"OK, CAN I HAVE ONE?"
YOU WANT THE OREO ONE?

(I GET MY BAG, THERE'S NO RANCH) "COULD I HAVE SOME RANCH?"
UMMM I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS
"COULD YOU ASK SOMEONE?"


IT WAS ALL I COULD DO NOT TO CRACK UP!!

MADE WITH "TIES THAT BIND" 

EVERY MORNING I GO OUT TO FIND SOME NEW PRESENTS ON MY CAR.

AND JOSH'S TRUCK GETS NOTHING.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT??

GO

BIG

MIKE

GRAPHICS ARE FROM "MONSTERS IN MY CLOSET"


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SPRING MARKDOWNS