Birthday Wishes...

Hello friends,

i've been a bad blogger lately, i know.

but i'm still here, just a little on the busy side.

however, i had to stop by to wish my 

wonderful, beautiful, loyal boy a 

huge happy birthday!

My Maui is 5 years old today, and even more loved than when he first came to us.

happy birthday big boy!

XOXOXO

Crack Sticks and Walking Tacos...Delicious!

hey y'all. . . . .

Here are a few recipes i posted on my fb page.

everyone seems to love them, so i thought i'd

share them with you:)

The first is for Crack Sticks...

so named because they are addicting!

CRACK STICKS

1 loaf (16 ounces) thinly sliced white bread, crusts removed

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup confectioners sugar

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup butter, melted

Directions
Flatten bread with a rolling-pin. In a bowl, combine cream cheese and

confectioners’ sugar. In another bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; set aside.

 Spread about 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture on each slice of bread. Roll up, jelly

 roll style. Dip in melted butter, then in cinnamon-sugar. Place on an ungreased 

baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 16 roll-

ups. Good warm or cold. ADDICTING!

Okay, and for Cinco De Mayo. . .

Tacos in a Bag.

or Walking Tacos

Really simple and very good!

I have since learned that they are even better with Nacho Cheese Doritos or

Chili Cheese Fritos.

And on a plate with chili. . . .you'll have frito pie:)

sorry for the quick post.

Be blessed. . .

Suzanne

Comfort and Joy on a Rainy Day. . . .

we've had a few really rainy days around here. . .

but i'm not complaining.

that's what happens when you live in the sunshine state.

a rainy day once in awhile is like a snow day:)

so what does that mean?

see. . . .just like a snowy day,

only in Florida,

and in the rain:)

rainy days mean comfort food.

and what is more comforting than a 

teddy bear egg and rice breakfast:)

awwwww. . . .almost too cute to eat:)

and when it rains,

out come the colorful boots and umbrellas.

okay, now for lunch.

i LOVE a good grilled cheese.

and i also love caramels, apples and brie cheese.

so how about a Grilled Caramel Apple with Brie Cheese Sandwich?

Y.U.M!

Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese

Yield: serves 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

4 slices multigrain bread

2 tablespoons butter

4 ounces brie cheese

1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced

3-4 tablespoons of your favorite caramel

Directions:

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.

Butter the outside slice of each piece of bread, placing two of the buttered-sides down once the skillet is hot. Spread a bit of caramel sauce on the bread, then top with an ounce of brie cheese on both sandwiches. Add a bit more caramel, add the apple slices, and then more caramel and remaining ounce of brie for each. Spread the top piece of bread (sandwich-side down) with caramel too.

Grill or cook on each side until bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

source; howsweeteats.com

sigh. . . .i love a rainy day:)

did i say that already?

almost done.

dinner on a rainy day should be soup, don't ya think?

like Lasagna Soup!

You can get Bobby Deens healthier soup recipe HERE.

before i go,

look at these cute, precious kitties:)

gotta run through a puddle!

xoxo

Suzanne

My Favorite Budget Make-Up Finds. . . .

howdy everyone!

i have been SO missing in action around here,

on my OWN blog!

what can i say. . . .

i'm kinda-sorta facing an empty nest next year

and i think i'm in a bit of a panic.  

Can i rewind a few years?

i know. . . .if only!

i mean, i've been gone so long. . . .

 i have so much to write about,

yet i can't seem to focus.

so i'll do a wildly random post,

starting with 

MAKE-UP!

i was looking in my make-up bag the other day and

realized something.

i'm a cheap budget make-up user.

then i got to thinking,

who cares?

i like my make-up!

THEN i thought,

maybe someone else would like to know what i've found

(for the moment:)

ok, maybe nobody cares.

but just in case. . . . .

see?

i told you i'm a real cheapo:)

i used to use a chanel lipgloss,

but they went and discontinued my favorite.

no worries...i found one i LOVE from MARK cosmetics.

okay, here's the breakdown. . . .not in the order i put them on my face,

unfortunately.

that would mean i was organized:)

1.  ULTA Extreme Wear Mousse Foundation.

drys to a soft powder finish, great coverage.

$12.50

2.  Almay Mascara. . .I use two.

first, I use One Coat Black Waterproof. $6.99

then on the tips, I use Intense I-Color in Plum. $7.99

(I learned this trick when I sold makeup. . .Use black on your lashes and then

a color mascara on the tips to bring out your eye color.

since i have hazel eyes with green flecks, 

I use the plum to bring out some green.)

3.  Camouflage Cover by Hard Candy (Walmart)

These are the BEST concealers and come in a cream and a fine pencil.

$6.99

4.  Rimmel Bronzer in Sundance.

I am the queen of spray tan and bronzer.

Addicted.

I use this on my make-up sponge if i want sheer color,

if i have a bit of a tan and need to darken my foundation,

and i use it with my blush, mixing this with a pink blush.

$4.99

5.  Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink
$6.99
6.  Sonia Kashuk Eye Pencil in Purple Passion
Target: $5.99
7.  I use matte eyeshadows in brown shades,
but if on a special occasion i want a bit of shimmer,
my hands-down favorite is also by Milani
in a shade called "Beached".
$6.99
8.  Earthtone Eyeshadows...I like NYX for a cheap brand,
find it at Ulta.  Also L'oreal eyeshadow too.
9.  Since my girlfriend Taylor became a MARK rep,
i've tried a few things.  One of my absolute favorites is the
Luxe Lipgloss.
It has the perfect shimmer, a great brush and easily competes with
the Chanel lipgloss.
$6.99
10.  I was using a primer but then I discovered a
pore filler from NYX.
i LOVE this.
it really does minimize pores. it's really light and. . . .
you guessed it.  cheap:)
$12.99 but often on sale.
11.  Again from MARK,
my new favorite moisturizer.
It has antioxidants, including blueberry and dk chocolate.
it has a cool dispenser, great scent, light and easy to use,
and it has a 30spf.
$15.00 range
12.  shampoo. . . .
what can i say?
my husband got me started on this one. . . .
Suave shampoo.
I especially love the Coconut or Tangerine scents.
It justy does what a shampoo and conditioner is supposed to do,
at a very low price:)
$1.00-$1.79
can't beat that!

i'm not saying everything i use will be great for all.
but i can recommend it if you're searching for something new.
i change my makeup up quite a bit,
 but over the past few years, it's been fairly consistent,
which says something, right?

well, i was going to write more but
i've rambled enough.
hopefully i've showed you that you can buy most of your
make-up at the drugstore,
and feel good about it!

i hope you've all been doing well,
enjoying your spring and feeling
happy:)

shine on!
Suzanne