Saturday, February 11, 2012

Valentine's Day Candy

 Valentine's day Candy... Fun new designs! 

So this Valentine's Day, I made 429 dipped chocolate and white chocolate pretzels. 

My small group at church had it on our hearts to put on a banquet for the residents and staff at Hope Ministries in downtown South Bend. After booking our hall and catering service, not letting cost be a hindrance, there was a collection of way over what we needed from the church in one service. Talk about God making His will done! 

So, my job was to make candies for all the people. At Christmas time, I see it as a joy to make candy for those I love and care about, but this candy making experience topped them all. It was a joyful time of making pretzels; decorating them in different colors and designs... I loved it... The actual banquet was amazing. God truly showed up and worked in us in all the right ways. 

This goes down as the best Valentine's Day in my book...


Nerds and Sweet Tarts are fun and yummy to dip!

Christmas Candy and Card Making

 Well, this Christmas, I got started late on my candy making because of my cruise, so things were rushed. However, I managed to fit in some card making for the family too.







 I did a lot more random candy this year including dipped marshmallows, just for my grandma. She loves them.










I tried a new concoction, raspberry dark chocolate meltaways... 



 





















Pretzels, oreos, and candy canes were also a fun and easy candy to make. 


 



Christmas is always so much fun, but after my aunt and I had dipped buckeyes for our family's "after Christmas-Christmas", I was done dipping. I still have some un-dipped centers of my mint meltaways in the freezer.

Cruisin' To Mexico!

Back in May, one of my friends asked if I'd be interested in going on a cruise to Mexico.. of course I said "yes". I hadn't traveled overseas since June '09. I decided it was time to get another stamp on the passport... problem was they don't stamp for Cozumel. Oh well, I still had a blast... Here are some highlights:



  Miami Beach

 Another Boat... but needed a pic of one to post :)


 The First Sunset


 Each night we had a fine dining option and of course we took all of them


 The morning before Key West... (my favorite)


 Key West, FL



 Me and Stephanie on the trolley back from Key West

(She and Chasity went parasailing, but I felt like staying on land) 


 Our way back from Mexico, the waters near Cuba


 Our Carnival Imagination Cruise


 Another shot of Miami


 Cozumel, Mexico


 The water was like kool-aid blue!


 Me and Cozumel

Our Port



It was a great time... and for those who are worried about Carnival, it was in November, BEFORE the big "capsizing." I don't know if Im gonna cruise again because the waters to Mexico were extremely rough and we all got sea sick. The thought of being in the middle of the ocean was a little scary for me. Mostly the weather was nice and the boat was fun. I needed the time away and it was a nice break from life:)








Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

So I made up this recipe for a party and it was a hit... ENJOY!

1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained
2 cans diced tomatoes, drained
1 small white or red onion
1/4 cup cilantro (or to your preference)
1 large clove garlic or powder
3 small jalapenos (with or with out seeds)
salt (to taste)
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder

You can substitute the seasons for taco seasoning mix.

Mix vegetables in a colander to drain. Add cilantro, onions, jalapenos, garlic, salt, cumin, and chili powder.
Let it set in the frigde overnight to get the full flavor.
Add 2 avocados right before serving so they dont turn brown.