A Quick Get-Away

This past week we were able to sneak away for a relaxing get-away to Kauai.

The girls were thrilled to 'skip' school for the beach!

Yes, I think we are 'cool' parents....haha

We were in Kauai with the girls about six months ago and they remember the local Walmart there.  All the Hawaiian themed clothes and the aisles of surf boards and wake boards.

So on the way from the airport to the resort, we stopped at 

Walmart to grab snacks and hit up the board aisle!

We had a fantastic hotel room.

First floor, ocean access.

Each morning I'd wake up and catch Ashlan 

on the back porch watching the ocean..

Ashlan's favorite beach in Kauai is called Poi'pu Beach.

She loves this beach because it's where the Hawaiian Monk Seals take their naps.

There is always at least one monk seal on the beach at a time.

My girls...

One of the best casual meals we had was at the Bread&Deli Connection.

"Best sandwiches in Kauai" is their logo!

I agree!

Searching for the perfect lava rock to bring home..

This is also the area where Ashlan found a shark tooth last time.

Most beautiful street in the world!

Tree Tunnel

It's like driving through a fairy tale!

Taking a hike to a hidden bay area.

There is one house that sits on the beach in this bay.

The house isn't in the picture, but it's to the left.

It's owned by a Hollywood Movie Producer we are told...

I wonder who?

My morning walk to get coffee

Jumping the waves..

I am so glad we were able to sneak away from the craziness of Dallas to the relaxing lifestyle in paradise!  It was another memorable trip to Kauai!!

Baked Chimichangas

"What in the world is a Chimichanga?", asks Kate.

My kids haven't a clue what that is.  But how can I blame them?

I've never made chimichangas.  

When I pick a mexican menu, it's usually tacos or enchiladas.

So last night, I introduced them to chimichangas, and they were a huge hit!!!  

You must make these!

Shopping List

1 pound ground beef

1 can chopped green chiles

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 package taco seasoning

1 (15 oz) can chili beans (see below)

4 burrito sized tortillas (I used whole wheat but you use what you like...just make sure they say "burrito size")

1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese

 Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

sour cream and/or green onions to garnish

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.

Over medium-high heat, brown your ground beef in a tablespoon or so of EVOO.  Once it's brown and crumbled, add in your chiles, tomato sauce, taco seasoning and beans.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer a few minutes.

On your counter, lay out your 4 tortillas.  Spoon 1/4 of the ground beef mixture down the center of each tortilla.  Top the ground beef with your cheese.  Fold the sides of the tortilla across the middle, then fold the bottom up and the top down.  Lay the chimichanga seam side down on a foiled lined baking sheet lightly sprayed with Pam.  After all 4 chimichangas are on your baking sheet, brush a little bit of EVOO on top of each one (just a teaspoon or so on each one).

Bake 15-18 minutes.

Remove from oven and serve with sour cream and/or green onions.

(Brent was completely amazed by how much they expanded in the oven)

By the way, these are the beans I used.  You don't need to rinse or drain these.  But any other bean choice, you will need to rinse and drain before using

One chimichanga was enough per person.  The recipe makes 5.

I served them with chips, guacamole, salsa and sour cream! 

Enjoy!!

#26 Chocolate Covered Cherry Bundt

It's the week of Valentine's

 So what better cake to make than Chocolate Covered Cherry!!

The box of cherry gelatin in this recipe is what gives it a great cherry taste (and red color)!

Topped with chocolate and it tastes just like a choc. covered cherry!

Yum!!

Shopping List

1 box of white cake mix

1 small box of instant cherry gelatin (on baking aisle. 3oz box)

1/2 cup of veggie oil

1 1/4 cups of water

4 eggs

1 container chocolate frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease (I use Pam) a 10 inch bundt pan

In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, gelatin, oil, water and eggs with electric mixer.  Pour into prepared bundt pan.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let cake rest on counter in pan 10 minutes. Then, invert cake onto serving plate to finish cooling.

Frost cooled cake with your favorite chocolate frosting.  I melt the frosting in a bowl for about 10-15 seconds so I can drizzle it over cake.

80's Dance Night

Ashlan's school hosted an 80's Dance Night for the students.  Although none of the students actually lived in the 80's, it was fun to 'introduce' them to a decade we all survived!  I, personally, love the 80's. I love the music, the crazy style and colors.....

It was NOT hard at all to find a fun 80's outfit for Ashlan.  From the big hoop earrings, to the high side pony tail, to the bangle brackets, to the mesh finger free gloves... Good times!

Ashlan loved the colors, of course. I wish I had taken pictures at the Dance itself.  So many girls with leg warmers, neon colors, ratted hair.... And the boys with bomber jackets, big hair band t-shirts,

mohawks and mullets!  It was great!!!

#12 - Our Favorite Player

Kate had her basketball pictures done a couple of weeks ago.

One of the prints she ordered was to have her picture on a Game Day Magazine.

We think it turned out so cute!

Now I need to go buy a 8x10 frame for it!

#25 Caramel Apple Cider

Caramel Apple Cider - Just the words sound delicious!  

One of my favorite drinks at Starbucks is the Caramel Apple Cider.  So when I gave Kate the choice of which cake to bake this week and she picked this one, I jumped with excitement!

And it does NOT disappoint.  This bundt definitely makes my top 5!  

(compliments of mixandmatchmama.com)

Shopping List

1 box of yellow cake mix

2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding

1/2 cup veggie oil

1 cup apple cider, plus a few extra splashes for the frosting

4 eggs

1 cup applesauce

2 tablespoons cinnamon (divided)

1 cup caramel pieces (found on the chocolate chip aisle)

1 cup caramel ice cream topping

1 stick butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease (I use Pam) a 10 inch bundt pan

In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, puddings, oil, 1 cup cider, eggs, applesauce and 1 tablespoon cinnamon with electric mixer.  Stir in caramel pieces.  Pour into prepared bundt pan.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let cake rest on counter in pan 10 minutes. Then, invert cake onto serving plate to finish cooling.

To make the frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar and 2-3 splashes of cider with electric mixer until creamy.  Beat in remaining tablespoon of cinnamon.  Add more sugar if the frosting is too runny and more cider if it's too thick.

Spoon caramel ice cream topping over cooled cake and then frost with your cider frosting.

If you can't find cider, you can use apple juice instead.  If you can't find the caramel pieces on the chocolate chip aisle (which I couldn't), then unwrap some caramel candy squares and chop them up a bit...they'll work equally as well.