Mama's Macaroni Salad

So summer is just around the corner! I love having bbqs and entertaining all summer. I have so many amazing recipes for summer that I thought I would share a few!

you will need:
6 cups rotini pasta (Cooked)
1 cup french dressing
1 cup italian dressing
1/2 cup sugar
cherry tomatoes, parsley, green peppers, green onions (these are all optional!)

Directions
Cook pasta
in a bowl whisk together dressings and sugar then add tomaotes etc.. then add pasta.
keep stirring until its time to eat.
serve hot or cold


Enjoy!

mmm strawberries!

The worst thing I hate in this world is a liar. I hate people who lie. Not only to my face but to others. I cant believe it. I just cant!! I am not a liar... I am actually the WORST liar in the whole world ask my mother! But thats ok... what goes around comes around... my theory!

Today I have a baby Shower to go to. I wasnt going to go I really wasnt. But I am in this new town and some of my friends are going. So I am going to go and have fun. I made this dessert to take to the baby shower. But i am thinking I might just keep it for myself! lol  ENJOY!

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 Tbsp butter (melted)
2 tbsp sugar
1 pkg cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups cool whip
1 cup fresh berries ( i used strawberries)

mix graham crackers butter and sugar and press onto a square pan

beat cream cheese nd sugar with a mixer then add whipped topping.
then add berries

gently stir in berries

then spoon over crust

refrigerate for 3 hrs or until set.

New Hometown...

One of my favorite songs is by Sara Evans its called New Hometown. Its about this couple that are looking for a new place for their love to grow.  A new place that they can call a home of there own.

This last year jonathan and I had decided to try and find our own hometown. He lived in Doaktown and I lived in Miramichi. We actually wanted to live in Grey Rapids. oh there was this house... I wanted it soo bad. But we made the big decision that our new hometown would be Doaktown. With much thinking we new that this was the hometown we wanted to call our own. We wanted to grow here. We wanted this to be our home.

I grew up in Miramichi. So I know what small town syndrome was all about. OK I THOUGHT I knew what small town syndrome was. At first when I moved here I knew that I was gonna get people staring at me. I knew because of our situation that I was the "new woman" I knew the town would be all talk about who is this girl. Well its been a year. I have learned many things. I have learned who I can trust and who I cant. I have learned who are my friends and who are not. I have learned what to say and what not to say and who to say stuff too.

Jonathan and I own a house. I have become a new member of the village of doaktown. I have changed all my addresses. I have even havea phone number now. We have now started renovating our house. there has been much talk about what is going on at our house. So much so that we have even had visitors to our house. People who would never come to our house to visit have come to our house to visit just to see what is going on. Didnt think it was a big deal. well it is a big deal to me especially if you have seen our house. But if you see tools, wood, new windows, new doors and people in tool belts.. guess what Iam doing... yes renovating!

but if you would liketo know all the details just ask me. Become my friend and just ask what I am doing. and maybe when its all done I will call my friends and have them over for some drinks and girl talk! Gotta love small town gossip!!

Chocolate Frogs

This weekend my house is in a total disaster! and I cant do one thing cause they are renovating. BUT theyhavent touched my kitchen!! Thank goodness!! so I baked and made these. I love these little guys!!

1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flaked coconut
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats

Line two baking sheets with waxed paper. In a large saucepan, stir together cocoa, sugar, milk and butter. Boil for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract, coconut and oats. Combine well. Drop by tablespoonfulls onto prepared cookie sheets. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set. Keep refrigerated. Makes 3-4 dozen cookies.

Tie Dyed Cupcakes

So my wonderful boyfriend introduced me to this place in fredericton called Monkeycakes. They make cupcakes. and apparently they are delish. And I have been wanting to go in the Monkeycakes and a few times and they have been closed. I have been wanting to eat their tie dyed cupcakes. being fustrated by this... i figured I could make my own! and I did!!

Here ya go

1 White or Yellow Cake Mix box
1 Can White Frosting or Buttercream Frosting
Food Coloring ~ your choice of color

Follow the easy recipe instructions on the back of the cake mix box. After you have mixed the batter together, separate the batter into five
bowls. Add a few drops of the food coloring at a time to get the desired colors. You can always add more
color if needed.
Put the cupcake papers into the cupcake tins. Add a small amount of each batter into the cupcake papers. You can add the
different colors in layers to begin. Get creative here as much because there is no wrong way to do this. Take a tooth pick and swirl
the Tie-Dye batter around in each cupcake tin. Be careful not to mix too much or you will have a not so pretty look to the cupcakes. Bake the cupcakes according to the package. Take out of the oven and cool.


Note: i used gel food coloring

Its my bday.....

ok so my bday was the other day. I cant believe that I am 28!! I had a great year being 27. I really did. as a previous post states. This year will bring lots of new adventures and I cant wait to see what is in store.

I started a new job. I work at the Eel Ground Health Centre with the best bunch of girls a girl could ask for. I work as the Maternal Child Health Home Visitor. I am loving every minute of it. Every minute! It was like it was designed just for me. its very exciting.

I am in such a happy place right now. I truly am blessed!

Tips and Tricks with stuff that right in your home!

COFFEE FILTERS – The little paper-like liners that make your morning cup of joe possible have many more uses than just getting your morning started. Because coffee filters are lint-free and absorb oil very well, there are many, many uses for these little guys. Did you know…

• You can use coffee filters to clean glass, CD’s/DVD’s, computer monitors and even your iPad.
• Pour some baking soda into a coffee filter, wrap it up with a rubber band and stick it into smelly athletic shoes to absorb the stench.
• Use a coffee filter to pour oil into your car engine without messy spillage.
• There are also many interesting crafts and DIY projects on the World Wide Web using coffee filters. One of my favorites being this Anthropology-inspired coffee filter garland by Pam Garrison.
• In case you run out of dryer sheets and you’re in a pinch, just apply a few drops of fabric softener to a coffee filter, rub the sides together and stick it in the dryer.

DRYER SHEETS – Speaking of dryer sheets, did you know…

• If you plan on storing your luggage for a long period of time, stashing a dryer sheet inside each piece can help prevent musty odors.
• Going camping this Spring? Hang a dryer sheet outdoors to repel mosquitoes. (It really works!)
• The anti-static formula used in dryer sheets can help remove baked-on food from pots or pans. If time is on your side, simply place a sheet in the pot/pan, fill it with warm water and let sit overnight. The next morning, the baked-on food should be loose enough to clean as usual.
• Rub a dryer sheet along the blades of dull scissors for a quick fix.
• Some golfers have been known to put a dryer sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.
• You can use a dryer sheet to dust wood furniture or even spruce up chrome fixtures.
• For those of you who sew (I wish I had that talent), try running the needle through a dryer sheet before sewing to prevent the thread from tangling

MARSHMALLOWS - Yes, it’s true. There are more uses for marshmallows than s’mores or Rice Krispie Treats. Though both are quite delicious, did you know…

• Stash a few marshmallows in a box of brown sugar or the sugar bowl to prevent the sugar from hardening or clumping.
• Make ice cream cones less messy by sticking a few marshmallows in the bottom of the cone to prevent the ice cream from leaking out.

CLEAR NAIL POLISH – Handy for more than runs in your hose. Did you know…

• A tiny bit of clear nail polish can touch up small dents and scratches on hardwood floors and can help prevent further damage to the area.
• To prevent rust rings in the shower, you can apply clear nail polish to the bottom of the shaving cream can.
• Keep ribbons (or even shoelaces) from fraying by painting the ends with clear nail polish.
• In lieu of licking envelopes, use a few swipes of some clear nail polish. It’s a lot better than tasting the nasty “mint” flavoring.
• Scratch the paint on your car? Brush a coat of clear nail polish over the scratch to prevent it from rusting until you are able to get it repaired.
• Reset loose stones in inexpensive costume jewelry with a coat or two of clear nail polish. This also gives the jewels a little extra sparkle

TOOTHPASTE – Used for making your teeth squeaky clean and sparkling white. But did you know…

• You can brighten up your white tennis shoes with a toothbrush (one used for cleaning of course) and some whitening toothpaste. Just scrub and rinse.
• No caulk on hand? Use a bit of (white) toothpaste. This works really well on small pinholes and white woodwork.
• Use a spot of toothpaste to remove stains from carpet. Just brush it in the carpet, rinse and the stain will come right out.
• Remove hairspray residue from your hair straightener or curling iron with a tad of toothpaste and a soft cloth. Since toothpaste is abrasive, you may not want to use this on ceramic models.
• Overnight blemish cream. It works. Enough said.
• Toothpaste can soothe pain from minor burns (that don’t involve an open wound). It has been said to temporarily relive the pain and actually prevents the wound from opening.
• Use toothpaste to remove scratches from leather. Just dab some toothpaste on the scratch, wipe it off with a soft cloth then wipe the area with a damp cloth. Be sure not to use whitening toothpaste, as it might bleach the leather.
• Get rid of the nasty onion smell on your hands by “washing” them with toothpaste