Recipe of the Week ~ Baked Cheese Grits

** Nervously looks around **


Shhhhh, this week's recipe is top secret! It's from Mamere's kitchen and I don't think she'd be thrilled if I gave it away. However, call it childish rebellion but since she has chosen to toddle off to Italy (Rome and Ovieto) for the next three weeks with out me I figure she'll never know! So, if you know me and Mamere in real life just don't go bragging to her about it anytime soon. That's just plain tacky. 


*Note: Dearest MIL, this doesn't pertain to you since she willingly offered you the recipe!


Mamere has been making these grits for as long as I can remember in this beautiful old blue glass covered baking dish. And just like the old green bowl I used to make Ms. Linda's Thanksgiving rolls, I can't picture these grits without that blue dish. 


My main memory about them (other than the fact that they are delish!) is that they take forever to cool after baking. So, being the petulant child I was I would always wait till my mother left the kitchen and then I'd run my finger around the edge of the grits while they were still cooling. Now they were super hot and I would inevitably burn my finger and my tongue BUT it was worth it! And because they hadn't set yet the grits would re-settle and Mamere was never the wiser. Or so I'm guessing. The older I get I'm learning that she was more aware of my mischievous behavior than I was aware of at the time. And I'm not just talking grits. I guess mother's always know!


I hope that you make these sometime for your family and that you enjoy them as much as I did and do!


Baked Cheese Grits
Serves 10 as a side dish
Bake for 45 mins in a 350 degree oven

5 C Boiling Water
1 tsp Salt
2/3 C uncooked quick cooking white grits
1 15 1/2 oz Can yellow hominy
1/2 C Butter or margarine
2 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese

Stir grits into boiling water and add salt. Return to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 4-5 mins stirring occasionally.

Stir in hominy, butter and cheese. Spoon into a lightly greased baking dish (13x9x2). Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 45 mins or until set. It will need to cool for at least 15-30 mins before serving.




Happy Baking!


Cheers, 
Ouiser

Twilight Reaches Door County

I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't holding my breathe that the ONE movie theater in a 100 mile radius of the tiny little vacation hamlet of Door County, Wisconsin was going to show Eclipse BUT I was wrong and I have my DBIL to thank!


I believe I've mentioned that Mr. O (also known as DH) and I are packing up Little Mister and Baby Deux and heading to the midwest for a week in Door County with his parents, his three siblings and their spouses and everyone's kids for a total of SEVENTEEN people! Did I mention I'm an only child? yeah, I am. 


Oh AND we'll be there during the release of Eclipse. Luckily, my adorable niece is also a twi-hard ~ cause it's appropriate at her age ~ so I won't have to go alone!


But I'm getting ahead of myself. While I've signed up for Fandago's "twilight movie updates" they haven't sent me a gosh darn thing! Not one little email to say, we're still working on your request, don't give up hope, we'll find a theater near you that is showing Eclipse.

Well never fear Super BIL is here! He saved the day by emailing the theater directly. (Just so you know, he's like super smart!) And shockingly enough they responded. Not only are they planning to show Eclipse they are even offering a midnight showing! Squuuueeeee. 


Now, what to wear?! Only another 37 days to figure it out. 


Cheers, 
Ouiser

Blog Maintenance **yawn** I know I know...

Working on a "real" post for tonight or tomorrow but just wanted to say that I FINALLY figured out how to add a "subscribe by email" widget for the blog. OMG, didn't that sound so "techy"? I'm like so totally ready to go into IT, right? *giggle giggle*


So, if you'd like to get an email update when I post something new you can! Just enter your email address in the little box to your left.  Or if you're super fancy and have a "blog roll" (don't ask me specifics cause I still don't know what that means) you can do that too by clicking on the appropriate service you use ~ also on the left hand side. 


Cheers, 
Ouiser

Apologies & Couture

So, a couple of things happened since I last left you. One, my email was hacked and so Google pulled the blog for a while until it was resolved. Apparently my chosen password wasn't exact that "strong" in fact it was "weak".  Also, (and most importantly) Little Mister has officially given up his morning nap. *sniff sniff* Yep, so that extra hour I had to sip coffee, tidy up, fold laundry... okay who am I kidding... I spent that time on the blog. Well, now it's not only gone but now I also have to come up with more activities to entertain said awake child. 


BUT since Baby Deux woke me up this morning at 4:45 am insisting that it was in fact time to be fed I've had a couple of hours to on line browse and come up with a few ideas for the blog. Here's one... Enjoy. 


Oh, and if it wasn't clear in the above paragraph I will probably no longer be able to update every day. Hoping for every other day or at worst every couple of days. At some point I really gotta focus on my number one priority. Yes DH, I'm referring to the kids, not Twitter. sigh. So mean right? 


I am in love with Elie Saab's 2010 Spring/Summer Haute Couture Collection. Simply put, the entire collection is ethereal. This utterly feminine collection of gowns is flowy and light and mostly in shades of pale pink and pale blues. Here are couple of my favorites but by all means please click here to visit his site and explore the collection for yourself.


And I have to mention that Elle Magazine has one of the best websites to browse multiple designers and both their current and previous collections! Check it out by clicking here.  

 

Cheers, 
Ouiser

Happy Birthday Boys!

Let me start by saying I am currently making fun of myself for even thinking about posting this much less actually doing it... so with that in mind I have to include at least one snarky anti-twilight funny. 


Okay, so you may have already guessed that I am not referring to my own two boys' birthdays. After all, it would be kinda weird for them to share the same birthday, but whatever that's not what this post is about. 


Instead I'm sending birthday wishes to two other men that I've never met and likely never will. Totally normal, right?  


I had a super busy day but couldn't let this twi-pportunity to bump up my Twi-related posts pass by, so with out further ado....

~ Happy Birthday RPatzz ~

& 

~ Happy Birthday SR ~

(or SIR as I prefer)

I know it's not sparkly or glittery but I'm a busy woman with not one, but two children sitting on me at the moment. This is the best I can do. 

Cheers, 

Ouiser

PS I know you don't know who SR is and that's okay. From what I can tell he is sweet, intelligent, an extremely talented writer and has an adorable mummy to boot! Below is a picture that my very own Clairee created for SR's birthday and I thought it was too cute not to share. Kudo's to you Ms. Clairee, I love you more than my luggage!!

Serena & Lily ~ New Upholstery Collection

I realized as I was looking at my post listing that I've written way more shopping posts than Twilight posts. That disturbing bit of news means that I really need to come up with some ideas for Twi-themed posts. 


**taps finger to chin** 


Well, while I'm off curled up on the sofa thinking about all things Twilight, I thought I'd share a new fun shopping find. I first discovered Serena & Lily when I was decorating Little Mister's nursery. While I eventually decided on an English Toile Winnie the Pooh theme I did fall in love with Serena & Lily's style. 


And now that they've branched out from only nursery designs and into other rooms I've found so many things I want. Need? Not so much but certainly want!


I hope you enjoy some of my favorites from their new upholstery line as well as their baby & nursery line! You can browse their site for yourself by visiting www.serenaandlily.com

I can just see these in my bedroom!

This could be a wonderful addition to any room.

We didn't use a Moses basket but had we, this would be so cute.

As you know I have two boys, BUT if I had a girl this is what I'd choose

Happy Browsing!


Cheers, 
Ouiser

A Tale of Two Shoes

I must admit this, before beginning today's post... I used to be a shoe snob. 


And by "snob" I don't mean that I only bought designer shoes, although the incredible deal I got a few years ago on a pair of gucci flats and prada heels still make me all tingly, but that's not my point. No, I want to talk about my recent conversion to the world of wedges.


Until recently, I firmly believed that wearing wedges meant you were just plain lazy. If you want the height, put on your big girl panties and learn to walk in high heels. We've all suffered through the "growing pains" of wearing heels. I remember after seven days of wearing heals from 7am-10pm during a work conference I actually lost feeling in the balls of my feet for TWO weeks. Yes, it made me nervous and I wore flats to work for nearly a month afterwards, before I felt comfortable in heels again. But that one time aside, I genuinely liked wearing heels, the higher the better!


Now that I've spent the last few years in flats while playing mommy to Little Mister and Baby Duex I find that even the occiasional night out in heels is a painful one. By the end of whatever event we've been to -- wedding, reception, party etc I'm in agony and DH doesn't particularly like the snail's pace I'm forced to crawl so I don't keel over in agony. 


In an attempt to find a compromise I bought my first pair of wedges for the wedding we attended in Texas last weekend. Quelle Surprise! Despite the cobblestone, I was just as happy on my feet at 3pm as I was at 9pm! 


So, yesterday as I was taking full advantage of the gift certificate that DH had given me at my favorite neighborhood shoe shop, The Shoe Hive. I found two pairs of Tory Burch wedges that I think will be perfect for summer!

**for some reason I couldn't find a pic of the exact pair of brown wedges. Mine are slightly different and are open toe, just so you know!


What do you think? I love them both and will be wearing them all summer long!


And speaking of Tory Burch, If you haven't read her Mother's Day interview with one of my all time favorite mommy bloggers, Mrs. One Fabulous Mom, please do! You can click here to read the interview. She give some lovely advice about being a working mom and how she keeps her priorities in line. 


Cheers, 
Ouiser

Happy Mother's Day

Van Gogh's First Family

Just wanted to pop online to say Happy Mother's Day!!! 


Whether you are a mother yourself and are being pampered (as I am) by your family or if you are the one doing the pampering for your own mother this is a special day to say thank you and I love you!


Its times like these I wish I was closer to Mamere and my own Darling Mother-in-Law but I'm looking forward to talking to them both today and maybe even skyping.


As for my day, it isn't even 9:30 in the morning and I've already had a luxurious bath and am now sipping coffee while both kiddos are napping and DH is slaving away in the kitchen making a Mexican breakfast feast. I wish you could smell the delicious aromas wafting into the living room right now. 


Then later today I've been told to spend the afternoon on a clothing and shoe shopping spree. Squuuuueeeeee!!! 


Hugs and Kisses to you all my dear readers!


Cheers, 
Ouiser

PS. The Van Gogh painting is one of my all time favorites. I used to have a framed poster hung in our old house. Perhaps one day I'll get it hung in this one! 

Book Review ~ Boycotts & Barflies

I know its been forever since my last book review and I would like to say that its because I've been busy shaping the minds of two precious little boys but in reality I've just been reading a lot of online fanfiction and (as of yet) I'm still not anywhere near ready to "review" that kind of reading lest DH have something to make fun of me for.... well for the rest of my life! He already likens my Twi-session to those cultish Trekies.

So before I get started I thought I'd make my own Twi-Creed... *places hand on copy of Twilight*

I, Ouiser B. swear to remind myself at least once a day that despise my love of Edward, Carlisle and the entire Cullen clan they are in fact fictional characters and in reality I have a wonderful and loving husband that supports me and our two beautiful children.

No matter how "fashionable" it may become, I will NEVER wear, hang or sleep in/on any Twi-related merchandise. This includes all bedding, posters, cardboard cut outs and all clothing and other accessories.


*exception: There is a particular coffee mug that I may not be able to stop myself from ordering but since it hasn't even been produced yet I've got some time.


This is my solemn vow.

Okay, with that off my chest on to today's book... which for the record was originally written as fan fiction. snicker snicker.

Boycotts and Barflies, by Victoria Michaels is PERFECT vacation reading! I pretty much read the whole thing while we were in Texas. Now this little novel isn't likely to win any literary awards but it's light, fluffy, funny and all about young love. Which as you likely know me, is right up my alley.

Grace Park and her two roommates are fresh out of college and while their careers are right on track, their love lives are a mess. So in a drastic attempt to clear out the cobwebs from their disastrous dates they decide to boycott men until New Year's Eve, which is a couple of months away. And which ever lady lasts the longest with out "french kissing" someone wins $600 to be spent on a new pair of fabulous shoes for their first date of the new year.

Well as you might image not long after the bet commences these ladies meet three adorable, witty and devastatingly handsome men. Who, just so happen to be on a bit of a boycott themselves. No more dating barflies!

Who can last longest?? I know I know you are already on the edge of your seat. (giggle giggle) Like I said this is super light beach reading.

Oh and as you know I can NOT keep books around the house at the moment so if this sounds like it's up your alley, I'd be happy to mail you my copy. At the time I purchased the book it wasn't available on Kindle although as I was poking around this morning I see that it now is. So, you can purchase your own copy by clicking here or the kindle version by clicking here.

*Note: As I was looking for a pic of the book cover for you I discovered that the book has it's own website AND it's own playlist AND it's own video trailer. Very cool! Visit www.boycottsandbarflies.com to check it out for yourself.

Happy reading and giggling like the jr. high girl buried deep with in you!

Cheers, 
Ouiser

Another Texas Tribute? Dude, Get Over It Already!

We returned home yesterday from our trip to Texas. Yes we were tired, dirty, cranky and hungry but we had a wonderful time and even managed to make some new friends!

I'm busy today unpacking, doing laundry and getting Little Mister and Baby Deux back on schedule but here are a few things I learned while away (and one of my all time favorite Texas tunes!)




Top Ten Things I Learned While in Texas....


10. While the Best Western may be newer, the Holiday Inn Express is THE hotel to book in Salado, Texas. (Bare in mind these are the only two hotels in town. That is unless you like B&Bs which DH and I do not. We like tvs in our room and we do not like having breakfast with strangers.)


9. It is impossible to go a full day without bumping into someone you know and didn't expect to see while in town.


8. While the rest of the world is buying smaller cars, you are required to drive a SUV in Texas.


7. "too cold to go swimming" for a Texan isn't the same thing for those of us living up north. 85 degree outside temp + 68 degree pool temp = perfect swimming temp for me!


6. Drive thru Starbucks are genius. 


5. Bluebell Homemade Vanilla is the best ice cream in the world. 


4. Despite Mamere's protests half a bluebonnet is still a bluebonnet and for us ex-pats they are a sight for sore eyes.


3. Only in Texas should one eat chopped beef sandwiches and smoked sausage. My mouth is still watering. 


2. At $6, the in-flight direct tv that Continental offers is a bargin to keep Little Mister entertained for nearly 2 hours


1. It is ALWAYS worth it to put on fresh sheets before you leave town. Crawling into a nice, fluffy & clean - crisp bed is heaven after a long day's journey!

Cheers, 
Ouiser