Vacation!

Everyone need some time off.  My hubby and I got time away this last week and has a blast!  I was not sure about Kayaking and I found out I love it!  It was quite the sight seeing me get in and out of the kayak.  I know my hubby and I was laughing so hard. We kept saying when did we get so old that it hurts to get up. I miss seeing the views every morning. Here is one from my first kayak adventure.

Taking time with my family is what brings me happiness!

Enjoy any adventures that my come your way.

"Aunt B"

I did it! MY FIRST 5K!

 It has been a summer of training couch to 5k. and this weekend I finally did my first 5k.  I was a blast. I have a group of great friends that helped me make it thru the run.

I was so excited as I was going thru the red I has my hands up and I was yelling yahhh... and splat a big amount right in my mouth...I was coughing up a storm and laughing it was quite the sight, but totally worth it!

I might not be the fastest runner but some day if I keep motivated and keep on this training I can be faster and run the whole 5k.  This 5 k was so fun they has obstical courses and freezee pops at 1/2 way.  I was so happy I jogged 1/2 of it and I net time my goal is to run the whole thing!

Happy BFF DAY!

"A friend is someone who understand your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today just the way you are."

Hot Dog Buns not just for Hot Dogs Anymore

Since the family reunion I have lots of left over hot dog buns.  I will be posting more but to get started here is one use for left over hot dog buns. I enjoyed these with Spaghetti and fresh beans from my mom's garden.

Take and split open the hot dog bun and put on a pizza pan, smother with butter and sprinkle with garlic salt, toast under the broil until the bread is lightly toasted add shredded cheese until melted. 

Enjoy!

"Aunt B"

Family Reunion

We got together with the family this weekend for a family reunion.  My hubby decided to go fishing in the morning and was going to meet us there later.  My sister and her husband were way more motivated that I was and decided to ride their bike to the reunion, which was a town away.  They knew that their kids would not make the trip so they had asked me to take the kids for them.  Of course, this lead to letting them stay at Aunt B's house overnight.

We got to the park in the morning and I had decided to bring hot dogs in the slow cooker.  Easy and something everyone will eat.  Well, lets just say Hot Dog water spilled on car carpet not the greatest smell! Phew.... When we finally got there we unloaded and looked around and huh? I do not recognize anyone. I looked across the street and what do I see I was at the wrong Family Reunion!!! So packed it all up again and drove to the parking lot across the street. Finally we made it.  Kids were talking to their cousin's they just met and decided to get gloves to play ball.  Went to the car and huh? Locked my keys in the car....NICE.  So I had to call the hubby off the lake to come and unlock the car so the kids could play ball.

Besides all that I did have a great time, but I was thinking could anything else happen today?  Got home and unloaded the truck and was playing with my dog Sophie and what do I see on her nose a wasp! It stung her... uggg. well it is time for me to go inside and stay inside I guess.  Lucky Sophie was not allergic to the sting and I put a mixture of Baking powder and water on it so it will be less painful for her.

Hate to say it but Glad it is Monday:)

Have a Great Week,

"Aunt B"

Cousin's Day 2013

It is Fair Time!

The Fair is here that means summer is almost done.  I was able to take my Little twice and my two oldest nephews. I love the fair but man does money fly when you are having fun. To save some money I made one of my favorite treats from fair. Here is the recipe:

Funnel Cakes

4 large eggs

2 2/3 cups milk

1/2 cup white sugar

5 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder

*Powdered Sugar for top ( other yummy toppings; cherry pie filling, apple pie filling, blueberry pie filling)

Heat oil in an electric deep fryer or cast iron pan to 375°F. You will need at least 2" of oil in pan

Mix egg and milk together with a wire whisk until combined. Stir in other ingredients until batter is smooth no lumps.

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip and squeeze batter in a random overlapping pattern. Once it's floating approx. 60 seconds, flip using tongs, allowing the other side to cook approx. another 60 seconds.

Continue cooking until desired color is achieved and remove from grease and set on a paper towel lined plate. Apply lots of yummy powdered sugar to the top, add pie filling toppings and enjoy!

Tip: A Zip top bag with one corner snipped off works great as a funnel.

Enjoy!

"Aunt B"

It's HOT out there Stay Cool and Drink Lots of Water!

Relaxation is the name of this weekend

Over the weekend it seems that I got some extra time to spend with my one of my best friends Kasey We went and spoiled ourselves with ice cream and pedicures.  With all the walking and jogging I have been doing it was a well deserved treat.  I started out in the morning two of my friends Melissa and Katie. Miss Katie is an avid runner doing half marathons. That girls is inspiring!  So the pedicure was just the ticket after a 3 1/2 mile run/jog.

Relaxation was the theme for this weekend.  I got to see two of my nephews Friday night. I tell you what I have never seen any kid like yogurt as much as my youngest nephew! He was even dipping his chicken nuggets in to it. That boy cracks me up:)

Since I had extra time this weekend i made one of my Husbands favorite dishes.

Here it is:) please enjoy!

Slow cooker Noodles and Beef for Two

1 can of cream of mushroom
1 cup elbow macaroni
1 cup milk
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 tsp.pepper
1 tsp.salt

Cook hamburger on stove top. Put all ingredients in a small slow cooker on low for 2 hours.  Enjoy.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Happy Monday!
"Aunt B"

Bugs......

This weekend I was able to get out and have some fun making tye dye tees with My little with one of my niece and 2 of my nephews. Boy, we made a mess! We has dye on everything. They turned out pretty cool. after we even took a walk to get some ice cream. on the way we encountered bugs on the trail. I'm a sweat mess and they got me good on the back of the arm. and this was just the first buggy time of the day. Next went to my friends for a cook out and got attacked by Gnats..ugh.  Good thing the smoke helped drive them away.  The smores were worth the bites:)  The next day my hubby and I went golfing we though we got up early enough to miss all the bugs. We were wrong they must have just gotten up and wanted a morning snack.  Those Mosquitoes got a great snack from me and the hubby. I wish they would suck the fat out instead of blood!

Let me know of the best way you have found to prevent bug bites. I am game for any ideas!

Bugs.... Ugh!

Bugs, Bugs go away I am not a Buffet!

"Aunt B"

Summer Time Fun

Baseball is a great activity to spend with family. Plus it is a fun exercise!  

Along with my attempt to run  I signed my self up for a couch to 5k program with the local park and rec. not sure what I was thinking but I was not ready for the running part they say jog for 90 seconds and man does 90 seconds take long I thought my lung were on fire with my feet and legs, I was for sure at the couch level! The last time I had to jog was in High School when they mad you do the mile.  Well I have to say, I did make it that first night and now I am on my third week and this week I they want to jog for 3 min. WOW! Well I made it for one time. I guess this is improvement. I just have to keep myself motivated that my future self will like me because of the healthy exercise I am putting in.
This is one of my favorite family sports softball.  We had our first annual family softball day and it was a blast. Just watching my family and friends "try" hitting the ball or even catching was so funny. We laughed so hard.  My youngest Nephew at 2 even joined in he was determined that he could hit that ball right off the tee all by himself. I though at one point he was going to bonk himself in the head with that little bat:) What a cutie! And my Little from Big Brother and Big Sisters was a  all star with the way she could hit that ball with out an tee.  I have to say my other nephews and nieces are so talented. I guess this is the best part of being the aunt is bragging about them! Check out some of the pics maybe this will inspire your family to get out there and have some fun this summer.

What is you families favorite activities?

Here is a fun easy treat for the summer picnics

 Betty Crocker Summer Fruit Pizza

INGREDIENTS

1

pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

1/2

cup butter or margarine, melted

1

egg

1

cup whipping cream

1/2

cup Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting (from 1-lb container)

3 1/2

cups assorted fresh fruit

• Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray 14-inch pizza pan or 15x10-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, melted butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gently stir frosting into whipped cream. Spread over cookie pizza. Arrange fruit on top.

Have a fun Summer!

"Aunt B"

4th of July!

Independence Day!  This is a great day for me to spend with family and friends. We have many activities leading up to the great festivities.  I get the day to get my Little from Big Brother Big Sister. Sunday to have a family fun day of playing baseball.  I think the best part of summer is cookouts and baseball! Nothing better than the fresh summer air with the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.  I am super happy that my Hubby will be able to be home to enjoy this time with us.  I am also volunteering at the festival in the near town with humane society trying to promote the new animals and the fundraising event Pedal for Paws. 

Here is a fun recipes for a Tuna macaroni salad that is our family favorite when we get together:

Aunt B's Tuna Mac Salad

2 cups Elbow Macaroni

1 can of Tuna

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup frozen peas

1 cup Mayo

1 cup Marzetti® Original Slaw Dressing

Cook Macaroni ( I like to put the frozen peas in the bottom the strainer so when ready to drain the macaroni the hot water cooks the peas to get the fresh snap to the peas) let the macaroni cool in the freezer or refrigerator( if have time). when cool add the rest of the ingredients mix well and put in refrigerator until ready to go to the party.  Taste sometimes I like to add extra mayo or dressing if it seems a little dry.

Enjoy!

Have a Safe and Fun Filled Holiday Week!

"Aunt B"