September 30, 2011

Fall in LOVE with Fall Festivals..

There is SO much to do this weekend if you are a Fall lover and happen to be in the Mile High City... (Denver, CO if you are not in the know)!!

So grab your lil one.. or the one you blow kisses too... and pick a pumpkin.. ride a hay drawn carriage... and drink some Cider.. Cuz It's OCTOBER and it's time to fall in love with FALL!! 

1. The Denver Art Museum is having a FREE day ... Saturday Oct. 1st 

2. Four Mile Historic Park will be having THEIR Pumpkin harvest Festival Saturday Oct. 1st and Sunday Oct. 2nd. from 10am to 4pm both days. Admission is FREE. 715 S Forest St, Denver. 

3. Feeding Many's Fall Festival is on Sat. October 1st from 10am- 6pm. Admission is also free. 5890 S Alkire, Littleton

4. Cider Days at Belmar Park .... Sat. Oct. 1st and Sunday Oct. 2nd. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for kids. A lot of fun here!! 

5. The Horseshoe Craft and Flea is another must see stop... Sat. Oct. 1st from 9am-4pm . Admission is FREE.
Located on 46th and Tennyson, Denver. 

6. The Rosedale Community Garden - Annual Harvest and Art show is 8:30am-Noon Sat. Oct. 1st.
2365 S Logan st, Denver. 

I don't know about you... but all these crafty and foodie festivals makes me hungry... so i'm off to apple shop!!
*signing off with fall like X's n O's* 

September 23, 2011

Pumpin Up the Pumpkin!!

I am SO glad that it is fall!!! Officially anyway!!! Absolutely my FAVORITE time of year.... not only does fall mark the end of horrid hot weather... it also is the 'kickoff' to Football season.. Hoodie weather... Comfort Foods.... Hot Apple Cider/Hot Cocoa/Coffee drinks.... leaves turning beautiful colors...My BIRTHDAY!!!!... and of course,  and PUMPKIN EVERYTHING!!! 


I am basically gonna spend an entire weekend dedicating myself to the procurment, cooking and storing of these beautiful delicious gourds!! 
First up.... Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes!!!!
... Yeah.. Thank me Later. 

Ingredients:
CINNAMON FILLING: 
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
CREAM CHEESE ICING:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
PANCAKES:
3 cups whole milk
1 cup pure unsweetened pumpkin puree
2 large eggs
2 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice (see Tips below)
1/2/ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
Directions:
1. In a small, microwave-safe bowl- heat butter, brown sugar and cinnamon for 40 to 60 seconds, just until butter is melted. Whisk the filling ingredients together and then pour it into a sandwich-sized zip baggie. Zip up the baggie and lay it on the counter while you prepare the pancake batter.
2. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, heat butter and cream cheese 30 to 60 seconds, just until butter has melted and cream cheese has softened. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla and combine until smooth. Set the icing aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin, eggs, oil, and vinegar. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, salt and brown sugar. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir just until all is moistened.
4. Check on your cinnamon filling: Open up the baggie again and give it a good stir to re-incorporate any butter that may have separated. You want the mixture to thicken a bit- it's best when it's similar to the squeezing texture of toothpaste . Don't try to use the filling for the pancake swirl unless it has thickened as it will be too runny! Snip off a small piece of the corner of the baggie.
5. Preheat a large skillet or griddle to medium. Use an ice cream scoop (or ladle) to add the batter to the pan. Use the bottom of the scoop or ladle to spread out the batter into a nice, even circle. Reduce the heat to medium-low. 
6.Pick up your cinnamon filling baggie and squeeze the filling into the corner. Starting at the center of the pancake squeeze the cinnamon filling on top of the pancake batter in a swirl (just as you see in a cinnamon roll). 
7. Cook the pancakes 3 to 4 minutes, or until bubbles begin popping on top of the pancake and it is golden brown on the bottom. 
8. Slide a thin spatula underneath the pancake and gently but quickly flip it over. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the other side is golden as well. When you flip the pancake onto a plate, you will see that the cinnamon filling has created a crater-swirl of cinnamon. 
9. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, and repeat with the remaining pancake batter and cinnamon filling. 
10. Serve pancakes topped with a drizzle of cream cheese icing.
(recipe adapted from recipegirl.com) 

Remember... love the food and it'll love you back!!! 
*signing off with sweet X's n O's* 







September 14, 2011

Lemme Warm You UP!

Here's a little something to keep ya warm on this dreary 5280 day!!
Whip up a batch... and then invite someone to eat it .. duh. LOL
I usually skip the blend part.. i like my shit chunky!!! 


3-4 chicken breasts
hot sauce
2 cans chicken broth
3 cans italian stewed tomatoes
1 bunch cilantro, with the stems removed
salt to taste
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans sweet corn, drained and rinsed

Stick the chicken breasts in a crock pot and smother with hot sauce. 
Cook on high for three hours or until you can shred up the chicken with a fork. 
Add the chicken broth. 
Blend the stewed tomatoes until smooth then add the cilantro and pulse a few times. 
Add the tomato mixture to the crock pot, then the corn and black beans and salt.
Let cook for about 1 more hour. 
Serve in individual bowls. 
Top with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

*signing off with warm and delish X's & O's* 

September 13, 2011

Seriously... All I Want is..

I've been spending a lot of time with a fella i like ....... but as all things in a Diva's life.. it's complicated. 

So i've come up with what i think is a pretty comprehensive list of what i want... i mean somethings are just a given.. like humor, loyalty, kindness.... yadda yadda yadda... I'm talking about the things that REALLY make or break a relationship.... 
So Seriously... All I Want is.. 

A man who will open a door once in awhile, yes i am more than capable.. but i mean it's nice to be a girl and a boy circa 1950 sometimes... 
A man who is content to veg out on the couch and watch football while i paint my nails next to him.... 
A man who can throw out poetic loveys and talk dirty all in the same sentence.... 
He will let me be as high maintenance as i need to be and low key the same way... 
A man who is as eager to please as i am.... 
a giving kinda man... who loves to surprise me with things and will let me spoil the shit outta HIM...... 
A man who loves his family and spends time with them...
 A man who smells like a fragrance model and carry's himself like Prince Charming...
 He should want to protect me like his most valuable treasure but play with me like his favorite toy.... 
A man who is happiest being with the woman he loves instead of being in the club Thursday thru Sunday looking for a quick lay.... 
A man who will come watch me sing Karaoke or Whatever...even though it's totally not his bag...
This man should love to kiss and cuddle... who will make me blush by waking me up in the morning with beautiful sweet words and soft kisses....
 He will let me cook for him and will do the dishes afterward...
A man who calls a few times a day just to hear my voice.... 
A man who lets me kiss him whenever i want... 
He should be strong when he needs to be and soft when he should be... a man Who trusts me when i'm not around.. who knows i'd never hurt him...who knows that he is the most important thing to me and doesn't doubt our love and my fidelity....


He should think about me before he falls asleep... and tickle my arm and back and neck while i am dozing off...
Who will turn off his phone and run away with me for the weekend....
 A man who isn't into playing games.. except Monopoly of course... lol ... 
He should be funny and corny and goofy and doesn't mind laughing at himself once in awhile... 
Will watch Disney, action AND chick flicks with me...
and yes.. a man who lets the past lie exactly where it's at. In the past. 
In effect. 
It's you. 
*signing off with heart-achin X's & O's* 


Get Bit

I love snakes....as an inspiring jewelry piece that is!! 
Otherwise.. no not a huge fan... 
So as My First Birthday 'hint'.......i vote this. 


*signing off with venomous X's & O's* 

September 2, 2011

Start your Weekend out With THIS. SANTANAMATION!

Shit... you should probably END your weekend with it too..
You just don't even know how Crazy Talented the homies and the beauties are on my block....Glad i landed where the music is... .*wink*


Live It... Love It.. LISTEN TO IT..... and you know you are gonna thank me later....

*hits repeat instead of signing off* haha
For more musical dope-ness... hit up The Mane Rok FB PageThe D-D-D-D DiamondBoiz FB Page Scarlet Smoke and the One-Eyed-Kings FB Page...
OK.. NOW i'm *signing off with Besos and Abrazos* lol