Monday, September 27, 2010

mocha frappe to die for

I sat down to blog a different story, but for some reason I cannot upload any pictures at the moment. And I definitely need those pictures to tell the story... so what to blog about that doesn't require a picture?  How about the AMAZING mocha frappe recipe I came across this morning that I am now absolutely in love with?

I have gradually come to enjoy coffee- I am still not able to drink it totally black. In fact, I am far from that. But I do like it loaded with sugar and combined with chocolate!!! I am a big fan of McDonalds mocha frappes. Not a big fan of the calorie count!  How can I get my chocolate fix without buying bigger pants???

I have been making smoothies and frappes at home for awhile now. In fact I just bought a nice blendeer with a great ice crusher. Yes, this is serious business for me. I test them out on my children, and I, of course, have my share as well.  We even have special frappe cups to drink them in (because the look and feel of the cup in your hands is important too!). Brennan has a milk allergy so his are made with soy milk. I have tried different recipes, but still hadn't captured the texture and the right consistency...until this morning.

I came across this recipe. Oh my, it is divine!! And light!!!! One serving only has 130 calories (however mine probably has more as I was liberal with my syrup!!) Will my pants continue to fit as I feast on these bad boys each day? And oh the possibilities to change things up a bit! Peppermint syrup with Andes mints on the whipped cream? White chocolate syrup? French vanilla coffee? Pumpkin spice?  I'n in love. Give it a try and let me know what ya think!

Mocha Frappe


1 cup of cooled coffee
2 T sugar
1 T milk (I used 1%)
Combine these ingredients and fill in an ice cube tray. Freeze.


Place frozen coffee cubes in blender along with a little over a cup of milk, 2 T chocolate syrup (I added more and it was yummy!) and blend! Top with whipped cream if you'd like.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Survival of the Fittest

No, we are not believers in evolution and how this phrase is often used in science terms. I have deemed the boys' sleeping situation this way.

The boys have always had their own rooms and beds. They have never had to share...until now. While we are in the rental they are sharing Brad's full sized bed. And neither one is thrilled. Both have complained that the other one kicks and hogs the bed and covers. In the first few days, when I would go to wake them up in the morning, one of them was lavishing in all the covers and the other was huddled up with no covers to be had trying to stay warm with their own body heat alone. This is where 'survival of the fittest' comes in. They soon learned that in order to win the cover war, whoever could roll themselves up in the covers first stays warm! The other brother is outta luck!  Since Brennan goes to bed first, he realized that in order to be warm, he'd nestle himself all in because even when he tries to un-burrito Bradley, he's too heavy for him to budge. And even if Brennan was already tootsie rolled up in the depths of the fleece, Bradley would simply pry him out of the covers and steal them after Bren was fast asleep. So as far as who is the fittest? I think Bradley has won that contest this time.
Problem solved- both boys have their own blankets- not to be shared with the other. So far it's working pretty well- at least I thought it was. I came in the other night before I went to bed and saw them like this.
Perhaps Brennan was beating up on him for revenge? Maybe that's what he dreams about??

So I giggled only imagining what might have gone on in the minutes before I took this shot.

Fast forward a couple of nights... the bed wars continue. Only this time there is a new culprit

As if the two boys having nightly wars isn't enough, now the overweight cat is hogging their bed! Yes, Brennan is literally lying on the bottom half of his side of the bed, while Maizy sprawls out to her heart's content. Now all we need is Oreo to cram in here and the picture will be complete.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

it's getting closer!


We are getting so excited! Our house is about a month from being completed! We just got word on Friday that our close date is October 18!! It's finally starting to feel like a reality. I've been thankful for the rental we have... it's not an apartment, I've got laundry right here in the house, we've got a nice big living room to relax in, I've got a tutoring room, Bren can walk home from school, we've got a 3 car garage to store all of our stuff. We feel so thankful to be able to rent here.

However...
*I can't wait to have a laundry ROOM with a counter to be able to spread out and fold the clothes
*I am so looking forward to having a master bathroom- first time ever (and I have MY OWN SINK!)
*I am ready for the X Box to be in the basement family room so don't have to have to listen to Modern Warfare all the time
*I am excited to prepare dinner looking at my granite countertops and cherry cabinets
*I can't wait to sleep in the new bedding I just bought today at Bed Bath and Beyond
*I'm looking forward to sitting on my front porch in the evening

I just plain CAN'T WAIT-
*I just plain can't wait...
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