Wine Slush

As I was working in the yard this weekend, cursing the hot sun and dreaming of cooler weather, I got to thinking about how I like wine... how nice it would be if I could have an ice cold wine slushy. Then I ran into the house, got out the ice cream maker, threw in a cold bottle and voila... Wine Slush!

What you need:

• your favorite wine, chilled (I like sweet)
• ice cream maker

What you do:
Pour the bottle of wine in the ice cream maker and freeze following manufacture's directions.

The ice cream maker turns the wine into a soft slush. 

It's divine!

 Back To Work

Glass and Window Cleaner

The weather has been so nice here in Texas that I've been coming up with any excuse to be outside, including washing windows. I know... it's torture but somebody has to do it. It may as well be me on a beautiful day.

What you need:

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dish soap
• spray bottle

What you do:
Pour all ingredients into the spray bottle. Give it a shake. It's That Easy!

The hard part is spraying, scrubbing and wiping all of the windows again and again and again. For a streak free shine use old newspaper instead of paper towels. I say old because I've more than once used sections of the paper Mr.Perfect hadn't read yet... oops!

Oreo Ice Cream Pie

Today is Trouble's 9th Birthday. Mr.Perfect reminded me that Trouble is now halfway to 18! Halfway to... driving, voting, buying a lottery ticket, hopefully not buying tobacco, or getting a tattoo, or going on Jerry Springer, or calling some "900" number... oh my I have a lot of work to do in the next 9 years! In the meantime I'll make him an ice cream pie.

What you need:

• 9 inch pie pan
• 25 whole Oreo cookies
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 quart Oreo or Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, softened
• 30 Mini Oreos
• Cool Whip

What you do:
Place your pie pan in the freezer to chill while you are making the crust. Eat 1 Oreo (you know you want to). Blend the remaining 24 cookies in a food processor or blender until they are fine crumbs.

In a bowl mix Oreo crumbs and melted butter.

Place the ground crumb mixture in the cold pie pan and press into the bottom and up the sides evenly. Chill the crust in the freezer for about an hour.

Fill Oreo crust with softened ice cream and place back in the freezer for about an hour.

Eat 2 mini Oreos (it's OK... I won't tell). Place the rest of the mini Oreos around the edge of the crust.

Spread a thick layer of Cool Whip on top of the ice cream.

Sprinkle with Oreo crumbs (if you have any Oreos left). Place the pie back in the freezer for a few hours before serving.

Trouble LOVED his birthday pie!

 I always know it's REALLY good when he turns into a
caveman and starts using his hands.

Happy Birthday Trouble!

Oreo Ice Cream (Cookies & Cream)

Today I'm making Oreo ice cream. Tomorrow I'm making Oreo Ice Cream Pie for Trouble's birthday. He'll be 9 years old! Oreo is also celebrating it's 100th birthday this year.

What you need:

• 10 Oreos, crushed
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups heavy cream or whipping cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

What you do:
Put the crushed Oreos in the freezer to get nice and cold. They need to chill out!

Using a mixer, mix the eggs in a bowl until light. (about 2 minutes)

Mix in sugar, a little at a time, then continue mixing until blended, about 1 minute more. (It should look thicker now.)

Pour the cream, milk and vanilla into egg mixture and mix until well combined.

Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze following manufacturer’s instructions.

After the ice cream stiffens, add the frozen Oreo pieces and let it mix in the ice cream maker for a minute.

Put all this yummy goodness in a freezer safe container. Store in the freezer to harden up.

Happy Birthday Oreo!

S'More Peeps

I have to share the Pinterest inspired 

Easter s'mores I put together. 

 The top says...

Each s'more pack contains 2 graham crackers, 2 mini Hershey bars and 2 marshmallow peeps.

 Hoppy Easter!

Wildseed Farms

Spring wildflower season in Texas is a sight to behold. The dramatic backdrop lends to many a Momma posing her children on the bluebonnet covered hills. Seriously... it's quite common to see kids in their Sunday best on the side of the road just sitting in a big patch of blue. Yes, I'm guilty of torturing Trouble with this Texas tradition, see...

Just east of Fredericksburg you'll find the largest working wildflower farm in the US. Wildseed Farms is a plant nursery, gift shop, boutique, biergarten and flower garden with an incredible selection of wild flower seeds cultivated on the premises.

Nana and I spent the afternoon strolling through their lovely gardens and wildflower fields.

We sat on many a bench and just watched the flowers dance in the breeze.

I have to admit that as much as I love Texas bluebonnets...

 it's the fields of poppies that always take my breath away.

Ahhhh.... poppies!

Check out Wildseed Farms in the Spring, it's splendid!