Sunday, March 20, 2011

Spring Break - for Grown Ups

It's our 100th blog post and I can't imagine a better post to celebrate! Last week was "spring break" (which doesn't have the same meaning in the real world) and my birthday week (which does have the same meaning in the real world)! Here are some pictures from Birthday Week!

I made Green Velvet Cupcakes for St Patricks Day!

Yummy!

Never have I ever had a green cupcake!

Delicious Green Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing!
 On Wednesday, our Small Group theme was Green Food!

Green Angel Food Cake

Green Apples, Broccoli, Shepherd's Pie, Pesto Pasta
And a cookie cake to top of the night!

On Thursday, Jack woke up early and made Green French Toast! He calls it "Swamp Toast".
Definitely odd; Definitely delicious! 
Duncan celebrated by ripping up his bed to find the green stuffing.
No need to fear, I stitched that baby back up.
He didn't want to get pinched on St Patrick's Day!
We took the afternoon off work to celebrate my birthday in Norman. First Stop - O'Connell's!
Green Beer is a must.

My third year to celebrate with a green beer. I missed last year.

And what do you know - they had a shot called "Mexican Leprechaun". Perfect description of myself.
 Second Stop - The Mont! It was the warmest birthday I can remember, so we enjoyed sitting on the patio!
Home of the Original Sooner Swirl. Yummmmm.
We spent some time walking around the duck pond, trying to identify all the birds and ducks. We both hadn't been to the duck pond since about 5th grade.

We met my parents and Jack's parents at Victoria's Pasta Shop for dinner. We love this restaurant! It was great to see our parents and spend time with them.

On our way back home, we stopped at the lighthouse on Lake Hefner.
So Festive for St. Patrick's Day!

It was really windy.

I wish those people weren't sitting there; they are blocking the sunset!
 Once we got home, we enjoyed some Birthday Cookie!
We have way too many sweets in our kitchen.
My co-worker and I ordered a joint birthday cake. Our birthdays are one week a part and we thought we should split an Amy's Cake birthday cake.... so we did.
It turned out super cute! We plan on cutting it in half, each getting our respective side.

Red Velvet.
 The week came to end with the Super Moon; it was a sight to see!
I hope you got a chance to see it in person. It looked awesome.

We wanted Duncan to see it, so we leashed him up. He doesn't even know what the moon is.


I think Birthday Week/Spring Break was the best! We had so much fun with our friends and family over this week. Happy Birthday to me!

Today marks the first day of spring, which I like to call allergy season. I hope you Spring Break and St Patrick's Day was fun. 

Love,
Jack and Kayla

P.S. Now that we are homeowners, we care about our yard. I asked for a weed puller for my birthday. Odd gift? Yes. It rules.

Check out the root on that baby!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Lunch Surprise

Today at lunch, I made my way to Subway to grab a quick sandwich. I wasn't necessarily thrilled about lunch since I had Subway yesterday. I tried to make it different by getting my same sandwich I got yesterday (the only sandwich I get there and most places) UN-toasted. I make my way down to the cash register where I am asked what sandwich (I reply "six inch ham") and if I would like chips and drink... I politely declined and asked for a sugar cookie (again, different from my chocolate chip I got yesterday). The sweet guy at the cash register grabbed me a sugar cookie and realized it was broken, so he gave me another one - I got two cookies for the price one.. Bonus.

Double Bonus - I wasn't charged for any cookies. I got two cookies free. I was a happy girl at lunch time.



Hope your Tuesday brought you a special surprise too!
-Jack and Kayla

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Sweet Treats

I have been in a baking mood! I'd like the blame the blizzard last month for kicking off my baking spree, but that was over one month ago - this is just my sweet tooth.

One of my new favorite blogs is Bakerella (which I just visited; she is in the hospital - sending prayers for healing Bakerella!). She is wonderful and has increased my desire to bake and create! She provides step by step instructions, great pictures, and the perfect amount of joy!

My first adventure was her (and Martha Stewart's) Chocolate Crackle Cookies!
Delicious!

Next up, brownies! Again, Bakerella inspired me to try brownies in the mini cupcake pan. I think it's my new favorite thing! They become instant bite sized delights! For my first round, half plain brownies, the other half Reese's peanut butter cup brownies!
Again, delicious!
To continue using my new favorite baking pan (which I was graciously given as a wedding present), brownies with cream cheese icing!

Oh, and I sprinkled some cocoa on top.

Delicious!

I should say these baking adventures were spaced out over the past three weeks.
With each sweet treat, Jack and I usually try one or two (sometimes six or seven) and then we take the rest to work - share the sweet treats! I have gotten some truly great compliments from Jack's co-workers.

Good luck with your next baking adventure!
-Jack and Kayla