Per L'Amore Di Cibo

Bake Sale to Beat Breast Cancer

2013-10-15T08:54:00.000-04:00

THE BAKE SALE IS CLOSED!

Thank you all for your generous bids.

The Bake Sale to Beat Breast Cancer is officially live! We have a great round up of bloggers and friends of Kris who are opening up their kitchens and offering some amazing goodies! If you missed it, you can read Kris's story here.

Bidding will start at $15 per item and increase in $5 increments from there. All bids should be emailed to me at perlamoredicibo@gmail.com

Please be sure to include the exact item you are bidding on in the subject of your email (please be specific as there are multiple lots of some items). The auction will continue until 9pm on Thursday, October 17. I will be updating bids throughout the day listing the highest bidder's name and bid by each item.

Upon the closing of the auction the highest bidder has 24 hours from the close of the auction to make their payment through Paypal (I will email each winner that information.) if they don't make payment in that time frame the item will go to the next highest bidder. Bakers will have until Monday, October 21 to bake and mail out their respective goodies.

Jill's Breast Cancer Almond Butter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Carolyn M. - $30

Jill's Pink Velvet Cake Truffles
Emily S. $50

Miranda's Save the Tata's Cookie Kit
Jessica M. $35

Kristin's Pumpkin Cake Ball Truffles
Michele D. - $25

Kristin's Pink Velvet Brownies
Laura S. $30

Michele's Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
(winner must be local to LI as this item cannot be shipped)
Jessica M. - $15

Rebecca's Brownies
(can be made with or without walnuts and/or peanut butter chips)
Stephen - $20

Jenna's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 1
Paula F. - $20

Jenna's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 2
Joe F $15

Jenna's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 3
Christine C. - $15

Ilana's Lactation Cookies - Batch 1
Jenna C. - $20

Ilana's Lactation Cookies - Batch 2
Jane P - $20

Candice's Chocolate Almond Biscotti
Paula F. - $30

Kristin's Fudgey Chocolate Chunk Brownies

Kelly S. - $35

Tricia's Banana Bread
Carey B. - $35

Teri's Crumb Cake
Jill O. - $35

Teri's Crumb Cake (batch 2)
Barbara E. - $20

Teri's Crumb Cake (batch 3)
Laura S. - $30

Teri's Crumb Cake (batch 4)
Emily T. - $30

Teri's White Chocolate Covered Red Velvet Cake Balls (batch 1)
Jen M $20

Teri's White Chocolate Covered Red Velvet Cake Balls (batch 2)
Joanne W. - $20

Teri's White Chocolate Covered Red Velvet Cake Balls (batch 3)
Barbara E. - $20

Teri's White Chocolate Covered Red Velvet Cake Balls (batch 4)
Courtney C. - $20

Teri's Chocolate Covered Yellow Cake Balls (batch 1)
Jenna S. - $20

Teri's Chocolate Covered Yellow Cake Balls (batch 2)
Mer Z. - $20

Teri's Chocolate Covered Yellow Cake Balls (batch 3)
Kedra B. - $15

Teri's Chocolate Covered Yellow Cake Balls (batch 4)
Angela F. - $15

Ilana's Zucchini Raisin Bread
(raisins can be omitted and/or nuts can be added)
Lisa G - $30

Ilana's Zucchini Nut Bread
(nuts can be omitted and/or raisins can be added)
Paula F. - $20

Marie's Chocolate Covered Oreos
Renay A. - $20

Marie's Iced Ricotta Cookies - Batch 1
Celia H. - $50

Marie's Iced Ricotta Cookies - Batch 2
Rebecca T. - $40

Gina's Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Rebecca T $15

Heather's Hot Fudge Oreo Brownies
Mer Z. $55

Heather's Hot Fudge Oreo Brownies (batch 2)
Carey B. - $35

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 1
CarolAnn F. - $15

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 2

Liz R - $15

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 3
Becca T. - $15

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 4
Carolyn M. - $15

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 5
Erin B. - $15

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 6
Miranda P. - $15

Bake Sale to Beat Breast Cancer Preview!

2013-10-14T09:08:00.003-04:00

The Bake Sale to Beat Breast Cancer is going live tomorrow, but I wanted to give you all a sneak peek at the goodies that are going up for bid! We have a great round up of bloggers and friends of Kris who are opening up their kitchens and offering some amazing goodies! If you missed it, you can read Kris's story here.

Bidding will start at $15 per item and increase in $5 increments from there. All bids should be emailed to me at perlamoredicibo@gmail.com

Please be sure to include the item you are bidding on in the subject of your email (please be specific as there are multiple lots of some items). The auction will begin at 9am (EST) on Tuesday, October 14 and continue until 9pm on Thursday, October 16. I will be updating bids throughout the day listing the highest bidder's name and bid by each item.

Upon the closing of the auction the highest bidder has 24 hours from the close of the auction to make their payment through Paypal (I will email each winner that information.) if they don't make payment in that itme frame the item will go to the next highest bidder. Bakers will have until Monday, October 21 to bake and mail out their respective goodies.

Now to browse the goodies!

Jill's Breast Cancer Almond Butter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Jill's Pink Velvet Cake Truffles

Miranda's Save the Tata's Cookie Kit

Kristin's Pumpkin Cake Ball Truffles

Kristin's Pink Velvet Brownies

Rebecca's Brownies
(can be made with or without walnuts and/or peanut butter chips)

Jenna's Pumpkin Bread

Ilana's Lactation Cookies - Batch 1

Ilana's Lactation Cookies - Batch 2

Candice's Chocolate Almond Biscotti

Tricia's Banana Bread

Teri's Crumb Cake

Teri's White Chocolate Covered Red Velvet Cake Balls

Teri's Chocolate Covered Yellow Cake Balls

Ilana's Zucchini Raisin Bread
(raisins can be omitted and/or nuts can be added)

Ilana's Zucchini Nut Bread
(nuts can be omitted and/or raisins can be added)

Marie's Chocolate Covered Oreos

Marie's Iced Ricotta Cookies - Batch 1

Marie's Iced Ricotta Cookies - Batch 2

Gina's Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Heather's Hot Fudge Oreo Brownies

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 1

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 2

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 3

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 4

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 5

Kayla's Pumpkin Bread - Batch 6

Bake Sale to Beat Breast Cancer!

2013-10-07T13:14:00.003-04:00

I'm returning to the blogging world for a great cause this month! As you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month which seemed like an appropriate time to hold a bake sale to raise money for a dear friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

The round up of bakers here (so far!) are some of her closest friends who's first instinct when she got diagnosed was what can we do to help? Aside from the amazing support her friends and family have provided her with, the subject of expenses came up. Let's face it. Cancer is expensive and meals will continue to be needed to be eaten, wigs may need to be purchased and transportation to and from appointments are necessary. It's all going to add up and we are all trying to do everything in our power to make this experience as good as it can get.

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HiFive Music

2013-09-05T13:48:00.001-04:00

As promised I want to give you all a little run down on HiFive Music - my hubby's newest business venture! Now for all you music fans out there, this is going to be your new favorite site. They are a music subscription service (think Pandora-esque) but with Indie artists!

This is a great way to discover brand new up and coming artists before they hit it big time! The best part? For only $2.99 you will be granted access to ALL of a band's songs for an entire year! This means you can download, listen to and get live updates on the band for a year for less than $3.

Am I doing some shameless plugging here? You betcha. But hey these guys have been busting their butts to make a dream come true for not only them but for these amazing musicians they have on board. So if you're into music (and let's face it, we all are) go check them out at www.hifivemusic.com. And if you're in a band and want to join and sell your music go do that too. They'd love to have you on board.

In other news, a friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer so we are going to be putting together an online bake sale to help offset some of her medical costs. If you would like to participate in donating to the cause please email me directly at perlamoredicibo@gmail.com. More details will be coming shortly. :)

Much love,
Kristin

HiFiveMusic

2013-08-24T20:34:00.000-04:00

If you haven't checked out these guys yet...please do!

I'll be posting a much more in depth description of what they're doing in the next few days but for now go follow them on Instagram and check them out at HiFiveMusic

Clean Eating

2013-02-26T12:15:00.001-05:00

Clean eating is a pretty commonplace phrase lately don't you think? Paired with eating real foods, or eliminating GMO's, Mosanto and a whole bunch of other things that have been floating around the Internet, my Facebook feed and even Pinterest.

All of these terms got me thinking and piqued my curiosity so I started to do a little digging and research on my own. I started to find awesome resources online places like Food Babe, The Herb Guy, Natural News, Raw for Beauty and Just Eat Real Food. And you know what? The things I was learning was scary. The chemicals being put into our foods, modified organism, preservatives, animal by-products, it was enough to actually cause me to consider going vegan for a moment! But then I realized that eating healthy doesn't mean I need to nibble on nuts, sprouts and greens all day. I can eat meat and dessert and have awesome food minus all the crap.

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A Day of Remembrance

2012-09-11T09:39:00.002-04:00

As I start to type of this post on such a solemn day in American history I find myself doing what every other American is likely doing today. I'm remembering sitting in my PSAT class with my best friend hearing words about planes and the towers falling. I heard words that I only heard in history books - terrorist attacks. I learned of hundreds of deaths with only more to come. I learned what it means for a country to come together and unite as one. I saw what the true meaning of community was and how deep and how far compassion and love can drive us.

A lot has changed in these 11 years since that day. That best friend I had squeezed into one desk with as we learned of the events as they unfolded has since passed away in a car accident. My life has changed in so many other ways as well but a piece of me always remains the same and always remains where I was when I learned of what happened. Tragedy changes you that way, but it's what you do in the face of tragedy that determines who you really are.

In light of the memory of one of the most horrific days in American history I am watching yet another tragedy unfold. Out here on Long Island there is a local photographer whose newborn nephew is suffering in a way no child or person should ever suffer. Little Easton was born with a severe case of EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa) and in the less than 30 days he's spent on earth has been met with one trial after another. His skin is as delicate as tissue paper and is covered in painful blisters. In order for his parents to hold him they must go use special procedures using vasoline covered gloves and at all times Easton is covered in gauze to prevent his blisters from bleeding.

Right now Easton is fighting an infection and his entire world his rallying and praying for a miracle. They need the prayers of everyone and anyone who is willing. You can read Easton's story here and see information about a fundraiser that was set up to help offset medical costs for the family. You can read up on that here.

You can also follow updates directly from Easton's aunt Summer Lyn on her Facebook page. She also posted some extremely moving photos of the family holding Easton .

Be warned, all of these photos are graphic and at times difficult to look at. I myself cannot look at them or read his story without tearing up. Please spread the word that Easton needs our prayers and most of all needs a miracle of his own.

Candied Bacon Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2012-08-07T09:23:00.000-04:00

If the name of these cookies doesn't get you, then the taste will. I promise. I made these cookies for Bakin' Friends in celebration of our first secret ingredient bacon! I knew I had wanted to make a cookie, but not just any cookie a really, really, killer - knock your socks off cookie. This cookie was that cookie.

Pan Seared Scallops

2012-08-01T08:47:00.000-04:00

Scallops are awesome. I just discovered this a few days ago. Truth is, I was always intimidated by scallops, they don't look very appealing raw and the first time I tried them I couldn't get past the texture. But then I learned this was simply because they weren't prepared right because when they are prepared right they are just oh so good. Heavenly even. Or as my husband described "butter", his friends described them as "boss". I believe these are both compliments so I'll take them both.

Bakin' Friends! - July 2012 Edition

2012-07-31T09:02:00.004-04:00

I was so excited when I saw Steph post about wanting to do a baked goods swap on her blog Steph's Bite by Bite and i couldn't wait to get started and join in on the first month. The photo you see above is a picture of the delicious breakfast cookies I received from Amanda. They were delicious and I just loved how strongly the bacon came through and I thought the toffee chips were a nice touch.

Red Lobster Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits

2012-07-25T18:17:00.000-04:00

There's nothing like Red Lobster biscuits. I don't know what it is about them, but I just love them. The cheese, the garlicky flavor and the buttery biscuit combination is just awesome. The terrible part though? We never go to Red Lobster, like as in ever. I think in the ten years we've been together we ate their once, but I remember their biscuits and have even gone once or twice and gotten taken out of - you guessed it biscuits!

Pane Cotto (Cooked Bread)

2012-07-20T11:55:00.001-04:00

One thing I love about my in laws is that they make so many unique dishes I've never heard of before. We're all Italian but they are off the boat Sicilians so they've got a few more secrets up their sleeves. This is a dish I've heard them talk about before, but I've never had it prior to making it myself.

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Orange & Grapefruit Jello Shot Slices

2012-07-17T11:24:00.000-04:00

Summer is a great time for BBQ's, beach days and well, quite honestly none of these events are complete without some sort of fun cocktail or boozy dessert. Which is exactly where these came in. While I have never really been a big fan of Jello shots mostly because they always seem to get stuck in the little cups so when I saw these (on where else but Pinterest!) I thought they would be a perfect opportunity to spice things up a bit!

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Bacon & Cream Cheese Crescent Wraps

2012-07-03T09:02:00.000-04:00

These little bite sized appetizers are really famous around my household. They are super easy to make and will easily become the hit of any party! I can't even begin to tell you how often these are requested when Joe and I go to or host parties. Trust me on this one, make them and you will forever be hooked. Or don't, but then you will be missing out on something that is really just soooooo good.

There are only three ingredients for these, four if you count my secret ingredient but still as I sit here typing this I can't find any reason why you shouldn't at least try to make these! They're no fail and as I sit here munching on one I just keep thinking about how good they are!

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Monday Musings

2012-07-02T09:06:00.000-04:00

I've been working on this blog for just over a year now and I have to say it's been so exciting and fun. As always looking back on the year that is suddenly behind you, it makes you think. Which is what brings me here to a Monday Musings post. It's my first post of this kind and hopefully the first of many. I love posting about food and creating recipes but the whirlwind my life has taken me in lately has really left with me with little time to cook! That's not to say I'm not cooking, because I am but it's been a lot of repeat dinners, quick fixes and embarrassingly enough times when I've forgotten to snap a photo because at the end of the day I'm just so tired! But bit by bit I'm pulling myself together and preparing some posts and getting ready to kick off this summer right.

Foodie Pen Pals - June Edition!

2012-06-30T12:09:00.003-04:00

It's Foodie Pen Pal time again! Here's a quick run down/reminder for those of you who are unfamiliar! The rules are pretty simple, you sign up here at Lindsay's blog, The Lean Green Bean. Once you get your match for the month you email them and find out a little about them and their preferences. Then you put together an awesome package for $15 and send it to them. Staying true to the pen pal concept it is required of you to include a handwritten note inside saying anything you'd like and that's it!

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Lobster Roll

2012-06-21T13:17:00.000-04:00

Summer is officially here and although I'm not the summer's number one fan I am excited to officially be in beach season! My vacation from Costa Rica has left me with an awesome tan (I swear I haven't been this tan since I was 10!) and I plan to keep this tan up the entire summer and (hopefully) then some.

Living on Long Island means that fresh seafood is available pretty much year round, but there's something about the summer that really makes me crave it. Crab cakes, baked clams, lobsters, shrimp, mussels and so much more are available almost anywhere. There's something for everyone that will surely satisfy anyone's taste buds!

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My One Year Blogisversary and the Most Decadent Brownie Ever!

2012-06-16T08:46:00.003-04:00

Happy 1st Blogisversary to Me!

But I have a little secret.

Even though today is technically the one year anniversary of Per L'Amore Di Cibo, it's actually the one year anniversary of the first time I hit "publish". You see I typed up my first blog post in February 2011, but never published the post. I didn't like the way my layout looked, I had no other recipes to post and honestly, I really didn't have a clue about blogging. Now I'm not saying I'm the food blogging guru - there's definitely and always room for improvement but I can say that I'm happy with the progress I've made so far.

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Cookie Dough Eggrolls

2012-06-11T11:03:00.001-04:00

It's a big week for me here at Per L'Amore Di Cibo! This coming Saturday is one year since I started this blog and honestly I can't believe a year has come and gone already. Like every new year I'm setting some new goals for myself here and hopefully I will stick to them (unlike so many New Years resolutions!). So to start this week off right I present to you Cookie Dough Eggroll Bites.

These little treats should probably come with a warning...because number one - they are really, really good and number two - they are really easy to make! That sort of combination is just dangerous in my book, then pairing it with a little vanilla ice cream and really you got yourself a perfect little dessert....or a big dessert if you decide to make more than one.

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Chocolate Chip Cherry Cocoa Pancakes

2012-06-07T09:28:00.000-04:00

I really, really love breakfast and not only at breakfast time. Breakfast for dinner is a huge favorite of mine, if only the hubby shared the same appreciation for it as I do.

These pancakes I made for myself as a single serving one morning as I tried to get some work done at work while the hubby was off at work. Since it was only me I decided to use the "cheat" version and use boxed mix. I know, I know here I am running a food blog and I cheated on something so simple but hey I still doctored it up a bit!

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Banana Peanut Butter Cups

2012-06-01T09:23:00.000-04:00

I used to like Steph at Steph's Bite by Bite. I actually thought we could be friends if we were ever on the same side of the country but now I'm not so sure. You see, it's because of Steph that I made her delicious looking Banana Peanut Butter Cups and consequently can't stop eating them. In all fairness her post about them clearly states her own addiction to these tasty little bites but nevertheless I found myself needing to make them as well.

Brilliant thinking on my part huh?

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Foodie Pen Pals - May 2012 Edition

2012-05-31T09:03:00.000-04:00

It's that time again!

The spring has sprung full speed ahead and just around the mid month mark this month a large brown box appeared at my front door bearing gifts from Kai of The Ocean on Her Shoulders and what a foodie package it was! Kai took my love for chocolate seriously and gave me an awesome variety of chocolate bars.

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Copycat Taco Bell Tacos

2012-05-30T10:46:00.001-04:00

Admittedly I'm not the biggest Taco Bell fan or a fan of fast food in general, however this does not mean that I don't indulge every once in a while. One night the hubby and I were discussing the merits of Taco Bell and how they get that very specific taste to their taco meat when he jumped up and returned a few moments later with one of Todd Wilbur's Top Secret Recipe books. Sure enough there was a recipe for a soft beef taco in the cookbook and the next night we found ourselves preparing this dish for ourselves and our cousins who were coming over to play some Italian cards...briscola anyone?

We prepared the meat in a slow cooker which I think really helps the flavors come together and create the signature flavor Taco Bell beef has.

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Guanacaste - Costa Rica!!!

2012-05-22T12:29:00.003-04:00

Is it really possible that I've been MIA since the 3rd of May?! I'm feeling kinda guilty now, realizing how badly I slacked this month. But seriously time has not been my friend lately.

Down in Costa Rica we spent a whole lot of time just relaxing on the beach, reading, swimming, taking long walks and of course eating and drinking.

Our days were spent walking along this beautiful beach

and ended with some breathtaking views at night from our room balcony

We also spent some time at an adventure course where we got to do this:

and a little of this:

and this:

After which we were told by our tour guide that we were the only crazy ones in the past 6 months or so to opt to do the extreme course! BRING IT ON!

Our tour guide for the day was Ariel...who was just amazing and super friendly. We even convinced him to do the tarzan swing after Joe and I each had our turn! We loved it, although I'm not so sure if Ariel was as excited about it as we were! If you ever decide to visit Costa Rica you can check out his Costa Rica Best Trips here. Ariel was totally awesome and made the day a truly memorable experience.

This trip was also memorable because I got back on a horse for the first time in probably 15 years. I am not a fan of horses, I know how to ride them and all since I took lessons on a kid but there's something about sitting on a thousand pound animal that just doesn't thrill me, in fact we had a horseback riding tour booked once before but I got so worked up over it and felt so anxious I bailed and canceled the darn thing - and that was 3 years ago! This time I was determined to get over that fear, climbed up on my horse, named him Fred and told him as long as he didn't trot we'd be just fine. He listened very well and it was a good experience for me being back on a horse for the first time, unfortunately for my husband he didn't fair the same. His horse didn't listen to commands and really just marched to the beat of his own band. As hard as Joe tried, his horse just refused to comply or listen....I think it's because Joe didn't name his horse or give him a pep talk beforehand, but who knows maybe his horse was just that stubborn.

The next day we did a safari type tour where we got to see lots of birds, insects and other creatures including this sneaky guy swimming up behind me.....can you spot Poncho?

Apparently the crocodiles in Costa Rica enjoy a snack of raw chicken...call me crazy but sticking your hand in the water when you know there's a crocodile waiting for a snack is, well....just a tad bit nuts if you ask me. But lo and behold our captain Cappy had no fear!

My hubby even got the best shot of the day in what every dubbed the "Nat Geo" shot!

Check out the teeth on this guy!!

This was all fun and everything, but what really made our trip complete was meeting this guy....

along with his buddies....

Meeting these guys probably gave me my favorite picture of my hubby EVER

I mean, really does it get any better than this?!?

One thing we learned about monkeys that day was DO NOT mess with them and their bananas...they will yell at you!

I know this guy is trying to be vicious and all but even yelling at Martin our guide, I just think he's so stinkin' cute!

Our exciting trip concluded with a visit to Covachita, a small little restaurant built on the back of someone's house where a little old lady cooked up an amazing, authentic Costa Rican lunch paired with tamarindo juice.

It was just divine.

While we were on our way back to the resort our guide took us to "Jurassic Park" as he called it where we found this guy catching some rays.

Can you tell by the look on my husband's face that he clearly has no interest in getting any closer to this guy? Our conversation went a little like this?

Me: Babe go take a picture with that lizard!

Hubby: Just take the picture of it from here.

Me: NO, you need to go stand next to it.

Hubby: I'm not getting anywhere near that thing! It'll probably try to eat me!

Me: I need you to stand there so we can have a comparison of how big it is compared to you. Otherwise no one will understand the true size of this thing.

Hubby: So YOU go stand next to it!

Me: Don't be silly, I need to take the picture.

Hubby: Hurry up Kristin! This thing is hissing at me. It wants to EAT me!

Me: Crouch down next to it.

Hubby: What are you nuts?!?

And that was that. Hubby refused to get any closer, so you'll just have to imagine how big it really was. I highly doubt it would have eaten him too. I'm pretty sure they're vegetarians.

And that pretty much sums up our trip in a nutshell! I promise to be back on track soon as I'm trying to get back into the swing of cooking and preparing posts. In the meantime, try not to be jealous of our amazeball tans!!

Birthday Cake Oreo Cream Cheese Blondies

2012-05-03T12:35:00.001-04:00

I'm posting late today because quite frankly the Rangers are just draining me. Any of you catch that game last night? THREE overtimes! That essentially means they played nearly two consecutive games of hockey last night and as much as my brain told me to just go to sleep, I stayed up watching all of it while playing Tomb Runner to keep the stress of the game at bay.

Between pinning things on Pinterest, the Rangers and that damn game I'm gonna need a vacation to wind down. Which is probably a good thing seeing how the hubby and I are leaving for Costa Rica this weekend!! I'm looking forward to the sun, beach, relaxing and some delicious food and drinks on hand at all times. Hubby on other hand has his priorities in order and has been keeping me apprised of them all.

The other morning as I was laying in bed trying to ignore the fact that I should get up and get moving he yelled at me from the other room...

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