Birthday Time!!! (Marshmallow Fondant Recipe)

My little bug turns 5 on Monday. I can't believe it. It seems like she's not supposed to be this big.

We had her party today and it was a total success! Well, unless you factor in the fact that my plan of having everything done the night before did NOT happen... AT ALL! I got all the cakes done literally 10 minutes before people started showing up!

She decided that for this party she wanted tacos and little mini cakes that said "eat me", like in Alice In Wonderland (her favorite movie).

So I started searching around for recipes. I knew I would need a lot of fondant and cakes that could withstand the weight of the fondant. Oh, and a good buttercream frosting recipe! For my fiance's daughters bday last year I used regular, nasty fondant... (But the cake turned out very pretty)

This time I wanted something that was going to taste better. So I decided to try Marshmallow Fondant! I have read many, many blog posts and articles about making MM fondant. In some people said it was soooo easy, but in others people said it was a big sticky mess. I was hoping for a smooth time... and I got it!

To start off I melted 16oz white mini marshmallows (use a good brand if you want a smooth result) with a couple of tablespoons of water by microwaving it in 30 second intervals until smooth. Then I dumped 3/4 of powdered sugar on top.
Next, I covered my working surface with crisco shortening (you will want to use crisco just because it will make it taste better in the end), and then coated my hands (backs, fronts, side, and in between fingers) with it as well. Trust me... do not skip this step because it feels gross... It well definitely be a big sticky mess if you don't.
Turn the MM/sugar out on the working surface and knead it for all your worth... It will seem like it's never going to turn into anything in the beginning, but it will start to come together pretty fast...

 

and just when you think it's never going to become solid.... 

 

Viola... you start having fondant consistency! 

 

Keep kneading it until it is smooth and... 

 

stretchy. You want it to where you can pull it... 

 

^^^ like this... without it breaking. 

 

so when it get to that point, form a ball with it and then wrap it in multiple layers of saran wrap... (I done 3)

 

Every thing I read said that at this point you should let it sit for a few hours, or if you're making it at night, then let it sit out for over night.

I let mine sit out about two hours and then I put it in the fridge. 

This is not something that you have to do. If you need to use it immediately then just make sure that there aren't any little bits of powdered sugar in it. You might need to add a few drops of water in order to get them all worked out.

In order to get it ready for the fridge you should unwrap it and cover it in a thick layer of crisco shortening. Then wrap it back up and place it in a ziploc bag, being sure to get as much air as possible out. 

MM fondant will store in the fridge for weeks! So take advantage of that fact and make it up a few days ahead. 

When I got up this morning and got it out to use I was immediately horrified because it was solid as a rock. All I could think was, "how the hell am I going to finish these cakes in time!" 

I took a deep breath and relaxed a little and then remember all the stuff I read about this being normal. I took it out of the bag (but left it wrapped) and tossed it in the microwave. I heated it in 10 second intervals for about 30 second total. Turning it over at each 10 second interval. When it was done it was nice and soft again. 

This stuff was amazing... I kneaded it  a few more times and it rolled out PERFECT! It cut smoothly, and not a single piece ripped... at all! 

The best part... 

it tasted amazing!!

I hope you all try this recipe! The cake was pretty awesome as well! The recipes for that and the buttercream frostings coming up next!!! 

Marshmallow Fondant

16 ounces white mini-marshmallows (use a good quality brand)

2 to 5 tablespoons water
2 pounds icing sugar
1/2 cup Crisco shortening (Use as much as you need)

Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler. To microwave, place the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 1/2 minutes total.
Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix.

Now grease your hands completely (palms, backs, and in between fingers), then grease the counter you will be using and dump the bowl of marshmallow/sugar mixture in the middle.

Start kneading it and keep going until you get a firm, smooth, elastic fondant. You can add more powdered sugar to help it come together. If it seems dry, add some water, a drop at a time, and knead it in. It took me about 5-7 minutes to get it worked out.

Meal Plan Monday

It's Monday... again! Last week was crazy, and this week isn't looking any better! My kiddo turned 4 yesterday (Check out the birthday post I done for her!) 

This week I have to try and find a new pediatrician. I am not looking forward to this. I opted to only give her select vaccinations throughout her life, and around here that is unheard of. We have went through soooo many different pediatricians in her life. Every time we get one we really like, he has a problem with her not being fully vaxed. I am at my wits end about it, and now that she is starting school next fall, I HAVE to find one that is on the same page as me. I need the Dr.'s note for her to start school not fully vaxed. 

Anyways... back to the menu plan. 

Monday: Quick and Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday: Tater Tot Casserole
Wednesday: We have a lot to do this night, so we'll probably eat out! I'm thinkin' fish!
Thursday: Homemade Pizza
Friday: Cheeseburger Pasta
Saturday: We're having a swim party at a hotel for the Kali Bug, so we'll be ordering pizza.
Sunday:  Slow Cooked Chicken Enchiladas


So there it is... This week I should be able to stick to it a little better. Although, I did just get some fresh herbs at the farmer's market. I might end up cooking some type of herbed chicken this week!

Don't forget to check out every one else's plans at I'm An Organization Junkie!  

Happy Birthday Bugga

This time 4 years ago, I was laying in a hospital bed, exhausted, after being in labor all night. I was lucky, I had a pretty smooth labor and delivery! 

All day on the 10th, I cooked and cleaned! I couldn't sit still. My mother kept telling me that I was going to go into labor that night. My response.... "GOOD!" I was 2 days past my due date, and ready to meet my girly! That night, after dinner, I noticed that I seemed to be leaking fluids. I waited a while and it continued, so around 10pm I called the Dr. 

Of course, my Dr. wasn't on call that night, but the one who was told me to wait an hour to see if I started having contractions. The slowest hour of my life finally passed and then I called the Dr. back. The conversation went something like this... 

Dr.: "Have the contractions started yet?"
me: "No, but I'm still leaking."
Dr.: "Well, you're probably not in labor."
me: "Don't you think I should go to L&D just to make sure. Last thing I want is a dry birth!"
Dr.: "Oh, well, you may be right then. Head that way. I'll tell them to expect you."

This conversation completely sums up why I'm not a Dr. person! They never seem to know what they're doing! 

So, off we went to the hospital. I got there about 11:30 and they hooked me up to all the monitors, got me in a gown, and put me in bed. We went over what was going on, and then the nurse came in with this tiny strip of paper wrapped around the tip of her finger. She explained to me that she was going to swab it around my you-know-what and if it turned blue, then my water had burst. 

I still laugh when I think about it, because it always reminded me of the strips restaurants use to check the sanitizer water! 

Needless to say, she swabbed and it turned dark green. "Well I don't think I've ever seen it turn that color!" These are not the words you want to hear when you are having your first kid. I was not there to be a first on anything! 

The nurse concluded that I was not in labor, that I was urinating on myself. 

Now... I know that as your pregnancy progresses, that sometimes, some people will have leaks like this! I am not saying anything bad about it, at all! 

I just wasn't one of these people. I hadn't had a problem with that at all during my pregnancy! I informed the nurse of this, with which she tried to placate me! "It's ok to admit that you have some leakage honey!" 

For 1: Don't honey me... you do not know me... at all! 

For 2: If I tell you I haven't had a leakage problem, then I HAVEN'T HAD A LEAKAGE PROBLEM! 

For 3: Never, EVER, argue with an aggravated, tired, pregnant woman!  

So she then called the Dr and filled him in. He told her to slap a pad on me, "just to make sure I actually had a leakage of some sort." Because I would totally make this up! Oh yes, laying in a hospital for hours, being accused of peeing on myself, is just loads of fun! 

Off the little nurse went to get me a pad. I put it on, kept it there for about an hour, and then called her back. She looked at it, and then said, "Oh, well that's not urine at all, is it?" At this point I just wanted to smack her in the forehead and say, "DUH LADY!" but i didn't. I kept my cool and just nodded. 

She called the Dr. back and he ordered an ultrasound to check my amniotic fluid levels. By this point I'm sleepy, hungry, and very, very cranky! So sometime between 1 and 2am, the U/S tech comes in. I get the fabulously, sticky, cold jelly on my belly, and away she goes to take a visual tour of my uterus. She looks at it for approximately 3 seconds, and exclaims, "You're definitely in labor! You're fluid is getting low." 

She calls the nurse back into the room, and shows her what I had know all along, and then explains to me that my girly's head is so low, that she blocking my cervix. Hence the reason my water was slowly leaking. 

YAY! I was actually in labor. The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful. The Dr came in and pushed my girly back up a little, so that she wouldn't have a cone head, and my water could proporly bust. Buddy, when he done that the contractions started! After a while I ended up getting an epidural, and at 7:24am my beautiful baby entered to world! 

Happy Birthday Kali bug! You have been the absolute best thing that could have ever happened to me! 

I LOVE YOU! 

Homemade Philly Cheese Steak Pizza

It's barely past Monday and I've already strayed from my menu plan. I was originally going to make Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita's (I think.) Well, when I got up this morning and checked the weather I found out that it was going to be 66 F here!!!!! 66!!! So, I decided we would grill out. Now for those of you who know me... you know that I have found one of the few men in the world that does not like to grill. Needless to say he wasn't as excited as I was about this endeavor, but he was he climbed on board soon enough. 

As the afternoon progressed I got sidetracked outside and Wezul conveniently got sidetracked on the computer. Next thing we know it's getting dark and we haven't even lit the grill. So we scrapped the whole idea and made pizza. I had some green peppers that were about to go bad and a couple of thin sandwich steaks that I needed to use so I made my own ... 

Philly Cheese Steak Pizza

2 or 3 super thin sandwich steaks

Pizza dough*

1 small onion, sliced thin

1/2 green pepper, sliced thin

Pizza sauce

6 oz shredded mozzarella cheese**

4 slices provolone cheese

*I used Pillsbury refriderated pizza dough, but you could make your own.

**This could be any type or combo of cheeses. I used a handful of mozzarella, a handful of an Italian blend, and sliced provolone. 

Preheat your oven to 350F. Spray an 8-inx11in pan with cooking spray. Then unroll your dough and place position in pan how you like. 

 

I accidentally bought thin crust :( I fixed it up though! 

Next, heat a skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray.  Add steaks and cook for about 2 minutes on one side, flip and cook for another minute or so. (I sprinkle some steak seasoning on them first) 

Yes, that is a pink knife! I love it! 

Remove steaks from skillet, and add a little EVOO. Add onions and green peppers and toss to coat. Saute veggies until softened, about 5-7 minutes. 

 

Meanwhile, slice the steak. 

While your veggies finish cooking, spread the pizza sauce over the uncooked crust. Top with 1/2 of shredded cheese. 

 

When the veggies are tender add them on the pizza, along with the steak. 

 

I have a kiddo who won't eat anything but cheese pizza

Next, top with remaining shredded cheese and then the sliced provolone. 

 
 

Bake in 350F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until crust is firm and golden. 

 

Remove from oven, cut, and serve! YUM! 

  

Product Review: Horizon's Organic Milk

As have said before, I always go down the organic aisles to see what items are on sale. Well, this week I noticed that Horizon's Single Serve Organic Milk was on sale 10 for $10! That's really an amazing deal for this area. Usually these run at almost $2 each.

I have recently been looking for something other than juice boxes to put in my stepdaughter's lunch for school, and considering the only other two things she'll drink are milk and water... my choices were limited! I'm always scared to put milk in her lunch because I'm afraid it won't stay cold enough, or it will leak. I know all too well that if milk leaks in a lunch box, by the end of the day it will smell horrible... Trust me! Considering these need no refrigeration I thought it just might work! So when I seen these on sale I thought it would be the perfect time to try them out on my kids.

I only bought one vanilla, one chocolate, and one strawberry. The vanilla one tasted exactly like a melted vanilla milkshake! I was sooooo yummy! The strawberry one was a little too sweet for my taste. It reminded me of the powdered strawberry Quick. When we finally got around to trying the chocolate one, my kiddo was in love! She informed me that it was "the best chocolate milk ever!" I personally thought it was a little too chocolate-y (yes, for me there is such a thing.)

Over all I think these are all great tasting, quick, and super convenient! I will definitely buy these again!


Check out the Horizon's Website for other products they offer.

Head over to their facebook page to fan them and click HERE to get some coupons for Horizon's products.

Tuesday Blog Hop *Favorite Photos*

 Here are a few of my favorite photos! Hope you enjoy!

 

This pic is of my daughter, Kali. She found a, as she calls them, "wok", and was so excited to show me.

My fiance, Wezul, and my daughter, Kali. This picture completely embodies their relationship! They are so incredibly goofy, especially when there is a camera present!

If the previous picture portrays my fiance and my daughter, then this one is perfect for him and his daughter. He is a naturally goofy person, and usually she just stands there giving him that "what are you doing" look!

This is one of my favorites of my fiance and myself. He was laying on my back and I just randomly snapped a picture!

I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor: A dagger to my heart....

I love this blog. It's about a mother of 4... and when I say 4 that means TWO, yes TWO, sets of twins, all under the age of 5! Talk about having your hands full.
This woman is an amazing writer. Her blog is loaded with good tips and funny kid-isms! Take a look at her latest entry where she discusses the future with daughter!

I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor: A dagger to my heart....