Birthday Blues

Last Sunday was my sweet baby brother's nineth birthday...
Yeah, he's nine already!

Ten rambunctious third graders joined Baby Bear for a jolly jumping good time

followed by pizza and the Lizard Wizard...
Precious just doesn't cover it.

I quickly volunteered to bake the cake... Actually cupcakes because that's what Baby Bear loves.

I have seen pictures of layered rainbow cupcakes, but haven't felt like I could justify making them...

Then Baby Bear's birthday came around and I knew it was fate! 

These ended up being a semi-messy labor of love, but they were vibrant and appreciated. 

He loves yellow... That's why the frosting looks like mustard. 

And the little sprinkles are slices of Sour Punch Straws... They added the perfect contrast of sour! 

How cool does the inside look? 

I almost (alllmoossstttt) didn't want to eat them. 

But oh my didn't regret it once in my tummy! 

And this was all that was left at the end of the day. 

How amazingly artistic does that wrapper look?!? 

And how did I achieve the look? 

Following the process I found here!

1 box white cake mix 

2 eggs

1 cup yogurt or sour cream (I ended up using a half cup of each)

1/2 cup milk 

1/2 cup canola oil 

Preheat oven to temperature on box. 

(You'll bake according to those) 

Beat all ingredients together for two minutes.

(This makes it so airy and wonderful!) 

Once batter is mixed dish it into three, four, or five different bowls 

(this depends on the number of colors).

Add food coloring until it reaches the shade of your liking. 

*Aside: I used Wilson food coloring because it is fantastic and doesn't give the food coloring taste.

Line cupcake pan with liners. 

(go with light colored liners... then you get the tie-dye vibe)

To layer: spoon first color into a well. 

It won't spread like normal, so use your fingers to fill the base of the well. 

Repeat as many times as necessary. 

For the second (and remaining layers) plop a spoonful on top of the previous layer and spread. 

Fill about 2/3 of the way full and you won't get too overfilled. 

Bake for the time listed on the box.

You'll know they're done when you can insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. 

Let cool, ice, and ENJOY! 

IMPORTANT: This won't make two dozen cupcakes like the box says... 

I had to make a second batch of batter at the last second to finish!

Meet My Mama Bird

I have someone I want you to meet. She's so special to my little heart, so near and dear to every day in my life, so sweet, kind, and graceful, but strong with the heart of a lion. Who could be this phenomenal?

My dear Mama Bird. 

Over the last two and a half years my Mama Bird has fought, not only for herself, but for the love of her life, my Popsicle, and for the family that they have so perfectly created. She has fought against the indifference of a dozen doctors, the mystery diagnosis that seemed as though it would never come, and doubters who were sure her intuition was wrong.

Mama Bird isn't just an amazing woman of God with the grace of an angel but she also trumps the strength of a 20-foot bear. She doesn't just make wondrous dinner for all when the house is flooded with guests, but she also manages to teach us kids how to love being in the kitchen just like she does. Most Stay at Home Moms put up their list of "occupations" talking about being a teacher, a nurse, a mediator, an advocate, a financial analyst, an advisor, and the list goes on... Well right now, my mom is literally doing it all.

She is nursing my father back to health in a brutal fight against Lyme's Disease through daily infusions and constant maintenance of his PICC line. She is battling health insurance after their denial of my father's illness. She is advising me on my journey to become a wife. She mediates between a rambunctious, although adorable, eight year old and a slowly healing husband. She is managing the businesses her once thriving entrepreneurial husband started and ran. She is teaching us kids to grow, not only in our maturity, but in our faith in a great and always strong God. 

Mama Bird isn't just taking care of the logistics at home, but she tops it all off being more fun than any other mom could be, especially in the two-year long pickle we are currently experiencing. She not only keeps old traditions alive, but manages to make new ones on a regular basis. Her joy is contagious. I can't count the number of times people have said they don't know how she does it. She does it because God has blessed her with immense strength and power, despite her small frame. 

You can see the amazing words, recipes, and adventures of my Mama Bird just like you see mine by checking her out here. I promise you will be blessed... Probably much more than you will reading through my posts. 

Who blesses you, inspires you, amazes you?

My ABSOLUTELY Amazing Birthday Celebration!

My 22nd birthday was on Tuesday this past week, but I wasn't going to get to be with my family and J at the same time because of work and our marriage class, so we celebrated last weekend! 

Every year my mom makes a wonderful meal in celebration for birthdays and this year was no different than the past! 

Mama Bird with her homemade scalloped potatoes

J with the beet, Cara Cara orange, and goat cheese salad! 

Dad helping mom serve the plates with salad...
Sorry for the ridiculous face he's making. He absolutely refused to smile. 

The table all set... What a pretty pink floral tablecloth you say? Why yes! And artichokes! 

J and Mama Bird serving the scalloped potatoes! 

The barbeque ran out of gas... So Bubba improvised by grilling on the stovetop!

Bub and his dear little lady, Sam.

My "It's Your Day... CELEBRATE!" Birthday girl plate (and the new strawberry Mike's Hard Lemonade -so tasty!)

It wouldn't be a food photo without the aerial shot!

My being drama birthday girl in my excitement over my cake. 

Check out that glorious thing... It was so tasty! Hummingbird cake, so perfect in so many ways!

Yep, it was amazing... All thanks to the fabulous cook, Mama Bird, and my adorable family (plus the never disappointing J!) 

I'm Simply Sweet, but NOT Perfect.

Over the years my life has been far from simple and not so full of sweet... I have suffered from depression, I am an anxious little heart, I cry far too often... But, it's my life. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

In looking at my blog, someone could say that I seem to be too good to be true. I'm too nice, I do too much, the photos are staged, fake, ridiculous. But, they are mine, they are absolutely me. 

This is more like what I look like on a regular basis... No make-up, messy hair, and running clothes!

I'm not always sweet... In fact, I can be so bitter I'd easily out do baking chocolate! Although my house is organized to a tee... I can be a hot mess in my mind! As much as I read my Bible and hear from God... I lose my focus hundreds of times in a day (even on my best days). The pictures on my blog make me look pretty... But they are special occasions, I'm hardly ever put together perfectly like those! 

I don't ever want to misrepresent myself, I promise I'm not perfect, not by any means. In fact, I'm the furthest thing from it. But my God is one of grace and mercy, my J is a man of love and patience, my family is made of teamwork and honesty. Thank goodness for this! 

I love to write. I love to cook. I love to craft. I love it all... And I am blessed to be able to share with all of you, but don't ever think I'm perfect, my flaws are too great to count! 

Yay! I Got a Second Award!

Oh my goodness, you all know how loved I feel by my new blogging friends and I just can't begin to talk about the amazing support that has been poured out for me... And one of my new favorite blog obsessions Jesslyn Amber awarded me with my second ever blog award!

Yep, she awarded me with the 7 Facts Blog Award!

Here's how the rules go: 

1. List 7 facts about yourself. 

2. Give this puppy to four of your favorite bloggers! 

So, my seven facts: 

1. J and I are having a vintage, Southern wedding in my parents' southern California front yard... I can't tell you how excited I am and how perfectly things are coming together! 

2. I can't fall asleep without my own pillow and a blanket pulled over my ears... That means I usually bring my own blanket with me places. J thinks I'm a goof ball because I do this, but I don't care! 

3. I suffer from insomnia. This is very difficult because it comes in waves so I suffer from not sleeping for  days at a time... This leads to a zombie form of Amber. 

4. There are five kids in my family... I want to have at least five. Yep, I'm going to have my own little basketball team! (But J and I have a HUGE heart for adoption so I won't be delivering them all!) 

5. I prayed for a little brother or sister in middle school and my parents told me I had lost it... Three years later, Baby Bear came into our lives and they have not been the same since! 

6. Trash TV makes my bad days great! My DVR is full of trashy reality TV shows... Things like Real Housewives of Orange County and Miami, Jersey Shore, The Real World... Yep, pure trash in my brain, but one of my guiltiest pleasures!

7. Blogging has become my escape... Bad days, good days, in between, I just love to blog about anything me and am so lucky to have readers who think my little life is interesting!  

Now for my four award recipients! 

1. My dear Mama at Moments with Mama Bird

2. Creative Cole at Created by Cole

3. Katy Mary at Tangerine Hearts

4. Blair at Heir to Blair

Check these amazing ladies out... I truly am proud to call them my pals. 

Thank you again Jesslyn Amber, you're too kind and I truly cherish your sweet friendship!

Fan Favorite

So with college graduation taken care of and my walk down the aisle impending I have really come to appreciate my number one fan in life, Mama Bird. She is just a sweet, amazing woman... And guess what? I'm her fan favorite!

It's hard to find someone more supportive, more fun, more silly, more helpful, more encouraging, more honest, and more joyful than my dear Mama Bird. She has been my biggest fan from the moment we met (almost 22 whole years ago!) and still continues to be the first person to cheer me on... even when I'm ready to give up!

I know she's not in this picture... But guess who took it?
And who sat there the whole time I was in my two and a half hour surgery...
And who took care of me for the world's LONGEST week that followed!

I'm sure it hasn't always been easy to be my mom or fun to deal with the hormones, broken bones, and hard to handle behavior... But she manages to keep a smile on her and push me to grow! 

Not only do we do everything together... But we also love to dress the same (just for holiday spiritedness like Fourth of July!) and we have a ton of clothes that are the exact same... Though we try to wear them at different times. :) 

My love for cooking comes from her and the countless meals she made in her beautiful kitchen as I was growing up. Now we have the joy of cooking the same meals one night a week and comparing as well as sharing what's a hit with our boys... or what's not! 

And... finally, much to her delight, I am a girly girl. Being a major tomboy growing up was something I truly loved and enjoyed, but now that I'm all about pink, flowers, and ruffles she just can't contain her excitement (and it turns out neither can I!). 

What a lucky gal I am! I can't wait for her and Popsicle to walk me down the aisle... And to be neighbors for life! Thanks Mama Bird... and I love you. 

Who's your biggest fan? And who is your fan favorite? 

Share, not only with me this week, but with them too! 

Daily Confession: I Fell for J and His Turtles.

The first night that I went over to hang out with J he told me that his dad had over 150 turtles. I laughed and said that was a dumb thing to joke about... Then quickly realized that he wasn't joking.

I had no idea what to say and just sort of giggled thinking that was such an absurd thing for someone to say. But the first opportunity he had, J took me out back at his father's house and asked if I wanted to count them or should he. Well, no one counted but I have grown to love the turtles so quickly!

These big boys are much like the turtles they have at the zoo. But in his dad's backyard. Not your every day house pet. But I can't wait to have one of these running around my yard one day! 

Daily Confession: I was the Coochi-Snorcher.

I have never liked speaking in front of large crowds. But my RA my second year was the director of a play, The Vagina Monologues, and asked me to please audition. I had no intention to try out... Then my best friend dared me to. Not one to refuse a dare I auditioned AND got the part! 

It was such a growing experience and I ended up loving the women involved with the show and having a chance to shine. 

My parents came and watched the show along with the rest of my family and some close family friends. And, of course, my dear J was there. 

*Funny note: J and I had just started dating when this was all going down and I can't tell you how embarrassed I was to tell him that I was going to be acting in The Vagina Monologues, but he was so proud of me and he went to two of the shows to help calm my nerves! 

Family Feature: Bubba's Birthday Dinner

Bubba turns 19 next week. He goes to college in SLO and we won't be able to see him on his actual birthday. So tonight, we celebrate!

Here is the celebration dinner! Please excuse the ridiculous Pennie Pickle that's sticking her head out from under the table. She never gets to come inside, but it's cold so she got to come in and wouldn't get out. 

The Birthday Boy with his birthday dinner and plate. It's your day! 

This salad is just so amazing! It's Cara Cara Oranges with Mozzarella and basil. Just like a Caprese salad but with oranges. The vinaigrette was absolutely delicious with orange juice in it... Yum! 

Popsicle wanted to show just how much he loves his meal. He didn't want to stop eating for a smiley picture. 

Birthday boy and his Babe! 

J and I. 

Baby Bear in all his dinner loving glory! 

Mama Bird made the most amazing dinner... So this is going to be a post with her sweet dinner recipes! It was deemed a delicious dinner!

The Big Chicken MauMau plate. Delicious! The recipes will be at the bottom of the page.

Grandpa Frank's Big Chicken MaMou 

(He was the one that shared the recipe with us for the first time!) 

PLEASE NOTE: This recipe is a little bit time intensive, but I PROMISE it's worth every moment!

Ingredients:

• 6 quarts hot water
• 3 Tablespoons salt 
• 1 box spaghetti (whole wheat is healthier!) 

Sauce Seasoning Mix: 

• 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground red pepper (cayenne works!) 
• 1 teaspoon white pepper (you can use black if you don't have white... I never do!)
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves 
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 cup finely chopped onions
• 5 minced cloves of garlic 
• 3 1/4 cups chicken stock 
• 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 2 (16 ounce) cans of tomato sauce 
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups finely chopped green onions 
• 1 pounds boneless chicken, cut into small cubes 

Chicken Seasoning Mix

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional, although it's just delicious to add!) 
• 1/2 teaspoon basil leaves

Directions: 

1. Place the hot water and salt in a large pot over high heat. 
2. Cover and bring to a boil. 
3. When the water reaches a boil, add spaghetti to the pot. 
4. Return to boil and cook to the al dente stage. (about 7 minutes) 
5. While the spaghetti is boiling combine the seasoning mix ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside. 
6. When complete drain spaghetti into a colander.
7. In a 4-quart saucepan, combine 1/2 stick of butter, the onions, and garlic cloves.
8. Saute over medium heat 5 minutes. 
9. Add the minced garlic and the seasoning mix; continue cooking over medium heat until onions are browned. 
10. Add 2 1/2 cups of the stock, the Worcestershire and Tabasco. 
11. Bring to a simmer and cook about 8 minutes stirring often. 
12. Stir in the tomato sauce and bring mixture to a boil. 
13. Stir in the sugar and 1 cup of green onions. 
14. Gently simmer, stirring occasionally. 
15. Mix the spices for the chicken while the sauce is simmering. 
16. Add the chicken to a skillet and dump the spices over it. 
17. Stir to spread the spices evenly over the chicken while it cooks. 
18. Add the remaining 1 cup green onions to the chicken and saute over high heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes, stirring frequently. 
19. Once the chicken is done cooking, add the sauce from the saucepan. 
20. Let mixture cook for about an hour. 
21. Serve the chicken mix over the spaghetti. 
22. Enjoy! 

Mama Bird's Citrusy Caprese Salad

Ingredients: 

• 3 Cara Cara Oranges
• Fresh Mozzarella cheese (the kind that comes in the little watery stuff)
• 1/4 cup of orange juice 
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil 
• 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar 
• Dash of salt and pepper

Directions: 

1. Whisk quickly. 
2. Drizzle over orange, cheese, basil arrangement.
3. Enjoy! 

And, of course, no birthday celebration would be any good without CAKE!

Angel Food cake is a big deal in our cozy house! 

Happy Birthday Bubba! 

Daily Confessions: I Have LOTS of Sisters

I rush a sorority my sophomore year of high school - something that I never saw myself doing until the moment recruitment started.

As you can see, it has enriched my life so immensely. And the church J and I currently attend was the one I started going to with my sorority sisters!

And, it's how I met my dear J. Who would have known getting a bunch of sisters would also lead to a husband?!? This was just about an hour or so before J grooved his way into my life!