Mini Vaction - Florida

So we are finally home. Mark and I headed off to Florida to see his parents and go to the Bud Shoot Out which is a Nascar Race the weekend before the huge Daytona 500. Boy was it an adventure. So first of all we were suppose to fly from Buffalo to Washington and then Washington to Tampa, well that didn't really end up happening.

On Friday we kept checking to see if we were still a go to fly to Washington. So as of 2pm all flights to Washington were cancelled and we had to find another way down there. One of the options was that we could fly from Toronto, but it was going to cost an extra $300 dollars. Anyways Mark did some calling around and they found us a flight. So we ended up going from Buffalo to Detroit, and then Detroit to Tampa. But we only had 45 minutes to get to the other end of the Detroit airport. Which if you ever go is a really weird Airport. They have this Tunnel that you have to go through and it plays music and there are coloured lights and stuff. Just totally weird. So we ended up making our flight and boy was that planned packed, that we didn't even get to sit together, and then we waited on the airstrip in the plane at the end of the run way for like an hour and they weren't doing anything. That was just weird. So we finally made it to Tampa, and took a cab to the hotel. Oh my god I was a little scared for my life. The Cabbie was a crazy driver. He also missed the hotel entrance that's how fast he was going. Anyways we got in around 1:30, and went to the front desk. Told the lady who we were and she was like oh we gave your room away because we didn't think that you would be coming in. So we ended up with another room, which was fine.

Then on Saturday we took off we Mark's parents to Daytona. It was a fun trip it takes about 2 hours to get to Dayton from Tampa. So we went to this flea Market that was near the speedway which sells like flea market stuff and also the outside on Race days, has a whole bunch of thing for sale that are Nascar. Well the weather was nice in the day time. Then we headed off for the Race. We had some dinner at the Cracker Barrel. Which I totally love Raspberry Lemonade. It totally rocks. Then we went inside the park and looked around at the stuff for sale and the trailers that we giving free stuff away. Mark ended up getting a t-shirt and we got some other junk. Then we went and found seats for the first race which had already started. It was okay. The one girl driver made her Nascar debut, her name was Danica Patrick. I think that she ended up in the top 10 which was pretty cool. They also had a girl driver from Ontario racing also. That race there were so many crashes, and most of them were really bad. After the race they had a break before the Shoot Out and we got to see The Zack Brown Band, play which was really neat. Then the office Bud Shoot Out Race started. It was pretty neat to go and watch. I couldn't believe how fast those cars go around that track. But oh my god was it cold there. I had on four different layers and I was still really cold. If we ever go again I think I would have to bring something warm to sit on.

The DAYTON 500 - Budshoot Out

Mark and His Dad with Dale Jr. Car

Danica Patrick

Budshoot Out Racers

Budshoot drivers on the track you can kind of see Dale Jr's car #88

Anyways after the race we made are way back to Tampa and in the morning we went to the Tampa Aquarium. Which was really a fun time. We go to see a show with these two little penguins oh my goodness. They were so cute.

The Tampa Bay Aquarium!!!

Here is Rockey the Penguin! - So super cute.

The Dwarf Seahorses

Seahorses that look like seaweed

Jelly Fish - Very dangerous

One scary looking croc

Then after we headed to the airport where Mark's parents dropped us off. We headed to the check in counter for our flight, only to find out that they were not able to fly us to Buffalo that night, and if we wanted to could stay in Tampa until Tuesday and then they could fly us to Toronto. We were like are car is in Buffalo that isn't going to work. So the guy ended up finding us a flight. We had to fly to Pittsburgh and stay over night there and then we would be able to catch a plane to Buffalo Monday morning. So we flew into Pittsburgh and went to the hotel that gave us a discount from the airport and were told that they didn't have any rooms left. Boy were we pissed. They finally found us a room thank god and we got some sleep. Then in the morning we headed to the Airport and got on the smallest plane ever. I couldn't believe how small and scary it was, just a little commuter plane. Anyways we made it home and Mark said that he doesn't want to fly for a little while. I think all the switching planes got to him.

It's Offical

So it's official!!! I have finally started to get my home business up and running. Yes I am finally going to take making tutu's for friends kids to finally a business.

Well it all started about a year ago. I saw this post where this woman was making Tutu's for her daughter and she had a tutorial on how to make them. I could not believe my eyes. They were wonderful and I knew that I had to try them out right away. Anyways one of the guys who I work with was having his daughters birthday, she was turning two. So I could not help but say I have a wonderful idea. I was wondering if I could make some Tutu for her birthday, and of course when I finally gave it to her she was over the moon. Anyways I started getting making them for other friends also. Then my friend Kelly asked if I would be able to make some for her daughters first b-day. Of course I was totally up to it. So here I am making my Tutu's into a home business. So first thing first. Get my name out there. I have already made up my own business cards, which are called Sweet Pea Tutu's. I hope that everyone enjoys the name. Plus I am in the middle of making my own web page. How cool is this. Plus I will be selling them on Etsy.

Now the fun part. I have already thought up what colours I am going to use and the names I am going to call them. Plus I am thinking about doing a craft show. How exciting would that be. There is this great one in August. But I am not sure yet. We will have to see how everything goes.

Valentine Brownie Bag

So at Twig and Thistle they are letting you print your own brownie bags for V day. How cute are they. I am totally going to have to get me some of these. They are just way to cute not to have. I think I might have to make some sugar cookies to put in them. Maybe with some hearts. YUM YUM YUM.

You can download the bag here. Twig and Thistle

Enjoy!

Extreme Home Makeover in BUFFALO!!!

So tonight I was so excited to see on TV that they were finally playing the episode that was filmed in Buffalo. Which is the closest that they were going to get to coming to Canada. Anyways it was a great thing to watch. They didn't just help one family. They helped out the whole neighbourhood. Plus they got the chance to send shoes down to Jamaica, for a cause called Soles or Souls. I just wish that things like this would happen all the time and not just when some big TV show comes into town. Or if some horrible like what happened in Haiti. Anyways I just think that everyone should try and pitch in around there community all the time and not just when something big happens.

New Years Desserts - #2

So for my next New Years dessert I ended up making Chocolate Chip Bars. They were so YUM! I think I could have not used as many chocolate chips as it might have been a little to many of them in it.

Anyways I found this recipe on Bean Town Bakers website also which she found at My Baking Adventures.

Anyways here is the recipe

Chocolate Chip Bars

8oz regular salted butter (2 sticks)

1 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup of brown sugar, packed

4 large eggs

1 tbs of pure vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 packages of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream the butter and sugar, beat in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients and blend in. Add chips and nuts. Spread in a greased 15x10 inch baking pan. Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

New Years Desserts

NEW YEARS EVE DESSERTS!!!

Yes it's true I totally have dropped off the face of the EARTH!!! I can not believe that I haven't been blogging in a little over a month. But I have good reason. I have been pretty busy with other things. Anyways lets talk about New Years. Well this year Mark and I were invited to two party's, which we attended both, and had a great time. So I needed something quick and easy to make. What to do, what to do. Well I went to my blog reader and looked for some kind of dessert to bring, but I had to be careful because Mark can't have chocolate. I know it's a sin, that most of my wonderful desserts comes with CHOCOLATE!!!

Anyways I wanted to make something that I could take both places that would be great and that I would not have to go out on New Years Eve looking for ingredients. Anyways I came across these at Beantown Bakers site.

They were so simple to make. I couldn't believe it.

Blondie's

6-7 TBS butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

"add in"

For Blondie # 1 I used 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips, and 1/4 cup of skor bits.

For Blondie # 2 I used 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of M&M candies

Preheat oven to 350

Line an 8x8 pan with foil and lightly spray with PAM

In a large microwave bowl melt the butter. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Mix the brown sugar with the melted butter and beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla. Add salt, stir in flour and baking powder. Mix in any additions.

Pour into prepared pan and use a greased spatula to evenly spread mixture in pan and level the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set in the middle. Cool on rack before cutting.

ENJOY!!

Christmas

So for Christmas we spend the 25th at my parents house and had a wonderful dinner. We had a lot of fun. We all couldn't believe that this would be the last time that we are going to celebrate Christmas in this house. We have lived here for 24 years and now it's getting sold, and my parents are building a house on the lake, which is beautiful and I can't wait for it to be done which should be the end of February. I can't believe that it is coming up so fast.

Anyways here is a could of photo's from Christmas dinner.