May 30, 2012

Cocktails for a Crowd (Dana's Texas Fire Water)


I hosted the Memorial Day cocktail hour  at the lake this weekend.

It was a packed resort and I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what fun drink I could serve that would be yummy and easy to make for a huge (200+ ppl) crowd.

I suddenly remembered a drink I kinda accidentally created years ago wile I was a bartender, catering a huge summer beach party.
It is Summery, It is YUMMY!, It is easy, it makes a TON!
It was dubbed "Dana's Texas Fire Water" by the folks I first served it to.

The Memorial Day Bash was a huge success and everyone LOVED the drinks!
I promised to post the recipe here, so they could all make it for their friends.
You can make it too!
The full recipe and lots of pics can be found on my cooking blog.
Craving Comfort



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May 1, 2012

Summer Fun in Texas!!


As you already know, my family has a lot of kids -- five of our own and always at least one additional kid who is staying with us for one reason or another.
Having at least five kids in our home often makes it hard to go to many "cool" vacation spots.

I mean, more kids = more $$ spent, and I am way too frugal to be able to enjoy myself if I know it's breaking the bank! (I know I need to work on this!)

Anyway, last year three of the six kids living with us graduated high school and flew the coop! This meant that (for now) we only have THREE kids at home!

I know! I KNOW! You are asking yourself "What does she do with all that free time?" Right? Well I'll be sure to let ya know as soon as I find some of that "Free Time!"

We decided to take advantage of our temporary smaller family size and do something cool! We went to Moody Gardens in Galveston.

It has been years since we visited this fun family spot.
I had almost forgotten how much fun it was!
I mean, there is something for everyone!
Look at all there is to enjoy!

I loved the "Bodies Reviled" Exhibition!
Hubby and the 8-year-old Little-Foreman-in-Pink were not as impressed seeing bodies uncovered. But I think it's super-cool! Look!

Yep! those are REAL HUMAN Bodies! Way cool!

The Little-Foreman-in-Pink loved the Rain Forest Pyramid!
It is SO great knowing that you can visit a real rainforest less than an hour away from Houston! The Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid holds over 1,000 species of exotic plants and animals from the rainforests of Africa, Asia and the Americas that populate the multi-level 10-story glass pyramid.

Look at just a few of the many many things that were on display!








The kids all LOVED the animals!
They were all so healthy and lively! I was VERY impressed!

And get this!
Now they have PENGUINS!
YAY!


There is SO much to do and see at Moody Gardens! I am so glad we took the time to go somewhere so wonderful right in our own back yard! You should come explore our backyard too!

Texas ROCKS!

$100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Travel Texas and BlogHer are sponsoring a great giveaway to one lucky reader. Please leave a comment telling me where you'd like to visit in Texas. You can request a free Texas Travel Guide from the TravelTex.com website where you can get lots of great ideas!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
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The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 5/1/2012-6/1/2012.
Be sure to visit the Discover Texas page on BlogHer.com where you can read about other bloggers' adventures and find more chances to win!
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Apr 19, 2012

the Evolution of a Mother through my kids eyes

It goes something like this....

 When your children are-

 0-6yrs old = "My mommy is the prettiest and smartest person in the World!

 7-11yrs old = "My mom knows a LOT... but my friends know a lot too." 

12-15yrs old = "My mom doesn't know nearly as much as my friends do!"

 16-18yrs old = "My mom is so stupid! I really don't understand how she hasn't forgotten to breathe and dropped dead yet!"

 19-21yrs old = "My mom is SOOOO out-dated! I wish she would just shut up and let me live my life! I know what I'm doing.. SHE doesn't have a clue!

 22-29yrs old = "I'm not sure... Let me call mom..."

 30+ yrs old = "I wish I would have listened more to my Mom, She was right!"

 50+ yrs old = "I don't know what to do... I wish I could call my Mother... I miss her wisdom." 

sigh...
I'm stuck in the too stupid to breathe phase for now...
I'm looking forward to the day I get my brains back!


.
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Mar 31, 2012

Letter to my children...


You are right. It is not fair.

As a matter of fact, I never promised you that your life would be fair.
You really should get used to it now..
Life is NOT fair.
The sooner you learn to accept this fact, the better off you'll be.
Now that you know this you can refrain from informing me ten-thousand times a day that It's not fair.
Guess what??!?
I KNOW!!!

Oh and by the way...

I really don't care if you were sitting there first.
Seriously, does it really matter?
Each of the cushions on the couch face the same place, what does it matter which one you sit on?
Is this really something worth fighting over?
I think not.. and I really don't care!

Shut the door.

Yes.. as a matter of fact, he IS allowed to look at you!

Oh and are you on fire?
Is there water flooding the house?
Is a stranger after you?
Are you bleeding profusely?
No?
Then DO NOT SCREAM!

I am very happy he farted, thank you for pointing it out to me.

Now means now.
Not in a minute, Not in a little bit, Not when your ready, Not when you think it's time, Not during a commercial, Not when you feel like it...
...it means NOW!

I know for a fact you see that piece of trash on the floor.
Even though you pretend not to see it and walk around it every time you pass through the room in hopes someone else will bend over and pick it up.
You know you see it, I know you see it.
PICK IT UP!!!

Shut The Door!

It's your turn?
Really?
Would you like a cookie?
Get over it and stop telling me it's your turn... I don't really care!

I am in the bathroom, I did not run away...
I promise I will come out as soon as I am done, do you really have to come looking for me every time I disappear into that little room?
There is no exit from it, have faith, I will be out soon, so Go Away and leave me alone to do what one does in the bathroom....
all will be well with the world once more as soon as I am finished, I promise.

SHUT THE DOOR!

It's called a phone. I am allowed to talk on it for 5 min without being interrupted. Really.. it's OK.

I love you.

Mom


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