Wrapping It Up

Well, gang, the time is almost here…my little sister is GETTING MARRIED!  The big day is just 11 days away, and we still have much to do.

First, I wanted to wish my parents a Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary (on Sunday)!!!  How cute are they?!  My sister is using this pic at the wedding.

But for now…the wedding of the year!  

We still have to have the last fitting...

A bridal luncheon...

 hold our breath that her favorite flowers come in….

Work on my toast...

And then it's time to PAR-TAY!

We'll start off at the reception and have ourselves some yummy Red Velvet Cupcakes!  Mmmm! 

(Must be something about us Daly girls, as we both had RVC at our rehearsals…I think we are truly southern belles at heart!)

And then it will be time for the two of them to take the big plunge!

My only advice for my sister over the next 11 days...

See you all in August after I have a brother!!!  

Who? Me?

I've seen this "game" on a bunch of blogs and thought I would join in on the fun with you all since I have some new followers.  

Have fun, hope you don't get too bored! 

I am... a daughter, a sister, a mom (to a furry friend!), a nurse practitioner.
I want… to find true love.
I have... more than I could ever ask for.
I wish… I lived closer to my college friends.
I hate… cigarette smoking.
I fear… never having children of my own.
I hear… birds chirping outside the window and Baxter's breathing as he's sleeping on my lap.
I search… for the perfect gifts for friends and family just to see them smile.
I wonder…how some people can be so cruel to others.
I regret…missing some friends' weddings.
I love….dessert!
I never….have tried a single drugs (I've been teased that I could work for the FBI). 
I ache….deep in my heart at times.
I always….need coffee to function in the morning.
I usually…love going to work.
I am not...good at lying.
I dance... like I'm jumping on a trampoline!
I sing…like some of those first auditions on American Idol (terrible!).
I sometimes…get the motivation to work out…sometimes is the key word
I cry….after a really good book.
I am not always…as perky in the morning as some people think I am. 
I lose…my dogs' favorite toy on purpose sometimes (that darn squeeky soccer ball could drive you nuts!)
I am confused… as to what my (future) brother-in-law actually does, but too embarrassed to ask again.
I need… a new car :(  Bye Bye loyal Pathfinder!
I should…respond to phone calls more frequently.

What about you??

Weekend Recap and Tuesday Treats: Caramel Brownies

Did you all have a nice 4th of July weekend?  We sure did!

Friday night I was able to have a girls night and catch up with some of my best friends and see all their new homes.  So funny to see everyone growing up, buying houses, and having babies!!!

Saturday Baxter and I headed North to enjoy a nice day on the boat.   It was a beautiful day and all three dogs played great together.  We docked the boat and were able to swim over to the shore to play ball with the pups while we caught some rays and enjoyed some tasty beverages. 

All the pups were exhausted when we got home and sleep great that night!

Poor Maya's paw was sore afterwards and she has a tough time keeping up with the youngsters!  

 Bailey finally settled down after many games of fetch with the ball off the boat.

Sunday, the pups stayed home and rested in the air conditioning while we headed out on the boat for a day of fun for ourselves.  I even did a little of this...

…and to my surprise got up on the first try!  After soaking up the sun and having fun swimming and skiing, we headed back home for a cookout and fireworks.   After an awesome show of fireworks with great company we made some more yummy drinks…

…and played a round of Cranium…had no idea how one game could provide so many laughs!

Monday we woke up to the dogs ready to play some more!  After a few rounds of catch, we headed in while I did a little baking and then enjoyed a wonderful breakfast!

Look at this omelet…my favorite…Veggie!  And he added some fresh basil cut from the backyard, I was in heaven!

How pretty is my omelet?

And then, here is the "Man Omelet" as I like to call it...

We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast outside on the porch while we waited for the others to wake up.

Meanwhile, I made some tasty treats for later in the evening…

Caramel Brownies

Ingredients

50 bite sized caramels

1/3 cup skim evaporated milk

German chocolate cake mix

3/4 cup melted butter

1/3 cup skim evaporated milk (yes, again)

bag of chocolate chips

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Grease and flour 9 X 13 pan.

3.  Melt caramels in saucepan with 1/3 cup milk on low heat, stirring frequently.

4.  Stir cake mix, melted butter, and 1/3 cup evaporated milk together, by hand.

5.  Divide cake batter in half.  Spread one half of mix into pan.  

6.  Bake for 8 minutes.

7.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips.

8.  Pour caramel mixture on top of chocolate chips.

9.  Sprinkle remaining half of cake mix on top of caramel mix.

10.  Bake for 20 minutes.

11.  Cool for 15 minutes, cut into squares and refrigerate at least 30 minutes prior to serving.  Keep refrigerated (they can get goopy if not).  

After everyone was up and ready, we headed out to the boat again for more fun.  It was a wonderful, relaxing day on the river for the 4th. 

Then, we came back home, showered up, and had some of these...

 which were DELICIOUS!  Seasoning was perfect!

And finished up the night with the above brownies and some festive strawberries!

Now, we are struggling through the first day back at work and ready to come home for a nap!

Hope you all had a wonderful and safe weekend!