these moments are rare...

Your growing so fast... & like every 8yr old boy, you are most days found playing xbox with the puppies all snuggled around...

Its so rare to find you like this anymore...



And it makes me a little sad knowing that soon these guys will be packed away & where there was a little boy fighting the universe on my couch cushions, will stand a teenager, eating all the cereal & rolling his eyes!

♥ Mom

Sunday Dinner anyone??

Its Sunday afternoon... & I would love to tell you how relaxing & peaceful my weekend has been... but with errands to run, hospital visits to make, kids to entertain & 2 sick puppies... relaxing is NOT the word I would use.

But all that is behind me... I am now snuggled in with the chef & Sunday dinner is right around the corner!

A VooDoo Familia classic, This weekends recipe is all about comfort...
So grab a bowl, & big glass of sweet tea... curl up on the couch & ENJOY!

VooDoo Daddy Mac & Cheese



Ingredients
4 ounces Pancetta
Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
2 cups elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
3 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
2 ounces Muenster, grated
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch nutmeg
1/4 cup Roasted Red Bell Pepper
1/2 cup Panko Crumbs
2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves
pinch crushed red pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and arrange the pancetta in on the baking rack. Bake for 15 to 20
minutes, until the pancetta is crisp. Remove the pan carefully from the oven - there will be hot grease in the
pan! Transfer the pancetta to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble when it is cool enough to handle.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on
the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt the butter in a medium pot and add the
flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for
a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, Muenster, 1
teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni, crumbled pancetta and roasted red bell peppers, stir well. Pour into 2
individual size gratin dishes.

Combine panko, basil, and crushed red pepper. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for 35 to
40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.


Thanks for coming to dinner... we will see you soon!
♥ Tawny

Things I ♥ right now...

Ok... so its been a rollercoaster of a week... & I need a bright sunny pick me up!!
So here are the things that make me smile this week!

Is this not the cutest darn thing ever!
Enjoy Cupcakes



Lemoncello Cupcakes???... YES PLEASE!



Glass Eye Studios



This little guy always brings a smile to my face!! And his momma & pops are really awesome too! I cant not even tell you how proud I am of both Rex & Lanie!I ♥ you guys!



♥ Tawny

wordless wednesday

My tiny dreamland...

Making things like this is what i get to do all day...







Yeah... Im a little in love...

♥ Tawny

Sunday Dinner

Sundays around here mean sleeping in, enjoying brunch, spending the day watching movies, & as all good Italian familys do...
sharing Sunday dinner.

With all the research that has been going on for the new project, the Chef & I have been testing out some awesome new recipes & I cant wait to share!

So, here is the first post in my new blog feature!


In the summer months we spend more time in the pool & on the grill... this is one of our all time favorite summer BBQ recipes... enjoy!


Southern Pulled Pork Sandwhiches
4 to 6 cups chicken stock or water
1 (3 pound) boneless pork butt
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
BBQ Sauce, recipe follows
Ciabatta Bread sliced
Carmalized onions


Directions
Preheat the grill to medium heat (the grill should maintain a constant
temperature of 350 degrees F). Place a drip pan filled half-way with the chicken stock on the briquettes.
Season the pork butt with salt and pepper and place on the grates of the grill over the drip pan. Close the
cover of the grill and let the pork cook for 1 hour. Turn the pork over and continue grilling for 2 to 3
hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. More chicken stock may be needed to
refill the drip pan during grilling. Remove the pork from the grill and let rest for 15 minutes. When it is
cool enough to handle, shred the pork into strands with your fingers. Add the shredded pork to the BBQ Sauce
and serve on the Ciabatta bread with carmalized onions

BBQ Sauce:
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 small Spanish onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno, finely diced
2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 cups cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt


Directions
Heat oil in a medium saucepan on the grates of the grill. Add the onion and
jalapeno and cook until soft. Add the fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes and juices, vinegar, honey, brown sugar
and Worcestershire sauce, and cook until the sugar has completely melted and the sauce is slightly reduced and
thickened. Season with salt, to taste. Add the shredded pork and stir to coat.

Carmalized Onions
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups thinly sliced red onion

Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan on the grates of the grill. Add onions to melted butter. Over medium high heat saute onions till translucent reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook till onions are golden brown.


Happy Summer Eating!
♥Tawny

She will give you cavities... & new things coming!

I cant believe how exhausted I am from work this week!!
Its Art Show time... which means everything everywhere gets covered in glitter & everyone goes crazy, & a bit manic. But Im sure we will all survive! LOL!

And in the midst off all that crazy, sparkling... we brought a new little bit of sugar into our lives!



Meet Miss Maggie!

She is the newest member of the Corrente familia! Our little Chiweenie girl!
we instantly fell in love with her! & Miley even likes her a bit!!
She has added so much happiness & peace to the house... its like we have been waiting for her to complete our big ol family.
Needless to say, we arent getting as much done as we wanted to this weekend... due to all the mandatory snuggling! :)



But I guess I will have to put down the little sugar for a bit, cuz I cant wait to start sharing my new blog features with you!! So keep an eye out for Sunday Dinner recipes... & little sneaks into the super secret, totally amazing Daily Icing EZine!!


♥ Tawny

Things I ♥ right now...

Do you Have a little Buddha in you?? ... you want some?
Ok, so thats a bit tacky... but it was such a sweet set up!!

And when faced with something as rad as this, can you blame me?

AMAZING!-



Is it wrong that I want to pick one of these little Buddhas from its little Buddha tree & take a big ol bite!?

Check the little miracals HERE

Other things that made the "things I ♥" list...

CupCake Toppers...


From KidCakes on Etsy.
These gave me a cavity cuz they are so darn sweet!!
Not only is it a fantastic idea... but holy cow are each & every one adorable!!

And last but not least.... you gotta love the good old days!!



I have a feeling these will be on the menu for Sunday morning breakfast!

♥Tawny

I only have a second...

and i have no clue why i decided it would be a good idea to post this now, other than i need to get this out...

I need a change... I need to find that place where I feel I am whole again & as much as I hate to say it my current employment situation is lacking.
& I feel completely stupid. This should be my dream job, the other women i work with... its thier dream job, so why cant i jump on the band wagon???

Its left me empty... & Im done feeling the daily dread.
I started remodling my studio this weekend... its been almost 2 years since i spent more than 30 minutes in it... its become sad, lonely & forgotten... no to mention a HUGE mess!!!

But it was calling to me... & for once I listened.
& this is what it wants....



I will give it what it wants.

♥tawny