These are too easy to NOT make....make them!! Then do it again, and again.....

Saltine Almond Roca



1 column saltines
2 sticks butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
12 oz. chocolate chips (melted)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Layer saltines on foil line cookie sheet (grease lightly). Boil butter and sugar for 3 minutes-it will get thick as all get out and darker. Pour butter and sugar mixture over saltines. Spread evenly over the tops of the crackers.
Bake for 6-7 minutes (watch carefully, it burns easy). Remove from oven and spread melted chocolate chips. Sprinkle with chopped almonds (or whatever nuts you like...I've been digging the pecans).
Cool in fridge or freezer. Break into pieces.
Eat the crud out of em.
Repeat as necessary.

DEB NOTE: The times I've made them we put the nuts on for the baking process and then just melted chocolate and drizzled it all over.....maybe one of these times I will make it as the recipe suggests..... Just know there are options! 
Also, one of these days maybe I'll do the fat free or wheat crackers just to slightly counterbalance the kankload of bad for you stuff to follow...one of these days.
 I also already bought matzo crackers to do this lil treat for Hanukkah...Mazeltov!


 
(PS...Mel I heart you and hate you for sharing this amazing delightfulness with me!)

Yup.....I'm in Love.....Nope.... that's not a typo...

So. . . I'm supposed to be packing for a 10 day trip that Little and I are leaving for in 3 hours....so what better time to blog about getting engaged....

As I sit here typing I have a gorgeous ring on my finger that represents the CrAZy LOVE, tenderness and eternal promise I have for/with/about this man....Ahhhhhhh..... I feel so lucky!

I'm getting ahead of myself perhaps....

Okay....back the truck up...... * Beep * Beep * Beep*
So a few months back I get a call from my oldest bro, Jon....and he says "You need to go out with my friend, Jonathan".
So, like the good little sister I am, I oblige.... and make the first move to contact his buddy of a decade plus...who
Random fact:1 I went to Jr High with (but he was too cool to notice the frizzy haired stick figure who would later become the bombshell* better known as McCall's Mama I am today.
(*results not verified)
Random fact:2 I'd been facebook "friends" with for the better part of a year with no contact between us (How was I to know my future baby daddy was lurking in the FB shadows?! Single ladies please review yer friendlist STAT!).

Anyhooo..... we started corresponding via FB and worked our way up to texting ( for all who know me know I heart texting (well of course you know me otherwise you wouldn't be wasting yer time with this blog-o-mine...unless you don't know me and are just creepy fetish blog stalking..in which case BUGGER OFF!)...so I got to see that this kid was funny as all get out and pretty laid back like myself.

Somehow I got lucky because he found some free time in his busy dating schedule and flew out to Phx to go out on some dates while he was in town "visiting family".
Side note: I didn't believe that visiting family business for a second.

When he came out we had a fab time and I was pleased that he delivered on being hilarious and easy going and thought it was awesome that he and I are very similar personalities.... we had a lot of open and honest talks and I was able to set the record straight that I was in no position for a serious relationship.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................................

Fast Forward to now: I'm engaged to be married to that cute kid...who just so happens to be one of the sweetest, funniest, tenderoni-est guys I've ever met. . . . . .

Does it feel like you are missing some details?..... Yer not.

Love punched me in the mom belly!!!

It totally caught me by surprise...I didn't see it coming and strangely it was the most natural thing in the world. I don't even know how to describe it...When it's right it's right. ..it doesn't matter how quickly it happens..it's just epic that it happens. Cliche'.... cheesy.... but true true true!
I feel absolutely blessed to have found Jonathan and am soooooooooooo(oooooooooo!!!!!!!) stoked to spend forever with this man.


Without further adieu....

Random acts of Getting Engaged: by Dave Hansen

So Little and my Bro, Dave, walk into the place where Jonathan and I were eating (Digestif....MMMmmmmm...so Delish.... ). Little sits down and he hands her a package to unwrap....

. . . . inside Little's package is an adorable little ring for her and he follows it up with a little box for her mommy. . . . .

( This is me reminding him what he's in for with a classic weird Deb face- thanks Davey boy for capturing the goodness as I delivered it)

I'm thinking "YES! YES! YES!" but what I'm saying is "ARE YOU SERIOUS!?".

So this is the thing: I knew I was going to marry him I just hadn't considered how to get us from here to there outside of clubbing him over the head and taking him to Vegas (still a solid plan)....so yes...I was beside myself.

It was dizzily surreal in a wicked awesome way.

One might surmise that Little is stoked about mommy getting married to the cutest boy ever, but those who were present know that she is totally jazzed about ganking the "baby Coke" (aka "Mommy soda") from our table before she left.

The beginning of my "Happily Ever After...."

Stay tuned ..... details on our wedding to follow as we get that mama jama planned!

Socali-licious

It's been FOREVER since I've been on here...poor world wide web for missing out on the Lil Dames.

Anyhoo.... Just got back from Cali and a BEAUTIFUL wedding at my fave-o-rite temple...San Diego.... where my Lil broseph, Joshy got married to his cute lil lady, Dana for time and all eternity.

She made all of her nieces these adorable Tu-tus so they were flitting about like little wedding fairies....


Grandma and her adorable grandbaby girls!

Gorgeous wedding, great grub, perfect day, temp (Ahhh...socal...you never disappoint), fun with fam and a little rambunctiousness (we're the Hansen Clan....what can you expect?).

We also managed to hit the beach even though it was a tad windy. Me and the bro's hit Oceanside pier...I think it was the first time we've all been together there b/c typically just a few of us make it each time. I love those guys....they are pretty funny for a bunch of boys.

Jared (front left), Dan (back left), Jacob (Josh's friend from NOLA), Dave, Josh and Jon.

Shins at the Oceanside pier (my fave place to go).

Me, Silly bros and my new sis in law, Dana.

Moi, Danimal and Hoshy.

December-ish . . .

Where the monkey did this month go?

Here is some photo proof that it did, in fact, happen....

Little trimming the tree...I think those of us who love a real tree are a dying breed. Way to go J and Yvonne for being the only other people on earth that I know who got a real tree too.

Little dressed up for a Christmas party. She has her fake smile on and she's ready to mingle.


Did I mention I went to Sac Town to see Yvonne and Jared? Oh yes....we found cupcakes in San Francisco.

The birthplace of Goodness...
Bri Belles and Auntie Deb on Pier 47.

There is a lot I can teach this girl.

Not too shabby

Little got a lift from her Daddy on putting the star on there. Mommy is way too short. Ps...I should get an award for buying and lugging that 7 footer into my house!

Little hanging loose with Uncle Tan in Hawaii. Doesn't she look like Mowgli?!

* Here's to 2009 kicking butt and taking names! *

Thou shalt have the raddest friends ever. . .

Our adventures in San Antone and Austin. . . .

The inaugural San Antonio Rock N Roll Marathon

Nov 2008...photos/tidbits from hanging out with my favorite ladies in the universe. . .

Carb loading the day before the race. Somehow this delectable meal didn't make another appearance on race day....I don't ask questions I am just grateful.

How DOES she DO THAT?! In jeans, no less. She is called Wonder Sue for a reason.

Sushi Goodness...make that greatness.

From left to right: Judy, Judy and Judy.

Done and DONE! Commence partying!

This is not another Judy picture. . . we are showcasing our running shirts...From left to right: Diamond Deb, Lightening Leen, Glitter Gonzalez and Wonder Sue.

Happily going about our Spa business.

***********************

So . . . have been playing catchup with my bloggies b/c of a whirlwind of travel and well. . . just life . . .and so have been meaning to post some pics of my trip to San Antonio/Austin where my bestest gal pals and I surprised our girlfriend, Kathleen (aka, the eldest of the group, one foot in the grave...) for her 30th B-day. . . somehow this backfired b/c that meant that we had to run the 1/2 marathon she was there to run...D'oh! All who know me know that I think training is overrated...but we had an absolute blast.

Some highlights:

* Going hoarse screaming "More cowbell please!!" for 13.1 miles.

* Kathleen doing perfect leaping split jumps through out said mileage....

* Britney Spears belly roll a la concrete-mid run, doing the robot, thanking hot firemen for being hot firemen, high fiving every cheerleader ever born b/c one must, Elvis sightings everywhere, shots of double caffeinated goo every 30 minutes (and one 24 hours later for good measure).

* Sharing my sweet ipod running mix with anyone in a 25 foot radius whether they liked my karaoke version or not. I like to think I do RAGE justice

* Random acts of Sue and Debbie Miller throughout the course.

* Running like you are 30 (I was running more like a 29 year old, but Leen NAILED it! Sweet!)

* Re carbo-loading... a lot. Don't want to waste away to nothing here.

* SPA DAY!!!!

* Having the parents take "Judy" pictures. What, what!?!

* Personalized t-shirts, M & M with Leens cheshire grin, mapped out cupcake and cookie bar outings...well basically everything that Sue touches is golden and badical.

. . . Couldn't resist . . . this might be the wackiest Deb face to date!


Did I mention that we just did a 1/2 marathon?



My pre-breakfast the day after the race. MMMmmmm GOOD!

Matching bracelets are the New BFF necklaces.


I am a firm believer of the"When you can't choose between two cookies, do three", rule. Wait, I made that up?! It should definitely be a rule... and since I don't have to give up thirds until Lent I am all set.

Foot re-circulation. Don't know what it means, but I'm a subscriber.

Our new friend, Juan . . . in a million . . .Home of the raddest breakfast burrito value in all of Tejas!

We get chauffeured to breakfast...just another random thing that can happen when we are together. . .now those construction workers we harassed en route...they should have seen it coming.

Post race snack. . . strictly used for replenishing those carbs I lost along the route.

Little-isms

Today Little and I were out and about running errands and we happened to pass the mall...so Little notices this (some sort of internal homing device?) and immediatly starts negotiating to go to the mall as one of our stops.

Little: How about we go to your store and then I go to my store? We go to 2 stores!
Moi: We only need to go to the grocery store, remember we need milk?
Little:How about we go to the mall and then we go to your store?
Moi: Sorry, you don't have any money . . . we can't go.
Little: I need some money.
Moi: You can earn money by doing chores and you save it up so when you want to go you have money.
Little (scheming): How about you give me some money?!
Moi: You have to earn it.
Little: How bout I pretend a' go to sleep and then you wake me up and say "SURPRISE!!! and give me some money!" (she then proceeds to pretend to be asleep and is waiting for me to wake her up with her well thought out plan).
Moi: . . . No.

I know I am supposed to be watching traffic and all the mama-jamma behind me. . . but the mirror in front makes a better Little finder than anything. Pure comedy people.

This evening we were driving out of our neighborhood and the moon was directly above our car. I looked up and told Little to also look up so she could see it. She said "There's the broken moon . . . Jesus needs to fix it! He forgot to do it".

I heart my 3 year old! What a character!

Mo' betta

I made the muffins from the other post and they were delish...but I can't help but reminisce about my first blueberry muffin love. These changed my life and opened my eyes to the delightfulness of blueberry muffins!


The BEST Blueberry Muffins
Wendy Barlow

Sift the following ingredients together in a large mixing bowl:
2¾ cup flour
¾ cup white sugar
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt

Add the following:
2 large eggs slightly beaten
1 ½ STICKS of butter melted
¾ cup buttermilk
1 TBS. pure vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp. pure lemon extract
1 cup frozen unsweetened blueberries
*Line 24 muffin cups with the cupcake liners and fill half way.

TOPPING:
¾ cup quick oatmeal
¼ cup white sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
½ stick melted butter
Lightly press into the batter

Bake in a preheated 375’ oven for 15-25 min
Let cool in pan for 10 min
Makes 24 muffins

Mmmmm . . . Fall foods. . .

I am not a big pancake person but this time of year brings the celebrated pumpkin pankcakes to IHOP....they are ridonkulously good...so found this delish looking recipe online...can't wait to try it!

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Adapted from Martha Stewart and Baking & Books

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon pumpin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
2 tablespoon melted butter
1 egg
Extra butter for cooking and serving the pancakesmaple syrup / confectioner's syrup

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Add wheat germ, nutmeg; and a pinch of ground cloves. In a separate bowl, stir together the milk, canned pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and the egg.
Fold mixture into dry ingredients.
Melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat; pour in 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.
Cook pancakes about 3 minutes per side; serve with butter and syrup, or with confectioners sugar.

***********************************************************************************
Also...this sounded sick delicious....

Easy as Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

1 15-Ounce Can Pumpkin Puree
1 14-Ounce Can Coconut Milk
1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, Packed
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
2 Tablespoons Bourbon
2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
Pinch Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Okay, now this is a real tough recipe, so are you ready? … Take all of the ingredients, and mix them together in a big bowl until smooth and homogeneous. Chill if not already cold, and process in your ice cream machine as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer into an air-tight container and freeze until solid before serving. Whew! After all that work, this ice cream sure hits the spot!

PS: Not too keen on making a traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving this year? Just make a batch of this ice cream, smooth it into a pre-baked graham cracker crust, and freeze until firm enough to slice. Perfect to make ahead of time, too!

**********************************************************************************

The next is not just a fall food..but looks delicious and I am on a roll..hungry eyes....

Blueberry Muffins with Streusel Topping Recipe
SND Note: Coat the blueberries with a dusting of flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom. Also remember to evenly distribute the blueberries across the muffin cups.
Streusel Topping Ingredients
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, slightly softened and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Muffin Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
8 ounces sour cream
1/4 cup milk
3 cups (1 1/2 pints) fresh blueberries, stems removed
Directions
For the topping, in a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Add the butter pieces and combine the mixture with a fork until the topping resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place paper liners in muffin pans. In a separate medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
With an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. At low speed, beat one egg in at a time, then add vanilla, sour cream, and milk until combined. Add 1/3 of dry ingredients at a time and beat until just combined. With a spatula, evenly fold blueberries into batter.
Scoop batter into muffin pans and fill each cup to the top. Sprinkle topping evenly over batter. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a cake tester or wooden skewer comes out clean.
Makes 24 muffins

Yummy Sugar Cookie Goodness

These cookies are delish...crispy and buttery on the edges and soft in the middle. They can't be rolled...so not good if you are wanting to do cutouts.

4 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 c butter, softened
1 c powdered sugar
1 c sugar
1 c vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c sugar for dipping

Sift the flour, b. soda, salt and cream of tartar into a bowl and mix well. Beat the butter, c. sugar and 1 c sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy. Add the oil and beat until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix well. Chill, covered until firm.

* The dough will be wet and light...this is how it is supposed to be.

Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the remaining 1 cup of sugar. Arrange on a cookie sheet and flatten slightly. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes or until light brown (I undercooked so they were less crispy). Cool for 2 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 7 dozen cookies
Frost (frosting recipe to come!) and serve!

Little's Dope-a-licious Lullaby

Just a flashback for those of you who tracked my journey to rap this for my newborn Little.

Oh. . . the shame of the preggerific fat and fabulous Deb bouncing all over the place. . . rapping like only a white woman can. . . from the conference room to the primary presidency meetings. . . it brought so much joy into our lives while it lasted.

Shout outs....

There are quite a few people in my life who deserve a shout out. . . So this is my own version of Little's Skootle shout out prayer (see so grateful posting a few weeks back). . . .

1: These gals:

Sue, Wobin and Leen (From left to right)....I don't know how in the little city of Slidell, LA I would end up with some of the raddest, funniest, most talented, witty, (flexible), craziest, danciest, most loving, got-yer-back type of BFFs in the universe. And if that isn't enough...these chicks can do a 3 day email conversation about cupcakes. In heaven did you guys get tailor-made to be my friends?! You gals were meant for me.

2: Bashas Supermarket

They offer babysitting in the store.

Seriously.

I am now a loyal customer for life.

Now one of my favorite things to do....ie, roam the supermarket aisles to dream about culinary delights; will not be Mcallus Interuptus by requests for Skootles, Cheetos, and whatever other items are within her reach. No more tantrums! I get to stop and free-read about Brangelina cover to cover without being pulled away by a screaming toddler. Oh the simple pleasures in life.

PLUS...they have plasma screens around the store just in case you are one of those worrying types that needs to peek in (I am not, but I love to spy).

3:The students at Paul Mitchell in SLC, UT...namely Rhiannon and Celeste.

They saved me from the head shearing of the century and were able (after 45 minutes of coaxing, caressing and a load of serums and detanglers) to get the round brush [Little was nice enough to implant in my scalp]...OUT. Angels, I tell you. Oh yes...and they didn't charge me.

http://www.paulmitchelltheschool.com/pmsp/index.cfm

4: KBAQ, 89.5

Thanks for keeping it harmonious in my car.

McCall calls it Princess music.

I call it sanity in the making.

5:Brothers

Somehow I got the ultimate hookup and got 5 of these bad boys. They rock. My family is the best and for some strange reason I got just about the best sampling of cool dudes ever (plus the married ones also hooked us up with some fab sis-in-laws). Less emotional than chicks, but just as loving and they pack a meaner punch :)

* In case you are wondering...this is Josh, taking his card losing punishment like a man...and shocking himself into oblivion with the bug zapper. Random and lovely . . .

There are many many other things and people I am grateful for (I could blog a few postings on Wendy and how heaven sent she is for being one of my greatest friends and the worlds greatest listeners...)but I have to get on to my next set of things for the day....just wanted to share some appreciation for some things that are on my mind this morning!

Awesome

If you ever need a really great laugh please check these out...I LOVE quotes...even better are quotes making fun of quotes... It doesn't get any better than this (Unless, of course, there was a way for quotes to make fun of quotes, making fun of quotes....man, my head may explode).

http://despair.com/viewall.html

Fun with Little

Little BoJangles

Lovin' riding in Daddy's rental convertible...makes her hair blow...

Doing "baby scared" with mom

High flying Jangs. . .

Smilin' Dames (well...more like a smirk from Little)

Posing with the very scary Tiki mask (thank you Backyardigans!)

Lovin on Daddy