The Three Little Carrots...

When I came home from work on Friday, I was watering my plants and found three little carrots sticking up from the soil. I'd noticed that before and was disappoint in how small the carrot was when I picked it, but I figured why not?

These are the three little carrots that I ended up with!

I thought that was it for awhile, but while doing more planting this weekend I got the urge to pick what was left in the carrot planter.  

I was happy with the outcome and shocked at some of them too!

Here's the whole bunch!

And take a look at that big boy!

I know - it's nothing really, but the biggest that I've grown by far!

I just might be planting more carrots soon... 

Homemade Onion Rings and Strings!

Last week a few coworkers and myself were talking about onion rings. Since then, I hadn't been able to stop thinking about them. 

And drooling. 

And I JUST HAD TO HAVE THEM!!!

Onion rings from a resteraunt are good - well, some are good. Others can be really crappy.

I'd never made them myself, but have wanted to.

My go-to for recipes, The Pioneer Woman, provided me with a recipe that looked
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G so I decided I'd give it a try!

I didn't have buttermilk Friday night, otherwise I probably would have made them. I went out first thing Saturday morning to get the needed ingredient with plans to make them for a few friends that evening!

Onion.

Sliced onion.

Buttermilk.

2 Cups Buttermilk.

Flour.

Oil.

Onion meet Buttermilk.

Onion and Buttermilk meet Flour.

Onion, Buttermilk and Flour meet hotttttt Oil!

MMMmmmm!

They were great and they were eaten right up.

Every last one of them!

Man oh man were they good.

And yes, I DO plan on making them again!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is February 14th - or more commonly known as Valentine's Day!

I don't have one specific Valentine this year, but that didn't stop me from making things and spoiling the people I really care about!

To start off - I sent my wonderful nephew, Gavin, a few little gifts and this card! I love you little man. xoxo

And this weekend I made a few edible goodies to share!

A few weeks ago I purchased this cute heart shaped pasta from Whole Foods and decided I'd make a pasta salad with it.

The hearts boiling.

Cooked and cooling.

With all the veggie friends!

Then Robin made heart shaped cookie pops and I assisted. I don't think I was much help though...

Anyway, here's one I made!

And I didn't stop there...

I made cake balls!!! 

Alison helped me finish them on Sunday and I paid her in cake balls. It was a win win situation.

I've made them before, so I knew what I was getting into. But I also knew how delicious they are when you're all done. Heck they're delicious at any step along the way!

From past experience I knew the recipe made quite a few cake balls. I planned on bringing in a lot to give to my co-workers, so I decided I'd make TWO kinds!

Red Velvet and Funfetti!

MMMmmm.

Funfetti cake waiting to be crumbled and mixed with frosting.

 The candy coating.

Funfetti cake and frosting balls waiting for candy coating.

70 Funfetti Cake Balls!

And 150+ of both flavors.

WOW!

All wrapped up to give away.

Alison and I couldn't stop with cookie pops and cake balls. Oh no, we went further! We dipped strawberries and pretzels in the leftover cake ball coating. Yum!

I hope you all had a wonderful day spent with those you love.

XOXOXO

The Forgotten Chives

It wasn't until this weekend when I was taking pictures for my blog, that I realized I'd forgotten to update everyone on the chives! I don't know how I forgot and can't believe I did it either.

Anyway...

Without making you wait ANY longer since I know you're dying to see them!!!

Here are the chives:

Hahaha.

HA!

I know - they haven't changed much, but they are doing very well. So well, that I think I'll enjoy them tomorrow night on my baked potato! :) 

But to be honest, they are doing the best I've seen them do. They're getting thicker and heartier. Just the way they're supposed to be.

Kahn tried to eat them the other day because he thought it was tasty kitty grass. He soon learned his lesson.

And it's not the chives - or anything like the chives really... 

But my Paper Whites are AMAZING.

They smell SO good and have inspired me to buy more flowers for my garden this Spring. 

Happy 2nd Birthday, Gavin!

Today is my adorable nephew, Gavin's 2nd Birthday!

I can't believe that it's already been two years.  He is getting so big. No longer a baby - but a little man!

They had a party for him today in Tucson. I couldn't make it home, but that doesn't mean I wasn't wishing I couldn't be there to see everyone - especially the wonderful birthday boy!

Since I couldn't go - I sent my gift to Becky earlier in the week. 

Over the holidays I saw ads for the recordable storybooks from Hallmark.  I thought it was a great idea and knew it would make a great gift.  Since I'd read to Gavin more than once over my time in Tucson for Christmas, I knew that he'd be getting one from me for his birthday! 

After looking at many, I decided on...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!

I've always loved that story and thought he would to.

I read each page - sometimes more than once due to mistakes, and was pleased with the outcome.

I really hope that he likes it and listens to it often.

In addition to the book, I made him a train themed card with animals too!

Making cards for him is so much fun.

I hope you had the Happiest Birthday, Gavin! May your second year of life be simply wonderful. 

Aunt Robyn loves you veeeeeery much and can't wait to see you soon.

xoxoxo!

Mike & Alison Tie The Knot!

Alison is one of my best friends. 

We met a few years ago at work and become close almost instantly. I met her - at the time - boyfriend, Mike soon after.  

They became engaged and I couldn't wait to help Alison with the wedding.

At first they were thinking of getting married in Southern California. Then there was talks of it being in Mexico.

But then... then I found out we were going to Jamaica!!!

I always have a great time when we're together and consider them like my family. Of course I was excited that I was going to be going to such an amazing place to see two of my closest friends get married!

My wonderful Sister- In-Law, Becky agreed to go as my "date". Took lots of convincing too, right? ;) Also, I must say thank you to my amazing brother for letting me steal her for a bit!

Since I like to make every post have something - even the tiniest bit to do with one of my hobbies, I must share with you the card that I made for Mike and Alison.

The next morning at brunch Mike asked me if I'd made it and when I replied, "Yes", said I should go into business.  

If only I could get paid for my hobbies...

Now a few of the memories from the amazing wedding and unforgettable trip to Jamaica.

Super Bowl Deliciousness!!!

I went to my friends Alison and Mike's for the Super Bowl this year. I've done it in years past and had a blast so I couldn't miss this year!  

Since Super Bowl is about food, of course I had to make something! 

Alison has been wanting to try my corn chowder ever since the first time I told her about it. I've made it multiple times, but it's never worked out that she's come over when I still had any left - it's THAT good!

When Alison was at my house earlier this week she'd left a note on my fridge saying "Spicy Corn Chowder :)", so I took that as a hint and decided to make that for the party at her house.

Since I knew I'd be sharing it, I made a double batch! And I served it with the most delicious bread! I heart you La Brea Bakery Sourdough Baguette.  

Funny enough the note she left was ON TOP of a recipe for Scotcharoos.  Hmmmm... sneaky sneaky, but I like it! :)

So how could I make just one of the two things she hinted at? 

I couldn't that's how! So I made her the Scotcharoos as well.  Man - I'm a good friend!

The sugar, corn syrup and peanut butter mixture.

All done!

Oh - I couldn't stop there...

I was on a roll with the sweet bar goodies so I made marshmallow treats with a mixture of Cheerios and Fruity Pebbles. 

What? That's insane! 

Yes, yes I know.

But they were insanely good too!

Hope you all had fun watching Green Bay win!

Go Packer!

(That was for you, Becky!) 

Fall Garden - Week Who Knows Or Cares?!

That's right! I'm done with the counting weeks thing. From now on I'll call it... I don't know what I'll call the updates but I'll figure it out! Any suggestions?  

And now that we're on the subject - I don't think my garden can technically be considered a Fall Garden anymore since it is now officially WINTER.  

Speaking of Winter...I am so so so thankful that I live in Southern California right about now. Not only did we dodge crazy cold temperatures and blizzard conditions, but I went to a Super Bowl party in a T-Shirt this afternoon! :) I'm loving the amazing weather we're getting and so is my garden!

Back to my garden since that's what this is supposed to be about... :)

It seems like my Flat Leaf Parsley, Thyme and Rosemary doubled in size since last week. I know that's not true, but I'm amazed with their growth and heartiness.

The mint seems to still be doing alright, but we'll just have to see after I went crazy pruning it recently.

My herbs are doing quite well, but on the other hand I've pretty much given up on the beets. The greens did well, but that's about it! :(  I'll probably be cleaning their planter out in the next week or two since it's time to start thinking about my SPRING Garden! 

The carrots were a little disappointing too, but not as much as the beets. At least I've picked a few cute little carrots. The beets - not so much.  I may try carrots again, but I highly double I'll attempt beets again.

My newest addition is doing quite well! I'm really happy about that too because to be honest, I'm scared to death that I'm going to kill my little key lime tree. 

It did start blooming this week, which means tiny little limes will start to grow soon too.

An now onto the non-edible plants.  

The Paper White just keep getting prettier and prettier. It seems that there are new blooms every day I come home. I wonder how long they'll last.

Although this plant isn't new, it is in a new place. It's actually one of my oldest plants and it's been through a lot. At one point I thought I'd killed it and was about to toss it out, but a good friend convinced me there was still hope and made me keep it.  It's been growing like crazy since I moved to my new unit last April and I think it will love it's new placement on the balcony even more!

And last but not least - I have another new plant in addition to the awesome key lime tree and the other indoor plant I bought.

For my birthday last week, my mom and dad had this beautiful orchid delivered to my work with the matching balloon.  I kept it on my desk for a bit, but I've had two orchids die in that exact spot, so I brought it home instead.