Things I'm Lovin' Tuesday: Farmer's Markets!

This is a non-sponsored review and I purchase my own Farmer's Market goodies.

Last year I started a monthly blog series called

THINGS I'M LOVIN' TUESDAY!!!

Past post can be found:

here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here!!

And make sure to check back every last Tuesday of the month!

Now onto what I'm lovin' this month...

I've been going to farmer's markets for years.
There's a great little one just a few miles from my house on Sundays.
But I was recently introduced to two other amazing ones in Los Angeles.

I had heard good things about the Calabasas Farmer's Market
and just a few Saturdays ago I finally went for the first time.
While it was bigger than the farmer's market in Encino,
parking was a little more of a hassle unless you wanted to pay.

My boyfriend took me to the Brentwood Farmer's Market recently
and it was by the best farmer's market I've ever been to!
It was huge and the quality of the goods were amazing.
And parking is surprisingly pretty easy for the area on a Sunday.

What are your favorite goodies to buy at the farmer's market?

And if you're Los Angeles local - what's your favorite farmer's market in the area?

Fruit Pizza

My aunt offered to make me a birthday cake this year,

and since food really is my love language,

I offered to make a birthday cake for her in return!

She agreed to a birthday treat, but didn't want a cake.

She said she wanted something with fruit on it,

so that's when I turned to trusty Google.

I found quite a few things that looked absolutely amazing,

but I pretty much stopped looking when I found this!

I was drooling just looking at the recipe if I'm being honest.

I wanted the Fruit Pizza to be perfect for the birthday,

so I did the only logical thing one would do...

make one ahead of time as a trial run!!!

Now keep reading to see how the trial run went.

The Goods:

Shortening

Sugar

Orange Zest

Vanilla

Eggs

Whole Milk

Flour

Baking Powder

Salt

Marshmallow Fluff

Cream Cheese

Fresh Fruit

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, add shortening, sugar, orange zest and vanilla.

And then cream the above mixture.

Add in the eggs.

Then beat until fluffy.

Now time for the milk.

Mix that up too.

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.

The dough when finished mixing.

Flatten the dough between two sheets of waxed paper.

And refrigerate at least one hour.

(Dough can be refrigerated a few days!)

Remove dough from refrigerator.

And at this point I cut my dough in half.

Then press half the dough into a greased 9x13 sheet pan.

Bat 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

The edges will be a nice golden brown when done

Let cookie cool completely.

Add the marshmallow fluff and cream cheese to a bowl.

Using the whisk attachment, beat until combined, light and fluffy.

Spread mixture onto cooled cookie crust.

I didn't leave an edge on this one,

but did for my aunt's and I like both equally.

Place the fresh fruit all over your fruit pizza to your liking.

Cut yourself a nice big piece...

And then dig in!!!

Fruit Pizza

(Recipe from The Pioneer Woman)

1 1/3 Cup Shortening

1 1/2 Cup Sugar

1 Teaspoon Orange Zest

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

2 Eggs

8 Teaspoons Whole Milk

4 Cups Flour

3 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

2 Jars (13 oz) Marshmallow Fluff

2 Packages (8 oz) Cream Cheese

Fresh Fruit

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In mixing bowl, cream the shortening, sugar, orange zest and vanilla.
4. Add the egg and beat until fluffy.
5. Add the milk and mix again.
6. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
7. Press dough mixture between two sheets of wax paper and refrigerate for at least one hour, but up to a few days if needed.
8. Cut dough in half and press one half into greased 9x13 baking sheet.
9. Bake for about 15 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
10. Cool completely.
11. Using whisk attachment, mix 1 block of cream cheese with 1 jar of marshmallow fluff. 
12. Spread mixture over cooled cookie crust and top with fresh fruit.
13. Slice and then devour a slice. And maybe have a second too! 

Kansas City FUN with Auntie Mommy!

I've been meaning to post about this for awhile,

but I was pretty busy the last few weeks

 and LIFE kinda just got in the way.

About a month ago, I had the pleasure and privilege

to watch my two adorable nephews for about a week.

My brother, his wife and my niece were headed out of town

and they needed someone to watch the boys.

When they asked me I instantly said "YES!",

and pretty much started planning immediately!

Keep reading so you can hear all about my AMAZING trip to Kansas City!!!

It's me - the person who blogs about a lot of the food she makes,

so you better believe I made some yummy food while I was there!

I took some recipes I have made numerous times, 

but made them a little more "kid friendly" for the boys.

A few of the things we ate were: Baked Mac 'n Cheese and broccoli, 

Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt, Pulled Pork Sliders with Waffle Fries 

and finally Pancakes, Bacon and Fruit for our Breakfast Party!

Now that I've showed you the yummy food, 

let me show you some of the fun we had!!!

First off - look at this guy!

I can't believe he's a Kindergartner now!

A little Auntie Robyn and Logan selfie fun!

I mean - look at that smile!

Gavin getting off the bus.

Such a little man now!!

Bike riding fun after school.

And look at his awesome helmet!!

Being silly before school.

Dancing and singing in the car on the way to the airport.

He got PINK at school!!!

Pink is the highest color on his behavior chart,

so I was a proud aunt that day!

Gavin did homework and Logan colored.

And then....

They became SUPERHEROES!!!

Can't get enough of that pose OR the baby feet!

There's not much cuter than this!

Logan and I went on a playdate with a gal I met in Kansas City last year.

We went to Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in nearby Overland Park,

and then hit up Pig & Finch where the kids won over the chef with their cuteness!

With it being Fall, the leaves were just starting to change.

And Logan LOVED to collect them when walking to the bus.

At Gavin's request, we did Make Your Own Pizza one night for dinner!

And of course one must wear their superhero cape while cooking. 

Be still my heart.

Loved this view so much!

Almost as soon as I was asked to come watch the boys,

I knew I wanted to make a Welcome Home banner with them.

One day when Gavin was at school, Logan and I made a trip to Hobby Lobby.

A few hours later, during Logan's nap, I put the banner all together

and had the boys add their own special touch!

Both boys loved eating their Fruit Kabobs!

After refueling on fruit, we went outside to play with some friends.

Bike riding, sidewalk chalk drawing and then this happened...

A selfie series in front of the garage!!!

And you can't forget the fun we had making foam figures!

Gavin is such a great big brother and was super helpful 

because this project was a little advanced for Logan.

We already had lots of fun, 

but it didn't stop there...

I wanted to do something extra special one day, 

so I decided I'd throw a little Breakfast Party on Saturday.

I stayed up late on Friday to decorate the kitchen

and set out special place settings for both boys.

They didn't know what to think when they woke up,

but soon dug into their little craft packs while I whipped up

a little feast with bacon, pancakes, fruit and orange juice.

Oh and lots of coffee for me!!!

After we got cleaned up from breakfast,

I gave them both a little present from my parents.

Then we kept busy playing with a race track I drew using leftover banner paper.

And yes, Gavin is wearing a Storm Troopers costume! 

When we got up from naps and quiet time,

it was time for more fun so we went outside

and blew bubbles with a giant bubble wand!

They were being extra adorable on the stairs one morning,

so of course I had to document their cuteness.

And man, Logan's got some serious moves!!

Last but not certainly not least, 

Ninja Turtle Gavin out front with the rope swing.

Now that you've read all about the adventures I had with Gavin and Logan

you're probably confused and wondering about the title of this post.

Well - let me tell you!

A few days into me watching them, I woke Logan up from his nap

and instead of calling me Auntie Wobyn like he had been,

he called me Auntie Mommy and gave me the biggest hug!

I thought it was the cutest thing and it melted my heart.

I love those boys more than I can describe

and was honored to have been able to take care of them.

Hope you enjoyed the little glimpse into the fun I had in the Midwest.