Boxed Brownies Transformation!

It seems like every time I go to our local grocery store the first thing I see is boxed brownies mix and Oreos. It's like my eyes zero on their target, anything chocolate! haha! So anyways, I try to keep one box of brownie mix in the pantry at all times just in case ;) When I asked my handsome hubby this morning if there was anything I could get him from the store, he said "we ran out of chocolate almond milk yesterday" and then he mentioned that the last two bananas we starting to look pretty old. I offered to freeze them for smoothies but he said "how about making some banana bread instead of freezing them this time?" I deliberated and I was like: "ok, sure!" (it's weird to quote myself lol!) I reminded him that we need to finish the brownies we had already made a few days ago (that are now sitting on the counter getting old) and it's a beautiful thing that us ladies can do, we can have a conversation that flows over many topics changing the subject with ease but our men just don't think in this way. In his brilliance he exclaimed, "Banana Brownies!" this is where this post gets fun! 

disclaimer* baking is not my strong suit, I would much rather saute something, or boil it, or grill it, but when it comes to baking I usually don't get it right. These turned out good though, so if you are among the baking challenged this is a no judgement zone and feel free to give these a whirl because they are easy to make!  

here's what I did! 
Easy Banana Brownies: 

Ingredients: 

1 box of brownie mix 

2 ripe bananas  

1/2 cup (divided) mini chocolate chips

these are the items the box suggests:

1/4 cup water (I used 1/4 cup milk instead, mine is on it's final week so I'm trying to use it up) 

1/2 cup oil (I used canola oil)

1 egg

Directions:

pour the brownie mix into a mixing bowl. mash the two bananas with a fork in a separate bowl. lightly whisk in the egg, milk, and oil into the bananas. Using a mixing spoon make a well in the center of your brownie mix to pour in the wet ingredients. pour your banana mixture into the well and stir until incorporated. fold in half of the chocolate chips. grease your pan and pour in the mix. top with the rest of your chocolate chips. bake at 350 or according to your brownie package. also refer to package for baking times per type and size of pan you choose. 

These Brownies turned out super moist and fudgey! To cut out some of the moisture you could play around with how much oil and water/milk you add since the bananas are a wet ingredient. next time I think I will lessen the oil for sure but I did love 'em how they were. 
**baking is not my forte, I only use boxed stuff and even boxed cakes prove to be too much of challenge for me. haha! My cookies from scratch never turn out right, either fluffy cakes or completely flat (like my gingersnap fail post from Christmas) So please feel free to comment and send some baking tips and encouragement my way. Thanks!

love, Cait

Oopps! It's a.... BOY

So my sis goes in for another ultrasound to see how our future niece is doing and the doctor says, looks like it's a boy! Say Wha??? Apparently this little boy has a few tricks up his sleeves and he is mighty funny! We had a party and everything for this little 'girl' but at least we got some cake! haha! The whole family, though shocked at the sudden change, is super excited to welcome baby boy number three! They will be the 3 Musketeers and this will be a funny story to tell him as he grows!

We love you so much already little boy!!! 

We can't wait to meet our newest nephew, coming in August!!

Iced Green Tea (gone ahhh-mazing!!!)

I just made a fantastic brew of iced green tea and I'm feeling so accomplished! I love to make iced tea but I usually make it with black tea for that stronger flavor and caffeine kick. This time I decided to go for a lighter and more antioxidant rich green tea version. 

I'll let you in a little secret, I don't like green tea! UNLESS it's ice cold! haha! That's probably weird but my taste buds seem to have preferred temperatures for foods and drinks. Here are some examples: coffee must be piping hot and stay that hot for the 30 plus minutes it takes me to drink it ;) Food must be hot as opposed to warm, and I like water at three different temperatures: hot, room temp, and ice cold but of course not luke warm! So there you have it, just a little insight into my taste buds but back to iced tea!  

Ingredients:

4 cups (32 fl oz) of very hot water

2 green tea bags (matcha types have extra antioxidants or so I've read)

juice of 1 and a half small lemons (to taste) 

1 (1/2 ) table spoons honey (to desired sweetness or even omit if you don't want it sweetened) 

Dash of pink sea salt and a sprinkle of lemon zest

24 ice cubes

Directions:

Heat the water to very hot, I use an electric tea kettle. Pour the hot water into desired container over two tea green tea bags. Let brew for five minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in the lemon juice, honey, dash of salt, and sprinkles of lemon zest. Once everything is dissolved into the tea add the ice cubes and refrigerate for 4 hours.

* It may be ready before the four hours especially if you fill a glass with ice and then pour but that just a note for those who can get a little impatient at times like myself ;)

** if you like stronger tea flavor add more tea bags to the brew.

and here's a bonus cat pic:

 Kirby enjoying the special present we brought home for him from Pismo! An empty shopping bag!!! :P 

Gutiar

I'm practicing guitar again!! Beau is trying to re-learn on the other hand (because he's cray-cray like that) so I thought this would be the perfect time to review and start over my learning with him! It's so great to do things together and we had a wonderful night last night playing together! 

E-Chord

 G-Chord

C-Chord 

D-Chord 

First Family Photo!

I came across this photo out of place on my computer today and I thought this would make the perfect throwback Thursday (since it is Thursday) The only issue is I can't instagram it without cropping out one of my beloved family members so I just decided this blog post is my instagram for today! lol!

Happy #tbt Y'all 

A Get Away With My Love

Here are some pictures of our sweet weekend at Pismo Beach CA

our beach access hotel and one of the rooms behind us with the ocean view was ours for the weekend! my man did such a great job picking the hotel!!!

lovey dovey

The Pier

Morrow Bay

beach handstands

jumping on the bed! I love the 'burst' mode on my new camera! 

eating calzones at Del's

arabesque 

sunset

sweet

kisses

girly girl

handsome guy

hey crane, you look like a Charles!

This weekend was a perfect amount of rest and relaxation! We got to recharge our minds, our bodies, and our marriage by spending some quality time at Pismo Beach. It was so nice to have each other's undivided attention and spend our time one on one for a whole weekend! The sights were beautiful, the sun was warm, the water was cold, and the sound of the ocean each night was soothing! 

Some Highlights: 

Adventures:
Our EPIC walk:  we worked our legs hard core on Saturday when we walked from the hotel along the beach all the way to the pier, out onto the pier, back up into the downtown area, ate at Splash cafe for lunch, and then walked all the way back to the hotel! 

Morrow Bay: Giant Rock!!! So great to see and walk around this beautiful state park!

Wine tasting: we got to learn a little more about wine at Tolosa winery in San Luis Obispo. We did a customized tasting in their tasting room of their signature white wines. 

Beach Time: our hotel was perfectly positioned above the beach with great access down to it, each day we walked down there and enjoyed the sand, sights, and surf. The weather was fantastic and I loved the feel of the beach at sunset! Added bonus was the sound of the crashing waves each night that sent us straight to zzzzz's land ;)

Food: Calzones ant Del's pizza,Fresh clam chowder at Splash, salad and sandwiches at Paneras, burritos at Chipotle, and cinnamon rolls at Old West Cinnamon Rolls.

Items: we bought salt water taffies, 2 bottles of wine, new shorts for the Mr. new sandals for the Mrs. and a sweet little outfit for our future Niece :) We collected 1 intact sand dollar, 1 very cool gray and black square rock and 3 sea shells. 

It's a....

Adorable gender cake reveal!

Little KiKi went straight for the frosting ;)

Girl!!!

Grandma Hilda did the happy dance and grandma Kerry felt relief because she had already started shopping for baby girl gifts!!!! hahahaha!

 This cake was delicious too! Ice Cream Cake comprised of strawberry ice cream with chocolate cake! 

This picture has little to nothing to do with baby girl (except maybe that it's a pink flower that reminds me i'm going to have a niece in August! omaigosh!!)

This lovely flower is a camellia and the petite tree is blooming in our front yard! These bloom before spring really hits and I love them because it signals the hope that spring will be coming soon.

happy spring everyone!