Pretty is

...My Life and Style

You are here: Home / Archives for Weekend Fun

National Dessert Day

October 14th has been declared

National Dessert Day!

The NationalDayCalendar suggests: observe National Dessert Day by going out to a dessert shop or restaurant and indulging in a sweet treat.  Post photos on social media using #NationalDessertDay

It must have been women’s intuition because I set into dessert making mode before I knew about the celebratory day.

I’d lost that lovin’ feeling for the apples that I had been taking to work for lunch

and decided I would make them into something LB couldn’t resist.

This is an EASY dessert recipe and there’s no easier way to make something LB cannot resist than creating dessert!

At bettycrocker.com I found this recipe for

Apple Dump Cake

by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Thank you Betty Crocker!

Aside from pumpkin, apple is the flavor of the season. While baking, the fragrance of apples and cinnamon wafted through the kitchen creating an atmosphere of autumn.

This dessert is delicious served warm and topped with cool whip!

Apple Dump Cake

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print
Ingredients
6 cups chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 box yellow cake mix
3/4 cup melted butter
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Spray 13×9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In baking dish, mix chopped apples, walnuts, sugar and cinnamon. Spread evenly in pan. Top with dry cake mix;  shake to distribute evenly. Pour melted butter over top, covering as much of the top with butter as possible.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until top is light golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
Cool 15 about minutes before serving.

It is apparent that the apple dessert is not going to last all week.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Labor Day Leisure

LB has been longing for a getaway day or two (or more) just to relax.  He’s a hard working man and loves to get in the car and go every chance he gets.  As I’ve mentioned before, I am perfectly content to stay at home.  However since he loves to go, and deserves an opportunity to do so, I’ll tag along.

Our FOUR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND began on the

Friday

before Labor Day.

LB decided we would give Daytona Beach another try, hoping for a little more fun and sun than we had on our last trip.

I took full advantage of my Friday off!!

As soon as we arrived in Daytona we were on the beach.

 

Later that evening I ventured off of my diet and joined LB for dinner at Jerry’s Italian Pizzeria and Tiki Bar.WINGS!I Love Wings!

 

Saturday

was Pool Party Time.

We spent six hours at the pool, listening to the sounds of DJ Drew and a few wanna-be singers entertaining us with their karaoke skills.

Saturday night presented an opportunity to attend a concert at the Daytona Beach Bandshell to enjoy the songs made famous by Elton John.

The sounds of The Rocket Man Show were loud and clear while we enjoyed dinner on the balcony of the Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse.

Although the view of the bandshell stage from our table wasn’t completely clear,the view of the fireworks after the concert was perfect! As we lingered at the restaurant watching the fireworks over the ocean I couldn’t think of anyplace else I’d rather be.

Early

Sunday

morning, we were up and on the beach in time to take advantage of the sunrise.What a wonderful way to start a beautiful day!

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

Island Hopping

Saturday was National Fajita Day and the plan was to have Mama and my kids over for fajitas.  Schedules could not be coordinated to make this happen so LB decided it was time to take a trip.  Saturday afternoon we set out for a destination favorite…

St. Simon’s Island

After checking into the Hampton Inn it was time to find a Mexican Restaurant.

After all, a celebration was in order…

for National Fajita Day!

La Plancha

was the place!

And the fajitas were anything but typical.

The Spanish to English translation of  la plancha means ‘the iron’.  The adjective (in Spanish cookery) means grilled on a metal plate (source).

Dinner was not bad, but Not Served on a Seasoned Cast Iron Pan, and slightly lacking in flavor.

And where was the guacamole?Hopefully that review wasn’t too rough.  On a positive note, the decor is lovely.

Next stop

Ziggy Mahoney’s

Once upon a time, Ziggy’s was a nightclub that an older man hosted as a means to snuggle up to college girls and take selfies.  These days it has become a hot spot for seniors displaying dazzling dance moves. And suddenly I’m feeling a little more comfortable.Imagine that!

Before heading back to Jacksonville the next morning, I thought it would be a good idea to shop for a birthday gift for my sister.

The shops at St. Simon’s Island were closed which was a good thing as White House Black Market is more temptation than I am able to withstand.

Jekyll Island

proved to be the place to shop for a birthday gift.Tonya’s is the name of the boutique where I lingered.  I was able to find a sweet little gift for my sister

and

something that I wouldn’t mind having myself.

A purple (eggplant) Hobo handbag Yes, LB… this would make a lovely Christmas gift!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

From the time I left work last Friday afternoon until Sunday night, last weekend blew by so fast that I had no time to post!  No Friday Favorites! From cupcake creation on Friday night, to Lydia’s mermaid birthday party on Saturday, to celebration of another birthday out with friends Sunday night, I found myself in need of another day off to recuperate!  But alas, Monday came and the workweek ensued.

Now it is Finally Friday again and I WILL share my weekly favorites!

Favorite # ONE

Mermaids of course…

I spent most of last week studying mermaid cupcakes and creating a cupcake design of my own for a birthday celebration.

I hope my first attempt was acceptable to my 3 year old customer!

Mermaid Tail Cupcakes by Kim

 

 

Favorite # TWO

Mermaid Birthday Girls

This one in particularTired and Soaking Wet from a Water Wonder World Birthday Celebration!  She is so pretty.

Happy Birthday Little Mermaid!

 

 

Favorite # THREE

Corn Nuggets

This tasty treat was recently introduced by a co-worker whom I’ve begun referring to as Corn Nugget.  Maria thinks they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Today the Triple J’s Seafood Truck came to our parking lot to provide the company with all the fried food our hearts desired.  And apparently they supplied the company with all the fried food aboard, as they sold out.  Juenic purchased a container of Corn Nuggets and offered one to me.These are delish.

One is all I needed to let me know that I love them and DO NOT NEED any more!

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

Super deals from LOFT

LOFT has a special of some sort every day.  Whether it be 50% off everything for card members or 30% off all dresses or 50% off Sale on Sale items… something is sure to be happening.  This week I used birthday $$$ from Mama to take advantage of a LOFT sale and found these deals:

Top // Shorts // Tee // Shell

Favorite # FIVE

Lunchbox Notes

LB leaves notes in my lunchbox every day.

Today he left a note that, when read, brought a song to my lips:When I showed my note to Wendy, she started singing it too…

https://youtu.be/uCcNcHx2DpY

My Girl

The Temptations

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day

When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of May

Well I guess you’d say

What can make me feel this way?

My girl (my girl, my girl)

Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl)

I’ve got so much honey the bees envy me

I’ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees

Well I guess you’d say

What can make me feel this way?

My girl (my girl, my girl)

Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl ooh)

Hey hey hey

Hey hey hey

Ooh yeah

I don’t need no money, fortune, or fame (ooh hey hey hey)

I’ve got all the riches baby one man can claim (oh yes I do)

I guess you’d say

What can make me feel this way?

My girl (my girl, my girl)

Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl)

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day

With my girl (My girl)

(Talkin’ ’bout my girl my girl) I’ve even got the month of May

With my girl (My girl, woah)

She’s all I can think (my girl)

(Talkin’ ’bout my girl my girl)

Talkin’ ’bout, talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl, woah)

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Donny & Marie

 Concert Time!

I have been looking forward to this for several weeks:

Donny and Marie Osmond

 performing at the St. Augustine Amphitheater on Sunday night July 1st. LB and I have attended many concerts.  Among our favorites have been Garth Brooks and The Eagles.  Although LB may have a different opinion, I believe Donny and Marie were the best thus far!

Celebrity siblings Donny and Marie Osmond have been in show business since they were babies.  Donny was only 5 years old when he appeared on the Andy Williams show.

During the concert, many photos were displayed from early in his music career, which took me strolling down Memory Lane.

Hearing him sing songs like Go Away Little Girl and Puppy Love reminded me why he was such a heartthrob!

Donny would continuously grace the cover of Tiger Beat when he was a teen idol.

At 60 years old, he is still as handsome as ever… and Marie is just as beautiful! 

Donny and Marie Osmond have been performing in Vegas since 2008 and a chat with a friend gave me reason to believe the concert I was seeing was very similar to their Vegas production.  Although they have always been entertaining on television, nothing compares to their live performance.

More Memory Lane:  I can remember the Donny and Marie variety show on television in the 70’s and when they co-hosted a talk show in the 90’s.

At one point during the concert, Donny asked that the audience like his Facebook page and send a message to win a prize.

I managed to NOT pull this off as intended

and posted on my own Facebook wall/page instead.

A lucky woman with Facebook skills got to walk to the stage and accept Donny’s latest CD.

That was fine… she didn’t get to go home with LB and I Did!  (Also LB bought the CD!)

 

One of my Donny favorites:

https://youtu.be/Mkn1kFmUW5E

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Summer Plans

What are my plans for the summer?

They have already been put into motion.

Fortunately, I don’t have to engage in summer planning.

LB is a Master Planner.  He enjoys

GOING

and likes to keep the road hot.

He is always planning events to keep us entertained and this summer will be no exception.

Going to the Beach

is a summer weekend activity that LB enjoys.  Having seen more than one horrific shark movie, I intend to avoid venturing into the ocean.  Nevertheless I delight in having a tan on my legs, collecting shells and being by his side, so I am happy to accompany him.

Going to Concerts

especially outdoors, is a favorite summer activity.

Although we have yet to attend a concert at the new Jacksonville amphitheater, LB and I enjoy attending concerts at the St. Augustine Amphitheater.

Plans have been made to attend an upcoming concert in July.  I’m looking forward to seeing Donny and Marie!

In addition to concert performances by celebrity musicians, the concert fascination extends to other musical events.  Each Wednesday night throughout the summer there is the Music by the Sea event at the St. Johns County Pier.  The Little Light Music Concerts are on Sunday evenings on the oceanfront lawn beneath the St. Simons Lighthouse.  These are great opportunities to get outside and have a good time.  If we happen to be in Daytona Beach for the weekend, we will go to the Bandshell to see what tribute band is featured.  The Summer Concert Series happens every Friday night and occasionally on Saturday.

Speaking of Daytona Beach

Going to a Pool Party

is another summertime event to attend when visiting Daytona Beach for the weekend.  For the past several years there has been a weekend pool party every Saturday [beginning on Memorial Day through Labor Day] at the Daytona Beach Shores Hampton Inn, complete with a cookout and karaoke.  It has always been a fun weekend getaway during the summer.

Going on Vacation

is a given every June.

Although summer hasn’t officially arrived, we have already taken a summer trip.  The plan was to begin with the aforementioned pool party, take in a few concerts, relax, shop, then head to Orlando.

As usual we stayed at the Daytona Beach Shores Hampton Inn.   This year we found out the hard way, that management decided to forego the regular weekend pool party and feature the event only occasionally.  It was a little bit of a disappointment and planning trips to Daytona Beach will now require extra research in the future.

Not to be undone, LB arranged an afternoon on the beach.Under a blue and yellow umbrella!

He always recovers nicely.

Both LB and I agree that there should be a summer trip do over.  We also agree that a cruise would be nice.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

As always

I’m grateful that

The Workweek is Over

Scared Summer GIF by Bud Light

And I’m feeling blessed that I have so many favorites to share!

 

Favorite # ONE

Getting Caught in the Rain

Well that’s not entirely true, but I don’t mind getting caught in the rain when I’m at the beach and safely positioned under a picnic pavilion.

LB thought it would be fun to pull out our mini grill and take it to the beach for a cookout.  While LB and I engaged in flipping hot dogs and enjoying oldies music, the radar app displayed a RED mass directly over our blue dot.

Translation: there was a heavy, side-blowing rain that came over our location.  Happily, we had the beach umbrella to shelter us and our gear.

 

Favorite # TWO

A Cool Breeze

I’m not hard to please.

Much.

LB enjoys attending the annual Summer Jazz Series at the beach.

Be that as it may, I am unable to enjoy jazz music (or anything else) when it is so hot that my makeup is melting off of my face.

After relocating 3 times in an attempt to find shade, relief was experienced only in an occasional ocean breeze.  And each time a cool waft blew by, I got a peaceful, easy feeling.

Momentarily.

Favorite # THREE

Birthday Shopping at EXPRESS

I fell for it.

Express sent me a $20 Happy Birthday coupon so I went shopping!

Favorite # FOUR

Little Visitors

Lydia came home with Glammy Tuesday afternoon.  We had a sweet visit.

Later when her Mommy and Daddy came to pick her up, they brought with them another little visitor. Rory celebrated 4 months this week.  Lydia will be celebrating 3 years in July.What a pretty face!

 

When asked what she would like for her birthday, she replied

MERMAIDS!

Favorite # FIVE

Shopping for MERMAIDS

If your name is Lydia and you mention that you would like to have mermaids for your birthday, it is highly likely that Glammy will make sure it happens.

This week I began scouring the internet for gifts that fall under the mermaid category.

There are so many options to choose from:

JewelryFashion Mermaid Birthstone Necklace Jewelry White Gold Plated Austrian Crystal Magic Pendant Gift

Barbie Dolls

Barbie Dolphin Magic Transforming Mermaid Doll

Dress up Dolls

Bath Toys

 

2-Piece Mermaid Doll Toy or Cake Decoration, Swim in the Water at Bath Time, the Pool, and Beach

 

The mermaid search has only just begun.

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Connect