Beach and Parmesan Crisps

We had yet another mini vaca...yes we are spoiled:)  This time we went to Figure Eight Island to see the newly weds:)  I have to first say we had a wonderful time....weather was perfect...

 we did a lot of relaxing...

had lots of fun playing in the water, Traci and I completed the hardest puzzle ever and read lots of magazines...

gooffed off alot...

and ate a lot of really good food...

 That being said I cannot tell you how sweet everyone was and genuinely excited to try to make gluten free food.  I of course never expect people to cater to me and usually feel like a burden, but my friends and family really go out of their way to make me feel "normal".   Traci made a gluten free berry trifle that was amazing!  She also made Parmesan Crisps with Goat Cheese Mousse.  Doesn't that sound so good?  Well it was!  I got the recipe...and permission to share with y'all:)  It is very easy, but still yummy.  Ok so here is what you need...
Ingredients:
1 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese
6 oz. Goat Cheese
4 Tbsp heavy cream
1 Tbsp parsley
Salt and Pepper

1.  Have a clean egg carton ready to use (I didn't have this so I used muffin tin).  Preheat oven to 325 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2.  Place about 1 Tbsp of  Parmesan cheese on the pan and using your finger spread the cheese in an even layer.  Repeat leaving an inch between each one.

3.  Bake 8-10 min. until crisps are golden brown.  Remove from oven and let them cool for about 30 seconds.

 4.  One by one remove them with a rubber spatula and place them into the hollow of the egg carton/muffin tin to form a tulip.  Do this quickly before the cool and harden on the cookie sheet.

5.  Let them cool and then fill them up with this goat cheese mousse (or any other topping you want).

Goat Cheese Mousse:
1.  Place Goat cheese in a food processor and pulse a few times.
2.  Slowly add the heavy cream until mixture is moist, but still holds shape.
3.  Then add parsley, salt and pepper and pulse to combine.

4.  Put the mixture in a zip lock and place in fridge for a few minutes.

5.  Cut the corner of the zip lock bag and slowly pipe the mousse into the Parmesan crisps.

* I added some chopped tomato on top for some color!

Traci thanks for my new go-to appetizer!  She also suggests using these on top of a salad for your g free guests instead of croutons!  We had such a great time at the beach and can't wait to go again...

Tropical Ice Cream Cake

Ok I know I have been posting mostly dessert recipes lately...but this was so good I had to share.  It is ridiculously easy and perfect for this time of year!
Start with a cookie....shortbread, sugar cookie or maccaroon!  I used coconut macaroons.

Found these at Harris Teeter.  Then you carefully smash them and lay them on a spring foam pan.

Then use your first type of ice cream...I used raspberry sherbert first.  Using an ice cream scoop, place a layer of the ice cream on top of the crust and spread out evenly. Then place in freezer for 30 min.

Then do your next layer.  I used vanilla.  Again freeze for 30 min.

Then your final layer...I used orange sherbert.

Again freeze for 30 min-1hour and remove outside of spring foam pan.  Look at the layer goodness!!

This recipe is so versitle....you could use chocolate cookies or  brownies with mint chocolate chip and vanilla ice cream....oreo cookies with vanilla and oreo ice cream...or....well you get the idea!   It is so easy and there is zero baking!

Happy 1st B-Day Cowboy

We just got back from Baby Ryan's 1st bday showdown!  First let me say I cannot believe he is already one!!  We have been blessed to be a part of his life and watch him grow and develop over the past year.  From the day he was born.....first trip to the beach....first Halloween....and many trips back and forth to visit.  It is amazing how fast the first year flies by and how much they change month to month.
I am a big fan of theme parties so I was thrilled when Rachel decided on a Cowboy/Western party!  The invitation read "Wanted for being too cute and growing up too fast" and it was printed on a Western Wanted Poster invitation.

Ryan and I went down on Friday to help with the cooking, baking, set up, crafting, etc... and because Friday was little Ryan's actual b-day:)  We spent many hours together in the kitchen and had a blast!

We did take some time out of the party planning to take little Ryan to the pool for the first time...lets just say he is a water boy!

The day of the party I went around and took pictures of all the little details....and there were a lot of details to this party!!!  I hope little Ryan knows how loved and adored he is after this weekend!!
The birthday boy rocked a shirt made by Needleworks that was precious!

 

The menu included BBQ, Cattle Rancher Beef Brisket, Tater Salad, Fiery Piggy Poppers, Hogs in a Sleeping Bag, Saddle Up Slaw, Cowboy Caviar and much more!

The Saloon: Kowboy Kool-aid, Sweet Tea, custom water bottles and soda!

And Dessert: Cupcakes, Cookies and the "Smash Cake" of course!  Rachel made the cake herself....it was amazing...seriously!!!

My favorite part of the party was when little Ryan got his cake and was more interested in banging on it like a drum than eating it!  So sweet!

He did get to open a few presents included a puzzle we gave him, a new tunnel and a wagon!

With all the details in this party...they all related to Cowboys... and the take-aways were "S'mores Pops".  Rachel has a lot of import people in her life who are allergic to gluten (including her bff...me!) so she made half regular pops and half gluten free....I ate at least 4!

 Thats it!  What a success!  Thanks, Y'all come back now...ya hear!

CC Wedding Weekend

We had a great ....but long past 6 days!   Yes we were out of town...again!  Like I said we are making the most of our time off and cramming in as much as possible!!  So first the much anticipated...

 Tripp and Traci have been together for a long time and finally made it down the aisle!  They are the most fun couple we have met and their wedding weekend did not disappoint!  Most of the festivities took place at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC.  We kicked the weekend off with a Welcome Party Thursday night.  We got awesome welcome bags, ate some bbq, sat by the fire, played cornhole and even filled out Mad Libs for wedding advice...very funny!

The Rehearsal dinner was at Aritsanal....amazing views, food and wine!
Here is the happy couple on the bus on the way there:)

Tripp with all the bridesmaids...

On Saturday we spent the day with the Edwards hiking Moses Cone, lunch and ice cream before the big night!

Now on to the main event...the wedding!  I loved this sign they had right outside:)

Most of the reception took place inside a huge white tent.  The weather and the bride were both beautiful! 

And they lived happily ever after:)

After the wedding we went to visit my family.  I miss them so much now that we live in Charlotte and was so excited to spend a few days with these happy boys!