Bakin' like Betty

Yes, I know I have been baking a lot lately. That is because I have lots of cool places to go and you can't show up treat less. right? you won't be invited back....

On Krista's last night in town, Amy invited us over to hangout and I brought a new recipe.

It is very good and rather easy to make. If you like Cheesecake you will like this. I hate making cheesecake so this is a very good replacement for you cheesecake lovers!

"Five Star White Chocolate Fruit Tart"

Wash and cut the fresh fruit of your choice.
Mix butter, flour and confections sugar together. Press into a small 12" pan, and bake for 20 minutes at 350. Cool crust.

Melt white chocolate and heavy whipping cream, beat in cream cheese. Poor over crust and cool. You can speed up this process but putting it in the freezer. Add fruit, and make it look pretty.
This is very rich so cut small pieces; and enjoy.

Happy Friday!

Pool Daze

Good old summer time! Our friends Mike and Leah put in a pool last year and here is how we reap the benefits of their pool. Brad's cousin Krista was in town from

Atlanta; so we all got together and swam with the kids.

Busy playing.

The girls; Macy and Ella.

I thought Leah looked like Barbie in her swimsuit! She also due in two weeks but she is so ready today, I mean yesterday. I am guessing boy.

Leah's look a like swimming suit.

Olivia, I think she might be as tall me, and she is only four.

Allissa and Ella.

Cole man.

Justin.

Cole, he is so cute! He is excited to be a big brother again.

Jacob.

Miss Hannah.

Justin again, he wanted me to take his picture all day long.

This the best! Cole and his sister Kasey, I will send you a copy Leah.

We swam, we gossiped, we ate and then took naps.

Fourth of July weekend- Saturday

Party number two at the Hollander house.

Saturday was a rainy, cloudy and just plain yucky.

However we made the best of it!

Denny put a tarp on the deck so we would not get rained on below and even grilled while holding an umbrella. At first he could not figure out why the smoke was surrounding him... It kept getting caught under that very same umbrella. I wish I had a photograph. I again made my loaded bake potatoes and a new recipe s'mores cookies.

Mix.

roll into balls and thumbprint.

Add chocolate. Next time I will use a soft Belgium chocolate from work like Frey.

Bake, top with marshmallows and broil to brown marshmallows!

Most people liked them I think the cookies should be a bit softer, anyone else have issue with Martha Stewart recipes?

party pics; our nephew Ethan, Jack and pug.

Wrigley looks like Ethan's very own bat.

Heather.

Our other nephew Ryan and Aunt Kyle.

sooo..... Ethan took a few pictures on my camera. I like this one and appreciate the perfect crookedness.

For the most part he did a good job!

one more by Ethan and it's his Dad making the monkey face.

Grandpa and Ethan.

Denny and Pauline.

Brad and Kyle.

Nick and Amanda.

Nick and Mark, Mark felt a bit left out.

The boys.

Kenkel and pug.

Fourth of July weekend - Thursday

My friend Christie from work and I decided to throw small work pre-July 4th party on Thursday night. Since we both were lucky enough to have an extra day off.

We served hot dogs, and hamburgers, a few beers, specialty drink, and everyone brought a dish to pass. We indulged on many, many dips including Christie's buffalo Chicken Dip, Jill's pasta salad, Becca's veggies, Christie's mini meatballs, and decant variety of desserts. One of favorite desserts was Adams Frey Chocolate chip cookie bars.

just substitute Frey Chocolate for toll house.

I made loaded bake potato salad.....

I found this recipe on Reciepezarr and I have had nothing but good reviews!

The best part is it tastes excellent served warm or cold!

Here is what you will need.

I substituted the bacon for panacea for my party on Saturday and Kristen has used bacon bits.

Mix it all up. Pour into a rectangular class dish and bake.
Server warm or cold.

Brad thinks I am crazy but Wrigley can say "I love you" , here you see Christie making her speak and receiving treats.

Christie's Hydrangea.

So pretty! I want to plant them all along the side of our house.

Robin from work came over to Christie's to paint a mural on the office wall.

Once she finishes I will post the final product.

Christie's min meatball sauce is made from ketchup and grape jelly, I have NEVER heard of such a thing!

Back patio shot.

Now for the grand finale... We have been working on Easter at work and we have had to brainstorm a four foot religious section. So I made a special concoction.

Sweet baby Jesus juice; pink Lemonade, vodka and a bit our candy grass for decoration.

Lazy Sunday...

Today we had planned on going to the lake or out on the boat but unfortunately it was cool, grey and cloudy, so we decided to do nothing. Here is my day full of nothingness!

Welcome to my imaginary home search.

Bridgetown Rd.

Spring Oak Dr.

Yes please, I want to live on a lake, with a pool house.

Powdner Rd.

This one has a pool, which is a must in the land of make believe.

Werk rd.

Castle house

There are no pictures of the inside, I want to see....

What do you put in a castle??

Neeb Rd. Mansion

the owners want to down grade... really?
I can't imagine why.

*images pulled from Huff and Starone

Huff contact Denny Hollander 513-354-6653

Star One contact Nick Lyle 513-349-3777

Happy Fourth of July!

I know we all enjoy an extra day off and time celebrating with our families, but sure you take some time to remember what we are celebrating. A big thank you to our troops and their families!

Happy Independence day!

I forgot my camera cord so unless I find a friends all my party photos will be posted on Monday!

In my mother's words "Have fun and be safe!".

The year of the boat

This is going to be an amazing summer!

Brad and his business partner Nick went out and bought a boat!

Most wives, girlfriends, significant others might be upset but not me. I couldn't be happier.

I love being outside and love the water even more.

Last Friday night we took the boat out for it's inaugural tour of the dirty Ohio river.

Right now the boat's name is "I ain't go time" and we think we need to update this.Here is my suggestion, the S. S. Ding Dong. The only problem now is to figure out which one is Ding and which one is Dong.

Amanda likes "cheap thrills" and the boys can come up with and endless amount of silly names.

On Sunday we all got together and took the boat out for Sunday fun day.

We met up with a few of our other friends that have boats and hung out.

We even dared to take a dip in the Licking River which feeds into the Ohio river. I am still not sure I would get in the Ohio.

the Captains....


A view of Cincinnati.


The Cincinnati Reds stadium.


River front homes in Covington, KY.

Too bad they flood a lot.



Do you know why were are called the Queen City???

Because of the Queen City paddle boats of course.



Amanda and Nick.

Kitty and Brad.

We had lunch at a marina that we have not been to before.

Manhattan Harbor; the Reef bar and grill.

They actually had pool right off the dock.

The food was really good, the prices were not bad and the service was slow.

I had the grilled grouper sandwich it comes highly recommended.

We bar hopped for a bit and then the sun set.

Sunday fun day was over, until next weekend...

By the way the boys felt it necessary to clean and buff the boat until 11:00pm.

Needless to say I was exhausted on Monday.