Free soy milk?

Who knew?
If you buy a Starbucks gift card and load it with $5 or more and buy your drinks on it, after 5 drinks you get free soy milk and much more!
Check out the program here

Thanks nice lady for cluing me in.
Save $.50 every time I get a Starbees!
Love it!

Let the games begin!

For Shane's bday, Jason built him his very own USC Corn Toss or as we've been calling it Corn Hole!
The Bon got him all the accessories- cardinal and gold bean bags and an official score keeper (that holds your beer).
We had a blast breaking it in this weekend.
I see many BBQs and competitions in our future.

OMG June Birthdays...

And a very special Happy Birthday to just a few:

Kelly Creedon- June 2nd
Jason Ball- June 3rd
Halle Creedon- June 4th
George Pasquel- June 7th
Barney Hellenbrand- June 9th
Amy Chuirco- June 11th
Lauren Seaton- June 18th
Shane Ball- June 18th
Gina Ange- June 19th
Allison Couchman- June 23rd
Deanna Salvaryn- June 24th
Emma Ange- June 25th
(hope I'm not forgetting anyone, sorry if so)

Looks like fall is prime baby making season.
Things that make me go hmm...

XO,
S

Korean Pork Lettuce Wrap Success!

Thank you Tammi, Andrew and hubby for being my Guinea Pigs.
I tested out a friend's recipe and YUM!


Korean Style Pork Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin (love getting mine at Trader Joe's)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger (mincing fresh ginger was a first for me, I used a cheese grater)
• 2 tablespoons Sriracha hot chili sauce
• 4 teaspoons honey
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted (just saw this ingredient, totally forgot it, oops)
  
• 1 1/2 cups cooked jasmine rice (thank god for rice cookers, my rice always comes out perfect)
• 1 head Boston, Bibb, or butter lettuce, leaves separated, washed and patted dry

Directions:

Slice the pork into 1/4 inch pieces to get ready for marinade. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, sugar, 2 teaspoons of the sesame oil, green onion, garlic, and ginger. Whisk together till sugar dissolves.

Poor marinade over the pork pieces and mix around. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

In a small mixing bowl, combing the Sriracha hot chili sauce, honey and remaining 2 teaspoons of sesame oil. Stir and set aside.

When the pork is marinated, take out of refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over high heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove pork from marinade and carefully place in skillet (carefully of the hot oil). Cook pork, stirring constantly with tongs or wooden spoon for 4-to 5 minutes or until pork is cooked through (mine took a little longer). Remove from heat and stir in sesame seeds.

To serve, spoon several tablespoons of rice into center of lettuce leaf, taco style. Top with a few pork strips and drizzle with YUMMY chili mixture.

Wa-la time to get in your belly!

XO,
S

The little things...

In our first year of marriage, it's been the little things that have made all the difference. Pleases and thank yous, understanding about working late, taking time to make the bed in the morning, trying to stay in shape, making dinners together or sharing the duties that go along with it...

After our long weekend in Palm Springs, Shane wanted me to realize how appreciative he was, so yesterday he worked from home and proceeded to clean our entire house, unpack, do laundry, buy me fresh flowers and have the SWEETEST card waiting for me when I got home from work!

I really think that it's these things, "the little things" that will keep our relationship strong and thriving. We both really try to remind one another OFTEN just how grateful we are!

I love loving you Shane.

He's 32...

We love our friends!

The fedora duo!

And I'm done planning bdays for a while (at least a year, maybe more).
Palm Springs was a success, despite the minor hiccup of NO air in our room the first night.
Looking forward to our return trip ALONE in the suite they are giving us to make up for the inconvenience.

I know Shane is feeling lucky in LOVE, FRIENDS, FAMILY and LIFE this year!
Thanks again to all that joined us!

XO

Lucky in Fathers!

Steve and Shane on our wedding day!

Dad sandwich- Daddy D on my left and Barney on my right!

Happy Early Father's Day to our Dads!

Some people only have 1, but Shane and I are lucky to have 3 incredible FATHERS!
Your love and guidance has gotten us to where we are today and we are so grateful for who you are and all you do!

Love,
S & S

It's Baby Season...

Up next Ashun and Taylor!

Last summer they wed at Pelican Hill Resort...

...this summer they will welcome their first child BABY MASON into the world!

So it's time to get creative for her baby shower...

If you aren't living under a rock, then you know that CAKE POPS are the new "it" dessert!
They are kinda brilliant,
small and very tasty,
Get them at Bakerella

Here's what they look like.

Here's where my creativity comes into play!

Our dear friend Phil, recently took pregnancy pics of Ash and Tay and they are FANTASTIC, so I wanted to somehow showcase them and her beautiful belly.
With the theme of POPping, I thought of this little saying and made stickers to stick on the outside of the Cake Pops. It will make more sense when I take pics of the finished product, but here's a sneak peak.

Finished Product!

Congrats to all the expecting parents in my life- Kether and Cenzo (aka. JJ), Nikki and Ryan and anyone else I might be missing or just can't congratulate quit yet!

Still as cute at 32!

Happy 32nd birthday Boo Boos!
(Shane as a blondie kidlet below)

Friday, June 18th, your birthday continues!

In our going on 4 years together, we've had quite the run of celebrations,
here's a glimpse of them.

Year 1: Happy 29th at The Standard Rooftop Pool
Downtown, LA

Year 2: The BIG 3-0
at Zu Robata

Year 3: Just as fun at 31!
at Ivy at the Shore

Year 3 cont: BBQ with friends!
The Carlton, Brentwood

The Party Continues this year as Shane turns 32!
Friends and family will celebrate with us in the desert at the Palm Springs Riviera!

You are so very loved babe.
I hope you remember that on all days, not just your birthday.
We can't thank all our friends and family enough for celebrating with us!

XO,
Sam

Happy Birthday to My Barney!

We can't wait to take you out with your new discount!

Thanks for being a wonderful father and bossman.

XO,
S&S

Not quite a Yogini...

...but I'm workin on it.
The last few weeks I've started to introduce Yoga into my workouts.
Last night I took a class at Yogaworks in Westwood and what a treat it was!
Not only was our instructor Kia Miller fabulous, but the music was live by a guy that had the vibe and sound of Jack Johnson.
YUM, I'll take two.
Now for my body to show some results.
In due time...

Thanks for being my workout buddy Brooke!

XO,
S

Not your normal noodles...

Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meat Sauce

My dear friend Jillian recently suggested we cook spaghetti squash for dinner.
What a pleasant surprise our meal was!
Not only was it healthy, but it was relatively easy to make.

Simple recipe:

2 Spaghetti Squash
1/2 red onion
Lean ground turkey
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1/2 cup of red wine
salt, pepper, garlic salt, Italian seasonings, chili flakes... to taste
Shaved Parmesan

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put whole spaghetti squash in for 10 minutes to soften. Cut in half and put on cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Put back in oven for 20-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, saute onions in sauce pan. Brown turkey meat. Once browned, start adding to make your own version of sauce. Simmer and wait for squash to be done.
When squash is done you will be able to take a fork and scrap out the flesh. It somewhat resembles noodles.

Bon Appetite!