The FullTimeWife Sings

One of the shots from our ad. 

Hey there Happy Friday Folks! I'm so glad it's a friday for you. I really am. It's always a pleasure to see people relaxing and enjoying time together around a good flick, delicious food and hilarious company.

I'm writing to you to finally reveal another part of myself that I often don't talk about...my singing life. No, I'm not currently working as a professional but I do get to create music for professional ads with my husband. This recent work for Union Pacific as been passion work because it's for their Great Big Rollin' Railroad competition. So who knows if we will win the grand prize or not?! But the adrenaline, fun and hard work we put into our fun ad was worth every minute of us trying.

We have until the end of June to have family, friends and awesome people vote for us. So let me walk out of my introverted self and ask, "Would YOU please vote for us?" I would truly appreciate your vote as it will be a factor in the judging process. All our winnings will go to my husband's education into becoming a character animator. Every last bit helps when it comes to financial aid.

Oh, and I forgot to mention (the entire reason for the title of this post), yes, I sang the tune to the ad we created and added all my little harmonies via Garage Band. According to my mother and me, I've always loved singing and creating music. Music to me, has always been a salve for a broken heart, an anthem of courage for times I am afraid and a way to tell my loved ones how much they mean to me. So yes, maybe one day I'll find enough courage to sing in front a crowd again. But for now, I do all my crooning behind a mic in our humble apartment and for ads that need a happy tune to convey a particular message.

Have a lovely weekend!

Link for UP150 Brock and Nellie Boyts video: http://up150.com/gbrr/video/194

A "Counter" Culture Burger

Happy Friday Everyone! Hope this post finds you well off and ready for a fun weekend.

My husband first introduced me to The Counter restaurant last year. His co-workers took him there and then he decided to take me on a surprise date, knowing how much I love new food experiences. No surprise, it was a burger spot but with a fun twist!

Instead of a typical menu, we each received a clipboard with a menu card where we could customize our meal. So far, I like. Not only that, I was thrilled with the selection of side orders and greens you could top off your burger. So instead of getting a bun, I could go almost carb-free with their selection of salads and greens (alfalfa sprouts, please). To make things ever better, my angus beef was not treated with hormones (have enough to spare) or antibiotics. Good to know just in case if and when I get pregnant and have a craving for a burger I know where to get a good one. But I've heard pregnancy can usually do the opposite to a carnivorous woman, one day meat the next day beet.

Well, take a look at their menu and if you live in any of these locations or will be visiting, stop by The Counter for a new and delicious experience. Writing this makes me crave it...

Fun Fish Candy Cupcakes and More

It's summertime and why not have fun with blue icing, fish-shaped candy and cupcakes? I found this container of fish candy at Toys R' Us and was inspired to decorate cupcakes for Summer. I should make an entire week of summer themed cupcakes. What you see is what you get on these babies. Blue icing, candy and light brown sugar for sand. Oh btw, I found some really cute pre-made cupcake decorators at Sur La Table this past weekend. Really adorable stuff from Meri Meri. Thank you Meredithe and team of creatives for making our parties and baking incredibly chic! Happy Friday!

Meri Meri Products

BBQ Bake Set

Stars and Stripes Set

Hosting a party? Why not a Cupcake Baking Party with this lovely Cupcake Bakery party kit.

My Friday Cupcake

It's Friday and I had to share something food related. So I'm sharing a photo of a cupcake I completely enjoyed. I'm currently on a mission to figure out a chocolate cupcake recipe of my own that I can be proud of. So many recipes out there but it's time I concoct one from my laboratory. I try and recollect my favorite cakes and there are a handful that I really liked. One of them was made by a cute little old lady that lived in Independence, Missouri. I never got the chance to get the recipe from her. It was perfectly moist and chocolatety and I should have eaten more. Bummer.

Do you have a favorite chocolate cake recipe?

Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend!!

Garlic Soy Chicken Brine

I read in one of my Food Network magazines some secrets for successful summer grilling. My man Guy Fieri's quote "Brine, Brine, Brine" stuck with me and that's what I did. BRINE!

I took the liberty to make my own brine and so far it's done wonders for our dinners. Here's how I make mine:

Garlic Soy Chicken Brine
2 cups of Water
2 cups of cold water
1 tablespoon of Himalayan Salt
1/4 cup of Soy Sauce
2 tablespoon of Brown Sugar
4 Cloves of mashed garlic
4 tablespoons of Olive Oil

• In a small pot, heat water and mix salt, soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic. Mix well until salt and sugars are dissolved. Set aside and cool.
• Place chicken in plastic container, pour cooled brine and 2 cups of cold water over chicken. Drizzle oil and give it a little mix. Cover container and place chicken in fridge for at least 2 hours. 

*Remember, you can always adjust the intensity of the brine. Have fun experimenting. I've also used sugar substitute for a sugar-free option.

Bake chicken according to your recipe. For the chicken pictured, I baked the chicken on a grill pan at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until juices run clear. For the last 15 minutes baste chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce and bake a little longer until you get some caramelization.

Happy Wednesday!

There Should Be a Grandmother's Day!

It's great that we have a Mother's and Father's Day, but how about Grandparent or Grandmother's Day? I'm sure I'm not the only kid in the world that has/had good grandparents. There is one grandparent that I wish I had more to time with...my Grandma Esther. From what I can recall, she had a strong and feisty spirit, strict at times. Whenever we, grandkids, had the chance to be with her, I knew I always wanted to be on her good side. But the fondest memories I have of her have to be moments involving food.

I remember her kitchen in Joplin, Missouri. Spacious, from a child's perspective, with pale yellow walls or cabinets. Maybe it was the sunlight that made them yellow but it was bright and airy inside. No matter if it was the kitchen in Joplin or in Olathe, Kansas, I would always feel comforted by the aroma of steamed rice filled the room. I remember coughing and running away from the kitchen when she would make her roasted red chili paste. I even recollect her herb garden in the far corner of the backyard, the temperature always seemed cooler there no matter how hot it got during those humid Midwest summers. The sprigs of cilantro and sweet spearmint perfumed the cool of evening and it all just felt right in the world. I felt as if my father was whole and our entire family felt close, all because of her and haven she created.

My passion and love for food has been fueled by my mother and my grandmother. It's a beautiful thing to still enjoy someone's life through the recipes they have passed down. My grandma Esther's spirit is still around whenever we come together to enjoy a bountiful Sunday dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes, spring rolls and a mean broccoli & cheese dish. Oh and don't forget the rice and hot chili paste. I'm so glad my mother learned as much as she could from Grandma and passed down that knowledge to me. My aunts, Lucy and Sumalee, also learned from her and it's wonderful to experience Grandma through them when we all get together for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

So, Grandma, I want you to know that your life made a difference and will continue to make a difference in generations to come. I wish was old and wise enough to get to know you more. Thank you for loving God and loving your family the way that you did. I can tell my Dad still misses you until today but we have a Hope that we all will be together again. Love you and Happy Grandmother's Day from my heart!

Caramel Butter Frosting

I'm a big fan of caramel and butterscotch. So when I found this recipe, I couldn't wait to make it. The cake I made is what candy lovers would call a Turtle cake. Bake your favorite chocolate cake, grab a bag of pecan halves/pieces and bring it all together with this Caramel Butter Frosting that is sure to become a family favorite.

Caramel Butter Frosting
Recipe instructions adapted from Better Homes & Gardens Dessert Cook Book
1/2 cup Butter
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Milk
3 1/4 cup Sifted Confectioners' Sugar

• Melt butter, then add brown sugar. Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil. Set aside to cool slightly (3-4 minutes).
• Add milk to mixture and beat until smooth.
• Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until mixture is of spreading consistency.
• Frost cake! :)

My husband and I have varying opinions of what we like for food pictures...so I'll post the photo he liked best. Love you, Babe!