Good evening! [I don’t know why but whenever I say ‘good evening’ I always picture myself saying it in a creepy dracula voice….muhauha….I’m weird I know!)
I hope you are all having a great weekend!
I have had a busy day– we have been doing laundry non-stop (it’s amazing how much accumulates in 2.5 weeks!). We also had lots of errands to run today- Christmas shopping, etc.
I had to buy my secret santa gift which just so happens to be for my BOSS! Agh, could I have gotten a more difficult pick? How do you buy your boss a secret santa gift for $20 and not seem like a cheap skate. I think I spent about $25-30 on her even though the limit was $20.
I got her a set of 4 really neat looking Martini glasses (she always jokes that she’s “going straight home to have a big, fat martini” LOL) and I got her some Bailey’s chocolates. I hope she likes it! If not, I will pretend like I didn’t get her. lol.
![img_2428 img_2428](/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/img_2428.jpg)
There is definitely a buzz of activity in all of the shopping centres- we even noticed a lot more traffic on the highway early evening, apparently everyone was leaving the malls and heading home for dinner like us!
When we got home we were quite hungry so I made us some mini pizzas with salad on the side. Quick and easy!
We did some Christmas decorating too…
![img_2430 img_2430](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_2430.jpg)
Eric also put a couple red and green spot lights out front of the house and decorated a plant with lights indoors. :D
And they’re spent…
![img_2423 img_2423](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_2423.jpg)
We’re supposed to be going to see the cartoon called ‘Bolt’ at the movies tonight, but I’m not so sure after seeing these two…lol. The fun never stops around here!!! haha.
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I also attempted to re-create the Pecan Pie Larabar tonight, with somewhat disappointing results…
Ok, maybe I am being a bit hard on myself. After the success of my Banana Bread Larabar, it was hard to take it when my Pecan Pie Larabar was not a spitting image (and taste).
I mean, it was only 3 ingredients, how hard could it be?
Attempt 1 Combo
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1/2 cup dates
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2/9 cup pecans (essentially 2/3 of a 1/3 cup) then I topped it off with almonds (1/3 of 1/3 cup)
Sorry to be so confusing, it has been one of those nights in the kitchen!
Attempt #1 proved to be quite sweet, and when I ripped open an actual Pecan Pie Larabar, my re-creation was much darker in comparison. *Sigh. It was still very tasty though! And I will certainly be eating Attempt #1.
Attempt 2 Combo:
- 1/3 cup dates
- 2/9 cup pecans (essentially 2/3 of a 1/3 cup) then I topped it off with almonds (1/3 of 1/3 cup)
I reduced the amount of dates in order to make it a bit less sweet, lighter in colour, and more pecan-y.
Directions:
1. Put dates in a food processor for about 45 seconds. Remove from bowl. Set aside in a small bowl.
![img_2407 img_2407](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_2407.jpg)
2. Add nuts and process for about 45 seconds.
![img_2410 img_2410](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_2410.jpg)
3. Combine and mix together with hands. Prepare to get sticky. :D (Remove Rings!)
![img_2417 img_2417](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_2417.jpg)
4. Divide into two equal halves. Place each half in the centre of a piece of saran wrap and form into a bar shape (or whatever shape you desire!)
I guess I was so down and out about the outcome of this Pecan Pie attempt, I forgot to take a picture of the final product. I guess you will have to use your imagination! :D Or see this post!
I compared my result to the real Pecan Pie Larabar, and the real Larabar won hands down in taste. My attempt was still tasty, but I have by no means perfected it yet! I need to find the perfect combo of those 3 ingredients. Maybe someone else will have better luck than me??
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Some Barcelona honeymoon pictures:
![img_0164 img_0164](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_0164.jpg)
![img_0174 img_0174](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_0174.jpg)
![img_0280 img_0280](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_0280.jpg)
![img_0212 img_0212](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_0212.jpg)
![img_0270 img_0270](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_0270.jpg)
![img_6826 img_6826](/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/img_6826.jpg)
Love that pic…its our champagne reflecting on the ice bucket :)
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Gosh now I can barely keep my eyes open! I guess the 6 hours of sleep is catching up on me!
See you tomorrow!
I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong.
– Leo Rosten
Cute pic of the hubs and Sketchie!
i love your homemade larabars! and barcelona is so fun. :D
Dracula reference = hilarious :-D
Homemade Larabars = holy yum, as always.
Barcelona photographs = bring back memories for me.
Wow, you have so many terrific ideas for eating healthy! My turn to thank you for inspiration – I am going to start adopting about a dozen of your ideas. I just started by eating a plate of cucumbers with balsamic vinegar – you’re right, yum.
love all the Barcelona pictures! And that kitty is SO GORGEOUS! I love her coloring!!!
Hurrah for homemade larabars…I am always impressed by people who give that a try! It seems so labor intensive!!
HAPPY WEEKEND!!! :)
Hi Angela ! Thanks so much for stopping by. You have a nice talent at pictures and what a great website. One of these days, I am going to move to a nicer more well managed site. Mine will have to do for now…
Thank you for the comments. That means alot to me. I’m finding this blogging soothing for the soul.
I have never seen a more cool looking cat. What breed?
Love the LARABARS!!! Your pic of hubby looks a lot like my hubby right now!!!