Australia: Cairns Part II - Photo Dump

Looks like my sly online comments from my original Cairns post worked … Penny handed over the pictures :)  I realize, I've already recapped you, but I felt compelled to share the additional images after making such a big deal about it. I'll try to keep my mouth shut so you can enjoy the look book without my repetitive commentary, but I'm not making any promises.

Saturday, December 20

Snorkeling/Diving the Great Barrier Reef - Chartered Catamaran out of Port Douglas 

 WHALES!

Jon Ryan heading in for his first Dive!

 Even Baby B got to play!!

 Sunday, December 21

Paronella Park and Queensland Waterfalls

Creeping on Uncle Max :)

 Getting artsy :)

 Lovebirds ...

 And more lovebirds + one ...

 And sibling love.

 Just a boy playing with sticks.

 Oh my heart ...

 Water falls!

 Climbing the Cathedral Fig Tree … DANGER: WATCH FOR PYTHONS

 Showing off our figs.

 Annnnd, we're out. Melbourne up next!

Infatuation Inquiry

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Which could mean so many things to so many people. As for Hubs and me … the lead up to the weekend has consisted of LOTS of searching and re-searching for Disney Junior Live! On Tour: Pirate and Princess Adventure tickets in hopes to take little man on a hoot date and for some reason or another, LOTS of trivia that has made for some seriously fun conversation.

Hehehe funny trivia. I bet you tried it. Silly. I'm laughing at you.

In lieu of upcoming dates and need conversation fillers … I thought I would share some of the trivia that's been happening around these parts. Just in case you find yourself in the middle of a situation where you need some conversation fillers. And/or you're like me and Shane and simply have been together for so long, that mindless trivia can just be a fun addition to any date (In the off chance you want to play by yourself … I'll write the answers far enough below so I won't burst your bubble of mentally answering)

• Random Questions:

1. What state is Mt. Rushmore in?
2. What state is most well known for cheese?
3. Which country would you find the world's longest fence?
4. Which country has the world's longest coastline?
5. What river flows both north and south of the equator?
6. Which country has the most volcanoes?
7. How many bones are there in an Elephant's trunk?
8. In which year did Princess Dianna die?
9. How many dots are there on a pair of dice? (ANSWER QUICK!)
10. What is the only planet that rotates clockwise?

• Valentine's Day Related Questions

1. How many roses will be sold and delivered within a three day time period?
2. Where are most of the USA's roses imported from for Valentine's Day?
3. What percentage of women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day?
4. How many candy hearts (the NECCO ones with messages on them) are sold between January 1 to February 14?
5. How many heart shaped boxes of chocolates will be sold for Valentine's Day?

• Date-y Questions:

1. What is the other's shoe size? 
2. In what city was the other born? 
3. If the other had his or her dream job, what would it be? 
4. What single word would the other use to describe you? 
5. Which of the following candies best describes your first kiss? Starburst, Good and Plenty, Hot Tamales, Goobers, Milk Duds, Zero.

Answers:

• Random Questions:

1. South Dakota
2. Wisconsin
3. Australia
4. Canada
5. The Congo
6. Indonesia
7. Zero
8. 1997
9. 42
10. Venus

• Valentine's Day Related Questionsa

1. 110 million
2. South America
3. 15%
4. 8 BILLION! 8 BILLION! WHAT?!?!?
5. 35 Million

• Date-y Questions:

1. I obviously can't answer these for your date :) - Have fun!

Okay chickens enjoy your love-filled weekend. I love you! Muah!

   

Deliciously Dipped

Dang, a day late and a dollar short for my Recipe Monday. But, here I am on Tuesday bringing you the winner of our big dilemma of what Valentine treat little man and I would make (ha!) ... we pulled the trigger and committed to white chocolate dipped/sprinkle coated rice crispy bites. They were so easy and so yummy! And, obviously can be easily updated for any holiday. Plus, who doesn't love good ole' Rice Crispy Treats?!

White Chocolate Dipped Rice Crispy Bites

Here's our entire cast of lovers. So simply sweet. 

Start by melting 3.5 tablespoons of salted butter in a sauce pan on low.

Next, add 5 cups of mini marshmallows and things heat up between those two lovers.

While they're hanging out and getting to know one another, pour 6 cups of those Snap! Crackle! POP! Rice Krispy treats into a large bowl.

Turn around and continue chaperoning dem' mallows and butter. Continue stirring and stirring and stirring and let that butter coat them little cuties.

Keep on stirring while they get to know each other better. Yum.

Let the little one tugging on your leg tastes what's up (and if he's still wearing his Christmas PJ's in February ... just pretend you don't notice).

And when he gets super excited because they've gotten along so well, you can kindly agree that they're ready to meet a new friend.  They should be almost smooth, but still a little lumpy. Ahh, I want to jump inside that pan and swim around. But that would probably be really sticky, and I would regret it later when I was washing my hair.

They're ready to make a new friend ... so let's introduce that butter and mallow duo to an edgier cereal.

And stir them around so they can get to know each other even better. There's just so much friendliness here to day :)

Now pour them into a greased 9x13 pan and pack them in nice and tight. Tip: I spray the edge of my silicone spatula with baking spray and pack them down to avoid sticking.

Tip: I spray the edge of my silicone spatula with baking spray and pack them down to avoid sticking.

Let the treats sit and cool in the pan for 45 minutes or longer if you have time. Find things to do while you wait. Fold some laundry, read more of my blog posts, watch the Bachelor, let little man taste test the ones you set aside :).

Or follow him around with a camera to try and capture the terribly hard to accomplish toddler playing photo.

Once they've cooled, and you've had all of the train playing you can stand. Cut the treats into 1-inch squares.

Now comes the fun part ... EMBELLISH those cuties!  Melt your chocolate dip (I used Vanilla Candiquick) and get your sprinkles ready.

Enlist some help from your tiniest helper rocking his "HoHo" jammies LIKE A BOSS and dip those little morsels.

Once he's eaten enough white chocolate, made a colossal mess and is ready for his afternoon nap; you can lay him down and then hurriedly rush back into the kitchen to step in and complete the treats as you originally imagined.

Douse that puppy in sprinkles, because well ... Adorable and pink and red and Valentine's Day.

Then finish them all up, try not to eat so many your stomach hurts (whoops!) and package them up so little man can wake up and have the most delicious afternoon snack!

You can add lollipop sticks if you want, but they are perfectly delicious as bites as well.

Happy Love week to all. Enjoy!