thirty-one cent scoops!

31 cent scoops at Baskin Robbins tonight! Yum. Stop by between 5-10pm to help support your local fire service organization. I loooove ice cream ... there's a chance I will stop by for some mint chocolate chip! :) What's YOUR favorite flavor?

boot drive today!

Local firefighters are hosting the annual "Boot Drive" today with proceeds going toward the Burn Institute of San Diego. Look for firefighters at most major intersections during your morning and evening commutes and drop some cash in their boots!

sleeveface.com

So, this is really awesome ... sleeveface.com ... "persons obscuring or augmenting any part of their body or bodies with record sleeve(s) causing an illusion". Credit to my dad for showing me this site. I've seen some really incredible old albums at the thrift store (specifically at Amvets). I'm really tempted to try it myself! And I'm anxious to hear which ones are your favorite :)

tax day = free stuff

Free cup of brewed coffee at Starbucks tomorrow (April 15th) if you bring your own reusable travel mug!

Cinnabon is giving out two free cupcake bites "to make it less taxing" on April 15th from 6pm to 8pm.

Several Chick-fil-A restaurants have tax day promotions but they are restaurant specific so call before going.

Some Subway restaurants are giving out a free cookie to each customer. Again, call and check for participating locations.

Free Taco Al Carbon or any other loco value menu item with a drink purchase from El Pollo Loco (yum!)

And Jack in the Box has Free Fryday the day after Tax Day (April 16th) with free samples of their new fries.

the best hot fudge

This is the BEST hot fudge sauce you will ever eat in your life! I would show you a picture ... but we already ate it all :) It's really incredible on vanilla ice cream, great for dipping fruit like strawberries or drizzled over your favorite cheesecake. It's super quick and easy to make. Enjoy! Let me know what you think.

HOT FUDGE SAUCE
(recipe from Claudia)

1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa (sifted)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons dark corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put all ingredients in small pan and boil at a low boil over moderate heat. Stir constantly to keep smooth (a whisk works best). Makes 1 1/2 cups.

ugly cake

I thought these pictures were worth sharing ... my friend Ashley ordered a cake from a professional bakery for her 4 year old son's birthday and it came out SO bad! Haha, wow. These pictures are pretty amazing - nothing is centered or straight and they didn't even spell out "birthday" on the side. It looks like her son decorated the cake himself! :) Fortunately, she called them and got her money back.

new flowers

Went to the Farmers Market this afternoon and picked up some flowers for three dollars :) What a deal! I bought a mixed bouquet before but it overwhelmed me. I've decided my favorite is a simple bunch like these or wax flowers that I can divide and put all around the house. Just wish I could capture them better with my camera.

fiona likes food

Check out my friend's new food blog - Fiona Likes Food! If you grew up eating her mom's incredible gourmet cooking you'd probably write a food blog too. (ps: she has really great photos.)

forgive the photos

As the daughter of a professional photographer, I ask that you please forgive the terrible photos I will be posting on this blog. I figure a bad picture is perhaps better than NO picture but I am still sorry (in advance). My camera is getting old and I guarantee the pictures will look bad. I don't dare take a picture in low lighting because the camera shuts down and says "battery exhausted" - Ha! It's definitely time for a new one.

my inspiration

the secret of life

I was raised on James Taylor. Thanks to my dad, I'm pretty sure I knew the lyrics to almost ALL of his songs as a child! :) And one line in particular came to mind as I was thinking of a name for this new blog ... "the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time" ... it's one of my favorite song lyrics of all time. Unfortunately, the url is taken by a blogger who made just ONE post! :( Bummer. So, I went with "Family and Food" to reflect my love both for my family and of course, my love for food.  Part of "The Secret of Life" lyrics are still listed below the title and I hope you will enjoy the passage of time along with me through this blog.  Feel free to comment.  I love hearing from you!