Mr & Mrs Munn

Hi All,

Well… its 11pm on Thursday night. We went out for dinner tonight… and thought we would go check out a movie. Well, I am a knob and the movie we WANTED to see doesn’t come out until tomorrow. So we decided to eat an then head on over to Wal-Mart to do a little look-see. 

After spending $100 (I swear you can never leave that store spending less than that) we came home and I got to work making some cute little owls for this weekends cakes! 

I have TWO cake orders this weekend. Very very exciting times around here. Who would have thought, a small idea turned into a HUGE venture for me! 

One of the cakes I am making is for a gender reveal party, ever head of them? It’s a super cute idea, and when the time comes I would LOVE to do this for our future baby! (although I’ll have a hard time not making the cake myself!) 

It kills me right now that I know the gender of a baby… and the PARENTS don’t even know! It’s a huge responsibility… I get to be a part of moments like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAiG7Z2CCp4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqKK14DiwV0

(had to throw one of each in.. wouldn’t want to give any ideas away!)

I get to create that moment! Sheesh! thats enough to bring tears to anyone’s eyes!

I can’t even watch these videos without bawling my eyes out! I dare you to do the same!

Looking forward to sharing the PICTURES of the cakes AND posting Amber’s video on this blog as well for all to see. I can’t wait for Amber and Chris to find out what they are having!

Till next time…

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Another free photo collage by Smilebox

Hi Everyone! 

It’s been a while, I could blame a myriad of reasons, but lets not lay blame. Instead,  lets say that I am back (today) to share some insight on the past 6 months. 

First of all, if you are still reading this blog.. THANKS! I know there isn’t any juicy stuff anymore, (i blame the lack of planning a wedding) but hopefully… we can still have fun together right? 

So, Jon and I just past 6 MONTHS of being married… can you believe it? (of course you can, you’ve never had any doubts right?) These past 6 months have been great, hard, trying and there have been a NUMBER of ups and downs. 

We added a new four legged member to our family, she is still as cute as ever, Olive has proven to be something in our life we couldn’t imagine living without, although high maintenance (think Katie & Tom’s child Suri high maintenance) she is still our little girl, and is the first to remind us to take a break, and relax once in a while. 

These past few weeks have been tough. I know for those who read our blog back in the summer of 2011, you will remember that Jon’s dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma (brain cancer). Well, two weeks ago after a CT Scan, we found out it had returned. They were not sure what it was at first, whether malignant or cells left from radiation, but when the doctors told us it had grew in a matter of 1 month… we knew. 

He is home now after having another operation, and we are lucky that he is still doing so well. This awful disease has certainly threw this family for a loop, and your thoughts and prayers are more then appreciated, they are truly needed. For strength, for love and of course, for Bob. 

We recently organized our wedding items into a box (yes, ONE box) after all the planning, and organizing… I can fit all that work into one box. We go back to that day alot. Although hot, and sweaty, and more overwhelming then words, it was OUR day. And it meant the world to us. One thing I found while organizing my wedding box, was a stack of recipe cards from my bridal shower. Each guest was requested to write words of wisdom, advice… words to live by, on the cards. Reading through them, I wanted to come on here and share a few of my favorites. These have helped me through the rough times… and prepare me for all of the great times ahead. 

1. It is never 50/50, It should always be 100/100. Always give 100% of your love and respect to each other. 

2. Start the day as a team, end the day as a team. (this one we use everyday, by celebrating good things with a “Go team Munn!” 

3. Marriage is not a game, so don’t keep score

4. Always remember to laugh

5. Spooning is an important part in every relationship

6. Celebrate EVERY little thing (see #2)

and finally … some humor:

7. Remember the Rules for a Successful Marriage

Rule 1 - the woman is always right

Rule 2 - if he still says you are wrong, or if you suspect you may be wrong, refer to rule #1

These were some of my favorites. Thank you to all those who gave advice, listened when I needed them, and are still there to listen now. 

We love you all! 

WOW it’s been a while hasn’t it?

Life just got crazy apparently, and now, just 9 days before Christmas, I find things have slowed down just enough. I hope everyone is enjoy this amazing Christmas season… the un-seasonable weather, and of course time with family and friends. 

I know that Thanksgiving is the time to give thanks… but with the spirit of Christmas in the air, I want to give thanks where thanks is due. 

We couldn’t be more elated to have our wonderful doggy Olive. She came to us from http://www.wienerdogrescue.com/ and we love her more and more each day! I swear every picture I take is of her, and one might call me obsessed (i say overly zealous) but she even got her picture taken with Santa! 

Thank you to the Canadian Dachshund Rescue, for doing what you do. You are all wonderful, and amazing. 

We are also blessed to have a “complete” family. As next year marks the 40th wedding anniversary for my wonderful parents, they get to get the joy of having 3 wonderful kids, all married… and hopefully… within a few years… some more grand-babies (Bryan and Michelle… get working) 

So Thank YOU for being family, friends, strangers, and wonderful people. Because without you… this year would not have been SO wonderful.

Some new and exciting news for this blog…

For those that know me, know that I am a crafty, artsy, baker who likes to hot glue anything I can get my hands on. That being said, have you heard of Pinterest? HOLY CRAP BATMAN… it is my dream world and although I don’t “pin” much now… I will be starting on Jan 1, my 365 days of Pinterest. Everyday for one whole year, I will have a new and exciting recipe, craft, fun thought… SOMETHING for you on this blog. 

Somedays I will play catch up (I am sure) but i promise, 365 days of Pinterest for 2012.

So I hope you will come along for the ride with me. 

Till next time… Here is Olive with Santa. HOW CUTE IS SHE!!!!

Well, here we are, 37 days until CHRISTMAS! How is it that I have been married for 3 months? crazy right?

I wanted to tell you all about a little adventure I have taken myself on. 

After baking up a storm (constantly) and always having some sweet treats on hand when friends come over, I decided to start up my own company! Introducing…. 

FROSTED

AHHHH so cool. I have been asked so many times why I am not in this business, and after a few moments with my husband I started asking myself… “no really, why am I not doing this as a business?”

I am already ridiculously busy, and LOVING IT. With a birthday cake for tomorrow in the works, an event next weekend and even a Movember event to do next week as well. Talk about insane amounts of sugar! 

So here I am… doing a little self promotion on my own blog, and telling you all to head on over to facebook. Click that like button. I am getting close to 100 likes, and when i do, the 100th person, and the person who referred them will receive a 25$ gift certificate. And don’t worry about where you are in the world, shortbread and sugar cookies are perfectly shippable :D 

www.facebook.com/frostedconfections 

Oh… and Olive says HI! 

Till Next time. Stay Sweet. 

Olive is a VERY funny dog. We like to say she is the daughter we always wanted.

Some of you who have me on Facebook will have seen some funny pictures… but i will post some funny videos after this “all about Olive” post. 

Lets start with a quick list: 

1. Olive loves Jon and I 50/50 … if she has sat on one persons lap for too long during the night… she will walk on over to the other lap and give us some great snuggles.

2. Olive LOVES to dress up. Sunglass… halloween costumes… sweaters and jackets too!

3. She LOVES to kiss. She used to like to bite to play… and still does with the occasion new person (who doesn’t know she has been told no) But if she had the choice, she would lick your skin until you didn’t have any left. 

4. Olive likes the bath, but even more so… likes the blow dryer! WEIRD… i mean is she a dog or a human? It could be because it’s leopard print, but it is probably because she LOVES to be warm. (video to come :) ) 

5. She would love to sleep in our bed all night, but likes to have her own space as well. In the morning though, mommy and daddy give her LOTS of snuggles. 

6. She is still a bit timid with strangers, and only a few dogs… but she will come around. When she sees a dog on the street, she says hi… and walks away. No interest in playing around (she’s strictly business)

7. She is a FULL ON DIVA! nails painted? oh sure mom… I will totally lay back and let you do that. Long walks? oh no… she gets too tired and sits down when she is ready to be carried home. 

8. Olive LOVES to swim. She did swimming as her physio therapy to help her gain strength in her legs again after her surgery… but after filling the tub… putting her life jacket on and letting her go, she swam and swam and swam! 

9. She also loves the car. Car rides… looking at cars. You name it she wants it. 

And that is our little girl. We spend so much time with her.. and spoil her rotten, but it won’t be any different when we have human babies! 

Well, now olive has taken a liking to tumblr, and wanted to say hi… guess I better capture this on film too. 

Till next time:

Whats for dinner tonight?

Spring Rolls - Chicken Chow Mein! 

Why? Because I am sick, Jon is sick, the dog has a runny nose … and i am about to take some Benalyn and go to sleep! 

Whats new in the Munn house?

We have been loving our new addition, Olive has been wonderful… and has taken to both of us so well. We love her so much! 

Olive picked out her halloween costume last night… Unless you have me on FB, you will have to wait until the 31st to see it :)

We are excited to have friends over for dinner on Saturday! 

And all of us are hoping to get rid of this DARN cold! 

Oh and PS… as soon as I am better I will have some great baking to share with you all 

Till then… wash those hands.

Nope, not what you might be thinking. We are not expecting. We do however have an addition to our family! 

Tumblr, meet Olive. Olive, meet Tumblr! 

This is our new little girl! She has quite the story behind her as well:

Olive came from Taiwan, she was abused and abandoned in a puppy mill. She needed hip and spine surgery! And some wonderful, WONDERFUL person fly her here to Canada to the Canadian Dachshund Rescue. She had her surgery and has spent a few months with foster families, doing physiotherapy (and water therapy) to get her hind muscles back to working order. She can’t jump, can only handle going down a few stairs… but for everything she has been through she is one hell of a dog! We love her very very very much and she is settling in quite well in her new forever home :)

She spent her first weekend meeting the ENTIRE family (what an introduction!) Grandma and Grandpa Lowery weren’t sure what to think at first, but fell in love when they met her. And Grandma and Grandpa Munn love her very much and can’t wait to spend more time with her. 

She loves her daddy, and cries when he leaves. Then she will find a soft spot next to mommy and all will be well in the world of “Miss Thang” … she has a few nick names including: Princess, Miss Diva, Miss Thang, Little Girl, Little monster and baby. 

Now… if her Daddy and i could only agree on a Halloween costume… 

I am SO glad you asked… haha! 

Tonight’s dinner consisted of Tri-Tip Steak, twice baked potatoes and some grilled peppers! (and wine… of course) 

Here we go: 

First, I’d like to say for all you foodies out there… who think tri-tip is a “low end” cut of meat, I DARE you to taste it. Not only is is juicy… but if marinated and grilled properly… it is VERY flavorful! 

Not to mention, it is inexpensive… and has almost no fat on it! 

So, lets start with the marinade. It is amazing if you can let this sit overnight, but if not, a few hours will do you just fine. 

Mix all of these in the bowl: 

6 chopped up cloves of garlic

1/2 c chopped green onion

ground pepper (however much you want!) 

1/2 tsp of dijon mustard

1/3 c olive oil

1/3 white wine (dry wine is best…) 

3tbsp white wine vinegar

2tbsp soy sauce 

pinch of salt

Now this might seem like alot of ingredients… but it is SO worth it, and i usually have most of it in my fridge.

Here is what the  start of it will look like… and when you are done the marinade: 

YUM! Ok, so throw that tri-tip in the bowl, let it marinate and get drunk on the wine. (the steak, not you… not yet anyway)

Next up I made some twice baked potatoes. Never really made these before, so it was shot in the dark. I baked the potatoes in the oven for 45/50 minutes. I used smaller potatoes so i could get a better handle on them. 

When they are done baking, scoop out the insides to a bowl that is waiting with some garlic… a little chopped onion, and some grated cheese (OH so important!) 

Throw a bit of butter in the bowl, let it melt and mash those potatoes until they are nice and creamy, and the cheese is sooooo stringy that you want to eat the whole bowl RIGHT THEN! (don’t do that) 

Hopefully you have saved the skins of the potatoes… leaving them “bowlish” in nature… ready for this mixture to be scooped back in. Pile it high… overflow those puppies. 

I used a small muffin tin to hold them… it steadied them in the oven so there were no spills:

Put them back in the oven for around 15 mins. You’ll know they are done when they get some nice golden tips on the peaks of the potato mix! 

Now, during that time that they are cooking… get that steak out… and start grilling! 

We have this AMAZING grill that we got as a shower gift… and have used it a BILLION times to make delicious food. Cook the steaks to a good medium (unless you like if a bit more rare…) they really should be enjoyed at medium, to get that juicy tenderness and flavor. Because the grill has 2 sides, we threw green and red peppers on the opposite side to get some great colour in the meal. 

I mean… who can resist peppers… look how colourful they are!

By the time the steak and peppers are done, you will be pulling out the potatoes and ready to enjoy. 

Now, don’t forget the wine… and your favorite Husband. ENJOY!