Halloween? The Walking Dead Fan? Great Throw Pillows for The Walking Dead Fan In ALL Of Us

It might be too late to order one or two of these in time for Halloween but what a great gift for a fan of The Walking Dead!  My favorites are the Biohazard and the I ♥ Your Guts pillows.

12 Spooky Zombie Pillows by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

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National Chocolate Cupcake Day- Does it Get Any Better??

I think every single day of the year has a Holiday associated with it and some even more than one.  Now, mind you, they are more often than not obscure and silly but still.....

Today is one of those day!  While February 24 is National Cupcake Day TODAY is National CHOCOLATE Cupcake Day!  Huge difference and I am just waiting for the National Bring Your Cupcake to Work Day.  ;)

Anyhow, in honor of this auspicious holiday that deserves to be celebrated in a BIG way I thought I would share my Pinterest Board that is dedicated to nothing but cupcakes.  I know, I know, they aren't all chocolate but if you take the time to peek around I am sure you will find some recipes that are perfectly suited to celebrate today.

While you are there check out a few of my other boards!  I'd love to hear from you so if you have some boards on Pinterest just let me know if the comments section and I promise I'll head on over and check them out.

In the meantime, enjoy your day and don't forget to have your Chocolate Cupcake!


Follow Leesa Finley's board Cupcakes on Pinterest.

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On Point: Black Stilettos

On Point: Black Stilettos by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pretty in Pink: Cute Bracelets by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

Shop Pink: Fashion That Funds Research by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Candles by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

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Chicken Cashew Lettuce Wraps with Five Spice & Hoisin

Today was the day!  My #punkkid became a certified scuba diver!!  I am so incredibly excited and happy for him and sad at the same time because it is something that I'll never be able to do with him.  That a whole other post but until then....... Mr. Finley IS a certified diver so this is something that they can share together and spend quality time together.

While they are out diving?  I'm coming up with new recipes, washing clothes and painting my nails.  It's just what I do.  ;)

The #finleyguys were gone yesterday from 7am - 10:30pm busy with water skills testing, classroom testing and just general merriment that those two do when I am not around.  (I don't want to know!)  Today they left at 6am, headed out on to the ocean at 7am and they both got in several dives.  I am SO proud of #punkkid!!!!!  What did I do?  I perused Pinterest looking for dinner to feed the hungry "fish" when they got home.  It couldn't be too heavy, couldn't be carb heavy, and I wanted to be sure it was light and fresh.  Gauging from the empty serving bowls on the kitchen counter I think I achieved nirvana!

Here is my take on Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps - Let me know what you think in the comments!  I hope you try them and I hope you LOVE them......

Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Five Spice & Hoisin

4 chicken cutlets, diced
2 - 3 tbls vegetable oil (or canola but definitely NOT olive oil)
4 tbls soy sauce, low sodium
2 tbls rice wine vinegar
2 tbls brown sugar
2 tsp hoisin sauce
1 or 2 pinches of Five Spice Powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1-2 tsp sesame oil (you need more than 1 but 2 can be overpowering for some - I used 2)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 shallots, minced (or 1 small yellow onion)
1/2 c chopped cashews (I just used halves and pieces)
1/4 c water chestnuts, diced

3 green onions, chopped
Bibb Lettuce or Iceberg Lettuce

In a small bowl mix the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, hoisin, five spice powder, cayenne pepper, ginger, and sesame oil.  Whisk until combined and brown sugar is dissolved.  Set mixture aside.

Heat oil in a wok or medium sized saute pan on medium-high heat.  Add chicken and stir continually until lightly browned.  Once browned, remove chicken to a bowl.  Add to the saute pan the shallots or onion and saute for 2-3 mins until tender.  Add garlic to the pan and continue to saute another 2-3 mins careful not to burn.  Add chicken back to the pan along with cashews, water chestnuts and sauce.  Mixture will seem "thin" at first - cook on a high simmer for 7-10 mins allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken.

Serve with either Bibb lettuce or iceberg lettuce leaves and top with chopped green onions.

These were delicious!  I know many people don't have Five Spice Powder in their pantry but the addition to this dish is so worth it!  There are so many other recipes out there that call for it - here are a few I rounded up to help you justify the purchase!  ;)

• Grilled Five Spice Chicken
• Cranberry Five Spice Cookies
• Chinese Five Spice Chicken Wings

  
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TexMex Corn Dip - Confessions of a Farmers Market Junkie!

Well, it isn't quite a month since the Finleys have relocated to the outrageously gorgeous Boynton Beach FL, but what a fantabulous 3+ weeks it has been.  I am LONG overdue for a post about the move - it's coming, it's coming......  ;)

One of my most FAVORITE discoveries has been the Woolbright Farmers Market just down the street from us.  Oh Eem Gee!  Trust me, there will be a post dedicated to that little gem.  Unbelievable selection of local produce at prices that really boggle my mind!  I am completely addicted and seriously, I visit at least 3 times a week!

On my last trip I overindulged in corn on the cob.  I just couldn't help myself - ears and ears and it all looked so fresh and sweet.  At 5/$1 I just couldn't say no.  After I got home and started putting it away I was like, "Wow, Leesa, that's a lot of corn, what the hell?"  I texted my Mom right away asking for her Corn Salsa recipe but that still would not be enough to use up all of the corn I bought.  So, Pinterest I went a searching.  I am famous for finding about 5 different recipes, picking and choosing from each and then adding my own touch and that is exactly what I did with this dip.  This was super easy to prepare and after about an hour in the fridge it was super delish!

Here goes - I hope you give it a try and be sure to let me know in the comments what you think!  Also, be on the lookout for my Mom's Corn Salsa recipe provided she let's me share it.  (love ya Mom!)

Tex Mex Corn Dip

4-5 ears of corn
1/2 c mayo
1/2 c sour cream
Jalapenos Slices (from a jar), a small handful chopped
4.5 oz can of chopped green chilis
4 green onions, chopped
1 - 2 c shredded Colby Jack cheese
1, 2, or 3 pinches of cayenne pepper ;)
Salt to taste

Cook corn on the cob however you choose.  For this batch I did stovetop steaming.  However, I WILL be grilling the corn next time to add even another layer of flavor.  Once corn is cooked remove the kernels from the cob and put in a medium size mixing bowl.  

In a small bowl mix together mayo and sour cream and then add to corn.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour prior to serving to allow flavors to blend.

Serve with tortilla chips - our favorite are Blue Corn Tortilla Chips from Garden of Eatin'


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Coffee Cake with a Punk Kid Attitude

My kitchen was overtaken by a teenager yesterday!  My punk kid decided he wanted to get his bake on so he got busy making a coffee cake.  He didn't want me in there snapping pics so I was only able to get one surprise shot of him and then a pic of the end results.  Not the best of pics but they'll have to do.

Following in his dad's footsteps (and mine) for sure!

I will say that his coffee cake was absolute perfection and he DID say I could share the recipe.  ;)  This coffee cake came out very moist and the perfect coffee cake consistency.  Not bad for his first one, not bad at all!  This would definitely be considered a "quick" coffee cake but both he and I are excited to see the tweeks he makes next with flavors and add-ins.

Coffee Cake with a Punk Kid Attitude

 Recipe:

• 1 1/2 c AP flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 6 Tbs sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 c shortening
• 1/2 c milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 Tbs butter, melted
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 2 Tbs AP flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 425. Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.
2. In a large bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Cut in the shortening to the size of small peas.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then stir in the milk and vanilla. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture all at once. Stir until just blended.
4. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Drizzle top with the melted butter.
5. In a small bowl mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle on top of cake. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

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