Currently Confessing...Vol. 38 | Shenanigans & Recipes (2024)

Can someone please explain to me how we only have one week of May left? Goodness gracious. Next thing we know it, it’s going to be fall tomorrow. But I’m not complaining. This particular week has been a full one, but a fun one. It started with a wonderful weekend last weekend, then a Mom’s Night Out, a play date/lunch date with one of the best friends, and then a play date at The Little Gym with Houston Moms Blog. I’m assuming life is busy for a lot of us this time of year, is it not? To keep from rambling, I’ll just hop right into what’s currently on my mind to confess to you, including two recipes.

ONE.

Charlotte’s shoes

the weekends. After being gone from the house for almost a week, it was so nice to have last weekend to decompress and unwind. My mother-in-law and her boyfriend came to visit, and we enjoyed Top Golf and brunch at one of our favorite spots, Baba Yega. Do y’all have a Top Golf in your area? It was the first time I had ever been, and it was a really cool place. It would be tons of fun for a double-date night or something. Because trying to keep Charlotte away from the swinging golf clubs was work. Brunch on the other hand, brunch is my love language…and Charlotte’s too.

TWO.
Ready for…

Charlotte’s boots

sunny days. I’m so looking forward to the rain coming to a halt. Houston, like majority of America, has been hit with tons and tons of rain lately. We had to pull out the rain boots again, which normally I would be all for, but it’s May. And humid. And feels like a sauna outside. #overit How’s the weather in your neck of the woods?

THREE.
Making…

ranch roasted red potatoes.

I’ve been meaning to share this recipe for quite some time, but I thought now would be as good a time as ever. In case you’ll be grilling this weekend (using our ribs recipe I hope), this is the best side to have. My friend Janet told me about these, and seriously, they are the easiest and best potatoes you’ll ever cook. I’m a mashed potatoes kind of girl, but these are way easier. Here’s what you’ll need.

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds small red potatoes, quartered

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 packet (1 ounce) Hidden Valley Ranch Original Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Place potatoes in a gallon sized ziplock bag. Add oil. Seal and toss to coat.

3. Add dressing mix. Toss to coat.

4. Place potatoes and mixture in ungreased baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until potatoes are brown and crisp.

You probably won’t have any leftovers of this. Just saying.

FOUR.
Baking…

mini cheesecake cupcakes.

Because it’s Memorial Day, I thought we could use a little festive baking in our life, too. All this rain has made me hungry. Probably out of sheer boredom, I’m sure. I originally shared thisrecipe last year, but I thought it was worth mentioning again. Here’s the recipe for my favorite red, white, and blue mini cheesecake cupcakes.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tbsp. flour

8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)

6 oz. vanilla Greek yogurt

2 large egg whites

12 vanilla wafers

strawberries

blueberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

3. Place a vanilla wafer in each liner.

4. Combine the sugar, vanilla, and cream cheese in a mixing bowl and whisk together gently.

5. Mix in the flour, Greek yogurt, and egg whites and stir until well blended.

6. Pour mixture into cupcake liners, filling until halfway full.

7. Bake 20-25 minutes. Center should still jiggle slightly when done.

8. Remove from pan and cool on baking rack for about an hour.

9. Transfer to refrigerator after an hour, and cool for another two hours.

10. Once completely cooled, add a half strawberry slice and three blueberries to each mini cheesecake cupcake.

These are so good. You probably won’t be able to eat just one. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

FIVE.
Thankful for…

this guy. It’s his birthday this weekend, and since I know he’ll be reading this, I just wanted to let him know that I love him more than words can say. And since I’m a girl of many words, you know it’s a lot when I just don’t have the words to express how much love there is, but here’s a little message to my main squeeze.

~

My love, thank you for being you. Thank you for giving us the best life. I couldn’t have dreamed up anything better. I’m so thankful that God placed you right where you were supposed to be exactly when I was supposed to meet you. I’m grateful for the day you were born, our journeys apart to get us up to the point of the day we met, and getting to do the rest of our lives together. We’ve seen the best of times and the worst of times, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do any of it without you. You are the hardest working guy I know, the most incredible husband, and the most amazing dad that ever walked the land. Thank you for believing in me, pushing me to do my best, and cheering me on through everything. I am so proud to call you mine, my handsome love. I hope this birthday and this year is the best one yet. Love you so much, Your Kristina

I know I made this last year for yourbirthday post, but every time I watch it, it makes me tear up. It’s my fave. I could have added more, but then we’re talking documentary territory, so I’ll pitch that a major network later.

Let’s keep in touch, shall we?