Everything is Awesome!!!

Good Cop, Tako Man & Batman all had a great time at the movies too!

This weekend hubs and I took the kiddo to go see the Lego Movie... and if you haven't guessed... it was really awesome!!! The company the hubs works for had a few vendors sponsor a private screening for company employees and their families, he signed us up a few weeks ago for freebie tickets and well, this morning we had the whole cinema to ourselves! It was great! They had breakfast for us there, gave us cool Lego swag, and a $20 dollar gift card to the concession stand for free! Have I mentioned how much I LOOOOOVE the company my husband works for! Seriously... it's amazing! So if you get the chance, go see the movie... it will not disappoint! And FYI, Will Arnett as the voice for Batman is seriously the best idea EVER! LOL!

Getting ready to watch their debuts!

Shhhh!!! Tako man your crunching your popcorn too loud!! It's about to start!

Batman just sneaking a sip of some diet coke... LOL!

The kiddo keeping these three in line before the movie starts :)

Book Review: Murder and Marinara by: Rosie Genova

When Victoria takes a break from penning her popular mystery series and moves back to the Jersey Shore, she imagines sun, sand and scents of fresh basil and simmering marinara sauce at the family resturant, the Casa Lido. but her nonna's recipes aren't the only things getting stirred up in this Italian kitchen. 

Their small town is up in arms over plans to film a new reality TV show, and when Victoria serves the show's pushy producer his last meal, the Casa Lido staff finds itself embroiled in a murder investigation. Victoria wants to find the real killer, but there are as many suspects as tomatoes in her nonna's garden. Now she'll have to heat up her sleuthing skills quickly... before someone else gets a plateful of murder. 

"When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie... that's aaaa muuuuurdah!"

Who doesn't love a big, crazy Italian family and all the murder, er... food that comes with it?!? And that's just what you get from Victoria Rienzi and her crazy but fun family. The Rienzi's own the Casa Lido, a classic Ristorante Italiano on the boardwalk of the famous Jersey Shore. Victoria decided to take a break from the big city life in NYC and head back to the shore for the summer to learn more than her fair share of cooking, family business and a bit of crime! Right before the big weekend that has everyone flocking to the Shore's beaches, a famous producer for a reality tv show takes THE big bite right in the family restaurant! It's now up to Victoria to clear her families name in murder before the Casa Lido's has to close it's doors for good.

This great and spicy Italian mystery had my hand in that familiar old Italian hand gesture while reading, and singing along to "Papa Loves Mambo" and some classic Frank while I putz around in the kitchen recreating some "Rienzi Family" classic recipes from none other than the Casa Lido itself. This fabulous mystery does not read like a typical first in a series but more like an old friend from Napoli, with all of Victoria's crazy Italian family and friends along for the ride! I thoroughly enjoyed the bits of Jersey Shore tributes and classic boardwalk'esq style
thrown in to set a wonderful scene and mood, I also enjoyed the subtle tributes to that famous "familia italiano" lingo with flipping through pages reading words like; Cafone!, Bene, Cara, Brava and Puttanna! This book had me racing to the end to figure out who really murdered that big Cafone producer, faster than a angry Italian grandma. I loved this book and I think that this is one saucy little mystery that you will not want to miss out on!

Book Review: Going, Going, Ganache by: Jenn McKinlay

After a cupcake-flinging fiasco at a photo shoot for a local magazine, Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura agree to make amends by hosting a weeklong corperate boot camp at Fairy Tale Cupcakes. The idea is the brainchild of Ian Hannigan, new owner of Southwest Style, a lifestyle magazine that chronicals the lives of Scottsdale's rich and famous. He's assigned his staff to a team-building week of making cupcakes for charity. 

It's clear that the staff would rather be doing just about anything other than frosting baked goods. But when the magazine's features director is found murdered outside the bakery Mel and Angie have a new team building exercise find the killer before their business goes AWOL.

Going, Going, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! Once again I am thrilled by another fabulous addition of the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series! Jenn McKinlay (as always) keeps me guessing, and re-guessing until the end and even then I am blown away by the real killer! Great story, great plot, great twist and of course great group of characters that really seem to come alive in her books!

My one and only small, tiny, itsy-bitsy grievance is really not one that is a fault of the book or author it's just my own bias opinion, that Mel is crazy to be seconding guessing her feelings for a certain distinguished and handsome DA that just so happens to be her best friends brother! She has been in love with Joe DeLaura since she was twelve years old and he loves and adores her with all his heart... although I can see where a new smart, witty and attractive detective can wedge just enough charm in between her and her (what I believe to be) true love.

As always, I am left at the mercy of waiting for the next edition in this series, not only to see what mischief and mayhem Angie and Mel get up to next but, also to see who will REALLY gets to butter-cream Mel's heart over for good.

Book Review: Brownies and Broomsticks by: Bailey Cates

 Katie Lightfoot's tired of loafing around as the assitant manger of an Ohio bakery. So when her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben open a bakery in Savannah's quaint downtown district and ask Katie to join them, she enthusiastically agrees. 

While working at the Honeybee Bakery, named after Lucy's cat, Katie notices that her aunt is adding mysterious herbs to her recipes. Turns out, these herbal enhancements aren't just tasty Aunt Lucy is a witch and her recipes are actually spells! 

When a curmudgeonly customer is murdered outside the Honeybee Bakery, Uncle Ben becomes the prime suspect. With the help of a handsome journalist, a charming firefighter, and a few spells, Katie and Aunt Lucy will need to stir up some toil and trouble to clear Ben's name and find the real killer... 

After a bad break up Katie Lightfoot moves to Savannah Georgia to be near her sweet Aunt & Uncle to start a bakery and start a new life, but scones and muffins aren't the only thing Katie is whipping up in her bakery, magic and mystery unfold after a local "wicked witch" is murdered and it's up to Katie to get to the bottom of who killed her...

This is such a cute and charming cozy! I enjoyed this mystery quite a bit, It's the first in the "Magical Bakery Mystery" series. It has a great plot, a great group of characters that come together just "magically"! I also love the bit of romance that is thrown in for good fun, it's always nice to read about a love interest, but this one actually has TWO! There is also a cuter than cute pup that has a character all of his own as well! This was a really fun and easy read and I can't wait to read more when I continue this great series!

Book Review: Do or Diner by: Christine Wenger

When Trixie Matowski agrees to take over her aunt's diner, she pictures lakeside views and delicious comfort food in the small town where she spent summers as a child. but the sweet scene turns sour when someone puts murder on the menu... 

Trixie is in need of a fresh start away from her cheating ex-husband, but she may be biting off more than she can chew when she moves to upstate New York to run her family's famed Silver Bullet Diner. Not only is she caught off guard by the small town's resident heartthrob, Deputy Ty Brisco, but her first health inspection turns into a nightmare... when the inspector keels over into his blue plate special. Someone made a deadly addition to an old family recipe, and Trixie is determined to find out whodunit. But between serving up orders and sniffing out clues, she'd better watch her back-or her next meal might be her last... 


What a cute and quirky "first in a series"! From the first few chapters I could tell I would fall "hooked line and sinker" for this this comfort food mystery that takes place in Sandy Harbor, New York. It reminds me of another of my favorite series (A Fortune Teller Mystery by; Kari Lee Townsend). It has a lot of humor and witty characters which I love in my mysteries. All in all it had a well thought out story with lots of detail, a very good plot, interesting characters, and a whole lot of "who dunnit?". I had my list of suspects but, was pleasantly surprised when I came out "double crossed!" I am truly happy with this little read and am looking forward to April when the author; Christine Wenger comes out with her second addition to this wonderful new series!

Book Review: On What Grounds by: Cleo Coyle

 Clare Cosi used to manage the historic Village Blend coffeehouse... until she opted for quieter pastures and a more suburban life. But after ten years and a little friendly cajolingw from the owner (a fresh pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain was all it took), she's back to the grind, serving coffee, and solving crime-one cup at a time... 

With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above The Village Blend, her cat Java by her side, and plenty of coffeehouse redecorating ideas, Clare is thrilled to return to work. Until she discovers the assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. Police arrive on the scene to investigate. But when they find no sign of forced entry or foul play, they deem it an accident. Case closed. But Clare is not convinced. And after the police leave, there are a few things she just can't get out of her mind... Why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn't an accident, is Clare in danger? And... are all detectives this handsome?

Just my tongue & cheek review...

I just could NOT get into this book. It started off VERY slow and with a lot of mindless "Java Talk". I tried to get past all the coffee blather but I had a very hard time getting to the bottom of the cup... so to speak :P The plot and "mystery" itself wasn't all that enticing either, the mystery killer and co-conspirators were very predictable and weak. If your into coffee and don't mind dealing with all the "mocha snobbery" this book has to offer than you might just like it. Personally I wasn't impressed however, since this IS a first in a series... I'm willing to give the next book in this series a shot. Hopefully it will be a bit better, if not I might have to "ground this one out" for good :P

Book Review: The Cakes of Wrath by: Jacklyn Brady

Rita Lucero, owner of New Orleans cake shop Zydeco Cakes, can't seem to stop saying "yes". Even though things at the bakery care busy, Rita finds herself accepting a seat on the local small buisness alliance, a group full of colorful characters like Chopper Shop owner Moose Hazen and his wife, Destiny, whose personal life is messier than a cake someone left out in the rain. 

On the street following a heated alliance meeting, Moose pulls Rita out of the path of a speeding van. Shaken and bruised, Rita notices the next day that her prescribed pain killers are missing. When she discovers Destiny's body in the couple's shop, the stolen pill bottle in her lifeless hand only adds another layer to her mysterious death. But getting the frosty NOPD detective to stop focusing on Rita and look for Destiny's real killer will be anything but a cakewalk... 

I loved it! As usual Jacklyn Brady keeps me guessing until the end of this delightful and surprising mystery! I love the bit of twist that she tied in at the end of the book, it has me wondering how everything will work out... I hope we will find out in her next installment of this fabulous series! This whole series is pretty amazing, I love all the zany characters and all their "Sweet Southern Style" and flare! In "The Cakes of Wrath" we get to read about more of the neighborhood that Zydeco Bakery resides in and a bit more of the staff's personal life. We also get to see a bit more of that sexy-smokin-hot Cajun bartender that frequently gives Rita all those sizzling vibes, while the famous detective Sullivan takes a bit of a back seat in this novel. It's definitely an interesting read and I am excited to discover where this series is headed!

Snow Day!!!

A couple weeks ago it finally snowed a good amount here in Northern Virginia. The kiddo being a first "real time" snow see'er took FULL advantage of it! She also had two days off of school... and let's be honest, we all know the real reason for getting off of school for bad weather is really just to play in it! So that's just what we did! Here's some of the pics: enjoy and hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Ace is not a real big fan of the snow... lol!

It started out slow and then it started to grow...

Instead of singing in the rain, she was dancing in the snow!

First snowball!

Fun Times!

The beginning of a our winter wonderland... from my front door.

We shoveled our first snow, and then came inside and ordered a snow blower online LOL!

On our first day we received 4 inches, and then another 6 inches a day later.

Starting to make our first snowman!

Her first snowman!

Snowball Fight!!!

Daddy got in a good one!!

First snow angel!

His and her shovels! LOL!

Sledding for the first time!

It's beginig to look a lot like Christmas...

I have started decorating around the house (amongst and between everything else that's been going on around here). It's been crazy and I've been behind on getting the decorations done (which I hate) but they are finally up for the most part and done. I've got a few more items to put together and get up but for the most part I think the majority is done! YAY!

I added a few more items this year and while my mom was here she crafted me up my first adventskranz (German for Advent Wreath). It was so nice of her to make it for me and so special that she made it just for me. She is wicked talented at crafting and makings but then again she's always been a genius at stuff like that! It must be where I get it from! LOL!

So here's a few pics I took around the house, hope you enjoy the scenes too :)

My vintage milk can that I swapped out from Fall to Christmas floral decor, also arranged by my amazing momma!

Snow ball fight anyone?

Kirklands Reindeer knock off sign, crafted up by me.

Foyer decor, simple but I love it.

Vintage Lantern with Chrismtas Decor

Our amazing Christmas Tree, love how it turned out this year! I also swapped out the star topper which I've done in the past for a new and more modern look of a Snowman top hat! What do you think?

The living room looking all cozy and warm as the snow falls outside!

And of course my beautiful adventskranz (Advent wreath) made by my mom.

Catch Up! Halloween, Thanksgiving and all that's been going on lately!

 I'm am so sorry I've been absent for a while now. We have been so busy with holidays, events, visits from the parents/grandparents, work and school. So I will try to catch you all up on what's been going on.

We had a great Halloween, the kiddo dressed up as Snow White this year and the hubby and I dressed up as Beetlejuice and Lydia (from the 90's annimated TV show) and we took the munchkin to the mall for Mall-O-Ween trick or treating. It was awesome and the hubby was pretty much his own attraction becuase EVERYone and their mom wanted a picture with Beetlejuice! LOL!

My little Snow White, complete with Poison Apple and all!

Love this pic of her!

Hubby and I as Beetlejuice and Lydia

My hubby... the ghost with the most!

Lydia (90's animated tv series)

Hubby has been busy at work and has also applied to the masters program at George Mason University. I can't believe the man is going for his masters already but it's fabulous! I am so freaking proud of him and can't wait to see what great thing he does next! He is incredibly smart and can pretty much do anything he sets his mind to. The kiddo has been doing great in school as well, and is moving along "swimingly" in her swim class! I also have been taking some time and checking out a computer forensics program with SANS and am actually loving it!

Last month my parents came to visit during the week of Thanksgiving. My dad came up with my mom this time and it was our first time having him here at our new house. It was very nice to have them both here for the holiday. We went to DC and took them around to see some of the famous spots and check out the Christmas lights at the National Zoo, it was pretty and great time!

Thanksgiving 2013!

We went to see Frozen too!

And found DC's version of a "German Holiday Market"

Mom and Dad having a German before dinner at the Doener Bistro!

Zoo Lights at the National Zoo in Washington DC

Snow Tubing for the first time at the National Zoo with her Daddy.

This Friday is the kiddos birthday (on Friday) and the hubby's parents are coming up to celebrate and take her tubing up at one of the Mountains in Pennsylvania, it should be a GREAT time!