I Scream...You scream...We all scream for Ice Cream Cake

Who wouldn't love a piece of this refreshing ice cream cake on a hot summer night...and  I mean who are we kidding, any night is a good time for ice cream. And this is super simple and quick, your family will think you worked all afternoon.   Why disappointe them...let them think  you did.

Here are the ingredients you will need for this dessert:

1 box of ice cream sandwiches,  12 count 

1 large container whipped topping,thawed 

2 Hershey chocolate bars

First layer 3 unwrapped ice cream sandwiches on a freezer safe plate or container. Now the original recipe called for Hershey hard shell chocolate and Hershey hard shell caramel topping and to put a layer on top of sandwiches to act as a glue so to speak. I actually melted 1 Hershey chocolate bar and spread a thin layer on top of the ice sandwiches...it worked fine.

Next I did a second layer of 3 ice cream sandwiches in the opposite direction. 

I did a total of 4 layers of the ice cream sandwiches  and spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on each layer as before  putting the next layer of ice cream sandwiches. 

Once all your layers are complete,  you frost the cake with whipped topping, same way you would do with frosting.  I personally put a big dallop of whipped topping on the top,  then added some to the sides, it looked like a pile of snow and that was okay.

Now you place the cake in the freezer for a minimum of 2 hours before you plan on serving it. Mine was actually in freezer about 6 hours before we served it.

Now before I servered the cake to my family, I took the whay was left of the 2nd Hershey chocolate bar( used about a third for the layers) and did a fine grating of it to cover the top and sides.  I waited about 5 minutes before I sliced it, to make it a little easier to cut.

The original recipe called for a criss-cross design using the Hershey  hard shell toppings. Maybe next time I will try that...You could probably also use some crumbled Oreos for the top, the possibilites are endless....oh so yummy!  Enjoy....

Just a brief explanation

Just a quick information about my blog. I actually started this blog as a journey as my husband Tommy and I were on the way to turning 50. So some the earliest post are from that time and forward.  I was thinking of starting a whole new site but I had this one already and I figured I could switch up the title, the look and go for it.  So if you happen to scroll threw it and see some oldest post, you might just learn a little bit more about Pau Pau.

Strawberry Icebox Cake

What do you make when it's 90 degrees outside and you would rather not turn on your oven and heat up your house? Or when you are invited to your friends house for a potluck and you are asked to bring dessert? You look for a non bake recipe that's refreshing and quick.

I had made Chocolate Lasagna (recipe posted another time) before but I like to try new recipes to try, so I looked and found "Strawberry Icebox Cake ". It sounded quick and easy..and who doesn't like strawberries. ...

Ingredients Needed

24 ounces of Cool Whip (3-8 oz containers)
1 box honey graham crackers (14 3/4 oz box)
3 pounds fresh strawberries, sliced

**Each Cool Whip layers uses one 8 oz container, except the thin layer on bottom**
**Each strawberry layers uses 1 pound of sliced strawberries**

Spread a thin layer of Cool Whip on the bottom of a 13x9 pan just to cover it. Layer 5 graham crackers across the center of pan. Then break 2 more graham crackers in half and fit them on the top and bottom of the ones in the center to cover the entire layer of Cool Whip.

 Next spread a thick layer of Cool Whip  (use the remaining in the container you opened to a put thin layer on bottom) over the graham crackers and then put a think layer of strawberries (about 1 pound) on top of the Cool Whip

. Repeat the layers again; graham crackers, Cool Whip, strawberries, graham crackers, Cool Whip and then strawberries,  which will be your top layer.

Put cake in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or even overnight. Graham crackers will become soft. Serve chilled.

Recipe found on Yummly, by Sprinkle Some Sugar

Housewarming Get Together

Just a picure of some of the amazing munchies we had.....yummy

THIS IS THE REAL ME

I am not a very complicated person, I like the simple things of life...I love my husband Tommy, I love my kids, I love to hang out with "my divas", I love country music, I love disco, I love to dance, I love to bake, I love to do crafts, I love to take pictures, I love to read and I love God.

Nothing to complicated to make me happy.

A quiet night at home(or anytime or place) with my husband, fun times with my kids ( even better when they are all together), some fun girl time with my "divas", a little bit of Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw, some good music to dance the night away too, some cupcakes baking in my oven to enjoy, from making cards to scrapbooks, making memories with photography, a book by Nicholas Sparks....and some great worship music for God.

See nothing too complicated..simple things in life...

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

On a quiet Saturday afternoon on June 16th, 1984, two young kids crazy in love with each other committed their lives together forever til death do they part, in front of a few close family members and God.  They were excited to start their lives together as husband and wife...and all the things they would share together and all the memories they would make.

That was 30 year ago this past Monday.......and it was Tommy and I, were those two young kids crazy in love.  Not knowing what marriage would bring to our lives, all the memories we would create, or the wonderful children we would be blessed with.

I look back at that day and I remember all the simple little things that meant so much.  The song my cousin Mark played and sang for us; how my hands shook as we stood together holding hand in my grandparents little yard and recited our vows to each other; or the tears in my moms eyes as she watched her only daughter marry this young boy; or after the ceremony and the luncheon how Tommy drove me to see "our" street in Irwindale, FRAIJO ST...now that I was a Fraijo.

The past 30 years we have experienced so much, the blessing of the birth of our three wonderful children, the sad loss of those whom meant so much to our lives, the many places we have been to....and so much more.

Marriage is work, you must take care of it, you must make time into it, you must communicate with your spouse, you must give 100% of yourself to it, you must always listen to what your spouse has to say, you must pray for it, and allow God to be part of it....and you must never quit on it!!!

Tommy and I have had are fair share of ups and downs like any other marriage, but I am blessed by the fact that neither one of us quit.  Kept working hard for it. 

I can't imagine my life any other way than it is now....ok, sure I would like to stay home all day and travel with him, but that will come in due time too.

I cant wait to see what the next 30 years (plus) brings us......

......walk beside me and share my life with me forever.....

Do not walk behind me for I will not lead; Do not walk in front of me for I may not follow; walk beside me and share my life with me forever....

Okay the above quote may be exactly as it is written, but modified with a little modification.  This is how I see my life with my husband, Tommy.  We have dona a lot of walking together in the past 34 year since we first meet, some paths were smooth; some were bumpy; some were short and some were long but no matter what we walked them together side by side and never left each other on one of those paths alone.

I can't even remember my life before I meet Tommy, were both 18 years old, had just finished high school, and were working at a job (my first) when we meet.  We were working as telephone solicitors, people always asked if I called him up and that's how we meet, lol....no were both worked at the same place.

Now when I think back to how we were in the first years of "dating", and the first years of "marriage" and work we did and all the "sweet little things" young people in love do for each other, I am so grateful for the relationship we have,because when times were tough, neither one of us quit.  Marriage is a lot of HARD WORK on both of each other.  People say marriage is 50-50....but I once heard our pastor say, "Giving 50-50 in a marriage, is only giving half of yourself.  Marriage should be 100 percent of each person, both people giving their ALL."  That made so much sense, if you want to do your best at something, you give it your all, you give 100%, and shouldn't your marriage be that something you want to do you best at.  I know I do.  

Tommy and I are like most of you, we have fights, I mean what marriage doesn't, it part of life.  It just doesn't have to be the main part of your marriage, or actually any relationship you have.  I mean we love our kids but we fight with them, doesn't mean we don't love them. But you would never quit on your kids, so you should never quit on your spouse. Life gets busy, you get tired, life happens.  But you have to make time for marriage and your spouse.  

I love Pinterest..find all kids of great stuff.  Well this past week I found a "31 day challenge of loving my husband" from servingjoyfully.com (husband can do this for their wives) .  As I read this blog, it made some sense.  I mean Tommy and I do date night; making time each other; from dinner to a movie to going to the fair alone.  But as I read this blog, I was reminded of the little things we should do for our spouses, besides praying for them.  Go check out that site, read the 31 day challenge, isn't your marriage worth it?  I know mine is and I know Tommy is worth it....

I love Tommy very much, as I know he loves me.  I can't imagine living one day without him.  I thank God for him everyday; even the days he drives me crazy, lol, yes there are a few of those, but marriage is an adventure....and I love that I get to share this adventure with him.  

Wouldn't want it any other way....I will walk beside him forever.....

@ Del Mar Race Track -Aug 2013

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/albertcamu100779.html#4654ShwGOh8fvF8J.99

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/albertcamu100779.html#4654ShwGOh8fvF8J.99

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/albertcamu100779.html#4654ShwGOh8fvF8J.99

OH...SO YUMMY!!

Malina's LOVE my cupcakes!!!

Minnie Mouse Cupcakes for Malina's 2nd Birthday

 I have always loved to bake since I was young.  I loved HOME EC class when I was in junior high and have always made cakes, cookie or cupcakes for my kids.  One day I just made some cupcakes and my family was like THESE are Deli-sh!! Cn you make some for my kids party...and VIOLA, everyone was requesting cupcakes by pau pau.  One time Tommy said he was gonna have to get a second job to fund my cupcake making...lol

I enjoyed making your basic cupcakes with frosting.  I learned hoe to your ediable dye to make SO many dofferent colors to match the color of the party or event I was making them for.  I also would add cupcake toppers that I would by from the store.  Then I found out I could make my own cupcake toppers, and that would give them an even more special effect, a "creation"....so Creations by Pau Pau was thought of and has expanded in to so much more.  Everybody was asking for more and more cupcakes.....I would try any kind of them or think of something...I have made "Tinkerbelle" cupcakes, "Ladybug" cupcakes, "Pirate" cupcakes "Hot Wheel" cupcakes and "Father's Day" cupcakes, just to name a few.

Everyone enjoyed them, Tommy would always try and sneak one when I was baking them.  A couple of years ago, a whole new world opened up for my cupcakes...and me!  Alexandra and Thomas gave me the greatest tool, a decorating tip to frost the cupcakes instead of using a spoon...WOW!!!It gave my cupcakes a whole new look!

Now and then I keep trying some thing new to make my "creations" special for whoever I am making them for.  Now they may not be all these new fancy flavors that are out there nowadays out they are made with LOVE and a lot of thought to make sure they are enjoyed by all.  I don't do a lot of baking in the summer, for obvious reasons, but once the cooler weather arrives,watch out..."creations by pau pau" is back in business!!!

Who wants a cupcake?

Here are just of few of my 'creations'

Hello Kitty cupcakes for Malina's 3rd Birthday

Christian LOVES my cupcakes too!!!

"Who's Having a Baby Girl?" cupcakes

Jennette's theme for Baby Emily was owls

Monster High

Margarita Cheese Cake Cupcakes

These were made for Jailene's 8th Birthday last year.  She wanted MONSTER HIGH theme, so I had never done this before...but I thin it turned out pretty good.  This was the first time I had worked with "sugar sheets" ( thats what the head is on her personal cake)

*not the best picture*









Ok I did mention I didn't do much baking in the summer, but when my friend Yvonne was having a "DIVA DAY" at her house.  I had to find something special for all those "Divas"
So I searched and searched and found these
delicious "Margarita Cheesecake Cupcakes"...no baking required!  They were amazing! I also made a "Chocolate Lasagna" (no baking required) to die for.








I am even teaching Jailene how to bake too...she is going to make a great assistant!

1st Lights Out Moms/Girls Night Out

Last Friday night, I hosted our FIRST Lights Out Mom's Night Out.  We had a Pampered Chef BUNCO night...and those moms that made it , had a blast!!

Ok, let me back up....

Lights Out is our travel basketball organization that my husband, Tommy, started about 10 years ago.  In the years it has grown in to a great organization with all lot of great kids and families. (blog about the Lights Out to come)

Recently we took all 7 of our teams, to the California State Championships Games in San Diego ( another blog story) During our stay down there for 3 days, the parents get to know each other a little better. Well, the dads seems to bond quicker than the moms.  Its just human nature.

It had been mentioned to me from several different moms, that wished the mos had more of a bond  like the dads do, and how the teams are finally getting to.

So I started thinking, you know its our organization, and I should really do something to get the moms to know each other better, more than just a "Hi" or "Great job by the boys"...and so on.  I have always had a passion in my heart to do "moms night" in the form of a bible study at my house.  Just never seemed to get that off the ground, I felt God telling me to fellowship but a bible study wasn't he had in mind for me to lead.

  An evening where women who have share the same passion and interest can start a fellowship " a moms night" if you say,where they can build friendships and have a good time, and it may not have to a "traditional bible study" but that's what we had here last Friday night.  A night of good food, cool beverages, fun, laughter, talking, picture taking for FB and /or Instagram...just a night to bond with a fellow mom (or some who aren't  moms yet) just a place to feel welcomed and enjoy themselves.  Let yourself escape if even for only a couple hours,  I think that was accomplished here and I think God was pleased .  I know the moms were!!!

We played BUNCO, several of us where first timers, OMG...its so fun!! but we did it with a twist as one of my friends and fellow Lights Out mom suggested, we did Pampered Chef as prizes.  Super fun and super cool!!  Katt, the Pampered Chef Lady did a small demo, and made up some great gift baskets for the winner, and a small gift bag for those who didn't win.  EVERYONE left here with something that night!

So needless to say, we are already planning another BUNCO Lights Out Mom's Night Out again...next month.  WE have had more moms hear about it and say they want to come.  I think its gonna be great and the games even practice will be better with all the new friendships that are being built here.

I can hardly wait til next month!! Even my daughter Alex loved it, she plans on winning next time!!

My World...My Family...My Life...My Loves!

Hubby Tommy, DIL Megan, Daughter Laraine, DIL Jackie, Son Thomas,Daughter Alexandr, "grand'kiddies Jailene and Lil Alex

 

 

 

I have been thinking for months how to get back into the swing of blogging, and what would be of interest to write about.  When I started this blog is what a way to keep track of mine and Tommy's journey to turning 50 and the new healthier lifestyle we were doing.  Well turning 50 has come and gone, we lost a lot of weight but slower have added a few of those pounds back, the new and exiting things ..there has been a few and some have been placed on the back burner of our lives.

I want my blog to be somewhere where I can share the things I love and the wonderful people who make up my family.  I want people to be able to read my blog and know that they can too try new things, make life an adventure.  I want people to know about my deep faith in God and the blessings God has given to me.

I just want to share the every day daily routine and just maybe, touch help someone along the way.  I may not know everything there is to know in this world but I do know that with my faith and God and the love of a wonderful family, I can make through another day.

The people in the above picture mean the world to me.  To them I am their wife, their mom, their future mother in law, their pau pau ...and to me they are my world...my life...my family...my loves...and they are all mine!

margita cupcakes

"50 and Fabulous"...the next chapter: ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR ALEADY...

"50 and Fabulous"...the next chapter: ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR ALEADY...: Wow, its hard to believe it has been 14 months  since Tommy and I started the journey to a healthy way of eating.  Our anniversary date for ...

MY FAVORITE COACHES

COACH ALEX, COACH TOM  AND COACH THOMAS

You know we do a lot with West Covina Youth Basketball League, right?
And did I mention that my family all coach a team? or two?

They each have their own regular teams they returned this year to coach.  Tommy and Alex both took on a second team, since we had so many kids and not enough coaches. Alex coaches the JUNIOR LAKERS, a team that has been together for the past % years.  They were coached by Thomas last year while she was in Korea.  So this year Alex has returned to take on the duties of head coach, and Thomas has stepped down to assistant coach.  So it was going to be a fun year watching my two kids coach together in the JUNIOR DIVISION.

Well my devoted hubby stepped and took a team in the JUNIOR DIVISION, who had no coach.  He couldn't even find a parent to step and become the coach.  Not don't get me wrong, I FULLY support Tommy in his coaching and helping of the youth sports...but you see he took the JUNIOR CLIPPERS!

Oh now you get my dilemma...since at east once in the season the JUNIOR LAKERS will take on the JUNIOR CLIPPERS...who will I cheer for???

So actually on Saturday night Feb 2nd, that's exactly what happened.  They played against each other.  Some family and friends came out to the see the younger Fraijos coaches go against the older Fraijo coach.  Even the friends and the board members all got into the game.

When I walked by people would top me and ask me who I was cheering for...my answer was answered with confidence.."Coach Fraijo of course!"

It was a good game to say the least, back and forth in the score...with the CLIPPERS win by one point at the buzzer.

I must say the game was good, their were no loser there that night. A full 40 minutes of some good, hard playing basketball by some great kids coached by my favorite coaches...THE FRAIJOS!

We even went to pizza with kids from both teams...and had a great time.

Garlic SHrimp & Pasta

WHO'S READY FOR DINNER?

One of my family's favorite dishes I make is Garlic Shrimp with Wheat Pasta.  It seems they can't get enough of this one.  Its a pretty easy dinner to whip up and you can add a salad to it and garlic bread if you'd like.  We don't do much bread around here any more (too many points)

I start this dinner for us with about 2 pounds of raw divined shrimp, a pound of wheat linguini  and two cans of diced Italian tomatoes.

I boil the pasta as instructed by the box.  We have switched to using wheat pasta...you cant really tell the different, and if you have had a pasta dish at our house recently...you have probably had wheat pasta.

While the pasta is cooking, I start peeling the shrimp.  Now I must say this is the most time consuming part of this recipe.  Now you are probably thinking 2POUNDS of shrimp...that's a lot for our family, but you see we LOVE shrimp and we LOVE leftovers for lunch.  And how many times have you gone out to dinner,ordered a shrimp dish and you get 6, maybe 8 pieces of shrimp.  Not here...shrimp in every bite.

PEELED RAW SHRIMP

Cooking the shrimp doesn't take to long.  I put a bit of olive oil just to barely cover the bottom of the pan, I usually use about two cloves of garlic minced in each pan full of shrimp I cook.  I add some lemon pepper seasoning.  It only takes about 2 minutes to cook the shrimp to a nice orange'ish color, as it finishes, I add some of the can of tomatoes to the shrimp, for about a minutes and then put it into a bowl, as I cook the remaining shrimp just as I have done to the first batch.

IN the meantime the pasts has finished and i drain the water out and rinse in warm water and set aside til I finish cooking the shrimp.

COOKED WHEAT PASTA

Now since I cook for an army  (OK not really I just cook BIG portions) I add the pasta back to the big pot and add all the cooked shrimp into the pot too.  If there is any tomatoes left in the can, I add them at this time too.

SHRIMP ADDED TO PASTA

 I basically cook all of it together just to heat them up together.  And there you have it....

THE FINISHED MEAL...SMELLS SOOO GOOD!

I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does.

WHATS FOR DINNER????

ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Tonight is a basketball practice night and that when i quick dinnercomes in handy.

Tonigt I made hot TURKEY Italian Sauage Sandwches with peppers and onions.  Thia is a super easy recipe and can be done in a jiffy.

You can use the rope sausages and cut into inch size bits, chop up some green bell peppers and some white onions, add a small amount of olive oil to simmer the meat and peppers and onions.  After a bit it will look like this and smell yummy... I usually use rolls, prepare them the way each person likes, add the sausages and put mozzarella cheese on top...and enjoy a delicious sandwich.  Your side dish can be so many different things, we went for baled beans.

Hope you enjoy it...my family did

We Are Blessed

Pauline, Megan,Laraine Thomas,Alexandra and the kiddies Jailene and Lil Alex

So this is just a preview of the start of our visit from Laraine and Megan here in Cali' for the next 5 days...

It has been over 2 1/2 years that all our kids have been under the same roof.....we are truly blessed by our amazing kids and the adults they have become and all they have accomplished thus far in their lives.

If you know me I will be taking a lots of photos of them together.....

Bowling for Freedom...with the fam

In case you didn't know I LOVE coupons and specials...so when I received an email from Brunswick Bowl for a night of bowl called BOWLING FOR FREEDOM.  I of course thought what a perfect way to spend some time with our family and have some fun.  So I RSVP'd and set it up a fun filled night for my family.  All the money raised on this night would go to the American Vets; something that my grandma use to help organize thru out her bowling career.  The kiddies had a great time....they love hanging out with each others and it ad been awhile since they had gotten a chance to do something like this (busy summer schedules)

Here are just a few pictures of the night

The Fraijo Men with their Loves

Pau Pau with her special kiddies

Tommy with his two special girls