About Little Miss Sunshine State

A Florida Girl's Chronicles of her Kitchen, Crafts and Outdoor Adventures...

Are… You… Serious…?

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

OK, so… I’ve rejoined the on-line dating world and it doesn’t cease to amaze me. It is SO bizarre, in fact, that I have decided to share it with you for a number reasons.

Reason #1: If you are not currently a member of an on-line dating site because you are either dating or married to someone, realizing how f%$#ing nuts people are out there will make you more greatly appreciate your partner. So, in essence, in telling you this I’m actually bringing you guys closer together…. You’re welcome 🙂

Reason #2: I feel that it is my social obligation to make you all aware of how sick single men and women really are when they are given a forum through which to freely express their perversions… Oh, NO… they would never tell you how whacked out of their minds they are if they met you in person on the street or in a bar but… give them free feign to create an on-line profile and all hell breaks loose.

Reason #3: This sh*& just makes me laugh

Without further ado.. here is a profile description (I can’t make this up, I SWEAR) of an individual that the online site I belong to has decided would be a good “match” for me…. WOW, I’m at a loss for words…

“Hello, my sweet, I have good news! I’m in the mood to shop for shoes! You say you can’t afford another pair? Don’t fret, my dear, I’m a millionaire. You say your closet has reached its max? You can have one of mine – just relax.

Come with me, on our fairy tale! Let’s go to my yacht, ’cause you really hoist my sail. It drives me wild that you’re so elastic. And, I’ve got the money if you want some plastic! If that’s not your thing, don’t you panic. I also love all-natural – I love organic. I like my women like I like my cake: warm and moist and easy to make. Let’s go to my farm and into the stable.

Let’s go for a ride, if you’re willing and able. We can go bareback or with a saddle. It doesn’t matter which…for a beast you will straddle. Flats and pumps and stilettos and more! Anything for you; I love you to the core! Cha-ching! My money is now gone. Now, let me grab your ankles and slip you on.”

Gratitude: January 1st and January 2nd 2014

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Little Miss Sunshine State

2013 has not been the easiest… It began with inspiration, hope and promise but turned to heartbreak and disappointment towards the end. But you know what?… It wasn’t the worst year ever either… I’ve done some amazing races and met some goals I never though possible. I saw 2 of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World (Machu Picchu and Chichen Itza) and my family is in good health and we’re all together!

During my two weeks off from school, I’ve spent some much needed time resting and thinking and have processed everything that has occurred. This is all I can say:

1. I am proud to be the kind of strong woman who remains positive and has belief that things can be better despite everything I went through in 2012.

2. I have finally realized that the BEST things that have ever happened to me have been those that have so effortlessly fallen into my lap that I felt almost guilty about having them because it was though I hadn’t “earned” them… In turn, the WORST things that have happened to me have been the result of me trying to fruitlessly and painfully force a square peg into a round hole…

3. I am pretty awesome and am not going to waste time hanging out with people who don’t agree 🙂 Because, if I love you… I think you’re pretty awesome too.

4. I am surrounded by the most beautiful group of loving friends and family in the Universe. I am proud of this because I have fostered (and continued to foster) these relationships.

I’ve decided to dedicate a few minutes of my day, EVERY DAY this year to think about what I am grateful for and log it on this blog. The first few days of this year I have spent time running, hanging out at the beach and thinking about all that I am thankful for… and here’s what I’ve come up with:

Jan. 1st: I’m grateful for my health and my body’s ability to run. I had a great 4 mile run with a new group and met up with a friend I haven’t really connected with much and had a wonderful time!

Jan. 2nd: I’m grateful for the gorgeous sunshine that finally came out today and allowed me to spend some time at the beach. I have been coming to this same spot on the same beach since I was a little girl and it doesn’t get old….

Tap and Run Orlando 2013!

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Little Miss Sunshine State

So, we joined the “over the hill” costume category at the Orlando Tap and Run 2013!

Check out our amazing costumes!

Amazing!! We had fellow runners take photos of us and with us! …..

Here’s how we did it: moomoos from thrift store, foam rollers, shower caps and glasses from dollar store, saggy boobs are loofas we safety pinned to our sports bras…. Fun times!

Crazy Costumes and Holiday Traditions

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Little Miss Sunshine State

My sister and I have created several traditions for ourselves around the holiday season. The newest of these is running a Christmas themed 5k in full costume (do you see a theme here? Lol). Last year, I went up to visit her in Orlando and we ran Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K at Animal Kingdom dressed as reindeer. Our costumes, I must say, were pretty impressive and we had more than a few fellow racers ask to take photos with us!

This year, the pressure was on to top our previous awesomeness! The solution: Sexy Mrs. Clause!
Check out our photos from this morning’s Reindeer Run 5k at Seaworld, Orlando!

But this isn’t the only costume race we’re doing today…. This afternoon we’re doing a “Tap and Run” with some pretty epic costumes….. Stay tuned for the hilarity!

Peaches and Creame

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Little Miss Sunshine State

Peaches and Cream:

This is yet another extremely easy holiday dessert in my repertoire. It is so easy, in fact, that I don’t like to tell people how to make it so that they still believe me to be more amazing than I really am in the kitchen! It boasts only 4 simple ingredients and is so delicious, I have NEVER had any left-overs when I bring it to gatherings.

Ingredients:

1 block of cream cheese brought to room temperature

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1 package of lady fingers

1 large can of quartered or halved peaches in heavy syrup

Directions:

: Drain peaches and retain syrup

: With electric hand-mixer, blend cream cheese and condensed milk

: line a 9″ x 13″ tray with lady fingers (sugar side down)

: take reserved syrup from peaches and drizzle all over layered lady fingers.

: pour on cream cheese condensed mild mixture.

: slice peaches and place decoratively on top.

Let it sit over night in the fridge so that lady fingers soften and flavors meld… absolutely divine!

Spinach Balls with Pine nuts

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Little Miss Sunshine State

Spinach Balls:

These are a delicious (but due to the high butter and bread content, not so nutritious) appetizer for any party. We usually serve these along-side bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, a big ol’ plate of stinky cheeses with French bread, olives, charcuterie and other similarly amazing things that fill you up before you even sit down for the main show.

We’ve been making these for years. The recipe was originally given to us by my Aunt Lynne who swears she doesn’t remember where she got it from. Possibly a newspaper clipping or an index card from a relative… regardless the source, they’re great.

The original recipe didn’t include pine nuts. This is a little Mediterranean spin my mom added but has become an integral part of the recipe ever since. Trust me, you NEED the nutty crunch it adds.

Ingredients:

2 boxes of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of all its moisture

3 cups of herbed stuffing

6 eggs

1 tsp garlic powder

1 small chopped onion (half a regular sized onion)

1 1/2 sticks of melted butter (3/4 cup)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 cup pinenuts

If butter is unsalted, add about 1 tsp of salt. Omit if using salted butter.

Directions:

: Squeeze excess water from frozen chopped spinach

: I use peperidge farm herb stuffing

: chop onions fine

: mix all ingredients in large bowl

: roll into walnut sized balls

: Place on foil lined sheet trays

: cook until golden brown

: Yum!!!

Mix all ingredients together and roll into walnut sized balls and place on a foil lined sheet.

bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

At this point you can either serve or freeze for later use.

Simply thaw out the day of your party and heat through. Delish!!

Turkey Trot Mania 2013!

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Little Miss Sunshine State

Costumes were a hit and I think we’ve inspired others to get a little crazy next year!! Check out these awesome pics!

Age old Tradition: Turkey Trot 5K costumes

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Little Miss Sunshine State

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again!!!…. time to start thinking about the holidays. My step mother, Jane, has already finished her Christmas shopping (I’m not joking). And although I haven’t even begun to deplete my bank account on useless chotchkies, I have successfully finished making our insanely awesome costumes for the Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot race….

Ah yes, the age-old tradition of running 5 kilometers while wearing a very politically incorrect Native American costume or brown tutu and crazy turkey hat. I’m pretty sure that the first race was organized by the pilgrims themselves… the same year they initiated Black Friday camp-outs in front of Best Buy and Walmart…

Regardless of the ridiculousness of the whole thing, it’s something my sister and I love doing and have absolutely no plans of stopping despite the embarrassment it causes others. In fact, our bodacious costumes from last year’s event got us featured in the flyer that came in the mail for this year’s race! We’re dragging my brother-in-law and some friends along this year in full costume for our most outrageous Turkey Trot yet!!

I have very simply taken some cotton t-shirts from the craft store (you can use old ones from your closet and up-cycle them!) and pieced them together with ribbon, rickrack, fabric and dollar store finds to create a family full of pilgrims, Indians and turkeys that would rival the first thanksgiving. Here’s how I did it:

Pilgrims:

Materials:
Black T-shirt
white cotton fabric
ribbon remnants
sewing machine or no-sew iron tape
hot glue gun
lace fringe/ buttons (optional)

Directions:
For Shirt
1. fold a square piece of fabric over to form a rectangle.
2. Cut a half circle from top for neck hole and a slit down center to create two lapels.

3. With hot glue gun, glue the collar onto the black t-shirt. Add bow or button to finish.

Skirt/ Apron
1. take any piece of ribbon long enough to be tied around your waist and a large rectangular piece of fabric.
2. pleat the white fabric as you either sew or iron it onto the ribbon.

Bonnet
check out this great site’s simple directions
http://dorcassmucker.blogspot.com/2011/11/easy-pilgrim-costume.html

Indian

Shirt:
1. Take brown shirt and create pattern using rickrack, ribbon and fringe. Attach with hot glue gun.

Skirt:

1. Take a rectangular piece of fabric long enough to be tied around your waist and fold it onto itself.
2. Cut it on an angle from the fold to create a triangle.