That's Amore with Mom's Spinach Gnocchi {Recipe}

Food Fridays:

The other night I realized it was about a year ago I was able to check off my bucket list with a dreamy two-week trip to Italy. My reminiscing got me thinking of all the beautiful things I saw, the places I visited and of course, the food I enjoyed like homemade pasta and gnocchi. 

With my mouth watering, I went straight to the kitchen to prepare something/anything Italian. While I prepared a delicious rustic pasta dish with pappardelle (my favorite noodle), I couldn't decide what else to make. Then I remembered when I was growing up my mom made these "spinach balls" that were the most amazing thing in the world. Actually, the spinach balls she made were also called gnocchi, but didn't contain any potatoes. Even though the name may be a little confusing, this easy recipe is always perfect with an Italian dinner and most the time ends up being an appetizer because everyone chows down on these tasty little treats. If you like spinach and cheese, this is sure to be a winner!

Spinach Gnocchi

1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 10-ounce package frozen spinach (chopped, thawed, and drained)
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 beaten egg yolk
dash pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Add spinach. Cook 5-7 minutes until tender and all liquid is evaporated; stirring frequently. Cool slightly.Then combine egg yolk and remaining ingredients to mixture. 

Grease a round baking pan. Then take 1 tablespoons of mixture into your hands and roll into a ball. Continue with all the mixture. Next drizzle with butter and parmesan cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes. 

If you like, you can cover the baked gnocchi with butter and cheese one more time for good measure!

That's Amore! 

See the San Antonio Riverwalk in 35 Minutes (Reo Road Trip - Part 5)

Wow Wednesdays:

The last leg of our three day Texas Hill Country journey brought us to San Antonio. We had seen a lot, enjoyed the water at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels hand wined-and-dined at the JW Marriott San Antonio. Now we had to make a trip to one of the most historical places in Hill Country, San Antonio. However, we only had a few hours to enjoy the sites and show little man some of the landmarks that might not make a huge impact now, but would give me a basis to continue his learning lessons in Texas history (yes, we are proud Texans!) 

Once we ventured into Downtown SA in the Toyota Highlander, we were lucky to find a parking spot next to the Riverwalk (thanks to the valet parking helper) and make our way down waterside rather easy. July is hot and humid in San Antonio, so we wanted to make a plan quickly before we melted and lunchtime created a huge rush along the riverside restaurants. So what to do on the Riverwalk when you have a five-year-old in the middle of the summer? 

One of the things I had never done as many times as I have been to San Antonio over the years was take a Riverwalk boat tour. For only $8.25 for adults and $2 for my son, we were able to cruise the river with Rio San Antonio Cruises. To be honest, I was pretty excited as well, so we jumped on and let our lovely guide give us the quick version of how the Riverwalk became the Riverwalk. 

Our guide was full of information and humor as we made our way down Paseo del Rio. While you don't go end-to-end, the 35-minute tour is just enough to get your lay of the land, especially if you've never done the Riverwalk. You also get a chance to take some great photos and stake out your dining spot (a must-do in my opinion for any San Antonio trip (the people watching is priceless plus it's just beautiful!) 


While the Alamo is not along the San Antonio River, it is very close and another requirement for any San Antonio trip. So we ran over a few blocks and snapped the obligatory photo. While a tour of the Alamo is also a must-do, I felt like a few more years would really make a bigger impact so we saved that one for our next family Hill Country trip. 

After looking at our 72-hour jaunt to Hill Country, I can't believe we were able to enjoy so much of so many things that Texas has to offer - and it was just one area of The Lone Star State. What I also learned is what we'll do for our next trip - and perhaps the next time we'd let daddy and the little girl come. Maybe. 

Shoe Shopping for Back-to-School at Famous Footwear

Mama Mondays: 

Disclaimer: I was provided a gift card from Famous Footwear as well as the opportunity to shop for as many shoes as possible as part of a local Famous Footwear event hosted by Dallas Moms Blog. All the comments here are my own. 

It's no secret that I have issues with shoes. Really. 

While I enjoy looking at them, I don't like to wear them. When you have a wide foot it makes it hard to put on cute shoes and be comfortable. That's why I'm the queen of sandals and always in need of a new pair of shoes - at least ones that aren't summer specific. And since it was also right before back-to-school, I wasn't the only Reos could use another pair of kicks. 

That meant shopping. And shoe shopping is the worst... 

However, just in time, I was invited to a little special "mama time" with some friends to do a little private shoe shopping at Famous Footwear. Thank goodness. I needed some female opinions so I could make some purchases in a reasonable amount of time that weren't just comfortable, but functional and hopefully, cute too!

Oh, how I found all kinds of choices - just which ones should I buy? 

Considering my current athletic shoes were about two years old (and just a little note, that's way too long to not replace your running shoes), I really could use a pair, especially since the ones this season are fun, bright and very colorful. There were also some adorable Sperry boat-style shoes that were SO cute. I've always liked Sperry's for the whole family, especially since they give moms like me an alternative to flip flops - ideal during the winter time! Black and white damask with red laces, sequins and even leopard print, I eyed several pairs I would want to add to my wardrobe. And of course, I would have to peak at some gladiator sandals, my always go-to. The ones I found were so hot and had a little Bohemian vibe. Adorable. 

What to buy. What to buy? What to buy! 

Thankfully, for a limited time, I didn't have to purchase just one pair, but could get a second pair half off! (Gotta love some BOGO 1/2 off!) Then add my special discount for being a Famous Footwear Rewards member, I had discounts coming out my ears! Now that +  shoe shopping was something to be excited about. 

It was time I leaped over to the kids' aisle. While my little girl is a little young for these Converse, I couldn't help but stop to take a look at them. With all kinds of colors and fun tongues that even included emoticons on the reverse side, these shoes screamed "I would have to have you IF I had a teen!" 

Finally reaching the little girls' shoes, I set eyes on a pair of tennis shoes that Miss T. had to have. They were pink, glittery, blingy, and had studs all over them! And they lit up too! And considering little girl had a birthday the next day, I just had to snatch these up and surprise her for her big day! Aren't these Skechers CUTE!?!

Starting to really find my stride after my first must-have, I spotted this sign:

Discovering this great little kernel of knowledge was perfectly timed since I had eyed me a pair of these Naturalizer Peep Toes (both stylish and comfortable!) Unfortunately, my size was missing! What to do, what to do? I just brought the shoes to the register and they took my address. For $0, they would send these gotta-have heels to my doorstep. (Now that's service!)

And that wasn't all either! A little love from Lady Luck made me a winner of an opportunity to get as many pairs of shoes as I wanted in :30 seconds with a little shop-to-you-drop. That meant I was able to pull a pair of Sperry's for both me and my hubs, plus, of course, those cute shoes for my two-year-old! (And I may have also found a pair of sandals that would get a little play for the remaining weeks of the summer!)

So perhaps, maybe, I don't mind shoe shopping. Especially if I can get it all in one place and at a price I can afford. Thanks to Famous Footwear, I was able to find that and more. 

Now I understand why their tagline is "Victory is Yours." 

There's a mama challenge I was excited to win. 

Pinterest Recipes Put to the Test Featured on Good Morning Texas

Food Fridays:

I was so privileged to be spotlighted this week on two different shows this week, Good Morning Texas on WFAA and D: The Broadcast on KTXD. We put some great Pinterest Dessert finds to the test with a celebrity tester and then I had another celebrity talk mom tips for creating cool tips for healthy lunches.

A lot of you have asked for the recipes I made on GMT for easy and delicious Texas-themed desserts:

Apple Enchiladas

1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling (Cherries or peaches can be substituted for apples.)

6 (8 inch) flour tortillas

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup butte

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup water

1.       Spoon about one heaping quarter cup of pie filling evenly down the center of each tortilla.

2.       Sprinkle with cinnamon; roll up, tucking in edges; and place seam side down in prepared dish.

3.       In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes.

4.       Pour sauce over enchiladas and let stand 45 minutes.

5.       Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes, or until golden 350 degrees. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Pink Lemonade Pie

Crust

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (one packet)
1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter

1. Mix the crumbs, sugar, and butter in a nine inch pie pan or spring form pan.  Mix until the crumbs have absorbed the butter and the mixture is uniform. 
2. Press the crumbs across the bottom of the pan and up the sides. 
3. Bake for ten minutes at 350 degrees. 

Filling

1 8-ounce packet of cream cheese, softened
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup pink lemonade concentrate (not mixed with water)
2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
red food coloring as desired

1. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft.  Add the sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth.
2. Add the lemonade concentrate and lemon juice and continue beating until smooth.  Color with red food coloring as desired.
3. Poor into the pie shell and place in the freezer while you mix the topping.

Topping

1/3 cup shredded coconut
Several drops of red food coloring
1 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Place the coconut in a small bowl with several drops of food coloring and rub until the coconut turns pink.
2. Whip the cream until stiff, adding the sugar and vanilla in the process.
3. Spoon the cream over the pie filling and garnish with the pink coconut.
4. Freeze the pie until firm.

Margarita Pie

1 cup graham cracker crumbs (12 squares)

3 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/4 cup frozen (thawed) margarita mix concentrate

1 pint (2 cups) lime sherbet, softened

1/3 cup frozen (thawed) margarita mix concentrate

3 tablespoons tequila, if desired

2 cups vanilla frozen yogurt, softened

1.       In small bowl, mix cracker crumbs and powdered sugar.

2.       Stir in 1/4 cup margarita mix until crumbly.

3.       Press mixture firmly against bottom and side of 9-inch glass pie plate.

4.       In large bowl, mix sherbet, 1/3 cup margarita mix and the tequila.

5.       Gently swirl in frozen yogurt. Spoon mixture into crust; spread evenly.

6.       Cover; freeze 4 to 6 hours or until firm.

And for some of those great items we featured on the D: The Broadcast, you can find the following: 

Lunchboxes: The Container Store (including that cute Lego box and Lego Man Thermos.

Go Go SqueeZ, squeezable natural fruit: Whole Foods, Walmart and Target (Target even has a great $2/4 special right now.) 

Bolthouse Farms Shakedowns, carrots with seasoning mix: Walmart in Dallas (they are still launching in other areas around the US!)

Sabra, Spongebob Squarepants Hummus: Kroger 

Foodles, healthy, Mickey-shaped snack packs: Walmart

Let's Get Back to School!

Last-Minute Back-to-School Discounts

To-do Thursdays:

While my kiddos are already back in session at Spanish Schoolhouse, most of North Texas will start another school year come Monday morning. With only a few days left, now is still a great time to get those school supplies and BTS wardrobe needs with some special opportunities available for a limited time at area Staples, Office Max and Grapevine Mills.

See? It does pay to procrastinate (some of the time.)

Staples: 
Save a bundle when you purchase a  Back-to-School Savings Pass for $10 and get 15% off  on school supplies until Sept. 21. (All eligible products can be found here.) 

Office Max: 

If you haven’t started your back-to-school shopping, then it’s time to to bag it with OfficeMax – at least until this Saturday, Aug. 24.  You can get 20% OFF everything that fits inside a brown paper bag during OfficeMax’s 20% OFF Brown Bag Sale Event, including tablets, eReaders, must-have school supplies from backpacks to paper, calculators, printer ink and more (some exclusion do apply.)

OfficeMax's 20% OFF Brown Bag Sale Event is available in-stores only. Brown bags can be found in Sunday’s paper. While you are there, make sure you also take up on their rewards program, Office Max Perksfor 5% back in rewards with every purchase plus some other great goodies! 

Grapevine Mills: 
Grapevine is known for trying to offer a little bit of everything for everyone and for Back-to-School this is certainly the case at Grapevine Mills. Here are just a few of the great discounts you can take up on for a limited time: 

• Receive 15% off when you show your student ID at Forever 21.
• Nautica Factory Store and take an additional 30-50% off storewide.
• Taking advantage of 10% off with a student ID at the Tommy Hilfiger Company Store. 
• Spend $75 or more at G by Guess and receive a free messenger bag.
• Buy one, get one 50% off at Stride Rite/Keds/Sperry Outlet

You can check out other deals on their deal page on the Grapevine Mills website. 

Happy Shopping!

"Cool Tips for Healthy Lunches" on KTXD TVs D: The Broadcast

Wow Mom Wednesdays:

Going back to school is a hard transition -- and so is getting back to the routine of making lunches for the kids. However, did you know it's possible to make healthy lunches that kids will love to eat and not spend all night making them? Yep, you can with three easy tips and a few examples I shared today with the amazing Pat Smith on KTXD TVs D: The Broadcast today. She's a mama of five kids with Dallas Cowboys great Emmitt Smith and runs her own busy non-profit for women called Treasure You.

She's an amazing woman, so I was so excited to share a little time in the spotlight and give her a few tips I think might help you, too!

Do you have any healthy lunchbox tips to share? 

Also, you can check out my other TV appearances here!

Six Things to Know for Your First Schlitterbahn Experience (#ReoRoadTrip – Part 4)

Travel Tuesdays:

After relaxing in the lazy river at J.W. Marriott San Antonio, we knew it was time to brave our next adventure on our Texas Hill Country experience: Schlitterbahn New Braunfels. I had actually never been before either, so like two little kids, my kiddo and I were ready to take it down. However, without my mom, a veteran go-er, there are a few things that I wish I had known just to give us a good lay of how things happen at Schlitterbahn. So I put a few helpful tips together for you just in case you're trying to get a trip in before the end of the summer (they actually are open throughout the month of September, so there's still time!)

1. Know Where You are Going.

You’re never gonna pass Schlitterbahn just driving down the road. It’s in a nice little neighborhood in New Braunfels, so unlike our local Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, you aren’t just going to stumble upon it. Thankfully for the GPS in the Toyota Highlander, I was able to find the address and “Nancy” led her right to it from the J.W. Marriott.

2. Map Your Route

Schlitterbahn is actually four different adventures within the park.  The Original Schlitterbahn: uses spring fed water from the Comal, so river water sources this section. There are three other areas you can also visit including Surfenburg, Blastenhoff, and Tubenbach (which includes several no-wait attractions).  There’s also a bus that shuttles you around as well.

While we only were able to visit the original, I’d definitely consider a second visit to check out Tubenbach. I didn’t map out anything for our day at the park and we missed several things that I wish we could have experience including the Christmas Shoppe. So make sure to take a look at the Day Planner online so you can get a lay of the land and figure out what rides you might really want to ride.

3. Bring your water shoes and cheap sunglasses.  

While I saw plenty of bare feet around the place, summers in Texas are hot and therefore, so is the pavement. Standing in line or running from one ride to another makes it hard to just stand when its 100 degree plus in the Texas summer, especially on little people’s feet. And make thing easy on yourself and wear water shoes and not just flip flops.  I’ve done the flip flops and it’s doable, but water shoes are designed to stay on when you’re in the water. (I found ours at Walmart.)

While you are at Wally world, make a $5 investment on shades just in case you lose them on one of the rides then you aren’t so upset that you lost your favorite pair. Sunglasses are a must with several hours in the sun, so protect your eyes just like you do your skin.

I won’t even talk sunscreen. Sunscreen here is a no-brainer and reapply often.  

4. Spend the money on a locker and a money bracelet.

You can take your own snacks, but make sure to get a locker and a bracelet. The locker allows you to put your essentials away while you’re hanging out in the water. Best of all, you don’t have to keep returning to your locker for snack and drink money when you opt to load up funds on a bracelet. Just flash it for your purchases throughout the day and if you have anything left over, you can have it refunded back to you before you leave. Convenience is right at your wrist!

5. If you have a kid 0-3, make sure to pick up your baby a tube at the Tube Hut.  

There are rafts all over the park to pick up and take on a ride. However, if you have a little one, 0-3 years old, they actually have tubes with a net underneath so you don’t have to worry if your little one is going to fall out. While I’m not saying you should put your newborn in a tune, understand that you can’t ride any of the rides together in one tube. So don’t make the mistake like I did to not read the sign, sit in line for 30 minutes, get to the front of the line and then not get to ride. While the tubes can be found within the park, you can get the special kids’ tube at the front of the park, so make sure to get it first before getting too far into the park.

And don’t fret, they have life jackets for everyone in the case you have a weak swimmer.

6. Be Flexible.

What I actually should say is, be ready to flex those buns if the water is low at least at the original section. Basically if the river is low, the water is lower at the park too, so there were some times if I hadn’t picked up my buns, they would be dragging on the slide and standing still. That’s no fun for anyone so just be ready to help things along without getting out of your tube.  But flexibility also means just be ready to go with the “flow” and not to try to stretch out the day too long or get to everything. Otherwise, you won’t have fun and enjoy what the day offers without a packed agenda.

And of course, there’s always tomorrow. Or you could make a weekend of it and stay at the Resorts of Schlitterbahn. 

Spaß haben!

And if you want to get caught up on our road trip adventure in the Toyota Highlander,check out our first adventure in West, How to See Austin in Two Hours with a 5-year old and Experience Hill Country Hospitality at the JW Marriott.

When That Twilight Star Ate My Margarita Soup Pie on TV {Recipe}

Me Mondays:

Today's been a big day for the fam. Baby girl turned two, little boy had his first day of kindergarden, daddy enters his last day of law school and oh, yeah, mama was on TV. 

If you missed my segment on WFAA's Good Morning Texas where I have been lucky to be on a few times, here you go. However I do have to preface a few things for you first. 

1. The margarita pie is made mostly out of sherbet, frozen yogurt and margarita mix. 
2. TV studios are hot. Very hot. Especially in August. In Texas. 
3. Ice cream melts.

And if they fun in watching my pie turn into soup isn't enough to make you watch it, check out the cutie from Twilight, Vampire Diaries and Nashville (love that show), that makes a sneak appearance at the end to taste the soup...I mean pie. Thankfully, once we were off air, I was able to redeem myself with the apple enchiladas which he at least made me think were tasty (and he swallowed them with a smile.) So I'm good with it. What do you think? 

Make sure you stay close to your TV this week! I've some great news for you! 

A Real Mama Challenge: My Baby Girl Turns 2 and Mama Won't Be There

Mama Mondays:

Today's my little girl's 2nd birthday...unfortunately, I won't be there to wake her up in the morning since mama will be off early to WFAA Victory Park Studios to share a real "mama challenge" from Good Morning Texas. I actually have spent the weekend trying out the three Pinterest desserts that seem "too good to be true" are really good or really not true. 

And while the moment is bittersweet since I won't get to see her beautiful eyes open on her special day or take her to her first day of school, at least I know that I'm doing my best to set an example that when life gives you an opportunity, you take it and are thankful for it. 

...And then as long as one of these desserts actually work out, we'll share a slice together in honor of her special day when I pick her up from school. 

To make it worth it for both of us, if you are in front of a TV at 9 AM on ABC WFAA 8, I'd love for you to tune in to see how these three Texas-themed Pinterest recipes work! 

• Margarita Pie
• Pink Lemonade Pie
• Apple Enchiladas

And of course, I'll be these babies on Pinterest later, too (if they are good!) 

Give Me Some S'more, Please {Recipes}

Food Fridays:

Disclaimer: I was provided a Camper's S'mores Grill from Coghlans for purposes of this review. However, all the comments and photos are my own. 

Yesterday I was reminded of the fun my son and I had on our recent vacation at the JW Marriott San Antonio making smores together. There's just something so wholesome and sweet about it. And of course, there's the whole chocolate and marshmallow thing that just makes it good. So we we decided it was time to make them at home (and by that I mean not in the microwave like normal.) 

However, I'm lazy and hoped we could just make these babies in one step. And that's exactly what the Camper's S'mores Grill does. Able to make three smores at a time, this paddle-shaped, chrome-plated steel grill let's your put together your component pieces, take it straight to campfire or fireplace and then in no time, have a perfecly cooked s'more - in one step!

While a little Hershey's, Honeymaid and Jetpuff s'more cannot be replaced, every once in a while you want to change it up a little. So here are a couple of ideas to changes up your recipe for s'mores. 

PB& J S'mores
Graham Crackers
Berry Jam (your favorite) 
Chocolate squares or Nutella spread
Peanut Butter

Elvis S'mores
Graham Crackers
Sliced Bananas
Chocolate squares 
Peanut Butter

Rocky Road S'mores
Graham Crackers
Thinly sliced almonds
Chocolate squares 
Peanut Butter

Experience Hill Country Hospitality at the JW Marriott San Antonio (#ReoRoadTrip - Part 3)

Wow Mom Wednesdays:

Disclaimer: I was provided a hotel night's stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio for purposes of this review. However, all the comments and photos are my own. 

Last week we took on the challenge if it possible to see Austin in two hours with a five-year-old. This week, I'm excited to share part three of our Texas Hill Country adventure: our stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio.

After more than an hour on the road after our Austin Duck Tour, we were ready to get a little R&R at our hotel, the JW Marriott San Antonio. While I had stayed in San Antonio many times, it was nice to see another part of the area, especially one that was as devoted to the Texas Hill Country as this hotel works to be. Additionally, as it also emphasized family, I was really excited to let my little man go crazy at their water park area at the resort. Perhaps I was also really excited to get in the Lazy River with a drink in my hand as well. After all we had done a lot of work that day, so it was time to enjoy ourselves. 

The suspense of driving through the hills was about to kill me when we finally reached Oz...I mean the JW Marriott San Antonio. Nestled in the heart of Texas Hill Country in the Cibola Canyons, the JW Marriott welcomes you from the moment you lay your eyes on it. And soon as you open your car door, there's a staff member ready to welcome you, assist you with your luggage, open the doors and lead you straight to the check-in desk. 

Only a few minutes later, we were sitting in our room, putting on our swim suits for an evening swim, but not without doing a real once-over on the room. Considering I had done event planning in my last life, I had been to some really nice hotels. And the JW Marriott was certainly is one of them. The room kept within the Texas Hill Country theme with many hints of the environment; however, done with a sophisticated and modern twist. I really loved the artwork in the room as well, as it was unique rather than having that "I bought 5000 of these at a time." If there was a way to bring home the wooden piece over the bathtub or the cowhide ottoman, I would have stuffed it in my suitcase (or at least purchased one at the amazing gift mall downstairs that had everything.) 

Our hotel room was just the beginning of the beauty, historical reflection and distinction of the hotel. As you can see I have a love of lighting fixture and this place has truly awe-inspiring lamps and chandeliers. Walking into the conference "side" of the hotel, I noticed these colorful glass "sculptures" over the escalators. They were breath-taking and reminded me of the lobby of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Later when I walked into the gift store, I noticed more of the same hand-blown glass art pieces from a rather famous San Antonian artisan named Gini Garcia. (More about her later when I would visit San Antonio.) 

Just taking a walk around the property, there was something fun to find and admire, especially the large number of conversation areas. All over the resort you could find all kinds of nooks and crannies designed to make you take a load off, get comfortable and either enjoy your alone time or strike up a conversation with someone around a beautiful outdoor fireplace or overlooking the picturesque landscape. 

One of the coolest features I would be remiss to mention was the River Experience. Appropriately named from the nearby Riverwalk in San Antonio and the nearby rivers that attract floaters, the River Experience is enough reason to keep you at the resort and not have to venture out at all. While we really enjoyed the lazy river, the water slides proved to be a great time for both of us. And I really loved the outdoor bar area which felt a lot more like a Mexican vacation than a four-hour jaunt from home. However, the nightly smores offered to guests to roast over an open flame were the highlight of each evening. And believe me, even if you didn't bring your kids, adults were lined up to get their little taste of graham-cracker-marshmallow-chocolatey deliciousness! 

And it would be an experience from me if it didn't mention the FOOD! While there so many options from casual to white tablecloth on property, we chose to dine at Cibola Moon, the hotel's main dining establishment for Texas cuisine. Finding the perfect view al fresco, we were able to enjoy dinner together and then when little man was ready to get up, only a few steps away, he could play in the grass while I enjoyed my drink. It was like an open green space for families to enjoy the outdoors together. I definitely recommend the bacon-wrapped scallops and the homemade papardelle pasta with spit roasted chicken, mushrooms and bacon (and yes, I added a little spinach to mine too! And let's not talk about the tequila flight; let's just say I slept well!

I

Somehow in our schedule, I was able to sneak off for an early massage at the largest spa in Texas, the Lantana Spa at the JW. Since it was early in the morning (7 AM), I was able to enter the spa and snap a few photos to share of the beautiful "sanctuary." Continuing with its committment to hospitality, I was provided a robe, a cup of tea and a few options to begin my relaxing moment away before the massage. One of the most interesting things I had the pleasure of experiencing was the Seven Knots Ritual, where spa guests are given a red ribbon and asked to tie seven knots (with the last one completing a circle) to release your worries and stress. While I hadn't started my day to be that stressed yet, I was ready to get rid of whatever I had brought with me and leave it there. Then my name was called to enjoy an hour-long Swedish massage. (Heaven.) 

While we were pretty happy just hanging out at the JW and didn't even get to check out the kids' club (the onsite hourly "camp" that allows mom and dad to enjoy the spa, golf or a quiet dinner at the property), it was time to get along to continue our Hill Country journey - Hello, Schlitterbahn!

And if you want to get caught up on our road trip adventure in the Toyota Highlander,check out our first adventure in West and How to See Austin in Two Hours with a 5-year old!

Yabba - Dabba - Doo! Bedrock Brownies {Recipe}

Disclaimer: This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Post Pebbles but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PebblesBTS http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO. 

Sharing bits and pieces (and in this case Pebbles) with your children is part of the fun of being a parent. However, during a trip to Walgreens I picked up a box of Post Cocoa Pebbles and my son pointed to Fred and Barney on the front of the box and asked, "Who's that?" 

Oh, Hanna Barbara. We had work to do. 

Kinda a fail on my part I felt for never airing an episode of "The Flinstones," until I was able to find only  few clips of the classic cartoon online. Thankfully, iTunes gave us some options to make a real formal introduction, but it seemed like unlike the recent surge in my favorite childhood boy bands reclaiming the limelight, the Bedrock buddies I watched as a kid, had slipped into an oblivion. 

After my enjoying my own moment of nostalgia, I decided to use the opportunity to talk about the Flinstones' prehistoric period (how people did it then) with a little Cooking 101 using our box of Post Cocoa Pebbles  - with both the almost-two-year old and five-year old. (I'm pretty sure my head was full of rocks.) 

After a huge fight about who got to stand next to mama in the chair, who got to crack the egg and who got which apron (they are exactly the same color), we began putting together a dessert that we later would call "Bedrock Brownies," a layered "rocky-road type" desert using brownie mix, cheesecake filling, crushed Cocoa Pebbles, marshmallows, chocolate chips, nuts and icing. And you're right, it ain't fat-free. 

We talked about measurements, learning patience (all of us during the process), taking turns putting in the ingredients and of course, stiring the mix. Things were going pretty well at this point until my oldest asked if we created another episode of "his cooking show." Always happy to share my blogging adventures with my kids, I was elated to go behind the camera to direct while he set up for his intro...

Unfortunately after about the 20th take, I gave up on this time creating the next Bobby Deen. He was tired, I was tired and by this time the toddler had escaped with a couple of tastes of the mix and fled to the living room to play with her dolls. We just needed these sweeties to get done, so we could break "brownies" together. 

 You too can create this Yabba-Dabba delicious dessert that is creamy, chocolately and crunchy. It's so good you might consider running your car around the block with your bare feet in order to burn off the calories just so you can have another one. 

It's a whole new way to eat your milk and cereal!

Bedrock Cheesecake Brownies

Ingre­di­ents

• First layer:
• 1 pkg favorite Brownie Mix
• 
  
• Second layer:
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup gran­u­lated sugar
• 1/4 cup butter–softened
• 2 table­spoons flour
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup semi-sweet choc chips

• Third Layer:
• 2 crushed Cocoa Pebbles

• Fourth Layer:
• 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

• Fifth Layer (Frost­ing):
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup milik
• 3 cups pow­dered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup Cocoa Pebbles
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 
  

Instruc­tions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. But­ter the bot­tom and sides of a 9x13 pan.
2. In mix­ing bowl, com­bine the ingre­di­ents for the bot­tom layer until mixed well. Press/spread bat­ter into the bot­tom of the pre­pared 9x13 pan. Set aside.
3. For the second level, in mix­ing bowl, beat the soft­ened cream cheese, gran­u­lated sugar, 1/4 cup soft­ened but­ter, 2 table­spoons, 1 tea­spoon vanilla and 1 egg at medium speed until smooth. Stir in the 1/4 cup pecans and pour over choco­late layer in bot­tom of pan. Sprin­kle the choco­late chips over the cream cheese layer. 
4. Now layer the crush Cocoa Pebbles over the cream cheese covering the last layer. 
5. Bake 26–28 min­utes, until fill­ing is start­ing to lightly brown on top. Take out of the oven and sprin­kle the mini marsh­mal­lows evenly over the top. Bake an addi­tional 2 minutes.
6. Mean­while, in a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup but­ter over medium heat. Stir in the cocoa and milk. Heat to boil­ing while stir­ring con­stantly. Remove pan from heat, and whisk in the pow­dered sugar. Stir until well blended. Add the vanilla, 1 cup Cocoa Pebbles (and 1 cup chopped pecans.) 
7. When the two min­utes of roast­ing the marsh­mal­lows is fin­ished, remove the pan of rocky road bars from the oven and imme­di­ately pour the frost­ing mix­ture over the marsh­mal­lows. Spread evenly to cover and let cool 30 minutes.
8. Refrig­er­ate about 2 hours to set. Cut into small squares. Store in the refrigerator.