Sheila's Chocolate Covered Strawberry Jell-o Shots Recipe

When I was in New Hampshire, visiting my best friend Brandy, she knew I never tried Jell-o Shots before. I don’t know why, cause I love Jell-o a lot. I of course really liked them, no surprise there. She didn’t really like them, I am not sure if it was because there was Malibu in them or what, but they were so good.  As most of you guys know I love coming up with my own unique recipes.  I started thinking about how I could make a drink that tasted like a chocolate covered strawberry. Cream Di Cacao is a chocolate liqueur but, honestly you can really taste the alcohol in it. I learned that the hard way when my friends and I tried to make chocolate martinis. It was the grossest thing I ever drank.  I also wanted to incorporate Jell-o shots.  The thought of Jell-o and chocolate pudding mixed together, made my stomach churn, so I had to keep brainstorming. I knew that they sold molds to make your own shot glasses but I wasn’t sure if that would be enough Jell-o shot. I almost bought a shot glass mold from Amazon, but decided not to.

I went to Michael’s and I am addicted to Wilton products and I saw a tart mold. I thought this would be perfect and I picked up the Jell-o Shot supplies and some milk chocolate chips and I was ready for my creation to be born.

This is a fairly simple recipe. I highly recommend getting more than one Tart Mold for this recipe. They are like 2 dollars apiece. I need to pick some more up soon.

You will need:

A box of strawberry Jell-o

1 cup boiling water

1 cup alcohol of choice I used Malibu, you can use vodka

A bag of Milk Chocolate chips you can use any type of chocolate chips you want

One Tablespoon of shortening

Wilton Tart mold (will make three) The recipe will make about 9 or 10

1. Boil the water and combine it with the package of Jell-o, stir until dissolved.

2.Stir in 1 cup of alcohol and mix well

3.This is a very important step.  Put the Jell-o in the fridge, while you make the shells. Don’t let it get completely firm.

4.Melt  chocolate and shortening in a bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir and microwave 10 more seconds at a time if not completely melted.

5.Fill the bottom tart mold, it pulls apart, 1/3 the way full. Snap on the lid and press down on the mold to completely cover the mold with chocolate.  Place in the refrigerator.

6.I didn’t want the look of the clumpy Jell-o, so I came up with a brilliant plan. After the Jell-o is no longer hot or warm, but still liquid, pour in the top of the mold and return to the fridge. You can also cut it in cubes, or whatever shapes you want, or do it clumpy. You will want to let it sit probably for quite a while, overnight if possible for everything to set up nicely.

7.Carefully pull apart the mold, and remove the chocolate tarts, then remove the Jell-o. You can use a toothpick to help prevent it from sticking too much. I wasn’t able to get the perfect Jell-o shape but I was able to get it out in two pieces. 

These are yummy. I don’t think I would eat a bunch of them because they are rich but they would be great as part of a dessert sampler at a dinner party, or just a classy way to serve the classic Jell-o shot.

You could also make it with cherry Jell-o or Raspberry or any flavor you think would sound delish!

Please remember to drink responsibly. You must be 21 years or older to enjoy this recipe.

My Dream Backyard

In almost every house I have lived in has always had a deck. One of the houses I lived in growing up had a deck with a built in hot tub.  We never used the hot tub because it was broken, which was sad because I love hot tubs.  In the house I live in now, there isn’t really room for a deck because the yard is kind of on a hill and there are also trees in odd places. I would never cut a tree down, in fear of my five year old tree hugger yelling at me to “Save our trees”.  In my next house I would love to design my dream backyard. I would want a huge deck with a spot for a hot tub. I would be able to splurge on a hot tub with some good research of composite deck prices.  Did you know that if you have a hot tub, they have specific requirements for the place of the hot tub?  I found that out when my old best friend bought one and they couldn’t deliver it.  That way I can relax every night and look up at the stars on my beautiful deck.

It is also really important to have good railing so you don’t have to worry about falling off the deck. When I was 14 I was babysitting and the family didn’t have very safe railing on their deck and I fell off the deck. I didn’t break anything thankfully; I just ended up with a few cuts and bruises.  I was thankful that it wasn’t the child I was babysitting.  I still remember that day and so I am very careful when it comes to decks now. Not only am I careful about the construction, but the composite railing prices. I wouldn't want to skimp when safety is a concern.  I would hate for Noah or anyone for that matter to fall off a deck like I did.  It would be very dangerous and could cause serious injury.

I would also love to have a big fence. I like privacy and I would want to keep animals like dogs and raccoons out of my yard. I also like the added security that a fence provides my family. I always thought that a big fence would be more expensive than a short one. Composite fencing pricing is comparable to other types of fencing. After visiting my friend Brandy in NH, I really want a pug. I don’t really like the idea of chaining up a dog outside, but of course you can’t let them roam free. That means a fence would be a must, if I ever want to get the pug I want some day.

I would also love to have an outdoor heater, a fire pit, and possibly an outdoor kitchen.

What would be in your dream backyard? I look forward to hearing your ideas.

Mommy, My Lightbulb is Burnt Out Again

Noah and I both have ceiling fans in our bedrooms. They were purchased and later put in by my aunt and uncle who are the absolute best at these kinds of things. Well I have noticed that the light bulbs in them seem to burn out quickly, more quickly than any other light bulb in our house. It might be because they are both on all the time. I like to sleep with my light on, it makes me feel safe, and so I can see what is going on. I wouldn’t say I am afraid of the dark per say, it’s just a comfort thing.  I hate changing the ceiling fan light bulbs.   When I put my furniture in my room, my bed was placed in a spot to where I could stand on my bed to change the light bulb. The glass dome is such a pain in the butt to put back on, because you have to do it in such a way so the glass dome doesn’t fall off.  Sometimes it takes me a while to put it back on right.  It is really annoying.

Noah’s light is the one that you have to stand on a chair to change, well that means I have to carry a chair upstairs from the dining room that always makes me nervous. Then it is a series of up and down because I don’t have eight hands.  Sometimes, I wish I did, when I have to do twelve things at once.  I absolutely hate when Noah’s light bulb burns out. I have only had the light bulb get stuck and come apart once and it was mine. I was able to get it out with a pair of pliers after the power was turned off. Recently, Noah’s light bulb burned out at 8 pm.  I had ordered dinner out so I was waiting for the delivery guy to bring me my food. They had been early the last two times so the last thing I wanted to do was be standing on a chair trying to mess with changing a light bulb.  So, Noah was up in his room waiting for me.  I gobbled down my wedge fries and cheese, before changing his light bulb.  It was still light outside so it wasn’t dark in his room. He pretty much hung out in the hallway.

After I finished I was ready to tackle the job. I am sure you are all like what’s the big deal and your minds are filling up with how many so and so’s does it take to change a light bulb jokes.  I got the dome off fairly easily between telling Noah to please leave his room, in case I drop something or fall.  I changed the light bulb and I got down to test it before I put the dome on.  The light bulb worked fine. I had put the dome on it.  I told Noah, who usually remembers everything to remind me about the chain because I wrapped around the fan. Well, after getting the dome on for like 5 minutes, I turned on his fan, while out of the room to make sure the dome was securely on. I always tug on it to make sure, but it is an extra step. I didn’t remove the chain and bam the light went out. I was not happy, Noah said mommy remember the chain. I was like thanks honey, thinking why didn’t you tell me that before I turned the fan on. Of course I didn’t say that, just thought it. 

So, I bring the chair back in, get back up there and take the dome off and change the light bulb. It doesn’t work. I try another one, it doesn’t work. I am like I wonder if I blew a fuse. So, I go out to the garage, and locate the power box and none of the switches were flipped. I couldn’t read the scribbles of the person who did the electrical work in my house.  I didn’t know what to do. At this point I decided to try two more light bulbs and surprise surprise none of them worked.  I had no clue what to do. I asked Noah if he would sleep with flashlights. He was fine with it.  I was texting my friend Brandy and I was asking her what it could be. Neither of us had any idea. I started replaying it in my mind, then I was like I wonder if it pulled the chain by turning the light out.  Sure enough that is what it was.  It had to be. I was texting anyone who might have an idea, of what was going on.  Eventually after a forty five minute ordeal, the light was working and Noah was in bed. 

I do think there is something wrong with the light, because it isn’t as bright as it used to be. Maybe I broke the dimmer feature.  Not that I use it, and it is still bright enough.   It’s always something!

I am Jack's Bot

If you know me at all, ever had interaction with me, you know how much I love the movie Fight Club. I have seen it a bajillion times. I know the whole movie by heart and love to quote it and tweet about it. I feel sorry for my friends like Brandy of Happily Blended because she has to deal with me all the time talking about it. When I found out she hates Fight Club, I was completely baffled. How can someone hate Fight Club? How can one of my dearest friends of all people hate Fight Club? It was almost terms for ending the friendship but I gave her a pass. Of course I am kidding but I just don’t understand. I would never sit down with my mom and watch it because I know she would hate it, but she is my mom. I just thought that everyone loves Fight Club because it’s Fight Club. I have known people that have never seen it and won’t. They are really missing out.

To be fair I have a faint memory of being at Blockbuster a long time ago and my friend or someone I dated, it’s been a while, asked me if I have seen it and I said no, don’t want to. I thought it was a boxing movie and I hated Snake Eyes. It wasn’t until a year or so later that my ex bought it at K-mart and had me sit down and watch it. I loved it, I watched it over and over. I demanded that I got to keep it when I kicked him out. I got to keep all my favorite movies because he kept his guitar. Fight Club is not about boxing and it is hardly about fighting. It is just like a small part of it. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. It is brilliant. It is definitely a movie for adults. I wouldn’t recommend watching it with your children, it is very inappropriate for anyone under 17. They talk about Martha Stewart in it. You know how much I love Martha.

Shortly after joining Twitter and tweeting about Fight Club I noticed that I was getting replies from someone called Iamjacksbot. In the movie the narrator played by Edward Norton reads a series called I am Jack’s Colon; I am Jack’s Medulla Oblongata to name a few. He also uses I am Jack’s to describe how he is feeling in certain parts of the movie. IamJacksBot is an automated bot (I believe) that whenever anyone on Twitter mentions the words “Fight Club” it will tweet you a random quote from the movie. One day recently I wanted to mention IamJacksBot in a tweet and if you look at the top it will tell you who you follow that also follows someone. There is was…. Martha Stewart. Martha Stewart follows IamJacksbot on Twitter. She won’t follow me, but will follow the Fight Club bot.

I didn’t realize that Martha Stewart was such a big Fight Club fan. I mean Martha Stewart just doesn’t seem like she would be a fan or condone such a movie. I was floored. I guess Martha is an interesting person and created Whatever Martha where her daughter and friend made fun of her. I wish they would bring back that show. I loved it. The talk show is not very good in my opinion. I guess you can learn a lot of things about celebrities on Twitter. For the record it made me love Martha even more.
What do you think of Fight Club? Have you seen it? Its brilliant isn’t it?

It's Time to Buy New Luggage.

In June, I am planning on visiting my best friend Brandy. She lives in New Hampshire which means I will be boarding a plane to do so. I am really excited to go out there and spend some time with her. I am certain we will have a great time just hanging out and doing some girl things. Brandy is such a positive person and she is very funny. We even plan on getting all dressed up and going out, which is luxury for both of us. I have never been to New Hampshire or Vermont, I am sure we will go out to her dad’s farm while I am there too. I definitely need to buy new luggage sets before I go. The suitcases I have traveled all over the place. They are starting to get a little too worn. The wheels and/or the handles on each suitcase are messed up in some way. I have been pretty creative at rigging them so they work but it would be nice not to have to worry about my suitcases falling or running over my feet or someone else’s.

I also want to get Noah a little suitcase that he can manage even if it is just a small one. I would love to get him one he can pull behind him because he is getting too big for a stroller. We are planning a trip for Noah’s 5th birthday and my 30th birthday too. This is a trip I have been thinking about since I knew the date of my scheduled C-Section and realized our birthdays are so close together. I am so excited about these trips but going to the airport, riding on a plane and sometimes handling an adorable yet curious preschooler can stress this mama out. I am hoping that if Noah has his own little suitcase he can pull along it will make things easier for us all, and that the next time I fly with him that I don’t start crying going through security.

Plastic Balloons

Have you ever played with plastic balloons? They come in little tubes and you put a little of the goop on a straw and blow it up? They also smell kind of funny. I used to love to play with them. I found some at the dollar store a while back and I of course had to buy them. I have great memories of being at my grandparents playing with plastic balloons. I decided I would play with them shortly after I bought them. I was talking to my friend Brandy when I was doing them being a complete dork. I decided I would hit one like a volley ball and I hit it in to my spinning ceiling fan. It was a stupid thing to do. I was really scared. I didn’t mean to hit it THAT hard. Thankfully it didn’t do anything but pop and stick to my ceiling fan. Oops.



Sometimes they get holes in them when you blow them up and you have to either fix the hole or put your finger over it then fix it. It’s easy to do you just pinch it. My favorite thing to do is pop them. I will introduce Noah to them when he gets quite a bit older, since they smell so bad and are kind of tricky. I want to share the memories with my son someday.

Do you remember plastic balloons? Did you play with them as a child?

Come Fly With Me........

When I went to Orlando, I got a brilliant idea. I thought I would take a small video of our flight. I didn’t want a video of the clouds although that would be kind of cool. Clouds are unpredictable however and I wasn’t sure I would be able to get a good video. I took this video as we were towards the end of our flight in to Orlando. The reason I took this video is because my friend Brandy does not like to fly. I thought it would be cool if she could fly with me in the safety of her own home. She has never flown before and I wanted her to see the beauty that I saw from the air. So, Brandy, friends Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away. If you can use some exotic booze, there's a bar in far Bombay. Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away.

Mommy Makeover

As part of wanting to make myself over this year, I have thought about what other improvements I could make. I would love to get a breast augmentation. Not really for a size reason but more to lift them up and for a better shape. Before I was a mom I had an appointment with a plastic surgeon to get a consultation. I wouldn’t get one until after I am done having children though. My old best friend had hers done and I guess it is very painful when you are pregnant. I am also not opposed to considering possibly breastfeeding. I haven’t decided yet but I will come to that bridge when I get there. I really think there is a lot of taboo about plastic surgery. I personally think it is up to the person who is getting it done. I do think there is a limit to how much a person should get or you end up like Joan Rivers. I am sorry but she just scares me. So does Barbara Walters, she scares me so much that Dr. Pepper comes out of my nose.

I have also thought about getting something done with my stomach. Since I had a C-section, my tummy looks weird from my scar. I am not talking about the scar it’s self. I think of the scar as a badge of mommy honor but the way my stomach is shaped now is weird. It is hard to explain short of seeing it. I guess it is part of motherhood and as my friend Brandy would say I have a had-a-baby body.

Have you ever thought about getting plastic surgery? If so, what would you get done?

My Best Friend is So Far Away..

I wanted to share with all of you about my friend Brandy of Happily Blended. It is really weird to think about how she and I became such great friends. It all started last year when she was doing a Sprout giveaway before I was even a blogger. I had to watch her little video she made to answer the questions and I thought wow, I really like her personality. Brandy is a social butterfly that is loud and fun to talk to. I ended up being one of the winners of the giveaway. After that we started exchanging email occasionally.

When I started my blog she was one of the bloggers I went to for advice. I am sure she remembers my very first blog layout that only lasted for 2 or 3 days. Once I started blogging I would occasionally talk to her on Twitter or Facebook or email. As time has gone by, Brandy and I started texting occasionally; we were both single moms and seemed to have a lot in common. I remember our first phone call. I was extremely nervous at first. She is so warm and friendly I wasn’t as nervous after that.

The occasional texts and phone calls have turned in to, texting each other all day and talking on the phone at night. I really enjoy talking to her. You would think we would run out of things to talk about but we never do. We really talk about everything and rarely discuss blogging, which is cool. She has me saying “wicked” because I hear and read it all the time. It’s funny because I thought it sounded so weird before and now I always say it. We get along so well. We only had one misunderstanding, which was resolved two minutes in to our phone call. The misunderstanding wasn’t even OUR fault. I am planning on visiting her in New Hampshire sometime soon. I can’t wait to see her. I don’t want to say meet her because I already know her!

Check out Brandy’s blog Happily Blended and read about the adventures of her munchkins, and some wicked awesome reviews and giveaways.

The Bees and me!

I was on Facebook and I was reading a status update from my friend Brandy of Happily Blended about how she mowed through a swarm of bees and didn’t get stung, and it brought up a memory of mine from when I was in elementary school. I commented and said “That's good you just gave me an idea for a blog post lol”. She responded “Oh no! LOL funny how a short status update on FB can give us bloggers a story idea!” We both got a good laugh about it. I thought I would share two funny bee stories with you. I have quite a few funny bee stories. I must be as sweet as honey because they always bother me.

I was in elementary school, and it was recess. My friend and I decided we would be cool and tough and kill bees. I don’t know why we decided to do it. I was in 3rd or 4th grade. We decided we would step on them. We were trying to be cool, and show off I assume as it was a long time ago. Well we spent almost all of recess trying to kill bees. I wasn’t very successful, we would try and step on one and run away so we wouldn’t get stung. I finally killed one. Me being the brilliant 3rd or 4th grader I was, picked up the dead bee and put it in the palm of my hand to show my friends and the other kids in my grade. Then it happened, I realized I had been stung. I looked around for the bee so I could step on that one too and then I figured out, I stung myself with the dead bee. I had to go to the nurse’s office and it hurt so bad. In the defense of the bees, this first story was my fault. All the other times I was minding my own beeswax.

It was my birthday and I decided I wanted to go to an Amish Fair for my birthday with my friend. I was a weird child. I even took folk dancing as an extra activity in school. I was very interested in other cultures and you know how I like fairs. I also love cotton candy. I was standing there eating pink cotton candy and I was wearing a skirt and I ended up getting stung by a bee on my thigh. It hurt so bad.

After that bees and wasps visiting me on my birthday became a reoccurring thing. Maybe it was a curse for stomping on a bee in elementary school. I really don’t like bees especially after seeing My Girl. It was so sad and terrifying when the bees killed Thomas J. I will be sharing a couple more bee stories in an upcoming post.