the only sober birthday party picture!

my family at my birthday bbq this year! love them so much!

LETS GO RAVENS!

Uncle Phil and me with Poe, the Raven's mascot!

beginning of a beautiful tribute to 9/11. may we never foreget.

6 rows off the field? yes please! having a blast with the best uncle/godfather I could ask for!

amazing. god bless america.

me and Petak!! had such a great time (well maybe she didnt, she is a DIEHARD steelers fan!)

i was lucky enough to hang out with my uncle phil twice this weekend! Happy Hour(s) on Friday and at the Raven's season opener on Sunday! i am so blessed to have him as my godfather, i love him to death. not only is he super caring and a great uncle, he is also SUPER fun and awesome!

thank you uncle phil! i love you!

bee fam bee fam better than the pirate fam!

Bee Fam Tree - yea - they still do that :)

here is the BEE FAM. hahahaha a "rivalry" that will most likely last until we die

Friends at Emily and Chelseas bbq! Meeshie was in town!!

yep.

Emily and Chelsea had a big bbq the other night because our good friend Meeshie was in town! it was so good to see everyone!

i love my friends.

Congrats Sis!

George Washington University Graduate Degree Graduation - May 13, 2011

Sis - right before she walks across the stage!!!!!!! sooo happy for her!

fam at Filomena's in Georgetown for dinner after Graduation!!

wanted to take a second to congratulate my extremely smart sis, Claire on finishing her MBA program! so proud of you, sis! :)

love you!

Cancun Family Picture!

our whole group in cancun! i had such a blast with my family, so much fun! love them so much!

Happy 50th Birthday Mommy!!!!!

happy 50th birthday to the best mom in the WORLD (i know we all think that, but mine really is the BEST)!!!!!!!

blow out your candles, wish for 50 more!!!!!!

yesterday was my mom's 50th birthday! we had quite the day with her - we made her open presents (a LOT of them) and then we had to celebrate at my grandmas house...she just got out of the hospital after a scary few days. probably not the ideal way to celebrate a birthday, but we are all very happy to know our grandma is on the mend (note all of the religious stuff in the pics, that's grammy's).
for dinner we went to this restaurant we've been going to for years - and ate more prime rib than i'd care to admit. here is a pic of my dad's...it was like a cowboy steak....too huge and ridiculous - he ate about 1/4 of it:

i love my momma more than anything in this world! she cracks me up constantly and is always there for me when i need anything at all. i cant wait to celebrate 50 more years with her, she truly is the very best in the world.  she deserves an amazing day and an even more amazing year - can't wait to celebrate more with her in CANCUN this weekend (and next week!)!

LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Sienna says Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from the Fusters!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

after realizing our lives hadn't changed much from last year....my family sent out the following this year....

George is still working at his virtual job and receiving a “virtual paycheck.” He doesn’t mind not being the breadwinner because working from home gives him the freedom of traveling to his favorite destination, Fire Island. In his free time, George enjoys watching Desperate Housewives, Say Yes to the Dress, Oprah, and basically anything that requires using the word “fabulous.” His goals are to own the Lifetime network and to become the first male on the DC Rollergirls roller racing team.

Carol is still working full time at the Department of Energy and enjoying every minute of it.  Her hobbies include snowboarding, speed skating, competitive diving, modeling, baking cupcakes and making all her own clothes.  In her free time she volunteers as a greeter at Walmart—so if you see her there, give her a big hello!

Madeleine is still living in an Arlington trailer park and working at BAE Systems, but now works in the mailroom.  This is something she has been working for since joining BAE.  She is working in Rosslyn which is much closer to her trailer – just 3 miles! She and her pup Sienna love to come to a real home on the weekends and terrorize Ellie!  One of Sienna’s main hobbies is enjoying time with the kids, and taking home their arms and legs for souvenirs. This year Madeleine has added a porch with a bug zapper to her place. 

Claire graduated from Virginia Tech and has since been living off the land and spending time “finding herself”.  We as parents encourage her to be a free spirit and to explore the world before her.  She backpacked through Africa to see the World cup this past summer.  There she learned to create natural herb potions that will bring her luck throughout her travels.  She will continue her quest to find the meaning of life. We love supporting her financially while she explores all life has to offer.

...this went to everyone we know and love....i think its safe to say that we are bunch of nutjobs..... 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Picture of the Day - 4

check out my adorable, tiny little grandmas and aunt. and my hot mom, sister and cousin, ali :)
we went to a terrible hotel brunch at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Crystal City. But it was nice spending time with my family! Happy Easter!

Tuesday Potluck

the girls and i have tried to keep up with a potluck every other week. we had been seriously slacking with everyone's crazy fall schedules - but last night we got back on our game! and it was awesome!

my contribution:
My Aunt Vals to-die-for spinach sausage stuffing
Hungry-girl Monkey Bread
other contributions:
mint chocolate chip cookies - tasted like thin mints. ohmygah.
gingerbread cookies - from scratch
mashed potatoes - lots of garlic...mmm
tortellini salad with salmon - yumm
shrimp appetizer with a yummy spicy dip!

recipes:

Spinach Sausage Stuffing - this recipe has been featured at quite a lot of family functions. it's passed down to my aunt val from her grandfather, which makes it quite special :)
From Aunt Val: "This recipe is originally my grandfather’s recipe – Jack McAuliffe (Mom’s Dad) and many, many years ago, my Dad (Grampi Crocetta) started making it each Thanksgiving. The flavors get better as they sit, so you may want to make a day in advance."
Here goes…
1 package Pepperidge farm stuffing (NOT CUBES)

1 lb mild sausage – like Jimmy Dean (not links – the tube thing not links – do you know what I mean???)

4 medium size onions chopped

1 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach

Butter – about ½ stick

Hot water (not quantity specified)

Cook sausage, drain fat, add chopped onions and brown – drain. Cook & drain spinach (spinach carries a lot of water). Add spinach to sausage/onion mixture. Add butter to mixtureIn separate bowl, mix stuffing and HOT water to desired consistency. Mix everything together. Place in glass dish (I used a huge tupperware container). Cook to heat – maybe 350 for 30 minutes (I added a little more water at J&A's house and put it in the microwave for 4 mins). Everything is already cooked, just needs to be heated.You can also refrigerate the stuffing and cook when you are ready to do so. Add butter, salt/pepper as needed. (I forgot the butter, and it still tasted amazinnggg)

*I also made a vegetarian version for kel - and it included everything except sausage. super yum!

Hungry-Girl Monkey Bread!!

mmm mmmm - no cool background behind this one besides me being a fatty who follows hungry girl recipes religiously.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp Splenda, divided
2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
2 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread
2 tbsp. sugar-free pancake syrup
2 tbsp. brown sugar (not packed)
1 package Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations Seamless Dough Sheet
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix 1 tbsp. Splenda and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a large bowl or container. Set aside. Spray six cups of a muffin pan with nonstick spray, and set pan aside as well.

Place a small pot on the stove, but do not heat it. Add butter, syrup, brown sugar, 2 tbsp. Splenda, and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Leave this on the unheated stove, to be melted and mixed later on.

Roll out the dough on a clean dry surface, and sprinkle evenly with baking powder. Gently smooth baking powder into the sheet with your fingers.

Cut dough sheet widthwise into six strips equal in size. Cut each strip into four squares. Roll each square into a ball, for a total of 24 dough balls.

Place 12 dough balls in the bowl with the Splenda-cinnamon mixture. Lightly toss to coat, and then place them gently in the muffin pan, with four dough balls in each of three cups. No need to press the dough balls into the pan -- just let them fall naturally. Repeat with remaining dough balls, so that each of the six muffin cups contains four coated dough balls. Set aside.

Bring the small pot on the stove to medium heat. Stirring frequently, heat just until butter has melted and contents are mixed well. Evenly spoon the butter mixture over the dough balls.

Bake in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes, or until puffy and firm. Allow to cool slightly, and then plate and enjoy!

MAKES 6 SERVINGS

Serving Size: 4 pieces (1/6th of recipe)
Calories: 154
Fat: 7.5g
Sodium: 369mg
Carbs: 21g
Fiber: 0.5g
Sugars: 6.5g
Protein: 2g

i doubled this recipe and it was deeeeelish! got lots of compliments! yay for being a hungry girl!