Toasted Marshmallows & Sweater Dresses

Whoa - what an autumnal title, and that's definitely NOT where I'm going! But it's what's going on with us:

Have y'all seen the Campfire Giant Roasters marshmallows? They. Are. HUGE. Of course my family could not simply walk past the bag at the store...and I *may* have been the first one to grab it! But marshmallows have really been on my mind. I saw a Spike Mendelsohn (a la Top Chef) recipe for Toasted Marshmallow Milkshakes and have been obsessing ever since. Join me:

4 Servings, Prep 10 min, Cook 10 min
Ingredients:
One 1-pound bag jumbo marshmallows
2 cups milk
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 tablespoon sour cream (optional, if you don't like things *so* sweet)
Directions:
1.Preheat the broiler. On a foil-lined baking sheet, place half of the marshmallows in a single layer; broil until charred, 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Place the remaining marshmallows on the sheet and roast just until toasted, 2 minutes; let cool.
2.In a blender, mix the milk, ice cream, sour cream and charred marshmallows. Serve topped with the toasted marshmallows.

Ever since I was little, I've always liked toasting marshmallows over the stove, too. It's perfect, b/c I do NOT like mine charred black (ICK!) but I like them perfectly puffed to a delicate light brown all the way around - easily achieved over the stove = controlled, even heat. I always pull off the toasted layer, eat that, then re-toast what's left on my skewer, over & over until the very last bite is completely melted. Mmmmmmmm... And these GIANT marshmallows are perfect beyond words for this! One marshmallow can satisfy me!

As if I weren't on a big enough marshmallow kick, Will came home from science camp with a recipe for a homemade solar oven (made from a pizza box) in which to make Solar S'Mores. Too cute!

Now, why am I amped about sweater dresses in the middle of my precious summer? Well, fall clothes are now taking over the racks, and Costco has Heartstrings sweater dresses! I *lovelovelove* sweater dresses for Annelise, and Heartstrings is an extremely nice boutique brand. Their direct ones for this fall are $68-$72 each (shhhhyeah, right!) but Costco has them for $17.99 = yes, please!!! How gorgeous is our pumpkin pie?!

My mom called & alerted me to the new Heartstrings presence, so I sped over to Costco. I love that even though we're 11 hours & 650 miles apart, we can still find a way to shop together!!! "Which one do you like best?" "Should you get this one & I get that one?" I miss my mommy SO MUCH, but a "joint" Costco run always makes me smile! :-)

Additional randomness:

I made the mistake of sniffing the "scent of the month" candles at Bed Bath & Beyond this week, and oh.my.gosh - Colonial Candle's "On the Beach" transported me right to where I want to be forever... I think I'm channeling one of my Naperville BFFs, Brandi, b/c she always talks about relaxing by lighting a soothing candle, and that's exactly what I did! :-) (It didn't magically send me to the beach, but it *was* nice. ;-))

I finally gave in & joined Groupon. I was surprised that they have offered so many deals out here in the suburbs, since it kind of sounded like an in-the-city thing, so I'm excited! They seem to have lots of cheap date-night deal ideas, so YAY! Join up, people!

Speaking of deals, if you like Einstein Bros. Bagels, this is good for July.

I *am* actually reading my book this week, so go me! I'm on page 300-something of 400. Very proud of me. :-P

I digiscrapped going to my cousin's dance recital & seeing Grandmommy right be we left NC last month:

Now I've got to get cracking on life since we moved here...