Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp

I was going to call this post "Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls," but that seemed weird; like I would use anything but fresh shrimp?! Anyhoo . . .  you get my drift, right?

Once a month I partake in a Dinner Club. We rotate houses and the host gets to pick the theme. This month was all about spa food. Oh how I wish I was at Miraval right now! I chose to make fresh spring rolls. No two sticks of butter in this recipe : )

I didn't follow a recipe. You really don't need to if you've tasted a spring roll. It's pretty easy to figure out the ingredients:

Red leaf lettuce, shredded carrots, cilantro, and mint leaves
Spring roll paper
Shrimp
Rice noodles

Soak spring roll paper in lukewarm water to get it pliable and start filling!

Be careful not to overstuff. Rice paper is very delicate and tears easily.

I started with the lettuce on the bottom, followed by carrots, noodles, then cilantro . . . 

Next I folded the roll once, tucked each side in and placed mint leaves and shrimp 

before giving it the final roll.

Ta dah! Shrimp on top!

Hope you make these and enjoy a "spa" moment!

P.S. I served these with a sweet chile sauce that I picked up from Trader Joe's.

Happy Days

Pictures like these melt my heart:

Cruisers

Grandma & Grandpa had a couple of post-Christmas surprises for the girls:

For Kalista:

Because every girl needs an 'ol fashion!

Getting a little push from Grandpa : )

And for Sophia:

A VW Bug Convertible for McKenna!

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa!

Twinkie Cupcakes

Here we are. My last post of 2012. Although I am not a food blogger, I still like to post recipes and it's been awhile since I've posted one. So I thought I would share these luscious treats that will be accompanying me to a New York New Year's Eve Party (aka everyone at this party has kids - so midnight is not an option).

Seems fitting to say farewell to 2012 with a tribute to Hostess, right? Even though I haven't purchased the infamous Twinkies in a very long time . . . shhh, I admit that I was a big fan when I was younger. That is when my mom would give in and buy a box. : )

Can you really go wrong with marshmallow fluff? I think not!

The best part of the Twinkie! The cream filling.

My added touch with a fancy rose swirl.

Thank you Pinterest and thank you The Domestic Rebel! I will for sure be running a few miles tomorrow.

Happy New Year to all of my family and friends!

Merry Christmas

See you next Christmas.

Don't forget to be good!

xo - Luke the Elf