Iced Vanilla Latte Light — How To!

I was SooOoOoo confused. There are iced coffees, cappuccino, lattes, frappuccinos, espressos, etc. What is what??? Well, what I like is ICED Lattes! Technically, a Latte is Espresso Coffee with Milk, so ICED Latte is Espresso Coffee with Milk on ICE!! :)

Rob and I have gotten addicted to these Iced Lattes from various places. If you have ever had these, you will know that they are not cheap. We had often entertained thoughts of buying our own espresso machine, but it seemed like a frivolous luxury that we really didn’t need. After getting in the habit of buying SEVERAL of these a DAY, though, we soon realized that buying a cheap espresso machine would pay itself off in a couple days! So, off to Wal-Mart we went to buy our little Mr. Coffee Espresso Machine. The price wasn’t bad at all for a first espresso machine. :) (Notice I said first :-P)…

espresso machine mr coffee

After buying it, we really had no idea how to actually make an Iced Latte like we had been getting at places like Starbucks. We tried several HORRIBLE concoctions before I decided to go to Starbucks and actually PAY ATTENTION to what they were doing while they made my Iced Latte. This actually worked, because I am LOVIN’ my home Iced Lattes now! Not only am I able to now make Iced Lattes to our liking, but we are also saving ourselves TONS of calories and money by making these at home. Instead of Whole Milk or Cream, I use SKIM MILK, and instead of SUGAR, I use SPLENDA! It is a WIN WIN situation! Here is how it is done:

recipe for iced latte

First, make espresso coffee.

espresso machine 

We make FOUR SHOTS of ESPRESSO in order to make TWO ICED LATTES. I fill our glasses full of ice, and then pour each glass halfway full of Skim milk (Or Silk). Then, add a couple tablespoons of Vanilla Syrup (I use DaVina Brand, because it is made with Splenda — 0 calories, 0 fat, 0 sugar, 0 aspartame… YEAH!)

Splenda Vanilla Syrup

DaVina Splenda Vanilla Syrup

Then, I add 6 more packets of Splenda (Or Wal-Mart Brand Splenda AKA Altern)!

Then, in each Iced Latte, I add TWO SHOTS OF ESPRESSO, STIR, and drink!! Yeahooooooooo!!! Life is great!

go juice

Le Precious Go Juice!

April 10 2008 | Starbucks and coffee and journaling and recipes | No Comments »

for fun — for sanity’s sake… Love is…

When I was little, I remember my Aunt had a book called Love Is… It was a Peanuts book, if I remember correctly, and it took you through different things that represented love and Happiness… It always reminded me and helped me appreciate the little everyday things that we get to enjoy. Here is my “Love is”… 

 Even when things don’t go your way… “Love is” this little girlie standing up in her crib first thing in the morning. Her first words are always, “Momma…. Momma”…

oh zoe

Friggie Magnets… Who doesn’t love these??

alternate logo:

massage aluni logo

Girlies being Girlies… Primping as girls will…

“This is how to look like a sixth grader”… What cuteness!

sixh grader

Starbucks Iced Carmel Macchiato (Need I say more??) And I love green straws (And the dreaded Starbucks Princess)…

starbucks

Somedays, only a King Size will do…

king size hersheys

Ah yes, and lets not forget…

16 years of pure wedded bliss:

Love is when your husband emails you a picture of himself, even though you are sitting in the same room… (Positive Interpersonal Communication)…

wedded bliss

April 08 2008 | Family and MassageAlumni.com and coffee and graphics and journaling and misc. | 2 Comments »

McDonald’s Toddler Toy — Another Piece to the Collection

Crochet Castle Toddler McDonalds Toy

This is a really cute one of the Ronald McDonald Toddler Toys that come in Happy Meals for Babies under 3 — Another one of my favorites! I’m not sure if its part of my clown obsession or if its because McDonalds brainwashed me as a child. Either way, looking at these just makes me feel happy! (Or it could be the espresso coursing through my veins at 11:55 PM!)

April 03 2008 | Happy Meal Toys and McDonalds and clowns and coffee | No Comments »