You'll need a cigarette after one of these.

Holy cow. Just trust me on this one. H-E-A-V-E-N.

(BTW, I used regular butter instead of unsalted, and they were still amazing.)

Easy Sticky Buns (Makes 12) -- Courtesy of Barefoot Contessa

12 tablespoons (1 & 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed 1/2 cup pecans, chopped in very large pieces 1 package (17.3 ounces/ 2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted FOR THE FILLING: 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled 2/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 cup raisins

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place a 12-cup standard muffin tin on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the 12 tablespoons butter and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Place 1 rounded tablespoon of the mixture in each of the 12 muffin cups. Distribute the pecans evenly among the 12 muffin cups on top of the butter and sugar mixture. Lightly flour a wooden board or stone surface. Unfold one sheet of puff pastry with the folds going left to right. Brush the whole sheet with half of the melted butter. Leaving a 1-inch border on the puff pastry, sprinkle each sheet with 1/3 cup of the brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons of the cinnamon, and ½ cup of the raisins. Starting with the end nearest you, roll the pastry up snugly like a jelly roll around the filling, finishing the roll with the seam side down. Trim the ends of the roll about ½ inch and discard. Slice the roll in 6 equal pieces, each about 1½ inches wide. Place each piece, spiral side up, in 6 of the muffin cups. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry to make 12 sticky buns. Bake for 30 minutes, until the sticky buns are golden to dark brown on top and firm to the touch. Allow to cool for 5 minutes only, invert the buns onto the parchment paper (ease the filling and pecans out onto the buns with a spoon) and cool completely.

Just Like a Tall Glass of Lemonade

Baby Favorite was recently awarded this delicious and refreshing blog award from The Jason Show. If you haven't checked out Jason's blog (highly unlikely), please do so now! It's fabulous.

Thank you, Jason, for this wonderful award!

Here are the rules:

1. You must link back to the person you received the award from.

2. You have to nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award!

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Here are the ones I've nominated:

1. Life With Kaishon

Uplifting, poignant, full of love

2. Alive in Wonderland

Beautiful photos, amazing insight

3. Live.Love.Eat.

Scrumptious, with recipes you'll love and use over & over

4. Antique Mommy

She may call herself antique, but she's absolutely priceless

5. Day by Day... My Life as a Busy Bee

Adorable, funny and a bright spot in your day

6. Ask Grandma J

The blog equivalent to a big ol' bear hug

7. Juggling Life

Just like a big sister/best friend rolled into one

8. Vintage Thirty

She makes you want to grab your BFF's for a girls night out

9. Dad Gone Mad

Hilarious--full of stuff you think but would never actually say

10. Maddy's World

A story of love and selflessness

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I Am

I am totally stealing this idea from one of my favorite bloggers, Jenn at Juggling Life. I hope she doesn't mind!

I Am . . .

I am from a childhood in a very close-knit, loving neighborhood. I am from the beaches of Orange County, fashion shows at the Bullock's Tea Room, and being spoiled--both by relatives and friends' parents.

I am from poverty and wealth, both figuratively and literally.

I am from countless hours and even holidays spent at CHOC, wondering if my brother would ever emerge from a coma, or live through another brain surgery. I am from many meals in the hospital cafeteria, to helping him pick out a wig for high school, to wishing he could just be like others his age.

I am from hot, windy days, rolling tumbleweeds, majestic mountains that surround me, and a small town that embraces each other in ways I never dreamed possible.

I am from a 22-year career that revolves around the Department of Defense... even though, deep down, I really am from wishing the whole world could just play nice.

I am from older parents--a mother who was practically a saint, and a father who had many flaws but a huge heart.

I am from mental illness, uncertainty, tragedies, depression, heartbreak, and much criticism.

I am from optimism, dreaming, making do, wishing, hoping, finding the best in others, and holding our heads high.

I am from knowing that life is precious and can change in the blink of an eye. I am from learning what's truly important in life.

I am from a passion for music, singing, playing the piano, violin and viola. I am from loving to entertain.

I am from believing in the power of positive thinking. I am from creating a better life for myself than the one I started out with.

I am from empathizing, sympathizing, and wanting more for everyone around me, be it friends or complete strangers. I am from helping others and knowing, "Oh there but for the grace of God go I."

I am from a love of grammar and writing, although I didn't necessarily inherit the degree of talent my mother had.

I am from making memories with my husband and children, whether it be riding quads on desert roads, baking cookies, traveling, or just cuddling together on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I am from shopping, and the love of everything girly. I am from pampering to pedicures to fashion, and all the princessy things my Godmother instilled in me from a very young age. I am from people who embrace my shallow ways.

I am from chairing the local Combined Federal Campaign, hoping that what I do positively impacts others' lives.

I am from happiness and love. I am from knowing that if I died today, I lived a full and satisfying life.