Halloween, One Day Late

Although these pics are seriously delayed, I finally managed to snap a pic of my halloween version of cupcake pops. These were for another co-workers's daughter's halloween party. Apparently they were a pretty big hit, I delivered 55 pops and she said there were only a few leftovers. I wish I had managed to take pics of all of them (much more impressive) but after I finished 58 of these boogers I was tired! I'm getting a little better with using the candy writers, but there's always room for improvement!

We spent last night handing out tons of candy for little trick or treaters. Thankfully most of them were adorable little ones, instead of surly teenage trick-or-treaters. Speaking of little ones....check out how cute of a skunk my niece is....



And my other niece is super happy to have her pic taken....

And just in case anyone was worried, my cat Gizmo seemed to have survived the onslaught of Halloween just fine...

The Long Awaited Cupcake Pops

I finally got around to loading the pics of the latest cupcake pop adventure. A coworker of mine requested an order of cupcake bites for a dog party. Which is...I guess a party where you bring your dog? A party for the dogs? I'm not totally sure. Anyway, I suggested making half an order of cupcake bites and half cupcake pops styled like dogs, as I saw on Bakerella's blog. So after much experimenting (and by experimenting I mean lots of wasted money and quite a bit of cussing), here are my results.









Some of the pics are a little blurry, sorry. I'm definitely not a food photographer. But you get the general idea. My next challenge is a set of Halloween themed cupcake pops. I'm thinking pumpkins, of course, and maybe a few other things I saw on Bakerella the other day. Sorry, Bakerella, I'm a complete idea thief! If anyone else has any suggestions, please add your comment, I'd be happy to hear them!

Fall of the Evil Deck

Aahhh, sweet relief. Our devil-spawn of a deck is finally gone. We hacked that bad boy up with chainsaw and it now currently resides in pieces in a big ugly dumpster on our driveway. The super fun news....the siding behind the deck is all rotten and yucky. So we get to replace that, too. I often watch those home repair/house flipping shows and they always end up finding 10x as many problems when they rip stuff up....it's totally true. We ripped up the deck because we had water come in our basement. Now that the deck is gone, we've spent $2000 on a new patio but we also have to replace the siding. Oh yeah, and build new steps. Oh, and repaint the basement floor. And shampoo the carpet. And cut out the drywall where I'm mortally afraid that what my husband calls "dirt" is actually killer black mold.
On a more positive note (what?) the new patio is wonderful. No maintenance, except for sweeping. I have big plans for doing some nice landscaping around it and buying a cute little firepit.
Ah, the joys of home improvement!

So...tired...need....sleep...

...but it ain't gonna happen! Well folks I'm almost halfway through the dreaded internship phase of my M.Ed. 300 hours down, 300 to go. Who needs sleep anyway when you can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel? Hopefully in a few months I'll be an actual gainfully employed counselor.
So moving on to other random things, I have become a cupcake bite-making maniac. I found the recipe for these little jewels on Bakerella's blog and have since made them several times. After bringing them in to work several times a few co-workers began requesting them for private parties. I had no clue what to charge but my first "customer" gave me $25 for a batch so I guess I'll stick with that. I have 2 more upcoming orders so we'll see how that goes. Just don't tell the IRS I'm running a little side bidness, I'd like to keep my kneecaps intact.
I'll be attempting a new spin on the cupcake bites with the next batch so I'll be sure to include pics!

Aahhh, the luxury of a day off...

I'm using my stolen time to finally make the leap and change my last name. My last name is a short one that tends to be complicated for people to prounounce. I'll never understand how so many people mangle my last name. Seriously folks, it's completely phonetic and only one syllable. How hard can it be? Well, now I'm moving on to one of the most common last names in the world. I won't share, just in case one of my readers happens to have sociopathic stalker tendencies, but suffice it to say that it's in the league with Smith and Jones. I'm definitely sad to leave my last name behind though. It does feel like I'm giving up a part of me. But the other part of me is definitely too lazy for a hyphenated last name. Bah, too much work, and much too long of a signature!

Cupcake Bites

I realized the other day that I haven't really posted any cupcake-relate recipes. So when I found this recipe on Bakerella's blog, I couldn't resist. These fulfill my crazy predilection for tiny things very well, plus they're REALLY good. I'll refer you to Bakerella's blog for the recipe, but here's a few pics of the cupcake bite-making.





Are those not the cutest effing things you've ever seen? I searched for mini M&M's to put on top like little cherries but alas, the local Schnuck's apparently does not carry them. I looked through so many check-out candy displays that the checker became concerned and came over to help me. Oh well....the little candies on top still work. I'm having a little fourth of July shindig next weekend and these babies will definitely reappear for the event. This time I think I'm using strawberry cake for the middles. Or maybe cherry chip? Call me a wild woman.

BBQ Food

Whoo, I've been MIA for a long time! May has been the month of birthdays and celebrations and I've spent most of my free time either shopping for gifts or attending parties. I'll try to do better with posting!

All this warm weather has me thinking of different foods to barbecue or grill. And when I have a nice long day to prepare food, I make pulled pork. Mmmm, so tasty...and time consuming. But I promise it's worth it! Go all out and buy the day old bread from Jimmy John's to make it even better.

Pulled Pork

5 lbs bonless pork loin (I love to get the tenderloin, don't get the pre-seasoned one though)
1 T black pepper
1 T garlic salt

Preheat grill to medium heat. Set up grill for indirect cooking (coals on one side, or in a gas grill, turn on burners on one side only). Sprinkle garlic salt and pepper on meat. Grill for about 1 and a half hours to 2 hours, make sure internal temp reaches 160 degrees. Food poisoning isn't fun, kids.
Once the meat is cooked, let it rest for a while or you'll burn your fingers off trying to shred the meat. While it's cooling, make this awesome sauce.

Sauce

1/4 c butter
2 c finely chopped onion
2 c ketchup
2 c barbecue sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray's)
1 can beer
1/4 c brown sugar
2 T chili powder
2 T cinnamon
2 T worcestershire sauce
1 T prepared mustard
1 T vinegar

Heat butter in large saucepan. Saute onions until clear (about 5 min or so). Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for at least 30 min, 45-1 hr is better. Some people find this too vinegary, just add more bbq sauce if that's the case. Or omit the vinegar altogether. Whatever floats your boat.

Now that your sauce is made, start shredding the meat. I use two forks. Make sure the grain of the meat is running horizontally in front of you, then shred to your hearts content. Or you can just throw on some rubber gloves and use your hands. Toss the meat into the saucepan, and simmer together for a little while.

I usually toast the bread a little, just to stand up to all that saucy goodness. Here's what you get!



Now I'll add in another quick recipe. Or an approximation of a recipe, because I'm one of those jerks who doesn't measure add anything and just adds stuff in until it "looks right" or "tastes right".

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Soften a stick of butter. Add in salt, garlic powder, onion powder, a teeny bit of pepper, chili powder, and dried parsley. Smear this mixture generously over fresh corn, then wrap tightly in foil. Once grilled, this will make the best darn grilled corn on the cob you've ever had. Unfortunately I have no pics to back it up but you'll just have to trust me. I wouldn't lie to you.

Happy grilling!

Pizza! Pizza!

While driving down the road yesterday, my husband inexplicably began bouncing up and down in his seat. He shouted, "Look, look!"....then honked his horn and waved like a crazy man. The source of all this excitement?





That's right, the Little Caesar's mascot, happily waving from the side of the road. My husband turned to me with an abashed grin and said, "I can't believe I got so excited, I'm 29 years old".

After I finished laughing hysterically at him, I reflected on just why I love this man so much. Any man that can get that excited over a pizza chain mascot....well, ya just gotta love him!

Soft Pretzels

After a completely manic week starting my new job, I've finally managed to scrape together a little spare time to post some new material. So, I present you with one of my favorite snacks ever....soft pretzels. Yes, I know you can buy soft pretzels in the freezer case of your grocery store, but trust me these are head and shoulders above those ice encrusted beauties.

Soft Pretzels

3 ½ C of flour
4 T brown sugar
2 t salt
1 C water, pretty warm but not too hot (def. not boiling!!!)
1 T yeast, dissolved in the water.

1 egg, beaten up with 2 T water.

4 C boiling water, with 2 T baking soda added in.

For those of you using those small packages of yeast, 1 package is not enough. You'll need 1 package plus a little more. Do NOT use boiling water to dissolve the yeast, you will kill it. Meaning that nothing will rise, and you'll end up with dense little nuggety pretzels. Not good.
Combine the yeast/water, salt, and brown sugar in a stand mixer or food processor. I used a stand mixer w/ the dough hook attachment. Slowly add in your flour. You may need to slightly adjust your flour, as the dough may be too sticky.

At this point you can let the dough rest in the refrigerator if you like. I got lazy and actually let it sit for 2 days, which I don't recommend. Overnight is fine though.

Now you need to decide on the shape for your pretzels. If I'm feelin' lazy they become pretzels sticks. Why? Because it's a lot easier. If you're feeling more ambitious, as I was today, you can make them into actual pretzel shapes. Actually just felt guilty after letting the poor dough sit for so long in my fridge. I felt they deserved a proper shape after being ignored so long. But you can do whatever you like, I won't judge.

Divide your dough up into 6-10 pieces. Mine was divided up into 10, as I made miniature pretzels. Then roll them out into cigar shaped lengths, as long as you need for your particular shape.

If you're making a pretzel shape, grab each end with slightly wet fingers. Lay the middle down like you're making a U shape, cross the ends at the top, then bring them back down to the bottom. Because your fingers were a little wet, you can slightly smoosh the ends onto the bottom of the pretzel. Otherwise they won't stick well.

Once all your pretzels are shaped, set them on a greased cookie sheet. Now let them raise for a half hour.

Begin boiling your 4 c water. Add in the baking soda, don't let it boil over, it will be a huge mess. Not that I've ever done that or anything. Slowly dip each pretzel into the water mixture and let it stay in for 10-15 seconds. Fish it out and place back on the pan. Repeat until all are done, trying not to roast your fingers.

Using your egg/water wash, coat each pretzel. Trust me, it will make them pretty.
If you like, you can add some toppings to your pretzels. Salt, cinammon sugar, parmesan, whatever.

Bake at 400 degrees until browned. After they're done I like to squirt a little spray butter on them, but that's just me. Heck that stuff has no calories, I'd squirt it right into my mouth if I felt like it. When you're done you'll end up with this:



Mine ended up a little browner than I like, especially my cinnamon sugar ones (translation: they went into the trash). So keep your eye on them!

Sunday Night Dinner

Every Sunday night I try my hardest to make a big dinner. I only partially suceeded yesterday but I wanted to share some of my recipes with you. I'll start with one of the side dishes. Due to my inability to calculate how many carrots it takes to make carrot cake, I have two gigantic bags of carrots in my refrigerator. So Ranch Carrots it is!

Ranch Carrots

1 bag baby carrots or equivalent of regular non-baby carrots
2/3 to 1 stick butter (depending on how big you want your butt to be)
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
1 tsp sugar


If you aren't using baby carrots, chop up your carrots into beautiful little orange circles and toss them in a pot.

Add enough water to cover the carrots, bring to a boil. Throw in a pinch or two of salt. Cook until tender.

Drain carrots. Add butter, ranch seasoning, and sugar. Pretty simplistic recipe but also tasty!



Ok now on to the chicken. The hubs truly enjoys grilling anything he can get his hands on, so he often handles the protein for Sunday Dinner. This time I decided chicken would be great, and that I would whip up a tasty little marinade. When I'm making up a recipe I seldom measure things, so you'll have to use your own discretion. Just keep smelling/tasting things till it seems right.

Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken
3-4 chicken breasts

Marinade
at least half a bottle Honey Mustard dressing (I used Ken's)
4 T Creamy Italian dressing
2 T rice vinegar
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Plus whatever else you like!
Reserve about a cup for basting.


Combine the ingredients for the marinade, then let the chicken soak it all up for at least an hour.

Now grill that chicken up and enjoy. I loved this chicken, and I'm not a huge grilled chicken fan!

My Cat Knows How To Relax.....

Seriously, this kitty can make herself comfortable anywhere. That's skill.



Disclaimer: ignore all the crap in the background, we had just gotten back from the honeymoon. Okay, so we're slobs all the time, just ignore it anyway.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Of course I'm wearing green. And yes, I am Irish (did the red hair tip you off ?).
Here's a few fun factoids for St. Patrick's Day (blatantly stolen from the History Channel web site).

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years.

The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States.

It has long been recounted that, during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (which is now called Croagh Patrick), and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland.
In fact, the island nation was never home to any snakes. The "banishing of the snakes" was really a metaphor for the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the triumph of Christianity.

In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies.

Best. Cookies. Ever.

My family has a certain go-to cookie recipe. It's been changed at will over the years and has finally arrived at a sort-of complete recipe. I absolutely love these cookies....they stay soft, instead of getting all hard and crunchy. I was feeling ambitious last night, so I attempted to take pics throughout the process. There were a few more pics, but Photoshop ate them, honest. It's totally the program's fault, not the user! Anyway, here you go. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, as reinvented by my family.

Ingredients:
1 c butter/margarine, softened (can be half butter flavored Crisco, if you like)
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar, packed
1 c peanut butter (preferably Jif)
1 large egg (or 2 smaller ones)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 to 3 c flour (might need to adjust)
1 bag milk chocolate chips
1/2 bag peanut butter chips

Ok let's get started. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Combine the butter/margarine, sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and egg(s) in your mixer.



Cream these ingredients together until well blended. It will look like this.



In a large bowl, mix together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. I would start with 2 1/2 c flour and go from there. Slowly add the dry mixture into the creamed mixture until it looks like this.



This should be a pretty stiff dough. You will probably need to add extra flour. I usually use around 3 cups. At this time I usually take a teeny bit of dough and make a "test cookie". Of course I stuff a few chocolate chips in, 'cause I'm no dummy. You may need to mash this dough down a little, it is not supposed to melt down like other, crispier cookies. Here's my test cookie.



Adjust your flour content as necessary after eating your test cookie. Add in the chocolate and peanut butter chips. I like to use a small ice cream scoop to scoop out balls of dough, then flatten them with a fork. Or my hands if the fork mysteriously disappears. In this pan I have flattened half of them so you can see how they look.



Cook only until very slightly golden on the bottom. Take them out and let them sit on the pan for a few minutes. They will continue to cook on the pan, I promise! This recipe should make quite a few cookies, I usually get at least 3 dozen out of it. If I'm feeling super spunky I'll add in mini M&M's.

Spring Fever

Yay, the temperature finally got above 50 degrees today! Every year around this time I get anxious to change things around the house. I've already hung new curtains and rearranged the bedroom, now I'm taking on a bigger project.....this headboard from marthastewart.com.

A few years ago I spied an old solid wood door at a garage sale. They let me have it for free, so I woke up the hubs and convinced him to haul it home in his car. He was super happy with me for waking him up early. I've been trying to figure out a way to use it, so this is it! Wish me luck and the loss of zero appendages while attempting to use a saw!

How Did I Get Sucked Into This?

When I realized a few months ago that I wouldn't be taking any classes this semester, I promised myself that I would read lots of trashy brain candy books to reward myself. Oh, and believe me, I have.....



But now it's gotten even worse. My self indulgence might have hit it's limit when I looked at the side of my latest library book and noticed it was tagged as a Young Adult book. Whoops. I read on mtv.com that they were making a movie out of this series, so I figured I'd get the books from the library and read a little. Well, I've gotten myself addicted to this series, despite that fact that I'm 29, not the 14 year old that should be reading them.




Oh well. You'll all be jealous that I was so ahead of the game, right? Ummm......right?

My new chili recipe

For years I've used the same chili recipe, but I've recently been wooed away to a new one. As weird as the ingredients sound, this makes the best chili I've ever tasted. Perfect for the horrible weather we've been having lately.


Kristen's Chili

1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
1/2 lb sausage, cooked and drained
1 can diced tomatoes
2 small cans tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
4 tsp cumin
4 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 T cocoa powder
2 cans Campbell's French Onion soup
2-3 cans Brooks chili beans
1 can Coca-Cola

Combine all above ingredients, simmer on stovetop or crockpot for at least 1 hour. 30 minutes before serving, add Coca-Cola.

Cooking an Egg in a Time Warp

The other day I opened up my trusty cookbook to figure out something for dinner. I've had this cookbook for almost 10 years now, it was passed down to me from my grandma.

While flipping through, I stopped at the eggs & cheese section and found this little blurb.

Basic Eggs

The man you marry will know the way he likes his eggs. And chances are he'll be fussy about them. So it behooves a good wife to know how to make an egg behave in six basic ways. And here they are, with helpful hints.

Ummm.....seriously? If your significant other cannot keep himself from raging angrily over a damn plate of eggs, maybe it would behoove you to reconsider the whole marriage thing.
Now in defense of my awesome little cookbook, please forgive it, it was printed in 1969. It just doesn't know any better.

Yahoo for Me!

It's my birthday tomorrow. I'm hoping to break the streak of bad birthdays this year. Previous birthdays have included such fun events as deaths in the family and open heart surgery, plus multiple other problems. Seriously I think my b-day is cursed. So......I'm planning a low-key birthday this year. A big fat cheeseburger and a night at the bowling alley. We're classing it up this year, fellas.
The thing that really excites me about the bowling alley? You guessed it, tiny bottles of wine. My unexplainable love for all things tiny leads to great excitement at the bowling alley bar. And of course bowling alley wine is of the utmost quality (hear that? That's called sarcasm). Unlike the other beauty that I will be opening early tomorrow, which I have saved since December just for this occasion:

Aaahhh, a beautiful white merlot. Who wants to take bets on my bowling ability after drinking this in conjunction with bowling alley wine?

My Mom Rocks Harder Than Your Mom...

...well maybe not, but my mom still rocks pretty hard. I recently got married, and my mom gave me and my new husband the most beautiful and thoughtful present. I know she's been collecting fabric for years to make a crazy quilt for me, but I had no idea she was going to produce this quilt, which could easily be considered a work of art.

Look at all those details! This thing is ridiculous...it must have taken forever. Each square has a small embroidered detail, like this:

Or this little gem of a dragonfly:

Or all of these:


Last but not least, she embroidered our wedding date in the middle.

I have no clue where she found the time to do all this, but consider me impressed. If I end up with half the talent she has, I'll consider myself lucky!