Hello blog world, it has been awhile since I have had a free moment to write. However, as I sit on my mother in laws super comfy couch on this lazy Saturday drinking a cup of coffee I couldn't think of anything better to do besides write (which is the BEST thing to do).
This was our first Thanksgiving together as a married couple. Even though we spent last Thanksgiving together there's something just different and special about getting to celebrate the Holidays as married people. Unfortunately, my Daddy's job doesn't always allow him to be off for the Holidays so we decided we would spend Thanksgiving at Zollie and Michelle's (Brandon's mom and Daddy Z). I did miss my parents very much and it is weird not being able to spend the Holidays with them and having to share.
We couldn't wait to get away for a couple of days so we left San Angelo Wednesday evening and went a teensy bit over the speed limit so we would get to Sweetwater in time for Michelle's wonderful cooking. (Brandon and I are both blessed with moms that can cook and bake like no other). We discussed our plans for the Thursday and what our course of action would be.
The plans are as follows and what actually happened:
1) Guys wake up at 4:00 to go hunting (that did happen)
2) Michelle got up to make them breakfast (that did happen and I missed the breakfast sandwiches)
3) Michelle was to go back to bed and I told her I would be up at 8:00 (Michelle didn't go back to bed but I did get up at 8)
4) I was to help her set the table when I got up and prepare the food (that didn't happen)
Between 4:00 and 8:00 that morning she literally set the entire table and prepared all the food. She then decided that she was going for a 5 mile run and since I forgot my sneakers I went to McDonalds and got breakfast for myself (forgetting my sneakers had nothing to do with whether I ran with her or not, I just threw that in there).
The rest of the day I did absolutely nothing strenuous. I ordered our Christmas Cards, stamps, and labels and found coupon codes on the Internet so our total went from $80 something to $50 something. My loving husband said that paying double for custom stamps was not necessary. Don't get me wrong he loves everything about Christmas put paying $20 for a sheet of 20 stamps that are only worth $0.44 a piece didn't make sense to him. So I was determined I was getting the stamps so I spent an hour finding coupon codes. Also, I finally got a chance to work on our wedding pictures to send to the photographer. Yes, we got married in April and I'm just now getting free time to do that. However, Scarlett did make me feel better by saying I have a year to send out Thank Yous and did make me feel better that she too is a procrastinator.
I finally got ready for Thanksgiving dinner and did all my wifely duties of getting Brandon's clothes ready. Dinner was wonderful and I didn't have to do a thing. On a side note since I sound super lazy I can't wait till next Thanksgiving when we have a house and I can do everything!
Scarlett and Shane didn't make it in time for dinner but did make it in time for us to have a sufficient amount of wine and scotch (Brandon just drank beer). We got to hear all about them HAVING to move to Hawaii..just tragic I know. I see a trip to Hawaii in our future.
Friday morning we woke up and Michelle prepared a breakfast like you wouldn't believe. I'm not sure even what it was but it is a family tradition so I need to learn. Sadly, we went back to San Angelo so Brandon could work. We did all of our Christmas shopping ate with some friends and decided to head back to Sweetwater.
So, that is our Thanksgiving in a nutshell. Now, I have to get ready to head to Abilene to help Tanya with a wedding dress!! And then back to Michelle and Daddy Z's to do some more of nothingness....and wrap all our presents.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Pumpkin Pie
It's been awhile since I have written a blog. I just can't seem to find the time to sit down and write about all the yummy things I bake, the crafts we do, or the trips we take. I missed writing about our trip to Oktoberfest, although it wasn't that fabulous and would have been quite a boring blog. Well anyways on to the Pumpkin Pie.
The weather the last few days has put me in the baking mood and seeing as how I purchased a massive pumpkin a couple of weeks ago I decided to make a pumpkin pie. I absolutely love making everything from scratch rather than just dumping the pumpkin pie mix out of the can. Last year we found a Cinderella pumpkin, but it was so small it only made two pies. Since that experience I refuse to use anything but a real pumpkin. This year we bought a massive pumpkin already made two pies with it, have about 5 lbs left, and I threw half of it away (we just don't have the room to store it).
Sorry for not being very organized with the blog but I prepared the pumpkin while cooking dinner so instead of getting to take pictures of the ingredients and every step I will just be explaining them. Oh and I did cheat a little bit; I got a pre-made crust to save on time.
Ingredients:
How to prepare whole pumpkin:
Step 1 - Cut 1 1/2 lbs of skin-on raw pumpkin. The way I do this is to cut each bump and then simply pull it away from the middle.
Step 2 - Make sure to remove all the seeds and string portion (don't forget to save the seeds and bake them! yum)
Step 3 - Cut pumpkin into chunks
Step 4 - Bring 1 inch of water to a boil, add the pumpkin, and bring that to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes or until tender.
Step 5 - Drain and cool. The peel should now just fall off. Mash the pumpkin with a potato masher of if you don't have a potato masher because you live in a small apartment (like us) a spoon works just as well.
Now for the yummy part!
Step 1 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Step 2 - In a large bowl beat pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar, cinammon, ginger, and nutmbeg.
Step 3 - Pour in crust and bake 40 mins
Oops! I took a bit before I snapped the picture...
The type of pumpkin you buy will depict the consistency of the pumpkin. You should try as many different kinds as possible, as they all have different and unique flavors! OHH and don't forget the cool whip!
Happy Fall y'all!!!
The weather the last few days has put me in the baking mood and seeing as how I purchased a massive pumpkin a couple of weeks ago I decided to make a pumpkin pie. I absolutely love making everything from scratch rather than just dumping the pumpkin pie mix out of the can. Last year we found a Cinderella pumpkin, but it was so small it only made two pies. Since that experience I refuse to use anything but a real pumpkin. This year we bought a massive pumpkin already made two pies with it, have about 5 lbs left, and I threw half of it away (we just don't have the room to store it).
Sorry for not being very organized with the blog but I prepared the pumpkin while cooking dinner so instead of getting to take pictures of the ingredients and every step I will just be explaining them. Oh and I did cheat a little bit; I got a pre-made crust to save on time.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mashed, cooked pumpkin
- 1 can evaporated milk - 12 fl. oz.
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How to prepare whole pumpkin:
Step 1 - Cut 1 1/2 lbs of skin-on raw pumpkin. The way I do this is to cut each bump and then simply pull it away from the middle.
Step 2 - Make sure to remove all the seeds and string portion (don't forget to save the seeds and bake them! yum)
Step 3 - Cut pumpkin into chunks
Step 4 - Bring 1 inch of water to a boil, add the pumpkin, and bring that to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes or until tender.
Step 5 - Drain and cool. The peel should now just fall off. Mash the pumpkin with a potato masher of if you don't have a potato masher because you live in a small apartment (like us) a spoon works just as well.
Now for the yummy part!
Step 1 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Step 2 - In a large bowl beat pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar, cinammon, ginger, and nutmbeg.
Step 3 - Pour in crust and bake 40 mins
The type of pumpkin you buy will depict the consistency of the pumpkin. You should try as many different kinds as possible, as they all have different and unique flavors! OHH and don't forget the cool whip!
Happy Fall y'all!!!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Shabby Frame? Shabby-Chic Tray!
I'm finally getting around to completing all my projects that are scattered about my apartment, maybe by this time next month they will all be done. I've sworn I'm not going to go thrifting or come up with any new projects until I get the ones that are piling up done and our apartment is decorated for Fall.
For today's project I turned an old picture frame into a tray that will sit on our coffee table. It looks like someone already had this idea with it because it already has these old handles attached to it and little pads on the back that elevate it off the table. However, it wasn't fabulous looking and needed some TLC.
Tools Needed:
1 old picture frame
2 handles of choice
Paint
Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic Glue
Ribbon
Scrapbook Tacs
1. Start with old picture frame of choice and remove the glass where all that is left is just the frame part
2. Paint the frame any color you like - I choose Martha Stewart's "Cloud" for the frame part and a pearl color for the backing. You'll have to excuse the old "Twister" towel; it is the only old one I could find.
3. Once the paint dries use wood glue to attach the board that came with the frame to the back of the frame minus the glass. You can keep the glass for another project or toss it out like I did to keep myself from dreaming up something else.
4. Attaching the mosaic tiles is simple and quick to do and add a wonderful touch to an otherwise plain tray. Simply spread the mosaic tile glue where you want to stick the tiles and then stick the tiles on. They dry super quickly and you don't have to wait forever for them to adhere, so make sure you get them where you want them on the first try.
5. While I was waiting on the paint to try I discovered that ric-rac makes awesome flowers due to their shape. I just rolled the ric-rac and they turned out great! Instead of using somewhat costly buttons I found scrapbook pins that came in a pack of 20 for $2.99. I used one of them for the center of one of the flowers.
6. Next, I simply attached the flowers to the tray and ta-da it is ready to go.
It now sits on our new coffee table. I'm not sure if we will actually ever use it as a tray, but it was fun to make and I love the colors. I even considered getting some magnetic spray paint, hanging it on the wall, and using it as a memo board. for notes, recipes, lists, etc.
Have a great Sunday evening everyone!!!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sicilian Nachos and French Apple Cake
This blog will not have any pictures, just be prepared. While the names of the these two foods sound absolutely wonderful, the looks of them not so much. Even though I love to cook and bake I have found that living in a small apartment with an even smaller kitchen isn't very motivating to cook. That coupled with the fact that I cannot use any of my wonderful Calphalon pots and pans, new dishes, and new bake ware that we received as wedding presents doesn't help. However, lately I have been in this mood where I have wanted to cook and bake something everyday. And just to put everyone's mind at ease no, I'm not nesting or some nonsense like that.
Okay, I have digressed, back on to the Sicilian Nachos. I found the recipe in my monthly Taste of Home magazine. Looked amazing in the picture and I couldn't pass it up. The word "nachos" was a tad bit misleading due to the fact that the "chip" part of it was actually French Baguette, which quickly got soggy when you pour the topping on it. The topping consisting of ground beef, carrots, garlic, red pepper, red onion, bay leaves, and basil. In my sweet husband's word "tastes like spaghetti." Indeed it did...Sicilian Nachos = fail.
The French Apple Cake as well looked delicious in the picture..not so much in the real. I misread the instructions and put all the cream cheese in the cake part of it and didn't save any for the topping, the caramel hardened too quickly, and when I popped it out of the spring foam (which Brandon said was broke when I popped the bottom out of it) the apples came off. Adding the extra cream cheese was really a blessing, it was like an apple cheesecake. Next time I make it, I will post pictures and give recipe with my new version minus the caramel add the extra cream cheese. On a side the note the coffee I made in our french press was wonderful.
I would say the best part of the supper was the 6 pack of Craft Beer I picked up at HEB and the Starbucks coffee with dessert.
Tomorrow night = leftover "spaghetti" sauce and apple cheesecake with caramel scraped off.
Okay, I have digressed, back on to the Sicilian Nachos. I found the recipe in my monthly Taste of Home magazine. Looked amazing in the picture and I couldn't pass it up. The word "nachos" was a tad bit misleading due to the fact that the "chip" part of it was actually French Baguette, which quickly got soggy when you pour the topping on it. The topping consisting of ground beef, carrots, garlic, red pepper, red onion, bay leaves, and basil. In my sweet husband's word "tastes like spaghetti." Indeed it did...Sicilian Nachos = fail.
The French Apple Cake as well looked delicious in the picture..not so much in the real. I misread the instructions and put all the cream cheese in the cake part of it and didn't save any for the topping, the caramel hardened too quickly, and when I popped it out of the spring foam (which Brandon said was broke when I popped the bottom out of it) the apples came off. Adding the extra cream cheese was really a blessing, it was like an apple cheesecake. Next time I make it, I will post pictures and give recipe with my new version minus the caramel add the extra cream cheese. On a side the note the coffee I made in our french press was wonderful.
I would say the best part of the supper was the 6 pack of Craft Beer I picked up at HEB and the Starbucks coffee with dessert.
Tomorrow night = leftover "spaghetti" sauce and apple cheesecake with caramel scraped off.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Britni's Birthday Week
So, my 24th birthday was perhaps one of the best birthday's I have had thus far in my short life. Not only because I turned an even number, but because I have a wonderful husband and family. I tend to want to have a "birthday month" but that didn't go over so well with the husband - he actually thinks it is quite ridiculous that I make such a big deal out of my birthday. However, being the good adoring husband he is, he gives in to my crazy fanciful ideas and this year really out-did himself with the birthday festivities. I didn't quite get to celebrate all month but I did get wonderful presents at the beginning of August from Brandon. Then nothing for weeks - can you believe that? I know, I was quite shocked myself.
With my birthday being on a Wednesday, Brandon gave me all my presents on Tuesday since I would be spending the rest of the week with my parents. I shall not recap all the wonderful things he gave me, but he's going to have a hard time topping this birthday. Moving on to the actual day of my birthday...I got to see my daddy on our b-day for the first time in 2 years, which was a blessing enough by itself. I got my daddy a great coffee table book that is all about horses and in turn my parents know me so well and my love for sparkly things :) I went home with my parents on Wednesday, but sad because I wouldn't see Brandon until Friday.
On Thursday, mom and I shopped till we dropped, visiting all of my favorite places - ann taylor loft, anthropologie, banana, etc. Our dinner consisted of cupcakes from Central Market and listening to live music. Friday was another full day of shopping in Weatherford followed by dinner with mom, Brandon, Colby and one of his friends (sorry I forgot his name). Saturday was a pretty lazy day followed by getting all dressed up and going downtown Ft. Worth and eating at Reata.
Dinner was quite the experience. I now know every detail of the people's lives sitting beside us. It is a gift I have for being able to pay attention to 10 things at once. Oh well back to dinner, I ordered this Cherry Vodka Limeade thing since Cherry Limeades are one of my favorites...well anyone that knows me knows I need high liquor content in my drinks..well that $11 Cherry Vodka Limeade didn't do it....so I resorted back to my normal Crown and Ck...as Brandon calls it...You know 5 parts crown 1/2 part coke..and that was only $7. I should have just had 2 maybe 3 or 4 of those. Brandon just stuck with his Shiner. For starters we had bacon wrapped quail, both of us had steak, shrimp, mashed taters, and bacon wrapped asparagus. For dessert we had these amazing tacos with vanilla bean ice cream, bananas, strawberries, and fresh mint. They even wrote Happy Birthday on the plate, sadly they did not sing to me and make me do ridiculous embarrassing things.
On our way out I went to the little girls room on the way in and the lady sitting next to us (the one that I now know her whole life story) screamed at me Happy Birthday!!!! Clearly she was paying attention to our conversations too.
My 24th was definitely the best b-day so far...give it another week and it will be about time to start planning the next one.
With my birthday being on a Wednesday, Brandon gave me all my presents on Tuesday since I would be spending the rest of the week with my parents. I shall not recap all the wonderful things he gave me, but he's going to have a hard time topping this birthday. Moving on to the actual day of my birthday...I got to see my daddy on our b-day for the first time in 2 years, which was a blessing enough by itself. I got my daddy a great coffee table book that is all about horses and in turn my parents know me so well and my love for sparkly things :) I went home with my parents on Wednesday, but sad because I wouldn't see Brandon until Friday.
On Thursday, mom and I shopped till we dropped, visiting all of my favorite places - ann taylor loft, anthropologie, banana, etc. Our dinner consisted of cupcakes from Central Market and listening to live music. Friday was another full day of shopping in Weatherford followed by dinner with mom, Brandon, Colby and one of his friends (sorry I forgot his name). Saturday was a pretty lazy day followed by getting all dressed up and going downtown Ft. Worth and eating at Reata.
Dinner was quite the experience. I now know every detail of the people's lives sitting beside us. It is a gift I have for being able to pay attention to 10 things at once. Oh well back to dinner, I ordered this Cherry Vodka Limeade thing since Cherry Limeades are one of my favorites...well anyone that knows me knows I need high liquor content in my drinks..well that $11 Cherry Vodka Limeade didn't do it....so I resorted back to my normal Crown and Ck...as Brandon calls it...You know 5 parts crown 1/2 part coke..and that was only $7. I should have just had 2 maybe 3 or 4 of those. Brandon just stuck with his Shiner. For starters we had bacon wrapped quail, both of us had steak, shrimp, mashed taters, and bacon wrapped asparagus. For dessert we had these amazing tacos with vanilla bean ice cream, bananas, strawberries, and fresh mint. They even wrote Happy Birthday on the plate, sadly they did not sing to me and make me do ridiculous embarrassing things.
On our way out I went to the little girls room on the way in and the lady sitting next to us (the one that I now know her whole life story) screamed at me Happy Birthday!!!! Clearly she was paying attention to our conversations too.
My 24th was definitely the best b-day so far...give it another week and it will be about time to start planning the next one.
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