A BIG Move

It has been sooo long since I've been able to post and boy have I missed it! Crazy that within just a few months my life turned completely upside down! Aj and I had just moved into a house for rent in FL when 2 months later we prayed about and pursued a job opportunity in Ohio. It was a very bittersweet decision. We were tired and ready for change, but never anticipated that big of a change. After only 2 months in the new rental house we packed up and traveled a very long 23 hours with Lloyd, who took up all the room in the moving truck, to start our new adventure. Just like that everything changed! God really provided for us and gave us a fresh start. Aj loves his new job as senior high pastor and I love being a stay at home wife, for now, and being available to help him and attend the events. I feel too blessed. We miss our family but there is nothing like the peace that fills your life like knowing you are walking in obedience in God's will. So all that to say we are still getting adjusted and I'm TRYING to stay warm in this COLD weather ❄️ I experienced my first white thanksgiving and hopefully will have my first white Christmas too!

-So long from Ohio! 

Cinnamon Rolls {not for the faint of heart}

Last Saturday I had the urge to make a yummy breakfast that would help get my lazy butt out of bed in time for work. I decided that having some travel friendly cinnamon rolls would be just the thing! (Well it’s not THAT travel friendly but if it’s good enough who cares!) Without further ado here they are in their complete magnificence:  

THE GOODIES YOU NEED:

Ingredients required for your bread machine Or follow this bread dough recipe
¼ cup butter melted
¼ cup white sugar
1/8  up white sugar
2 Tablespoons fresh brewed coffee
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg or allspice (optional)

FOLLOW ALONG:

1.    Add your ingredients to the bread machine following the instructions in our bread machine book for bread dough [or follow the recipe above just far enough to make the dough not make the bread ;)]

2.    Grease a 9x13 inch pan, I chose the butter method

3.    Get messy and flour a clean surface. Place dough on the floured surface and roll out to a rectangle, or the a shape comes the closes to resembling that [I never can get that perfect rectangle my dough always wants to stay in a circular shape..oh well it’s all going to the same place anyways right?!]  Add flour as necessary to prevent sticking.

 

4.    In a small bowl mix together the sugars, coffee, cinnamon, & nutmeg or allspice.

5.    Melt your butter if you have not already done so ad spread it generously on your rectangle/circular dough

6.    Sprinkle you sugar mixture of the surface of the dough

7.    Taking one end of the dough roll it up and seal all ends so your yummy sugar mixture is sealed inside

8.    With a knife or dental floss cut 1 inch pieces. Place these pieces in your 9x13 inch pan with cut side facing down.

9.    Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. While oven is preheating cover your pan and let the cinnamon rolls rise in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes (they will become poofy yumminess!!)

Dough after rising 30 minutes

10.    Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.



*To top it off here is a great icing recipe from food.com for the sugar addicts in all of us: 

 ICING:

2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk (orange juice works so great too)

“Mix the confectioners' sugar, butter, and vanilla together. Adding half the milk (or orange juice) to start with, stir in to make a thick glaze, adding just a drop at a time more until you get a nice thick glaze. Spread or pour immediately over cooled cinnamon rolls, pastries, pound cakes, or Danish. Glaze will form a crust and harden as it cools, but you can spread over warmed cakes and serve that way as well.”

**ENJOY

Funny

I saw this today and thought I would share since it cracked me up :) I always think this at work that I will somehow muster the energy tomorrow to accomplish that one task...hahah then tomorrow it becomes the next tomorrow...Well today I've decided to laugh at this and take it to heart and do the projects I've been putting off...Go me!! ha 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday in joyous expectation of Friday tomorrow :)

The Eggless Brownie...Who knew?!

This past weekend I drove to my parent's house to visit with them as well as help my sister (the one with all the kiddos) host a Lemongrass Party. We had a blast! Lloyd LOVED the 2 hour car ride, I however, did not. My back hurt so bad but the thought of family, food, and a spa party pushed me onward! Futhermore, Lloyd was that annoying passenger who sleeps the whole way there while the driver fights to keep their eyes open. Honesty moment, I got so jealous about halfway through the trip on the way there I woke him up just so I didn't feel so alone...poor guy. I now realize the selfishness of my actions and will repent, maybe.

My passenger

Cute little sleeper!!

Anyways we made amazing good o'l sweet tea and one of our many adventures was finding a way to make brownies without eggs. My mom and I started making brownies before we realized we had no eggs. Now, for you city people this wouldn't be much of a catastrophe. Country folk..you know what I'm talking about and are well acquainted with that "panicky-sinking-oh NO!" feeling that comes when your making a recipe and realize you don't have that one ingredient. We couldn't stop either, we were committed!! We were going to come through, or at least waste ingredients trying... so....we improvised and googled (the thing that is ALMOST as amazing as pinterest) some recipes for an idea on how to make this brownie thing work, without our precious eggs.  We chose the recipe on Spice Up The Curry  (thanks for the great recipe) and then tweaked it to our own liking. I'm just going to post our recipe with the tweaks but really hers is great too and her pictures are amazing, check it out sometime.

*These are really yummy too with some powdered sugar sprinkled on top

*Note to brownie lovers: while these are yummy I have to be honest and tell you that while they are good I still am a fan of egg-filled brownies, but these are a very good alternative.

* You can use store-bought applesauce or homemade

*We used chocolate chips & Dominican Republic Chocolate bar...Get creative! (just keep in mind if you are using chocolate with added sweetener lessen the sugar amount. Our chocolate bar did not have any sugar.  

Blogging is Cool

Who doesn't love awards?!

Luisa from Living And Learning with Luisa has an amazing blog and has nominated me for the Liebster award. 

 What is this award?

The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. The Liebster award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 or so followers.  What is a Liebster? 

I was wondering what I should post about next...well, now I have some "forced' direction!

This is what Liebster winners have to do:

 1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.

3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.

4. Go to their page and tell them.

 Random Things About Me, 11 to be exact:

1. My husband is a musician but I can't sing a lick to save my life. Playing an instrument is also not in my horizons. I've had to get creative in how I tell people this since I'm asked all the time. I usually just tell them God gave me the worst voice here so I can be the best singer in heaven ;)  

2. I REALLY want chickens and cows..LOTS OF THEM...and a little pink pot-belly pig named Lola! (her name is picked out and everything, I just need the pig)

3. I have double jointed hips that sometimes hurt or get stuck in one position making me feel like the first ever 22-year-old-80-year-old 

4. I was born in Ankara Turkey, (My dad was in the air force) but I haven't been back since I was 2

5. I am scared of clowns...seriously...I'm not okay with whoever invented that as a funny thing..

6. I think mushrooms are a fungus that should just stay in the ground (my husband disagrees)

7. Answering the phone makes my hands and feet sweet. I have a weird phone-phobia, it makes me nervous

8. I played volleyball year round since I was in in 6th grade...but I still can't jump high (I use to just tell my coaches God gave me too big of thighs to get high) 

9. I am a country girl at heart and always will be :) 

10. I hate weeding. My mom used to make me weed the garden instead of getting a spanking. I would cry and ask for the spanking...maybe I was just a weird kid...

11. I love making people laugh...& will embarrass myself to do so

 Questions from my nominator:

1.  What is your favorite Pinterest board?

I love Jill's board about her dream craft room. Since I currently live in a 1 bedroom apartment with a harry dog and a man (get the picture?) my craft room is still in my dreams. 

(here is the link: http://pinterest.com/jillfritz126/my-dream-craft-room/)

2.  How much time would you estimate you spend on your blog daily?

Since I still work full time and have now just taken a second job as a volleyball coach I usually spend about 1-3 hours daily on my blog, if that. 

3.  Who is your inspiration/favorite blogger?

I really love the simplicity of Kelly's blog at Smart.School.House  & of course I love the quirkiness of the Pioneer Woman

4.  Where is your favorite place to shop for home decor?

With my money: The Goodwill & garage sales 

Free money: Pottery barn & Crate & Barrel 

5.  Where is your favorite place to vacation?

NC in the mountains I like hiking when it's cold so I can hide my food fat in my winter clothes....bathing suit season is not a vacation, its stressful! :)

6.  What is your favorite crockpot dish?  Feel free to share recipe 

 I literally survive all meals with my crockpot! One of my favs is making applesauce since I & use it for breakfast and for baking.   This is a good recipe I use and it's easy to doctor it up too: http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-applesauce-69127

7.  Do you have hoarding tendencies?

Glitter, Buttons, Ribbons & all things crafty. Seriously, my crafts are taking over our living room, just ask my husband...I'm a few crafts short of being put on a TLC hoarders show.

8.  What do you change out the most in home decor?

Pillows! I absolutely love pillows & am constantly making new ones  

9.  Do you feel like you are living the life you want to live or is there something else that you want to do or wish you were doing differently?

Sometimes I wish I had tattoos all over and was a girl rock drummer/singer in a band...but I just don't think I was given the personality for it, or the talent....oh well...

10.  If so, what’s keeping you from doing it?  If not, good for you!

Tattoos are too painful to have them all over...oh and I can't drum...or sing...I just don't think it's going to happen anytime soon

11.  If you had no electronics whatsoever, what would you be doing right now?

Sitting on a country porch somewhere, like this one, sipping on some good o'l sweet tea!!! 

My work would never be able to find me ;)

Here are my chosen 11, These are great blogs check them out:

1. Chelsea at Ideas Coming True

2. Sara at Life of a Med School Wife

3. Jamey at Simply Animated

4. Courtney at Marriage with a Baby Carriage

5. Britiany at Crafty Craziness and Life

6.Mandi at All My Happy Endings

7. Lacey at Sunny + Turquoise

 

8. Natalie at La Gang a Nat

9. Shelby at It's Always Sonny

10. Holly at Not Done Growing

11. Lorraine at Cooking for the Seven Dwarfs

Okay winners, grab a cup of coffee and answer these 11 questions about yourself...don't worry it's not a personality test:

1. Why did you start blogging, what inspired you?

2. What is your favorite household/kitchen item?

3.What is your favorite food?

4. What is the first thing you notice about people?

5. If you were a Crayon what color would you be and why?

6.What is one aspiration that you have?

7. Scary movies or Happy endings?

8. Do you have a special or perhaps secret talent?

9. Were you named after someone special or a family member?

10. What do you do most of the day?

11.Where is your ideal getaway place?

If you won the Liebster Award & participated leave me a comment with your link so I can see who joined in the fun.

Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

With Easter approaching quickly I realized I haven't made any holiday crafts yet! I have however, completed a yummy dinner that is great for the holidays since it is both easy and good (no need to compromise one for the other). For me personally, I would rather spend time enjoying my family then spending hours in the kitchen, but I also want to eat something yummy! So without further ado, the recipe:

The stuff you need:

3 Chicken Breasts

1 1/4 cup Cheese (I used white sharp cheddar)

3/4 cup spinach

3 cloves of garlic 

1/4 cup sour cream

Salt 

Pepper

Paprika (optional)

Baking dish

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

2. Grease a shallow glass baking pan, set aside until you’re ready to load it up

3. In a small bowl microwave the spinach for about 3 minutes until slightly wilted

4. While you’re waiting for that be productive & chop your garlic, and if you buy block cheese like me, grate your cheese.   

5. In a small bowl mix together your spinach, sour cream, garlic, & cheese

6. Place your chicken on a cutting board and cut each chicken breast long ways about halfway through to the other side 

7. Place your chicken in your greased baking dish and fill the "slit" you created with the spinach mixture

8. Sprinkle with salt & pepper & for a pretty color also sprinkle with paprika (learned this trick from my Cuban family)

9. Bake uncovered until chicken is fully cooked, about 30-35 minutes. Serve immediately, no one likes cold chicken, well I guess except for chicken salad…but that’s different

Microwave Mug Brownie

My friend bought me the plastic travel mason jar cup.I take it everywhere, it's amazing!!!! I want all mason jar lovers to have one so I looked around for you to see where they are sold at: Click here Mason jar lovers).

  My husband was gone the other night at a meeting so it was just me and Lloyd hanging out. Lloyd had dog food but I had to find something to eat! I usually make dinner and love feeding my little family,  but somehow the motivation to cook for one was just not there. In my college days I would eat cereal, but seeing as how I had eaten granola every morning for 2 weeks, I wasn't "feeling" it. All this to say......I decided to whip up a brownie in a cup ....for dinner. It was not my brightest idea and later in the night I did have a headache, so yes, for all those who are wondering, I learned my lesson. But anyways it turned out so yummy I figured I would share my concoction for those who want a treat....after their meal:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Flour (I used whole-wheat)

1/4 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Salt

1/3 cup Cocoa

1 cup Sugar

4 tlb Butter

1/4 tsp Vanilla extract

1 Egg

Almonds, Walnuts, Or Pecans (optional)

A large mug

 Steps:
1. Mix together your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, sugar & cocoa) in your nice large mug.

 2. Be like a little kid and create a whole in the middle of your dry ingredients and pour in the wet stuff (egg, butter,  & vanilla)

 3. Stir the ingredients together that are in your mug. Learn from my wire whisk ordeal, just grab a spoon...

4. Nuke your mug in the microwave for about 3 minutes & 30 Seconds...this is the part you want to put a little effort into. Don't let your microwave burn your yummy chocolate! Cook until you have reached your desired consistency.  (If it dries out from over-cooking just pour a little milk on your brownie to help add some moisture back) Now top your brownie with the nutritional part: nuts   

5. Grab a glass of milk and eat up....no sharing involved!