Word to Live By (#11)

Oreo Rice Crispy Treats

So yummy and so easy to make!!!

Just follow the rice crispy treat recipe on the box and add 1 cup of smashed Oreo cookies. 

Moment in Nature (#13)

I do not own this photo

Charcuterie Plate

Last month I went to Eataly in Downtown Chicago.

There I bought many ingredients to but together a charcuterie plate for my friends and family when they came over.  My favorite item that I bought was a loaf of bread, but not just any bread…it was made with provolone and prosciutto baked into it!  So delicious.

What is included on my charcuterie plate pictured below is:

Thinly sliced baguette

Thinly sliced provolone bread

Jar of apricot preserves

Jar of cherry preserves

Fresh ricotta

Sliced parmesan reggiano

Sliced Prosciutto

These types of plates are very easy to put together.  You just buy what you would eat and lay it out how you see fit.

Words to Live By (8)

The Office- Jim & Pam

I do not own this photo.  Rights for it go to Entertainment Weekly Magazine. 

This is one of my favorite comedies that was on TV.  It ran for 9 seasons.  A main reason for my love of the show was the pairing of Jim and Pam.  They were so cute together and realistic as a couple. Seeing their relationship develop over the years from friends to marriage was just something so special that few shows are able to capture that magic.

I am a huge John Krasinski fan and a huge fan of his character Jim Halpert!  I wish I could find a guy who has the same qualities as Jim.  Wishful thinking, but some day. What can I say...I am a hopeless romantic!

Some of my favorite moments of my favorite couple!
 I do not own any of these picture; all rights reserved to NBC.

Below are links to specific Jim and Pam site and why this couple is so special!
http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/John-Krasinski-Office-GIFs-35194615#photo-35194615

http://www.buzzfeed.com/andyneuenschwander/17-times-jim-halpert-made-you-happy-cry-on-the-office#.pnV5zJGNA

http://www.buzzfeed.com/laraparker/times-jim-and-pams-relationship-made-your-heart-burst-at#.vuOQdoXmL

http://www.buzzfeed.com/itsbeezytho/the-best-jim-and-pam-moments-from-the-office-so-f-9rby#.kwd2yzW3X

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kirstenking/ways-jim-and-pam-ruined-all-other-relationships-for-you#.axm3XqEoO


http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Jim-Pam-Office-GIFs-28426003#photo-28426003

Moment of Nature (#10)

Giant Pandas Taking Naps in a Tree!
These are my favorite mammals.  I even adopted one from the World Wildlife Foundation
http://www.worldwildlife.org/  They are an endangered species who need protection.


I posted more than my normal amount of pictures for this segment of "Moment in Nature" because they are just adorable! Very endearing creatures.
Enjoy!

I do not own this picture

This was the cover to my biology book in college.  I do not own this photo.

Look at the feet!  I do not own this photo

Words to Live By (5)

Devil's Food Nutella Cupcakes

This was a post from a blog I use to have before this one.  I'm going to re-post all my favorite past posts onto this blog before closing down my old blog.  Enjoy!

This is my favorite cupcake, hands down! Not only is it tasty, I just love how the buttercream looks on the cupcake. I added chocolate morsels to the tops to make it interesting to look at.

I am not a fan of Nutella… or should I say ‘was not” a fan. I made this buttercream in class and was very hesitant to try it. Once I did, I swear I could have eaten the whole bowl! It was so light and fluffy and the flavor was delicious!

 The cupcake is a basic devil’s food cake recipe. To add more depth, you could always add miniature chocolate chips to the batter. For the buttercream, I did it in the Italian meringue style. That is, boiling the sugar and water to 243 degrees, basically making syrup, and that pouring it slowly into the already beaten egg whites (which should be at a stiff peak). This process can be dangerous, due to the possibility of being burned by the very hot syrup. But once mastered THE best buttercream ever!

 If you don’t want to try this type of buttercream, then use the common buttercream method. Beat the egg white to a frothy consistency, then and the sugar 1-2 tablespoons at a time. Once stiff firm peaks have been reached, add the butter a couple of pieces at a time. Once added, the mixture will have an appearance of a velvety mayonnaise. Add the Nutella and blend well. Once done, refrigerate until needed. Again, I prefer the Italian style buttercream. It took me a while to master it, but definitely worth the effort!

Caramel Bread Pudding

I made this dessert for a dinner party I hosted a couple of weeks back.  I love love love bread pudding and this one was a must try!! I got the recipe the magazine Fine Cooking and it turned out really good.  Just one note....watch the caramel making process.  At first mine turned dark amber and and started to harden, thus I had to redo it.  I literally took my eyes off it for 15 seconds and ruined the first batch, but the second one was successful. With a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and some caramel sauce and this was a delicious dessert.

Moment in Nature (#9)

Photo from the National Geographic

Ice Diamond, Iceland

Photographer James Balog calls such pieces ice diamonds, finding beauty as well as tragedy in disappearing glaciers.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

October Favorites!

1.  Starbuck’s Ham and Cheese Fold-Over = OMG I absolutely love these.   The perfect breakfast treat.  The crust is light and flaky and the cheese is yummy.  This is a quick breakfast for the person on-the-go.  Also it is only 240 calories…not too bad. 

2. & 3. It’s boot season!!!  I found the two cute pairs of boots at Kohl’s and used my Kohl’s Cash to get them.  The ankle combat boot looks really cute with my skinny jeans.  I also couldn’t resist the calf boot…the look of it is classic yet chic!

4.  I love active wear especially the hoodie.  The blue is bright and vibrant and the fit is perfect.  I bought this exact blue at Target.  I wear it not only for running, but if I go out to do errands or just any casual setting. 

5.  L’Oreal True Match Lumi foundation-  I usually do not wear full coverage foundation, but this one is so light in feeling and blends very well.  I am partial to L’Oreal products such as their blushes and skim primers.  A very good produce for a low cost when compared to higher –end products.

6.  I’m a reality TV junkie.  I’ve watched Survivor for 31 seasons now…wow I am old!!  But I can’t resist this show.  I was so excited when it started its new season in September.  Good season so far!!

7.  Apple cider- it’s fall and it’s the perfect time for apple cider.  I love warming it up at night, sitting in a comfy chair with a comfy blanket and relaxing.  It’s just the perfect way to enjoy the autumn season, my favorite season.

8.  Chicago sports- I’m a huge Cubs, Blackhawks, and Bears fan and this October all three of these teams were playing.  Yes the Cubs lost in the playoffs, but just making it to NLCS series was fantastic to watch.  The Bears stink this season, but I love them anyways.  It’s just something about watching football on Sundays…its tradition…one that I enjoy with my whole family.  Always great food and great entertainment.  The Blackhawks….Stanley Cup Champions 3 times in the last 5 years…pretty awesome!  I grew up watching the Blackhawks and going to their games with my family…my dad played hockey in his youth, thus he instilled the love of the game in his kids.  

Words to Live By (7)

Home Made Peanut Butter Cups!

This recipe was from an old issue of EveryDay with Rachael Ray.  These candies were very easy to make and tasted delicious!  I'm not a huge peanut butter fan, but I did love these.

Enjoy!


Ingredients:
8 oz. of milk chocolate- chopped
4 tbsp. of unsalted butter- softened
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey

Directions: Place 12- 2 1/2 inch liners on a baking sheet.  In a double boiler, melt the chocolate. Reserve the pot of hot water to keep the chocolate liquid, if necessary.

Place about 2 teaspoon of chocolate in a baking cup, swirling to coat about half way up the sides. Repeat with remaining cups and then refrigerate until set.  

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter for two minutes until fluffy.  Beat in peanut butter and honey. Beat for 1-2 minutes.  Transfer mixture to a resealable plastic bag, and snip off the corner.  

Fill the chocolate cups from the refrigerator to 3/4 full with peanut butter mixture, smoothing the surface.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Then top each cup with the remaining liquid chocolate to enclose, smooth out the top if need be.  Refrigerate until hardened. I lightly sprinkles some kosher salt on tip to give it some add depth to the flavor.  

Moment in Nature (#8)

Photo from the National Geographic

Elephant herd near Kilimanjaro

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Deep Dish Caramel Apple Pie

This was a post from a blog I use to have before this one.  I'm going to re-post all my favorite past posts onto this blog before closing down my old blog.  Enjoy!

What makes this apple pie memorable it the crust...it is made out of sugar cookie dough. 

With a crumb topping, caramel, and a drizzle of icing, this apple pie is a winner!! 

Words to Live By (4)

Painted Halloween Pumpkins

I've never painted pumpkins before, and this year I want to try it.  I made the little clown pumpkins for my niece and godson. 

I bought my acrylic paints at Hobby Lobby when they were on sale for only $.52 a color.  I bought a bag of red pom poms for $1.99, ant the Halloween ribbon on the big pumpkin was 40% off.  Great deals!

The only issue I had was getting the white paint to be bright and vibrant...I had to use 3 coats of paint.

I did have a lot of fun making these.  I usually hate clowns, by these little clown pumpkins were just too cute not to make!

Moment in Nature (#7)

Bottom of the Grand Canyon. Photo from the National Geographic

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/

Halloween Cupcake Ideas!

I keep every issue of my food magazines.  I love to go back a peruse the old issues for any good tips and ideas I might have missed before.  Below is a collection of super cute cupcake ideas from EveryDay with Rachael Ray.  Her October issues are always full of so many great Halloween ideas.

Enjoy!!

Words to Live By (9)

Easy Chicken Parmesan

Season chicken with S&P

Breaded chicken

Browning in the pan

Easy Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:
4 Boneless chicken breasts- pound out to a ½ inch thickness
1 large container of your favorite tomato sauce/ marinara
1 box of Panko bread crumbs
1 bag mozzarella cheese (8oz)
2 eggs- lightly beaten
Flour
Salt and Pepper
Parmesan cheese- optional

Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 375⁰F.  Set aside 9x9 baking dish. Rinse your chicken, pat dry with a paper towel and salt and pepper thoroughly both sides…set aside.

Set up your egg wash station- 1 bowl of ½ cup flour, 1 bowl of the lightly beating egg mixed with 1 tbsp. water, and 1 bowl of the Panko bread crumbs. Now bread each piece of chicken going though the egg wash station- lightly flour chicken, dip into egg wash, then coat thoroughly with Panko bread crumbs.  Do this with all chicken pieces.

In a skillet, heat ½ cup olive oil and lightly brown each side of the chicken.  I usually have a plate set aside with paper towels covering it and I put the browned chicken on it to soak up the residual oil.  Once all chicken is browned (chicken is still not cooked all the way through, so DO NOT eat!) get the 9x9 baking dish and pour about ¾ cup of tomato sauce on the bottom- spread it so it covers all of the bottom of the pan.  Now lay the browned chicken in the pan, you make sure all the chicken fits…if it overlaps that’s ok.  I usually season the chicken once more with salt and pepper, and then I pour the rest of the tomato sauce over the chicken.  Now cover with mozzarella cheese, I also sprinkle Parmesan cheese on it too.
Bake in the oven until cheese is melted and golden brown on the edges, about 30-35 minutes.
Serve with your choice of cooked pasta.

Enjoy!

Moment in Nature (#6)

Beautiful bird!  I do not own this picture

The cardinal!  I am luck enough to see this bird frequently where I live. Every time I see it fly by, I can't help but stop what I'm doing to track it.

Halloween Wine!

I received this wine as a gift from my friend Tina last year.  She knows how much I love Halloween and surprised me with this.  How cute is it!!  This is an apple pumpkin spiced wine.  At first I was a little leery, because truthfully…I’m over the “pumpkin in every food item” craze.  Oh was I wrong!  This was delicious.  It wasn’t too sweet and not too strongly flavored with the pumpkin.  I do not know where Tina bought this but I’m sure Binny’s has specialty Halloween wines or just Google it.