Pumpkin Bread

It's not fall till you smell the delicious smell of pumpkin bread baking in the oven! I made a loaf for Halloween night! My husband and I spent our Halloween waiting for Trick-Or-Treaters (who didn't show... more candy for us!!!) and we drank homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes and ate warm delicious homemade Pumpkin Bread!
Happy Halloween!


Pumpkin Bread (makes 2 loaves)

Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
4 Eggs
1 15oz. Can of Pumpkin puree
2/3 Cup Water
3 1/2 Cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking Soda
2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Allspice
1 tsp. Cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350. Prepare 2 – 9×5 baking pans with non stick cooking spray. Cream sugar and oil together. Add eggs, pumpkin and water. Sift all dry ingredients together. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Bake for 1 hour.



Serve with powdered sugar for a dessert!

Pumpkin Crisp

I've baked this a couple times before and it is a refreshing take on the traditional Pumpkin Pie. This Pumpkin Crisp is easy to make and is a "throw it together" type of recipe. And the best part?!?! It is a favorite amongst the crowd! Bet you won't have any left overs if you serve this up!

Ingredients:
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 (18.25 oz) package of butter-flavored yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Stir together the 1st five ingredients. Pour that into a lightly greased 13X9 baking dish.
Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture; sprinkle evenly with pecans.
Drizzle melted butter evenly over pecans.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until golden brown.
Removed from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with warm or at room temperature with whipped cream. Sprinkle with fresh nutmeg on top?

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:
One medium sized pumpkin
Salt
Olive oil

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut open the pumpkin and use a strong metal spoon to scoop out the insides. Separate the seeds from the stringy core. Rinse the seeds.



2 In a small saucepan, add the seeds to water, about 2 cups of water to every half cup of seeds. Add a half tablespoon of salt for every cup of water (more if you like your seeds saltier). Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.



3 Spread about a tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a roasting pan. Spread the seeds out over the roasting pan, all in one layer. Bake on the top rack until the seeds begin to brown, 10-20 minutes.


When browned to your satisfaction, remove from the oven and let the pan cool on a rack. Let the seeds cool all the way down before eating.

Either crack to remove the inner seed (a lot of work and in my opinion, unnecessary) or eat whole.

Deluxe Bean Dip and Guacamole

This is a super simple recipe that can be done on the fly! Sometimes, my husband and I have it for a meal too! It's just different and fun and SUPER tasty! I have adapted it from my mom's version, who adapted it from those 7 layer bean dip recipes. So try it and make it your own!

Deluxe Bean Dip:
Ingredients:
2 cans of fat free refried beans
1 jar of salsa (I like medium and chunky, for the heat and texture)
1 small can of black olives
1 small can of diced jalapeno peppers (we like spicy!)
1 bag of shredded cheese (the taco/ mexican blend is usually a good bet!)
TORTILLA CHIPS! yum!


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
In a 12X9 (glass, oven safe) dish, put both cans of beans at the bottom. A spatula works best to help out. Then put in enough salsa to cover the beans with a nice thin layer. Then sprinkle the olives, and sprinkle the jalapenos on top. Then lastly, sprinkle the cheese on top.
Now really, everything is cooked... but I like to get it nice and hot. I usually set the timer for 30 min, and then just check on it and see if the dip is boiling, and the cheese is browning. Want toastier cheese? Turn on the boiler and give it a good half a minute.

And you are done!

Guacamole:
I just made this up and tasted as I went, but I like the taste, so I wanted to share!

Ingredients:
2 avocados, pitted and scooped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tomato, diced
1/2 small onion, diced
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Put the (pitted and scooped) avocados in a bowl, mash with a fork. Add minced garlic, diced tomato, diced onion, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix and Serve! You can add cilantro if you want, but my husband prefers not so no cilantro here!

Trick-Or-Treat Door Ribbon

I can't wait to own my own house one fine day! Now, I really do love our apartment, there's a lot of great positives about it, but when you own your own home... you get to decorate for the holidays!!!! And boy, I LOVE my holidays! I love getting crafty and getting into the holiday season!
I decided to recycle some ribbons I had lying around and create a Trick-or-Treat door ribbon, and then I will sneak it on our front door when Halloween night is here! hehe! The little things ♥

Supplies:
2 ribbons of different colors and widths (I used a thick orange ribbon with a thinner ribbed polka-dotted green ribbon)
1 sheet of scrape book paper (I used a black one that already had a black glitter swirly design on it)
letter stencils/ a Cricut (or if you are like me and can't afford a Cricut (but really want one for Christmas! hint hint!... you can just draw the letters and cut out yourself)
1 hot glue gun/ 2 sticks
scissors

Directions:
Smooth out the ribbon (I use my hair straightener for a quick fix!).
Cut to desired length, and make sure to quickly singe the ends with a match (in order to prevent fraying).
If you have enough extra in one ribbon, save it to make a bow!

Put a strip of hot glue on the center of the thicker width ribbon, and lay the thinner ribbon on top. Do the glue in small sections so that the glue doesn't cool down before you are ready.

Get out your paper and on the back, do your letter outlines. Make SURE to do them backwards!!!! Because once you cut them out, you will see the other side, so you want it to be readable from that side. I did it like that so you wouldn't be able to see any pencil marks, and you can make as many eraser and pencil mistakes as you want and it won't ruin the finished product!

Once the letters are to your liking, cut them out using sharp scissors (preferably small and pointed tips). Take your time! The more precise the cut, the better the final product!

SPECIAL: On the "O", I got a little fancy and wanted to put a spider in the middle. An exacto knife can be used to cut the fine details out (make sure to have some thing to cut on! like cardboard or cutting board). I then glued a white piece of paper behind the cut spider "O", to make it pop against the ribbon.

Then, hot glue your letters to the ribbon! Make sure your spacing is right.

On top, I had some extra ribbon and make a bow. I just tied a knot and then tied the best bow I could. I hot glued the center to make the bow more stable (and to keep it from ever getting undone) and then hot glued the bow to the door ribbon!

Finished Product:


I think it turned out cute! yay re-purposing!

Super simple Berry Shortcake (UPDATED)

If you want simple, it doesn't get simpler than this! This is a recipe from Sandra Lee's Semi-homemade cooking and is a winner with both simplicity and delicious taste! I have added my own twist and suggestions below. Never again do you need to make up excuses for skipping dessert! Haha oh I love desserts!

Total Time: 1 hr 30 min
Prep 10 min
Inactive 1 hr 0 min
Cook 20 min

Ingredients
1 can (16.3-ounce) biscuits (recommended: Pillsbury Grands Southern Style)
2 pints fresh berries, quartered (any berries will do! I did frozen mixed berries)
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 can of whipped (lite) cream topping

Directions
If you have frozen berries, put in a medium bowl, pour half of the sugar in, and let sit (covered) on the kitchen counter. They will soak and unfreeze. May take a few hours.
If you have fresh berries, in a medium bowl, combine the berries and half of the sugar. Let stand for 1 hour to meld flavors.



When ready to bake, Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Unroll biscuits, place on baking sheet and bake in the oven according to directions.

In a small bowl, combine remaining sugar and cinnamon.
Remove biscuits from oven; split the biscuits and dredge in cinnamon sugar; place on serving plate.


Put macerated berries on bottom biscuit, put on whipped cream and top with the top of the biscuit. Garnish shortcakes with a swirl of whipped cream topping and drizzle with the juice of the berries.


Serves about 5 (depending on number of biscuits cooked).

Another variation? / a way to make a smaller portion?:
Put berries on each half, then swirl on the whipped cream. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mix on top!

The first whole one was soo good, I wanted a little more! So yes, I definitely had one full and a "half" portion of these shortcakes! Delish!

Blazin' Buttermilk Wings (UPDATED)

I think my hot wings obsession started in college. Wednesday Wing Nite was a HUGE event, where you could get wings for $0.25 each! Which makes a "starving college student" sooooo happy! Well, it has been a year now since I graduated college... and my taste buds are just BEGGING for some of those crispy spicy hot wings! I have never really made wings before, but I am going to try. And I found this awesome easy and tasty recipe from Sandra Lee Semi-homemade cooking! This is what I will be making this weekend! Question for you to answer! Which do you prefer: Wings or Drummettes? I am a drummettes girl myself :) Tommy likes the wings. Together we are the perfect hot wings match! haha

Total Time:
4 hr 28 min
Prep
10 min
Inactive
4 hrs (the wings have to soak for 4 hours)
Cook
18 min


Ingredients
1 quart buttermilk (they sell LowFat and NonFat buttermilk too!)
2 (1.6-ounce) packs buffalo wing seasoning
1/4 C hot sauce
4 lbs chicken wings (thawed)
Blue cheese dressing (or ranch), for dipping
(Real blue cheese crumbs to top off the Blue cheese dressing, if you want to get fancy!)
Carrots and celery, cut into 1/4-inch slices

Directions

In a large bowl, stir together buttermilk, wing seasoning, and hot sauce. Add drummettes and be sure all are coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 to 4 hours, preferably overnight.


(next time I make these, I am going to try putting them in a zip-lock baggie and using less buttermilk, because I always feel funny throwing away so much liquid!)


INDOOR: Preheat broiler. Remove wings from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Place wings on foil lined baking sheet or broiling pan. Broil 15 to 20 minutes turning occasionally or until cooked.



OUTDOOR: Set up grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat. Oil grate when ready to start cooking. Remove wings from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Grill 12 to 18 minutes, turning occasionally, ending with skin-side down.

Serve with blue cheese/ranch dressing, celery sticks, and carrot sticks.


YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Servings: about 3-4.

Try this: Pumpkin Spice Latte

For me, a pumpkin spice latte is a splurge (for the wallet, AND the body! ha!). Especially when Starbucks wants to sell them at $4 a cup... it's no wonder my wallet cries as I sip that delicious cup! But what else can you get for $4?!?! How about a creamer that will turn ANY cup of homemade coffee into a Pumpkin Spice Latte!!! Yes, they have made it! Nestle Coffee Mate makes a Pumpkin Spice Latte flavor, as well as many other seasonal and non seasonal flavors, and boy... they taste as good as the Starbucks ones (sorry Starbucks!). Now, they aren't healthy (it is creamer I mind you) but for a girl on a budget... paying $4 for one cup or paying $4 for about 15 cups!!?!?!?... you do the math :)


The creamer sits right next to the healthy juices to remind me it's a dessert drink, not an every day drink!

My homemade version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte! Starbucks should hire me :)

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

I am catching a cold, and so chicken noodle soup is what's for dinner! I don't have time to make my own broth... nor do I have the left over chicken bones to make the broth... so here is a simple recipe to get that homemade chicken noodle soup in a pinch :)


Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth
1/2 pound chopped already cooked chicken breast
1 1/2 cups egg already cooked noodles
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste


The gangs all here!!!

Directions:


This recipe uses some pots... a pot for noodles, a pot for the chicken, a pot for the soup! Thank goodness husband does the dishes when I cook! ;)
1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook onion, carrots, and celery in butter until just tender, 5 minutes. Pour in chicken and vegetable broths and stir in chicken, noodles, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes before serving.





Serves about 6 servings. It is GREAT as a left over meal! The flavors really mature and another plus? You cooked it once to eat it multiple times! yay!

Jar Jack-o-lanterns

I LOVE carving pumpkins, but so far... I haven't gotten around to carving one. I really want to proudly display my pumpkin outside our front door (but that's not allow in our apartment complex) so I could possibly display it on our porch, but I will have to remember no real fire is allowed. Oh rules and regulations...

Well, to get the home into the Halloween scene, I decided to repurpose some sauce glass jars, and create my own apartment friendly jack-o-lanterns!

Supplies:
clean Glass jars (with no paper on them)
acryllic paints (orange, colors to mix with orange (for variations), and black)
a thick paint brush
a small thin paint brush

Directions:
Cover your work space with paper.
Mix your oranges on a surface. I choose a red/orange combo, a brown/orange combo, and a yellow/orange combo.

Paint each clean jar with one color of orange combo. Don't paint too heavy because you want light to shine through, but I think two light coats will do perfectly :)
Make sure to use same direction brush strokes to keep them uniform.
Let dry (or use a blow dryer!).

Paint a "jack-o-lantern" face on each jar using the small paint brush and the black. Make sure the features are completely black (no need for light to shine through the black!).
Let dry (or use a blow dryer!).

Next, get creative! I used some floral tape for the tops (because I threw away the jar lids! ooops!) and then I tied some twine around the tops, using a curling iron to make them curly!






Place a Flameless Flickering tea light candle in each jar and ENJOY!
(I will post a shot of them lite up, once I buy some flameless tea lights!)

Feathers in your Hair

SO there is this craze now a days to get a feather in your hair and it is sooo cute (in my opinion)! It reminds me of my youth when wrapping your hair with thread was the "in" thing :) So this feather thing is the same concept. I did a little research to check where to get a feather put in your hair, and salons will do it... for a price! It's like $10 to $15 for just a single feather! So what if you wanted two or three feathers? You are looking at 50 some dollars (and don't forget to tip!). Well, I did a little more research and found out there is a way to do it for about $3 dollars AND you get to use a better quality feather :)

Supplies and Directions:
"To make a feather hair extension you will need a crochet hook or hair extension hook and you will also need a hair extension link. All you need to do is put it on your hook, put the hair on here and pull it through so the link is on the hair. After the link is on the hair, insert your feather through the link and the hair both, then crimp the link with the pliers -- that's all you have to do," said Nora on a segment on Living Well Network.

And remember people, you don't have to pay full price for these items (making the cost less and less!). Places like Hobby Lobby and Michael's have sales on different items each week, plus they have coupons you can print up from their site and use!

UPDATE: this trend... is for the dogs?!??! http://www.puppylocks.com/puppygallery

Tips from a Friend

I am always on the computer looking for crafts to do (especially through recycling or re-purposing what I already have!). I am LOVING this blogging generation because you are giving a free open data base chalk FULL of ideas and tips and products! Some times it is SO much, that it is overwhelming, but in the best way possible ;)

Well, another great data base is the social networking scene! Connecting with people, sharing ideas, communicating... it's all a great way to get help, encouragement, and recognition. With that said, I got some advice from a friend about the painting I just posted... and I would LOVE to share!

"Just an FYI - you can also use chalk to draw out what you want on a canvas...it erases with a damp paper towel or sponge and is much easier to remove! Also, use a hairdryer to dry your canvas in between layers of paint. It's quick and effective!"
-Jennifer C., Georgia

Thanks Jennifer! The chalk is soo nice because it leaves the canvas clean and eraser markings free! Plus it is easier to see. And the hair dryer saves you time if you can't wait for the next step! Great advice :) Keep 'em coming!

Patterned Art

Some times, I look at fabrics and patterns and get a craving to paint them and make them my own! haha, I don't know if I am the only one, but this was the case with this painting. I have a baby shower to attend this weekend and I wanted to make something for the family/ new baby girl! I found this picture online:

and really made it my own to make what I wanted for the happy family.

Here's how:

Supplies
canvas
acrylic paints
paint brushes (one with a thin handle and one with a thicker handle... you use the bottoms of the brush handles to make the dots)
a bowl (for tracing)
pencil

Directions
First, paint the whole canvas the color you want the background. Let dry completely.

Next, I took a bowl of the size I wanted the main circles and outlined it with a pencil. I measured 4 circles then 3, then 4, then 3 again across the canvas. Staggering the circles and offsetting the pattern to create cut up circles on the edges. Then, finding the center, I dipped the large handle of the paintbrush in the paint and placed a single dot in every circles center. Don't worry if the dot isn't perfectly centered, there is something perfect about not having perfect measurements in art :)
Then, put 8 dots around the center dot. I think about putting a dot "North" "South" "East" "West", and then put a dot in between.
Continue the dot pattern as shown above using the handle of the small brush for the small dots.


Now here is where it gets complicated but very very forgiving for creativity! Take the small handled brush and put TONS of dots around the pencil tracing. Don't be afraid to go outside the line and inside the line. Play with a little more paint on the small brush to get slightly bigger dots, and then barely touching the canvas for the smallest dots.


I also did dots in between the circles, being very careful to leave enough room between each dot grouping, as to keep the defined circle look. The in between dots look like triangles and hour-glasses (if that helps!). Remember, to add some bigger dots, use that bigger paint brush handle.


I really just added dots to anywhere that I felt needed them. Paint till it looks right for you! and...FINISHED pattern! This picture is a better representation of the colors I used (a dark reddish pink, and a light pastel pink).

Allow dots layer to dry completely if you wish to paint any thing more on your canvas. I chose to personalize the painting for the baby expecting family. Here it is!
FINISHED PROJECT:

Now this project took a couple days because you have to wait for paint to dry before moving on to the next layer. The dots part of the painting takes a couple hours. I didn't time it, but it is time consuming. Watch some tv while you do it, and time flies by! Also, take breaks. It breaks a big task up into smaller time chunks. :D

Happy Painting!

Baby Shower!

I am going to a friend's baby shower today!! Tommy and I were joking about wearing bath robes and bringing shampoo and soap... haha we are silly :) (and corny!)

Well, the presents are all wrapped! (Tomorrow I will show you what I made for the family) But today, all you get to see is the pretty packaging! See you all tomorrow!


ps, Their last name is Fletcher, so Tommy calls his friend "Fletch"... hence "baby Fletch" (but with a pink bow on top since IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!)

Inspired by Fabric

Vera Bradley knows how to pick a good pattern. They are fun and different and colorful! Hanging in my kitchen is a Vera Bradley "Hope Garden" apron with a matching recipe box by the stove and I really wanted to bring out that pattern around the kitchen more!

So I took this pattern:

Picture from: http://merelymeredith.blogspot.com/2010/10/color-me-beautiful.html

And created my version on canvas:


I first did a rough sketch in pencil. I started painting one color at a time, across the whole canvas. I had to do layer upon layer of paints till it was what I wanted the piece to look like. It took several days, because some times the paint had to dry before I could paint the next color. But I think it turned out well! and now is proudly displayed in our kitchen :)

Seasoned Chopped Potatoes

If you read my last post, about Microwave Potatoes, then you know that not every potato adventure of mine is successful. Actually, before this blog, I have had several unfortunate encounters with potatoes. I don't know. They are one of many weaknesses for me! But boy, I love them! So I keep trying.
Luckily, here is a winner recipe! I just made up the recipe so I am pretty proud, and the chopped potato part? It was me trying to fix the whole "under-cooked /over-cooked" thing.

What are your favorite potato recipes?

Ingredients:
6 small potatoes
olive oil
minced garlic
rosemary leaves
salt
ground pepper
thyme leaves

Directions:

Scrub potatoes under running water and then poke holes using a fork (about 7 times in each). Chop potatoes into bite sized cubes.

In a large bowl, put potatoes in and then add the ingredients (olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary leaves, salt, ground pepper, and thyme leaves). Sorry there are no measurements on this one... they are all "season to taste" things, so sprinkle on as much (or as little) as you want of all! Then, stir till evenly coated on all potatoes.

Place on a cooking sheet. I would cover it in foil for easy clean up (but I forgot to when I made it! oops!).
Cook at 350 for 45 - 60 min.


I served our meal with fresh baked baguette bread (drizzled with balsamic vinegar), broccoli, and cooked chicken tenderloins. OH! and some Cosmopolitans :) It was a fun meal! And tasty!

Try this: Sweet potato fries

Fries are great! But fries that are healthy for you and taste amazing?!?!? SIGN ME UP!!!!! I have found such a combo in All Natural Alexia Sweet Potato Julienne Fries from All Natural Alexia.


Picture from: http://www.iateapie.net/images/brands/alexiasweetfries.jpg

They make tons of products, even variations of sweet potatoes, and although I have not tried them, I would be more than willing to because my experience has been THAT GOOD!
Let me tell you about them :)
The fries come in a resealable freezer safe bag so storage is easy easy. When you want your fries, you just heat the oven and pop them in! And when they are crispy enough for you, DONE!!!!!!!! I even put foil in the bottom of the pan to make clean up that much easier.
The fries them selves are crispy on the outside and sweet and soft on the inside. They are Great as a side to any meal! AND they are all natural, full of Vitamin A, and have a good amount of fiber!

There is also a $1 off coupon on their site! So print that off, and try some! I hope you are as happy with them as I have been! yum yum yum! (I think I will make some with dinner tonight!!)

Microwave Potatoes

Last night, I wanted to make some baked potatoes... but those take FOREVER in the oven. And regardless of my husband getting home so late, I was MAKING baked potatoes! I had a mission!

So began the microwave tests!

I did a little web research and found one that said cook for 5 min, turn over, then cook for 5 more min.... FAIL. The potato was hard, and wrinkly... it looked like a moon rock, and was just as tough! I wish I took a picture because it was so weird!

So, maybe my microwave is too powerful, I don't know, it's the apartment's microwave. But THIS is what I found works:

Ingredients:
2 potatoes
a fork (for poking holes)
olive oil
salt
pepper
shredded cheese, butter, or any toppings you want heated up on potatoes.

Directions:
Scrub the potatoes under running water. Then poke holes all over into the potatoes using the fork.
Rub potatoes with olive oil.
Place potatoes on a microwave safe plate. Lightly salt and pepper the potatoes.
Cook in microwave (on HIGH) for 2 min and 30 sec.
Take out and turn the potatoes over, salt and pepper if needed.
Cook for another 2 min and 30 sec (on HIGH).
Take out, and cut down center of potatoes, use fork to fluff up (if needed).
Put cheese (or other toppings) in the openings and heat up for 30 sec in microwave (or until cheese melts).
And SERVE!


Play around with your microwave and get to know the intensity of it. You may find your own secret microwave potato recipe!

Share with me your experiences!!!!!!

Try this: TV show

First off, I am a Zooey Deschanel fan. Loved her in Elf, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Failure to Launch! She has always been a slightly quirky girl that also made you think "Wow. That girl is so pretty!" And then her voice... AWESOME! It's got a twist of the different and original, you know she has talent!

So when I found out she had a show premiering this season on FOX, I just had to check it out! So far, three episodes in, New Girl starring Zooey Deschanel, is a HIT in my books! It is about well-liked, and very bubbly girl named Jess who just caught her boyfriend cheating on her. She finds a new place to live with three single guys. "Together, this group of friends try to help Jess learn a lot about love, life and mostly about herself, while at the same time learn a lot about themselves." -wikipedia


Picture from: http://www.daemonstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/new-girl-show-page.jpg

Check out New Girl's promo video clip: click!

And check out previous episodes: click!

AND, check out New Girl on FOX Tuesdays at 10pm (right after GLEE).
**NEWS: SPECIAL DAY for next episode: October 12th Wednesday at 9:30pm FOX

UPDATES:
So... Damon Wayans, Jr. was in the pilot episode and I LOVED him as "coach" and thought he was great! But, come second episode, he was gone. Guess he moved on to Happy Endings (another show I like) for their second season. Oh well. Here is what wiki has to say about Damon:
"The character of Coach, played by Damon Wayans, Jr., appeared in the pilot only. He, Miller, Schmidt and Bishop were the original four roomates in the apartment. In the second episode Bishop returns to the apartment and Coach has simply moved out. It is mentioned that Coach and Bishop had played college basketball together."

Before:


Now:

Welcome Lamorne Morris, I hope you can do New Girl proud :)

Anvil's Cheesesteaks

My husband loves cheese steaks, and I think it is worth a splurge of going out to get one of these bad boys! I did a little research, and found one close to our home! It came highly recommended by livingsocial and yelp* and it is called Anvil's Cheesesteaks.


YUM!

The food was hot and fresh. The bread was perfect and you could tell was quality fresh bread. The food was all prepared right in front of you when you ordered. And they purely do cheesesteaks, so you KNOW it is legit! It had a nice mom-n-pop feel, and the service was super kind and welcoming. I got a plain cheesesteak and my husband got some spicy bell pepper version, which was spicy and DELISH! Basically you can't go wrong with any item. It was a definite revisit in my book!

Try this: Baking mat

I LOVE baking. Have I mentioned that before? :) Well, there are a few key gizmos that I simply cannot live without in my baking world, one of which is the Silpat! You can buy them pretty much anywhere now, and they are the bees knees! (I have no clue where that saying came from... but I like it!)
Anyways, it is a mat that you simple lie at the bottom of your cooking pan, and presto! No sticking food, no messy pan. And the Silpat is reuseable! You just wash is clean!! Friendly for the environment :) I have had great success with baking and cooking with the Silpat, just remember... it is NOT a cutting board (that mistake was made once by a sweet and dear friend, I love her!).

Try this: Cook book!

When I first moved to NC with my husband, we had limited supplies. You know the story! Basically anything we could fit in my small car was all that we would take till our next visit to GA, when we would load up the car again! Well, let me clarify... my husband already had all his stuff in NC. And I just seem to own a lot of STUFF! I really try not to hold on to things (I cringe at the word Pack Rat), but I am such a "re-purpose-er". I don't like throwing many things out because I know I WILL use them in my life. And I do! Often! But until that moment... they sit around waiting.

With all of that said, we came to NC with a limited supply of my usual kitchen artillery. And of course, NO COOKBOOK? How did I forget that one! I did have a few recipes in my recipe box, but seriously, NO COOKBOOK!!!!!!! How was I to survive! I was very new to the cooking word, and as a longtime baking girl, all I knew was a recipe is a girl's best friend! So we quickly ran out to Barnes and Nobles and bought this book
Illustrated Quick Cook: Easy Entertaining, after-Work Recipes, Cheap Eats
by Heather Whinney
with a left over gift card from who knows when. I am happy to report: It was a good buy! It has TONS of quick recipes and tips and it is organized so well! You will notice a good handful of recipes I post are in this book (ie: Chicken with Noodles and Basil)



Have you tried this cook book? Tell me your thoughts!