tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61027126644490900462024-03-13T15:06:50.225-04:00Life with Mrs. T.Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-74519667621512446052011-08-17T09:01:00.000-04:002011-08-17T09:01:39.000-04:00I'm a slacker (and some house updates)most of my blogging these days is about the baby, so it's all over on my other blog (<a href="http://ourgreatestproject.blogspot.com/">Our Greatest Project</a>) but I do have a couple of house updates!<br />
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By the end of this month, this room should look put together finally and will actually have a purpose! (This is a listing photo, so not our furniture). For the 3+ years that we have lived in our house, the room (which connects our garage to the rest of the house and also has the door that goes to the backyard) has served has a walk-through and storage room. <br />
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When we began renovating our kitchen, this room was tackled along with it since they share a wall and we were opening up the doorway between the two. We took down all the paneling and added recessed lights in the ceiling and built a closet toward the front. The whole room got new sheet rock/plaster and paint. The front is tiled (it will serve as our mud room area) and the carpet was installed this morning in the rest of the room (it took us a LONG time to pick out carpet - we needed something capable of withstanding very high traffic and kid-friendly since it will be a playroom).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>couch will go in this corner </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes-Ci5hyphenhyphenwrm_JuPNtwElJPfiS8sg-JWLKZEXNbYtS11-25hghV2dBSijElQQeWUmsVvmo0fagpIZUI1ZWwjMKFr4BFINVOFtJgeTEqTtp8DtvqIRD_QnUY1OcxSxXJPzIbhzU-aegwJIW/s1600/breezeway+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes-Ci5hyphenhyphenwrm_JuPNtwElJPfiS8sg-JWLKZEXNbYtS11-25hghV2dBSijElQQeWUmsVvmo0fagpIZUI1ZWwjMKFr4BFINVOFtJgeTEqTtp8DtvqIRD_QnUY1OcxSxXJPzIbhzU-aegwJIW/s400/breezeway+035.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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We <b>love</b> how it turned out. The couch is being delivered at the end of the month and MrT is currently shopping for a TV - soon we'll be able to actually use this room!<br />
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-3225603508072573502011-07-18T09:47:00.002-04:002011-07-18T09:47:57.038-04:00What type of baby are we having?<a href="http://ourgreatestproject.blogspot.com/2011/07/boysquishy-or-girlsquishy.html">Find Out!</a>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-66812105966075832892011-06-08T16:15:00.000-04:002011-06-08T16:15:20.632-04:00new kitchen tableit's so nice and big and I can't wait!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bernieandphyls.com/itm_img/860PK17TH_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.bernieandphyls.com/itm_img/860PK17TH_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-8317958936487649432011-06-08T14:52:00.000-04:002011-06-08T14:52:42.111-04:00my kitchenis basically done. We are waiting for our new table/chairs to be delivered on Friday, but I wanted to show off my pictures :)<br />
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Let's take a look back at what my kitchen used to look like....<br />
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and here's what it looks like now!! Just for reference, the range is in the same place in the old and new kitchen<br />
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about where the fridge is used to be a second doorway to the hall on the other side. since we obviously don't need 2 doorways 5 feet apart, we closed one in. <br />
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we expanded the window above the sink (and took out the actual window) and expanded the doorway to the next room (and got rid of the actual door)<br />
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I'll have more pictures of the other side (the eating area) after the table is delivered on Friday!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-89812508802568593502011-06-02T10:35:00.000-04:002011-06-02T10:35:52.539-04:00in other newsI'm glad the kitchen is almost done (updates coming soon, I promise - the counters are being installed today!) because then we can focus on the nursery :) Yep, Baby T (aka Squishy) is due December 6th!<br />
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I'm just over 13 weeks and things look great so far. I had a fairly easy first trimester and I hope that baby continues to be nice to me! <br />
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I've been keeping up a different blog to document this journey - feel free to follow along:<br />
<a href="http://ourgreatestproject.blogspot.com/">Our Greatest Project</a>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-63176814603605325942011-05-02T15:57:00.000-04:002011-05-02T15:57:30.718-04:00new cabinetsthis is going to be a quick post, I just wanted to show off these pictures!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaBBtkfUPRA5Zu-JMFG-Nzo9DQdwte9iPlsmHm5x0P73f_I4Nti_w6jBwou_z-gX9wkRcEOpWklHX9WssWp3onf3zrhLzCKjBVb6XTxuJLpLumrOuH7UvRCfXtNjt-0Ge-7gEkBONyEQR/s1600/kitchen+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaBBtkfUPRA5Zu-JMFG-Nzo9DQdwte9iPlsmHm5x0P73f_I4Nti_w6jBwou_z-gX9wkRcEOpWklHX9WssWp3onf3zrhLzCKjBVb6XTxuJLpLumrOuH7UvRCfXtNjt-0Ge-7gEkBONyEQR/s400/kitchen+061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-88027025261737306302011-04-26T13:43:00.000-04:002011-04-26T13:43:40.941-04:00kitchen renovation - updatesit's been a while since I updated, things have been really crazy but we have major progress in the kitchen! 3 weeks ago (I think), the old kitchen was completely demolished:<br />
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</div>about a week ago (after the electrical and plumbing was done), we had plasterers come and make our new walls nice and pretty:<br />
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Then yesterday I finished painting!<br />
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Today the new hardwood floors are getting installed in the kitchen area (to match the rest of the downstairs). Then beginning tomorrow, the new and existing floors are getting refinished so that everything matches.<br />
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Since 80% of our downstairs is hardwood, we had to move everything to the spare (and previously empty) room upstairs:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPnHrstiVp_TbgcvSZaNLl_QTXk4dBN6AZgnbia99x8YdQLGR6Rq1nnsBvMk1Onjn5YLFEA0ECbxxyDuVBRMUTS5NN1oKqTNcrmx0Fd1Gq5_esxvTuGuwXMI1yPxXXT4bwHYLkPlvULzg/s1600/kitchen+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPnHrstiVp_TbgcvSZaNLl_QTXk4dBN6AZgnbia99x8YdQLGR6Rq1nnsBvMk1Onjn5YLFEA0ECbxxyDuVBRMUTS5NN1oKqTNcrmx0Fd1Gq5_esxvTuGuwXMI1yPxXXT4bwHYLkPlvULzg/s400/kitchen+048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
please don't report us to Hoarders!<br />
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Once the floors are finished, it's time to install the cabinets!!!! Right now we're hoping to get that done Mother's Day weekend and then the counter people are coming to make the template for our counters. I can't wait for that part!!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-29699836104237783172011-04-08T10:35:00.000-04:002011-04-08T10:35:21.065-04:00perfection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">our new cabinets were delivered today!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/kmd288/kitchen007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/kmd288/kitchen007.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-47240852602679095062011-03-07T11:54:00.001-05:002011-03-07T11:55:54.591-05:00kitchen designI'm in love with our kitchen design. I look at the printouts from Lowes quiet often and I'm so excited to see it take shape in real life!<br />
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Before I show you the new design, let's recap our current kitchen.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">this is all of our cabinets and all of our counter space</span><i>. The dishwasher will be moving to the other end - to the right of the sink</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rzQ7qcjv9-k37k8CIS9AglKIVQW0Ut1F9Opbcswo8tMqAQ8TGel78FCQfHPiHImZRVL-pwkbGhlp2An9uGLvXV8X9JGma-yyryzc74HPNsuhJb_i40aCSXIxDnANyTkDXD_frw6zbixV/s1600/house3_kitchen1after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rzQ7qcjv9-k37k8CIS9AglKIVQW0Ut1F9Opbcswo8tMqAQ8TGel78FCQfHPiHImZRVL-pwkbGhlp2An9uGLvXV8X9JGma-yyryzc74HPNsuhJb_i40aCSXIxDnANyTkDXD_frw6zbixV/s400/house3_kitchen1after.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>this was pre-wallpaper stripping when we moved in. We will be opening up that doorway and the wall above the sink</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEG80JDH0nUudJRai4tPkxg-tUaNo6T2lyBhRgdMZTo_Mr0vE34qfckhzDIPxIKlOuvkwciGwmC8YoA5bzSuw9lHSchg-F_oP0t4WyXf-oIJoebUaoOXWKb-z9TrtxFz-_R3wf49l3-o8/s1600/house3_kitchen5before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEG80JDH0nUudJRai4tPkxg-tUaNo6T2lyBhRgdMZTo_Mr0vE34qfckhzDIPxIKlOuvkwciGwmC8YoA5bzSuw9lHSchg-F_oP0t4WyXf-oIJoebUaoOXWKb-z9TrtxFz-_R3wf49l3-o8/s400/house3_kitchen5before.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>the stove will remain where it is. The fridge will move to about where the microwave is. We have a new microwave to go above the range.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQI8kVND1tO25UcxkPDpXoFboIvg8o-QnteYTO78EUdkpQKJf3Ob9gAelyZ8MKmp-Bw8e8_UZsm4RiUVHNdl1NJ2Js-g3wD03PYrqBJLLLZ92lYCXaF5MfdA6I1RNz1w8Kez1FD6BeEHky/s1600/house3_kitchen2after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQI8kVND1tO25UcxkPDpXoFboIvg8o-QnteYTO78EUdkpQKJf3Ob9gAelyZ8MKmp-Bw8e8_UZsm4RiUVHNdl1NJ2Js-g3wD03PYrqBJLLLZ92lYCXaF5MfdA6I1RNz1w8Kez1FD6BeEHky/s400/house3_kitchen2after.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Our eating area isn't changing much - just new paint, window treatments, and table (eventually). That doorway on the right will be opened up a little more</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOdw1DSgqNBtPP-jDfqWsQJCEiUTR7uxBPJ_6ouVyK1fq2rt1JOJurH8aTFPWyhENckj30lPJVVqCxgqKLrGweo7ljeArsS3x1r6dX6mYFIbwMtrFtxYLU2jolg3152ku46gaS9yGaIp0/s1600/house3_kitchen3after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOdw1DSgqNBtPP-jDfqWsQJCEiUTR7uxBPJ_6ouVyK1fq2rt1JOJurH8aTFPWyhENckj30lPJVVqCxgqKLrGweo7ljeArsS3x1r6dX6mYFIbwMtrFtxYLU2jolg3152ku46gaS9yGaIp0/s400/house3_kitchen3after.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZzv-u8iDOvGZNavkcDoO9cyzmzhTdR3JfwFTS38ovj_twPVR92EocnLjzmrEwK7smZxawoBeq_2Bexgp8NFNlSJf7spbXAvShUuXTLMrgfte-3oAt579bXC8O7fMxhupY4fzvTjwIDVT/s1600/house3_kitchen4after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZzv-u8iDOvGZNavkcDoO9cyzmzhTdR3JfwFTS38ovj_twPVR92EocnLjzmrEwK7smZxawoBeq_2Bexgp8NFNlSJf7spbXAvShUuXTLMrgfte-3oAt579bXC8O7fMxhupY4fzvTjwIDVT/s400/house3_kitchen4after.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the new design!! (courtesy of Lowes) Look at all the cabinets and counter space!!! I can't wait to bake in this kitchen!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAomS7Z2iup9YjI-Pa3jirkn681pnGsKe0C06NwwGg-5KRGpvi0StOw6EDW5cZZS8q_NKS532S_Z59QKvX7Ao5zzHabBDc6c63N2OXkkkPt8GT-JN25UITZSNzfmsbes5FUsGxTbSu2TJ/s1600/kitchendesign5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAomS7Z2iup9YjI-Pa3jirkn681pnGsKe0C06NwwGg-5KRGpvi0StOw6EDW5cZZS8q_NKS532S_Z59QKvX7Ao5zzHabBDc6c63N2OXkkkPt8GT-JN25UITZSNzfmsbes5FUsGxTbSu2TJ/s400/kitchendesign5.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQ2BAHzjOiXbsMQtHxsSE8BNeW4dC2fe_oKsRTwyZi6yB0ZMSj5eSZhQTh-X8owl4WxgicIKkvjykr10RAIZccdkEVV-q9a8nJe4ju6sjkCGFvQJlQzTfVa0iOtRfVh9xw8P7UuJscgqZ/s1600/kitchendesign4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQ2BAHzjOiXbsMQtHxsSE8BNeW4dC2fe_oKsRTwyZi6yB0ZMSj5eSZhQTh-X8owl4WxgicIKkvjykr10RAIZccdkEVV-q9a8nJe4ju6sjkCGFvQJlQzTfVa0iOtRfVh9xw8P7UuJscgqZ/s400/kitchendesign4.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><3</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-44238808628048910202011-02-28T11:15:00.000-05:002011-02-28T11:15:30.304-05:00kitchen cabinets and countertopsIn a very short amount of time, we've made decisions on the two biggest aspects to a kitchen renovation - cabinets and countertops. We found great deals that we just can't pass up (and luckily for me, MrT loves deals!). We're looking to order this week which will mean the project is officially underway!<br />
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Cabinets (not our house obviously) - Kraftmaid, maple cabinets, color = Chestnut<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_JlMupGg9GU65t6D-u03UM1kSHDaciXptD9RMpfltjOAOlHs5pvja6kmbkBlF0rtemmogovRd-gWFJc5d_eb66j8NIeMemnZ2cPD6Xvk_mesLDzoA2Kc4_NoJJYTQfassKQCPgxiPmDY/s1600/kitchen+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_JlMupGg9GU65t6D-u03UM1kSHDaciXptD9RMpfltjOAOlHs5pvja6kmbkBlF0rtemmogovRd-gWFJc5d_eb66j8NIeMemnZ2cPD6Xvk_mesLDzoA2Kc4_NoJJYTQfassKQCPgxiPmDY/s400/kitchen+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Countertops - Silestone, color = Kalahari<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyt1xfYtFG698w5H66TNOa-cJFhPFhI6Hn-kCzz0o__CH2TGUz2FmL95lBHjoxt85gdGezIOrKOZo76uOp4ZAddoiWrZDvKHYTe3shCQPDPaXlt_EmK_ZxRWNjNr1UPFADjSTmePUsYML/s1600/kitchen+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyt1xfYtFG698w5H66TNOa-cJFhPFhI6Hn-kCzz0o__CH2TGUz2FmL95lBHjoxt85gdGezIOrKOZo76uOp4ZAddoiWrZDvKHYTe3shCQPDPaXlt_EmK_ZxRWNjNr1UPFADjSTmePUsYML/s400/kitchen+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Things are looking good for a springtime renovation!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-72578963831654008292011-02-18T22:09:00.004-05:002011-02-20T18:22:20.860-05:00Reese's Peanut Butter Cup CookiesI might be in heaven. When Jenny over at <a href="http://picky-palate.com/2011/02/17/reeses-peanut-butter-cup-cookies-literally-2-ingredients/">The Picky Palate</a> said she had a recipe using Reese's PBCs and an egg, I thought, "how could this not be awesome??"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRecrxdk4ztGVtDHYlm33iDqdyyeMOuHFYDEOxBmAimnnLgDjf3PbtnuXYVkcgzP8Zov-sbM7mFPLNm7yu3XB0W34SfnzPO17C7W76BG5LdbiNOkCnWsIDZ8SrPK3IP57M3lqy_znoykKB/s1600/cookies+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRecrxdk4ztGVtDHYlm33iDqdyyeMOuHFYDEOxBmAimnnLgDjf3PbtnuXYVkcgzP8Zov-sbM7mFPLNm7yu3XB0W34SfnzPO17C7W76BG5LdbiNOkCnWsIDZ8SrPK3IP57M3lqy_znoykKB/s400/cookies+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I usually have to go to the store to buy ingredients for a recipe - for this one, I bought a little food processor (somehow, with all the gadgets we got for our wedding, a food processor was not one of them). I wasn't sure my hand mixer would work and there was no way I wasn't making these.<br />
<br />
These are so good and you really can't get much more simple than 2 ingredients! Stock up on Reese's PBCs (I used 30) and make sure you have an egg (I used a jumbo egg that seemed to get mistakenly packed within my carton of large eggs). Unwrap the Reese's, put them in the food processor, and process until finely chopped. Once all your Reese's are processed, add the egg. Since I bought a small (3-cup) food processor, I couldn't fit all the Reese's in there, so I did those in batches and then in a separate bowl, added the egg and mixed with my hand mixer.<br />
<br />
Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper and roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheets. Flatten with spatula to ½" thickness. Bake 15-17 minutes or until the edges start to firm up. Let cool on pan for 15 minutes before transferring to wire rack.<br />
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Then, pour a glass of milk and enjoy the deliciousness...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjcz8lH2IPILKFFK4CDhjnUUq_Olbx1-xBXQ6NhVRIngvZZnkyRWPGy5ttsZrfZmAieb-rRy-4hirxblG4jLQyGK-4OSmXgKAxGx0rohNHu9ZkWmaMCUXWjrbUpoHGmcXWaScVFmuMtge/s1600/cookies+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjcz8lH2IPILKFFK4CDhjnUUq_Olbx1-xBXQ6NhVRIngvZZnkyRWPGy5ttsZrfZmAieb-rRy-4hirxblG4jLQyGK-4OSmXgKAxGx0rohNHu9ZkWmaMCUXWjrbUpoHGmcXWaScVFmuMtge/s400/cookies+012.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-41320070433523137582011-02-16T20:48:00.000-05:002011-02-16T20:48:12.411-05:00and so it beginsthe kitchen renovation :)<br />
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okay, so it hasn't actually started yet, but the brainstorming/planning has! We're working on the layout and I'm starting to figure out cabinet styles and finishes. I got some samples from Kraftmaid and looking at them up against the paint color we're thinking of using. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO1-yAkEhASCvSGnosC5_nClORJEpxZBtlsEic8c0Bnca4m0BkhkZFR1UlcqHPOfSFH5XGVBvdYSl_3i81PMUFoZ0rDBoVU4r5nQsvw2t4tE5Lys4rZfVt1cRFeBqBS_I8Uqj8B_XiQJ1/s1600/kitchen+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO1-yAkEhASCvSGnosC5_nClORJEpxZBtlsEic8c0Bnca4m0BkhkZFR1UlcqHPOfSFH5XGVBvdYSl_3i81PMUFoZ0rDBoVU4r5nQsvw2t4tE5Lys4rZfVt1cRFeBqBS_I8Uqj8B_XiQJ1/s400/kitchen+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
so far I'm liking the first wood sample and the white. I really love the wood stain that's next to the white, but I think it's too dark for our space - our kitchen isn't open enough to pull of such a dark wood. I also browsed Lowes for the type of tile we have talked about using for the backsplash - so you can see that there too.<br />
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Even though we may still be a few months out from starting the actual work (depending on which one of us you talk to), I'm so excited this is finally our next project. It's been a long time coming!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-50626862277313601172011-02-13T22:57:00.001-05:002011-02-13T22:57:50.584-05:00Valentine's Day TreatI wanted to make some Valentine's Day treats and I had originally planned on making one of my go-to cookie recipes - <a href="http://mrsdlovestoeat.blogspot.com/2009/10/chocolate-chip-and-m-cookies.html">Chocolate Chip and M&M</a> - but with Valentine's M&Ms. Then I saw red velvet cake mix and decided something with that would be more fun! I know MrsD loves red velvet so I knew she'd have a recipe I could try and once again, she didn't disappoint!<br />
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<a href="http://mrsdlovestoeat.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-valentines-day.html">Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcepg7COJr_7LIc-HdKO9bbsOvdK0Rfp6IBiISACz6hLyE__uZlYPd4eGnJ9eYTUXre1AWad9vnzBZ0uBQ-oMF1vClS0biUjqK-57Jg32ogZiQKxyaEfU5K2BQ6-9kFwV7bTxDRj5oRrv/s1600/vday2011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcepg7COJr_7LIc-HdKO9bbsOvdK0Rfp6IBiISACz6hLyE__uZlYPd4eGnJ9eYTUXre1AWad9vnzBZ0uBQ-oMF1vClS0biUjqK-57Jg32ogZiQKxyaEfU5K2BQ6-9kFwV7bTxDRj5oRrv/s400/vday2011+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
<i>Cookies</i><br />
1 box Red Velvet Cake mix<i> </i>(I used Duncan Hines)<br />
2 eggs, room temperature<br />
1 stick of butter, room temperature<br />
<br />
<i>Cream Cheese Frosting Filling</i><br />
8 oz package cream cheese, cold<br />
<i> </i>1 stick butter, firm, but not cold<br />
3¼ C confectioners sugar, sifted<br />
½ tsp vanilla extract<br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
<i>Cookies</i><br />
Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Beat cake mix, butter, and eggs with electric mixer until combined. Roll dough into 1-1½ inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for a couple minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely<br />
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Makes about 24 cookies (12 sandwiches)<br />
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<i>Cream Cheese Frosting </i><br />
Beat together cream cheese and butter until just combined. Gradually add in sugar until just combined. Lastly, add in vanilla. Be careful not to over beat as the frosting will get too airy.<i> </i><br />
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<br />
To assemble, once the cookies are cooled completely, pair them by size and frost the flat side of one cookie generously. Take the other cookie and place the flat side to the frosting and gently press together so the frosting reaches the edges.<br />
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Then, enjoy!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-13617592733511220832011-01-23T10:29:00.001-05:002011-01-23T10:31:50.574-05:00Candy Bar Chocolate Chip CookiesI recently started following <a href="http://www.picky-palate.com/">The Picky Palate</a> and she posted a recipe for these cookies last week and I knew I had to make them. It's no secret that Reese's PBC are my favorite candy, so how could these cookies not be the most delicious cookies?! Luckily, I was not disappointed - these cookies are awesome (and huge!) and super easy to make.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedKcoxPeQvCq77ako6_fwSl0J6tSQwrFv62OEdqT1Ph3V_6qMtuH5b9mykfbgDS10swWvH9HjSmI8QLHUomeFwLKorIBpMwb7bNTyP674qPxRkiofSvUQRYl18mupZ_6N2CKfN7ej2MYG/s1600/kara+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedKcoxPeQvCq77ako6_fwSl0J6tSQwrFv62OEdqT1Ph3V_6qMtuH5b9mykfbgDS10swWvH9HjSmI8QLHUomeFwLKorIBpMwb7bNTyP674qPxRkiofSvUQRYl18mupZ_6N2CKfN7ej2MYG/s400/kara+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>pure heaven</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">2 sticks of butter, softened (I used margarine)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 C granulated sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">3/4 C light brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 large eggs</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 Tbsp pure vanilla </div><div style="text-align: left;">3½ c all purpose flour</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 tsp baking soda</div><div style="text-align: left;">½ tsp salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">10 oz bag of chocolate chips (I could only find 6 and 12 oz bags, so I just didn't use all of the 12oz bag. And I used milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet)</div><div style="text-align: left;">variety of fun sized candy bars (I used Reese's and Snickers)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. In a stand mixer, combine sugars and butter. Add eggs and vanilla.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix flour mixture into sugar mixture. At some point, you will have to mix by hand so as not to put a lot of strain on your mixer's motor. I got about 3/4 through adding the flour before I had to mix by hand. The batter will seem a little dry, but that's ok. Add in chocolate chips.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Using a cookie scoop (or spoon for those of us that don't have a cookie scoop), place one scoop on top of your candy bar and one scoop on bottom like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picky-palate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://picky-palate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>photo courtesy of The Picky Palate</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Seal the dough around the candy by pressing and shaping the dough until the candy bar is completely enclosed. Place onto cookie sheet and bake 9-13 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on pan for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Makes about 24 cookies (LARGE cookies)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One thing I would change is the size of the Reese's I used. I bought the small ones because I was worried about how big the cookie would be if I used a regular sized one, but next time I will definitely use regular sized ones (more peanut butter!), but the same amount of dough now that I know how easy it is to make these cookies exactly how you want them.<br />
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She also makes this recipe using Oreos instead of candy bars, those are on my list as well! </div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-34075456388498585102011-01-16T18:04:00.001-05:002011-01-16T18:06:43.776-05:00first house project of 2011After almost 3 years in our house, we are finally nearing the end of our major renovation projects. All we have left is the kitchen and the room next to it (we call it the breezeway) that will end up being a den/playroom area with a small mud "room" area as well.<br />
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The first step to this project was replacing the door from the garage. When we had our home inspection, one of the major things found was that the (former) door was not fire-rated (it was wood - so more like fire-inviting) and it also opened the wrong way (opened into the garage instead of into the house. this wasn't a concern of the inspector, just a pain to us).<br />
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MrT installed the new door yesterday and also rearranged/added some electrical work. There's now a new recessed light inside the door and the light switches have been moved to the other side of the door.<br />
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old door:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>you can see the (black) light switches on the left of the door </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>also notice the cardboard in the bottom left pane - the glass fell out quite a while ago and we've had cardboard there ever since - not really insulating or secure!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H6wByN9cNYNG_GErwcmzPsKZzz0SQeuLpsp-0E0GOTZfcZi1wSBS_CkkI_ny8w6JprkcuOmIP8Z2J70jM_bCaNflPT_EkH65_MrVsYUFNuLGyrYp-TVde1_xgy_mrHCdeJdoRf0r8C3J/s1600/breezeway+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H6wByN9cNYNG_GErwcmzPsKZzz0SQeuLpsp-0E0GOTZfcZi1wSBS_CkkI_ny8w6JprkcuOmIP8Z2J70jM_bCaNflPT_EkH65_MrVsYUFNuLGyrYp-TVde1_xgy_mrHCdeJdoRf0r8C3J/s400/breezeway+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xP4DcdjCHfncLyoczIzD8WiX_lZPQCYIqIdEDL1D6V0vkotIzgxxPsGqeCMrRbnpOEBQffziFsziJzIwPQkXeqRuXIBUojSQVmPmLF6UyFKlIz0vRvpiZ0T5B3HNp_fLrY6fHfDRbzfj/s1600/breezeway+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xP4DcdjCHfncLyoczIzD8WiX_lZPQCYIqIdEDL1D6V0vkotIzgxxPsGqeCMrRbnpOEBQffziFsziJzIwPQkXeqRuXIBUojSQVmPmLF6UyFKlIz0vRvpiZ0T5B3HNp_fLrY6fHfDRbzfj/s400/breezeway+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
new door:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>it now opens INTO the house and no more cardboard window panes. </i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL3u8ymqdGvSFmAArWZp909Bl3fezVaCq8NBInG25bEPBOE4SfI7WdATtj1jFE74W-4ovn5QqawDwm3NaqLej3AGUYugLBJ9GDyH0x9bzSimW1EFXQqFQlvqqsnjOkxFpZqqjSh5rSiVS/s1600/breezeway+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL3u8ymqdGvSFmAArWZp909Bl3fezVaCq8NBInG25bEPBOE4SfI7WdATtj1jFE74W-4ovn5QqawDwm3NaqLej3AGUYugLBJ9GDyH0x9bzSimW1EFXQqFQlvqqsnjOkxFpZqqjSh5rSiVS/s400/breezeway+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>here you can see the new light in the ceiling - there's a second one just out of sight by the windows - it's so bright there now!</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl6idqgRnG4xWDqXtW7kk4pmKGI1fsITkpmptL9dZbY5n3Um6kXzffDydc7D17YbHtf_u8-rRYlStO00S6vFXJHOKooITMlU0FJKl-yYn72DSKoiQUZbeFlXg0ZULICDY3nGYZDp12saq/s1600/breezeway+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl6idqgRnG4xWDqXtW7kk4pmKGI1fsITkpmptL9dZbY5n3Um6kXzffDydc7D17YbHtf_u8-rRYlStO00S6vFXJHOKooITMlU0FJKl-yYn72DSKoiQUZbeFlXg0ZULICDY3nGYZDp12saq/s400/breezeway+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Next up is knocking down the mini-closet (seen to the left of the door) and building a new closet. Not sure when MrT plans on doing that, but hopefully soon!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-10482553089762775212011-01-12T22:42:00.001-05:002011-01-12T22:43:14.233-05:00so much snowHappy 2011!<br />
<br />
Living in New England, we're accustomed to getting a lot of snow each winter. This winter has been no exception so far. Today we dealt with blizzard #2 of this winter (the first hit the day after Christmas). By the time we woke up this morning, we had probably 8 inches. By 10am when MrT went outside to clear the driveway, we had a foot and it was still coming down like crazy. It's stopped snowing, we have probably 18", and it's drifting all over the place.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzXeBaTsb0Sysg9Izn07QYU3OYZvLbpJFBuEAqd7MTTqm0nQniK1r6491iF2PKJreaYMHNfHTK35H3kKOsyMQ1yvw6_iHxAVk5TX46CZfpB328_jVBkv22gfU9EjFU3jNz2F9vc5xYDc8/s1600/winter10+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzXeBaTsb0Sysg9Izn07QYU3OYZvLbpJFBuEAqd7MTTqm0nQniK1r6491iF2PKJreaYMHNfHTK35H3kKOsyMQ1yvw6_iHxAVk5TX46CZfpB328_jVBkv22gfU9EjFU3jNz2F9vc5xYDc8/s400/winter10+066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-34902527774439596912010-12-27T12:14:00.003-05:002010-12-27T12:16:14.730-05:00Sugar CookiesThis is one of my favorite cookie recipes and it's so simple!<br />
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</b><br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
<div>2/3 cup butter, softened</div><div>3/4 cup sugar</div><div>1 tsp baking powder</div><div>1/4 tsp salt</div><div>1 egg</div><div>1 Tbsp milk</div><div>1 tsp vanilla</div><div>2 cups flour</div><div></div><div><br />
<b>Directions</b></div><div>1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.</div><div><br />
</div><div>2. Beat butter w/ electric mixer (I used my stand mixer) on high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla. Beat as much of the flour as you can w/ mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Cover and chill dough for at least 30 minutes.</div><div></div><div><br />
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll half the dough at a time until 1/4 inch thick. For best results, keep the half you're not working with in the refrigerator. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.</div><div></div><div><br />
4. Bake 16-18 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned (Add 3-4 minutes for insulated baking sheets). Transfer to a wire rack (or counter) and let cool. Let cool completely before frosting - I used <a href="http://www.coppergifts.com/cookie-cutters/pc/catalog/cg1-4878_300.jpg">Wilton Cookie Icing</a> that I found at Target.</div><div></div><div><br />
Enjoy! </div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-54649748390978288722010-12-26T21:02:00.001-05:002010-12-26T21:21:49.376-05:00Christmas FestivitiesInstead of doing multiple long posts to recap the last couple of weeks, I'm just going to do one really long post :)<br />
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Last weekend, all of the girls from Mr T's side of the family (aunts, cousins, cousins' wives, etc) were planning on taking his grandmother to the Rockette's Christmas Show that was showing in Boston. However, she had hip replacement surgery just before Thanksgiving and while she is doing very well, she wasn't up to going out for a night on the town. The rest of us went anyway and had a great time! We had dinner at a great family-style Italian restaurant and enjoyed the show (despite getting yelled at to stop taking pictures - we arrived as the show was starting and missed the announcement about no pictures - oops!)<br />
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The day after the show, Mr T and I hosted our annual holiday party - I don't have any pictures from it, but we had a wonderful time with our friends and family and I have many recipes to share!<br />
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Then, my favorite night of the year - Christmas Eve! Ever since Mr T and I have been dating, I've attended the T family Christmas Eve "Extravaganza" (as I've designated it). It is one of the two holidays that basically no one in the family misses (4th of July being the other). In all, 28 people gathered at his aunt's house for dinner, gifts, and quality time together. My love for this night as only grown since being privileged enough to experience this family gathering - I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful second family.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> my father-in-law</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33lnmsm-hpsbpSFljABgGsOSBcmVkJbjFbtSqnAc6LLmnwh0TtxUj2BUqiTh8YSAfmZG16Qlfr8KUSfz-9nbLjk81fDsRaeZlN3COAGhMdt5DZpNmvsq7EXPzrnaC6Kx8cULya3dpvK08/s1600/christmas10+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33lnmsm-hpsbpSFljABgGsOSBcmVkJbjFbtSqnAc6LLmnwh0TtxUj2BUqiTh8YSAfmZG16Qlfr8KUSfz-9nbLjk81fDsRaeZlN3COAGhMdt5DZpNmvsq7EXPzrnaC6Kx8cULya3dpvK08/s400/christmas10+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Mr T and his dad</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypAmRRLhiEqJpeJT8qOm-8ZEpRUWPzaiciu4mUwSasbL-_Ro4Af5511S7jhF-UGqVCqnbXGzzJCQ_mVOxXIAlruvHTfd4TmY6RwOfE5m0Y1pQAQXs6uml-EjLkjVZRg1_xLgr0Jn4i8g2/s1600/christmas10+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypAmRRLhiEqJpeJT8qOm-8ZEpRUWPzaiciu4mUwSasbL-_Ro4Af5511S7jhF-UGqVCqnbXGzzJCQ_mVOxXIAlruvHTfd4TmY6RwOfE5m0Y1pQAQXs6uml-EjLkjVZRg1_xLgr0Jn4i8g2/s400/christmas10+018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> The grab (basically a Yankee swap)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9B4pWor4GFzUFd4OPFzyKUkzRc-9Mi9YvBEaFyWs0ro9sq3QmkQveSdBVL_I0bj2UbCdSpCQRoGX1gte0jbpc4iAZRHTuKSlfbK5CvnpdHKSev3OLrAXbx-C4gq2SekvfGm8t3pOuthd/s1600/christmas10+031_flip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9B4pWor4GFzUFd4OPFzyKUkzRc-9Mi9YvBEaFyWs0ro9sq3QmkQveSdBVL_I0bj2UbCdSpCQRoGX1gte0jbpc4iAZRHTuKSlfbK5CvnpdHKSev3OLrAXbx-C4gq2SekvfGm8t3pOuthd/s400/christmas10+031_flip.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJkNWTZMReJTuZGfwCGTLk5q5g8CC4UYCNqnMjeOuwLTjDbUZojfZ24fyJZA5dgP6uMxDciH9_JzaGacQ7AJJFJK8HYZCXyy8lIsqFz1Nn0nigh9PPuQpK9hrfVwKsP0fL9b9FgReCyND/s1600/christmas10+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJkNWTZMReJTuZGfwCGTLk5q5g8CC4UYCNqnMjeOuwLTjDbUZojfZ24fyJZA5dgP6uMxDciH9_JzaGacQ7AJJFJK8HYZCXyy8lIsqFz1Nn0nigh9PPuQpK9hrfVwKsP0fL9b9FgReCyND/s400/christmas10+036.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
my brother-in-law and Santa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYagY3btaNpN8dhkvGCas4CMl32DB537TPW6x_1thf_0jW0EjivwFlWo-AWJ3svzL35N7LCe2vdUaVT74-Tc9neIXI_o13ioeSyMBeB6oEoreq4JjOxg8Vlxj76HBkLKipOgswiKU-EVs/s1600/christmas10+046_flip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYagY3btaNpN8dhkvGCas4CMl32DB537TPW6x_1thf_0jW0EjivwFlWo-AWJ3svzL35N7LCe2vdUaVT74-Tc9neIXI_o13ioeSyMBeB6oEoreq4JjOxg8Vlxj76HBkLKipOgswiKU-EVs/s400/christmas10+046_flip.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">family love - the "kids" and great aunt G</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YY8_MVxf9V8_mcIU8qhek5AxMTZCPAGy3ve42O5tR1IdENXQZORIyP2bXmTve37QBQQUOjz12a80CsGdM_7_pQTRNjES4yfnw9L_Afhd2vFRZFdh38ar6UdwNTdpmTiyMGYEurkhsuzk/s1600/christmas10+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YY8_MVxf9V8_mcIU8qhek5AxMTZCPAGy3ve42O5tR1IdENXQZORIyP2bXmTve37QBQQUOjz12a80CsGdM_7_pQTRNjES4yfnw9L_Afhd2vFRZFdh38ar6UdwNTdpmTiyMGYEurkhsuzk/s400/christmas10+076.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">And last but not least, Christmas Day! Mr T and I spent the morning opening our gifts to each other and getting ready to host our parents, my sister, and Mr T's brother for dinner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Mr T and the beer-brewing kit I gave him </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2-hY2_XfyBlg9svPy8O4ynayxGXFtEAKyiZRzqZGPxcd8ohJP6SQlcif2i37_V6Ktfmyi7FjC1TZG5af12MFDukfDUKj5WSgB430IDnbvUlcAf3jZ9_fNbIFHf4-8mN5Nn0gM-iJIF0M/s1600/christmas10+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2-hY2_XfyBlg9svPy8O4ynayxGXFtEAKyiZRzqZGPxcd8ohJP6SQlcif2i37_V6Ktfmyi7FjC1TZG5af12MFDukfDUKj5WSgB430IDnbvUlcAf3jZ9_fNbIFHf4-8mN5Nn0gM-iJIF0M/s400/christmas10+054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">he got me the Kinect for our XBox - this thing is awesome </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsf_TmLNC5-vY_65RSSfzd6dpNNBKFuQHAMUUmbK_PkW4Qs_0TBFbvHNa7l0pflsZWfY0fB8UOJfcUZH_JzechmtFMMDdQX0E5hjfdLD-dItqGR5IOgLyWn6lvCjTUqvc7_cBEbPrygeY/s1600/christmas10+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsf_TmLNC5-vY_65RSSfzd6dpNNBKFuQHAMUUmbK_PkW4Qs_0TBFbvHNa7l0pflsZWfY0fB8UOJfcUZH_JzechmtFMMDdQX0E5hjfdLD-dItqGR5IOgLyWn6lvCjTUqvc7_cBEbPrygeY/s400/christmas10+058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">playing with the Kinect - who says you can't get toys when you're a grown up?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVmLT1Kml1ALnJxOzfDEw5aePHxu1SjXr2gBtrd-hdesnPY9sQtyD_ABMjNULbY4K1_H_wExyLwwsyElTSs9ecx4zZkNPh944h64f13j4u4WI95kZSNsAdHzpCy9oJ-h21XFrMKvurx7r/s1600/christmas10+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVmLT1Kml1ALnJxOzfDEw5aePHxu1SjXr2gBtrd-hdesnPY9sQtyD_ABMjNULbY4K1_H_wExyLwwsyElTSs9ecx4zZkNPh944h64f13j4u4WI95kZSNsAdHzpCy9oJ-h21XFrMKvurx7r/s400/christmas10+063.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sox and me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZlVf4Fn-MFSzOSjt3FRbjX6rHOYB-HpkXfRLnSocq7WISZIqrOuX3TEa6-Kns2yPRXFcQGOZRLujlEkn3GiWRG4w1HYxQhi0dgtqJA6kkaDNb4zXRHHOKuVqBx_ghYWRpzsoRoI9ArOz/s1600/christmas10+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZlVf4Fn-MFSzOSjt3FRbjX6rHOYB-HpkXfRLnSocq7WISZIqrOuX3TEa6-Kns2yPRXFcQGOZRLujlEkn3GiWRG4w1HYxQhi0dgtqJA6kkaDNb4zXRHHOKuVqBx_ghYWRpzsoRoI9ArOz/s400/christmas10+062.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Sox tired from the morning gift-opening</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim538kEHKrcUAsNBkjU2pWjzNKCdo_WvCkUnoekun4sE3hRxrSgkiFs_pGFXnVs6pg9E8wYBply6Pkpho3haqFFJJezIT3MwyJoYHPew7DtghJ9OindxTKw_1ZY3yDAfCBub-uaXje3Igm/s1600/christmas10+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim538kEHKrcUAsNBkjU2pWjzNKCdo_WvCkUnoekun4sE3hRxrSgkiFs_pGFXnVs6pg9E8wYBply6Pkpho3haqFFJJezIT3MwyJoYHPew7DtghJ9OindxTKw_1ZY3yDAfCBub-uaXje3Igm/s400/christmas10+065.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">my mom, sister, and parents' dog, Lucy </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKVrZr4HI0MMo3ZAfy5EGHdkMiVaQz8tD2u3IUF3o1czvBAL5JdB68zIKiUj0qIpJH0KCDc9RjG3Ea7Cu6thM7znKnqVUbndtY9cYOgUSX5UdIldOyOxadWnPyc8XUQIb79M-S6HD9lm0/s1600/christmas10+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKVrZr4HI0MMo3ZAfy5EGHdkMiVaQz8tD2u3IUF3o1czvBAL5JdB68zIKiUj0qIpJH0KCDc9RjG3Ea7Cu6thM7znKnqVUbndtY9cYOgUSX5UdIldOyOxadWnPyc8XUQIb79M-S6HD9lm0/s400/christmas10+067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">my dad and his baby girl </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAXXmUccHkhc1AQ8GmEEgf_GaBxsktOIX0eCu9tA6xdbxE3dlEoAKdlZSkKMCO6MJANdXdIK2GNXw-tPeZpM1hJu0kmUJZWdhTh2XgK3OUGC-ahOB2GWCGlTpt08G5Ze_jMHWrtQhEYSD/s1600/christmas10+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAXXmUccHkhc1AQ8GmEEgf_GaBxsktOIX0eCu9tA6xdbxE3dlEoAKdlZSkKMCO6MJANdXdIK2GNXw-tPeZpM1hJu0kmUJZWdhTh2XgK3OUGC-ahOB2GWCGlTpt08G5Ze_jMHWrtQhEYSD/s400/christmas10+068.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lucy and my mother-in-law</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiasYquicZhjwcI5yWM0iGXA4aTrlv_5oWnjyRm2b2DL5AOzxXA3SJt0BU_rVqmGk1-FFWPhrbQvNJXX2hdD2OlnrMvPa0_Sx1FCOZJfWpqjmE6EgqgjjRIYBtbgNmmE5DwAlG0thefQS/s1600/christmas10+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiasYquicZhjwcI5yWM0iGXA4aTrlv_5oWnjyRm2b2DL5AOzxXA3SJt0BU_rVqmGk1-FFWPhrbQvNJXX2hdD2OlnrMvPa0_Sx1FCOZJfWpqjmE6EgqgjjRIYBtbgNmmE5DwAlG0thefQS/s400/christmas10+069.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We actually have one more day of festivities awaiting us - our Christmas with Mr T's parents, brother, sister and brother-in-law. But we're in the midst of a blizzard (12-18" expected by tomorrow morning!) so we postponed our get-together until next weekend. Instead, I'm curled up on the couch, in front of a roaring fire and the NCIS marathon on TV, hoping we don't lose power!</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-61193573792429770242010-12-23T10:43:00.000-05:002010-12-23T10:43:25.915-05:00Happy Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1EDdv5GQ32q7wBadYyNxa5n__h9jaNruhlPISbB4jGEIWWKunLMzXQuIESaH3MVLUUDXmWnw4sk1M-ch7-YCHbfGEAqgmTvhvZisA5HQ_wgXFbpgux_vZy2YSGlEM-wuOtyVEqU3tYnr/s1600/winter10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1EDdv5GQ32q7wBadYyNxa5n__h9jaNruhlPISbB4jGEIWWKunLMzXQuIESaH3MVLUUDXmWnw4sk1M-ch7-YCHbfGEAqgmTvhvZisA5HQ_wgXFbpgux_vZy2YSGlEM-wuOtyVEqU3tYnr/s400/winter10.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
hopefully I'll start blogging more regularly in 2011! I have a lot to post from the last 2 months!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-88284432748432812152010-10-31T17:52:00.000-04:002010-10-31T17:52:27.233-04:00Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough BrowniesLast, but certainly not least, my favorite product from this weekend's baking extravaganza...the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies! Another winner from my good friend <a href="http://mrsdlovestoeat.blogspot.com/2009/05/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-brownies.html">MrsD</a>!<br />
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Her recipe includes the from-scratch versions, I cheated a little and made the brownies from my favorite boxed mix, but I did make the cookie dough from scratch. I have no pictures of my finished product - I cut them up and put them away before I remembered the camera, so I'm borrowing MrsD's image<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXmu6n62WVaPI9Pq7iYrdNghzhRZXdega3Jh26bwfDpx100ilOvOwx9ud1pj2c1FovDMXjxSTFPCGPVw7l5V7XEFdlB7jHQIR1DIaKQZm1sK4tmHLUxYT2ScxFVhWUELfqvDI_hhAmFb7/s400/P1010046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXmu6n62WVaPI9Pq7iYrdNghzhRZXdega3Jh26bwfDpx100ilOvOwx9ud1pj2c1FovDMXjxSTFPCGPVw7l5V7XEFdlB7jHQIR1DIaKQZm1sK4tmHLUxYT2ScxFVhWUELfqvDI_hhAmFb7/s400/P1010046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I also didn't make the ganache for the top - I'm not really a fan of chocolate frostings, and I didn't want to ruin these for myself!<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
<br />
<i>For the brownie part</i>: <br />
1 box of your favorite brownie mix + whatever you need to make the mix as directed<br />
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<i>For the cookie part</i>:<br />
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour<br />
½ teaspoon baking soda<br />
½ teaspoon salt<br />
½ cup butter, softened<br />
¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar<br />
¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar<br />
½ teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
1 large egg<br />
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels (I used mini-morsels)<br />
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Directions<br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 inch pan.<br />
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2. Prepare brownie batter as directed on box. Pour batter into greased pan.<br />
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3. For the cookies, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl and set aside. In separate large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add egg and mix well. Gradually add in flour mixture. Fold in chocolate chips by hand.<br />
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4. Drop by spoonfuls into brownie batter, pressing down lightly on the dough.<br />
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5. Bake 35-40 minutes. Let cool in pan for about 1 hour.<br />
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And even though I didn't use it, I wanted to include the recipe for the chocolate ganache in case you want it:<br />
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<em>For the ganache:</em>1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels<br />
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream<br />
6 Tbsp. butter <br />
In a small saucepan, heat cream and butter until just before the boiling stage. Pour over the chocolate morsels. Let stand for about 20 seconds, then stir until smooth. Pour over the brownies, and smooth to cover completely. Let set before cutting. (This takes a crazy long time, but make sure to wait before cutting into them. I usually let them sit overnight, then cut them in the morning.) Cut into small pieces and enjoy!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-49092635617147860402010-10-31T17:38:00.001-04:002010-10-31T17:39:10.648-04:00Banana Oatmeal CookiesI had been talking to one of my friends at work about how I was planning on baking all weekend and his request was "oatmeal!". I wanted to try some new stuff, so I went in search of another cookie that has oatmeal, but something different than your usual oatmeal raisin cookies. I found this recipe and couldn't wait to try it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jP1lJBsb0Px8WNPaHOEXMGDTrjLKqyNDQGAasJYUcHQ46kCjE7BfJ3KUxH5yiCSvj6gxjzRIq8ujEZeYh6ZyFf6vy4YYuIYhUbcVZ-FUcYc7VBU-9GuJeD6NlZvjL357MxsYg-yOtPXY/s1600/103110+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jP1lJBsb0Px8WNPaHOEXMGDTrjLKqyNDQGAasJYUcHQ46kCjE7BfJ3KUxH5yiCSvj6gxjzRIq8ujEZeYh6ZyFf6vy4YYuIYhUbcVZ-FUcYc7VBU-9GuJeD6NlZvjL357MxsYg-yOtPXY/s400/103110+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
3/4 C shortening<br />
1 C packed brown sugar<br />
1 egg<br />
½ C mashed ripe bananas (~2 bananas)<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract <br />
1 C all purpose flour<br />
½ tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
¼ tsp ground cloves<br />
3 C oats (I used old-fashioned)<br />
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<b>Directions</b><br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets<br />
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2. In large bowl, cream together shortening and brown sugar. Beat in egg, banana, and vanilla<br />
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3. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Gradually mix into banana mixture. Fold in oats by hand.<br />
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4. Drop spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes (add 3-5 minutes if using insulated baking sheets). Cool on pan for ~5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool comletely.<br />
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Makes 3 dozen cookies.<br />
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Adapted from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Oatmeal-Cookies-II/Detail.aspx">AllRecipes</a>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-44490417719537770732010-10-31T17:27:00.002-04:002010-10-31T17:29:52.410-04:00Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese FrostingSticking with the pumpkin theme, I found this recipe online and made a couple of changes to it. I made the same cream cheese frosting that I had for the <a href="http://lifewithmrst.blogspot.com/2010/09/banana-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese.html">Banana Cupcakes</a>.<br />
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I'll admit that I have no idea how these taste - my coworkers are my taste-testers when it comes to pumpkin recipes. But they came out exactly as I'd hoped texture-wise and they smell amazing, so I'm guessing they're good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvazQjP4j7F3WDAKEXA0RG7H1POurhEmiu5i7wo-yH93_M5dbHIug_QN5HvX-sGLfM3R56qzCe6B14vqCWX5u9OmVuiVH-0zVunYOvuBUvNXRXtv0BG6t4aqHcFbKvigwWrLlX1IpHZv3G/s1600/103110+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvazQjP4j7F3WDAKEXA0RG7H1POurhEmiu5i7wo-yH93_M5dbHIug_QN5HvX-sGLfM3R56qzCe6B14vqCWX5u9OmVuiVH-0zVunYOvuBUvNXRXtv0BG6t4aqHcFbKvigwWrLlX1IpHZv3G/s400/103110+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
3 eggs<br />
2/3 C vegetable oil<br />
3/4 C white granulated sugar<br />
1 15oz can pumpkin puree<br />
2 C all purpose flour<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
½ tsp baking soda<br />
2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
1 tsp ground cloves<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
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<b>Directions</b><br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
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2. In large bowl, mix eggs, oil, sugar, and pumpkin. In separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.<br />
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3. Gradually add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture until combined.<br />
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4. Spread batter evenly into ungreased 10x15 inch jelly roll pan.<br />
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5. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.<br />
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Makes 2 dozen bars.<br />
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Adapted from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pauls-Pumpkin-Bars/Detail.aspx">AllRecipes </a>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-90377705425012237732010-10-31T14:03:00.001-04:002010-10-31T17:29:07.354-04:00Pumpkin Chocolate Chip CookiesI've been a slacker with blogging lately, but I have 4 new recipes to make it up to you.<br />
After the success of my <a href="http://lifewithmrst.blogspot.com/2010/09/downeast-maine-pumpkin-bread.html">pumpkin bread</a>, I started gathering more pumpkin recipes to try out. I came across this <a href="http://mrsdlovestoeat.blogspot.com/2009/11/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies.html">Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie</a> recipe on my friend, MrsD's blog and it could not have been more perfect! I've made 3 batches in the last 2 weeks - they're so easy and everyone l.o.v.e.s. them. I've actually had coworkers ask me if I put drugs in them (but no worries, these cookies are drug free!). The only addition I made was a teaspoon of ground cloves.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtQozGemnrmgOU-MpaTDMns46Fdt5FEP_n5_j5KbWU3acUe0tg9gRzUXPj_mh1wsbBeJp5C8uJFhx-0zOCsQZN8lC65E0ot5gA8lk1V3Pb4tKX9cglW_ofQeqfXRzo_SrWBembxoJkIeD/s1600/103110+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtQozGemnrmgOU-MpaTDMns46Fdt5FEP_n5_j5KbWU3acUe0tg9gRzUXPj_mh1wsbBeJp5C8uJFhx-0zOCsQZN8lC65E0ot5gA8lk1V3Pb4tKX9cglW_ofQeqfXRzo_SrWBembxoJkIeD/s400/103110+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
1 C canned pumpkin puree<br />
1 C white granulated sugar<br />
½ C vegetable oil<br />
1 egg<br />
2 C all-purpose flour<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
1 tsp ground cloves<br />
½ tsp salt<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp milk<br />
1 Tbsp vanilla extract<br />
2 C chocolate chips (1 12oz pkg)<br />
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<b>Directions</b><br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
<br />
<b> </b>2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves. In a separate, large bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg.<br />
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3. Dissolve baking soda with milk and add to pumpkin mixture.<br />
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4. Gradually add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture. Mix well. Then add in vanilla and chocolate chips<br />
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5. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until light brown and firm (add 3-5 minutes for insulated cookie sheets). Let cool on pan for 2 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.<br />
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Makes 3 dozen cookiesKarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-44627418491120705742010-09-28T09:15:00.001-04:002010-09-28T09:16:29.153-04:002 years ago today...I married my high school sweetheart <img alt="heart.gif" border="0" mce_src="http://www.sparkimg.com/emoticons/heart.gif" src="http://www.sparkimg.com/emoticons/heart.gif" /><br />
Today is also the 8 year anniversary of our first date<br />
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And ironically enough, the weather today is like the weather on our wedding day.<br />
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A quick look back...<br />
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8 years ago...first day of senior year of high school - a couple weeks before we started dating<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="n9308603_30597771_1724.jpg" border="0" mce_src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/kmd288/n9308603_30597771_1724.jpg" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/kmd288/n9308603_30597771_1724.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
2 years ago...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="wedding-formal2.jpg" border="0" height="400" mce_src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/kmd288/wedding-formal2.jpg" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/kmd288/wedding-formal2.jpg" width="267" /></div><br />
Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband!!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16625539947927816105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102712664449090046.post-43928877939356266622010-09-25T17:48:00.000-04:002010-09-25T17:48:55.814-04:00family room carpetas promised (and a little late), pictures of our family room put back together with the new carpet<br />
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