Use the grill, the, the, the grill!

As with most, this post is long overdue.  The weather was gorgeous a few weeks back and so Eric cooked a wonderful meal.

That's venison wrapped in steak. Wonderful having a husband who hunts.

I wanted to make a summery dessert to go with our summery meal. I chose Angel-food with strawberries.  I used  a box to make the cake.  To get the strawberries nice and juicy, I cut them up, microwaved them for just a few seconds and then stirred in some sugar.

I got these cute little guys in the clearance aisle at Target years ago.  This was my first time using them and they worked great!  We also ended up with two good sized loaves as well.  I didn't realize how much Angel-food Cake expands.

What's a meal you enjoy during the summer?

Crocheted Valentine's Box

I can't believe I didn't blog about this!  A Pinterest project that is not a recipe! :)

I had a lot of fun making this Valentine's Chocolate Box.  It was a pretty simple pattern to follow and it was fun making the chocolates unique.  I made it for Montessori work for the toddlers to celebrate Valentine's day.  They enjoyed practicing in and out with the pieces and since it was crocheted we didn't have to worry about it being put in mouths or ripped.  Since I wanted it to be washable, I didn't put in the cardboard.  I also made the lid a single layer.

Crocheted Valentine's Chocolates

Original Pin     Pattern From: Fave Crafts

I thought there needed to be an oval chocolate so I made a pattern for one.  I've never written a pattern like this before.  I wrote it while making the first oval then followed it to make the second and it worked out.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture but you can see it in the box.

Oval Chocolates
(Make 1 CA with CF flower and CC leaves; 1 CF with CB flower; 1 CA with CB chain st tic tac toe embroidery)

1. With main color, ch 2.
2. Rnd 1: 6 Sc in 2nd ch from hook; do not join but work in continuous rnds.
3. Rnd 2: 2 Sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
4. Rnd 3: 3 Sc in next 3 sc, (hdc, dc, tr) in next sc, (dc, hdc) in next sc, 4 sc in next sc in next sc, (hdc, dc, tr) in next sc, (dc, hdc) in next sc, sc in next sc – 18 sc.
5. Rnd 4: Sc in back lps only of each sc around.
6. Rnds 5-6: Sc in both lps of each sc around.
7. Rnd 7: Sc in next 4 sc, dec over next 3 sc, Sc in next 6 sc, dec over next  sc, sc in next 2 sc – 14 sc. Stuff lightly.
8. Rnd 9: [Dec over next 2 sc] 7 times. Fasten off leaving a 6” end. Weave end through rem sc and draw up firmly; fasten securely.
9. Bottom Edge: Join main color to rem lps of Rnd 4; sl st in each lp around. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

You can find other fun things to crochet on my "I use a hook" or "General Adorableness" boards.

Cadbury Egg Cookie Cake Bars

"Attention! Attention!" said Ms. Eggard to begin the third annual meeting of the order of Cadbury Eggs (they meet once a year to celebrate the wonderfulness that is a Cadbury Egg).  Everyone found their seats and settled in waiting for the meeting to begin.

"Thank you everyone for joining us today. We are excited to see some new faces in the crowd. Before we officially begin, I need to bring something to your attention.  It appears that this year, our dearly loved Cadbury eggs have begun to meet with rather unfortunate ends.  Instead of enjoying the eggs whole, people are chopping them up, melting them or creating their own! It's rather disturbing." Looking around the room, she made eye contact with several people but noticed others quickly glanced away as her eyes scanned by them.  Taking a deep breath she said, "However, I must admit, some of the results are rather...delicious." Frenzy whispers were heard in the room.  While some looked shocked others looked relieved.  

Cadbury Egg Cookie Cake Bars

Original Pin     Recipe From: Picky Palate

A friend at work loves Cadbury Eggs so I made these for her birthday.  Then I had to make them again for another friends birthday because the were amazing!  You get a soft, cookie like texture but the Eggs turn into something akin to caramel. Yum!

Makes 12-16 bars

Gather:

• 1 stick/1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 5 Cadbury Eggs, chopped

Make it:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with foil that’s been sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Place butter, cake mix, egg, oil and chocolate chips into a large mixing bowl, stirring to combine into dough. 
3. Gently stir in chopped Cadbury Eggs to combine. 
4. Transfer dough to prepared baking dish and press evenly. 
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until baked through. Let cool for 30 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!

Hints: 

• As you chop up the Cadbury Eggs, spread them out on the cutting board so they don't clump together.
• Divide the chopped up eggs in half and place on half onto the pan before spreading the dough, that way, the eggs are spread more evenly.
• It's not easy to spread the dough - the second time I put it in dollops around the pan and that made it a little easier.

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta and Carrabba's Dipping Spices

We just moved and things are busy.  I have blog ideas come to mind, but just haven't taken the time to sit down and write them out.  Still trying to figure out this whole blogging thing and what I want to do with my little spot of the internet.

For now, here's a restaurant quality pasta dinner.

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta

Original Pin   Recipe from: Cassie Craves 

This pasta was amazing!  One that will definitely be made again.  I followed the recipe exactly.  It took quite a bit of time to make since you have to cook the bacon then the chicken but totally worth it.  I did  completely ruin the first batch of bacon. In all fairness, it was only my second attempt at cooking bacon...for some reason bacon has always made me nervous.  However I may have used a skillet with grills. Just a head's up, bacon needs a flat surface to cook evenly.  Lesson learned.

Carrabba’s Bread Dipping Spices

Original Pin   Recipe from: Macaroni and Cheesecake

The spices were just like what you would have at a nice Italian restaurant.  I left out the oil and lemon juice that was supposed to be mixed into the spices. Next time, I'll leave the garlic out and mix just the dry spices so I can keep them longer.  I will probably make a bigger batch too so we can just spoon out what we want and add garlic and the oil.

Crab-Filled Crescent Wantons with Beef Stir Fry

Normally, I'm terrible with timing in the kitchen but I was able to work it out perfectly with this meal.  I pre-cut all of my veggies and meat, made the wontons and while they were in the oven, made the rice in our new microwave rice cooker and started the stir-fry.  The wantons and rice finished first and cooled just enough by the time the stir-fry was done.  I was rather proud of myself.

Crab-Filled Crescent Wantons

Original Pin   Recipe from: Krista's Kitchen

These were simple to put together and tasty!

Hints:

• Use a pizza roller to cut the crescent rolls
• Next time, I will probably make fewer and make them larger (it made a lot)
• After making the squares initially, I would flatten each square a little bit more individually

Flavorful Beef Stir-Fry

This is a recipe my mom has been making for years.

With the fresh vegetables and the sauce that the meat released, this was amazing!  We will definitely be making this again.

Gather:

• 2 T Cornstarch
• 2 t Sugar
• 6T Soy Sauce
• 1/4 c. Water
• 1 lb steak, cut in strips
• 3 c. Broccoli
• 2 med carrots; thinly sliced
• 2 T Chopped Onion
• 2 T Vegetable oil, divided

Make:

• In a bowl, combine cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, and water until smooth.
• Add beef and toss to coat; set aside.
• In a large skillet, stir fry vegetables in 1 T oil.  Cover and simmer for 4 min; remove and keep warm.  
• In the same skillet, stir fry beef in remaining oil until meat reaches desired doneness.  
• Return vegetables to pan; toss.  Serve over rice.

Peanut Butter Cups (in a snow storm!)

We were told there was another storm a-comin'.  So while everyone else in Target was clearing out all the milk, cheese, eggs and bread; I went for the much more practical items - Marshmallows, Graham Crackers and Chocolate Chips.  Yep, just the essentials, folks!  But I had a purpose in mind.  This weather is perfect for s'mores (hence the Graham Crackers and Marshmallows).  However, I also had found a recipe on Pinterest that I just had to try which required the Graham Crackers and Chocolate Chips.  They also gave me an excuse to purchase these little lovelies...

and with the 50% percent off coupon, it meant storm or no storm (which at the time it was no storm), I was going to Michael's!

While the pizza was baking, I tossed together some amazing no bake peanut butter cups.  These things are incredible!

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cups

Original Pin     Recipe from: Blue Eyed Bakers

Hints:

• I used three full graham crackers to the get the 3/4 cup needed
• They probably would have cooled faster in paper cups. We ate the first ones with spoons because we were impatient, but they popped out better once they were thoroughly chilled.
• Make the peanut butter and chocolate mixes in large, microwave safe measuring cups so instead of having to scoop, you can just pour.  So much easier!  
• Use a food processor (love that thing!) to crush up the graham crackers.  It takes between 3-4 crackers to make 3/4 cups
• Makes 8 large cups or 24 miniature and two large cups with the recipe

Eric was super happy I decided to do a little non-baking.  You should totally make them!  They barely took any time at all and were worth the time it took in the fridge.

Well, since we're moving this weekend, I should probably get to packing.  Hope you're staying warm and enjoying something sweet yourself!

A little bit of joyfulness

Here are some things that have brought me some happiness recently...

A metal yarn needle that is making flower making go much more quickly

My mom and I went antique/flea market shopping last weekend and it was so much fun!  We went to our first estate sale and have already decided we need to go to more.  I came up with some great finds.  There's this awesome frame that I have a plan for, a music magazine (plan to use the sheet music inside), a fun old magazine that has lots of different advertisements and this amazing entry way furniture for our new home!  

Can't wait to get this in our new place!

Eric and I went to the Plaza the day before Valentine's day and I saw these at Pottery Barn.  I don't know what I'm going to do with them yet, but I got four boxes for the price of one! Love a great deal!

I scored an additional 25% off coupon for Michael's and I can never pass those up.  I picked up this jewelry organizer and ring holder as my jewelry was out of control and I've been looking for something to help control the chaos for a while.  The organizer was 70% off and the ring holder was 30% off so I got both pieces for less than the price of one. :)

Before

After