December 8, 2017

carb weekend

In Indianapolis Carb Day is something entirely differently than how I'm defining it. I'm talking about Christmas Baking and Candy-Making Weekend 2017 BECAUSE BAKED GOODS ARE LIFE.

They're sugar and buttah and vanilla and flour and peanut butter and ginger and molasses and powdered sugar and chocolate and salt and all kinds of happiness mixed together with some love. I freaking love homemade treats and more than I love eating them, I looooooove feeding other people.

For the first year in several, I'm going it alone. My dear friend, Kate, has abandoned me for motherhood. But oh, that boy is so worth her abandoning me. Adorable. And she's a mama! [I'll show you pictures of their sweet family once everything is final. I can't wait!]

I had to make my own game plan this year:

1. Momlene's Sugar Cookies because they were such a hit last year. [If you don't have a favorite sugar cookie recipe, you should try this one. I'm going to do a slight variation on this decorator's buttercream to frost them.]
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2. Molasses Ginger Cookies because they're my fave.
**NO PICTURE?!?!? 🤷🏼‍♀️ WHO AM I???**

3. Slow Cooker Peanut Clusters because they're easy and delicious [I'm going to try some with marshmallows to experiment mimicking one of my favorite candies: Chocolate Charlie].
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4. Buckeyes because peanut butter and chocolate belong together. ❤️❤️❤️
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5. Caramels + sea salt because OBVS. [My only recipe change here is heavy whipping cream instead of half-and-half.]
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I'll link to recipes, but does anyone want to see something live? Or one of those picture things I do on InstaStories step by step? Do you like that or do you just like me enough to humor me? I think you're nice.


I just bought six pounds of butter and it's coming to room temperature on my counter.
😍😍😍😍😍😍

It's about to get real over here on the south side of Indianapolis.

Also, I'm making a vat of potato soup. Just come over.





December 1, 2017

sleeping arrangements

I went on vacation a few weeks ago. For the first time since August 24 I left Great Dame Judi with another person.

There's this meme I've seen lately about dog lovers vs dog parents.
I'm more on the left image of the picture. BUT I MISSED JUDI MORE THAN I THOUGHT I WOULD. Am I a right side dog parent? Is there a middle ground?
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Judi stayed with Lauren [a friend from work] and got to be with two other dogs and humans 24-7 while I was away. SHE FREAKING LOVED IT.

AND LAUREN LET JUDI SLEEP IN HER BED.

I've been very strict on the no bed -- much more lax on the you don't get to be up on the couch -- but Judi is a big girl [I think we're up to about 125#] and I sleep in a full size bed.

Judi came home and we had our usual nighttime routine. I get ready for bed. She paces some and then lays down in her bed that's in my room. Except then she started whining a little and bumping my bed and then she left. She went and slept in the other room because she was mad at me. You know what I did the next night? I patted the mattress next to me and she hopped up and snuggled in. OF COURSE I DID BECAUSE I AM A SUCKER.
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I've been sleeping on about 12" of mattress space as Dame Judi sprawls on my right and Pawblo attempts to sleep anywhere [preferably my head, but NO] where he's not touching her.

Is this my life now?
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*sigh*


November 9, 2017

coffee creamer

Remember when blogging was just writing about your life? People actually keeping mostly a journal of thoughts and happenings and maybe their friends read it once in a blue moon?

[If you don't remember please feel free to visit the archives located at the bottom of the page. ]


Then it became this super polished, page-view driven, ad clicks content that is shiny and flawless. AND CONSTANT. So, I sometimes feel intimidated, but I'm going to get over it, suck it up, and talk about whatever gets my fingers typing. Today I'm going to talk about coffee creamer. Because I'm totally relevant.

I woke up early this morning, [night shift problems, when I'm off and I let myself sleep whenever I want to I wake up at bizzare hours -- hello 4:36am] made coffee, and sat down to eat a pumpkin muffin.
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A few years ago I taught myself to drink black coffee. If you knew 2010 Amy, you know that lady liked her coffee about 50% sugar + milk. I slowly weaned myself off the coffee sugar, and I've been 100% black coffee only for the past 5 years. I'm not saying that I weaned myself off of any other sugars because Baked Goods are Life.

Lately though? I WANT ALL THE HAZELNUT FLAVORED CREAMER. Why? Why hazelnut? What is this bizarre craving my tongue apparently desires more than distinguishing between the flavor compounds of a deliciously roasted bean?

I don't know.

I'm just rolling with it.

My very most favorite creamer in all the lands is incredibly hard to find. If I told you that I have gone to multiple grocery/big box/amazon stores to find it would you judge me? BECAUSE YOU SHOULD. If you ever see the Califa Farms Hazelnut coffee creamer, do your girl [me] a solid and pick up 5. I'll venmo you.

Today I'm having some generic organic Kroger creamer. I'm not sad. It goes perfectly with my cream cheese filled pumpkin muffin full of all the warm spices my fall heart desires.
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What are you drinking? What bizarre cravings are you having? WHERE DO YOU FIND THE CALIFA FARMS CREAMER IN A STORE?



If you want to make these pumpkin muffins [I've made them like this at least 5 times and they're soooooo good] take this pumpkin cream cheese muffin recipe and stop before you put the topping on; then make the topping from these pumpkin muffins and double it because baked good crunchy muffin topping is EVERYTHING.



September 11, 2017

[easy] tomato pie

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Y'all. I've mentioned my love for tomato pie before, but I always seem to forget about it until I'm in the thick of sweet, garden grown tomatoes that need a vehicle other than white bread and mayo to my mouth.

A traditional southern tomato pie has sliced tomatoes, caramelized onions, and a topping of cheese and mayo filling a pie crust. It's heaven. My favorite version is the recipe from Vivian Howard and it's worth every minute of the time it takes to make. You should watch the whole episode from A Chef's Life if you haven't heard of tomato pie before.

This isn't Vivian's tomato pie. This is a lady's fast craving for tomatoes and goat cheese happiness. This is my easy-peasy version of tomato pie.
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The first thing you're going to do is take your beautiful tomatoes and either cut them in half if they're cherry or slice them. I had the most lovely organic heirloom cherry tomatoes from Green Thumb Farms in Sturgis, Michigan to work with.
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Once you cut them in half, put them in a colander and sprinkle them with a nice dose of salt. I probably used 2 teaspoons of salt and then tossed them around. Let them drain to get rid of excess moisture.
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We're going to be cheaters here with a crust of refrigerator crescent rolls. After you pre-bake the crust, layer it up with an herby goat cheese, caramelized garlicy onions, and your sweet tomatoes. Bake it until the tomatoes just start to wrinkle.
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My favorite way to eat this is at room temperature. You can eat it warm or cold too, but room temp is where it's at.

Tomato Pie
-2 pints cherry tomatoes or 4-5 slicing tomatoes [slice your tomatoes and place them in a colander, sprinkle with salt - about 2 tsp - and let drain for 30 minutes]

-1 package crescent rolls [press into a pie plate and bake until golden brown, if it puffs up too much press it back with a fork while it's hot]

-1 medium onion
-2 cloves garlic

Caramelize the onions until they're soft and sweet. Add the garlic to the onions and cook slightly.

-1 log goat cheese (about 10 oz), room temp
-1 Tbsp fresh thyme
-1 Tbsp fresh basil
-1 tsp fresh ground pepper
-1/2 tsp salt

Combine the goat cheese, herbs, and seasoning together.

Once everything is ready to layer up, spread the herby goat cheese in your crust. Top with the caramelized onions and finally add the tomatoes. Bake at 350 for 25-30 min or until the tomatoes have started to wrinkle. Let the pie come to room temperature before serving.
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September 6, 2017

ten things

one: I feel like I should be embarrassed by the sheer number of times I've seen Beauty and the Briefcase.

Spoiler: I'm not.

And I'm not the only one. [#25 though]

two: Speaking of her "magic man" bucket list...I've narrowed my list down to one thing: be kind. So many other qualities go with that one thing, right?

threeMacklemore: Glorious


four: OBSESSED with these earrings I found though one of the beauty bloggers I follow on insta and I cannot get enough. I have these rose gold threaders [and the gold bar threaders and dreams about these two-tone beauties].
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I've been wearing them non-stop since they came in the mail and my sensitive ears love them too. BettyBangBang on etsy

five: FIVE instagram accounts I can't get enough of: ajramler [renovating old homes in the Dallas area]; whoawaitwalmart [awesome things from...Walmart]; ustheduo [talented wife+husband duo makin' music]; debperelman [of the Smitten Kitchen creations]; snarkynurses [I realize this is specific to nurses who love snarky memes. *raises hand*]

six: Speaking of IG, I can't decide if Great Dame Judi Dench needs her own account. Thoughts?

seven: Thinking about my birthday this year and it's a mile-marker, THIRTY-FIVE. Schwhaaaaat. Weird. Now to choose a cake and a way to celebrate and all the details. Strongly considering making the [slightly] complicated momofuku milk bar birthday cake.

eight: Everyone's swiping left and right and I'm over here waiting for the next issue of Cottages & Bungalows.

nine: Going fall shopping for all things pumpkin today with a touch of halloweenie-ness. [Making up words left and right over here.]

ten: I finally painted the nook off my kitchen.
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Here's the tutorial I followed.  I used the colors from the rest of my house with a darker shade thrown in. If you're thinking about doing this little project, I'll say this: it's detailed and you need a lot of tape, four paint colors, and TIME. However, I love it and it makes me smile when I glance over and see my adorable little nook.



August 25, 2017

great dame judi dench

Meet Great Dame Judi Dench.
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She's a Great Dame Dane. Of course I'll probably just call her Dame Judi. Or maybe Judi. Or Dame J. Or DJ. I haven't totally landed yet.
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I have been thinking and talking about getting a dog for awhile now. Not actively pursuing anything specific, but fleshing it out: the responsibility, the cost, the time commitment, the companionship. I did go visit a few dogs at one of the shelters here, but I didn't feel a spark with any of them.
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One of my coworkers happened to have this dog come into her life. Her family already had a big dog and she wasn't thinking they needed to be a two dog family right now. And luckily--LUCKILY!--she invited me in to a conversation about bringing a Great Dane into my tiny house. Of course, I didn't immediately say "yes" because I had to talk it out and work it out so that my "yes?" could be a "YESSSSS!!!"

Imagine singing here.

There was singing.
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It's been about 36 hours. I'm so glad I said yes. We haven't started training yet, but oh goodness is she the sweetest thing ever.
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I got a dog! I GOT A DOOOOOOOG!



I'm not sure about her age, but we think somewhere around 5 years, maybe closer to 4? She's black with grey around her eyes, some white on her paws, and a white chest. She's about 3 feet tall to her back and her head is around my belly button, so she's not a major GIANT, but she's definitely a big girl. She is so sweet and gentle, well...gentle unless she wants to tug on her rope and play, then she is a spaz. Pawblo is not pleased. [UNDERSTATEMENT] BUT, I think it's going to be OK. He let me pet him while she came up. Mostly she wants to play with him and he's not having it. If I'm positive it'll be positive, right?



June 5, 2017

summer bucket list

JUNE - JULY - AUGUST
  1. pick strawberries
  2. make strawberry pie
  3. get a library card
  4. spend a weekend without my phone
  5. read 20 books [that aren't about vampires (NO, not Twilight)
    1. The Husband's Secret, Liane Moriarty
    2. What Alice Forgot, Liane Moriarty
    3. The Stars Are Fire, Anita Shreve
    4. A Hundred Summers, Beatriz Williams
    5. Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty
    6. It Was Me All Along, Andie Mitchell
    7. Necessary Lies, Diane Chamberlain
    8. First Star I See Tonight, Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    9. The Bride, Julie Garwood
    10. Sweet Spot, Susan Mallery
    11. momofuku milk bar, Christina Tosi
  6. paint my kitchen
  7. read a book while floating in the lake
  8. get a hammock 
  9. spend the afternoon reading in the hammock
  10. learn to ultrasound an IV [work goals can be on the list too, right?] 
  11. cross-stitch something fun
  12. make ice cream [vanilla bean? mint? chocolate brownie?]
  13. go a whole week without turning on a TV
  14. do something with my work friends besides eat breakfast [it's only been a year and a half...I guess we can be outside-of-work friends 😜]
  15. eat at Venturi's 
  16. remember why I love walking [by walking every day I don't work]
  17. see good theatre
  18. save $$$ without working a bunch of OT [there's a specific number attached to those dolla signs, you just don't get to know it.]
  19. Friday adventure! [August 11? yup, that's my only free Friday for the summer. another day o' the week adventure?] 
  20. get an Oliver Lake tattoo [who's in, Family?]
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May 9, 2017

conversations with my mother

me: I got tickets to see Pentatonix this summer!

mom: Exciting! Who are you going with?

me: So far, Kate and Bea. I bought two tickets though so maybe Sarah or someone will want to go.

mom: You should ask your neighbor.

me: HUH?

sidebar --> Pentatonix [and a cappella music in general] is a pretty specific genre, so why would I ask a mostly stranger to a concert with me? 

mom: Yeah. You know, just ask him out.

me: I don't even know if I want to be friends with him. Dating would be kind of the ultimate "don't shit where you eat."

mom: Why?

me: BECAUSE WE LIVE NEXT DOOR.

mom: Well, I want more grandkids.



Priorities.



April 21, 2017

mowing

The other day I was getting ready for work and I started hearing a mower. Not unusual, it's spring [**SPRRRRRRRING** trill that r!] and everyone's been mowing around me. I haven't been mowing, but it's on my To Do list for this week.

Then I looked out my window and SOMEONE WAS MOWING MY LAWN.

Turns out that someone is my neighbor.

At this point I'm fresh from a shower and getting ready for work, so I finish getting ready anticipating Socially Awkward Amy at her finest because how do you approach someone you've never met who's doing something kind for you?

I step out my side door and terrify him.

"OH my gosh you scared me."

"I'm sorry, I can't believe you're mowing my lawn!  Thank you?" [ever so slight lilt because uh, what are the expectations here?] "I'm Amy."

"I'm Neighbor. Yeah, I wasn't sure anyone was living here. When did you move in?"

BURN.

*awkward heh* "Yup, I've been here since November. I have hermit-like tendencies."

"I was talking to Gabe [former homeowner] and he asked if I'd met you, but I told him no. I guess I did see you the other day in your kitchen when I pulled in."

Wait. So you saw me. You've talked to the previous homeowners who know I'm living here. I HAVE THE CUTEST FRONT PORCH EVER. AND you said 'I wasn't sure anyone was living there'?

At this point I'm totally embarrassed...but don't worry, it gets better.

"Yup, I'm around. I live on a backwards schedule, so unless you're up in the middle of the night maybe you won't see much of me?" ALSO, let me take this moment to say I have NEVER seen this guy before either. I hang out on my front porch. I've been working in my backyard. NEVER SEEN THIS MAN BEFORE. I thought there were college students living in that house. "Well, thank you so much for mowing my lawn, you really didn't have to do it. I was planning on mowing Thursday when I'm off." [I'm in my scrubs, it's obvious I'm headed to work.]

"Oh, it's no problem. I mowed my lawn the other day and noticed yours was getting a little long. Honestly, it just started driving me nuts, so I just decided to mow it."

BURN. Cue increased mortification. I am a terrible grown-up, home-owner, neighbor.

"I can do the backyard too."

"NO!" *moment of silence* "I'm definitely going to to mow the backyard when I'm off. I want to do it. Don't worry about it."

"OK."

*more awkward half-laughs* "Uh. OK. Well, thanks for mowing for me, Neighbor."

And just so I'm not the absolute worst, I DID mow my own lawn [with the ancient LawnBoy that came with the house--Gabe inherited it when they purchased in 2006 and it was old then]. My shoulder is still sore from starting it.
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Pretty sure he's just nice. I'm not sure if the burns were intentional or I'm overly sensitive. [I mean, I am sensitive.] He did offer to let me use his lawnmower and get in his garage to get it, so that's good, right?



April 17, 2017

ten things

ONE: I'm obsessed with this combo: sweet potatoes + brussel sprouts + egg
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dice a potato, dice some onion, quarter a few brussels :: throw the onion and potatoes in a pan with some olive oil, cook until the potatoes are soft then add the brussels :: sprinkle in some salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin [my fave!], cayenne, and cook until everything has color :: put on a plate :: in the same pan cook an egg or two to your liking [over easy with a runny yolk, please]  EAT
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Of course you can add diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, a dose of sriracha, or some meat if you'd like. You bacon lovers would probably enjoy this if you cooked the bacon first and then proceeded on with cooking everything else in that bacon fat. Apparently non-vegetarian people like that.

TWO: Did you know that Rifle Paper Co has FABRIC??? I ordered some from Hawthorne Threads. I was a little scared to cut it, but I put on my Crafty Cap and made a purse.
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I almost wish I was good enough to sew clothes, but alas, I have been down that terrible rabbit hole a few too many times.

THREE: POLDARK. Oh my goodness, BBC. A few random people mentioned this one to me and I was home alone in the middle of the night and finally started watching it.
HOLY COW. SO. GOOOOOOOOD.

Highly, highly recommend. I love the story. I love the cinematography [I'm going to have to travel to Cornwall, who wants to go?]. I love the characters.

FOUR: I know I mentioned it last month, but I CAN'T STOP BUYING the Makeup Revolution eyeshadow pallets.
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I think three is enough. Right? Right. NO MORE. I'm on a makeup buying hiatus.

FIVE: I just decided I needed that hiatus. Dangit. Four months no new makeups? 😭

SIX: These booties from BCBGeneration took me all over Chicago for a day -- hoofing it seven miles all over without any foot pain.
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🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻

SEVEN: I can't stop watching Anna from glitterandlazers for some plus size fashion hauls.

EIGHT: Have you started shopping at ALDI yet? GET THEE A QUARTER, BRING YOUR OWN BAGS, AND FIND YOUR NEAREST ALDI. I don't mean to shout, but it's just so good.

Also good? These flatbreads, I recommend over and over.
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NINE: What do you think the best way to save money is? I've tried some different things: the envelope system, just dumping money in my savings when I can, cash only...is there a better way? Besides stopping with my makeup, clothes, and shoes problem? Marry a wealthy man? Jk, I totally don't need a man for financial purposes.

TEN: Divide - Ed Sheeran

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. Amazing. Stupendous. Beautiful.

THE TALENT.

Do I sob through "Supermarket Flowers"? Yup.
Do I car dance through "Barcelona"? Yup.
Do I associate "What Do I Know" with Mutual Kumquat? Yup. [Holla at me my Brethren friends!]



March 26, 2017

strawberry white chocolate chip cookies

strawberry white chocolate chip cookies
Have you seen the new Beauty and the Beast yet?

OHMAHGAAAAAAAASH.

It's so good. Go see it. NOW.

Also, swoon over Dan Stevens' beautiful baritone with me. Just open that up in a second window and listen while you read.

We can criticize the music, but the two leads aren't trained singers and they don't sound like trained singers. It's refreshing. My only complaint about the singing is Emma Watson's breath control, what coach helped her develop a style where every phrase is 2 bars long?
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Since I'm so good at giving recommendations, second recommendation? MAKE THESE COOKIES.

They're kinda like the best thing to come out of my kitchen in awhile. And that's saying something.

I was visiting my parentals and my mom pulled out some fundraiser cookie dough from the freezer. The kind? Strawberry Shortcake [from Otis Spunkmeyer to be specific] and they were good. So I was inspired to make my own...that were equally as good or better. (-;

AND HOLY COW. I don't know how similar these are to the original that I ate one time eight weeks ago, but they are YUMMY.

These cookies are a brown sugar base with the brown sugar flavors deepened with a bit of molasses. You could leave the molasses out, but you don't want to. Trust.
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strawberry white chocolate chip cookies
strawberry white chocolate chip cookies
Break the freeze dried strawberries up into pieces about the size of the chocolate chips. As you break them, some will crumble, but it doesn't matter as long as you're over a bowl. All those little pieces are going to add even more strawberry flavor!

I like these as a larger cookie with a 3 tablespoon scoop. This recipe will make 2-3 dozen cookies.

Strawberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 sticks butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp molasses
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 (1.2 oz) package freeze dried strawberries [OR 2 (4 oz) packages dried strawberries], broken or cut into small pieces

Preheat the oven to 350. In a mixing bowl combine the butter and brown sugar. Then add the egg, vanilla, and molasses. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to your butter mixture. It's gonna be THICK! Mix in the white chocolate chips and the freeze dried strawberries with a wooden spoon and a lot of elbow grease. Scoop the dough onto your lined cookie sheets [parchment or silicone liners] and place in the oven for 11-14 minutes depending on how crisp you want the edges. Tip: let the cookies sit on the warm cookie sheets for at least 5 minutes before you take them off to cool.
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The strawberry rundown:

I'm about 92.6% certain the original cookies had a strawberry flavored dried cranberry as the strawberry.
a) you can't find those anywhere and
b) if I'm making a strawberry cookie, I want some dang strawberries in it!
strawberry white chocolate chip cookies
Eventually I found the two options of dried strawberries or freeze dried strawberries.

The dried strawberries are a dehydrated strawberry with a chewy texture similar to a prune or raisin. The freeze dried strawberry is a crunchy, tart berry that most people have tried in their Special K Red Berries cereal.

In my first round of these cookies, I made a double batch with half of each of these varieties. My ever-so-helpful co-workers gave their opinions. I tried them myself. I knew we were all going to like the dried strawberries [the ones I could only find at Target for $3.99 a bag, WHO IS GOING TO BAKE COOKIES WITH AN $8 INGREDIENT??] and I was feeling sad because no one was ever going to make these dadgum cookies.

I WAS WRONG.

The freeze dried strawberries were a winner. They impart more strawberry flavor. They are still slightly chewy as they regain some moisture from the cookie. They're 100% strawberry, no sugar added [because that's important in a cookie (-;]. They're available everywhere for less than $4. I purchased my bag at Aldi after seeing them at Kroger, Target, Meijer, and Marsh. Check by the nuts or the raisins.



March 14, 2017

front porch - update

An update on the cutest front porch I've ever had.

It's also the only one I've ever had, but details.
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A blank canvas.
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Our nights in Indiana have still been cold, so my plants get a personal trip in and out when it's warm enough for them to have a little sunshine. The other night I was out and rushed home because I was worried about them getting too cold. I think I've crossed over into the crazy plant lady realm. 
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I have a few more details to add and finish, but I'm excited about the progress so far! 

A quick craft project! I made myself this little entry rug out of the SINDAL at IKEA ($4.99), a little acrylic paint, and a dab of fabric medium. I just free-hand painted in the corner and let it dry.
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