Weekend Menu

Ok kids - its a big weekend in Miami! Its the first weekend I have been able to cook how I like to cook, i.e. not in a rush on Sunday night! ;) So here is whats on tap for the weekend:

1) Roasted Vegatable Pizza, compliments of The Pioneer Woman (www.thepioneerwoman.com/cooking) - GO CHECK HER OUT!
2) Italian Sausage, Red Pepper and Fontina Pizza (using the second half of the pizza dough recipe from above)
3) Baked Chicken Legs and Thighs
4) Black Bean Soup
5) Hummus 3 Ways...regular, red pepper and black olive

I promise to post pictures and recipes later today/tomorrow as I progress through my cooking.

Also on tap this weekend is a visit from Dad and possibly a craft project - depending on if I make it to JoAnns or not - details to follow.

Sad today...

Today the world lost a wonderful man, a veteran, a loving father, a whizz with motors, an excellent fisher and dear friend and the best grandpa I could ever imagine. After a long battle, Grandpa is finally breathing comfortably in heaven alongside those he's lost and missed over the years. Those of us still here will rejoice in your life and feel blessed for having had what time we did with you.

I will think of you whenever I...
-go fishing
-have car troubles
-eat a rice crispy treat
-see something green
-eat soup
and now probably whenever I see a nat.

I will miss...
-hearing your stories from all over the world
-hearing your laughter
-seeing you sleep on the couch, sitting up (usually next to uncle Louis - although I suspect you two might be doing that up in heaven now)
-watching how you always made Grammy's eyes sparkle

I am so happy you are home now, comfortable and amongst your loved ones on that side. I will try to be happy and think of the fond memories when I am missing you.

I love you and look forward to seeing you again someday.

Jessie
-

Looooong Day

What a better way to end what is sure to be a LONG workday than to do some baking? This weekend we are going to Naples to be with my boyfriends family, and I plan to make a trip up to Ft Myers to see my extended family. As always - I refuse to show up empty handed, so I am going to do some light baking this evening. Here's what I am working on tonight, recipes included:

1) Reese's Chocolate chip delights.

1 package of premade chocolate chip cookie dough squares
1 package of miniature reese's peanut butter cups
24 mini muffin tin liners

Roll each "square" of dough into a ball and place in lined mini muffin tin. Bake per the instructions on the packaging. Remove from oven and immediately place a mini reese's peanut butter cup in the middle of the cookie, press down lightly. Let them completely cool and the chocolate re-harden. Enjoy!

2) Mini Snicker Surprises

1 package of premade sugar cookie dough squares
1 package of miniature snickers bars
24 mini muffin tin liners

Roll each "square" of dough into a ball and place in lined mini muffin tin. Bake per the instructions on the packaging. Remove from oven and immediately place a mini snickers in the middle of the cookie, press down lightly. Let them completely cool and the chocolate re-harden. Enjoy!

3) Mrs. A's Amazing Chocolate Sheet Cake
Cake
2 C Flour
2 C Sugar
1 t Salt
2 Sticks Unsalted Butter
3 T Cocoa Powder
2 Eggs
1/2 C Buttermilk
1 t Vanilla
1 t Baking Soda

Frosting
3 C Powder Sugar
1/3 C Cocoa
1/2 C Butter (1 stick) - softened
1/3 C Milk
1 t Vanilla

Mix flour, sugar and salt together in one bowl. In a saucepan melt butter and add 1 C of water and the Cocoa powder, bring to a boil. Add boiling mixture to the flour mixture and blend with a mixer. In a separate bowl combine eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and baking soda until bubbly. Combine with other mixture and mix well. Pour into a buttered/floured jelly roll pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

While the cake bakes, combine all ingredients for the frosting. Pecans can be added if you are so inclined, we do not add them to ours. When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately frost. It will melt and then create a crunchy layer of yumminess on top of the cake!

Enjoy!

I'll post pictures tonight or tomorrow of my conquests!

Whats on my mind today...

Let's see...there are a few pressing items on my mind:

1) Naples this weekend and the items I need to bake and bring with me. Recipes to follow tomorrow along with pictures. Two deliciously easy sweets to share with my boyfriends family this weekend in Naples.

2) Plane tickets - I'm in the market for a r/t ticket to Anchorage, Alaska - anyone got a spare one lying around? Or for the cheap [price of say $200 - I'd definitely be interested. Otherwise I will continue scrounging the Internet an praying!

3) Job Search - I have an offer I need to respond to and potentials (gasp!) negotiate. I really hate that part! I also need to reach back out to a few other potential employers!

4) Movers - I really need to do some calling around...but between busy season, all my TV shows (you should know I am addicted to Biggest Loser, 24 and Idol - its just who I am) and trying to convince myself to workout...who has the time to make calls to movers?!

Welcome!!!

Well here we go - time to try our hand at Blogging!

I figure there is enough excitement, challenges, changes and Fun Roads to take in the next few months of my life that it might be fun to blog about it. (After all - its kind of like therapy since this is essentially writing in a journal!)

About me: I'm a 27 year old (for a few more months anyways) adventure seeking, food loving, wannabe baker trapped in an auditors body. Sad I know - that's why we add fun into this game when ever possible. :) I've been living in Miami for 3 years now and am about to make a major location change - don't worry you'll hear much more about that in the weeks and months to come for now we'll leave it as just a "change". With this change comes a new job, new home, moving and time off - which I will just have to fill with fun new adventures and trips.

What you'll see here: Here is what you'll get from me on a frequent basis as I post about life...
1) Recipes!!! I looooooove to cook and bake (mostly bake but I am working on this whole cooking thing!). I do most of my cooking on Sunday, so maybe Saturday you'll get the deets on whats to come and Sunday you'll get pics of finished products!
2) Craft/Gift ideas - I love finding ideas on the Internet and trying my hand at them.
3) Travel - YES Travel! As I mentioned before there are some opportunities in the future for some AMAZING trips. As these come to light I promise to share (as if I'd be able to keep my mouth shut) all the info. Fingers crossed.
And lastly...
4) Adventures in....well LIFE! As I mentioned I am embarking on a crazy few months here with some big changes a coming. Along with these big changes usually comes new obstacles, experiences and challenges - why not share those with the world? (or the 2 to 3 people I predict will ever read this blog!)

So...lets let the fun road begin! :)

BTW - warning...I may have the worst grammar and worst spelling abilities known to man (thanks Mom) so I apologize in advance for any and all mistakes! (ya - I definitely even spelled "grammar" wrong there and have to have spell check catch it for me - so now you know I wasn't joking when I say its bad!!!)