Friday, November 30, 2012

High Five for Friday

You know, after such a busy and eventful week last week...this week has been boring! I feel like I don't have much to share this Friday.



I finally got the pictures back from the Turkey Trot (1) which is PROOF that I actually did run in it! B's parents were giving him such a hard time on Thanksgiving for not going with me to at least cheer me on. I think he was surprised that I even did it. Well, now I have the proof!

I made a mess and did some Christmas related crafts, including tying tulle to an extra string of lights (2). I love the look of tulle and lights. I don't think this is my last craft involving the two. I also decided to make my own gold polka dotted wrapping paper (3). I love it. Reminds me of Kate Spade.

I posted my recipe for peanut butter pancakes (4) yesterday. I might make these again this weekend and top them with some raspberry jam...which was my original intention for this recipe.

Also, in care you missed it, earlier this week I posted my gift guide (5). If you are looking to buy me a gift this Christmas season...I will take anything from that post. :)

How was your week? I hope it was more exciting than mine!!


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Pancakes


When I was a kid, I would make pancakes with my mom every Saturday. I wouldn't even bother with the syrup. I could care less. I would either just smear them with lots of butter, or dip them straight into peanut butter. Only when you are a kid can you get away with stuff like that.

The other thing I used to eat all the time when I was a kid (and an adult, lets be honest here) was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. That is where the inspiration for these pancakes came from. Unfortunately, when I made these I didn't have any jelly in the house. So, what is the next best thing on a peanut butter sandwich? Honey! Seriously, if you haven't tried a peanut butter and honey sandwich, you are missing out. Actually, throw some potato chips in there and you have got yourself a masterpiece. Trust me.

Back to the pancakes. The recipe is fairly standard. And if you don't feel like making pancakes from scratch, you can just add peanut butter to your normal pancake mix. You might need to add some extra liquid to thin it out.


Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar (could sub brown sugar or Stevia)
1 egg
1 cup almond milk
2 tbsp peanut butter + extra for topping
honey
optional: chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, jelly or jam


Directions:
1. In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients (first 4 on the list). In a smaller bowl or a large measuring cup whisk together the egg, almond milk, and peanut butter. Depending on the peanut butter you use, you may want to microwave it first to soften it up.
2. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients all while continuously mixing. Mix until just incorporated. Too much mixing will make the pancakes tough.
3. On a griddle or pan over medium heat, spray the surface with cooking spray. Once hot, pour or ladle the batter onto the pan. Flip once bubbles start to form on the surface, about 2 minutes.
4. Cook the pancake on the other side for about 2 minutes or until sides are complete cooked and the pancake can be removed easily from the pan.

Makes 6 large pancakes. Double recipe if serving more than 2 people. 

I served my pancake with extra peanut butter and a drizzle of honey. I may have also thrown some chocolate chips in there, too. That was a good idea. If you really want to to feel like a kid again, I bet these pancakes would be good with a drizzle of warmed jam or jelly.

Enjoy!





Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Oh, How Pinteresting

This week's OHP doesn't really have a theme. However, I have been pinning quite a few of Christmas related pins. I can't help it! I love Christmas.

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What have you been pinning this week?


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Gift Guide for the Girls

Thanksgiving has passed and so have the biggest shopping days of the year. It is officially the Christmas season. I am so ready to put up a tree and put some gifts underneath it. I have been thinking of gift ideas for at least the last month, if not longer. Since I know it can sometimes be a little bit of struggle to come up with ideas for all the people in your life, I am sharing some of my favorite gift ideas. Today, its all about the girls!

For the Girl on the Go

(1) May Books custom journals and planners, $17-$20 (2) Vera Bradley lunch bag, $35 (3) Kate Spade business card holder, $58 (4) Layla Grayce customizable tablet cover, $80 (5) Eric Epstein Travel Stub Diary, $15 (6) Mossimo ear warmer headphones, $17

For the Beauty Queen



(1) Sephora Fragrance Sampler, $50 (2) Birchbox subscription, $30-$110 (3) Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer, $14 (4) Beauty by Lauren Conrad, $13 (5) Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask, $39 (6) Emi-Jay Holiday Hair Tie Tin, $20


For the Fitness Fanatic

(1) Lululemon Run Gloves, $28 (2) Gaiam Yoga Socks, $12 (3) Jabra SPORT Bluetooth Headset, $68 (4) Kinect Zumba Fitness Rush, $40 (5) Apple iPod Shuffle, $49 (6) Gaiam CorePlus Reformer, $30

For the Crafter & Baker

(1) Craft-a-Day by Sarah Goldschadt, $25 (2) Martha Stewart Glitter Glue 24 pack, $25 (3) Crate and Barrel Donut Pan, $11 (4) Wandering Wool Hand Dyed yarn, $17 (5) William Sonoma Cookie Mix, $19 (6) Sur La Table Merry and Bright Measuring Spoons, $20

For the Fashionista


(1) Kate Spade Touch Tech Bow Gloves, $78 (2) Marley Lilly Luxe Cross Body Clutch, $37 (3) Tory Burch Robinson Lipstick Case, $55 (4) Anthropologie Sheer Polka Dot Tights (5) Asos Moustache Face Watch, $35 (6) JCrew Classic Wide Bangle, $22.50

What is on your gift wish list?


Monday, November 26, 2012

Stuffed as a Turkey

I don't know about you, but I could probably stop eating and be able to sustain myself for another month. This is must how bears feel before they hibernate. Just stuffed to the brim. Isn't Thanksgiving the best?


1. Work up early on Thanksgiving and ran in the Dallas Turkey Trot. 8 miles. I had to make room for all that turkey.
2. Made myself some whole wheat peanut butter pancakes topped with more peanut butter and honey after the run. 
3. Friday, I did tons of baking to prep for our tailgate on Saturday morning. Since I have been loving chai-flavored things lately, I made chai-spiced granola. It was delicious.
4. I also made mini cinnamon rolls. Those did not turn out as good as I had hoped.
5. Our morning tailgate spread was a little out of control. Complete with a coffee and mimosa bar.
6. The game was a nail biter. Baylor edged out Texas Tech in overtime.
7 & 8. I wasted no time getting Christmas decorations up on Sunday when things finally slowed down. Next will be the Christmas tree.

How was your long, holiday weekend? 





Friday, November 23, 2012

Turkey Tortilla Soup

I'm going to guess that you probably have some left over turkey laying around the house. I am actually shocked that B's parent's didn't send us home with any considering that there was half a bird left. Although, B's dad did try to force a turkey sandwich on me about 10 times before I left.

Any-hoo...there are some other ways to use the leftover turkey than making turkey sandwiches. I suggest making tortilla soup with some or all of the left overs. I made this soup last week with chicken, but it would be just as good with turkey.


Turkey Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
1 tsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 cups turkey, chopped or shredded
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
1/4 tsp oregano
6 cups chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 lime, juiced
1 cup corn kernels
1/8 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
6 corn tortillas, cut into strips and baked until crispy (tortilla chips would work, too)
queso fresco (or your favorite cheese) to top
Directions
1. In a large pot over medium high heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent. About 5 minutes.
2. After onions are cooked, add the turkey. Mix spices into chicken and onions and cook for just 2 minutes.  Add chicken broth, tomatoes, and lime juice. Cover and let simmer for at least 20 minutes.
3. After 20 minutes, add corn kernels and half of the cilantro and stir into soup. Let simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes.
4. Just before serving, remove soup from heat and add the rest of the cilantro.
5. To serve, ladle into individual bowls and top with a generous amount of tortilla strips and cheese.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

What I'm Thankful For

It's sad that this is the only time of year that most people reflect on what they are thankful for. Myself included. We really should give thanks more often. Maybe we would be a happier society if we really took stock of the things in our life and all that we have. We truly are so lucky. I think all the time how lucky I was just to be able to be born in this country and have the family that I have. It didn't have to turn out that way.

But I digress...

There are many things I am thankful for this year. In no particular order, I am thankful for...

My fiance, B. You continue to make me so incredibly happy. I am so lucky to be able to marry my best friend and that even after all these years you still put up with me and my moods. You make me a better person, and most importantly, you make me feel loved.

My parents. As I get older I only get more thankful for the lessons that you taught me and the way that you raised me. I am now realizing that you weren't doing these things to make my life miserable, you were doing what was best for me. I feel like you have raised a fairly well-adjusted daughter, and I don't think I can take any credit for that.

My bridesmaids. You guys have been so supportive and excited for me and B as we go through our wedding planning experience. Even though most of you have already gone through your own weddings, you are making sure that this is a very special experience for me.

My manager and coworkers. You make coming to work (most days) so enjoyable. Work can be a little stressful at times, but it is a joy to spend most of my days with you guys.

My followers. I am so thankful that you guys actually find this blog somewhat entertaining. I really love being able to share parts of our life with you guys and the fact that so many of you have started following along really touches my heart.

My health. I am lucky to have had a pretty healthy life so far, so sometimes I take that for granted. I am so thankful that I have been able to go through the year without any major illness or injury.

My future in laws. You have welcomed me into your family long before B ever proposed, but now I definitely feel like one of the Ruel gang. You guys not only raised a wonderful son, but you are very supportive of us and the wedding. I realize that some people do not have such a great relationship with their in laws, so I am so thankful for you.


What are you thankful for?


Oh, How Pinteresting - Christmas Decor


I know tomorrow is Thanksgiving, but I am so ready to start decorating for Christmas. Hense the theme today. I'm working from home today, which means 2 things: I am probably still in my PJs and I will be getting out all of my Christmas decorations during my lunch break. Yep, so ready for Christmas!

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Have a Happy Happy Thanksgiving!!!



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Chai Spiced Vanilla Bean Snickerdoodles

I have been wanting to try out this recipe idea for a while. I am not a big tea drinker, but I love love love chai tea. My aunt turned me on to Numi's Roobios Chai this past summer. It's delightfully mild and not overly spicy. Plus, it has a hint of vanilla. Doesn't that sound like it would make a great cookie?

I figured that a traditional Snickerdoodle cookie would be easily adapted to the chai spices.
I essentially read the ingredients off of the Numi label. Some chai teas and other chai spiced things use black pepper...and that was not the taste I was going for here. These cookies, like the Numi tea, is very subtle and smooth.


Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 egg
1 vanilla bean, split open and seeds removed (or use 2 tsp vanilla extract)
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp all spice
2 tbsp sugar



Directions

1. Cream butter and 1 cup of sugar together with a mixer. Add egg and vanilla then combine.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and all spice.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and half of the spice mixture.
4. Slowly add the flour mixture to the to the butter mixture and mix to combine.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tbsp sugar and the other half of the spice mixture.
6. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball using your hands. Roll the dough ball in the sugar mixture and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press down with the back of a fork creating a X pattern.
7. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or until just starting to brown.



Monday, November 19, 2012

Total Upset

This weekend was a total whirlwind.

I took Friday off from work and made the most of it. I got up early, ran out to get a coffee at the newly opened Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. With the energy from the coffee, I worked out, made a grocery list, returned all the stuff I didn't use for our engagement pictures, went to the grocery store, and then did some baking.


Saturday B and I  made our way down to Houston for my friend's baby shower. If you are familiar with the drive between Dallas and Houston, then you have probably heard of Buckee's. It's the Taj Mahal of rest stops. It has a gift shop, tons of foods and drinks, and most importantly super clean restrooms. If you ever find yourself driving through Madisonville, I insist that you stop here.

Once we got down to Houston, I went off to the baby shower and B met up with some of his friends in town. The shower was so fun and the host did such a great job with the owl theme!

After the shower B and I went out with one of my friends from college and tagged along with a Thanksgiving-themed bar hop. Unfortunately this is when the battery on my phone decided to die, so I couldn't take pictures of all the people dressed up like pilgrims, Indians, and turkeys.

Oh...then this happened....
via Baylor Photography
 Baylor's defeat upset of then #1 KSU (along Stanford's win over then #2 Oregon) then led to this...
via ESPN
So basically, this was the perfect college football weekend for my dad, a Notre Dame alum, and I.

How was your weekend?