"I Love" Sunday's v.57

**  Last Sunday (after sharing my previous "IL" S post) my friend Sarah and I worked together to try out this new recipe for Cheeseburger Cups. I shared the recipe and my thoughts on it this past Tuesday!

** Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which meant Mem was at home with me. I didn't feel like leaving unless I had too, so instead, I decided to share with you my 25 Before 25!

** Thursday brought all of my stuff from Germany! It was so nice to see all of my belongings again after so long of only having what was in my suitcase. And not a moment too soon because Friday brought "Winter Storm Jonas" to North Carolina, where everything pretty much shut down. There was a lot of rain and ice and my winter clothes were much appreciated. I had to scrape a lot of people's windshields (because I was the only person with a scraper) when we had to move the cars in the apartment complex due to falling branches. On Thursday, Sarah and her kids came to visit us and hang out with Amy and I while we waited on my stuff to arrive. I got some snuggles with the littlest member of our group.

** Wednesday evening brought another job interview (although this one was more promising then the last one). Now I am just waiting to hear back (the winter storm kind of threw off the waiting timeline). Wish me luck you guys! My little family is optimistic because she said she was doing a background check immediately after the interview was over, so let's hope that is a good sign. (I have nothing to worry about in a background check)

** Today, Mem and I ventured out of the house so I could make a Target run. I am participating in a grey Valentines Day card swap and I needed to get my supplies. That was quite a little adventure for us. We spent a while searching for some good geeky related items as well as searching through the dollar bin (which is my favorite area.... but kind of dangerous cuz I can spend some serious money on the dollar bin!)

** The other night I got to have a Skype call with my best friend of over 10 years. We haven't really talked much since our Disney trip, other then a few random Facebook exchanges here and there. This is fine because we always pick right back up like nothing happened. Well, this call was mainly to work out the details for a group cosplay that we're working on, which is always fun for us. She is a great seamstress (I am still learning) and a great cosplayer!

.: Link Love :.

This week I wanted to share some additional awesome links that I really love!

** This post from Kimi Who on How To Be a Good Blog Sponsor - I've been looking into sponsoring other blogs as well as creating my own sponsorship program, and I think this is a good read and a good place to start!

** Through some blog reading I was introduce to Chelsie at Life with Rosie. She shared this post about The Negative Side of Blogging Culture that I really agreed with. It seems like some bloggers whole goal is to rag on other bloggers and leave nasty comments just because they don't agree with something that a particular blogger said. We need to stop being mean to each other and start supporting each other. This was a good read (and a nice introduction to a new-to-me blogger!

** This is an awesome Star Wars Nail Art video from Nerdy Mermaid. She is crazy talented and I really wish that I knew how to do stuff like this!

.: Little Loves :.

|| HGTV | Dr. Pepper | Travelers Notebook's | Geek Girls x Blogger FB Group | creativity | Jenny Penton's Katch channel (since I keep missing her periscopes) | having my stuff | crochet ||

What are you loving from this past week?

Recipe: Cheeseburger Cups

Hello dearest friends!

Today I wanted to share with you a recipe that I tried this past Sunday night as part of my 25 Before 25.

Ingredients:

1 lb. meat

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tsp worstishire sauce

1 tbsp mustard

2 tbsp brown sugar

biscuits

shredded cheese

desired toppings (tomato, lettace, ect)

Prep and Cook:

1. Brown the meat and drain

2. Mix the rest of the ingredients in with the meat

3. Spray the biscuit pans with some non-stick spray, line the pan with biscuits, and fill the cups with the meat.

4. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees fahrenheit

5. Top with cheese

6. Bake for 5 minutes

7. Cover with desired toppings and serve

Personnel opinion: My little family prefers ground turkey to ground beef, so that is just a personal preference. The only thing I wasn't sure of (or fond of) was the brown sugar. Maybe it's different if you use ground beef instead, but I won't be using the brown sugar the next time I make this since we use turkey. 

Have you tried this recipe?

Any thoughts?

"I Love" Sunday's v.55

Hello dearest friends!

Happy Sunday

It's been a super busy week (as mentioned on Friday)

** I got my 2016 Travelers Notebook all set up and am loving it. I'll do a walkthrough of the set-up sometime this week for anyone who is interested, but just to let you guys know.... I have my January plan book surrounded by a Midori pocket, my December Daily 2015 (I am trying to get it all finished. Almost done!!!), The business card folder, my blog book, and my 2016 yearly planner. I am still using the custom designed Harry Potter MyDorian made by AltGuild on Etsy. The review for this product will be up later this week!

** I picked up the key to my new apartment on Thursday. I finally have my own place. Right now, the only thing in there is my new tv stand (which I think is made from real wood instead of the fake stuff and is heavier then I expected when I went to pick it up). This weekend I have been moving some of my stuff from my roommate's place to my new one (It's just a couple buildings over from where I've been staying). I can't really move in yet because my stuff is either on it's way from Germany or still in storage in Florida. I still have to get my utilities all set up, but at least there is a place

** My truck has arrived from Germany! I picked it up on Friday from Charleston, SC and I am beyond excited!!!! I have my car back! I asked my roommate if it would be odd if I hugged my car, she laughed at me!

I sent this picture to my friend when we were talking about how excited I was to have my car back

** I hung out with a new friend Friday night. She is a cashier at Staples and we met when I went to go pick up a new White Signo gel pen for my memory keeping stuff. We bonded over my new Harry Potter necklace (it says "Books turn mugs into wizards) and my Star Wars long sleeve shirt (It's black with Darth Vader on the front, Star Wars written on the side of the two sleeves, and The Dark Side written on the back like a jersey). We went to 2nd and Charles and looked through all of their "nerd stuff" before walking around the mall.

I sent this picture to my roommate's son Mem from 2nd and Charles.
He loves the tv show Friends and we've been binge watching the show on Netflix

** I went and applied at a bunch of place. I've been calling or walking in and asking the status of my application. The lady at Starbucks asked me some questions and gave me her card, saying if I haven't heard from her by tomorrow, to give her a call. 2nd and Charles also took my information to pass to the manager (they're owned by Books-A-Million and the cashier said that it takes forever for them to get applications), and told me that me coming in and asking was a good thing and that's how she got her job. It gives me hope that I might get a job here soon.

** I sent in an application to Kellie Winnell for her 2016 Creative Team Call. This is my first time applying, although I've been considering it for a little while. I'm hoping to get a position, but it wouldn't surprise me if I didn't. Only because there are some AMAZING and talented ladies in the scrapbooking world and I am just a beginner. Gotta start somewhere though!

** So last night I went to my favorite country bar to apply (they said they were hiring). However, the manager on the phone told me the wrong time to show up and I have to come back Wednesday night (kinda annoyed about that... but whatever). The good news is.... I made friends with 3 new couples! Two of the couples were standing outside when we were waiting for the bar to open (Cat and Mike and Michi and Chris). We started chatting (Michi loved me simply because I told her that I was originally from Texas and lived in Florida) and became friends over several rounds of pool. The last couple I befriended (Jess & Aaron) decided to play couple vs couple with one of the first couples, so we ended up talking. Jess was a BLAST! She was more then willing to teach me some of the line dances that I didn't know and we've agreed to meet up there more often so I can learn more of the dances. Overall, it turned into a great night and I am really glad I stayed despite being there by myself!

** This may be proving me as a total nerd, but I am really happy to have access to cable again. For one single reason... HGTV! I spend way too much time watching HGTV shows while multitasking. My favorite shows from HGTV are Fixer Upper, Property Brothers, and Design on A Dime. ((Bonus: all three shows are also on Netflix!))

.: Little Loves :.

|| new friends | Dr. Pepper | Butterbeer Frappaccino's | My own space | memory keeping | Wine | Funko | HGTV ||

What are you loving from this week?

Butterbeer Frappuccino

Hello dear friends!

I hope you're having a good weekend so far!

So you guys have probably read several times where I talk about Butterbeer Frappaccino's from Starbucks. They are my favorite thing right now. They are on the hidden menu, and some barista's know how to make them, some do not. Today I wanted to share the recipe I got from MuggleNet for those of you who are interested in it!

I've shown it to my roommate, her son, my best friend Lindsay, and even my mother. Each of them really likes it, so I know that other Potterheads might as well. The first time I asked for it, I was a littler nervous (I was on a military base and people can be a little judgmental of "geeks" or "nerds", but I have most definitely gotten over that!). Now I always make sure to have the recipe with me, so the barista's know how to make it!

* Creme based Frappuccino made with whole milk (the recipe recommends not using an alternative, but the writer on MuggleNet say's they've tried it with 2% and enjoyed it. I've never tried it with 2%, which is surprising because I don't usually like whole milk anymore.

* Three pumps of caramel syrup

* Three pumps of toffee nut syrup

* Top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle

Some barista's will ask if you want coffee in it and some won't. I personally don't care either way, but if you do, make sure you specify that!

Now, each barista will make it differently. I always ask for extra chocolate drizzle (because a random barista in Germany did that after saying they know how to make it and I LOVED it. I've had it without and still like it). Some people will put drizzle in first, then the frappuccino, and some people won't. It doesn't matter to me either way, but some people might care. Pay attention and if you want them to put the drizzle in first, you might have to tell them first.

Have you tried the Butterbeer Frappuccino? Did you like it? Do you have another "nerdy" drink that you like or something else from the hidden menu that you'd like to share? Please do!

Recipe: Beef and Broccoli on Rice

Welcome friends and happy Tuesday to you all! 

Today I wanted to share with you another new recipe that Mo and I tried out this past Sunday as part of my 100 Goals before 2017.

This recipe comes from Chungah from Damn Delicious ((can we see a pattern here with the previous recipes that I have posted? They are super simple and really yummy... and they all come from her!!!))

Onto the recipe! All pictures are from Chungah because I ate it to fast and forgot to take my own pictures! Next time I most definitely will take pictures ((I even told myself to take pics and still forgot)) We made a few adjustments to the recipe, which you will notice if you compare ours to hers.

It takes about 5-10 minutes to prep and then about 10 minutes to cook (not counting the rice, which takes about 20-25 min on its own)

INGREDIENTS:

• * 2/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce 
• * 1/2 cup chicken stock 
• * 1/4 cup honey 
• * 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 
• * 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed 
• * 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• * 1 tablespoon sesame oil We couldn't find sesame oil at our commissary, so we just used regular oil
• * 1 tablespoon cornstarch 
• * 1 teaspoon ground ginger 
• * 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• * 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
• * 1 head broccoli, cut into pieces
• 
  

INSTRUCTIONS: 

• 1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, chicken stock, honey, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, oil, cornstarch, ginger, and 1/4 cup water (to help thin out the cornstarch) ; set aside. 
• 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add steak and cook, flipping once, until browned, about 3-4 minutes. 
• 3. Stir in broccoli and soy sauce mixture until tender and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes. 
• 4. Serve immediately.

via Damn Delicious 

** We also made some Jasmine Rice to go with the beef and broccoli. We put 1 cup of rice and 1 1/2 cup of water into a pan, put it on medium heat until it started to boil a little bit. We noticed that the rice was sticking a little bit to the pan so we added another 2/3 cup of water and 3 tbsp of butter. Next time we are going to add some sugar to the rice to give it some more flavor.

Let me know if you decide to make this yourself and let me know what you think of it!

Stay tuned next time for another new recipe I find to make and share with you!

Recipe: Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Hello friends and Happy Tuesday!

 

Today I wanted to share with you a recipe that Mo and I made this yesterday and I've decided that Tuesdays would be my day to share recipes! It was super yummy and it didn't even take that long to make! You can find the original post here

picture found here

((sorry for the lack of pictures, I forgot to take some before I ate it all!))

Ingredients:

• 5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs ((the original recipe calls for 8, but we only made 5))
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste ((we used regular salt and pepper))
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 
• 4 cloves garlic, minced ((we minced Garlic ourselves, but I suggest you get it already minced))
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed 
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme ((We only had ground thyme, but it worked just fine))
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
• 2. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste. 
• 3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side; set aside. 
• 4. Melt remaining tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in brown sugar, honey, oregano, thyme and basil until well combined. Return chicken to the skillet. 
• 5. Place into oven and roast until completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 175 degrees F, about 25-30 minutes. 
• 6. Serve chicken immediately.

This was a super easy and super yummy recipe. If made correctly, you can taste the garlic brown sugar flavoring even if you take the skin off (I don't always like to eat the chicken skin)). It was super juicy and I cut through it really easy. It was perfect!

"I Love" Sundays v.7

Hello and Happy Sunday friends!

**This week was a short week for me at work and I LOVED IT! I worked Monday, was gone all of Tuesday to an appointment 4 hours away, and then it was Wednesday (which dragged on a little) and then it was time to go home and visit Mo. One of my supervisors even let me leave 2 hours early after I answered a bunch of questions right from the training program. That was pretty spiffy and totally unexpected because it's not something that supervisor ever does. I think it was just because it was Thanksgiving weekend.

* Thanksgiving this year was spent with Mo and some great friends! We didn't make anything, just brought some wine and enjoyed the night. I did help clean the dishes though, that always happens when I go to Momma C's house! I guess it's better then cleaning the floors, which is what I did before Roz's 14th birthday a couple months ago. The food was great and then when we got home Mo and I Skyped my parents for almost 2 hours and 45 minutes. 

* My December Daily stuff came in finally on Wednesday before I left! I was super excited! Mo and I even started working on it on Friday. Got the cover of the album done and the first basic page. I'll write a blog post about that later on this coming week too once we have more completed. It's fantastic that he wants to work on it with me!

* Tried some new recipes this weekend! Made Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Garlic Parm Knots, Baked Chicken, and Puppy Chow Chex Mix.

* This year was the first time I've ever been Black Friday Shopping (and we didn't even go until after noon since we didn't get paid until noon). Thankfully it's not super crazy here in Germany, but Mo and I got some good deals on Under Armour and craft supplies. We handmade some Christmas decorations this year, which I am pretty stoked about!

* After Black Friday shopping this weekend we decided that it was going to be a lazy weekend. It seems that we picked up some crud from our friends at the Thanksgiving dinner and we've both been feeling under the weather. Mo was super awesome on Friday night and he drove to the 24 hour shoppette to get me some medicine. Since then we haven't done a whole lot (other then go pick up some more paint and our tree yesterday) and we've hung out around the house. We crafted our Christmas decorations, cooked dinner and desert, and Mo got to play his new games (TitanFall and Shadows of Mordor ((Both of which he got on sale from Xbox on Black Friday) )). It's been nice that we can do our own thing (me blog and search for DD ideas and he play his vigi games) but still spend time together. That is the important part!

Little Loves

|| This link on 10 Reasons to Give Scrapbooking a Chance | Stitch in Time Blog | Man At Arms Youtube Channel | December Daily Inspiration | Apple Pie Moonshine | Irish Egg Nog | Cooking with Mo | Crafting | Planning | Blogging | Snuggles | Early morning cuddles ||

Today is the last day of November! Tomorrow starts the last month of 2014, where the heck did the time go?!?!? It's like I got here in March and I blinked, and now it's almost December!!!!

What were you loving about this past week?

Recipes: Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry and Garlic Parm Knots

This weekend I decided to try some Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry and once again make my favorite Garlic Parmesan Knots.

Ingredients:

For the marinade:

• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp. water
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 lbs. flank steak, sliced into thin strips (or the pre-sliced “stir fry beef” from the grocery store)

For the rest of it

• 3/4 c. low-sodium soy — suggest low-sodium or it may be way too salty
• 3 tbs. brown sugar
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp. flour
• 4 1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 heads broccoli, crowns only

Instructions:

To marinate the meat, whisk together all marinade ingredients, then toss the steak in with it to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and flour until smooth. Set aside.

In a large wok or saute pan, heat 2 tbsp. veggie oil over high heat until shimmering. Add broccoli and saute 3 minutes, stirring often. Transfer broccoli to a plate.

Reduce heat to medium high. Carefully add remaining tbsp. of oil, then add marinated meat and half of the sauce mixture. Saute for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until meat is cooked through. Stir in broccoli and remaining sauce. Saute 1 minute more, then serve hot over rice.

We decided not to use rice (partially because we forgot until after we'd started working on the broccoli and it would've taken too long to make the rice and I had to take my medication already which means I have to eat about a half hour later or my stomach gets upset).

The only issue we had was the sauce was too thick, wasn't really runny enough, and I need to look up how to fix that. Otherwise, we liked this recipe and will more then likely make it again in the future.

Here is the recipe for the Garlic Parm Knots!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan 
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 (16-ounce) tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. 
• Halve each of the 8 biscuits, making 16 pieces. Roll each piece into a 5-inch rope, about 1/2-inch thick, and tie into a knot, tucking the ends. Place knots onto the prepared baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, whisk together butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, parsley and salt; and brush each knot with half of the butter mixture. Place into oven and bake until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. 
• Serve immediately, brushed with remaining butter mixture.

The first time we made this recipe we did it directly as the directions said and made the mixture before tying the biscuits into knots and found that the mixture hardened pretty quick into a gross mixture and decided from then on to make the knots and then the mixture. Other then that, these things are super quick and easy to make. Just gotta watch them and make sure the bottoms don't burn too much.