A few things I made for our Open House: Sweets

This things I made for our Open House that were sweet:
Smores Bar
Ingredients:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for the pan 

1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1 teaspoon kosher salt 

1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar 

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 

2 large eggs 

1 cup pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped 

4 graham crackers, broken into small pieces 

1 cup miniature marshmallows 

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Method:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil; butter the foil. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the brown sugar and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs until combined. Mix in the flour mixture until combined, then the pecans.
Spread the flour-nut mixture in the prepared pan and bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate chips and bake until the marshmallows are pale golden, 7 to 8 minutes more. Set the pan on a wire rack and let cool completely. Lift the blondies out of the pan, using the foil to help, and cut into 24 bars.
Storage suggestion: Keep the blondies at room temperature, between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.

These didn't cut easily, nor did the marshmallow stick well to the blondie portion. Next time I will try to have everything incorporated verses layered.

Gooey Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients:

Yellow Cake Box Mix

1/2 cup butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 8 oz. Cream Cheese bar

1 egg

powdered sugar

Instructions:

In a mixer, beat butter, vanilla, egg and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in cake mix a little at a time. Chill for 30 minutes in fridge. When chilled roll into balls and dip in powdered sugar. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, be sure to not over bake. Remove form baking sheet and cool on a wire rack.

These were a HUGE HIT. considering how easy they are, it makes sense to make them over and over again.

Chocolate Eclair Ice Box Cake
3 cups cold milk
2 small pkgs. instant french vanilla pudding mix
1 - 8 ozs. frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pkg. (14.4 ozs) graham crackers
1 - 16 ozs. can chocolate frosting
In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes.  Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set.  Fold in whipped topping.  In a 9" X 13" X 2" dish, layer a third of the graham crackers and half of the pudding mixture.  Repeat layers.  Top with remaining graham crackers.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Spoon frosting (I rarely use all of it) into a microwave-safe bowl.  Cover and microwave on high for 15 - 20 seconds or until softened, stirring once.  Spread over graham crackers.  Chill 12-24 hours before serving.

This was too messy slash was too hard to grab and go for an open house. While it was super yummy, only 3 pieces got eaten that evening. I will make this again for a sit down family event.

Easy Peasy Cassoulet (sorta)

Not a tradition French Cassoulet, but rather similar to the Creole version, I decided to make this dish for two reasons. Italian Spicy Sausage was on super sale and I had a can of Great Northern Beans and Tomatos at home. AKA this meal that fed me 4 different Lunches at work and 3 dinners in the evening before we moved cost all of $5.

BOOM!

You see, sometimes going to the grocery store without a set idea of what to make really works out. Don't get me wrong, I am a HUGE believer and mapping out recipes and meal plans. It saves my sanity (and wallet) more often than not. In this case though, it worked out that I was checking out the "clearance" meat section. Educate yourself on the signs of food aging to know you aren't getting something that has already gone bad and proceed with your best judgement. I find I "win" at this situation about twice a month or so.

We are getting settled in here in St Louis okay now that we have moved. I am not sure how often I will be cooking now that I am sharing a kitchen, but I will attempt to keep posting regularly as this time of transition gets shaken down.

Cat's Easy Cassoulet (sorta)
Ingredients
1 package of spicy Italian sausage (5 links)
1/2 an onion
1 can of petite diced tomato
1 can of great northern beans
Directions
Brown sausage and drain off grease.
Add onion and allow to soften.
Add tomatoes and beans and allow to heat through.
Serve as is or with a side salad, if desired.

Vitamin C, fiber, protein, and fat.

This turned out to be a fine litttle meal for Husband and myself. I could eat it as it is low carb and Husband liked it as well. It all worked out perfectly for a meal to get rid of stuff in the pantry and to nibble on through out the move process.

a fresh list for a fresh home and year of life: 32 ere 32

Midway through my 29th year, I put together a list called "30 before 30". It consisted of 30 things I wanted to accomplish before I turned 30 including reading 30 books (one of which being a classic I wouldn't pick up otherwise). While I didn't completed everything, I felt like my 29th year was full of interesting things and books I wouldn't have read otherwise. So I decided to continue the tradition with a 31 by 31 list which included 31 books (2 of which being classics). While I ended up reading 8 classics I normally wouldn't thanks to audio books, I still didn't quite finish everything on the list due to money or/and time. While I am not too upset with not checking everything off, I pushed myself to see places and do things

This year will be "32 ere 32" and the tradition will continue with "33 preceding 33", "34 previous to 34", "35 prior to 35", etc...

32 ere 32

Health

1) Take Pole Classes weekly for 1 month

2) Run another 5K and 10K

3) Continue with my weight loss progress: Get to ideal “pre baby weight/fitness level” – 

Starting Weight) 145.7 <March 10>

Milestone 1) 144 = 143.7 <March 14>

Milestone 2) 142 =141.5 <March 20>

Milestone 3) 140 - 139.7 < April 2>

Milestone 4) 138  

Milestone 5) 136 
Milestone 6) 134
Milestone 7) 132
Milestone 8) 130
Ultimate Goal) Less than 130 lbs

Creativity

1) Finish Honeymoon Scrapbook (FINALLY) 

2) Recreate 1 item from my "To Recreate Art Pictures"

3) Make a Keepsake journal for best friend

Just Cuz

1) Make watercolor post cards for letters to friends in Cali

2) Throw a dinner party 

3) Buy a house ...and stuff

Cooking

1) Learn to debone a Whole Chicken

2) Master the art of making biscuits

3) Attempt to recreate a favorite dish from Cyrano's for Auntie

Adventure

1) Go Ziplining with MiL

2) Go on a weekend trip without plans with Husband

3) See the Grand Canyon and Graffiti a Cadillac at Cadillac Ranch

Travel

1) Visit Richard in Austin

2) Get to Michigan once, hopefully twice this year

3) Visit Missouri Wine Country

Learning

1) Get through first section of French with Rosetta Stone

2) Learn to do a different type of granny square

3) Read 32 books including 3 classics

1. The Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss

2. A Slow Regard of Silent Things - Patrick Rothfuss

3. Blood Rites - Jim Butcher

4. Dead Beat - Jim Butcher

5. Proven Guilty - Jim Butcher

6. White Night - Jim Butcher

7. Small Favor - Jim Butcher

8. Turn Coat - Jim Butcher

9. Changes - Jim Butcher

10. Ghost Story - Jim Butcher

11. Cold Days - Jim Butcher

12. Skin Game - Jim Butcher

13. Definitely Dead - Charlaine Harris

14. All Together Dead (Lucky) - Charlaine Harris

15. From Dead to Worse (Gift Wrap) - Charlaine Harris

16. Dead and Gone (Two Blondes) - Charlaine Harris

17. Dead in the Family (Small-Town Wedding) - Charlaine Harris

18. Dead Reckoning - Charlaine Harris

19. Deadlocked - Charlaine Harris

20. Dead Ever After (If I had a Hammer and Playing Possum) - Charlaine Harris

21. A Touch of Bead (Short Stories of The Southern Vampire Mysteries)- Charlaine Harris

22. Uglies - Scott Westerfeld

23. Pretties - Scott Westerfeld 

24. Specials - Scott Westerfeld

25. Extras - Scott Westerfeld

26. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agnecy

27. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

28. The long Dark tea Time of the Soul

29.Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan

30. Classic - Walden - Henry David Thoreau

31. Classic - Dracula - Bram Stoker

32. Classic - Catcher in the Rye - J.D.Salinger

(possibly the hour I first believed or redeeming love (Francine Rivers) as well)

Quarters

1) 3 things in any category TBD on my quarter birthday July 10th 

a)

b)

c)
2) 3 things in any category TBD on my half birthday October 10th

a)

b)

c)

3) 3 things in any category TBD on my three quarter birthday January 10th

a)

b)

c)

BFMH: Portablla Eggs

This was a bit lack luster for me, but still very yummy after I jazzed it up with a bit of Sirracha post cooking.

Portobella Mushroom
1 portobella mushroom cap
1 egg
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Method
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
Drizzle olive oil on cooking sheet
Rub caps with olive oil and salt and pepper
Crack an egg into the mushroom cap
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes depending on how you desire your eggs
Serve with hot sauce of your choice

This wasn't my best work. Next time, adding some onion might help, or just taking the time to marinate the cap with some Italian dressing.

I will try this again some time, the only problem is that portobella mushroom caps are pricey. I feel like it is my duty to fix this guy up for y'all, so I will.

Until the next breakfast,

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog posts..BFMH: Italian Eggs

So we have now arrived at the In-laws'/loves' house. No time to make anything at this point so I leave you with something that Husband made me for ME because he is excellent. He normally has to be 

Italian Eggs:

First he saute'd some onions 

Then he scramble an Egg with the Onion

Then he top with Mozzarella Cheese and Pasta Sauce

Super simple, but nothing like I have seen before. It was really yummy. If you have left overs from when you made that lasagna, do this for the following morning's breakfast. 

Day 4: Last Day with a sobering Memorial stop

The fourth and last day of our driving..

OK City to StL

We will start the day with an early morning visit to the OK City Bombing Memorial to remember those who were lost.

The first national tragedy I can remember being aware of on my own.

Finish up Route 66 in Oklahoma and see a good chunk of it in Missouri.

OK and Misery...

And then get to our Home until we can buy one of our own, The In Loves (laws) house in St Louis, MO!

Arch Sweet Arch

Guesstimations for the day:

Miles Driven: 550

Hours Driven: 8

Guesstimations for the trip:

Miles Driven: 940 + 550 = 2000

Hours Driven: 22 + 7 = 29

Day 3: Now we got New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma

Day 3 of the cross country driving...

Today we will see Route 66 in New Mexico, Texas, AND Oklahoma!

New Mexico - Oklahoma!

We will see Cadillac Ranch in in Ammarillo, Texas.

Cadillac Ranch! 

Possibly see the U Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas.

Like from the movie Cars!

And finish our day in Oklahoma City, OK.

A city of note.

Guesstimations for the day:

Miles Driven: 550

Hours Driven: 8

Guesstimations for the trip:

Miles Driven: 940 + 550 = 1490

Hours Driven: 14 + 8 =22

Day 2: Road Trip across America

Day 2 of our cross country move.  

We plan on enjoying the desert beauty of Route 66 in Arizona

We will get our kicks...

Specifically, the Petrified Forest in Arizona:

See? Desert beauty!

We will finished the day in Albuquerque and enjoy dinner possibly at the Standard Diner and see the Old Town area.

Hopefully, we can do the Tram too.

A video about the Standard Diner! It was on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives!

Guesstimations for the day:

Miles Driven: 400

Hours Driven: 6

Guesstimations for the trip:

Miles Driven: 540 + 400 = 940

Hours Driven: 8 + 6 = 14 hours

Day 1: Today we are probably seeing...

With heavy hearts we will be setting off today from our lovely apartment home in Burbank, California and driving cross country to St Louis, Missouri. While I will be driving, there will be very little chance to post current things so instead, I will post what we should be seeing, thanks to Google Images!

Here is our route with points of interest marked.

First off, we will be driving over the bypass road of the Hoover Dam:

So huge! Much Water!

Then we MIGHT stop at the Degallido's Snow Cap Drive In:

A Route 66 Landmark!

And then finish the day at the Grand Canyon with the joy of knowing we can see the sunrise the next morning.

Hopefully we will get there early enough to do the skywalk.

Guesstimations for the day:

Miles Driven: 550

Hours Driven: 8 

Julia Child's Coq Au Vin

I received the most wonderful of goodbye gift from my dear friend, Janet! A Le Creuset 5.5 qt Dutch oven! I immediately started trying to figure out what to cook in it as it "inaugural" meal. Thought I love me some Burgandy Beef, I decided that with the hot weather and the impending move, to go with Coq Au Vin.

COQ AU VIN RECIPE from Julia Child's Kitchen

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup lardons (or very thick-cut bacon), cut into 1/4- by 1 1/2-inch strips (optional)

2 or more tablespoons olive oil

3 1/2 to 4 1/2 pounds chicken, cut into parts (or all of one kind of part), thoroughly dried

1/4 cup Cognac

 Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

20 small white onions, peeled

3 tablespoons flour

2 cups red wine, preferably Burgundy, Côtes du Rhône, or Pinot Noir

About 2 cups brown homemade chicken stock, or beef stock

1 or 2 garlic cloves, mashed or minced

About 1 tablespoon tomato paste (I accidentally added the whole can. I misread the recipe.)

3/4 pound fresh mushrooms, trimmed, washed, and quartered

DIRECTIONS

1. To make the Coq Au Vin on your stovetop, if you’re using lardons or bacon, sauté them in 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy-bottomed casserole until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer the pork to a side dish, leaving the drippings in the pan. (Otherwise, coat the casserole with 1/8 inch of olive oil.)

2. Heat the drippings or oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, before careful not to crowd the pan. (You may need to work in batches). Cook the chicken, turning frequently, until nicely browned on all sides. Carefully pour the Cognac or Armagnac into the pan, let it become bubbling hot, and then, if desired–and if you’re brave–ignite the sauce with a match. Let it flame for a minute, tilting the pan by its handle and swirling the sauce to burn off alcohol. To extinguish the flames, simply cover the pan with its lid.

3. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add the bay leaf and thyme to the pan and place the onions around the chicken. Cover and simmer gently, turning the chicken once, for about 10 minutes.

4. Uncover the pan, sprinkle the flour over everything, and turn the chicken and onions so the flour is absorbed by the sauce. Cover and cook, turning once or twice, for 3 to 4 minutes more.

5. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir and swirl in the wine and enough stock or bouillon to almost cover the chicken. Add the lardons or bacon, garlic, tomato paste, and mushrooms to the pan, cover, and gently simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Test the chicken for doneness (there should be no trace of pink and the juices should run clear when the meat is pierced with a knife) and remove those pieces that are ready. Continue to cook the rest of the chicken a few minutes longer. If the onions are not quite tender, continue cooking them in the sauce, then return the chicken to the pan, add the mushrooms, and simmer 4 to 5 minutes. The sauce should be just thick enough to lightly coat the chicken and vegetables. If it is too thin, boil it down rapidly to concentrate; if it is too thick, thin it with spoonfuls of stock or bouillon. Taste the sauce carefully, and correct the seasoning accordingly. Serve immediately or let cool, cover, and refrigerate overnight. To reheat, skim any fat that has congealed on the surface of the stew and place the pan of coq au vin over medium-low heat.

Not exactly what I expected, but it was yummy.

I ended up cooking the chicken and then just pulling all the meat off the bones for this as I didn't know how to debone a whole chicken. I suppose that should go on my 32 ere 32 list.

The flavors were very nice and the chicken was very moist. I don't feel like it turned out perfectly, but it was a solid meal. I ended up serving the dish over pasta for those who are a-ok with the carbohydrates and Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) for those of us who aren't. The dish was very satisfying.

Until the next traditional meal...

A few things I made for our Open House: Savories

For the open House, I work hard on prepping some stuff that was prepped well in advance and were representative of the places we were from and headed.

Fried Ravioli (Prepped Ahead - Wednesday) St Louis

1 package refrigerated ravioli (I like to use cheese, but you could use any variety you like)

2 eggs

a splash of water

about 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs

olive oil

marinara sauce

Lightly beat the eggs with a little splash of water in a shallow dish.

Add about a cup of bread crumbs to another shallow dish.

Then set up a little assembly line with the ravioli, eggs, breadcrumbs and a plate.

Dip the ravioli in the eggs and then coat with the breadcrumbs.  Set aside on the plate.

Heat about 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet.

Once the oil is hot, start cooking the ravioli in batches (you don’t want to crowd the pan).

Cook for about 2 minutes per side or until browned.

Add more oil to the pan between batches as needed.

If making for later, place cooked ravioli in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

Serve immediately, or freeze on cookie sheet and then transfer to a zip-loc bag.  Reheat in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, until hot. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

^ These reheated very nicely. I made Beef and Cheese versions and the vegetarians in my life appreciated that I did some without meat!

Monte Cristo Crescent Roll Ups (Prepped Ahead - Thursday) SoCal

Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 25 min | Total time: 35 min

Ingredients

1 roll Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, 8 count

1/4 cup raspberry or blackberry jam

8 slices provolone cheese

8 slices turkey breast (I used lunch meat slices)

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with a silpat liner.

Unroll Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and pinch 2 crescents together forming a rectangle. Seal edges. Spread a thin layer of jam over each rectangle. Layer each with 2 slices of Provolone cheese and 2 slices of turkey breast. Roll each rectangle up placing seam side down on baking sheet.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden. Rolls will spread and jam/cheese will ooze out slightly. Once out of the oven, take a plastic knife and bring cheese and jam back around rolls. Let cool for 10-15 minutes then cut each roll into 3 slices. Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm.

Makes 12 Servings

^ This turned out ugly, but quite yummy. I won't be making it again as i would rather make it properly and deep fry it next time. Glad I tried it once.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs (Prepped Ahead - Wednesday) Should have been Brisket for Texas

Sauce:

1/2 c brown sugar

1/4 c apple cider vinegar

1 tsp mustard 

1/4 c barbecue sauce

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Combine ingredients and blend thoroughly. Heat in a small saucepan until combined and sugar is dissolved and pour over meatballs. (If you enjoy things a bit saucier, double the sauce ingredients.)

^The sauce wasn't as popular as the Sirracha Honey or just the regular BBQ, but I really liked it.

Sirracha Honey Meatballs (Prepped Ahead - Wednesday)

INGREDIENTS

Nutrition

1⁄2cup honey

1⁄2cup sriracha asian garlic sauce

DIRECTIONS

Mix together honey and Sriracha in equal parts and serve.

^Definitely a winning sauce!

Fried Rice  (Prepped Ahead - Monday) Because of all the Japanese Rice from Bro Bro

Ingredients:
3 tbs soy sauce
5 tsp rice vinegar
1 tbs sesame oil
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening or cooking oil
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 large shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and caps thinly sliced
1 carrot, cut into 1/3-inch dice
6 cups cold cooked Japanese short-grain rice
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt to taste
Make-Ahead Preparation:
In a small bowl, stir the soy sauce with the rice vinegar, sesame oil and sugar.
Heat a very large skillet or wok. Add the shortening and let melt or the cooking oil. Add the diced meat (if using chicken, shrimp or pork) and stir-fry over high heat for 1 minute. Add the peas, shiitakes and carrots and stir-fry until tender. Add the eggs and scramble just until set.
Stir in the cooked rice, scallions, soy sauce mixture and pepper and stir-fry until the rice is hot. Remove from the heat and season with salt.
Spread flat on cookie sheet and allow to cool. Transfer into ziploc bags. Press them flat and make you get all of the excess air out of them before sealing. (By pressing them flat, they will freeze and heat more evenly and will be easier to stack in your freezer.)
Transfer to freezer and freeze for up to one month.
Last Minute Preparation:
Remove rice from freezer. Tap ziploc bags on the counter to begin to break up the rice. Put into microwave-safe baking dish or bowl and microwave 30 to 60 seconds or until heated through.
If rice seems dry, add a few tablespoons of Vegetable broth.

^ This won the evening. I made 4 cups of uncooked rice worth in the oven instead of over the stove, froze it for a week, then let it defrost. I then threw it in the Crockpot on the lowest setting with some vegetable broth and everybody loved it. Like really loved it. It was gone super quickly and considering how easy it was to make, there is never a reason to not make this for an open house again.

  

Personal Post: Week 5 Weigh In for 32 ere 32

**This is a personal post for me. Please disregard if you are looking for super awesome food and recipe options**

Week 1
March 10 - 145.7 pounds
March 11 - 145.7 pounds
March 12 - 144.6 pounds < .9 pound down>

March 13 - 144.6 pounds <same>

March 14 - 143.7 pounds < .9 pound down>  Milestone 1 Reached!!
March 15 - 143.7 pounds

March 16 - 143.5 pounds < .2 pound down>

Week 2

March 17 - 142.4 pounds < .9 pound down> (St Patrick's)
< I did break diet today with "Festive" Beverages...less the a great choice, but necessary to not feel like a completely ass as we were out at our favorite Irish restaurant in Burbank. >

March 18 - 142.4 pounds
March 19 - 142.2 pounds <.9 pounds up>

March 20 - 141.5 pounds <.7 pounds down> - Milestone 2 Reached!!

March 21 - 140.9 pounds <.6 pounds down> (Star Wars Party) 

March 22 - 140.9 pounds (8 Course Meal to Gosford Park Night)

March 23 - 141.1 pounds <.2 pounds up>

Week 3

March 24 -  140.4 pounds <.7 pounds down> 

March 25 -  140.4 pounds

March 26 -  140.4 pounds

March 27 -  140.2 pounds <.2 pounds down>

March 28 -  140.2 pounds (Camping) 

March 29 -  140.2 pounds (Camping)

March 30 -  143.3 pounds <3.1 pounds up>

Week 4

March 31 - 141.8 pounds <. 1.5 pounds down>
April 1 -  141.5 pounds <.3 pounds down>

April 2 -  140.2 pounds <1.3 pounds down>

April 3 -  139.7 pounds (Wondercon) <.5 pounds down, 6 pounds total> Milestone 3 Reached!!

April 4 - 139.3 pounds< .4 pounds down>

April 5 - 140.7 pounds (Easter) <1.4 pounds up>
April 6 - 140.7 pounds

Week 5
April 7 - 140.7 pounds
April 8 - 140.7 pounds
April 9 - 140.0 pounds
April 10 - 140.0 pounds (Birthday)
April 11 - 139.9 pounds (Good Bye Open House)
April 12 - 140.8 pounds (Luncheon and Game of Thrones Party)
April 13 - 140.5 pounds (Birthday Disneyland Visit)

Week 6
April 14 - 140.5 pounds
April 15 - 139.8 pounds

I got below 140 before I moved! That was definitely one of my goals. Granted, I will probably gain back like 5 pounds while I am traveling cross country, but at least I have proof that I can do it!

Mine says Perfect!

Tidy Tuesday: KonMari Method: Last Sections of the Book

Other Things To Point Out:
As you reduce, your belongings through the process of tidying, you will come to a point where you suddenly know how much is just right for you. I feel like this is very true as there is a magic level for most things. Follow your intuition with how your home should be laid out and what sort of things should be hung or not. Feng Sui is cool and all, but what works and feels right to you?

Don’t stock pile. Especially if you are a Costco Buyer. There is very little you should actually have a lot of. The fact that you own a surplus of things that you can’t bring yourself to discard doesn’t mean you are taking good care of them. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

Most importantly, believe what you heart tells you when you ask “Does this item spark joy?”

Section 4: Storing Your Things To Make Your Life Shine:
The point in deciding specific places to keep things is to designate a spot for EVERY thing. Once you learn to choose your belongings properly, you will be left only with the amount that fits perfectly in the space you currently own. When you are choosing what to keep, ask your heart; when you are choosing where to store something, ask your house.

Pursue the ultimate simplicity in storage. Don’t over think it. Make it accessible and follow the 2 Rules of storage: Store all items of the same type in the same place and don’t scatter storage space. If you live with your family, first clearly define separate storage places for each family member. This will keep stress down for the whole family as everyone needs a sanctuary. Clutter is caused by a failure to return things to where they belong. Therefore, storage should be reduce the effort needed to put things away, not the effort needed to get them out. If you are aiming for an uncluttered room, it is much more important to arrange your storage so that you can tell at a glance where everything is than to worry about details of who does what, where, and when. Remember, your house already knows where everything belongs. Keep like with the like and similar items near each other. Don’t Disperse your storage.

Do not pile things! Vertical storage is the key. Keep in mind that stacking things is very hard on the thing on the bottom. Don’t get sucked into the commercial storage items and tricks. All you need are drawers, (square) boxes, and shelves. Rather than buying something to make do for now, wait until you have completed the entire process and then take your time looking for storage items that you really like.

The best way to store bags is in another bag. Store the same type of bag with in a same type of bag. Empty your bag every day. Have a place for every item you use in your daily bag. Then every time you need a different purse or bag, you know you have the items you need. Plus, it gives you bag a break and allows it to not gain clutter.

Items that usurp floor space belong in the closet. The basic method for effective use of a closet is as follows: Off season items should be stored in the cupboard above the closet. This includes Snow Wear, Swim Suits, seasonal ornaments, etc . Regular clothes in the closet, bedding in the upper shelf of your closet. Move all your storage units into your closet.
Large items like golf clubs, suitcases, appliances or guitars can live in the closet.
Decorate your closet with your secret delights – Transform your closet into your own private space, one that gives you a thrill of pleasure.
Immediately, unpack and de tag new clothes. Don’t allow them to sit in your closet, marked as new.

For shower items, bring them in and out of the shower with you every time, wiping them down afterwards. Keep the shower much tidier.
Keep things out of the bath and the kitchen sink
Sponges: they must completely dry between uses. Put them outside on your veranda or clip they up, not next to the water faucet.
The kitchen counter is for preparing food, not storing food.

Make the top shelf of your bookcases, your personal shrine. Make this area a sacred space, a power spot of pure energy.

Don’t underestimate the noise of written materials. Take off the selling labels for things and mark them simply if needed. It will calm your home and soul. Eliminate excess visual information that doesn’t inspire joy. By doing this, you can make your space much more peaceful and comfortable.

Appreciate your possessions and gain strong allies. Put positivity into them and you will have solid items.

Section 5: The Magic of Tidying Dramatically Transforms Your Life:
At their core, the things we like do not change much over time. Putting your house in order is a great way to discover what they are. Letting go is even more important than adding. The lives of those who tidy thoroughly and completely, in a single shot, are without exception dramatically altered. One of the magical effects of tidying is confidence in your decision – making capacity. When we really delve into the reasons we can’t let something go, there are only two reasons: an attachment to the past or a fear of the future. You can face them now, face them sometime, or avoid them until the day we die. The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life. The fact that you don’t need to search for things is an invaluable stress reliever

Life becomes much easier once you know that things will still work out even if you are lacking something. Tidying is a celebration, a special sent off for those things that will be departing from the house, and there for I will dress accordingly. In essence, tidying ought to be the act of restoring balance among people, their possessions, and the house they live in. Tidying will make your home happy. Our living space effects your body. If you detox your home, you will be detoxing your body as well.

We amass items to satisfy a craving. Not to unlike eating or drinking in excess. When we rid ourselves of the excess and stop buying on impulse, we will stop over indulging in other ways. By surrounding yourself with things that make you happy and in turn are infused with positivity, fortune and happiness are sure to follow. If you can say without a doubt “I really like this” no matter what anyone says, and if you like yourself having it, then ignore what other people might think.

What I learned from this book as a whole:
I feel so much lighter and in control of my home now. I am feeling confident right now as we are packing up. Husband and I bonded over going through all our camera, cords, and game boys. It was nice to get through most of our things before moving because it gave me the feeling of working on something that couldn't be prepped for that much more. I am happy that this book was introduced to me and that I have been able to tell others about it. I am looking forward to the rest of my life with this mentality available to me.

BFMH: Quinoa Parfait

I made this bad boy today. Parfaits always make me think of T.C.B.Y. and the day my twin brother decided to buy the family Frozen Yogurt (this was before if was called "froyo") with his allowance.
It is funny to me how the things that my Twin Broder brought for me and our family stand out so very much in my memory. Earning and saving our allowance was something we talked a lot about together as children so the moments that he decided that he would treat us or buy me a present from my allowance always have struck me deeply.

So in honor of happy and poignant memories, I share this not frozen yogurt parfait recipe. It is SUPER yummy, Enjoy,

Berry Quinoa Parfait

Ingredients

½ cup quinoa

½ cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup greek yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

1 cup (or more) of your favorite berries 

2 tablespoons sliced almonds, lightly toasted

Mint leaves (optional)

Instructions

Use my directions for cooking quinoa as a basic or follow package directions adding the vanilla and cinnamon to your water. Allow to cool.

Mix the greek yogurt and honey together in a small bowl.

Using a spoon add a ⅓ of the yogurt mixture into your glass.

Top with ⅓ of sliced strawberries and blueberries then add ⅓ of the quinoa. Sprinkle with toasted almonds.

Repeat with the remaining yogurt, berries, quinoa and almonds until you have three layers.

Finish with your mint leaves.

It's my 31st birthday! Here is how my 31 by 31 list ended up looking!

As most of you know, I like to make lists of goals and desires to accomplish for a birth year. I started this in my 29th year with "30 things before 30" and have following up this year with "31 by 31". I don't punish myself if I don't accomplish everything as time (especially in my schedule) is a fickle thing. Actually, one thing that is being left undone this year was left undone the year prior as well: Seeing the last 2 missions in San Francisco and Sonoma. 

**Shucks, I guess I will just have to travel out to SF and Sonoma for a weekend and see friends and drink wine heartily. **

Either way, I am proud of what I have accomplished this year. While several things on the list had to change slightly (or even more) due to money and time, I feel like I did a decent job this year.

CE's 31 by 31 List

Health

1. Compete in a 5K - Though I have been regularly completing 5Ks on Saturday with Sarah, we have decided to do the Burbank Turkey Trot! HUZZAH! 

2. Compete in a 10K  - Disney 10k

3. Get to ideal “pre baby weight/fitness level” –  Ultimate Goal) Less than 130lbs

Starting Weight) 145.7 <March 10>

Milestone 1) 144 = 143.7 <March 14>

Milestone 2) 142 =141.5 <March 20>

Milestone 3) 140 - 139.7 < April 2>

Milestone 4) 138  
Milestone 5) 136 
Milestone 6) 134
Milestone 7) 132
Milestone 8) 130
Ultimate Goal) Less than 130 lbs

Creativity

1. Finish Honeymoon Scrapbook <It has been started, but it is not finished>

2. Make an Autumn Garland 9/24/2014

3. Make Fall Wreath 9/29/2014

Just Cuz

1. Participate in a Group Cosplay – Wondercon 2014

2. Visit 6 places on my personally made “I-haven’t-done-these-touristy-must-dos-yet” list:

MUSEUMS:

California Science Center (to see the Endeavour) 

Holocaust Museum 8/28/2014

FOOD:

Tito’s Tacos

The Grove / The Original LA Farmer's Market

OUTDOOR:

Dodger game 8/15/2014 vs Brewers

THEATRE:

see a TV show taping – so you think you can dance 

3. Visit 3 of the following Local Craft Breweries:

Eagle Rock Brewery (Eagle Rock)

Golden Road Brewery (Glendale)

The Bruery  (Orange)

Cooking

1. Learn to make bread

2. Make Beef Bourguignon (a la Julia Child)

3. Make something in the Wellington tradition

Adventure

1. See the Rest of the California Missions:

San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores)– in the San Francisco City

San Francisco Solano –114 E Spain St, Sonoma, CA 95476

San Fernando Rey de España – LA

Santa Barbara  - Santa Barbara

Santa Ynez - Solvang

La Purísima Concepción  - Lompoc

San Juan Bautista – 406 2nd St, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045

Santa Cruz – 144 School St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Santa Clara de Asís – 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053

San José –43300 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 9453

2. Take a Mud Bath or something of the like(Went to Wi Spa)

3. Go Ziplining or something of the like (This was unable to happen due to $, instead Camping with Witman Family!)

Travel

1. Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston

2. Weekend trip Sonoma and/or Napa (This was unable to happen due to $, instead I cleaned out everything we own to ready us for packing and moving cross country.)

3. Weekend trip Sunnyvale to visit the Yosts (and see the surrounding Missions)

Learning

1. Take Disney Tour Reservation is made! 4/17/2015

2. Stream line Mommy School Binder/Ready myself for that door to open

3. Read 31 books including 2 classics I keep putting off <ending up reading 8 classics>

1 – Gilead – Marilynne Robinson
2 – Divergent- Veronica Roth
3 – Insurgent - Veronica Roth
4 – A Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy- Douglas Adams
5 – The Restaurant at the End of the Universe – Douglas Adams
6 – Life, the Universe and Everything
7 – Speaker For The Dead - Orson Scott Card
8 – The Maze Runner - James Dashner
9 – The Scorch Trails - James Dashner
10 – Summer Knight - Dresden Files
11 – The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss
12 – Living Dead In Dallas – Charlaine Harris

13 – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving
14 – Death Masks - Dresden Files

15 – City of Lost Souls – Cassandra Clare
16 – City of Heavenly Fire – Cassandra Clare
17 – Dead as a Doornail – Charlaine Harris

18 – Club Dead – Charlaine Harris

19 – Dead to the World – Charlaine Harris

20 – Bossypants – Tina Fey
21 – Frommer’s Washington DC Tour Book
22 – The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up – Marie Kondo
23 – Classic - Lord of the Flies – William Golding
24 – Classic- The Invisible Man – H. G. Wells
25 – Classic - Bhagavad Gita
26 – Classic-Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Robert Louis Stevenson
27 – Classic- Mutiny on the Bounty – William Bligh

28 – Classic- The Art of War – Sun Tzu
29 – Allegiant - Veronica Roth
30 – Classic- A Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens
31 – Classic- The Prince – Machiavelli

 AND THE WHOLE NEW SECTION: Quarters!

1. 3 things in any category TBD on my quarter birthday July 10^th

a) Lead Worship with my Ukulele 8/17/2014

b) Participate in an Instagram challenge – 100 days of Happy

c) Sew a Dress for myself-9/11/2014

2. 3 things in any category TBD on my half birthday October 10^th

a) Participate in a group Dapper Day Excursion (101 Dalmatians) 9/12/2014

b) Make a Group Halloween Costume and have party - The Sanderson Sisters 

c) Attend Comikaze 2014 

3. 3 things in any category TBD on my three quarter birthday January 10^th

a) Keep my first New Year's Resolution - P90 Jan - Mar

b) Finish Dragon Age 2 < I finished Act 2, but not done with Act 3>

c) Take a weekend trip to San Diego with Husband to visit friends

Garlic Roasted Cabbage

I love garlic. I don't love Cabbage. I really liked this dish! it really evened out nicely

Garlic Rubbed Cabbage

Ingredients

1 (approx 2lb) head of organic green cabbage, cut into 1″ thick slices

1.5 tablespoons olive oil

2 to 3 large garlic cloves, smashed (I used minced garlic that comes in a jar)

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

spray olive oil OR non-stick cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F and spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Pull outer leaf off cabbage (it’s usually dirty and nasty looking), cut cabbage from top to bottom (bottom being root) into 1″ thick slices.

Rub both sides of cabbage with smashed garlic

Use a pastry brush to evenly spread the olive oil over both sides of the cabbage slices

Finally, sprinkle each side with a bit of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Roast on the middle rack for 30 minutes. Carefully flip the cabbage steaks and roast for an additional 30 minutes until edges are brown and crispy. Serve hot and Enjoy!

Before Roasting

I ended up only cooking it for 30 minutes on the bottom shelf (with out a flip) of the oven as Kris and I were busy making Salt Baked Salmon as well. I think that it I had made it the way it is directed to be cooked, it would be even better. Ours were a little crispy, though really quite delish with the smoky flavor. Sorry, I failed to take an after photo because we were so ready to dig in.

Try this out, even if you don't really care for cabbage. Roasting and garlic always makes it better.

Crockpot Bison and Barley Stew

As I mentioned earlier in the week, we gamed a LOT on President's day. We had a really nice lunch of Tomato Bisque and Roasted Chicken, and for dinner we utilized the magic of a Crockpot and came up with this magically dish. The bison, while it had a bit of connective tissue, was spectacular after a nice trimming and slow, long cooking. If you can get your hands on it, do it with that. If not, a cut of beef would do just fine.

Crockpot Bison and Barley Stew 
Ingredients
1 onion, sliced
3 large carrots, sliced
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons dried thyme
8 oz mushrooms, caps only
1 pound of fingerlings, cubed
1 can tomato paste
32 oz oz beef stock
2 pounds of bison
1/3 cup of Irish Whiskey
16 oz stock of choice
8 oz barley

Method

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, cook the onions and carrots in oil and butter, on medium-high heat until they are translucent/soft.  Add the dried thyme and garlic and stir until garlic is fragrant. Put into Crockpot on low heat. Also, add the mushroom caps and cubed potatoes.

Mix 8 oz of tomato paste with 16 oz of beef broth, breaking up the paste and add to Crockpot.

Brown the bison (which you should salt and pepper liberally)  on a high heat to seal in juices in the sauce pan. Deglaze the pan with 1/3 of a cup of Jameson. Allow to bubble for 1 minute and add all of it to the Crockpot. 

Cover with enough beef stock until mostly covered. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

about 30 minutes before serving, heat stock of choice and cook barley with in it. Add cooked barley to crock pot and put to Hot until ready to serve. Serve with Irish soda bread and salted butter.

Why is this picture so awesome? Because I didn't take it. Kris did!

It was agreed, this was stupid good. We all promptly fell into silence as we ate this and, also, into food comas after dinner. I am very excited that I feel confident in the ways of "Crockpotery" before hitting pregnancy as I hear I will use it a heck of a LOT then.

Here is to carrots cooked all day in meat juices!