Cute Little Boutiques

Have you ever driven by one of those cute little boutique stores with their antiques and adorable home decor?

Well I made the mistake of driving down Longmire yesterday and was tempted by one such store called the Checkered Corner. I went in to peruse the merchandise and left with some purchases.

One purchase is the mug you see here. Isn't it adorable with my initial and everything!! I just couldn't pass it up! And it was on sale (shhhhhh)! My other purchase was a candle whose title is "sandcastle". I don't know if it actually smells like sandcastles, but it does remind me of the beach so I'm happy with it.

These little antique stores are really my weakness, I can't pass up the original art and other unique things they have!

Well I'm off to enjoy a fresh cup of tea in my new mug!

Craving Coconut

As I was sitting in my kitchen messing with my computer I had a sudden urge for coconut, so I thought about what I could make and macaroons immediately came to mind! So here's my recipe! And they are tasty and satisfied my urge! Also...I have no idea what to do with the 4 left over egg yolks...any suggestions?

Super Easy Macaroons
1 14oz package angel flake coconut
2/3 c sugar
6 tbs flour
1/4 tsp salt
4 egg whites
1 tsp almond extract

Preheat oven to 325F.
Mix coconut, sugar, flour and salt in a large bowl. Stir in egg whites and almond extract until well blended.
Drop onto a parchment lined coookie sheet. I use my tablespoon to do thing, makes them all even and pretty.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until edges are golden brown, watch them after about 12 minutes, I burned my first batch.
Immediately move to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.
If you feel crafty, drizzle some melted chocolate over them, or dip them half way in chocolate...the possibilities are endless

Nutella Fudge Brownies

Nutella Fudge Brownies
4 oz unsweetened chocolate (I use Bakers)
1 c butter (2 sticks)
1 lb 4.5 oz sugar (about 2.5 c)
4 lg eggs
1 tbs PURE vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
5.5 oz ap flour (about a cup)
1 c nuts or choc chips
1/2-1 13 oz jar Nutella

Preheat oven to 350 F
Grease a 9*13 glass pan.
Melt chocolate and butter in large saucepan over medium heat. DON'T BURN!! Remove from heat.
Using spatula or wooden spoon add sugar and mix well.
Add eggs, vanilla and salt, mix well.
Fold in flour just until smooth. Fold in chips or nuts (or both!) Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 30-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes then spread however much Nutella you want over brownies, sprinkle with any additional toppings, cool completely then cut into squares.

Breakfast Sundays!!!

Yesterday night boyfriend said he wanted waffles for breakfast. I obliged and looked up a recipe, then went to bed and forgot about it, thinking he would too. BUT NO!!! This morning I was rudely awoken to "where are my waffles?!?"

So I pulled out my waffle iron that I've never used before (YAY!!) pulled up the same recipe and went to work. The only problem being that soon the boyfriend completely took over the process :( Not that I'm against having him cook, but I was making the waffles. Oh well, they turned out very good even though we ran out of buttermilk and substituted regular milk instead. They were light and fluffy and super tasty just like a waffle should be, topped with pure maple syrup. Plain and simple amazing!

I love breakfast on Sundays!

my pups

Dixie really really likes the camera

Hello my name is Lizzy

Oral Fixation, Intoxication, or Addiction?

Everyone knows I have a sweet tooth, it's obvious from my nickname, my love of baking, and baked goods. To get more to the point though on Sunday I saw a commercial for Milano cookies, I love Milano cookies and haven't had them in a while so of course a craving ensued. I jumped into the car with a friend and headed to the store to grab cookies and some beer of course. Outside of the store those sweet innocent girl scouts were advertising the last day to buy girl scout cookies. These girls seem like angels but in reality they're sirens singing their sweet song of cookies and luring you to your destruction. Their song was completely effective and I fell to my sugary death buying 6 boxes of Samoans. Then we continued our trek into the store where I bought three bags of Milanos. This wouldn't be a big deal if I possessed an ounce of self control, unfortunately when it comes to cookies I don't. Here comes the kicker, I later drove to my house and ate almost a whole bag of milanos without even realizing I was eating them, I had no idea until boyfriend pointed out the empty bag later that day. So this leads to my question, do I constantly munch on cookies because I have to have something in my mouth, because I'm high (haha...my mom suggested this, it's completely fictional), or because I have a cookie/sugar addiction?

I'm on the downhill side of the second day of my cookie free week challenge and it's not going so well. I was grouchy and shaky yesterday until I had some frozen yogurt. Today I've gotten over the shaky feeling but still feel somewhat grouchy and unmotivated. Overall I am not happy about my lack of sweets, but I guess I will appreciate the supposed health benefits of it.

Anyway, I will be updating on whether or not the cookie free week has succeeded or not and how my mood deals with the loss of sugar.

Home Improv continued!

the horses needed a temporary home

Well as promised here are pictures of the ongoing home improvement at my casa!