I'll be happy when...

Prompt is courtesy of Kathy and writers workshop

Is it considered cheating to say I am already happy?
It's true you know.

Then again, I'll be happier when...

• The tile floor that takes up 85% of our house mops itself
• The same tile floor sweeps itself first. First with the broom, then with the Swiffer.
  
• The tile floor teaches the area rug to self clean
• Our cat Cagney brushes herself daily
• I can have a golden sun kissed glow without sun, either real or artificial
• My husband musters the strength to place the TP on the actual holder.
  
• The Dunkin Donuts staff stop asking me "and sugar" when I say "decaf toasted almond coffee with cream only please". I know it's silly, but it bothers me.
• People stop saying irregardless. I am sure it's listed in some dictionary, but it's really not a word, it's redundant and in my opinion a double negative. The less in regardless makes it a negative (without regard or not taking into account). So wouldn't irregardless mean NOT without regard. Either way you look at it, it's redundant.
  
• Giada and I spend an afternoon getting manicures (have I ever mentioned I love her nails), having lunch and cooking together.
  
• Alton Brown joins us for dessert
• Ina, Duff, and Tyler stop for some coffee.
  
• They all chat and realize I am just need some fine tuning, talk to the Food Network and give me my own show.
• My brother decides that Melt just isn't the same without me and stops going unless I am in town
• West Palm Beach and Cleveland are in the same county, in the same state.
• Bacon becomes a health food

Its a good thing I am a happy, lucky girl already!

Pampering for the penny pincher

We all like a bit of pampering. And let's face it, we all deserve it! If an afternoon at the spa isn't in your budget, and heck even if it is you can save a bundle with these penny pinching tips.

I love this article for pretty feet no matter how much time you have on hand. Take a peek

After an at home pedicure, complete the nails with a do it yourself manicure. You know the basics, but to get the complete spa experience give these ideas a try:

• Soak your hands warm soapy water first
• Push back (don't cut) your cuticles
• Exfoliate, and rinse your hands
• Place a moist towel in the microwave then wrap around hands (and/or feet). This is my favorite part of the spa pedicures and manicure. Now, sit back and relax. Be careful with this step, heat up the towel slowly to ensure it doesn't get too hot.
• Moisturize, then wipe nails before applying polish to remove oils.
• Use a base coat first.
  
• Paint your nail starting on the side. You should be able to paint your nail in three strokes. (one on each side, and the middle)
• Finish with a top coat

Finally, treat your hands, feet, and entire body with an easy homemade exfoliater. There are lots of recipes out there for sugar scrubs. Here are my two favorites:

Lemony Sugar Scrub

1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup olive oil
Lemon juice (about a teaspoon or so)

Combine all ingredients, place in a container of your choice and enjoy.

Brown Sugar Scrub

1 Cup brown sugar
1/2 Cup almond or olive oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients, place in a container of your choice and enjoy.

*These scrubs are great exfoliaters, but adding items like vitamin E, small amounts of honey, essential oils, etc. can help with extra moisturizing. I don't mess with them.
*You can leave out the vanilla and lemon in either recipe as they are mainly for scent.
*Whether you wash with soap and water first or second is up to you.
*Let the sugar do the work. You don't need to scrub too hard.

Divine Dessert

Sundays are special for Jim and I. We pick a new recipe and cook together. We have made homemade, fresh pasta, chicken schawarma, crab cakes, just to name a few. We split up the chopping, mixing, and stirring and spend the afternoon around the kitchen island. We have a great time together and I look forward to it all week. This past weekend we made Giadas egg, gorgonzola, and pancetta sandwiches and a scrumptious dessert - bread pudding. We stepped it up and made pecan praline sauce, then topped it all off with homemade whipped cream. Lets pause, shall we and discuss homemade whipped cream.
Homemade whipped cream is amazing. It is super easy to make and it is just so much better than store bought whipped topping. (notice how its called topping not cream.). If you have not experienced the this treat, I demand that you make yourself a pie, and top with some homemade whipped cream. Or just eat the whipped cream on its own with some coffee for breakfast. I have heard that is really good. From a friend of a friend.
Don't be scared....I'll walk you through it.

Bread Pudding: (recipe follows)

Get your bread ready

Give it a nice bath in some milk, eggs, and spice


The yummy yummy in the tummy finished product. Holy cow...it was good!


Bread Pudding

6 slices day old bread *(see my notes)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins, optional *
4 eggs beaten
2 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
t teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350.
Break bread into pieces and place in an 8 x 8 pan. Drizzle melted butter over bread. If using sprinkle with raisins
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread and lightly push down bread until all bread is covered and soaking up mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes or top springs back when lightly tapped.

Pecan Praline Sauce

1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 stick butter
1tsp vanilla
1 cup pecans (pieces or halves)

Combine corn syrup, brown sugar, and butter in heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil gently* for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until candy thermometer reads 210 degrees. Remove from heat, add vanilla and stir well. Stir in pecans. Cover and refrigerate unused portion. Or eat with a spoon directly from saucepan. It's totally up to you.

Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy cream (bet you don't see that in the whipped topping ingredients list)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon powdered sugar

In large chilled bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks are just about to form. Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form. Make sure not overbeat*

Serve with your favorite dessert, or breakfast. Again...its up to you.


Notes
*I use cinnamon raisin bread. I did shop until Sunday morning, so I just pulled the bread out and let it sit for a few hour to get a little stale.
* Since I used cinnamon raisin bread, I didn't add additional raisins
* When making the sauce, be sure to keep an eye on it. If you scorch the sugar, its over. Low and slow. Slow and steady wins the race
*You need to whip the cream at a relatively high speed to get it just right. It's right when you have peaks that start to form and then fall over. If you overbeat it, the cream will become lumpy and butter like.

No Iron, No Cry

Dear any shirt manufacturer that makes a non no-iron shirt:

Perhaps you don't iron. Or its just that you since you are crazy rich shirt manufacturers you have someone else iron your non no iron shirts, leaving you ignorant to the difficulties involved.
Maybe its just some sick twisted game you play. You like the non no-iron shirt. You revel in how wrinkled it is even if you pull it out of the washing machine the moment it stops it's cycle. You sit back and cackle at the fact that it seems as if someone purposely snuck into the wash and manually put thousands upon thousands of wrinkles in the shirt. I bet you sit around a table eating fancy catered lunches cracking up about how some poor sweet wife irons the front of a sleeve only to put those wrinkles back in the shirt once she irons the back. It's mean how you have no regard for the kind sweet wife who spends 30 minutes of her day getting that shirt nice and crisp. The stock price for Magic Sizing probably soared as I ironed that shirt, spraying it over and over. You two are probably in cahoots. You should be ashamed!

Then again, what idiot buys a non no-iron shirt anyhow?

Lost in Translation

Jim and I are planning a vacation. Part of the trip will be spent in Paris. We are both excited, and recently ordered a phrase book so that we could communicate in French. I won't be able to speak fluently, but I think its respectful to at least order a coffee and say how ya doing.
The phrase book arrived the other day and I decided to flip through and get started. As I was flipping through I noticed a few unusual phrases. It made me think, "Who in the honk would need to say this in any language, let alone a tourist just trying to get by using a foreign language?"

Here are a few examples of the phrases I am speaking about:

I am married but...
Um, really? Now this one isn't that odd, but I find it unnecessary to need this phrase. I mean, if you are buying a phrase book, you probably aren't going to carry on long conversations with singles. So, what do you just walk up to someone in a club and say "I am married but...."

Do you want to arm wrestle?
Seriously? This made me laugh out loud. Perhaps instead of the customary nod that guys use in the US to greet each other, the French arm wrestle. Or maybe the way you tell a chef the meal was spectacular is by challenging them to an arm wrestling contest. Thoughts?

I only eat insects
OK..this one is plain strange. Perhaps if you were an American frog this would come in handy. Otherwise, when would you ever need to know this phrase? Lets think about this, when was the last time you said to someone "I only eat insects"? I get "I am a vegetarian", "I am allergic to garlic", etc. But I only eat insects. That one baffles me

Did someone fart?
OK, sorry if this one is offensive to anyone. But here is the thing: We wonder why we get a bad rap as tourists, and I think I figured out why. We travel to other countries, can't ask for directions, but go around asking if they farted.

I am really excited for our vacation. I just hope I don't think I am ordering a latte and end challenging Jim to a duel with a local

If I were a Simpson

Try it yourself. Just upload a picture and see what happens.

PJ Day - My Holiday Hustle Reward and Carries version on the Night Before Christmas

Just a few days before Christmas

And there was much celebration

Carrie was taking a few days off

Finally, some much needed vacation

The day of nothing was planned
For days ahead she stayed up late
It had been such a long time
Since she had an unscheduled date

It was a day to relax
Nothing left on the list
Shopping - done, cleaning - done
Wrapping, well you get the gist

She could do what she pleased
For she had nothing else left to do
Read a book, take a nap
watch a movie or two

She had scurried and hurried
Giving herself deadlines to meet
Planning ahead to be sure
The holiday crowds she would beat

The packages were shipped
The menu was set
List upon list
So there was nothing to forget

In her PJ's she stayed
Comfy slippers on her feet
A cappuccino was drank
As a mid-morning treat

Seven days were still left
From work she would stay away
She was relaxed and calm
The way she hoped it would stay

For Tuesday again
Was a day to just chill
Get a pedicure, bake a pie
But in that she found thrill

Christmas Eve would come soon
And bring great elation
Jim and Carrie were planning
Gingerbread house creations

While they would miss the Christmas Eves
That had come in the past
Together they would celebrate while eating
Reubens and fries.... oh such class

Then Christmas Day would arrive
And they were hosting a brunch
Carrie had it all planned
There would be no time crunch

The friends would arrive
Great company on Christmas Day
It would help ease the sadness
Of missing friends and family far away

And now as for me
I am off to just sit
Another cappuccino? Perhaps
I think I deserve it

So as you scurry and scamper
And you are out and about
Remember to enjoy and be thankful
That's what it is all about

Take a moment or two
And remember the true reason
We hustle and plan
And celebrate this great season



*Update - Those are my favorite pjs (I love polka dots and I love pjs)
**Update #2 - The day got even better - I got a new crock pot and was taken out to dinner - Red Lobster in fact! Woo Hoo!!!

I am so over it (I think, probably)

I know, I know...I have been gone for two weeks and the two people that read (or at least comment) on my blog probably miss me. Later I will post all about what I have been doing, but right now, a quick post on this:

OK, I am pretty sure I am so over Greys Anatomy. You are all probably reading thinking I am so shallow for posting about a television show, but if that is the case, then come back tomorrow. : )

Really Seattle Grace, I am done. (I think)

First, there is the constant whining and complaining of the cast. Lets think about this shall we...
A You have a job
B Above job is in an industry that is very difficult to break into
C People who dream of acting would turn cartwheels for the opportunity you have
D You CAN get out of it if you are so unhappy
E YOU HAVE A JOB!!!
Get over yourselves and shush. I don't want to hear it anymore.

Second, and the prompting for my being over it. The Denny/Izzie saga
Denny is dead. Remember Izzie? Um, you were there. And trust me, I totally get talking to people that aren't alive. I even get crying and laughing to/with those people. I've done it, but heres the thing, I have never actually went shopping with or had coffee with the dead. I have merely received a few blank stares from people around at Starbucks when I giggle and don't realize I am using by outside giggle because I remembering a funny moment, or seeing something that I know my mom would think was funny. I totally grasp that she isn't sitting there with me in Starbucks. If she were however, I would totally make her pay for my latte. Are you following me here?
So yeah, looking for signs, believing certain things that happen are signs from the loved one you miss, chatting and laughing to/with the not alive loved one (I hate saying DEAD loved one) I totally get it. But really, doing that with him and allowing it to jeopardize the Karev relationship. Who is btw...HOT with a capital H. Its annoying!
She misses him (of course), she feels guilt over moving on (of course), but come on....
Can the writers allow just one story to be happy, can they let just one character have a successful, happy, loving relationship? Is that too much. And don't even mention Meredith and Derek. I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop with them (and personally, find it an unhealthy annoying relationship anyhow).

So there you have it....
Alive Izzie + Dead Denny + Stuff that would make for a R movie rating = Carrie being pretty sure she is so over it

Just for Aunt Kim

Since she specifically told me "No more posts that make me cry"

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Shannon rocks!

Like the Fall look? Thank Shannon at Eight Crazy Designs, blog designs. It is free and she is offering Christmas looks as well.
After Christmas, I plan on purchasing one of her designs. She offers pre made blog templates, or will work with you to create a more personalized look.

The best way to thank and recognize her is to view and purchase her blog makeover services. If you are looking for a blog makeover, shop HERE!

Thanks Shannon.

An open apology to Pumpkin Spice Latte

Dear Pumpkin Spice Latte -
I am very sorry I strayed from you.
Sure, you waltz in and out of my life for a few short months every year, but you have commitment issues. I get it. Or thought I did.
Sure, I am disappointed every year when I come to see you in December and you are gone without so much as a warning or a goodbye.
So, naturally it felt good to walk into one of three St@rbucks at Gardens Mall and order something else. I'll show you, I thought to myself. I even glanced at the poster advertising you as I ordered "A grande, soy, hazelnut hot chocolate with no whipped cream please" Because, even though I was cheating, I still use my manners. I had won, or so I thought. Maybe this would be the move that made you change. You would petition the St@rbucks execs to keep you around all year.
It was good, that hot chocolate. Not too nutty, the chocolate was rich and creamy. I was in heaven. About to start a new life with the drink of my dreams. As I sipped though, I thought, this isn't better, its just different. Something was amiss
And then it happened....
The grass, I learned, really isn't always greener on the other side. True, my new drink offered me stability and comfort that you could never offer. It wouldn't leave me all sad and alone right at the start of the holiday season, causing me to stroll the mall looking at the decorations and lights all alone. However, it also offered me double the fat and calories. DOUBLE! That is a compromise I am not willing to make. A risk, my 31 year old, not nearly as forgiving as it once was Midwesterner now living in Southern Florida body couldn't take.
I know, soon enough you will be gone again. On to bigger and better things. I only hope you come back next year and that we can pick up where we left off.

To Kathy, Emily, and Jennifer

Meet Reid

Congratulations to our friends Jessica, Drew, and big brother Braden.

Why I didn't make the bed today

It seems the sides are split on making the bed. I personally like the bed made daily. I actually need it to be straightened before I get it. Its my little quirk, just roll with it.

Anyhoo...This is Cooper. She likes to burrow herself under the covers, in fact some days after the bed is made, you will go in and see a lump in the middle of the bed. That would be Cooper. So today, I go to make the bed and look what I find. I let her stay, and skipped the bed making.
I'm a rebel sometimes, what can I say.
And yes I love her and our other cat Cagney but no, I am NOT a crazy cat lady. I have two cats people. Two.

Carrie wins, Browns....not so much

It was Lobsterfest at the Browns Backers of the Palm Beaches on Sunday. I won a raffle, but that was where the luck ended. Browns lost 13-10.

Explain to me how the Browns could lose when I was cheering them on wearing these shoes

Oh Canada....How I love thee candy!

I won a bet. This candy more than fulfilled the bet. Thanks for letting me win Derek!

Let me tell you...Those Smarties you see are NOT the little bits of powdery sugar lumped together in a disk like they are here. They are, as we Andersons call them "The rich mans M&M"
And Mr Big....O M G. Kit Kat like wafer, coated in caramel, peanuts, and rice crispies and then covered in chocolate. So good that I am hoarding them from Jim.
I think one of each is perfect acceptable and well balance dinner...eh?

Whats in a name?

Back when this whole thing started not too long ago, it was meant as a way for me to share my love for cooking and baking. It really stemmed from seeing the blog of one of my best friends. She began a blog to share her journey through pregnancy. I thought blogging would be fun. The truth is, however, I had no idea what I would share. My husband and I currently have no children and don't lead the craziest lives. What would I have to offer the blogging world?
So, it occurred to me that I could share my passion for food. I thought I would share some recipes, and move on. Then it happened, I stumbled on this cooking related blog, that somehow led me here. Jennifer is a bit of a blogging mentor. Her blog is amazing and you will want to be her friend after reading. You will also be totally jealous because she writes so well that you feel like you are having coffee with her and she is telling the story to you and only you. Her blog introduced me to all sorts of other blogs, like this one. I think Emily and I would be crafting pals if we lived near other. Through all of these blogs, I realized that maybe I had more than just recipes to share and when she started writers workshop, I discovered a whole new way to express myself. Through all this, blogging has become quite therapeutic for me. I am loving blogging more and more every day.
So, here is my dilemma - Should I change my blog name and address? The recipes are still going to be a constant, however, I think other things will continue to flow into this blog as well.
I need to know what you think! Part of me thinks it would be fun (I have thought of names), and part of me is worried that I should stick with how I started out. Truthfully, I am wondering if I am limiting myself with the name. See what I mean, I can't decide.
I am asking you. There is a poll on my sidebar. Vote, tell your friends to vote. Let your voice be heard! Heck, I won't even make you register!

WWW - Part #3 Holiday Memory

This weeks prompt - memory 3
Editors Note...Jessica and Drew were never late

A shout out to my friends back in Ohio. They were always late to the annual holiday dinner our house, and I just picture this occurring in the car on the way to our house.
Its ok though, I still love em and they are the most amazing friends!

Recipe for a perfect weekend - may bore others, was wonderful for me

What a way to cheer a girl up!

Saturday

• Sleep in until 7:45
• Surf the internet
• Make list for Jo-Ann Fabrics
  
• Put on a pot of coffee for still sleeping hubby
• Head off to shop for fabric for Christmas presents
• Stop at Dunkin Donuts for a medium decaf coconut coffee with cream. So yummy (the blueberry is good too, and the toasted almond, I could go on)
  
• Spend a really really long time pouring off the fabric options
• Leave store and drive home
• Embrace the Florida version of fall like weather - Steady rain and a low of 72*. Which with the rain, felt like 71*
• Stop at grocery store (have I mentioned my love for grocery shopping -seriously)
• Love that Publix has a covered drive up so I don't get soaked putting groceries in car (still missing Giant Eagle, but appreciating the little things)
• Beat up the teenage boy that said, "Not to worry MAAM, I'll watch your cart while you go get the car" Um....I am being a bit sarcastic, but I'm 31 -hardly a maam, still he was being polite
• Get home, put on a pot of chili -No, not cuz its "cold", but because there is college football to watch
• Realize that I can save my back by using the island in the kitchen as a cutting spot as opposed to the dining room table, which is much lower than the island- BRILLIANT!!!
• Read my new Rachael Ray magazine
• Eat yummy chili topped with sour cream, cheese, and Fritos
• Have pumpkin pie ice cream for dessert - that tastes amazingly just like pumpkin pie
• Watch Ohio State beat Wisconsin - WOO HOO
• Enjoy a homemade latte with Jim

Sunday (if you're bored, sorry - it was a great weekend for me)

• Get up, make breakfast
• Hubby knows I need some serious cheering up
• Above hubby takes me shopping
• Stop at Sonic after shopping - Cherry Limeade is high up on the list of ways to my heart
• Take an afternoon nap - rare, but nice
• Jim makes dinner - Tries to duplicate the Wake and Bacon, does a fine job. Oh Melt, how I miss you so.
• Watch Amazing Race
• I win bet with co-worker from this post. In only the second week. Technically the first week, since we always watch a week and then pick. Victory is so sweet.
• Watch Brothers and Sisters. Oh how I love the Walker family
• Check on apple butter I made (have to taste it, then I'll post). Looking good so far.
• Type up my post.
• Head off to bed.

25 more!

Remember this post?
Well, if not, brush up. You are about to learn 25 MORE things about me

1 I hate when people are late. OK, you shouldn't hate. But I strongly dislike it

2 I really strongly dislike when people interrupt

3 My middle name is Ann

4 I had scoliosis as a teenager and had to have surgery to correct it. The surgery made me grow 2 1/2 inches. So, basically I grew 2 1/2 inches in a matter of about 12 hours

5 My husband proposed with a fortune cookie he made himself. It said "You will live long life if you become my wife"

6 I love grocery shopping

7 I believe there is a right way and a wrong way to load a dishwasher

8 I am extremely blessed to have all 4 of my grandparents still in my life.

9 When I was little I had a pretend friend named Amy

10 I can't work unless my desk is clean, neat and tidy.

11 I make lists for everything.

12 If I mess up when I am writing the list I have to start over

13 I love to read. Always have been a bookworm

14 I worry too much about what people think of me

15 I worry to much in general

16 I love lip gloss. I buy them all the time. Its odd really

17 I never go in the ten items or less lane if I have more than ten items. Not even with 11 items.

18 I have 4 nieces and 4 nephews

19 My friends kids call Jim and me Uncle Jim and Aunt Carrie, which gives us 5 more nieces and 3 more nephews

20 I can say the alphabet backwards

21 I live in Florida and I don't know how to swim

22 I take after my mom in the way of not writing down recipes (until now). I am working on it.

23 I get angry when someone gets in my way in the kitchen (MY kitchen)

24 I took three years of Spanish in high school and all I can say in Spanish Hello, How are you, Where is the bathroom, and My Name is Carrie

25 I think I am boring, because I am running of things to post about. The next 50 are gonna be tough. I may have to get creative.