Compromising to be Mr&Mrs

Let's face it, relationship are full of compromise. Spencer and I have this bizarre ability to agree on all of the major aspects of life: family, money, education, politics, etc - but then we disagree on the small stuff: towels, onions, the usefulness of bread makers, china pattern... so essentially anything and everything dealing with our home decor.

So we compromise and find something we BOTH like.

For example, Spencer likes plain white dishes, but they make me fall asleep. Our compromise? We registered for white plates with some character, and I have (almost)full reign to decorate the table with pretty napkins, table cloths, runners, and the occasional salad plate.

We registered for Portmeirion by Sophie Conran (found here). A four piece place setting retails for $71.50 but is on sale for $39.32. Let's hope it stays that way for the next 7 months. Made from porcelain, these plates are durable and can go from the freezer to the oven. And if you hit them on the display, they don't chip... (yes, we both did this multiple times because we are super clumsy). 

Brights and patterns will look so amazing against what I call "vanilla" plates. Here is what I have to spice up the table: 

Twist Wire Napkin Rings - Bed Bath&Beyond $2.99ea

Solid Turquoise Napkin - Pier 1 $3.95ea

Cotton Cloth Napkins - Etsy.com seller CarrottCreations $8 set of four 

What have you and your significant other had to compromise on? 

Visit to Blue Jay

I am trying to get Jade prepared for our move in the spring by bringing her to new places. We are also trying to be more active so she can have a healthier, longer life. She last lost 2lbs!! This might not sound like a lot, but when you start off at 12.5lbs, it is. That is 16% of her body weight. We are doing great.

Today we went to Blue Jay Point Park and walked a trail near the main entrance/play ground. Since the playground is being renovated and it is about 45* out, we basically had the park to ourselves. 

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Save-the-dates!

Our save the dates went out in mid-December as Christmas cards! Another big check off the list :-)

They were ordered from magnetstreet.com which allows you to customize colors. We also got matching return address labels and envelope seals. They looked great, but it took a few weeks for the product to get here. 

Holiday Pretzel Bites and News!

First thing is first: I have decided to stay at my current job for the spring full time beginning in February. I will still be taking about 10 hours of classes in the paralegal program as well. I can totally do this. After the semester is over I will continue to search for a job in the legal field.

Holiday Pretzel Bites
I made these wonderful little pretzel bites to take to Spencer's family Christmas party. They were a big hit and very, very easy to make. Any combo of Hershey kiss flavors and M&M colors/flavors can be used

What you need:
-1 bag grid pretzels
-2 or 3 bags of Hershey Kisses
-1 large bag of M&Ms (can by many of all one color at Popalops in Crabtree or can buy seasonal)
-Parchment paper

1) Preheat oven to 200*F

2) Line a cookie sheet (or 2) with parchment paper cut to size.

3) Place pretzels on cookie sheet with Hershey Kiss on top

4) Place tray in oven for 8 minutes or until chocolate is soft, but not melted.

5) Press M&M into top of chocolate and let sit for an hour or so or the chocolate to harden before placing in bag(s) or in a bowl.

What I learned: 
-Peppermint white chocolate kisses melt much quicker than milk chocolate. Cooking multiple types of chocolate at the same time is a bad idea.
-Even though it might seem like the chocolate will never harden, it will. Just be patient.

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Thursday we celebrated Amy’s (Spencer’s Mom) birthday, and I wanted to make something special and fun for her. This idea was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest, but when I mentioned the idea to my mom she said she used to make these for my older sisters.

MEET ICE CREAM CONE CUPCAKES!

First I found a blog that mentioned using a cupcake pan to hold the cones might not be the best idea because the lip is so shallow. THIS blog recommended cutting holes into a tin pan from the dollar store… which is easier said than done. I ended up cutting squares that were uneven and off center. In hindsight, I should have drawn the holes with a sharpie.

All of the ingredients (minus the cones)

 Super easy way to fill up pasty or frosting bags. The cup must be really large to hold all of the batter though. Push all of the air out of the bag, tie it off, cut off the tip, and begin piping into the cones.

Here is how much batter I put in the cones. I probably could of put more.

I had a ton of left over batter. You could either do two batches, or make cupcakes too. Next time I will put more batter in each cone to get a bigger "ice cream" effect. 

 All puffed up and light brown on top.

  

Finished product.

Happy Birthday, Amy!!

What you need:

-1 box cake mix of your choice (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Yellow)

-ingredients box mix requires (This box required 3 eggs, 1c water, and 1/3 c butter softened)

-1 to 2 cans of frosting of your choice (I used Betty Crocker Cream Cheese Frosting)

-24 flat bottomed ice cream cones (I used Food Lion brand)

-Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven according to box directions

2. Cut holes in tin pan

3. Place cones in pan

4. Mix cake ingredients according to box

5. Put zip lock baggie in large (very large) cup and scoop batter into the bag as if it were an icing bag. Cut at very tip.

6. “Pipe” batter into ice cream cones filling up almost the entire way. This method prevents a mess all over the pan.

7. Place pan in the oven on medium rack and cook based on box directions, but watch closely. My box called for 17-22 minutes and I cooked for 21 minutes. Insert toothpick and when it comes out clean, the cupcakes are done.

8. Place on wire rack to cool thoroughly before icing.

9. Repeat step 5, but using the frosting. You can either use a zip lock baggie or an icing bag with tips (what I used).

10. Top with sprinkles and candle!

Inspiration: 

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/06/03/my-i-thought-i-had-an-original-idea-ice-cream-cone-cupcake-pan/

http://qualityrecipes.tumblr.com/post/8538988090/ice-cream-cone-cake-1-box-betty-crocker-r

Next Time: Easy Peppermint Fudge 

Candy Christmas Tree Update

The saga continues. My mom was nice enough to get me new lights today, but she got the only white Christmas tree lights Kmart had left, garland lights. In case you are ever looking, garland lights are not the same thing. The 300 light strand was as long as a 100 light standard strand. The bulbs are clustered much closer together.

So after checking CVS, Kmart, and Home Depot, I go to target tonight. They only have three boxes of 50 white lights left. I bought all three and they just BARELY covered the tree. Note to self, buy white lights early. Spencer prefers colored lights, but I think they are tacky. Judging by the number of colored light boxes left on the shelves, I would say most people agree with me.

And finally, my candy inspired Christmas tree! (Which at one point had gumdrop garland.. but it was too heavy for the little tree branches).

 

 Next Time: Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

First Post!

Welcome!

I decided to start this blog to provide our family and friends around the country with wedding and milestone updates for Spencer and me. However, I love food blogs and baking so I am sure there will be plenty of recipe review posts as well. I am into healthy cooking for meals, but make wonderfully fattening desserts. I also love to decorate, so once we have our own "nest" home decor will be a big topic.

Tonight I worked on decorating a mini Christmas tree (covered in fake snow from the Farmer's Market), but the lights were these large horrible pine cones bulbs left over from a larger tree last year. After I put the lights on the tree looked great, but once the ornaments were on it was too busy. I took everything down, and later this week I will attempt round 2 with standard tree lights. My success for the evening: tree topper bow.

And if anyone was curious, the glitter from this ribbon is all over me, the couch, the floor aaand the dog...

I also think I need a better camera if I am going to do this blog thing successfully (hint, hint).