fall, flannel & football!

Oh hey, November! Can't believe it's been two months since I posted. I have a few moments to spare before heading out to visit some friends, so I figured a quick update on the Crane household would be apropos!

With fall in full swing, I have been keeping busy with the typical teacher workload (grading, grading, and more grading), bi-weekly bikram yoga classes, a wonderful new bible study at our church, and trying to keep up with my high-energy, occasionally-willing-to-cuddle puppy. In addition to his job, the class he's taking, and being an all-around terrific chef, husband, and dad to Izzy, Jake has been occupying his time with football. Reading about it, talking about it, dreaming about it... and probably wishing I shared his passion for it (I'm really trying!).

Because our weeks are so busy, we both look forward all week to Friday night date night. We like to try a new restaurant every week. This Friday, we ate at Coastal Flats. They serve great seafood dishes and appetizers! We are obsessed with one of the starters there--the Blue Crab & Rock Shrimp Fritters with grilled corn salsa & lobster ginger butter. Holy amazing!

Last night I was excited to have some time to do a little cooking and baking (my favorite!). I made a big pot of yummy chili, which I left simmering on the stove while we took Izzy for a walk. To continue the "comfort food" theme, I tried these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Cream Cheese Filling for dessert.







Can't wait to share these little treats. They are delish!

I am also really looking forward to two visitors tomorrow--my mom and little brother :) It's definitely been hard to be far away from family, but I'm thankful that the distance can be covered in a day trip!

Until next time (or next season, at the rate I'm going!).

guilt-free brownies

No, that was not an oxy-moron. No-remorse, guilt-free, sinless brownies that actually taste amazing do in fact exist, and can be made with a few ingredients that you probably have on hand. I HAVE to share this recipe in case there is someone out there craving chocolate but trying to "behave." This, my friend, is going to change your life (or at least make it a little better!).

As many of you probably know, you can use the healthier alternative of subbing applesauce for oil when making boxed-brownies. However, since I've stopped using box mixes when it comes to baking (so worth it, even it takes more time), I started researching healthy brownies from scratch. When I had a full-on chocolate crave attack last night after having minimal amounts of chocolate for the past two-and-a-half months (Jake is not a fan), this recipe for Jillian Michael's Fudge Brownies not only satisfied my craving, BUT also left me feeling guilt-free.

[disclaimer: I am not a huge J.M. fan or anything, but the woman can make some brownies!]

Jillian Michael's Fudge Brownies

Ingredients:
2/3 cup mild honey, such as clover (what I used) or Orange blossom
1/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour (I just used all-purpose flour)
1/4 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tbs olive oil (I used EVOO)
1 large egg at room temp.
3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
*1/2 cup of natural peanut butter (optional, but highly recommended!)

Directions:
1. Pre-heat your oven to 350. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with olive oil (I used regular cooking spray because I wasn't sure how that would turn out!) and set it aside.
2. Place the honey in a glass bowl and microwave it for 45 seconds. Add in the cocoa and mix it all together until it is all very well combined. Let it cool.
3. In a small bowl, Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix through.
4. In a large bowl, combine, the applesauce, EVOO, egg, and vanilla and mix together. Add the honey and cocoa mixture and whisk through, then add in the flour mixture and whisk together until no traces of flour are remaining.
5. Pour into your greased baking dish and cook for 25minutes. When you stick a toothpick in the middle loose crumbs will cling to it.
6. Let cool completely before slicing. Cut into 16 bars and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temp.

Source

My suggestion:
Before placing the brownies in the oven, microwave 1/2 cup of natural peanut butter in a glass mixing cup for about one minute. Using a spoon, drizzle the melted pb over the brownie batter. Delicious!

Nutrition Facts (without Peanut Butter):
Calories: 86.2 kcal
Fat: 2.2 g
Protein: 1.3 g
Carbohydrates: 16.0 g
Sodium: 63.6 mg



I LOVE these brownies. They are moist and fluffy, have just the right amount of sweetness, and taste amazing right out of the refrigerator--not to mention, they are SO easy to make! They will take care of even the most intense chocolate craving without making you feel like you need to hit the gym after. No remorse here. :)

floods, free-days, and four-wheel drive!

Due to a series of unfortunate events (namely, the four days of rain that caused flooding on many of the major highways and roads in Fairfax county), my first week at my new school has ended a day early. Although the timing of this "rain day" is rather inconvenient, I'm taking this time to get some things done around the house, play with my puppy, and share a little about what's been going on in the Crane house via blog post!

First of all, I'm excited to report that I am SO happy at my new school! I thank God everyday for providing me with such a great job (and a carpool buddy to make the commute easier!). I've received an incredible amount of support from my co-workers, who are all amazing teachers and all-around wonderful people. I am LOVING my three classes of seniors, and really enjoying my two sophomore classes as well. I feel so at home at Langley, which has made the transition to a new school district so much easier. I can't wait to post some pictures of my new classroom and share some ideas that I'm trying out.

In related news, the roles have really been reversed in our house since I went back to work. I had a lot of fun being a little house-wifey over the summer (and I'm pretty sure Jake enjoyed it as well!), but now that I'm working, we've been dividing up the household tasks. I can safely say that my husband has prepared more meals than I have the past couple weeks! He's also taken on the responsibility of packing lunches, which is a huge blessing (and it always makes me laugh when I open my lunch box and see a "Jake-size" lunch that I could never finish!). Jake has also been doing the grocery shopping, which has been a nice break for me. Even though life has been crazy these past couple weeks with the new school year starting, my husband has been an awesome support-system and source of encouragement.

Izzy, of course, is still her adorable, rambunctious self. She's growing so much and is too smart for her own good. My favorite part of the day is coming home to a REALLY excited puppy who can't wait to play!

This past week, after quite some time of looking and debating, we purchased a 2012 Chevy Equinox! I've never had a brand new car before, so it's been a lot of fun to have such a pimped-out ride. Having a bigger, more powerful vehicle was a huge blessing while driving through multiple "ponds" on Route 50 yesterday during the flood!

I'm hoping the rain will start clearing up so I can run some errands on this unexpected day-off. For now, this housewife/teacher is off to clean and grade some papers!

coffee cake muffins

although the name is somewhat contradictory, this deceivingly easy breakfast treat proves that the flavors of a traditional coffee cake AND the handy, compact shape of a muffin can exist in perfect harmony. since I pretty much jump at any opportunity to bake these days, I made these muffins for an early morning meeting with the other new English teachers in my school district. it's been a LONG and information-packed week getting oriented to Fairfax County Public Schools, and since anything strudel-topped usually provides great comfort, I figured these grab-and-go muffins could assist us in "eating our feelings" without allowing us to eat TOO much. teaching is hard work, people!

Coffee Cake Muffins

For the Streusel Topping:

* 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
* 3/4 cup brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
* 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature

For the Muffins:

* 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
* 1 cup sugar
* 3 large eggs
* 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 1/4 cups sour cream

For the Milk Glaze:

* 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
* 3 tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. For the topping: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, stir together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the butter and toss with a fork to coat with the flour mixture. Mix on medium-low speed until the texture resembles coarse cornmeal, with the butter pieces no larger than small peas. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes before using.

2. Preheat oven to 350F. Line 24 muffin cups with muffin liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

3. For the muffins: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down bowl as needed. Stir in vanilla extract by hand. Add flour mixture and sour cream and stir until just combined.

5. Next, fill each muffin cup with about a tablespoon of batter, so it's just covering the bottom of the cup. Then, sprinkle a tablespoon or so of the strudel mixture over the bottom layer. Spoon a little more batter over the strudel "layer" (this can get tricky; be patient!). Finally, top with more strudel.

6. Bake rotating the pans halfway through until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20-22 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool completely before removing muffins.

7. To make milk glaze, whisk the powdered sugar and milk together in a small bowl.

8. Place muffins on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and drizzle with glaze. I used the whisk to do my "drizzling"--it worked great!

source: adapted from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

piña colada cupcakes

In my opinion, piña coladas are the definition of the perfect summertime beverage. Whether you're enjoying one on a beach in the Caribbean (I highly recommend this option!), or making one after work in your kitchen, a piña colada is like a little piece of pineapple-coconut heaven. So, why not have one in cupcake form?

I tried out a recipe for piña colada cupcakes this past weekend for my newly-engaged friends Julie & Jeremy's housewarming party. Great food, good company, cornhole, and cupcakes with a little rum in the batter = a great way to end the summer and celebrate friends moving into a beautiful home!

Piña Colada Cupcakes

* 1/3 C coconut rum (or any rum you have on hand)
* 3/4 C coconut milk (cream of coconut works great too)
* 1/4 C pineapple juice
* 1 tsp vanilla
* 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/2 C unsalted butter, room temperature
* 1 C
* 3 large eggs
* 1 C shredded baker's coconut
* 1 C crushed pineapple

1. In a small bowl, combine rum, coconut milk, pineapple juice, and vanilla. Set aside.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs to the sugar mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Alternately add the flour mixture and the rum mixture, beating well after each addition.
6. Fold in the coconut and pineapple.
7. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full.
8. Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes or until cupcakes bounce back when lightly touched.

*Yields 18 cupcakes.

Whipped Cream Topping

Although the original recipe calls for a cream cheese based frosting, I decided to go with a lighter topping for these cupcakes, similar to what I've had on piña colada cake before.

1 1/2 C. heavy whipping cream
1/2 C. confectioner's sugar

Use an electric mixer to blend until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spread on cupcakes.

If desired, top cupcakes with a sprinkle of shredded baker's coconut (if you're feeling colorful, add a drop or two of food coloring to the coconut beforehand! I was in a pink mood when I made mine).

Source: The Cupcake Project

izzy crane

reasons why I love my dog today (and every day):

[yes. this entire post is about my dog. you've been warned!]

1. she makes me laugh when I'm frustrated.

2. she has not only mastered "shake," but is "high-fiving" now, too. pretty soon, we'll probably have our own secret handshake.

3. she is a tad bit (very) clumsy--just like me.

4. she appreciates my cooking.

5. she always finds my lost hair ties.

6. she enjoys bumming around with me. and watching movies.

7. she loves her dad and so do I.

8. she is great at making new friends everywhere we go (mostly the human kind right now).

9. she keeps the kitchen floor clean for me.

10. she doesn't care if I look nice or smell good.

and last but not least:

11. she is the BEST photo subject ever.

mangia!

I found a recipe for easy chicken marsala with mushrooms last week, and finally got around to experimenting with it tonight. this is such a quick, easy, and delicious meal--the only "out of the ordinary" items you'll need to pick up on your next grocery store run are marsala wine, baby bella mushrooms, and green onions.

chicken marsala with baby bella mushrooms

ingredients

* 4-5 thin-sliced chicken breasts
* cooking spray
* salt
* black pepper
* 1 and 1/2 cups of baby bella mushrooms, sliced
* 1 and 1/4 cups of marsala wine OR marsala cooking wine
(this will not be in the wine section of the store; look near the vinegar!)
* 2 green onions, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons flour (to thicken sauce)

preparation

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan. Cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chicken and drippings from pan; set aside, and keep warm.

2. Heat pan over medium-high heat; coat pan with cooking spray. Add mushrooms. Coat mushrooms with cooking spray; cook 2 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add wine and 3 tablespoons onions. Cook 30 seconds over high heat. Reduce heat; add butter, stirring until butter melts. Sprinkle in the flour, stirring gently to thicken the sauce and break up any flour clumps.

3. Add chicken and drippings to pan, stirring gently. Place chicken on platter. Spoon mushroom sauce over chicken; sprinkle with remaining onions.

note: I modified this recipe.

I served my chicken marsala over fettucine tossed lightly with olive oil (I suggest using a Misto olive oil sprayer--these are so handy and are only $9.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond).

fresh. fast. feast!



that is Jake's dinner plate, by the way! :)

a teacher's school supplies

after a very long break (I finished my first year of teaching at the end of May!), the inevitable and inescapable truth is here--it's my last week of summer. next week I have orientation for my new school, and the following week all teachers go back to work. I'm incredibly thankful that I found a teaching position at such a great school, and am mostly ready to get back into the swing of things! [of course, there are quite a few things I'll miss: snuggling with my puppy when we wake up, leisurely drinking coffee & reading a book, morning yoga, and plenty of time for running errands and working on projects--not to mention sleeping in when I feel like it!]

I love what I do, and I'm blessed to have a job I enjoy going to [pretty much] every day. I'm hopeful that this will be another great year, and am excited to meet more of my co-workers and get settled in my classroom!

here are a few little things that are helping get me pumped about going back to work:



this handy wristlet key fob that I just ordered from Etsy--perfect for my new classroom key!



this adorable little clipboard + pen (it only looks like a pencil) that I found at TJMaxx for $4.99.



this super-cute folio & notebook set that my sweet friend Teresa gave me for my birthday--I love the monogram, of course!

I'm looking forward to using my new "school supplies" and will be on the lookout for more fun teacher stuff at Target and Walmart (I LOVE back to school shopping & always have!)--but for now, I'm planning on just enjoying my few days at home before the craziness begins.

homemade pop-tarts

I decided to moonlight as a pastry chef today and try out this recipe for homemade pop-tarts. I don't know how you feel about them, but pop-tarts just happen to be one of my guilty pleasures. my mom was not one to buy them for us growing up, so I think my love affair began in the dorm at college. I suddenly had hundreds of dining dollars to do whatever I wanted with, and there were vending machines aplenty!

since I try to be a health conscious person, it's always a bit of a struggle for me now when I walk by the shelves of pop-tarts in the grocery store (some flavors, however, are not so tempting--hot fudge sundae?! gross!). deep inside I know that pop-tarts are basically attractive poisonous rectangles wrapped in a shiny package that claims they have vitamins & minerals somehow built into their chemical make-up. I've tried buying organic toaster pastries to curb my cravings, but they're super pricey and just not a practical item to add to my grocery list. therefore, you can imagine my delight when I realized I could make a healthier, less-processed version of a brown sugar & cinnamon pop-tart with some very basic items I already had in my kitchen.

Brown-Sugar & Cinnamon Pop-tarts

Ingredients:

Pastry Dough
2 cups (8 1/2 oz) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks, 8 oz) unsalted butter, cut into pats
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 egg, to brush on the pastry before filling

Brown-Sugar Cinnamon Filling (will fill 9 tarts)
1/2 cup (3 3/4 oz) brown sugar
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, to taste
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. To make the pastry: Place the flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to combine (I used my Kitchenaid mixer and it worked out fine!). Add the butter and pulse until the pieces of butter are about the size of peas and the mixture holds together when squeezed. Transfer the contents of the food processor to a large bowl. Whisk the egg and milk together in a small bowl then add them to the dough, mixing with a fork just until everything comes together. You may have to knead the dough briefly on a lightly floured work surface to pull it together.

2. Divide the dough in half; each half will weigh about 10 ounces. Shape each half into a rectangle approximately 3" x 5". The dough can be rolled out immediately or wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

3. To make the brown-sugar cinnamon filling: Whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, and flour.

4. To assemble the tarts: If the dough has been chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to soften and become workable, about 15 to 30 minutes. Roll one piece of dough on a lightly-floured surface to form a rectangle about 1/8-inch thick - you want the rectangle to be large enough that you can trim it to measure 9" x 12". Set aside the rectangle once trimmed. Roll the second piece of dough to form a rectangle of the same size as the first. Cut each rectangle into thirds lengthwise and widthwise to form nine 3" x 4" rectangles (so 18 total rectangles).

5. Use a fork to beat the second egg, and brush it over the entire surface of nine of the rectangles. Place a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center of each rectangle, leaving about a 1/4 to 1/2-inch border around the edge. Top each of the filled rectangles with a second rectangle of dough. Use your fingers to press firmly around the filling to seal the dough on all sides. Press the tines of a fork around the edges of the rectangle. Repeat with the remaining rectangles to form 9 filled tarts. Use a fork to prick the top of each tart multiple times, which will allow the steam to escape while they bake.

6. Transfer the tarts to a parchment-lined baking sheet (I used aluminum foil). Refrigerate the tarts for 30 minutes, while you preheat your oven to 350 F.

7. Remove the tarts from the fridge, and bake them for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they’re a light golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and allow them to cool on the baking sheet set on a wire rack.



I am certainly no professional--if I ever did try to have a blog devoted to pastries, I would refer to myself as the Imperfect Pastry Chef--but I really enjoyed the trial & error process of making my own pop-tarts. sure, some were more square than they probably should have been, and my kitchen was a DISASTER afterward, but they sure do taste amazing! so, next time you're tempted to buy the boxed version, remember you can always make the real deal.

floral frenzy!

I've been seeing floral embellishments like this one making appearances on quite a few blogs recently, and I think they're adorable (ps: don't you just love that bag?). I love the idea of sprucing something simple up with a classy little flower, so when I was out running errands today, I stopped at Michael's to see if I could pick up a few to experiment with. I found a neutral-colored pair of floral embellishments right in the scrapbooking section (look for the brand Jolee's Boutique--they have plenty to choose from!). they were only $3.99, so I figured it couldn't hurt to try them out!

I decided to use one of the flowers on a small lampshade I bought at Ross for $4.99 awhile ago. I used the sticky adhesive on the back of the flower (there was also a twisty-tie type thing on the back, perfect for attaching it to a purse strap or basket handle!). instant cuteness.



I'm still working on showcasing more of our wedding photos, so I also picked up a simple frame on clearance at Homegoods today for $5. add another little flower, and simple becomes shabby chic--or something along those lines :)



if you're feeling crafty, you might try these tips for making your own embellishments: this tutorial shows how to make easy felt flower embellishments, and this one explains how to make a flower using frayed fabric (sewing machine required). if you feel like splurging on handcrafted pieces, or want them in large quantities, you might try etsy for listings like this one!

just thought I'd share a super easy way to personalize some "plain" decorations you might have lying around!

from drab to fab: two goodwill finds!

last week, I decided to find out once and for all where the closest Goodwill was located (lucky for me, a Fairfax location JUST opened at the beginning of August!). I've had the "refinishing bug" for the past couple weeks, and wanted to see what I could find for my next project. my trip ended up being a huge success! I found an unusual little table with a lot of potential for $25, and picked up a wooden shelf with hooks for $4 and a small jewelry box for $5. I also lucked out big-time with a $20 end table in like-new condition that matches our coffee table and TV stand perfectly! to top it all off, I befriended a really cute old man, which pretty much made my day.

after a trip to Lowe's to pick up a new can of paint, I headed home to start working on this little gem:



I started off with a tan base coat (the same base color I used on my last project). after letting that dry and applying the crackle glaze, I used a really pretty ivory color called Antique Lace on top. Then, I made a trip to Homegoods for some fun accessories, and voila! I was so happy with the results, and am loving having this little table to fill up an empty space in our dining room area.







I also decided to beautify this little blue jewelry box:



I've been wanting a new jewelry box that looks a little less grandma than the one I have, so I was pretty excited to find this little guy (and for only $5!). the size of it is perfect for my dresser and I love the antique look. so easy & cheap!

24: a year in review

one year ago today an extremely good looking, kind, unselfish, forgiving, and all-around wonderful man asked me to marry him on top of a very foggy mountain while I chowed down on a pizza Lunchable (trust me, I wouldn't change a thing!). it was hands down the BIGGEST surprise of my life, and the year that followed was filled with even more. what a blessed, exciting, and full-of-love year it's been: surviving my first year of teaching, buying our first home, having a more perfect wedding than I could have ever dreamed of, moving to Northern Virginia, adopting our crazy puppy Izzy, and then turning the big 2-4!

last night, I celebrated my birthday in the city with eight of our friends. we began our rendezvous at Rustico, a trendy restaurant with an amazing menu and an impressive beer and wine list. I feasted on their panzanella salad, an incredible creation that consists of soft bread mixed with tomatoes and cucumbers covered in a vinegarette dressing. it was so good & perfect for summer! I will definitely be trying out this recipe to see if I can recreate it at home.



next, we walked to The Cheesecake Factory for dessert. I can't say I've ever been able to finish my own piece of cheesecake (Jake and I usually split one because we are too full), but I came pretty close last night. I played it safe and went with my favorite: Banana Cream! after we had completely stuffed ourselves, we headed to Clarendon Grill for some drinks and dancing.



I couldn't have asked for a better birthday or better friends. Here's to 24 and another year of adventures!

in the market for monograms

true confession: I love monograms! maybe it's because I never had one of those L.L. Bean backpacks with my initials on it as a kid, or maybe it's because I'm excited to finally be jumping from the end of the alphabet to the beginning with my new last name. most likely, it's because I seem to come across the cutest monogram-themed home decorations pretty much every time I go shopping. can one have too many monogram accessories? probably. but I'm not stopping anytime soon!

our good friends Patti and Frank were over for dinner last night. Patti commented on all the "C" things I have in the house, and wondered where I found all of them. I thought I'd do a quick little post in case you too are in the market for monograms!




top left: framed monogram wall art, Kirklands, $7 on sale

top right: "thirsty" monogram coasters, Bed Bath & Beyond, $15

bottom left: metal-ware monogram letter, Hobby Lobby, $10

bottom right: monogram doormat insert & rubber doormat frame, Bed Bath & Beyond, $20 each

Kirklands and Hobby Lobby are my favorite places to buy monogrammed-items for super cheap. Bed Bath & Beyond is a little pricier, but a great place to buy them for bridal shower and wedding gifts, or to splurge on yourself!

summer reading favorites

it's about that time of year when high school kids everywhere are frantically cramming in their summer reading requirements and wishing they could be doing anything else. now that I'm an adult, things have really changed! I love having the opportunity to read during the summer, and am hoping to squeeze in just a few more books before school starts.

during the school year, I don't have much time to read for fun. teaching multiple novels at the same time, grading, and making lesson plans every night keeps a girl pretty busy. this summer, I made a goal to read as many books as possible to make up for lost time. thanks to my husband and I currently living the "cable-less" life, my goal was easily accomplished!

early in the summer I fell in love with Audible, a subscription based audio-book app for the iPhone. it was amazing to have while laying on a beach at St. John on my honeymoon! whether you're reading a book in the traditional style, viewing a book on an e-reader, or listening to a book while cooking in the kitchen, I highly recommend all of these titles.


my top five summer reading favorites, in no particular order:

1. The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown



if you enjoy Shakespearean references, love reading books, and have or want a sister, this is the book for you. the three Andreas sisters are all approaching thirty and have taken very different paths in their lives. they don't really get along, but one summer, when their family needs them most, they find themselves back in their childhood home. they learn to confront the problems they have been running from and to be comfortable with who they are.

2. Bossypants by Tina Fey



first of all, you MUST listen to this book. Tina Fey is the narrator for the audio recording, and I can't imagine hearing the book read any other way. a somewhat random series of hilarious and even heart-warming anecdotes about growing up and her experiences as a woman in the business world, this book will have you laughing uncontrollably while you're home alone as your dog looks at you like you've lost your mind (not that I speak from experience, or anything).

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett



I hate to be a book "band-wagoner," but the truth is, this book is just absolutely worth reading. Stockett gives a voice to a group of women who many of us have never heard from: the hired African American maids of Southern families in the 1960s. this book reminds us that you have to look beyond a person's exterior if you want to see who they really are and teaches us the importance of treating all people with compassion and respect. I enjoyed listening to it on audible because they used a different voice for each character, which made me connect with the characters on a much deeper level. my humble suggestion: read this BEFORE you see the movie!

4. Izzy's Fire by Nancy Wright Beasley



I really enjoy Holocaust literature. not because it is lighthearted or easy to read, but because it NEEDS to be read and the stories need to be remembered. this book was written by an American author who felt compelled to tell the story of Edna Ipson and her family, who were Holocaust survivors from Lithuania. "We led a simple, but meaningful life," is a quote from Izzy's Fire that inspires me daily. I highly recommend reading this book. you will be humbled and amazed by what faith and hope and love can do.

5. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley



I'm not one to seek out mystery books (although I was a huge Nancy Drew enthusiast as a kid), but this book is such a gem. Flavia de Luce, the main character, is a precocious, brilliant 11 year old girl who loves chemistry. when a murder occurs on the grounds of her family's home in the English countryside, she uses science and wit and her good sense of humor to help solve the mystery. Flavia is now one of my favorite literary characters (she just cracks me up!), and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

note: thanks to my family & friends who gave me great book suggestions!

what other books do I need to squeeze in before school starts? all suggestions are welcome! :)

calling all zucchini!

isn't zucchini a funny word? according to webster, a zucchini is a "smooth cylindrical usually dark green summer squash." interestingly, it is acceptable to use both "zucchini" and "zucchinis" when referring to more than one of these guys. we can also thank the italians for the origins of this vegetable, which they call a "zuchinno" (s) or "zucchini" (pl). if you're working on a poem about zucchinis and trying to come up with the perfect rhyming couplet, look no further: webster also provides a GREAT list of those! bikini, cremini, linguine, martini... just to name a few.

i asked my husband what his favorite green vegetable was the other day while i was making dinner. his response: "probably broccoli... or zucchini!" (too bad i was making green beans that night). this intriguing little piece of information ever so slowly infiltrated my psyche and worked it's way into a full-fledged crave-attack of all things zucchini!

i started off my zucchini fest with four zucchinis.

on sunday afternoon after church, i decided to make zucchini bread. i chose this recipe for two reasons: it uses brown sugar, which is my favorite, and it doesn't use nutmeg, which i didn't have on hand. the recipe makes two loaves, which is great because you can "customize" each loaf if you choose. the original recipe calls for nuts and raisins, which i left out all together. instead, i put 1/2 a cup of craisins in one loaf and left the other plain-jane (next time, i will make BOTH loaves with the craisins!). jake and i LOVED this "kick butt" (his words, not mine) recipe.

my favorite way to enjoy a slice is with my morning cup of nantucket blend coffee--perfect!





zucchini bread + craisins

ingredients

* 3 eggs
* 3/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 2/3 cups packed brown sugar
* 2 cups grated zucchini (three zucchini)
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup of craisins (optional)

preparation

1. in a large bowl, beat eggs well. add oil, brown sugar, zucchini, and vanilla; stir well. blend in flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, and salt. stir in craisins if you wish. pour batter into two greased and floured 9 x 5 inch loaf pans.

2. bake at 325 degrees f. for 50 minutes. cool.

monday night for dinner, i made balsamic chicken with roasted tomatoes and mushroom and zucchini orzo. this was, hands down, one of the best meals i've tried this summer. it is so easy and so delicious.





balsamic chicken with roasted tomatoes

ingredients

* 1 pint grape tomatoes
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
* 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
* 6 thin-sliced chicken breasts
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* cooking spray
* balsamic vinaigrette salad spritzer (i used wish-bone)

preparation

1. preheat oven to 450°.

2. combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl; place tomato mixture on a foil-lined baking sheet or jelly-roll pan. bake at 450° for 15 minutes or until tomato skins burst and begin to wrinkle, stirring once. transfer tomatoes to a bowl, scraping juices into bowl. stir 1/4 teaspoon salt into tomato mixture.

3. sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.

4. heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. coat pan with cooking spray. add chicken; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side. place chicken on individual plates; coat each breast half with 4 to 5 sprays of balsamic spritzer. spoon tomatoes evenly over chicken. top with a slight drizzle of honey.

mushroom + zucchini orzo

ingredients

* 1 cup uncooked orzo
* cooking spray
* 1 cup sliced mushrooms
* 1 cup diced zucchini (1 zucchini)
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 2 garlic cloves, minced

preparation

1. cook orzo according to package directions. drain and keep warm.

2. while orzo cooks, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. coat pan with cooking spray. add mushrooms and zucchini; sauté 6 minutes or until tender and browned. add minced garlic and saute an additional 2 minutes.

3. combine orzo, mushroom mixture, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, tossing gently.

note: both recipes were taken from cooking light and slightly adapted based on others' reviews and my own taste preferences. :)



and that, my friends, is what i did with my four zucchini(s). i would love to know what delicious things you have done with yours! suggestions/ideas?

the right frame of mind

after i got home from a brutal "high noon" yoga class (my relationship with bikram yoga can definitely be described as love/hate), i noticed a package at our front door. it was the wedding pictures i ordered last week! i already hung all of the frames for my "wedding photo montage" in our hall weeks ago, and was excited to FINALLY take out the free art that came with the frames (think super modern shapes and spiral staircases--not really my thing!).

while registering for our wedding, i picked out this set from bed bath and beyond. at around $50, i figured it was a good price point for our registry, as well as something i'd actually use. i liked the idea that it came with different photo-hanging templates (i am drawn to all things fool-proof) and a good variety of frame sizes and mats.

to be honest, i didn't end up being terribly impressed with the overall quality of the frames. i DID like that you could customize the frame sizes thanks to the mats they provided, and that the template made hanging the frames a cinch!







in my future photo gallery endeavors (i'm hoping to do another one in the bedroom soon!), i will probably go for a more eclectic assortment of frames.

i LOVE this one--so happy and fun! i adore decorating with monogram letters. (click on the link for some helpful tips!):

image

i also like this gallery wall--it makes such a statement!:

image

(on a side note, i'm also loving this twig wood gallery i just stumbled upon. such an unique idea!)

image

places like home goods, ikea, hobby lobby, and ross always have a fun and cheap selection of frames and other cute wall hangings, which would make creating your own gallery much more personalized and affordable than buying a boxed set. after seeing so many incredible DIY ideas for photo galleries, i'm really looking forward to getting creative with my next project!

however, for my wedding photos, which are so special to me, i'm happy with my "put together" photo gallery. this set was definitely a luxury item, and i would never spend that much myself, but isn't that the purpose of wedding gifts? :)

how to sucessfully assimilate into motorcycle culture

image courtesy of tim gosnell photography

my now husband (he's that cutie up there) and i had our first date on a motorcycle. i had only met jake once, and was all kinds of nervous. jake drove all the way down from arlington, where he was living at the time, to my parent's house in lynchburg to pick me up. he took me to dinner at chick-fil-a (a mutual favorite establishment) and then for a ride to the peaks of otter (the same place he later asked me to marry him!)

i stressed and worried for days over what i should wear on my first motorcycle excursion (i clearly didn't have any leather chaps or heavy boots on hand and thought it might be just a bit pretentious/desperate to make a trip to harley-davidson). i settled on a pair of cropped jeans, a tank top, and my gray toms; not exactly the best riding gear, but sufficient. after jake picked me up, i felt like i should have had some type of "passenger training" before we took off, but he pretty much put on my helmet, snapped the strap, and said, "just make sure you lean into the bike going around bends."

"um.. wait.. what? that's it??" i panicked to myself. "what am i supposed to do with my hands? what about my feet? can i move? am i going to fly off this thing?!?"

but, it was too late for hesitations. off we went. i eventually decided that i would most likely make it out alive despite my lack of training, and henceforth declared it safe to relax and enjoy myself. we had a great time together, and jake's passion for motorcycles was simply contagious!

and thus my love for all things "moto" bloomed with a fervor.

i soon got my license, all kinds of intense riding gear that makes me look TOTALLY legit, and to top it off: a cruiser to call my very own!

only kidding.

since my initiation into moto culture (i frequently use this abbreviation in my mind), i've been on the back of jake's bike quite a few times, but have resisted totally surrendering myself to the strict clothing requirements and sacrificial hair decisions riding a motorcycle entails. during the winter months, i have no problem wearing a warm jacket, jeans, and closed-toed shoes (i usually wear my running shoes which i realize is incredibly uncouth)--but refuse to accept the twenty-pound, line-backer shoulder pads, too-big-for-me jacket that jake insists i wear.

during the warmer months, i push the boundaries of appropriate motorcycle attire with even more gusto, but generally am met with stricter reprimanding. jake will ask what i'm going to wear, i'll say shorts, and he'll say no. i'll wear toms when he'd rather me wear something sturdier. flip flops are out of the question. so on and so forth.

yesterday, as we were preparing to head out on a ride with 2nd thief (a motorcycle ministry that jake's dad founded with chapters in numerous states--yes, i have some pretty cool in-laws! check out the website: www.2ndthief.org), i decided i would boldy don my white cut-off shorts, black flip flops, and black 2nd thief shirt (i think all the black was my heartfelt attempt to be a little more "moto friendly," as i always associate this color with motorcycle folk). jake would just have to deal with it. it was too flipping hot outside to be messing with safety requirements!

jake, wearing his motorcycle boots, jeans, and colors (that, my friends, is the name of the vest bikers wear which associated them with a particular group--you're welcome for the definition!) gave me a sad and confused look that basically meant, "i give up, you crazy woman." and so i loudly flip-flopped out the door, content with my small victory.

we set off for the gas station where we would we be meeting the rest of the riders. ten minutes into our ride, tailpipe hot as hades beneath my right foot, i realized the incredible stupidity off my clothing decision. in the name of fashion, if that's what you can call what i was wearing, i was compromising my own health and comfort and SAFETY (hello, dummy!). i dreaded the inevitable ridicule (out of love, of course!) i would receive from the rest of the 2nd thief riders, who would surely be dressed in more appropriate garb and look incredibly prepared for the day's journey.

sure enough, within five minutes of our arrival, ten people (all completely decked out in the appropriate attire) gave me a look with the intensity i thought only my mother was capable of. you know the one, that terribly convicting "are you really going to wear that?" look that mothers are famous for.

even though they are the most wonderful people, i know my new motorcycle savvy family HAD to be disappointed in what i was trying to wear! their new daughter-in-law apparently could not get the picture after all!! when would she ever assimilate?!? (they are way too nice to say these things, but i know it's what they were thinking, and who can blame them?!)

i looked ridiculous.

well, my friends and my dear new family, worry no longer. after thirty minutes on 495 in afternoon traffic headed straight into DC riding VERY fast in a column of bikes, i will NEVER make a motorcycle fashion faux-pas again (there was definitely some "calming" yoga-breathing happening on multiple occasions). the next time i ride, i will do my utmost to amaze and impress you with my ability to dress as a bonafide and safety-conscious rider, instead of a teenager on the way to an amusement park. thank you for your patience, and for accepting me despite my innate flaws and resistance to the motorcycle culture. assimilation complete!

(the photo below is obviously a non-example
of appropriate motorcycle attire,
but it IS one of my favorite wedding shots!)
:)

image courtesy of tim gosnell photography

note: i must add to this silly post something that is much more important than my lack of proper riding attire: the point of our ride! yesterday afternoon, along with the other "thieves" of the "second" variety, i had the honor of serving food to our nation's wounded warriors (aka heroes) at walter reed medical center in dc. below is a picture of the flier posted at the center to advertise the event and a group shot of all the riders who attended this outreach.

images courtesy of 2nd thief

what a humble reminder that freedom isn't free.
thank you to all who have served and are serving!

a midsummer nightstand's dream

(i realize the title is incredibly cheesy. i apologize, but can't resist.)

for a girl who is generally more acquainted with linens than lumber, there are few things more fulfilling than walking into a home improvement store on a mission and leaving with every item needed to complete said mission in a matter of twenty minutes. as a kid, i felt that lowe's was a "men only store"--not because women can't or shouldn't shop there, but because i only went there with my dad (you see, lowe's is really the only place he willingly "shops"). i now relish the opportunity to confidently walk past all the manly tools, lawnmowers, and pvc pipe and find the one thing that someone as "girly" as myself can get excited about. crackle paint!

ever since we moved into our home, i have been longing for a dark-colored nightstand for our bedroom--a girl needs an attractive place to set her phone, burt's bees chapstick, and reading material!--but was disappointed by the price of many i saw in stores (true story: my resourceful husband tried to get me to use the box our imac came in as a pseudo-nightstand for awhile). jake bought this espresso-finish, queen-sized bed which i fell in love with a few months before we got married (you can see a little of it below), but we decided to use his dressers for awhile rather than spending a ton of money on new bedroom furniture.



before trying it out in the bedroom, i had been using this small table as a place to put our keys and the dog's leash in the foyer. in an effort to better utilize a perfectly good piece of furniture and hopefully save some money, i decided to refinish the table in a more desirable color that would compliment the bed and use it as a nightstand.

i don't have much experience refinishing furniture, but i did take on a fairly large project the summer before my junior year of college. i painted an old (like really, really ancient) set of bedroom furniture--a bed frame, desk and two dressers--before moving into my college house. i used a white crackle with a gold base coat on these pieces. it was a learning experience (they were by no means perfect!), and WAY too hot outside to be painting furniture, but i loved the results and kept that furniture until i no longer had room or the need for it.

for my little nightstand project, i decided to use "earth black" (which really ended up being dark gray) on top of a tan base color. i skipped sanding the furniture and went right into the three step process. base coat, crackle glaze, and top coat. the whole shabang took less than 24 hours to paint and dry.


i also said farewell to the old, ugly knob that was on the nightstand, and found this little guy at world market for $4.99 to replace it.


although the color ended up being slightly lighter than i had expected, i am still really happy with the results. it has definitely brought the bedroom together, and refinishing, rather than purchasing a new piece altogether, saved me a lot of money (the paint and supplies cost $58, and i have plenty left to refinish another nightstand when i come across a good deal!). can't really beat the accomplished feeling of "home improvement" success, either. :)

here it is!

i'm hoping to be making another trip to lowe's soon--but this time, to buy paint for our walls. why, oh why, did we not paint before we moved in?!

happy friday eve!