Tuesday, January 7, 2014

A recipe a week. (or so I hope!)

I've decided that in 2014 I really want to cook! I want to learn new recipes and put a spin on foods we already eat regularly. I want to feel like "Susie Home-Maker"! For Christmas (and some not for Christmas) we got a rice cooker, a crock pot, and an electric wok. That's motivation enough to push myself to cook more.

Here's my idea - I want to learn to cook something new every week in 2014. I know with school and life and what not it might get difficult but even if I'm just making something small... I still want to do this! I would love to share them all with you guys so please keep me on my toes and remind me.

For this weeks recipe Cade and I made Chicken and Dumpling soup. (Also thanks to this freezing cold weather, soup sounded like the best idea!)

Here's how we did it. (and it was amazing!)

What you'll need!

Olive Oil
2 Carrots
3-4 sticks of Celery
1 Onion (I'm partial to onions so I used a half.. still worked!)
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Cup Pearl Barley (although, I probably won't recommend this. I wasn't the biggest fan.)
6 Cups of Chicken Broth
Celery Salt
3-4 Bay Leaves
Salt
Nutmeg
1-2 Chicken Breasts
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Butter (One Stick)
3 Eggs


Cut up all your veggies!


^^See mom. I told you we really did add onions. ^^

While your cutting/simmering your vegetables start cooking the chicken in a separate pan. Once the chicken is cooked you can shred it and add it to the broth.
Add a little bit of Olive Oil in the bottom of your pot and throw the veggies in. Let them simmer for a while.

Once the veggies have simmered add the chicken broth, pearl barley, celery salt, and bay leaves.

In a separate little pan, put your cup of milk and half a cup of butter. Bring to a boil then add the nutmeg and salt.
Immediately add it to the flour. Stir until it's made a glob and no longer feels the need to be liquid-y. Once it's set add your eggs one at a time. I added a little bit of flour after each egg so that it remained consistent.   
           

Using a spoon, add bouncy ball sized dumplings to the soup. Let it sit for about 30 minutes and then enjoy!!





Phew, I feel good after that one. I think I can do this. Wish me luck!

Let me know if you make this and how it turns out! (Also if you made any revisions. I'm curious what I could do to add to it!)

Sunday, January 5, 2014

My Louisiana Family (Part Two.)

Last Saturday we decided to do a little day trip to Cleveland to explore some fun sights. I showed them where Progressive Field is and Browns Stadium (I still can't get used to calling it First Energy Stadium...) we looked at all the tall buildings but most importantly we got to pay a visit to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center.

I've been to the Rock N Roll HOF so many times before but it's still so neat to check out all the memorabilia they have all over the place and to know that once upon a time there was someone great who owned it. 

Afterwards we walked over to the Great Lakes Science Center where we landed space shuttles, made big bubbles and had our head enlarged... I want to go there when it's empty so I can really enjoy all the neat little experiments they had to offer.

When the day was over we managed to snap a few pics of the sunset on Lake Erie and then head out to dinner at D'angelo's. It was a very fun day that I will always remember.

^^Oh yeah, I forgot to mention THE most important part of our day. It was Ms. Kristen's 19th birthday. Nothing like a birthday throw-over-the-shoulder hug from your big brother. ^^





^^Alex Van Halen's drum set.^^

Cade found a new lady...

^^But I found a Warhol painting. Have I told you how much I love Andy Warhol?^^






They all took off Thursday and are home safe back in Louisiana but those 12 days are definitely 12 days that I will never forget.

I hope you all enjoyed Ohio. Ohio and I surely enjoyed you all!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Happy 2 0 1 4!

I really can't believe how quickly 2013 flew by. It feels like just yesterday Cade and I went to Cleveland to see the Cavs early last January. It's amazing how quickly time goes by... And still I have what seems to be the longest days that never want to end!

I'm glad I created this blog. I have a feeling that several years from now I am going to look back on these photos and remember things that I maybe forgot or hadn't thought of in a long time.

So here's to 2014 and continuing this memory reminder of mine!

^^We took this picture in front of Lake Erie last weekend.^^
My goals for 2014 are two simple things:

1.) NO POP. We never have it at our apartment, but my goodness am I quick to order it at lunch or dinner when I don't want water.. I need to stop that!

2.) NO FAST FOOD. This really won't be a problem for lunch or dinner but I will admit that McDonald's is definitely my guilty pleasure for breakfast on my way to work. So none of that. I will be making my own breakfast from now on. Thank you very much.

Lastly, for those of you who check here often, Thank you! I love that I can have this blog and know that it is appreciated. You all really are awesome and I promise to keep you entertained during 2014. 

Thanks and HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Christmas Day 2013.

My tree and decorations are already taken down and stored away but I still can't get over how beautiful this Christmas was.






I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I know I did. I got to spend the day with my WHOLE family. It was perfect! 

I got the most comfiest LSU pajamas. *psst... I am wearing them as I type. THEE most comfortable sweat pants.*

^^He got an LSU shirt too! Plus, he got that awesome cast iron griddle from his most favorite girlfriend. (It was me!) ^^

^Just one more picture of my tree. I miss it already.^





My favorite boyfriend got me a remote for my camera! I love that thing...




BEST/WORST.BROTHER.EVER. (worst cause he really enjoys ruining my pictures and/or not cooperating when taking pictures. LOVE IT.)





I hope your Christmas day was as great as mine!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

My Louisiana Family! (Part One.)

My family from Louisiana came up to Ohio to spend Christmas with my brother and I this year. They arrived last Sunday and it's been too much fun! (They are here until Thursday so there's still plenty of fun to be had!)

Here are a few of the pictures I've taken with them so far. There are still a lot more to come!

Kristen & Samantha. We woke up at... 7 in the morning to enjoy this snow.

PJ's & Rain boots. The best for snow play.






He threw this snowball.

Right above her head.


^^brrrr!^^

I put this on self timer and winged it just hoping it would get all of us in the picture... This is EXACTLY how it turned out. No cropping!


There are still a whole lot more pictures to come.. Stay tuned! :)

P.S. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!