Mmmmmm: So Delicious!! Tuesday, Sep 30 2008 

recipes , , , , , , , krissyrigo 1:43 am

We already ate them all!

Usually I try to post recipes up before the weekend… but I figure brownies are great any day of the week!  I made these brownies on Saturday and added about 1/3 of a bag of peanut butter chips to the batter.  They turned out great and my husband said they were the best brownies he had ever had in his life.  Next time I may add some chopped up snickers bars or shredded coconut to see how they come out. 

On Thanksgiving I may make these brownies for dessert (something different than pumpkin pie for once) and use them as yummy edible stands for these turkey creations my friend Leslie of The Hungry Housewife blog wrote about!  I will be out of town with family this year and these are something I can whip up in someone else’s kitchen without feeling like I am getting in the way and making a huge mess.

I made a simple icing as well using powdered sugar and Hershey’s cocoa… but only used half the butter and about 1 cup less sugar than the recipe called for.  Delicious!

HERSHEY’S Best Brownies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa or HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped nuts(optional)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13×9x2-inch baking pan.

2. Place butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 2 to 2-1/2 minutes or until melted. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with spoon after each addition. Add cocoa; beat until well blended. Add flour, baking powder and salt; beat well. Stir in nuts, if desired. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Frost if desired. Cut into bars. About 36 brownies.

Note: The recipe says “36 brownies” but you would have to cut the smallest little brownies EVER to get to 36.  We probably had more like 12 in our pan!

…Because it’s easier to watch the Cowboys lose if you are eating a delicious brownie…

 

A Quote I love… Saturday, Sep 27 2008 

quotes , , , , , krissyrigo 2:58 am

 ”Try not to become a man of success; but rather, try to become a man of value.”

-Albert Einstein

 

Rain, Rain: Don’t go Away! Friday, Sep 26 2008 

home , , , , krissyrigo 3:53 am

As much as rain can be an inconvenience at times, a conversation with my friend Kristen about the potential for heavy rain this weekend got me to thinking: sometimes there’s nothing better than a rainy day. 

So many drops!

My friend Ryan used to say that every time he had a job interview and he put on a suit, it would rain.  Now I think of him when I look out the window on messy days.

I am learning to appreciate a rainy day for what it’s really worth.  I just hope that next time it pours I can cuddle up in bed, make some popcorn, relax, and watch a movie while I listen to the raindrops. 

…Because there’s nothing better than a lazy rainy day at home…

 

A Quote I LOVE! Wednesday, Sep 24 2008 

quotes , , krissyrigo 6:41 am

“Dreams are today’s answers to tomorrow’s questions.”

-Edgar Cayce

 

Everyone Can Save a Dollar! Wednesday, Sep 24 2008 

financial , , , , , , , , krissyrigo 6:35 am

4 of these puppies a day and you're golden!

I think that when it comes to saving money, it’s good to start small and develop good habits.  Anyone can save $1 a day…anyone!  Before you know it you will have more money in your account and may sleep a little sounder at night knowing you’ve got a cushion for emergencies.  After a while, saving money will be second-nature.  Also, as scary as the thought of being 90 years old is to me, time goes by really fast.  I’m learning that it’s never too early to think about retirement; compound interest is my friend.

Here are some great dollar-a-day tips I found on a cool money-saving website called Stretcher:

10 Creative Ways to Save a Buck

  1. Instead of buying coffee at Starbucks, go to McDonald’s or Burger King or a deli and get a cheap cup and then add your own flavoring. You can buy huge bottles of flavoring that last forever for around ten bucks (or small ones for your desk drawer for about two bucks). Or just drink regular coffee.
  2. Read the newspaper on the Net.
  3. If you drink soda for lunch and have a machine at your office, get a can or bottle from the machine and quit paying for watered down fountain soda.
  4. You could also get cans or bottles on sale at the store in a box or pack and get a foam insulator for them. You won’t spend any drink money at lunchtime that way. One of our local stores has the six-pack of 20-ounce sodas for $2.50 about once a month.
  5. If you like snacks, buy them in a bargain pack at the store and take them to work. They cost as much as a dollar more in some machines.
  6. Quit the lottery, especially the scratch-offs.
  7. Quit smoking, but everyone knows that. I was surprised to see that a box of cigarettes at the train station to which I commute was nine bucks a pack. That would be incentive enough for me to quit.
  8. If you buy water, take the bottle home and refill it at the tap, and refrigerate it overnight. A Brita or other filter will be useful to you in this case. Note that it’s not a good idea to refill bottles from a fountain and carry them around. Apparently, they get quite germy.
  9. If you like to read magazines, get subscriptions for them. You can sometimes save as much as three bucks a shot, depending on the magazine. Conversely, do you have a subscription to something you rarely read? Cancel it.
  10. Last, combine errand trips. I leave my laundry claim slips in my glove compartment and pick up my shirts and laundry on the way back from the grocery store. Depending on where you live, you might save a dollar a day by avoiding that second or third trip.

…Because the dollar store is awesome…

 

Moderation is the Key to…Everything! Wednesday, Sep 24 2008 

home , , , , , , , , , krissyrigo 6:11 am

I am learning every day how important moderation really is.  I know it seems obvious, but sometimes the most obvious things are the most overlooked things in life. 

My dog Merlin would sort of look like this if we put him in a box...

 This has been a big lesson for me over the past few days because Mark and I moved to a new house.  As much as I want to make our new home perfect as soon as possible, I am starting to realize that it makes more sense to do what I can each day and just finish the rest later.  Killing yourself to achieve something that can be more fun and more practical over a longer period may not be a good idea. 

We may have boxes in our living room for a few weeks, but we’ll be happier and have more fun because of it.  In this case, time is not of the essence.

…Because sleeping more and stressing less is a good combination…

 

Mmmmmm… Delicious!! Saturday, Sep 20 2008 

recipes , , , , , , , , , krissyrigo 8:43 am

I found this recipe on a blog I love (link below)

I am always on the lookout for new oatmeal recipes.  I found one that is wonderful from this blog and think it is the perfect way to start a weekend morning.  Carrot cake and oatmeal all in one bowl?  Count me in!

Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Serves 1

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup soy milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup of grated carrot (I think this might’ve been 1 carrot?)
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp nonfat plain yogurt
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tbsp chopped pecans
1 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut

Combine the rolled oats, soy milk, water, carrots and salt in a saucepan. Turn heat to medium and stir occasionally until mixture comes almost to a boil and most of the liquid is absorbed, which takes about 5-7 minutes. When oats are done, stir in vanilla and brown sugar.

While oats are cooking make “icing” by blending 2 tbsp of non-fat plain yogurt with 1 tsp maple syrup. Toast pecans in the toaster oven for a few minuteS (watch carefully).

Pour oats into a bowl and top with coconut, pecans and icing.

…Because oatmeal is wonderful…

 

A Quote I Love! Thursday, Sep 18 2008 

home and quotes , , , krissyrigo 6:31 am

“One’s home is like a delicious piece of pie you order in a restaurant on a country road one cozy evening– the best piece of pie you have ever eaten in your life– and can never find again.”

~From Horseradish  by Lemony Snicket

…Because even after 2 beautiful weeks traveling around Europe, it STILL feels great to be back home…

 

Anniversary #1 Tuesday, Sep 16 2008 

love , , , , , krissyrigo 5:49 am

One of my favorite pictures

One of my favorite pictures

This is a really special day because I married my best friend exactly one year ago today. 

The wedding was exactly what we pictured and the day was perfect.  We can’t believe it’s already been a whole year and look forward to every single day– forever.  We have a lot to look forward to and a lot to be thankful for.  

I think it’s safe to say that we have both learned a lot and have shared a lot of wonderful moments.  It’s always important to look back on past memories while looking forward at the same time.  This way, you live and learn.  Happy Anniversary Mark!!  Love you!

…Because sometimes you just know.

 

Mmmmm Delicious! Saturday, Sep 13 2008 

recipes , , , , , , , krissyrigo 1:55 am

I love to post up recipes that might make everyone’s weekend a little more wonderful! 

This is one of my favorites from one of my new favorite blogs The Hungry Housewife…

LEMON YOGURT LOAF

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt

1 1/3 cups sugar, divided

3 extra-large eggs

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the glaze:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan.

Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it’s all incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.

When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, poke a bunch of holes in the cake and pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice and pour over the cake.

I think I could eat a whole pound of this right now

…Because anything with lemon in it technically counts as fruit, not dessert :)

 

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