Shrimp Rangoons

I wasn't going to post this recipe initially because I considered it quite a failure.  It not only took forever and a million and one dishes, but ultimately, it just wasn't worth the work.  I like to give you recipes that are quick and painless, and this was far from it.  Alas, since this blog is really my exploration through cooking, I felt I should still upload this recipe so that you can learn from the mistakes I made.  Note:  do not attempt to make Rangoons more healthy by baking them.  by the third attempt, and second folding experiment, I gave up and fried them. Only then, did the insides not explode out of the won ton wrapper creating an empty hollow cave filled with nothing but air....

Little Things: Dinner Dates & Fluffy Kittens

1) This week I had my rents over for dinner while Blake was out of town for work.  We had a nice dinner date, and although it took them forever to get to my place because of the snow, it ended up being a great dinner.  I absolutely love using fresh herbs in the winter when cooking because, even if only for a moment, it feels/smells like you aren't stuck in the middle of winter in South East Michigan.  

The Little Things: Fat Cat

This week has been crazy busy.  We have a short week coming up this Monday, which always causes me to have to be in over drive.  I'm soaking up each and every moment of quiet and calm, and I've started painting again after finally unpacking everything to help calm my nerves and keep my sanity.  

Roasted Tomato Tart

During the summer, when there is an abundance of cherry tomatoes, I always make Blake and I a roasted tomato and rosemary dish that we pair with goat cheese and french bread.  I made a similar recipe here on the blog, but substituted grapes for the tomatoes and it was fantastic! You can find it here. This recipe would be perfect for a holiday party or as a simple snack.  If you substituted pizza dough for the puff pastry, it'd make a delicious and healthy pizza as well.  I don't know what it is about rosemary but I love it. If Blake would let me, I'd put it in everything! It's the one herb I grow religiously.  It's not nearly as fragile as Basil, and it can handle a few forgotten waterings if you are as forgetful as I am.  It also manages to survive through much of the fall and winter as long as it doesn't get too cold, and when you live in Michigan, this is a must.

It's the Little Things: We've Moved!

It's official, Blake and I are finally home owners! We have already had a few "live and learn" experiences, but all in all it's been a whirlwind of fun and excitement.  Since moving out this way, we have heard nothing but good things.  Apparently we have moved into the "party" neighborhood, which is getting us even more excited about the summer.  The home projects have already been underway and we managed to complete one room already!

It's the Little Things: The Apocalypse!

Between the impending doom of the Apocalypse and Blake and I living in an apartment filled with boxes, it has been a long week! I have been ready since Monday for Christmas vacation to be here, and it seemed that with all the anticipation, the days moved by at a snails pace.  Luckily it is here, and I am currently sitting here on my couch with my cat, drinking coffee and writing my Blog.  It truly could not get better than this. I've found packing to be quite frustrating.  We can't cook, because we don't want to buy too much food and many of our kitchen tools have been packed. We also have our camera packed away, which means phone photos are going to have to suffice.

1) I finally got my pictures from Prinstagram and was able to complete the pages for it in my Smash Book. It was a fun little project for a weekday evening.

It's the Little Things: Disney!

Blake and I had an amazing time in Disney World for our "pre-honeymoon," but we are most definitely happy to be home.  Yes, Blake walked around all week with those shoes, and he got more compliments than I've gotten my whole life...