Sunday, December 2, 2012

Christmas Cookies!


I tried out this recipe a few weeks ago and let me tell you, it was a smash! 
These cookies are so delicious and not difficult at all to make (always a plus in my book)
They look so cute and festive too, AND they're low fat! (ha. ha. ha. not. but it's worth it). 

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
*makes 24* 

1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. packed light brown sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. liquid red food coloring (I didn't use quite this much...)
1/2 c. buttermilk
8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1 c. marshmallow cream (such as jet puff, my personal fave)
sprinkles for decoration!

1) preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray cooking sheets with cooking oil.  
2) In medium-sized bowl, Whisk together the flour, cocoas, baking soda and salt.
3) using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, then the vanilla and food coloring. Alternatively add the flour mixture and buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated. 
4) drop lovel Tbsp of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Baking until the top are set and spring back when lightly pressed, 6-8 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. 
5) while the cookies cool, use an electric miser to beat the cream cheese until smooth. add the marshmallow cream and beat until fluffy, aout 3 minutes. spread 2 level tbsp of filling onto half of the cookies, then sandwich with the remaining cookies. Sprinkle the sprinkles around the edges. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving! 

Enjoy!

*disclaimer* Not my recipe, I found it in a magazine at the dermatologist's office! :)

Friday, November 30, 2012

Well I Do Declare!







We had ourselves a little Southern Belle Bachelorette Party this past week. 
Rachel is from Texas, so it seemed appropriate :)
And let me tell you, conversations are way more fun when you're talking in a southern accent...
I might even start incorporating "ya'll" into my daily dialect. 
Can't wait for this girl's wedding, just one more month!












Thursday, November 29, 2012

Hey Guys Check It Out!

I'm being featured today on the lovely Julie Blake's blog "Be Inspired" (!!!)
I was so honored (and also nervous) when she wanted to ask me a few questions about my style choices and wardrobe favorites, and you can check it out here if you want! 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Oh Christmas Tree


CHRISTMAS SEASON IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!

& here I am putting the last ornament on our Christmas tree!
Having ornaments on our tree is a pretty big deal, because last year we had a grand total of two ornaments. And now one year later we've upped the numbers a little! 

I love decorating for Christmas, I grew up with a mom who always made our home so wonderful during Christmas time, and I want to try to recreate it now that I've got my own home!

However, I live with a little bit of a Scrooge, who happens to think decorations are a little bit of a waste of time.
 BUT, even he can't resist the Christmas magic. There is nothing better than when I get the tree all put up with the lights and he comes home and sees it for the first time. 
A little bit of that Scrooge-ness melts away.  :)

Happy Christmas Season! Woohoo!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

2nd Annual Pie Party

JP loves Thanksgiving. 
And he loves pie. 
So last year, he began the tradition of throwing a "Pie Party" the night before Thanksgiving. 
This year we had an even bigger turn out, which was great, including a few repeat attenders from last year! So much fun to see everyone, although it is a shame that so many people feel like they have to go home to be with their families for this holiday. Can't you all stay in Provo for the break? :)

Like last year, JP's wording for the invitation is really just one of a kind, and here is it for your enjoyment:

Dear family, friends, and associates,

It’s that time of year again – the time when we give thanks for our abundance by trying to consume as much of it as possible in one sitting.

So naturally it is also time for our second annual pie party. Last year we had great turnout with about a dozen different kinds of pie (I am proud to say I sampled every one of them and haven’t fit into the pants I wore to the party since).

For those of you who are not familiar with the concept this is how it works: The pie party is actually a pie competition. Every person or group of people attending is encouraged to bring a pie (if you don’t feel up to the challenge we won’t turn you away), and we will all vote on which pie is the tastiest. The winner, in addition to our praise, will receive a generous prize and will hold the title of pie master until next year. Last year there was a lot of pre-party boasting, but only one winner.

So once again research recipes, consult cooks, and page through pinterest to find the best recipes possible, and let’s have another successful pie party.

Jean Paul







 Couldn't be more thankful for that guy right there. 



 He made a "Kentucky Derby Pie," which I had never heard of, but is definitely a new favorite! JP followed this recipe here, and tweaked it a little. 

I truly hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, I find that I have more and more to be thankful for every year. 
(I suppose that's how it should be huh?)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Searching for Sugar Man

To kick off Thanksgiving Break JP and I along with Shayla and Nick decided to head up to Salt Lake City and try out Bruges Waffles and Frites followed by a movie at the Broadway Centre Theatre. 

But seriously, Bruges Waffles and Frites is UNREAL. Best waffles I've had since I spent Thanksgiving in Brussels two years ago
And we're already planning another trip specifically to try out their frites and sandwiches (which are apparently legendary, and they had unfortunately turned the grill off last night by the time we got there). 

Then we went and saw the movie "Searching for Sugar Man."
It's a documentary about an American musician who's records never really sold in the US, but his music became wildly popular in South Africa - like, on par with The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkle. Crazy right?
It was a great documentary, and has won all sorts of awards, including three at the Sundance Film Festival. 
I would highly recommend it!

 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The one & only thanksgiving decoration gracing our home...

aww... festive isn't it?

Okay not really. But hey, don't I deserve a few points for trying? These past few weeks have flown by and suddenly Thanksgiving is a mere two days away. And the motivation to decorate our tiny apartment that doesn't even have a fireplace mantle (oh! the injustice!) is seriously lacking. 
So three cheers for free printables off the internet!  
This particular beauty is from here.

And I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! 
I am in charge of baking the rolls for our feast, can you say stress? Crossing my fingers that they rise properly and I don't burn them...