Thursday Thoughts - Vol 28

Happy Halloween Eve! Thursday Thoughts are here!

1. Clean sheets are one of the best things on earth. There's just something about crawling into soft sheets that smell like fresh meadows and rain. Mmmmmmmm. Comfy cozy. 
   
2. Speaking of beds and sleeping, a few days ago I had a less than stellar night of sleep. I had a dream...let me correct myself, a horrible, horrible nightmare...I woke up and my bottom teeth were SO crooked. I'm talking couldn't even attempt to wedge my bottom retainer back in, snaggletooth crooked. They were the kind of crooked that could only be fixed by a second round of braces. The horror! I woke up in a cold sweat. Luckily, my bottom retainer was in place, and my teeth were still relatively straight. Phew. You can all exhale in relief now.
3. You know what is almost as gross as crooked teeth? Playoff beards. Woof. I'm sorry, but all these baseball players look so dirty. It's time to shave boys so we can see those pretty little faces of yours...and while we're at it, let's just all forget about no-shave November this year. 5 o'clock shadows = sexy. Full beards = creepy.
4. How I just recently discovered Trader Joe's macarons is a mystery to me, but they are fabulous. I wish I could buy an entire package of the pistachio flavored ones. So yummy. Good thing they only stay good for 2 days after you thaw them out. Thank you TJs for an excuse to eat an entire package of cookies in 48 hours. 
   
5. I do not, I repeat, do not understand people who like 20 of my Instagram pictures in a row yet do not follow me. If you like that many of my pictures I've already taken won't you like them in the future?! Don't think for a second I'm going to start following you. Doesn't work like that. Sorry.
6. You guys. I cannot take vegan leather jackets. I mean really, they are just plastic, pleather, PVC jackets. Why is everyone trying to make them sound way fancier than they really are?! Putting the words vegan and leather together is a contradiction. If you are vegan, you don't wear leather. You wear PVC. It is a plastic jacket. Let's call it that.
7. So I did just buy myself a real leather jacket a few weeks ago, and wouldn't you know I've already spilled all over it. Last week I was getting out of my car at work (in the rain), and I dropped my badge. I went to bend down and pick it up and being the dummy I am, I forgot I had a smoothie in my hand. I somehow managed to dump almost the entire smoothie into and down the front of my purse and coat sleeve. I am such a klutz. I should probably stick to pleather.
8. You didn't think I would let an entire Thursday Thoughts go by without mentioning Taylor Swift did you?!? No way. No how. It is album release week, and boy is it a good one! If you haven't listened to 1989 I highly suggest getting up and driving your butt to Target right this second. Seriously. Stop reading this and go! If you have heard it, bravo. You can vote for your favorite track here, and if you're crazy like me you can take this quiz to see which Taylor Swift album you are. 
   

Let's Go Royals!

The Kansas City Royals are World Series bound for the first time in 29 years (since I've been alive)! What better way to celebrate than with these cake pops?! Let me know if you are interested in ordering some for your watch parties this week - $25 for one dozen (6 baseballs and 6 blue sprinkle). These things are going like hot cakes so make sure to reserve yours today!

Perfect Pumpkin Crumble Muffins

Are you one of those people that goes pumpkin crazy come September? I hate to say I am, but I did get pretty excited when I saw the new pumpkin section at Trader Joes today. I absolutely could not leave without a box of This Pumpkin Walks Into the Bar... Probably just because they had a fun name, but whatever. I had one for dinner tonight, and they were delicious. Yea. I'm healthy I know.

Anyways, speaking of pumpkin, you have to try these pumpkin crumble muffins. They are the perfect blend of pumpkin and sweetness. They aren't over the top, I think I just gave myself a cavity sweet, but just sweet enough so you can eat one for breakfast and not feel too guilty.

the more crumble and powdered sugar the better!

Pumpkin Muffin
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pure pumpkin
¼ cup milk
⅓ cup melted butter
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Pumpkin Crumble
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 heaping tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
pinch of salt
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a muffin pan with paper cupcake liners (this will make approximately 12-14 muffins).

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium size bowl and set aside. Combine pure pumpkin, milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla and mix well. Slowly add the flour mixture, and mix until well blended. Scoop mixture into prepared muffin pan (I added a heaping ¼ cup batter to each liner), and set aside.

To make pumpkin crumble, combine flour, brown sugar, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt, Stir to combine. Add melted butter and stir with a fork until crumbs form. Spoon crumble onto muffins pressing lightly on each. In my opinion, you can never have too much crumble. It's obviously the best part.

Bake for 20 minutes, and then cover with foil and bake for another 5 minutes until a toothpick inserted into muffin comes out clean. Cool and dust with powdered sugar. Don't forget the powder sugar dusting. It is essential. I fed one to Cory without the powdered sugar, and he thought they were too plain, but with the powdered sugar, mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm. Enjoy!

Thursday Thoughts - Vol 27

Maybe I'll try this blogging thing again? We'll see. Since it's Fall, and there are yummy things I want to cook and bake I'll give it another shot, but first, Thursday Thoughts.

1. The coffee at work has got to be the grossest thing ever. I can usually stomach it with the help of a pack of Splenda, but this morning I couldn't find any in the break room so I was forced to drink it black. The faces I made after every sip were probably pretty comical. Thank goodness for the privacy of my high cube walls.
2. My phone knows me too well. A few weeks ago I was texting Cory and my phone autocorrected to Iwanttobeacat. No joke.
   
3. I'm giving up on eBay. I bought some boots last week, and I was so excited for them, but alas I took them out of the box on Monday morning, and they were both for the left foot. Wah wah. They also didn't zip over my enormous calves, but that is beside the point. What a great way to start the week right? Two left feet and I have fat calves. Awesome. I will never buy anything on eBay again. Really...even if it is a really, really good deal.
4. If you live in Kansas and you go to Louisburg Cider Mill this Fall then you must order a Cyclone. You guys - apple cider slushy, soft serve vanilla ice cream, and crumbled, warm apple cider donut. It is probably the most indulgent thing ever and probably the most delicious. Order it. Seriously. 
   
5. To what type of event could I wear these shoes? I really want an excuse to buy some. Too. Freaking. Cute. 
   
6. Traveling so much this past year has made me realize I have a lot of pet peeves when it comes to airports and flying. Let's talk about baggage claim. Is it really necessary to get as close as humanly possible to the conveyor belt? How about we all stand a reasonable 5 feet back so that everyone can see the bags. Genius right?
7. Speaking of traveling, I swear Cory walks more than any human being. My Fitbit (and my poor little feet) work overtime whenever we vacation. I mean on Friday in New Orleans I walked more than a half marathon. Madness I tell ya...and that is how I rationalized eating my weight in beignets all weekend.
   
8. Can we all just agree that The Mindy Project is the best show on TV right now? Last week my roommates and I replayed Diamond Dan's little strip tease at least 3 times. I mean....no words. Also, can Mindy Kaling and I hurry up and meet each other so we can become BFF's?!?
9. Does anyone else religiously enter the HGTV Dream Home/Urban Oasis/whatever they are called these days contests? I enter twice a day every single day. Surely I will win eventually right??

Friday Funnies

I threw up on the balcony of the country club.

I HATE when the Southwest flight attendants sing. Ruins my day, and then 
half the plane claps. Don't feed into their narcissism. We're hostages on this 
plane and we're being tortured by your voice.

I feel like I'm in the movie "Failure to Launch", but dude. The guy is 

not near as hot as Matthew McConaughey.

I'm just not very good at shuffle board because my muscles are too big. I guess I'm

 just too strong. [editor's note: these words actually came out of a guy's 

mouth at Sully's, and he was 100% serious. Barf]

Girls just want to get married and make little frat lords.

Don't let me get hotter than you or I'll be trying to upgrade.

I liked an Asian on Tinder tonight. I've reached an all time low. #loweringstandards

I'm so drink. I'm a mess. I ordered a double water.

The only guys who wear the FBI: Female Body Inspector shirts are the guys who've 

never inspected a female body. Those are the worst...or every shirt 

at a beach store. People actually buy those. I weep for America.

6 Month Check Up

Well I'm a few days late since my half birthday was on Saturday, but let's take a look at how I'm doing on my list of yearly goals. I have a feeling I've probably been slacking...

1. Blog at least once a week. - Major fail. Whoops.
2. No alcohol or sweets for a month. The alcohol part? That will be easy. The sweets? Lord help me. Completed no alcohol for the month of January. I also attempted to do no sweets but cheated the first weekend so I had to start over on January 6th, but I can happily say I made it the entire month until February 6th! Go me!
3. Find a church to attend. This must happen this year. - I haven't actually joined a church, but I've tried out a few different ones and I think I like Old Mission United Methodist Church the best so I'm going to say this counts. Now to start going every single week...
4. Get my new website up and running. - Hopefully Cory isn't reading this. Still haven't gotten around to this yet. My goal is to have it finished by the end of the summer.
5. Buy/hang curtains in my living room and bedroom. - Nope. Too busy spending money on plane tickets.
6. Take photography lessons. - Nope.
7. Take a Bikram yoga class. - Nope.
8. Travel abroad. Europe. Mexico. Canada. Wherever! - Not yet. I think Cory and I are talking about taking a trip in December right before Christmas so hopefully I can get this one checked off then.
9. Increase my savings account by changing my automatic funds transfer from $50 to $100 a week. Completed January 1, 2014 which means my savings has grown by at least $5,200 this year.
10. Walk at least 10,000 steps every day for a month. I just got a Fit Bit for Christmas so I'm kind of obsessed. :) - Did this one in combination with the no sweets. Completed Jan 6-Feb 6.
11. Call a friend I haven't talked to in awhile on the way home from work at least once a week. - Kinda? Probably not every week.
12. Say "I love you" more and mean it.
13. Eat a paleo or low carb diet for a month. Again, this will be very difficult for a carb lover like myself. - Still need to do this. I've been contemplating doing the Whole 30 Challenge. Ashley is motivating me.
14. Read 12 books - (1) Allegiant by Veronica Roth, (2) Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill, (3) Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, (4) Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell,
15. Try 12 new recipes (bonus points if they aren't desserts). - (1) Funfetti Gooey Cake Bars, (2) Fruity Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad, (3) Biggest Loser Oatmeal Pancakes, (4) Key Lime Cookie Cups, (5) Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken Tacos, (6) Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cake
16. Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This one is kind of cheating because C and I are already planning on going there in March, but I've wanted to go forever so whatever. This one's a freebie! - Completed on 3/3/14. It. Was. AMAZING. You all must go and bring me back a butterbeer!
17. Milk a cow. Random you may say? It sounds fun...and I just really want to visit Shatto Milk Company sometime this year. I might die of happiness if I'm able to bottle feed a baby cow. Soooo stinkin' cute! - Nope.
18. Sing karaoke. - Nope.
19. Buy a house plant and keep it alive for 6 months. Let's be honest. There is no way it will live for year. Baby steps. - I've bought some succulents. I bought five different plants, and I've already lost one. Fingers crossed the remaining four can hold out for another 5 months and 2 weeks.
20. Swim with manatees or dolphins. - Swam with manatees in Crystal River, FL on 3/2/14.
21. Go for a hot air balloon ride. - Nope.
22. Send snail mail to a friend or family member each month. I know I had this same idea last year, but I failed miserably, and I always love getting fun mail so it's time to return the favor. - Nope.
23. Buy my parents dinner. - Nope.
24. Have a garage sale to get rid of everything still boxed up in the basement. If I haven't used it in almost a year I really don't need to keep hanging on to it. - Nope.
25. Buy a piece of jewelry that signifies all I've achieved so far. - Nope.
26. Take a spinning class. - Nope.
27. Try 12 new restaurants. - (1) Ichiban, (2) La Bodega, (3) Azteca Family Mexican, (4) Maverick's Grille, (5) El Palacio De Los Jugos, (6) Grand Cafe, (7) Egan & Sons, (8) The Granary, (9) Bowens Island, (10) Taco Boy, (11) Poogan's Porch, (12) Bay Street Biergarten, (13) High Cotton, (14) The Ordinary, (15) Triangle Char and Bar, (16) Five Loaves Café, (17) Pane e Vino, (18) Taco Mamacita, (19) Edmund's Oast
28. Visit at least one state I've never been to. - Nope.
29. Hold a snake. I didn't have enough courage to do this last year. Maybe 29 is the lucky year? We shall see. - Definitely not.

Thursday Thoughts with Jen - Vol 26

So I haven't blogged in over month. Eh. Whatever. It's Thursday! Only one more day until the glorious weekend!

1. I'm totally 100% in love with South Carolina. It's perfect (besides the humidity). I am going to be very, very sad when I don't have a reason to go there every few weeks. 
   
2. Speaking of South Carolina, Cory and I went to Middleton Plantation a few weeks ago, and I would just like to say I saw TWO snakes and didn't have to leave immediately. Was I on pins and needles the remainder of the time and did I jump five feet every time I saw a black stick? Absolutely. Still. I didn't freak out too bad. I'm proud of myself. 
   
3. Not commuting an hour to work anymore is ah-maze-ing. Seriously. I feel like I have so much more free time for activities and things. Oh ya. I guess I should fill you all in. If you didn't already know, I finally got a job in Kansas City so no more commuting to Payless every day! It was a great 3+ years, and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything, but I'm excited for this new chapter. 
4. I'm fairly certain the post office is the most inefficient place on Earth. I ordered a fairly expensive purse on eBay awhile ago and was skeptical on whether or not I would even receive it. I was  a little antsy about being scammed so I was tracking that thing like a hawk. When I went to pick it up at the post office there was a line out the door. The workers proceeded to separate us into two different lines so if we were just picking up a package we could get through faster. I was literally in line for FORTY FIVE minutes while the worker moved slow as molasses in my line. When it was finally my turn the lady was in the back for a good 10 minutes only to return and say she couldn't find my package, and I would need to go check my house to make sure they didn't leave it at my door (even though the computer said it was at the post office). As I was walking out the door a guy came running out from the back with my purse. That is an hour of my life I will never get back, but on the bright side, I got my purse! 
   
5. I am so glad it is Spring and frozen yogurt season! I've had it for dinner several times already. Don't judge me. 
   
6. I love Spring and all but holy ant infestation! What is the deal with these nasty little creatures invading my house?! I would take spiders any day over ants. Raid has become my best friend.
7. While I'm complaining, is it really necessary to put your marital status in your Instagram bio?! I get it. You're married. You have two "fur babies". I could have learned these fun facts by looking at your pictures which are all of you and your dogs and your husband. Fantastic. 
8. I can't get enough iced coffee. I have a serious addiction. If I do nothing else this weekend, I will make it to The Roasterie to try the Beach Time Toddy. I'm sure it is several hundred calories but it is probably so so worth it. 
   
9. I really want a pet squirrel. Random you may say? I've had an obsession with them ever since college. I used to feed them little packages of peanut butter outside the sorority house. One even climbed up my pant leg...twice...in the matter of a few minutes. I can't make these things up. Does anyone know where I can find a cute baby one I can raise domestically? Is this even allowed? I'm only half joking...

Key Lime Cookie Cups

Ever since Key West, Cory is obsessed with all things Key Lime so when I came across Pillsbury's new cake mix, cookie mix, and frosting I couldn't pass it up.

Rather than making boring ol' cookies, I decided to get a little creative with some key lime cookie cups. These were relatively simple to make, and they tasted great. Not to mention they were a cute mini snack that I didn't feel quite as guilty eating. Okay, here is what you'll need:

Key Lime Cookie Cups

1 box Pillsbury Key Lime cookie mix (and ingredients noted on box)
1 jar Pillsbury Key Lime frosting
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 T sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
1 lime






Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Start by placing graham crackers in a Ziplock bag. Use a rolling pin to create crumbs. Mix together with sugar and melted butter in a small bowl. Next, prepare cookie mix as directed. For the life of me I cannot remember what additional ingredients you have to add to the cookie mix. I want to say butter and maybe an egg or two? Forgive me. I threw away the box last week, and there is no way I'm going to go rummaging through the garbage. :)

Next, in a mini muffin pan, place a heaping teaspoon of graham cracker crust in each cup. Use the back of the teaspoon to press the crumbs into the bottom firmly. Scoop cookie dough (about 1 tablespoon) on top of the graham cracker crust.

Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. After you remove the cookies from the oven, use the back of a teaspoon to press the cookies into the cups. Allow them to cool for several minutes. If you skip this step your crust will get stuck in the pan, and you'll be one sad baker. I'm impatient so I put the entire pan into the freezer for 5-10 minutes, and the cookie cups easily came out of the pan afterwards.

Once cooled, pipe key lime frosting onto each cookie cup with a star tip. Top with fresh grated lime zest or your favorite green sprinkles. Enjoy!

32 Things That Make Me Happy

I recently started reading Two Thirds Hazel. Yesterday she had a link up for 32 things that make her happy. Since I've recently been lacking the motivation and creativity to blog I figured this sounded fun. So here we go - here are 32 things that make me happy.

1. Rainy, stormy days. Big thunderstorms are my absolute favorite. Call me crazy, but I like dreary days better than sunny ones. 
2. Target. This one needs no explanation.
3. Brunch. 
   
4. Waking up at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. and realizing that I still have several hours left to sleep. Best. Feeling. Ever.
5. The beach. Doesn't matter which beach it is. The beach is my happy place. 
   
6. Going for a walk on the beach first thing in the morning. It might be the most soothing thing ever. I will live on the beach someday. 
   
   
   
7. Basically every show on Bravo. Judge me all you want, but that stuff is entertaining. My newest obsession? Southern Charm. I really want Cameran to be my BFF.
8. Donuts and mimosa for breakfast...or really anytime! 
   
9. Knowing that I have a clean house. Surfaces dusted. Floors mopped and vacuumed. Clutter put away. Yes I'm OCD. Yes I like everything in it's right place.
10. Trips with Cory, and really traveling in general. Lucky for me, Cory travels a lot and lets me tag along. 
    
11. SPIN! Pizza. I do this thing where I'm obsessed with one restaurant at a time (usually for a few months), and then I move on. However, I've been on the SPIN! train for quite awhile now. If you live in KC, are ever visiting KC, even driving through KC you should go eat there. Order the Mama Mia with a Spinaci e Aglio pizza and a Sonoma salad (dressing on the side). You won't be disappointed I promise.
    
12. Nashville - both the city and the TV show. 
13. Snuggling with my Eves. Crazy cat lady fo-eva! 
    
14. Clean sheets. Are you beginning to see a trend? I like clean things.
15. CHRISTMAS time! Well really Halloween to NYE is the best time of the year. There are so many holidays, so much family and friends, and some time off work. My birthday also happens to fall during this time period so it's basically the greatest.
16. Christmas trees.
    
17. Traditions that go along with holidays. Handing out Valentine's. Dying Easter eggs. Taking sparkler pictures with my sisters on the 4th. Going to the pumpkin patch. Making gingerbread houses. Etc. Etc.
18. Sitting in the sauna after a nice, long workout.
19. Ice cream. You can't tell me that a waffle cone and a scoop of your favorite flavor doesn't make you deliriously happy. 
    
20. New highlights. It's amazing how much prettier you feel after a hair appointment, even if it's just a trim.
21. Family vacations. There haven't been near enough of these lately with my sisters still and school, and my mom, dad and I working, but they are great...and this picture is even greater. 
    
22. Taylor Swift. You can tell me over and over that I'm too old to be obsessed with every single one of her songs, and I'll tell you over and over that I don't care. She is a brilliant song writer. End of story.
23. Wedding cake. Hands down it is my most favorite part of a wedding. 
    
24. Instagram, and well really, pictures in general. Maybe it's annoying that I document everything, but in 20 years or even 20 hours I love looking back at what I've photographed.
25. All carbs.
26. Shellac/gel nail polish. Gone are the days wasting time waiting for nails to dry. 
    
27. Group iMessages with friends.
28. Watching someone open a gift that I put a lot of thought into, and seeing their excitement. 
29. Pumpkin flavored everything in the Fall. 
    
30. All baby animals. I was going to say puppies and kittens, but really, what little baby fluffy thing isn't adorable? 
31. Theta.
    
32. Having a drink on a patio on a warm Saturday afternoon in the Spring or Fall. Bonus points if that drink is a margarita. 
    

Baked Apple Apple Pies

Cory's birthday was during vacation a few weeks ago and I felt bad I couldn't bake him anything, but alas there was no kitchen available for personal use at the Waldorf. #firstworldproblems. Don't worry. We were both too full for dessert the night of his birthday so I made him light his cigar with a birthday candle, and suffer through me singing Happy Birthday so he could blow out a candle and make a wish. Hey. We had to improvise.

Fortunately, he was back in Kansas the following weekend so I had a chance to redeem myself with these baked apple apple pies. You guys. These things were yummy, and I felt a little less guilty eating this than a giant slice of cake. Don't worry though. I loaded mine up with ice cream. I can't be too healthy. Here is what you will need to make these when you decide you need them. Because you will.

Baked Apple Apple Pies
serves 4

5-6 Granny Smith apples
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
pie crust (homemade or pre-made)

Optional (but not really):
vanilla ice cream

First things first. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Next cut the top off of 4 apples. Remove the inside of each apple with a spoon or melon baller. Be sure not to puncture the peel. I highly suggest using a melon baller. I don't own one so I used a knife and spoon, and it was touch and go there for awhile on whether I would make it out with all my fingers in tact.

Now it's time to move onto the filling. If you are good at hollowing apples you can use the inside for the filling. If not, use those other 2 apples you bought. Remove skin from remaining apple, and slice very thin. Mix sliced apples with sugars and cinnamon in a bowl. You can add more or less sugar and cinnamon to taste. I opted for a little more brown sugar :) Scoop filling into the hollowed apples.

If you bought pre-made pie crust (which I did), this next part is easy. Roll out and slice into 1/4 inch strips. Cover the top of the apple in a lattice pattern or any other way you so choose.

Place apples in an 8 x 8 in pan, and add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Remove from oven and serve immediately. I put mine in a bowl with a big ol' scoop of Edy's Slow Churned Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, and it was to die for! Enjoy!

It's Time to Start Running Again...

So I took a brief...ok several month...well actually now that I'm thinking about it, half year, hiatus from running because my knees were bothering me so much. It got to the point where I could barely even walk down a flight of stairs it hurt so bad. Of course I didn't go to the doctor so I'm not sure what the actual problem was, but after attempting (and failing) to train for the Kansas City Half Marathon I decided it might be best to stop running for awhile. It was actually perfect timing because this winter has been horrible, and I'm such a baby about running outside in cold weather.

Now that the weather is getting a little warmer (although it was 70 on Saturday and I woke up to snow yesterday morning. Dumb Kansas), I think it's time to start running again.

Cory and I are signed up for the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K on April 5th so I suppose I should have been training for awhile now. I think I've come to the conclusion that this race will not be a personal best, and I will most likely be much, much slower than I was last June. The few times I have "ran" in the last few months, I did a lot of run/walking and was around a 9:30-10:00 min/mile so I'm just hoping to finish this race in an hour. Fingers crossed. Hopefully some of Cory's speed will rub off on me haha! :)

I feel like I need to follow the last bit of training program for the next 3 weeks so I can hold myself accountable. Does anyone have a favorite 10K training program they love? I've always used Hal Higdon programs so I thought I might try the 10K Intermediate Program, but if anyone has any other suggestions they would be much appreciated! Are you training for any races right now? I'd love to hear which ones and how your training is going!