Where Has the Time Gone? April Already? My Explanation in Photos...

I realized it has been a month since I have last blogged and I am embarrassed. I know that hardly anyone reads this darn blog, but when one of your friends texts you and tells you that you need to blog, you start feeling a little guilty, because I must provide some good laughs of pity for somebody. 

So let me explain exactly what caused this hot mess to happen, and why I have put it off so long to come up with a new post.... ( get ready for a LONG long post)

I started to feel a little bit sick, sleeping when I should have been studying, and feeling awful. I just thought it was a cold...

Turns out... I had the flu. Dang it! Why didn't I get that free shot they were giving away on campus?? I also had to run to some dear friends so that they could play mommy and doctor to me...In the meantime, I spread my disease to their daughter....this little cutie... Poor gal.

I skipped class and decided to go visit my parents so that my real mommy could take care of me... she was dog sitting for my older sister, so I spent a lot of time in bed, watching tv, with Leila dog staring at me...

On the bright side, Easter candy is was the bomb.

Eventually I had to go back to school/home even if I wasn't feeling the best. But the weather was nice for a day or two, and then....

It got ugly!! What kind of Pre-Spring Break weather is that??! Yuck.

Some of my friends got married, which of course is always cute, and I love getting mail.

I just had to make some of grandmas brownies during spring break. Who wouldn't??

Then I decided I would spend my entire spring break baking every single day, concocting new recipes and getting chubby. Ok, so it probably did not at all affect my health, but I made these awesome snicker cookies... not to be confused with snickerdoodles. These babies were sooooo good I made them twice. My husband LOVED them. Go figure.

Also on spring break, I got to spend lots of time with Justen, which was much needed. We went on some pretty fun dates. My favorite was going to see OZ, which by the way was really good, and I despise hate sitting through movies because I get so antsy.  Also our taco bell date was pretty stinkin cool. HAH! Did you know I have only been to Taco Bell like 5 times in my whole life.? This time I decided to compare the Doritos tacos. BOY were they delicious. Personally, I like the blue, but would totally order one of each if I go again.

Also, my oldest sister is getting married in just about a month, and we all went to one of her Bridal Showers. She got lots of goodies from Crate & Barrell, so her kitchen will be decked out! This is a picture of Me, my older sister Elizabeth and my youngest sister Abby.

HOLD THE PHONE. We finally bought a car!! Yeeeehaw! Seriously, it felt like it took forever to try and find one that we liked/could afford/ was in the state of Kentucky. Talk about a challenge, but everything came together and now we are the very very proud owners of a Ford Fusion. This makes 2 cars for the 2 of us, and Justen is clearly quite happy to have his own car finally. 

Easter time means sweet baby chicks at the Rural King (yes that is a version of Tractor Supply) and I love to go see them and listen to them all chirp and talk like crazy babies do.

Justen and I dyed Easter eggs, which he had not done since he was like 6 years old. What the heck is wrong with him? Am I the only 21 year old who has done this every year since birth?

We had a lot of fun though, and made a few teeny tiny messes. haha....

Recently, I have been dying to make some spring things for my closet. So I went perusing at Joann's Fabric the other day, and cannot wait to show you how it comes out!

One of the really cool perks to my job is that I get to go run around town and collect donations at a bunch of different businesses for my school. I actually came across the Oscar Mayer Weiner mobile in Louisville, and could not resist stopping to get a picture and a weenie whistle. Yes, I had to sing the O.M. song to get the whistle and I knew every word. The weather was wonderful this past weekend wasn't it??

So as you can see, the flu + Spring Break + work + 21 hours of class = neglected blog and crazy busy lady. I am just thankful that I only have 4 more weeks of class until sweet sweet Summer! Yahooooooo

-Sara Jacqueline

Recipe: Chocolate Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe consisted of trying to jam as much as I could into one cookie, while still tasting like some awesome creation from Cold Stone. I think it turned out pretty well, and next time I will try regular cake batter for sure! Try these out when the kiddies are coming to your house, or when you are heading out to a game night with a bunch of hungry friends, you won't be sorry.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup flour

1 1/4 cup boxed cake mix (devils food, yellow, white, whatever you fancy)

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 and 1/2 stick of softened butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cup chocolate chip mix ( white and milk is what I like)

1/2 cup sprinkles

To Make:

1. Mix together flour, cake mix and baking soda in a small bowl and set to the side. 
2. In a mixer, cream the sugars and butter on medium for about 2 minutes until fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla until creamy.
3. Gradually mix in the flour mixture until combined, and then fold in the chocolate chips and sprinkles.
4. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and let your dough get a little stiff in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
5. Scoop the dough by tablespoons and roll into balls. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and lightly browned. Allow cookies to cool on the tray for about 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.


You will not be disappointed.



-Sara Jacqueline

Recipe: Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

These babies are very delicious, and taste pretty close to a Samoas girl scout cookie. Last weekend, I was low on eggs, and needed to bake or else I would die, and thought of these yummy little bars that don't make too many. Sometimes, I bake with the intentions of eating the entire pan, so I at least had to make a small batch of sweets in order to survive. I think next time I will concoct some caramel topping as well...hmmmm.

 

Ingredients:

1 cup flour



1/2 cup butter butter, melted 

1 cup brown sugar


1 egg


1½ teaspoons vanilla extract


1 cup sweetened flaked coconut


1 cup chocolate chips 

Topping:
1 cup  chocolate chips

To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease  an 8-inch square baking pan.

2. Stir the melted butter and brown sugar together until smooth then beat in egg and vanilla until well blended.

3. Slowly beat in the flour until blended, then stir in the coconut and chocolate chips.

4. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth evenly.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set in the center but still soft.

6. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave or with a double boiler and drizzle across the top of the bars. I spread mine (after taking that picture) evenly across to create a nice chocolate top. Wait until cool, or throw them in the freezer for faster results!

Eat up!

-Sara Jacqueline

The Week the Cookies Crumbled

 This week it was nuts with homework, and busy with class and kindergarten and wild with bumps in the road and also has a lot to do with cookies. Call me crazy, I know its the truth. Here shows how it all went down, in picture form.

I made these Girl Scout Cookie inspired bars, that tasted super close to the chocolate coconut Samoas. I will have to share the recipe later, cause you will need it!

Pay day and pick up your GS cookie day all in one day of the week?! Woahh, that is just dangerous. What's a girl to do with boxes of cookies and a nice chunk of change? 

You probably already can tell, but I have quite a memory attached to these GS cookies. I used to be one of the super selling goody two shoe wearing girl scouts around the age 8. I was the girl who won the t-shirt, the sleeping bag, and the light up singing jump rope. A.K.A I sold a TON of boxes, and no I don't mean like a hundred or two. It might have something to do with the fact that I can fundraise like nobody's business for my school.... not to brag, but I am pretty good at my job.

I am not really up and up on those fancy printing machines..something like a cricket..a ladybug..I don't know... but both of my best girls have one, and I got to play along this week too! We made these fun painted signs with cute little quotes on them. I am actually pretty impressed that it turned out good, however I think I am going to paint that khaki border white.

Again with the girl scout cookies. Actually this has more to do with what it says than what it is. I really really miss Mexico, everything about it. It was an experience I will definitely forget, and lately I have just been wanting to go back super bad...and take Justen with too! Heck that would be a crazy trip. It's nice to dream, huh?

As soon as March 1 hit, I yanked down that Valentines Day wreath and refashioned it into this nifty spring wreath.  I love Easter, it is so bright and cute, and kinda gives me hope to finish the spring semester up. Also, that little sparkly monogram egg was 97 cents at the Walmart and I thought it was perfect to represent these two Turleys- score for cheap crafty stuff! 

( I owe all my bow making skills to Lauren)

This was my Saturday. We had a fun date all day long. It started with an elementary science fair, and after walking into and out of 6 restaurants(literally, I am the most indecisive person), we settled on Chipotle because Justen was gonna murder me if I asked to go to Chick-Fil-A one more time. Turns out our meal stunk, and after we left, he was begging me to go to Chick-Fil-A. We shopped till we dropped, got some free stuff ( yay for gift card stock piles) and cheap stuff. Finally we made it home for dinner! 

(His serious face is a complete lie by the way.)

-Sara Jacqueline

Recipe: Stove-Top Mac & Cheese

I think it is about time I share one of my best go to recipes. When I am just trying to feed people in a fast, easy and delicious way I get out this recipe (which I think I have memorized now) and whip up some homemade kid food. 

The great thing about this recipe is that you literally cannot mess it up or make it taste bad. Anything goes. You can use pretty much any kind of cheese you have one hand. I have tried all of the shredded varieties in the supermarket cooler and mixed up the cheese leftovers in my house as well. If you are into being a more health conscious eater, you can definitely substitute all of the ingredients for whole wheat, egg whites, skim milk, 2% cheese, etc. It still has a mac and cheese vibe even if you cut the calories. The only thing I haven't tried yet, is making it egg free...which I should get on that for my pal Lauren and her allergy house...so tell me if you try it! 

Make some mac and cheese tonight, you won't be sorry and you probably have everything in your pantry right now.

Sara's Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

1 lb of pasta noodles (any sort you wish)

4 T Butter or margarine

2 Eggs

6 oz Evaporated milk (1/2 can)

Dash of hot sauce

3/4 tsp Dry mustard

10 oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese (give or take, this does not need to be perfect!)

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

To Make:

1.Cook pasta according to box directions until al dente and drain.

2. Return to the pot and melt in butter. Whisk the eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper and dry mustard together and stir into the pasta over low heat. 

3. Add the cheese in and stir continuously until melted and creamy. Serve immediately! Way better than that blue box stuff.

I hope this rain goes away soon! Who is ready for Spring??

-Sara Jacqueline

Woah February, Woah.

I just realized... like yesterday, that February is about over, which means it will be March, which means it is almost time for Spring Break, then Easter, then Schools out!! This is how my brain thinks when I am taking 21 credit hours and working 25 crazy hours. I think in Holidays and countdowns. What comes next so I can give myself some motivation? 

So here it is again a week in Instagram pics. Sorry I didn't find time to post this past week... I am not sure what happened to Monday through Thursday, it was all a whirl.

For a recent baby shower, I made some newborn skirts. This is just one of them, the other photo got deleted by a certain almost 2 year old who likes to see "peetchas" (pictures). I paired them with some plain white onesies, so hopefully she will have something cute and comfy to wear to church during this spring and summer.

Am I obsessed? Maybe. Or is it just that I am stuck in Morehead, where there is literally nothing  entertaining, and so I typically hang out with baby ballerinas....hmm. I guess she does have a pretty cool Mom too... 

  She is just the sweetest. If we could have her as our own, I would be first in line.....except Justen would beat me, and win because Miss K has a big crush on him. She loves to play with me, but never fails to ask where Justen is.

This little yellow dress has my name written on the tag. It says: made for Sara, with Love, Target.

Gee thanks!

He really hates when I study... HAH.  I cannot wait until this semester is over, and I will be student teaching for reals. Trying to read a history book while he is watching movies is not cool.

Lastly. Target has done it again. I drool over their holiday (teachers do that ya know) aisles. They are so fun and magical, and I know you people know what I am talking about. You go in to the store for one little thing, and spend a whole hour walking all over the store playing with new home stuff, cute holiday things, candy, clothes, shoes...the bizarre dollar section. All of it makes you want to break that piggy bank and put your nose up to Walmart for good. I am just glad I made it out before I had to get a get a semi to haul out my goodies.

Happy Last Week of February!!

-Sara Jacqueline

An Instagram Valentine's Week

Lately all I have eaten for breakfast and dinner is cereal. I have gone through two boxes in two weeks...(that is super fast when you live alone)... I may have an addiction.

Another obsession: Cherry Coke Zero. I have even gone so far as to make a cooler for my backpack to carry around on days I have class from 8a.m. to 6 p.m.....ghetttto.

My sixty year old teacher wrote us out Elmo Valentine's. She is stinkin' cute, but why does she have to be such a boring teacher? Sheesh.... Can't. Wait. to Graduate.

The biggest surprise since I got engaged: Justen drove 2 hours to spend Valentines Day and all weekend with me. He hid in my apartment after I got off work and scared the heck out of me. I was SHOCKED. I was dying all week cause he kept telling me he wasn't going to be able to come, and that I would see him in a few weeks....coool....but instead, he was dressed all cute, filled my fridge with groceries, brought me candy and tulips too. This was our first Valentine's Day together, and I think he did pretty good!

I made these amazing Red Velvet Cheesecake cookies for heart week and they were stinkin delicious. Nuff said.

I tried herbal iced tea for the first time this week and it was surprisingly good. I think I have found my new summer drink. Yum :)

You need to get this game. We call it the train game, but its really called Ticket to Ride. It is addictive and serious business. It has caused arguments, smack downs, and it is also why there is a boxing ring at The Monnett House (our super awesome friends).

That has been my week just about. I hope your Valentines Day was a sweet as mine!

-Sara Jacqueline