Some more summer, s'more summer

Some words that come to mind when I think of summer: warm (hot), beaches, fresh air (if your lucky enough to take a vacation away from the city), campfires, and last but not least my inspiration for this post: s'mores. S'mores always have good associations of camping trips or beach bonfires, or just hanging around the fire pit in the back yard. I've seen a lot of s'more related posts on various blogs and it inspired me to do s'more (some more...see what I did there?) "baking". I put baking in quotes because there was no actual baking involved, but I call mostly everything having to do with yummy delicious treats baking. 

First up are some delicious bite sized s'mores. 

Ingredients:

1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows 

Dipping chocolate (if store bought one container per bag) 

Graham crackers (you only need about 3 sheets)

Tooth picks

Wax paper (optional)

Baking sheet or flat platter

Sandwich bag (optional)

Instructions:

Put a piece of wax paper over the baking sheet/platter (you don't need the wax paper but it does help with cleanup).

Break up each sheet of graham crackers into 8 pieces and put in a sandwich bag (you can also just crush them over a plate, but it's much easier in a bag) and crush them into small pieces.

Melt the dipping chocolate.

Put a toothpick into a marshmallow and dip in the chocolate.

Let excess chocolate drip off (I spun it using the toothpick but be careful to do it  into the container or else chocolate will go EVERYWHERE).

Place in the graham cracker crumbs.

Put in rows on the wax paper covered platter. 

When you are finished filling the platter put in the refrigerator for no less than an hour (or serve immediately). 

Store in a Tupperware container in the refrigerator. 

S'more rice Krispy treats:

So I looked up a lot of recipes for s'more rice Krispy treats and they involved adding the graham crackers when you add the Rice Krispies. I tried it a different way, and here it is:

Ingredients:

1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows

Dipping chocolate or chocolate chips

Rice Krispies (amount depends on what texture you want)

2 tbsp butter (plus a little for greasing the pan) 

1 tsp vanilla 

Graham crackers (about 2 sheets) 

Plastic bag (optional)

Instructions:

Grease a pan (bigger the pan thinner the treats) that you are going to use for the treats. Don't be shy with greasing cause this stuff is a pain to get out without butter to help. 

In a medium to large pot melt 2 tbsp butter.

When it's mostly melted add marshmallows.

Stir frequently (preferably with a wooden spoon) until completely melted. 

As soon as marshmallows are completely melted remove from heat and keep stirring. 

Add 1 tsp vanilla and stir in.

Gradually add Rice Krispies until you reach desired texture (I used about 2 and a half to 3 cups).

Put the treats into the pre-greased pan and let cool for 5 mins.

Press down into each corner and the surface is flat. *warning: they are still very hot, so be careful. If its too hot then wait another 3-5 mins.*

Break up each sheet of graham crackers into about 8 pieces and put into a plastic bag and crush the pieces into a dust (or just crush over a plate).

Sprinkle over treats and press down. 

Drizzle chocolate over graham crackers.

Let sit about 20 mins. 

*I used the method I put above, but this would hold together better. Before putting graham crackers down sprinkle (or drizzle if you have dipping chocolate) and press down chocolate chips (use desired amount). 

Happy summer, everyone! 

Sly like a fox, crafty like a...

Crafty like a person.  Specifically this person writing this blog post.  I spent most of the day yesterday doing various crafts to brighten up the apartment and just for fun.  I spent a long time looking at Pinterest, Buzzfeed DIY, Martha Stewart, and other crafts blogs, and decided on a few projects.
Have fun, and don't run with scissors :)!

Dry-erase menu board/organizer:
I have no idea why people don't do this more often.  It's an awesome project and super cheap (you can do it for $5 dollars or you can spend more if you want).  Planning meals, while it may seem a bit crazy, is a great idea.  It really helps in terms of only having to make one or two trips to the grocery store in a week, not to mention, if your roommate/significant other orders lunch at work it helps them know what not to order so they don't spoil their dinner.

What you will need:
A picture frame (should be relatively large, but as long as you can fit/see your writing on it it doesn't matter)
Colorful paper (I used scrap book paper)
Tape
Dry erase marker
Command hook (optional...you can also lean it up against something)

What you do:
Take off the back of the photo frame.
Use the paper or cardboard inside the frame as a reference to how much paper you need.
Cut out different sized rectangles of paper and tape them down so they make a patchwork pattern on the cardboard or paper.
Put back inside the frame.
Use the dry erase marker, and you can wipe it off with a towel whenever.
Hang it using a command hook on your fridge or your kitchen wall or whatever.

 Painted keys:
So I wouldn't really call this a craft, however, I've always seen this and wondered if it works.  It does. All you need is nail polish (the color and the top coat) make sure its a different color for each key or else it defeats the purpose.  Paint the top of the key, on one side, let dry, paint another layer, let dry, repeat on the other side.  When you have done the color on both sides, use the clear top coat on both sides and let dry. It will peel a little bit when you put it back on, but you can touch it up.


Fun candy box:
I made this for Chris to take into work.  It's fun and cute, and who doesn't appreciate a bright box full of candy in an office?

What you will need:
Cereal box
Paint
Paintbrush
Lollipops
Construction paper
Sharpie
Ruler
Pencil
Tape and glue

What you do:
Open cereal box and lay it flat.
Depending on the size (mine was a medium sized box, and my squares were 4x4) of the box, make four equally sized boxes next to each other with an inch flap on the end of the last one.  Off of the second square make another equal sized square with 3 one inch flaps (If you need clarity look at the picture to the right).
Paint the squares (I did different colors, but you can also do them the same).
While they are drying make your lips and mustaches out of construction paper and slide them onto the lollipops.
When the paint is dry, write whatever you want on the sides, something cute, something funny, just that they are lollipops, I dunno.  I picked lolli-lips cause I thought it was cute. 
Use tape and glue to secure the box closed and put the lollipops inside. 

One Mans Trash...

So there comes a time (hopefully a few times) in every woman's (or man's) life that getting rid of some clothes is a must.  There is nothing that will make you appreciate living in your parents house than seeing the closet that you get in your first apartment.  In any case, the paring down of my closet has taken about a year, but it's almost done (almost). I had a bunch of stuff to get rid of, but I pulled a few old tee shirts out of the pile because I figured I could use them as shirts to paint in or clean with bleach in.  Little did I know that just a Pinterest search away I could find TONS of stuff to do with old tee-shirts! While looking at DIY projects I came across this site that has about 10 ideas of what to do with an old tee-shirt.  I decided on the headband because I had seen the project before, and it looked fun.  Plus, these headbands would be awesome for anything they can dress up or dress down, and are a suitable replacement for the festival bandana as long as you are using a shirt that is 100% cotton.  Not to mention they take about 30 mins to make, so if you are just starting off your weekend with a bad hair day, not to worry, this quick project will save ya! I also tried the scarf, but didn't have enough tee-shirt to finish it, so when I do a finished one I will post about that.

What you will need:
Scissors
Tee-shirt (any size will do)
Tape (strong ish)

Instructions (I'm writing out the beginning of the instructions, but for the braid follow the picture or else you will get very confused):
Lay shirt flat on a surface, and cut off the hem of the shirt.
Next, about an inch from the newly cut bottom of the shirt, make a small cut in the side of the shirt.
Use that cut to tear long circular strips (if you are using a small or medium sized shirt you will need 1 circle to make one string if you are using a large or x-large shirt then each circle can make two strings).
If you are using a small or medium shirt cut/tear 5 circles. If you are using a large/x-large shirt tear/cut 3 circles.
When you are done with the circles, cut the circles at one point so that they make strings (if you are using a large or x-large shirt cut the strings in half).
You should have 5 strings.
Line them up and tape them as you would a friendship bracelet (if you are unclear see picture 2).
Now for the braiding.  (I did it slightly different from the picture, but I actually like the messiness of it, but the neater braid would obviously be better if you were trying to dress it up) Essentially, you are taking the string on the far left, and going over the second string, under the third string, pausing (while you pause move the string all the way to the right aka the last string over the second string) after you have moved the last string to be the second to last string place the string you started with over the second to last string.
Repeat.
When you are finished tie one string from one end to a string from the other end, and continue to do the rest until all strings are tied together.
Cut the ends.

Going for the Gold #3

Only the one recipe for you today, but it's a winner.  Mashed potato BISCUITS!  Even the name sends your mind and your mouth to wonderful places.  We served them with roasted chicken and broccoli, but honestly they would be good with most meals including with soups.  They would be a fantastic thing to bring to a pot-luck or a dinner or a holiday meal (probably best for Thanksgiving) because they are easy to make, delicious, and don't take away from the main course.

Ingredients:
1 cup cool mashed potatoes (I used one large potato)
1 cup bread flour

3 tbsp baking powder
A little less than a tsp salt
3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk

Instructions:
Put water on to boil while you peel potatoes and cut into small wedges
Add the wedges to the water and boil until tender
Strain water and mash potatoes using a little butter for moisture
Let sit for about an hour to cool
While waiting, put 1 cup bread flour, 3 tbsp baking powder, and a little less than a tsp salt into a medium sized bowl
Mix with a fork until smooth then set aside
When mashed potatoes are cool melt the butter in a mug until almost entirely melted
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
Pour butter into dry ingredients and mix (it will be clumpy)
Add 1 cup mashed potatoes and mix
Add 1/2 cup milk (whole or as close to whole as you can is better)
And mix to make a soft batter
On a floured surface knead for 15 seconds then roll out into 1/2 inch thick dough
Use a cookie cutter or glass to make biscuit rounds
Put on baking sheet and place in the oven for 9 minutes (time may vary so check at 7 mins the first time that you make them)
Serve hot!

Going for the gold #2

So as you may remember, I got a new cook book up in the Berkshires, and I have decided that whenever I make one of the recipes (successful or not) I will post about them.  The cook book is called The Gold Cook Book.  It's from the 50s or 60s.  So far it's been great.  I tried three recipes yesterday: Onion soup, blueberry cake, and nut brittle.

Onion soup:
Overall, I'd say I liked it.  There were two things that I didn't like one of which was my fault.  The first problem (the one that was my fault) was that I added too much pepper.  You only need about a half a tsp of pepper.  The second was that it lacked a lot of body, which I know is the point when you are only making onion soup, but as a suggestion I would add potatoes if you are trying to make it a soup for a meal.

Ingredients (I halved the recipe and that was enough to serve at least 3):
1.5 onions (I used 1 white and half a yellow onion)
2 tbsp unsalted butter (called sweet butter in this recipe)
1 quart Beef stock (the recipe says beef, I used chicken and it was fine... I'm sure veggie would be ok too)
Salt and Pepper

Instructions:
Slice onions so that they make circles.  Slice down the length of the onion in straight lines making different sized pieces of onion, but mostly small pieces.
Saute over low heat in pan with 2 tbsp unsalted butter until slightly browned.
Put onions in a medium-large pot and SLOWLY add the stock.
When all added season with salt and pepper to taste (I recommend 1/2 tsp pepper and 1/2 tsp salt).
Let cook over medium low heat for 20 mins.













Blueberry cake:
This cake was actually a wedding cake I guess.  The book says that it used to be tradition that the bride bakes a wedding cake to show off her mad skillz.  Fortunately that is not the case anymore.  No one needs more stress surrounding their wedding. One note I will say before I talk about the recipe is that this cake is really more scone-like in texture, and it wont bake smooth on the top, so it might not be ideal for a birthday cake.  Also, I hope you enjoy the decorations in honor of shark week.

Ingredients:
Cake:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup whole milk

 Glaze (the recipe did not have this, but I thought it would be a nice touch...plus I need it to be blue for the ocean):
2 tbsp butter
1 quarter of a lemon
1/2 tsp lemon extract
1 cup confectioners sugar (more or less)
2-3 tbsp cream

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 and grease pan.
Wash and leave to dry 1 cup of blueberries.
In medium bowl stir together 2 cups flower, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt. Make sure that there are as few lumps in the dry mixture as possible.
In slightly larger bowl combine sour cream and milk.
Add dry ingredients slowly and mix completely.
Put in pan, and bake for about 20 mins.  DO NOT OVER-BAKE it will cause the cake to be tough (I over-baked mine a little bit, and it is still really good, but not as tender as it should be)
While it is baking prepare the glaze.
Melt butter completely.
Add juice of 1 lemon quarter and lemon extract.
Stir in about 3/4 of the confectioners sugar.
Add the cream.
Beat until smooth.
Add the rest of the confectioners sugar.
Beat until smooth.

When the cake is done take it out and pour glaze over top when cool.












Nut brittle:
Making candy is really hard.  The first and foremost thing that I want to say is that this recipe is time consuming.  In order to melt the sugars without burning them you have to stir them constantly for about 45 mins.

Ingredients:
1 cup peanuts
1 cup cashews
2 cups sugar (you can also use 1 cup sugar and 1 cup light brown sugar)
Pinch of salt

Instructions:
Chop peanuts and cashews and place on pan.
Toast in oven at 300 degrees (leave the door open) stir occasionally.
After about 5-10 mins take them out and let them cool.
In a pan add sugar and heat over low heat.
STIR CONSTANTLY or else it will burn until sugars are completely melted.  Remove from heat and stir in the salt and pour over nuts.
Let harden then break into smaller pieces.

New Music Obsessions 4

It's been quite a while since I had a post like this, so hold on to your hats!

1) Walk Off the Earth:

Found these guys on itunes top 100 (don't judge that's how I find a lot of my new music).  At first listen I was kinda "eh" about them, but it was mostly the song that I was listening to. They are indie pop, and not surprisingly their popular song is a bit too poppy, so I got the wrong impression.  I downloaded them anyway, and ended up really digging their sound. You should definitely give them a chance even if you are skeptical.

Band site

They are a 5 person indie rock band from Canada.  They are ALL over the map with their genres.  When listening to their album I heard some light reggae sounds, some Jack Johnson vibes, some teen angst, some covers, some indie rock sound, but honestly that's part of what I like about them.  They formed in 2006, and have 4 albums: Smooth Like Stone on a Beach (2007), My Rock (2010), R.E.V.O. EP (2012), and R.E.V.O. LP (2013).  I only have R.E.V.O. Here are a few favorites off of the album:

Track 3: Gang of Rhythm
Track 6: Shake
Track 9: Summer Vibe
Track 11: No Ulterior Motives

Another interesting fact about them is that they became popular through doing covers of songs, and didn't end up as just a wedding band.  You don't usually see that unless the covers have an interesting or weird twist (a la Richard Cheese).  They did a cover of the Gotye song "Somebody that I Used to Know" which is actually half decent (I didn't really like the original song...if you did you'd like this cover).

2) Bastille:
I've heard of them before from recommendations of friends, and seeing them on festival line-ups, but until now I hadn't actually listened to them.  When looking up new music I decided to download them and give them a try.  They definitely have an interesting sound.  Not too many up-beat/fun tracks, but that doesn't mean that they aren't good. Plus they have a song called Laura Palmer, so I feel as if I'm obligated to like them (anyone who has seen Twin Peaks will understand).

Band site

The four person (all men) indie rock band from the UK formed in 2010.  They have since produced one full album and several singles.  They are pretty big in the UK.  They actually toured with Muse which I thought was pretty interesting.  I assume they will make their way to the U.S. in a big way, but their sound will probably change a bit. Here are a few select tunes for you to try:

Bad Blood:
Track 1: Pompeii
Track 4: Overjoyed
Track 5: These Streets
Track 9: Flaws

3) Passenger:
I actually heard him on Pandora when I was playing a Mumford and Sons radio.  I love him. Super folky sound.  Pretty similar to Mumford and Sons (obviously since Pandora doesn't make mistakes).  He is very relaxing.  In looking him up he is way more popular/well known than I thought.  His international tour is basically sold out through Dec.

Band site

This story is particularly interesting.  The band started out in 2007 with 7 members in a British folk rock band with all the songs being written by Mike Rosenberg and co-written by Andrew Phillips.  The band actually disbanded after just one album (that I have not listened to, but I imagine is great), but Mike Rosenberg continued with a solo career still using the name Passenger.  He has since released several albums: Wide Eyes Blind Love (2009), Flight of the Crow (2010), and All the Little Lights (2013). I downloaded only the latest album, but will definitely be going back for more.  Here are some of my favorites:

Track 2: Let Her Go
Track 3: All The Little Lights
Track 7: Keep on Walking
Track 8: Patient Love
Track 10: Holes
Track 12: I Hate (This one is live, but it's really funny)

4) Capital Cities:
Another one from itunes top 100.  At first listen I wasn't really a fan because I listened to their most popular song first, and honestly that isn't quite their sound.  Chris was still skeptical until I played him one of the weirdest and most awesome songs ever by them (Farrah Fawcett Hair).

Band site

Boy puts ad on craigslist. Boy responds to ad. Boy band formed. Pretty uninteresting start to a band, but these two guys make it work.  They were formed in California in 2009, and together have released an indie pop album called In a Tidal Wave of Mystery (they also have some singles too) in June 2013.  I downloaded In a Tidal Wave of Mystery.  Here are my picks:

Track 1: Safe and Sound (I personally don't like this, but it is the one that everyone knows, so I thought I'd mention it)
Track 3: Kangaroo Court
Track 6: Farrah Fawcett Hair (mentioned above...even if you don't download the album please youtube this...I'll make it easy for you watch now)
Track 7: Chartreuse
Track 12: Love Away


Summer singles:
I have a few singles for you guys that I really liked and are definitely good and fun for summer (what's left of it at least):

Burn by Ellie Goulding
Brave by Sara Bareilles (blast from the past... the artist not the song...that's newish)
Cups by Anna Kendrick (no judgement, please)
You've Got Time by Regina Spektor
Doses and Mimosas by Cherub
Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker
Closer by Tegan and Sara


Anyway, I hope you enjoy the suggestions.  Feel free to comment or message me separately about other bands I should check out.  I'm always looking for new music.

Going for the gold #1

So when we were in the Berkshires, my mom found a cookbook in a used bookstore that my grandmother highly recommended, and she bought it for me.  I've loved it so far.  It's called The Gold Cook Book.  I've been going through it and marking recipes that I wanna try, and I will be posting about them afterward.  The first up was a chocolate ice cream shake.  For this one you need a cocktail shaker or jar with a lid.

Ingredients (for 1):
3/4 cup milk (whole milk preferred, but you can use whatever)
2 tbsp chocolate syrup
1 tsp sugar
4 tbsp vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:
1) Add 2 tbsp chocolate syrup to 3/4 cup milk in shaker/jar.
2) Add 1 tsp sugar.
3) Add 4 tbsp ice cream.
4) Put on top and shake for 15-20 seconds.
5) Pour into chilled glass.
6) Top with whipped cream.
7) Enjoy!

What Happens in the Birkshires...

Goes on my blog!  Chris and I went up to see my parents in the Birkshires this weekend.  They rented a house for 3 weeks in Falls Village, CT (about 2 1/2-3 hours from the city).  It was a great places and an amazing get-away.  Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Chris and I in front of the cornfield in the backyard of the house...right before we saw a snake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fantastic cocktails at our amazing Saturday night dinner.

Chris and I at the restaurant after dinner.

The fam...minus Nick outside the restaurant after dinner.

Stunning sunset on the way home from dinner.

By far the silliest picture of the trip. Doing strawberry facemasks.

A field filled with sunflowers...unfortunately at the time when this picture was taken they were all facing the wrong direction.

Covered bridge country!

We bought lots of great old books at random sales in various towns.  A Girl Scout Handbook from the 1930's, a 1940's copy of Dante's Divine Comedy, a couple of fantastic cookbooks, an interesting tell all survival book, and a few art books.

Some things from going antiquing around the small towns: a vintage first aid kit ($1), an ammo box from the '40s ($25), and a vintage Sears microscope ($5).

Sadly, all vacations come to an end, but this view driving into NYC sure does make it a bit better...

And coming home to this little guy!