S'mores for One

Because this is now a food blog apparently . . . you can thank me later . . . here is one more recipe you must try. S'mores in a mug - made in 5 minutes in the microwave. It's a chocolate craving TV evening dream. I'm addicted.

5 Minute Chocolate Fudge S’mores Mug Cake
makes 1 really big mug

2-3 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large egg
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1 ounce milk chocolate
marshmallow fluff, cream or mini marshmallows

In a small bowl, melt 3T butter and the chocolate in the microwave - about 30 seconds. Set aside.

In your mug, melt the remaining 1/2T butter and then add 2T graham cracker crumbs. Stir and then press into the bottom of your mug.

In another bowl, whisk egg, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add in flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir until a thick batter forms. Add the melted butter and chocolate mixture.

Add half of the batter on top of the graham crust. Throw on a handful of mini marshmallow (or fluff), then add remaining batter on top. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave. Remove and let cool for a few seconds (let the marshmallows cool down into the mug). Then if you want, add a few more marshmallows and some more graham cracker crumbs. Pop it back in the microwave for about 10 seconds to melt a little.

Brookies

My boss loves food and sweets more than just about anyone else I know. So for his birthday last week I decided to make something I saw on Pinterest (from Recipe Girl) - chocolate chip cookie dough brownies. Combining delicious chocolatey, fudgey brownies with the goodness that is chocolate chip cookie dough - genius. I made the recipe and it was amazing, but then I modified it to make the cookie dough even better and it is just about life changing. You can thank me later.

Brownie + Cookies = I'm calling them Brookies

Brownie Layer:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with nonstick spray, then line with a strip of parchment paper so that it covers the bottom and comes up two sides of the pan. Spray the parchment with nonstick spray too.
2. In a microwave safe bowl microwave in 30 second bursts to melt butter and chocolate chips together until all is melted and smooth. Whisk in the sugars, then whisk in the eggs, vanilla and salt. Sift flour into the bowl and stir that in too. Scrape the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the brownie layer is cooked through. Place the pan of brownies in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process (or cool at room temperature and add the cookie dough layer later).

Cookie Dough: Use your favorite, just cut out the eggs (obviously) and baking soda (since there aren't cookies that need to rise), then add some milk to help make the dough less stiff (since there aren't eggs).

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature or almost melted
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk or cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chocolate chips

3. Combine butter, sugars and salt until soft and creamy. Mix in the milk and vanilla. Sprinkle in the flour and mix in until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Scoop the cookie dough onto the top of the chilled brownies.

5. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm- 1 to 2 hours or up to 2 days.

The Fifth

A few weekends ago I took a quick weekend break out to Utah to spend some time with Caisa and Sam – where I had my first pool day of the year. Then last weekend I celebrated the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day weekend at Duck Beach. My freckles are out. I have some color and that makes me so happy. It also means it's time for my summer list! So here’s to the Fifth Annual “From Connecticut with Love” Summer List:

1. Finish documenting Jerusalem
2. Keep blogging
3. Take the last 5 years (!) of my life from this blog and print a book
4. Print updated photos
5. Join a pool
6. Plan a 29th birthday extravaganza trip to Charleston – who’s with me?
7. Figure out how to get more vacation days
8. Plan a Fall trip
9. Find a way to enjoy as much time as possible in Hilton Head
10. Girls weekend in NYC to see Once
11. Make a Sam and Kelli NYC weekend happen
12. Decide, purchase and have curtains installed
13. Tackle a nagging task - my disaster and unused dining area
14. Update my resume and Linkedin profile
15. Play softball
16. Don't let Book Club die
17. Read the books I've purchased but are just collecting dust on my bookshelf
18. Take a class
19. Volunteer
20. Visit the High Line
21. Go to the beach
22. Try paddleboarding
23. Go sailing
24. Enjoy the fantastic few weeks of the Olympics
25. Complete the emergency prep list
26. Respond to every email, text and phone call from friends and family in a timely manner
27. 30 minutes of exercise everyday, even if it's just a walk
28. Implement the 1 minute rule: If it takes less than a minute, do it right now.
29. Give more praise
30. Make three new friends

Plus Diet Coke, sparklers and a tan are just given. Summer 2012 at the Dragonfly as begun!

Portland

I've always wanted to go to Portland . . . I just thought it would be Oregon not Maine! Oh well, I guess rain looks the same everywhere.

Tel Aviv . . . and so it begins

A month ago (how has it already been that long?!) Mom, Dad, Kelli and I landed in Tel Aviv. We had hoped for an afternoon at the beach, but it was rainy, cold and insanely windy. So instead we enjoyed the Mediterranean with a walk down the promenade to Jaffa, ate really delicious seafood and tried desperately to stay awake.


I finally downloaded all 1,449 pictures to my computer, and I promised I would blog. Jerusalem has always been on my Bucket List, but this trip all seemed to happen very quickly. Sam was accepted to study at the BYU Jerusalem Center. Mom and Dad started talking about visiting. I asked my boss for two weeks off, and 30 days before we left I found myself buying an airplane ticket. So this trip didn't have the normal months of planning and anticipation . . . but I could not be more happy it happened. I loved it (and am already planning when and how I can go back). 12 hour flights, lots of family time, lots of sitting in a taxi/bus/van, lots of pictures, lots of rocks, lots of amazing experiences.

#thingsmydadsaid

"Your blog has gotten boring. You used to be fun."

"I saw your pathetic attempt at a Jerusalem post."

"Did you butt dial me? It's Tuesday. Why are you calling?"


That is true love friends. That is true love.

Happy Easter

Holy Week and Easter Sunday have been even more special this year after going to Jerusalem. Now I'm just trying to figure out how I can go back.

10 years

I have mixed emotions about renewing my passport. I can't believe 10 years ago I was applying to study abroad in London. It was really 10 years ago? But the good news is I needed to renew my passport!! Israel and Jordan here I come!

Long Suburban Weekend

For President's Day some friends in NYC came to the suburbs for a little getaway. We headed to White Plains for a little shopping at Nordstrom Rack, Target, Nordstrom and C Wonder (my new obsession), and then in keeping with tradition we ate at Cheesecake Factory. After a little sleepover at my apartment, a tour of Wilton, breakfast at the local diner and church they headed back to the train. Chloe, Bryndee, Cassie and Caroline - thanks for coming!

I'm Back

It's happening. I love looking back through my blog too much. Oh and I'm vain and love your comments. I'm coming back to blogger. Posts are backdated below.

Heart

The best Valentine's Day gift I could have gotten.


I won't lie. I was beyond excited to see that Diet Coke had tweeted at me. Problem? Maybe. :)

Caisadia's Bday

One Monday in February my office asked me if I could be at some meetings in Utah on Wednesday - naturally I jumped on the chance. It was the weekend before Caisa's birthday, so I coordinated with her roomies and bf to scare her (I mean surprise). Just as she was getting ready for bed, I lined the hallway leading to her bedroom with rose pedals. I knew this is just the type of over the top behavior Caisa would hate. (I'm such a good sister, I know.) I knew she would open her bathroom door, see the rose petals, roll her eyes and wonder what on earth was going on. Then she'd have to prepare herself to be excited about this "wonderful" surprise. And of course as she walked through her door I saw a face of relief when she saw me on her bed. Surprising my sisters is quickly becoming one of my favorite things.

After working a few days I spent the weekend in Provo. We saw Big Miracle - and loved it of course. We ate Yogurtland, Cafe Rio, puppy chow and homemade salsa. Drank Diet Coke. Saw JBiebs. Missed Sam. And Candice and Melissa entertained us.


Then on Sunday we celebrated Caisa's birthday with a cookie ice cream cake.


Sister, I love and miss you!

Monday Night in CT

I walked into my nail salon and saw this:


Harry Connick Jr out for a chair massage with two of his daughters. Just another random Monday night when you live in an expensive little town outside of NYC.

Oh, and yes, he's just as good looking in person. His arms are huge. He wears a baseball cap . . . well. He drives a huge truck. And one of his daughters is named "Georgia." Perfection.

Bachelor Ben

Remember this little secret from October? Well the secret is out - the concert was for The Bachelor!

I was traveling when the episode aired, and don't worry I hurried back to my hotel room after dinner to watch. And then squealed when I saw us! And I can't believe how many of my friends also noticed and emailed. So funny.


Now if only that date had been with Courtney!

EQP

"The inspiration for my talk today was Tim Tebow."

That just happened.

Kathy & Caleb

The last stop on my cross country tour was Oakland to celebrate Miss Kathy becoming Mrs. Caleb Sandford.

Kathy is the best listener and a fabulous friend. Plus she introduced me to Cafe Rio Coconut Taco Tuesday and helped me survive the third hour of church during my Canyon Meadow days . . . so I'm forever indebted to her. I could not have been more excited to see her get married. Plus Jen, Elisa, Connie and Nicole all flew out too, so we had a mini MBA days reunion . . . which I loved.


We stayed at the Claremont in Berkeley and had so much fun . . . and enjoyed the beautiful California weather.


And maybe we had too much fun after Kathy trusted us to get her dress back to Utah.


It was a short weekend but well worth it to catch-up, celebrate and enjoy the beautiful Bay Area.

Weddings and Some Work

The next week I spent playing in Utah with Mom, Dad, Caisa and Sam. We were able to celebrate two fabulous weddings, see Mel and KC and send Samantha off to Jerusalem.

Miss Amy become Mrs. Chase Carlston


And Sam was the cutest bridesmaid ever



Miss Kathryn became Mrs. Nic Ashton





I was lucky enough to have work meetings in SLC the first week of January, so I stayed in Utah a few extra days and saw Karen during her pit stop in the States! Mel, Karen and I didn't document our evening apparently . . . but talking until 2am and then driving back up to SLC reminded me I'm not in college anymore. I paid for it the next day during those meetings!

And then this pretty lady decided she needed to one-up my European Vacation "study abroad" with a Middle Eastern Vacation - she's off to Jerusalem for the next four months and I'm insanely jealous.


After working for a few more days I jumped on a plane for my last stop and third wedding.