My mattress warmer has dual controls so couples can adjust each side of the bed to individual comfort levels. Since I sleep alone I decided to only turn on one side, and now I can literally feel the second a toe or finger cross over "the line."
This has turned into a little game. Seeing just how far I can push the line while still staying warm (and no this doesn't have ANY parallels to my life). 10 bucks says I finally learn to sleep on one side of the bed. My sisters everywhere are rejoicing.
*When all three of my readers asked me to start blogging again I bet you didn't think it would become the heated mattress pad chronicles, did you? Be careful what you ask for.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Confession
Just when you thought I said all I could say ...
It turns out I am actually a 65 year old grandma.
I asked for a heated mattress pad for Christmas. I am not ashamed to admit it. I HATE being cold and decided that it was the answer to cold winter nights. Kelli, Caisa and Sam were gracious enough to indulge my ridiculous request ... and laugh at me ... so yesterday when I got home I immediately put my favorite present on my bed.
It is the Best. Thing. Ever. I am not exaggerating. Epic. Life changing. A.Maz.Ing.
I am going to become one of those people who will not get out of bed. I am seriously considering moving the TV to the bedroom. I want to go to bed early. So maybe I turn 30 this year. And maybe I still sleep alone. But I don't care. Life changing.
It turns out I am actually a 65 year old grandma.
I asked for a heated mattress pad for Christmas. I am not ashamed to admit it. I HATE being cold and decided that it was the answer to cold winter nights. Kelli, Caisa and Sam were gracious enough to indulge my ridiculous request ... and laugh at me ... so yesterday when I got home I immediately put my favorite present on my bed.
It is the Best. Thing. Ever. I am not exaggerating. Epic. Life changing. A.Maz.Ing.
I am going to become one of those people who will not get out of bed. I am seriously considering moving the TV to the bedroom. I want to go to bed early. So maybe I turn 30 this year. And maybe I still sleep alone. But I don't care. Life changing.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
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
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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
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).
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
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.
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.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
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!
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!
Monday, April 23, 2012
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.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
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.
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.
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