I found a few recipes from various sources that suggested making baked potatoes in the crockpot while at work. I tried this for the first time today and I have to say, it was a HUGE success. I loved coming home to baked potatoes ready to eat.
How to....
Wash your potatoes.
Poke them with a fork.
Wrap in foil.
Place in crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Delicious!! I am thinking we are going to start incorporating these into more meals at our house now that I don't have to wait over an hour for them to cook when I get home from work.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Baking....
One of my hobbies is baking!
I might be obsessed with it. Today I made multiple dozen of three different kinds of cookies, including Grandma Walker sugar cookies (frosted and decorated as well), monster cookies (my most popular cookie), and chocolate peanut butter cookies. I spent over three hours baking cookies today. I hoped to also make cupcakes from scratch today but ran out of time.
Baking is a hobby of mine that not everyone knows about. I could spend days baking and still enjoy it. It is so therapeutic for me. One of the best parts about baking is that I take more joy in making the cookies, bars, cupcakes, and cakes than I do eating them. I bake them and Matt takes care of eating them! :)
I really enjoy trying new recipes and making things from scratch. It is so much more fun to make a cake from scratch than to open a box, pour it in a bowl, add a few ingredients, mix and bake. I enjoy the process of baking.
For Thanksgiving, I offered to bring dessert. This involved making pies for the first time and I must say that I love it. Pies are so much fun and delicious too! :) I made pumpkin pie as well as apple for Thanksgiving. I hope to make more next year.
A dream that I have is to have a small side business baking for people, possibly/most likely just out of my house for friends and family but at any rate I really hope to some day bake for someone besides my husband. Until then, I will continue to practice.
I might be obsessed with it. Today I made multiple dozen of three different kinds of cookies, including Grandma Walker sugar cookies (frosted and decorated as well), monster cookies (my most popular cookie), and chocolate peanut butter cookies. I spent over three hours baking cookies today. I hoped to also make cupcakes from scratch today but ran out of time.
Baking is a hobby of mine that not everyone knows about. I could spend days baking and still enjoy it. It is so therapeutic for me. One of the best parts about baking is that I take more joy in making the cookies, bars, cupcakes, and cakes than I do eating them. I bake them and Matt takes care of eating them! :)
I really enjoy trying new recipes and making things from scratch. It is so much more fun to make a cake from scratch than to open a box, pour it in a bowl, add a few ingredients, mix and bake. I enjoy the process of baking.
For Thanksgiving, I offered to bring dessert. This involved making pies for the first time and I must say that I love it. Pies are so much fun and delicious too! :) I made pumpkin pie as well as apple for Thanksgiving. I hope to make more next year.
A dream that I have is to have a small side business baking for people, possibly/most likely just out of my house for friends and family but at any rate I really hope to some day bake for someone besides my husband. Until then, I will continue to practice.
The weekend of January 13-15, 2012
The weekend of January 13-15....
Last weekend was the busiest we have had since Christmas. Friday night, we traveled to New Ulm to meet our friends', Brandon and Beth, new baby girl, Larken Abbey. It was so nice to spend some time just hanging out with our friends and their beautiful girls, Liza and Larken. It was a low key night of chatting, eating Happy Joe's pizza, playing with Liza and holding Larken but it was so great to see our friends. We don't see them enough! I wish we lived closer.
Saturday morning started out with my hair appointment with my favorite stylist, Sheri. I made a big change and became a brunette! I am still getting used to the drastic change but think over time that I will learn to like it and get used to it. Then on Saturday afternoon/early evening, we traveled to Rochester for game night with my cousins Chad and Michelle and their son, Ben. My cousin, Chad, is an amazing chef and spoiled us with a 4 course homemade dinner....delicious salad, split pea soup, made from scratch rolls, steak, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and bread pudding made with donuts. It was even more delicious than it sounds. I was stuffed by the end of the night but just could not stop eating the great food. Following dinner, we played all of our favorite fun games (Apples to Apples, Last Word and Dirty Minds). It was such a great night.
Sunday during the day, we did something that I never let us do....relaxed. We watched 3 movies on DVD, hung out in our PJs and took naps throughout the day. It was just what we needed. After spending most of the day like this, we went to Matt's parents house for dinner and watched a movie with his mom. It was also great to see them as we hadn't seen them since New Years.
While the weekend was busy, it was nice to get to see Brandon, Beth, Liza, Larken, Chad, Michelle, Ben, Dennis and Mary!
Last weekend was the busiest we have had since Christmas. Friday night, we traveled to New Ulm to meet our friends', Brandon and Beth, new baby girl, Larken Abbey. It was so nice to spend some time just hanging out with our friends and their beautiful girls, Liza and Larken. It was a low key night of chatting, eating Happy Joe's pizza, playing with Liza and holding Larken but it was so great to see our friends. We don't see them enough! I wish we lived closer.
Saturday morning started out with my hair appointment with my favorite stylist, Sheri. I made a big change and became a brunette! I am still getting used to the drastic change but think over time that I will learn to like it and get used to it. Then on Saturday afternoon/early evening, we traveled to Rochester for game night with my cousins Chad and Michelle and their son, Ben. My cousin, Chad, is an amazing chef and spoiled us with a 4 course homemade dinner....delicious salad, split pea soup, made from scratch rolls, steak, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and bread pudding made with donuts. It was even more delicious than it sounds. I was stuffed by the end of the night but just could not stop eating the great food. Following dinner, we played all of our favorite fun games (Apples to Apples, Last Word and Dirty Minds). It was such a great night.
Sunday during the day, we did something that I never let us do....relaxed. We watched 3 movies on DVD, hung out in our PJs and took naps throughout the day. It was just what we needed. After spending most of the day like this, we went to Matt's parents house for dinner and watched a movie with his mom. It was also great to see them as we hadn't seen them since New Years.
While the weekend was busy, it was nice to get to see Brandon, Beth, Liza, Larken, Chad, Michelle, Ben, Dennis and Mary!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Summer Bucket List
As Matt and I were driving back from the SnoCross races on Saturday, we started a bucket list of things that we want to do this summer....
Summer 2012 Bucket List:
1) Minnesota Zoo: This has been on my list for quite some time now and this year it is going to happen! I am sure I went to the MN Zoo when I was a kid with my relatives who live in New Hope, MN but I don't remember it, so now that I live her I want to make sure I visit our wonderful zoo!
2) Valley Fair Amusement Park: Matt loves rides...I am on the fence about most but would love to enjoy the water slides.
3) Back to the 50s Car Show: My dad loves this car show and I believe my parents are planning on attending so we have blocked the weekend off to attend with them.
4) The Great MN Get Together: We go every year and love it!
5) Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure: I am participating...signed up at the beginning of January. See Susan 3-Day Registration. Matt will be my cheerleader along the way.
6) Still need....
We are looking for recommendations of attractions, festivals, events, fairs, etc to attend this summer! Please tell us your favorite things to do in the area over the Spring/Summer/Fall months.
Summer 2012 Bucket List:
1) Minnesota Zoo: This has been on my list for quite some time now and this year it is going to happen! I am sure I went to the MN Zoo when I was a kid with my relatives who live in New Hope, MN but I don't remember it, so now that I live her I want to make sure I visit our wonderful zoo!
2) Valley Fair Amusement Park: Matt loves rides...I am on the fence about most but would love to enjoy the water slides.
3) Back to the 50s Car Show: My dad loves this car show and I believe my parents are planning on attending so we have blocked the weekend off to attend with them.
4) The Great MN Get Together: We go every year and love it!
5) Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure: I am participating...signed up at the beginning of January. See Susan 3-Day Registration. Matt will be my cheerleader along the way.
6) Still need....
We are looking for recommendations of attractions, festivals, events, fairs, etc to attend this summer! Please tell us your favorite things to do in the area over the Spring/Summer/Fall months.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Busy Season is here....
I am entering my 4th "busy season" as an auditor for a medium sized public accounting firm. Hard to believe that this is my 4th season. I am not sure where the time has gone.
Unfortunately with each busy season, things seem to get busier! This year it seems to already be busy and it is only January 5th. Normally we have until the end of January before things really pick up....apparently not this year!
Here's to long days...short weekends....and lots of work! :( If you have a spare moment - call, text, or visit Matt as he will probably be lonely, eating frozen foods, and taking care of the house by himself!
For your enjoyment....here are some pictures from some of the company functions Matt and I have attended over the last few years!
Unfortunately with each busy season, things seem to get busier! This year it seems to already be busy and it is only January 5th. Normally we have until the end of January before things really pick up....apparently not this year!
Here's to long days...short weekends....and lots of work! :( If you have a spare moment - call, text, or visit Matt as he will probably be lonely, eating frozen foods, and taking care of the house by himself!
For your enjoyment....here are some pictures from some of the company functions Matt and I have attended over the last few years!
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| 2011 Christmas Party |
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| 2009 Owatonna Express Hockey Game |
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| 2011 Christmas Party....yes alcohol was consumed |
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| 2010 Austin Bruins Hockey Game |
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| 2011 Summer Picnic |
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| 2011 Christmas Party |
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure
I am officially registered for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in the Twin Cities in August 2011. I am so excited but nervous at the same time. 60 miles in 3 days is a large challenge. Plus there is a fundraising requirement of $2,300 by the day of the race.
In April 2010, a bunch of Matt's family and I did the Susan G. Komen 5K in Minneapolis. It was such a rewarding experience and it really made me want to challenge myself into walking the 3-Day for the Cure.
I am really looking forward to training for this event and raising money for such an amazing cause! I am hoping that with the support of my friends and family that I can achieve this goal!
Here are some pictures from the 2010 5K that I participated in with Matt's family! :)
In April 2010, a bunch of Matt's family and I did the Susan G. Komen 5K in Minneapolis. It was such a rewarding experience and it really made me want to challenge myself into walking the 3-Day for the Cure.
I am really looking forward to training for this event and raising money for such an amazing cause! I am hoping that with the support of my friends and family that I can achieve this goal!
Here are some pictures from the 2010 5K that I participated in with Matt's family! :)
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| Mary and I in front of the beautiful tulips! |
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| Liz and I |
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| The walker group! |
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| Tracy and I! :) |
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| Group pic at mile marker 2 |
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| Liz and I mid-walk |
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Years Resolutions
I am not sure if anyone reads this blog but if for nothing else than to hold myself accountable...here are my 2012 New Years Resolutions. I hope that my husband, family and friends can help me achieve these goals.
1) Lose weight and work out at least 3-5 days a week. I am sure this goal is on many people's list but I really want to devote some serious attention to this goal in 2012. I would really like to do the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk in August 2012. Working out is really going to be key in achieve this goal. I want so bad to achieve the 3-day for the Cure goal but am intimidated by the fundraising requirement of $2,300.
2) Pass 1 or 2 sections of the CPA exam. I won't say the whole exam in one year but I would like to make significance progress towards this goal in 2012.
3) Save money. I would like to do this through use of coupons, cutting back, and just being more conscience of where our money is going. We made a budget for the first time and if we stick to it, achieving this goal will be possible. Expense management will be key to success.
4) Organization. I would like to be super organized in all that I do at work and at home. With organization, everything seems to go better. I hope to achieve this by organizing our house to make it more useful for us, use of to do lists, and time managment.
5) Be the best wife that I can be to my new husband. I would like to continue to grow and develop our marriage and our relationship. As newlyweds, Matt and I have a lot to learn about marriage.
While working towards these goals, we want to maintain the great relationships we have with our friends and family. As well as continue to spend good quality time with our family as family is incredibly important to us.
I hope everyone has a great 2012. I know I am hoping that 2012 will be a great year for us. Matt and I had a great 2011 so that will be hard to top! :)
1) Lose weight and work out at least 3-5 days a week. I am sure this goal is on many people's list but I really want to devote some serious attention to this goal in 2012. I would really like to do the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk in August 2012. Working out is really going to be key in achieve this goal. I want so bad to achieve the 3-day for the Cure goal but am intimidated by the fundraising requirement of $2,300.
2) Pass 1 or 2 sections of the CPA exam. I won't say the whole exam in one year but I would like to make significance progress towards this goal in 2012.
3) Save money. I would like to do this through use of coupons, cutting back, and just being more conscience of where our money is going. We made a budget for the first time and if we stick to it, achieving this goal will be possible. Expense management will be key to success.
4) Organization. I would like to be super organized in all that I do at work and at home. With organization, everything seems to go better. I hope to achieve this by organizing our house to make it more useful for us, use of to do lists, and time managment.
5) Be the best wife that I can be to my new husband. I would like to continue to grow and develop our marriage and our relationship. As newlyweds, Matt and I have a lot to learn about marriage.
While working towards these goals, we want to maintain the great relationships we have with our friends and family. As well as continue to spend good quality time with our family as family is incredibly important to us.
I hope everyone has a great 2012. I know I am hoping that 2012 will be a great year for us. Matt and I had a great 2011 so that will be hard to top! :)
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