These are a few of my favorite things: Kinsey Edition

Hey there!

I know I've dragged out these favorite things posts for a while now, but today is the final post! I have a lot of favorite things, but again--I'm going to limit them to the top 10.

Kinsey's Favorite Things

10. The changing of the seasons, especially Spring & Fall.

Spring in Austin, Texas (2010)

 Fall in Atlanta (2011)

9. Making jokes.

Joking (AKA Grinching) at Christmas.

Joking (AKA crazy) at Graduation.

Joking (AKA moustaching) with my sister-in-laws at my bachelorette.

Joking (AKA vomming) at Six Flags.

8. Coffee. Kind of ironic, especially after this post a while back. Since I've started drinking it, I just can't stop. I like my coffee dark with one spoonful of REAL sugar and two 'bloops' of creamer.

 Check out this adorable mini coffee cup!

7. Nail polish. I've posted about it quite a few times, most notably here and here. I'm not a super 'girly' girl, but I do love me some nail polish.

 Check it.

6. Crafting and DIY. I like making all sorts of things, mostly because I'm cheap.

 One of my most recent crafts, the felt rose wreath.

 Another seasonal project, the fall leaf garland.

5. Baking. I have more baking supplies than is normal or acceptable.

 My pride and joy, homemade oreos.

Another favorite, rich chocolate brownies.

4. Reading. I mean, look at the excitement on my face when I received my Kindle. I've also posted about reading here.

 Actually, my look is more of pain and fear. Janie, however, looks excited.

3. Blogging/reading blogs/using the Internet. I have been called an addict. No shame.

 Aside from this blog, there isn't a lot of proof of this one. There are a lot of pictures of Charlotte on my computer though.

2. Jack and Charlotte. I'm known for being an animal lover, and I like pretty much any animal I meet--but especially my own babies.

1. Thomas.

I hope you have a awesome Monday, and that you enjoy the little 'favorite things' that make life great:D

-T, K, J, & C

Strawberry Fields Forever

Hey there!

I'm blogging on a Saturday--check out how wild I am! This last week has been extra busy, so I wasn't able to finish up my favorite things series. I'll be working up a post on MY favorite things for Monday, but in the meantime, I wanted to update you guys on what's been keeping us busy (Note: I don't want this post to come off as braggadocious. It might, though. Fair warning.)

Monday: I dressed up as Bob Ross at work and won the Halloween costume contest! My job is awesome, so they give out great prizes--I won a $50 giftcard.

Thursday: Thomas had his first 'real' session! He thought it would be his first VO (voice over) record, but it turned out that it was his first entire recording/mixing project. He did really well and even ended up getting paid (BONUS!)

On my way to work Thursday morning, I checked my e-mail and discovered a message from the CEO letting everyone--including me--know that I had won Clicker of the Month (we're called 'clickers' at work, by the way). Last week also marked my 'one month of working' anniversary, so I was surprised and excited to be recognized as COTM. Now I get to park in the 'princess spot' near the front door of the office for the month instead of walking from the parking garage (double BONUS!)

Friday: Midday, a couple of guys came up to my desk with a big box they said was 'for me'. You've probably already established that my job is pretty laid back/cool/different (I mean, we drink beer on Friday afternoons), but to me this big box labeled SHERI'S BERRIES seemed suspiciously like a prank for being Clicker of the Month. 

Nevertheless, I opened the box. I mean, what are you gonna do? It turned out to be from my Dad, congratulating me on the week's achievements--he sent me a dozen chocolate dipped strawberries (decorated for fall!) and 3 mini cheesecakes! It was an awesome gift and everyone at the office gathered around while I opened it. Lots of people even took pictures because the berries are so pretty. It was a really fun surprise and a great way to make Friday even more fun.

Over lunch some girls and I headed to a local restaurant called Souper Jenny. They have a different menu every day, and everything is made fresh. There are great options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten frees (gluten free people, that is). It's amazing.

I had the Chicken Tortilla soup. A bowl is $6, but it's a big ol' bowl and I even had leftovers.

Finally, last night night was our quarterly departmental celebration! After work, we all headed to Midtown Tavern for some dinner, drinks, and karaoke. 

Chicken tenders and homemade Honey Mustard--that's my jam.

I didn't karaoke, but I did watch other people and sing along from the table. A good time was had by all, and I'm currently recovering lounging on the couch.

Tomorrow there's a documentary coming on MSNBC at 10:00 (9:00 pm central) that Thomas helped with at work. He wants to be clear that he didn't do 'a lot' on it, but you should all watch anyway because it will be interesting and it's his first anything on TV!

 Here's a picture of Thomas kissing a churro, just for funzies.

I hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!

-T, K, J, & C

These are a few of my favorite things: Thomas Edition

Hey guys! 

I promised last week that I would continue with the favorite things posts. Sadly, Thomas and I have much fewer photos of our favorite things (because, shockingly, Jack and Charlotte haven't learned to use my Nikon just yet).

Photos or no, we both have favorite things. Here are Thomas'.

Thomas' Favorite Things

10. Being handy.

Here he is looking klassy in his 'handy suit,' getting ready to mow the lawn.

9. Video games & technology. 

A true early adopter, Thomas has been using Apple products before Apple products were in. With gusto.

8. The outdoors.

 No big deal, just hanging out in the snow with a triceratops hat.

7. Skin care products. All Kiehl's, of course. Only the best for my boo.

 Sheer joy at the prospect of using all that moisturizer.

Our most recent purchase this Saturday.

6. Meat of all varieties.

Check out his dinners on our Honeymoon: All meat, all the time.

5. Chocolate milk. Specifically, Promise Land Midnight Chocolate.

We had a chocolate milk fountain at our wedding for a reason (hint: I don't even drink milk).

Please notice that he is gulping and I am [fake] sipping. Typical.

4. Cooking.

Decorating Christmas cookies last year.

Look at that smile. Have you ever seen a guy so excited to get an Ulu knife?!

3. Music/Audio/Sound.

2. The babies.

This is one of my favorite of the boys.

This just melts my little heart.

1. Me!

The UP kids, Halloween 2010.

Peanut Butter Eyeball Time!

Hey guys!

Even though Halloween has now passed, I still wanted to post about one of my favorite Halloween recipes.  I had these no-bake peanut butter balls for the first time at a Halloween party in roughly 3rd grade. I remember them distinctly because they are absolutely delicious. They're also really easy to make and pretty cute. Check it!

Here's what you'll need:

Start by mixing the softened butter, peanut butter, and vanilla. 

Gradually add the powdered sugar in 1 cup increments. If you want, add it all at the same time. But don't say I didn't warn you when it explodes everywhere;] Refrigerate for 2 hours.

 

Next, roll the mixture into 1 inch balls. Let them set up in the freezer while you melt the chocolate.

In a double boiler (see the below), slowly melt half a package of white chocolate almond bark.

I don't have a 'real' double boiler, so I boil some water in a saucepan and put a metal bowl on top. Beware of hot steam!

Remove the top half of the contraption from the double boiler and dip the now frozen balls into it. Some of them might be kind of ugly. Deal.

Put the balls back into the fridge to harden. While you're waiting, melt a bar of almond bark and add a few drops of food coloring. Let it harden up a little before using it. For added cuteness, put the eyeballs into small cupcake liners.

On this particular day, I let my chocolate harden back to basically the texture of modeling chocolate. It was firm enough that I was able to mold it into circles, which act as the iris of these eyeballs.

Finally, melt around 10 chocolate chips in a plastic bag. Let it harden a bit, then use it to create pupils.

And, you're done. Some people add red food coloring to look like veins, but I personally don't like the taste of red dye and figured these were fine the way they were. My co-workers agreed, and I'm pleased to report that they were a pretty hot commodity. Please note that they can be modified decor-wise to work for any holiday, and they're even more delicious dipped in semi sweet chocolate. They can be fancied up or not, just depending on what you want.

Peanut butter Eyeballs

2/3 cup softened butter

1 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3 3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 pkg. white chocolate almond bark

Food coloring (optional) 

10 chocolate chips, melted (optional) 

Mix together the softened butter, peanut butter, and vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls, then freeze them for a few minutes.  

While you're waiting, melt half the package of white chocolate almond bark slowly over a double boiler. Dip the now frozen balls, then place them onto a baking sheet covered in wax paper. Refrigerate the balls again.

Melt one square of almond bark in the microwave and add a few drops of food coloring. Put it into a plastic bag and wait for it to harden slightly. Once it's to a workable consistency, "squirt" out circles of chocolate in the shape of irises. Melt around 10 chocolate chips to use as pupils.    

Enjoy! 

-T, K, J, & C

p.s. Do you have Peanut Butter Jelly Time in your head? Read the title again.