Back at it.

So close to the finish line!

Button Up: Target
Olive Tee: Target
Belt: Mom
Jeans: Gap

I’ve cheated a little this week. Well, not cheated, just flat out not participated. I was in pajamas for about three straight days while I was sick in bed. Oh well.

Tonight was another kitchen night. Prepping treats for an Oscar party tomorrow. Making some Oscar Noms if you will. (wah wah waaaaah) And yes, I have used that joke before. That is just the beginning of the corny jokes in this post.

I’m proud to say that I started a tradition last year (in my group of film-geek friends) of bringing Oscar Themed snacks that related to the nominees. Last year’s treats included 7-Up in the Air, The Imaginarium of Dr. Pepper, Ruby Red Squirt Locker, and Up-cakes (cupcakes styled like the balloons in Up).

Here are my contributions for this year (not all in completed form):

Chili and Coen Muffins.

Get it? Corny jokes? oh man.

Gonna change the “e” to an “o” on the label to make them (Mark) Ruffalos.

Colin Firthday Cake. Yes, indeed.

And I forgot to take a picture of my heart-shaped, blue jello jigglers, aka Blue Valentines.

Sadly, the first two ideas were not mine, but came from the interwebs. I did come up with the last two on my own, though.

My other favorite idea that I found online was, “Punch: as seen in The Fighter.” Hilarious.

I’ll fill you in on what other folks bring tomorrow.

Also hoping to continue my reign as Oscar Pool champ. I won the pot last year, much to the disappointment of my friend, Josh.

Wish me luck!

Then and Now.

I washed my hair today, and that usually makes it super fluffy and 70s looking. So today I just ran with that.

Navy Cardigan: Delia’s
Red Tee: Target
Apron: Mom’s (souvenir from a bridal shower in the 70s)
Wide Leg Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Target

Spent the day in the kitchen, making cookies from my grandmother’s recipe, listening to Huey Lewis and The Beatles because they remind me of my childhood when my mom and Dad would be working around the house.

Picking out the play list:

My mom would listen to The Beatles a lot when she cleaned, and she even made me a little cardboard cutout of a guitar that I’d use it to jam out the first chord of Hard Day’s Night. 

Here’s a photo of my mom circa 1974.

I’ve started to look a lot more like her as I’ve gotten older.

The charm bracelet is one of two that I have of my mom’s. This one was a gift from her high school boyfriend.

(S.L. = Spring Lake High School)

Here’s how the cookies turned out! Packers vs. Steelers!

You Really Got a Hold on Me.

This setting might look kind of familiar to you.

I took to the kitchen again last night after a long-awaited trip to the grocery store. I didn’t start cooking until 10pm, which was probably a mistake. On the docket last night were Chili and Honey Whole Wheat Bread. I was excited to employ the new apron that my sister gave me for Christmas. As well as some of the new utensils from my mom.

The stuffs:
Olive Tee - Target
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - Payless
Apron - Christmas Gift from my sister
Bandanna - Came as a belt on a pair of capris from American Eagle.
Necklace - Etsy

Let me just say, in agreement with Rose A La Mode, I’m pretty psyched that mid-rise jeans are on the up and up. I can do my skinny jeans some of the time, but I was really happy to find these super long, mid-rise, wide-legs at Gap.The apron kind of covers them a bit in these photos, but believe me, I’ll be wearing them more.

I usually stick my laptop on top of the fridge so it can play music, but be out of the way. I discovered Grooveshark last year, and have slowly built up some of my cooking favorites on my In the Kitchen playlist. Feel free to check it out and enjoy. :)

This was my first attempt at making bread ever, so it was a minor disaster. My poor electric beaters were no match for the dough. And my loaf-shaping ability needs some improvement. I also don’t have bread pans. It tastes fine, very wheaty. Bread is such a precise chemistry. I think it takes a while to get the hang of it.

Chili on the other hand, is super easy. I make this chili all the time, because it’s a super cheap, super tasty, and at least mostly healthy way to keep myself from buying fast food all the time. I’ll put the recipe at the bottom of the post if you’re interested.

You want some? You know you do.

Chili:
1 lb ground beef/chuck/round
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 C chopped green pepper (if that’s your thing. I leave it out sometimes)
1 can Tomato soup
1 can tomatoes (I get them pre-diced, but my mom claims that getting them whole in a can and them chopping them up gets more juice)
1-2 cans dark red kidney beans
1 T flour
2 T sugar
Chili powder

Brown meat and onions [and peppers].
Add tomato soup and tomatoes.

Stir in flour and sugar.
Add chili powder. Usually just a one layer sprinkled on top. (Add more to taste. I don’t like spicy chili.)
Simmer for at least an hour.
Add kidney beans.

om nom nom.

And this weekend? Bean soup and maybe homemade noodles.