A Tuesday List

1. Every Saturday I attempt to find the floors of my house ad mist layers of dog hair that has piled up over the course of the week. By Friday I find my clothes, jacket, the rugs, and even our duvet cover shows signs of Sawyer. Each Saturday I pull the vacuum out and fill the canister with a yellow coat of fur. Sawyer is obsessed with the vacuum and follows me around shedding more hair as I collect what is currently on the ground. It reminds me of the cross stitch my mom used to have hanging in the living room. "Cleaning the house while the children (insert dog) are (is) growing (insert shedding) is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing." He literally covers the floor with hair as I vacuum it up. This week while tackling the living room, I moved the ottoman to block the doorway. When I looked up from vacuuming this is what I saw...

...poor, deprived puppy. Next time I guess I will let him follow me around. :)

2. Please, run to the store and get the supplies to make these right now. They are the BEST thing I have tasted...perhaps ever. I bet you have everything you need in your cabinets right now...except caramels. Most of you are probably not as obsessed as I am with stocking up on supplies I think I might need but never use. Seriously. These were incredibly easy to make and I can't even describe the excitement you will feel while eating them. Eat them ooey gooey out of the oven and top with vanilla ice cream. Diet, what?

3. On a healthier note, this granola is pretty awesome. I am on my third batch. Low in sugar, but super tasty. I eat it with my greek yogurt for lunch or with milk for breakfast (or by the handful for snack). Or all of the above. Instead of apricots I used dried pineapple and papaya. I also threw in some raisins for good measure. Super easy and delicious!

(Please excuse the poor photo quality. I have the OLD SCHOOL I-phone.)

4. Now that I know I have a nephew on the way, the shopping has begun. It is dangerous. Here is baby G's first beach outfit. 

Did you know they made "muscle" onsies? The CUTEST thing. Don't let me near Baby Gap people. The results may be scary for my husband. 

5. I have to give a shout out to my friend Katelin for sharing a great lasagna and garlic knot recipe. The garlic knots were SUCH a hit. Who would have thought garlic pizza dough tied into a knot brushed with butter and garlic would be such a hit? Today I ate two three. 

6. Superbowl line up...lots to choose from. Here are some great suggestions from my favorite blogs. 

http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2012/01/30/75-super-bowl-recipes-for-super-bowl-xlvi/

http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/46-super-bowl-recipes-for-super-bowl-xlvi/

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/01/25-recipes-that-should-be-on-your-super-bowl-menu/

Sawyer is ready for the big game. Go PATS!

It's a...

BOY! Not me of course, but my sister and her husband are having a BOY! I am beyond thrilled to have my very first (blood related) nephew! I say blood related as I have several sweet munchkins in my life that know me as "Auntie Caitlin"(Harper, Camden, Gunnar)...but this is my very first official nephew. I knew it too--I have been having dreams about him and I had this feeling deep down inside that there was no way this babe was a girl. Sure enough..BOY! 

I can't wait to start shopping (don't tell Matt) and getting ready to snuggle this adorable kid. I am sure he will have sweet strawberry blonde hair, the most adorable little face, and feet the size of my brother in laws. OH. MY. I am giddy just thinking about this kid.

Baby boy Goodrich (name to be revealed very shortly)...you are already loved more than you know and you have yet to breathe a breath of this fresh air! Auntie Caitlin, Uncle Matt..and of course your very first cousin Sawyer can't WAIT to meet you. The count down to June begins...shopping however starts NOW.

Is Spring in the Air?

Yes, I realize it is JANUARY. But, did you get outside today!? It was 50 degrees! In Maine! In January! It was quite a treat. Today gave me a brief sense of hope--that spring is indeed coming, even though it may still be months away. Typically it's months like January that make me despise living in Maine (aside from snow days). There really is nothing about the snow and sub zero temperatures that excites me. I know I would miss it if I lived else where, but seriously, bundling up in my bogs, massive down jacket, scarf, hat, and mittens just to run to the grocery store is not my cup of tea. This winter has yet to force us to hunker down and not want to leave our warm home, but I am sure it is on it's way. Days like today help me get through delightful Maine winters.

One of the hardest parts of the months of oh....November, December, January, February, and March is the fact that it is dark when I leave for work...and dark when I get home. It can get a little depressing! 4:15 sunsets are sad. Not only do I feel a serious vitamin D deficiency setting on, but my time spent exercising takes a serious nose dive. During the spring and summer a run outside with Sawyer is an easy decision. Burning calories working in the yard, mowing the lawn, or gardening not also keep me in shape but also help me work on a tan. Sadly, the walks, mowing, and yard work are non-existent in the winter. I've turn to Jillian Michaels for a quick, easy to fit in workout each day, but there are days when it just doesn't cut it.

Today Sawyer and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and sprinted outside as soon as I got home from work. Sawyer was in shock! A walk...in January! If only dogs could talk. :) I have tried walks in January before but I end up home quickly with numb fingers and toes. Today...not so much. We took a wonderful, long, refreshing walk (walking very quickly to beat sunset).

As you can see, he was a happy pup at the end of this walk. However, if you look closely you can also see the MUD that he was covered in! I spent 15 minutes after our walk attempting to dry off any mud that would leave puppy prints all over my house. (Note to self: pave driveway)

You can't exactly tell here, but trust me, he was covered! Fortunately, the fresh air and spring like feel made it so my sweet yellow pup covered in mud didn't bother me too much. Until March 20th, I will patiently wait for spring, but days like today really help. 

Chubby Hubby Cupcakes and a New Years Resolution

They don't exactly go together, chubby hubby cupcakes and new years resolutions, but in this case they are the perfect match. As you know, I can't bake enough cupcakes. From strawberry champagne to peppermint mocha, baking cupcakes is a stress relieving, mind calming, relaxing time for me. It is the one thing I can do and not think about the 90895787 things on my to-do list. When I bake, my mind is 100% on baking! I think it's sort of like what yoga should be...only with lots of extra calories. Anyway, it's my outlet.

In hopes of slowing down and actually enjoying each day as it comes, my new years resolution this year is to do everything in my power to not feel like I must be superwomen. This includes taking on too many things, saying yes to everything, being a crazy perfectionist, you know...typical Caitlin things. Knowing that these qualities are personal character flaws traits, my goal is to control them rather than get rid of them completely. I have done well so far! I have successfully said "no thank you" to an additional task at school (which was VERY hard), left dirty dishes in my sink for 2 nights, read a few great magazines instead of cleaning my house, and have left a great deal of school work at school. It is pretty liberating! I have managed to use the words "I'm bored" a few times, but quickly retracted them when I realized what had popped out.

I am still working on sitting and watching TV and staying focused on a great book, but baby steps here. Wednesday I began to feel some of the ways "the old me" (haha) would feel, so I took a night and devoted it to baking. My brother's girl friend joined and we baked away while listening to pandora and drinking some pretty tasty red wine. While there was lots of great conversation, I was able to clear my mind of everything that was taking up unnecessary space. It felt GREAT! Amidst the chatting and taste testing we came up with these...

The ultimate Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby ice cream transformed into a cupcake! Yellow cupcake filled with a chocolate ganache and pretzel m&m's topped with a fluffy peanut butter frosting and a chocolate dipped pretzel. Are you drooling yet?

Although we only split one cupcake we managed to lick spoonfuls full of peanut butter frosting and devour almost a whole extra large bag of pretzel m&ms...which by the way are delicious! I also took it a step further and dipped a pretzel into the peanut butter frosting. Oh. MY. GOODNESS. So yummy. Slightly embarrassed to have admitted that. These cupcakes have been loved by all who have tasted them!

Chubby Hubby Cupcakes
adapted from Annie's Eats

Makes 24 cupcakes

for the cupcakes
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
1 5.9 oz box of vanilla pudding
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water

for the ganache
8 oz bittersweet chocolate
1 cup heavy cream
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup crushed pretzel m&ms

for the frosting
3 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp heavy cream

to garnish
chocolate dipped pretzels

To make the cupcakes, preheat the over to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with liners. In stand mixer combine cake mix, pudding, oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Add warm water. Mix until just incorporated.

Divide batter into liners. Bake for 18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool for 5-10 minutes in tins, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

To make the ganache, place chopped chocolate in a heat proof bowl. Warm cream in a sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour over chopped chocolate. Let stand for 1-2 minutes. Whisk together until smooth. Whisk in butter one tablespoon at a time. Let stand at room temperature until thickened. Stir occasionally.

Cut a small cone out of the top of each cupcake. Fill with ganache and top with crushed pretzel m&ms. You can replace the cutouts or you can snack on them. :)

To make the frosting combine the butter and peanut butter in stand mixer. Beat on medium high speed until smooth. Slowly mix in confectioners' sugar and salt. With mixer on low, add vanilla and heavy cream. Whip on medium speed for about 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Transfer frosting into pastry bag and pipe frosting. Garnish with a chocolate covered pretzel.

Sweet and salty...the perfect cure for any sweet tooth!

Adding a little GREEN

In an effort to add some greens to our diet, this is what I made for dinner Saturday night.

Everything I read talks about kale as a "super food"-- a must have on the menu vegetable packed with nutrients. While poking around the produce section at the grocery store Saturday I stumbled upon this have to have veggie and saw that it was just $1.00 a bunch! I was sold. Healthy and cheap? I'm in! This soup was a test as it was full of vegetables and lacking...meat. Married to a meat and potatoes kind of guy, a meal without meat is seen as a snack. I went for it anyway....and it was delicious! The kale added a slightly strange texture to the soup, almost replacing what would normally be a meat of some kind, but the flavor was great! Packed with onions, garlic, carrots, and group pepper--there was a comforting warm you up on a freezing cold day kind of flavor.

Paired with a piece of warm, multigrain bread, this dinner was perfect for a frigid January night! Give it a try!

Kale and White Bean Soup

Serves 4

Courtesy of Whole Foods Market

2 tablespoons EVOO

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, diced

1 (32 oz) box low-sodium vegetable broth

4 cups packed kale

1 (14.5 oz) can italian style diced tomatos

1 (14.5 oz) can no salt added cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

2 large carrots peeled and chopped

In a large saucepan, heat EVOO over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes longer. Add broth, kale, tomatoes, and carrots and cover. Cook for 5 minutes or until kale is tender. Add beans and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve warm.

Leftovers make a great filling lunch as well. Try it! You won't be disappointed!

Red wine, Football, and a Basket

Saturdays are delightful. After a long week filled with tying shoes, wiping noses, and correcting papers, there is not much that can top a Saturday....except...a Saturday followed by one two days off! There is something about a long weekend (followed by a short week) that just gives teachers an extra skip in their walk on Friday. Now Saturday can be used for typical Saturday things...cleaning, grocery shopping, running errands, etc...and Sunday can actually be used for relaxing! Monday is left for prepping for the week, making lunches, and ironing clothes. The four day week that follows always flies by, and soon enough, it is Saturday again! This long weekend brings a decent to-list for me, but also a great amount o time left to RELAX.

I got to spend Friday night with two very dear friends and colleagues, a 2 year old, and 2 playful labs. Oh, and three bottles of wine. It was so nice to kick off a long weekend with a low key girls night. I always leave nights like that feelings so blessed to have such wonderful women in my life. They remind me that my crazy thoughts are normal and my mood swings are ok...and that chocolate cupcakes should be enjoyed VERY often. Between the three of us, we might send any psychologist into a panic, but together we are able to empathize in our feelings and share hugs that cure anything. Sawyer also had quite a night with his best friend Gus. He slept like a baby last night! 

I had breakfast with my grandmother, grandfather, and sister this morning. Another huge blessing in my life...family. My grandmother made delicious doughnut puffs bringing me back to Saturday mornings when I was young. I never thought twice about what I ate for breakfast--no counting calories, checking sugar contest, etc. It was refreshing. I truly enjoyed that doughnut puff...and the conversation that went along with it. After a great start to my favorite day of the week I attempted Walmart. I say attempted because it was the most overwhelming experience of my life. The place was packed--more busy that I have ever seen it--even at Christmas time! I made it to the cereal aisle when I called it quits and headed to Shaws. Although I do half of my shopping at Walmart and the other half at Shaws (produce, meats...etc), Shaws won out today. Today, I was willing to pay a bit extra to avoid being smashed by carriages and cut off by ferocious shoppers! I miss our garden and fresh veggies. I stocked up on greens, fruits, veggies, and healthy snacks, but it's not the same as walking outside, picking a fresh cucumber and slicing it for dinner. I am however excited for two new recipes I have on the menu for this week. Kale and White Beat soup tomorrow night with a multigrain crusty bread and Mexican Spinach Salad on Wednesday night for another girls night with my brother's girl friend. I am trying as hard as I can to incorporate more greens and veggies into our meals. We don't get enough!

While unloading groceries I made a pasta bake and oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for a member of our church unable to get around. The baking along with my new cinnamon roll candle had the house smelling great! After the baking was done and the dishes dried, I was at a loss of things to do. I was so excited to relax, but there are times when I think I do not know how. After pacing the house, puttering and bit, and starting to get frustrated, I sat down. I tried to watch TV. There was nothing on. I paced and puttered a little more. I checked my e-mail. Then I started to get upset. My period is right around the corner so my temper is running a little short (not making excuses but just sayin' :)). My husband was lying on the couch watching football. Why can't I do that, I thought. Long story short, I got mad. And cried. I didn't want to go out to dinner quite honestly because I didn't want to get out of my pjs....but I didn't want to cook, but I didn't want to order out. I just wanted someone to make a decision for me. So I cried. And had a little fit. In my defense I really could not control it. I don't want to be like that, it just happens. Fast forward 20 minutes we decided to order Chinese food and open a bottle of wine. My darling husband went to pick it up and I took a hot shower and snuggled into very cozy pjs. My jeans may not fit, but my sweats still do (a whole other issue in itself).

The Chinese food was delicious, the red wine, perfect, and the football game, very exciting--and to top it off I did something for me--that was relaxing! I made a basket. I have not made one since Thanksgiving! I did not come out as I had planned it to, but it is complete, hanging on my basket rack. This sounds cheesy, but I think the basket is a lot like my life right now. It did not come out close to what I thought it was going to look like, but it looks ok anyway. If you look close, you can see the reasons why it is not perfect, but all in all, it is a basket--an accomplishment. Things in my life right now are not where I "planned" them to be, but they are where they are and they are going well. There is still more time to make that same basket the correct way--and really, there is still more time for things to go the way I think they should go.

I am truly rambling now,  but it feels good to be back! And great to relax. One step at a time. :) Until next time! Go PATS!