cookies

Adventuring and Getting Creative in the Kitchen

Pittsburgh has been getting some warmer weather and sunshine lately! So much so that we mowed our lawn twice this week and it was warm enough for Mavis and I to take a little adventure to a creek near our house.

Cocker spaniel puppy by water

This was her first experience with a body of water and she was definitely curious, but not super into it. Lola enjoys water, so I wish she had been with us to show Mavis how fun it is, but I’m not confident taking two dogs by the water with an almost 20 week baby bump, lol.

The warmer weather has me dreaming of gardening, too. Jimmy and I were back and forth on starting a garden this year since our baby is due in September and we have done like zero things to prepare for his or her arrival, but we figured we’ll just make the garden smaller this year and if it gets neglected, then oh well. We love gardening too much to give it up 🙂

I’ve been having fun in the kitchen lately! I think my favorite way to cook and bake is to see what we have on hand and then improvise and create meals or treats out of those items.

Tabbouleh ingredients cucumber, tomato, green onions, bulgur and quinoa mix, and lemonTabbouleh

I realized we had some of the classic tabbouleh ingredients on had yesterday, so I improvised off of this recipe and our little side dish turned out wonderfully!

I had also bought a container of cocoa powder and was in the mood for cookies, so I made these chocolate drop cookies and highly recommend the recipe. It’s simple and they definitely hit the spot.

King Arthur Flour Chocolate Drop Cookies on cooling rack

Other ways I’ve been creative in the kitchen lately include whipping up my favorite homemade baked beans and adding some extra spices, making a strawberries and cream oatmeal creation, and cooking cereal bars with marshmallow fluff, vanilla Chex, and Mr. Goodbars.

Alright, I better get going. I’m having my mother-in-law, mom, and sister over this evening and need to clean up our house a bit! I got the kitchen all cleaned from the aforementioned cooking and baking, but the rest has been a bit neglected 😉

Do you like to get creative with cooking and baking?

Life Lately

Hey! So, life lately. It has been filled to the brim with all sorts of stuff. I feel a bit all over the place, actually, but that’s nothing new around here 😉

Life

us

See that picture? We look happy right? We’ve both been sick.

It started with Jimmy getting a bad cold, then I caught it and I’m pretty sure I have a sinus infection. I’m trying to wait to see if it will get better on its own, but I think a trip to MedExpress is in order very soon.

Work

working

My new job working for my family’s real estate brokerage has been great! The fact that I get to have business meetings with my dad at my house is awesome. I feel so, so blessed.

I’ve been getting used to my new role, so I haven’t had too much time to blog or work on my book. Hopefully as I settle into a good groove I will get back on a more normal writing schedule!

Baking

Chocolate rosette cake with chocolate buttercream

After months of deliberation, testing, and practice… I’m not making a cake for my sister’s bridal shower. My mom told me the total guest count, and it’s over 70.

I don’t think I’m confident or skilled enough to make a cake for 70 people and transport it 45 minutes from my house, soo I decided on cupcakes. I think baking, frosting, and transporting cupcakes will be less nerve wracking than a giant cake. Now, I have about a week to practice cupcakes. Full speed ahead!

I’m still making cookies as the favors, though, and those have been quite fun to test out!

Sugar cookies with royal icing

Animals

Walking lola

Why yes, animals totally get their own category in my blog posts 😉

Lola and Malcolm are doing great and I catch them cuddling together almost every day now! It has been so nice to have warm weather here in Pittsburgh. I cherish my walks with Lola and try to squeeze them in as much as I can.

Also, I bought new shoes for the first time in over a year. Does anyone else put off buying shoes? I feel like they’re just so expensive these days.

Last but not least, I have to share the cutest picture ever.

Hannah holding a baby goat

Hannah holding a baby goat! Seriously… look at the goat’s arm all tucked into Hannah! Han’s fiancé, Josh, has a goat who had babies and they’re so adorable 🙂

Tell me about your life lately!