Recipe Adventures

I gathered up a few Pinterest recipes last week to try out. I thought that making full recipe sizes would be okay since I could just pack up leftovers and take them to school or work with me. I've never liked leftovers and will usually throw away food or give it away before I let it sit in my fridge - the only exception is pizza, I love some left over pizza! Here are the four recipes that I tried:

1. Mexican Dorito Casserole - 

This is definitely not a healthy food choice but man, comfort food is the best. I really loved this fresh out of the over but when I took it to school and reheated, the doritos get kind of soggy but it was still yummy! Next time I'll use less cheese because mine was a bit too greasy. Overall I'd give this an A for it's quick and easy prep!

via Jam Hands

2. Buffalo Chicken Bites - 

These were really yummy and quick to grab and go! Super tasty with ranch. They'd be better reheated by oven but all we have at school is a microwave. The mixture for these would be great to make taquitos with! Overall, I'd give these a B+!

via Sweet Pea's Kitchen

3. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars - 

These are definitely delicious! A little more work goes into them than regular cheesecake but, man, it was totally worth it! Tip: let them cool all the way before cutting! Overall, these deserve an A for how yummy they are, but don't forget the caramel!

via The Girl Who Ate Everything

4. Corn Chowder - 

I ate sooooo much of this while living in Okinawa and loved it so I wanted to try making it at home. This recipe made for some awesome corn chowder and allowed me to have extra to freeze! I don't add bacon to me because I don't care for bacon (I know, I know, southern taboo!) much in my soup. This recipe deserves a B+, a hint more of flavor would probably make this an A!

via Smoky Mountain Cafe

So do any of you have any recent recipe adventures you'd like to share with us? I'd love to be linked up to some more new recipes that would be great for leftovers!

This & That

This was my first attempt at cake pops! I thought that since I offered to make them for a 4th of July party that I may want to do a practice batch first. These are chocolate cake mixed with cheesecake and then I coated half in Tiffany blue (one of my favorite colors, of course) icing with pearl sprinkles. The chocolate wouldn't melt all the way for me so I had a hard time getting it to coat them nicely and eventually gave up and started doing just half - but I think they still look cute and yarn to tie the plastic bags on was a cute little touch.

I received one of my Etsy orders in the mail.  I was so so so excited to get these little earrings. I thought they were so adorable online and they were even more magical in person! Fast shipping & not a bad price for handmade earrings! Go check out Wolfbird Studios for more cute stuff! 

These are the two sets of earrings I ordered...aren't they cute?!

photos from wolfbird studios etsy shop

Nombomb!

I think I forgot to mention that I named my little orange mouse. Her name is Mumble. So it's Thistle and Mumble. They're quite a pair. Thistle is pretty shy but will let you pet her. Mumble is more outgoing and adventurous. Never thought two little mice could have such personalities. They cuddle up together when they're sleeping and it is one of the sweetest things ever. I wish I had more photos of them but I will get some soon enough.

I am so excited that my room is basically complete! I just need to re-upholster and paint a chair I have for my desk and the two other Audrey Kawasaki prints that I have need to be framed (anyone wanna do that for my birthday? that would be a wonderful gift).

I've made myself a lovely little playlist for bedtime on Itunes that consists of Jacks Mannequin, Eisley, City and Colour, Death Cab for Cutie, Copeland, and Iron and Wine. Nothing like some beautiful peaceful music to fall asleep to!

I'm probably going to be absent from blogging this weekend. Richard is coming down to visit and we have a pretty eventful weekend! I'll be back by at least Tuesday for the usual post!

Now here is a little bit of what I ate this week. Not very interesting - but hey...I love food!

-The rice was from Wild Wok and came in one of those cute little boxes and stayed true to form when I put it in my bowl. I couldn't decide if that was gross or if the rice was just that awesome. Hmm...we'll go with awesome.
-The 2nd photo is of the little meatloaves I made (mom's request since she found the recipe). Super simple recipe and baked them in a cupcake pan. Turned out wonderful with stuffing and corn.
-The last is Dantes. I am slightly...okay, VERY - addicted to this sub. I may or may not have eaten 3/4 of this before I even got home with it and ate the last bit as a late night snack. nomnomnom