Food Love

I've really been playing around with cooking lately. For as long as I can remember I've always loved baking and being in the kitchen and I really did love making meals, but I didnt really play around much with recipes and ideas. However, recently the cooking bug really came and bit me so I've been cooking up a storm!

(please forgive the photographing of these meals, I wasn't going for food photog quality just showing what I made for later uses)

Seared tuna with lemon juice over: spinach, shredded carrots, shredded broccoli, feta, tomato wedges, and mushroom. quinoa with spinach and onion. homemade creamy lemon salad dressing.

Pork lo mein with rice noodles and veggies. chicken egg drop soup. (idk why but this photo refuses to rotate)

These are just a couple of things I've been whipping up! I've been blowing through recipes like it's my job. Some of my favorite food blogs are How Sweet It Is, Emily Bites, and Smitten Kitchen.

On a very side and unrelated note I really want a puppy. Everyone is outside walking them now that it's spring!

Foodie Love

Living on my own has made me into a serious cooker/baker. I'm always looking for new recipes and sources of inspiration so I don't get stuck making myself the same things all the time and have some variety. One of my most recent finds has been How Sweet It Is, an awesome blog focusing on the adventures in cooking of Jessica. All of the recipes she posts look so yummy and are seriously easy to make. I made these peanut butter granola bars last week and they turned out even better than I thought they would.

If you're looking for a bit of a push to make something new or just want to drool over all the delicious food pictures and recipes check it out!

I'm Katie, and I'm a cupcakeaholic

Tonight Joseph and I had a little night out at Jefferson Point for dinner, shopping, and ice cream. We went to Flat Top for yummy rice and got Coldstone for dessert. SO GOOD! We also did a little perusing and I made a couple of purchases based on finding good deals (always a plus!). Even though I did get 5 pairs of undies from Victoria's Secret for $25 PLUS free flip flops, I can not contain my excitement over what I bought at Barnes and Noble...

 Yes, a book devted entirely to cupcakes and their deliciousness...literally HUNDREDS of recipes for mind boggling cupcakes! I have never been so excited in my life! There are recipes for sweet cupcakes, cupcakes made with fruit, cupcakes for parties, "everyday" cupcakes, veggie cupcakes, even cupcakes that are good for you.  It is just page after page of mouth watering pictures and recipes. I can't wait to start baking!

Banana Bites

Anyone who knows me knows of my deep disdain for anything the remotely involves a banana, however these Banana Bites from over at the lovely food blog Framed, look absolutely delicious!

Looking at them you wouldn't even know they had mushy bananas inside. I just may have to suck it up and give them a try!

(via A Cup of Joe)

Ming Makes Cupcakes

Ming Makes Cupcakes may be the single greatest website I have feasted my eyes upon. Not only is it entirely devoted to creative cupcakes, cookies, and other mouth watering savorie treats, but the recipes also include unusual and fun ingredients. Think sour cream, Bailey's, and figs. Not to mention everything looks delicious!

Seriously, how yummy does everything look?! A huge thanks to Amy Marie for linking me to this, I only with she was here to bake with me!

Dear...

Dear hair,
I know I put you through the ringer with some questionable cuts and interesting lengths, not to mention how much I dye you. But, could you please please please grow any faster?! I really want nice, pretty, long hair by summer and you are currently frustrating me with your slowness and uneveness.

Dear Indiana weather,
You're really getting on my nerves. Usually I love your winter snow and cold temperatures, but this is ridiculous. At least give us a peak of the sun for more than just half a day??? I know that the current forecast is calling for sun, but you've tricked me before. Please don't let me down.

Dear Amy Marie,
It makes me sad that you've been home for 2 months and it seems like we barely hang out! We need to change that before you leave me! We have to many crafts to make and cupcakes to bake and things to buy!

Dear nails,
I'm sorry I ripped off the pretty acrylics, but I just can't afford to get you done this week and you've already gone too long without a touch up. I promise when I get home I'll buff you out and put some polish on to help you feel pretty again.

Dear school,
I'm going to start being more dilligent about you. I'm capable of getting all A's and I'm going to show it.

Dear future,
Please stop messing with my head. You're making me worry too much and question too many things. I'll figure out where I'm going next year soon. I'll decide if I want to change my major soon. Just stop giving me anxiety please and thank you.

Dear St. Joe Place Apartment,
You suck.

Dear Joseph,
I love you and I hate fighting. Oh, and we need more pictures of us please and thank you.

Dear nutella,
You are delicious and I could eat you all day everyday. You make my mouth water and my taste buds tingle!

Dear clase de español,
I refuse to let you win. I WILL defeat you and come out passing with flying colors. Just because you have a million different verb tenses and my professor speaks a mile a minute doesn't mean I won't get the hang of it.

Dear hair pt. 2,
When I let you go au naturale I expect you to curl nicely. What is this frizzed out craziness you're giving me today?!

Dear craftiness,
Where art thou?! I keep having all this motivation to find things to make and create, but when it comes down to it I really have no idea what to do. I need some motivation and inspiration asap!

Dear Pint & Sice,
Thank you for being the most delicious pizza and perfect for little date nights with boyfriend and lunches with Mere. Also, I haven't been to you in far too long. I think it's time for some pizza!

Dear coffee,
Thanks for making all kinds of jittery today.

Dear people who think you can pick and choose when you want to be "real" friends,
You can't.

Dear budget,
You're killing me. Do you know how bad I want to irresponsibly spend my money?! But, I suppose rent, groceries, insurance, and my car payment are more important than new shoes.

Dear weekend,
I wish you would hurry up! I also wish I could have one where I didn't have a thing to do, but no such luck.

Dear homemade pizza,
It was a valiant effort.