Brookie Bites!

Brookie Bites are a dessert lovers dream come true!  I found them first on the Veater Family's blog about Valentine's Day recipes, which directed me to the creator's website - Inside BruCrew Life.  I made them back in February for Valentine's Day, but I think they are perfect for any occasion (just decorate them a little differently!).

So what is a Brookie Bite and how do you make them?!?  Well...get ready for this...a Brookie Bite is a cookie/brownie ball dipped in chocolate!  Check out the recipe on Inside BruCrew Life here!  The images on her blog are AMAZING and will make you want to drop everything and make this delicious treat RIGHT away!

I was afraid the recipe would be too complicated, but it is fairly easy (just a little time consuming!).  While mine did not look as aesthetically pleasing as the originals on Jocelyn's blog, they sure tasted good!

First, I baked chocolate chip cookies and rolled them into balls.  I used the chocolate chip cookie recipe on Inside BruCrew Life, but used 3 tablespoons of vanilla extract instead of the coconut extract (just how she tells you to make them in the Brookie recipe blog).

 

I decided afterwards that maybe I should have put less chocolate chips in the dough (or maybe even leave them chocolate chip less) because it was quite messy rolling them in balls, lol!

 

After the cookie dough balls hardened in the freezer, I smashed brownie around them.  I just used a box mix for the brownies.

After the cookie dough/brownie balls hardened in the freezer I melted chocolate and dipped them in it!  At first I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, but ran out and started dipping them in milk chocolate.  I actually liked the milk chocolate ones more because they were less rich (and this is A LOT of chocolateyness to handle!).

I dipped the balls one at a time, removing them with a spoon.  After putting them back on the pan I placed a sweet tart on top.  I think it would look great with any mix of colored sprinkles or small candies!  Change it up for whatever occasion you want to make them for!

 

  Thank you Jocelyn for making this dessert!  It might just change some lives.  ;)

Not Posting

Here I am yet again not updating my blog consistently.  I constantly take pictures for blog posts and then never actually write them.  Over the next couple days I am going to try my best "not" to update my blog (and maybe that will better result in me actually updating it).  It's a Jedi mind trick that may just work.

Eric and I have been keeping busy.  We are in the process of buying our first home in a very quick fashion, so much of our time has been devoted to getting documents ready and other such stuff.  We have also had a lot of visitors on the weekends (pictures to come).  I always love getting to check out something new when I go out with family and friends.  Recently, I have gotten to check out: Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, Carey Hilliard's Restaurant, Alex Raskin's Antiques, and The Tea Room, Savannah.

Next time someone comes to town I am going to finagle them into touring the Mercer-Williams house with me!  Downtown Savannah is looking SO pretty this time of year!

Mercer-Williams House

 

Living Life on the Weekends

It seems to me that little happens during the week (except for Eric working hard everyday) and everything happens on the weekends.  Weekends with nothing to do are a rarity in this household.  They usually involve driving and a full day of events.  I kinda like it that way.  I enjoy hanging out with family and friends, especially when I get so little social interaction during the week. (Though I have joined two small groups at church and met some pretty awesome people.)  So, since very little happens during the week...here is what has happened the past two weekend---

February 4th & 5th, 2011:  The Saucedo Family Comes to Visit!
Friday night we all enjoyed dinner, talked, and played the game of LIFE (If any of you know what I'm talking about...Eric was the Kristina of the game!  lol.).  Saturday we walked on the river, then had lunch at Paula Deen's The Lady and Sons restaurant.  I find it funny that the locals kind of disdain the place, but everyone else really wants to go there.  After lunch, we headed out to Wormsloe State Historic Site for Colonial Faire and Muster.  Basically, people dressed up and acted as if they were in colonial times.  We got to see them set off the canons (which were very loud) and sell stuff like fox tails in their stores.  We also got lost in the woods and weren't sure if we were going to find our way out, but luckily we picked a right path at a fork in the road...which saved us going down a three mile trail in the opposite direction we were looking to go.  I would highly advise they put up some better trail markers or something.  After we got "un-lost" we headed home to cook some humongo steaks for dinner.   Mmm...and that was the end of the Saucedo's stay.

The Saucedo's on River Street

     

Lily and I on the road leading into Wormsloe Historic Site...the trees were absolutely gorgeous!

 

Our colonial friends showing us how to set off canons

Eric and I

The Girls

 

February 11th & 12th, 2011: Owen and Jenna's Wedding Festivities

My old roomie, Jenna, is now married and off on her honeymoon in St.Lucia.  This past weekend had two whole days filled with wedding activities (and well...the actual wedding of course!).  Friday consisted of the bridal luncheon/spa experience, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner.  Saturday we had the wedding day preparation, the wedding, and the reception.  Everything turned out absolutely beautiful and I am so happy for the two of them.  

 Bridal luncheon/Spa Day: Family friends turned their garage into a spa...pretty awesome, huh?

  

Kristina getting her nails done

The Bride and I in Our Spa Robes

Rehearsal Dinner Madness--Kristina and I unknowingly got practice being a bridesmaid when we showed up to the rehearsal with the same dress!

The bride getting her hair done for the wedding

Bridesmaids

Make-Up Time

The Beautiful Bride

Showing off the cake

Bride and Groom

Much love to everyone!

Christa

EatBetterAmerica - Chicken and Orzo Supper

I love eating home cooked meals.  Not only can you save a lot of money, but I feel like the meals are usually more nutritious.  One website I turn to for recipes is EatBetterAmerica.  They have "healthified" versions of food you know and love.  Recently, I tried their Chicken and Orzo Supper...and loved it!  It was SO easy to make and Eric thought it was good. 

I had never tried Orzo before and was pleasantly surprised by it.  It looks like enlarged rice, but is actually pasta.  It was great that it could cook in the skillet with the broth and chicken and then by done in 10 to 15 minutes.  Also, I love fresh veggies like zucchini in my meals.  The canned Italian-style stewed tomatoes is an easy way to add flavor and another veggie.

I suggest you try this recipe out next time you want to make a fast, delicious meal for your family!
Chicken and Orzo Supper - CLICK HERE!

Finished product after Parmesan Cheese is Added

 

Happy New Year...a little late...

Happy New Year!  I know, I know...I'm a little late!  I can't believe that January is about over and I have been living in a new state for almost a month.  Moving should be a punishment for those that commit the highest of crimes.  Seriously.  If packing and unpacking aren't enough, add not knowing a soul except your husband and not knowing what to do with your life in the mix.  Go from having a full time job and friends you see every day to waking up at 6am to pack your husband's lunch and not having any interaction with people (except for maybe a quick chat with the apartment office staff or the grocery line bagger) until said husband comes home from a hard day of work at 6,7, or 8pm.

Don't get me wrong.  This is what we wanted.  We are very thankful that Eric was able to find a good paying job and get his career off to a kick start.  It's just hard.  Change has always been hard for me.  And while I know this is a necessary step to figure out what God has planned for me, it doesn't change the fact that this is a challenge.  A challenge I know I will overcome.  At least we didn't have to move to Wisconsin.

With that little rant said, I am VERY blessed and excited for what lies ahead for Eric and I in this beautiful new city.  I have already been encouraged this morning because while writing this blog, I checked my e-mail and saw that I have a place to volunteer next Monday.  Yay for meeting new people!  :)  And I feel just writing this has been therapeutic in itself.  lol.

I definitely want to start blogging more.  I really enjoy sharing my ideas and experiences with people.  I also enjoy interacting with fabulous people from all over the country.  I seriously have met some really cool people through blogs.

So, what have I been doing since the move?!  Well, trying to unpack and get settled for one.  It's hard for me to even have the gumption to create a "home" here though.  We have a short-term lease for five months and are (hopefully) planning to buy a house beginning when the lease ends.  So knowing it is a very big possibility that we are going to have to move yet again does not really inspire me to get this place settled.  I know I need to try a little harder than I have been.

As for the apartment itself, it's great!  It's an absolutely beautiful two bedroom, two bath in a nice area.  The only thing that had me worrying a little at first is that the previous renter said the place is haunted by a little girl.  Before we had even signed the lease she told us that when her husband was out of town the little girl would sit on her bed and wake her up in the middle of the night.  Who tells some one this before they have signed the lease?!   Believe me...I have a way of frightening myself using my imagination...I don't need any ideas implanted in my brain to grow into new ways of scaring myself.  Needless to say, we still signed the lease and have had no little girl sightings.  Until...we went away for the weekend and came back to find our bedroom looking like this----

Eric and I are the neatest, tidiest people one could know.  That is why we know the little girl did this to our bedroom.  lol.  Oh moving.

On another note- It's been great to accommodate our first visitors!  I love seeing friends and family!  First, my mom and brother came and then Eric's dad.  We are looking forward to many more visits!

Steven and I in Downtown Savannah

 

Confederate Memorial in Forsyth Park

 

Paula was very excited to be hanging out with mom.

 

         Eric and his dad at Uncle Bubba's!

Have a great Thursday everyone!

<3 Christa

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A December to Remember!

I can't believe December is almost over...and Christmas is two days away!!!  Since I'm REALLY behind on posting pictures I thought I would post a couple from each event in December.  Our biggest news is that Eric graduated & got a job, so we are moving to Georgia!  But don't worry...I will ALWAYS be a Gator fan!  lol.

*Annual Pond Lighting at the North Florida Regional Medical Center, Gainesville
This is a fun event for anyone to go see during the Christmas season.  They have a count down to light up the whole area surrounding the pond!  It was really pretty.  They also had free hot chocolate and cookies, Santa and Mrs. Clause, The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and live entertainment (mostly singing).

*SeaWorld with Kristina, Jenna, and Owen
I was so glad to FINALLY get to hang out with my old roomies (and Owen) again!  I have always loved SeaWorld!  The Clyde and Seamore show with the sea lions is my favorite!  The sea lions have such great personality's!  The (fairly) new roller coaster, Manta, is a lot of fun.  You are sitting upright, but right before you take off they turn the seats, so you are in a position as if you were flying like Superman.   The only downside was that the Shamu show just isn't the same since the trainers no longer get in the water with the killer whales.  :( 

They decorate SeaWorld nice for the holiday.  They have Christmas trees all in the water, decorations, and lots of lights.  I even received a little glass dolphin ornament for being a season passholder.  Also, I think the Christmas ice skating show is new...and was fun to watch!  I love seeing all the costume changes...and of course the ice skating itself!

---SEAWORLD HINT--- Jenna & Owen found out that if you are a Florida Resident, instead of buying a single day ticket you can get a "Fun Card" for the same price...which allows you to come back to SeaWorld as many times as you want until the end of 2011!!!  We got ours upgraded at the counter since we originally bought single day tickets.

    

 

*Alpha-1 Christmas Party

Great food and company at our annual Christmas party!

*Epcot and Hollywood Studios with the Fam
For lunch we ate at Restaurant Marraskesh, which had Moroccan food (think couscous, cinnamon, thin pastries, lamb, and kebabs).  They have live music and a belly dancer perform on a stage in the middle of the restaurant.  Afterwards, we got to see Whoopi Goldberg tell the Christmas story at the Candlelight Processional.  The story of Jesus' birth is told in between Christmas songs from a choir and orchestra. 
--EPCOT CHRISTMAS PROCESSIONAL HINT-- We got the dinner package where you eat a meal at one of the restaurants in Epcot and then get guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional show.  I would highly advise you doing this package if you want to see the show, because it fills up QUICK.  The whole seating area seemed to almost be completely filled by the time the special guests and dinner package peeps got in.

After Epcot, we headed over to HollyWood Studios to see the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.  The whole street is filled with lights that dance to the music.  Sadly, these were the last pictures taken by my precious Canon camera.  :(  I think there was some kind of electrical charge in the area that just killed it because my mom and I took a picture at the same time, my camera turned off (forever) and her screen went all wacky and had lines on it.  So...I'm under the impression that Disney killed my camera.

*Paula Deen's Restaurant, The Lady & Sons- Savannah, GA

If I had a bucket list...eating at Paula Deen's restaurant would be on it!  I guess admiring her butter loving recipes from afar has deeply intrigued me to want to try some of them first hand.  I finally got my chance this month!  I had seen mixed reviews on the restaurant, so I wasn't expecting too much....but we were pleasantly surprised!  Eric and I both got the buffet and it was SO delicious!  EVERYTHING was good!  Great hoe cakes and cheese biscuits, creamed corn, sweet tea (was SO good!), yams, fried chicken, collared greens, mashed potatoes....I mean I could go on and on.

I would definitely say it is worth the wait...which by the way--you have to do in the morning!  The restaurant does not take reservations unless you have a party of 10 or more (except on special holidays like Valentine's Day).  To get a seat for the day you have to go by the hostess station the morning you want to go and get a time slot to eat.  I hear that during the tourist season the line can start a couple of hours before the hostess even starts taking names.  I think the hostess starts taking names at 9:30am.  I was there at 9:15am and was the first in line.  Shortly after, people started lining up behind me.  I think the line was so short because it was freezing outside!  Lucky us!  lol.

*Eric's Graduation

Congrats to my wonderful husband for getting an Engineering degree from the University of Florida!

*Ugly Christmas Sweater/ Cookie Party at Work

What do you think about our Christmas sweaters?  Ugly or not?  And which one wins...the black or pink one??  :)

  

Sorry that this is like a MEGA post.  Have a very Merry Christmas and fabulous New Year!!

<3 Christa