Ribs

The second thing I got crossed off my spring bucket list: RIBS!!! I think Joe was equally as excited about this as I was. We used this recipe. It was absolutely delicious! We did not bake them as the recipe calls for and chose to throw them on the grill for 45 minutes because Joe and I love the grill! And good food was had by all!

Waiting for the ribs to boil.

BBQ Sauce

Waiting to go on the grill.

Getting ready to chow down.

Om nom nom

Friday Faves

OK, so it's not Friday and this is not a list of my favorites from the week because it's been a long week and honestly, it doesn't feel right trying to come up with a few little moments to make this week make sense and rationalize everything that is going on in my life. Instead, here's a list of the 5 songs I've had on repeat on my IPod this week. Sometimes music just makes everything better and even when it doesn't, it brings me peace for a few moments. Life is confusing these days and I don't know what the days ahead hold for me but I know that now more than ever, I need to remember that goals are just road maps to where you want to be in life but they aren't the only way to get there.

1. Gary Allen- Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)

2. Rascal Flatts- Unstoppable

3. Grey's Anatomy Cast- Grace

4. Clay Walker- She Won't Be Lonely Long


5. Eric Church- Hell On The Heart

Wednesday Writings

The worst Thanksgiving dish you ever had.

Green bean casserole is hands down the yuckiest thing I’ve ever tasted.  Who wants their green beans covered in cream of mushroom soup? Why not just eat the damn beans? They are pretty tasty as regular beans not topped with French fried onions. Soup makes them mushy and I don’t like onions or mushrooms anyways! Sadly the worst version of green beans I have ever encountered I made myself. The problem with giving the casserole hater the casserole is they really don’t care to find a decent way to make it. I didn’t know you had to thaw the beans or cook it longer. I just cooked it according to the directions I found on the side of the French fried onion can. It didn’t say anything about thawing the beans first! But it’s OK because I redeemed myself the year later by making parmesan roasted green beans.

French Toast Dumplings

Breakfast food and I are good friends. IHop knows me too well. And above all else, french toast and I share a special bond. I just love french toast. It is so yummy. So when I ran across french toast dumplings, I told Joe they had to happen. So I do have to give you some tips because the recipe was not easy as it looks. Here is are the finished dumplings.

Don't they look yummy?

This batch was super mushy. Lesson learned: less than a minute on each side.

The only word I have for this batch is goo. They disintegrated as I pulled them out. Use a bigger pan and don't over crowd it.

Perfect! Cooked for a minute on each side. I also had a lot of space around each dumpling when I dropped them in.

My biggest tips for success: Big pot and work in batches, no more than a minute and a half on each side, keep your heat very low, and let them sit for a few minutes once you coat them in cinnamon sugar. It really makes a difference in the texture. But even the mushy batch was tasty. Maybe just because of the relationship I have french toast.

Easter Eggs

Here's the first from the spring bucket list. One thing I didn't remember about dying Easter eggs is how long it takes. I also did not know that you should buy egg dye from the dollar store. It didn't make for great colors. But it was a blast! And the best part? We made deviled eggs. :) It was a good time.

Lemon Pie Bars

Joe loves lemon anything. I think I could make lemon flavored grass candy and Joe would at least try it.  I first made this for Joe when he moved into the house he lives in now. He had his parents over for dinner and I made these for desserts. They are so light and tasty. They are the perfect spring treat and they are perfect for my spring bucket list. Their crust is like pie crust but thicker, more like shortbread. Joe and I have always talked about adding blueberries so maybe we will do that this summer and try it again. They are super simple, the prep time is next nothing, and Joe has all of the ingredients all of the time. They are just perfect.

Friday Faves

I have no intro this week. It's just been a long week again. Balls.

1. Scholarship Paddle

I was awarded the scholarship paddle at Sunday's meeting! I was so excited because we have a couple of weekly awards and I've never received one so to get one for something I work hard at.

2. Chili Afternoon

I spent a lovely afternoon eating Joe's homemade chili and reading for my history classes. Well and I fell asleep after my chili was gone but that still made for a lovely afternoon.

3. Poetry Slam with the Fam

I went to a poetry slam with my little and grand littles this week. Emily and Mary Kate were just too precious, snapping like you see in the movies. It was a great time!

4. Registering For My Last Year Of Classes

I can't believe I'm all registered for my last year of classes. It just doesn't seem real that in one year, I'll be graduating. Buckle up kids, it's going to be a fun ride.

5. Jessica!

Jessica came home with me today and she will be here all weekend! YAY!