I’m Obsessed: Pinterest

Dear Pinterest,

I blame you for hours upon hours spent on the computer looking at pictures. I also blame you for my lack of blogging. I am too busy looking at all of the cool things I could do rather than blogging about cool things I have done.

Regardless, this love/hate relationship is a life changer.

Love/hate,

Ale

Below are a few of my favorite pins from this week. Please enjoy.

Workin' It

Joey and I are in the process of switching gym memberships to a club is located both across the street from work and right by our house. It’s always nice to try out a new place and I am hoping that the proximity will motivate us to go more than once or twice a week.The other big seller – personal TV’s on every machine. Therefore, instead of cozying up on the couch to watch a show, I can do it on a treadmill.

With that, I decided to pick up a few new additions to my workout wear. I mean – you can’t go to a new gym without new gym gear! I love all the bright colors right now – lots of neon and vibrant tones. Why not have a little fun with it?!?

Below are a few of my favorite new items for hitting the gym!

Immature Moment: Sometimes it is so difficult not to laugh at the creepy buff guys that make the most inappropriate noises when lifting weights. It’s so awkward. They sweat and spit and it’s just weird. Usually to avoid them, I find my way into the “ladies only” (aka old ladies only) section of the gym to do my weight lifting – however, I have been told it’s not socially acceptable work out in there. Here is to hoping there aren’t too many of these guys at the new gym.

Tonight’s Meal: Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash

I have been on a health kick and am trying to eat delish but healthy food – avoiding sugar and white starches. It sounds easy but it’s harder than you would think. Sugar is in everything so I have turned into an avid label reader.

Spaghetti squash is so easy and hassle free so when I found this recipe, I had to give it a try!

Serves 4-6

Ingrediences (channeling Teresa Gudice from RHNJ;-)

-1 Spaghetti Squash

-1 batch prepared meatballs or meat for sauce

   (Note: Most meatballs are prepared with breadcrumbs so I’m using meat sauce instead.) 
-1 cup Marinara or spaghetti sauce (watch for sugar content!)
-1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese
-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
-1 cup fresh basil, torn or sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds. Brush or drizzle with olive oil. Place on a baking sheet, cut side down and bake for 30-40 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheet. Turn oven up to 400. 

Using a fork, scrape squash "spaghetti" up from the rind and fluff into strands. Place meatballs over squash. Pour sauce over. Sprinkle cheeses over sauce. Bake stuffed squash halves on cookie sheet until cheese is melted and bubbling. Top with fresh basil and serve right out of the squash! 

Mery Christmas from the DesJean's

 

Peppermint Meltaways

I just made a big batch of Peppermint meltaway cookies for the ladies in my office. They are so easy to make and are delish! Plus - they smell amazing when they are in the oven. I would highly recommend!!

Cookies

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch

Frosting

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter , softened
• 1 -2 tablespoon milk
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Hard peppermint candies or candy canes , crushed

Directions:

FOR COOKIES, combine sugar, butter and 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy (1 to 2 minutes). Reduce speed to low; add flour and cornstarch. Beat until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Cover; refrigerate until firm (30 to 60 minutes).

Heat oven to 350°F Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely.

FOR FROSTING, combine 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and enough milk for desired glazing consistency in small bowl. I recommend pipping on the frosting. If you don’t have a piping bag with a tip, use a zip lock baggie and cut a tiny hole in the corner. It looks really pretty and is super easy to do. Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy cane.

Christmas Time Is Here

If there isn’t two to three feet of snow on the ground and temps are above 30, it doesn’t feel like the holiday season in Milwaukee. We haven’t had ANY snow or icy rain storms! Instead, we have warm temps in the 50’s. Thus – it doesn’t feel much like Christmas. Below are a few of my must have’s items/traditions to help get into the Christmas spirit!

1. Our tree this year is perfect! A little less than 8ft. and covered with more than 200 white lights and sparkly ornaments. I love the smell when you walk in the door. Magical. I saw a cute idea on Pinterest and am going to start a tradition. Each year when the bottom of the tree if cut, we will keep the trimming to make an ornament. See photo below!

2. I planted an amaryllis bulb this year and it is amazing how quickly they grow. Mine has four giant, white flowers and is very classy! My mom always grows them and they are so pretty. We also splurged on a giant poinsettia. It’s beautiful and brightens up the room!

3. I went for a no-chip manicure (see prior post) and of course – went with red. But they had a beautiful sparkly red that I am obsessed with. My nails look like little sparkly Christmas ornaments. I love it.

4. I’m a sucker for holiday marketing. Every year I search for the diet cranberry Sierra Mist or cranberry Ginger Ale – both are to die for. Holiday party tip from my mom: Always throw a few fresh cranberries into a drink or cocktail for garnish around the holiday – they look so festive!

5. Every year we have a holiday party on Christmas Eve and each year we come up with a cocktail to serve our guests. I recently stumbled upon this fabulous Three Olives Birthday Cake vodka – it actually tastes just like cake. So I made up a little cocktail of my very own that we will be enjoying on Christmas Eve. See recipe below:

The Good Fruit Cake Martini

-Three Olives Cake Vodka

-Pineapple Juice

-Splash of grenadine

-Splash of sprite zero

-fresh cranberries for garnish

Married People Are Boring

Or so you would think if you took a look at my blog. I used to post all the time but ever since our engagement – I have been lame. I mean – Joey’s Aunt Nan gave me a “talking to” at Thanksgiving so I think its time to get back on the horse.

Speaking of being married, for the past few months, we have been hearing some repetition is the questions people ask us about our recent nuptials. So, I thought I would go ahead and provide a few answers in case anyone out there was wondering.

1.) Does it feel different now that you are married?

While I feel a sense of permanency,  our relationship is very similar to before we were married – however – we have mad a conscious effort to be kinder to one another. Joey and I are both sarcastic and sometimes we can get out of hand;-)

2.) When are you going to have a baby?

We have one. Her name is Rosie and she turned 6 on December 3. No plans on any additions.

3.) Are you guys going to buy a house?

While we would love to buy a house, we are happy in our apartment for now – aside from the girls downstairs who ride home from the bars in shopping carts.

More posts to come soon! I promise.

And really – I’m sure I am only talking to three people since I have neglected to post for so long.