No Excuse

                      Since I have been absent for so long I won't even pretend to offer an excuse.
                            I also can't think of a way to catch up in a fun, creative sort of way.
                                            So instead, I have a few pictures to offer...

                                                               

                                                                      ...I'm in love....

A certain cutie came to visit us.

                              I know these are blurry iPhone pictures, but I had to have proof.

                                                    My sweet nephew sleeping in my bed.

A couple weeks ago I called my bestie, Heidi.

I excitedly told her that I was at last truly a woman.

When she questioned my meaning I explained that I had finally made a meal in my crockpot.

Crockpot meals were always a big reach for me since they require so much planning.

However, now that I work 12 to 13 hour days I needed to implement the crockpot.

My first attempt was Stuffed Peppers.

It was a great meal.

Except for that fact that I used the wrong type of rice.

oops.

Brandon didn't seem to mind the granules ;)

                                                                    Note to Self:
                                       When a recipe calls for instant rice, use instant rice.
                                                                       
                                                                                ~
                                        On Easter Sunday we had company over after church.
                                            There was no fancy preparations, just taco salad.

                                                               Love me some Pico de Gallo

 

                             I have enjoyed catching up on everyone else's blogs. I'll be back.

Savory Hand Pies

                      Delicous, flaky crust. Warm, melted feta cheese. Roasted onions and tomatoes.

                                                     If any of this appeals to you, read on.

                                          If not, you're out of luck  I hope you enjoy pictures.

                       

                                           

                      

Last week I took a minor break from sanity

                                and decided that I was going to try this Martha Stewart recipe.

                                              I used to be obsessed with her recipes.

                   That is, until I actually tried to shop for the obscure ingredients, actually tried the

                  multiple steps involved, and actually did ALL the dishes that these recipes require.

                                                          I am so over her recipes.

   If you are really bored super creative then you can visit Martha for the recipe.

               I did add turkey sausage to this recipe as my husband is opposed to all things vegan.

PS: Can you tell my graphic designer husband got a hold of my pictures?

Rainy Day

                                                It is a very rainy day in South Florida.
                                       I am totally happy about the level of precipitation.
                                             Call me weird, but I do have my reasons.

My awesome rainboots that match NOTHING but white.

They make me feel fun and cute but slightly ridiculous.

Warm velvety hot chocolate is perfect with the rain.

And last but certainly not least...

As the wife of a landscaper, I either love or hate rainy days.

A rainy day can mean one of two things.

It can be a fun day spent together.

or

It can be a pile of soaked work clothes and a trail of bootprints through the house.

I am lucky today :)

                                                 



                                                     

Lemon and Vanilla

                                                  Yeah you read right. Lemon and Vanilla.
                                                   Separately, I am drawn to those flavors.
                                                             Together, they are a dream.

Lemon-vanilla candle.

Lemon-Vanilla Tart

                                               This blog IS called Bake. Eat. Run. Repeat.
                               An update: I've actually been Baking. And yes, Eating as well.
                 The only breakdown is the running part. I run probably half a mile four days a week.
                                             That is pitiful. And you are welcome to judge.

                                           

                                                            Lemon Vanilla Tart

• 1  recipe  Tart Pastry (recipe below)
• 2    lemons
• 1/2  cup  sugar
• 1  Tbsp.  all-purpose flour
• 2    eggs
• 1/4  cup  butter, melted
• 1  Tbsp.  vanilla
• 1  recipe  Oven-Candied Lemon Slices (recipe below)

Directions

1. Prepare Tart Pastry. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Wrap the rolled-out pastry around a rolling pin. Using pin, ease pastry into a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom, taking care not to stretch the pastry. Press pastry into fluted sides of tart pan. Trim edges even with the pan. Line pastry with a double thickness of foil. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 5 to 6 minutes more or until crust is golden. Cool on wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

2. Meanwhile, finely shred 4 teaspoons peel from lemons. Set aside. Squeeze enough juice from lemons to measure 6 tablespoons; set aside.

3. In medium bowl combine sugar and flour. Add eggs. Beat with electric mixer on medium to high speed for 3 minutes or until mixture is light in color and slightly thickened. Stir in lemon peel, lemon juice, butter, and vanilla. Pour into pastry shell. Place tart pan on a baking sheet.

4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until filling is set and lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

5. To serve, remove sides of pan, and top tart with Oven-Candied Lemon Slices. Makes 8 servings.

6. Tart Pastry: In medium bowl cut 1/2 cup cold butter into 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour until pieces are the size of small peas. In a small mixing bowl combine 1 beaten egg yolk, and 1 tablespoon ice water. Gradually stir the egg yolk mixture into the flour mixture. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until all the dough is moistened. Shape into a ball. If necessary, cover dough with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes or until dough is easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough on an 11-inch circle. Use to prepare Lemon-Vanilla Tart.

7. Oven-Candied Lemon Slices: Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Cut 2 small lemons crosswise into 1/8-to 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange in a single layer on pan. Sprinkle lemon slices with 1/4 cup sugar. Bake in preheated 275 degree F oven 45 to 50 minutes or until lemons are almost dry and covered with sugary glaze. While still warm, loosen slices from paper to prevent sticking.

*Disclaimer* I honestly only put the lemon slices on for looks, I take them off before serving. They actually don't taste that great on top but they do look really nice.*

                 

News

So I try my best not to pray for my own selfish gain when there are so many more worthy subjects. Yet I've always believed that Jesus is my best friend. I tell my earthly best friend (my husband) all my problems and my greatest wants and desires. This is how I rationalized praying for a good job in nursing to come along for me in God's timing. Well,
I admit it was very hard to wait... But the waiting may be over.
I got a call today for an interview, my first ever, for a perfect job!
The job is on a pediatric cancer floor! Wow,
I'm so excited!
So please, if you think of me on Friday pray for me!
And remember that our mutual Best Friend "painted" each sunset, hung each star in the sky, and arranged for each gust of wind.

Giveaway

                                   If you are similar to me and occasionally enjoy the frivolous side of life
                                           such as browsing etsy shops and having creative pillows
                                    you should check out Shelly Orvis at shellyorvis.blogspot.com
                                            She is really crafty, sells fun products, and best of all..
                                                        is giving away this awesome pillow.

If you are impressed, stalk her  follow her on facebook here: The Pink Giraffe

I also like this pillow.

Did I mention that she goes to my church?

She totally intimidates impresses me.

Happiness

This is my "bestie" Heidi. She is amazing. She is funny. Like seriously funny.

She is smart. She writes. She is a youth-pastor's-wife.

She is beautiful (obviously).

She is loyal.

And she visited me in January.

We ate.

We shopped.

We talked about our memories.

We talked about our grown up lives.

We talked about our future.

We mentioned babies and vacations.

We told jokes.

We laughed.

We were so busy having fun (aka playing Blurr) we did not take any pictures.

Here is a photo from the Panthers game.

Heidi was a great cheerleader.

The game was fun. Even though our team lost.

Oh and the tshirt toss? Fail.

                                  This is our feet on the boardwalk after we did our two miles.

Yep, our faces looked bad.

All in all. I had my best friend for several days.

I was happy.

I hope she was happy.

Oh, check out her blog.

alexithymic.blogspot.com

It's bound to get interesting.