Bran Appetit

Best Week Ever, 1/27/12

by admin on January 27, 2012

We are officially less than one week away from February. How did this happen? I would like one big snow, but then I’m okay with spring showing up.

Best breakfast ever? Before our croissants disappeared, Nick and I both had 2 little ones, heated and smeared with Nutella with coffee and a banana on the side. I’ve got to make these again.

I actually did something that I found on Pinterest!

Hurricane + candle + coffee beans. The perfect thing for our dining room table.

Are you on Pinterest? Come find me so I can have even more things to look at online.

I also did the Gibson Tuck that I found on Pinterest. It looks so hard, but it is super easy!

Do you remember the Topsy Tail? It’s almost exactly like that, but you don’t need that weird plastic tool.

After finalizing everything on my book (available for preorder – crazy!), I’ve gotten back into reading for pleasure.

First it was The Twilight Series..and I’m already re-reading it. I just finished this book, which is part of a fun Coffeehouse Mystery series I started a few years back. I’m also reading Redeeming Love for, like, the 8th time, and have started Water for Elephants on my nook.

Got any book suggestions?

Operation Nails is going great! I used this new OPI color last week and switched to a pale, shimmery pink on Monday night.

Last week, we had one of my favorite dinners. I found this recipe for Mongolian Beef and fell in love. It’s one of the best dishes I’ve made at home and it turns out fantastic every time. We used some local flat iron steak and I tossed in some broccoli and sugar snap peas to make it a meal.

And thanks to your input on Facebook yesterday, you got what you wanted: white and semi-sweet dipped truffles. Recipe coming soon!

What were the highlights of your week?

{ 18 comments }

Winners, Winners

January 27, 2012

Today felt like spring. Are you having winter weather? We’re…not. At all. And I’m kind of enjoying it. I’m trying not to jinx us, but I will keep hoping for a nice weekend while my family is here visiting. I’ve got winners to announce! Then I’m going to cuddle with Maggie. The two randomly-chosen winners [...]

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Double Chocolate Cherry Bark

January 26, 2012

We started doing homemade holiday gifts a few years ago. This year’s baskets included: Gingersnap Bark Spiced Nuts Homemade Vanilla Extract (do you want to know how I made it?) Spice Rub Sugared Cranberries Chocolate Covered Toffee and homemade jam: either Frog or Blueberry Orange But one bark – this bark – didn’t make it [...]

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Homemade Croissants, Plain and Chocolate

January 25, 2012

This weekend, I crossed one major thing off my baking bucket list. Learning how to bake is stressful enough sometimes. Trying to make French pastry on your own? Equal parts exciting and terrifying. This dough – and those layers – are why arms and abs still hurt today. Making croissants is no joke. It’s mostly [...]

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Vanilla Bean Coffee Creamer

January 24, 2012

Got 5 minutes? Let’s make some coffee creamer! Most mornings, I take my coffee with just a splash of milk or cream. No flavors, no sugar. Good coffee doesn’t need much of anything. But sometimes, I do like having a bit of flavor in my cup of joe – it just can’t be too much. [...]

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Keurig Winner!

January 24, 2012

Hi friends. Monday is almost over! We’ve finished dinner, the dishes are put away, and I’m about to pack my lunch and get settled so I can put a post together for you. But – I’ve got the randomly chosen Keurig winner for you! Congrats to… Debbie January 18, 2012 at 2:34 pm I love [...]

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White Cheddar and Rosemary Biscuits

January 23, 2012

I start every weekend with grand plans and long to-do lists. I usually end weekends with my slippered feet up on the ottoman, a belly full of good food, and a still full to-do list. This weekend, I actually crossed a few things off. Laundry. Grocery shopping. Making croissants – that was a process, but [...]

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The Best Brownies + Giveaway!

January 20, 2012

Happy Friday! It’s been a doozy of a week on here. Lots of giveaways with some of my favorite things and celebrating 3 years of blogging with you guys. To say thanks, I brought brownies. I have tried a. lot. of brownie recipes, and I usually end up feeling like Goldilocks and the Three Bears. [...]

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Stonyfield Winner

January 20, 2012

Happy Thursday night! I’m currently laughing out loud, on the couch, watching Parks and Rec while watching Nick and Maggie nap together. It’s a good night! I just picked the winner of the Stonyfield Gift Package….so, congrats to… Cassie Congrats Brandi! Keep the good stuff coming. My favorite way to use yogurt is [...]

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National Coffee Day Giveaway

January 19, 2012

That’s right. Another coffee-related giveaway this week. Did you know today is National Coffee Day? Are you celebrating? I am. I got some samples of the new Starbucks Blonde Roast last week and I tried my Blonde Roast K-cups in my Keurig this week at work. The verdict? I loved it! It’s not too dark [...]

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Coffee Love + Keurig Giveaway!

January 18, 2012

Coffee does something to my soul. It is not just a warm morning drink or an afternoon pick-me-up. Coffee, the process, soothes me; the smell is irresistible, toasty, warm, balanced. I love how, on weekend mornings, we get to slow down for breakfast. No alarm clocks, waking up to a late rising sun streaming through [...]