Mushy Crap

January has officially come to an end.

Next is February. The month of love, romance, appreciation, pinks and reds, and all that mushy crap.

I feel like there is far too much hype around a holiday about something that should be celebrated each and every day. I mean, after all that is the reason why we get into a romantic relationship.

We want to be loved and we want to show our love for our significant other.

Any who. Let me get back to what this post is really about.

A new month means I get to change my desktop wallpaper calendar. 

Smashing Magazine is my go to site for free desktop wallpaper downloads. 

This month they definitely did not disappoint.

Here is what I picked.

Winter

But I also liked...

Happy Valentine's Day 

Every Day Should Be Valentine's Day

Moody February

Do you change your desktop wallpaper? 

Where do you get your downloads from?

Spicing Things Up - Weekly Meals

This week I decided to spice things up a little - in the kitchen.

Not the bedroom. Or maybe the bedroom. You decide.

I decided to throw three new meals into the meal plan for this week. 

I am hoping they all turn out well but if only one is a failure then I am happy too.

recipe below

Spaghetti Aglio

recipe found here

Orecchiette with peas and cream sauce

recipe found here

--

Tortellini & Cream Sauce with Corn and Arugula Recipe

adapted from BHG

Ingredients:

- 1 package 3 cheese Buitoni Tortellini

- 1/4 cup cream

- 1/2 cup fat free milk

- 3 oz light cream cheese, cubed

- 1/2 tsp each salt, garlic powder, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes

- 1 cup frozen corn

- 2 cups torn arugula

- fresh cracked black pepper

- grated parmesan cheese, to taste

Directions:

- Cook tortellini according to package directions (reserve the starchy water for cream sauce).

- In a large skillet, melt cream cheese into cream and milk over medium-low heat until it is smooth and thick (about 8 minutes).

- Add salt, garlic powder, dried oregano, red pepper flakes and frozen corn to the skillet of cream.

- After corn has warmed (about 2-5 minutes) add cooked tortellini to skillet.

- Spoon starchy water into skillet if sauce is too thick.

- Add torn arugula, grated parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper onto tortellini.

- Toss then serve.

*Linking up with Melissa @ The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife for GFC Blog Hop.

Blate, Photo Bomber and Beers

 I bring to you my weekend via photos. 

Friday started with a lovely lunch blate with my new friend Meri over at Hoosier Housewife.

You should all totally go over and say hi!

We met at this burger place that neither of us had been to, it was a highly recommended place,

but yet we were slightly disappointed. Not by this tasty little shake.

This was the culprit. The elk burger. 

It was not awful but I cannot say it was the best.

Although I was still extremely full from my lunch blate, I ended up making Cajun Chicken Pasta for dinner. It is definitely the Hubs' favorite meal ever. Like. Eva.

Saturday we started out here.

Then we went here.

And of course we took this little photo bomber.

We hung out with these beautiful people.

And drank a little of this.

Finally Sunday. Sunday we went back home and slept on the couch.

How was your weekend?

Window Shopping January [Linkup]

It is the last Friday of January. 

I hope you did some browsing on Etsy and are planning on linking up for...

Rules for Linkup:

1. Browse Etsy for new, fun, bizarre, or crazy things.
2. Linkup and share what you found.

That's it!!


I don't know what it is about this little guy - I love him.

MyVintageLane

This would be perfect for a new baby or for a new couple. 

Either way I think it is adorable.

FayesAttic11

If you want to buy me a gift then I would really appreciate these in 'avocado'.
You would totally be my best friend.

paulova

If you didn't already know that I absolutely love scarves then I think I need to do another 'get to know me' posts. This scarf would look fabulous in my collection.

ThreeBirdNest

I have had my eye on the Essie sleek sticks but I have yet to try them.
I stumbled upon these and I might need to try them.

DouxCraft

Or these.

DouxCraft

Or these.

mdy627

I have been looking out for a new weekender type bag.
Whenever the Hubs and I would take a weekend trip we would just take luggage.
I think I am ready for my own bag now.
Like this holdall bag.

Zakken

Be sure to linkup below if you found any goodies.

House Tour - Chit Chat Thursday Vlog

It's Chit Chat Thursday!!

Today I wanted to share a little of our house with you.

If you have any topics or ideas for my next video, leave a comment.

Also, don't forget to subscribe to see videos before they are posted here.

January Week Four Meals

Big exciting news!!

Our new couch is going to be delivered tomorrow.
I cannot even tell you how excited that makes me feel.

This is only our second piece of furniture that we have bought as a husband and wife.
Our first was our lovely bed that the movers just so happened to rip the upholstery.

Any who. I am even more excited to get rid of our awfully old couch that we have broken at least two different times. Hubby thinks the old couch is going downstairs but I am hoping to put it in the trash.

I guess that is all the excitement I have for today.

Now here are the meals that we will be eating this week.
There is a recipe if you make it to the end.

recipe found here

similar recipe found here 

recipe found here

recipe below

--

Beef Stroganoff Recipe

adapted from Campbell's Kitchen

Ingredients:

- 1 Tbs olive oil

- 1 lb beef round top steak, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 Tbs butter
- 2 Tbs flour
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 can (10 3/4 oz) Campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup (I used healthy request)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- dash of garlic powder
- 1 bag egg noodles, cooked, drained and rinsed

Directions:

- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add beef and onions. Cook until brown on outside of beef (about 5 minutes) and remove from pan.
- Melt butter in pan and add flour to make a roux.
- Slowly whisk in chicken stock until smooth.
- Add mushroom soup and stir until combined then stir in sour cream.
- Add black pepper, garlic powder, and beef mixture back into pan.
- Let simmer on low while you cook the egg noodles (according to package).
- Serve and enjoy

*Linking up with Melissa @ The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife for GFC Blog Hop.

Head First into the Garage Door

How was your weekend? 

Ours was quite enjoyable, beside some pretty sketchy weather.

It was another weekend of getting to know our neighborhood. 

I think it takes someone over a year to actually find and try out different shops, 

restaurants, museums, parks and so on.

Saturday we headed to downtown Indy. 

Growing up in a Detroit suburb, we are not afraid of downtown areas.

After doing some research online for the top restaurants to visit in Indy, we decided upon this German bar. Now I will not say the name because the food was less than great but the beers were pretty tasty.

We had this...

... and this.

In case you are wondering - 
hush puppies, chicken cordon blue, cajun chicken poppers, and brat & kraut balls.

Because we did not get enough beer variety at the German bar 

they have over 60 to choose from we stopped by a tap room on our way home. 

We went from wine country in California to beer country in the Midwest. 

And I will not complain about either.

Also, we picked up a little treat for the puppy at a little boutique bakery in Indy.

Pupcake and Ruffles

Back to the tasting room. We sampled 9 beers ranging from light all the way to IPA.

Then because we enjoyed them so much, we picked up a growler to take home.

Sunday was a day of grocery shopping and a quick happy hour lunch.

When we made it back home, I tried out a new salsa recipe and made some soup.

The salsa recipe needs a little bit of work but it was still yummy.

That is pretty much all we did this weekend.

Oh wait, I ran into the garage door, head first.

Yup!

Happy Monday!

Real Quick...

I just have a few quick things for you today.

First off - I have been having a blast this week playing around with my new camera. 

Hubby was amazing and bought me a step up from a point and shoot camera for my birthday in December. If you forgot to wish me a happy birthday, you can redeem yourself now!!

I know some of you have noticed and commented on the quality of my photos lately. I am hoping to learn a little more about that bad boy of a camera to give you all the best photos ever.

Of course, if all else fails - the iPhone is pretty handy.

Gasp!

Second - a week from today is the Window Shopping Linkup.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.atravelingwife.blogspot.com" title="a traveling Wife"><img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/5n4pr6.jpg" alt="a traveling Wife" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So start browsing around on Etsy.com and come back next Friday to show off what you found.

That's all for today. Have a great weekend!

*Linking up for the Friday Chaos Linkup

Mini House Tour & Mini Vlog

Sorry! This is definitely not a mini house tour. More like photos of a new accessory I just picked up.

Our house is finally starting to look like a home. 

And I am so very happy about that.

I was shopping in Hobby Lobby the other day looking for some new baskets. 

It never hurts to wander aimlessly around that store for hours.

I mean free entertainment, right?

Well I stumbled upon this gorgeous clock and I knew a perfect spot for it in our house.

But I stopped myself from splurging because I really did not need to spend that kind of money.

To my surprise, after I got home and got the mail, there was a lovely little gift from a family friend that sent us a housewarming present of cash.

I knew that I could go back to Hobby Lobby and pick up that beautiful clock.

And that I did.

What do you think?

Do you want more pictures of our home?

--

On another note - I am linking up today with three lovely ladies for 30 seconds Thursday.

DIY Eye Makeup Remover

I absolutely love finding new ways to make more natural products at home.

Plus it is always fantastic to save a few bucks in the process.

My new favorite product is DIY eye makeup remover. 

I used to buy Clinique Rinse-off Eye Makeup Solvent which is $18.

It gets to be really expensive when I have to keep buying it and keep buying it.

I have experimented a little with different removers but I definitely prefer the one I make. 

And just to help make your wallet a little thicker, I want to share with you how I make 

my eye makeup remover! Such a nice lady, huh?

You will need a pourable measuring cup, water, baby oil and tear free baby shampoo.

About 2 ounces of cool water.

1/4 teaspoon of tear free baby shampoo.

About 5 drops of baby oil.

A container to put your new eye makeup remover in.

I am using a Clinique bottle that has some I previously made.

Stir all the ingredients together and pour into container.

Place cap on and shake vigorously.

And there you have it, DIY eye makeup remover.

Do you make your own eye makeup remover or buy it from the store?

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces water
• 5 drops baby oil
• 1/4 teaspoon tear free baby shampoo

Directions:

• Stir together water, baby oil, and baby shampoo
• Pour into a storage container
• Shake well before each use

January Week Three Meals

Today I am finally starting to feel normal again.

Normal, as in the flu is no longer taking over my life.

That means that I have the energy to get some things done around the house, get out of the house to run some errands, and also have enough energy to make dinner at the end of the day.

And this is what we will be eating this week.

recipe found here 

Hot Dogs with Sweet Potato Fries and Steamed Green Beans

Cheddar Chicken with Diced Potato 

recipe found here 

What are some of your favorite meals? 

I am always looking for something new to try.

Complete Devastation

Hello Monday, welcome back.

This weekend was fantastic. Not because I was still getting over the flu but because it was our first weekend in our new house alone. No visitors, no unpacking, no more lists. 

It was just a weekend of working on our cars well Hubby did and grocery shopping and visiting some local bars and getting turned down from buying alcohol on Sunday more on that later.

A weekend full of normal living.

Friday night ended with this delicious beauty.

Oh yes, I totally hacked In-n-Out Burger's system for their secret sauce recipe. 

Kidding! But I did find a recipe that is so very similar. 

Have you ever traveled out west and ventured over to In-n-Out to see what the hype is all about then become immediately disappointed that you do not have one where you live? My first time having In-n-Out was when I moved to California I only ate there about 5 times and now for some reason I am super depressed that I do not have one on the street corner.

Now I will just have to make this recipe over and over again.

Saturday was filled with oil changes on both of the cars as well as a long walk through the trails with the puppy. The weather couldn't have been any better for the midwest, 60 degrees. 

There were people in shorts and tank tops in January! 

That was a little ridiculous, but to each their own.

After we tired Roxi out with the walk, we were told by someone that we needed to try out this bar called Woody's which just so happens to be a 15 minute walk from our house. So we headed over there walking through such a cute neighborhood to find ourselves at a homey bar. The atmosphere was great and the people were so funny. That might just be our new hangout.

Sunday was a day of shopping - ice arena pro shop, autozone, health food store and grocery store. 

This is when we put beer in our cart then emptied our cart on the conveyer belt at 

checkout only for the cashier to say, "I am sorry to tell you, but the state of 

Indiana does not allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays."! 

Say what?! 

Devastation set in or are we just alcoholics. 

We were told this by a bartender before we even moved here, but why should we remember such a crucial fact? It just looks like we will have to change our grocery shopping day.

How was your weekend?

Have you checked out my last vlog?

*Linking up with Carissa @ Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday.