“I think the most significant work we ever do, in the whole world, in our whole life, is done within the four walls of our own home.” – Stephen R. Covey

Monday, September 29, 2008

Chocolate Cake

Now I will tell you, this Chocolate Cake is mediocre in my opinion. It is not spectacular or rich or divine. However, it is quick, dirty and CHOCOLATE. I think my favorite part about this cake is that it makes a single serving, two if you decide to share. I think the scary thing is that I know exactly how much oil and sugar I am consuming and somehow with a normal cake, I pretend like I can't divide and figure out how much bad stuff I am eating. Funny how that works! Anyway, this "Cake in a Cup" is a fabulous idea when I just need a little chocolate/dessert fix but don't have anything really sweet in the house. We never buy cookies or sweets just because I figure that if I can't see them, I won't miss them. Anyway, when you make this recipe... do a little dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon and it will just be delicious! I contemplated adding a little cinnamon and/or vanilla to the recipe, but never did. I guess that gives me a reason to make it again tomorrow night! Mmmm, it would also be good with whipped cream and cinnamon on top! OHHH... and FRUIT! The possibilities are endless!

Here is the link to the recipe.
http://www.dizzy-dee.com/recipe/chocolate-cake-in-5-minutes#comment-2009

Bread and Cup



So today I am eating lunch in the break room… perusing the Living section of the Omaha World Herald with my Crispy Duck Salad from Upstream. In case your curious, the salad is better at the restaurant than delivered to the office. Its something with the temperature that just bothers me… Anyway, the front page of the Living section has the large beautiful image of a crostini with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes. The ideal image for a southern girl in the Midwest whose weather is getting much too cool much too fast. Tomatoes just say summer in a way that even peach pie and ice cream can’t. Anyway, I start reading this article about a trendy place in Lincoln called Bread and Cup. Now let me honest and tell you that when I moved from Dallas, I was afraid I would have to give up cute trendy places for jumbo steakhouses and your boring collection of mediocre chains. My first indication should have been the fact that even Tulsa had great places like Sonoma Bistro and Wine Bar and the Local Pantry. So….back to Bread and Cup: First of all, you have to read the article because I seriously fell in love and my mouth started watering. I am a website/blog addict (I know, really?) The first thing that piqued my interest were the recipes in various blog entries. I don’t know why more restaurants don’t do this! Seriously, having a recipe (or 6) is not going to stop me from trying or coming back to your restaurant. Why do you think atmosphere and service are SO important (and I don’t have to do the dishes)! The photography on the website is beautiful although I would like a few pictures of the dining room to know what I am getting into before I drive down to Lincoln. The fact that the website is updated so often with the newest offerings also tells me that they are at the top of the their game! The food and drink is mostly local which is a great feature that I wish more places offered. It ALWAYS tastes better than something flash frozen, shipped in and sitting under the warmer.
Anyway, I CAN’T wait to try this place and I load a review when I can!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

New Updates!

So, the good news is that I should now have more time to update this blog... and that would be because Chad and I are no longer house hunting because... WE BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOUSE! I know, we are super excited! The radon test was on Saturday and although the levels were high, the problem will be mitigated which is pretty standard. The home inspection was today and it went really well. Luckily the only things wrong were totally small and fixable, YAY!

Plans for the next few months:
5 Trips to Sherwin-Williams
12 Trips to Home Depot
7 Trips to Lowes
4 Trips to Nebraska Furniture Mart
1 Trip to IKEA?
300 Trips back and forth from apartment to new house, moving!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

It's becoming Fall in Omaha...

...and I am SO not ready! The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are getting yellower, and I am getting worried. I am not crazy about the cold, but I can usually get through it provided I have enough warm cozy sweaters and hot chocolate laced with kahlua. HOWEVER, that would be a Texas winter, not a Nebraska winter... about a 30 degree difference there. I am really going to try to stay positive and deal with the cold and the snow!

The nip in the air is kind of exciting when you start thinking of fires in the fireplace, big snuggly coats and pumpkin pie!

So what have we been up to? Well lets see: 4th of July in St. Louis, a business trip to Dallas, Chad's Birthday, a business trip for Chad, a trip to Lubbock, planning a trip to Denver this October and LOTS of house hunting!

We thought we were close to getting a house TWICE... but the first time we found a huge foundational crack. We actually put a bid in on the second house but we had to walk away because of an over inflated house. We have found a couple more since then so we will see how those play out!

I have actually been clued in to some great blogs through work this week so I hope to share those soon. I was searching the federatedmedia.net website looking for blogs for one of my clients to advertise on and found more of my own to start reading! Not that I need any more reading to do... from the Twilight Series, to all the Janet Evanovich books, Suze Ormans Women and Money, Marketing to Women and Good to Great... I've been pretty swampted with reading!

Have a great week everyone