Happies and Crappies

Happy Friday!! I hope that for those of you who are working or doing the school thing, this day is going by fast. I'm so excited for this weekend to begin. Although technically the weekend started at 3 pm yesterday but still. We have a fun weekend planned! Very simple but are those always the funniest? Sunday is Easter and I'm really looking forward to it. My parents still get me (and Brian) gifts and all, which is so nice! But the main thing I'm looking forward to is my grandmother coming over for the afternoon and or Easter dinner. We usually have her over go out with her for holidays. We love it and I know it makes her day. When I was younger, I loved getting the Easter baskets and having her over. But back then, having her over just meant that someone was coming over...who doesn't love visitors?! But now I enjoy it and appreciate it even more. She lives 10 minutes away so we can see her when we went or invite her over just because. We usually go a week or two without seeing her so when we do, its even more special. And, my mom is off from work this Easter so that's a score also!!

What are your Easter plans? Do you have any traditions?

Today, I'm so excited to link up with Sarah and Stephanie for the first time!!

Happies

1. Got to Skype with this wonderful little girl and my sissy in law! They live in Louisiana so we barely see them. These Skype dates are few and far between because my sister in law works 50 hours a week and has to take care of this little one, so we'll take it whenever she says she's available  The picture kinda stinks. This time I used my phone so I could post it on instagram (follow me if you'd like: @krissygirl13). ON top of me using my phone, my sister in law also used hers to do the skyping. Poor her, lost her laptop because it crashed back in December! It's pretty entertaining when you have a toddle who learned during our session how to end the call. 

2. The weather has finally decided to get warmer and the snow is almost melted. It's supposed to be about 63 on Monday! We were even able to take this little guy for a walk on Wednesday

3. My dad didn't have to go away on business this week. He only goes for one nigh so its not really a big deal but its just nice to have him home

4. This might sound weird but start girl randomly started talking to me in the bathroom at school Tuesday. I was fixing my hair between classes and she was doing the same. No idea who this girl is, what her name is, anything but she randomly started talking to me and we walked down the cafe together too...it was kinda nice!

5. I love that I'm making friends in Abnormal Psych. Sure I talk to these girls but in class only. This week we met outside of class to discuss our group project and it seems we became closer!

6. Apparently I'm doing pretty well in Statistics class. We started the semester at the end of January and this whole time I've been worried and stressed. My test grades aren't terrible but aren't amazing so I've been unsure because they don't update us on grades or anything. But while chatting with my teacher the other day, he complemented on how well I'm doing, it felt good!

7. I'm surprisingly starting to accept the fact that I cant always get 90s on tests or do perfect on homework. I have ALWAYS been the girl who had to have her homework perfect and if it wasn't  I'd freak. I'd study for an exam like there was no tomorrow, I was always at school even if I was sick, I'd come home from school and not do anything, even eat, until every last problem was completed. Now that I'm in college, I've started to accept that I cant have it all perfect. I cant always know every answer because if I did, I wouldn't learn anything. 

Crappies

1. I'm SO mad at Wendy's  How can I be mad at a place that serves $1 burgers, right? Back when i was about 16-17, my dad and I had a tradition. Every Friday while my mo was at work, he would come home from work and on the way home he'd stop at burger king and get me chicken nuggets and fries. This happened every week. We'd sit with our dinner and watch our "special" TV shows the rest of the night. I was always home with my mom and so this was a nice time for my dad and I. We stopped for awhile because of how greasy and just bad the fast food was. But, back in November of 2011 (yes, I can remember this!) my dad told me that Wendy's came out with a Chicken Caesar Wrap. He ordered both of us one and it was AMAZING. The problem was, I hate Caesar  For months, we only ordered it every so often. But last year sometime, we started our tradition again. Every Friday or so, we go to the grocery store, my dad gets his dinner and then we drive to Wendy's to get me a wrap and fries. We used to go through the drive through and always say "no Caesar" Most of the time, they'd get it wrong. Understandable though. I then decided to start going inside. And surprisingly, they would get it right more often. I think they know me by face now, because whenever I saw "no Caesar" they turn around and tell the person making it. This past Wednesday, not good. I waited in line 15 minutes (with only one person in front of me). She had placed her order before the 15 minutes had started which was even worse. I ordered my wrap finally, the guy turned around and yelled 'no Caesar". So, I assumed it would be good, because this is how we've done it for months and its been fine. As I left the building, the lady in front of me went up and said her order was wrong. I didn't think anything of it. When getting home, I opened up the wrap and sure enough, it had Caesar. I wasn't happy. I tried to call 5 times but they didn't answer. I decided to let it go because it was only $3.69, but still, it was the principle of the thing

2. Abnormal Psych was annoying on Tuesday. I swear that people still think they are in high school or just haven't grown up. Have any of you that are in school, found this to be true? There are a few girls int he class who just cant stop talking. On Tuesday someone brought up a question about the test we just took. Then another student started talking and wouldn't stop. Even when the teacher said that it wasn't an appropriate time to talk about the subject the student wouldn't stop.  This student thinks she knows everything and spends 20 minutes at a time "teaching" us what our teacher already has been. her and another girl also go off on tangents. First what they say does have to do with what we're talking about but then they start talking about something totally different. Needless to say, there was ALOT of tension int he air Tuesday.

Honestly, that's it for my crappies, which I'm so glad about. I love when the weeks don't include too many negative things!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I cant wait to hear about your Easter!

Half Way There Blog Hop!

YOU MADE IT HALF WAY THROUGH THE WEEK!

Now it's time to relax, and meet some new bloggers!

Welcome to the SECOND Half Way There Blog Hop! Join in! Find some new blogger, check out their post, leave some comments, and make new friends! 

Every week, We will pick a new Co-host to help us out! email Kara to kara(dot)schwieterman(at)gmail(dot)com for consideration! 

Now Join In!
Welcome your new Host!
Kristen Bernier

The Rules 

- Follow your Hosts (Kara) 

( by GFC+ and Bloglovin')
-Follow Kristen's Blog
Kristen's Blog

-Follow Us on Instagram 

Kara's Instagram
Kristen's Instagram

-Follow Kara on Twitter

Kara's Twitter

 Like Us on Facebook
Kara's Facebook
Kristen's Facebook

-Visit meet, and comment on other blogs!
(Try to visit at least three our four blogs! Leave comments get this hop out there and have fun!)

- Grab our button, and share this awesome Blog Hop!

- Don't forget to e-mail Kara for a chance to be a Co-Host for next week!

Next week, we may link up our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook's! Which one one do you want to link up? Let me know in the comments! 

                                                   

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Blackmoon Recipe!

Like every else in this blogging world, and I'm sure everyone else in general, I love sweets...chocolate to be exact. I can live without it for days on end (ok maybe I'm exaggeration ) but once I get my hands on it forget it. I know, it aint healthy but chocolate is like a cure, for anything.

Anyway, if you read my post from yesterday, youd see we made something SOOO delish this weekend. This is something that is only made on special occasions, usually. . Usually because it takes awhile to make and it heats up the house a little too much, especially in the summer! This is a 4th of July hit with my family....to be honest, they are basically all gone before the actual food comes out! this weekend, Brian was going to a pot luck dinner at the aiport where he flies and wanted to make them. They actually didnt take long to make and were SO yummy.

This recipe is for blackmoons. My mother makes them the best!! I'm not sure hwere she got the recipe but it's become like a "special family recipe". So enjoy!


Ingredients:
1/2 cup crisco
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk (definitely use WHOLE milk)
1tsp vanilla.

The dry Ingredients:
2 cups flour (definitely use WHITE flour)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking power
1/2 cup cocoa


Directions:

• First, preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Start by putting the Crisco and sugar into a bowl. You want to break the Crisco up and mix the two until they are smooth and in tiny clumps. As long as there aren't big clumps of sugar then you're good!
• Next add the egg and vanilla. Mix that. it will become smoother. 
• Mix the dry ingredients into a separate bowl (obviously!) 
• Be very careful while mixing the dry ingredients because the cocoa likes to jump out at you. We usually use the 'folding" technique .
• At this point we went to mix the wet and dry. We're supposed to measure 1 cup of milk. Pour HALF of the milk into the wet ingredients. Then pour HALF of the dry ingredients in also. This is easier because its hard to stir. 
• Once you have that part mixed good, had the rest of the milk and the dry ingredients. Then mix
• Once that's done, you want to use a scoop or something to measure about a tsp each and put on the cookie sheet. On the cookie sheet we have, we can usually fit 9.
• You want to back each sheet for 7-8 minutes. Honestly, it always is different for us. This past time we had to put them in one more minute and sometimes even then, they were soft and didn't seemed baked, BUT they were, so don't worry :)

Just a few minor details: You really want to watch them cook because these suckers can be tricky and have a mind of their own! Unfortunately, we do get some that break....and then we eat them :) Best part!!!

To make the frosting is easy. Just use:

1/2 cup Crisco

1 cup marshmallow (the fluff kind)

4-5 tablespoons of milk (still WHOLE milk)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup confectioner's sugar

After making that, frost away!! 

They seriously are the best! Let me know if you make them and what you think. Enjoy! :)

Weekend

Happy Monday to you all! These weekends are going by way to fast :( I hope you all had a good weekend though!

We didn't do too much. Saturday we went with Brian's mom to Brian's uncles for the afternoon. Brian's family lives about an hour away so we don't get to seem them much. It was fun. Yesterday we stayed around the house. In the morning we baked blackmoons (aka whoopie pies). Make them from scratch. My family is in love.  When we're at a party they are gone before the actually (healthy) food is ready! Brian went up to the airport where he flies and brought them. They were showing a movie and kicking off the cookouts they have every month. My dad and I stayed home and rearranged my parents room. As I said last weekend, they re-painted and got new bedding and such, it looks SO different but good. They haven't updated their room since I was very little so it was time, especially since it was the ONLY room that hasn't been redone!!

Today, I don't have much to brag on, but I did want to mention that I finally had time to make a blog button. It's located over there (->). I know it doesn't take that long to make but I just hadn't thought about it. Feel free to grad it! Just let me know :)

So that's basically the only excitement for now. I'll be back tomorrow for a topic I'm really excited about so check it out!!

I haven't really talked about it but you can follow me on:

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/krissygirl13

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristen.bernier1

Let me know if you do follow so I can return the favor :)

Also, as I said we made blackmoons. I only have one picture when they were done, not the whole process but let me know if anyone would like the recipe and I'll do a post :)

Friday's Letters

My life hasnt consisted of much this week. Sure, things have happened but nothing that ezciting. The only thing exiting would be the snow day on Tuesday but even that is boring!!

So today I'm linking up with Ashley from The Sweet Season Blog

 

 

Dear Bailey. While I love to play with you and cuddle you, I'm SO excited you are finally hanging out on your spot again. This means you will spend less time following us around and more time relaxxing and staying quiet

 



 

Dear Sunshine. I was really loving the fact that you graced up with your presence this morning and were very warm. Now you have vanished and the sky is gray and its cold...please come back!

 

Dear Spring. You can to come back with the sunshine. As much as I loved winter and snow days, I really would like to go buy flip flops from Old Navy and wear capris. You've made your stubberness known so why dont you just give in?

 

Dear Old Navy. I went to you the other day to look around and browsed the flip flop section (for the future) and wasnt inpressed that you werent having a sale on them!

 

Dear Brian. As much as I love you, I dont love the fact that you're flying videos are playing very loud in the other room. Lets no forget, noise travels....

 

Dear Statistics Professor. thank you SO very much for giving us a test during Spring break. It's not like I had anything better to do on my days off.

 

Dear Abnormal Psych Profesoor. Thank you also for giving us a test. What better way to spend Spring break than learning about Anxiety disorders?!

 

Again, Dear Abnormal Psych Pofessor. I'm pretty sure the fact that you gave us all an online test to take and now the automatic grades on Blackboard have all dissapeared and you dont have any record of what we each got because you didnt write them down when you first saw them isnt a good thing. We might want to fix that before you have to give us all 100% like you had to do the first time

 



 

Dear Blackboard. Lets not play games. Please work!

 

Dear weekend. Take as much time as you need. Please dont feel rushed or anything!

 

 



Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

 





Belgian Waffles

If you asked me what my favorite breakfast food is, I'd say cereal. Seems kind of boring, I know, but it's quick and easy and I LOVE the kind we eat

www.fitnessmagazine.com

It may not be as great as Fruit Loops or Lucky Charms or any of those but it does have alot less sugar and is SO much better for you.

At restaurants, I get the same thing EVERY time, no matter where we go. I know it's weird but there's something about scrambled eggs, home fries and toast...yum! 

Two breakfast foods I also love are pancakes and waffles. I'm picky about when I eat them for some reason. Although I like them, I'd never get them at a restaurant or get them at someone elses house, unless I had to. I guess maybe it's because they are sentimental and so I like to eat them at home and enjoy them without having to rush because we cant stay at the restaurant forever or be interrupted  I guess they are one of those special occasion things which I look forward to

I know, how can pancakes and waffles be sentimental? The pancakes are because my dad makes them. He learned how to make them from my grandmother who was an excellent cook. Sure, everyone has made pancakes but its kind of like a "family recipe". My grandmother used to cook for me before she passed away and I miss it because she was so good and so the pancakes remind me of her. My dad has made them for as long as I can remember. He's gotten laid off twice since 2009 and so when he was home all the time, it was easy to make them because he didn't have anywhere to go or anything. But now that he's working again its hard to find the time. Its funny how some type of food can be something that you don't take for granted! And waffles...these are special because of a time back in 2005. In October 2004 my Uncle and cousin opened a diner, a very small one but it was wonderful. It was just family that worked there, including myself and my dad. Just on weekends though, mostly Saturdays. My first job. It meant alot to the family and to me especially. In May of 2005 they decided to close it. It was a sad ending. They didn't tell me that they were closing or anything. I'm not sure why but I know they were all heartbroken so maybe that was it. I was working in the back doing dishes and cleaning and such. A few weeks before closing though, my cousin got me started working with the Belgian Waffle maker. I was able to make waffles for customers and make them look nice with whip cream and strawberries. That was fun! I didn't get a long chance to work with them but that time always stuck with me. It's even sweeter because when I make them now, it reminds me of my cousin, who now lives with his family in Florida. 

Thats what I"m bringing you today. The recipe for Waffles. Well, I hate saying a recipe because waffles can be made in many ways and the recipe I'm going to show you is just on the box but I love it so much so I had to share!

At Christmas 2011, my aunt and uncle bought me a Belgian waffle maker. Total surprise. I had been talking about how I missed making them with my mom for awhile but never though she'd actually tell someone to get it for me :) We love using it, Brian and I. I"m the one that makes them. I make them about once a week or maybe twice depending. It's nice to be able to cook for someone else too! We get to sit and chat which doesn't happen often because Brian's either at work or flying or doing something when the rest of us are eating.

So, here you go.  

Ingredients:

• I usually make 2-3 waffles at a time. You would need 1 1/2 cups of the mix. Honestly, it sometimes comes out 2 waffles and a very tiny 3rd one or sometimes the 3rd one comes out normal size too. Apparently that extra pinch makes a big difference....
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons of oil. A few weeks ago when making this we didn't have regular oil so I used Olive oil and it came out pretty good, so really either one
• 3/4 cups of water

Directions:

• Basically just mix everything in a bowl. I like to stir for awhile just because the mix sometimes gets stuck and sometimes there are clumps. 
• You want to fill the measuring cup up to the 2/3 line or a little more. I've found that if I go right up to the 2/3 line, when I put it in the iron, it will be too much. I also use the 1/3 cup to scoop it and then pour into the measuring cup. 
• Definitely spray the iron first, of course :)
• I normally leave the waffle cooking for 3 minutes. 

It's quick, easy, and such a yummy breakfast! 

Weekend

This weekend went by WAY to fast!! Nothing over the top happened but still. It also means that spring break is over...or is it? A little monster called snow is supposed to creep back into our lives tomorrow. From what I've seen we're supposed to get.....

Source: http://www.myfoxboston.com

Now that that reality is out of the way, our weekend was pretty relaxed but really fun

On Friday, we dint do much. My mom took the dog to my aunts so they could crafted. They like to make cards, scrapbook pages and whatever else they can find!! Brian and I just stayed home. My mom has been on vacation from work since last Monday so it was nice to once again have her home at night. Usually on Friday nights its my dad, myself and Brian getting dinner at the grocery store and Wendy's and then just watching TV the rest of the night. We did that on Friday too but it was just nice to have my mom there for a change! Our night consisted of drinks

Source: www.mommy2k.com

Seriously the best stuff ever!! We don't really drink beer or anything like that but love this stuff and margaritas. 

Saturday was the best day of the weekend  Most of the family lives 20 or so minutes away from us. I have an aunt, uncle and twin cousins who live in Maine which is about 2 hours away so needless to say, we barely see them. We see them at holidays or birthday and maybe a day or two every few months. We haven't seen them since Christmas so it was about time! :) Because we live so far away, we usually meet in the middle for lunch or dinner. After that we'll go walking at one of our favorite spots. Since it was so cold and not season yet, we decided to get lunch at the Weather vane ..so good! We then went shopping for the afternoon at the Kittery Maine outlets. It was so much fun. We had a blast going in stores and being silly or buying tings! My family is a little weird when  we get together. It was nice to be able to see them! I'll let the pictures do the talking though....

My cousin ordered a Krabby Patty for lunch..yes, hats what it was called. 

We made ourselves at home at the Trading Post we went to

At the end of our day. We decided to have a drink and a few goodies! My grandmother and 3 of her daughters!

Dad, Uncle, Brian and my awesome cousin!!

Yes, this is an example of my family's weirdness. We have no shame....

My cousin used her time waiting for lunch to come by reading a children's book...

Sunday was also relaxing. My parents and I went shopping in the afternoon. We went to Bed Bath and Beyond and Lowe's  I LOVE Bed Bath and Beyond but hate going in because I get sucked into all their goodness. I always find something I love and want to buy...and yesterday was no exception! My parents are redoing their bedroom, so we had to pick out paint colors and bedding. They choose something so nice!

We dont really celebrate St. Patty's day so that wasn't a big deal.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and St. Patty's Day :)

Sunday Social Link up!

Hey everyone! Hope you're all having a great weekend. Instead of actually doing a post, I thought I'd make it short and sweet and do a link up!





Linking up today with Ashley

1.What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?  Rainy days are so nice!! Love being able to just stay in and be as lazy as I want and not having to feel bad for it! 
 2. What is your favorite thing to do on a summer weekend?  Jetskiing. I cant wait to introduce you all to these summer weekends...so much fun

3. What is your favorite spring activity?  Taking walks in the park and finally getting to bring the dog along. Or just sitting in the backyard on a beautiful day!

4. What is your favorite way to spend a winter day?  It depends. If it's snowing we usually stay inside and watch TV or do stuff around the house. If it's just really cold or something we do whatever we  have planned. 

5. What is your favorite season and why?  Probably Spring. I love the feel of it. How it's not too hot but not too cold, the fresh air is so nice! I also love being able to open the windows. Of course, at the rate new England is going we'll have snow until summer starts!!
6. What is the best birthday you ever had?  Oh gosh, that's so hard! They were always so good. Probably my 16th. My best friend was able to come and it was really special!

Krissy Girl

Lebster Award

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to Kristen for my first nomination for the Lebster Award!! Kristen has become one of my greatest friends through this blogging experience. So, go check out her blog if you havent already, seriously!!

             

RULES

Link back to the person who nominated you 

Write 11 facts about yourself once nominated

 Answer the 11 questions from the person who nominated you 

Nominate 11 blogs with 200 or less followers

Create 11 Questions for those bloggers to answer

11 Random Facts About Me

1.  I'm totally obsessed with country music, especially Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Jana Kramer. 
2. I love all things blue. 
3. I'm a reality TV junky and proud of it!
4. I'm getting my Bachelor's in Psychologoy.
5. I'm the pickiest eater ever. My family gets SO annoyed. 
6. My summers are spent at the lake jetskiing with the family
7. I had surgery on my left foot in 2009 and had to wear a boot for a while month, NOT fun. Not taking a shower for a week was pretty gross too :)
8. I'm not allergic to anything
9. I havent gotten the chicken pox even when my mom and our neighbor tried to rub me and my childhood friend's stomaches together when he had it...seriously mom?
10. I could eat chocolate all the time
11. Maine is my second home. If I had to move anywhere it would be there!

Questions from Kristen!

1. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas. Music, lights, cold air, spending time with family...cant get any better!!
2. Where are the majority of your clothes from? Kohls. Thank you coupons :)
3. Have you ever been on a cruise, if so, where to? I haven't but I'm dying to go. A bunch of us from the family were supposed to go in August but cancelled because of the money :(
4. Do you have tattoos? I dont and I never want any lol
5. Do you like red or white wine better? I'd say red. I love all the different flavors!
6. What's the last good book you read? Right now I'm reading Something Borrowed and it's great!
7. What is your dream car? Oh gosh, too many to choose from! 
8. Favorite restaurant? Texas RoadHouse
9. Who is your favorite blogger? I cant just choose one! You're all great :)
10. How many kids do you want, if any? Probably two
11. Where is the one place you have always wanted to go? I'd love to go to Paris or Italy or somewhere like that. 

Nominating these girls!:

Kara

Emily

Caroline

Haley

Megan

Whitney

Kayleigh
Raeven
Kym


Questions for my Nominees:

1. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
2. What's one memory from  your childhood that you will never forget?
3. What was the best vacation you've ever had?
4. What has been your biggest struggle?
5. If you could only have one food for the rest ofyour life, what would it be?
6. If you're married, where did you go on your honeymood?
7. What's your favorite reality TV show?
8. Is there a moment in your life that you'd love to replay over and over?
9. Why did you start blogging?
10. What is one thing you really love doing?
11. What is your favorite time of year?

Vacation Friday

It's Friday again! :) Always a great thing. Unfortunately though, for me and anyone else in the same boat, it also means Spring Break is almost ending :( This also means I have to start finding time in the next few days to take the two tests that my lovely professors decided to give....kinda silly huh?

Because of these two reasons and just the fact that I'd love to go, I'm bringing you this post. For those that just got snow/cold weather or anyone that just wants to go on vacation, I truly apologize for the tease

I would LOVE to be here right now......

Where you ask? The Bahamas of course!!! Back in 2008 I graduated from high school and this was my gift. Just my parents and I for 5 days...it was INCREDIBLE! Definitely not somewhere you could go just to go, it was so expensive. But if you're willing, it's totally worth it. It's just like the commercials say: "its always better in the Bahamas". Couldn't be more true!! It's like nothing I've ever experienced and feels like a totally different world!

Here are photos from that first trip

The hotel was insane, seriously!!! I wish I could have taken a video of the whole thing. It took forever to get from one lobby to the next. You went past about 5 restaurants  a move theater  little gift shops and other things. Nuts!! It was tiring yet fun to have to walk through this maze and see all the different thing.

This was down at the Marina! They  had so many fun shops and things to do!

Like the above picture. This was out of our hotel room

They had little areas of these all throughout the water park and the walkway...it was fun to see them all :)

This was the casino...you better believe we did this ALOT!

They had so many fish tanks!!!

We we went on a dinner cruise which was amazing

This is the one where you go underwater and see all the sharks

this was part of the rapids. It was kind of like a lazy river but so much better. There were BIG waves to get over, you went under bridges with the water banging against you. There were so many things that the rapids did. We went on like 3 times a day, so fun!

Jonny Jockets...we had fun here!!

The water was SO clear!

You only have to be 18 to drink or gamble

In the hotel

so that was in 2008. In 2011 we decided to go again but this time took Brian. Here are pictures from that time!

It poured for like two hours the day we got there!

One of the slides

My dad :)

I won!!

Linking up today with Kelsey and Amy