New Cookbooks: New Meals for the New Year.

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday! I have to say this year was great, spending the Christmas Eve in Niagara Falls, and Christmas Day between my parents' and Corey's parents'. I received two cookbooks that I'm really excited to tell you all about.


First up is The Crockin' Girls Slow Cookin' Companion: Yummy Recipes from Family, Friends, and Our Crockin' Community

What a book! I've already looked through it three times, and the recipes, pictures, everything about this book is fantastic! Easy recipes (all for the slow cooker/Crock Pot), some with just a few ingredients, and they all sound delicious! A few recipes I have made before thanks to Pinterest, from different authors/recipe creators, but they are definitely ones I would eat again. Like White Spaghetti, for instance. Cream cheese, an Italian dressing packet, cream of chicken soup, and all with pasta and chicken. And all in the Crock Pot. What a wonderful invention that Crock Pot is!

I've already started planning which recipes I want to try first - 2013 is going to be our "year of the slow cooker." With the 11.6 inches of snow we have right now, I definitely pulled the slow cooker out at 9am and threw everything together for a pot roast. Corey and I started The West Wing on Netflix from the very first episode, and we're just relaxing while dinner cooks itself. Doesn't get much better.

Next we have My Year in Meals by Rachael Ray 

Flip the book over, and you have My Year in Cocktails by John Cusimano, Rachael's husband, and mixologist.

The recipes by Rachael are phenomenal as usual (she's my favorite Food Network personality/chef). An awesome feature of the book is a calendar, which lists day-by-day which meals that she prepared (for a whole year)!

The most exciting recipes so far (it's a big book to flip through) are the pizzas. I quickly flipped through the book on Christmas night, so I'll be getting to it soon, bookmarking all the delicious dishes I can't wait to try and share with you.

So what new cookbooks are you cooking from right now, or looking forward to cooking from?

Chelsea

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!

Hope everyone is doing well on this chilly NY day. We're doing last-minute prep for Christmas (I'm glad for once I'm not hosting) I really just want to relax and enjoy the Holiday. I will, of course, be helping my mom cook dinner. I wanted to share the few things I am making/preparing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day beforehand, so if you're struggling for an easy and last minute idea, maybe I'll help you out!

Source: mykitchenescapades.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

This dressing with a green salad will be my Christmas Eve contribution. We're having pot roast, potatoes, and carrots for the main dish, so salad naturally sounded like a good option. I can't wait to try this dressing.

Source: lifestooshorttoskipdessert.blogspot.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

I posted this on Friday Favorite Finds last week. These will also be going to Christmas Eve dinner.

Champagne Punch
And this punch for Christmas Day - y.u.m.! Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays! Love, The Cashers.

In the arms of the angels, I will find some comfort here...

Friday Favorite Finds: Holiday Favorites Part #1

As much as my blogging is slacking lately, so is my "Pinteresting." I do, however, have enough ideas stashed away to come up with a decent batch of Friday favorites. Here goes!

Source: lifestooshorttoskipdessert.blogspot.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

I don't care for cinnamon one bit, but mine and Corey's families would really love these- I'm thinking of whipping some up for Christmas Eve, and possibly New Year's Day!

Source: google.ca via Chelsea on Pinterest

Reindeer Cookies 

Sadly, I pinned this image when I first had Pinterest and didn't realize the pin had to link back to an actual site. So... I saw the tutorial on ABC Family the other night between commercials, (yes, I was watching Christmas movies!), and here goes:

Reindeer Cookies

1 Batch Sugar Cookie Dough (Homemade or a Store bought mix or pre-made roll)
1 bag M & Ms (Mini or regular)
1 bag pretzel twists

Shape the cookie dough into a triangular log
Cut into triangle-shaped cookies and bake for suggested time

*Three ways to make the reindeer face*

1) Bake the M & Ms right onto the face and when cookies are done, press pretzels into the corners for ears (Important that the tip of the triangle faces down and you have two points for the ears.)

2) Bake the cookie plain, and press on candy and pretzels afterward while cookie is hot - this is what they did on TV, and personally, it looked like the toppings may fall off... Try it if you want, though!

3) Typically I haven't seen it done this way, but if you prefer a frosted cookie, do so when the cookie is cooled, and add your candy and pretzels.

Source: thedieline.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Barrymore Pinot Grigio

Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, our family and friends typically have a few bottles of wine around to share. Usually white wines, unless it's Roscato, one of our favorites (and one you can sample for FREE at Olive Garden!)

Anyway, I came across this wine on Pinterest, and discovered it's my favorite actress Drew Barrymore's brand of wine. I'm a sucker for celeb-endorsed items, and this one is no exception - the only store around that sells it is in Brockport (a slight hike), but I'm hoping to snag a bottle or two the next time I'm in the area.

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Melt In Your Mouth Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Pot Roast is our Christmas Eve dinner this year - not this recipe in particular. Corey's cousin is making dinner, and I'm responsible for some type of side to accompany pot roast, carrots, and potatoes - friends, what would you make? (I have made this pot roast, by the way, and it's delicious - give it a try)!

Happy Friday, everyone! Part #2 of Holiday favorites next week!

As always, this post is linked to Finding Joy In My Kitchen.

A December to Remember

Hola, Blogaritos! (You do remember Kimmy Gibbler on Full House, right)? Ok good, now that's out of the way, let's just say I know I'm a terrible, horrible blogger. But to recap...

• October was great - we traveled our friend's wedding in Charleston, SC and we celebrated our 1st Anniversary in Disney World (and surprised my mom on their trip too) - she went with my dad and sister.
• Until Early November...Ten days of Disney, I seriously had the best vacation of my life.
• November was also nice, Thanksgiving was delicious (minus the cheesy onion disaster casserole).
• And here we are in December...

As of Saturday, the 8th, Corey and I have been together for 6 years. I'm proud of that. I've got a few more gifts to purchase, a bit more wrapping, and I'm just excited to spend the holiday with family & friends.

Tonight on the menu...something with ground beef. (6 fresh lbs in the fridge that I have to separate and freeze)...many possibilities.

I have been a good blog reader, though, and I'm enjoying the plethora of Pinterest recipes and new menus and Friday favorites all around.

See ya later this week, friends!

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

While this post doesn't come with pictures (my apologies), I promise you that this recipe doesn't disappoint. Our family didn't have a go-to recipe, and one 4th of July we decided that a big pan of yellow, delicious macaroni and cheese would pair perfectly with grilled ribs. We knew that we didn't want anything too complicated, or a recipe that had eggs (pure preference, we just don't like eggs in our mac and cheese). So to Google we went. This seemed to be the winner right away; 3 different cheeses, no eggs (yay!), and ingredients we already had on hand. My father-in-law raved about this dish, and now we make it for nearly every occasion where large groups of people are involved. Mac and Cheese may not be your typical Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas side dish, but it's ours now. I hope you try this and love it, and if you do, let me know what you think!

 Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Courtesy of cooks.com

3 tbsp. butter
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 1/2 c. milk
2 c. Cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese
1 c. Mozzarella cheese
1 (16 oz.) box elbow macaroni

In large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, mustard and pepper until smooth; take off heat. Little by little, stir in milk until smooth. Stir constantly for 10 minutes on heat until thick; take off heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese and Mozzarella cheese until melted.Put cooked macaroni in a greased casserole dish, pour cheese mixture over and mix well. Sprinkle *paprika and leftover Cheddar cheese on top.
Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Recipe can be halved.

*Paprika isn't on the ingredient list, but if you have, it, certainly sprinkle it on top. We've skipped it before and it comes out just fine, too.

Chelsea 

One year ago today... An anniversary post.

One year ago today, I sat in a chair getting my hair and makeup done, surrounded by cousins, my sister, and one of my very best friends.

On that same day, Corey was in a hotel room trying to figure out a bow tie, and showing off his purple argyle socks to a photographer.

At 3 pm, my Dad took my arm and walked me down the aisle to the other man in my life that I love so dearly. That same sweet man that surprised me late last night by telling me he had taken the day off from work to spend it all with me. I love him.

I won't make this long, so I can spend all the time I can with him before dozing off later tonight, but I'd love to share some photos...In no particular order.

Church of The Blessed Sacrament in Rochester, NY

  

Just being happy at the altar, Father Bob was probably saying something witty. : )

County Office Building in Rochester, NY

Lovely and tasty wedding cake!

 My Dad and I.

 My Nana, my mom's mom.

 Ready to be married!

Corey and his mom, Jan during the mother-son dance.

 Corey and his groomsman, Nick.

 

 Corey and the groomsmen - on a local elephant statue : )

The sweetest ring bearer ever, Jackson.

Corey's parents, Jan and Dave.

My parents, Earl and Sherry.

My father hired a bagpiper in honor of my grandfather, and our amazing photographer caught this moment as I was tearing up.

 The t-shirt I wore early in the day to get ready in. I may wear it to bed on occasion : )

Hope you enjoyed reminiscing our wedding almost as much as we are today.

<3 Chelsea

Friday Favorite Finds

First, I'd like to wish my parents a happy 27th anniversary! On this day in 1985, they were married at the Los Angeles Arboretum, in this beautiful gazebo.

Now onto some hot meals that will keep colds and sinus infections at bay. (I could use one of those right about now).


Pioneer Woman's Italian Sloppy Joes. Meat sauce and mozzarella on top of store-bought Texas Toast. I never thought of this - and it's so easy and delicious-sounding. Can't wait for this one!

 

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Garlic Balsamic Vinaigrette. Carole from My Kitchen Escapades says that salad with this dressing is her most-requested dish. Salad dressing of (most) any kind is my favorite "condiment." So excited to make this one.

Source: mykitchenescapades.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Cheesy Onion Casserole - think French Onion Soup, minus the broth. It's all the good stuff in a casserole dish - this is a strong possibility for this year's Thanksgiving menu. I may or may not already have a Word document on my desktop titled "Thanksgiving Menu 2012."

Source: instructables.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Idaho Sunrise Potatoes from Our Best Bites - Omelet fillings inside a baked potato, topped with an egg. My kind of breakfast! I'm thinking this Sunday morning!

Source: ourbestbites.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Geeze, I am really craving a warm, chewy cookie right about now. I recently discovered a nice Analon 14x16 (I think) cookie sheet amongst a few unused wedding gifts I kind of forgot about. (Oops). It bakes cookies really nicely, even if they are store-bought, pre-cut oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Source: sallysbakingaddiction.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

What's on your list this week? This post is linked to Finding Joy In My Kitchen , and all recipes were embedded with Pinterest - so give the original owners/authors some credit!

-Chelsea

(Early) Menu Plan and a wedding!

As I sit here on Saturday (watching Ohio State beat play Cal, and admittedly some Forensic Files and The Voice), I'm surfing Pinterest and Food Network.com for some new ideas. For our menu this week, we are planning hot, easy, and delicious meals, including staples that I don't need a recipe for, and can just throw together in just minutes. Corey's brother is getting married Saturday, and with Corey as the best man, there is much to do before the big day!

Sunday - Beef Stroganoff from The Country Cook 

Monday - Giada's Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina

Tuesday - Hot Dog - Bean Casserole (One of my favorites, in fact since my birthday is approaching, this meal is perfect. I used to request that my mom make it every October 7th, and sometimes she agreed, since I'm just about the only one who eats it - and now Corey does too)

Wednesday - Mr. Food's Bread Bowl Chili (Our go-to recipe)

Thursday - Homemade Stir Fry

Friday - Rehearsal Dinner at The Gate House

Saturday -  Wedding!

*On Monday, I will link this post to I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday

It was a great day for football yesterday; The New England Patriots and The New York Jets both won (Mine and Corey's teams)! I'm excited about our menu this week - we've got some new dishes to try and some old favorites. I'm hoping the 60 degree weather also sticks around!  

Monday Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken

Tuesday Taco Pasta Bake (New)

Wednesday Broccoli Stuffed Chicken

Thursday Dumpling Soup (We've had this on the menu for the past 3 weeks and still haven't made it. This week I'm determined!

Friday Beer Chicken (New) - this one I'm hoping is really good. Saturday Soup and Sandwiches

Enjoy your week!

This post is linked with I'm an Organizing Junkie.

-Chelsea

Menu Plan Monday & Our Fun Weekend!

Linking up again to I'm An Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday!

Sunday - Grilled Chicken, Fingerling Potatoes, Crusty Bread, and Salad

Monday - Cheeseburger Pasta (because we didn't make it last week).

Tuesday - Fantasy Football Draft Day! (Big thing for the Cashers (and my Dad, Mr. Adam)) We're having homemade pizza and snacks for later on.

Wednesday - Shake and Bake Pork Chops (With traditional Shake and Bake from the box).

Thursday - Taco Night

Friday - Game Day Beef Stew (From "A Man, A Can, and A Plan"). Pictures and Recipe to come!

Saturday - English Muffin Pizzas (I sometimes serve these with Kraft Mac & Cheese). Kid food is sometimes just so delicious and comforting.


Last Wednesday we made our trip to Pittsburgh, PA to see our favorite baseball team, The Los Angeles Dodgers. The weather was great, and they won the first day we were there. We ate delicious food at Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 , and at The Hard Rock Cafe. Next time I'll act on my Primanti Brothers craving; after burgers for lunch, I wasn't sure I could handle a sandwich topped with french fries. No, seriously, check it out: Primanti Bros.

This is us before the game last Thursday. Yes, that is a sunburn from walking to PNC Park from our restaurant.

Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team. As a football fan, this place was just awesome up close. Maybe you recognize this stadium, also, from The Dark Night Rises, if you're a Batman fan like me.

Pittsburgh was great, I will definitely be visiting again! Friday we took a day to rest, and Saturday my sister and I went to see Eric Church in concert.

We seriously had the best time ever. I'm sure he's amazing in any seat you have at his concerts, but from the 3rd row, he was seriously fantastic. This was during his super-popular song, Springsteen.

Remember to check out I'm An Organizing Junkie for Menu Planning and more! Hope you all had an amazing weekend, too!

Chelsea

Menu Plan Monday (Our First Official Menu Plan as "The Cashers!")

Happy Monday, friends! We're back with a menu plan - having an iPhone has seriously helped our shopping and planning habits. The Shopping List App won't plan your menu, but adding each item with its quantity, price (including tax), and having the list save the amounts so your next shopping trip you don't have to, is a lifesaver. Best $2.99 I've spent regarding grocery shopping. So, we scour Pinterest and other blogs and cookbooks, make our menu, and add the necessary ingredients and other household essentials to our list. Corey loves it for its exactness - he's the budgeter - and I love it because it keeps him happy during our shopping trips, and it helps me remember everything we need! (Not sponsored or paid for by Apple - I just love this app).

This week is a really fun week - for Corey's Master's graduation, I bought him tickets to see our favorite MLB team The Los Angeles Dodgers in Pittsburgh, and I'm so excited I've already had Corey's team shirts packed since Sunday!

So for the menu...We made a Menu board based on this photo below and the pictures of our menu board will come - we started the week on Sunday since that's when we grocery shop - so our list goes Sunday - Saturday instead of Monday - Sunday.

                                        Source: thestewartestate.blogspot.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Sunday - Steak dinner at Chelsea's parents. (It was fantastic).
 
Monday (Today) - Cheeseburger Pasta (Easy and Delicious)!

Tuesday -

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Wednesday -Pittsburgh - either eating out or at PNC Park for the Dodgers game!

Thursday -Pittsburgh - eating out after the Dodgers game!

Friday - Hot Dogs on the grill - that is if we don't eat hots at the ball game before Friday!

Saturday -  On your own - Chelsea and her sister are going to see Eric Church in concert!

What's your menu this week? Have you been to Pittsburgh? We'd love "good eats" recommendations!

This post is linked to I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. All photos were embedded from Pinterest; please link from the author's direct post, and not my blog. Thanks!

Chelsea

Updated: Crunchy Oven-Fried Cheese Ravioli (and good news)!

So first for the good news, I'm HIRED (pending stellar recommendations -- which I have). I'll give more details tomorrow when I have them. Let's just say I'm super excited!

...So we're all experiencing desert-like temps, I'm hardly in the cooking mood. But with a full freezer and cupboards (very grateful for that), I thought I should definitely make something at home tonight.

Here goes: Crunchy Oven-Fried Cheese Ravioli from How Sweet It Is. I know, right? So good. The update to this post will be pics and instructions, and of course, how it tastes. I'm using Wegmans brand frozen Beef Ravioli (not a ricotta fan). So - - enjoy the A/C, pool, fans, or the heat, if you're crazy a summer-lover.

*Update: July 18

Ravioli didn't happen last night. At 7pm I didn't have enough room in the sink for a strainer, so the dishes got washed and I ran to the pizza shop and bought a $1.25 ball of dough. After running into Wal-Mart, the dough was starting to warm up, so by the time I got home, we were ready to stretch the dough. We made a white pizza with regular pepperoni and 2% mozzarella. It was delicious, and it was 8pm. Sometimes dinner doesn't always go as planned, but it was delicious, and we were all happy.

Still waiting to hear on the job! : )

Chelsea

Happy (first Monday in) July! History Lesson.

As I sit on my couch drinking a Diet Coke (I know it's 10AM), watching back-to-back episodes of The Bachelorette before tonight's hometown dates, (don't you just LOVE Emily Maynard?), I thought I'd blog a bit about July 4th. Here's a non-traditional history lesson on the 4th of July. Or if this were a yearbook, let's call it "4th of July...through the years."

1776 - The Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

1802 - In West Point, New York, the United States Military Academy opens.

1803 - The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people.

1804 - Nathaniel Hawthorne is born.

1817 - In Rome, New York (semi-close to Rochester) construction begins on the Erie Canal.
 (How many of you know the Erie Canal song)? We'll let The Boss teach you a lesson if you don't.

 

1826 - Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams die on the same day. (3rd and 2nd POTUS, respectively), on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

1827 - Slavery is abolished in New York State!

1831 - "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was written for 4th of July festivities in Boston, Mass. James Monroe, 5th POTUS, dies.

1865 - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is published. (See I told you, non-traditional, but fun-to-know facts nonetheless. Thanks, Wikipedia).

1872 - Calvin Coolidge, 30th US President, is born.

1886 - The French offer The Statue of Liberty to the United States. ( I love all the NY-related facts on here)!

1910 - Gloria Stuart (Older Rose Dawson/Rose DeWitt Bukater from Titanic) is born. 

1918 - Twin sisters "Dear Abby" and Ann Landers are born.

1939 - Lou Gherig announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.

1943 - TV Journalist Geraldo Rivera is born.

1960 - The 50-star American Flag debuts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Yay, Hawaii)!

1971 - Koko, the gorilla who learned American Sign Language, is born.

1997 - NASA's space probe, Pathfinder, lands on Mars.

2004 - The cornerstone of The Freedom Tower is laid on the site of The World Trade Center, in New York City.

2009  - The Statue of Liberty's crown re-opens for public viewing; the first time since September 11, 2001.

Corey brings an engagement ring to the July 4th Fireworks, but instead proposes exactly one week later, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at John F. Kennedy Park.

Well, thanks for sticking around for the "Fun Facts of the Fourth." We're hosting a family and friends party for roughly 14, and I'll be sharing a pulled pork recipe, photos of the fun and fireworks, and then putting my feet up on the 5th. What's everyone else doing? Enjoy the holiday, folks!

Friday Favorite Finds: Party Dishes

Next Friday, we'll be married 8 whole months! So...between being newlyweds, doing stuff around the house, me looking for a job,cooking, fun things, and Corey working mucho hours... That about sums up why we've left you all hanging. So happy Friday! This post is linked up to Finding Joy In My Kitchen for Friday Favorite Finds. Since major holidays (like 4th of July) are coming up soon, (and we host a big ol' bash), I wanted to share some party dishes with you. Enjoy!

Cookie "Pie" from Adventures In My Kitchen

This looks so yummy - and easy! I will definitely be trying this with variations from chocolate chips to my most favorite round candy, Reeses Pieces. : )

 "No-Fail Cocktail" from Eddie Ross, posted on High Street Market
Read the follow-up/recipe below. Can I just add that I love Fresca? : )

 Old Fashioned Pink Popcorn from Cooking Classy
Popcorn is my go-to snack, and I love Kettle Corn. While the flavor sounds delicious, I love that you can dye this to your party style. A batch of half green, half red for Christmas, red white and blue...you get it!

Antipasto Kabobs from The Hungry Housewife
So I don't usually eat Antipasto, but these skewers sounded ah-mazing!
I love the addition of the tortellini - my personal skewer would be something like: salami, cheese, tortellini, pepperoni, repeat. I know...there must be some veggie I would like that could go on a skewer...or not.

Star-Spangled Pie from Snackpicks.com
OMG delicious. Chopped cookies and Cool Whip in a graham cracker crust. Look for this soon on the blog, I'll be making this ASAP!

Enjoy the Holiday, folks!

-Chelsea

No Words Wednesday: Summer Motto

No Words Wednesday: Fitness.

The point of the upcoming "No Words Wednesday" posts are to show an image (or a few) that "say" what we want, without typing. I'm starting personal training sessions Monday and Wednesday of next week for the next three months. It's just time. So, while this Wednesday I'm taking time to explain what this week's post means, from now on our mid-week post will have no words. I got this idea from Living A Changed Life, who posts a 'Wordless Wednesday' each week. I love the idea. So here is our "No Words Wednesday" post for this week about Fitness.

-Chelsea

This is Man...a.k.a. Corey

I never posted here before. My wife is pretty and I love her. She is reading my post and judging me. I just wanted to post a picture of our new counter top but I don't know how.

Off to something I know how to do...grilling.

eclectic kitchen design by cincinnati kitchen and bath Formica Group

Looks like I figured it out!!!!!

-Corey

Friday Favorite Finds - Happy Month of March!

We hope everyone is well and that you're enjoying the beginning of March. I'm excited to tell you that we tried the Corn Dog Muffins from Iowa Girl Eats for our 3rd annual Oscar Party this past Sunday, and they were a hit! For someone who has issues almost every time I bake, and normally uses cornbread mix, the actual cornbread-making process turned out great - Iowa Girl was right, the buttermilk really does make this recipe!

So here you have it; Friday, March 2nd's Friday Favorite Finds, linked up with SnoWhite's Blog.

Senate Bean Soup from Food Network Magazine 

This was dinner Wednesday night and boy was it good! I will add more celery next time, since it kind of disappeared with the amount of onion I had. I also left out the parsley. 

  

Lazy Sunday Casserole from Kayotic Kitchen

Sausage and veggies baked together. Lazy, easy, and delicious-sounding.

Perfect Pot Roast from Pioneer Woman on Food Network.com

I saw this recipe on TV, and it just looked to-die-for. I love roast, and while I usually make the Crock Pot version with the Lipton Onion Soup mix, I definitely want to try this version.

Well, it's 11pm and Friday is almost over. I slacked on my weekly blogging duties, so I will leave you with the thought of these three comforting, soul-warming recipes. Enjoy them if you try them!