Cold Food

This week has been hotter than hot here in Pittsburgh. We stayed above 85 degrees most of the week! Given that, J and I have most certainly gotten a taste of how hot it is in our tiny apartment with one little window A/C unit. Therefore, I'm in desperate need of some recipes where the oven (and even the stove!) is not involved. Here are some ideas I'm thinking of...

Tuna Salad Sandwiches, with a bite!

(image and recipe)

Honeydew Melon Soup

(image and recipe)

Shrimp Salad Stuffed Tomatoes

(image and recipe)

Do you have any tasty oven-free recipes to share?

Cold Food

This week has been hotter than hot here in Pittsburgh. We stayed above 85 degrees most of the week! Given that, J and I have most certainly gotten a taste of how hot it is in our tiny apartment with one little window A/C unit. Therefore, I'm in desperate need of some recipes where the oven (and even the stove!) is not involved. Here are some ideas I'm thinking of...

Tuna Salad Sandwiches, with a bite!

(image and recipe)

Honeydew Melon Soup

(image and recipe)

Shrimp Salad Stuffed Tomatoes

(image and recipe)

Do you have any tasty oven-free recipes to share?

Last Chance!

Dear friends, as this is the last working day in my favorite month of May, it is also your last chance to get some free advertising on the blog for TWO months (June and July). You can read more about it here.

(image)

Shoot me an email with your ad and a link to your site! bemerrykate@gmail.com

Last Chance!

Dear friends, as this is the last working day in my favorite month of May, it is also your last chance to get some free advertising on the blog for TWO months (June and July). You can read more about it here.

(image)

Shoot me an email with your ad and a link to your site! bemerrykate@gmail.com

Emma Pillsbury

Okay okay, so maybe this woman isn't real. But the character is truly inspiring! She's beautiful, she has an amazing wardrobe and her personality is adorable. Best part, she finally learned how to stick up for herself!

A couple of years ago I started an online flirtation with an old high school flame Andy. Things got weird and I called it off. Two months later, Versace was dead. Dead.

He has seventy-four flaws as of yesterday.

Anyone else just love this character??? Speaking of, I still need to watch this week's Glee!

Emma Pillsbury

Okay okay, so maybe this woman isn't real. But the character is truly inspiring! She's beautiful, she has an amazing wardrobe and her personality is adorable. Best part, she finally learned how to stick up for herself!

A couple of years ago I started an online flirtation with an old high school flame Andy. Things got weird and I called it off. Two months later, Versace was dead. Dead.

He has seventy-four flaws as of yesterday.

Anyone else just love this character??? Speaking of, I still need to watch this week's Glee!

dare to be bold

J and I went to one of his fellow classmate's house this week for a few drinks before he headed out of town for the summer. I was in complete awe of how they painted their rooms. On the porch there was a dark blue wall, the dining room was deep red, the kitchen, a light sage green... it was beautiful. And now it has inspired me to find some other bold rooms that I love!

This living room doesn't have any beachy elements, but it ceraintly makes me feel like it's close to one!

(image)

We have a slightly different color green in our kitchen, but I love this one!

(image)

I think a yellow bedroom like this would make it much easier to wake up on a cold winter's morning!

(image)

 There are a few details I'm not crazy about, but this orange and pink sunroom is amazing!

(image)

Do you have any bold rooms in your place?

dare to be bold

J and I went to one of his fellow classmate's house this week for a few drinks before he headed out of town for the summer. I was in complete awe of how they painted their rooms. On the porch there was a dark blue wall, the dining room was deep red, the kitchen, a light sage green... it was beautiful. And now it has inspired me to find some other bold rooms that I love!

This living room doesn't have any beachy elements, but it ceraintly makes me feel like it's close to one!

(image)

We have a slightly different color green in our kitchen, but I love this one!

(image)

I think a yellow bedroom like this would make it much easier to wake up on a cold winter's morning!

(image)

 There are a few details I'm not crazy about, but this orange and pink sunroom is amazing!

(image)

Do you have any bold rooms in your place?

Vintage Train Case

This vintage blue tweed train case is completely perfect. For what? A sewing box! Don't you think? I've been looking for a good sewing box and I can't settle on anything. I may have to start thinking a little differently to find one!

Vintage Samsonite Travel Train Case found here.

Do you have any vintage luggage laying around? Do you use it for anything?

On the Menu: Breaded Pork Chops

Okay, I've never fried anything in my life... ever. When we decided on pork chops for, J said he wanted them breaded. I had no clue how to do this so of course, I started googling some recipes. Everyone I found sounded far too difficult until I came across this one. So I started writing it down... then I saw the phrase, "fry in the hot oil" and I crumpled up the piece of paper. Then I thought, no I can do this. So, here it goes!

Easy Breaded Pork Chops

4 pork chops (1/2 - 3/4 inch thick)

salt and pepper, to taste

1 egg

3 tbs milk

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup olive oil

(originally called for veggie oil, but I hate that stuff)

Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a heavy skillet. Whisk egg and milk together in a shallow bowl. Dip each pork chop in egg mixture then dredge in flour. Fry in the hot oil for about 4 to 6 minutes on each side. (I have stainless steel so they were done in about 3 minutes on each side actually!)

They were delicious! I would suggest adding some flavor to the flour or the oil somehow to kick it up. I threw in some sliced onions in the frying pan and they were a tasty little addition!

Enjoy! I'm off to find some more delicious fried recipes!

(recipe credit)

Vintage Train Case

This vintage blue tweed train case is completely perfect. For what? A sewing box! Don't you think? I've been looking for a good sewing box and I can't settle on anything. I may have to start thinking a little differently to find one!

Vintage Samsonite Travel Train Case found here.

Do you have any vintage luggage laying around? Do you use it for anything?

On the Menu: Breaded Pork Chops

Okay, I've never fried anything in my life... ever. When we decided on pork chops for, J said he wanted them breaded. I had no clue how to do this so of course, I started googling some recipes. Everyone I found sounded far too difficult until I came across this one. So I started writing it down... then I saw the phrase, "fry in the hot oil" and I crumpled up the piece of paper. Then I thought, no I can do this. So, here it goes!

Easy Breaded Pork Chops

4 pork chops (1/2 - 3/4 inch thick)

salt and pepper, to taste

1 egg

3 tbs milk

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup olive oil

(originally called for veggie oil, but I hate that stuff)

Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a heavy skillet. Whisk egg and milk together in a shallow bowl. Dip each pork chop in egg mixture then dredge in flour. Fry in the hot oil for about 4 to 6 minutes on each side. (I have stainless steel so they were done in about 3 minutes on each side actually!)

They were delicious! I would suggest adding some flavor to the flour or the oil somehow to kick it up. I threw in some sliced onions in the frying pan and they were a tasty little addition!

Enjoy! I'm off to find some more delicious fried recipes!

(recipe credit)

five year plan

I've casually mentioned my "five year plan" in a past post, so I figured I'd enlighten everyone as to what the heck I'm talking about. No, it has nothing to do with my financial goals. It has nothing to do with career goals. It's more of a bucket list. But a little less grand scheme and much more short term. Here we go... you may notice a little bit of a trend.

Make a shirt just like this.

(image)

Bake a Boston Creme Pie.

(image)

Plant a garden.

(image)

Host a dinner party for eight.

(image from Oh Happy Day)

There are many more things to add to this list... but for now, a few things at a time. I'll keep you posted, don't worry.

Monday Inspiration

(image)

As per usual, I had a pretty slow Monday morning... isn't this beautiful? I've got the braid going myself, but no pretty flower or golden locks! Happy Monday to you all... may you be well rested from the weekend!

five year plan

I've casually mentioned my "five year plan" in a past post, so I figured I'd enlighten everyone as to what the heck I'm talking about. No, it has nothing to do with my financial goals. It has nothing to do with career goals. It's more of a bucket list. But a little less grand scheme and much more short term. Here we go... you may notice a little bit of a trend.

Make a shirt just like this.

(image)

Bake a Boston Creme Pie.

(image)

Plant a garden.

(image)

Host a dinner party for eight.

(image from Oh Happy Day)

There are many more things to add to this list... but for now, a few things at a time. I'll keep you posted, don't worry.

Monday Inspiration

(image)

As per usual, I had a pretty slow Monday morning... isn't this beautiful? I've got the braid going myself, but no pretty flower or golden locks! Happy Monday to you all... may you be well rested from the weekend!

six months

My dears! Apologies for being a slow blogger today, well actually all week. Today is a great day though! J and I have been married for exactly 6 months today. This time six months ago we were partying down at our reception (we got married at eleven in the morning) and actually about ready to leave! We're not doing much to celebrate intentionally, but we are heading to the Pirates vs. Braves game tonight! Conveniently, our best man is in town for a few days!

Here are a few wedding photos to celebrate the day! 6 months down - forever to go!

I'm still obsessed with my veil. I wish I could wear it again.

Our amazing bridal party all dressed up! Wish we could have had like 10 more people there.

Best 3 mins and 40 secs of my life. Everything - Michael Buble

Having a ball dancing... to Nsync. People are giving us "are you kidding me" stares. Worth it!

Way to go Mom with the dress! And props to J for putting up with the brown, ahem, truffle, vests!

Don't you wish you could just have another wedding sometimes? So many things I'd change and so many things I want to do again! But then again, so many things perfect just the way they were! Love you J - thanks for being my big strong man! Can't wait to spend a lot more months with you!

Have a wonderful weekend lovies!

six months

My dears! Apologies for being a slow blogger today, well actually all week. Today is a great day though! J and I have been married for exactly 6 months today. This time six months ago we were partying down at our reception (we got married at eleven in the morning) and actually about ready to leave! We're not doing much to celebrate intentionally, but we are heading to the Pirates vs. Braves game tonight! Conveniently, our best man is in town for a few days!

Here are a few wedding photos to celebrate the day! 6 months down - forever to go!

I'm still obsessed with my veil. I wish I could wear it again.

Our amazing bridal party all dressed up! Wish we could have had like 10 more people there.

Best 3 mins and 40 secs of my life. Everything - Michael Buble

Having a ball dancing... to Nsync. People are giving us "are you kidding me" stares. Worth it!

Way to go Mom with the dress! And props to J for putting up with the brown, ahem, truffle, vests!

Don't you wish you could just have another wedding sometimes? So many things I'd change and so many things I want to do again! But then again, so many things perfect just the way they were! Love you J - thanks for being my big strong man! Can't wait to spend a lot more months with you!

Have a wonderful weekend lovies!