Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Top 10 Kitchen Must Haves

I've been spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately, and was thinking about how my cubbards are completely full, yet I find myself using the same items everyday.  Obviously they serve their purpose and work well.  I've listed them below and where I have a link to an item I've included it, just click the name of the item and it will link you to the website.  Enjoy!

Kuhn Rikon Herb Chopper

Really I use this thing to cut everything!  Rarely herbs.  It is great for mincing garlic cloves and onions especially.  Believe me you need this!

Pyrex 2 cup Measuring Cup

Now this, I use absolutely everyday.  Whether I'm boiling water, melting butter, or making a single serving of rice krispie treats, this is my go to item.  It is great because it is glass, and 2 cups so it is decently sized...not too big, not too small.

Pyrex Portables

Now, this I don't use everyday, but when I have to go to a potluck or a function where I have to bring food I always grab this.  It's nice because I can bake directly in the container or store the food in them and then put them in the carrier with hot/cold packs to keep the food hot or cold.  It also makes it super easy to carry when your hands are full.  Again the containers are glass which I like and have lids which I super like!
Crock Pot

I try and use my crock pot at least once a week.  It is so easy to just throw everything in before work and come home to a fully cooked meal.  Plus the house smells so yummy.  I feel bad for the dogs though having to smell it all day.  But you can be sure they get treats with their dinner!
Viva Paper Towels


These are by far the best paper towels made.  They are like cloth napkins.  They soak up everything and don't fall apart if you have to scrub something.  Yes, they are a little more expensive than Bounty or the Target brand, but trust me, these are the BEST!

Dial Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap

I really like this handsoap for the kitchen.  It gets all the chicken slime off my hands and makes them actaully feel clean.

Pampered Chef pots & pans

I LOVE my Pampered Chef pots & pans.  Thanks to my Uncle Kevin (yourpamperedchef@cox.net) for giving me an entire set one year for Christmas!  I've had the same set since college and they are still in great shape.

Spatula

Now a regular old spatula may seem boring, but I'm telling you this is the greatest spatula of all time.  I seriously bought it at Kroger Grocery Store in Virginia and have been looking for another one for years.  The nice thing about it is it's a great size not too big, not too small.  But the best part is the metal handle.  It doesn't bend when you try and cut something with it while cooking.  It is super sturdy and clearly has been well loved.

Wooden Cutting Board

My cousin Annie is married to an awesome guy named Adam, who is an amazing woodworker.  His specialty is custom doors and cabnets, but he often makes things for us for gifts.  The best gift are his famous cutting boards.  Not only are they gorgeous, but they last forever.  They are super easy to clean, and can also be used as a platter.  Just recently my cousin Sarah (Annie's younger sister) got married and Adam made small cutting boards with a monogram in each one for all of the wedding guests.  Everyone was talking about how wonderfully beautiful they were.  You definately need to check out his website!

Measuring Conversion Magnets


Last but not least are my trusty Measuring Conversion Magnets.  I have one for dry goods as well.  They are super helpful (especially when you are challenged in math like I am) when your trying to cut a recipe in half or can't find your 1/3 cup and need to know how many Tablespoons it would be instead.

Well there you have it!  My top 10 kitchen must haves.  What are some of your top must haves???

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Just Sayin' Saturday

I hate when it is raining outside and people are watering their yard...Just sayin'

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Is complaining about people who complain complaining? If it is I'm complaining today.

Everyone does it at some point or another...complain.  But lets be realistic the shit we are complaining about really doesn't even matter in the big scheme of things.  I read a quote recently: "If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back."  This really hit home for me when my most serious problem the other day was that I couldn't go get a pedicure because I had already committed to dog sitting.  I mean really if I threw that problem in a pile people would laugh at me and probably try and steal it.
So today, when my co-worker came back from a 6 day vacation complaining that it was so hot, and she didn't pack the right stuff, and they didn't stop on the drive enough I wanted to say..."Seriously, you just went on vacation for 6 days and you are coming back complaining?!?!"  In this economy people are lucky if they have a job, let alone a job with vacation days, plus the money to actually go on vacation.  We should be so happy with what we have because so many people out there are happy with much less than we have.
When my pedicure was delayed one day I reminded myself that there are people in the world who don't have clean water to drink so I shouldn't complain that my feet didn't get to soak in clean water.  Let's all try to be a little more mindful about what we deem appropriate to complain about, because honestly who likes to listen to someone complain about a 6 day vacation???

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

DO NOT WEAR WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY...this is your warning!

Today I decided to throw caution to the wind and wear white after Labor Day...GASP...I know!  I figured it was super nice out and it might be the last chance to wear my white capris to work this year.  I confidently put on my white thong (because of course the white capris are a bit see-through) and capris and headed off to work.  Mid-morning I went to the restroom and as I sat I looked at the thong and realized it had broken!  Yes broken!  I tried to figure out what I could do because I clearly could not go comando with the see-through white capris at work (which is a church Lord help us all)!  My first attempt was to try and tie them back together which worked about as well as me riding my bike to work (a whole other story).  My second attempt was to try and find a safety pin and pin them back together, but the broken part was in a very sensitive area (see diagram below).
So the pinning was out.  I quickly concluded that I must try and place the pieces back where they belong and walk very carefully so as not to loosen them.  By the time I made it back to my desk I had two flapping thong pieces and a view for all to see.
Luckily my lunch was coming so I could go home to change.  When I got home I was sad because this was a new thong and I really didn't want to just throw it out.  Then my Susie homemaker skills set in and I decided I could sew it back together.  I got out my little travel sewing kit from my college survival kit that I still have 7 years later (thank you Aunt Sandy) and began threading my needle.  I stiched and I stiched until I was certain it wouldn't come apart again.  Threw my white capris back on and confidently headed back to work!
The lesson in all of this is...DO NOT WEAR WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY!  It is not a suggestion or a fashion disaster, it is real, honest to goodness advice because if you do, no matter how confident you are, something will go wrong.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Every Summer Has Its Memories...

It's a sad day when I realize summer is over :(  Although it still feels like summer outside, I hear the school bus in the morning, and see the sun setting slightly earlier each day.  Below are our summer memories...



I took my nephew to the Children's Museum then we had a sleep over...when we dropped him off the next day his Mom asked if he got a little spoiled and his response was, "no mom, I got a lot spoiled!"  LOVE <3


We Grilled A LOT!

We worked on Tom's applications!

We went to Sheboygan, Wisconsin for the 4th of July and Tom and my Dad were in heaven with all the fireworks they could buy and shoot off!  We had our own amazing show right on the beach.


We went fishing and caught all these fish within 4.5 hours (our limit).



Yes, I caught the biggest fish because I am an amazing fish slayer :)

We visited my parents in Des Moines...clearly the dogs love it there!

We enjoyed the beauty of the great outdoors


Nightfall in our backyard


We watched the storms roll in

We went for our yearly all day summer bike ride (thank God it's not a pedal bike ride!).  We rode all around Minnesota.


We rode to Schell Brewery but were turned away from getting any beer.  Clearly they saw Tom and were worried he might drink it all!

We took lots of naps!
And let the dogs give us some love :)



 

I was fortunate enough to get to go to Yosemite National Park in California for my cousin Sarah's wedding and got to see all my family!  It was amazing (although I was sick the entire time :( boo)
 

My Dad and the beautiful bride (my cousin Sarah)


Sarah and me!


Beautiful Yosemite Park

We took another bike trip (overnight this time) with some dear friends to Lanesboro, MN.  This is when we were a bit lost and no one's cell phone or GPS would work.


The campsite


A great picture I got while driving (I wasn't driving) to Lanesboro.

I took my little friend Cortez to the MN state fair and he had a BLAST (although I don't think he ever saw the animals he just rode rides and played games...totally my fault).


He got his face painted like Spiderman!

We had some beautiful flowers pop this summer in our backyard


I was able to grow some vegetables!


Yummy!

I helped a friend out who does Foster Care and took care of these sweeties!


Love <3

We were lucky enough to score some free tickets to the Vikings game (and they actually WON!)


And were so happy to celebrate the marriage of our dear friends Kim & Eric.


What wonderful memories...I hope you had a wonderful summer with many memories to keep forever!