I went camping this weekend. It doesn't really matter why, but I did. Around the campfire, someone brought up marshmallow's and pretzels - I said beer, marshmallows and pretzels would be SO good together. Everyone else disagreed with me...
Introducing: beer, marshmallow and pretzel brownies.
* These are SO good and SO soft. You are welcome, ahead of time.
Ingredients:
3.5 oz of semi sweet chocolate, chopped and melted
1 stick butter, melted/browned
4 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 cup flour
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup stout (I used Guinness)
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided: 1 cup, 1/2 cup)
2 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups pretzels, crunched into small pieces
Steps:
Preheat oven to 350.
Stir together cocoa powder and flour.
Beat together eggs and sugars until thick (about 1 minute by hand).
Mix in half of flour mixture, and stir.
Add in stout, more flour mixture, and vanilla extract. Stir until blended.
Mix in 1 cup of chocolate chips.
Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Cook for 35 minutes.
Top brownies with marshmallows, chocolate chips and pretzels.
Cook in 2 minute increments, up to 10 minutes, until marshmallows are browned.
Let cool completely (I let my cool for 4 hours, otherwise the marshmallow is too gooey to cut.)
Enjoy my Challenge Brownies
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Happy New Year
Last New Year, I followed a friend of mine and made a goal per year I've been alive (25 goals.) In my reflection post, I'm going to update on what I did last year. I'll post my goals (more realistic goals, I think) later this weekend.
2012 goals:
1. Walk more often - at least once a day, everyday, even if it's only for 15 minutes.
Well, I walked to work. But that wasn't really what the goal was about. I did get back into the gym towards the end of the year, but I can't consider this an accomplished goal.
2. Try one new recipe every week.
Success! You can check out my Pinterest Board Recipes to see the ones that stuck around.
3. See my parents at least twice in 2012.
Unfortunately, that was not in my cards. We did make it out there for Thanksgiving; however, I can already tell you that I'll see them AT LEAST twice (February and June) in 2013.
4. Get my sister to visit me in Chicago.
Again, not in the cards. She'll be here, very briefly, in June, 2013, but this goal is hoping for more of a longer stay.
5. Explore Chicago - do one tourist-y thing a month.
We didn't quite accomplish this. We did visit Navy Pier (a few times), and found a number of wonderful new restaurants (In Fine Spirits, Maggiano's, Pillars,) but this is still a need-to-do.
6. Complete one item on my Bucket List.
I actually had to look up my bucket list to see if I accomplished this...I did a few of them, but I think they were repeats. We did take the Chicago Water Taxi, which was amazing!
7. Run a 5k.
Nope. I'm not really a runner, but I'm trying.
8. Learn a new language.
I was really close to taking Spanish classes. I dropped the class - I had every excuse in the book (no time, concerned about the paperwork, overwhelmed at work), but it's really a fear of failure.
9. Connect with my distant family more - letters, GChat, Skype, etc.
I think I've talked to my family more this year, but I really need to be a better long-distance communicator.
10. Save.
I definitely felt better about my finances and my financial footing in 2012.
11. Use my treadmill at least once a week.
I fell off of this for awhile in the middle of the year, but I go to a gym, and I have some workout buddies, so things definitely got better.
12. Read a book, a week. Again.
I just went in and counted and I didn't quite make it. I did read 49 (out of 52), and I loved them.
13. Take more photographs.
Brandon bought me a nice camera for my birthday. Between that and TWO rounds of engagement photos this was definitely a success.
14. Connect with old friends, more than just a Christmas card once a year.
I don't think I meant to include Save the Date cards in this, so probably not a success.
15. Eat more fruit and vegetables.
Through September, we did an excellent job at this. We cooked with vegetables, ate fruit for breakfast, but kind of struggled through the Fall. I will still consider this a success, but this is a lifetime goal.
16. Keep my house cleaner, more consistently.
Definite success! I've been so much more comfortable with my home and space this year.
17. Get rid of some (more) of my clutter.
We have slowly managed to get rid of some of the clutter, but we also have become better about organizing the clutter. We also did a major purge of the kitchen items during the winter break.
18. Blog more - not just to blog, but to share my 2012 with friends, families and others I've connected with.
Definitely not. I blogged 18 times during 2012, and 50 during 2011. Still a work in progress.
19. Have a discussion about when/how/why to get a Ph.D. (or Ed.D.)
Not yet. But I think that's an okay goal to have not accomplished - I'm not there yet.
20. Pay It Forward
My friend Jenelle did some wonderful pay it forward opportunities this year. I did a few, but I don't think I focused on giving back as much as I could have this past year.
21. Read more journal articles and research studies about college students.
I did get better at this in 2012, but this educational goal is a life-long goal, especially in my field. Twitter has definitely helped this.
22. Attend more Professional Development opportunities.
I did attend 3 conferences last year - 2 National Association of Campus Activities conferences and the First Year Experience conference. I also was selected to serve on the NACA Mid-America regional planning committee.
23. Volunteer at least once a month, somewhere in Chicago.
I felt so busy during 2012, but I really should have worked harder to find more time to give back to my city.
24. Be positive in my everyday actions.
I did a better job at this (for the most part), but this is also a lifelong goal.
25. Help my students create change on our campus.
Not something I'm sure I can measure, nor is this something that we should ever consider done. We have had some pretty amazing changes made to our campus over the last year, and I can't wait to see where we go from here!
2012 goals:
1. Walk more often - at least once a day, everyday, even if it's only for 15 minutes.
Well, I walked to work. But that wasn't really what the goal was about. I did get back into the gym towards the end of the year, but I can't consider this an accomplished goal.
2. Try one new recipe every week.
Success! You can check out my Pinterest Board Recipes to see the ones that stuck around.
3. See my parents at least twice in 2012.
Unfortunately, that was not in my cards. We did make it out there for Thanksgiving; however, I can already tell you that I'll see them AT LEAST twice (February and June) in 2013.
4. Get my sister to visit me in Chicago.
Again, not in the cards. She'll be here, very briefly, in June, 2013, but this goal is hoping for more of a longer stay.
5. Explore Chicago - do one tourist-y thing a month.
We didn't quite accomplish this. We did visit Navy Pier (a few times), and found a number of wonderful new restaurants (In Fine Spirits, Maggiano's, Pillars,) but this is still a need-to-do.
6. Complete one item on my Bucket List.
I actually had to look up my bucket list to see if I accomplished this...I did a few of them, but I think they were repeats. We did take the Chicago Water Taxi, which was amazing!
Nope. I'm not really a runner, but I'm trying.
8. Learn a new language.
I was really close to taking Spanish classes. I dropped the class - I had every excuse in the book (no time, concerned about the paperwork, overwhelmed at work), but it's really a fear of failure.
9. Connect with my distant family more - letters, GChat, Skype, etc.
I think I've talked to my family more this year, but I really need to be a better long-distance communicator.
10. Save.
I definitely felt better about my finances and my financial footing in 2012.
11. Use my treadmill at least once a week.
I fell off of this for awhile in the middle of the year, but I go to a gym, and I have some workout buddies, so things definitely got better.
12. Read a book, a week. Again.
I just went in and counted and I didn't quite make it. I did read 49 (out of 52), and I loved them.
13. Take more photographs.
Brandon bought me a nice camera for my birthday. Between that and TWO rounds of engagement photos this was definitely a success.
14. Connect with old friends, more than just a Christmas card once a year.
I don't think I meant to include Save the Date cards in this, so probably not a success.
15. Eat more fruit and vegetables.
Through September, we did an excellent job at this. We cooked with vegetables, ate fruit for breakfast, but kind of struggled through the Fall. I will still consider this a success, but this is a lifetime goal.
16. Keep my house cleaner, more consistently.
Definite success! I've been so much more comfortable with my home and space this year.
17. Get rid of some (more) of my clutter.
We have slowly managed to get rid of some of the clutter, but we also have become better about organizing the clutter. We also did a major purge of the kitchen items during the winter break.
18. Blog more - not just to blog, but to share my 2012 with friends, families and others I've connected with.
Definitely not. I blogged 18 times during 2012, and 50 during 2011. Still a work in progress.
19. Have a discussion about when/how/why to get a Ph.D. (or Ed.D.)
Not yet. But I think that's an okay goal to have not accomplished - I'm not there yet.
20. Pay It Forward
My friend Jenelle did some wonderful pay it forward opportunities this year. I did a few, but I don't think I focused on giving back as much as I could have this past year.
21. Read more journal articles and research studies about college students.
I did get better at this in 2012, but this educational goal is a life-long goal, especially in my field. Twitter has definitely helped this.
22. Attend more Professional Development opportunities.
I did attend 3 conferences last year - 2 National Association of Campus Activities conferences and the First Year Experience conference. I also was selected to serve on the NACA Mid-America regional planning committee.
23. Volunteer at least once a month, somewhere in Chicago.
I felt so busy during 2012, but I really should have worked harder to find more time to give back to my city.
24. Be positive in my everyday actions.
I did a better job at this (for the most part), but this is also a lifelong goal.
25. Help my students create change on our campus.
Not something I'm sure I can measure, nor is this something that we should ever consider done. We have had some pretty amazing changes made to our campus over the last year, and I can't wait to see where we go from here!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I was lost...
In the last two months, a lot of things have happened, but mostly three things:
1 - I started watching Chopped on the Food Network.
2 - I won SIX BOXES of Zesty Salsa Wheat Thins.
3 - I fell off the blogging wagon. Again.
I have very good intentions when it comes to blogging - I have conversations that I want to reflect on, goals that I set that I want to follow up on, recipes to share, and ReverbBroads to hang out with, but something always gets in the way (family, work, wedding planning, valuable couch time, you name it.) I won't lie to you and say I'll get better. But I hope you hang out with me, when I find a need and reason to blog. Like today.
As I've mentioned: Chopped, Salsa Wheat Thins. I've decided to use my new found love of Chopped and my new found crazy ingredient and start sharing some of my recipes with you. B described today's as "interesting, but really good. It's tasty." (read: tasty normally means he likes the spices.)
Ingredients:
1/2 box Zesty Salsa Wheat Thins, crushed
3 chicken breasts (we make enough for leftovers, scale the recipe down as you feel the need to)
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
3 tbsp. yellow mustard
1 tsp. paprika
1 tbsp. Miracle Blend (spice from Alden Mill House, can replace with a salt/herb mix)
1 tbsp. Garlic Lovers (spice from Alden Mill House, can replace with minced garlic)
1 tsp. brown sugar
1) Preheat oven to 425.
2) Mix mayonnaise, yellow mustard, paprika, miracle blend, garlic lovers and brown sugar. Brush onto both sides of the chicken breast.
3) Dredge chicken breast, both sides, in crushed Wheat Thins.
4) Bake in a glass pan for 27 minutes, or until juices run clear.
We served with a parmesan, butter and corn mixture, but you can serve as you like.
Enjoy - and watch soon for more adventures in the soon-to-be Carlson household!
1 - I started watching Chopped on the Food Network.
2 - I won SIX BOXES of Zesty Salsa Wheat Thins.
3 - I fell off the blogging wagon. Again.
I have very good intentions when it comes to blogging - I have conversations that I want to reflect on, goals that I set that I want to follow up on, recipes to share, and ReverbBroads to hang out with, but something always gets in the way (family, work, wedding planning, valuable couch time, you name it.) I won't lie to you and say I'll get better. But I hope you hang out with me, when I find a need and reason to blog. Like today.
As I've mentioned: Chopped, Salsa Wheat Thins. I've decided to use my new found love of Chopped and my new found crazy ingredient and start sharing some of my recipes with you. B described today's as "interesting, but really good. It's tasty." (read: tasty normally means he likes the spices.)
1/2 box Zesty Salsa Wheat Thins, crushed
3 chicken breasts (we make enough for leftovers, scale the recipe down as you feel the need to)
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
3 tbsp. yellow mustard
1 tsp. paprika
1 tbsp. Miracle Blend (spice from Alden Mill House, can replace with a salt/herb mix)
1 tbsp. Garlic Lovers (spice from Alden Mill House, can replace with minced garlic)
1 tsp. brown sugar
1) Preheat oven to 425.
2) Mix mayonnaise, yellow mustard, paprika, miracle blend, garlic lovers and brown sugar. Brush onto both sides of the chicken breast.
3) Dredge chicken breast, both sides, in crushed Wheat Thins.
4) Bake in a glass pan for 27 minutes, or until juices run clear.
We served with a parmesan, butter and corn mixture, but you can serve as you like.
Enjoy - and watch soon for more adventures in the soon-to-be Carlson household!
Monday, December 10, 2012
#ReverbBroads6: I Think I've Got Heartbreak Down
The title is misleading.
Reverb Broads Post 6 (yes, I skipped 5. It will come some day): What has been the single most heartbreaking experience you've ever had? (By Kristen)
Oh...heartbreak. There's romance heartbreak, and life heartbreak. I'd like to say I'm more of a master at romance heartbreak than I am at life heartbreak, but that's not how things have fallen.
Here's my secret: I don't have a single-most-heartbreaking-experience, because my heart breaks with every loss. At first, I didn't quite understand. We were far away, and great-grandma wouldn't be there when we got back. (This memory is so vague, that I don't even remember if we were able to go back for her funeral. My memory says we were in Hawaii already, and that we didn't go back, but I leave the corrections to my mother.)
Then, I was confused - my great grandpa passed away, and I wasn't given the opportunity to see him again. That's just not fair, says 10-or-so year old Alex.
Then, I was heartbroken. But he was my best friend. I didn't get to say goodbye. That's not fair. This was also when I had some religious challenges (for those of you who don't know, I'm not religious.) At this time, I was struggling with religion, and the thought that someone would just take my grandfather away from me, without any reason or excuse, but with a lot of pain, made no sense to me.
Shortly thereafter, my great Uncle who had come to live with us passed. But I had just seen him the day before. This time, I tried to go to school. School didn't last that long for me that day, but the pain of the loss did.
I thought maybe, as I got older, that things would get easier. Brandon lost his aunt the first year we dated - that's when I realized, that it never gets easier. I lost my great grandma when I was in college, and then shortly lost my grandmother.
While I won't say anyone was harder than the next, losing Collene was probably the most impactful for me. I'd had one relationship with my grandmother when I was growing up, but had managed to create a new relationship with her in my college years. She's been gone since I was in graduate school, and I still find myself dialing her number to apologize for not wearing a scarf on days when the wind chill is insane; to tell her about a book I read that she should find on CD or tape; or just to say I miss you.
Because that's the secret of heartbreak - you will miss those you loved (be they people, as I've shared here, or animals, like Shakespeare, Casey and Oz) forever. You'll be on a train, and a smell will waft through and all of a sudden, your grandpa Rex is sitting right next to you. Or you are on a walk on the beach, and Grandma Collene is there, too. You hear their laughter, you hear their voice, and you feel their pain -
Reverb Broads Post 6 (yes, I skipped 5. It will come some day): What has been the single most heartbreaking experience you've ever had? (By Kristen)
Oh...heartbreak. There's romance heartbreak, and life heartbreak. I'd like to say I'm more of a master at romance heartbreak than I am at life heartbreak, but that's not how things have fallen.
Here's my secret: I don't have a single-most-heartbreaking-experience, because my heart breaks with every loss. At first, I didn't quite understand. We were far away, and great-grandma wouldn't be there when we got back. (This memory is so vague, that I don't even remember if we were able to go back for her funeral. My memory says we were in Hawaii already, and that we didn't go back, but I leave the corrections to my mother.)
Then, I was confused - my great grandpa passed away, and I wasn't given the opportunity to see him again. That's just not fair, says 10-or-so year old Alex.
Shortly thereafter, my great Uncle who had come to live with us passed. But I had just seen him the day before. This time, I tried to go to school. School didn't last that long for me that day, but the pain of the loss did.
I thought maybe, as I got older, that things would get easier. Brandon lost his aunt the first year we dated - that's when I realized, that it never gets easier. I lost my great grandma when I was in college, and then shortly lost my grandmother.
While I won't say anyone was harder than the next, losing Collene was probably the most impactful for me. I'd had one relationship with my grandmother when I was growing up, but had managed to create a new relationship with her in my college years. She's been gone since I was in graduate school, and I still find myself dialing her number to apologize for not wearing a scarf on days when the wind chill is insane; to tell her about a book I read that she should find on CD or tape; or just to say I miss you.
Because that's the secret of heartbreak - you will miss those you loved (be they people, as I've shared here, or animals, like Shakespeare, Casey and Oz) forever. You'll be on a train, and a smell will waft through and all of a sudden, your grandpa Rex is sitting right next to you. Or you are on a walk on the beach, and Grandma Collene is there, too. You hear their laughter, you hear their voice, and you feel their pain -
but it never gets easier.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
#ReverbBroads - Laughter is the BEST medicine
It's fitting that today's post is about laughter, and that was how I started off yesterday's post. Laughter really is one of the best things ever.
Prompt #4: What makes you laugh? (By Laurie)
The better question really is what DOESN'T make me laugh...
Prompt #4: What makes you laugh? (By Laurie)
The better question really is what DOESN'T make me laugh...
This man makes me laugh. A LOT.
Brandon is my best friend, my fiancee, my roommate, the co-parent to my dog and cat, and probably one of the funniest people alive. He doesn't think he's very funny, but he keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh, at least once, every day.
Dave Coulier also makes me laugh - but mostly my job does.
My job is amazing for a lot of reasons, but it definitely keeps me laughing. There are some days I laugh because I'm not sure how else to respond. There are other days I laugh because this is real life: I just ordered over $200 worth of Harry Potter memorabilia for a student event, OR, I get an email asking if I want to be an MMA fighter (because I bought something for our MMA club once.)
The past makes me laugh.
The past is funny. We've all made some awesome decisions (like the sweater vest thing I'm wearing in this picture), but there is nothing in the past worth regretting. We take, we learn, we move on, and above all, we must laugh.
My family (missing Brandon)
When you grow up in a musical theater family, you are going to laugh a lot. There will be random moments of song (maybe about how much the dog smells,) dances in the kitchen, and tons of "creative" moments. But...what more could you ask for than a crazy, happy family? I can't come up with much...
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
#ReverbBroads - Laugh, -ly and candy.
We all give advice. Some people (especially people on the CTA) give entirely too much of it, especially when not needed, but at least they feel comfortable giving it. How often do you actually ACT on people's advice? My bet is not very often - we all seem to be very set in our ways, but I'm going to share with you the good, the bad, and the funny.
Post #3: What is the best advice you've ever received from a parent and/or sibling? Worst advice? (By Amy)
BEST: My mom has always told me to laugh, at least once, every day. I sort of thought this was silly, because what good is laughter? Clearly, I was a very depressed child (not the case, at all.) As I move through life, and start dealing with "adult" things - like the death of my grandmother, money challenges, trying to figure out what a retirement fund looks like, I've realized just how valuable that advice is. Also, I'm amazed that I can't find a picture of my mom and I, laughing. I'll have to remedy this the next time I'm in Nevada.
WORST: I still hold my family in high esteem. I don't actually think they have ever lead my astray in life. However, my first English teacher in college (and as a freshman, I took her word for Gold,) told me that you should never use words that end in -ly as descriptors (or at all) in your writing. Thinking back on it, I'm not even sure she was an English major.
You can't even imagine how hard this is. Quickly, slowly, really, happily, the list goes on. So...I couldn't tell you the point of this, I can only tell you that I still beat my self up when I catch myself using an -ly word (even if it seemed appropriate at the time), and I wish I could take that moment in time back and challenge her, instead of just re-doing my paper.
FUNNY: Everyone has been told not to take candy from strangers. Let me tell you, this is horrible advice. Candy is amazing. At lunch today, I took a mint flavored candy from my waitress, and it was glorious. Anytime someone wants to offer you candy should be a glorious occasion. The advice should probably go something along the lines of... "Be cautious about what candy you take, but enjoy the candy."
Post #3: What is the best advice you've ever received from a parent and/or sibling? Worst advice? (By Amy)
BEST: My mom has always told me to laugh, at least once, every day. I sort of thought this was silly, because what good is laughter? Clearly, I was a very depressed child (not the case, at all.) As I move through life, and start dealing with "adult" things - like the death of my grandmother, money challenges, trying to figure out what a retirement fund looks like, I've realized just how valuable that advice is. Also, I'm amazed that I can't find a picture of my mom and I, laughing. I'll have to remedy this the next time I'm in Nevada.
WORST: I still hold my family in high esteem. I don't actually think they have ever lead my astray in life. However, my first English teacher in college (and as a freshman, I took her word for Gold,) told me that you should never use words that end in -ly as descriptors (or at all) in your writing. Thinking back on it, I'm not even sure she was an English major.
You can't even imagine how hard this is. Quickly, slowly, really, happily, the list goes on. So...I couldn't tell you the point of this, I can only tell you that I still beat my self up when I catch myself using an -ly word (even if it seemed appropriate at the time), and I wish I could take that moment in time back and challenge her, instead of just re-doing my paper.
FUNNY: Everyone has been told not to take candy from strangers. Let me tell you, this is horrible advice. Candy is amazing. At lunch today, I took a mint flavored candy from my waitress, and it was glorious. Anytime someone wants to offer you candy should be a glorious occasion. The advice should probably go something along the lines of... "Be cautious about what candy you take, but enjoy the candy."
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
#ReverbBroads I bet you've never heard of this song.
It's no secret that I love the holidays. (It's also no secret that this weather is killing my traditions. Please snow. Please.) I'm certain this would be my answer to this post, even if it wasn't December. But considering it's December, and it's NOT snowing, I think this is the perfect response.
Post #2: What is your strongest memory tied to music? (By Sarah)
This was my life growing up. It didn't snow very often. When it did, you RUSHED home and the city shut down. (I was shocked the first time it snowed in college when people were still on time for class. Clearly I hadn't been in the Midwest very long at that time.) Snow days were coveted, because they didn't happen very often, but when they did they were glorious.
We had a pretty great storm when my family was still living in the Blue house. It lasted three days (or so says my memory) and it actually forced us to use the fireplace at my grandparents house, making our meals over that. I had friends who were over the first night, and it just gave us the opportunity to play in the snow (or ice).
That's just one of the MANY memories I have of this song. For the last six years, I didn't spend any of the holidays with my family, but with my partner's. While I'm so glad that his family accepted me in, there's still something nice about spending the holidays with your own family. I did that for Thanksgiving this year - and that was awesome.
But, when I'm not able to see them, I play this song, and all is well in the world.
Post #2: What is your strongest memory tied to music? (By Sarah)
Christmas in the Northwest
This was my life growing up. It didn't snow very often. When it did, you RUSHED home and the city shut down. (I was shocked the first time it snowed in college when people were still on time for class. Clearly I hadn't been in the Midwest very long at that time.) Snow days were coveted, because they didn't happen very often, but when they did they were glorious.
We had a pretty great storm when my family was still living in the Blue house. It lasted three days (or so says my memory) and it actually forced us to use the fireplace at my grandparents house, making our meals over that. I had friends who were over the first night, and it just gave us the opportunity to play in the snow (or ice).
That's just one of the MANY memories I have of this song. For the last six years, I didn't spend any of the holidays with my family, but with my partner's. While I'm so glad that his family accepted me in, there's still something nice about spending the holidays with your own family. I did that for Thanksgiving this year - and that was awesome.
But, when I'm not able to see them, I play this song, and all is well in the world.
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