Apple Strudel

I was a bit bored and started searching around for something I wanted to try

to cook. Really this is a horrible idea considering at the moment I am starving and

everything looks supremely scrumptious.

I was just drawn to this Apple Strudel recipe. I blame it

on the hunger, but I think this will be my next project to try out.

 

(copyright of paula deen)

 

Ingredients:

    - 1/4 cup bourbon or apple juice

    - 1/2 cup golden raisins

    - 2 to 3 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, halved, sliced thin)

    - 1/2 lemon (juiced)

    - 1 tablespoon lemon zest (fine)

    - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

    - 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

    - 1/2 cup crushed shortbread cookies

    - 1/4 cup chopped pecans

    - 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

    - 5 sheets phyllo dough from 1 pound package of frozen dough

    - 2 tablespoons butter (melted for brushing phyllo)

    - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

    - Confectioners Sugar

    - Caramel Sauce (purchase)

 

Glaze:

    - 2 cups confectioners sugar

    - 3 1/2 tablespoons milk

 

 

Directions:

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

In a small bowl pour bourbon (or apple juice) over raisians and microwave on high for 45 seconds. After, let them sit for about 15 minutes.

 

Remove the phyllo dough from the box, unfold and make sure to coverw ith a damp cloth or towel.

 

Take one sheet of phyllo dough and brush with melted butter. Make sure to do light strokes. Repeat this with the remaining sheets and stacking them when done.

 

Next, Place the apple mixture on the nearest third of the phyllo stack, being sure to leave a 2-inch border. Gently lift the bottom edge of the phyllo stack to cover the filling and fold the side edges over. Continue to roll the stack away from you until the filling is completely sealed in and the seam is on the bottom. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar.

 

Bake off for 30 minutes. The strudel should be a golden brown color.

Pour glaze over and sprinkle with a bit of extra cinnamon.

 

For the glaze just add the ingredients together until mixed thoroughly. If the glaze seems to be too thick add a little bit of milk to thin it out.

 

 

 

 

(all of this came from Paula Deen.com)





Bare Burger

I have a craving y'all. A craving for a Bare Burger.

 

 

It's bad... and I know you are all sitting there thinking

"It's 10 am...What is wrong with you?"

Well if you are, then you OBVIOUSLY haven't tasted this slice of heaven.

So... I decided since I can't haul my butt all the way to Chelsea I would write about it

and let my self fantasize about actually eating said burger.

 

I was first introduced to Bare Burger this past summer by one of my

best friend's who took me there for a birthday lunch!

The day started out rainy and with me in a kind of piss poor mood.

I was excited to see my friend but I was turning 23 and of course it had to pour

when my friend and I had big plans to go thrift store hunting around the city.

Naturally, I was seriously bummed about that.

When I finally made my way into the city and we decided against doing our adventure,

She said she had found this restaurant on yelp and decided

we needed to try it out.

Boy, am I glad that she did. It's a GEM!

 

 

Will everyone just take a second and stare at that picture.

That perfectly toasted multi-grain bun, with the lightly charred burger

melted cheese, onions and lettuce for an added crunch.

Then you get to those fries, the perfect combination of crispy and soft centered.

 All which makes for a beyond heavenly, mouth watering experience.

And YES, people this is not just a quick bite, this is an EXPERIENCE.

 

 

 

To top it all off EVERYTHING is organic. Not just the grass fed meats or the all natural cheeses mind you. Everything, everything. From tables, chairs, even the floors

and right on down to the toilet paper.

If this place wasn't amazing enough as it is, the staff was so friendly and extremely attentive was

just the cherry on top of an amazing birthday afternoon.

They even gave me free ice cream with a cute little candle and sang happy birthday.

Mind you, I don't like ice cream but it was still the sweetest thing ever.

 

(This is classified as the worlds WORST photo of me ever. Look of a happy gremlin.)

 

 

 

 

(Notice, none of these pictures are mine. I found them on google since I took no pictures of my own.

if you know who they belong to please let me know & I will gladly give credit. )

 



Rantings, Ravings and Rudeness

Here goes nothing y'all. I need to complain, I promise

that I will try my utmost to not do this often. This has just been slowly getting

to me and I feel like if I don't say something I might just boil over.
Not to mention it's pretty crappy weather
and it just makes it easier to succumb to bad moods.

 

I realized something recently, more specifically this past weekend. On Saturday I was in

a cab on my way to Grand Central, when the cabbie asked me what I did for

a living. Immediately my first thought was to make something up. Something that sounded

cool and as if I was doing something "worthwhile". I didn't want that pitying look

that seems to come every time I tell the truth or the ever present
condescending statement "oh.... that's nice".

As if they had really high hopes for me and I let them down with my admission.
It's absurd.

 

I was astonished and ashamed of myself. I have no reason to be ashamed. I am a receptionist / administrative assistant. That is nothing for me to feel bad about. How dare I let anyone make me feel

less than because they somehow believe my current job is "simple" or makes me

"simple". Who are they to judge me and what I do?

 

Do I have the ability to do something more "difficult", even more time consuming? Yeah, sure I do. Here's the thing... I love my job. I work with an absolutely amazing group of people.

It's astonishing really because each person in the office is smart, kind and truly funny. I actually enjoy when I get into the office. Yes, I answer phones, do lots of spreadsheets, take messages and do jobs that would generally be considered monotonous, but so what?

 

 I mean, I have a job. I get paid a salary and work with people I enjoy.

 How many people can say that? Not many, sadly. I am thankful. So frigging thankful.

For the opportunity, for having the chance to meet these people, to

be able to be closer to some of my friends.

 

I hate that I ever let anyone make me think there was something wrong with what I do.

That ends now... Right? I think that's a good plan.

(My super cool desk)

Take a minute to get Inspired!

I have a habit (obsession) with collecting quotes. Multiple notebooks later

and my desk being a clutter of various papers and post-its full of them

my boss has caught on. She left me this gem yesterday and I wanted to share with all of you.

 

(This picture is not mine, found it on google.)

 

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

 

As far as possible, without surrender,

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant,

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and agressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

 

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession

in the changing fortunes of time.

 

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons

strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feing affection.

Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity

and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

 

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering

the things of youth.

Nuture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

 

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe

is unfolding as it should.

 

Therefor be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

 

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

 

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

 



Strangers....

Today started off pretty unconventional... and as luck would have it, it stayed that way.

Well that was until I hopped onto the train for the ride home.

I was just sitting in my seat, getting into the grove of the music and writing away

in my journal, oblivious to the world around me.

Luckily,  I managed to snap out of my trance right when the trained came to my stop.

So, I get off and I was feeling good. I was digging my music,

Stevie Wonder pumping me up with some "Isn't She Lovely" as I descended into the parking

lot where I would be picked up. I mean, I even felt cute. My legs felt long because

of the leather wedge strappy heels I was wearing and the black and white

animal dress that cinches my waist in JUST the right place for that hourglass affect.

 Pair that with my super bad ass leather jacket and a scarf and I was feeling good. 

I was walking with my chin up, shoulders back and a sway to my hips

that showed people that I was important! (Aka that they should just watch out for 

me because I might run them over in my attempt at having "swag" or whatever). It was kind of like

out of the movies, opening scene, camera pans from feet up woman's legs 

who's walking down the street in a billowing dress, hair blowing in the wind to a really catchy

tune. Except, for the simple fact that she is actually cool. 

Turns out, me, not so much. 

Anyway, as I was saying, I was feeling good. I spotted my ride and it was in the prime location,

right at the entrance to the lot, driver facing the exit so we could have a quick

getaway and avoid all traffic. I'm even happier now. I get to the car, hop in buckle my seat belt and start to say hello after I had finished my final bit of singing to good ol' Stevie, when the little boy in 

the passengers seat turns around and starts waving.

uhhh.....what?.... I don't know any toddlers.

I WAS IN THE WRONG CAR!

(I have totally done this before, New Years of 2009 I believe. Right Stacey?!)

I felt like such an idiot! The toddler was the sweetest little thing, but obviously the look of murder and shock on the mothers wasn't so pleasant. I unbuckled my seat belt, all the while stammering

my apologies and how I didn't realize it the was the wrong car... "insert babbling apology here".

End of story...

I am an ignoramus... fact.

For Nothing?!!

Today was quite uneventful. 

For the most part it was exactly like every other day at work.

Leases, phone calls, phone calls, mailing lists and a mind numbing stack of rent rolls.

Nothing too troubling. I mean, lets be serious, this isn't brain surgery or anything. I am not saving

someones life by going to work. I sit at a desk and most of the time my mind spaces

out every 5 minutes... in surgery thats not such a great quality.

Anyway, thats not the point. The point is, today of all days, I was given 10 dollars. 

Yup, ten whole bucks for absolutely no reason at all. Well, no, thats not completely true.

The guy at work who gave me said ten dollars gave it to me believing

that I was deserving of it. That I somehow did half of some task that was assigned to him. 

Which, I might add, is news to me. Considering the fact that I distinctly remember

not moving from my desk today. Except to absolutely spoil myself with the most gratuitous, delicious,

juicy burger on the planet from Black Shack with some cajun fries (HEAVEN)!

Now, how I managed to hep him is still debatable. So, naturally,

(I say naturally way too often) I attempted to give it back to him.

At first I was pretty straight forward. I followed him around the office and attempted to give it to him

or somehow sneak it in his pocket till he would see reason. Didn't work. I even attempted to get sneaky and have others give it to him, strategically place it on the floor where he walks, or have him stumble upon money that he seemed to have left at his desk. All to no avail, he refused. Alright, I will admit, they were not very subtle ways to go about it. In fact looking back I guess they are kind of obvious,

but I mean I'm not a ninja here. I can't sneak in like I have an invisibility cloak on or something.

(Yes, Elora that comparison was for you.)

So... I gave up. At least for now. Perhaps if I wait a few days he will forget and just think he got lucky enough to stumble upon some bucks. I should just give it to someone else. Perhaps the cashiers at a Starbucks or something to pay for other customers stuff in line. Then again, they might take the cash for themselves. I could give it to a random child on the street. Though, that would 

probably look creepy and get me arrested. Maybe I can just drop it on the sidewalk, I know 

how lucky I feel when I find money randomly on the ground... or in my

pocket of my washed clothing.

Oh well, I will think of something. 

Things that Made my Day! ( Part I )

I am about to spam you with a lot of stupid, mostly baby, videos.

Some are older and you have probably seen them all

but it just can't be helped. They are too adorable and funny!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Wow....

I seriously haven't posted in a while...

There have actually been some cool things that have happened.

I know that if you know me personally you realize I am basically a grandma at heart.

I enjoy my own company, sleeping as much as possible, paying for everything,
feeding as many people as possible for no reason at all and reading

ridiculous amounts of books. Including romance novels,

and I am not even remotely ashamed. Surprisingly enough, I actually did a few things this

summer that might just be worth mentioning in later posts.

Cool beans!

( Dex, my old baby-boy, looking so regal!) 

1) I went to a Yankee Game

 I know next to nothing about sports (less) but it was hilarious and so much fun. 

2) Got a big girl job

3) Saw Petey

Yes, I will explain at a later date who that is.

4) Went to Texas!!!!

5) Discovered my obscene amusement with bad jokes

6) My love of the show New Girl

7) Cassie's birthday!

8) More, more and more baking

9) Concerts with Jackie 

And other such shenanigans.

For me, I was a busy bee. Actually, it's kind of sad, but I am proud of myself. 

Start All Over....

Well, I have decided to do this again. 

I don't really know why I stopped in the first place, I believe

it was because my life seemed uninteresting and that it wouldn't appeal

to anyone. Thus, I let it go. Today I realized that I actually

enjoyed doing this and liked going back and looking at 

things that happened in the past. It was a nice little reminder of what had happened

and things that I should be thankful for.

So here it goes, I know no one probably reads this but screw it, this is

gonna be for me!

With all that said, if you do happen to read it, I really hope I don't bore you out of your gourd.

(For some reason gourd doesn't look like it's spelled correctly but 

when I checked it was... confusion because somewhere in the back of my mind a voice is

telling me that it is spelt wrong and the internet is full of it.) 

MWAH

Brain Tumor Walk

Photos from this past weekends Brain Tumor Walk.

My best friend Jackie put together the group of people for a friend of

hers from school who was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year.

Thankfully, she has undergone surgery and made a

full recovery. I was so grateful to be able to be part of the day for Jackie and Carolyn.

Just a Little Bit O' Life

Just pictures of some things I love...

and most importantly.... My puppybear!

Lots of Mini People

I don't know if y'all are aware but my mom is a teachers assistant for

the elementary school I went to that just so happens to be next door.

Naturally, since my mom decides that her family

can volunteer for anything she deems necessary

I was told that I was to take some pictures of Career Day!

A day where parents come in and talk to the various grades about different jobs.

I came into contact with some of the most adorable mini little people EVER!

Bask in their cuteness...

These are my favorite shots of the day! 

Fireman's Dinner (picture heavy post)

The other weekend I had the chance of going to my friend

Chris's fireman's dinner for the fourth year running!