Sweet Treats and Bachelor Viewing

I haven't touched this sweet blog in over a year and it makes me so sad! But with a new year, new kitchen creations, and new things, I refuse to let it go again. My tech-savvy sister, Nina, was even nice enough to help me with the new heading!

I thought about this post as I was making magic in the kitchen at Casa Nido earlier this week in preparation for The Bachelor season premiere.  I love baking sweet treats for my favorite girls while we all sit around and make our side comments about the show.  The girls this season...yikes! This week's treat was a hit, as is anything that includes nutella.  I stumbled upon Nutella Filled Baked Donut Muffins while browsing Pinterest and couldn't pass up the opportunity.  These bite size friends will please any palette.

Nutella Filled Baked Donut Muffins

 recipe from USMasala

1 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Nutella (as much as you want!)

3 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1.  Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease a muffin pan. (I used a mini muffin pan.)
2.  Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3.  In a separate bowl, mix together oil, sugar, and vanilla. Then, add the dry ingredients and mix.
4.  Fill each muffin hole about half full.  Add about a teaspoon (or as much as you see fit!) of nutella in the center, then cover with batter until about 3/4 full.
5.  Bake at 350º for about 15 minutes. 
6.  While muffins are in the oven, melt the butter.  In a separate bowl, stir together cinnamon and sugar.
7.  Take muffins out of pan while they are still warm.  Dip the muffins into the butter, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.  Let them cool on a cooling rack for a few minutes before indulging.

These are easily some of the most delicious things I have ever made and this recipe will be a staple in my cookbook!

Enjoy!

Treats and Snoozin'

I feel as though it's only appropriate to share this little morsel of fun after what has happened in Casa Nido this weekend.  There has been constant laughter to make up for time we don't get to spend together.  Marcel has provided us with a lot of entertainment as we have been quoting it ALL THE TIME.  My day was made about a week ago when Nina sent the new video to me.  I don't want anyone to be deprived...so here it is!!

Treats and snoozin', snoozin' and treats.

Pinnable Pins

This is why I love Pinterest.....

The Countdown

Almost three months ago, to the day, was my last post...sad sad day.  A special someone, *cough* Molly *cough*, has been bugging me every day, even multiple times a day! I've run into so many bloggable things lately and have been so sad that I don't post them.  So I figured, what better day to blog than the day that marks two months until Christmas! I can already smell Casa Nido at Christmastime.  I can see the red lights on the tree.  I can hear the jingle bells and the sound of Santa's laugh.  Ohh the bliss.

Because it's October 25th, it's only appropriate to share something that is so jolly and is sure to put a smile on your face.  Sweet little Em Seng and I watch these videos continuously throughout the year and even more at Christmas.

*Because he gets in your house, and you can't hear a sound, and he doesn't leave fingerprints..ding ding!*

Tiny Humans

This is a little gem that I'm copying from Emily's blog.  It is one of the most precious things I've seen in awhile...and it also happens to go along with the simple things in life.

Actual Children’s Answers to The Question “What Is Love?”

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” - Chrissy, age 6 

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” - Terri, age 4
“Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” - Danny, age 7
“Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.” - Emily, age 8

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” - Bobby, age 7

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,” - Nikka, age 6

“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.” - Noelle, age 7

“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” - Tommy, age 6

“During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.” - Cindy, age 8

“My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.” - Clare, age 6

“Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.” - Elaine, age 5

“Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt.” - Chris, age 7

“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” - Mary Ann, age 4

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.” - Lauren, age 4

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” - Rebecca, age 8

“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” - Karen, age 7

“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.” - Jessica, age 8

Lovie!!!!

Happy Birthday, Andi!!!!

To my middle lovie and one of the two best sisters in the world: I hope you have the most wonderful birthdays in the history of 24th birthdays!  

She even shares a birthday with Chris Harrison!!! For that, I hope she gets a whole bunch of birthday roses.

Simplicity

A few days ago, we shared a wonderful night with some friends who have been around since I was a wee little baby.  Of the many conversations of the night, my favorite topic was this: enjoying the simple things in life.  We all spend too much time looking for things that will stick out in our minds more than others.  Because we spend the time looking for life-changing events, we can easily miss out on the simple things in life that add up to a whole bunch of wonderful.

It was a collective decision that night that the simple thing that made the day wonderful was sitting on the candle-lit deck for hours just talking about life and all things wonderful.  I've always known that it's important to look for the positive, but I'm going to make it an extra important point.

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference- Winston Churchill

Ocean Spray

A few weeks ago, the Nido clan...minus the middle lovie ( insert sad face here) ...took a little vacation to Kiawah Island.  Not only is it a beach, but it's a little slice of heaven.  Our days consisted of sitting on the beach for hours on end, riding bikes all over the island, and laughing uncontrollably at the dinner table.  There was even a day trip to Charleston where we walked through the market, visited Fort Sumter to "touch the Civil War" (as Emily said), and trekked across the city just to enjoy a cupcake.

    

This week flew by faster than any of us could have ever imagined.  There was sibling time, best friend time, family time, and even some Bentley time.  Monday night was Bachelorette night, but we were too busy enjoying shrimp and grits at Shem Creek Bar & Grill to make it home in time to watch Bentley's return.  We waited until Tuesday night in anticipation to watch it online...but Nina found it on demand and did a little jig we like to call the Bentley dance.  Yes, she danced.  

The best part of the week was that Andi, in theory, was with us!  She had absolutely no idea that any of this was going on.  Before we left, I took some pictures to Kinko's to crop and enlarge.  The only part that was cropped and enlarged was her head.  We brought Andi with sunglasses (Andi at the beach) and we brought Andi without sunglasses (Andi out on the town).  Although we got some funny looks from passers-by, the whole venture was worth it.  

This was the most perfect week any of us could have asked for.  I wish I could just rewind and go back right now to relive the greatest week of the summer. So I leave you with this....

peace. love. and all things Kiki

                                     

   

   

Another One?

Today is Susie Q's birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Not Muffin Day

But MFN Day!!!

Happy Birthday, MFN!!!!!

My First Ever...

BRACKET!

What is this? I have a bracket? I never thought this day would come.  Nina found the best bracket I think I've ever seen.... The Bachelorette Bracket! It may not seem like a big deal to most and some might even have the audacity to say that it doesn't take any thought.  

That is a lie.  It takes a great deal of thought, dutiful watching, and quite a bit of analyzing.  Bracketing makes watching so much more fun and it's also very satisfying when Ashley asks my guys if they will accept the roses.  Watching The Bachelorette is not something that can be done alone...it's actually kind of sad. Trust me, I've done it before.  I like to make side comments about how awful the guys are, how great they are, how dumb everyone involved can be, etc.  The best thing is when there are guys present while it's on because they give the BEST commentary (mainly my dad... MFN).  He's just so snarky and acidic towards it all and we can't do anything but laugh.  

I can't reveal how my bracket is set up, but I will say that I have done very well so far.  JP is absolutely precious and Ryan P. is as cute as they come.  She has a winemaker, a dentist, a guy who wears a mask (he's got my heart...not), a lawyer...she has all ends of the spectrum!!  This includes the biggest tool I've ever seen in my entire life, Bentley.  What a winner.  "I'm going to make Ashley cry...I hope my hair looks okay." Who says that?? Bentley. Tool status.

I can't wait to see how the season plays out...and how correct my bracket is! Although I will admit that my favorite part of the show is when Chris Harrison comes into the rose ceremony and says "Gentlemen, Ashley, this is the final rose this evening."  Thank you, Chris. Seeing you is like having an old friend over.  

Happy Bracketing!

Noomie!!!

So there are going to be some birthday messages coming in the next few posts...I hope that's not a problem.  If it is, well, it better not be.  With that being said...

Happy Birthday, Michael!!!!!

Michael is the definition of a champ. 

The reason why: he survived a year of college with me! 

Actually, this could easily be reversed.  I also survived a year with him!  He is quite a tool at times.  Would I have it any other way? Absolutely not.  We go all the way back to being ten years old. Yes. Ten. That's tiny town. We've had so many adventures together.  We've stolen candy out of the classroom closet.  We've sat down to study together, only to write on each other's Facebook walls and banter back and forth.  We've been stuck on a bus for 16 hours both ways to Louisiana for the greatest mission trip.  

we were so little. and apparently very sleepy.

Goodness gracious. This isn't even where the fun really begins.  Let me just say that this little gentleman is quite possibly the greatest wedding date.  Oh! and our cookie decorating skills happen to be the bomb.com.  By the way, our texting banters are worthy of stand-up comedy.

Michael never fails to provide a reason for me to laugh.  Many of those laughing spells have come while we're sitting in church..but I'm sure God understands.  Michael has pushed me into pools and pushed me down the hill in snow.  Oh wait. There's more. He has also taken some beautiful pictures of me (by beautiful I mean disgusting) at our annual youth group fast...around the 29 hour mark.  I am also a firm believer that he loves my family more than me.  But I guess that's okay, considering everyone (and I mean everyone) treats him as part of the family...they don't yell "TEAM MICHAEL!" for nothing...

Regardless, Michael is my best friend and I am so blessed to have him in my life.  I just hope he's prepared for another few years of being on the same campus as me! Wahoo!!!

Happy birthday, Mikey! I can't wait for you to see what EmSeng and I have conjured up for you!

Guess What??

It's Kelly's birthday!!!!! 

Who is Kelly? Goodness gracious..what kind of question is that?  Kelly is the girl I met in Mrs. Gordon's second grade class, she is the girl I kept in touch with even though our lives were so crazy, she is the girl who I can call all hours of the day with any emotion..and vice versa, she is the girl who I am blessed to call my roommate, my best friend, my sister.  Kelly is the one who I get to spend endless amounts with when we are snowed in and watching the squalls outside.  This cabin fever resorted to coloring ornaments and feverishly decorating our room in celebration of the greatest season (Christmas..wahoo!!) with lights, a few trees, and our respective advent calendars.  We may or may not have watched an entire season of 24 in a week.  We love each other regardless of the day, time, and place.  Kelly is the person I can count on to have spontaneous dance parties with at midnight when studying has become too much of a burden.  We sing and we dance to our hearts' content (no matter how loud or obnoxious we can be).  

pre-ASU days. as in...YEARS before.

It's only the end of May and I am already looking forward to the year ahead when our room will be decorated ten times better than it was this year (although it was adorable).  We also may have some surprises in store for our friends....hmmm.  Kelly would kill me if I said a word, so I am sworn to roommate secrecy.  There is one thing I will say: she is one of the funniest people on this planet and the best part is that she doesn't know it.  She just says things that are so quotable.  Sometimes I look at her and laugh...in a good way!

Sometimes we decide to look nice. We even put on spiffy gold nametags (just incase we forget each other).

Words can't even begin to describe the greatness that is our friendship.  So Kelly, I leave you with this.... Happy Birthday to my sweet angel of a roommate and life long friend.  We will always and forever be WINNING and bi-WINNING as long as we have each other.

Yep, our friendship. We climb mountains together.  Sometimes I even let her borrow my shirt!

Discover

Who in their right mind would put 44 complete strangers on a charter bus and tell them to travel across the state?  Well...someone did just that and created a family.  The Bus 5 family as we call it.  Everyone came from literally all over the state, different colleges, different families.  The funny thing is that it took this trip for some of us to realize we live ten minutes away from each other.  In just six short days, all 500 of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows traveled from the middle of the state, to the coast, to the mountains, and then back home in 11 different buses.  We visited schools, ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the students and teachers, and some of us even found potential job locations.  Every day, each bus had a chance to do something 'fun.'  On day one, my bus 5 family and I traveled to a Waterfowl Park.  Yes, we ran with the birds.  Later that evening, every person possible piled into the nearest Krispy Kreme where we consumed and unnatural amount of doughnuts and burned off the calories with a flash mob in the parking lot.  We even went to a wellness center.  I wonder how awkward the sweaty individuals felt about having a bunch of college students walking around in business attire watching them....

This was by far one of the best weeks and I could not have asked for a better experience.  We truly did become a family and miss each other so much.  I'm already counting down the days until we are reunited.  Not only did we all have a chance to bond with our bus families, but many of us had a chance to get to know other fellows really well.  We will always and forever be known as LIVE LIVE! FIVE FIVE! and I am forever grateful.

I see you, 5!

Hey there, Gramps!

To take a little break from studying, a few of my sweet friends and I decided to visit the Grandfather.

I love being able to say that I go to school here.

Grandfather Mountain....what else would it be? We had the best time just being friends, talking, laughing, and occasionally singing (on my part, atleast).  Although there were a few near death experiences.  Just kidding! It was a wonderful day and the perfect break from all-day library sessions.

Next time you're in Boone, take a trip to visit Grandfather...maybe even a swing on the Mile High Swinging Bridge!

Happy hiking! But please, don't fall off the mountain.

Hippity Hoppity

Today is quite possibly the greatest day of the year and everything about it makes me smile.  Every morning when my alarm goes off and I dread getting out of bed, I pause and think.."Who do I love?" I then proceed to get out of my cloud of a bed and live every day for Him because of what He did for me.

I think of my best friend, Emily, every time the question of who I love goes through my head.  I just smile and laugh because of all the things we've done together that require us to answer that question...

Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin.

And so I leave you with this....Happy Easter!

Rule #1

Procrastination.  The key to a successful life......well...maybe.

I was looking through some pictures and stumbled upon this little picture

and just smiled.  This is the officially rule #1 and the way of life.

Can I Borrow That?

I could not be more excited to see this...one of my most favorite books made into a movie.  In my opinion, books are always better than the movie.  But I have a feeling that this is going to be a good one...

Not only will this be a fabulous movie, but I just discovered that I'll be able to share it with a lovie! 

Watch out Chick-fil-a ice dreams and Regal Cinemas...we're comin' for ya on May 6th!!

Shoulda Coulda Woulda

Jon McLaughlin has to be one of the most talented people on the face of this planet.  Anyone who can pound on the piano, make it sound wonderful, and sing at the same time is talented in my book.  He also just so happens to put on the most AMAZING concert...ever.  My sweet sisters and I took a road trip to Wake Forest to see him and it was the greatest life decision. As I recall, that was the weekend of concerts and it goes as follows:

September 10, 2009: Andi and I saw Jason Mraz (after an attempt to see 

him in July at the Music Factory when it was rained out and postponed...)

September 11, 2009: Lovie road trip to Wake Forest to bask in the presence

of Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin...both in one night. 

Jon was in Charlotte at the Evening Muse and quickly made his way to Chicago just this week.  If the Nido girls were smart, we would all live within a normal distance from each other and be able to see all of our favorite men.  Alas, we had to do our best at pretending we were together and listening to the glorious sounds of Jon. So this is what I did....

Genius Status

Who in the world would think of putting a bunch of people together to create a music video? Yep. That's rights. Sara Bareilles.  I won't even try to deny the fact that I wish I was her.  She is pure genius.  She writes her own music, plays her own piano.  Fabulous.  Uncharted has always been my favorite song on her album, but I love it even more now.

Is that even possible? Indeed it is. 

Not only is she so wonderful, but she has so many friends.  Let's see...Ben Folds, Josh Groban, Pharell, Jennifer Nettles, Vanessa Carlton, Ingrid Michaelson, Adam Levine, Tegan and Sara, Ryan Tedder, and the list goes on...

Jump start my kaleidoscope heart.