Recipe for Success

1 part Paula + 1 part Martha = success. Trust me on this one.


I was looking through my cookbooks to find something easy to make that could make a grown man cry. Not just any grown man...specifically, hotties. That's right. I am FINALLY getting around to making a yummy-in-my-tummy treat for our fire-fighting heroes. And I wanna make them bawl, roll into the fetal position and ask for a bah-bah.

Enter Paula. I have one of her cookbooks and she gave me a brilliant idea. One regular box of brownie mix and add a layer of her cheesecakey goodness and WAHLA! You end up with one batch of tear-inducing weepamatics.

Here is my modified recipe for the cheesecake layer -

• 1 thingie creamcheese
• 1 stick o butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tbl flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup pecan pieces
  
  

So throw your normal brownie mix in a pan but keep some for drizzling. Then layer the cheesecake mixture on top (I ran a knife tip around for those psychedelic swirls - totally tubular!) and then drizzle the rest of the brownie mix. Cook according to your box.


And then you end up with a dessert of champions. Are you drooling? Are you crying? Are you swearing up and down that your skinny jeans are not worth it. Yeah. me too. Except I don't own skinny jeans. I only own fat jeans and really fat jeans. But these cheese-cake-brownies would make every single pushup, crunch, and lunge worth it.

Wait. I should be honest...God judges me for lying on the blog too. I do not do pushups. Crunches only exist in my world as the sound of a potato chip loaded with Dean's dip being shoved in my pie hole. And the only lunge I do is the one I perform to stretch my fat jeans out in the upper thigh.


And what can make a treat for hotties look a little hotter? A perfect package. Enter Martha.

After Christmas I scored some festive treat boxes on clearance - 90% off! So this package of 6 treat boxes was only $1.50! Remember how I told ya to stock up after holidays? Yeah - this is that word of advice in action. I knew that I would be gifting edible goodies all year round, so buying these boxes was a cheap way to make our hometown heroes feel like they are loved.


The best part about these Stewart craft packages is that it came with everything. The inner boxes to hold the scrumdiliumptiousness, the outter decorative sleeve, the tissue paper, the ribbon and even a little sticker for a finishing touch. And although they are red (coughchristmasycough) I figure that they aren't too riddled with holiday spirit that they can't be used in May. Afterall, firemen are used to the redhot...heehee!


I truly love the scalloped border on the inner box and the polka dots. Even the white design on bold red looks rich and shmancy. Like the surprise inside actually hails from an expensive pastry shop instead of a kitchen in redneckville. (BTW - all Martha Crafts are 25% off at Michael's for three more days! Yipee!)


And speaking of goodlooking packaging, my boyfriend said that the cheese cake brownies were delicious tasting but the box made them look delicious. Maybe I should send this with a box of tissues too.

So now that you know what I am doing to bring a little love to our community crew - I wanna hear about what you do to show the peeps in your town how much you care. Do you spoil the po-po? Do you treat the old folks? Do you take Beggin Strips down to the dog park? (how did the topic go to bacon?!? weird.) Whatever it is that you give, whether it be a chocolate explosion, or a few hours at the hospital, or even a sweet snail mail note - I want all the juicy details. After all, hearing that there are still acts of kindness going on in the world makes me so happy I will probably need a whole box of Kleenex.

May Goals

April Goals

1. Finish super duper secret project SUCCESS
2. Make a treat for firemen (still 'hotties' still hungry) POSTPONED
3. Go to the gym a total of six times FAILED
4. Finish copying all photos onto Snapfish and Photobucket PARTIAL SUCCESS PARTIAL FAILURE
5. Plant front yard garden bed with shrubs SUCCESS
6. Hire elusive Athenian to mud basement POSTPONED
7. Sew two pillows & four dishtowels SUCCESS
8. Read Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen FAILED
9. Dance for at least one minute every day SUCCESS
10. Take birth control & vitamin every day FAILED
11. Finish dressing room POSTPONED
12. Finish master bedroom POSTPONED BUT NOT MY FAULT


May Goals

1. Girldate a Blogger
2. Make treats for firemen (still 'hotties' still very hungry)
3. Swim at gym three times
4. Finish copying all photos onto Snapfish and Photobucket
5. Write one encouraging note each week
6. Hire elusive Athenian to mud basement
7. Spray paint outdoor furniture
8. Buy, borrow, or rent Pride & Prejudice
9. Non-car dance for at least one minute every day
10. Upholster blue chair
11. Finish dressing room
12. Finish master bedroom

Please note that #1 is totally non-lezzy...I just wanna turn my internet connection into a real-life friend finder. We could all use more IRL friends right? So here is my ad...

MWF seeks F for non-experimental sisterhood-of-the-traveling-jeans-type-friendship. Interests include snoopbloggin, thriftiness, eating bacon, This Young House (go vote!), and Edward Cullen. Girl with girl action could include shopping at Goodwill, shopping at Pottery Barn outlet, eating bacon, reality TV watching and crafting crafty crafts. Location - metro Thuglanta. Must tolerate non-pc comments, celebrity & potty jokes, the constant smell of bacon, and penny pinching. Boyfriend-type-husband optional at events if bromance can be brewed.

Interested? Email me at allbowerpower@gmail.com

Not interested? (Hey Anon, I'm talkin to you...you know I love you) Email me at allbowerpower@gmail.com

April Goals

You thought Martha Stewart got a lot done?!? Did you seriously think that Ryan Seacrest had a lot on his plate? You really believed that Donald Trump was productive? Meet "Conquerer Katie"....



yes, she works hard, plays hard, and when she sets her goals, she delivers at least one of them. Remember that time she created a space shuttle outta some pocket lint, four toothpicks, and a little cow manure? Yeah, that was awesome. Seriously...don't be jealous.

March Goals

1. Finish super duper secret project POSTPONED
2. Make a treat for firemen (also known to many as 'hotties' - get it? heehee) POSTPONED
3. Go to the gym a total of six times FAILED
4. Finish copying all photos onto Snapfish and Photobucket POSTPONED
5. Purge closet SUCCESS - eat that Kelly Ripa!
6. Mud the basement bedroom POSTPONED
7. Sew two pillows & four dishtowels POSTPONED
8. Read Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen POSTPONED
9. Dance for at least one minute every day FAILED
10. Take birth control & vitamin every day FAILED
11. Review Spanish words for days of the week and months of year FALLIDO

Sure, you may avoid setting goals after you see my success rate. You feel like you are just never gonna be able to compete with my productivity level. You'll get green with envy about how I get er done. It's ok. They make pills for that. (Paula's on em.)

So on to April.

1. Finish super duper secret project
2. Make a treat for firemen (still 'hotties' still hungry)
3. Go to the gym a total of six times
4. Finish copying all photos onto Snapfish and Photobucket
5. Plant front yard garden bed with shrubs
6. Hire elusive Athenian to mud basement
7. Sew two pillows & four dishtowels
8. Read Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
9. Dance for at least one minute every day
10. Take birth control & vitamin every day
11. Finish dressing room
12. Finish master bedroom

Yes, car dancing counts...which leads me to a very interesting question. Do you ever bust a move in your vehicle? I totally host a Honda dance party on my way home. And apparently in Belgium, they really know how to rock it - check out this video. My favorite move? The fake-wheel turn...but the stripper-hair-spin is a close second :) Monkey-face is dead last unless I get a neighborly stare...

March Goals

Last month I didn't do goals. It was my birthday month and I decided to take it off. But now that it is March - I am rarring to go! (by the way - for those of you that don't know Spanish (mom), we do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo this month. During a brain spasm, I told someone that this Thursday was the Mexican holiday...smart, Katie, real smart).


Let's get to it:

March Goals

1. Finish super duper secret project
2. Make a treat for firemen (also known to many as 'hotties' - get it? heehee)
3. Go to the gym a total of six times
4. Finish copying all photos onto Snapfish and Photobucket
5. Purge closet
6. Mud the basement bedroom
7. Sew two pillows & four dishtowels
8. Read Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
9. Dance for at least one minute every day
10. Take birth control & vitamin every day
11. Review Spanish words for days of the week and months of year

For clarification sake - I do not call firemen hotties - so if you think that I would think that about our brave fire-fighting heroes, you would be thinking wrong. Unless that hero is my brother - who happens to be a volunteer fireman....and he is hot....in a totally non-incestual way. This is awkward. I love Jeremy.

#8 is the first on the list of the 100 books I have to read before I die. I figure it takes me a while so I better get started.

#10 is still ridiculously hard. I forgot three in a row this week - so don't be surprised if I have to announce something in a month or so. ***NOTE: No - I am not pregnant....I think.

And lastly #1 is gonna rock your socks off...so tie those hightops on tight friends :)

Two Goals One Night

Making resolutions is pretty easy - keeping them, not so much. So I am pretty stoked about the fact that I am crossing not one but two (2!!!) monthly goals off the list.

Cook Jeremy a special meal
Make a treat for firemen

The special meal menu was EASY CHILI & CHEESE FRIES...if you want the recipe, email me and I can send your way!




Our very nutritious appetizer...Dean's dip and chips. Nothing says let's get ready to watch some football like Dean's dip and chips. Have you tried this? It is like so good. It's bad...but oh-so-good.




The best part about this chili is that it isn't just meat and cheese. I have the hardest time getting Jeremy to eat tomatoes. It is like getting an ADD kid to sit still. But with this hearty combination, not only does he get a man's meal full of lycopene but he really enjoys eating it. He even will go so far to ask for it. And being the sweetheart that he is, he rarely asks me to DO or MAKE anything! It must mean that he loves it :)




This goal isn't easy. It requires me to plan ahead. I don't want to make his special meal each month consist of a steak and potatoes...not that he'd mind. But I want each menu to be appropriate for the month and consist of one of his favorites. Seeing as how it is January, comfort food is in order. So cheese fries...while the chili is simmering, I threw some bacon on.




Then the fries. yowza that's hot... and yes, I added some canola oil right to the bacon drippings. This is not going to help my #1 resolution.




Check on the chili. Yup, looking good! Chunky, meaty, tasty!




Layered the fries with cheese and the yummy chopped bacon, served it all up on a tray, and WAHLA! A special meal fit for watching this:

Needless to say, he couldn't finish. But I got a big thumbs up! I mean, just look at all the chunky heartiness!




And then came dessert. Dessert for our dear firemen. Firemen who so honorably sacrifice time with their families so that they can risk their lives to keep us from danger. Nothing I could ever make would be enough. So what I try to do is induce a momentary coma-like-state via chocolate to say thanks. The recipe is SUPER easy...and has only three ingredients (which I love!) and requires absolutely no baking. Can this be true? Oh yes, yes it can!




OREO Truffles

These little balls of hypnosis can help anyone forget that they are running into a burning building or firey accident scene or getting clawed by Granny's kitty stuck in that tree. They are absolutely 100% divine. I made the full-fat version and the reduced fat version...just in case a certain firewarrior has their own New Year's resolutions!

And because I know you ALL want to make these, here is the recipe:

MIX together:
3 cups finely chopped Oreo cookies (can substitute reduced fat Oreos)
1 package cream cheese (can sub fat-free cream cheese)

Roll into 1-inch balls - stick in toothpicks for easy dipping - then pop into freezer to harden up.

MELT:
16 oz semi sweet chocolate or 8 oz vanilla/8 oz chocolate
Coat all balls with chocolate - decorate till your heart's content :) Pop back in freezer. Serve cold in uber-cute box.




I figure that everyone has a fantastic easy-peesy-lemon-squeezy recipe out there...and I need five more recipes for five more months of Firemen treats. And I want your best...I want something that will cause seizures, fainting, dizziness, loss of hearing, and intense bravery. My hope is that if I ever have a house fire (probably caused by bacon), the firemen will recognize me as the girl who makes those ridiculously delicious desserts and hurry :) Sound that alarm!

January Goals

GOALS FOR DECEMBER


1. Finish reading one of the two books I started already SUCCESS
2. Go to the gym five times a week (yup, we finally bit the bullet and joined) FAILED
3. Decorate the house for Christmas SUCCESS
4. Buy the rest of the Christmas presents SUCCESS
5. Paint the rest of the trim in the downstairs PARTIAL SUCCESS
6. Mud all random holes in the walls and finish the kitchen ceiling SUCCESS
7. Send out invites for Christmas party and then host the heck outta the throw down PARTIAL SUCCESS
8. Make four crafty items FAILED
9. Install tile backsplash and hood in kitchen SUCCESS
10. Plan the basement bathroom/mudroom POSTPONED
11. First coat of mudding in the basement POSTPONED
12. Water seal the rest of the basement walls and floors POSTPONED

Overall, December wasn't too shabby. It just was too dang busy.

I did finish the book I started WAY back in September. It was titled 'Your Money Counts' by Howard Drayton. If you wanna change the way you think about money & stuff, this is it people. Sure, it talks about the bible...blah blah blah, to all you non-Jesus-lovers...but it also talks about teaching your kids about spending, long term & short term saving, investing, and rescuing your marriage from a financial death sentence. In general, I would recommend it. But who am I? Oh, just someone who paid off 30K of debt this year :)

#2 was just pathetic. Why would I ever think that I could jump from ZERO to TWENTY in my monthly gym attendance? It's like expecting Britney Spears to announce she's pregnant...oh wait, that could happen. Still...I did go a total of four times. And that my friends is four more times than last month. Here's hoping January beats it.

I didn't get to the basement at all. Up side is that Jeremy has been working diligently at getting little tasks done down there. Bazillion points go to Jeremy.



GOALS FOR JANUARY

1. Read Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
2. Make two crafts
3. Work out at least five times total
4. Plan the basement bathroom/mudroom
5. First coat of mudding in the basement
6. Water seal the rest of the basement walls and floors
7. Paint ugly wooden beast
8. Clean linen closet
9. Write my grandparents letters
10. Clean bathrooms once a week
11. Cook Jeremy a special meal
12. Host a party for the ladies


The most difficult item will be #3. for sure. And note that our bathrooms are disgusting. Jeremy doesn't touch bathrooms. My silver lining is that he dusts, vacuums, does his own laundry, makes the bed, and does all the dishes...unbelievable, right?! I know. Sometimes I tease him that he might be gay...if it weren't for his incessant need to play video games, I would seriously question it. just kidding honey :)

Resolution Revolution

Gotta love the new year. Isn't it adorable?! So full of potential. Full of hope. Full of excitement. Just like Anne of Green Gables said "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" That is how I feel about 2009. So far, so good. Like a clean diaper.

I'm the kinda girl that loves starting with a clean slate. I'm also the kinda girl that can't wait to dirty it up again. Let's be serious though. Like everyone else, I wanna develop and grow. Let's be specific - Grow deeper...not wider :) So on January first, I jotted down my goals for oh-nine. Now posted on the fridge front, they are a constant reminder that this year will be one for the record books.



And while I still want to do my monthly goals each month, this yearly list will be great for some of my long-term objectives. Sure, some of the resolutions are once-a-monthers, some one-timers, and some every-dayers. But in the end what is important is to set purpose in my life. Mostly so I can scream 'SCORE!' when I succeed. And then also so that I can take a red fatty marker to check off my accomplishment.

I like goals that are measurable. Otherwise, how can you know if you kicked bootie?!? And that is why I had a hard time with one specific resolution. Which one? Yea - it didn't make the list. It is one resolution that I can't count, or put on a scale, or check off a list. I can't ask someone if I nailed it. Or if I failed worse than Paris Hilton post-prison. Let me explain.

I want to be more appreciative of the things I have. I own so much. Too much. That attitude combined with a poor memory spurred me to create Project Appreciation. I decided to take photos of each item that I buy this year (all non-necessities) and log them on Photobucket. If I feel like spending money or shopping or if I turn into a green greed goblin, I can click the link in my sidebar and get a quick reminder of all that I already own. What a great kick in my unappreciative pants, right?! And hopefully Project Appreciation will help me save a greenback or two. And isn't 'being more green' on everyone's list this year?!?

So what are your resolutions? Did you stick to one or were you like me with a list out the wazoo? Did you go measurable? or are general goals more your style? I hope one resolution that made the cut was "leave more comments on Bower Power". Just kidding. Unless ya wanna :)

December Goals

Recap first...here we go...



GOALS FOR NOVEMBER


1. Finish reading one of the two books I started already POSTPONED
2. Walk 2 miles everyday & do abs workout at least twice a week FAILED
3. Pay off the credit card SUCCESS
4. Get the haircut to cover the light beam from my forehead SUCCESS
5. Bake an apple pie and a pumpkin pie FAILED
6. Buy half of all Christmas presents SUCCESS
7. Paint the rest of the trim in the downstairs POSTPONED
8. Finish the dining room SUCCESS
9. Mud random holes in the walls and finish the kitchen ceiling POSTPONED
10. Send out save-the-dates for Christmas party FAILED
11. Write a note of encouragement everyday PARTIAL SUCCESS
12. Get a dress for Dan & Heidi's wedding SUCCESS

#1 didn't happen because of those pesky addicting Twilight books. #2 was a joke...didn't exercise once...more to come on that issue. #3 was a complete and utter success...this year we have paid off more than $25K of debt including our truck that we got last summer, our kitchen renovation, and our honeymoon in Mexico (insert booty-shake here). The rest sortof speaks for itself.

Oh and because I like photos more than reading - here is my sub for the pies I didn't make.

and one of the cards that I made to encourage my best friend...I would have written a long note on the back but the words escape me...they always do when it comes to the boyfriend.

Now here's the main course - here's what's for dinner - the other white meat - eat mor Bowr Powr (sorry, I always go too far with the jokes):

GOALS FOR DECEMBER

1. Finish reading one of the two books I started already

2. Go to the gym five times a week (yup, we finally bit the bullet and joined)

3. Decorate the house for Christmas

4. Buy the rest of the Christmas presents

5. Paint the rest of the trim in the downstairs

6. Mud all random holes in the walls and finish the kitchen ceiling

7. Send out invites for Christmas party and then host the heck outta the throw down

8. Make four crafty items

9. Install tile backsplash and hood in kitchen

10. Plan the basement bathroom/mudroom

11. First coat of mudding in the basement

12. Water seal the rest of the basement walls and floors

(wow - seems like December is going to be jam-packed! Lots of house stuff to do, Jeremy's birthday is this month, so is my little sister's, Christmas, and by the way, we are leaving to go to Grand Cayman in less than 48 hours! whew! Am I crazy or does December get busier and busier?!)

November Goals

My favorite time of the month - lets grade how I did with my October Goals:

1. Finishing reading the book from September & read one more FAILED POSTPONED

I did not finish the first book about finances and moved on to the second - so technically I could be done with one whole book - so I get half credit for this goal.

2. Walk two miles everyday FAILED POSTPONED

I did REALLY good at this one for two weeks then I just transfered the walking into shopping...I know it doesn't really count. But on the up side, I lost ten LBers from just a few weeks of walking and several trips to Old Time Pottery.

3. Pay off credit cards SORTOF FAILED SORTOF POSTPONED

We did pay off one...whew! However the other I put some of the stuff from Brook's baby shower on (for the points!) so that one will be wiped clean here soon.

4. Get the decided upon haircut FAILED POSTPONED

I am lazy. I am too darn lazy to pick up the phone to make the appointment. But I have noticed that my large glowing forehead has been protruding in every picture lately so I highly doubt this won't be crossed off in the next ten days. No offense to you glowers out there :)

5. Bake two pumpkin related desserts

yup - pumpkin shaped sugar cookies do count :)

6. Decorate the outside of the house for fall
forgot to take the photo - but trust me, my boyfriend did a fine job decorating!

7. Paint the rest of the trim in the downstairs FAILED POSTPONED

again...I am too darn lazy.

8. Remember to take my birth control pill everyday

Whoot whoot! mini dance with me! Except you baby boomers who want the population to grow to pay social security - you don't have to dance.

9. Decide on menu, gift, games, and details for Brook’s Baby Shower

yea yea yea - THANK goodness this one is over!

10. Write my grandparents a letter two times

Score! This one was easy-peasy-pumpkin-sqweasy! Plus I got to send the photo book!

11. Decide and make killer costumes for Halloween

What can I say peeps-I am getting good at crossing stuff off my list! Last month - 3 for nine, this month - 6 for 11...that, my friends, is called improvement! Now onto the new list:

GOALS FOR NOVEMBER

1. Finish reading one of the two books I started already

2. Walk two miles everyday and do abs on TV workout at least twice a week

3. Pay off the credit card

4. Get the haircut to cover the light beam from my forehead

5. Bake an apple pie and a pumpkin pie

6. Buy half of all Christmas presents

7. Paint the rest of the trim in the downstairs

8. Finish the dining room

9. Mud all random holes in the walls and finish the kitchen ceiling

10. Send out save-the-dates for Christmas party

11. Write a note of encouragement to a friend/family member everyday

12. Get a dress for Dan & Heidi's wedding

Do not judge me for #1. And #11 is because I have offended friends & family alike with my bluntness...and I need to practice being more encouraging. And I am upping the ante on #2 even though I previously failed. Note that my previous #8 dropped from the list - it's official, I have baby fever.

October Goals

First let's see how I did with my September Goals:

1. Read a book – the whole thing FAILED
2. Join a gym FAILED
3. Pay off credit cards FAILED
4. Decide on a haircut
5. Fix ceiling in kitchen/den FAILED
6. Smoothalize ceiling in downstairs bathroom FAILED
7. Paint the rest of the trim in the downstairs FAILED
8. Remember to take my birth control pill everyday
9. Send out invites for Brook’s Baby Shower

3 outta 9 ain't that bad. I set my goals really high so that I may land upon clouds (or however that quote goes). On the up side, I got through chapter 9 in my book...which is 9 more chapters than I have read in a really LONG time. I am about $800 short on finishing off the last pesky credit card...so this month should be the month that does it. And I did do the first coat on the trim.

Regrettably, I will not be joining a gym anytime soon. I hurt my knee playing indoor soccer and now I must go to get an MRI - quite possibly have surgery. suck. I have not even looked at the ceilings in the kitchen or bathroom but it is definitely nice to have one in our basement now....so there's my silver lining :)

And yes - since putting my goals out there, I have remembered my pill everyday! So congratulations are due. Go ahead, congratulate fertile Mertyl on NOT getting pregnant :)


And here is the main course: GOALS FOR OCTOBER

1. Finishing reading the book from September & read one more
2. Walk two miles everyday
3. Pay off credit cards
4. Get the decided upon haircut
5. Bake two pumpkin related desserts
6. Decorate the outside of the house for fall
7. Paint the rest of the trim in the downstairs
8. Remember to take my birth control pill everyday
9. Decide on menu, gift, games, and details for Brook’s Baby Shower
10. Write my grandparents a letter two times
11. Decide and make killer costumes for Halloween

Note that #1 will be the hardest, then #2 and #8. Also, #11 does not imply that we will be costumed as 'killers' but probably as fictional characters...those are our favorites.

Splitting Hairs

As you know, I have goals for the month of September. One of those goals being deciding on a hair style. It is a rather difficult decision because I have a lot of parameters.



1. My hair has to be long enough to wear in a pony...and to satisfy my hubbie.

2. If I have bangs - I want some versatility in how I can wear them.

3. The color has to be rich but be able to blend in naturally with my natural color.

4. Due to my huge head, I have a lot of hair...therefore it must be layered so I don't look like I have poof head.



So while watching Lipstick Jungle one afternoon, I thought to myself - I love the look of the girl who plays Victory Ford. Just look at her - she is gorgeous!

layered? yup!
rich color? sure thing!
versatile bangs? check.
long enough for a pony (& Jeremy)? heck yea!

So the decision has been made - my currently outgrown bangs are getting a chop. Man - conquering goals is so much fun...now if I could just get started on the ceiling projects!

September Goals

GOALS FOR SEPTEMBER

1. Read a book – the whole thing
2. Join a gym
3. Pay off credit cards
4. Decide on a haircut
5. Fix ceiling in kitchen/den
6. Smoothalize ceiling in downstairs bathroom
7. Paint the rest of the trim in the downstairs
8. Remember to take my birth control pill everyday
9. Send out invites for Brook’s Baby Shower

I am actually putting this out there. Hopefully because I broadcasted it to the world, I will feel accountable for actually doing everything on the list.

Please note that joining a gym does not actually mean using it. And I have already failed at #8.