Beef Stroganoff w Browned Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Pinterest. I’m addicted! I’m sure most everyone knows what I mean. If you don’t know Pinterest, you must check it out. I have yet to share much of my own posting, but that’s because I’m lost in ALL that there is to see on the site.

I bring up Pinterest because it’s the inspiration or at least the link to this post and recipe. I’m always looking in the food section on Pinterest and I’ve found numerous things I’d like to make. With cool weather looming for a few days recently when I saw Beef Stroganoff I thought it would be perfect. The cool weather always gets me in the mood for nice warm comfort food. That night Beef Stroganoff and Pumpkin Whoopie Pies hit that spot perfectly.

This isn't the best photo, sorry. I was a little excited to devour. 

Where oh where has my Summer gone?

Hello there Folks!

Sorry I've been absent from posting. It's been 2 months, I can't believe it. The reason I've been gone is because my Summer semester in school was consuming all of my free time. Between school and work I didn't have much time at all. I feel like my Summer has just flown by, kind of sad about that. I didn't even really have time to cook proper meals…I won't share what I did eat. I am ashamed of the diet I've had for the past few months. When my classes ended almost 2 weeks ago I went right into inventory at work. I decided after a demanding few months (which were worth it, I finished classes with A's and we had a good inventory) that I would take at least a few days to just relax. Usually, relaxing isn't something I do. I feel like I must be busy, even if I'm siting down I must be doing something (I've discovered that's inherited from my Gma D). I did however make myself take the time to relax. I caught up on some movies, cooked, and have just been enjoying a lazy life. While I was relaxing and deciding what to do with school for the Fall, I did some brainstorming. I have a few things in store for the blog and I can't wait to get started on making my ideas come to life. :-)

Brainstorming over Hot Cocoa yesterday. ;-)

If there's one thing I've learned over the past few months I'd have to say it's that I now know what kind of work load and I can handle. I feel like I've accomplished a lot and I'm ready to tackle the next set of adventures I'm working on. I feel like I'm ready to unleash a little more and really start reaching for a few more goals. I want to be a force of inspiration and I feel like I'm at a place to do it. Let's see where these goals and adventures take me! 

I'll be testing out some new recipes soon. For now I'm just happy to be back in the kitchen cooking and baking. Tomorrow night I'll be making Beef Stroganoff and I can't tell you how excited I am to make this dish. It'll be my first time! I'm going to alter a few things in the recipe, of course, and if it's delicious I'll share the recipe. :-)

Check back soon for some updates and new recipes! Hope all it going well your way. 

Zombie Birthday Cake

The Zombies are COMING! 

The latest cake I've done for a birthday. My best friend loves Zombies so I did this for her birthday. She and everyone at the party love it. :-)

Lego Cake 2

Here is another Lego cake that I did last week.

Lego Birthday Cake

Here are a few photos of my most recent cake. Fondant and I still don't get along well. However, practice makes perfect! In time I know I'll have the art of fondant down. 

The finished cake. My goal was to have more figures but everywhere I went they were out!

The cake assembled. The blocks are all cake and the board is just covered with fondant.

Angry Birds Birthday Cake

My latest cake...Angry Birds! I took the Knock on Wood game and made it into a cake. :-)

Baked Mac & Cheese w Bacon & Caramelized Onions

Tonight I bring you a short entry but a delicious recipe! This is by far the best macaroni and cheese I've made, so far, on my journey to find the perfect baked mac and cheese.

Finally...an update!

In May I will have officially lived alone for a year. Let me say what an amazing year it has been. I have grown so much as an individual and I really have been blessed with new experiences. I think the biggest change that took place this year was actually deciding to go back to school. The reason I've been so quiet here on the blog is because most of my free time has been spent doing homework. I've also been enjoying life a little more. I haven't taken much time to cook. As I near the end of my first semester homework has stopped and it's just studying for finals. I have actually had some free time so I have been back in the kitchen!

I decided to post today so I could sure some photo from the past few months. If you don't follow me on Instagram (@chadizze) then these will be new photos for your viewing pleasure. :-)

Also, I will have a new post soon with a recipe! I finally made a delicious Baked Mac & Cheese...check back in a few days for that.

Clifty Falls State Park Madison, IN
A nice weekend away lead us to a small hike through the start park. Very beautiful and peaceful. This was my favorite location we visited. I even got to climb behind the little waterfall. Very nice time.

My favorite local Bakery Heyerly's Bakery Ossian, IN
Stopped here for a Birthday treat for myself and cupcakes for my birthday lunch. I had the best birthday I have ever had. :-)

I'm all about a quick pasta dish! I usually just use jarred pesto, but this time I decided to make sauce from a few tomatoes I had. The sauce turned out quite delicious. 

Butter Sugar Cookies (recipe to come soon).
I get a craving for sugar cookies sometimes. This time I really wanted some old fashioned soft fluffy cookies. These didn't turn out exactly like I wanted, but they were pretty delicious!

Almond Orange Scones.
These were my first attempt at scones. They turned out pretty good! 

Moist Chocolate Cake and Homemade Buttercream

I'm not a huge Chocolate Cake fan but I had a craving that had to be satisfied. This cake was quiet delicious and SO simple!

Baked Mac & Cheese with Bacon and Caramelized Onions
This recipe should be up in a few days. Sweet, spicy, and CHEESY!

Happy Birthday Grandma

Clown Cake Pops

The most recent (and probably last) cake pops I've made. :-)