Recipe: Turkey Meatloaf

Not the best picture, but it was delicious! New photo coming soon! (:

We had turkey meatloaf and green bean casserole for dinner the other night. It was like a mini-Thanksgiving in here! Delicious!

Ingredients: 

2 beaten eggs

2/3 cup dry bread crumbs

3/4 cup milk

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1 1/2 lb ground turkey

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp packed brown sugar

Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 5x9" loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together beaten eggs, bread crumbs, milk, salt, pepper, and ground turkey. Feel free to add an extra dash of bread crumbs if the mix is too runny. 
3. Place in loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes. While that is cooking, mix together 1/4 cup ketchup and 2 tbsp brown sugar. 
5. Remove meat loaf, remove white fat that has been baked out, cover in ketchup & brown sugar mix. 
6. Bake for another 5-10 minutes. 
7. Enjoy!

Adapted from AllRecipes.com

xoxo

Quote of the Week 9/30/2013

"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." 

-Julia Child

I have found things that I am passionate about. Many things. But usually they do not keep my attention for very long. My passion for the last two years of my studies has been the Italian language and culture. It fascinated me; I was always wanting to learn more.

But as of late, my passion for not only the language but the culture, too, has grown weak. I am taking two history classes related to Roman culture and so, Italian culture. And I am also taking a class, taught in Italian, about opera. And I am falling apart a little bit. I feel incredibly behind already, and I am at a loss. I want so dearly to love my major, to regain that passion, but these classes (especially the opera class) are making me detest everything I once loved and wanted to know more about. 

So, I will remind myself that it is only a quarter: ten weeks of my life. Then I can hopefully find some better classes, like Italian art history, or something to do with Italian literature that doesn't bore me to tears. 

Until then, I will attempt to listen to Julia Child. I will try my hardest to keep tremendously interested in my passion. 

What is your passion and what are you doing to keep it interesting?

xoxo

Friday Five

ONE | PANCAKES

It's a Sunday morning tradition in my home: we love our pancakes. And waffles. And coffee! Can't forget about the coffee. One of the wonderful thing about pancakes is that they're cost-effective (AKA cheap). Just add water and you're set! I love to make extra and take them as a breakfast-for-lunch kind of deal. It's so delicious! 

TWO | BIG BOWS

Seriously. They're super adorable. Especially when monogrammed... You can wear them so many ways! I cannot wait to get my hands on a monogrammed bow for my hair. Obsessed. 

THREE | FULL COURSE LOAD BAG

This beauty is from Modcloth

I am so excited that Autumn is here, and I love to look for new items to complete my wardrobe (although it is never really completed, is it?) and I adore the "Full Course Load" Bag from Modcloth. It seems functional yet stylish; perfect for college students or teachers. I have a bag similar to this one and I'm in love!

FOUR | HARRY POTTER MARATHONS

Autumn is all about back-to-school, at least when you or someone you care for is beginning classes. And what better way to kick off the school year than with a Harry Potter marathon? While I would love to have the time to pick up the books and read them all again, it just isn't possible for me with all of my other readings...
So I will snuggle up in my hand-made Ravenclaw scarf (pictured below), grab a butter beer, plop down on the couch and have a Harry Potter movie marathon instead. 

FIVE | KNITTING

My Ravenclaw scarf! This picture is a mix-up of #4 and #5! I love this scarf, and I definitely worked hard to make it!

I have been knitting for a very long time - I first learned in elementary school, then re-taught myself as a freshman in college. I've knit quite a few scarves and hats, and right now I have about 4 projects going on and since classes have started, next to no time to do them. Hopefully I can get a few moments in every day; I could really use the calmness that knitting gives me.

Happy Friday!
xoxo

Weigh-In Wednesday: Walking!

Walking on the beach is wonderful exercise! Just make sure you don't get hit by a wave!

Walking is one of the best activities for your body, and it is actually quite an enjoyable form of exercise. Lately, I've taken to the 10,000 steps "diet," which is not really a diet at all! The premise is for you to attempt to walk 10,000 steps every day and eat about 1/4 less than you usually would. It has been working for me, at least, in my legs! I went to visit my hometown and I received several compliments about my legs looking thinner. My arms and abs still need work, however, so I am looking for short workouts that will work my whole body, particularly my arms! I have been told that it isn't possible to spot reduce, but I want to find some full-body workouts. 

I cannot wait to be an even healthier, more active version of me. 

And I'm already pretty active, so it should be interesting!

xoxo

Book Recommendation: The Fault in Our Stars

Goodreads

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Synopsis: This is the story of sixteen-year-old Hazel Lancaster, whose days are numbered due to her lungs that "suck at being lungs." Although a tumor-shrinking miracle bought her a few more years, Hazel is not deluding herself with the idea that she will live a long and fulfilling life. But then, she meets Augustus Waters at a Cancer Kid Support Group. He is a gorgeous plot twist to what Hazel thought was an already finished story. She finds that her story is about to be completely rewritten. 

My review: Oh my goodness, tears. I bawled through half of the book, but it was such a wonderful read. Green also had a way to make you laugh while reading the book, even through the suffering. Hazel was a wonderful character; she was real. She was just a sixteen-year-old girl who did not know how to handle dealing with cancer and facing her own death. She was not depressing or bitchy about it, but she also was not going to sit and watch what little time she has left go by. At one of her Cancer Kid Support Group meetings, she is introduced to Augustus Waters, who calls her Hazel Grace, and steals her (and our, as the readers) heart with his wit and metaphors. Their love is one that felt authentic and true, and this book had me falling, too. It was stupendously written and really though, grab the tissues before reading.

Favorite Quotes:

"As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once."

"Maybe okay will be our always."

xoxo,

Caryn Elizabeth 

Quote of the week: 9/23/2013

"Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale." 

-Lauren DeStephano, Wither

Ahhh, Fall. It is here at last, seeing as yesterday was the official first day! Oddly enough, it rained all of Saturday, the last day of Summer, and was bright, sunny, and warm for the first day of Autumn. But I am so ready for leggings and big cozy sweaters, scarves and hot cocoa. 

So this quote is for the second day of Autumn, and though I have yet to read the book, Wither, finding this quote will motivate me to finish my current readings and try to get my hands on Lauren DeStephano's book. 

Happy Autumn, everybody!

xoxo

Friday Five

ONE | COZY CARDIGANS

There is something about Autumn's morning chill and cool breezes that always makes me want to be all wrapped up in a soft, cozy cardigan. This one from Modcloth (pictured above) is so adorable and it is certainly on my wishlist. I just love the houndstooth!

TWO | TRADER JOE'S 

Seriously, Trader Joe's is the best. It has great, (mostly) healthy food at prices that are often lower than Target or Safeway. They have such a nice fruit and vegetable selection, and I really love their gnocchi! It's a wonderful store for me in the sense that I'm trying to save money, be healthy, and balance all of the parts of my life... Trader Joe's helps!

THREE | THE O.C.

  The O.C.: The Complete Series (Seasons 1-4)
 Every other year or so, I like to re-watch The O.C. Particularly towards the end of the year, so I can watch all of the Christmukkah episodes (that are wonderful)! It's cheesy and silly, but I still feel compelled to sit there and knit whilst watching a show that is 10 years old. 

FOUR | WEN HAIR PRODUCTS

 
WEN® Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner 16oz 
What with me moving into a new (saltier) climate and dying my hair recently, it has become necessary for me to have a great moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, as well as other hair products. My mom bought me Wen cleansing conditioner in Sweet Almond Mint as a gift, and it has done wonders for my hair! I'm obsessed. My hair is so soft and silky now. 

FIVE | THE GOOD MAD

Seriously, take a listen. This song, called "What Money Paid For" is seriously so wonderful. I am so glad that I found this band.

What are you loving this week?

xoxo

Auburn Autumn

In my 101 in 1,001 Things to Do list, I decided that I wanted to cut & color my hair. It's all done, finished this weekend. I love it! Perfect for Autumn, which is coming up this weekend! 

It certainly doesn't feel like Autumn here yet (80 degrees today!) but I cannot wait!

xoxo

Recipe: Hot, Skinny Spinach Dip

Pre-oven.

Mmmm... Spinach dip. It has always been a favorite of mine, but I usually only get to have it on the rare occasion that I go to a restaurant in a group. So to not only find a recipe for it, but to find one that is better for you, too?! I had to try it. And I must say, I love it. 

Let's begin:

What I used, this time

Recipe:

10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1/2 cup light sour cream

5 tbsp light mayonnaise (I used regular; that's all I had!)

1/3 cup Parmigiano Reggiano

1/4 cup green onion, chopped *

1 clove garlic, crushed **

1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella

fresh pepper (for taste)

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Put into an oven-safe dish and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cheese should be melted. 

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes:

Serves about 10. This recipe was adapted from Skinnytaste.

Also, I was so excited to try out this dip that I forgot to take a picture when it was all ready to eat! I will update as soon as I make another batch. It was delicious!

xoxo

Quote of the Week 9/16/2013

"She did not need much. Wanted very little. A kind word, sincerity, fresh air, clean water, a garden, kisses, books to read, sheltering arms, a cozy bed, and to love and be loved in return."

-Starra Neely Blade

The quote above essentially sums up all that I want in life. I do not mind the thought of a simple life, so long as it is full of love and joy. I would love to travel the world, but even more than that, I want to build a life with someone I am ardently in love with, who feels the same way about me. 

I haven't found that person yet, nor have I been able to travel the world, but I'm hoping that those things will come in time. 

Currently, I'm just enjoying my fresh air, clean water, books, my cozy bed, and my garden.

What are your hopes for life? What are you grateful for having?

xoxo

Friday Five: Autumn

ONE | CHANGE

Isn't this auburn color gorgeous?
Source

I am going to get my hair done this weekend (for the first time in months - one bad haircut and it all goes downhill!) and I have really been wanting to switch up my look. So, like the seasons, my hair will be changing, too. I'm switching up the color and cutting off quite a few inches.

I can't wait to see what my hair looks like in auburn!

TWO | BAKING

My banana & chocolate chip muffins

Mmmm... Baked goods. Cookies, muffins, monkey bread! I adore baking and I have already started to get back into the baking swing! It will be difficult to bake during the school year, so I may just have to bake a bunch now and freeze for later. Or just find time to bake whilst studying.

THREE | RAINY DAYS

There is something about the sound of rain that calms my soul. I have always loved the rain: dancing and playing in puddles, kissing in the rain, or even curling up with a good book (with the window cracked so the sound can float in). Rain epitomizes Autumn for me, and I cannot wait for rainy days. For now, I'll settle with listening to Rainy Mood.

FOUR | HALLOWEEN

As you can see, I've already started crafting for the spookiest day of the year!

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. It falls a week before my birthday and it is an excuse to dress up and eat candy, two of my favorite things to do! Last year I dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood, and this year... who knows? Normally I know by now but there are so many choices! Wait and see what I will be.

FIVE | LONG DRIVES

There is something about piling into a car with three or four friends and some really good music, and just driving. No particular destination is needed, just an hour or two spend cruising with friends. It is much more expensive to do this now, what with gas prices being so costly, so I'll probably only do this one time this Fall. But I sure am looking forward to it!

What are you looking forward to most this Autumn?

xoxo

Recipe: Banana & Chocolate Chip Muffins

Tasted so good!

Recipe:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (~2 large)

1 large egg

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup milk

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line 12 muffin cups with foil liners (do not use paper - I did and it was so difficult to take off the liners!). 

2. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

3. In another (medium-sized) bowl, mix mashed bananas, egg, melted butter, and milk.

4. Stir banana mixture into dry ingredients until they are blended, being careful not to overmix. Then stir in chocolate chips.

5. Fill muffin cups with batter until they are about 3/4 of the way full. Bake at 350 degrees until muffin tops are golden and the chips are melted, about 25-30 minutes. 

6. Cool and enjoy!

Doesn't it look delicious?

This recipe was adapted from Epicurious. 

xoxo

Pre-K Wednesday: Welcome Week!

Our preschool has been back in session for a week and a half now, and we are finally able to get some crafts in with the kids! Last week was our welcome week, so we let the children adjust to their new school and surroundings.

With Autumn approaching, we will be doing many apple-themed projects. We did a dot-paint worksheet (pictured below; I found the worksheet here) and the kids did a great job learning the first letter of the alphabet! We also had a fun apple snack: we used a twist apple corer, and the kids were able to "make" their own snack! It was lots of fun for the kids and teachers.

Since the majority of the children are younger (age 2), we wanted to have activities that were fun but not too difficult! We decided upon painted hand prints with a poem below them (pictured at the top of this post, and below). It was a little bit tickly, which made the kids laugh! 

It was a very amusing sensory activity. They all enjoyed seeing their hand prints up on the wall!

We will certainly continue to see how their hands grow throughout the year!

xoxo

Never Forget

Twelve years ago today, an event that would change the history of the United States of America, and the world, happened. It was a tragic and terrible occurrence that affected the lives of many. 

It was a very frightening day for me; I was still in elementary school, and all that I knew at the time was that a lot of people were dying in a city far away from me. I have family who live in New York City, and I was very worried that something was going to happen to them. 

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost a life in the attack on the World Trade Center. 

Thank you to those who were brave enough to risk your own lives in an attempt to save others.

Thank you. 

Never forget.

Pinterest Recipe for Revolutionary Mac & Cheese!

Revolutionary Mac & Cheese

Yummy, yummy!

Mmmmm... Mac & Cheese. It's been a favorite of mine for years. While my favorite still comes in a blue box (it's horrible but true), every so often I like to switch it up and try a new recipe. 

That's where Pinterest comes in! I found this recipe for Mac & Cheese, tweaked it just a tad, and viola! A delicious dinner for me! 

Ingredients: 

2 1/2 cups milk

2 cups dried pasta (I used shells and it worked well!)

1 cup loosely packed cheese (cheddar preferred*), shredded**

1 tsp. salt

Directions: 

1. In a saucepan, add pasta and milk. Bring to a simmer, being careful not to bring to a boil!

2. Reduce heat to the lowest setting and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pasta is soft. Stir frequently, and again, make sure the milk does not boil! 

3. Turn off heat and add cheese and salt. Stir to combine. Let cool for a minute or two, then stir again. At this point, you may add a little more milk if not creamy enough. 

4. If you would like to bake your Mac & Cheese, you may do so at this point. Place in a baking dish and top with a generous portion of shredded cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for about ten minutes, until the cheese has melted. 

5. Serve and enjoy!

(Serves 4)

Adapted from Macaroni and Cheesecake

Notes:

*I say cheddar preferred, because it is the usual cheese used in Mac & Cheese, but next time I plan to try out a combination of cheeses!

**Could be pre-shredded or shredded by hand, whichever you prefer. I did not have a cheese grater on hand (moving out is such a pain!) and so I used store bought, and it worked fine!

Have fun making Mac & Cheese!

xoxo

Quote of the Week, 9/9/2013

Found here

"Always be a little kinder than necessary." -J.M. Barrie

Kindness is a quality that truly deserves admiration. It is needed to have friendships and relationships, and these days, it is not seen quite as much as it should be. 

So today, and hopefully other days as well, remember to be kind, even if you do not really want to. It may make all the difference in the world to the people who surround you.

xoxo

Bloglovin

I'm trying out a new site called Bloglovin in order to find and read new blogs, and hopefully get some new followers here! 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

It sparked an interest in me: where do people find blogs? 

Personally, I usually stumble across a new blog via Pinterest or Tumblr, or even through a blog that I am reading. 

Where do you find new blogs to read?

xoxo

Current obsession: Apples

Apples by darlingdreamer featuring a chain necklace

See through dress / Red sash belt / Rocket Dog shoes, $28 / Red purse, $62 / Juicy Couture pendant / Chain necklace / Chain necklace / KitchenAid stand mixer / Zippered cushion cover

It's back-to-school season, and while not everyone is quite back (my classes don't start until the end of this month!), the school where I work is in full swing. This week and next, our theme will be "A is for Apples" as a way to get started, not only with the alphabet, but working with crafts that are easy for our new students. 

I love apples, and being a teacher makes me love them just a little bit more. So above is a collection of some candy-apple-red or apple-related things that I love! 

I actually own that perfume in a Disneyland-exclusive apple-shape bottle, and I'm in love with it. It smells so nice!

xoxo

Quote of the Week, 9/2/13

Found here

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."

-Judy Garland

Sometimes, we need a reminder to always be true to ourselves rather than trying to become someone else. Sure, their life may seem wonderful, but there is no way to know what they are going through unless you step into their shoes. Since that isn't possible, you should take your life, what you have been blessed with, and work to become the best person you can be. It is the best way to live your life. 

xoxo

Happy September!

Hello everyone!

Sorry that I haven't been posting for a few days; I visited my hometown last week and now my mom is visiting so I haven't had too much time to spend on the computer!

I hope that August was great for everyone and I'm so excited for this month. It's the first "Brrr" month so I'm really getting ready for Autumn! 

It seems that the weather agrees:

So foggy!

The weather has cleared up for the afternoon, though, and I'm sure that there are plenty of Labor Day visitors in town and on the beach. I'm just relaxing with my family and friends, BBQ-ing, and enjoying the last few days before heading back to work.

What are you doing this Labor Day weekend?

xoxo