cooking, baking, and a home in the making

Recent Posts

Caramel No Bake Cookies Recipe

Caramel No Bake Cookies Recipe

Did I ever mention that I’m really cheap? I have? Good. I love a good deal. I found this Jello Flan Instant Pudding Mix on clearance at Target and I could not pass them up. I made some really amazing Vanilla No Bake Cookies last 

Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Chops

Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Chops

Living in an apartment building, I don’t really get to grill much. We do have a grill up on our rooftop deck, but quite frankly I don’t really even know how to use it and with my luck, I’d blow something up. That is one 

Strawberry Crumble

Strawberry Crumble

My very good friend Amber came to visit me in Chicago last week and I cannot even explain how great it was to see her. It is so easy to go months without seeing some of your favorite people, especially living in different states, but 

Country Fried Steak

Country Fried Steak

I don’t really even think this post needs a huge explanation. The title is Country Fried Steak. It’s steak. That’s been breaded. And then fried. ‘Nuff said? Yeah, I thought so! Steak Ingredients: 2 lbs. round steak or cube steak cut into serving size pieces 

Salsa Verde

Salsa Verde

This is going to sound a little psychotic, but I have Mexican food EVERY. SINGLE. FRIDAY. I just can’t help it. Luckily for me, there is a Mexican place called Garcia’s right outside my apartment building. I mean it’s right outside. I’m looking at the 

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie Recipe

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie Recipe

I told you. I’ve been blending up a storm over here ever since I bought my new blender. I am on a smoothie craze and this banana oatmeal smoothie has become my favorite breakfast! Ingredients: 1 cup vanilla almond milk 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt 1 

Chocolate Coconut Cocktail

Chocolate Coconut Cocktail

I found another bottle of $7 booze! This Stoli Chocolat KoKonut Vodka was just $6.99 and I also snatched up another bottle of the Stoli Sticki. I just can’t stop! I recently bought a blender and have been on a smoothie craze lately. I’ve got 

Red Wine Cream Sauce + Pasta

Red Wine Cream Sauce + Pasta

I moved into my current Northside Chicago apartment 2 years ago on my birthday. Even though I was stressed with the task of unpacking, I managed to go to this AMAZING little Italian place called Caro Mio to celebrate turning 25. They have homemade pastas,