Valentine's Day - Dessert Edition

I like Valentine's Day, mainly because it is a day full of Pink, chocolate and showing loved ones how much you care.

 But, I am not one of those girls that has to go out for a fancy dinner on Valentine's day.  I would much prefer to have a low key evening at home with Derek, just the two of us.  An evening at home that would consist of a great meal (My Shrimp Risotto has been requested), wine, open conversation and a decedent dessert (more then likely containing lots of chocolate) would be ideal! 

So as Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching (yup, its on Thursday) I decided I would begin my hunt for the perfect drool worthy dessert that I could quickly whip up for Derek and I.  However in the process of finding the perfect Valentine's Day Dessert I found the below five.  Yup, the below 5 desserts had me drooling just by looking at the pictures (and well some are just to cute)! And if I wouldn't gain 5 pounds from all the sweets (and if I had the time); I would probably make them all!

Check them out, maybe you will find something you want to make! 

1- Simple, Easy, Cute and so good it is hard to eat just one!

Source: savvymom.ca via Tracy on Pinterest

2- White Chocolate and a Cookie - Yum!

Source: thegunnysack.com via Stacey on Pinterest

3- To Cute - Because I am a sucker for cupcakes and frosting!

Source: hello-naomi.blogspot.jp via Melina on Pinterest

4- Chocolate Fondu 

Source: midwestliving.com via Janice on Pinterest

5- Because who doesn't love these cute little hearts?

Source: hungryhappenings.com via Shunmathy on Pinterest

Tell me, how do you like to spend Valentine's Day?
Happy Tuesday Loves! 

Escape to the Caribbean

Sunday night Derek and braved the Minnesota Snow to head to St Paul for one of Derek's Christmas presents!  We attended a  Cooking Class/Demonstration at Cook's of Crocus Hill (Similar to William Sonoma).  Basically the night consisted of wine, great food, recipes (they handed them out!!) and Derek and I  getting to relax and talk! 

Cook's of Crocus Hill puts on cooking demonstrations that they like to call "Sunday Night Dinners."  Each dinner has a theme, and our theme was "Escape to the Caribbean."  I had picked this class/demonstration because one of the dishes we got to taste/eat was Crab Cake (one of Derek's favorites)! 

The menu we got to enjoy was delicious: 

Appetizer - Crab Cakes with Tomato Cilantro Sauve 

Soup - Caribbean Root Vegetable Soup 

Entree- Caribbean Roasted Chicken with Black Beans and Rice 

Dessert - Dolce De Leche Sauce served over Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Delicious! 

Derek and I chatted a bit with our fellow dinner goers through the course of the evening, while we all enjoyed the wonderful food.  I loved how cozy the atmosphere was, with long family style tables. The exposed brick wall gave the room a rustic feeling and added to the ambiance. You could see several chef's hurrying around the open kitchen as they put the finishing touches on the large platters of food that were brought out to our tables.    

I do wish however that we would have gotten more of a food demonstration on how our food was prepped. 

But all in all the experience was great.  Derek and I both enjoyed ourselves.  Maybe I will look into what other "Sunday Night Dinners"  Cooks fo Crocus Hill puts on in the future! 

Happy Monday 

Picture Perfect - The Wolfe's

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, and this past Thanksgiving my family got some pretty good ones!  You see the entire Wolfe family has not been together to celebrate a holiday in years (almost 10 to be exact) So when my Grandmothers 80th Birthday fell over Thanksgiving this year, we all gathered in Tennessee to celebrate.  

Not only has the entire Wolfe family not celebrated a holiday in years, but it has been decades since we have taken a family portrait.  We were well over due for an updated picture, and used our Thanksgiving gathering as a time to capture it! 

The talented Tracy Shoopman was our photographer and she did a wonderful job capturing our family.  Check out her website to see more of her beautiful work.  Click Here   Tracy was great to work with and was open to my families many photo suggestions and "funny/ridiculous" side!  We had a blast taking pictures. 

I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you today! 

Oh my silly family!  We had a good laugh with this picture! 

By far one of my favorites!  I love the sun behind us, and all the colors in our scarves! 

 Ridiculous!  In a good way! 

The Whole Gang!  

Like I said, we had a wonderful time taking our family pictures!  Now lets just hope we don't wait another 10+ years to take another group shot! 

Happy Wednesday All! 

Super Bowl Recap

Happy Tuesday Folks! 

Did everyone enjoy their weekend, and enjoy the Super Bowl?

I know I did. 

I cheered for the Baltimore Ravens...

Now before any of you get mad at me for team selection let me explain why I cheered on the Ravens. 

Picking which team I wanted to cheer for in the Super Bowl this year was very sophisticated. 

I picked my team based on if I have ever visited the City the team was from, the state flag, and the color of the teams jerseys! 

Yes, I know super sophisticated! 

I have never been to San Fransico, but I have been to Baltimore and loved the City.  

Ultimately this year I really didn't care who won the game.  I was just there to hang out, eat good food, ask ridiculous football questions and watch some great commercials.  Which to be honest, the commercials weren't my favorite this year! By far Taco Bell had some of the best. 

And the Budweiser one just made me go "Aaaaah"

Yes, I am a sappy girl!

Derek and I ended up going over to his Sister and Brother in Laws house! 

We ate food, played with the twins, ate more food and chatted!  All in all it as a great afternoon/evening. 

I made this Spicy Pumpkin Turkey Chili -

Source: allrecipes.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Spicy, delicious and for sure a favorite! 

We also snacked on Puppy Chow - Yum!  Guacamole, cheesy bread,  pizza (for Derek) and pumpkin bars!  Yum, yum and yum!

What did you do for the Super Bowl?  How did you decide who you cheered for?

36 Degrees = Minnesota Heat Wave

Monday,  Derek and I decided that 36 degrees was warm enough to take our 3 mile half marathon training run out doors!  And... I loved every minute of it!  While the run was cold in the beginning it felt exhilarating to be running outside. I get tired of running on a treadmill like a hamster on a wheel! 

To ensure that I was nice and warm on my run I busted out some new workout gear! 

Check it out! 

The Athleta Relay Tight 

I got these running leggings for Christmas in black and I absolutely love them!  They are high waisted enough where they don't feel like they are digging into your hips!  I also love the large zip pocket on the waist, perfect for my keys! 

My New Athleta Quarter Mile Half Zip 

Great for layering under a vest, I wore under armor under this and was perfectly warm! 

Even my new Garmin GPS running watch got to go for its debut run! 

Derek got me the Garmin Fore Runner 10 GPS Watch for Christmas, and I have been dying to try it out! 

This watch worked great.  This Garmin watch is light weight, smaller and even pink! 

Do you run outside in the winter time?

Almost 1 Down - New Years Resolution Check In

As we near the end of January ( I know hard to believe that is next week) I just wanted to take the time to check in and see how I am doing with my New Years Resolutions!  

We had a talk about New Years Resolutions the other day at work.  Some people made them, some people didn't and others have already broken those New Years Resolutions!   The conversation sparked me to do a month to month "check in" if you will on mine! 

So lets take a look (full recap of my New Years Resolutions Here)

1- Train for a Half Marathon 

So far Derek and I are in week 3 of our Half Marathon training!  We have one 6 mile run left to complete this week!   Derek and I have even picked the races we are going to do!  So far so good!

2- Read More

This one has been a bit of a struggle... But I have started a new Book! 

White Coat Required

It is a book published by the Author of one of my favorite Blogs Eat Live Run!  The book follows Jenna's life from College all the way through culinary school and beyond!  I am loving the book, just like I love reading her blog!  You should check her blog out (her Apple Sauce Almond Bread is Amazing)!!!

3- Drink 2-3 Green Smoothies a Week

Source: pauladeen.com via Shelby on Pinterest

While I blogged about how I first felt about Green Smoothies (read about it here) I have to say I am warming up to the idea of these bright green drinks!  So far in the month of January I have met my goal!  I have even found a new flavor combination I love!  Pear, Cucumber Banana!  I like to use the little Persian Cucumbers from Trader Joe's!  

4- Pray More

This is something I have def. been thinking about more and more.  I will consider this a work in progress. 

5- Blog More - 

Check and Check!  I feel now that I have taken the pressure off myself to blog everyday I have more great ideas and topics to write about!  Now it is just finding the time to actually write the posts!  I will say though that I am glad to be back blogging!

6-  Respect and Love People More

This is another on going one, but I am trying to see the good in everyone no matter what.  I am trying to remember the feelings of others and not do things just for me!

So tell me, are you still keeping up with your New Years Resolutions?

Saturday Brunch - Orange Ricotta Pancakes and Cheesy Hashbrowns

Well I told you all I had some fabulous new brunch recipes for ya! 

And let me tell you I thought they were so good, they deserved their own post! 

There is nothing I love more then a lazy Saturday morning filled with lots of hot cups of coffee and a delicious brunch!  Brunch has to be one of my favorite meals, probably because in the past few years I have become obsessed with breakfast foods (and yes, I used to hate breakfast)!  I also love brunch for its laid back and easy going feel. 

This past Saturday I decided to try my hand at Ricotta Pancakes, and not just plain ricotta pancakes... Orange Ricotta Pancakes!  These pancakes were absolutely delicious!  

I followed a recipe that I found on Cooking Light (see my go to recipe source)!  Check it out here.  

While these pancakes were a little more labor intense (you have to whip egg whites) the end result was worth it!  Light, fluffy and delicious!  The batter had an interesting consitency due to the whipped egg whites, so don't be alarmed when you make these!

To go along with our wonderful pancakes I made Derek baked cheesy hash browns following this recipe.  Derek has a soft spot for cheesy hash browns, ever since he tried the ones at Chester's (local Rochester restaurant with an amazing Sunday Brunch).  So he was thrilled to be having my version for brunch ( I have told him for months now that I would make them someday)! The verdict on my hash browns... two thumbs up! 

I guess brunch was a success! 

What are your favorite brunch foods?