Kathleen’s Korner: 01/2012

1/29/12

Our first dinner

We have been in the house a little over 24 hours and I have already made our first dinner. We had a delicious roasted chicken with mashed potatoes & corn. Everything seems like it is fitting into place. FINALLY:)

Today… I finished the kitchen…Scot cleaned the tub and I put everything away in the bathroom :) When we first moved in I was NOT happy with the teal tile. I decided to use that to my advantage and look around for SOMETHING… ANYTHING to go with it. So happy I found the PERFECT set from Target to use as my shower curtain and towels.

More pictures to follow:)

1/28/12

WE SURVIVED!!

Thank goodness this day is about to wrap up. It has been an incredibly long and tiring month… I am happy to say that all of our hard work has paid off.

We started our day at about 7am…and carried our last box into our new house at about 10:30am. We finished up at the apt around 9:30 after starting to load the Uhaul at 8am. NOT bad! That might not seem like a lot of time, but it was a continuous stream of hard work. Before this morning we had about 3/4 of our stuff moved into the house. Thank goodness for our minivan!

75% of our “stuff” has been put away and have found new a “home” in our house. Tomorrow we will tackle the kitchen, bathroom & kids room. Our office/guest room, toy room, master bedroom and living room are pretty much complete.

This move wouldn’t have been complete without the hard work of our friends and family. I would like to say a big thank you to you all…

Mom P, Thank you so much for helping us with our curtains! We wouldn’t have been able to do them without you!! It was so great to see you!! I can’t wait for you to come visit again so you can see the final product!!

Chris, A HUGE thanks for helping us paint, instal new electrical outlets & moving today.

Steph, Thank you soooo much for organizing the toy room & helping keep the girls outta our hair;)

Lindsey & Jesse, thank you sooooo much for making the trek from Queens to help us move today. We couldn’t have done it without you! Hope you enjoyed the pizza & wings:)

Anthony, THANK YOU soooo much for helping us this morning, bright and early! Thank goodness we will be able to watch tv with just ONE remote;)

Kenny, Thanks for using a paintbrush for 20 min…lol…Thank you for helping us move the treadmill and outside stuff… Your brother in law’s truck was a godsend! no Taco Dip for you since you got drunk last night and slept thru your alarm today! LOL

Mom, Thank you SOOOOOOO much for bringing us down Rigatoni, Spaghetti Sauce, Michigan kit, twice baked potatoes, and chicken cordon bleu!! The meals were a life saver…thank goodness we didn’t have to cook every night AND pack! A huge thanks for helping us clean, pack & organize our new house. WE love you lots!

Once we get everything settled I will post some pictures. I hope everyone enjoys the last few days of January as I am happy it’s ending:)

1/25/12

Wednesday’s Recipe….or not?!

Packing/moving…UGH…not fun!

Sometimes moving makes you desperate ;)

I am taking a break this week from having "Wednesday’s recipe." We are in the midst of packing/cleaning/moving…and quite frankly I haven’t had time to research a new recipe let alone cook anything.

My mother came to visit yesterday and brought us a “Michigan kit.” It came with 16 hot dogs, 16 rolls, Michigan sauce & onions :) She also brought homemade spaghetti sauce, rigatoni, chicken cordon bleu & twice baked potatoes :) We have enough food until Sunday, which is perfect because we move on Sat!

I hope you all enjoy your week and come back for a new recipe next week :)

1/23/12

Blessing in Disguise

Do you ever hear the comment “we only see you at weddings or funerals?!” Well, that comment was certainly true this weekend. We went upstate to mourn the loss of Scot’s grandmother “AKA Grammie or Great-Grammie.” Life will not be the same at 5 West Decker Street again. This weekend, Scot’s family came together in a way I have never witnessed before. I was fortunate to meet extended family members who will never be forgotten. We have made plans to go to Western NY and visit Niagara Falls & family. I also got to spend time with my sister-in-law Dena at our house on Long Island. We laughed, cried & drank too much, but had entirely too much fun doing it. It was true blessing in disguise for the Pedrick Family. We will always miss Grammie but love what she has done for others. Grandpa put on a beautiful memorial & reception afterwards. Hope you enjoy some photos from a great weekend!

1/22/12

GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!

The BOYS IN BLUE did it AGAIN!! Gotta love the Giants!!!!

I am now starting to prepare my super bowl party menu…any suggestions?! We will be in our new house and I will be ready to PARTY!!

1/18/12

Chocolate Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

Anddddd Wednesday’s Recipe is…

Chocolate Bread Pudding w/ Whiskey Sauce
Courtesy of Betty Crocker (we made a few adjustments)

Bread Pudding

4: large whole eggs

1: large egg yolk

3/4: cup sugar

2 1/2: cups milk

2 1/2: cups whipping (heavy) cream

1: tablespoon vanilla

12: oz French or other firm bread, cut into 1/2-inch slices, then cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (10 cups)

1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Whiskey Sauce

1/2: cup butter or margarine

2: tablespoons water

1: cup sugar

2

tablespoons whiskey or bourbon or 1 teaspoon brandy extract

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch glass baking dish with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
In large bowl, beat 4 whole eggs, 1 egg yolk and 3/4 cup sugar with wire whisk until well blended. Beat in milk, whipping cream, and vanilla until well blended. Stir in 7 cups of the bread pieces and the chocolate chips. Let stand 20 minutes. Pour into baking dish. Lightly press remaining 3 cups bread pieces on top of mixture in baking dish.
Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over low heat; do not allow to simmer. Remove from heat; cool 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture begins to boil; remove from heat. Stir in whiskey. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
Serve sauce over warm bread pudding. Store remaining dessert and sauce covered in refrigerator.