Classic Beef Stew

For those of us who have made the questionable decision to live in Canada (and more specifically, in the prairies) during the winter season, there is nothing better than a hot beverage or meal. Even better when that meal has been cooking all day long and is ready to be devoured as soon as you walk in the door!

DIY Wood Feature Wall

Not sure if you've had the chance to take a look yet, but earlier this week I posted before and after pictures of all of the renovations that we've completed so far. Well, almost all. There are still a few more pictures that will come at a later date...

The very last one in the post is the master bathroom reveal, the most recent reno to be completed. It is the masculine counterpart to my more feminine bathroom, and it suits Scott perfectly. But my most favorite part? My DIY wood wall!

The Big Reveal!

This has been a very long time coming, folks... we have finally finished our master bedroom en suite bathroom renovation!! (insert huge sigh of relief)

Before we get to the before and after pictures, let's start with a brief stroll down memory lane as to what Scott and I got ourselves into almost 2.5 years ago. If I were to sum it up in once sentence it would likely be something along the lines of this -- a less than beautiful house that needed a lot of blood, sweat and tears (literally) to be catapulted into this modern age and a state that we would no longer be embarrassed about.

Smothered Steak Burrito

Scott and I are pretty big fans of Mexican food. In fact, if you're ever in the neighborhood I can give you the names of 2 really delicious restaurants! So when I came across this recipe on Pinterest I was fairly confident it would be something Scott would enjoy...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake

Am I the only one that gets these random cravings for cake? It's not just a craving for dessert... ice cream just will not do in these instances! No, I specifically need to have cake. And, more often than not, chocolate cake.

During the summer this usually isn't so bad. If it's 8:00pm and the craving hits me I can usually convince Scott that we just absolutely have to go somewhere and get dessert (chocolate cake for me, whatever he wants for him - but we definitely aren't sharing!). But during the winter... he is a lot harder to convince. And I don't blame him... who wants to go back out into the freezing temperatures and blowing snow when we are already cozy at home? Unfortunately, that doesn't make the craving go away.

Mini Lasagna

While I have shared pictures and posted about enjoying my delicious Mini Lasagnas, I have never actually posted the recipe. So today, I share with you one of my biggest successes (which I judge by the number of requests I get from Scott and/or other family members).

Vanilla Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Huh... it's been a while hey? Like... months! Yikes. On the downside, that means I'm a pretty terrible blogger. But on the upside... I have a backlog of recipes that I've tried to share with you!

Let's get the small talk out of the way first. What have I been doing in the last couple of months? Honestly, nothing too terribly exciting. Of course there was Christmas, were Scott and I each spent some quality time with out families while enjoying a few extra days off work. And then, perhaps the most exciting thing to take place... Scott and I went to Mexico for a whole glorious week of sunshine and hot weather!

Twix Square

I apologize in advance, but this is going to be a pretty picture heavy post my friends...

This past weekend I decided to be a super nice sister and invite my two brothers and their roommate over for supper. You know, it's that time of year where they are in finals and eating lots of takeout (although, who are we kidding... I think that's what they eat a lot of the time). But anyways, back to me being nice...  :)

Apple Oatmeal Muffins

Uh oh, I'm getting behind on my posts! I had to choose between four different recipes for today's post... but not to worry, the rest will get their turn!

I love baking. Like, LOVE. I like to throw a little something together every weekend if I can. And last weekend was no different...

Greek Salad Pita Pizzas

As I mentioned in my previous post, I seem to be on a bit of a Greek kick lately! Or at least, what I consider to be Greek food...

Tzatziki, anything with dill, vegetables marinated in vinegar, feta cheese... I'm loving it all right now!

So you can imagine how excited I was when I stumbled across this recipe in Gina Homolka's Skinnytaste Cookbook!

Greek Turkey Burger with Tzatziki

I don't know about you, but I have had a fantastic weekend!

The Canadian Professional Bull Riding Finals were in town, so Scott and I went to that (as we have every year for the last 3 years!). Saturday, after the event, they also have what they call a Cowboy Cabaret, where everyone heads over for some drinks, food and live music. This year Emerson Drive performed! It was an awesome night, but a late one! I can't remember the last time I stayed up that late. So little Mya, barking her head off at 7am this morning was a bit of a rude awakening...

Southwest Egg Rolls

When I am looking for new recipe inspiration I have a few different sources that I go to. More recently, I have purchased a couple of different cookbooks. And then, of course, there is Pinterest!

That is where the idea for today's post originally came from... Nutritious Eats' post for Southwestern Egg Rolls. But I decided to do mine a bit differently, mostly based on what I already had around for spices and veggie options.

Steak and Spinach Quesadilla

Looking for something to do with that leftover steak? How about Steak Quesadillas!

If you live in the area, you are going to want to check out the Bulk Cheese Warehouse for the most delicious steaks EVER!! Well, anything cold smoked there is worth a try. A-maz-ing.

Scott and I enjoyed a delicious steak and potato dinner one night, but we had a bit of leftover steak and so I was trying to come up with some other way to use it besides the same way we had just eaten it. Plus... there wasn't enough for both of us to eat it as a full meal.

Pancakes

It's been a busy week folks!

For starters, my parents came to visit this past weekend! About two months ago I mentioned to my father that I was starting to consider selling my car and moving up to an SUV. He LOVES car shopping, so it wasn't long after that that he started sending me information on every SUV out there and talking to sales people to get an idea on prices. Over the last month I have test driven quite a few of them... and finally found one that I liked the best. All that's left... is to sell my car! (If you're in the market for a pretty cool Tiburon, let me know!)

Roasted Beet Pizza

We are still slowly, but surely working our way through the vegetables we have remaining from our farm share. While some haven't lasted too long (namely, carrots - my SO seems to be working his way through those pretty good) we still seem to have an over abundance of potatoes and beets taking up space in our cupboards and fridge. So when it came to making supper the other night, I decided I should probably try to use at least one of them... and I decided on beets!

Beets are something I have only recently (in the last year or two) acquired a taste for. Serve those gorgeous purple veggies sauteed, BBQ'd or roasted with a side of sour cream and I am in!! However, over the last week I have been trying to focus on eating a bit healthier so I decided to try something totally new and different - Roasted Beet Pizza!

Thai Curry Meatballs with Kohlrabi & Carrot Latkes

Well folks, today you're getting two recipes for the price of one! How sweet is that!?

I tested out two new creations this evening and they both turned out pretty successful, so I decided to share. Tonight, we dined on Thai Curry Meatballs with Brown Rice and Kohlrabi & Carrot Latkes!

Mini Cheesecake

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! I hope you enjoyed a fabulous weekend... whether it be with family, friends, or maybe you just had some quality relaxation time at home.

My SO and I had a very busy weekend, full of family and a LOT of food! First, we made the trip to visit with my family and enjoyed a super delicious turkey dinner! Then, we came back home and went to his mom's house for another delicious turkey dinner. And then the next night... our 3rd turkey dinner with his father's side of the family. All-in-all... 3 turkey dinners later and I feel as though I may be permanently stuffed!

Taco Salad

I am a home-body. And that has never been more clear to me than it is now, after 4 weeks of traveling for work. Sleeping in my own bed is glorious! Eating my own food, even better. While it is slowing down, the traveling has not completely stopped yet... this weekend my SO and I will be traveling to visit my family for Thanksgiving, and then I have a few more work-related trips planned. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

As I have only been home for, on average, 2 days per week for the last 4 weeks, I haven't been doing a whole lot of cooking (sad face). And, when I have had time to cook, I've tried to select meals that don't require a whole lot of effort. One such meal we've had recently... taco salad.

5 Months Later...

To quote a line from one of my favorite movies... "Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!!"

It has been about 5 months since I last posted a blog...

Lasagna Rolls

Guess what!! I tried not one, but TWO new recipes this weekend!! All for you, my loyal readers. All for you.

...Ok, ok, a little bit for me as well. I am having so much fun in the kitchen! Of course, not everything is as successful as I would like it to be, but you can't win at everything.

For instance, this weekend I was a much bigger fan of one of the recipes than I was of the other. And because I'm just THAT excited about it, I've decided to share it first.