Sunday Snapshots - Birthday Edition!

 

 

What's a birthday weekend without some cake? Each layer is a different texture and makes a different sound. It's supposed to work on puppy's patience and problem-solving skills. I think as a marketer I should know the people who write the packages are making that up, but, I become a sucker the second I walk into the pet shop and buy my dog a present to celebrate my own birthday. 

Arlo's Sunday Snapshots - Week 1

Meet Arlo, a Malshi puppy, half Maltese, half Shihtzu.  We've been back in Chicago together for a week.  I already cannot imagine my life without him. This furry little guy has stolen my heart and has made himself at home in the Windy City.

He's nine weeks old.  Potty training is hit or miss, but nothing we can't solve.  He's so smart he'll get the hang of it!  While the #1's may still land on the rugs instead of the potty pads, he has no doubt mastered fetch with his ball.  His online dating profile would read "I love rawhide chew sticks and bones and my favorite toy is Aunt Sophie's squirrel. I sleep a lot, love to lick and chew on loved ones. I don't care for snow, but love long walks in the neighborhood."    

I'm Getting a Puppy!!!

The countdown is almost over!  Little Arlo comes home on Thursday. I cannot wait!

   

It’s Getting Hot in Here

It’s fixed!!! My oven is finally fixed!!! I celebrated right away with a frozen pizza. 

Now it’s time to catch up on all the baking I haven’t been able to do.  Where to begin?  Well, for starters, I started with this recipe from Pinterest: 

Source: brandysbaking.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Now these are currently in the fridge at work, awaiting a hungry lunch crowd!

New Neighbor

This weekend was the annual “Design Harvest” event featuring all the great interior design and art stores on Grand Avenue in Chicago.  It was a fun event… and a critter followed me home! 

A Letter to My Broken Oven & Favorite Fall Recipes

Dear Oven,

I miss you.  While not baking for two months has proven to be beneficial to my waistline, I miss you immensely.  Please let the new part sitting on the countertop fix you, so I can make these:

Mini Apple-Cheddar Turkey Meatloaves from Southern Living - With a muffin pan, you get automatic portion-control!

Monkey Bread from Cooking Light - Can you think of a better way to kick off game day?? You know I love Big Ten football!

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting via Real Simple - Yep, they're easy, and cute and totally yummy.  (Oh, and people will think they're way more complicated than they are!)

Love,

Emily

p.s. While I wait for the repairman to come back to fix you, I guess I'll have to find those slow-cooker recipes... or try these favorites from the Queen of Southern Cooking, the Great Paula Deen:

• Apple-stuffed Pork Loin Roast (altered to go in the Crock Pot instead of the oven.)
• Skillet-fried Apple Pie

Did I Start a Trend?

So, little known fact.  I hate checking my mail.... the physical, paper mail.  Rarely is there anything good in there - bills, more bills, catalogs, junk mail for insurance companies, did I mention bills?  If someone dropped it on my kitchen counter, I'd look at it every day, but opening up the box and carrying it inside is just a hassle to be reminded I owe someone money.  I actually enjoy checking my mail for about six weeks between December 1 and early January - holiday and birthday cards!!  Anyways, I digress.

Last night I got my mail on the way home and... yippee!  There was something fun.  The new fall West Elm catalog!  I took a peek and low and behold - who else thinks a navy wall is hot in the bedroom??  They totally stole my idea. (wink wink)

Pardon the bad pic, but you get the idea:

 

This is a great excuse to show off the wall styled with my collection of white frames: