Microwave Puppy Chow

Puppy chow, monkey munch, muddy buddies.  In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, puppy chow is a dessert made from peanut butter, chocolate and cereal. I thought puppy chow is the kind which uses Crispix cereal and monkey munch uses Chex, but then once I get to muddy buddies, I'm not sure there actually is a difference in the cereal you have to use. Call it...

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Irish Soda Bread

Peruse our kitchen shelves and you will find a notebook, with recipes handwritten by my mother in inside. The notebook is worn, stained in some places, indented from her firm handwriting, the pages hand numbered and covered in blue ink. Opening this notebook feels nostalgic. I trace her handwriting, which I always tried to copy when I was younger, and picture her carefully...

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Shrove Tuesday Pancake

Shrove Tuesday. Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras. This day has so many names. But my most favorite name for the day is Pancake Day. Whence all the names? Time for a history lesson:This Tuesday is always celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday. Back in the day (like centuries back, not decades), Lenten sacrifices went some steps further than abstaining from chocolate (except for those...

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Chocolate Chai: Super Cozy & Comforting

This Winter has been insane: lots of wind, lots of snow and some travel during it all. It's the kind of frigid onslaught that makes one just want to stay inside all day with blankets and books. I have been doing plenty of cozy reading, but I find nothing more comforting on a cold night than a nice hot beverage. While fluffy snowfall continues with no end in sight, I party...

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6 Tips for Apartment Packing

I am moving out of my first apartment today to move back home for a couple weeks, then come back to a different apartment when school starts again. In the process I've discovered some things that work really well, so here are my tips: 1. Stay organized by keeping lists. I have a cleaning task list, packing-by-room list and, perhaps most important, a what-in-which-box...

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Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp From Joy the Baker Makes 8x8" baking pan or pie dish. For Filling: 5-6 medium apples, peeled, cored, sliced 1/4 inch 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon For Topping: 1 1/3 cups flour 1 1/3 cups brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/3 cup oats Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare desired baking...

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Lemon Pound Cake

My boyfriend C's and my favorite late night hang out is Starbucks. Since I go to school in a pretty quiet place during the Summer and bar-hopping isn't really my thing, Starbucks trips are a multiple-times-a-week occurrence whenever I'm not closing at work. It's much easier to grab a coffee and a comfy chair and get some work done. In fact, I'm writing this post at a Starbucks...

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