Thursday, December 9, 2010

Gloomy Day

It's a dark and dreary day here in Florida, 45 degrees and cloudy.


It makes me not want to get out of bed for anything...I truly wish I had no obligations today.

BUT I have to do homework today.

AND I have to work tonight.

It's a blah day for sure.

This giveaway put me in a better mood though :)

 
All you have to do to enter is be a follower! And right now I am getting an extra entry for blogging about it. Easy enough right? It ends tomorrow so don't miss out!
 
Happy Thursday friends!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

What I'm Loving Wednesday


I am loving that the weather outside is perfect today! Not too cold and not too hot.

I am loving that my boyfriend's "work mom" as he calls her (It's a boss lady at his work that is like a mom to him), offered me an awesome serving job for a party this weekend. I will be making good money so I am excited! I am a Hospitality major so this is right up my alley.

I am loving that Monday is the last time I have to go to my school until January.

I am loving that it's almost Christmas! It's my favorite holiday and always so much fun spending time with friends and family.

I am loving my pink Christmas tree. It's so cute and sits on my night stand.


I am loving that my family will be going to ICE for sure. We are going to see the ICE sculptures and stay the night at Gaylord Palms for one night. The boyfriend is coming too of course!




And of course I am loving my wonderful boyfriend :)

This is a picture he took yesterday when it was freezing outside!

Happy Wednesday :)

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Ohhhh Tuesday

I am going to be very random today as I have a lot on my mind!

I just got back from taking my Microeconomics final at school and let's just say my test owned me. The test was crazy hard and I know for a fact that my grade is not going to be too hot. Fortunately for me, I did well on everything else in that class so I should still end up with at least a B average even if I didn't pass the final.

This is the stuff that was on the test:

Looks like fun huh?

It is absolutely freezing outside today! I love wearing winter clothing, especially outerwear but today I am not a fan. I only had to go to school to take that final and walking to and from the testing lab was miserable. My poor hands were frozen. I need to invest in a good pair of gloves. I feel especially bad for my boyfriend who has to work outside all day today. I had lunch with him after my test and poor thing was all bundled up like an Eskimo. 

This cold weather is perfect for hot chocolate...and I am not talking about the Swiss Miss kind! My favorite hot chocolate is called Abuelita which is Mexican hot chocolate. It definitely has a different flavor to it as it is not as sweet as other hot chocolates are. I think it's more comforting and a dab of whipped cream or marshmallows on top makes it perfection!


Okay one more thing...

What on earth should I buy for my boyfriend  for Christmas? I keep telling him to make me a list of what he wants for Christmas and he keeps saying that he doesn't want anything besides a new pair of running shoes. I obviously have to get him more than just shoes and I am absolutely clueless as to what else to get. Any ideas ladies?

Monday, December 6, 2010

Day Fourteen: Oprah's Favorite Things


I have been a bad blogger this past weekend because I have been so busy with work and wrapping up school! Last week was my last full week of school but I had a take-home final to do and I have another final tomorrow and some online homework assignments that are due next Monday. My humanities teacher thought he would be sneaky and even though we don't have class anymore, he can still assign homework online...I don't really like him that much to say the least. It will all be over soon!

Now I would catch up on Day 12 and Day 13 of the challenge but right now all my family has is a bare Christmas tree and no decorations...plus I don't bake any homemade cookies that don't come from a bag or can. I am more of a fudge/brownie/cake person. I will be posting on my Christmas decorations later this week though :)

Now on to Oprah's Kalina's Favorite Things...

Amazon Kindle


iPhone 4G


Full HD LED Television


Blu-Ray Player


Betsey Johnson Dress


I would be oh so happy if I received these things while in Oprah's audience!

So sad that this blog challenge is over :( It was fun getting to know new bloggers while also getting in the Christmas spirit! Thanks Aly and Molly!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Day Eleven: New Year Resolutions

 
I can't believe the new year is approaching so fast. I already feel like 2011 is going to be amazing! January marks the one year anniversary of my boyfriend and I (Yay!) and I can't wait to have a fresh start with my resolutions.
 
uno. Go the gym at least three times a week. My school schedule for next semester should allow the time for this.

(I will need the boyfriend's motivation too)

dos. Eliminate procrastination with school assignments which will hopefully relieve some of my stress.

tres. Save my moolah! I have an issue with spending and if I want to move out of the parents' house any time soon, I better start doing a better job with this.

cuatro. Let myself have fun. I am always so busy with school and work that I never let myself enjoy life. I am a college student. I am supposed to have fun, right?

cinco. I need to start eating healthier because even though my metabolism is fast, I am sure the fast food that I consume is not good for me in the long run!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Day Ten: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles


My all time favorite Christmas song is Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas. And no, I don't get sick of it!


Taylor Swift's Last Christmas


Josh Groban's O Holy Night


Jessica Simpson's whole album!


Happy Thursday everyone! Tomorrow is finally Friday.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Day Nine: Favorite Holiday Recipe



Chocolate Cheesecake Candy Cane Bars

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 20 chocolate wafer cookies
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coffee beans 
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Filling:

  • 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

Glaze:

  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon light or dark corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup crushed candy canes (see Cooks Note)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with foil.

For the crust: Process the chocolate wafers in a food processor with the butter, sugar, coffee, and salt until fine. Evenly press the crust into the prepared dish covering the bottom completely.
Bake until the crust sets, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl; heat at 75 percent power until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir, and continue to microwave until completely melted, up to 2 minutes more. (Alternatively put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water, and stir occasionally until melted and smooth.)

Blend the cream cheese, sugar, and sour cream together in the food processor until smooth. Scrape down the sides, as needed. Add the eggs and pulse until just incorporated. With the food processor running, pour the chocolate into the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.

Pour the filling evenly over the crust. Bake until filling puffs slightly around the edges, but is still a bit wobbly in the center, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a rack.

For the Glaze: Put the chocolate, butter and corn syrup in microwave safe bowl. Heat glaze in the microwave at 75 percent power until melted, about 2 minutes. Stir the ingredients together until smooth; add the sour cream. Spread glaze evenly over the warm cake and scatter the crushed candy canes over top. Cool completely, then refrigerate overnight.

Cut into small bars or squares. Serve chilled or room temperature.
Store cookies covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Cook's Note: To crush the candy canes, remove wrappers and place in a resealable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to roll and break the candy up into small pieces, about 1/4 inch or so.

Picture from Food Network website

I made this recipe last Christmas and it was so good- very rich, but good! It's just one of the many recipes I have gotten from the Food Network website so go check it out!