Sister Visit

My sister, Katie, is coming to visit this weekend!  I can't wait.  I am planning on having a wonderful relaxing weekend full of shopping, baking, eating and laughing.  One of the things we plan on making is candy cane chocolate chip cookies.  They're one of Katie's favorite Christmas desserts.  The recipe is below (basically just the recipe on the bag of Nestles semi-sweet chocolate chips plus candy canes).  I hope everyone has a restful and fun weekend!  
<3, Alissa 

Candy Cane Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) chocolate chips
• 3-4 crushed peppermint (red & white) candy canes

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and crushed candy canes. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Fall fun

Lyndsay and I went to Burts Pumpkin Farm in Dawsonville, GA today with our friends, Jen and Ashley.  It was crowded but fun.  Lyndsay got a big pumpkin and some cute little pumpkins including a couple albinos.  haha.  I got a beautiful gourd.  I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Inspirational Pig

http://dlisted.com/node/39083

Thanks to my own inspirational pig, Katie, who sent this to me.  Some pig! 

-Alissa

Workouts for the week-Alissa

•Tuesday: volleyball for 4 hours.  I was sore!
•Wednesday: ran at Sims Park with Meg and Lyndsay.  We did 3 miles.
•Saturday: Strides for Strength 5K!  I improved my old time by over 2 minutes!  I was really proud of myself.

The Challenge-Cutthroat

The new Real World/Road Rules Challenge starts this Wednesday Oct 6 10pm.  The way some people feel about sports is the way I feel about the challenges!  Joe and I are so excited!  We have decided to root for the red team! 

Which is:
Brad Fiorenza*
Brandon Drake Nelson
Camila Nakagawa
Chet Cannon
Dunbar Flinn
Mandi Moyer*
Melinda Stolp*
Paula Meronek*
Tori Fiorenza*
Tyler Duckworth*
* means I like them

Who are you rooting for??  For the team lists go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Challenge:_Cutthroat

Remember to watch!
-Alissa

Foodie Friday (on Saturday)-Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I made these last week and they turned out perfect!  They were really easy...I didn't even have to use a mixer.  I got the recipe from the Cupcakes and Cashmere website that I mentioned below on my love list.  I plan on making more of her desserts cause these were great.  Also, I used her picture because I thought it was cute!

Pumpkin Muffins
Letters, Gourmet, November 2006
Adapted from the American club, in Kohler, Wisconsin

1½ cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice (instead I used 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg)
1¼ cups (plus 1 tablespoon) sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional...of course I used them though.  haha)

Preheat oven to 350°
Put liners in muffin cups.
Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin-pie spice, 1¼ cups sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour and baking powder until just combined.
Stir together cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in another bowl.
Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about three-fourths full), then sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture (I added some flaxseed to make it healthier). Bake until puffed and golden brown and wooden pick or skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
Cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then transfer muffins from pan to rack and cool to warm or room temperature.

Enjoy!

-Alissa

Thing we love-Alissa

1. Thunderstorms: It's been pretty rainy this last week and a half and I've really enjoyed it.  I looked out the window during work one day and the rain was coming down so hard that it looked like snow!  I wouldn't want it to rain all the time but I love rainy days where I don't have anything to do but curl up on the couch with a blanket and a book. 

2. http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/: My friend, Renee, who writes http://www.styleskinnyblog.com/blog/, told me I'd enjoy this website and she was right.  I love the dessert recipes and fashion advice.  I'm jealous of how well put together and stylish this girl is...and i love the blog name.  I recommend checking it out!

3. Joe: I was sick last week and I got into a car accident (minor and not my fault) this week.  Joe has been so sweet during everything.  Aw.  He really is the best husband <3.

Poll results

"Finally being able to wear your hoodies and jackets" came in first place as people's favorite part of fall! The rest of the order is:

2nd: pumpkin desserts
3rd: leaves changing colors
4th: Halloween
5th: Starbucks pumpkin spice latte

Thanks for voting! Make sure you vote in the new poll :)

-Alissa

Alissa's Great Idea... (like Kristy's. ha)

Last week's poll and a conversation with Katie Robert's has inspired me to do a Babysitter's Club post.  This what celebrities I think would play them in a movie of their adult lives.

Stacey McGill would be played by Kristin Cavallari.  I think K.Cav would jump at the chance to play the meaty roll of Stacey.  This could really launch her acting career.  All she needs is a bad perm and an insulin shot.

Kristy Thomas would be played by Michelle Rodriguez.  I don't care that one is white and the other is latino... this is a match made in butch heaven.  Put on your best turtleneck and visor, Michelle! 

Dawn Schafer would be played by Katherine Heigl.  She needs to start eating vegan and growing her hair down to her butt.  She's the perfect judgmental bitty to play Dawn. 

Claudia Kishi would be played by Jenna Ushkowitz (thanks Katie R).  Hopefully she's open to wearing some very weird outfits that of course "only Claudia could make work".  All she neds to do now is praktice making her speling as worrse as humanley posible and she's get the parrt!

Mary Anne Spier would be played by Vanessa Hudgens.  Vanessa's got a sweet shyness about her that channels Mary Anne.  If she doesn't want to be shunned by the whole group then she keep that hair long! 

Logan Bruno would be played by Zac Efron.  He is already dating Vanessa in real life so this on-screen couple would be natural.  Also, he's a little fruity which makes this perfect.  I've always pictured Logan being feminine.  I mean he was the only guy in the BSC... thats a little weird.  I hope he can do a fake southern accent that rivals Sookie Stackhouse. 

Jessi Ramsey would be played by Rosario Dawson.  They are both leggy and into the performing arts.  Also, they're both black.  Did you guys know Jessi was black??  Ann M. Martin can barely wait to tell us at the beginning of every book.   

Mallory Pike would be played by Taylor Swift.  She's always hated her red hair so she eventually dyes it light blonde, just like in "California Girls", to be cool like Stacey and Dawn.  She's still nerdy though.  Can't you just picture her singing "Teardrops on My Guitar"?!

Workouts for the week-Alissa

I was sick last week so my workouts were less than impressive.  I have a 5K to run this Saturday though so hopefully I'll do better this week!

•Monday: ran at Sims Park with Lyndsay, Meg, Cate and Ash.  I ran 2 miles without stopping and 3.5 overall
•Friday: ran at Sims Park with Meg.  We did 3.5 miles.

Things we love-Alissa

1. Joshilyn Jackson's newest book "Backseat Saints"- This novel, about an abused woman, is well-written and funny. She's one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend this book and all her others! She does a good job at adding humor to serious topics. Her other books are "Gods in Alabama", "Between Georgia" and "The Girl Who Stopped Swimming". Lyndsay and I had planned on doing book reviews on Mondays but we've changed our mind! It feels a little too much like an elementary school book report. Haha. So if we love a book we'll put it in our things we love column :)  

2. Excedrin Migraine- This is the best headache medicine ever!  I'm so glad that Joe introduced me to it.  I was sick this week and thanks to excedrin, I was able to get through my long work days.  

3. Victorias Secret ruched-back hiphugger undies- I got a free pair of these with a coupon and they are amazing! I love the way the ruchettes down the back look and I especially love that they don't give me a wedgie. Comfy and Cute!

Workouts for the week(s)-Alissa

I have been MIA this past week and a half!  Oops :)  So these are my workouts for the past 2 weeks...

•Monday: ran the 5K loop with Lyndsay
•Tuesday: volleyball
•Thursday: ran 2 miles with Joe
•Saturday: Suwanee Day 5K!  We finally did it!  I was so nervous when we were waiting by the starting line.  Once I started moving it was good though...it just felt like a regular run.  My goal was to complete it in 35 minutes and my time was 35:40... not too bad!  Joe gave me pink running shorts as a completion prize.  Aww.  I'd post a pic but for some reason my internet isn't letting me.  Ugh!

This week was really busy.  I only worked out a couple times cause most of my evenings were busy...

•Tuesday: volleyball
•Wednesday: run in Sims Park with Lyndz, Cate, Harley & Wendy.  haha
•Saturday: 2 mile walk for Huntington Disease

Hopefully this week I'll be a better exerciser and poster.

-Alissa

The people have spoken...

The poll results are in…..and running came in first place as people's favorite way to exercise! The rest of the order is:

2nd: biking and volleyball
3rd: yoga/pilates
4th: swimming
5th (no votes): walking and lifting weights

Thanks for voting! Make sure you vote in the new poll :)

-Alissa

Workouts for the week-Alissa

My workouts were decent this week.  I wish I would have ran on Mon or Wed though.  I can't believe the 5k is less than a week away!  Crazy...

•Sunday: ran 2 miles
•Tuesday: volleyball
•Friday: ran 2 miles with Joe
•Saturday: ran the 5k loop with Lyndz

Top Model

America' Next Top Model cycle 15th starts this Wednesday, Sept 8th!  To get excited I've decided to post my top 8 favorite contestants and their best photo of the cycle.

1. Nicole Fox- Cycle 13 (Winner)

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2. CariDee English-Cycle 7 (Winner)

3. Nicole Linkletter-Cycle 5 (Winner)

4. Kahlen Rondot- Cycle 4 (Runner-up)

5. Brittany Brower- Cycle 4 (4th)

6. Allison Harvard- Cycle 12 (Runner up)

7. Laura Kirkpatrick- Cycle 13 (Runner up)

8. Katarzyna Dolinska-Cycle 8 (5th)

Okay, that was actually harder than I thought!  I couldn't find all the pictures that I wanted.  Oh well.  Comment if you agree/disagree or think I missed someone.  And watch Top Model Wed at 8pm!

-Alissa

P.S. I can't get the two pictures of Nicole Linkletter off!  I don't know why they are up there before CariDee.  Becky, can you help me with this??  haha.  When I click the picture it doesn't give me the option to delete... I'm giving up trying to fix it cause I'm getting so frustrated!  Ugh!

Foodie Friday (on Saturday...)-Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

My last week's "things we love" list and Katie R. have inspired me to post the recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies :)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

-1/2 c. butter

-1 1/2 c. sugar

-1 egg

-1 c. canned pumpkin

-1 t vanilla

-2 1/2 c. flour

-1 t. baking powder

-1 t. baking soda

-1/2 t. salt

-1 t. nutmeg

-1 t. cinnamon
-1 c. chocolate chips

Directions:
Cream butter and sugar until light & fluffy.  Beat in eggs, pumpkin and vanilla.  Mix and sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.  Add to creamed mixture.  Mix well.  Add chocolate chips.  Use a cookie scoop or a teaspoon and drop onto cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes  Remove from cookie sheet while still warm.  This makes about 3 dozen or less but it can be doubled.


These are the perfect cookies to make for the holidays.  They have a fluffy, cake-like taste to them and obviously the pumpkin makes them seasonal.  Also, they always are perfectly shaped.  I'm not ashamed to admit that some of my cookies end up looking weird...but not these :)

Things we love-Alissa

Happy September everyone!  There are a couple of notable birthdays coming up: Justin (4th), Katie Roberts (13th), Bella Swan (13th) and Lyndsay (27th)!  So happy that's its almost fall....which brings me to #1 on my love list....

1. My North Face Denali Fleece Jacket: Joe gave it to me for my birthday.  Since I live in Georgia, you'd think I would not have had a chance to wear it yet.  Buut work is freezing so I've been sporting it zipped to my chin.  So warm and cozy. 

2. "If I Grow Up" by Todd Strasser: I read this book in less than 24 hours.  It's about a good kid from the projects who gets involved in a gang.  It's one of those books that stays in your mind for days after you finish reading it.  I also really like how it was written...Strasser has an interesting style.  I'm planning on checking out his other books.  I'm pretty sure its geared towards high school boys but oh well!  I loved it!

3. Sushi: I've been craving sushi rolls on a daily basis lately!  I went tonight for a girl's dinner with Lyndsay and Cate at Mori House.  So good.  We got a spicy tuna roll, a rainbow roll, an alaskan roll and a california roll.  Delicious!

The people have spoken...

The poll results are in…..and Ann Tayor Loft came in first place, by over 50%, for people's favorite place to shop! The rest of the order is:

2nd: Express
3rd: Banana Republic and J.Crew
4th: The Gap

Thanks for voting! Make sure you vote in the new poll :)

-Alissa

Workouts for the week-Alissa

I made my workout goals and ordered my new shorts from sports authority.  yay!  2 more weeks til the 5k...

•Tuesday: volleyball

•Wednesday: 3 mile run with Lyndsay

•Friday: 2 mile run with Joe

•Saturday: practiced running the 5k loop with Joe

Oh and I was looking for a picture of my shorts to post (can't find a normal sized one...weird) and i realized they just went on sale!  not cool...  i just ordered them yesterday!

Things we love-Alissa

This wasn't a very good week for me.  Katie R and Kim went home on Sunday so I was missing them.  And on Monday my car broke down and my phone stopped working.  I just felt tired and grumpy all week and I didn't have the strength to post.  Buuut I'm better now so here's my love list :)

1. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: These have to be my favorite cookies ever.  I made them for Kim, Katie R and Lyndsay this weekend.  They remind me of fall (I'm so excited for fall right now) and home.  My mom always makes them and her recipes are the best.  

2. Cheap car repairs: On Monday morning, while I was driving to work, my car overheated and my wheel locked up.  So I pulled into a gas station, tried to call Joe and work only to realize that my cell phone would not make any outgoing calls!  Luckily the gas station person let me use their phone and Joe came and rescued me.  Joe just signed us up for triple A last month so we didn't have to pay any towing fees.  Go Joe for thinking ahead!  I liked the place where they towed my car and I think we finally found a decent mechanic here.  It was only $210...which is amazing cause in the last 2 years I've paid over $3,000 in car repairs.  I was so happy once I heard the price...and now my car is as good as new.  Well almost...its still infested with ants but thats a story for another time.  haha.    

3. OPI nailpolish in "my private jet":  On Saturday Katie R, Kim, Lyndsay and I got manis and pedis.  I almost didn't get a mani cause mine always chips but a shoulder massage comes with it so I couldn't resist.  I got this color cause it's one of my favorites but its dark so I figured it would be chipped by Monday.  Well it stayed perfect for at least 5 days!  I got tons of compliments.  I love the dark gray with a little sparkle.  I recommend it to everyone!  Oh and I recommend Savvy Salon to everyone too.  They are great!

-Alissa