Friday, May 17, 2013

Coffee Date + InstaFriday

If were having a coffee date together today,
first you'd hear a secret: I'm not really a coffee person,
in fact, I don't like the taste at all (but we could settle for a nice cup of tea),
and second you'd hear of how
busy my week has been!

My mother's day cupcakes - cute card the kids gave me for Mother's day
cake pops, passed the test - Sophia's new friends - May's Conscious Box (review soon)
you can follow me through instagram if you like (@sweetcarolinie)

This week has been busy,
Ian has finally learned how to walk last week (yay),
I'm so proud of my little boy and his big moment.
Now, I'm constantly running around the house,
chasing him and keeping him out of trouble (lots of trouble)
let's just say - I'm getting plenty of exercising!

Speaking of trouble, we had to get a new water pump
for our basement 'cause it was causing a minor flooding
and this morning our washing machine decided that 
it doesn't want to work anymore. I'm really not 
happy at the moment since I need it to make 
my beautiful and large laundry magically disappear! 

But as much as my week has been busy, it was also productive.
I learned how to make cake pops (they were delish) 
since I'll be making them for a friend's bridal shower in a couple of weeks, 
I guess I passed the test. 
I'm also doing and trying new recipes for the blog, 
so be sure to come back!

Today, I'm planning to take the kids to the park.
They need to burn some energy or 
they're going to burn the house.
Btw, I was trying to do a vlog and it didn't work
since they were yelling in the background, 
well maybe I'll try it next time.

So, how was your week?
Happy Friday

I'm linking up with Alissa for Coffee Date and Jeanett for Instafriday
Come and join too!


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Carrot, Apple & Spinach Salad

When I saw this recipe in the Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine, I knew I had to try it. I made a few tweaks to my likeness and the results were pretty tasty! I love salads that incorporate apples because they add such sweet or tart taste, depending on which apple you use. Take a look:



Adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 golden apple, cored and thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and cut into coins
2 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
Salt and pepper

Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk honey, oil and lemon juice; season. Toss apple, carrots and spinach with dressing. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve and enjoy!


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Herb and Cheese Biscuits

I can guarantee these are the easiest biscuits to make! And pretty delicious too, I'm not lying. It's made with simple ingredients that you can find in your pantry and good herbs. Take a look:



Recipe by Sweet Caroline

Ingredients (makes 12 biscuits):
1 1/4 cups Bisquick mix
1/2 cup shredded mild yellow sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
2 scallion, chopped
A handful of chopped parsley

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butte or line with parchment paper a baking sheet. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and slowly adding the milk, mix it until well combined. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until the biscuits are firm and golden. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Healthy Meal: Tomato & Carrot Soup (for One)

I've started this week by trying to eat healthy, let's hope I can make it! I love eating soups and I've come up with this really tasty tomato and carrot soup that be serve either warm or at room temperature, it's really quick and simple. Take a look:



Recipe by Sweet Caroline

Ingredients (1 serving):
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1 small carrot, diced
1/2 small white onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato sauce
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
Salt and pepper
Spinach for garnish (optional)

Directions:
In a medium pot over high heat, add the tomatoes, carrot, onion and garlic. Cover with enough cold salted water and bring to a boil, gently boil for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, put everything into a blender (be careful 'cause it's really hot!) and puree. In the now empty medium pot, melt butter over medium/high heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux, cook until it's medium brown. Start to whisk in the tomato and carrot mixture slowly, avoiding to create any lumps. Add the tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnish with little spinach ribbons. Enjoy!


Monday, May 13, 2013

Hello Monday!

                                                               Source: chevronstitches.blogspot.com via Caroline on Pinterest


I'm joining Lisa Leonard for another Hello Monday,
come over and join too.

Hello to a beautiful Mother's day,
I've a wonderful husband who made me
a delicious breakfast on Sunday.

Hello to my two cutie pies, Sophia and Ian.
So, proud to be their mom!

Hello to gorgeous flowers.

Hello to sentimental cards.

Hello to yummy cupcakes.

Hello to a wonderful Sunday church service,
afterwards we had a delicious luncheon 
prepared by the sisters and brothers.

Hello to trying new recipes
and eating healthy.
Hello to getting plenty of exercise,
bathing suit season is almost upon us.

Hello to a wonderful and blessed week to all!
What are you saying hello to?


Thursday, May 9, 2013

Orange Cake & Video

Today's post is a little different from what I usually do, I decided to make a video showing the recipe and I also had a little helper too. The cake itself is very simple but great to serve for breakfast or for an afternoon tea, take a look:



Recipe by Sweet Caroline

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 orange, chopped with peel and no seeds
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
Juice of an orange

Directions:
Add into the blender; eggs, oil, orange and sugar. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl, add flour and baking powder. Using a stand mixer or a hand electric mixer, beat everything well. Transfer batter into a buttered bundt pan, bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees. * I forgot to mention in the video * - Let cake cool, remove from pan and pour orange juice over the top. Serve and enjoy!

Did you like the video? Would you like to see more recipes like this one?
Please let me know! 
Thanks :-)