COVID-19 Self Distancing: Week 1 Recap

Wow. It's been intense. I have been actively vloging (video blogging) on my Instagram TV channel each day giving my family and friends updates on what is going on each day with Ryan and I as we tackle the current reality of the world. Some important highlights from the week below. I will try to do a weekly update for my family that does not use Instagram or know how to watch Facebook stories.

A reminder-- Ryan and I are 100% self distancing which means we try to limit person interaction completely unless we have to go get prescriptions/emergency items.

What I learned and tips to share:

• I can pretty much make a meal out of anything. Like leftovers are in full effect in our house. Example below of the corned beef leftovers in sandwich form. Stir fry that I also used for burrito bowls.
• I really like walks right now even if it is freezing. I will bundle up I do  not care I need to get outside people. I have tried cross fit, yoga, running, jogging and walking to stay fit. I am determined. I recommend the Down Dog App. I see some of the wonderful Zumba instructors at the Y are doing online videos going to check that out tomorrow.
• I love reading. Thriftbooks.com for discount used books.
• Farmers Best Delivery. I cannot wait for my first delivery of local bread, cheese, meat, grains and other items from them on Wednesday my delivery day. Spend $45? You get free delivery each time you order. I will report back next week on what we get.  
• I love that I can call people on facebook messenger and physically see them! I am like a super extrovert so that makes me happy I did this with my mom and a bunch of friends this weekend. It is a great way to stay in touch.  

We had PTO this week we were supposed to go on vacation. Instead we socially distanced by going for a walk in Door County at the state park. Good way to get fresh air and still be safe.

I made corned beef for St. Patrick's day. The meat was an excellent leftover sandwich.

I legit am starting to dig deep for meals with strange/random ingredients. Stir fry is an easy through it all in staple. Ryan made this by using some frozen veggies, frozen shrimp and made rice.

Be kind to each other. My wonderful neighbor left this tea for me.

My new coworker. She is a jerk. Ryan and I are both WAH for now with us social distancing 100%.

Making killer cups of tea daily!

I have done some crafting this past week including mending Ryan's grandmas quilt and fixing some pillows.

Look SPRING!

Just a girl. Jogging and walking. I refuse to not work out!

Venison backstraps from my freezer paired with mushrooms and baked potatoes. Meals can still be tasty guys! Keep it simple.

I mean it was pure luck that I had everything I needed to make grasshoppers the other night. Make due with what you got right now.

Oh stop coworker you too cute. Can I call a coworker cute?

I cannot wait for this guys I will report back!

The next couple memes are on fire with this week. I hope they bring you a laugh.

We are all in this together. Please stay home to protect people like me that could have severe complications if I get this virus. We all need to do our part. People are losing their jobs and it is hard out there. I am going to continue to try to spread positivity every day on my Facebook stories and Instagram page. Miss me? Chat me up we can talk on the phone too.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Travel Adventures: Hiking High Clif State Park with Greta

Such unexpected fun this weekend. We decided Saturday morning to go hiking and my parents asked if we would watch Greta (their pup) for a couple hours while there was a showing at their house. Since we were going hiking we took Greta with. She was good in the car barking at people and peering out the windows on the car ride. She fit perfectly in Luna's hiking harness and we hooked her up and were on the path all morning/afternoon. The path was slick with ice and slushy snow all day so such a good work out being attached to an excited puppy. Greta actually listened decently we started to teach her hiking terms like WOAH and wait. Such a quick little learner. She loved coming across people (such a people dog) and other dogs. We have to practice our manners more but did well. She loves sticks. Something Luna never cared for so she was constantly picking up giant branches and chewing on them which was hilarious. It was really nice to be in nature. The warmer weather made it perfect hiking weather for a hike. We only had one issue with my back getting wet from a leaky water bottle. I look forward to stealing Greta and other dogs for hiking this summer that is for sure.

Here are some pictures from our trip:

Hi. Look... I am ready to go Ryan!

So cute in Luna's harness.

I was surprised by the amount of snow.

Must smell everything.

Person? Dog? Stick?

Happy puppy!

I love getting outside if I have the time and can manage it. I look forward to more hiking as it warms up.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Mole Sauce

I did it!

I legit have a long list of recipes I love so much I crave them like all the time. Yet at the same time this long list contains things I cannot get in my little Midwest town on the regular AND also are complicated to make on my own. I got real determined middle of the week last week that I was going to make mole. Stay with me this is not a mole creature it is actually a sauce. CLICK HERE to read up on the history of this delightful sauce. Now the real crazy thing most mole sauce has at least 20 items in it and I am not joking when I say this was a labor of love people. Just cutting, washing and removing the seeds from the peppers was enough to make me want to take a nap. Usually in my food posts I put a recipe but lets be real you are never going to make this dish. If you do you better Facebook me proof because we will now be best food buddies. I actually did a ton of research and on a whim used a Pinterest recipe you can easily find on my page out there. Look for "Homemade Mole Sauce" as the title under my food and drink pins out there.

Some tips I guess I can share:

• Be careful with the dried peppers they still have oil all over them and it is easy to get the oil in your eyes/mouth etc. Wash hands with cold water and soup after handling. Do not use hot water until after you scrub with cold because warm water will open your pores and your hands will turn HOT with chili oil. I speak from experience.
• Honestly the longer this sauce can cook down the better flavor you will have.
• If you are local go to Woodmans they have all the things you need. Not local find a Mexican market. I have a ton of spices and still had to buy like 5 more kinds for this.
• If you do not own a hand blender/emulsion blender you should buy one... or ask for your birthday/Christmas because it makes this recipe soooo much easier than the blender.
• Take the cinnamon stick out before blending. It made my emulsion blender make scary sounds till I turned it off and dug out the chunks. Yikes.
• This is delightful over chicken (that is how we ate it with rice), pork, burritos, veggies.
• I made a lot and froze some for the future since this is so labor intensive to make.

 

Pictures:

My recipe had like 23 items in it.

A lot of dried chilis are needed.

There is dark chocolate in there.

Starting the process with onion, seasonings and a ton of other stuff.

Ready to cook down.

This is after it cooked for like hours. It gets really dark when the chilis cook down.

I added the chocolate at the end. yum.

I mean.. hello.

I love it!

I am legit proud of myself for making this. I have been trying to really go out of my comfort zone lately and create some really complicated things. Now if only I could master grilled cheese. I struggle with simple not complex. Ha!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Classic Cheeseburger

Let's talk classics. We do not eat a ton of burgers in our home because I do not tend to eat a ton of red meat or bread if I can avoid it. GASP I know. Don't leave yet I promise it gets good. This past weekend I was determined to have a classic cheeseburger and I knew if I made it myself it was promised to be good. Like really good. I even went out of my way and went to Maplewood Meats our local butcher for ribeye burger meat. My theory is always that if I am going to do beef I would like to try to buy the meat locally and good quality. I am telling you right now these burgers were heavenly. Gosh they were giant but I do not care my craving was satisfied.








Here is what you need~
Beef burger patty (As stated above I bought top of the line ribeye burgers) ( I made 4 of these)
Burger buns (Get good quality buns I love the classic sesame seed buns)
Cheese slices (I got a block of local Renard's and diced my own slices)
Tomato slices
Bib lettuce
Onion slices
Ketchup
Mustard
Salt & Pepper to taste

I always start by getting my pan blazing hot. I like a good crust on my meat. I will lightly coat the pan with a little butter. While this is heating up I season my meat heavily with salt and pepper on both sides. This is important because most of it comes off in the cooking process and it creates the crust on the meat. Once the pan is hot and almost smoking put your meat in and turn the pan from high to medium temperature. While this side of the meat is getting toasty I turn the broiler on my oven. Cut the buns and butter them. Put the buns on a pan that can go in the oven to toast the buns. Set aside for later. After about 4-5 minutes flip your burgers over. They should have a lovely crust. Now is the time to prep your toppings and stick those buns under the broiler till they are golden. The texture of the toasted bun is a game changer if you never take that extra step.  I like my burgers medium so if I lightly press on the burger the juice should run clear but the patty should not be super firm. Well done you want to cook them for at least 5 minutes on each side and you want the patty to feel firm when pressed. 2 minutes before they finish put your cheese on the burgers. Remove and place on the warm toasty buns you had in the oven. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy. I had to cut this burger in half to fit it in my mouth.

I prefer to cook my burgers on the grill outside so cannot wait to do that with the upcoming nice weather.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily