Balsamic Sesame Chicken Salad Wraps

I have to tell you one glorious thing about yesterday. Ok, well maybe two: I didn’t leave the house once. It snowed a blizzard. I have no idea how much snow we have because I did not stepped one foot outside. In addition, I wore my PJ’s all day. I got up, took a bath, and then put my pajamas right back on. They might have some magical powers – just because we checked some things off of our list yesterday – Paul finished painting the bathroom, it’s now clean and tidy and usable. Our walls have things hung on them and we are ready for guests. It was beyond glorious.

So who is visiting? Want to guess what I’ll feed you for lunch?

One of my favorite lunches of all-time is chicken salad. More often than not, if I see it on a menu, I will order it. I like all different versions – including different nuts, various fruits, Greek yogurt, celery, etc.

But there are two problems – they are usually full of mayonnaise and most-often served on soft and buttery croissants.

Don’t get me wrong – there is everything to love about a soft and butter croissant. Except when you are trying to be conscious about what you are feeding yourself.

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Wednesday Ramblings

Soooo, I know it’s not Wednesday anymore.  But my days are here and there and everywhere.  Yesterday was filled with conversations with new friends, job interviews, preparing for youth group, leading youth group and then a long conversation with Paul last night.

And by 11:30 pm I just accepted the fact that Wednesday Ramblings would have to come on Thursday this week.  And since I’m not going to be going anywhere today:

I thought we’d just have a random chat today, Thursday, instead of yesterday.  My coffee mug is full and I’m sitting at my desk listening to thundersnow (I didn’t know that was a thing!), watching the snow fall and thinking about these things:

1. Snow. Everyone spent the day yesterday preparing for the storm.  When I woke up at 7 am today, there was not so much as a DROP on the ground.  And then about 8 minutes later, it started.  And it kept coming down.  The first picture up there was taken at 7:45, and then 8:45 and then 9:45 this morning and it doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon.  And I don’t have anywhere to go so I’m OK with that.  But I failed to do one thing yesterday and that was to buy bacon.  We have no bacon in the house.  What do do?

2. Working. Paul and I had a long discussion last night about working.  I change my mind every 20 seconds about the subject.  I think I want to work from home, freelancing and blogging but then in another instant I want to find a full time job, and keep the blog a hobby & creative outlet that I truly love.  Discerning this is at the top of my priority – and prayer – list right now.

3. Girl Scout Cookies.  How do they make those things so good?  After yesterday’s cupcakes, I know you all love ‘em.  Do you have a favorite recipe?  Have you made homemade GS cookies?

4. Paint.  Have I mentioned that I’m tired of painting?  We painted lots of walls when we moved to our new house.  Just this week Paul finished painting the main bathroom and I finished some cabinets.  We painted our bathroom a light blue color called Smooth Sailing.  I can’t figure out what color to pair with it.  What do you think?  Slate? Light grey?  Brown?  Help me, please?

5. Ok, I said I was sick of painting but I think I want to paint our fridge with chalkboard paint.  Have you done it?  What do you think?  Our fridge is old and doesn’t match the other appliances.

6. Lent.  Do you observe the season of anticipation leading up to Easter?  We do and this year instead of giving something up, I am adding something in.  I’m attempting to create some quiet space in each day to listen for God’s voice.  As I mentioned in #2, I have NO idea what I am supposed to do with my life and I’m on a mission to listen for his will and path.  I am in a small group with some great ladies in our new town and we are reading this book: Discerning the Voice of God and it is wonderful so far.   Just what I needed.  Are you giving anything up/adding anything in/creating some special devotion for this season?

My coffee is empty and Paul has breakfast ready so that’s probably enough rambling for today.  Have a blessed day, my friends!

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Thin Mint Cupcakes with Mint Buttercream

Those sweet Girl Scouts are out and about again this year and I’ll be darned if I can’t walk by their table at the grocery store and pass up buying a box (or four.  Just kidding.)  Last year I bought some thin mints and ate (without shame) too many to be able to create a recipe.  So I made some cookies with Tagalongs.  This year, though, I tore into the box when I got home but instead of digging right in, I crushed them up and threw them into a rich and moist chocolate cake recipe!

I’m not the world’s biggest fan of chocolate.  Most of you know I’d rather have some Twizzlers, butterscotch or sprinkles.  That is all true until you are talking about chocolate and mint.  Nothing stops me when a box of thin mints are around and these Thin Mint Cupcakes are the perfect way to enjoy my favorite Girl Scout Cookies.  Just look at how rich the batter looks: (don’t worry, it tasted amazing too!)

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Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork [BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches]

BBQ is always something that I have preferred to eat at a restaurant.  In Kansas City, we were surrounded by excellent BBQ.  Not to mention, anytime we wanted to drive about an hour, we could have an excellent meal of pulled pork, burnt ends or ribs and sides at my Dad’s BBQ restaurant.

So, what to do when you move away from the BBQ capital and you are craving some savory pulled pork?  You turn to your trusty friend the slow cooker and it’s side-kick beer.

It was our second Saturday in our new home.  It was cold, we had house projects to tackle and just needed a little taste of home.  Luckily, we had some Gates BBQ sauce in the fridge and some slow-cooked pork butt sounded just right.

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