Toasty Chickpeas

I was toasting my chickpeas and was thinking I should run a series of posts dedicated to chickpeas. Then I realized that I don't have many ideas for chickpeas stored away in my head- at least not enough for a series. 

Emma, come back to earth. Rewind.

So I came back from our capping ceremony today...(only five-ish more months to go!) and I was absolutely starving. I started grazing....

Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe Joe's are the kind of cookie that really bring out my mindless eating habits. So I started my lunch with two of those...but then I remembered that I should probably throw in some greens. I got a salad ready to go and remembered a quick trick that I saw on an on demand episode of Rachael Ray...and I'm bringin' it here:

Toasty Chickpeas

• chickpeas
• salt
• paprika

Instructions:
Drain/Rinse/Pat dry the chickpeas...canned is fine, but 'fresh' taste so much better...

Heat up a heavy bottomed pan, and throw the chickpeas in. Dash in (?) some salt and paprika, and cook for 10 minutes on medium-high heat. Toss 'em around, and make sure they're good and crispy and browned up a bit. They're delicious on a salad , as a snack, etc. Yum. 

Wanna eat like me?

My salad:

-1.5 C spring mix

-1/4 C shredded carrots

-a bit of diced onion

-a quick shred of asiago cheese

-1/3 C of toasty chickpeas

-a tbsp of balsamic dressing

-1 slice of rustic no knead bread

-1 tbsp edamame pesto

Enjoy...and if you leave a comment, leave me a reason as to why I should go to the gym tonight. I need good ones.

Come On In, We're Cheap

I like front doors:




But I'm cheap. And I had no idea that little numbers were so expensive.
Restoration Hardware has some pretty numbers. But maybe I just like them because I like the name 'Restoration Hardware'. 


I never knew little things like door numbers could get so pricey. I know we only need two, but I was determined to spend under ten dollars total.


Brett was really excited when I told him we needed to make a trip to Michael's. Maybe he might like these 'manly' crafts.


I found these on sale for .50 each:

I'm addicted to YHL, so naturally I knew where to head next:

(about $6)


Three weeks later, I got around to doing this:

And then finally, this:

Well, Brett got around to it. I'm not the best with measuring and making sure things are centered. He used some wood glue and we taped them to make sure they wouldn't fall while they dried. I'd say 6.50 is not too shabby for some unique door numbers, wouldn't you?

I love spray paint. 

Three exams down, one to go! Have a great Monday!

Frosting By The Spoonful: A Reality Check.

This week? Final exams for the semester. I cannot wait for it all to be over. I am beyond...BEYOND...exhausted. 

Oh. And stressed. Yes- those ARE mini cake doughnuts, frosting, and goldfish. Yes- I ate them.

I'm not completely unhealthy. I'm on a recent beet kick:

And, I've been keeping up with running.  So I'm really excited about that.

BUT...

I miss blogging. I'm actually finding myself daydreaming over the day when I'll get to spend time blogging again. I miss.miss.miss it. I thought I'd be able to keep up, but I was so very wrong. I guess one thing I've learned from this whole nursing school thing is that I'm much more realistic about what I can and cannot do. Right now, I can cook good food...but I cannot take pictures and write recipe posts. The con? My blog is in an extended rut. The pro? I have a lot of new recipes for future posts. I can do cool DIY home projects, but posting? Not yet.

Roo can rock an old high school hockey sweathshirt, though.

I have two weeks off starting this Wednesday, and you can bet you'll see some sort of action on this here blog. 

Anyway, I know it sounds strange, but I really think about the blogging world more often than you know. It's just a great place to be. Especially when you're supposed to be studying for finals. 

Also, subaru helps me make music choices.  This song just reeeee laxes me. It's always playing in this wee house:

Happy Day, everyone. <3