Happy New Year!

2012 has been such an amazing year. It has been a year full of ups and downs, new and old friends, and wonderful memories. A year full of blessings. I am a lucky, lucky girl. I married my best friend and we have the most beautiful kitties to show for it. I can only imagine what 2013 has in store for us. I can't wait to find out. Looking forward to a fun night with friends and my hubby :)

Numero Uno!

Happy Saturday!

My first ever blog post! I have been wanting to do this for what feels like forever but I didn't know where to start. A new year is the perfect time for something new! Why start tomorrow what you can start today! :) Sounds great to me! 

Hi!!! I'm Mailyn (like MAY-lynn)! I am a 25 year old newlywed. Jose and I were married May 4, 2012 and it was the most incredible day of my life. I don't think I had ever been happier than I was on that day and it just keeps getting better! 

We live in Northeast Ohio. I have lived in Ohio my whole life and I really do love it. It's home. 

I am addicted to The Nest and Pinterest! On the May 2012 Anniversary Board, I have met the most amazing and awesome group of girls. They are so supportive and great for a laugh. As for Pinterest, how does ANYONE get by without it. How did I ever get along before?! Recipes, crafts, oh my! I am also addicted to my Kindle Touch, Harry Potter, blogs, cooking, baking and, of course,  my husband :). We have two furbabies, Willow and Primrose. I am fairly easy going, friendly and caring but with a crazy temper. My mom says that is the Aries in me... I just use it as my excuse :). I can be scatterbrained, totally focused and unintentionally funny. 

I just want to have fun and share my recipes and experiences and my life. My year. I hoping for a wonderful end to what has been the perfect year and a promising beginning to what I know will be an incredible year. I hope you like it.

This morning, I woke up bright and early today to find... more snow. So much for no accumulation! 

My amazing and fantastical husband is at work today and I decided to make him a very tasty dinner! He deserves it because we have been eating out or eating very, VERY easy for a few weeks now. This new cooking spree was started because Jose got me a  Ninja Slow Cooker for Christmas! This thing is great! I love it. On Thursday, I kind of used their inspiration guide. It was a recipe for Spaghetti & Meatballs. When I saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes. The recipe calls for you to put all the ingredients, frozen meatballs included, directly into the slow cooker. I am not really a spaghetti & meatballs kind of girl so I decided to tweak it. I tossed 2 dozen frozen shrimp into the slow cooker on medium on the stove-top setting. When they were no longer pink, I added a few cloves of chopped garlic and seasoning. I then added just over two cups or water, 16oz pasta sauce and half package of spaghetti noodles. Stirring occasionally  30 minutes later, I had a complete, delicious meal. Jose LOVED it.

Yesterday, I added marinated chicken breasts to the crock put (medium on the stove-top setting). When the chicken was cooked, I added sliced onions and whole garlic cloves. When both were softened, I added 2 cups of uncooked rice, water, seasoned salt and 2 tbsps of butter directly to my slow cooker. 30 minutes later, I had what SHOULD HAVE been a wonderful meal. The chicken marinade wasn't so good. I won't be using it again. I think I will go with a teriyaki or soy marinade next time. The rice, however, was awesome. Soooo, pizza it was!

Back to today (I am easily distracted), when I saw all of the snow, I decided it was a soup kind of day! OK, so I decided on the soup yesterday but the snow today made me really want soup! I first tried Stuffed Pepper Soup at Zoup! I loved it and would get it any time they had it on the menu. I decided I could do it... or try to do it at least. I Googled for a recipe and found two that looked really promising! They can be found here and here. From my dad, I have learned the art of combining several promising recipes and making an awesome recipe. Here's what I came up with!

Ingredients:

·         1 lb. ground beef

·         1 small-medium onion, diced

·         1 ½ cups diced bell pepper

·         1 can (16 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

·         1 (16 oz) can tomato sauce or soup

·         4 cups beef or chicken broth (or combination)

·         1 ½ cups cooked rice (cooked with seasoned salt & 1 tbsp. butter)

·         t tsp. garlic powder

·         salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large pot, add ground beef; season with salt & pepper. Cook and crumble beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add onion & bell peppers, cook for a few minutes to soften. Do not soften completely. Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until peppers are tender.

As of right now, it smells great! I will have to follow up to let you know my hubby's verdict!

Have the best day!

-Mailyn