A Little Bit of Everything

End of Christmas

karentbunnell — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:45:16 +0000

Now, don’t be fooled by the title, Christmas is not OVER, it’s just over for the year. I haven’t posted in a while, and I thought I’d just give an update of my doings lately. I haven’t done much, but I did make brunch for me and one of my friends which was fun. This is a great breakfast or brunch recipe that you should give a try.

Bacon and Potato Breakfast Pizza

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 40 min
Makes: 8 servings

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 box (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen roasted potatoes with garlic & herbs
4 eggs
1/3 cup milk
8 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces (I used smaller and less bacon and it worked)
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
Salt and pepper, if desired
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray. Unroll dough in pan; press in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides to form crust; press perforations to seal. Bake 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cut small slit in center of roasted potatoes pouch; microwave on High 2 to 3 minutes or until thawed. Remove potatoes from pouch; cut larger pieces in half.

3. In medium bowl, beat eggs. Stir in milk, bacon, 1 cup of the cheese, the thawed potatoes, salt and pepper.

4. Spoon potato mixture evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese and the parsley over top.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until set and edges are golden brown. To serve, cut into squares.

This recipe is very simple and easy to do. It can also work without the potatoes, and extra cheese is always good.

What I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth…

karentbunnell — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:52:08 +0000

It’s always hard for me to ask for things for Christmas – either I don’t know what I want or what I want is too expensive to ask for. I’m sure most of you get what I’m talking about. These days, I have been asking for more “practical” things for Christmas, like knives (no not to kill anyone or do harm to them, Cutco knives, there are the best you know), software updates for my computer, and that was about it. Sure here and there I’d think of less expensive things that I’d like to have but those were my main things. Well, I got half of the things that I really wanted this year, which is fine I guess but not the same as getting everything you want. However, if I got everything that I wanted, I might think differently on things. No one wants to be spoiled, or at least I don’t, otherwise things aren’t as appreciated. I did get three of the knives that I asked for and was disappointed to not get the other one, but that’s just something I can ask for my birthday in a few months anyway.

My mom got some really nice dishes from my dad as well as some jewelry which was nice because she wanted the jewelry and the dishes were sort of a surprise because she’s been wanting new dishes for a long time and just hasn’t bought any. I gave her a few things, among them a few of her favorite movies.

My brother and my dad didn’t get anything too interesting, but it’s hard to shop for them. I know that it’s not just me saying that it’s hard to shop for guys. I got my brother a gift card, which is something that he asked for, and I didn’t get anything from him which is fine because I know that he’s been having money problems.

It’s a bit dreary outside, because most of the snow melted away with rain showers that we got this morning. So, instead of a “White Christmas,” we got a mostly green Christmas. My parents and I will be going to Indiana to visit family tomorrow morning until Sunday afternoon, which is okay I guess. I don’t particularly enjoy visiting my family because we don’t have much to talk about. I only see most of them once or twice a year and that’s not one’s ideal for familial relationships. However, a few relatives are coming that I haven’t seen since March, so that’s exciting because I really enjoy seeing them.

Christmas is usually a lot of fun, but at the end of the day, I’m kind of nonchalant about it all. It’s just a regular day of the year, with the occasional merriment here and there to me. Sure I get to visit with my family, but I’m not even close to most of them so it’s not as fun for me most of the time. I’d honestly rather be spending time with my friends from school because I have more fun with them and we have a lot more in common.

It will be strange when I am able to move out of my parent’s house and on my own hopefully far away. I don’t know how things will be then, but I look at it as a new adventure. It’s time for me to go now, but I hope that everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Best part of Christmas

karentbunnell — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:46:19 +0000

Take Our Poll

Christmas is Coming… Deck the Halls and Careful on Icy Roads

karentbunnell — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:53:35 +0000

I was out this morning to have brunch with Bev Nemecek, who is not only a professor of mine at SAU, but she’s a friend and mentor as well. However, this was a perilous journey to Panera in Jackson for the roads were trecherous with snow and slush and bad drivers all over the place… yes, I was one of them. Honestly, how well can one drive when the roads are terrible?

I am relaxing for a bit in my living room looking at my family’s Christmas tree with all of my childhood ornaments, including the dreaded angel that I made when I was little. I like to call her my Elvis angel because she has large black sideburns. She also has red hair, which is unusual. I wonder what I was thinking when I made that particular ornament.

I love this time of the year, what with baking homemade cinnamon bread and cookies, Christmas music (occasionally, not those stations dedicated to Christmas music that’s a bit much for me), buying presents for friends and family, and Christmas movies that play on TV (not the “A Christmas Story” marathon, even though it is a classic, It’s A Wonderful Life, Home Alone 1 and 2 (past 2 it’s just bad), White Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and more.

I actually watched a great movie called Noel last night with my handy-dandy Netflix online. Noel (2004) boasts cast members including the great Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon, Paul Walker, Penelope Cruz, and Alan Arken with a great tale of several individuals living in New York City during Christmas. If you’re looking for a great Christmas story that isn’t your average corny one that you see on TV, Noel is a great story of miracles, adversity, and more.

A great quote from the film, comes from Charlie (Robin Williams) who is speaking to Rose (Susan Sarandon):
“You saved me Rose. I was wondering where God was and then the next thing you know, there you are at the bedside of a complete stranger telling him you love him was such meaning. And then I knew God was there in that room, with you.”

I hope you all have a great Christmas and make sure to be careful on those bad roads (for those of you in the northern US or at least where there is snow). I’ll post again tomorrow… hopefully.

Today’s Pandora Selection

karentbunnell — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:42:22 +0000

Here are a few songs that were playing on my Pandora QuickMix tonight… well at least the ones that I liked the most.

Morningside by Sara Bareilles-
This is the first time that I’ve heard this song, but it was a nice switch from a lot of the music that I like from Sara. It had a bit of basic rock structure with some acoustic and electric instrumentation. I enjoy music by Sara because of the general vibe that I get from her music. She is able to sing a wide variety of themes and that’s what I love about her music.

Someone Else’s Life by Joshua Radin-
I love Joshua Radin! His mellow tones and great acoustic pieces are what I like the most about him. I really got into his music last year during a hard time in a relationship that I was going through. This Cleveland native is definitely in my top 20 artists.

Be My Escape by Relient K-
It’s been a while since I’ve listened to some Relient K. This is a great song by Relient K and from one of their earlier albums titled MMHMM. I love Relient K’s older stuff but I’m not a huge fan of their newest album release that came out this fall (Forget and Not Slow Down). Their newest works just aren’t as “catchy” or “sticky” (had to throw that in there for Debbie and my COM 460 class at SAU), therefore just not my cup of tea.

Nobody Knows Me At All by the Weepies-
I don’t believe that I’ve heard this song before but it was pretty good. Singer/songwriters Deb Talan and Steve Tannen create unique rhythms and a blend of catchy lyrics and a background of folk and acoustics making for a great listen when your in the mood for something different. Frankly, the song wasn’t long enough and left me wanting more.

Lastly…

Everything About You by Sanctus Real
I enjoy the occasional tune by Sanctus Real, a Christian rock group based in Ohio. This song is a great blend of electric instrumentation with a bit of acoustics and antiphony which fits with this song nicely.

5-Cheese Penne, Food of the Gods

karentbunnell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:10:45 +0000

This recipe is practically my favorite pasta recipe that I have ever made. I found it on foodnetwork.com, and it’s literally TO DIE FOR…

Prep time: 20 min.
Cook time: 10 min.
Makes about 6 servings 4 if you’re American

Ingredients
Salt
2 Cups heavy cream
1 Cup crushed tomatoes in thick tomato puree
1/2 Cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano (1 1/2 ounces)
1/2 Cup shredded Italian Fontina (1 1/2 ounces)
1/4 Cup crumbled Italian Gorgonzola (1 1/2 ounces)
2 Tbsp. ricotta cheese
1/4 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced
6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 lb.penne rigate pasta
4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

Substitutions can be made for this recipe if you want to add some of your favorite flavors and personality in the mix, but I find that it’s great the way that it is. I do like to add freshly grated Parmesan in as well, but that’s up to you. This makes for a tantalizing, yet messy dish what with the ooey gooey cheeses. However, this would make a great meal for a date night with your significant other, and even a great family dinner for those of you with “cultured” families I hope you try this recipe, because it really is as good as it looks!

If you want to try this recipe with a good wine, here are a few suggestions that I have found:

Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Viognier

If you make this, please let me know what you think. I’d love to get a second opinion.

Welcome to My Blog

karentbunnell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:48:45 +0000

Hello,

My name is Karen Bunnell and I am a senior communications major at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Mich. I have a love for writing and I decided to start a blog. Hopefully I’ll keep up with this one. I am currently on winter break and don’t have any classes until February so I thought what better time to start a blog? I’ll try and maintain this as often as I can with things including reviews for books, movies, etc. the latest new recipe I try, or just some of my creative prose. If there is anything you’d like me to write about or review, let me know and I’ll see what I can do. I hope that some people read this and it’s not just me writing to an empty void. Please comment whenever you want and have a great day!

Hello world!

karentbunnell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:22:29 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!