Staying Behind with the Times (Oops!)

There really is something to say about not making updates for a while. I like to think it means I've been living too busy of a jam-packed, fulfilling life. But, let's be honest: that's just an excuse.

I guess I've been waiting for the perfect time to re-brand and use this blog for something. Before, I lived in apartments and made strange little dishes for my little family. Now, I own a house back in Upstate New York and have been teaching myself (with the aid of the interwebs, Big K, and others, because I'm not omniscient) how to be a homeowner and do homeownerish things.

So, let me catch you up. Then, let me warn you about all the fun and weird things you might witness going forward.

Times They Have A-Changed

So much has happened in the past year or so that I don’t even know where to begin… I was in love, now I’m not. I lived in Massachusetts, but always felt the pull to return to cow country, so I packed up all my belongings, my cats, uprooted and returned. That was probably the most enlightening thing that I have done in the past three years since college, because now I am surrounded by love everywhere I turn. I’m almost drowning in it, and wouldn’t have it any other way. But enough of that mush… let’s talk home!

I'm Back Just in Time for Chili!

If you don't already know, let me be the first to tell you that starting a new job really takes a lot out of you - especially a job that forces you to learn something new on a daily basis! It has definitely been a journey since I started my new position and I love it, but it hasn't left me with much energy to be "Quinntessential." However, I'm no longer going to let it put my crafty-cooky side on the back burner. I'm back and ready to party - and what better way to reintroduce myself than with slow cooker chili for the bone-chilling season to come!

Easy Peasy Egg Mug

First off, I apologize for the delay between posts - I've been such a busy girl! I got a new job (that I love!), moved to a new apartment, and have been spending most of my time trying to get back on the healthy track. Thus, this recipe (along with most of the recipes that will follow it) is healthy and extremely easy to make!

Don't be a chicken - get yo' egg on!

Valentine's Day Sweets for my Sweet!

Yesterday, I overheard women talking about how Valentine's Day isn't really a two-way street, and everyone is familiar with those Valentine's Day haters who say that it is just a greeting card, commercial holiday. Well, I'm here to say that I love love and I love expressing love in new and unique ways, especially to my favorite Valentine ever, Alex! Thus, I created these cute, little heart-shaped pastries to express my adoration and gratitude.

Quotes from Wally Lamb’s She’s Come Undone

I had a dream last night that I had to write a ten-page paper on recovery stories - about individuals who encountered a lot of opposition and yet they persevered. I haven't had such an enlightening dream in a long time, and I can still recall who/what I planned on writing about. One of the major focal points was on the main character of one of my favorite books, She's Come Undone. Although crude at times, I've read this entire book from front to back about ten times and I always put it down and feel the same way: completely inspired and hopeful. Sure, Dolores Price goes through the unthinkable throughout her life, but she's relatable, human, and I find those characters to be the most raw and engaging characters in existence.

I know that this post is quite different from the others that I generally post, but I feel so inspired and compelled to share a few tidbits from a book that I love. Feast your eyes (and heart).

Easy Stuffed Peppers Recipe

It's been a while, but I think Mel Gibson explains my absence for me in saying, "I think any kind of hiatus one takes in an artistic journey is going to make a huge difference. The pause will inform the choices you make." The choice that I made was to enjoy the holidays and our vacation to the Caribbean, then come back and throw myself back into the cooking/crafting process in 2014. So here I am!

If you're looking for an easy (yet delicious), crowd-pleasing dinner, then look no further than this Easy Stuffed Peppers recipe.

Don't ya wish your girlfriend was hot like me?