Our First Snow!

I love the snow, especially when I get to spend a snowy day inside my home, with the fire on, surrounded by our two cats and of course Mr. K working from home too. Honestly, it's snowed a little bit around here a couple of times, however this was our first true snow. Prediction of 1-2 inches but we got more like 3-4. It was so pretty, except when we went to drive the next morning and the dilemma of living in a new neighborhood kicked in, and all of phase 2 wasn't plowed or treated. Talk about driving on a sheet of ice! But let's not get hung up on that ;)

I went outside to shovel the walkway and sidewalk (Mr. K will kill me for saying that publicly, but honestly he's been so busy at work, and it needed to get done, so I snuck a few minutes outside. Plus, I love being outside when it's snowing, so I didn't mind the arm exercise! 

Home for the Holidays

This was our first Christmas in our new home, and we couldn't have been happier! This year was a little bit more calm than last year, as we traveled to North Carolina the week before Christmas to spend time with Mr. K's family, which was so much needed, and so wonderful. It was so great going for a day or two more than we usually do, because we didn't feel as rushed as we normally do, trying to do a million things and see everyone we love in such a short time. We got to spend time with great family and friends and even find time to see a movie and relax.

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family here, as my parents hosted my father's side of the family for Christmas Eve. I loved it! It was great seeing family we only see so often. I love how all of the cousins have grown up and grown together. Christmas Day was as lovely as always with my mom's side of the family. Again, cousins growing up and growing together and it's so much fun.

We did our own gifts after breakfast on Christmas Day. We're seeking out our own traditions, and although we haven't quite found them, we will over time! It was fun decorating our house for the first time, and funny to see the different decorations we've acquired over the year, thanks to good sales and my mom's great finds!

Somehow, a cat always makes a cameo in our photos

Shepherd's Pie Winter Night Dinner

It was my turn to cook dinner and since I was working from home today, it was the perfect time to come up with something fun, different and warming since it's freezing outside this week! Let's be honest though for a second, I don't cook very much. Not because I don't like to, but because Mr. K is just so darn good at it! Seriously though, he loves to cook and he's great at it. Great at coming up with meals on the fly, while I always need to follow a recipe. But that's ok because I enjoy following a recipe and trying new things (to a certain extent).

Anyways, tonight I made Shepherd's Pie. I was going to make a bunch of mini pies, but decided to just make two and then make the rest in a big pan. I followed a couple of different recipes, so I've combined those here. Mr. K is usually the mashed potato maker in the house, but he said that I may have taken over that duty. I was pretty impressed, if I do say so myself ;)

I have to admit though, the only photos I took are over the mini-Shepherds pies I made. I forgot to take a picture of the big one. BUT it looked just like this, only in an 8x8 ceramic dish.

Yields: 4-6 Servings
Temperature: 450 degrees
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Mashed Potatoes: 
3 large potatoes, peel and cubed
1/2 C. Sour Cream
1/4 C. Milk
1 tb butter

Filling:
1 3/4 lb. ground beef
salt and pepper
1 carrot, peeled and chopped (I had a bag of baby carrots in the fridge so I just chopped about 10-15 of those)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 C. chopped mushrooms (about 4 large mushrooms)
1/2 C. Frozen peas
1 tsp paprika
2 tb butter
2 tb flour
1 C. beef broth
2 tsp Worcestershire
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese (I actually forgot to use this, and it turned out just fine!)
2 tb chopped fresh parsley leaves

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

1. Boil potatoes in salted water until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes 
2. While potatoes are boiling, heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef to pan and season with salt and pepper. 
3. Brown meat - toss in carrots, mushrooms, onions and garlic 
4. Cover and cook this mixture for 5 minutes, stirring frequently 
5. Stir in peas, parsley and paprika 
6. In a second, smaller pan, heat butter and flour for about 2 minutes (make sure not to burn the butter!). Add in the Worcestershire and beef broth. Whisk until thick, about 1-2 minutes. Add the gravy to meat pan. 
7. Drain potatoes, put into a bowl (I just put them back into the pot I boiled them in), mix in sour cream, butter and milk, mash until smooth 
8. Pour meat mixture into casserole dish, and top with mashed potatoes. Top potatoes with cheese. 
9. Cook until potatoes are browned on top 
10. Let cool and enjoy! 

Pre-Drywall Meeting Postponed

We had a feeling this would happen considering temperatures have been below 20 degrees, if not below 10 degrees the past week. We had scheduled our meeting for this Friday morning, but were told that depending on the weather this week, it could change. And alas, I got the email last night saying that we were indeed going to need to reschedule for next week. They've been having trouble getting the sub contractors out to do their work. Understandably so, it's freezing! Of course we're a bit bummed out because next week we're already in the month of February, so I'm anxious to see what these delays are going to do for our final closing date. We haven't gotten any word on an actual date yet, seeing as it can change for any reason - aka snow and freezing cold weather. So... I guess we'll just keep playing the waiting game.

Just a short update today, but we're still planning on taking family out to the house on Saturday, so I'll have more pictures then! We're hoping to get into the house with our Project Manager, too. Fingers crossed!! 

Have a great Hump Day!