Today is March 21st, and I'm Not Sure How that Happened...

It seems as though my muse has up and left me! Is that fair? No! I feel like I'm complaining all the time, that I have nothing new to talk about, etc.
I could've written an adorable St. Patrick's Day post about what a cute green outfit I had on, and where I went, and how I made rainbow cupcakes with gold coins on top, but really…that would be a lie. I spent from 10 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. on St. Patty's Day- WORKING. I had a green ribbon in my hair, and I was so busy I didn't have a chance to eat anything, much less cook anything.
I feel like I still haven't found my "groove" yet- not with blogging, but with work and school.
I'm not abandoning this blog, I promise. I just need to find my groove again. Wish me luck!

Some Cuteness to Brighten Up Your Week

She's grabbing my mom's finger and licking her- not biting!

This sweet little girl is coming home with us on the 27th! We're naming her Nigella, after Nigella Lawson, the author of this cookbook (and many more, but I use this one constantly- doesn't the title just make you want to bake?!) How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking. We're going to call her Gelly or Gella, because, well, we can. And it rhymes with Jeeves, who is our other cat.

This is Jeeves. He likes to sleep in uncomfortable positions.

I can't wait until the day I can bring a little puppy home some day…I have a huge thing for Corgis!

Maybe in part to this video…
By the way, I just want you to know that I am a huge advocate for adopting pets- please don't buy a cat or dog when there is another one already looking for a good home! Jeeves was found at a construction site and Nigella was found by herself wandering around in a field :(
Do you have any adorable pets that I can drool over?
xoxo, Kate

My Super-Double-Secret Cold Remedy

It's Sunday night, and I'm watching my newly-reactivated Netflix-Wii-TV combo (in case you're interested, I just started the first season of Downton Abbey, watched several episodes of SNL: the 2000's,  and am currently on Episode 11 of My Boys: Season 1).  Yesterday, I was on day 4 of feeling like death warmed over- sore throat, stuffy nose, tickly cough, migraine, no energy, etc. I haven't gotten this sick since I can't remember when, so I knew it was time to break out my special ginger tea. I got the recipe from Sara Moulton Cooks at Home -one of my fave cookbooks by the way, but I've changed it a bit over the years. And because I had run out of both DayQuil and NyQuil, I turned to Pinterest and combined a DIY PM Cold Remedy recipe with my Ginger Tea, and OH MAN. OH MAN.
I am better. Overnight. I am not joking.
And because I love you all, I am sharing this insane recipe.

Kate's Insane Tonic  (as soon as I think of a better name, I'll fix it)

5 Cups Water
1 3-inch piece of Ginger, peeled and chopped (How To Peel Ginger-The Easy Way)
1 Cinnamon Stick, snapped in half
3  whole Cloves

Place all ingredients in a saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil. Take off the heat, and let it steep for 10 minutes.
Pour a mugfull, add some honey or pure maple syrup, a healthy squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Stir!
Drink and be well! You can also drink this over ice if you are so inclined.

I did NOT strain this but you definitely can!

The P.M. Version adds a finger or two of scotch, brandy, whiskey, or rum. It helps you sleep, sweat it all out, and gets rid of a headache! If you're going to bed right after drinking this, wear long sleeve pjs and socks. Trust me.
Disclaimer: Do not give this to children, unless you are one of those parents who is okay with giving their children alcohol, and then in which case, give on!

In other non-sick-related news, my friends Matt and Lauren got engaged last night!

And of course their cutie puppy, Ralphy!

So cute!!

And SO Gorgeous!

And it's Shmeeg's dad's Birthday today- We celebrated with dinner last night and let me just say, for a man who supposedly doesn't like celebrating, well…you see for yourself.

Happy Birthday Donnie!

xoxo, Kate

An Incredibly Busy Two Weeks "Off"

Hi there! You all know I'm very intelligent, right? So intelligent that I decided to start school and new-job training in the same week. And then of course, I got sick. Boo. Ugh. Yikes. Etc. I had 8 training shifts and then have to complete 3 exams (I've completed 2) to be considered a "real" employee. Tomorrow morning I'm going in for my last test, and I also have a phone appointment with my mentor at my new university.  So I decided to take some time off and focus on work and school, but I'm back now! Have I mentioned that I feel like poo? I've been sucking down a mixture of honey, lemon, and cinnamon, drinking tons of herbal tea, and spooning up hot chicken broth. Does anyone have any good suggestions for a sore-throated, stuffy-nosed, head-achy Kate? Because I would most definitely appreciate any and all suggestions! Thanks everyone- hope to be back soon.

xoxo, Kate