Month: January 2020 January 2020 - Lakes at Creekside %

Peanut Butter Brownies

Jan 23, 2020

Peanut butter and chocolate – a match made in heaven. If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, try out these simple peanut butter brownies. These whip up in just under an hour, leaving you with a plate of warm, chewy brownies complete with swirls of creamy peanut butter and peanut butter cups! 

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1.5 cups chocolate chips
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 teaspoons flour (separate- to mix with peanut butter cups)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped mini peanut butter cups
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Directions:

1. Take a baking dish and line it with parchment paper. Then, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Stir together butter, milk, and sugar over medium heat until it just begins to boil. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in chocolate chips until completely melted and smooth.
4. Let the chocolate cool for roughly 5 minutes, and then whisk in eggs and vanilla extract.
5. Next, stir in the 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking soda until just combined.
6. In a separate, small bowl, toss peanut butter cup pieces with 2 teaspoons of flour.
7. Now, fold the peanut butter cups into the batter, and pour into the prepared baking dish and spread until it lays flat.
8. Using a small scoop, place dollops of peanut butter on top of the batter. Use a knife to swirl the peanut butter through the top of the batter!
9. Lastly, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
10. Let them cool for a few minutes, then begin slicing. Top with a scoop of ice cream or enjoy these on their own!

2020 Interior Design Trends

Jan 20, 2020

Ready to update your house with a fresh look for the new decade? What’s old is new again, as you’ll see with these hot interior decorating trends.

In the bedroom, be it daughter’s room, guest room, or master bedroom, pinks and feminine shades rule. Millennial pink, taupe, and rose gold – the softer side of pink – give these rooms a soft, comforting feel great for a cozy night’s sleep. White bedding with pink pillows and throw blankets, and rose gold lamps, light fixtures, and switch plates are easy ways to bring in this color without a major overhaul. If you are up for a big change, paint the ceiling and/or molding and baseboards in a soft shade of pink, leaving the walls a gentle white.

For kitchens and living spaces, you’ve got two big trend options with opposing feels. Geometric patterns of any size work well on tile floors, area rugs, and curtains. Sleek subway tiles on the backsplash are a subtle way to work the geometric trend, but using a more lively patterned and bright colored tile will make your home stand out. Going this route will give your home a modern feel. 

On the opposite side, consider how you feel about floral wallpaper. Floral prints have been coming back in the fashion industry for a couple of years, and now that has spilled over into home décor. From big, bold flowers with twisty vines to smaller, more subtle prints with lots of white space, you can bring florals into your kitchen and living room with ease. 

Need new curtains? If the aforementioned florals don’t feel right, what about an ombre? Starting light and working it’s way to dark, ombre fabrics help tie in multiple colors to make decorating easier. You can hang your curtains starting at the ceiling and hitting with about a two-inch overlap on the floor for the most up-to-date style.

Finally, go bold or go home. Black and white are the hottest pairings this year. Expect a return of black appliances, black furniture (in metals or wood) and even black paint on an accent wall or trim. 

Instant Pot Mac & Cheese

Jan 10, 2020

Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food and one of the most iconic American dishes. Loved by kids and adults alike, this flavorful recipe is specifically designed to be prepared with an Instant Pot pressure cooker, but can also be made on a stove top. No matter which method you choose, you’ll end up with a big pot of creamy, delicious macaroni. 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni noodles
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons butter, cut into cubes
• 2 cups grated freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese 
• 1/3 cup milk 
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
•  

Directions

1. Add the uncooked macaroni, vegetable broth, water, butter, garlic powder, pepper, and salt to the Instant Pot. 
2. Place the lid on the pot and set to sealing. Cook on manual function for 4 minutes. 
3. Do a quick release
4. Prepare your grated cheddar cheese – freshly grated cheddar cheese prevents the Mac and Cheese from becoming too stringy. 
5. Stir in heavy cream, milk, and cheese, and keep stirring patiently until it turns creamy and thick! 
6. Enjoy while it’s hot! 

How To Beat The Post-Holiday Blues

Jan 6, 2020

Decorations have been put away, vacations are over, and it’s back to life as usual. For many of us, the post-holiday blues set in about this time of year. Not having a big event to look forward to, missing family and friends, and having to return to the grind of work and school leaves many feeling a bit down. Here’s how to turn that frown upside-down and put a positive outlook on the rest of January and beyond.

Pull out your calendar and find the next date you’ll see those family members you’re missing or the next birthday or holiday celebration. It might be closer than you think! Like the countdown to Christmas, make a countdown to this event to increase your excitement level.

Some of your down feelings may be attributed to the lack of activity you have this month as compared to last. The hustle of gift buying, parties to attend, home preparation for visitors or travel is over, and you’re faced with some down-time. Fill that free-time up with new activities, like exercise (New Year’s Resolutions, anyone?!), joining a club or simply doing chores like decluttering and organizing. Booking these activities into your calendar will fill up your open time slots and help you feel more productive and energized.

Instead of focusing on the difficult or negative feelings towards a return to work or school, flip the coin and look at the positives, like the opportunity to learn about a new subject, a new skill, or the challenge of a big project and the satisfaction you’ll feel when it’s complete. Putting yourself in a positive mindset will lift your spirits. Try this: each morning when you wake up, take a quick moment to be thankful for your health, your family, and the good things in life. It will start your day off on the right foot!

Get outside! The return to work may require long hours indoors at a desk, but taking even a few minutes to walk outdoors and feel the sunshine on your face will help you feel better. The vitamin D you’ll absorb from the sunlight is a natural mood booster, as are the endorphins you’ll get from moving your body.