3 Ocak 2013 Perşembe

Restaurant Review: Paula's Cafe in Downtown Cincinnati

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I had heard good things about this "7-minute burger". Apparently it takes 7 minutes to make. Did you guess that? Apparently it is also one of the 40 best burgers in Cincinnati according to Cincinnati Magazine.

So I made PJ take me out on a lunch date to Paula's Cafe, home of that 7-minute burger.

It's located on 4th Street in downtown Cincy so be sure to bring some change for meter parking! It's small inside with not much seating, and I hear it can get pretty busy with lines out the door, so be ready. But we didn't have a wait when we went luckily.



























It was a bit confusing when we came in. There was a big sign telling us to "Order Here" at the register, so we walked up to order. We had never been there before and didn't know how the ordering process went, and the lady rudely acted like we should know and handed us some paper to write our order on. We wrote down our burger orders.  You can choose which toppings you want on it. We remembered after she rang us out that we also would like something to drink. She did not offer that to us when we were ordering, no "would you like drinks with that?" or anything like that. No biggie, but then when I tried to add the drinks on she had the nerve to tell me that there is a minimum amount you must order to use credit card, and that I would have to spend more to reach that minimum amount to pay by card. Even though we JUST purchased $20 worth of food. I wanted to bop her in her face. There was no way I was spending more so we just had to suffer with no drinks. Great service!!! Sike.

Then we went to sit down and the lady who rang us out was saying that since we ordered at the counter that it was supposed to be a to-go order and kinda made a big deal about us dining in. Well then it needs to be more clearly displayed when you come in. I shouldn't have to come in to a restaurant and be so confused how or where is the proper place to order. If it really mattered, and she knew we had never been there before, she could have asked us if it was for dine in or carry out. I'm sure you have new customers there on more than one occasion so it would be nice to not assume that everyone who comes in knows the "correct way and place" to order. Sure hope that wasn't Paula herself.

Off to a bad start, customer service-wise.

On to the food.

PJ ordered the 7-minute burger ($7.45) and fries ($1.75). The burger is a half pound hand pattied fresh ground Angus chuck cooked to a perfect medium with whatever toppings you want on it. PJ got lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, sauteed mushrooms and onions (add $.50 each) and cheese. There may be an extra charge for cheese too.



















I also ordered the 7-minute burger and fries, but with different toppings on my burger. Mine had mayo, sauteed onions and mushrooms (add $.50 each), and fried egg (add $.95).



I was pleased with the burger. It was tender, juicy, and definitely had that fresh-not-frozen taste. You could tell they were hand pattied because they were so plump. It's hard to find good burgers so I appreciate this one. It's also a messy burger, so have lots of napkins on hand, and no white shirts! I liked the egg and runny yolk with it, but next time I think I'll try it with other toppings. I also liked the thin, crispy fries.

So food = win. Service, not so much. But I'd be willing to go back again. Definitely wanna get my hands on that burger again!

They also have salads and sandwiches if you aren't in a burger mood.

But you really should be :)


Peace, and bacon grease!






Paula's Cafe on Urbanspoon

Countdown to 2013: Best Breakfast Recipes

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This year has been a lot more of baking and sweets. Strange, me being a steak and potatoes kinda gurl and all. Next year I hope to have more of a variety of recipes on my blog. Resolution #1 for 2013.

So, there weren't many breakfast recipes on the blog this year. I present to you, the best breakfast recipes of 2012!!

Sausage and Hashbrown Bake

























Blueberry Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling


























Sausage Cheese Breakfast Biscuits


























Whole Wheat Honey and Goat Cheese Biscuits

























Join along for the countdown fun here!


Peace, and bacon grease!



Countdown to 2013: Best Main Dishes of 2012

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I'm a little late joining up, but here's my roundup of my main dishes of 2012!

Well, not so much a roundup... Basically I've learned that I didn't post many savory recipes at all this year! Oops. It is soooo on my resolution list for 2013 to be better with blogging recipes! I have tons of pictures on my camera, just haven't blogged about them.

So here are two delicious mains for you :)
 

Grilled Filets with Bourbon Butter



















Ranch Taco Salad


























More roundup posts coming :)


Peace, and bacon grease!


Countdown to 2013: Best Snacks & Appetizers of 2012

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Happy New Year, friends!

It's 2013, but I'm still bringing you the best of the best from 2012. 

Today I bring you the best snacks and appetizers from my blog in 2012!!

Black Bean Corn Salsa

























Sweet Grape Salad


























Apple, Bacon, and Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese Croissant


























Turkey and Onion Grilled Cheese

























Bacon and Avocado Topped Deviled Eggs 


























 Southwestern Deviled Eggs 




















There's still time to join in on the Countdown fun.


Peace, and bacon grease!


Countdown to 2013: Best Dessert Recipes of 2012

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I know I just did a Christmas treat roundup that featured many of these same recipes, but this one will be a little different because I will actually be picking the BEST. And I'll be linking to Finding Joy in My Kitchen's 2013 challenge!

These here are the best desserts from my blog in 2012!


Graham Cracker S'mores Candy. Obsessed. I love melted marshmallows.






















Graham Cracker Candy. Sounds the same as the one above but totally different.




















Butterfinger Ice Cream Pie. PJ was requesting this every week for months straight. I think he forgot about it though so I'll have to whip him up one soon and surprise him!

























Deep Fried Twinkies with Strawberry Topping. Because only having this at the state fair is just not enough. Hopefully you can find some Twinkies at your stores!! Are they all gone yet?


















Chocolate Almond Pretzel Toffee. Slightly addictive. Ok majorly.

























Salted Caramel Milkshake. Salted caramel. And a milkshake. Nuff said.




















S'mores Cookies. Give me anything s'mores and I'll love you long time.

























Peanut Butter and Jelly S'mores. So glad I found you. Told you I love s'mores.























Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. Now brownies without frosting just don't compare.























Yay, I managed to slip a few more in there that I didn't share on my holiday roundup.

Now throw all of your new years resolutions out the door and get to bakin!


Peace, and bacon grease!


2 Ocak 2013 Çarşamba

Doodle Pantry's Ski Sheep

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I try to make 3 different snow themes for my January cards that I send to family and friends.  Here is my second card project.  I bet you thought it was going to be a window card...haha  Fooled you!!!
I used Doodle Pantry "Ski Sheep" (pre-colored).  I also made this a "zig sag spinner/slider card.  I got the wonderful idea from one of Birds Cards in her February 2012 post.  I made my own template using your basic 8.5x11 paper size. The little trees were a file from Silhouette.  Any little tree will do.   It's been a while since I have done a video, but it would had been nice to show you how the skiing sheep skied down the hill and tumbled...haha
A2, wavy crimper, diamond stickles, pop-ups

Another view, another angle, another background...haha

Baby it's cold outside

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My third winter card theme...I bet you still thought I was going to do a window...haha
Ok...not freezing cold yet, but when it arrives, this little birdie would like to head to Seminole, Florida for a few weeks!
Folks, I tried to find out who gave this "winterbirdies freebie svg"....not Kadoodle, Scrap Chick, or Treasure Box.  It did not come with a credit page.  I'm sure someone out there will recognize it and let me know so I can update.  This is a great, fast, quick, cute, shaped card that I will use as my "go to" card through March.
I did a little inking on edges, swiss dot folder on feet, wavy crimper on hat, and made a white shadow base for a clean finished shaped card.
A2 size, also used pop-ups under green ball pom pom

Some of my stash of "go to" birdies


Ewe warm my heart

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or....
ewe are such a good friend
ewe have such a big heart

Yup, I used my window and wavy crimper again.   I'm going out on a limb and saying this was a free svg from Treasure Box Designs from about a year ago.  There was no watermark on it. It was quick and easy to cut. The grass, ivy and windows were leftovers from other projects...I love it when I can grab a "leftover" and use.

A2 size, stitching, flower punch, ivy tendrils die by Poppystamps with little hearts covering the ivy

card opened, glitter deep pink heart, pop-ups, wavy crimper and IO grass die

Handmade cutting block

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My son made this wonderful cutting block for me/us for Christmas.  He loves woodcrafting as a hobby and enjoys even more restoring vintage tools and machines.  I thought I had better take a pic since I'm already marking and scratching it up.  He used walnut, cherries and maples to do all the different designs on it.  The wood is turned a certain way so it doesn't dull my expensive knives.  I'm so proud of him....perhaps a little of my craftiness DID manage to get into his genes....haha
about 18x12 and 1 inch thick



An-udder birthday

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Cheryl, at Cafexpressions, became a cyber friend when we were both collaborating on SVGCUTS.com forum over 4 years ago. Little did we know, her living in Michigan and me living in South Carolina that our paths would personally cross. She and her family moved to West Virginia...ok...a little closer.  We continued our shared interest with svgs, cutting machines and digi images. Heading to the beach with another friend, I called and asked her to join us...see did.  We all had a grand time coloring and making cards. She fell in love with the SC beaches and our weather.  1 1/2 years later, due to her husband's business, the family moved to Greenville....what were the odds. What's a little ironic, is that we still spend more time conversing on the internet or phone than actually visiting each other's house...haha  We manage to take some trips to the local craft stores together. If I ever run out of glue, at least I know more glue is just 6 houses away...lol
This is her birthday card.  I was instantly attracted to it when Doodle Pantry posted it this morning as one of their new releases....and there still a sale going on at the store.  Moo Sheep comes in black/white and pre-colored, along with fun sentiments and matching paper which I also used. I TOTALLY CASE'd Jennie Whittaker's fun card.
A2 vertical, stitching, added had sign, ribbon

EK pennant punch, I made shadow with Silhouette Cameo, pop-ups for dimension
Challenges:Doodle Pantry #30: Use any Doodle Pantry image (not just sentiment)

1 Ocak 2013 Salı

"Santa" Burlap Bags

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 Problem Solved. No more "Santa" wrapping paper being bought over here---EVER!


My friend told me about this idea..and man is it a smart one! So easy..every year place the burlap sacks  out under the Christmas tree for Santa to fill! 


So simple...Trace the stencil of your kiddos initial you are making the bag for on the felt. Cut it out, fold up the burlap sack {I bought the sacks on Ebay} Cut the ribbon and attach that initial with a cute mini clothespin. This took me about 15 mins to complete....and I am in Love with how they sit all pretty under the tree!




Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas
<---------------Easy crafts!

















Linking to:
Tatertots & Jello
DIY Showoff 












Top 5 Family Fun Christmas Games

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I love games! Yes I do. I love games...how about you?Last year at Christmas I put some magic together and we played some fun games! 





1. Don't Eat Santa!





All you need is CANDY and Print off the Sheet from Above!


 
2. Swing a Rudolph Nose
 Vaseline the noses!
 And Swing! {string w/ pom pom}
 WINNER!
 Side Nose Winner!
Another Winner!
3. Christmas song Charades or Pictionary!The Game Gal has these great lists:
Pictionary
Charades
4. Christmas story time

5.  Christmas Song Picture Game
Thank you Santa Lady for the game!
 Print out the form create teams..set timer..go!
So there are my Top 5 Games!
Will you be adding any of these fun ones to your Christmas Celebrations? Hope so!