Mama Bartlett’s Pasta Salad

Posted in Recipes Reel by meganandeggs

This weekend we are having Chris’s family down to our new place for the first time since we moved. Last weekend we had a few friends over for the fourth and Chris requested some of the same barbecue foods for this weekend while we relax by the pool. I will be making my Aunt’s Baked Beans which are super easy and equally delicious andmy best friend’s, mom’s Pasta Salad. It is one of my favorites!! To be honest I’m not sure if my family or her family actually introduced me to this salad, both families have been eating it for as long as I can remember. Well now you can all enjoy at your next picnic.

Mama Bartlett’s Pasta Salad

1 lb Tri-Color Pasta
½ red or orange bell pepper
1 can olives, halved
10 oz grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup broccoli, cooked
½ block of cheddar or Colby jack cheese
Pepper
¾ cup Zesty Italian salad dressing

Cook pasta, rinse and drain. Return to refrigerator and let cool for two hours. Prepare veggies and cheese by cutting them into bite sized pieces. Mix all veggies and cheese in with pasta. Sprinkle with black pepper. Pour salad dressing on top and fold together.

9Jul2014

Auntie Barbara’s Boston Baked Beans

Posted in Recipes Reel by meganandeggs

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Like I mentioned earlier: it is a big holiday in my family. My uncle’s birthday is on the fourth and my grandmother’s was a few days later. We have had a standing Fourth of July party at my aunt’s house for as long as I can remember. My favorite part of my family gatherings is the fact that they are usually a pot-luck style. Everyone brings something to contribute. To feel a little closer to home I pulled out my recipe book and found my aunt’s famous Boston Baked Beans. They were an instant hit. Our friends and Chris ate them up, and Chris even requested them for this weekend when his family comes to visit us. Good thing it’s a pretty wallet friendly recipe. Enjoy!

Auntie Barbara’s Boston Baked Beans

2 large cans baked beans
¼ cup molasses
3 Tbsp ketchup
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
6 bacon strips, cooked
Paprika

Mix all ingredients together except for the bacon and paprika. Put mixture into 13 x 9 inch pan. Cut bacon into bite sized pieces and layer on top of the bean mixture. Sprinkle paprika on top of beans and bake at 250⁰ for at least 3 hours.

27Jun2014

My Favorite Summer Jobs

Posted in Blogging, Updates by meganandeggs

My Favorite Summer Jobs

As a high school and college student I worked hard to play hard. Shit, I may have even played harder before I was 21 than I did after I was 21. Every night was a new adventure, a new party or a new event. I had to be at everything, even if it meant I had to wake up early the next morning to go to work. Now, at the ripe old age of 27, I am like a 90 year old lady. Give me a glass of wine, good TV show and I will be in bed by 10:30.

There are a ton of summer jobs anyone at any age can pick up to make extra money. Take advantage of the long days and get a little extra work in before that late night dinner outside. Continue reading →

12Jun2014

My Favorite Food at Disneyland

Posted in California, Travel Tips, USA by meganandeggs

When most people think of Disneyland they think rides, shows, and their favorite characters. Oh and standing in lines. My friends and I, however, we think about food. The Disney Resorts have some of the best food for hotels and definitely the best food for amusement parks. I am here today to tell you some of my favorite foods at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

1. Clam Chowder Bowl at Royal Street Veranda at New Orleans Square in Disneyland

This is my go to snack while waiting to watch Fantasmic! at night. We usually stay to watch the show & everyone is ready for a snack. So if it isn’t a churro or popcorn, we usually end up splitting a bread bowl & they are amazing. You can get gumbo also if you are adventurous but I like to stick with hearty clam chowder.

2. Corn Dog at Corn Dog Castle at Paradise Pier in Disney’s California Adventure

I literally die. I am not a big fan of greasy foods but the Disneyland Corn Dogs are no joke. Up until a few years ago there was only one spot you can grab these beauties… at the end of Main St. but now they have expanded to California Adventure also. Nothing is better than a Corn Dog & a Disneyland Margarita at the happiest place on earth!

3. Mac and Cheese at La Brea Bakery in Downtown Disney

If you are just looking for a snack I suggest grabbing a Mac and Cheese off of the kids menu, but if you are ready for a full blown, cheesey meal of deliciousness… get the big one. So good!

4. Holiday Turkey at Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney

Now that we live just 20 minutes from Downtown Disney there are days where I just run over to grab a sandwich at Earl. Now I am sure if you have been to Las Vegas’s Planet Hollywood you have tried it there too but these are way better than Subway!

5. Lobster Nachos at The Cove Bar on Paradise Pier in Disney’s California Adventure

Recently the Cove Bar in DCA underwent a little bit of a remodel & expanded their seating but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to wait for a table. Get there early enough because if you try to get seats around World of Color show times, you will be waiting in a long line. But if you do get in… you need to have the Lobster Nachos… Amazing!!

6. Fried Chicken and Mashed Potatoes at the Plaza Inn on Main Street in Disneyland

Always a good go to, the fried chicken with mashed potatoes at the Plaza Inn is the perfect dinner date. And if you time it right, you can even catch a glimpse of the fireworks from your seats.

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9May2014

Must See NYC Tourist Spots

Posted in New York, Travel Tips, USA by meganandeggs

Must See NYC Tourist Spots
In honor of my mini trip back to Connecticut to visit family for my step brother’s wedding I thought I’d put together some of my favorite Tourist Spots in NYC. The City is a 90 minute train ride from my town in CT and I am actually sad to say I wish I took more advantage of being so close to the most amazing city in the world while I lived here. That being said, I did spend a lot of time in New York. I’ve always loved the idea of being able to walk anywhere or hop on a Subway and ride across the island of Manhattan in less time it would take you to drive two blocks.

Train from Connecticut to NYC

Grand Central Terminal
One of the most amazing and famous buildings in the City, but for me, it is always my first stop into New York. No matter where I am headed into New York, my train always drops me off at Grand Central. The City for me revolves around it’s gateway to New England. When visiting, make sure you look up and take in the gorgeous art on the ceiling and don’t forget to stop into the market for some NYC grub.
Times Square/Broadway Theater District
The Toys R Us store, MTV, ABC Studios and M&M World, there is nothing that compares to the busiest, most exciting intersection in the world! And if you wander a block in any direction you can see some of the best theater acting in the country. I like to stop at the TKTS booth around 6 or 7 at night when tickets to Broadway plays are 50—70% off. Chris and I got to see his favorite play last time we were in town, Phantom of the Opera.

Rockefeller Center
Nothing compares to turning off of 5th Ave during Christmas, Banana Republic is on one side of you and Michael Kors on the other, (I know I have a shopping problem) and seeing that massive tree and beautifully decorated area. There is something so romantic about the big tree overlooking the ice skating rink. I love it. And for a crazy amount of money you can skate in front of it.

9/11 Memorial
The National 9/11 Memorial sits right in the location of the former twin towers. A peaceful two blocks cut out in lower Manhattan to pay the respects to the thousands of people who lost their lives that day. An amazing place to visit.