Chocolate Covered Oreo Balls

I made these for Roberto and some of his teammates (and a few for me, of course) last month, and they were a huge hit! This recipe only has 3 ingredients, which makes it so easy. These would be especially perfect to serve at a party. A great bite-sized dessert and a total crowd pleaser. I promise you that I had way more than I intended to, they were just too good!

 

Ingredients

1 package of oreos (36 cookies)

8 oz cold cream cheese

8 oz bakers semi-sweet chocolate 

 

Directions

Crush oreos and mix with cream cheese (save a bit of crushed oreos to sprinkle on top). Form one inch balls and place on cookie sheet that is covered with wax paper or foil. Melt chocolate in microwave then drizzle over the balls. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours and ENJOY!

 

*I found that these tasted best when left in the fridge longer than at room temp. So leave in the fridge up until you are ready to serve.

*Also, how good would these be with white chocolate drizzle?! Next time I think I will test that out.

 

Have a great Wednesday, friends! 

Five on Friday

Happy Friday, friends!

O N E Ladies and Gents, spring has arrived!! Finally. Robert and I have set out on our balcony here some this week and soaked up the warm sunshine, it is just the best. And beautiful flowers are starting to bloom all around...it is just beautiful!

 

T W O Amanda at Little Southern Life shared this amazing Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Boats recipe last week. And they look delicious! This is a recipe I am going to try very, very soon.

T H R E E My amazing in-laws came to visit us last week here in Poland! Check out our time with them here.

F O U R This guy has his last game of the season on Sunday- I can't believe it! This has been a really great season and I just cannot believe it is already over. I am so proud of this man, his talent, hard work and dedication.

F I V E Our EuroTrip is almost here! We leave next Saturday for our vacation and we are pumped. Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam...we cannot wait. Again, if you have suggestions for any of these places, please comment! One specefic request...we are wanting to have a picnic in Pairs one day, do any of you have a specefic spot you would recommend??

Short and sweet for this Friday! I hope each of you has a wonderful weekend!!

 

Linking up with Oh Hey Friday, Meet at the Barre, Five on Friday, and Jennie.

Visitors in Poland

Last week, we had some pretty great visitors...Roberto's parents! They traveled all around Poland and then came to stay with us in Lublin for the week. They were able to see Rob play two games (and he kicked booty), we were able to take a fun day trip to Warsaw and we explored all around Lublin...even parts that Rob and I had yet to explore! We had such a wonderful time exploring, eating plenty of Polish food and enjoying quality time together. 

The Polish culture truly is beautiful. There is so much history and beauty all around and it was so great to share that with Mark and Julie. Not only that, but they were able to get a feel for what our life is like here. Robert and I talk about how our life here in Europe is so different than life back home in the states, and it is so hard to explain that to people. So when we get visitors, it is so nice to be able to share our daily life with them and let somebody besides ourselves really understand what it is like to be an expat in Poland...all the ups and downs.

 These two really enjoyed Poland and that makes me so happy. This place will always hold a special place in our hearts, it has been our home, where we have done life for the past 8 months, and I am so glad they got to experience such a wonderful place...a beautiful part of the world.

We truly treasured all the quality time we got with them and all the exploring we were able to do together. We had such a fun time adventuring around Lublin, showing them some of our favorites and then exploring new parts together. Not to mention, eating the best that Lublin had to offer. The combination from above? Makes for a pretty perfect visit in my book. 

And can we talk about the fact that spring, precious spring, is starting to show?? That almost makes me as happy as having visitors...almost.

We are so grateful for those two and all the fun and joy they bring! The time here in Poland with them is time we will never forget and always treasure. We already miss them but we will see them in less than a month when we head back to the states. Yes, back home, I can't believe it is already that time! We are so glad we had company and for all the adventuring we got to do together. Thank you Poland for showing us a wonderful time.

Homemade Brown Sugar Granola Bars

These were so delicious. The perfect amount of crunch and sweetness and the ideal morning, day, evening, anytime snack! Robert and I both, thoroughly enjoyed these. We also loved them because if we did not want a bar, we could crumble them up and put it on top of some yogurt with fruit or in cereal with milk. Try these ASAP, you will not be disappointed.

Ingredients

7 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup oil (vegetable or even better, coconut oil)

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sliced almonds

3/4 cup honey

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

Adjust oven rack to the middle of the oven, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line (about) an 18 x 13 rimmed backing pan with foil (the pan does not have to be this exact measurement, just close). 

Combine oats, oil and salt in a large bowl and mix until oats are coated. Transfer this mixture to a (different) baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Bake, stirring every 10 minutes, until pale gold, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and lower temp to 300 degrees F. 

Combine honey and brown sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium hear until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes...stir constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and cinnamon. 

Combine the oats, nuts, and honey mixture in a large bowl. Stir until oats are coated with honey mixture. 

Spray the baking sheet (with foil) with non-stick spray then place granola mixture on the baking sheet and spread in an even layer. You might want to taste test here...soo good:) Firmly press the mixture into the pan, making a flat, tight and even layer. Bake until golden about 30-40 minutes.

Cool in the baking sheet for 10 minutes and then cut into the bars! Do not wait longer than this because bars will harden and be difficult to cut. I used a sharp knife to slice the bars. Now allow bars to completely cool before you dig in.

The bars can be stored in a covered container and last about 2 weeks. Enjoy! 

Adapted from Delectably Mine.

I promise you each step is worth it...these bars hit the spot!

Five on Friday / Easter and Travel

Friday is here! Let's get right to it...

O N E Robert and I had a very low key and very nice Easter, just the two of us! We slept in way too late, cooked a fabulous brunch and celebrated our Risen Savior! We relaxed the rest of the day and ended with a night at the movies! It was such a sweet day with the husband, one filled with the utmost gratefulness for our God.

 Check out blueberry muffin recipe here!

T W O Let's talk about traveling...my absolute favorite hobby, especially when it is with the husband. After the season is over, we are taking our end of the year trip! And we cannot wait. This year we are traveling to Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam!! Have you visited one of these destinations?? Please give us all your tips and tricks! Especially for Barcelona and Amsterdam.We need suggestions on places to eat, what to see, etc...please help!

via Paris trip in January

T H R E E Speaking of traveling...recently I have recapped my travel adventures including our Paris/ London Girl's Trip and my quick trip to Seattle! Visit my travel page here to see all our adventures, including tips and tricks for certain European cities!

F O U R During my flights to and from Seattle, I came across a new artist that I absolutely love! I might be way behind here but his name is George Ezra and his music is great...the perfect feel good music and his voice is perfection. My favorite so far is Budapest...definitely check his music out (if you haven't already).

F I V E Back to Easter for a quick sec. Roberto decided to snap this pic of me (with pajamas and bed head mind you) while I was trying to get the perfect "blogger brunch photo". It is a a little ridiculous but man...so fun! I really enjoy this whole blogging thing and all the craziness I do for it.

That's it for today! Now for the weekend, which will consist of plenty of relaxing, reading (obsessed with Liane Moriarty) and fingers crossed, lots of brunch. 

I hope you each have a wonderful weekend, Happy Friday!

Linking up with Oh Hey Friday, Meet at the Barre, Five on Friday, and Jennie.

A Quick Trip / Seattle

At the end of March I was able to make a quick trip to good ole' America! One of my best friends was getting married in Seattle and I was not about to miss it! Even though we will be headed home in a month, and it was only a five day trip, the husband totally agreed that I had to go...I seriously love that man.

After a solo hotel stay, a 2:30am wake-up call and about 24 hours of travel, I finally made it to Seattle and with a second wind! I mean seeing your best friends after way too many months, will wake you up real fast.

I arrived Thursday in the late afternoon, and we just spent that night catching up lots and it was wonderful. Then the next morning, I was up bright and early (the time change is a killer) so a morning walk it was . And oh man, Seattle is just incredibly gorgeous...

 {the big camera was not lugged on this trip, so all photos are with the phone.}

Jocelyn and I had visited Matti (our bride) in Seattle a few years ago, but I ended up getting sick so most of that trip was a blur. But this time, this time, I was fully able to enjoy this city and oh my goodness...it is incredible! It is clean, beautiful and so much fun. I can't wait to bring Roberto back with me!

Later that morning I was able to get my hair highlighted (priorities, right?) and then headed to the rehearsal. Just wait...the venue is gorgeous. After, we were able to do a little lot of shopping and then headed out that night to celebrate our bride-to-be!

Saturday morning started with another walk (the weather was too good) and then the celebrations continued with a Bridal Brunch! We enjoyed brunch at Portage Bay Cafe and all I can say is wow. Find yourself in Seattle?? This is a must as well as there Pancakes and topping bar. So yummy.

We had so much fun eating brunch and celebrating sweet Matti. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and then it was time to head to the Rehearsal dinner at the prettiest restaurant on the water!

Talk about good food, crabbed stuffed shrimp...holy moly, so good. Ok, enough about food...I'm done. It was such a fun night celebrating the future Mr. and Mrs. Gresham!

The next morning it was game time! We woke up and spent the morning getting ready and taking pictures...

I mean, can you say gorgeous???

In the late afternoon, it was finally time. In the sweetest and most beautiful ceremony, our Matti married her man!

We spent the rest of the night, dancing and eating and having the most FUN time. Mr. and Mrs. Gresham, you sure know how to throw a party! Congratulations to the incredible couple, Jesus is going to do great things through this marriage.

Before my flight the next morning, we were able to explore Seattle a little more, enjoy brunch (also eat at The Crumpet Shop, insert heart eyes) and lots of catch-up time. Being with your friends and in a beautiful city? Well, it is just the best.

 Pike Place is amaazing, by the way. Fresh fruit and flowers, samples, chocolate pasta...I could go on and on.

 (Thanks El for these pictures!)

I then made my way to the airport for the journey back to Poland. It was not the best flight experience (can you say turbulence??) but I was so grateful for such a wonderful few days in AMERICA with friends and celebrating our married Greshams!

Linking up with Annie, Natalie, Meagan and Joey