Bitch Gotta KitchenAid #bgaka

Here's a funny little story that happened on Christmas.
Back in September we put our house up for sale and moved an hour away to the town I have worked in for the last few years. Until our house sells, we are temporarily living in an apartment. Paying a mortgage AND rent is no fun, but we love living closer to both our work plus there is so much more to do here. So anyways, yes we are currently in an apartment. We don't see our neighbors very often and have only met a handful. The one couple that I THOUGHT we liked and were our friends were a retired couple in their 60s with a little white dog named Max. Their apartment doesn't have a balcony so they were always sitting outside near the steps (we are on the 3rd floor) smoking. We always said hi and I usually would say "Hey Max" as he would come up to us.
Well, Christmas morning we left to make the rounds around family. We got home around 6 that night and begin unloading all our presents. The kids had their arms full and were heading up the stairs when we hear a woman's voice "That bitch gotta KitchenAid." My husband and I look at each other and then look all around but can't see anyone. In the back of my car was my one of my gifts, yep in a KitchenAid box. Then we hear it again.
"Did you hear me? That BITCH gotta KitchenAid. Bitch gotta KitchenAid."

Lee tells me to go inside with the kids and then says loudly "Because we're about to have a f*ing problem out here." On my way up the stairs I notice that the couple, Max's parents, have one of their bedroom windows open a little bit but the blinds are pulled. Obviously, it was Max's mom talking to Max's dad while looking out the window at us unloading the car. We get upstairs and inside and Cailey (my 10 yr old) has big eyes and wants to know why someone is saying those things. Then we hear noise outside ... The couple (& Max) have come outside to smoke. So what does my husband do? He goes outside too. Eek.
I put my ear up to the door eager to hear everything.
 Max's Dad: "Hey buddy! I hope you guys had a great Christmas."
Lee: "yeah we did but that's not what I want to talk about. I wanted to let you know that your window is open and we heard everything your wife said." (I couldn't see the couple but Lee said at this point Max's mom just looks down at the ground and doesn't say anything)
Max's Dad: "Oh. I'm really sorry about that. She didn't mean it. We've just been sitting here drinking. She shouldn't have said that I'm sorry."
Lee: "Well if you think she's a bitch just wait and see how much of an a*hole I can be."
**Me on the inside of the door going 'ahhh'**
Max's Dad: "Oh no we don't want any trouble we want to be good neighbors. It won't happen again."
Then Lee just comes inside.

This is actually Ice Blue, a mint color. The filter made it look darker.

I start sorting through the gifts and putting them up when I hear a knock at the door. I look through the hole and it was Max's dad. Lee tells me to go ahead and answer it. I do and he says "Hey I just wanted to apologize for what my wife called you, it won't happen again. I'm sorry your kids heard that." I told him I accepted the apology and closed the door.

Then, I realized this whole thing was hilarious. I mean, why did she call me a bitch? Am I bitch? Yes, probably. But have never been towards her. Was she jealous she didn't have a KitchenAid? hahah That's what we decided! We laughed and said I should make her something and not on the door "This bitch made you a cake with her KitchenAid since you don't have one."  So for the next few days every time we walked in the kitchen we would see the KitchenAid and yell "Bitch gotta KitchenAid!".
Of course I had to tell all my friends so now whenever I post something that I have made using my KA they all hashtag it #bgaka. 

When I posted a pic of my first time making a cheesecake

I think we should get aprons or shirts made #bgaka !! ;) LOL

Spaghetti Ricotta Bake and Homemade French Bread

Last week I made a dinner that was so good I wanted to share the recipes. I took a couple recipes and altered them to fit my family's tastes.

Spaghetti Ricotta Bake

Ingredients

• 1 pkg spaghetti noodles
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large 48 oz jar spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 16oz ricotta cheese
• 4 cups shredded cheese (I used part Mozzarella & part three cheese blend)

Directions

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Cook beef and onion over medium heat in large skillet then drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and salt.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese and melted butter. Drain the spaghetti noodles and add to egg mixture, tossing to coat.
3. Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased baking dish and spread the ricotta cheese on top. Top with half of the meat sauce and 2 cups of the cheese. Then do another layer of the spaghetti noodles and meat sauce. 
4. Cover and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Uncover, add the remaining 2 cups of cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Homemade French Bread (makes 2 loaves)

Ingredients

• 1 packet of instant yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 1/2 tablespoon oil
• 2 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups flour

Directions

1. Combine the yeast packet, 1/2 cup warm water and sugar in a small bowl. Sit aside and let proof for 10 minutes.
2. Using the dough hook attachment in your stand mixer, combine 3 cups flour, 2 cups water, oil with the yeast mixture. Mix until flour is incorporated.
3. Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour and knead for 5 minutes. Cover the mixing bowl with clear plastic wrap and let rise for 10 minutes. 
4. Sprinkle salt all over the top of the dough and mix for 15 seconds.
5. Flour the baking pan and shape dough into two loaves. Slash diagonal lines. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes to an hour, until doubled. 
6. *optional*  Brush loaves with a beaten egg white for a crisper crust.
7. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes and then at 375 for 20 minutes.

After several attempts at making bread I've found that it is a learning process. Do not get frustrated if this is your first time and it doesn't turn out right! Live & learn :) 

This time was the best my bread has ever turned out and it could have been because I had this super cute little helper!!