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Archives for October 2019

My (strange) Halloween tradition

Written by Cassie · October 31, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

My (strange) Halloween tradition | cassierauk.com
My (strange) Halloween tradition | cassierauk.com

I am not sure how much you know about pagan religions, so I am going to start with a little history lesson.

Halloween was born from All Hallow’s Eve, which was, in turn, created to Christianity-ize the pagan holiday of Samhain. Samhain is considered one the of high holidays and is (basically) the ancient Celt version of New Year.

Much like the Pagans, I have adopted Halloween as my own New Years’ Eve. I use Halloween as a kind of fresh start. My Halloween is a bit woo-woo and a bit of fun.

There is still time to play along, here is what you do:

Write down all of the things holding you back.

I am talking about fears, money issues, baggage from old relationships, or stupid things you blame on your parents. All of it. Whatever that nasty little voice in your head says to you when you think about going back to school, looking for a new job, or talking to that cute girl.

Let that shit go.

Now using any ceremonial method, destroy those slips of paper. I live in the country, so I toss them in a bonfire while drinking a beer. Flush them down the toilet, tear them up into little pieces, let them float away on the wind. Do whatever makes you the happiest.

Write down a list of 100 dreams.

Now that you are free from what is holding you back grab some paper, and write down a list of 100 dreams. These can be both big and small. The key is to put down an idea no matter how outlandish. These are dreams, not goals. This is a time to dream big!

Do you have a weird holiday tradition? I would love to hear about it!


Filed Under: self care + wellness

4 Creepy Netflix Show for Halloween

Written by Cassie · October 29, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

4 Creepy Netflix Shows for Halloween | cassierauk.com
4 Creepy Netflix Shows for Halloween | cassierauk.com

When October rolls around, I compile every creepy movie, book, or television within arms reach. And I read and watch until I can’t sleep through the night. Halloween is just around the corner, so I am jumping in here and share my favorite creepy TV shows. All are available on Netflix.

The Haunting of Hill House

This series is based loosely on the story by Shirley Jackson and follows five siblings who spent a horrible summer living in the infamous Hill House. The story alternates between the stories of the adult siblings in the present day and the events as children that changed them forever.

Penny Dreadful

The series, whose name comes from 19th-century creepy British stories, is a combination of many classic Gothic horror stories. I am talking Dracula, Frankenstein, Doran Gray, and Dr. Jekyll. The storyline is strange, intense, and utterly fascinating. And it’s bloody AF.

Stranger Things

Stranger Things follows a group of middle schoolers in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. There is a government facility in town up to God-knows-what which leads to missing kids, monsters and alternate dimensions.

American Horror Story

AHS is an anthology horror series created by the guys who also brought us Glee (weird, right?). But these guys have been showing up for nine seasons Each season, and each is its own self-contained story. The seasons range from a haunted house, a carnival freak show, a coven of witches, and a lunatic asylum. This show is scary, hyper-sexualized, and deeply unsettling. I, for one, love it.

Now it’s your turn! What are your favorite creepy shows or movies?


Filed Under: life + happiness

5 wardrobe staples I splurge on

Written by Cassie · October 24, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

5 wardrobe staples I splurge on | cassierauk.com

I am not a ‘clothes’ person, but I do have a handful of wardrobe staples that I splurge on. These pieces make me feel more put-together and polished, regardless of my outfit.

5 wardrobe staples I splurge on | cassierauk.com

I am not ‘into’ clothes. I want to look good, but I am far more concerned with comfort than with style. My workplace is casual, so the clothes I wear at work are the same as the clothes I wear at home for the most part (minus the yoga pants).

I am also long past the days of grabbing those cute fast-fashion clothes off the rack in Target. I don’t even want to think about the amount of money that I have wasted over the years buying clothes that stretch out of shape after one cycle through the wash.

Now I take the time to find and buy quality clothes.

Just to be clear, I don’t splurge on every piece of clothing that I buy. Although, I still swing through Old Navy on grab t-shirts on sale. And I troll ThredUp regularly. I do, however, have a few pieces that I spend extra money on, and they make me look more put-together and polished, no matter what I am wearing.

Here are the items that I spend more money on.

Quality Underwear

Ugh. It can be so hard to find bras and panties that are of good quality that don’t pinch or ride up. I am in love with Third Love bras since trying them out a few years ago, and for panties, my go-to ones have become these from Duluth Trading Company.

Pants that fit like a glove

I had such a love-hate relationship with jeans until I found a brand and style that worked for me. I don’t have to wear dress pants very often, but when I do, I want them to be comfortable. The dress pants yoga pants from Betabrand were definitely worth the price tag.

A kick-ass bag

A few years ago, I was doing the bookwork for a trucking company that my husband and dad owned. In lew of payment, I let them me buy me this bag. It was the most money I have spent on any bag before, and I was more than a bit anxious.

The bag is leather (no faux stuff here), the lining is durable and gets more and more beautiful with use.

Comfortable Shoes

I keep my footwear pretty simple; I have a pair of Chucks and Keen walking shoes, Rothy’s black flats, a few pairs of boots I got second-hand, a good pair of sandals and some clogs I picked up on sale.

Good Outwear

Being a Minnesotan, outwear is essential. Splurging on a good coat (or two), sturdy boots, and a good pair of warm gloves and a stylish stocking hat is commonplace. And cheap-ing out on these items can be the difference between a comfortable walk in the snow and losing a toe.

  • Coats are from Lands End and Duluth.
  • My boots are second-hand that I picked up from ThredUp.
  • I have this stocking hat is from Duluth, and my mittens came from a craft fair.

You don’t have to spend big bucks for a quality wardrobe. With a few quality pieces, you can dress with more confidence and feel better about your (small, but stylish) wardrobe.

You heard from me, know it’s your turn! What pieces of clothing do you invest in?

PS – Not everyone can afford to spend $70 on a pair of jeans, and there are lots of others where those jeans seem cheap AF. The point is to get the best quality/fit for you, and don’t worry about what others are doing.

PS – 5 areas where I can’t be low maintenance.


Filed Under: work + money

Self-Care At Work

Written by Cassie · October 22, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

self-care at work | cassierauk.com

It is easy to get stressed out and overwhelmed at work. Here are tips to help you get through your days because everyone needs a little self-care at work

self-care at work | cassierauk.com

We spend a large part of our day at work. And when we start counting the amount of work we do while we are at home (emails on your phone, conference calls after dinner, late-night texts from your boss), the amount of time we spend working is almost constant.

Long story short – work takes up a lot of our brain space.

And If you are not careful, this can lead to massive amounts of stress and overwhelm.

But it doesn’t have to — part of the solution in setting up boundaries (but that is a conversation for another day). But in the meantime, here are a few simple ways to take care of yourself at work.

Make a List

When I am having a hectic day, the first thing I do make a list of all of the things that I would like to get done that day. Then I go over it again to find the three things that must get done that day, including meetings. My planner helps with this.

Finding my top three tasks can take some time because you have to take a hard look at your day and figure out what matters most. And finding just three things is crucial. You cannot, I repeat, CANNOT get your three-page to-do list one in one day. You are just going to stress yourself out and set up your day for failure.

On good days I can knock that shit out with time to spare, then and only then, do I move on to the other items on my list. On not good days, if I can get my three must-do tasks, I still have a sense of accomplishment.

Take Breaks

If you are not careful, it is easy to spend hours at a time hunched over your desk. Not counting back problems and eye strain, sitting at your desk for long periods of time is terrible for your stress level and concentration.

Try setting a timer to go off every hour to remind you to get up and move around. At the very least, take your mandated 15 minutes and lunch breaks away from your desk. Take a walk around the office or, gasp, go outside!

Ask for help

I have a real hard time asking for help. For some reason, I see it as a personal failure if I can’t manage to get my tasks done on my own.

But sometimes the stars line up just right and everything blows up in your face.

When this happens, and it will take a deep breath and talk to someone. Maybe one of your cube mates can help you finish up a project, or your boss can temporarily delegate some tasks to someone else.

Your boss and coworkers will respect you more when you ask for help.

With a little bit of self-care at work, you can become more productive and focused. And not to mention a whole lot happier.

PS – deliberate unawareness as self-care and how to survive a job that isn’t your dream.


Filed Under: VIP, work + money

Seven comforting fall favorites

Written by Cassie · October 17, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Seven Comforting Fall Favorites | cassierauk.com

I am a sucker for fall. I don’t even mind the torrential rain we have been getting. Well sometimes.

One of my favorite things about fall is cozying up with all of my favorite foods. I am talking about roasts, soups, and hot dishes.

Here are some of my favorites.

Seven Comforting Fall Favorites | cassierauk.com

Chicken Enchilada Soup

InstaPot Mongolian Beef

Skillet Blueberry Pancake

Ma’s Lasanga

Make-Ahead Creamy Steel Cut Oatmeal

InstaPot Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowl

Gluten-Free Breakfast Casserole

You know mine, now it is your turn. What are your favorite fall comfort foods?


Filed Under: food + drink

How I prepare for winter

Written by Cassie · October 15, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

How I prepare for Winter | cassierauk.com

There are lots of things you should be doing to get ready for winter (at least if you live in a place where you have an actual winter). These lists are all over the internet. They are full of tips like getting your furnace checked out by a professional, do an energy audit, and check for drafts.

Those things are essential, don’t get me wrong. But they are not on the list of things that I do to prepare myself for winter.

Many of these things are practical, some – not so much. But they are essential fall tasks to prepare me for the long Minnesota winters.

How I prepare for Winter | cassierauk.com

I stock up on tea and hot chocolate.

Specifically, I get the Traditional Medicals Echinacea and Gypsy Cold Care tea and any of the Sleepytime varieties. My hot chocolate of choice is the Swiss Miss in the packets. We spend my childhood drinking these, so the nostalgia factor is huge.

I dig out my boots, hats, and gloves.

I don’t have much as far as clothes go, so I don’t have to swap many things out as the seasons change, but winter gear is another story. I have a tote in the garage where I store our gloves, boots, and hats. I hang my coats on the hooks in the garage and swap out my gardening gloves for mittens.

I get the ice melt and snow shovel out of storage.

When I dig out my gloves and boots, I also dig out the snow shovel and ice melt. It is much easier to get these items before the freezing rain and heavy snows set in.

I get my car checked out.

I have my guy check out my tires and give her an ol’ once over. I also throw an old heavy sweatshirt, and an old pair of boots and some thick socks in my trunk. Just in case.

I stock up on cold and flu meds.

There is nothing worse than waking up feeling like shit and not having anything meds. I am partial to medications of the hippie variety: echinacea, elderberry, zinc, etc. I do keep the medicine cabinet stocked with the standard Night Quil variety too, for when things get bad.

I put plastic on the old windows.

As part of our remodel, we are swapping out all of our old crappy windows with new ones. We finished up the downstairs a couple of years ago, but the upstairs windows are still drafty AF. I keep those handy kits on hand and pull out my hair drier and get started.

You found out what I do to prepare for winter, but now it is your turn. What do you do to get ready for the colder months?

PS – Deliberate Unawareness for Self-Care


Filed Under: self care + wellness

Nine Years Later

Written by Cassie · October 10, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Yesterday Jesse and I had our ninth wedding anniversary.

Nine years isn’t long in the grand scheme of life. But Jesse and I have had our fair share of ups and downs: we found out we are unable to have children and both of my parents died during those nine years. And that is just the start.

Here is to many more years.

I did think, let’s go about this slowly.

This is important. This should take

some really deep thought.

We should take

small thoughtful steps.

But, bless us, we didn’t.

– Mary Oliver

Filed Under: life + happiness

15 Fun Things to Do This Fall

Written by Cassie · October 8, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

15 Fun Things to Do This Fall | cassierauk.com

Fall is upon us friends! Time for cozy sweaters, bonfires, and hikes in the woods. Keep reading for some fun things to do this fall!

15 Fun Things to Do This Fall | cassierauk.com
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride, anyone?
  • Celebrate Oktoberfest with Brats and Beer.
  • Head to your local state park and go for a hike.
  • Go on a winery or brewery tour.
  • Or how about a ghost tour?
  • Check out a new-to-you coffee shop
  • Hit up a vintage market.
  • Perfect your chili recipe.
  • Throw a fall-themed potluck.
  • Cozy up around a bonfire.
  • Find yourself some cider donuts.
  • Watch a movie outdoors.
  • Or maybe It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown?
  • Hit the thrift shops and get yourself a new sweater.
  • And then check out the Farmer’s Market.
15 Fun Things to Do This Fall | cassierauk.com

Like what you read? Pin this post for later!


Filed Under: out + about

Midwestern Lasagna

Written by Cassie · October 3, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

Midwestern Lasagna | cassierauk.com

Ready for a bit of Midwestern comfort food? My midwestern mom’s recipe for lasagna and a bit of heaven in a casserole dish.

Lasanga was a special occasion meal at my house. Not because it was a complicated recipe, but because it was a family favorite.

It was over a steaming hot plate of this lasagna and some garlic bread that my husband officially fell in love with my mom. As we sat around the table, digging into the gooey lasagna, Jesse started to positively gush.

Mom gave one of those, “this old thing” waves of the hand and dished him out another piece.

Midwestern Lasagna | cassierauk.com

I am sure at this point you are wondering what makes this ‘midwestern lasagna’ different from regular old’ lasagna. Especially coming from the land of hot dish (aka Minnesota).

It is cottage cheese!

Midwestern Lasagna | cassierauk.com
Print Recipe

Ma’s Lasagna

This is a hearty casserole full of cheese, sauce and meat!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lasanga
Servings: 6 hungry people

Ingredients

  • 1 lb hamburger
  • 3 cans tomato sauce
  • 1 pkg spaghetti seasoning
  • 1 pkg lasagna noodles
  • cottage cheese
  • mozzarella cheese
  • parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Fry up that hamburger and drain the fat.
  • Pour all three cans of the tomato sauce in a saucepan and mix in the spaghetti seasoning. simmer on low heat to thicken the sauce a bit. The mix your drained hamburger into the tomato sauce.
  • Now it's time to layer, baby! Put a tag of sauce on the bottom of your pan (to keep the noodles from sticking), then add the noodles. Ladle some sauce on top of the noodles, then add the cheeses. Repeat with noodles, sauces, and noodles till you use up all of your ingredients.
  • Cover the pan with foil and place it in the hot oven. Cook until the cheese is melted and everything is cooked through. This takes around 50 or so minutes.
Midwestern Lasagna | cassierauk.com

Like what you read? Pin this post for later!

PS Other than casseroles my mom taught me some other life lessons.


Filed Under: food + drink

5 Things I Loved in September

Written by Cassie · October 1, 2019 · This blog generates income via ads · This post may contain affiliate links

5 Things I Loved in September | cassierauk.com
5 Things I Loved in September | cassierauk.com

I am in the midst of fall cleaning and was able to get rid of some bigger items (one was a large dresser I passed along to my sister). With every item I remove from the house make it easier to breathe.

Jesse and I got delightfully day drunk in a funky bar or Madeline Island on our road trip.

Tom's Burned Down Cafe on Madeline Island, WI | cassierauk.com

Mackinac Island is quite something. And hearing horse-drawn carriages clomp down the street is a bit jarring at first.

There are Grandmas making beer in The Lager Queen of Minnesota!

And if you haven’t checked out any of Sandhya Menon’s books you are really missing out.

I am too sweaty to be a summer person, so I am thrilled for the cooler temperatures are finally here. I hope it is cooling off wherever you live!


Filed Under: life + happiness

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Howdy, I’m Cassie

Rural Gal. INTJ. Voracious Reader. 8w9. Enthusiastic Eater. Questioner. My sarcasm is on point and I am loud for no reason at all.
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