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Showing posts from 2016

Gingerbread Decorating Party.

We wanted to throw a Gingerbread Decorating Party this year. Jaime made this adorable invite for us.  I glued these graham cracker houses together with a hot glue gun. (Looking back I'm sure I could've found other ways to do it so they were totally edible, but this way was easy and somewhat fast and very sturdy, so I went with it.) Each family that came brought a few bags of candy and an appetizer to share. It was a blast! The adults and kids had a great time. I had to laugh when I saw my kids' houses. Each one described them so well. 

Halloween Wreath.

I made this simple wreath and wanted to share it. I simply covered a foam wreath with thick black fabric using a glue gun. Then I added a large orange bow and with clear plastic thread, I added this cute felt bat (a Halloween decor item I found at Target). I love how it looks like the bat is flying, since he's suspended with the clear thread. I always lean more towards cute Halloween décor rather than scary. Having small kids and knowing small kids are trick or treating at my house, I don't want to frighten them. I think this wreath is Halloween-y but adorable, too.

Recipe Share: Ham and Potato Soup.

My twin sis told me about this recipe. A friend of hers had made it for her while she was sick and pregnant, and she said it made her whole week! I am not sick or pregnant, but this soup tastes good no matter what you are! It's satisfying and versatile and so great this time of year. You can add a number of things if you want to like cheddar cheese, turkey, bacon, or eat it without meat. It was really easy and fast to throw together as well. Winner, winner, ham and potato dinner! Ingredients : 3 1/2 Cups peeled and diced potatoes (I like Yukon Gold potatoes best. I don't peel mine, because the skin is so thin it isn't bothersome to eat at all.) 1/3 Cup diced celery 1/3 Cup finely chopped onion 3/4 Cup cooked ham, diced (I used turkey kielbasa in my soup and added it at the end to warm. But I will try it with ham next time. I think I like turkey kielbasa cold better than warm.) 3 1/4 Cups water 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules 1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste 1

Recipe Share: Steak Kabobs

I've been craving steak folks. It's truly one of my favorite things to eat. This recipe from Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons, was one that definitely hit the spot. It cooked up fast, and the steak was tender and flavorful. The veggies and pineapple tasted great with it, too. (Next time I'll use fresh pineapple and grill that as well. This time I used canned pineapple and was afraid it would fall apart on the grill. It was still delicious though.) Sauce : 1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce 3 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder 1/2 tablespoon onion powder Fresh cracked black pepper Kabobs : 2 pounds beef tenderloin , cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes (I used top sirloin) Kosher salt and black pepper 1/2 pineapple, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks 1/2 red onion, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces 1 green bell pepper , seeded and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces 1 orange  or yellow bell pepper , seeded and cut in

Recipe Share: Roasted Pork with Peach BBQ Sauce and Smashed Potatoes

Ladies and Gents, this recipe is seriously amazing. With each bite, I kept singing its praises... saying, "Oh my goodness.. wow, this is... wow, mmm..." I guarantee you, too will love it. It's from my girl Kelsey Nixon. (She's not technically my girl, or my girl friend even, but I like to think she and I would be great friends if we ever met. I love her cooking style, and her personality is adorable. And, she is always stylin'.) What made this recipe taste even better was that I made it with my twin sis, Jaime. She and I love to cook together, and we had a great time making this meal.  So, here's the printable recipe . Pork and Peach BBQ Sauce : 4 cups peaches, peeled and sliced (we used frozen peaches) 1 cup brown sugar 2/3 cup ketchup 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 Tbsp. garlic, minced 2 Tbsp. ginger, minced 2 1/2 pound boneless pork loin roast kosher salt and cracked black pepper 1/4 cup low sodium chicken stock Smashed Potatoes :  1

Recipe Share: Egg and Veggie Scramble with Toast

This is one of my favorite breakfasts. It's easy, healthy, and delicious. It is also very satisfying to know that you're eating veggies in your breakfast!!   And you'll find that you feel full for quite awhile after eating this! Ingredients : 1/3 - 1/2 C. Chopped veggies (any kind you like - I used mushrooms, red, yellow, and orange peppers, and onions) 2 eggs 2 Tbsp. shredded cheese (any kind you like - I used Monterey Jack) 1 tsp. olive oil fresh flat leaf parsley or cilantro, chopped for garnish whole grain bread (I like to use Sara Lee's 45 Calories and Delightful bread) Directions : Heat your oil in your saute pan over medium heat. Saute all your vegetables until tender, 3-4 minutes. Mix your eggs together in a bowl with a fork or whisk. Add in your eggs and cheese to the pan with your veggies. Stir until firm, but not brown. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley or cilantro. Toast your bread, and enjoy together!

Recipe Share: Spicy Chicken, Eggplant, and Caramelized Onion Quesadillas

These Bobby Flay quesadillas are so delicious. The chicken is full of flavor from being marinated, and the veggies add so much flavor, too. Add some yummy guacamole and salsa, and you'll be one happy lady or man. (I made mine with grilled mushrooms instead of eggplant, since I love mushrooms and had them on hand.)   What the filling looks like if you make them open faced... so delicious! Ingredients Marinade: 1/4 cup olive oil 2 jalapenos, coarsely chopped 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast Salt and freshly ground pepper Caramelized Onions: 2 large red onion, finely sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro Salt and freshly ground pepper Grilled Eggplant: 1 Japanese eggplant, sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices Olive oil Salt and pepper Package of sliced portabel

Recipe Share: Basil Burger with Grilled Corn on the Cob

For those of you that have seen Next Food Network Star, this recipe comes from a winner on that show, Melissa D'Arabian. I really like her, and I really loved this recipe. The basil sauce and using an English Muffin for the bun made this burger so unique and yummy. It's a perfect summer time meal.   Here's the printable recipe . Ingredients : 1 1/4 lbs. ground beef (80% lean) kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella 4 English muffins, halved horizontally and toasted 1 tomato, sliced and lightly salted 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan Basil Sauce: 1 green onion, chopped 3 Tbsp. roughly chopped basil 1 large clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup mayonnaise 3 Tbsp. sour cream 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions : Quarter the beef into even portions. Form into burgers, indenting the middle slightly with your thumb. Season with salt and pepper, and brush lightly with vegetable

Recipe Share: Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Blue Cheese Aioli

This sandwich recipe from Kelsey Nixon has the perfect balance of flavors and textures. I love it so much, the first time I made it for dinner I ended up eating it for lunch and dinner the next day, too. I couldn't get enough!!   It's not too spicy, but has enough kick to satisfy. I also love that you make this meat in your crockpot. It's so easy to just throw everything in, and then assemble your sandwiches at dinnertime. Ingredients : 1/4 C. hot sauce 1/4 C. Worcestershire sauce 2 Tbsp. molasses 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 yellow onion, chopped 14 oz. can tomato sauce 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts salt and freshly ground pepper 6 hamburger buns, split and toasted (I like to eat it on an Orowheat sandwich thin bun) Celery leaves, for serving Blue Cheese Aioli, for serving, recipe follows Blue Cheese Aioli : 1/2 C. crumbled blue cheese 1/3 C. mayonnaise 1 tsp. fresh tyme leaves 1 clove garlic, minced (I usually add a few teaspoons o

Gallery walls in our living room.

My family moved back to AZ a year ago. One thing I love about moving (and probably the only thing I love) is getting to decorate a new space. In our living room we have a long blank wall, and above our couch, we have another blank wall. I wanted to do a floor to ceiling gallery wall on one and a simple gallery above the couch. I went to Hobby Lobby and found a few great items.  How great is this?? I fell in love with it.  Letters for each of our kids' first names and a "W" for our last name. (Sidenote: Our kids names are Cohen, Ren, and Avery. I always thought I'd have another girl and wanted to name her Paige. But then my husband pointed out that we'd have C,R,A,P then!) Haha. I got a new rug, lamps, and a few new pillows for our front room from Target. I loved this lamp's base and color. And how perfect is this wooden stilt bird?? I have always loved birds ever since I took a bird watching class in college, and well, this guy had to come ho

Recipe Share: Creamy Farfalle with Veggies

I got this delicious recipe from a cookbook that was created by a group of women I attended church with years ago. A friend, Amanda, submitted it. It is so easy and so versatile. I make it with a variety of veggies, and it always turns out perfect. If you have a hankering for pasta, this should be on your plate! Ingredients : 1 lb. farfalle (bowtie) pasta, cooked al dente (with some pasta water reserved for later) 5 Tbsp. butter 1 medium onion, chopped 1 lb. mushrooms, sliced AND/OR chicken, grilled and cut into bite size pieces 1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces 1 Cup Mascarpone cheese pinch of ground nutmeg 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 head roasted garlic (If I'm too lazy to roast my garlic, I'll just mince some up and put it in with the onion.) (I added fresh chopped tomato to mine in the above pic) fresh parsley, chopped Directions : Melt butter and saute onions until translucent. Add mushrooms and saute about 5 minutes

Recipe Share: Glazed Mini Meatloaves with Mashed Cauliflower

My kids have recently grown very fond of meatloaf. But, as much as I like it, too, I hate that it takes forever to cook!! So, when I found this recipe for mini meatloaves, I was thrilled. The glaze you put on the top is perfect, and it tastes great with some mashed cauliflower . Ingredients : 17-20 saltine crackers, crushed fine (about 2/3 cup) 1/4 cup whole milk 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 large egg 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 1/2 pounds ground meat (My kids prefer beef, but I've used turkey or beef and pork as well.) 2 teaspoons oil (I used canola oil) Glaze: 1/2 cup ketchup 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 4 teaspoons cider vinegar Directions : Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 425 degrees. Stir cracker crumbs, milk, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, egg, mustard, onion powder,

Rosemary Home Fries with Pancetta, Parmesan, and Parsley.

I had a serious hankering for potatoes over the weekend. When I saw this Bobby Flay recipe online, I had to try it. The only thing I changed was I used bacon instead of pancetta. I wished I had used Yukon golds instead of Russets, but really, these were amazing. Probably my favorite breakfast potato recipe I've ever had. I ate them with an over easy egg, and I made sure to drizzle the rosemary oil over the whole dish before digging in. Ingredients : Rosemary oil: 1 C. Canola oil 1/2 C. fresh rosemary leaves 4 cloves garlic, crushed salt and freshly ground black pepper Home Fries: One 1-inch-thick piece pancetta, diced 3 large russet potatoes, cooked in salt water until tender, cooled and diced Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley Pinch red pepper flakes Freshly grated Parmesan cheese Directions : For the oil:   Combine the oil, rosemary, garlic and some salt and pepper in a blender and blend for 2 minutes.