Whatcha Got Wednesday #4: Sweets for the Season!

It’s no secret that I just LOVE this time of year… I may be a long way from fall foliage, but I’ve been drooling over all the yumminess out there in the blogosphere right now! I think the ball has started rolling and now I’m headed in a bad direction (for my waistline at least.) Ya’ll MUST check out these delicious dishes…

Tara @ Smells like Home: Caramel Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes!

Goodness gracious! Now THAT’s a cupcake! It makes me wanna have people over just so I can make these! Tara’s got a whole lot more where this came from… including Peanut Butter Dulce de Leche Cupcakes!


Amy, The Famous Bakerella: Pumpkin Cake Pops!

Bakerella is the queen of the adorable cake pops and now has a new book out full of them! She also has a bunch of other sweet recipes on her blog… try the mini maple (chocolate chip) pancake muffins! Trust me! She was featured on the cover of Betty Crocker Magazine recently!


Aggie’s Kitchen: Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Don’t these muffins look delicious?! I’m definitely gonna try these soon! Aggie’s website has all kinds of delicious recipes! I made her Bruschetta Pattie melts HERE. I also won a fabulous apron giveaway @ Aggie’s Kitchen that I’ll post about soon! Check her out!


Elissa @ 17 and Baking: Autumn S’mores with homemade pumpkin spice marshmallows!

17 & Baking is such an inspiring blog! Elissa is such a talented writer, photographer, and baker! She has accomplished so much at such a young age and her blog is absolutely amazing! Every single one of her pictures makes my mouth water! I really can’t say enough about what an experience it is to read!


Maria & Josh @ Two Peas and their Pod: Pumpkin Apple Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel

Mmm Mm! I love muffins. I could eat muffins everyday. I love how they make the house smell and I love the warm feeling I get when I eat them. This Husband and Wife duo have quite a variety of delicious recipes! This one’s calling my name!


Kim @ Lovin’ from the Oven: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Maple Creamcheese Filling!

This blog will leave you drooling, and your diet blown. It’s chocked full of amazing baked goodies… I’ve bookmarked too many to count! When you need a sugar fix, or somethin’ comforting… this girl’s got a recipe. Enjoy!


Ree THE Pioneer Woman: Caramel Pumpkin Pecan Gingersnap Cheesecake!

How could I have my first foodie WGW post and not mention the fabulous Ree?! This cheesecake sounds so over the top with fall goodness, that I thought it’d be the perfect ending to such a yummy post! This is going on my “to make” for Thanksgiving! YUM!

Well I’m off to do some baking! I hope ya’ll enjoy these little fall temptations!

The BEST Burger Friday Yet!

Well folks, I think I’ve found my favorite burger. EVER. I was having trouble finding a new Friday recipe that called my name, and decided I’d just create one instead. So I sat down and wrote what I would want most on a burger… and this doosy of a recipe was born. Let me tell you, I could not STOP smiling after just one bite! You simply MUST try this!

First, you’ll need to whip up these tasty fried onion strings by PW… trust me. It’s such an easy recipe and the results are so worth the effort! Here’s what you need…

Fried Onion Strings                                       Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman)
Large Yellow Onion
2 cups Buttermilk
2 cups Flour
Palmful of Cayenne Pepper
Palmful of Seasoned Salt
Palmful of Black Pepper
Canola Oil for frying

Start by slicing up your onion very thinly. Then put ‘em in a bowl and pour in the buttermilk. If you don’t have any buttermilk laying around, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp vinegar & stir! Let the onions soak for at least an hour. Meanwhile… Put the flour, cayenne pepper, seasoned salt, & pepper in a pie pan and mix. Then pour about a quart of oil in your frying pan and get it up to 375 degrees. It’s ready when a pinch of flour sizzles when you drop it in. Using tongs, take the onions from the buttermilk to the flour mixture and then into the hot oil. Then put them on a paper towel lined plate. Do this a few at a time until they’re all golden brown, it’ll take just a MINUTE or so! They cook quickly! Now, try to set ‘em aside without snacking on too many!

Next, get all the ingredients for the burger ready…

The Cowboy Burger                                                             by Yours Truly
EVOO
S&P
1 Tbsp of BBQ 3000 (or your favorite dry rub)
1 Tbsp Seasoned Salt
Kansas City BBQ Sauce (THIS is the best… anyone wanna mail me some?)
1lb Ground Sirloin (This’ll make 3 burgers… so double for a family)
Sliced Sharp Cheddar Cheese
½ lb Applewood Smoked Bacon
White Hamburger Buns (Texas Toast would be great too, but I couldn’t find any out here)
Pioneer Woman’s fried onion strings

Start by either firing up your grill, or getting a cast iron grill pan nice and hot! Form the ground sirloin into 3 patties, making ‘em a little thinner in the middle so they cook evenly. Season them liberally with the BBQ seasoning and seasoned salt. Then drizzle ‘em with EVOO.

Let the patties rest for a bit while you cook the bacon. Bri does amazing things with bacon, so I let him cook it up… nice and crispy! YUM!

Now put the patties on the hot grill. Cook ‘em for about 4 minutes on each side, so they’re still a little pink in the middle. Put a slice or two of the cheddar on each in the last minute or so.

While you get the burgers cooking, go ahead put the buns under the broiler for a few minutes so they’re nice and toasty!

To assemble, put some BBQ sauce on the bottom bun, then pile up some of those onion strings, and a cheesy burger. Top it with some bacon and more BBQ Sauce!

Now, THAT’s a burger! You’re welcome.

Whatcha Got Wednesday #3 & More Fall Inpiration!

Ya’ll want some more fall inspiration?! Well I sure do! It hit 105 degrees here in Southern California this week, and I’m ready for some cool weather!! So, in hope of convincing myself that it really is gonna be October this Friday, I’ve been cooking chili, baking pecan pie muffins & breakin’ out those pumpkins! Amen?!

The Ladies @ How Does She?’s Count Down to Candy!

If ya’ll haven’t checked out Howdoesshe.com, you simply MUST! It’s chocked full of recipes, crafts, and all kinds of how-to’s for SAHMs & House Wives! These adorable count-downs are for sale in kits, or pre-made and I think they are darling!


Carrie @ Dittle Dattle’s Halloween Sweet Treat Table!

This lady is just amazing! She & her daddy even MADE a Pottery Barn knock off BED for 175 dollars! My jaw was on the floor! You must check out all her great tutorials & her Halloween décor is just so stinkin’ cute!


Heather @ Life with Lulu, Junebug & Carter’s Adorable Fall Décor!

This is such a sweet family blog, and boy does this Mama of 5 have a knack for decorating & crafting too! Her Fall table looks so warm and inviting!


Malia @ Yesterday on Tuesday’s Dyed Halloween Tags!

Malia is just so talented! She’s always coming up with such great crafty projects! Check out her new Linky party that’s been super fun too!

Lindsay @ The Cottage Home’s Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial!

I’ve been drooling over all the fabric pumpkins in the blogosphere and this tutorial takes the cake! The Cottage Mama’s blog is a pleasure to read and her shop is super cute too!


Michelle @ Sweet Something Design’s Fall Mantle!

Oh goodness do I love that burlap pennant! This creative lady is livin’ in my home state of Missouri and she’s decorating everything around her to pretty perfection! Her house is just gorgeous!

AND, for the cherry on top, Jen @ Tatertots & Jello is hosting…

Go check it out ya’ll! Hope you’re having a great week!

5 Healthy Ways to Dress up Your Chicken!

I know it might be shocking… but sometimes we do eat healthy around here. We aren’t tall people… so let’s face it… every single pound shows. When we decide to ignore that fact for a while… it ain’t pretty. I definitely don’t believe in sacrificing taste for calories, so when it comes to finding healthy dishes… they have to be satisfying too!

My dear friend Raylene just began a new mission to eat healthier and she inspired me to kick it up a notch around here. I’m gonna try to walk for an hour 4-5 times a week… and ya know what? I usually feel better when I do! I’ve also been stickin’ to more chicken dishes, and less of the calorie-laden pasta and baked goodies!

So to inspire ya’ll, I’ve put together some easy peasy ways to add a ton of flavor to lean chicken, without all those pesky calories!

1. Chicken Cacciatore
We’ll start with my all time favorite chicken dish (the healthy one at least.) I discovered this classic recipe in Rach’s Magazine quite a while ago and it’s definitely graced our table a few times! It’s got a tomato-y basil sauce that I wanna pour over everything! To whip up this tasty dish, read THIS post.

2. BBQ Chicken & Corn on the Cob
You can either grill your chicken or cook it up in a skillet, but adding a good (KANSAS CITY) BBQ sauce (There is no other in this house- Amen?) will bump up the flavor & make a healthy chicken breast delightful. My suggestion to keep it moist and flavorful…

Season your chicken with a little S&P and poultry seasoning. (I used BBQ 3000 by Penzy’s Spices.) Then heat a couple tablespoons of EVOO in a large skillet over Medium-High heat. Cook the chicken for 5 minutes on each side so that it has a golden “crust.” Now pour a liberal amount of BBQ sauce over the chicken breasts (THIS is our favorite!) Then pop it in the oven at 350 for about 15 minutes until it’s cooked through. Serve it up with some corn on the cob and try sprinkling a little chili powder, grated Parm & lime juice instead of butter! It’s a tasty little combination I found watching Food Network!


3. Mediterranean Chicken
Here’s a new recipe I thought I’d share with ya’ll… It’s not for the picky eater (Sorry Ray.) But if you’re up for a delicious dish packed with olives, tomatoes, artichokes, basil and a WHOLE lotta flavor! Rach serves it up with saffron couscous, but I serve it with healthier steamed jasmine rice!

Mediterranean Chicken                                         by Rachael Ray
EVOO
S&P
Chili Powder
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups chicken stock
1 large red or white onion (finely chopped)
1 tbsp finely chopped thyme leaves (try to use fresh!)
15oz can artichoke hearts (drained & quartered)
1 cup white wine
10-12 Kalamata olives (halved)
½ pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
A small bunch of parsley (finely chopped)
A big bunch of basil (finely chopped)

First, season your chicken up with some S&P & Chili Powder. Add a couple tbsp of EVOO in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side. Then wrap it up in foil while you make the rest…

Add more EVOO if needed, add the onion, seasoning it with the S&P and thyme. Let it cook for about 8 minutes. Add the artichokes and let ‘em cook for a couple minutes. Then add the wine to “deglaze” the pan. Let the alcohol cook out for few. Then add the chicken stock, olives, and tomatoes. Bring up the heat a bit and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken back to the pan for a few to get it warm. Serve over jasmine rice, and eat up!

4. Teriyaki Chicken
This is the ultimate quick and easy way to get dinner on the table FAST! Start with any Teriyaki Marinade you like. I usually have KC Masterpiece Honey Teriyaki in the fridge. Grab a gallon sized ziplock bag, a lb of chicken tenders, and pour in the sauce. Let it sit in the fridge for as long as you need (at least 30 min.) I bake it in a foil lined casserole dish for 20 minutes at 425 degrees. Serve it with jasmine rice & steamed veggies! Bri loves this dinner… and I don’t even feel like I’ve lifted a finger… love that!


5. Chicken Provencal
Here’s another new recipe ya’ll! If you’re a meat and potatoes kinda person… this recipe is for you! Just leave out the ingredients you don’t like… most of the recipes I make have enough flavor to leave out a few things that Bri and I don’t like and still taste great! Here’s what you need…

Chicken Provencal                                  by Erika Lenkert for RR
1lb small yellow potatoes
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
S&P
EVOO
28oz can diced tomatoes
½ cup black olives (roughly chopped)
2 tbsp capers

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and get a big pot of water boiling. Cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, season your chicken on both sides with some S&P. Grab a skillet and get some EVOO over medium heat. Cook the chicken about 3-4 minutes on each side, and then put them in a casserole dish along with the potatoes. Cover with foil while you make the sauce.

Add the tomatoes, capers and olives to the skillet, and season with S&P. Let the sauce reduce about 10 minutes.

Pour the sauce over the chicken and potatoes and then bake for 25 minutes.
Grab a plate, a piece of chicken, and plenty of potatoes and tomatoes! It’s an easy dish that will leave you very satisfied! YUM!

I hope these recipes come in handy! Enjoy!

A Quick Table Runner...

A while back, a friend from back home asked if I could whip up a Minnie Mouse table runner for her daughter’s 2nd Birthday. Well, I was just delighted to be asked, and of course was up to the challenge! So off I went to Joann’s to grab some supplies… pink polka-dot & black fabric, batting, bias tape (gasp! I’m such a cheater), and thread.

I decided to make simple blocks, with Minnie Profiles as the center of each one. I drew out my design, and Bri helped me figure out all the measurements. He’s good with numbers—me, not so much.

It’s a simple, not-too-quilted project. It’s really the first time I came up with a design on the fly, and so it’s a pretty basic design. I found lots of odd little tips to be helpful… like using a piece of copy paper behind the Minnie pieces while I appliqued them, and my personal favorite when it comes to quick sewing… using a piece of 3-M foam tape on my Singer to make a quarter inch seam allowance.

What do ya’ll think? Should I post a tutorial?

Have a great weekend! I’m planning on spending some time just relaxing with my hubby!

P.S. I'm linking up to the fun Linky Parties in my side bar!

Whatcha Got Wednesday #2!

This week it’s all about my absolute FAVORITE time of year! Here’s some crafty décor & cute ideas to spruce up your home for FALL! I know I can’t wait to bust out my Pumpkin scented candles!

Aunt Ruthie @ Sugar Pie Farmhouse: A Fall Décor Tour!

Aunt Ruthie’s House is definitely a house I love peeking into! EVERY holiday, her home is decked out in festive goodness and it does my heart good to read about her lovely life in the Ozarks.



Becca @ Adventures in Decorating: Some Fabulous décor…

I just loved seeing all the great cloches & beautiful details in her home!

Crafty Chic Mommy: Adorable Wooden Pumpkins!

These pumpkins are right up my alley! I’m tryin’ to convince Bri to let me use his saw to cut up some blocks of wood for some of my own little wooden cuteness!



Allison @ Cluck Cluck Sew: Gorgeous Fall Scrap buster Pillow…

What a simple, but stunning detail to add to any room for Fall! I’m gonna go peruse my scrap bin now!


Brenda @ Deck the Halls of Home with Joy: Adorable Fabric Pumpkins!

She’s got a whole lot more where that came from! Not only is her blog full of adorable décor, but she has a great Etsy Shop too!


Jen @ Tatertots & Jello: LOVE these Pennant Pillows!

We all know and LOVE Tatertots and Jello & Jen of course! She’s outdone herself with the cute-as- a- button pillows and a tutorial too!



Joy @ We Three Smiths: Vintage Halloween Décor…

What a sweet family blog, full of wonderful pictures, fun crafts, and great style!


Hope ya’ll were inspired! Happy Beginning of Fall!

A Family Recipe…

Have you ever whipped out an old family recipe… one that you’ve loved, cherished, and eaten your whole life, just to have others say “WHAT are you making?!” Well, this little dish comes from my Aunt Nez and then my Mama and is just the right amount of healthy ingredients (spinach) mixed with that good ol’ Midwest love of casseroles! It even keeps the hubby happy since he needs to eat rice at least once a week… it’s the Filipino in him. Anywho… we eat this dish often and as interesting as it sounds… TRUST ME ya’ll when I say that it’ll be a new favorite and a crowd pleaser too!

Here’s what you need…

Spinach Fandango                                                 A Ford Family Recipe

20oz frozen spinach (thawed and wrung out)
A bag of shredded mozzarella
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of celery soup
1 pint of mushrooms (finely chopped and of course, for hubby they’re cooked separately)
1 lb ground beef
A few cups of rice (depending on how many you’re feeding)
S & P
A good palmful of oregano (a little less if you’re using ground)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Start by getting that spinach ready. I used to boil a frozen brick of it, and then drain it in a colander… then I realized that microwaving it, putting it in some Viva paper towels or cheesecloth and giving it a good squeeze was a WHOLE lot faster. So either way, get as much water out as possible!

You should also get your rice cooking in your rice cooker! According to Bri it’s the ONLY way to properly cook rice… but my Mama did it on the stove top growing up and it tasted JUST fine! (Don’t tell the hubby I said that though!)

Next, grab a big skillet and get your beef browned and crumbled. If you have a mushroom eater in the house, throw them in with the ground beef (if not, throw ‘em in a small pan and cook over medium heat until tender.) Add some S&P to taste and a nice big palmful of ground or dried oregano. Let the meat cook for another 3 minutes. Then add the sour cream and soup and get it bubbling. Drop in your spinach and give it a good stir to evenly distribute.

Grab your casserole dish and pour the beef/spinach mixture into the bottom. Now take that bag of shredded mozzeralla and sprinkle it all over the top. YES… the WHOLE bag. My Mama never skimped on the cheese, and I don’t plan to start now!

Then pop it in the oven while your rice finishes getting’ all nice and fluffy. It’ll take about 20 minutes or until the cheese gets all brown and bubbly!

In order to fully enjoy this dish, put a big helping of rice on your plate, followed by a generous portion of Spinach Fandango, and EAT UP ya’ll!