Whatcha Got Wednesday #8: How do you Decorate?

This week I'm highlighting some of my favorite places to get a little inspiration when it comes to making our home nice and cozy! Now these ladies, they have got some talent... that's for sure! I'm always humbled when I stop by their beautiful blogs...

Dee @ Farmhouse Country Style: Her Beautiful Home!

You simply MUST check out her Farmhouse! Every picture's got me droolin'! Her kitchen is exactly what I want mine to look like someday!

Liz @ Hoosier Handmade: Fall Mantle & Hoosier Cabinet!

Hoosier Handmade isn't just full of adorable ways to decorate for every season, Liz is THE Cupcake Lady... when you need a sugar fix, head on over there... you won't be dissapointed!



Jolie @ Shopping Candy: Amazing Room Transformations!

This girl has done a fantastic job with her first house! Her style is beautiful... every picture looks like something out of a Pottery Barn catalog!



Jessica @ Jessica Leigh: Beautiful Mantle & Patio area!

This blog is just plain pretty! Wonderful pictures, colorful and inviting decor, and a heart for the Lord! You'll love what you find!



Elizabeth @ Blue Clear Sky: Dining & Family Rooms!

Elizabeth's home looks so warm and inviting! I'd love to sit in that gorgeous dining room for a meal, or in her beautiful family room! She has a knack for decorating that's for SURE!



Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality: Cozy Den & Porch!

Southern Hospitality is the perfect name for Rhoda's blog! Every room in her home is decorated perfectly right down to the last detail! You're sure to feel a nice warm welcome if you stop by!


I love a home with Pottery Barn furniture, a mix of old and found items, and lots of warm colors, giving it a cozy feel. Now that we've peeked into these ladies' homes, how do you make your's cozy? Where do you get your inspiration?

Stoup for a Cool Fall Day!

You know those days where you just wanna curl up with a good book, or crawl under a cozy quilt, put on a good movie and drink hot chocolate? Well, since the grey, wet and gloomy days here in So Cal are few and far between… I’ve been soakin’ up the crazy weather we’ve had the last few weeks! When I was a kiddo, on those cold dreary days, my Mama always made tomato soup & grilled cheese sandwiches. This little meal is Bri and I’s version of that combination. Here’s what you need…

Oops... forgot the Chicken Stock...Sneaky stock in a box!

Salsa Stoup & Cheese Quesadillas                                          Rachael Ray

Canola Oil

S&P

2 or 3 jalapenos (seeded & finely chopped)
1 green bell pepper (seeded and chopped)
1 large onion (finely chopped)
3 ribs celery (finely chopped… getting the picture?)
28oz stewed tomatoes (diced works fine if you have ‘em)
14oz can crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
2 cups chicken stock (a little less if you like your stoup more stewish)
Small bunch of cilantro (finely chopped)
Dash of hot sauce

For the Quesadillas:
2 tbsp canola oil
4 flour/whole wheat tortillas (or one per person)
1 cup shredded Cheddar
1 cup shredded Pepper Jack

First grab your big ol’ soup pot. Add a couple tbsp of canola oil over medium-high heat. Cook the jalapenos, bell pepper, onions, and celery for about 10 minutes until their nice and soft. Then add the crushed & stewed tomatoes and stock and bring it to a bubble. I usually let it cook for about 10-15 minutes to let the flavors come together. Season it with S&P & a dash of hot sauce. Stir in the cilantro right before stirring.

To make the easy peasy quesadillas, Paint one side of a tortilla with canola oil and put it oil side down on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle both Cheddar & Pepper Jack cheese liberally and then put another tortilla on top and brush it with oil as well. Repeat this process until you’ve made enough quesadillas for everyone! Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. A little tip…I usually flip ‘em with a pancake spatula half way through, and then cut them with a pizza cutter when their done.

Serve up the stoup with a couple wedges of cheesy quesadilla and Enjoy!

Just Doin’ Some Fall Baking…

I just love how our house smells this time of year… like pumpkins and nutmeg, apples and cinnamon… Mmm. Bri and I hosted our Life Group the other night and I was just thrilled to get any excuse to whip up some yummy baked goodness. These are some special family recipes that make me feel all warm inside. I hope you’ll enjoy ‘em too!

First up is my great grandma’s recipe for the classic fall treat, Pumpkin Bread. It’s moist and pumpkiny with a hint of cinnamon! Here’s what you need…

Sorry ... I love to bake at night which makes for not so pretty pictures.

Great Grandma Hale’s Pumpkin Bread
4 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 Tsp baking soda
3/4 cup canola oil
2 Tsp cinnamon
15oz pumpkin

Grab a small bowl and beat your eggs. Then add sugar and oil and mix well.
Mix the dry ingredients and add to previous mixture. Add pumpkin, mixing well.
Pour batter into greased and floured aluminum pans. (4 small or 3 regular size)
Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes until centers seem to bounce back when touched.

HINT: to keep loaves moist -- wrap in saran wrap when hot. (As soon as you take them out of the aluminum pans.)

This next recipe came from a lady named Katy Clay. She owned an incredible little tea room called "Katy's Corner" in a Victorian Cottage near the famous Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. My Mama & Daddy bought her recipe book in 1982 on a weekend trip together. My Mama still raves about how good the food was and she's been makin' this Apple Cake ever since! Here's the yummy ingredients...

Marmie's Apple Cake                                       Katy Clay
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups peeled, finely chopped apples (about 4 average size apples)

First, cream the shortening and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well. Grab another bowl and mix dry ingredients, then add them slowly to the creamed mixture. The batter will be very stiff at this point! Add the apples & vanilla and mix it well!

Pour your batter into greased and floured 9" x 12" cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

After the cake cools completely, sprinkle powedered sugar on top and serve!

Happy Fall! Have a great weekend!

Burger Friday and a Burrito?

Rach has done it again... this one shocked me with how stinkin' good it is! Who would have thought that a beef and bean burrito with rice and cheese could be just as good... if not better on a bun?! You must try this! Here's what you need...

Beef 'n' Bean Burrito Burger                                                     Rachael Ray
with Guacamole
1 pound ground beef sirloin
15oz can black beans (drained & rinsed)
1/2 cup leftover white rice
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 Tsp cumin 
1 1/2 Tsp coriander
EVOO
S&P
4 hamburger buns
4 leaves lettuce
1 large tomato, sliced
4 slices cheddar cheese
For the Guacamole:
1 Roma tomato
1 jalepeno
juice of a lime
small bunch of cilantro
2 ripe avacados
oregano
garlic powder
S&P

First up...HERE's my recipe for the Guacamole. You won't need a very big batch (unless you've got some extra chips laying around!)

If you don't have some leftover rice laying around, you'll need to whip some up.

Now, grab a large bowl and mix the beef, rice, beans, cumin, chili powder, coriander, S&P. This will make four large patties!

Get a couple Tbsp of EVOO in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You'll cook the burgers for about 6 minutes on each side, adding the sliced cheddar in the last minute or so.

Meanwhile, throw the buns under the broiler to get 'em toasty.

To assemble these bad boys, put some lettuce and tomato on the bottom bun, then the cheesy burrito burger, and a hearty helping of guacamole.

Enjoy!

Whatcha Got Wednesday #7 & More Fall Goodies…

I don’t know about ya’ll, but I’ve been baking up a fall frenzy over here! It’s been nice and cool and little bit grey here in So Cal and I’m ready for hot chocolate every night and some sort of pumpkin baked goodie! I definitely went to Starbucks the other day for a non-fat, sugar free latte… and ended up with a rather large Pumpkin Spice Latte AND a Pumpkin Cream-Cheese Muffin too! Oh geez.

So in order to help you all blow your diets too….

Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls: S’more Cookie Bars!

Nothin' says fall like S'mores around a bon fire... and these can be made inside where it's nice and cozy... but with all the gooey marshmellowey goodness!

Annie @ Annie’s Eats: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins!

My Starbucks weakness now has a recipe to go along with it! THANK YOU Annie!

Abby @ Confabulation in the Kitchen: Homemade Fall Oreos!

My Daddy just LOVES Oreos... and how fun are these Fall cuties?! I bet they're a whole lot better than the store bought ones! 

Amy @ The Idea Room: Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes!

I have such a sweet tooth in the morning (well all day really) but Bri and I are definitely fans of big Saturday morning breakfast! We're sure excited to try out these pancakes! 

Tracy @ Sugarcrafter: Apple Cider Doughnut Holes!

Mmm mm! Homemade doughnut holes with fallish twist?! Count this girl IN! 

Happy Eating!

Country Music & Good Friends…

This was the Summer of Country Music out here in Cali and boy oh boy was this girl HAPPY! You’ll have to excuse the blurry pictures… Who loves cheap seats like we do? Amen?!

On our way to see Brad Paisley & Justin Moore!



Besides getting to go to THREE concerts with some of my FAVORITE artists, I got to spend some time with the amazing girl up there … Jes. God definitely put her in my life at a point when I was ready to tuck tail and RUN back to Missouri! She has been not only a friend when I needed one, but an amazing, encouraging, Godly woman! Boy did I strike gold when Brian and I signed up for Life Group at Our Church out here in Cali! He knew just what I needed (always does) and Jes has been just that!

 Brad. Amazing. Guitar skills = WOW.

Our personal Country Concert Series started with Brad… I’d seen him before, but he never fails to amaze me with his guitar playing! Justin Moore opened for him and he blew our socks off too! We brought the hubbies along for this one… but when it came time for Carrie and Rascal Flatts… they were OUT.

Carrie. That girl's got style! Rockin' a tux, a GORGEOUS skirt, & flyin' over the audience in a truck!



I have loved Carrie Underwood since her days on American Idol! (Yes… don’t judge me. I sometimes watch that show.) I brought a picture of her to the salon the day I got married so my hair would look Carrie-fabulous! Well…her concert was nothing short of breathtaking! From coming up and out of the middle of the stage with fabulous outfits, swinging on a big tree swing, flying over the audience on her truck, and her crystal clear voice, I was in heaven. That girl can SING! Jes & I had a great time! We especially liked Billy Currington opening for her! Any other ladies a fan of his?

Joe Don, Gary, & Jay Rockin' Out!

The very next day, us crazy girls headed for the Rascal Flatts tour! Those boys never let me down! I’ve seen ‘em before… but I always forget just how many hits they’ve had! Every song is a blast to sing along with!

What a great way to have some fun out here in Cali! I feel so blessed to get to get to step back into my Midwest shoes and enjoy some good ol’ Country Music!

Whatcha Got Wednesday #6... My To-Do List!

I have this fabulous little habit of stock piling ideas, patterns and tutorials (mentioned HERE). This is where my little weekly post comes in handy! So in an attempt to actually get some of these lovely projects started, I thought I'd share em' with ya'll! Enjoy...

Penny @ Sew Take a Hike : Pretty Hexi Quilt!

Penny is wonderful. Her blog is a cheery spot for all things quilted! Not only do I LOVE this quilt, she has all kinds of great tutorials and patterns, plus she's super talented! Her quilts are fresh & original and she makes me wanna go whip something up RIGHT now!

Cheryl @ a Pretty Cool Life: Rainbow Bunting Baby Quilt!

If you've stopped by my blog before... you KNOW my obsession with pennants. See HERE, and HERE. This quilt is DARLING! Someone needs to have a baby so I can make one... or maybe I'll just make it in a larger size for me? The icing on the top? Cheryl has some super tutorials and her blog is a JOY to read!

Melissa @ The Polka Dot Chair & Moda Bake Shop: Snuggly Layer Cake Throw!

I know it's gonna be a pattern I LOVE when I see it on TWO of my favorite blogs! Melissa makes quilting seem easy... and she's my kinda girl! Her blog full of fun tutorials and craftiness! She was featured on Moda Bake Shop... which is an AMAZING resource for tutorials and patterns all made with the most wonderful fabric ever... Moda! What could be better?

Lindsey @ The Pleated Poppy: Easy Throw Pillows

We ALL know Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy! She's just... a blogging, sewing Queen! Her shop makes me drool. She does amazing things with fabric and these pillows are just what I need to whip up with the next item on my list! HERE's her easy peasy tutorial!

Park Avenue by 3 Sisters for Moda @ Fat Quarter Shop 

Okay, so it's not a blog... but I REALLY, REALLY want this fabric!! I think I'm in love. It matches my living room perfectly and I want to whip up the Snuggly Layer Throw & some matching pillows too! I'll definitely be using my upcoming birthday money to snag this layer cake!