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Thursday, September 29, 2011

Simple Salad with Lots of Flavor

This is my mom's recipe and it's soooo delicious. I just had to share!

1/2 c sliced almonds
1/2 head iceberg lettuce
1/2 head romaine lettuce
1 c chopped celery
2 whole green onions, chopped
1 16 oz can of mandarin oranges, drained

Dressing ingredients:
1/2 tsp salt
1.4 c veg oil
1 tbsp chopped parslay
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
dash of Tabasco and dash of pepper

In sauce pan, over med heat, cook almonds and sugar, stirring constantly until almonds are coated and sugar is dissolved. Cool and mix together dressing ingredients. Last, mix lettuce, celery, onions and add almonds and oranges. Toss with dressing.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I recently got this mirror from my parents. It is a nice addition to my small living room.




Sunday, September 25, 2011

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Zucchini and Tomato Pasta

This is a favorite of mine and Daniel's. It's really simple to make and healthy too! I got this recipe a while ago from simpledailyrecipes.com

2 medium zucchinis, julienned (which pretty much means cut into slivers)
4 cloves garlic, chopped (I use minced garlic..so much easier)
2 shallots, diced (I leave these out...tastes just as good!)
3 tomatoes, diced
4 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper
crushed red pepper flakes to taste (this is what makes it a little spicy...I put about a tsp in mine because we like spicy foods)
12 oz high fiber angel hair pasta, like Barilla Plus
1/4 cup fat free chicken or veggie broth (I use chicken)
Parmesan cheese
Parsley

Cook pasta. Meanwhile, saute oil and garlic for about a minute. Add zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook about 2 min. Add tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, chicken broth and adjust salt and pepper. Stir for another minute. Drain pasta and mix with veggies. Top with parmesan cheese.

Trust me, you'll thank me later!


Monday, September 19, 2011

Nursery

I can't wait until I have a baby to decorate for! Man that would be sweeeet!
houseofturquoise.com
 I love the fact that books can be decoration and make such a great focal wall. I also love the painted ceiling.
muralwall.info
 I am sooo gonna have a chalkboard wall in my child's room. How fun!
erineverafter.blogspot.com
 How cool is that barn door? So rustic and original! Swoon.
weheartit.com
 So I'm pretty sure you can get those letters from Etsy. Welp, I know what my first purchase will be.
vintageglamorous.blogspot.com
 I love all of the patterns, and especially that rug!
etsy.com
 So stinkin cute! Second purchase, check.
gallery.projectnursery.com
 Why not wallpaper?

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Smoky Chicken Pasta

OMG! This pasta is to die for! It was super easy to make and my husband says it has a lot of flavors. I have to agree...I got this recipe from pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com This blog is FULL of amazing recipes that are simple.

SMOKY CHICKEN PASTA
1 box {8 oz.} bowtie pasta
1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. chopped basil
1/2 cup butter
1/2 lb. bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
12 oz. Lawry’s mesquite marinade with lime juice

 Bake the bacon {foil lined baking sheet, 400 degrees, 20-25 minutes} and crumble to pieces; set aside.
You can either marinate the chicken on low for 6 hours in the crock pot or cook your chicken & marinade on the stovetop for about an hour. I did that because its easier to me to remember. Put chicken breasts in a deep skillet, pour the entire bottle of marinade on top, and cook on medium heat for about an hour or so. 
Shred cooked chicken and set aside.
Boil pasta according to package directions and drain.  In a small saucepan, melt your butter.  Then add the whipping cream, garlic, basil, pepper, parmesan cheese, and crumbled bacon.  Whisk it all together on low heat for about 5-6 minutes.  Pour it all over the pasta, add the chicken, and serve.

You'll thank me later :] And remember go to pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com for more recipes!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Shredded Beef Tacos

Here's another good recipe I found at gimmesomeoven.com.

Ingredients:
  • 1-2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 pounds beef (boneless chuck roast)
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1/2 large sweet onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Flour tortillas
  • Favorite taco toppings
Method:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Meanwhile, combine the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.

Rub the spice mix into the beef, covering each side evenly. Once the oil is hot, place the beef in the skillet and sear on each side.

Remove the beef from the skillet and place in a slow cooker.  Leave the pan on the heat, and add in the beef stock to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.  Add the tomato paste and minced chipotle and whisk into the pan sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened.


Add the diced onion and minced garlic on top of the seared beef in the slow cooker.  Pour the sauce down over the onions, garlic, and beef.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Mix onions into the shredded beef. (You could easily skip this part, like I did, if you don't like onions.)

Serve the beef in the flour tortillas, topped with your favorite taco toppings.
Some topping ideas include:
  • guacamole or avocado
  • fresh salsa
  • Mexican rice
  • grated cheese
  • fresh lettuce
  • tomato
  • onion
  • cilantro
  • squeeze of lime juice
I love this website because it has a lot of easy, VERY tasty recipes.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Luxurious

So yesterday I had a high fever and could have definitely used a relaxing bath in one of these luxurious bathooms. But mine worked just fine :]

pinterest via Ashlen Fowler

http://www.machouchou.blogspot.com/

houseofturquoise.com

hgtv.com

vi.sualize.us

roomzaar.com

curatingcuteness.com

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Simplicity

I don't know why I like white rooms. Something about them looking so fresh and so clean, clean. :]

citified.blogspot.com

2.bp.blogspot.com

willowdecor.blogspot.com

countryliving.com

29.media.tumblr.com

eclecticrevisited.files.wordpress.com

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Fall Wreath

First step is cut out a bunch of book pages into the shape of a leaf and fold them in half.

Next, glue the "leaves" onto the foam wreath. I found mine at Walmart.

Not the finished product, but what I have so far. I plan on adding more leaves and doing something else with it, like glitter or ribbon. I haven't decided. Any suggestions? I got my inspiration from thenester.com.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Cheesy Basil Stuffed Chicken Recipe

I found this at melskitchencafe.com and it was really good!

Ingredients:
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons mayonnaise, lowfat or regular
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions:
Heat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cheese, 2 tablespoons of the minced basil, cream, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Cut a pocket in thickest part of chicken breasts, stuff with cheese mixture and seal. Spread tops evenly with mayonnaise.
In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, remaining garlic, remaining fresh basil, and one tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle crumb mixture over chicken, pressing lightly to adhere.
Toss tomatoes with remaining tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Arrange the tomatoes in the baking dish in and around the chicken. Bake until the crumbs are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Outdoor Space

I'll take one of these..please?

piccsy.com

potterybarn.com
decorpad.com

karcathey.com

myparadissi.com

Sunday, September 4, 2011

This Week

This week I plan on making a wreath. Now what it will look like and what I will make it out of, I don't know. I was inspired after reading about Nesting Place's wreath link party found at thenester.com. Here are some pics that totally had me drooling.
thenester.com     

censationalgirl.com  
people.virginia.edu 
I might just have to try to make all three! Although finding the time will be the biggest challenge.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Blogs I Follow

I am absolutely obsessed with younghouselove.com. It's a blog run by a husband and wife team who transform their  house from drab to fab. All of the tutorials and DIY ideas make this a daily read for me.

Another one that I have been following for some time is Dreamy Whites or dreamywhites.blogspot.com. I love how elegant all white decor looks, but I could never pull it off in my own home. I love all of the ideas and rustic table settings she posts.

Finally, I love Kara Paslay designs or karapaslaydesigns.blogspot.com. She actually made my chandelier found in my dining room. I am obsessed with her guest bedroom so go check it out!