Friday, July 22, 2011

New Blog Design


WOW!! I have a fabulous new blog design thanks to my friend
Brittany at The Coleman Chronicles! I love it so much and hope you all do too!
The lighter, fresher look is just what I was needing!

So, Brittany...


It's perfect!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

paper monogram napkin rings

DIY Tutorial from the wedding shower #1-- Monogrammed Napkin Rings

This past weekend I hosted a bridal shower for my friend Kristen and I was NOT a good photographer... I failed to get a picture of the food tables. (total fail) But I was able to capture of few of my projects that went into the shower for some fabulous tutorials!

Napkin rings seem so formal, right?? Well, not mine... they were paper and cost a total of about $3.00 to make 20 of them.

Here are the steps with help from some pictures. You will need a glue stick, scissors, monogram, card stock and a hot glue gun.
#1 Cut strips of card stock about 4" X 1". This will be the base.

#2 Create and print on Word the monogram you plan to use. Remember the Bride's name first, then in a larger font is the groom's last name, then the groom's name. The font I chose to use was French script and the size was 72 99 72 for the initials.

#3 Paste the monogram into the center of the card stock with a glue stick. Be sure to glue it down completely on all 4 corners to prevent curling.

#4 Roll the silverware in the napkin.

#5 Wrap the napkin with the ring and hot glue it shut.

VIOLA!

I am linking up to:


The Girl Creative


Tip Junkie handmade projects



Friday, July 8, 2011

Side dishes are my favorite food group!


Happy Friday to you all! I am going to share a couple of delicious side dish recipes that are dips and I found them in my oh so handy and favorite cookbook from the one and only Pioneer Woman! If you have not made either one of these recipes-- please do, you will be forever grateful!

Salsa
1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
1/4 cup Chopped Onion
1 clove Garlic, Minced
1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
1/4 teaspoon Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/2 cup Cilantro (more To Taste!)
1/2 whole Lime Juice

Preparation Instructions

Note: this is a very large batch. Recommend using a 12-cup food processor, or you can process the ingredients in batches and then mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.

Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like---I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.

Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.

Here is my own photo recipe!


Grilled Corn Salad (the best thing I have made to date)

Vegetables: 8 fresh corn ears, 1 red onion (quartered), 2 yellow squash (halved lengthwise), 1 red bell pepper,
2 medium tomatoes
Dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 12 basil leaves (cut into chiffonade; stack the leaves on top of one another, roll tightly, and slice across), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 garlic cloves (chopped)
Directions: Begin by heating a grill pan (or outdoor grill). Drizzle the grill with olive oil. Place the corn on the grill and drizzle liberally with olive oil. Grill for 5-8 minutes until the corn is beginning to brown. Drizzle the onion with olive oil and grill just until it starts to become tender. Do not allow to overcook, as you want the onion to remain somewhat firm. Repeat with halved summer squash and bell pepper. Allow vegetables to cool slightly after grilling. Roughly chop the onions, squash, and pepper. Scrape the corn kernels from the cob. Dice the tomatoes and add them to the mix.
To make the dressing, in a separate bowl, pour the olive oil and balsamic vinger and whisk together until combined. Finally, add the basil, a dash of salt, and garlic and whisk together. Place the vegetables in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over the top. Stir to combine. Serve with tortilla chips and crackers, or spoon on top of grilled chicken. Delicious!
I served both of these Tortilla chips and I need another party to occur asap so that I can whip this corn salad up again!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Show us Your Life-- Breakfast


I love love love the "Show us Your Life" series at Kelly's Korner! This week's topic is breakfast items and I have the best recipe to share! Although, I have to be honest-- I do not have any pictures of my own dish. Remember, I am somewhat new to blogging and I have to start taking pictures of everything!

Onto the recipe-- which I must say is a great treat for a holiday weekend like this one!

Paula Deen's Baked French Toast

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Dash salt
  • Praline Topping, recipe follows
  • Maple syrup

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

  • 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.


ENJOY!

I am linking to:

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

My Plans for a Bridal Shower


I am so excited to be throwing a bridal shower for one of my greatest friends, Kristen! Her wedding colors are plum and white. I have been searching online and through so many blogs for some super cute ideas. Here is what has inspired me this far...

I will start with dessert! I love the idea of ice cream in a mason jar--
we do live in Texas and it has been 100+ for almost 2 weeks y'all!

The next thing I was planning on doing was to have a "Wish" frame. I will be posting a tutorial on this later this week. This will be a great memento for Kristen to keep and read later on. However I am still hunting for cute paper for this project! I will keep you posted on this one!

Onto favors... have you guys seen Bakeat350's blog?!? Well if not, please go right now! It is absolutely amazing and I plan on making cookies as the favors. These will look and taste like a million bucks-- just wait and see for yourself!

As for the menu, we are doing girly foods... like sandwiches and salads. I plan on ordering the food from Trio Cafe. The sandwiches and salads are to die for! I will have more on the menu later this week as well. ( wait isn't it already Wednesday??? Maybe more next week then!)

Check back for more on the shower plans... it is going to be one beautiful shower!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

This is my last chance for a good linky party...

Welcome to the last Summer Showoff at Sixtynine oh Four! I hope to have a good turnout at the link party and I am looking forward to seeing your summer landscape ideas, tips and decor!

Please remember to link back here with my button!

ENJOY the party!!



Friday, June 17, 2011

Friday's Summer Showoff...

It's Friday and that means... SUMMER SHOW OFF here @ sixty-nine oh! four.
Today's party is all about your summer mantles! I have seen so many beautiful mantles floating around blogland and I cannot to see what you have to share! Grab a button from my sidebar and link up today with your summer mantle posts!
Here is a before and after of our mantle... It needed more of a "white" color scheme to lighten things up for the summer. Our entryway has changed dramatically over the past few months. Take a look...

Here is what our entryway looked like when we first moved in. I loved the red table and I just had to have it. That idea faded really quickly and I wanted more of a shabby look.
So, we did a little rearranging and too this mantle from our bedroom and moved it into the entryway. We slapped up a few frames and let it be. (yuck)
Luckily that did not last long, how hideous was that?? Then, this week I got to work. I spray painted a couple of candle holders, bought some fresh flowers and made 1 trip to Hobby Lobby for a special message. Finally, the mantle has been spruced up and seems a lot more like me!
Now onto the linky party...
link up here ladies & enjoy!