If I am honest, Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorite holidays. There is so much pressure to have a "special someone" and that has trickled down to even young children who worry if they don't get enough cards from their classmates or those dreaded roses that are delivered in high school (am I the only one who still remembers never getting one?!). In our house, we still mark the day, … [Read more...]
THE Best Bean Dip
January 19, 2015 Leave a Comment
Last week I shared with you how I made a football shaped bread bowl to snack on while watching the big game and now I want to let you in on the yummy dip that I filled it with. This is probably the best bean dip that I have tasted. True story; I ate it until I made myself feel sick to my stomach. Then I warned my daughter not to do the same...she did. It was too good to stop. So be … [Read more...]
Blueberry Cinnamon Melts
January 16, 2015 1 Comment
I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. I received a stipend to facilitate my purchase for my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.Why is it that no matter how early I wake up mornings in a house full of kids are so hectic that I feel like I have lost three quarters of my mind by the time I … [Read more...]
Game Day Football Bread Bowl
January 14, 2015 1 Comment
Well, I think that it is safe to say that it is no surprise that I am a super fan of football. I love it a silly amount and have chatted about it multiple times. Remember my three bean hearty chili and my fantasy football party? Or how about the beer candied bacon or the cheese stuffed beer pretzels? Yeah, lets not discuss how poorly my 49ers played this season. This girl just can't talk … [Read more...]
Flavor Infused Water
January 13, 2015 1 Comment
Every year around this time there seems to be a wonderful resurgence of people working out and hitting the gym hard. I too have fallen in to that category and have been having my body crushed multiple times a week by my girlfriend / trainer. She is hardcore and she absolutely does not let me slack at all. And let me tell you...there are days when I leave her house and I barely have the strength … [Read more...]
Wood Sign Valentine’s Popcorn “Bouquet”
January 8, 2015 2 Comments
I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Plaid Crafts, Michaels and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own. Now that we are firmly into January and all looking forward to some warmer spring weather, I was super excited to get to participate in the Michaels Spring Wood Run Challenge. It basically consists of getting a package of random craft supplies sent to you that you … [Read more...]
Down Home Inspiration Best of 2014
December 29, 2014 Leave a Comment
Wow, it has been just over a year since I started this blogging adventure and I cannot believe how much has changed in that time! There have been ups and downs, projects that far surpassed what I could have imagined for them and those that have flopped, blood, sweat, tears and tons of excitement. It has been a roller coaster, but I want to thank each and every one of you for hopping on this ride … [Read more...]
One of the BEST & EASIEST Appetizers Ever…Baked Ravioli
December 10, 2014 Leave a Comment
Holy cow, the holidays are approaching at such a rapid speed this year that I am terrified that there is no way that I can accomplish everything on my to do list. Please tell me that I am not the only one that is breathing into a paper bag every time that I look at my calendar?! With all of the upcoming get togethers and parties that have made the final cut, it is time to get cracking on … [Read more...]
Sea Salt and Caramel Hot Chocolate on a Stick
November 24, 2014 1 Comment
No matter how hard I try or how sleep deprived I am, I just cannot get myself to drink coffee. My husband is an addict and makes his fancy espressos every morning and I wish that I could make myself like the taste, but I really don't. So in the cold winter months, I am a hot chocolate fiend! There is something so comforting about holding a big ol' cup of steaming chocolate in your hands to warm … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake
November 10, 2014 Leave a Comment
Okay, so I know that I said that I wasn't cooking a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year, but that doesn't mean that I have to miss out on dessert, does it? 'Cause if so, then I might just be tempted into cooking a turkey! Especially if that meant that I was able to scarf down this amazing Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake! I will be the first to admit that I adore cheesecake. I started … [Read more...]
Ghoulishly Fun Halloween Dinner
October 27, 2014 4 Comments
We had a hard weekend here at my house. My husband deployed on Saturday afternoon and the kids and I were all feeling pretty down and out and basically throwing ourselves a big ol' pity party. We needed something fun and we needed it quick! Eating eyeballs changed their moods and brought smiles (and a few "eew, that is so gross" comments) to our otherwise quite house. Yes, that's … [Read more...]
Tips for Gorgeous Gourmet Apples – Learn From my Mistakes, People!
October 24, 2014 3 Comments
I have a slight obsession with apples. I eat at least one, every single day. When I was in Europe on vacation recently, I had withdrawals because I went two weeks without a single apple. It is kind of ridiculous but oh so true. When my mom was in town recently we decided to make some gourmet apples. We experimented and learned a lot along the way. So here is your is chance to learn from … [Read more...]
