tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56943536485048091842024-03-01T06:41:01.680-06:00Mr. and Mrs. PearAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-51765060006956688302012-09-04T05:30:00.000-05:002012-09-04T05:30:00.375-05:00Baked CauliflourI've been in need of changing up the veggies in my life lately. Asparagus and broccoli are staple vegetables in our household, but we needed something different, easy, and healthy. Baked cauliflour it is! Enjoy this easy and tasty recipe!
Baked Cauliflour
adapted from Red Chillies
Ingredients:
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp tumeric
1 cauliflour, cut into florets
2 tbsp olive oilAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-81649620942783376382012-08-28T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-28T06:00:11.148-05:00Tried It Liked It Tuesday: The most amazing brussel sprouts ever!These are good. Reeeeal good. I'm pretty sure I could eat them every single night. Yes, brussel sprouts. I didn't like this veggie until about a year ago. I just had to figure out how to prepare them and now I love them. Give them a try. Really, I think you'll love them, too!
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
adapted from Cookie + Kate
Ingredients
1 lb brussel sprouts, rinsed, tips cut off, halved
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-84068658601760270162012-08-25T16:00:00.000-05:002012-08-25T16:03:45.620-05:00DIY pallet & wedding giftI am SO happy with how this project turned out! Here's how it all came about...
A couple of weeks ago I was brainstorming ideas for a wedding gift to give to my friend, Kirby, who was about to get married. I'm not sure how this idea came about in my head, but it started taking form and I had something specific in my mind.
First, I enlisted the help of my father-in-law who has a workshop inAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-38815006835929196872012-08-21T08:24:00.000-05:002012-08-21T08:24:37.547-05:00Why I've been MIAYep, I've been a little MIA lately. I have lots of delicious recipes to share with you soon and a project that I'm currently working on, but for now I will tell you why I've been MIA. My husband and I are adopting! We're very excited about this and it's kept us pretty busy gathering all the paperwork we need. If you'd like to follow along our journey, check out our other blog by clicking Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-3923337969020200842012-07-31T06:00:00.000-05:002012-07-31T11:52:40.107-05:00Pizza on a pitaOne of the things I love about living in a city is all of the diversity at my fingertips. Not too far from our place there's a bunch of small market stores that sell tons of produce from all over the world. I've never seen some of these fruits and veggies before. It's a cool experience and I've started to get to know several of the workers there. I love when I can make connections in a Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-21187675982501913432012-07-19T05:30:00.000-05:002012-07-19T05:30:02.717-05:00Ugly Rug MakeoverSince Matt and I spruced up our patio, I couldn't let this hideous doormat continue to look ugly while everything else was looking so nice. So, I chose a spray paint color I already had, used duct tape (you really can use this stuff for anything!) to make a striped pattern making sure that the paint would cover any stains or spots, and sprayed away.
Yikes.
This took several coatsAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-56267027073539189242012-07-18T11:29:00.003-05:002012-07-18T11:29:53.174-05:00Pointsettia Pillow Giveaway Winner
Thanks to those of you who voted for your favorite pointsettia pillow. I think I know which one I'll be making the most of!
The winner of my little giveaway was Lisa Q. She'll be receiving a burlap pillow with a red pointsettia!
I'll make sure to let you know when these pillows are for sale in my Etsy shop, probably sometime in mid-late October.
Happy Wednesday!
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-37983648309377963282012-07-16T09:30:00.000-05:002012-07-16T09:30:00.087-05:00World's Best LasagnaThis is one delicious lasagna recipe! Adding sausage in with the beef is what makes it extra special along with fresh parsley and basil from our garden. One of Matt's co-workers made this for us when we went to dinner at her place in March and ever since then I've been dreaming about it. It was SO good! I asked her to share the recipe with me and she said whenever she needs a recipe, she Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-76630820594811747402012-07-13T09:03:00.001-05:002012-07-14T09:31:16.991-05:00Christmas Pillow Survey/Giveaway!That's right, Christmas. Since I have the summer months off, I'm maximizing my time by planning ahead. Last year, I made several of these pointsettia pillows for family and friends. I had no idea they'd be in such high demand (thanks guys!) and I had to turn down some people because there just simply wasn't enough time.
So, here I am planning ahead. But, I need your help. If you were to purchaseAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-44832792103082579672012-07-12T08:30:00.000-05:002012-07-12T16:17:04.202-05:00Outdoor Curtains Using Drop ClothsI am beyond thankful that we have outdoor space at our current apartment. We love being able to grill out in the summer, sip on wine and talk in the evenings, drink coffee and tea in the mornings, and read during the day. I'm actually sitting out on the deck right now as I write this post!
However, we are in the city and so there can be a lack of privacy at times. Sometimes you don't want the Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-3280406498473283102012-07-09T05:13:00.000-05:002012-07-12T16:16:26.157-05:00Drop Cloth Curtains RevisitedMy first post ever on this blog was about the drop cloth curtains that I used in my sunroom. I love the neutral, linen feel that they provide. Plus, at $10 a panel and requiring NO SEWING this was a great alternative to either making my own or purchasing curtains for at least $20 a panel.
This has been a hot Chicago summer. I'm sad to say that I've lost part of my "southernness." I'veAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-39471296737435386682012-07-06T06:00:00.000-05:002012-07-09T16:27:18.049-05:00Homemade tomato, basil, and goat cheese pizzaDid I tell you how our herbs are growing like crazy? I've been trying out new recipes left and right that require me to use fresh herbs. I used a bunch of our basil the other day to make homemade pesto and froze it to use later. Well, that later happened and the first thing I made was this fabulous tomato and basil pizza with a pesto sauce.
Tomato, Basil, and Goat Cheese Pizza
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-37237958781834206502012-07-03T06:00:00.000-05:002012-07-03T06:00:07.780-05:00Tried It, Liked It Tuesday: Homemade PestoI love pesto. It's great on pizza, pasta, paninis...basically anything that starts with a "p." We have so much basil growing, so I looked up on Pinterest how to make your own pesto and freeze it for use later in the year. Oh, and I used my food processor for the first time. WHY did it take me 3 years to use it?! It's amazing! Here's what I did.
Homemade Pesto
adapted from The Secret Life Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-68168646668103870652012-06-28T06:00:00.000-05:002012-06-28T10:49:22.929-05:00Peach CrispBeing born and raised in Georgia, it only makes sense that I love peaches, right? I grew up eating this peach crisp for special events. Whenever I'd come home from college my mom made sure to make it for me. I attempted to impress my boyfriend (now husband) and his roommates by making this for them. It didn't go so well the first time since I forgot to add the flour mixture (I was a novice baker Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-64210708109452704062012-06-26T06:00:00.000-05:002012-06-28T17:27:32.827-05:00Tried It, Liked It Tuesday: DIY Wood Painted American FlagHere's a little DIY craft just in time for the 4th of July. You still have time to make this!
DIY Painted American Flag
adapted from Crafty Butt
Supplies:
1 rectangular piece of wood (mine was about 8x11)
50 star stickers
red, white, blue spray paint (I used acrylic paint for part, but recommend spray paint)
painters tape or masking tape
sand paper
tape measurer
pencil
primer Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-67280300005648690972012-06-19T06:25:00.000-05:002012-06-28T17:27:46.755-05:00Tried It, Liked It Tuesday: Sweet Orange VinagretteSince I have about 50 million (slight exaggeration) things pinned on Pinterest, I'm going to make an effort to actually make some of these things! If I like it, I'll share it with you.
Here's the first "Tried It, Liked It Tuesday" post. It is a variation of an orange vinagrette that I used to accompany the beet salad I made (recipe also below).
Sweet Orange Vinagrette
adapted Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-59746799028565881492012-06-17T19:24:00.001-05:002012-06-28T10:32:26.047-05:00Grilled PeachesLife does not get much better than summer in Chicago. It's the time of year when this beautiful city redeems herself for being so harsh during the winter. Matt and I try to spend as much time outside as possible. We also love to grill and thankfully we have a great outdoor space to do this.
Last weekend, Matt wanted to try grilling some new things, one of these things being peaches. So, we cameAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-33048351338271169742012-06-13T22:31:00.000-05:002012-06-17T15:32:33.747-05:00UnbrokenHas anyone else read this book? Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand who also wrote Seabiscuit. It was seriously good. So, so good. It was a bit tough for me to read at times due to the graphic descriptions, but that's what brought the story to life. It's history. It's a true story. This stuff really happened. The story stirred up all of my emotions - sadness, anxiety, excitement, pride, Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-22391136458890715002012-06-05T05:00:00.000-05:002012-06-17T15:31:09.668-05:00Father's Day Gift: "Dad, I love you to pieces!"This sweet Father's Day project turned out so cute! I can't wait for the fathers of my students to get this gift. You still have time to make this with your class (if you're still in school like me) or with your kiddos for their dad. Here's what you need...
Supplies:
paper and markers for your kid(s) to make a sign
camera
plastic picture frame (The Dollar Store had a few different Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-50846468024376686342012-06-04T07:00:00.000-05:002012-06-17T15:32:11.053-05:00Mexican SangriaHere's another lovely drink recipe from Pinterest. We enjoyed this refreshing Mexican sangria in the hot 90 degree weather on Memorial Day in Chicago. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon!
Mexican Sangria
adapted from Design Sponge
Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine
1 cup of tequila
1/2 cup of oj
Sliced red or green apples, watermelon, oranges, mangoes, etc (whatever you want, really)
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-42566359856672429852012-05-30T21:20:00.000-05:002012-06-17T15:33:05.586-05:00Delicious Iced CoffeeThis tasty recipe comes from Food52 via good ol' Pinterest. My goal is to actually try to make some of the things that I pin so here's one of hopefully many more.
Sweet Cinnamon Iced Coffee
Serves 2-4
Ingredients:
2/3 cups coarsely ground coffee
1 tsp cinnamon
3 cups water
3 tbsp dark brown sugar
milk, half and half, cream
Mix ground coffee, cinnamon, water, and dark brown Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-8134227661155914862012-05-20T07:00:00.001-05:002012-07-02T17:22:19.708-05:00Berried TreasureThis may quite possibly be one of the easiest and most amazingly delicious recipes ever. It's great if you are having company over and want to make a quick, easy, dessert for everyone. Make it. You won't be sorry. If you don't make it, you will be sorry.
BERRIED TREASURE
Crust:
1.5 cups graham crackers crumbs (1.5 sleeves of graham crackers crushed)
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter - meltedAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-59742860599871301942012-05-18T18:54:00.000-05:002012-06-17T15:30:28.512-05:00Costa Rica VacationLife has been busy lately and with the weather starting to be perfect, I just haven't been around to blog. I have some things to share though and summer break is just about here for me so I think that I'll be around a little more. For now, I just wanted to share some of the photos from our trip to Costa Rica in April. Enjoy!
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-6655917475421075132012-04-19T13:50:00.004-05:002012-04-19T15:11:05.579-05:00My AMAZINGLY Talented SisterI am one proud sister! My "little" (she's 25 so she's really not that little) sis, Emily, works as an assitant designer for Carter's in Atlanta. She is just so darn talented and her first solo design that she was working on last summer hit Target stores a couple of weeks ago. I went the second that I could after returning from our trip to Costa Rica (more on that later). Here's my beautiful Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694353648504809184.post-44146498348820767142012-04-01T20:00:00.003-05:002012-04-01T20:09:25.645-05:00Vacation Mode!Hi friends! I've been a bit MIA lately and that's because I've been packing for our trip to Costa Rica this week! I'm super pumped about it. We've been running around all weekend trying to make sure we have the things we need. I think I've packed and repacked my suitcase about 5 different times trying to eliminate the things I don't really need. We only take carry-ons whenever we travel so its a Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12651046962823461076noreply@blogger.com0