Pumpkin Patch

The weather has been so wonderful the last week and then BAM! it's going to be 85 today and 87 tomorrow! Will fall ever come and just stay for a while?? I'm praying it will!

I have been in the midst of 2 tests, a paper, and more homework in the last 5 days, so there wasn't much time in between to think of a fun craft or baking recipe...I swear school is really getting to me. I have been so stressed that I woke up at 6:15 this morning, went to Starbucks, studied, did laundry, and showered all before 9:30. Then went to class! Totally out of my norm. 

I did, however; take a break from the books to take my friend's sweet little girl to the pumpkin patch Saturday for fun and pictures. We had a great time, but strangely she found that throwing the baby pumpkins were more fun than holding them..who would have thought.

So, this is how majority of the pictures turned out! She was having too much fun destroying the pumpkins. We did get a few cute ones though..

I love those blue eyes!

Sweet Madilynne and I

Now I have to get back to studying...wish me luck!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Happy Birthday!!

I have been a terrible blogger for the last two weeks, but I promise I have a good excuse. Last week I was thinking of gift ideas for my fabulous mother, whose birthday is today! I wanted to give her something that she would really love but wouldn't break my bank account either.


Anyways, a few months ago we went to a local boutique/home design store where she fell in love with a picture frame that cost 80 DOLLARS!!!! And has talked about wanting it every since. I just cant find myself spending that kinda money on something that I could make...and that's exactly what I did!! So here it is..

I used:

• 5X7 picture frame that has a wide edge.
• hot glue gun
• scissors
• twist tie
• wired ribbon
• pendent or tassel (optional)

First, I assembled the bow.

Then I played around with a couple different ideas and decided not to use the tassel because it was over-powering the frame. I used some of the matching ribbon and glued it to the back of the bow. The tassel had some black sheer ribbon that it was meant to hang from so cut 2 pieces of that to accent the bow. I glued the cross pendent to the bow and glued the whole thing to frame! and this is the final product!!

Wah-La! I am quite impressed with myself! Oh, and it only cost 20 bucks to make! I recommend Hobby Lobby when they are having a sale, which is almost daily.

Ok, so for those of you that know my mother she has a weakness for sweets and weenie dogs. She especially loves COOKIES!!! I have gotten really close to perfecting Fairfield Grocery's Chocolate Chip Cookies! And if you haven't had the opportunity to try one then that's a darn shame. So, try mine instead!

Ingredients:

1c. shortening    

1c. brown sugar, packed

1/2c. sugar

2tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 c. sifted flower

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. chocolate chips.

Blend shortening, brown, and granulated sugars in a large bowl. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Sift remaining dry ingredients together. Add to sugar and egg mixuture, blending well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop spoonful size dough on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 7-10 minutes. Enjoy!

I know last time I said that this blog was going to be about cupcakes but I think creating birthday gifts for the most amazing mother ever is an even better idea!


So,


Happy Birthday, Mom! Thank you for being the best role-model and infulence in my life.

Have a great week!!


-Emiley

Changing Seasons, Changing Recipes

Does anyone else out there live in Louisiana?? Well if you do then you know how crazy the weather has been. Thursday it was 100 degrees and Friday it was 80. So, due to this massive cold front I've had to put all of my coats and boots in the front of my closet and stoy away the bikinis til next summer.

One of my favorite things about Fall and Winter is that I will eat all the soup I can possibly get mouth near. I am a soup and BLT kinda girl! And I decided in honor of my first "official" blog post I would do something special and give y'all a two-for-one. Disney and a recipe..Are you ready for this? It's Disney's Loaded Bake Potato Soup! You will die and go to Heaven just like I did when you taste it.

It's the best thing I've eaten since I made it last winter. A little piece of potato Heaven I like to call it.

But, I feel like this picture just doesn't give it justice....so here's the recipe!

You will need:

• 1lb bacon roughly chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 4 large russet potatoes & 4 medium red potatoes; peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups heavy cream

How to make:

• In a 6-8 Qt stock pot over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp
• Remove bacon and drain on paper towel. In bacon fat, cook onions & celery until the onion is translucent. Add potatoes and cook for 4 mins. Stirring occasionally.
• Sprinkle in flour and stir consistently over low heat for 5 minutes until the mixture has thickened slightly. Add stock and half of bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
• Over-medium high heat, bring soup to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes. stir occasionally. Mash some of the potatoes for a thicker and creamier texture.
• Add cream and let simmer for another 5 minutes
• Adjust thickness by adding water or more stock.
• Garnish with bacon, cheese, and sour cream!
• ENJOY!!!

And may I reccomend the best cook book ever?? Full of great recipies!

My next post is going to be the BEST butter cupcakes your taste buds have ever landed on! I made them for a friend's wedding shower and they were a great hit so I'll share those in a couple days. Maybe we'll get to healthy food one day...maybe.

Have a magical day!

-Emiley