Ever spend $70+ on flowers for a loved one, only to see them in the trash less than 2 weeks later. This year I am saving my money and putting more thought into my Mothers Day presents. Planning on making my mother a beautiful oversized bouquet of Poppies this year! Found these cute tutorials on Marth Stewarts website.
Giant Paper Poppies
also thought these Paper Dogwood branches were very sweet!
You can pick up an oversized vase just about anywhere (Target, TJ Maxx, Marshalls..etc.) for less than $25. Fill one up with a large bunch of either of these sweet paper concoctions and you have a gift that will be sure to leave a lasting impression on your ever so deserving Mother!
4.29.2011
4.22.2011
I always trust Ree... so here it is, The Best Lasagna Ever
My very best friend, Miss Ginny Blue got married in December. I am more than happy that she has finally settled down with her one true love... but there is a giant negative factor in all of this for me. She is moving across the country to sweet little Fort Walton Beach, Fl on Monday! Ok, it's not giant or negative, I'm just selfish. Naturally, I want to spend as much time as possible with her before she goes. She and her husband Brent were able to come down for dinner this week. I was excited to show off our little place since it was Brent's first time seeing it, so I planned on making something that is always a crowd pleaser.
Lasagna! Who doesn't love lasagna? (vegetarians don't count, I don't trust them) Meaty, garlicky, cheesy, comforting.. I could go on.
I'll be honest, this was my first time making Lasagna...ever. I don't typically order it out in restaurants because I feel like it's too safe of a bet and I always want to try something new and exciting. Growing up, my mom never once made a traditional Lasagna. So, let's just say this was new for me. I won't lie, I get nervous every time I cook, because I don't trust myself quite yet....Thank goodness this is just about the easiest recipe I've ever made!
Being a pretty novice chef, I have found a few talented women to gain some insight from. Ree Drummond a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman happens to be my favorite. If I have something in mind and need a recipe I go to her book or website first! That is where I found this fabulous recipe!
my changes "suggestions" in italics
The Best Lasagna. Ever. The Pioneer Woman Cooks Ree Drummond:
Ingredients
1-½ pound Ground Beef
1 pound Hot Breakfast Sausage
2 cloves Garlic, Minced *used 2 VERY large and 1 regular sized clove
2 cans (14.5 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes
2 cans (6 Ounce) Tomato Paste
2 Tablespoons Dried Parsley
* 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flake (added to sauce when parsley and basil is called for) ok, I added a few but I don't expect everyone to love heat like I do.
2 Tablespoons Dried Basil
1 teaspoon Salt
3 cups Lowfat Cottage Cheese
2 whole Beaten Eggs
½ cups Grated (not Shredded) Parmesan Cheese
2 Tablespoons Dried Parsley *I used fresh parsley in the cheese mixture.
1 teaspoon Salt
1 pound Sliced Mozzarella Cheese
1 package (10 Ounce) Lasagna Noodles *Trader Joes offers nice no cook lasagna noodles, they worked really well. (side note: If you use No Cook noodles cover them completely in sauce, if a corner is left uncovered it becomes a very crunchy addition to your beautifully baked otherwise gooey and delicious pasta dish.)
(add 1/2 Teaspoon Salt And 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil To Pasta Water)
* I added Black Olives and Mushrooms between the cottage cheese and mozzarella for a little something extra.
Preparation Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet or saucepan, combine ground beef, sausage, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain half the fat; less if you’re feeling naughty. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parsley, basil and salt. After adding the tomatoes, the sauce mixture should simmer for 45 minutes while you are working on the other steps.
In a medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan, 2 more tablespoons parsley, and 1 more teaspoon salt. Stir together well. Set aside. Cook lasagna until “al dente” (not overly cooked).
To assemble:
Arrange 4 cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of a baking pan, overlapping if necessary. Spoon half the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread evenly. Cover cottage cheese with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Spoon a little less than half the meat/sauce mixture over the top.
Repeat, ending with meat/sauce mixture. Sprinkle top generously with extra Parmesan.
Either freeze, refrigerate for up to two days, or bake immediately: 350-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until top is hot and bubbly.
Try it and Enjoy! I promise you won't be disappointed!
Lasagna! Who doesn't love lasagna? (vegetarians don't count, I don't trust them) Meaty, garlicky, cheesy, comforting.. I could go on.
I'll be honest, this was my first time making Lasagna...ever. I don't typically order it out in restaurants because I feel like it's too safe of a bet and I always want to try something new and exciting. Growing up, my mom never once made a traditional Lasagna. So, let's just say this was new for me. I won't lie, I get nervous every time I cook, because I don't trust myself quite yet....Thank goodness this is just about the easiest recipe I've ever made!
Being a pretty novice chef, I have found a few talented women to gain some insight from. Ree Drummond a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman happens to be my favorite. If I have something in mind and need a recipe I go to her book or website first! That is where I found this fabulous recipe!
my changes "suggestions" in italics
The Best Lasagna. Ever. The Pioneer Woman Cooks Ree Drummond:
Ingredients
1-½ pound Ground Beef
1 pound Hot Breakfast Sausage
2 cloves Garlic, Minced *used 2 VERY large and 1 regular sized clove
2 cans (14.5 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes
2 cans (6 Ounce) Tomato Paste
2 Tablespoons Dried Parsley
* 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flake (added to sauce when parsley and basil is called for) ok, I added a few but I don't expect everyone to love heat like I do.
2 Tablespoons Dried Basil
1 teaspoon Salt
3 cups Lowfat Cottage Cheese
2 whole Beaten Eggs
½ cups Grated (not Shredded) Parmesan Cheese
2 Tablespoons Dried Parsley *I used fresh parsley in the cheese mixture.
1 teaspoon Salt
1 pound Sliced Mozzarella Cheese
1 package (10 Ounce) Lasagna Noodles *Trader Joes offers nice no cook lasagna noodles, they worked really well. (side note: If you use No Cook noodles cover them completely in sauce, if a corner is left uncovered it becomes a very crunchy addition to your beautifully baked otherwise gooey and delicious pasta dish.)
(add 1/2 Teaspoon Salt And 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil To Pasta Water)
* I added Black Olives and Mushrooms between the cottage cheese and mozzarella for a little something extra.
Preparation Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet or saucepan, combine ground beef, sausage, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain half the fat; less if you’re feeling naughty. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parsley, basil and salt. After adding the tomatoes, the sauce mixture should simmer for 45 minutes while you are working on the other steps.
In a medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan, 2 more tablespoons parsley, and 1 more teaspoon salt. Stir together well. Set aside. Cook lasagna until “al dente” (not overly cooked).
To assemble:
Arrange 4 cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of a baking pan, overlapping if necessary. Spoon half the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread evenly. Cover cottage cheese with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Spoon a little less than half the meat/sauce mixture over the top.
Repeat, ending with meat/sauce mixture. Sprinkle top generously with extra Parmesan.
Either freeze, refrigerate for up to two days, or bake immediately: 350-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until top is hot and bubbly.
Try it and Enjoy! I promise you won't be disappointed!
4.21.2011
Home Is Where The Heart Is.
Papa and I have already been in our place for over a month...I am kicking myself for not taking pictures when the place was bare and looked about as big as a sardine can. (not exaggerating) We have to space out our spending, so its a work in progress, but I really feel like everything is coming along.
*disclaimer-I have absolutely NO photography skills.
-Welcome to our Home-
This is essentially the entire little nest... but it's pretty cute. Nick managed to find this coffee table off Craigslist for $45 bucks. (So thankful for him.. I never realized coffee tables could cost $300)
What I did realize is that I can spend wayyy too much money in Pier One Imports....but I managed to find the blue pillows and adorable throw on a pretty decent sale.
I had to take a picture of our bookshelf. I love that we ended up have the perfect space for one. All of my books happened to be boxed up and put in the garage...but we are hoping to fill this with records, cookbooks and a few of my favorite series.. "cough cough"...Harry Potter & Twilight.
Our kitchen! It's my favorite room! I realize I may sound really weird getting this excited about having my own kitchen... but it IS exciting to have your own dishes, pots and pans!!
We found the perfect kitchen cart to give us some extra counter space. Seems to be a trend.. trying to make the most of what little space we have. I guess that's what you get trying to afford to live a block from the beach! And no, I am NOT complaining ;)
One of the little things I love about Oceanside is the Thursday night sunset market which is held by the pier every week. Last Thursday was our first trip this year, I saw the sign below at one of the stands and couldn't resist!
-"Oh, I'm sorry. You must be confusing me with the maid we don't have."
Our room is cozy and that bed may not look like heaven, but it is! We've invested in a 3 inch memory foam mattress topper...and have a REALLY hard time getting out of bed on the weekends! Papa obviously let me pick out the bedding. I am mildly obsessed with the color orange right now.. I know this may be just a little too much for some people to handle, but I fell in love with it.
This is the corner of the house I think needs the most work. My parents were kind enough to pick up this giant 9 drawer dresser at an Estate Sale, we had our clothes on the floor for 2 weeks.. great size and great condition.
We love Banksy... but aren't sure about the picture. To be honest, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with this area. I do love my flowers though. Papa, somehow got the "girls love flowers" memo. I lucked out!
Couldn't leavePapa's office our bathroom out of the tour. It's small but practical and dressed in white and and my favorite shade of green.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love our little home. I am dying to have summer beach BBQ's with our friends and family!
.
*disclaimer-I have absolutely NO photography skills.
-Welcome to our Home-
This is essentially the entire little nest... but it's pretty cute. Nick managed to find this coffee table off Craigslist for $45 bucks. (So thankful for him.. I never realized coffee tables could cost $300)
What I did realize is that I can spend wayyy too much money in Pier One Imports....but I managed to find the blue pillows and adorable throw on a pretty decent sale.
I had to take a picture of our bookshelf. I love that we ended up have the perfect space for one. All of my books happened to be boxed up and put in the garage...but we are hoping to fill this with records, cookbooks and a few of my favorite series.. "cough cough"...Harry Potter & Twilight.
Our kitchen! It's my favorite room! I realize I may sound really weird getting this excited about having my own kitchen... but it IS exciting to have your own dishes, pots and pans!!
We found the perfect kitchen cart to give us some extra counter space. Seems to be a trend.. trying to make the most of what little space we have. I guess that's what you get trying to afford to live a block from the beach! And no, I am NOT complaining ;)
One of the little things I love about Oceanside is the Thursday night sunset market which is held by the pier every week. Last Thursday was our first trip this year, I saw the sign below at one of the stands and couldn't resist!
-"Oh, I'm sorry. You must be confusing me with the maid we don't have."
Our room is cozy and that bed may not look like heaven, but it is! We've invested in a 3 inch memory foam mattress topper...and have a REALLY hard time getting out of bed on the weekends! Papa obviously let me pick out the bedding. I am mildly obsessed with the color orange right now.. I know this may be just a little too much for some people to handle, but I fell in love with it.
This is the corner of the house I think needs the most work. My parents were kind enough to pick up this giant 9 drawer dresser at an Estate Sale, we had our clothes on the floor for 2 weeks.. great size and great condition.
We love Banksy... but aren't sure about the picture. To be honest, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with this area. I do love my flowers though. Papa, somehow got the "girls love flowers" memo. I lucked out!
Couldn't leave
Thanks for stopping by!
I love our little home. I am dying to have summer beach BBQ's with our friends and family!
.
Cutest Easter Dessert to Date
I wish I had kiddos so I would have a reason to drop everything and make these tonight. Instead, I will race home only to debate going to the gym for a split second... then put on the most comfortable pajama pants I can find, pour myself a glass of wine, make a simple dinner and snuggle up next to my man!
BUT maybe I will find some time this weekend to make them with my sweet little nugget, Leuc! (just had to find a reason to post this picture... he is honestly.. too. cute. for. words!)
Back to the real reason of this post, I have seen some cute Easter desserts, but these take the cake....without being cake at all. I love how you can decorate the outside however you wish to make them a little fancier or more colorful. Simply put, these just make me smile.
For the recipe which is so conveniently posted on Rice Krispies website... Click HERE
4.19.2011
Cake in a Jar? Sold!
I came across this fun recipe this morning. I am in love! I made Papa a neon "rainbow" birthday cake last year.. this just takes the same idea and makes it a little more interesting. You dont have to use the bright rainbow cake inside, although it's appealing to show off the vibrant colors. You can really take this idea and make it your own. I personally think the idea of cake in a jar is awesome enough in itself with or without the colors! I'm thinking....red velvet with cream cheese frosting or funfetti (my personal favorite) with some fluffy pink icing & sprinkles!!!
In my opinion, (being one who loves frosting) a pint sized mason jar is just too much cake and too little frosting. I am planning on making these in small 4 oz mason jars or even recycled baby food jars to resemble more of a cupcake. These would be perfect for any bridal/baby shower or party. I can not wait to try it out!
In my opinion, (being one who loves frosting) a pint sized mason jar is just too much cake and too little frosting. I am planning on making these in small 4 oz mason jars or even recycled baby food jars to resemble more of a cupcake. These would be perfect for any bridal/baby shower or party. I can not wait to try it out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)