Collecting a Mantel

Since we moved into our home 2 years ago I have never finished collecting pieces for out mantel.  It's quite a sad little mantel anyways.  There is not much too it, not much depth to it.  I finally hung my mirror after a year and a half.  It's just one of those things in the house that I can't decide on how I want it to look.

I love the mirror above it, and typically never hang a mirror horizontal.  A few weeks ago I arranged the flowers for a friends wedding shower.   side note: I think I missed my calling in life.  I had way too much fun doing it!  And not to brag, but I think they turned our beautiful!  They were a combination of tulips, roses, dahlias and eucalyptus. Most of the flowers were from our local grocery store too, cheap and pretty!    And lucky for me I brought most of them home from the party and used them on the mantel.  For about a week my mantel was complete . . . and then they died.  I guess my solution will be to always have beautiful fresh arrangements up there! HA!

Meatless Monday Challenge: Accepted

I eat meat.  I like meat.  I eat meat at most every meal.

I commend all my veggie and vegan friends but have absolutely no desire to choose that lifestyle.  No apologies and no judgement, just being truthful.  Basically I have no self control : )  Sunday night Chase proposed we start "meatless Mondays."  I was completely shocked!  This coming from my man who insists on having meat at every meal!  I had actually brought this up years ago and I'm pretty sure I was laughed at.

He started by asking me the rules to our Meatless Mondays.  I laughed and I told him that the rules are whatever we make them to be!    Maybe let's start with dinner? Let's also be realistic.  My favorite word! REALISTIC.  I don't want to start something and not accomplish it because it doesn't fit our lifestyle.  So basically, we didn't make up any rules yet.

May 20 marks my first Meatless Monday!

Breakfast      (I didn't have to change my normal breakfast)
Coffee.  Yogurt.  Granola.  Blueberries.  Rasberries.  Strawberries

Lunch     (Definitely a change from my usual turkey sandwich)
Open faced sunny side up sandwich.

Dinner    (A typical dinner for us, but no ground beef)
Spaghetti.  Salad

Not too bad for my first day!  Lunch will probably be the most challenging meal.  I am completely addicted to turkey sandwiches!!!!!  Wish us luck : )

Open Faced Sunny Sandwich

1/2 piece of naan (or any bread)
1  piece of swiss cheese
1/4  avocado
1/2  tomato
1 1/2 egg (1 whole egg and just the white of the second)
pinch of sea salt

There are so many variations to this!  I happen to have all these delish things at home today.

Veggie Spaghetti

1 eggplant, cubed
1 zucchini, cubed
8 oz  mushrooms
1 lb. whole wheat spaghetti
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
salt and pepper
olive oil

I roasted all the veggies together with olive oil, salt and pepper (you could also do this step in a skillet). In a large pot I added the roasted veggies to my spaghetti sauce and kept them on low while I cooked my pasta.

So many possibilities to this one too!  The mushrooms added some hearty "meat-like" texture.  Can't wait to eat this again!

Veggie Garden Start

For a couple of months now we've been talking about wanting to start a "veggie/herb/fruit/anything that is edible and will grow" garden.  I searched around for planter boxes to buy, since the hubby isn't the most handy of men.  I came up empty handed, there is not much out there to buy.  Lot's of how-to's on building them though!  Chase agreed to take on this challenge and was actually pretty excited about it.

After a trip to Home Depot, he and Elle got to it in the garage a few Sundays ago.  I was quite impressed with the final product!!  They may not last for 20 years, but hey we will out of this house by then.  Somebody else's problem! haha : )  We used cedar wood planks (I wish they were a little thicker but that's all we had to choose from)

I had our landscaper bring us dirt, some of the good stuff that you can't buy at Home Depot.  And then we got to planting!  So far we have . . .

Tomatoes (2 different varieties)

Zucchini

Cucumber

Green Beans

Cilantro

Parsley

Thyme

Rosemary

Dill

Basil (heat tolerant variety)

Strawberries

Lemons

(l to r) zucchini. tomoatoes. zucchini. cucumbers down in front are green beans who haven't sprouted

(l to r) cilantro. basil. rosemary. dill. thyme. parsley. green beans along back who haven't sprouted

Loaded Baked Pasta

Sunday nights Chase really loves a big pasta dish for dinner.  I found my inspiration for this on Pinterest, then combined with a baked ziti recipe I have.  And this is what I came up with...

Loaded Baked Pasta

8 oz  sliced mushrooms
baby spinach, I did 2 big handfuls (or one pkg of frozen)
1  medium yellow onion
2   zucchini
1 lb  italian sausage
1 lb  pasta  (I used spinach penne)
2  garlic cloves, minced
marinara sauce (1jar)
1 c   mozzarella
1/2 c parmesan, or more : )

Cook pasta according to package.  In a small skillet saute the baby spinach with a little olive oil and salt.  Heat a glug of olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat.  Add the mushrooms, onions, and zucchini, cook until softened.  Add the italian sausage into the skillet and cook.  When the sausage is cooked all the way, add in the cooked spinach, marinara sauce, and cooked pasta.  In a 9x13 dish pour half your pasta, then a layer of mozzarella cheese.  Add the rest of your pasta and top with mozzarella and parmesan.  Cook for about 20 minutes at 425, or until the cheese is bubbly and yummy!

There are so many different variations of this you could try!   Add different seasonal veggies, different meats, or no meat at all, add some herbs (I forgot to buy some at the store that day)... Oh the possibilities!

Coyuchi

As you know, I had such a hard time finding crib bedding.  No hot pink and zebra stripes in this house!!  So naturally when I found a tasteful line, I wanted to share (I think on Gilt), Coyuchi.  It's such a beautifully sweet designed collection.  

George Crib Collection 

detailed crib sheets

They even have kids clothing!

Check out their other bedding and bath products for yourself!  

Chops

A few months back some friends had us over for dinner.  We never turn down dinner with these friends, Brooke is an amazing cook!  Check out her blog Plum Pie Cooks.  She made pork tenderloin, mac and cheese, asparagus and amazing pear and pomegranate salad.  I'm usually not a huge fan of pork but the marinade she used was so delicious!  It was so yummy that I copied her and made this meal for Christmas Eve dinner, and wow was it a hit!!

Since then I use this marinade any time I make pork chops.  This is not my recipe at all, but I had to share it with you.  A couple of the times I've used it, I didn't one or two of the ingredients on hand.  The chops were just as good without them though!  Check out the full recipe here.

Pork Marinade

1/3 c   dried cherries
1/3 c   dry red wine
1/4 c   balsamic vinegar
3/4 c   cranberry juice
4  garlic cloves, minced
6  shallots, sliced
3 tbl   rosemary, chopped

The original recipe says to marinade anywhere from 2 hrs to overnight.  When I use this on pork chops I grill them in a skillet.  The tenderloin I sear on the stove top, then finish it off in the over.

Baby Clothes

Not sure about you, but I have the hardest time finding cute baby clothes.  I guess my style isn't what is necessarily popular for babies.  No frills, fuss, or HUGE bows!!!  No stupid sayings, I love my mommy or My daddy blah blah blah!  Sorry for the short rant : )  If I had a fashion background I would seriously consider starting a baby clothing line.  It seems so easy!  Beautiful patterns, colors, simplicity. . .

I usually have the best luck at Old Navy and the Gap.  The Old Navy near my house can be sort of hit or miss and the Gap seems a little over prices sometimes.  And of course I LOVE anything from Tea Collection, but I have to catch them on sale.  Thanks to my new addiction, Pinterest : ) I have found a few other lines I really like.  Please Please Please pass on any good websites/stores you love.

Boden 

Not the cheapest, but not ridiculous either.  Cute boy things as well.  And a bonus they have adult clothes too!

Wild Dill

Lots of different brands.  Range of prices.  

esty user EcoStreet

If you're going to accessorize with headbands, I think these are precious.  Small, sweet, beautiful.  I really don't think that Elle would let me put these on her head anyways.  This etsy store has great headbands and knit hats.

kate quinn

Great basics, solids and sweet patterns.  Not the cheapest, but I do catch these on Guilt every once and a while.  

sweet peanut

I've also seen this brand on Guilt.  Haven't ordered anything from them yet, but love all the footed onesies for the fall.

Recently I popped into our new H&M and was really pleased with their selection, great prices and clothes!  Also Zara was definite hit!