There is something about a rainy day that evokes reflection. And I realize I have neglected this space again. So here is a lot that doesn’t mesh….

I am wrapping up a big project at work that I am really excited about. One of the last things on the list was to go to the top of Pearce Ford Tower (a 27 story dorm) to take a photo.

The Upholstery for Beginners Class was very interesting. I realized that I am even a step below beginner. This is an interesting trade with so many tools. Each piece is different and you have to be really patient.

Although Ryan and I have always had similar interests, we differ in a big way when it comes to celebrities. Most days I can’t remember which guy is Brad Pitt and which is Tom Cruise. Ryan is pro. He knows every movie an actor has ever been in, who they were/are married to and what they are working on at the current time. One thing I have started to get into with him is award shows. We have created a new tradition for the Grammy’s and then continued it for the Oscar’s: Breakfast for dinner. This little mini-stack was so delish.

For Valentie’s Day, my grandmother, Pidgeon, mailed us some old photos. I love this one of me and Pops.

Last week, we got great news that our house appraised for even more than we were hoping for!! We will be able to refinance and save a huge amount over time! Yipee!! Now we can relax and enjoy all the progress we have made. I plan on doing a whole post on the porch when spring decides to come to BG to stay, but here is a look and the amazing work of Matt and Ryan. We had no idea how terrible it was structurally because it was all pretty well hidden, but this thing was not in good shape. Now it is well supported and so beautiful! The guys even kept the panels between the posts! I love the character this little porch adds to our house. And I am really loving the new color scheme. The front door color was trial and error, but I love the finished product!

Last weekend, we celebrated Ryan’s 25th birthday. This photo from Halloween 2008 cracks me up. We were just friends at the time and I remember making a big deal about how silly he looked.  We also got to celebrate Ryan’s birthday with my family in Nashville. It was a last minute plan and only about a 4 hour visit, but we loved it! My fam was there to cheer on the ECS Eagles in the State Championship so we went with them to the game and then to a quick dinner before heading back to BG for cake with our friends. 

I am headed to NYC this weekend for a College Media Convention. I also get to squeeze in a visit with Holmes, my aunt and a few friends.

Secret Family Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

I always thought it was strange that my family didn’t have any secret recipes. My mom used to cater and is a great cook, but she shares with anyone who asks her. The same goes for my aunts and grandmothers. I like that other people can enjoy our family recipes. 

One of my favorite recipes that my family makes are Chocolate Chip Cookies. Last year, my mom called is a Secret Family Recipe…. but in actuality it is just the recipe on the back of the Tollhouse Chocolate Chips with a few twists. These changes make these the best! They have come out perfect every single time. People always ask for the recipe because they taste good and are a really great consistency. So here is our family recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened- THE TRICK IS TO USE ONE INSTEAD OF TWO STICKS OF BUTTER!
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract- Always add a little more vanilla than it calls for.
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts- I don’t use nuts when I make these.

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

You can’t go wrong!

Strata on a Saturday

My sweet friend Heather is having a baby in a few weeks. Some girls from church threw a baby shower for her Saturday morning.

I was assigned to make a veggie strata…. and wasn’t exactly sure what strata was (if you are not sure yourself, it is a savory bread pudding).

So I did a google search and found a recipe that looked tasty.

And I lucked out. This recipe is easy and delicious. So if you want to wow the crowd and have everyone eating second, go with the Spinach and Cheese Strata.

Saturday was a beautiful day that reminded me of springs return- hopefully just around the corner!

Pumpkin Roll

Even though the pumpkin season is out the door, I have to give you this recipe before its too late! I made this last weekend for a church potluck. It was gone before I could try it, so I made it again this week with some pumpkin remnants I had left in a can. I was pretty intimidated but this recipe, but it wasn’t too difficult.

Cake:

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup canned pumpkin

3 large eggs

3/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup nuts (I left this out)

powdered sugar

Mix all pumpkin roll ingredients (except nuts and powdered sugar). Pour onto greased jelly roll pan. Sprinkle nuts on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool about 8-10 minutes. Sprinkle powdered sugar on a towel or cheese cloth and turn cake onto it. Roll up with towel or cheese cloth and leave for 5 minutes.

 

Cream Cheese Filling:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp butter, softened

8 oz cream cheese, softened

Mix all cream cheese filling ingredients and set aside. Unroll pumpkin roll and spread cream cheese filling on it. Roll up and wrap in foil. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

 

Cranberry Orange Sauce

On Thursday, our sweet friends Ash Combs and Caroline hosted a Friendsgiving dinner. I was assigned Cranberry Sauce and decided to try to make it from scratch. I used this recipe for Cranberry Orange Sauce. I really enjoyed the brightness that the orange juice & zest added. So branch out this Thanksgiving and can the can!

Sweet Potato Pie

Just in time for Thanksgiving, I have a great recipe to share. This was a request from a student. I was skeptical since I had never had Sweet Potato Pie, but it was really easy and very tasty.

The only thing I tweaked about the recipe was the preparation of the potatoes. I boiled them instead of steaming them. There just wasn’t time for that!

Skillet Apple Pie

This pie is good. Its really different than the apple pie I usually make, but a friend from work said it was “slap your mammie good”. And it was!

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Last night I made Pumpkin Cupcakes for a few girls who came over. They were so easy and delish!

Lights & Chocolate Chess Pie

I love how these lights make the bathroom look so fancy!

Last week, I made a Chocolate Chess Pie. I used this recipe. I highly recommend it!

Spanakopita

Sometimes Pinterest recipes work… other times, they do not. This one was a winner!

The theme for small group was finger food. I used this recipe to make Spanakopita. The only change I made was using Goat Cheese instead of Feta. I love both, but thoughts Goat sounded wonderful yesterday.Photo Credit: Bryan Lemon