• Home
  • About
    • Simply… Nicole
    • Simply… Sara
  • Food
  • Family
  • Lovelies
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Recipe Index

So Here We Are…

October 1, 2013

 viewSo here we are… still in the beginning of our family adventure. It’s been two and a half months since our big move to the mountains, and we are now a solid month into our homeschooling journey. I thought it was about time for an update.

I’d be lying if I said the ‘simple life’ has been completely dreamy. There have been unexpected hiccups along the way. For one thing, I think I had forgotten the pain that comes with moving… both physical and emotional. My dad recently reminded me that moving is probably a lot like childbirth. You tend to forget the misery involved {I definitely found that to be true}. A move is generally a big adjustment for any family. For us, it seemed even more difficult going from a busy city life… to the quietness and simplicity of the mountains.

photo 3

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Family

{weekend} lovelies

September 28, 2013

Chateau St. Jean

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

Welcome readers to our {weekend} lovelies!  Sara and I look forward to this segment, as it gives us a chance to catch up on the things we love in life, slow down a bit, and take a little time out for ourselves. 

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to sneak away on a trip to Napa and Sonoma with my husband, Shane, for our 10-year wedding anniversary.  Not to brag… but it was truly amazing {hence the snap shot of Chateau St. Jean above}! Though not long enough, it gave me some time to think and actually take in and observe some of my favorite things {wine, food, music, and nature}.  It was our first trip in too many years to count, as like most of you, life moves forward too quickly to notice this thing called time. One year ends up turning into three…yikes! One of the things I learned on our trip was really how much I appreciate fall.  Though not terribly noticeable in Southern California {but we swear there are some seasonal changes}, the beauty of wine country really exudes the true meaning of fall and it’s “harvest.”

Thankfully, I captured a few pictures on our Simply Happenstance Instagram feed, as my new phone lost all of my pictures except the couple I uploaded.  Go ahead and check us out on Instagram! Sara and I love capturing our love of food and life over there, too!

With the inspiring weekend of food and wine still replaying in my mind, I can’t wait to share with you this {weekend} lovelies.  I hope you enjoy! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Lovelies

Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread

September 26, 2013

Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread

:: Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread ::

 

Bananas are a simple staple in our home.  They are used to create smoothies, toppings for cereal, and stand alone snacks.  I am a bit weird when it comes to this fruit, I only will eat a whole banana if it is a tad green {I am sure there are some of you that agree to this}.  That being the case, I always have enough ripe bananas to create a bread, dessert, or breakfast drink with. 

With a slight drop in the temperature and the start of autumn, I decided to turn these little gems into a breakfast dessert paired with a frosting infused with the caramel sauce that I used to create the Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe that we posted last week.  This Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread is a basic banana bread but kicked up a notch with the added creaminess of Greek yogurt and caramel.  I promise this will be become a favorite of yours. 

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Maple Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting

September 24, 2013

 

maple cream cheese whipped frosting

:: Maple Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting ::

Confession…. this post was totally supposed to be about Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting {whew… that’s a mouthful}, but…. the frosting literally STOLE the show! I decided that this entire post had to be dedicated to its light, airy, sweetness!

So, a little background… I first had this whipped cream cheese frosting when one of my lovely friends/coworkers made me cupcakes for my surprise baby shower with Mr. Amazing. Thankfully, my dear friend gave me the recipe, which I then passed on to Nicole, and some of my other close friends. In fact, Nicole also loves it, and has shared the recipe with you here. This time around… I made a minor {dare I say…. remarkable} adjustment, which turned this perfect summer frosting into the perfect one for fall. In fact… I couldn’t sleep last night because I was thinking of all the ways one could eat this heavenly confection!

Here are my thoughts… this would be incredibly delicious topped on pancakes, waffles, spice cakes, pumpkin, apple, or pecan pies, graham crackers, sugar cookies, or even fall muffins! It could be used as a sweet filling for dessert crepes… or you could simply dunk sliced apples right into it! Of course, there’s always my favorite option… eat. it. straight. out. of. the. bowl. If you choose that last option, just know you’re going to lick that bowl clean! It’s just that good! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

{weekend} lovelies

September 20, 2013

 

tea

 

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

Happy weekend, friends! I don’t know about you…. but our weather here in the SoCal mountains is finally starting to resemble FALL! I couldn’t be more excited! In fact, this evening while at the market, I picked up all the ingredients needed to make apple cider for the kids! Do you have any fun plans this weekend? I’d love to hear all about them if you do! Please leave a comment and say “hi!” 

 

Life is Beautiful // Tumblr

This is the first tumblr blog I’ve been on where I became completely mesmerized by the images, quotes, and songs playing in the background.  In fact… the site now has a pretty spot at the front of my bookmarks bar. I’ve been going back frequently when I feel the need for a mental pick-me-up. These are just a few of the photos compiled on her site over the last week… lifeisbeautiful-tumblr

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Lovelies

Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach & Mozzarella

September 19, 2013

meatloaf

 :: Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach & Mozzarella ::

Looking for a healthy, easy weeknight meal? Look no further! This has been a family favorite for many years! One of my dear friends gave me this recipe when my oldest son was a toddler. We’ve been eating it ever since! This isn’t your traditional meatloaf. It’s healthier with the use of ground turkey instead of ground beef.  A layer of fresh spinach topped with shredded mozzarella {optional} is rolled up inside, keeping this dish flavorful and moist! This is one of those great meals that you can prepare earlier in the day and throw into the fridge until you are ready to cook. Also… there really is no need to measure. It just takes a pinch of this and a pinch of that to add flavor! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

September 17, 2013

Salted Caramel Ice cream

:: Salted Caramel Ice Cream ::

It’s September, and fall is just around the corner for most of the country. In Southern California, it often ends up being one of the warmest months of the year, bring in the Santa Ana’s and there you have a completely hot day.  It’s not the autumn we would like to envision with toasty sweaters and boots, but thankful nonetheless for little fall changes we get to experience.  With the up and down spike in temperature, ice cream is still an enjoyable and welcomed treat.  I know I have posted a few ice cream recipes, but I truly can’t help it.  My Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is a cinch to use, added with the convenience of weekly milk delivery from Winder Farms, I have been able to brain storm an array of ice cream flavors.   

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

{weekend} lovelies

September 14, 2013

fall shoes

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

Oh weekend how we welcome thee!! With the start of school, Sara and I are already wishing we could rewind a bit back to the lazy days of summer.  Who’s with us?  The one thing that has kept us motivated is this beautiful September weather. It’s not cool enough for us to break out jeans and boots, but it is less hot and sticky, making these busy days more enjoyable.  We love viewing the upcoming fall fashion trends and we can’t wait to sport a few!  These have to be my favorite and latest fall find.  Who doesn’t adore a fun leopard pump? I can’t wait to wear these more this season!  We hope this weekend you can be inspired by some of our favorite {weekend} lovelies.  Enjoy! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Lovelies

Book Review

September 13, 2013

:: Book Review ::

We LOVE a good book {quote by pinimg} and even better, a Book Review from Book Reader Chronicles.  This month not only has Kim given us a steamy intro to her latest novel review, but she always has a good read lined up.  Go ahead and check out her site for reviews on the latest and hippest novels on the market. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Lovelies

S’mores Ice Cream Cake

September 12, 2013

 

s'mores ice cream cake

:: S’mores Ice Cream Cake ::

I whole-heartedly have had every intention of posting healthier recipes up on the blog {and I promise… I will!}; however, we did have a special birthday in our family last week. Ryan, my oldest son, turned nine. I’m still sort of in shock at how quickly my time with him has gone. In just nine more years… I’ll be sending this handsome boy off to college {sigh}. I’m literally holding onto him for as long as he lets me…

One of our traditions {dating back to when I was a child} is having the birthday person pick their favorite dinner and dessert. When I was growing up… I always picked savory crepes for dinner and deliciously sweet crepes for dessert. {Not your traditional birthday cake, but still to this day, my absolute favorite!} For Ry… it was his favorite restaurant for Chinese food and homemade S’mores Ice Cream Cake for dessert. In my opinion, there’s just no reason to purchase ice cream cakes. You can so easily make one yourself…. and I guarantee it will be so much more decadent and flavorful!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

« Previous Page
Next Page »
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About

bioSara and Nicole are sorority sisters that simply “happened” to end up in the same small town. They have many things in common, which have set the tone of their blog. They hope that you will join them in their journey of motherhood, dreams that may be, the daily life, and their passion for cooking, yoga, fashion, and design!

SIgn Up For Our FREE Newsletter!

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with Simply Happenstance!

Categories

Archives

recent pins

  • Sweet Potato Sheet Cake with Marshmallow Frosting
  • Cinnamon-Sugar Pretzel Bites
  • Pumpkin Pie Bars

Copyright 2015 • Simply Happenstance • Grits Design


All personal images and videos are copyright to Simply Happenstance. All other images are copyright to their respective owners.
We would love for you to use our images, but please cite www.simplyhappenstance.com.