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Favorite Fall Recipes

October 30, 2014

:: Favorite Fall Recipes ::

For some reason, cooking and baking in the fall is always so fulfilling for both Nicole and I. Perhaps it’s the slightly crisp, cooler air, the shorter days, or all of the family favorite holidays approaching. What ever the reason… we love to get in the kitchen and cook up some delicious comfort food!

We thought we’d share some of our favorite fall recipes with you today from our archives… a roundup of some of our seasonal favorites! We hope you enjoy them! {xo}

Recipes Pictured Above:

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Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

October 28, 2014

:: Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons ::

It’s no secret that Miss Blue and I love watching the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network. Every one of Ina’s recipes is so tasty and worthy of creating in your own home. I recently sat down with my sweet girl and watched an episode featuring this soup. It wasn’t the tomato soup that had me eager to try it out — but the grilled cheese croutons! How could anyone resist those?!

I am an avid recipe review reader. I love to read all about peoples’ likes and dislikes when it comes to a recipe I’m about to make. I definitely changed this one up a bit, adapting some of the herbs, adding a bit of sugar, and by puréeing the soup to make it even creamier. I think that you’ll love the result! [Read more…]

Tasty Halloween Treats

October 27, 2014

:: Tasty Halloween Treats ::

Hey, friends! Life is busy… so in case you’ve missed a post here-or-there, we decided to do a mini-roundup of our most recent Halloween Treats! These are all kid-approved… so they’re sure to be a hit amongst your little ones! Enjoy the fun week ahead! We’d love to hear how you’re celebrating!

Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie // Halloween Rice Krispie Treats // Vanilla Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze // Easy Halloween Pudding Cups [Read more…]

Easy Halloween Pudding Cups

October 23, 2014

:: Easy Halloween Pudding Cups ::

My kids love Halloween! If you are anything like our family, these Easy Halloween Pudding Cups will help you celebrate the big day in a fun way! These Halloween Pudding Cups are one of the easiest dessert treats I know how to make. My kids love pudding, so instead of making an elaborate dessert, I kept it super simple with a few ingredients, a couple supplies, and a switch of the food processor, and you have yourself, the cutest Halloween treat. [Read more…]

Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze

October 21, 2014

:: Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze ::

Who doesn’t love a warm glazed donut? These Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze are tasty and full of fall flavors with a hint of Halloween wrapped into one. Both kids and adults alike love donuts . I think donuts bring along a sentiment of childhood in all of us. I remember going to Winchell’s as a kid on a special occasion and being able to pick out the largest apple fritter with a little carton of milk. I loved that!

Today, my kids love going to get donuts. I have over the years built some sentiment into their childhood with us going to get a donut on Sunday morning. Sometimes, we bike to the store, or walk, either way it’s time with my kids that I have enjoyed. It gives us an activity to do as my husband is often scheduled to work on family day, Sunday. This particular Sunday, the kids had asked for donuts and I decided it was time to make a homemade version of a simple frosted donut. These Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze are kid friendly and adult approved, oh yeah did I mention, they are baked and not fried. [Read more…]

Halloween Rice Krispie Treats

October 16, 2014

:: Halloween Rice Krispie Treats ::

Do you have fond childhood memories of eating homemade rice krispie treats? My kids love them, and I’m pretty sure they’ll have happy memories of us whipping up batches together! Of course the original recipe using creamy butter, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy rice krispies is super tasty… but why not kick it up a notch by adding in some Halloween fun?!

Have you spotted the Halloween Oreos yet? There’s something about the bright orange frosting, spooky jack-o-lanterns, and bats that seem to make them even more enticing! Don’t you think?! The crushed up Oreos and Halloween colored sprinkles, are the little extras, that make this recipe an instant kid favorite! [Read more…]

DIY: Pumpkin Succulent Harvest Decoration

October 14, 2014

DIY Pumpkin Succulent Harvest Decoration //

Hello, friends! About two weeks ago, I posted a photo of the pumpkin succulent arrangement my crafty mom brought over to me. It was such a hit on my personal Instagram and Facebook page, that I decided a tutorial was necessary. My sweet mama came over with the supplies, and I photographed her in action!

There are so many things I LOVE about this project! The first, obviously being, that I was able to create this with my mom! I also love that it’s super simple, completely gorgeous, and is a “green” project {not wasting or harming the plants in order to create this lovely harvest piece}.

{This arrangement would make the most perfect hostess gift for Thanksgiving, or a great centerpiece for a fall gathering, in which you’re entertaining. It would also be a thoughtful, handmade gift for family, friends, teachers, or coworkers.}

Unlike many of the pumpkin succulent pieces you may have seen floating around the web or Pinterest… there is no need to actually cut into the pumpkin. {Unbelievable, right?} The steps are easy, and explained below in a tutorial with pictures. I’ve also included helpful tips {from my mom!} for keeping your harvest decoration looking great, and ideas for planting the top of Mr. Pumpkin when he starts to expire. [Read more…]

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread With Brown Sugar Crumble

October 9, 2014

:: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread With Brown Sugar Crumble ::

I think from the start of September until the end of December, pumpkin anything is a favorite to cook or bake with. This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread with Brown Sugar Crumble was made out of the combination a Chocolate Chip Bread recipe, married with the topping from our Skillet Spiced Apple Crumble. Sounds like the perfect little family combined into one! This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip with Brown Sugar Crumble smells like everything I love about fall. The mixture of applesauce, bananas, pumpkin, and chocolate chips make the house smell heavenly. I especially loved my slice dipped in warm coffee! [Read more…]

Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie

October 7, 2014

:: Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie ::

Halloween is just around the corner, why not cut the sweets by serving your little ghouls this Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie! I don’t know about you, but the begging for sweets has already started. I decided that it’s best not to take my kids to Target in the next coming months. Believe me, we all love shopping the aisles there, but letting my kids check out the Halloween decor along with the Christmas aisle one row over, and you have them begging and pleading for all of the holiday treats. I know they will have their fair share of it all, but I am going to try to combat some of their sweets with the serving of this simple and fun Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie. You will be enjoying the fact that this crafty creation is full of fruits and veggies making this treat truly spell binding….hee hee hee! [Read more…]

The Perfect Dutch Baby

October 2, 2014

:: The Perfect Dutch Baby ::

I may need an intervention! I recently made my first ever Dutch Baby {which is sometimes called a German Pancake, a Bismarck, or a Dutch Puff}. I’ve since made a few more batches, using my new favorite cast iron skillet. I may be addicted, friends! I love the simplicity of the ingredients, and how you can easily change the taste by the toppings you choose. I also love the flavor and texture! It reminds me of a mix between a pancake, crepe, and an omelet. {Is that strange?! I promise it’s utterly delicious!} The edges end up golden brown in color, and slightly chewy/crispy {sort of omelet-like}, while the inside of the Dutch Baby becomes an almost custard-like consistency. It’s hard to put into words — but trust me, it’s crazy good!

The first Dutch Baby I made, I topped with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and a drizzle of raw honey. I dressed the second batch with a dusting of powdered sugar, and fresh blueberries {pictured}. The third batch I made, I simply dipped each bite into a bath of pure maple syrup! I’ve yet to try a hint of fresh squeezed lemon and butter, but I’ve been told it’s a favorite among many! [Read more…]

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