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

{weekend} lovelies

November 16, 2013

aa6ca77d98da89fdba622ef493d6de92 

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

Happy Saturday! What are you up to this weekend? Hopefully you have some fun plans mixed-in with some quality family time! This is actually our 50th Weekend Lovelies post! Wow! Time sure flies! As always… it’s an eclectic, but completely lovely mix of our favorite finds on the web during the last week. Thanks for stopping by our blog… we appreciate you all so much! We hope that you enjoy the links below… and of course, your weekend! 

“We’re Going to Be Friends” // Caroline Pennell  Oh my goodness… Have you guys been watching The Voice? Caroline Pennell has been my {and Miss Sophia Blue’s} personal favorite this season. Her rendition of “We’re Going to Be Friends” plays on repeat {super loud} in our house. It puts a smile on my face every time I hear it! Can you believe this talented girl is only 17-years old? Amazing! You can download her music on iTunes! 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Lovelies

Pumpkin Nutella Muffins

November 14, 2013

 

Pumpkin Nutella Muffins {Simply Happenstance}

 :: Pumpkin Nutella Muffins ::

Oh my goodness, you guys! This is the BEST muffin combination… pumpkin + Nutella! During this time of year, I typically make plain pumpkin muffins and occasionally add in chocolate chips… but let me tell you, swirling in a dollop of creamy Nutella made an incredibly decadent difference! The pumpkin is flavorful and moist, while the Nutella creates a rich, chewy, chocolatey muffin top!

I doubled the recipe below and it made 18 muffins and one loaf to give away to a neighbor. This is the perfect baked treat to give to friends and family! If preparing this recipe as a loaf for others… you may want to buy a few of these darling paper loaf pans from Sur la Table. Wrapped in cellophane and tied with a simple bow… it makes for the perfect hostess gift or sweet treat for neighbors for the holidays! Enjoy! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Holiday Yams with Brown Sugar & Pecans

November 5, 2013

Favorite Holiday Yams {via simply happenstance}

 :: Holiday Yams with Brown Sugar & Pecans ::

It’s that time of year! The time where we all pull out our favorite family recipes for the holidays! This happens to be one of my personal loves that I make every Thanksgiving! It’s the ultimate comfort food… using yams {or sweet potatoes}, milk, butter, vanilla and pecans! It’s baked to perfection and served warm! Most of the ingredients you most likely have in your pantry… which makes this dish even more enticing! 

I know that yams are not always a favorite {especially the candied kind topped with marshmallows that we often find during the holidays}; however, this dish is a great alternative to the typical yams or sweet potatoes served. The rich potato mixture is mildly sweet with a hint of vanilla, and the topping…. perfectly crunchy with the baked pecans, warm brown sugar and melted butter! I promise this will become one of your ‘go-to’ holiday recipes!

I hope that you’ll whip up this tasty dish to serve at one of your holiday get togethers this year!  As Julia Child once said, “Everything in moderation…including moderation.” Enjoy, my friends!

Holiday Yams {recipe on Simply Happenstance}  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22, 2012

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope your holiday is safe and your bellies are full!

This day is one of reflection and perspective…

We hope that you can hug your loved ones tighter,

and relish the time you have with family and friends.

Warmest wishes,

{Simply Happenstance}

*************************

{Keep Calm & Gobble On via: My Thanksgiving Traditions}

Filed Under: Family

Dream Thanksgiving…

November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving will be a bit different for us this year.

Typically, Husby works {or at least it seems that way},

and we head to my mom’s for supper.

This year my mom, thankfully, was able to head to Idaho

to spend Thanksgiving with her siblings and Dad

{special shout out to Grandpa who is turning 85 – whoop, whoop!!}.

We were also looking forward to the road trip,

but unfortunately….we had quite a month in October.

It was one of those months when you get hit by all sorts of surprise expenses….

like a $2000 tooth… and almost as much in car repairs

{we still love you, Audi Wagon}.

We decided it was probably a good idea to stay home and spend the holiday with our own little family.

So… tomorrow Husby gets off work in the morning after a 48-hr shift

and we will spend the day with our four sweet littles.

Last year we celebrated with our own immediate family on a different day {since Husby was working}.

I cooked… everything but the turkey {as I don’t cook meat} and the kids honestly didn’t eat…

a thing!!

I slaved away in the kitchen and then spent two hours with Husby cleaning it all up.

This year, I think I got a bit smarter {although I do feel a small tinge of guilt}.

I ordered the whole meal from Claim Jumper!

That’s right!

We are picking it up at 2 p.m. and will be feasting shortly thereafter!

I do plan on making a yummy breakfast, an appetizer, and a treat or two with the littles…

maybe even caramel apple cider {click “here” for recipe}

or salted caramel hot chocolate {click “here” for recipe}

for everyone to sip on later in the evening.

We’re looking forward to neglecting the laundry for the day {thank you, Jesus},

and just spending time playing board games, doing puzzles, and playing outside {lovely, right?!}.

So anyway… that’s the plan!

I will say, that even as simple as our day should be,

I do still find myself daydreaming of a Thanksgiving holiday spent in our own little charming cabin

{a girl can dream}!

I’m not sure what it is about tiny cabins that make me feel all warm and cozy inside…

they’re just so simple….

so rustic….

so easy.

Seems to me like it would be hard to have a bad day spent in one.

Small cabin… no TV, no computers, no smart phones….

just us and our littles…

spending the day relaxing and hanging out as a family.

I crave a simple life.

It sounds perfect {heart smile}.

Here are a few cabins that hit the warm and cozy spot in me…

Hope you enjoy!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow!

Hope it’s simple and charming!

{photo via: free cabin porn}

 {photo via: small cabin google}

{Photo via: boathouse on orcas – vacation rental}

 {above three photos via: small house style}

{photo via: asserbo house by christensen architects}

Filed Under: Lovelies

Holiday Activity & Event Guide

November 12, 2012

‘Tis the season to get out of the house and experience the holidays through a variety of festive outings!

Here is a list of hand-picked, and carefully thought-out, events and activities that are all family-friendly and reasonably priced…if not free {in the Southern California area}!

Most of which we have been to ourselves, and have enjoyed in years past {smile}. We hope you’re able to use a few of these ideas for some quality holiday family time!

APPLE PICKING & FESTIVAL

{Photo via: To Do This Weekend: Apple Picking}

Apple Picking in Oak Glen from now until November 30, 2012

The Apple Butter Festival November 23-25, 2012

Visit orchards, pick mountain-fresh apples, and enjoy hot apple cider & pie at one of the many family friendly specialty shops!

Irvine Spectrum Ice Rink

{photo via: Irvine Spectrum’s Holiday on Ice}

November 7, 2012 – February 18, 2013

The Ice Rink is currently open for your whole family to enjoy! Skate sessions are 75 minutes long. Prices are $14 with an additional $3 skate rental. Skate sessions for toddlers cost $12. Helmets are optional and are provided free of charge. Season passes, private lessons, and private parties are available.

Veteran’s Day Weekend ~ National Park Entrance for Free

{photo via: irvine park, photos}

November 11 – 13th, 2012

Over this Veteran’s Day weekend, get into one of  Caliornia’s National Parks for FREE!

2012 Dana Point Turkey Trot

{photo via: dana point harbor photos}

Thursday November 22, 2012

Fundraising proceeds benefit “The Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group.

This particular Turkey Trot typically has more than 10,000 participants. It is one of America’s most scenic coastal runs (5k & 10K).

 

Temecula Turkey Trot

{photo via: temecula wine country photos}

Saturday, November 24, 2012

The Temecula Turkey Trot (5K or 10K) with free wine tasting at the Cougar Vineyard & Winery.

Fundraising proceeds benefit energy projects in East Africa.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Family

« 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

  • 19 Core-Strengthening Exercises | POPSUGAR Fitness
  • For rapid leg weight loss, a combination of intense cardio and targeted leg exercises is key. High-impact activities like running, cycling, or jumping rope burn calories and reduce overall body fat. Adding exercises like squats, lunges, and leg lifts tones and strengthens the leg muscles, giving them a more defined, lean look. Pairing these exercises with a healthy, balanced diet will accelerate the process.  #RapidLegWeightLoss #SexyLegs #FitnessJourney #LegToning #FatBurning #StrongLegs #CardioForLegs #HealthyLifestyle #LegDayWorkout

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.