It’s that time again…

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The end of the year always brings out the “Susie Homemaker” in me.  With the crisp weather, out comes the Fall Wreaths, Cinnamon Brooms, and Pumpkins, and this year the owls. It’s as if the change in the temperature deepens my desire to make my house warm and inviting for my family.

I am always looking for new seasonal craft projects to do with the kids, and to do alone(even though my hubby swears that all my alone projects, somehow include him). And, as my own special requirement, I am always try to look for things that I don’t see everyone else doing.

So here’s my bucket list, over the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing the final results.  I should warn you that I almost always put my own spin on the original ideas.

Fall Craft Bucket

Craft ideas found here and here.

Do you have any special projects that you are working feel free to link to your blog in the comments section below?  Anything that you would like to see us try?

Fall Into Comfort Food – Corn Chowder

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A s the weather gets cooler, I know sometimes I get a craving for some Chowder.  I find that even people who hate Chowder, seem to love this one.
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So heres a great recipe for Nicole’s Corn Chowder!!  Found Here
Cook Time7-8 hours
TempLow

Kick-start your day with this fun and filling corn chowder. Such an easy recipe for a great lunch!

Ingredients

  • 6-8 potatoes (peeled and diced)
  • 1 Can cream corn
  • 1 Can whole kernel corn
  • 2 Cups chicken broth
  • 8 Ounces diced ham
  • 1 Cups diced onions
  • 1/4 Cups butter
  • 2 Cups half and half

Directions

  1. Step One

    Place potatoes, both cans of corn, chicken broth, ham, and onions into the slow cooker.

  2. Step Two

    Cook on low for 7-8 hours.

  3. Step Three

    Mash the mixture to your desired consistency and then add the butter and half and half.

  4. Step Four

    Cook for an additional 30 minutes on high, and you are set!

** On a personal note – I took out the  ham, because I don’t eat pork and doubled the corn for a heartier meal.  Yummy!!

The Muse 1

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ee188b4d14d9844f9cb1b30749e0cbef

 Things that Tickle My Fancy from All Over The Web

This has turned out to be  lazy weekend.  I don’t feel too guilty though, I figure after all the running around I have been doing I’m owed one.

Check out this All American Fall Celebration!!

What my Little Techie Heart Desires…

A Pinterest Board, I am Clearly In Love With!!

Are you still over packing?  Here’s the Secret to Packing Light.

Have you ever heard of this company?  I bought some glasses from them earlier this year, and they are great!!

And since giving back is always important their  Buy A Pair Give A Pair Program, is very impressive.

Looking for Dinner Ideas – Here’s a post from earlier in the week!!

Photo Credit:

My Sister’s Baby Shower : A Labor of Love!!

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It’s no secret that I love entertaining (a trait, I know I got from my Mommy).  This party was no different, except that it was EXTRA SPECIAL because it was for my “not so little baby sister”.

sisters-are-the-perfect-bestfriend-love-friendship-quotes-sayings-pics-images-poem

They say your sister is your very first friend, and in my case my very best friend.  So, I was over the moon knowing that soon we would be able to share the joys of motherhood, and to learn I was gonna be an Auntie to her twin girls.  Making this party and this day extra special was all that I could think about for months.

I eventually decided that I would go with a Noah’s Ark theme because she was having twins.  But, I couldn’t help but include some of my favorite colors and threw in some polka dots and chevron prints too.

Here Is A Glimpse Into My Sister’s Pink and Green Noah’s Ark Twin Baby Shower.

My Sister's Pink and Green Noah's Ark Baby Shower for Twins

My Sister's Pink and Green Noah's Ark Baby Shower for Twins

My Sister's Pink and Green Noah's Ark Baby Shower for Twins

Favorite Features:

  • Pink and Green Chevron Table Runners and Cupcake Stands
  • The Mommy Cake – Small Round Cake with White Icing and Pink Piping by Publix
  • Edible Baby Building Block Cake Toppers and Noah’s Ark Animal Cake Toppers (Fondant) – Like Butter Etsy Shop
  • Pink and Green Polka Dot Napkins shaped to look like Napkin Flower Displays
  • Baby Animals 3D Favor Boxes – Beaucoup
  • Personalized Twins Labels – Big Dot of Happiness
  • Onesie Wish Board – Handmade by Stage Presents
  • Welcome Chalkboard – Handmade by Stage Presents
  • Library Books in place of Greeting Cards for the Twin’s Nursery

Credits:

– Styling: Sheree Thomas of Stage Presents
– Photography: Anwar Thomas Photography
– Venue: The Hindsman Estate
– Invitations: Anwar Thomas Photography
– Desserts: Publix

Falling Into Comfort Foods – Apple Crisp Recipes (Skinny and Decadent)

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As a child growing up in the North, fall has always been associated with the changing of the leaves, the crisp morning air, trips to the Pumpkin Patch and Apple Picking.  As an adult,  I find myself gravitating to those smells at this time of the year.

Looking for the Apple Cinnamon smell in candles and air fresheners and placing cinnamon brooms all over the house, and even indulging in a little baking here and there.

Here are two recipes for a Great Fall Dessert I like, one is a little less indulgent, though just as tasty and the other is just downright decadent.

Falling Into Comfort Foods - Skinny & Decadent Recipes for Apple Crisps - A Fall Favorite

Photo Source:

Skinny Cinnamon Apple Crisp
Recipe Found Here
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1/8th • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 7 pts
Calories: 242.0 • Fat: 6.8 g • Protein: 2.3 g • Carb: 49.5 g • Fiber: 4.5 g • Sugar: 32.3 g
Sodium: 10.1

For the Filling:

  • 5 medium apples, peeled and diced
  • 1.5 oz raisins (small box)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 3 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup Quaker quick rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar (not packed)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (half stick) butter, melted

Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine apples, raisins, cinnamon, agave nectar and lemon juice in large bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch. Toss until fruit is coated. Place fruit in an ungreased baking dish.

Mix remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake about 40 minutes or until topping is golden brown and fruit is tender.

Serve with a scoop of low fat ice cream or fat free frozen yogurt. Enjoy!!

Now for our more Decadent Recipe  –

Easy Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel Found Here

Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: | Makes: 8 servings

When you don’t have time to roll out the dough for an apple pie, a crisp is the next best thing. Just peel, core, and slice the apples; toss them with a bit of sugar and cinnamon; and dump them into a baking dish. Then mix the oats, brown sugar, and butter for the streusel in the same bowl you used for mixing the apples, which saves you a dish to wash. Sprinkle the streusel over the apples, and in about an hour you’ll have an easy dessert of bubbling apples blanketed with a crunchy, sweet topping.

Game plan: Adjust the sugar in this recipe to the sweetness of the apples, using 2 tablespoons for exceptionally sweet ones and 3 if the apples are on the tart side.

Click here to watch the CHOW Test Kitchen’s Amy Wisniewski make this easy apple crisp in our Easiest Way video series.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 1/2 pounds medium Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples (about 5 or 6), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cut into small pieces, plus more for coating the dish
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Lightly coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with butter.
  2. Combine the apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl and toss to coat. Place the apple mixture in the prepared baking dish and set aside.
  3. Using the same bowl as for mixing the apples, mix together the brown sugar, oats, flour, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt until evenly combined. With your fingertips, blend in the butter pieces until small clumps form and the butter is well incorporated, about 2 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples and bake until the streusel is crispy and the apples are tender, about 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool on a rack at least 30 minutes before serving.

Follow the link above for Beverage Pairing Ideas.  And, if you happen to try either of these recipes be sure to let me know which one you love.

Falling Into Comfort Food – Looking for Some Dinner Ideas?

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30 Minute Chili

chili

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1/3 cup Chili Seasoning Mix
  • 2 (14.5-oz.) cans diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery, and onion
  • 2 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (16-oz.) can black beans, undrained
  • 1 (15.5-oz.) can small red beans, undrained

Preparation

  1. 1. Brown beef in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes or until beef crumbles and is no longer pink; drain well. Return beef to Dutch oven; sprinkle evenly with seasoning mix, and sauté 1 minute over medium-high heat.
  2. 2. Stir in diced tomatoes and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.
  3. Italian-Style Chili: Substitute 1 lb. Italian pork sausage and 1 lb. lean ground beef for 2 lb. lean ground beef. Remove casings from sausage, and discard; brown sausage and ground beef together as directed. Omit beans, and stir in 1 small onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 2 small zucchini, diced; and remaining ingredients. Proceed with recipe as directed. Serve chili over hot cooked spaghetti noodles tossed with olive oil and chopped fresh cilantro. Makes 6 to 8 servings. Prep: 10 min., Cook: 25 min.

Southern Living 
JANUARY 2007

Are we taking advantage?

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imageAre we taking advantage of all of the technology available to us?  Or are we allowing it to be a distraction instead of a stepping stool.  I will be the first to admit that over the years, I have become dependent on technology in pretty much every aspect of my life.  However, its not something that I regret, but more something that has come to be part of my every day routine. From setting my alarm on my cell phone to wake me up in the morning, remind me of doctor’s appointments, or that it is time to refill my daughter’s prescription, and or re-evaluate my progress on this project or that one.

That being said, technology can be your friend.  Here are some of my staple apps!!

Google Calendar – I dare say is almost like religion to me.  I use it to keep track of birthdays, appointments, and special events(my husband comes from a large family, so that’s quite a task).  I use it to remind me of things that I need to keep at the forefront of my mind. I can depend on Google Calendar to keep me on track.

SpringPad – Is a app that really hasn’t caught on the way that I thought it would.  But, I love it.  It is my go to place to make list of all kinds.  From household things to work items.    You create notebooks and then you can add a checklist, a grocery list, notes, audio and even documents.  You can choose to share it with the world, specific individuals or keep it private.  I use it for pretty much everything.  But, my favorite use is for storing my favorite recipes and keeping notes on how I tweak them.  My favorite Thanksgiving dinner has been preserved there for future reference.

Pinterest

I originally thought that Pinterest was just a craze that was taking the “creative world”, by storm.  It’s invite only status — made it that much more desirable.  But, being a visual person, I immediately fell in love with and dubbed it my “digital vision board”.  I use it to collect information on Speech Therapy for my oldest daughter, and to find new and innovative ways to reach her.  I use it to design my holiday decor, plan parties, and even get ideas on how to style my hair.  It’s definitely information over load, but as someone always looking for something new to learn about.  I am right at home there (to my hubby’s dismay), sometimes.

So, tell me what apps make your life that much easier?

Stage Presents — Share My Passions – Share My World!!

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I have always been a over thinker.  Launching Stage Presents and settling on a definitive concept was no different.  There are several reasons for this.  I kept feeding into the voices that told me to find a niche.  The only thing about a niche, is that it kind of paints you into a corner.  And, I just couldn’t reconcile that thought in my head.  Stage Presents was created as a way for me to share my passions with the world.  Passion (from the Latin verb patī meaning to suffer) is a term applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something.

passion-propels-your-dreams

And, as I grow and mature the list of things that I am passionate about has grown, and some  things have dropped off the list.  I would contribute that to the fact, that I am a woman, a wife, a mother, a daughter, sister, and the list goes on and on.  Surely, things that were important to be me at 20, and even dare I say 30, don’t resonate so loudly at (GASP) 37.

If you are joining me on this journey, here is what you can expect from Stage Presents, a little bit of everything.  You can expect anything from great recipes, to home decor items and ideas that tickle my fancy.  Things that I find inspiration in from around the web and real life, or even just things I covet.   You will find information on sale items for yourself, your kids, your significant other.   You can ask questions, or inquire about things that are important to you.  You may get a glimpse into my personal every day life, and even hear me gush or gripe about motherhood.  Stage Presents is a reflection of me, with all my intricacies.

Also coming soon, you will have access to our Home Decor Store!!  It will have accessories for pretty much every room in the house, and for various tastes.

I appreciate all the support that I have received thus far from everyone who chose to like, follow and recommend this page to others.   So, jump right on in and follow the blog here!! Follow us on Pinterest here!! Or on Twitter here.

Passion-Hunting

 

Things….. at “37”

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It is almost amusing to me that when you are 20, 37 seems soo old.  Buy, when you turn 37 it seems so ….well I won’t say young, but I will say current.

I celebrated my 37th bday last month and found myself making a list of things that I never thought would be occurring in my life at this age.

1.  I always hoped to find love and marry early and have all my children before I hit 30.  I never thought I would be chasing behind a toddler at 37.

2.  That I would have gray hairs plural before 50.

3.  Thar after over 20 years of working that I would be a stay at home Mom and Wife, and find peace with it.

4. That at 37 my definition of beauty would still be evolving/changing.

5. That at 37, I would know my body better than I ever had and be comfortable with it.

6. That I would have three amazing kids who would teach me more about life than any other lessons I have learned.

7. That I would find joy in decorating, entertaining, craft projects, gardening and organizing.

8. That I would look in the mirror and see my mother both literally and figuratively.

9. That even though I knew everything at 18, at 37 I feel I still have so much to learn.

10. That having a quiet evening at home would rank right up there with a night on the town.

11. That watching my children sleep, healthy and content would give me such a high.

12.  That stolen moments with my husband would be the foundation of my days.

13.  That good or bad nothing starts my day off like a great cup of coffee and Caramel Macchiato Creamer.

14.  That I wasted way too much time worry about what other people thought about my life instead of worrying about what I thought was important.

15.  Lastly, that my life with all its twists and turns and ups and downs landed me just where I was meant to be.

 

When Life Gets in the Way of Blogging….

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I can hardly believe that it has been a whole month since I have shared a blog post.  But, time flies…. and all that jazz…

Things have been pretty busy in our household, and even though I guess that I sometimes wish I had a break, I would not have it any other way.  At the end of January my baby sister came to visit.  I don’t know why I enjoy calling her that since she is well grown, but I guess that is what she will always be to me.  She wasn’t able to spend the holidays with us this year.  And, it was such a bummer for me.  So, as you can imagine, I was super excited to get her here for a couple of days.

Hubby and I have had the opportunity to have a lot of one on one time lately as well, which means, the kids were with the grands.  I know we all talk about how important having date time is, and it is soo true.  For us, it is always such a renewal of our marriage .. Reminds me just how much I love that man, his playful side, his spirit, and just the very core of him.

We had our Valentine’s Day the weekend before because it fell in the middle of the week.  And, we got to spoil our little ones with some special Valentine’s Day treats as well.

On my ongoing balancing act,  getting so many great responses to my post about embracing the season i was in really got me thinking.  And, I have been doing some shuffling, changing the way that I do things and spreading out my day, has done wonders for my perspective.  I am not feeling nearly as stressed as I was before.  I have also added exercise back into my routine.  I am currently on a self created challenge.  I am doing 35 miles per week on my exercise bike.  And, shockingly enough its not killing me. I am enjoying it, it is giving me some purpose to work towards, and moving me closer and closer to my goal.  I think its helping me too when it comes to energy and attitude.  Thank God for endorphins…

Well that is what is going on … at my end of the world….