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Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately: Christmas Lights

I love this time of year. The chill in the air actually captures the excitement. And I don’t know if it’s just me, or does every adult feel like a child when they see houses, trees and bushes trimmed in lights? I think I get more excited than my kids.

I ask my husband to slow down the car… I tap the window with my pointer finger… I swivel my head back-and-forth both sides of the road… I tell my kids to look at things as fast as I can shout them out…

They are just beautiful. Every house is so individual, white (yellow) lights, colored lights, newer blue LED lights, animated features, blown up characters, just a couple windows or every square inch, nativities… And a drive around the neighborhood is holiday entertainment that doesn’t cost more than the gas.

Could you ever get tired of light season?
Well yes, like by February Santa starts seeming tired… but not lights…for every year. It’s too special.

 

 *Featured and last photo courtesy of Ryan French

Loving Lately ❤

For those of you new to my blog, welcome! I love sharing family stories, recipes and random thoughts at large. Every Thursday I try to share something I appreciate, easy “how-tos”, food and products, etc. that I think others might enjoy too.

This week’s Loving Lately: My chalkboard

I was talking to my husband about how I wished I had one of those whimsical “Merry & Bright” signs that I’ve been seeing everywhere, when it dawned on me; I could make my own. Boy, have I gotten a lot of use out of this chalkboard! I use it to list the menu for dinner gatherings, personalize a “Happy Birthday _____” sign for a member of our family, and post inspirational sayings on any given day of the week. It was just what I wanted (in a representation kind of way), but even better because it was homemade.

…And how nice is it not to have one more thing to store? Priceless;)

Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately: Art Projects

I am not a crafty person. The idea of getting out paint kind of stresses me out. But I have to say that once the project is in progress, I actually enjoy it. And not just because my kids are making something special (that’s obvious), I love watching their personalities come out from beginning to end.

My first born for example, when he is invested in a project the amount of detail can be scrupulous. However, if you ask him to make a Christmas tree, well then it’s more like “how quickly can I get this finished and it still be satisfactory?” Done.

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My three year old cracks me up. Cracks me up and keeps me busy. His favorite color is blue. Painting with blue paint on blue paper is logical. Really I think it was more about turning his hands blue. And it must have felt really neat putting his whole fist in the blue paint. It was not fun cleaning it up, thank you. (Why did I get out the paint again?) He’d rather be having a snack anyway.

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Painting for my four year old is truly an art. She keeps her paint colors separate, she mixes colors on a different sheet of paper (very happy to create her own brown). She wipes her fingers in between and tries to think out her whole picture from top to bottom. It’s fascinating.

Next project with the kids… Christmas Cookies! Now that sounds like fun;)

 

Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately: Cookbooks

Reading cookbooks is my favorite leisurely pass-time. I love that people share their recipes, old and new. It’s like this universal connection. People all through time and around the world can relate to feeding their family and the satisfaction it brings when they really enjoy it. I’m a long time fan of The Pioneer Woman, before she had a show on Food Network. I just appreciate her no frills approach to good food. She cooks family style with ingredients that seem to fit my family’s palate. Her new book, Dinnertime continues her trademark step-by-step photographs, homestyle meals and endearing family stories; just what I want out of one of her cookbooks. I also am enjoying her tips on meal planning, stocking the pantry and ideas for prepping ahead. And I can’t wait to make her Orange Chicken Cashew Chicken French Dip Sandwiches…

 

Return to Sunday Dinner is not a newly released cookbook, but it is relatively new to me. I found it really inspiring. Russell Cronkhite was a long time chef for various White House Administrations. I love his simple elevation of American classics. From the north, south, east and west, he highlights traditional dishes across the U.S. and credits the countries of origin and inspiration from which they came. While the recipes are valuable and interesting, what I loved even more was his admiration of a Sunday family gathering. It’s a celebration of gratitude for working a hard week and cherishing loved ones. I am honestly moved to get my wedding china dishes out of the hutch and set the table, at least once a week, because what am I waiting for? It’s not something pretentious or highfaluting, it’s about using your best (whatever that is), giving thanks and making memories. I love that! (And I think I know my next giveaway!)

Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately #1: Seasonal Parties – Harvest Celebration

Admittedly, I am not crafty. But I know people who are! My mother for example has an artistic flare that passed me right by. She gets inspired by her six grandchildren and makes every season come alive in fun and innovative ways. And although I may not come up with these ideas, I certainly appreciate them! How adorable are these little pumpkins? And better yet, they are delicious, because they are Rice Krispies Treats! I know what you are thinking. Do they have organic food coloring? Well I like India Tree’s natural food dyes. (But I’m not saying that’s what my mom did.)

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Our gathering took place at the family cabin, and at night for a little ambiance we lit a pumpkin style lantern. Originally made to light the way outside, the lanterns were made from repurposed hanging flower pots. The hollowed and carved pumpkins are set on a bed of colorful leaves and filled with a candle. Creatively my mother used paper bags and coffee filters for the bow! (People need to get creative in the woods.)

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For entertainment we the kids played rounds of tic-tac-toe. Who needs pencils and paper when you have pumpkins and sticks?

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Not really true to character she also made some pumpkin cake pops, covered in white chocolate and sprinkles. -That is to say carrying out a theme is all her style, but molded bakeware is more of my thing… So I’m pretty sure I’m rubbing off on her.

The party included good eats, and fun drinks too… which I’ll be sharing with you in the future. But for now I’ll leave you with this:

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Because even though they’re not organic, they are a Michigan company. And you know I have to make a plug for my Michigan companies. 😉

Sidenote: I’d like to give credit to the sites my mom uses for ideas which are partially hers and some variations of things she saw on the world wide web, so I will in-part simply credit the internet.

Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately: Road Trips

I love road trips. Some of my best memories growing up are from visiting new places with my family. Trying new foods from roadside restaurants and diners, taking in new scenery, and people watching (I can’t help it, I’m a studier of human nature). I still get excited about it today. I love taking my kids to see new places, getting to try new dishes and meeting new people.

View from our hotel room of the Grand Traverse Bay

View from our hotel room of the Grand Traverse Bay

It’s also no secret that I’m a huge fan of the state of Michigan. The vibrant seasonal changes, the great lakes and the produce, it’s all so good. This time my family and I headed up to the northwest shore of Michigan’s lower peninsula, one of my favorite places in the world.

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The Leelanau Peninsula, the world renown tunnel of trees, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, and even a foodie destination gaining national recognition in Traverse City and Suttons Bay were a few of our stops. I’ve been here many times, but never in the fall at its peak color. Beautiful.

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Some of my favorite things included when it finally sunk in to the kids, that the journey was the destination. “Where are we going?”, they would ask. “This is it, look out your window at the trees.”

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We drove and took in the natural wonders until we needed to stretch our legs, or eat, or check out attractions too intriguing to pass by; such as road side stands and quaint general stores.

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Good Hart General Store

Have I mentioned my appreciation of a good cup of coffee? Thank you Traverse City for your selection of cafes, with even organic ingredients, and food trucks with home bases so I can get Korean tacos while your trucks aren’t out.

Organic Pumpkin Spice Latte

Organic Pumpkin Spice Latte

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And although there is no place like home… sometimes I feel the need to hit the open road and see what I can see.

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Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately #1: Fabulous Finds; Linens

You never know what you’re going to come across at an antique store or flea market; which is all the excitement! I consider fabulous finds to be great deals on great items. There is actually a thrift store not far from my house with the same name, brilliant! I had the opportunity the other day to find some beautiful linens at fantastic prices. For example, pictured is a hand embroidered harvest themed table cloth. Down the center is corn, artichokes and pumpkins to name a few, with more fruits and veggies in every corner. It’s also extra long to accommodate my dining table, but the best part is it only cost $8.50! I’m a happy girl.

Loving Lately #2: Fabulous Finds; Kitchen Gadgets


Fabulous finds could make a regular appearance on Loving Lately. They are as fun to me as easy appetizers. As much as I appreciate antiques, I’m not looking for decorative gadgets or collector’s items. I love finding utensils that can still be used today; which is why I got really excited to find the pasta cutter for round raviolis and the pie cutter/crimper for my pastries! (Also pictured is another cute linen.) I got both utensil for less than $10. I can’t wait to see what kind of beautiful things come out of my kitchen! Now if I could only justify the pasta attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer…

Loving Lately ❤ & a Recipe

Loving Lately #1: Oatmeal Cookies

A few of you may be aware that I have been searching for the perfect chewy oatmeal cookie. And the truth is I have been hoping to discover something amazing that has been hidden and that I could reveal to the world, as if the oatmeal cookie wheel hadn’t been invented. Then my good friend Molly came over to my house bearing the best kind of gifts, food. She brought the softest, chewiest, yummiest perfect little oatmeal cookies. Knowing what a talented baker she is, I asked her excitedly, “Molly did you come up with this recipe?” To which she replied “it came from the back of my Quaker Oats.” Of course it did, not sure why I hadn’t thought of that. My apologies and sincere thanks to Quaker Oats for letting me using their Vanishing Oatmeal Cookie recipe with my other brand organic rolled oats.

From www.quakeroats.com

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 Cup(s) (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 Cup(s) firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup(s) granulated sugar
2 Eggs
1 Teaspoon(s) vanilla
1-1/2 Cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 Teaspoon(s) Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon(s) salt (optional)
3 Cup(s) Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 Cup(s) raisins

PREPARATION:
Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Serving Tips: Bar Cookies: Press dough onto bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered. 24 BARS. VARIATIONS: Stir in 1 cup chopped nuts. Substitute 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or candy-coated chocolate pieces for raisins; omit cinnamon. Substitute 1 cup diced dried mixed fruit. HIGH ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Increase flour to 1-3/4 cups and bake as directed.

Molly didn’t even put raisins in hers, and they were great. And to those of you who sent me more oatmeal cookie recipes to try, I can’t wait to make them too. I think I just like oatmeal cookies.

Loving Lately ❤ Giveaway!

I have been wanting to do a giveaway for a while. Actually before I ever had a blog I was planning the type of things I’d like to giveaway. Now that I have been doing this for a for a little span, I think its time. I just can’t wait any more!! Thankfully my favorite non-familial home cook has put out a really adorable kitchen ware line! Yay! I think it’s befitting that my first giveaway is a piece from her new line, don’t you? I recently visited my local Walmart to check out the new items and basically wanted to take home one of everything. The practical side of me made, um, me limit myself to a few. I have to say my favorite is this beautiful pitcher!

Loving Lately #1: Pioneer Woman Dishes

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Here it is again in case you wanted to see it!

I really thought I was going to the store to pick out some of the those cute Pioneer Woman polk-a-dot glass bowls and cups, and maybe one day I will. But when I saw everything in person, I fell in love with the really sweet floral patterns.

To commemorate my 5 month achievement, thank my loyal followers and celebrate these cute dishes; my first giveaway is The Pioneer Woman Pitcher! I am limiting the giveaway to residents of the U.S. and Canada. (To all of my international friends out there, stay tuned for more giveaway opportunities in the future!) The Rules are simple: For entry, answer the posted question in the comment section of this post; Any new “like” or “follow” or “share” of this post via WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest gets an entry.

For entry leave a comment below answering this question: What is your favorite kitchen apparatus?

(Only 1 comment per person please!)

Thank you for your participation and all of your support!

(Every ‘entry’ is assigned a numerical value. Entries will be allowed until 11:59 pm Saturday, October 10, 2015. Numbers will be randomly selected and the winner will be posted on Monday, October 12, 2015. Winner must provide an address in the U.S. or Canada to be eligible.)

This contest has ended.

Loving Lately ❤

Loving Lately #1: Fall Decorations

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I love this time of year. I love all year round really. But there is something invigorating about the cool air, the bright hints of color starting to flare out from the trees and the heart warming aromas coming out of my kitchen. They inspire me to decorate my nest! Every season I try to put out seasonal touches, I think it’s good for the kids…

Loving Lately #2: Naomi’s Outfits

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Every day my daughter picks out her outfits, usually accentuated by a head band and possible bracelets; occasionally a necklace and hand bag. Honestly, I am always so surprised at her creativity, a fashionista in the making. She doesn’t forget anything, and can give thought out reasons for her selected options. I don’t know where she gets it, not from me. I’m a copy the mannequin type; but I can appreciate it when I see it.