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Loving Lately

Loving Lately: Pie Crusts

They are delicious, buttery, flaky, crisp… Pie crusts are the essential avenue to basically all fantastic pie and tart fillings. But as if that weren’t enough, here is what I am loving about them lately: They are works of art! (Featured Image from Luna & Hazel)

I really wish I had talent. Here is “The prettiest apple pie we ever did see” from monicahibbs.com, I can’t disagree.

Or how about a simple polk-a-dot? I love a classic stripe or polk-a-dot, me and Kate Spade. From Linda_Lomelino via Instagram:

Of course you could let the fruit do all of the talking- like the Pear Almond Tart from pastryaffair.com, no one could fault you for that.

But I am just fascinated by these intricate weaves. Thank you hintofvanillablog 🙂

I love this next one, similar to the plaid woven and braided apple pie pictured above. <3 Although I haven’t been able to track down the original, the link from Pinterest will take you to more amazing pies and crust ideas at feedfeed.com.

I’ve featured this adorable heart pie before, doesn’t it just shout love from home? It’s the Strawberry Sweetheart Slab Pie from Jillian Harris:

Look at the creativity from theprettyblog on this Caramel, Pear & Pecan Lattice Pie. It’s so beautiful!

And this Fall Harvest Apple Pie from BellasBanquet that seems blanketed by leaves. So pretty!

I’m not going to lie, this crunchy streusel topping over a creamy blueberry pie from The Girl Who Ate Everything looks outstanding even without the intricate fuss.

Okay, just one last shot of fabulous from TheKitchenMcCabe, and then I’m off to make a pie.

Loving Lately ?

Loving Lately: Pizza (and all of it’s flavorful convenience)

Pizza has to be one of the greatest creations ever made. It’s inexpensive, can easily feed a lot of people, and is generally a crowd pleaser- because it is scrumptious! It’s bread, it’s cheese and it’s whatever else you want baked to perfection. I mean seriously. I think if my husband had to pick one thing to eat for the rest of his life, it would be pizza. And I sincerely believe that he feels pizza from a different place every night of the week is an entirely different daily meal. Oh, and in many places you can have it delivered hot and cheesy right to your front door! In less than 30 minutes! Let’s not forget that little golden nugget. 😉

Pizza is a great way to express your culinary creativity. Colors, flavors, textures… let ’em fly! Take this Nectarine Pizza with Basil, Blue Cheese and Reduced Balsamic from Alexandra’s Kitchen for example. Yeah, that’s right.

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Or maybe a White Pizza with Garlic Sauce and Garden Herbs from How Sweet Eats… How much pizza is acceptable to eat at one sitting? Also by Jessica from How Sweet Eats are these mouth-watering 30-Minute Portobello Pizzas featured by The Pioneer Woman. I’m not going to lie, mushroom for crust just seems like a really good idea. I wonder how soy cheese would work for my vegan friends out there?

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Apparently, the thing is basil. Everything will look beautiful as long as you have fresh basil. But I imagine Chicken Florentine Flatbread by Rachel Schultz tastes pretty good too. Little bursts of roasted cherry tomatoes… Yummmm!

And because this is the way I think, wouldn’t this be pretty for Christmas?

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How about the fall? Are you ready to see everything that embodies autumn wrapped in a pizza package? Drum roll please…. Caramelized Butternut, Crispy Kale + Fontina Pizza with Pomegranate Salsa by Half Baked Harvest. Bravo! …Of course you could always go with the Cranberry Sauce, Bacon, and Gorgonzola Pastry Puff Pizza from Baker by Nature. Decisions, decisions.

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Whether it’s buffalo chicken, taco, Hawaiian, regular pepperoni or pizza in a cone (that’s a real thing, thank you Pillsbury), “Za” is awesome. (That’s a real word too, thank you Scrabble).

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Loving Lately ?

Loving Lately: Party Cakes

August is a big birthday month for my family and friends. I love parties, and pretty things- that you can eat. I appreciate the art of it all. You know how they say you want what you can’t have? I don’t know it that if that applies exactly…

But I really wish I could decorate a cake.

I’d be happy if it would turn out half as good as these ideas.

I am amazed at the creativity of people; how they get ideas in their heads and have the ability to make it happen.

I think “Wow! Can you imagine the party that goes with these cakes!”

Well, they are probably fabulous. (Like Pinterest, which supplied me with the photos)

Loving Lately ?

Loving Lately: Outdoor Entertaining

Obsessed is such a strong word. So please note I use it lightly, but not very lightly, when I say I am obsessed with over-the-top outdoor entertaining ideas.

You really can’t get overly dramatic for me. Candlelit chandeliers? Antlers? Gardens worth of fresh flowers? Bring it.

Naturally, since I am still recovering from a nasty fall, I am pining over what could be.

Just think of the possibilities… if I was at full strength… and money were no object…

Or if I had 100 candles and lanterns.

Don’t you just love the thought of being surrounded by your loved ones, breaking bread, on a perfect night of weather, on your own farm? (Because obviously that is how it always happens.)

But I’ll be honest, I’d be elated just to be outside with my family if it turned out like this…

Because outdoor entertaining is the best. (And so is Pinterest for sharing all of these pictures with me).

Loving Lately ??

Loving Lately: Fourth of July Ideas

I love the 4th of July. It is red, white & blue, backyard BBQ’s, summer weather and fireworks. Yes, it’s the day we celebrate our independence (for which I am grateful). It also has become everything I associate with a holiday; annual gatherings with family and food with aromas specific to the day. I’m a sucker for flag cakes and sparklers, and I succumb to the bug spray and driving home late- because I am all in baby! (Featured image courtesy of thewinthropcronicles.com)

Let’s just start the day off right. Breakfast anyone? Patriotic Waffle image courtesy of ModernParentsMessyKids.com

Decorating for the 4th of July can be easy.

Courtesy of Pinterest

Courtesy of Pinterest

Dressing for the holiday can get as creative as American Pie…

Image courtesy of Pinterest

Courtesy of Pinterest

Speaking of which, is it possible to have too many pies for a holiday? I think not.

For 4th of July Blueberry Pie check out betsylife.com

Courtesy of Land O’Lakes

Oh my goodness, then there is cake! How cute are these berry drippings?

Image courtesy of tasteofhome.com

I think I could handle this 4th of July Sparkle Cake, and can I just tell you how much I love the rustic simplicity of it?

Image courtesy of Pinterest

Then you’ve got your traditional make the flag out of berries cakes.

Courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Courtesy of Popsugar.com

While some 4th of July ideas are timeless… some are new to me. I mean I’ve seen the red, white and blue rocket ship popsicle; But I wish I was this creative! Homemade striped popsicles!!!?? I think you’re awesome!

Popsicle image courtesy of theviewfromgreatisland

Of course if you are looking for a simple idea to make a statement try this… (yes it’s Sangria, but I think it would look pretty in water too!)

Courtesy of Pinterest

If you can carve a pumpkin maybe…?

Image courtesy of bhg.com

The crafty folks out there might want to try this jar made patriotic candle holder project from CountryLiving.com…

Of course you can’t beat this classic sparkler activity for kids and adults alike!

Image courtesy of Huffington Post

But more than anything, please be safe, enjoy your family & friends and have a Happy 4th of July!

American flag and fireworks image courtesy of Pinterest

A Birthday in Jurassic Park

The only problem with having a birthday in Jurassic Park is… the dinosaurs! Aaaah! Run for your lives!

Okay, don’t be frightened. It’s actually just a cardboard cutout, and you (or the birthday boy) can totally pretend that you are about to punch it in the face.

It was a group effort to turn my nephew’s home into a Jurassic World. My sister does an amazing job making her ideas become a reality. She, along with her husband, work really hard to make their kids birthday dreams come true. I wish I could say I contributed. (But if you remember, I just got home from vacation and didn’t even have milk in my house…) Needless to say, I was completely useless. But I do know how to appreciate (and photograph) the details!

My dad made the awesome “Jurassic Park” sign over the door. My mother, inspired by Pinterest, made dinosaur bones from marshmallows, pretzels, and white chocolate; she baked sugar cookie “fossils” imprinted with dinosaur tracks; and she painted an umbrella to replicate that crazy dinosaur (the Dilophosaurus) that everyone (or just I) thought was harmless and then it let out that terrible screech and the head fans out and it spits acid at Newman from Seinfeld. Scary.

It was just protecting the Dino Juice… and it’s eggs. Muwahhahaha. (That’s my maniacal laugh.)

There really wasn’t a detail left undone. From the vines hanging from the chandelier to the dinosaur salivating over the food table, for the moment we were all transported to another time.

A time with danger lurking around every corner… or hanging on every wall.

On a side note, I think it’s adorable that my nephew requests cheesecake for his birthday. I mean, you might as well have something you’re going to enjoy… If you can get it out of the cage.

Whew! That was dangerous, but I got a piece.

And I’d like to thank every dinosaur big and small who made an appearance. The birthday bash was a roaring success. (Get it? I’m so funny.)

Happy Birthday Jude!

Thanksgiving Desserts

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only two days away! Last year at this time I was almost to my due date with my fourth child. In fact, I went into labor on the night of Thanksgiving. (I really just wanted to sleep.) But this will be my little turkey’s first Thanksgiving dinner and I’m so excited. (Although that is the first time I’ve ever called him that. I’m just really getting into the holiday.) To top off my excitement we have been enjoying our first snow fall of the year. The chill in the air declares the season!

I thought it would be a good idea to share some suggestions for the holiday, and as I was compiling a list of ideas… it became very clear where my priorities lie. The following are some tried and true sweet treats I can suggest without hesitation that you could proudly serve your family. At least I will be serving most of them to mine.

A classic rustic dessert: Sweet Potato Pie

A tasty twist on a long time favorite: Maple Pecan Pie

It’s a sweet bread, actually being served with dinner: Cranberry-Pecan Pumpkin Bread

A decadent family tradition: Pumpkin Cheesecake

It’s just the best: Mom’s Apple Pie

Okay, this is not a dessert but I had to add it because I will be eating this goodness during the parade and food preparation so it clearly evokes the day: Smoky Cheeseball

Happy Baking & Making!

Elijah’s Birthday Extravaganza!

Everyone wanted a horse themed party this summer (well two kids anyway). So how do you plan two parties back-to-back with the same theme and keep them completely different? It ended up being a lot easier than I thought. Elijah, who turned three, wasn’t able to take riding lessons this year. For a couple of the lessons he sat and watched enviously as his older siblings and cousins got to ride around on horseback. I know, I feel like a terrible mother. But what are you supposed to do when you have no baby sitter? I’ll tell you what I did. I rented a horse and pony to come to our house for his birthday party so he could have his very own horse ride.

Look at that face, worth every bit of it!

And you have to let the other kids ride too…

The package also came complete with petting zoo,

And face painting!

I got to feed the horse one of our apples!

Aren’t horses beautiful?

And so are little cowgirls!

I honestly was so busy with the party that I almost had forgotten to take pictures of the food!

Beef brisket, scalloped potatoes, rolls, chips,

the family baked beans (I think they make an appearance at almost every gathering),

and corn on the cob grilled in the husk,

Where is one to get something to drink in these parts?

At the waterin’ hole of course! (And there was pop on ice.)

We had “haystacks” at the last party, so this time we had “Barn Muck,” peanut butter and chocolate. Yummy!

And no birthday party is to be without cake!

I missed the whole part with swimming in the pool, but it was there. Then we had what turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the day. (I’ve shared my love of party photo ops before.) I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in a long time. I never knew one could have so much fun turning dollar store mustaches into all sorts of facial hair… (I’d really like to do a whole post on this, and I would like to apologize in advance for the onslaught of pictures coming your way.)

Overall the party was a huge success because the birthday boy was happy! He told me so! “Me excited about my birthday. Me like my presents!”

Happy Birthday Elijah/Cowboy/Power Ranger/Spiderman! We love you so much!

Horsin’ Around for Addi’s Birthday

The kids, my two oldest, my neice and nephew, have been taking riding lessons this summer. Naturally horses are all of the rage to them right now. So when the birthday ideas were rolling around the one and only theme to be had was a horse of course! (I had to.)

The farm, where the lessons are had, rents a pavilion along with a horse riding package for parties. My sister, the chef, is also quite an efficient party planner (she gets that from our mother). She made the giant daisy overhead streamer for an area designated as the dance floor. (She also made the burlap birthday banner from the featured image.)

She covered all of the picnic tables with white cloths and made beautiful arrangements with wildflowers and Mason jars.

The menu included hamburgers (requested by the birthday girl)…

baked beans and watermelon…

slaw salad,

and potato salad.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous for cowboys and cowgirls alike.

As a memento for the birthday girl, everyone attending the party signed a picture…

of Addi with her favorite horse, Morning Star.

I have to admit, when Addi said she wanted a cake with the face of Morning Star, I was nervous it would come across like something from The Godfather, but it turned out pretty cute.

A highlight of the evening for me was the daddy-daughter dance.

Everyone got to take home a little “haystack.” Have you had one of those before with chow mein noodles and butterscotch? Um, delicious.

Thank you Addi! You are turning into such a lovely young lady!

Sadie's Nest

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Loving Lately

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A Birthday in Jurassic Park

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Thanksgiving Desserts

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Elijah’s Birthday Extravaganza!

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Horsin’ Around for Addi’s Birthday

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