Who's Ready for a Giveaway? **TIME'S UP!**

The time has come once again for another giveaay - and this one's the best yet! I'm completely in love with this beautiful Catappa two-piece serving set from Hometrends:

So much so, I wanted to share it with you! Check out the giveaway below to enter. You can enter anytime between now and midnight EST on 3/21/13, and the best part? You can come back and enter each and every day!


    a Rafflecopter giveaway


Once chosen, the winner will be announced on my blog, so don't forget to check back and see if you won!



****EDIT**** Be sure that upon completion of each of the above, you choose it from the drop down menu and click the "enter" button to submit your entries! Thanks for participating! :)


TIME'S UP! Congratulations Jennifer P.S.! You're our winner! I'll be contacting you soon so you can claim your beautiful 2-piece serving platter set!

Decadent Chocolate Mug Brownie

In the midst of all the "Mug Brownie" madness on Pinterest, Mackenzie convinced me it was worth a try. I was very skeptical (a real Brownie in less than 2 minutes? Ha!). I'm a Brownie lover through and through, so if this was just a lump of cakey-chocolate disguising its self, I'd be the first one to know. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was really good, a genuine Brownie. It was incredibly rich, and totally busted my Brownie craving - and the best part is, there wasn't an entire pan left to devour taunt me over the next few days. A great alternative for a once-in-awhile treat, and it pretty much rocks with a scoop of ice cream on top. (Personally, I cut the sugar in half when I make it.) Be sure to pin this recipe (below the picture)!

What you'll need:

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar ( I use 1/8 cup)

2 tablespoons cocoa 

pinch of salt 

1 tablespoons chopped nuts (optional)

2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil (do NOT use olive oil as it is too strong)

3 tablespoons water

Preparation:

Add all dry ingredients to mug, then all wet ingredients. Mix well to combine. Microwave for 1 minute 40 seconds. Top with ice cream if desired. Enjoy! 

Antique Heart

Antiques…they have my heart. There’s a deep seeded appreciation within me for those who came before us – and how beautifully their former lives are represented today. Like a window into the past, they remind us of where we came from. They connect us to our roots.

Last week, Dusty and I snuck in a mini-date while Mackenzie was at dance class. We went to one of my all-time favorite places – it’s an old cotton mill in the older part of town that has been transformed into a massive antique emporium, stuffed to the gills with rented vendor spaces, each offering a different part of history. It’s called The Depot at Gibson Mill, and it’s like heaven on earth to a girl like me. It’s also a place that my husband and I have silently declared as “our place”.  Just the two of us, hand in hand in silent comfort, wandering and weaving our way through the maze of aisles that are filled with beauty and wonder that cannot be expressed in words.

It has this magic - almost as if it takes me back in time - I think of my Great Grammy Gram Arlene cooking supper for the family on her mint green stove, circa 1925, with fresh corn picked just steps from their front door. It came from the same cornfield my brother and I picked from years later as children. I remember her sitting in her rocking chair on the porch with us as we shucked the corn and chatted. And I remember how much I’ve missed that since she’s been gone.

I think of my Grampy Gramp, Homer . Such a hard workin’ man he was – a farmer, a craftsman, a creator. I wonder if that’s where I get that part of my soul…or if it’s his way of living on within me, even though he is no longer here. I think of all of the amazing things he invented, many of them long before their time.  I think about the feature he got in the local newspaper when he transformed his water wheel by creating a system that would automatically open a door on the side, allowing for a life size scarecrow-esque man to lean out and wave at those passing by. As children my brother and I lived for running down his huge hill, playing hide and seek in his corn field, and riding on the special swing he built that was shaped like an airplane. I remember the looks on their faces as they watched us laugh and play – they were so proud.

Even though many of the antiques at The Depot came long before my days on this earth began, somehow they still give me that feeling of nostalgia, transporting me back to a time when things seemed much simpler. Less chaotic. More grounded.

As we meander through the aisles, we come upon a vendor space, and immediately the scent of lavender fills my nostrils. It immediately takes me back to our wedding day. The vintage theme, the rustic feel of the decor, the lavender that filled my bouquet and adorned the front doors of the crisp white 1940's antique dairy barn where we exchanged vows. That scent is representative of so many things: our special day, the love we share, and the memories that go along with it. 

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The beautiful blue mason jars remind me of those that adorned the tables at our wedding, filled with daisies and greenery. The soft ambiance of the atmosphere as the candles flickered in the evening Spring air. The night we became a family. 

It's amazing how sentimental all of these little windows of the past have become to me. Antiques...those little treasures that live on regardless of when their era ended. They hold my memories. My hopes. My dreams...and my heart.

Happy Birthday, Life. Family. Love.!

Can you believe it? Yep, my baby is now 1 year old! Geez, that went by fast. Honestly, I never imagined in a million years (or especially just one) that this blog would become not only an integral part of my life, but yours as well. This little baby of mine has blossomed into a beautiful part of my life, one that I look forward to each and every day.  Thank you SO much for coming on this amazing journey with me. Thank you for believing in me and my blog that went from one viewer (me) to over half a million (567,257 to be exact) page views in just 12 months.  Thanks for growing with me, learning with me, and supporting me along the way. Thanks for e-mailing, commenting, conversing, and coming back day after day. You guys are such rock stars! 

Mackenzie's Turkey Pepperoni Bites

My daughter, Mackenzie, absolutely loves to cook and bake. Sister child would be in the kitchen every waking hour of the day if she could. I have no idea where she gets it from. One day while looking for a snack, she made up this recipe and it's been one of her favorites ever since. It's simple, kid friendly, healthy, and quick. We love to eat it with a side of carrots or fruit. P.S. They'll never know it's good for them. ;)

What you'll need:

15 slices turkey pepperoni 

1 laughing cow light cheese wedge, (we like swiss and garden veggie)

Preparation:

Spread a small amount of laughing cow light cheese wedge onto pepperoni. Fold in half and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Nutrition info is based on 1 serving.

Calories: 96      Fat: 6        Protein: 10         Carbs: 1          Fiber: 0          Sugar: 1

*Calories calculated using My Fitness Pal. Nutritional values may vary based on varied brands or amounts. 

Homemade Bisquick

If there's one food item in particular that I'm known for, it's my pancakes. People love them, and I'm pretty sure my husband proposed to me based solely on my pancake preparation skills. ;) I'm always complimented on how thick, fluffy and perfectly round they are. I beam with pride. But I have a secret....there isn't one. I use Bisquick. So what makes my Bisquick pancakes any different than everyone else's? Well, if I told you it wouldn't make mine so special would it? BUT, what I do have for you, my lovely readers, is exactly what you asked for: more frugal living tips. So here ya go: a recipe for Homemade Bisquick! The best part? It measures cup for cup to boxed Bisquick, and since most people don't have a box of Bisquick just sittin' around, I'm going to provide you with the measurements to go along with it. I hope you enjoy!

What you'll need:

10 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups shortening

1/3 cups baking powder

1/4 cups sugar

4 tsp. salt

Preparation:

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except shortening. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Makes 12 1/2 cups. 

Store-bought Bisquick: $6.38

Homemade Bisquick: $2.80

Total Savings: $3.58 or 44%!

Homemade Bisquick Measurements 

Pancakes                                                             Waffles 

2 cups homemade mix                                           2 cups homemade mix

1 cup milk                                                             1 1/3 cups milk

2 eggs                                                                   1 egg

Yield: about 14 pancakes                                      2 tbsp. vegetable oil

                                                                             Yield: About 12 (4-inch) waffles

Bisquick

2 cups homemade mix

1/2 cup milk 

Yield: 10

 Recipe adapted from cooks.com. Measurement info adapted from bisquick.com 

Slimmed Down Cheesy Mexican Rice

Remember awhile back when I posted that absolutely amaaaazing recipe for The Pioneer Woman's Mexican Rice Casserole? It was soooo freakin' good, man. Now that my family and I are making a transition into health, I thought it fitting to create a slimmed down version of this Mexican must-have that is so incredibly delish. Now, you might notice that there's an ingredient in my version of this recipe that seems....well, a little out of place. See, what had happened was, I was cookin' up the rice, jammin' to some tunes, singin' at the top of my lungs when I grabbed for the cumin. I just needed to add a little sprinkle more. I opened it, shook it onto the rice and noticed there was quite a bit more in the pan then I intended. I looked down at the cumin in my hand and realized............it wasn't cumin after all. No, it was an imposter! It was...cinnamon!? My stress level went through the roof as I realized I'd used my very last bag of brown rice....so I had to make a decision. Either dump the whole thing (since the entire batch was covered), or mix it in and hope for the best. I chose the latter, and to my surprise...it was excellent. In fact, it let the other spices shine and really added that extra something to the dish. I can't wait to hear how you like it.

What You'll Need:
2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (I used minute rice microwaveable bags)
7 1/2 oz petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 small can diced green chiles, undrained
1/4-1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp black pepper
small pinch tumeric (less than 1/8 tsp)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Preparation:
In a medium skillet over medium heat, mix cooked rice, diced tomatoes, green chiles, and vegetable broth, stirring constantly until all liquid is absorbed. Add black pepper,cumin, garlic powder and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Mix in 1/4 cup of cheese, stirring until melted. Turn heat to low and top with remaining cheese. Cover and let sit until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

*Click below to PRINT this recipe!*
Printable Version

Nutrition information:
Slimmed Down Cheesy Mexican Rice 
(calculations based on 4 servings)
Calories: 189    Fat: 6g    Protein: 9g    Carbs: 24g    Fiber: 2g     Sugar: 13g

Regular Mexican Rice Casserole
(calculations based on 6 servings, as this recipe makes more)
Calories: 265      Fat: 9g      Protein: 11g    Carbs: 37g    Fiber: 2g    Sugar: 6g

*Calories calculated using My Fitness Pal. Nutritional values may vary based on varied brands or amounts.

Tip: This recipe goes great with Slimmed Down Sour Cream Enchiladas!