Easy Peasy Yummy Recipes - Come Get Some!

I want you to meet brown sugar meatloaf, gnocchi in fontina sauce, baked sweet potatoes with ginger and honey, apple pie by grandma Ople,  and white chocolate cherry pecan cheesecake. There is more, 467 more recipes that I've tried, or saved at one of my favorite sites.

 
http://allrecipes.com

ARE

   

YOU

HUNGRY

     

YET???

 

http://allrecipes.com is the best thing to happen to my kitchen in years. If you are tired of chowing on the same old, same old checkout this site. I credit it with inspiring me to revive the Sunday meal tradition in our home. The site is thorough, with tons of recipes, step by step instructions, photos, videos, even reviews, and tips from fellow foodies. There something there for everyone. I love it. 

Take a minute to stop by plan, and a special meal for a few or your favorite people.

Bon appetit!

Guest post by Shanda Neighbors.

A Slice Of Heaven

I don't know why anything lemon flavored makes me giddy with happiness.  Especially the pastries.   So, when I saw this recipe by frugalfarmwife, it was love at first sight.  It looks so yummy and gluten free too!

For years now, instead of a cake, I enjoy a lemon meringue pie for my birthday instead.  This year am going to try these for sure.  

Here is the recipe.  Enjoy!

Gluten-Free Lemon Bars Recipe

For the crust:

• 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ¾ cup butter (softened)

For the Filling:

• 4 eggs
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 2-3 teaspoons grated lemon peel (optional)

Preheat oven to 350º.

Combine crust ingredients and mix well.

Press into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.

Bake for 20 minutes until the crust begins to turn a light brown.

Remove pan from oven.

Beat filling ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl.

Pour over warm crust.

Return to oven, and bake for and additional 15-20 minutes until filling is set, and slightly brown around the edges.

Remove from oven, and cool for 10-15 minutes.

Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.

Use a butter knife to loosen lemon bars from the edges of the pan.

Let cool completely.

Cut bars, and remove from pan.

Cherio!

All salads Were Not Created Equal

One of my favorite foods is salads.  No kidding, I love 'em!  Perhaps it is the fact that there are so many types and ways one could make a salad.....I don't know.  All I know is, I love variety and salads do it for me.  


And so this week I set out to find three salads that I have never tried before.  Salads that earned off the charts reviews.....and are not too difficult to make.   I like to keep it simple.  So here are the 3 nominees for scrumptious salads of  the week:  drum roll please.........


These first two by  www.thefoodiediaries.com will hit the spot for sure. So yummy!

Ingredients: baby spinach, mozzarella, roasted cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper,   onion, celery, cucumber and the dried cherry + pom concoction. 

Ingredients: fresh spinach, roasted butternut squash, cauliflower, grilled onion and sun-dried tomatoes, dressed in Newman’s Own Asian Sesame dressing. You have to try this!

Now this one had me at custard, not to mention the recipe is by miss Paula Deen.  Oh my goodness....this looks so pretty I almost didn't want to eat it. ALMOST. Am so happy right now...so happy.

Find the recipe here.

And there you have it, 3 delicious recipes that will bring you lots of happiness and mad satisfaction.  I guarantee it!

Cherio!

Bold & Beautiful Kitchen Color Inspiration

A few days ago my sister was debating which color palette she was going to put in her kitchen.  As always I offered my favorite colors for consideration but she kinda stopped listening when I suggested  mauve.  She wasn't feeling it......and I get it.  I love colors that are a bit unusual. NOT weird but a little different.  Anyway, that conversation led to this post.  I just had to find a few like minded individuals who threw color caution to the winds.

www.apartmenttherapy.com

I love a white kitchen but sometimes there is nothing like a pop of color to add some spice in the kitchen.  Can I get a Amen!  Here are a few of my favorites. What do you think?

www.kitcheninstallation.org

http://www.bedroomsdesign.net

http://www.kunzdesign.com

http://www.kunzdesign.com

Cherio!

Get Your Shine On With Chandeliers

Hall of mirrors (palace of Versailles)

There is nothing more glamorous or opulent than a beautiful chandelier.  And if there was any doubt about that, I refer you to pictures one and two in this post. And I rest my case.  If a chandelier is in a room, guess what everyone will be admiring?  The chandelier. They are bold, unapologetically amazing and drop dead gorgeous!

Call me crazy but I want a chandelier in my bathroom or in my kitchen.  Am still undecided as to which I will go with but I really like the look.  I used to want one over my bed until I pictured it falling on me as I slept.  Let's just say I got over it after that. Real fast.  In the bathroom though, it does not have to be directly over the tub (in case you're nervous about it falling).  Just place it where it can have great visual impact and get ready to be wowed!

Chandeliers usually are quite expensive so while many of us want one, due to the hefty price tag, it will most probably remain on our wish list.  It's a whole new day as far as options are concerned though.  From reproductions to purchasing used pieces, you now have many choices.  It is finally possible to have the chandelier of your dreams without sacrificing your budget.  And here are a few places where you may find chandeliers at a fraction of the price.  It requires a little tenacity and patience but it is so worth the time.

1.  Check out your local thrift store/s 

2. Garage Sales 

3. Etsy

4. Craigs List

5. lampsplus.

And there you have it lovelies, another one of my decor infatuations.  Hope this inspires you to consider chandeliers in your decorating........you won't be disappointed. Ever.

Uber Stylish, Ultra Easy DIY Chalkboards

http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com

I've been wanting to make a chalkboard for quite a while now. The warmth, coziness and personalized feeling that these chalkboards exude is so very appealing to me. Chalkboards are also practical and perfect for displaying dinner menus, chore list, messages, honey-do's and may other functional purposes.  But wait......there's more! They can also be decorative, modern and chic!

Yesterday, I found the perfect space in my kitchen for my own chalkboard. Now, all I have to do is find the right frame.....which for me would be an ornate French frame or a shabby chic Venetian frame.  As soon as I find my frame, it's on! 

HOW EASY IS IT...

In addition to being functional, the chalkboard is also inexpensive and very easy to make.  All you need is:

Chalkboard paint: chalk spray $5.00 or chalk paint $12.00

Primer

Paint brush  (use only if you have the paint instead of the spray)

A picture frame with a smooth solid surface to apply the paint to

You can use the backboard that comes with the picture frame if its solid/sturdy enough.  You can also cut a piece of poster board, particle board or thin ply wood to fit the frame.   Keep the picture or back board that came with the frame as a template to cut the chalkboard from.

http://lisaferncreek.blogspot.com

Next -

1. Remove the glass from the frame carefully 

2. Prepare the board of your choice for painting with primer

2. Spray or paint the surface (2 to 3 coats, allowing the paint to dry between each coat)

3.  Let the surface dry completely and then put it into the frame.


3.  Hang and enjoy!  

Tip:

Visit thrift stores and flea markets for interesting frames.  You'll be surprised at what is available to you. And the prices will blow your mind....,.in a good way! Remember it's the frame you want, so if you dislike the Art but like the frame, and the price is right.   Buy it.

isabella and max rooms

this american wife

your home based mom

Photo from HGTV web site

Photo from Country Living Magazine

Image from Pottery Barn

Photo from Houzz.com

awelldressedhome

Here are links to chalkboard crafts that are beautiful, fun, and easy to do.  Enjoy and let me know if you decide to try this.  I would love to see how it turned out.  As soon as I find a frame I really like, I will be posting pictures of my chalkboard here.  Fingers crossed.

Cherio!

http://www.homeroad.net/2011/03/upcycled-chalkboard.html

http://www.thestoriesofa2z.com/2009/05/mini-chalkboard-tutorial.html