Weekend Wrap Up (or alternative title: Another Bulleted Post)

I am working on my "stockpile" of posts again, but I felt like just chit-chatting today.  This past weekend was WONDERFUL!  I wish it would have lasted longer, but isn't that how it always is! 

• Wednesday of last week was my "Friday," so I was itching to get out of work! I went home and worked on some embroidery orders I had. I am really trying to amp up my embroidery orders so that I can make it a small business of sorts. I mentioned in a previous post that I am trying to make an etsy shop, and I am trying to get the word out of facebook for local friend who need things monogrammed/embroidered. It is just so fun and I really want to stay busy with it since it is such a fun hobby!
  
  
  

• Thursday was really fun!  We went to Thomas' grandparents house as usual and had a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch.  For years now, my mom and Nanny have come to Thomas' grandparents holiday celebrations as my family is spread out all over now and the only time we really get together is Christmas.  It is really nice to be able to have all of my family (inlaws and my family) together at one celebration rather than having to go to separate celebrations and spread my time out.  Our families have really come together to form one family and it is so awesome to me!
• We were planning to do Black Friday shopping as we do every year, but Ashton and I didn't think we would be doing it "big time" this year because we didn't really think we had that much to buy in town.  Well, after looking at the ads, making my list, and then talking about it, we realized we had a lot more places we wanted to go than we originally thought.  We started at 8 on Thanksgiving night at the Walmart because there were a couple games on sale we wanted to get for the guys.  You would have thought they were giving them away with the way that people acted about getting these things!  It was a mad house.  We ended up getting all the games we wanted (2 of 2 different games) despite there only being 6 of each game available since Walmart was going the Black Friday thing 3 times and everything would be restocked each time.  I personally think this was a dumb idea because when we went to Target, they put everything out and no one was trying to clober each other over stuff.  You just go to the game section, see if your game is there, pick it up if so, and check out.  So much easier than standing in the produce section of Walmart for 2 hours with 20 people trying to get 6 games.  Obviously, I am not planning to do the Walmart thing again...this was my first time and I was less than impressed.  We ended up getting just about everything we wanted Black Friday and I have every single person on my list finished except for 3 (I had about 15).  I enjoy Black Friday shopping when people behave themselves, but when you see people getting in fist fights at the Walmart over towels that are on sale for $1.98 each...it just ruins it for everyone.  (Yes, this happened at several locations in the Savannah area)
• I saw the Muppets on Friday after we crashed for bit. It was SO cute!!!!  I love the Muppets, so I was really excited to see it!  Plus Jason Segal and Amy Adams are precious!  They have so much chemistry and I really wish they would get married and have cute babies!  Yes, I like to wish fairytale lifestyles on my favorite celebrities...it's all good!  But seriously, Ashton told me that Jason Segal wrote this screenplay, pitched it to Disney, and said he would only go through with it if Amy Adams would sign on because she was perfect for the part of Mary!  How cute is that!  I have to agree, and I have no idea if either of them are involved with anyone, but after seeing that movie I am team Am-son Jasmy Jamy all the way!
• Saturday, I got out Christmas stuff and decorated all day!  It took a long time to put my tree together because it is one of those where every branch clips in separate and there are no lights on it, so you have to do that (which is no fun!).  My mom had this tree and it is beautiful, but it is a lot of work!  I am happy with it now that it is all together, but it is a lot to put to up!
• We had a wedding Saturday night.  We had so much going on Saturday that I made us 5 minutes late to the ceremony...and of course it already started.  So, Thomas and I had to sit in the car and wait for it to get over and scoot over to the reception.  I am letting it go though because sometimes these things just happen. 
• Sunday, Nanny came over and hung out with me all day.  I made spaghetti and mom came over for dinner.  I got the rest of the decorations up, wrapped some presents, and crashed!  I was TIRED!  I need a weekend from my weekend!
• Oh, I almost forgot!  Someone stole our credit card number (have no idea how because we have out cards), and maxed out our account.  They spend like $1200 in Gamestop alone!  They also got gas and tried to make a $500 purchase at another store, but luckily it declined because the card was maxed out.  This is our card with a smaller limit, and thank goodness for that!  It makes me mad regardless having to deal with this, but I fully believe whoever this was would have kept spending until they couldn't anymore if the limit was higher.  It is all going to be fine, but it is very maddening to know that someone did that and will probably get away with it! 
• Oh and I saw this over the weekend, and I took a picture of the ad on the computer today.  This is a dealership about 30 minutes away in South Carolina,  Seriously, only in the South!

I hope y'all are having a great week! I am having a hard time getting back into the swing of things at work, but I am pushing through! Talk soon!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

It's that time of the week again!  Yesterday, Thomas and I decided that we wanted a big pot of spaghetti that we could eat on for a few days.  I was also having my grandma come over and then my mom came over too, so it was a good meal for a crowd.  I wanted to make the sauce from scratch, but I had a hard time finding exactly what I was looking for.  This recipe is adapted from several I saw on allrecipes.com.  Although spaghetti is fairly basic, I almost always have started with a base of Ragu (or one of the other brands).  This is one that starts from canned tomatoes, and it is very tasty!  I do want to make a marinara one day that starts from whole tomatoes...yum! 

Jennifer's Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients

• 3 cans (29 oz.) tomato sauce (not the kind with all the pre-made sauce, but the one by the canned tomato products)
• 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
• 1 package bulk pork sausage
• 1 to 2 packages of lean ground beef (depending on your preference for meat in your sauce)
• 1 large onion
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 package sliced and cleaned mushrooms (or about 2 cups sliced mushrooms)
• 4-6 cloves of garlic (depending on size and your preference)
• olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend (to taste if the prior doesn't seem like enough, I used about 1 teaspoon)
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. In a large skillet, brown beef and pork over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside.
2. In the skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat and saute onions, peppers and garlic until tender. Remove and set aside.  Add a little more olive oil and add mushrooms.  Saute mushrooms until tender.  Remove and set aside.
3. In a crockpot (or large stock pot) combine browned meat and vegetables.  Add tomato sauce and tomato paste to mixture. Add seasonings.
4. Simmer sauce on high in crockpot (or low if using stovetop) for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.  Alteratively, you can simmer the sauce on low in the crockpot for 8-10 hours while you sleep or go to work. 
5. Serve and enjoy!

This recipe makes A LOT!!!!  We made an entire box of noodles and used as much sauce as we wanted over the top (we served 4 last night and have leftovers), and we still had over half of the crockpot full of sauce.  This is a good thing for us though because you can freeze the sauce to use at a later date!  That is always a good thing in my opinion!  Once again, I forgot a picture!  I will try to get better about that!

Rambles

I don't really have much for you today.  Here are some rambles...sometimes I just like to type what is on emy mind. 

• The post yesterday was for me to get some thoughts in order, and it is definitely a WORK IN PROGRESS and will be added to and tweeked!  Please check back often if you are interested in embroidery.  I honestly had plannned to do another post, but I ran out of steam when I got home (I have a lot of projects to blog about!).  I also have been really good lately about writing a bunch of posts at once so that I can blog at leisure and not feel stressed about trying to get something out there into blog land.  Well, yesterday my stockpile was depleted and I had nothing. I need to take some time to write some things this weekend (and I have lots of ideas for Christmas).
• I am really starting to feel like I am getting a handle on embroidery and applique and how to do it so that it looks very professional.  I have been doing it a while, but I just haven't had the time to put into it with the wedding and finishing up school.  The past couple months I have taken some time to actually make some things and I feel confident in my abilities now. 
• That being said, I have no kids to applique and embroider for yet.  I don't need a lot of stuff hanging around for "someday" when I have kids.  I am thinking and throwing around the idea of starting an etsy store.  I already technically have one (remember Deep South Designs old readers?) but I started it when I was really interested in making jewelry.  Well, the cost and amount of time that went into that made me get really tired of that fast.  Then I found sewing and the rest is history.  I am thinking about starting out with Deep South Designs again just so that I will have some kids to sew for and I have some fun things that I can applique! 
• I am really intimidated by the thought of an etsy store.  I don't know how to price things (I guess see what the going rates are on etsy), I don't know how to price shipping, and I especially am scared about the whole taxes thing.  Do any of y'all out there have experience as etsy sellers?  I have a lot of questions...I just want to do this as a way to further my hobby and not as a big business, so I really don't want to bite off more than I can chew. 
• I cut my hair lately.  Actually in October I decided to chop off my long hair into a bob.  I felt like my long hair just hung there and didn't have any style.  I wanted something healthy looking and more professional since I am officially a grown-up now.  Haha!  I need to take a picture for you!  It is cute and I really like it!  I don't know if I will keep it short forever, but I really like the body I get from it.  I will take pictures at Thanksgiving, so I will have some for you next week.
• I am really excited about Christmas!  I have started listening to Christmas music (which I usually don't let myself until Thanksgiving night or day after), but I am just really excited to have my first Christmas with Thomas!  We are really looking forward to it!  I am having a party, we are planning to go to the Journey, and we have a vacation we are taking for New Years.  It is just going to be a wonderful season this year.  I am loving being married to the love of my life and starting some traditions and making memories.
• Speaking of Christmas, I have been really emotional lately about what Christmas really is.  I always try to keep Jesus the center of Christmas, but this year I have felt so appreciative of God and his gift to us. I have a full post to come on this later, but I have just really been reflecting on it and have felt like falling to my knees and crying at what the Lord has given us.  I am so blessed to know Christ and if you have questions or don't have relationship with Christ, I hope you will reach out to find out those answers and to find Christ.  You can always go to church, talk with believers, and even email me.  Without Christ I would be nothing.  He is everything to me.

Have a happy Thanksgiving.  I am going to be back next week.  For now I am going to cherish some time with my family and make some memories with my husband on our first Thanksgiving.  I have so much to be thankful for.  My cup is overflowing with happiness and blessings.  Thank you God!

Embroidery Information

This is a post that will be in my header links.  I am planning to update it as I find more places that I enjoy visiting on the web.  I am also using this as a place that I personally can visit and remember all the shops where I like to look for designs.

The Itch 2 Stitch
Planet Applique
Applique Cafe
Applique Market
Applique Momma
Apex Embroidery Designs
Glitzy Stitches
Applique Creations
Lilli Pad Gifts
Sassy Southern Stitches
Monogram Font Store
Little Applique Factory
8 Claws and a Paw
Applique A Day
Threado
Applique Bebe
All Things Applique
Applique Crazy

Menu Monday - Rosemary Ranch Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

I am including two recipes today since the first one is basically just a marinade recipe.  You can use it on anything, but we use it on chicken and make shish kabobs because that's how the creator at allrecipes.com suggested, and it sounded good to us.  The second recipe is for Mushroom Risotto.  Ashton LOVES risotto, and watching Hell's Kitchen.  We laugh a lot about risotto because people always screw it up on that show.  Well, if you want good risotto when you go out in Savannah you usually have to go to an upscale type of restaurant and that isn't really in the budget all the time.  Ashton and I got together to cook a meal and have a girls night and she found this recipe and bought all the stuff so we could make it.  It is a recipe you have babysit, but the taste is OUT OF THIS WORLD! 

Rosemary Ranch Marinade - from here
no directions with this one other than mix it up and marinade whatever you want in it! 

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup ranch dressing

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

1 tablespoon white sugar, or to taste

Mushroom Risotto - from here
serves approximately 6

Ingredients

• 6 cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2 shallots, diced
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped chives
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I usually use more!)

Directions

1. Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the mushrooms, and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove mushrooms and their liquid, and set aside.
2. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet, and stir in the shallots. Cook 1 minute. Add rice, stirring to coat with oil, about 2 minutes. When the rice has taken on a pale, golden color, pour in wine, stirring constantly until the wine is fully absorbed.
3. Add 1/2 cup broth to the rice, and stir until the broth is absorbed. Continue adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, and stir in mushrooms with their liquid, butter, chives, and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Sorry, there is no picture to accompany this (as usual!) because I have been sick with strep throat all weekend, and didn't cook or do much of anything this weekend.  I am feeling much better now though, so there will be a fun post up tomorrow!

"If The Shoe Fits" - Disney Fashion Part 3

For the final part of "If The Shoe Fits," I thought it would be good to show some easy options that have that touch of Disney and don't break the bank!  There are SO MANY options on etsy for appliqued t-shirts, jon jons, and little girl jumpers and rompers.  These are just a sampling of some of the many I found and loved. 

Etsy Seller Booger Bear & Punkin Pooh
This seller has a TON of Disney inspired items such as pillowcase dresses and jon jons!  Her are some of my favorites...

  

Etsy Seller AmyBugs Original Style
This seller has a lot of great outfits for kids!  They would be perfect for any little one to wear to Disney, or even to school or out on playdates and such.  Here are some of my favorites...

Etsy Seller Character Designs
This seller has a lot of great applique designs including all the big name characters like Mickey and Minnie, and other Disney items.  She also has Seseme Street, Barney, and others.  Be sure to look around because she has a lot of great stuff!!! Here are some of my favorites...

I hope y'all have enjoyed "If The Shoe Fits!"  It has been fun to compile all these great items and feature them on my blog.  It's so fun to look at what others create and gain inspiration for when you create, or for those who don't sew and craft...you might find something you need! hehe!  Have a great day!

If The Shoe Fits - Disney Fashion Part 2

When doing Disney, comfort is key!  Parents may choose to dress their child up for a character dining experience, but most likely you won't want the outfit to be worn around the park all day.  There are some many options out there for cute and comfy play clothes to wear throughout the day.  Today I am focusing on some great options I have found that look like a characters outfit, but are comfortable for kids to wear while in the park all day. 

Etsy Seller Lover Dover Clothing

This seller makes some of the cutest items!  She makes little girls dresses that look like their favorite characters, but are also comfortable for them to wear.  This shop was also featured in the Better Homes and Gardens Halloween Tricks and Treats issue!  How cool is that!  This shop also has some of the cutest aprons for women that I have ever seen! Here are some of my favorites for kids...

Belle

Cinderella

Sleeping Beauty

Jessie from Toy Story

The newest princess Rapunzel

Alice in Wonderland

Minnie Mouse

Etsy Seller Tinkerella Creations

This seller has some super cute play clothes sets that would be perfect for a day at Disney!  She makes some outfits that are more like costumes (but made out of cotton, which will be nice and breathable if you decide to wear it on some rides after a character meeting), short sets, and little boy clothes!  Here are some of my favorites...

I hope you have enjoyed this part of "If The Shoe Fits!"  The next installment (and last) will have come cute jumpers, jon jons, and t-shirts for a splash of Disney everyday!

If The Shoe Fits - Disney Fashion Part 1

As all of you who have been reading for a while know...I am a HUGE Disney fan.  I am a child at heart when it comes to anything Disney and especially Disney World.  I have my collection of Minnie Mouse ears that I add to everytime I visit, and I just adore watching the movies and listening to the music when I am away from the "land."  I have another trip in the works with a group of Disney loving friends and I am soooooo excited!  It's going to be a biggie - one week, every park, eating in yummy places, and getting to see La Nouba!!!!!!  I am so siked!  In honor of my love of Disney and the fact that I have it on the brain (when do I not!), I am compiling a little guide to what to dress your little ones in at Disney!  As you know, I don't have little ones yet, but I just adore seeing the cuties all dressed up when I visit and I am so looking forward to having kids of my own one day to dress up and show the wonder of Disney.  Without further ado, some of the cutest outfits I have seen online for your future Disney trip! (I have receieved no compensation nor was I even approached by any of these sellers, I just love to look online at kids clothes especially Disney themed outfits and that inspired this post!)

Etsy Seller Mom 2 RTK
Whether you are looking for special dress or for your child to have an outfit that replicates that of her favorite character, look no further!  These outfits are made look EXACTLY like your favorite character and look impecibly made.  These are definitely special occasion outfits as they can be quite pricey (I am certain this is because of the quality fabrics used and time spent on these one of a kind beauties! They are heirloom quality for sure!) But wouldn't they be perfect for your daughters first trip to Disney at a character meeting.  Think of those pictures!  Here are some of my personal favorites! 

Seriously!  Are these not the most amazing and impecibly made gowns you have ever seen!  She also makes adult versions for those who might want to buy a gown for Halloween or a costume party and live out the dreams you had as a little girl.  ;)  I really enjoy looking at her shop because my dream is to be a seamstress for Disney World one day and make costumes just like this for the characters and for people to ooh and awh over!

 My Mom used to make and dress me in these Daisy Kingdom style dresses and I just love them now that I am an adult.  They are so sweet for little girls. 

I hope you have enjoyed today's installment of "If The Shoe Fits!"  I am planning a couple installments of this series including playclothes, t-shirts, jon jons, and more.  I hope you follow along and enjoy it! 

Menu Monday - Crockpot Potato Soup

This is my absolute favorite Potato Soup recipe.  It can made into Baked Potato Soup if you would like to bake the potatoes first, however I usually just make this one in my crockpot for convenience and because I personally hate potato skin.  The flavor is the out of this world!  Perfect comfort food for Fall!  It is adapted from this recipe to suit our tastes and to make it a little less fattening (no bacon). 

Crockpot Potato Soup
serves approximately 6

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 5 large uncooked potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions

1. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. Stir in flour, salt, basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add broth while continuously stirring to avoid clumps. Bring to boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes.
2. Transfer to crockpot.  Add potatoes, cream, and milk.  Cook on low for approximately 6 hours, but it won't hurt if you leave it all day while you go to work.  The potatoes will just be more tender. 
3. Garnish with Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits as desired. 

This is one of my favorite things to make.  It is easy, but the rue you make at the beginnning makes a huge difference!

P.S. I have a very exciting series of posts that are starting tomorrow!  If you have kiddos, or enjoy looking at clothes for kiddos...then you will really enjoy this!  I am really excited about it!

Wedding Week - "Unforgettable - The Reception"

Photo credits to Sean Azul Photography