Monday, February 11, 2013

Beginning Prep for Mom's Trip to Canada

Okay so I have started to look into things to do when my Mom and Nana come visit me in Canada at the end of July. I am trying to figure out all the Edmonton, Alberta musts.
So far my list consists of....
 
Our first stop will be West Edmonton Mall
 

 
 
Chateau Lacombe with their spinning restaraunt
 

 
 
 
K Days will be going on while they are here. I haven't been to K Days festivities yet.
 
A Taste of Edmonton will also being going on while they are in town.
 
I am also considering a trip to Banff for a day or two while they are here. It's just such a beautiful place.


 
 
 
Any suggestions for other Edmonton must sees and/or must eats?
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, January 28, 2013

BBQ Ribs... finger lick'n good

Who doesn't love BBQ ribs?! I love bbq sauce and am pretty picky about it. I never thought I would find a yummy tasting BBQ sauce like I am used to getting back in the South. I am glad I was wrong (you won't hear me say that ever much).

 
This delicious, mouth-watering recipe came from my husband's Wild family recipe book.
 
Barbecue Ribs
 
14oz. ketchup
1 tbsp. liquid smoke
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. pepper
Few dashes soy sauce
3 lbs. country-style lean ribs
 
Line roasting pan with foil. Brown ribs uncovered in 375 oven for 20 minutes. With tongs, dip browned ribs in above sauce that has been mixed together. Return pan to oven and bake covered for 1 to 2 hours at 375 degrees until tender. Baste with sauce every half-hour.
 
This bbq sauce is absolutely delicious. It's finger lick'n good!
 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Tomato, Basil, and Cheddar Soup

I have found my favorite tomato, basil, and cheddar soup recipe thanks to Pinterest. Pinterest led me to More Fruit Please where the recipe is located. Talk about delicious!

It says the recipe below makes 6 servings, but it only makes 2 bowls (large bowls) for me & my hubby each.
You need:
2 28 oz. cans of diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato sauce (not called for in More Fruit Please, but I add it)
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tsp olive oil
2 cups of vegetable broth
1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
1 cup of cheddar cheese, grated (I like lots of cheese)
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp sugar
salt & peppar

Directions: Over med. heat add the olive oil to a large pot. Add the chopped onion & allow to cook until tender, about 3-4min. (I like my onions to  cook until a little brown.) Add in chopped garlic & cook for additional 2 mins. Pour in 2 cans of diced tomatoes (including the juice), the 1 can of tomato sauce if you choose & the veg. stock. Stir in the basil, oregano, sugar, and salt & pepper. Put the lid on the pot and allow soup to simmer for 10 mins. At the end, stir in the Greek yogurt & cheddar cheese until well blended.
*In the recipe from More Fruit Please, she adds- use either an immersion blender or food processor to puree the soup if you prefer a smooth texture. But... I first off don't have anything to puree my soup & I am actually glad I didn't because I like it a little more chunky.
Then garnish your soup with chopped basil & grated cheddar cheese. And enjoy!!!



Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Looking Forward to 2013

2012 was the year of many changes in my life and I think that will continue through out 2013. Twenty-twelve was also the year that the world was suppose to end according to the Mayan calendar and thankfully that didn't happen, though I don't think anyone actually thought it would.
 
Me & Steven are in our first home and loving it. Maybe by the end of 2013 we will have all the furniture we want for our home. But that's a big maybe. I have been told that furnishing a home can be never ending because you'll always want new things. Hmmm... We will see. What I am looking forward to in 2013 consists of hopefully getting my papers to be a Canadian permanent resident, signing up for a Canadian history course, submitting Alberta teaching application, being able to work, and fingers are crossed on being able to start a family. I am thinking that this is going to be a year that just flies by. I am already getting things together to head back to Mississippi in April. Me & Steven are also looking forward to the arrival of our 3rd neice or nephew in late June of 2013. I am also really excited that my mom & Nana are going to make a visit to Canada in the summer of 2013. That is most definitely in my top 10 of 2013. Looks like this is going to be a busy, busy year!!! 
Hope everyone has a great year a head.

Friday, December 28, 2012

New Year Decor

So do you have all your Christmas decorations down yet and looking for great New Years decor to put up in place of some of your Christmas items? I found this adorable New Year's printable for FREE on Eighteen25. Not only can you find yourself a New Year's printable but you can also find lots of other great ideas for your New Years decor so check out this wonderful blog!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Wish list

Dear Santa,
This is my winter wish list. Below are things that I like and also things I like for Steven.



Making a list & checking it twice

I feel like things that we need for the house are never ending, so this is my way of making me a list. As we eventually get these items I can check them off.


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Christmas Swag

Do you have Christmas swag? If not you should definitely spice up your door this holiday. I made door swag for the principal and vice principal at the school I am volunteering at. Door swag has not made it's way all the way up here to Canada eh, but it's popular on the coast in Mississippi. I decided to bring some Southern goodness to these wonderful ladies' office doors in the school.



Making wreaths are so- much fun and I really enjoy it! I am considering looking into selling my wreaths on Etsy?! If you would like some Holiday Swag just let me know & I can spice up your door.

Stove Top Italian Sausage Lasagna

One of our favorite dishes for dinner is the stove-top lasagna made with Italian sausage from Betty Crocker. We were 1st introduced to this dish back in January 2011 or so when Steven's sister, Christine and her husband came to visit us in Mississippi. They cooked us dinner one of the nights while visiting. We loved it & cook it often now. My fav. thing about this meal is that we always have left overs.
Ingredients:
1 lb bilk Italian pork sausage (we use ground spicy Italian sausage)
1 medium onion, cut in half , sliced (1/2 cup)
1 jar  of chunky tomato pasta sauce (26-30oz)
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into thin small strips
We most often add orange & red bell peppers as well
3 cups of uncooked mini lasagna noodles or medium egg noodles (6oz)
2 1/2 cups of water
1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
1 cup of shredded Italian-style cheese blend or mozzarella cheese (4oz)
You can add basil if you prefer
We do not use mushrooms though it's in the original recipe
 
Directions:
1. In 12 inch skillet cook sausage & onion over medium-high hear, stirring often, until sausage is no longer pink... then drain.
2. Stir remaining ingredients expect for cheese and basil into sausage. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce heat to medium; simmer uncovered until pasta is tender.
4. Top with cheese & bake in oven until cheese is melted.
 
Check out Betty Crocker for other great recipes!
 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

New Family Tradition

So it looks like we may be having a new tradition in our family... and that is having an American Thanksgiving in Canada. That means 2 Thanksgivings which is double the yummy-ness!
Here is a before photo of the turkey. I am sad to say that I forgot to take an after photo of our delicious turkey.
My hubs did a terrific job at cooking the turkey.
I am pleased to say that I didn't catch anything on fire, burn anything and everything was edible.. YAY me!
My Canadian family enjoying American Thanksgiving at our house.
 
A big thank you to Mrs. Judy & Mr. Rob and  Christine & Mike for our gifts.
We really enjoyed our first American Thanksgiving in Canada and think our family did too!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Sneak Peak

Seasons greetings... Here is a sneak peek at photos my wonderful sister-in-law, Christine took for our Christmas card this year. Isn't she great at taking photos? We just love them! This is my favorite time of year, other than swim suit season of course. Have you gotten your Christmas cards all set yet?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Christmas Fever

How could I not have Christmas fever this year with seeing a white winter like this every day? Oh wait it's still technically Fall, but not to this girl. Every where I go & everything I see makes me just want to go crazy with Christmas decorations.
My 1st start with X-Mas decor begins with the front door of course! The silver wreath is our front door wreath. I still think it's missing a little something light blue, which I'll find & add later.  
This green, red & gold Christmas wreath is for family.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like...

Okay Okay so I know it's only the day after Halloween but with all this snow I am so ready to hear Christmas music and see lights on the houses. Emma & Boozer are enjoying the snow, especially Boozer. He just loves hopping around in it and as for Emma, well she is adapting.

 
Poor Emma gets mini snowballs stuck in the hair of her stubby legs.
 
Our first "snow" picture of our new home :) I just love saying the words "our home"!
Me & my hubby, Steven on our many walks for the dogs.... Does everyone walk their dogs at least 2-3 times a day or are our pooches just rotten?

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Potato Soup

Sometimes when you're sick and craving a bowl of warm soup you just have to make your own. After being in Mississippi for 12 days I guess my body just did not adjust well to the sudden cold Canadian weather. I felt pretty crummy for a few days when I came back and with everyone being gone to work I decided to make myself soup potato soup.
 
Ingredients
6 medium potatoes
3 thinly sliced green onions (I did not add any to this soup, though I usually do)
3 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
4 cups of milk
1 1/4 shredded American cheese
6 slices of bacon, cooked crisp (I like a lot of bacon in my soup.)
 
Directions      
Scrub potatoes and pat dry. Prick potatoes with a fork. Heat in a microwave for 3-5 minutes and let cool. Cut each 4 potatoes lengthwise. Scoop out white portion of each potato. Break up any large pieces of potato. Discard potato skins.Cut 2 of the potatoes into diced potatoes. (I like mine with the skin on them.)
                                                              
In a large saucepan cook 3 tablespoons of the green onion in butter over medium heat until tender. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Add milk slowly as stirring the flour. Cook and stir for 12 to 15 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Add the potato and 1 cup of the cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.
                            
Top each serving with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese, remaining 3 tablespoons green onion, and the bacon.
                                                         
Makes 5 to 6 servings (5 1/2 cups)
 
 
 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Halloween Time Y'all

Aren't painted pumpkins sometimes just the cutest!
And they are super easy and fun to do.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Feeling Crabby

So my mom has been asking me to paint her a crab painting for over a year now after seeing the crab painting I made for me & Steven's kitchen. While thinking "Man what can I get my mom for Christmas?" it hit me! I should totally make her a crab painting that she's been asking for forever, especially while I am in town.

New addition to my mom's kitchen wall.

Monday, October 1, 2012

A Taste of Fall

Which do you prefer, pumpkin spice latte or salted caramel mocha from Starbucks? Or have you tried both from Starbucks & Tim Hortons? I liked both, though think I can handle more of the salted caramel mocha because the taste isn't as strong. Next I'd like to try the ones from Tim Horton to compare. Both drinks were quiet tasty.

On the left is pumpkin spice latte & on the right is salted caramel mocha.
And my hubby was my test tasting buddy on this beautiful day. Believe it or not I just discovered that I like the taste of pumpkin. Looks like I've been missing out!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Future Home Musts

Boy oh boy Pinterest certainly gets me excited about decorating our future home. Once we finally get one that is. The fireworks in my head just start going off & I get all sorts of grand ideas!
Some things are just a "must" for our future home...
 

 A sweet &cozy bedroom

             







   
 A kitchen with enough space & a nice chandelier
 
A warm living area


                    A chic desk space



         A bathroom with a
            two sinks & light colors




                             A welcoming entry way


Other "musts" include.....Lovely sayings &paintings
                                                                             hung throughout the house
 

Something pretty on our front door



A fun extra bedroom with a spunk of color
Love items that give a touch of the "old" look



A patterned chair                       
                                                              Sparkle

                  A neat lamp

                                                                                    
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