Merry Christmas!

We hope you have a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Pasta Salad

I'm that crazy person that will make a new recipe for parties and get- togethers!

It is always risky, but usually turns out good. 

We had a pot luck come up and I found a great recipe I had to share! 

I wanted to share a cold pasta salad recipe that is SOOOO good!

The Pioneer Woman's Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

I didn't add the olives and I only used 2 of the 4 cloves of garlic. 

I didn't want to scare people off with too much garlic!

Oh and if you live where I do, fresh Basil is hard to find! I used the pre chopped fresh basil in a "tube". Is it just me or it is weird to have herbs come from a tube? Oh well it was my only choice this time! I will say the basil from a tube wasn't all that bad, it worked well for the pasta salad.

I don't like olives, but I did buy a can of the recommended olives. I tasted one and couldn't bare to put them in the delicious concoction I just made! 

And.....I probably won't splurge on the "Real Parmigiano Reggiano" cheese just for my Husband and I to eat! ;)

Photo from The Pioneer Woman

Hope ya'll enjoy! :)

UPDATE: Michael and I heated some up last night. It was really good heated up too! :)

Need Gift Ideas? Crafty Edition

You know someone crafty?
I've been titled crafty quite a bit,
I love making and designing things so I thought I'd make a list of helpful tools for the "Crafty One"!

#1
Tools of the Trade

For Scrapbookers: Cricut & Cartridges, Acid Free Paper, Stamps, Scrapbook Tape, Decorative Scissors!
For Big Project Crafts: Paint, Brushes, Wood, Spray Paint, Nails, Hammers....Anything! :)
For Painters: Brushes, Paints, Canvas', Brush-Washing Solutions, Sketch Paper & Pencils!
For Knitters/Crocheters: Thread, Yarn, Knitting Needles & Crocheting Hooks, Patterns!
For Sewers: Thread, Needles, Scissors, Fabric, Thimbles, Magnification Glass, Patterns!


#2
Gift Card to...
For Scrapbookers: Local scrapbooking stores, Hobby Lobby, JoAnns, Michael's
For Big Project Crafts: Home Depot, Lowes, Hobby Lobby
For Painters: Hobby Lobby, Local Art Supply Stores or Jerry's Artorama
For Knitters/Crocheters: Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's
For Sewers: JoAnn's, Hancocks, Local Fabric Stores
For the General Crafter: Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's, Michael's, Local Hobby stores

#3
Inspiration
Get a Magazine subscription that relates to their "Craft"

Books a Million, Walmart, Lowes, or Hobby Lobby has a great selection!


#4
Storage

For Scrapbookers:  They make some awesome "totes" and Paper Bins just for scrapbook paper!
For Big Project Crafts: Plastic Tarps, Large Storage Bins, and a Work Bench!
For Painters: Brush Storage, Portfolios
For Knitters/Crocheters: Yarn Holders, Hook & Needle Organizers, and Totes
For Sewers: Fabric Storage, Shelves, Thread Organizers!
For the General Crafter: Totes, Large Bins, Typical Garage Storage Carts


#5
Give her TIME to use this stuff! :)
Pick one item listed below and give her an hour or more of leisure hobby time!
Babysit, Do the Dishes or Laundry, Make a Meal, etc...........


Happy Giving! :)

Need Gift Ideas? Sister Edition

I've got listed below my top 5 favorite things I would love to give/get my Sister or Girl Friends!

Disclaimer*Sorry Sis I won't be outing your Christmas present on this list!*

#1

Brittany Fuson Paper

http://www.brittanyfuson.com/index.php

She has some of the most beautiful stationary!

I personally LOVE her yearly planner and the Holiday Collection of Note cards!

She is having a 12 days of sales in December, so check out her blog and website to steal the deals!

#2

A Sephora or Ulta Giftcard!

We girls love our beauty products!

I love Sephora's Value Sets! 

They have sets in all price ranges, starting at $9!

#3

Accessories

Scarves, Jewelry, Purses!

I don't know a girl who wouldn't love a headband, watch, or purse!
Here are some of my favorite accessory shops!

Francescas Collections, Charming Charlie, LOFT

#4
Stuff that everyone uses, but Fun(er)!
Let me explain, everyone uses mugs, coasters, soap dispensers, socks,gloves....etc.
So why not buy them but have fun with it, use their favorite colors, teams, brands.

Mugs from Anthropologie
A Design Lovers Coasters
Soap Dispenser

Mud Pie Tech Savvy Gloves

#5

Even if your "sister" doesn't cook, who wouldn't love a cute personalized apron?!
That's my theory anyway!

(My Mom made this one for Susan!)

Need Gift Ideas? Cooks Edition

I've rounded up some of my favorite all time Cooking gifts.....whether I was the giver or recipient!

#1

Anything Treen

Karen Davis - Spoon Maker

http://spoonmakerkds.com/

My Mom and I usually go to a couple of craft fairs and the 127 Yard Sale just to see Karen and her spoons!

I have four of her pieces and LOVE them all!

I seriously don't know what I cooked with before them!

Her pieces are all hand made with wood she hand picks! 

I also love her different designs for right and left handed people.

I have 1 of  the "deep small wooden spoon". I need about 3 more! :) You can't go wrong with this one!

I purchased my Husband the "coffee scoop" and he loves it as well! I chose a manly dark wood!

MY FAVORITE purchase was the "tongs". They are by-far my favorite cooking utensil! Perfect for Bacon!

I noticed they are not on her website- but I got them at her booth at the 127!

I also have a "little ladle" that my Mother gave me! It is great for Chili and Soups!

And my Mother has a lot of her pieces as well and adores each one!

She loves the slotted spoon and the "005 Stir wooden spoon". Its slanted shape is great for stirring and scraping!

#2

The Cake Pan Lady

http://thecakepanlady.com/

I saw a post on The Pioneer Woman's website about these pans!

Here is the post where I talked about the them!

Previous Post

They are great because you can personalize them!

#3
Emile Henry Artisan Ruffled Pie Dish
I have to give all the credit to my Sister for this one!
She gave this pie dish to me!
Pie Dish!


Mine is the caramel color and I love it!
No more "crimping" the crust to make it beautiful......
JUST press it in the dish and it makes a ruffled crust for you!


#4
Salt Pig


If you are looking for a small gift or stocking stuffer, this is it!
My Mom gave me this Salt Pig that she picked up in Charleston, SC.
Mine is blue and I use it every time I cook!
It is meant for easy access to your Kosher salt!
Here is a place to purchase online.Salt Pig


#5
Butter Bells, Butter Crocks
Once again, I've got my Mom to thank!
These are the neatest things EVER!


This diagram is from Pleasant Hill Grain.

It really works! It is really nice to have access to soft butter anytime out on the counter!
Oh and this would be really nice gift if given with a Anything Treen's butter spreader! ;)



And if anybody needs a "Big Item" gift idea (ex: bread machine, stand mixer,etc), just ask me!
I'll tell you my personal favorites!

Happy Shopping!

November?

Where did November go?

I feel like it was just Fall and now we are heading straight into Winter! 

Here's my November 2011:

I was a vendor at the Middle School's career fair for Architecture and Construction! 

It was fun talking to the students about what I do!

Fall Fun Night at Church with a hayride and Chili Cook off; I got second place!

I went to the Christmas Village in Nashville with my cousin, Susan!

We had a BLAST! :)

I went to our local craft fair with my Mom, as usual they had a lot of great stuff!

My Husband and I attended 4 Thanksgivings! 

And SHOPPING was involved this past month! 

Although I didn't brave Black Friday, I have been getting some GREAT DEALS!

I'm happy to say I only have a couple of presents left to purchase before Christmas rolls around! :)

I'm in the process of making a couple of lists for those of you who need help shopping for Christmas!
I'll be posting them soon!