Friday, September 28, 2012

Birthday Wishes & A Cupcake Tutorial


Today isn't just any Friday... It's my boy friend, Tyler's, 16th birthday!! You're sixteenth birthday is such a huge day in your life and I am so thankful I get to spend it with Tyler. In honor of his special day, I am giving you a special recipe! I made these last night and they were sooo amazing! I hope you're family and friends enjoy them as much as mine have!

My little cousin went bananas over these! 

*The brand names do not effect this recipe. I got the recipe from my iFood assistant app, which is a Kraft brand app, so that reflects the brands mentioned in the recipe. My photo of ingredients will indicate that I didn't stick to the recommendations. Cheaper= better (in my book)





Aren't they beauties? I thought so.
The decorative thingy around this cupcake came from Marshall's!


What You Need

1 pkg.  (2-layer size) spice cake mix
1cup  BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1can  (15 oz.) pumpkin
1/4cup  oil
3  eggs
1pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/4cup  butter, softened
1tsp.  vanilla
1pkg.  (16 oz.) powdered sugar
1-1/2tsp.  ground cinnamon

Make It
HEAT oven to 350ºF.

BEAT first 5 ingredients with mixer until blended; spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.

BAKE 20 to 22 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove from pans. Cool completely.

BEAT cream cheese, butter and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Blend in cinnamon. Spread over cupcakes.

SUBSTITUTE
Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese.

HOW TO STORE
Store frosted cupcakes in refrigerator.


I hope you are drooling over this little cupcake as I was. The only thing to make it better would if I could have enjoyed a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks along with it... perfection♥

Have a wonderful Friday!


Thursday, September 27, 2012

The BEST Spaghetti Sauce + Baked S'ghetti Tutorial

Nothing warms the insides when the weather turns cool better than spaghetti. I was so happy to eat two gracious helpings last night for dinner. Below is my recipe and tutorial on how to make amazing spaghetti sauce, then turn it into an awesome "Baked Spaghetti" creation!

What You'll Need (for the sauce)

-1 lb hamburger (we use deer hamburger, which is what is in the camouflage packaging)
-1 jar of Prego (or any kind) Spaghetti sauce. This jar was Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic
-1 jar of tomato sauce
-1 jar of tomato paste.
-garlic salt, Emeril's Original Essence (amazing), pepper, Italian Seasoning, and Oregano
these seasonings are extras for us, but I swear they make the biggest difference.

For the baked spaghetti you will need...
-1/2 a box of spaghetti noodles (we use whole wheat)
-5 slices of Velveeta cheese
-1 cup of mozzarella cheese

In a large pot, brown your hamburger, drain the grease, and return to stove-top.

Next, add remaining ingredients (for sauce) to pot
Stir...
Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes- 1 hour. If you are making this before work, this sauce is also awesome to throw into the Crock Pot on low when you reach this point.
I always make extra to freeze. 

***
If you are making the baked spaghetti... you would now boil your water, then cook your noodles until they stick when you throw one at the wall... (;
Then you would drain noodles, and transfer to a baking dish (9x13)
Now, artfully arrange the slices of Velveeta cheese.
Now cover in about 1inch of the spaghetti sauce....
then add the 1cup of mozzarella cheese atop of sauce...
Now, pop in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes...

This is one of my all time favorites. When it comes to food, I don't throw the word "favorite" around lightly. Favorites are serious business. Do me a favor, don't skim on the cheese. Especially the Velveeta, which melts into the noodles....













Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Dear....

Dear God, I am sorry for my recent questioning of your judgement. I struggle daily with your reasoning behind why things happen. I have yet to find the reason why my aunt was tragically taken from our lives, or why my sweet boy friend is undergoing all the medical issues he is. It would make more sense, to me, to punish the evil people instead of the amazing. But I will continue to be patient and search for answers.
Dear running, thank you for giving me my life back. Thank you for giving me somewhat my body back, my motivation back, and my sense of accomplishment back. Your sidekick Couch to 5K seriously rocks.
Dear Tyler, I wish I could become the person you are. The understanding, calm, inspiring, funny, and strong traits you posses amaze me daily. I pray every day to thank the Lord for your placement in my life. I hope you get better much soon so I am sure of our long happy future ahead. Keep on fighting the fight babe♥
Dear New Blog Design, you now go along with the three "S" words on my button... "simple.sassy.southern." which fills me with overwhelming joy. I hope others like you as much as I. PS: Stick around for awhile.
Dear Miranda Lambert, thank you for creating songs to fit all my moods. You are really the bomb. Please come to North Carolina for a concert. 
Dear Wednesday, I am so glad you're here. Sorry for not wearing pink today... 


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Loving Lately: Layering { Cardigans }

On this fine Carolina Tuesday, I am linking up on Glossy Blonde for the "Loving Lately" link up! I am so excited we are finally experiencing fall weather so lately I've been loving the layering trend! I not only do it for the style factor, but my body temperature changes constantly, so I love wearing things that I can remove and put back on. If its cute then its a double plus!

Here are some pictures I have "pinned" via Pinterest! I will do my best to provide the links to which they came from. I am totally obsessing over these looks...





It just so happens that I adore cardigans. Every aspect of them I dig. Literally. Sweaters are the bomb, too! Old Navy ones are my fav... 




Monday, September 24, 2012

DIY: Pretty Pins

Thump tacks are boring and dull. Point blank. You're pinning up a priceless photo or inspirational quote with a lifeless thump tack. So Saturday night I busted out my glue gun, buttons and pearls... and set to work. 

Pinned them into a paint swatch left over from a calendar I made (see that at the end of post) so you could see the colors.

What You'll Need:

Thumb Tacks came from the Dollar Store... $1 for a pack of 300. Some buttons gave been randomly found and others bought from Hobby Lobby.


My Procedure:
Add tiny drop of glue to "base" button, then quickly put "top" button on top and press together.

Next, flip over button so the "bottom" is facing upward...
Add glue to this side then immediately press thumb tack on.


Then, after I'd make them, I'd stick them through a paint swatch so they could completely dry (this would be essential if you were using white glue instead of hot glue)



Then make TONS more! 

I misplaced my cork board so unfortunately you can't see the little babies in action. 

Here is my awesome paint swatch calendar I made. It costed a whole one dollar...
Frame: Dollar Store (8x11- I Think)
Paint Swatches: Lowes ~ FREE!

My only complaints is that I couldn't find a shorter, but longer frame. My intention was to have a swatch for each day, but I had to make Saturday and Sunday together. I still LOVE it!

Have a great Monday!











Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Best Snickerdoodle Ever


Snickerdoodle Cookie. You are my friend; therefore, I love you!

I found this recipe on Wifessionals, whom got it from High Heels & Grills, so now I am passing it along to you! These ladies cookies turned out wider, but flatter. I always make my cookies shorter, but taller. Still absolutely amazing! Enjoy♥



Snickerdoodle Cookies
Makes Approx. 3 Dozen

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

Cream together butter and sugar. {If you're doing this by hand, cream until pale and fluffy. If 
you're using a mixer, about 3 minutes should do the trick. I know you're tempted to skimp on the time, but trust me - it will make your cookies much more full and soft if you do it for longer.)

Mix in eggs until well combined.

Gradually mix in flour until dough forms.

In a separate, small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon together.

Shape dough into about 1-3/4 inch balls.

Roll balls in cinnamon sugar.

Space about 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 9-10 minutes. (10-12 for my oven)

Eat while hot with a cold glass of milk

ingredients 

mix sugar and butter 

combine eggs

sifted flour (left)- after added (right)

mix together sugar and cinnamon, make dough balls, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture

place balls about three inches apart & bake



You're Welcome.