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Monday, May 23

monday munchies.

So since B has demanded asked that we cut out carbs at dinner our menus have become QUITE boring ... 
However, I still LOVE to find and try {and post} new recipes ... 
So "Menu Monday" my ladyfriends is becoming "Monday Munchies" ... K? K. 

This week is ALL about sweet treats for Memorial Day weekend! 

Stars & Stripes Cookies 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Decorating icing and/or colored sugars

Directions

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.

- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2- to 3-in. cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugars as desired.

- Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate with icing and additional sugars if desired. Yield: 10 dozen. 



American Flag Berry Pie

Ingredients

Pastry for a double-crust pie (9 inches)

  • 2-1/2 cups pitted dark sweet cherries
  • 2-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Additional sugar

Directions

Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom crust; trim pastry even with edge. Set aside.

- In a large bowl, gently combine cherries and blueberries. Combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon; stir into fruit. Let stand for 10 minutes. Pour into crust; dot with butter.

- Roll out remaining pastry into a 10-in. circle. Cut into four wedges. Using a 1-in. star cookie cutter, cut out stars from one wedge. Place cutout pastry wedge over filling. Discard cutout stars.

- Cut remaining wedges into 1/2-in.-wide strips; position over filling to resemble a flag. Seal and flute edges. Sprinkle pastry with additional sugar. Cover edges with foil.

- Bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°; bake 35-40 minutes longer or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 8 servings.


And of course we couldn't forget about Martha ... Check out these TOO cutie cupcakes!! 



We're heading to the beach this weekend and I'm sure there will be some baking going on before and during our trip! 
But I may make those adorbs cookies for the neighbors before we leave! :) 

Happy Baking Lovelies! 


*linking up here**

Saturday, May 21

furbish = love.

Last weekend after my great grandfather's birthday party B & I went to visit some of our best friend's in Raleigh. 

After a night filled with UNO {and some vino} Cam and I woke up early, grabbed coffee and window shopped at this MOST lovely store. 

I fell instantly in love. Obviously. 

I keep saying that I want to go more neutral in our house but after seeing this place ... My tone has SERIOUSLY changed. 





I'm now desperate for crazy pops of color, mixing of different patterns, and insanely unique accessories. 

Did you fall in love too? Check out the furbish studio website ... and her uber cute blog

Friday, May 20

friday fancying.

I hate to say y'all but I don't much of an exciting Friday night planned ... 

I'm babysitting for two of my FAVE little gals ... Or as I tell them we're having a "girls' night in"! 

But because I MUST participate in the lovely {av's} Friday's Fancies ... Here's what I'd be wearing tonight if I spent $250 on 'babysitting shoes'! 

What are YOUR Friday night plans?!

Thursday, May 19

fiesta! fiesta!

So as I'm sure many of y'all know, 
Last weekend I celebrated my great grandfather's 102 birthday with a Mexican Fiesta themed party! 

Oh you need proof? 
Well, you got it. 




Happy Thursday Y'all! 

Wednesday, May 18

wednesday loves.

ahhh, I love blogging ... such the perfect job hunting distraction! :) 

and this GORGEOUS Wednesday in NC I'm loving a few other lovelies too ... 

~ Water for Elephants. just finished it. it's awesome. the end. 
~ these ADORBS dresses need to be in my closet. stat. 
{1}{2}{3}
~ Scotty. oh Scotty. it took me a LONG time {like until the past 2 weeks} to get over those GOOFY facial expressions but I'm definitely on Team Scotty now! 
~ that B & I will be at the beach for Memorial Day weekend with these pretties. 
~ and of course this video of my 102 GREAT grandfather hitting the pinata at his party last weekend! cutest man alive. 
Happy Humpday Y'all! :) 

*linking up with Jamie!*

Tuesday, May 17

wedding finale: the reception.

Well y'all we've finally reached the end of my wedding story! And what fun it has been reliving! 

It was truly the most special time of my life ... I've never felt so surrounded by love as I did during my wedding and reception. And remembering that feeling makes my heart swell even as I type this post. 

So for the reception, I'm going to leave you with LOTS of pics and very few words. 







I'm hoping to have a little surprise for y'all next Tuesday ... So fingers crossed that it works out! :) 

Happy Tuesday Y'all! 

Monday, May 16

faux s'ghetti & meatballs.

I have a confession: I LOVE pasta. 
As in it's an obsession of mine. 
I could eat it every day. 

But alas, the hubs is STILL making us 'diet' ... No carbs after lunch. STILL
{though I have made him cheat several times}

Last week I was CRAVING pasta ... So I made the next best thing ... Spaghetti squash and meatballs 

I totally made up the recipe but here she is ... 

~ 1 spaghetti squash
~ 1 lb. ground beef {or turkey}
~ 1/2 C. breadcrumbs
~ 1 clove minced garlic
~ 1 egg
~ 1 Tbs. dried parsley

~ Cut squash in half lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Place in a microwave safe dish; add some water to the bottom. Microwave for 15-25 minutes or until tender. Let cool slightly then scrape with a fork ... This makes the s'ghetti! Drizzle with olive oil. 
~ While squash is cooking, mix beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg and parsley together. Form into 1 inch balls. Heat 2 Tbs. olive oil in large pan. Add meatballs and sauté for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through. 
~ I put about 1/2 C. spinach in the bottom of both of our bowls then added spaghetti squash, topped with more spinach and meatballs. Then for a little extra kick I drizzled the bowls with a balsamic glaze! 
This was SO SO good y'all! A must try! 

Happy Monday! 

**linking up with**