Be The Change | Till Then Smile Often

September 29, 2014

This House Is Clean

Can you say NESTING! I feel like once Fall hits I start to nest in preparation for the Winter down days. I clean all the rooms in the house, I bake a lot, and I have a ton of energy. Oh yeah and all the leaves changing colors and all that jazz is pretty nice too. 😉 I didn’t take a ton of pictures because I was mostly running around cleaning and doing errands.

Friday was spent grocery shopping and a quick trip to Target. I got all the ingredients for a lot of recipe testing I wanted to do.

Saturday Seamus woke me up early and gave me all the smiles while doing it. I did some reading and then I made some Brown Sugar Cinnamon Beer Bread with Brown Sugar Butter, recipe is next week. After a few chores I started on a soup for dinner. While it was cooking I watched Hocus Pocus which was on my Fall Bucket List. Check and Check. The soup was a Chorizo Soup with Black Beans and Corn made in the crockpot. I’ll be sharing the recipe tomorrow. I started to pull out my Fall decorations but it ~~was pitiful~~ needs some work so more to come next weekend.

Sunday was a lot more cleaning including going through my closet to get rid of any clothes I could to donate. I couldn’t do the power cleaning session with out some coffee first so I made the Butterscotch Caramel coffee I posted about on Friday, the non-alcohol version of course. I was amazing!

I had to do some yard work for a few hours and then I started on another soup for lunch, the Brie and Cheddar Apple Beer Soup with Cinnamon Pecan Oat Crumble I mentioned for my Bucket List. It was really good and I will be glad to have the leftovers for the week but it was really time consuming and took about 1-1/2 hours so I probably wouldn’t make it again unless trying to impress someone or having a dinner party.

The rest of the night was relaxing, blogging, watching Addiction and Hoarders. Why can I not change the channel when that show comes on??

Here is to a 4 day work week, let it go by fast!

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Leeann from Join the Gossip and Biana from B Loved Boston.

September 26, 2014

Friday Favorites | Randomness

The countdown has begun to October 1st when the crazy at work will end. Then next weekend I am taking a 4 day weekend to recover from the daily stress of the past month. It shall be glorious. This weekend though I will be trying to get some stuff done around the house while relaxing too, lots of soup will be made for the week, yard work and reading. Until then let’s get to some favorites from this week.

Favorite DIY Project: After completing my DIY Wooden Bench, I feel like I need a new project. This just might have to be my next one, either for my living room entry or above my bed. Don’t want to DIY it, just click on the picture to buy it on Etsy for $48 for the pair.

Lantern Pair with wrought iron hooks on recycled wood board for unique wall decor, home decor, bedroom decor

Favorite Recipe: Doesn’t this look amazing! Perfect way to ring in the Fall.

Butterscotch Caramel Coffee Recipe. Perfect for a cold night! LivingLocurto.com

Favorite Quote: I have to remember this because this month has been crazy and the stress took over and I haven’t been taking care of myself.

http://omgcutethings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/hump-day-inspiration-100813-06.jpg

Favorite Giveaway: If you haven’t already, what are you waiting for enter! Shameless plug I know.

Life According To Steph <> Till Then Smile Often <> Love Always Nancy J <> Realities of Brandi

Green Fashionista <> The Kay Times <> Martinis & Bikinis

Bonus Prizes:

Blue Avenue – Online Clothing Boutique

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Favorite Funnies:

Kinda genius, kinda sad.

#firstworldproblems and also good to remember.

I mean as look as we are being nice…

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/43/49/a4/4349a47d8adaf0452cd4c75c6f1e52cb.jpg

Say it loud say it proud!

Friday Funnies - For All Those Men Who Say... via The Life of a Canadian Angel

That is all I got for you. Let’s get this weekend started!What do you have planned? Linking up with Amanda

September 25, 2014

So You Want To Build A Bench? // Giveaway

Well it has been just under a week and I am still in love with my bench. It really just adds to the overall feel of the room. I’ll just say it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. There was a lot of starting and stopping to allow for the stain to dry, and the wood glue to dry but really this didn’t require a lot of material, money or effort. The stain smell does linger though to make sure you have good ventilation.

Supplies:

1 – 2x10x10 Oak or White Fir Board cut into 3 pieces (Mine was 1 – 60″ board and 2 – 23″ boards) NOTE: Lowe’s and Home Depot do this for FREE ~

Measuring Tape ~ Wood Glue ~ Stain of choice with Polyurethane (I used MinWax in Mission Oak Satin finish) ~ natural bristle paintbrush ~ level ~ #220 grit sandpaper ~ Hammer and/or scraper ~ 8 – #6×1-1/4″ wood screws ~ (Electric) Screwdriver ~ Chalk or white pencil

Directions: Measure the space that you want the bench to go. I wanted mine to fit the end of my bed. My mattress measured 63″ long and 25″ tall. I subtracted a few inches all around to allow for clearance.

Purchase your board and have them cut them down for you with one board for the bench piece and 2 for the legs. Using a hammer and scraper age and cut the wood. I used the hammer to smash all sides of the wood.

I used the scraper to rough up the sides and held at a 45 degree angle to cut slices into the wood.

This will create pockets in the wood for the stain to sit and really add depth. Using the sandpaper run it along all sides to remove any raised surfaces and then wipe down with a clean cloth. Apply a thin coat of stain, moving quickly to keep a wet edge. Repeat for all boards. Follow directions on the can for drying time.

Once dry determine if you want another coat and repeat until you reach the desired color. I ended up with just two coats.

TIP: To remove the stain from your hands rub some baby oil all over your hands, rinse and then wash with soap. The stain should come right off.

Once completely dry you are now ready to assemble the bench. Gather supplies needed.

I wanted a Pagoda style feel so I measured 12″ from the ends and marked with chalk, using a level to make sure you get a straight line. Apply wood glue to one end of the leg and place on the line.

Use a towel to clean up an glue that squeezes out. Follow direction on wood glue regarding drying time, mine stated 30 minutes.

Once dry I placed 4 screws in each leg at a downward angle, 2 on each side. Two on the outside, two in the inside.

Turn it over and you are done. You can add an optional 2×4 board between the legs under the bench for added support to the legs. Since this is more decorative I chose not to add it but may add it in later.

So to break it down it really is just a few steps…prep the boards, paint, assembly, enjoy! The drying time is the time consuming part but it really is worth it. Now to make a few more projects.

Next week I will outline how to make the side tables and where I got all the accessories. What do you think, will you make your own bench?

I’ve also joined some amazing ladies to bring you a giveaway worth winning. These are all girls on my daily reading list, so check them out if you don’t already follow them.

Life According To Steph <> Till Then Smile Often <> Love Always Nancy J <> Realities of Brandi

Green Fashionista <> The Kay Times <> Martinis & Bikinis

Bonus Prizes:

Blue Avenue – Online Clothing Boutique

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 23, 2014

Autumn Activities | Fall Bucket List

Well after this weekend I have a lot of catching up to do. I didn’t get a chance to bake or cook at all but seeing as it is the first official day of Fall I figured I would share with you some of the items I want to get done this year. Hopefully I can get them all done if not most.

A few things first, in case you missed it I was guest posting over at Jana Says yesterday, sharing 5 Life Myths like Jealousy, Judging Others, being happy is easy. Check it out, let me know what you think. Also the Kernels of Kindness Award is now live and my story is now on the Jollytime homepage. I am looking forward to get some more Random Acts of Kindness completed now that summer is over.

So now on to my to-do list for the Fall.

Make Jam: This Watermelon Jelly looks worth a try.

Watermelon Jelly; must make this in the summer....also on this website is Watermelon Rinds (pickled) apparently delicious, so will have to try that too.

Homemade Soup: With Fall comes soup. The crisp cool air, snuggled on the couch for the weekend just calls for soup. This Brie and Cheddar Apple Beer Soup with Cinnamon Pecan Oat Crumble soup looks and sounds amazing so I’ll be for sure trying it out.

Brie + Cheddar Apple Beer Soup with Cinnamon Pecan Oat Crumble | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Watch a Halloween Movie: Of course Hocus Pocus is a must among other scary ones too.

Do you have a Fall Bucket List?

What would you add to your list?

September 22, 2014

Projects and Food Trucks

I am almost glad to go back to work since I need a break from all the projects! I did get a lot done and the Food Truck festival was amazing! It really need to be every weekend though so I can try everything. I’ll be going into more detail of the bedroom projects and how I did them but for now I am sharing the previews. Hope you love it as much I am loving it.

Friday: I decided to get some shopping done since I needed to find a mug for my mug exchange partner. I also needed some new shoes for work so I went to DSW but in place of black flats I found these amazing boots that I have been drooling over forever after seeing a similar design last year! I then hit Lowe’s for some supplies for my bedroom makeover furniture supplies.

Saturday: I got an early start and starting prepping the bench I was making. While it was drying I went to Home Depot to try and find supplies for the side table project. I didn’t find what I needed so I hit Marshall’s and T.J Maxx. Luckily I found some bar stools that were perfect for the base. Off to the real event of the day which was the MetroFest event which was an Art, Music and Food festival. It had over 2 dozen food trucks and I have been wanting to try food trucks so it was perfect that it was in my town. Let me preface this by saying I brought my real camera but left my memory card at home, total fail. So the pictures are less than perfect.

So many local vendors I found so many great places to go in my town and the surrounding towns.

Some of the food trucks plus some I didn’t get to try.

From Roxy’s Grilled Cheese I had the Mighty Rib (BBQ braised short ribs with carmalized onions and Fontina cheese) and the Blackberry Basil Lemonade, it was totally worth the wait. I only ate half so I could make room for the Bone Daddy’s Burger, I had the Lemmy (Jack Daniels BBQ, smoked onion crisps, bacon and cheddar cheese) burger, that was so juicy and perfect flavor combination. Everything was delicious, and of course I had fruit for dinner!!

I put the final coat of stain on the bench pieces and then the night was spent reading. I was exhausted so it was an early night.

Sunday: A little reading with my new mug before putting the bench together. After setting the wood glue I needed to head back to Lowe’s for some more spray paint, and then to the grocery store. I screwed the tops to the bar stools and then sprayed them. Back to the bench to add some screws for added strength to the legs. Then it was just a matter of putting it all together. Once the stools were dry I scuffed them up with some brown paint and sandpaper. A few accent pieces for the table and DONE!!!

The rest of the night was spent relaxing, reading and blogging. This weekend was exhausting and it made me realize I want to re-do other room but I also have to paint ALL the trim in my house. Ugh.

What were you up to this weekend?

Linking up with Leeann from Join the Gossip and Biana from B Loved Boston.

September 19, 2014

Friday Favorites | Book | Fashion | Projects

Friday, is it really you? I love you. Just 7 business days left till the crazy time at work is over. It can’t come fast enough. Then I will return to normal, well my normal anyways. Until then I will throw myself into the bedroom makeover and baking. Hey we all have our vices. This weekend I hope to finish a DIY bench project and making some side tables. Don’t worry I’ll be sure to share the progress. Until then enjoy some of my favorites from the week.

Favorite Book: This is from the same author that wrote Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans which I loved. So when this came out I wanted to read it right away. I have had a slew of mediocre books lately so I wanted to read this to hopefully get my mojo back. I didn’t love this one as much as the other but it was good.

Summary: Amy and her daughter get caught up in a robbery turned kidnapping. Amy’s daughter gets taken by a masked man who promises her safe return. George thought he was just going to a casino with his brother but gets pulled into his scheme to rob an armored truck.

Kidnapper turned hero George, wants to walk away but Amy tracks him down at his shop. She is clearly struggling with PTSD and her daughter stops speaking. George wants to help protect her and her daughter but finds himself falling for her.

Thoughts: I liked the pace of the book, it went quickly. The story was well written and each character was well developed. The only thing I had a hard time with was that I wish there was a few secondary character developments. It would have broken up the story a little bit more.

Favorite Fall Outfit: Fall is coming and so cleaning out the closet and make sure we have the staples are a given. This outfit will be my uniform this fall.

39969515416720150 Fall Style With White Sweater, Denim And Long Boots

Sweater: Similar Forever 21 – $19.80 or 6pm $46.99 here // Scarf: Similar Etsy $17.00 or Nordstrom in Color Spice $24.00 // Boots: Similar JC Penney $59.99 or DSW $69.95

Favorite DIY project: This might really solve my mug storage dilemma. Can i have those shelves too?!

Home of Lissa from keep it simple, keep it fresh

Favorite Quote: I do tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. I cry more so for others going through things, or when they succeed then I do for myself. I will use this advice and see it as a strength than a weakness.

Favorite Funnies:

Oh snap!

33 Responses That Prove Tumblr Has The Best Users Ever

Clearly women are the smarter species! 😉

This Is A dumb thing to do but it is really funny! (Don't Try This At Home Kids, Or You Might KILL Yourself!)

Tis’ true.

Touche’ – I need to use this if I ever get pulled over. Laughed way too hard, after I read it the second time.

HAHAHAHAHA: god forbid I be pulled over, but I'm so using this

Now get out there and have some fun!

What do you have planned for the weekend?

Linking up with Amanda

September 16, 2014

Blackberry Pear Pie

I used to think that baking a pie crust was impossible. It has always been one of those things that I have wanted to learn. From the wholesome Dutch Apple Pie, cherry pie, and pumpkin pie they all seemed out of reach. I decided to bite the bullet so to speak and give it a try. I was surprised that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Yes, it does have to chill in the fridge, but the crust is so worth it when it’s homemade. Have no fear though you can use the pre-made crusts in the freezer section of your grocery store. If you do, just adjust and baking times according to their directions.

I am using the same crust that I used for the Caramel Pear Pie so the instructions will be very similar.

Pie Crust – 2½ cup flour ~ 1 cup cold butter, cubed (2 sticks) ~1 tsp salt ~ 1 tsp sugar ~ 6 to 8 tbsp ice cold water

Filling – 1 pound bag of frozen blackberries ~ 2 Asian Pears, diced ~ 4 TBSP flour ~ 3/4 cup sugar ~ 1 TSP lemon juice ~ pinch of salt ~ 1-2 TBSP butter

Directions: Remove butter from freezer. Butter should be frozen (I always store butter in the freezer for baking purposes). In a food processor add the flour, salt and sugar and mix till combined. Add the cubed butter and pulse until the mixture is mixed (should be chunky crumbles). Add the ice water one tablespoon at a time and continue mixing. The dough should start to hold together. Go slow and check after each one.

Remove dough from food processor and place it on a cutting board or mat. Roll into a ball and cut in half forming the top and bottom crust.

Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 2 days before using.

Preheat oven to 375° F. Take out your dough and roll out so that it’s about 1/4 inch in thickness.

Using a biscuit cutter or even an upside down cup, cut out about 12 circles and arrange in your mini-pie dish or small pie tins.

Run the blackberries under some warm water to thaw. Once thaw pat dry. Dice the pears and toss with the blackberries.

Mix in the flour, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Spoon onto the dough leaving a little room for it expand. Top with a few small cubes of butter.

**Do as I say not as I do!! I got a little messy. Don’t judge! 😉 **

You can bake them as is or cut out top crusts. If using a top crust pinch the crusts together to form a seal. Cut slits in the top to allow steam to get out. Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon and light wet with water or egg whites for a nice brown crust.

Bake for 25-30 minutes for mini-tarts or 30-35 minutes for small 6″ pie. For an 8-9 inch full pie increase time to 35-45 minutes.

What is your favorite pie filling?

5.0 from 3 reviews

Blackberry Pear Pie

Ingredients

Pie Crust - 2½ cup flour ~ 1 cup cold butter, cubed (2 sticks) ~1 tsp salt ~ 1 tsp sugar ~ 6 to 8 tbsp ice cold water
Filling - 1 pound bag of frozen blackberries ~ 2 Asian Pears, diced ~ 4 TBSP flour ~ ¾ cup sugar ~ 1 TSP lemon juice ~ pinch of salt ~ 1-2 TBSP butter

Instructions

Remove butter from freezer. Butter should be frozen (I always store butter in the freezer for baking purposes). In a food processor add the flour, salt and sugar and mix till combined. Add the cubed butter and pulse until the mixture is mixed (should be chunky crumbles). Add the ice water one tablespoon at a time and continue mixing. The dough should start to hold together. Go slow and check after each one.
Remove dough from food processor and place it on a cutting board or mat. Roll into a ball and cut in half forming the top and bottom crust.
Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 2 days before using.
Preheat oven to 375° F. Take out your dough and roll out so that it’s about ¼ inch in thickness.
Using a biscuit cutter or even an upside down cup, cut out about 12 circles and arrange in your mini-pie dish or small pie tins.
Run the blackberries under some warm water to thaw. Once thaw pat dry. Dice the pears and toss with the blackberries. Mix in the flour, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Spoon onto the dough leaving a little room for it expand. Top with a few small cubes of butter. You can bake them as is or cut out top crusts. If using a top crust pinch the crusts together to form a seal. Cut slits in the top to allow steam to get out. Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon and light wet with water or egg whites for a nice brown crust.
Bake for 25-30 minutes for mini-tarts or 30-35 minutes for small 6" pie. For an 8-9 inch full pie increase time to 35-45 minutes.

September 15, 2014

A Full Weekend

I don’t know what got into me this weekend but I feel very accomplished. I know the cooler weather gets me excited. It was perfect aside from the rain, but even that didn’t dampen the night since I got to relax and read while listening to the rain.

Friday: I put together a to-do list so I could stay on track this weekend and get stuff done. It helps when it’s colorful right?! If you remember from my Birthday Wish List I wanted these anchor bookends, well I bought them and then got to work making them more my taste. A textured black spray paint make these so much better.

Saturday: Seamus decided it would be fun to wake me up really early (5:36am) to go the bathroom and then immediately go back to sleep. I have a very hard time going back to sleep so coffee it was instead. I decided to use this day as my running around day so I went shopping first at the Christmas Tree Shop for a Keurig stand, then to Wal-Mart for odds and ends then I went hiking. It was predicted that rain was coming so I wanted to get it done early.

After the hike I went to PetSmart for dog food and they were having an adoption drive, let me tell you it was so hard to resist getting another dog. Then I went to A.C. Moore for a picture frame for my Happiness sign I got last week. Back home I did most of my chores including grocery shopping before the rain came pouring down. The rest of the night I read and finished The Killing on NetFlix.

Sunday: The morning is as always spent reading. I look up to see Seamus sticking out his tongue. Seriously can he get any cuter?!

After putting all my laundry away, it was time for the MAJOR project. Really I just wanted to move the furniture since my new bedspread is supposed to come on Monday and to make a custom bench for the end of the bed. After moving the bed, it turned into me wanting to change EVERYTHING!!

The bed and nightstand doesn’t really fit with the headboard I currently have so that led to deciding I need new ones. Then I wanted to change up my bureau pieces currently everything is what was already on it.

Before picture \ Before picture \ Bed doesn’t fit \ Bureau

I realized I have some shopping to do and projects to complete before it’s done so stay tuned. The rest of the night was spent baking this Blackberry Pear pie, some goat cheese meatballs with spaghetti squash for dinner while watching movies.

Overall I felt really accomplished and feel like the coming weekends will be just as productive. I know it seems like I was go, go, go but I did have a little bit of relaxing time too, promise.

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Leeann from Join the Gossip and Biana from B Loved Boston.

September 12, 2014

Friday Favorites | Embrace The Mess

This weekend is expected to be busy because I have a long to-do list to get through but I don’t plan on making plans from now till October 1st because work is all I can handle right now. Busy season is here and I leave work in a brain fog everyday. So the weekends are needed to regroup and get as much done so I don’t carry over any stress into the week.

I am also in a nesting mode too with wanting to clean and organize every room in my house and start a bunch of project. Oh boy! I did purchase a new comforter for my bed so a mini-bedroom makeover is happening. Let’s get to it, then because it’s FRIDAY!!!

Favorite Tribute: In Honor of 09/11 yesterday this tribute to WTC with audio from different news channels mixed with Enrique Iglesias is one of my favorites and one that always makes me cry. I remember to listening to it a lot shortly after it happened and even while writing this sentence as it play in the background. We will never forget…the hero’s who ran back in, the people who lost their lives, the people who lost loved ones, the moment we heard the news, the people who defended our country after it happened.

Favorite Quote: To be brutally honest I am a hot mess on a good day. I take on too much, I always have a mile long to-do list, and I am always behind in housework. Sometimes we need to just embrace it, smirk at it, and shake it off.

Favorite Outfit: Can I just have this outfit in my closet or at least her body? I mean right down to the matching boot socks and booties. Gorgeous!

Women's fashion - style - cute outfit - street chic - grey - floppy hat - cape - boots - booties - classy - beautiful

Favorite Recipe: I am trying that sauce for sure but even the lettuce wraps look amazing! Yum!

Asian Lettuce Wraps with Skinny Sriracha Cream Sauce CHA! by Texas Pete Sriracha sauce #TexasPeteCHA #ad

Favorite Funnies:

Packing like a boss. I kinda love that he had a Captain’s hat.

I felt this way after my last birthday.

Seriously what do you do with table scraps?! This may be why Seamus is “husky”!!

Deep pockets.

What are your plans for the weekend? Please let them be less lame than mine.Linking up with Amanda

September 8, 2014

Fall Is Near Cherry Peach Sangria

If you remember, last Christmas my Aunt and Uncle gave me about 7-9 bottles of wine they had from either guests or as gifts. Since they don’t really drink they gave them to me. I figured I would be able to use them in recipes. I used a bottle when I made Gluhwein. It is a mulled red wine that gets heated down to become a very sweet treat. It is perfect in the Winter.

Now that Fall is Near I figured I could use up another bottle making some Sangria. I chose to use peaches and cherries mostly because I had leftover peaches from a sandwich I made and I just really like cherries. If you don’t like either fruit feel free to substitute.

Ingredients: 1 Bottle Chardonnay (750ml) ~ 1 cup frozen cherries ~ 1 Large peach (peeled and sliced) ~ Peach Moscato

Directions: Place the cherries and peach slices in a pitcher, and pour the Chardonnay over top the fruit. Let sit up to 4 hours or overnight. Fill a wine glass halfway with the wine and fruit mixture. Top with the Peach Moscato champagne.

I think that it was sweet enough and didn’t need to add anything however feel free to add a TSP of sugar if you prefer it sweeter or milder. You can also splash with Sprite for a milder taste too.

Feel free to also check out my Mango Sangria, Fresh and Fruity Sangria, or Watermelon Sangria.

Do you like Sangria?

What fruits do you add to Sangria?

Fall Is Near Cherry Peach Sangria

Ingredients

1 Bottle Chardonnay (750ml) ~ 1 cup frozen cherries ~ 1 Large peach (peeled and sliced) ~ Peach Moscato

Instructions

Place the cherries and peach slices in a pitcher, and pour the Chardonnay over top the fruit. Let sit up to 4 hours or overnight. Fill a wine glass halfway with the wine and fruit mixture. Top with the Peach Moscato champagne.
I think that it was sweet enough and didn't need to add anything however feel free to add a TSP of sugar if you prefer it sweeter or milder. You can also splash with Sprite for a milder taste too.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: