Blog Update - Better With Style + Food

As 2012 quickly approaches, it's so easy to forget the beginning of 2011. Seems like the years go by faster and faster, and soon we will face the beginning of a new year again. Along with the new year, I've decided to make a few new beginnings of my own. As my followers (few but faithful) have probably noticed by now, I've started to combine my food blog with my fashion/craft blog. These two elements are very important to me in my life and I feel that I should share them with you all in once place. So, please bear with me as I work to create a new look for this blog and soon a new and interesting name and URL. Stay tuned, great things to come!

On a different note, I must say that there have been some life changing events taking place in my life in just the past month that have made me refocus on what is really important to me in the life that God has given me here on earth. Being a Christian, I must say that knowing God's will for your life can be one of the most challenging concepts to understand and trust. There is a phrase that says 'If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.' I've felt like God has probably had a few good laughs at me this year from a few of my over zealous and not so humble blueprints for life. Even still, I've learned to be patient. I'm still learning to trust Him even when He puts me in situations that make absolutely no sense to me. So I ponder on the scriptures that say: for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways (Isa 55:8) For I know the plans I have for you, to give you an expected end (Jer 29:11). How great is our God?! So I'll continue to trust and praise Him even when life seems to be as clear as mud. For I know that He will give me the desires of my heart, and even my hearts desires. What are your hearts desires for 2012?

peace | blessings

Crock Pot: Turkey Neck Bones

We use to call these naked bones when I was small because by the time you finished sucking the meat off, there was nothing left! You wouldn't believe how easy it is to cook these in the crock pot. And it doesn't even take long.  You can also try beef neck bones, which may have a little more meat on them.  Check out this simple recipe I came up with:

Sew in Love: Summer Dress

I love to sew and design clothes. Below is a breezy, vintage patterned, summertime dresses that I made. I like to start with a manufactured dress pattern, then modify it and make it my own. After learning how to make ruffles recently, I had to add ruffles to the bust, which added dynamic to an otherwise plain dress. I also added pleats to the waist. The great thing about sewing your own clothes is that you can use whatever fabrics you like and you can be assured that no one else in the world is wearing what you have on!

Pattern: Butterick 5632

Chicken or Shrimp Broccoli Alfredo

This is one of my favorite weekday meals. I just love an all in one pasta dish. This has your meat, starch, and vegetables. Perfect! It's remarkably simple and super easy. You can even switch up the noodle type if you'd like. Penne pasta is nice because all the sauce goodness gets inside the noodle, yumm. I make enough to last a few days so I won't have to cook every single night. I'm still learning to cook for one, so this recipe will definitely yield leftovers unless you eat like a bear =).

You Will Need:

Caramel Apple Cake

I originally got this recipe from a blog called a A Whisk and A Prayer. I was in the baking mood and went browsing through some cooking blogs and saw this wonderfully easy recipe. The blog author put it best when she said "When you bite through the cake's caramelized crust, you get a mouthful of plump, juicy apples and creamy gooey caramel melted together in a heavenly whirl of cinnamon and brown sugar."   Wow! Doesn't that sound heavenly?!

Let's get to it. Below is my adapted ingredient list and the cooking instructions. Everyone who I had try it, loved it.

Ingredients:

Blue Red and White OOTD

I know it may look a little patriotic, but red, white, and blue is another favorite color combo of mine. I tried not to make it look too obvious though. I also included some other big ticket accessories that I would love to have in my wardrobe ensemble.

DSW

Forever21

Charlotte Russe

Forever21

Make Dough & $ave Dough

all done and so delicious!

I recently tried my hand at a homemade pizza with a wheat crust. I've been trying my hand at a lot lately... lol. Needless to say, it was the BOMB dot com! It turned out fabulously and I was amazed at how simple it was to make. It will take a lot for me to buy another pizza from the local pizza chain. It was just that good! This is a must try for anyone who loves being in the kitchen. You just got to have "make a pizza from scratch" checked off your list. Check out these process photos

Herbaceous Herb Garden

 (from left to right: Basil, oregano, dill, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, and parsley)
I love cooking with fresh herbs! Whenever a recipe calls for fresh herbs, I imagine myself walking over to my patio garden and picking the herbs I need. However, this dream hasn't been a reality until recently. I've been thinking about planting an herb garden for a while.  Growing your own herbs is more sustainable than buying from your local grocery, and not to mention more affordable.

Fun, Fast, & Frugal: 4 Ingredient Pasta

Looking for a fast and frugal entrée for tonight? Try this super easy pasta that takes the same amount of time it takes to read this blog! This started out as a "I'm so hungry and I don't have money to get groceries" meal. But it ended up being one of my favorite weekday staples. It's made from items you should normally have in your pantry:

Somewhere Over the Rainbow... Cake

I first wanted to make a rainbow cake when a coworker showed me a picture of one on this blog post: Whisk Kid. Ever since I saw it, I became infatuated with the idea of making one. It looked challenging, interesting, and cool and I wanted one for myself. Plus, it ended up being a great finale to Easter Sunday's dinner. Baker beware, if you are not accustomed to making multiple layer cakes, then be prepared for some sweat equity on this one. Baking a 6 layer cake ain't no tomfoolery. This cake wore me out! I need to exercise more... lol.

crock POT roast

I'm slow cooking a pot roast in my new crock pot today! I'm looking forward to a succulent roast and veggies when I return home after work today. I will update with the results soon! So excited :)
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