Cook: Pesto Meatballs & Couscous

I hope everyone's weekend has been great thus far!

Mine has been pretty good.

Though I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get the campfire smell out of my hair.

Anywho..Pesto Meatballs.

I got the original recipe for from my sister Jaclyn who got it from Real Simple Magazine.

When I made it myself I changed it up a little bit.

The recipe originally calls for ground beef, but I switched it out for ground turkey.

And I added a couple of things to make it a bit healthier.

This is a great dish for a lot of people or even for two.

It's similar to the stuffed shells, in that it looks like you've been in the kitchen all day.

But in reality it'll take you about 40 minutes from start to finish.

Pesto Meatballs and Couscous

Hands-on time: 15 minutes total time: 40 minutes

Serves 4

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the pan

1 ½ pounds ground turkey

½ cup dried Italian bread crumbs

¾ cup store-bought pesto

1 large egg

1 ½ tsp. salt

¾ tsp. ground pepper

1 Tbsp. ground flax seed

1 box couscous

Heat oven to 350. Drizzle Olive oil in the bottom of the pan. In a large bowl, combine the beef, bread crumbs, pesto, the egg, salt, and pepper. With your hands mix just until combine. Shape the mixture into 12 meatballs, using about ¼ cup for each. Transfer the meatballs to tray. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn and bake until cooked through, about 10 more minutes. Meanwhile prepare the couscous according to the package directions. Once couscous is fluffed and the meatballs are cooked, sit down and enjoy!

xo

Fun Finds: Bitter With Baggage Seeks Same by Sloane Tanen

First of all this book looks awesome.

Why? You ask.

This is the description.

Is your coffee table in need of a page turner that pokes fun at everyday life? With page after page of humorous situations portrayed by bright yellow, pipe cleaner chicks, this satirical little book by artist Sloane Tanen is just the ticket! You're guaranteed to laugh out loud starting with the first page, upon which a chick in a yoga studio proclaims, "Maude was peeved. Her 3:30 yoga class was full again. Didn't anybody work in this town?" Featuring full page color spreads with hilarious jokes on topics such as boys and shopping, this book is one you'll want to keep out in the open, so all of your fellow peeps can get a good laugh!

Yes those are chicks on yoga mats.

If you would like me to love you forever you could buy this for me.

I'll let you.

Just go here.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

xo

Ay, mommy. I hope you're yoking.

My sister, Jaclyn, just emailed me this.

"I already ordered these for the girlies!! crazy I know"

I really, really, really hope she was kidding.
xo

Create: Personalized Applique Pillows

I'm not sure why but I have a penchant for anything personalized.

Maybe it's because it gives instant character to whatever item you decide to personalize.

Or maybe I'm just loony for letters.

Either way... I adore this idea from none other than Design Sponge.

In other news.

I hope you like the new banner.

I decided to spice things up.

What do you think, is it spicy enough?

xo

One of those days...

My mom and I many moons ago in the Gare du Nord station in Paris.

Today is one of those days.

The good kind.

The kind where I want to breathe in the good.

I can't believe how good life can be.

I wish I could bottle this feeling for one of those days when the sun isn't so sunny,

and things just don't seem right.

But I guess the beauty of experiencing the bad is that we appreciate the good infinitely more.

I am back in Utah.

Not in Happy Valley, but my home town.

I love it here.

Today we celebrated my mom's birthday.

My niece said she is 28 with 19 years of experience.

I listened to my brother talk about his job tonight.

He works with special needs children at a local school.

He inspires me to look for the good in everyone.

Life is good friends.

xo

Fun Finds: Louisa Settee by Anthro

I have a furniture crush on this settee. sigh.

I think it speaks for itself. sigh.

Have a happy weekend!

xo

Hello Lovely

Question: Does this dress make anyone else swoon?

It does? Oh good.

Oh, Claire Pettibone you slay me.

xo

Create: Fabric Dry Erase Board

I love making beautiful things.

But what I love more than making beautiful things is making

beautiful useful things

My sister, Jaclyn, has one of these in her house here in Tallahassee.

I think it's pretty neat.

She uses hers to write down her menu for the week.

Good idea, no?

When I get back to Happy Valley I'm going to hit up some yard sales until I find the perfect frame.

Enjoy this easy peasy tutorial!

xo

Saucy Sweet and Sour Seaside Pictures

Because I am hilarious this post echo's today's Cook post.

On Thursday we drove our little selves to Destin for some sand and salty water.

It was fun but a little crowded.

The next day after some shopping we headed to Seaside psst. they filmed the Truman Show there.

Can you say uh-mazing?

It was beautiful.

Here's some saucy, sweet, and sour pictures from the day.

Sweet: This is the ice cream cone of my dreams. I also like the creeper in the back.

Sweet: This was obviously a really good cupcake. (Jaclyn)

Sour: This was obviously a very sad moment. (Monica)

Sweet: Luckily, the cupcake lady took pity on her and gave her a new one. (Jaclyn and Monica)

Sour: Sometimes your face "accidentally" makes it into someone's picture of the charming post office. (Me)

Sour: Sometimes it happens twice. (Jaclyn)

Sweet: Look at these little beach bunnies! Don't you want to kiss those cheeks!?

Saucy/Sweet/Sour: Need I say more?

And this is my face...just in case you miss it:)

xo

Cook: Saucy Sweet and Sour Chicken

I love me some Pan Asian Cuisine!

This recipe is one of my favorites, courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

I'm pretty sure I've made it a couple hundred times.

Plus, it's a crock pot recipe.Yay! Dinner and easy clean up!

ingredients:

• 2-1/2 to 3 lb. meaty chicken pieces (breast halves, thighs, and drumsticks), skinned
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 of a 12-oz. can (about 3/4 cup) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp. ketchup
• 1 Tbsp. vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. cold water
• Hot cooked rice or fried rice

directions

1. Place chicken pieces in a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt. In a medium bowl, combine lemonade concentrate, brown sugar, ketchup, and vinegar. Pour over chicken in cooker.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Transfer chicken to a serving platter; cover and keep warm.

3. For sauce, pour cooking liquid into a medium saucepan. Skim off fat. Combine cornstarch and the cold water; stir into liquid in saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Spoon sauce over chicken. Serve with hot cooked rice. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Happy Monday!

xo

Create: Tick Tock

Hey just incase you were wondering traveling hasn't got any more glamorous.

Especially when you're traveling with an 18 month old.

But we did make it alive, though barely.

Anywho,

I la la la love this clock!

Mostly I like crafts that are useful and pretty.

I actually haven't made this one yet but the tutorial seemed pretty straightforward.

Have a Happy Wednesday!

Don't forget to check out this!

xo

Leaving on a jet plane...

Tomorrow morning I am traveling to Florida to spend 13 blissful days

just to see these girls. When did I plan this trip? Oh about 5 hours ago.

Gotta love $10 Jet Blue tickets!

Oh, did I mention I'm going with these girls?

Check back on Wednesday for Create!

xo

Cook: Stuffed Shells

(I wish I had a picture of my shells. Sadly, they were inhaled by wolves before I had the chance.)

I hope everyone had a lovely mother's day weekend.

I know I did. I think I gained 15 pounds.

I had a hard time deciding what recipe to post this week.

Mostly because I cooked all weekend long. That's not a complaint. I wouldn't cook if I didn't love it.

However, I pondered and decided to post the most delightful stuffed shells recipe.

This is one of those recipes that looks like you've been in the kitchen all day.

But really the entire dish takes maybe an hour to complete

and tastes divine.

Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) container of cottage cheese

1 (10 ounce) package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1 cup mozzarella cheese,

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (I love spices, so I usually do about 2tsps.)

20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked, drained

1 (26 ounce) jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

(I like to add about a teaspoon of salt as well)

1. Cook the shells, drain and place them on tin foil to prevent them from sticking to each other.
2. Mix together the cottage cheese, spinach, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
3. Fill each shell with a heaping tablespoon of spinach and cheese mixture.
4. Put half of the spaghetti sauce in a 9×13 inch pan and then put the shells in. Spoon the remaining sauce over the shells.
5. Cover with foil and bake at 400ºF for 25 minutes. Remove the foil for the last few minutes and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until melted.

If you really want to knock the socks off your family and friends throw this french bread recipe into a bread maker.

Ciao!

xo

Psst...

My friend Jessi at Sticken with Paisley
let me take some pictures of her beautiful vegan treats.
Yes. They were as good as they look.

Happy weekend!

xo

Fun Finds: Up Up Creative

Have you ever perused through the many wonderful items on Etsy?

Does it overwhelm you as much as it overwhelms me?

It does? Oh good.

Though Etsy is crazy with possibilities,

I ran across what may be on of my favorite shops ever!

Up Up Creative was started by a lovely mother/wife/artist.

I can promise you every thing in this shop is unique and witty.

I was nearly in tears as I read her Crazy Love card collection. too funny!

Make sure to check out this shop.

I have a hard time believing you'll be disappointed.

Next thing...

Happy Birthday to my favorite cowboy!

I love you, Dad.

xo

p.s What are your favorite Etsy shops?

p.p.s. Happy Mother's Day weekend!

Create: All Tied Up

(My very first ties)

I love to create.

Every time I make something beautiful I feel like the truest form of myself.

From now on, every Wednesday you can expect some kind of crafty something.

It will be fun, yeah? Yeah.

So, for this very first Wednesday I want to share with you one of my favorite things to make.

Ties!

I love sewing ties.

Back in October I began making ties for my good friend Elder Morgan.

In the Philippines the Elders are discouraged from wearing any "silky" ties because the dye

turns their crisp white shirts into hippie tie-dyed shirts.

So, I took a big girl pill and said "Hey, I think I can do that."

Luckily I found probably the best tie making tutorial in the world on The Purl Bee.

And it came with a free downloadable pattern.

Could tie making get any sweeter? Probably not.

Disclaimer: Each tie will take you anywhere from 2-4 hrs to make. But it is so worth it!

Happy Tie-Making!

xo

p.s. If you have any fun "creations" send them my way.

The Gym Rat

(Does this disturb anyone else? Ok. Good. I'm not alone.)

9:06 a.m. Woke up. Decided I most certainly need to go to the gym if I'm paying for it. Rolled out of bed and found the 24 class schedule

9:08 a.m. Decided to try the 24 s.e.t class whatever that means at 9:30

9:09 a.m. Read class description "This cardio/strength combination class alternates strength exercises to sculpt every major muscle group with easy to follow step moves." Sounds easy enough, eh?

9:15 a.m. Changed into work out clothes and pulled hair back into an awesome ponytail

9:18 a.m. Checked email...bad idea. Got sucked into Elder Morgan's latest update

9:25 a.m. Late!

9:26 a.m. Where is my gym pass?

9:27 a.m. In my pocket. Right where I put it to avoid this situation. Out the door.

9:32 a.m. Pulled into parking lot and hastily made my way to the front door.

9:33 Walked into 24 s.e.t. class.

9:34 Walked out of 24 s.e.t. class*. And decided to try the elliptical.

9:37 Saw my life flash before my eyes as I nearly died on the elliptical.

9:42 Drove home in hysteric laughter.

9:50 Decided I may just stick with Zumba and yoga.

*Apparently 24's definition of a cardio/strength combination class means lifting 50lb weights above your head while you lay on a stinky mat on the floor.

I'm such a gym rat.

xo

Finding Myself...Or something like that

Hellloooo! It has been quite some time since I've blogged.

After finals I pretty sure a fuse popped in my brain and I forgot my identity.

So sorry. I was finding myself. Haha!

Luckily while I was absent from the blogging world I came up with some new tricks.

I'll share the first with you today.

It's called Recipe Monday.

Why?

A) because I haven't cooked very much since the semester started and I'd really love to get back into it.

B) because who doesn't love food?

Are you convinced? Good.

So this Monday I will share with you a new favorite. I have a talent, no a gift, for buying bananas that ripen unnaturally quick. I mean I bring them home nearly green and bam! yes,bam! they're brown. It drives me bananas ha ha the hilarity!

On Saturday, after my bananas turned a disturbing shade of brown, I searched high and low for a yummy banana recipe and fell banana head over heels for a banana muffin recipe from Risa of Baked Perfection la la love this blog.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
recipe from Baked Perfection

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1/4 cup butter melted
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I would cut this down to 1 cup)
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (I skipped this)

Preheat over to 375 degrees. Grease or line 12 muffin cups.

In a large bowl mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a second bowl beat together bananas, sugars, vanilla, egg, and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. In a small bowl mix together the chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon flour (this will prevent the chocolate chips from sinking). Stir the chocolate chips into the batter. Spoon batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops of each muffin with turbinado sugar. Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

I hope you have a lovely Monday.

xo