Because I'm Hungry ..... And Cold.

Cheddar Cheese Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 baking potato
• 2 (10-ounce) cans Cheddar cheese soup
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/4 cup real bacon pieces
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Green onion, finely chopped, optional for garnish

Directions

Microwave the baking potato for 7 to 8 minutes on high. Carefully remove from microwave using oven mitts. It will be HOT! Set aside until cool enough to touch.

When potato is cool, cut into 1/2-inch cubes.

Add Cheese soup, chicken stock, and bacon pieces to a medium pan. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally over medium high heat. Add potato and continue to heat soup for 5 minutes.

Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream and a few chopped green onions.

{image and recipe found here}

With these chilly days fast approaching I've been craving soup. Baked potato has always been one of my favorites and this recipe is perfect for the "I want it now" side of me.  Sandra Lee's Semi Homemade show has some gems and this is just one of the many shortcut recipes I've saved on Food Network.

What about you? Have a favorite food you crave when it's chilly outside?

DIY Project

On Friday I had mentioned I had a project and yesterday I told you it didn't get done over the weekend since I was under the weather. 

Well yesterday after work the weather was gorgeous so I was determined to have it completed!

I mentioned here I had gone to look for mums to put on the front porch.

Here is how the final product came out:

 In the center is a thrifted vintage grape crate.

Which turned out to be a super easy and fast redo:

With a few coats of paint then a little sanding to give it that antique look

it came out perfect:

So now my porch is officially ready for fall.

The mums are late blooming so they will only get more colorful.

And of course a pumpkin or two will make an appearance!

What do you think?

Fall festive?

Unexpected Relaxation

new earrings i made :)

giant spider outside of my window at work

and it's massive web

the gorgeous bloom along my driveway

the perfect picnic basket ~ gift from mom

mom and dads mantel

mom's new cushions {i helped vote on the final choice}

mom's festive front door

FALL!

I was a little under the weather this weekend so it turned out to be the most relaxing weekend. Early bed times, lots of green tea and hanging out with the fam.
My planned project was put on hold {hopefully completed tonight} but I was able to attend the pig roast and it was delicious!
The weather turned out to be gorgeous and perfect.
But now it's monday and it's storming,  I guess thats fitting for a Monday!

How was your weekend? Any fun plans pop up?
I'd love to hear!


Happy Monday!

P.S. Pop on over to A {Little} Dash of Ash to check out a few other Instagram weekends!

Falling For Fall

Today is the first official day of fall!

 To me there is no better way to start it off than with a Friday's Fancies! 

Being that fall is my favorite season I couldn't be happier right now ... 

Actually yes I could: 

Some one make this rainy weather GO AWAY!

Jeans  Top  Cape  Flats  Watch

Since it's looking like rain ALL weekend not a lot has been planned.

I will however be attending my first ever pig roast and working on a few projects.

{pop back Monday to see!}

Happy Fall & Happy Weekend!

Cozy Cottage

While snooping around over at BHG for new projects I found this adorable cottage makeover.

I love the easiness of the home, comfortable but still utterly chic.

Pop on over here to see the entire makeover.


I would take up residency in a heartbeat!
Would you?

{images via BHG}

Because I'm Hungry

Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

• Cookies:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  
• Cream Cheese Filling:
• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. For cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease or line four baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large mixer bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin and vanilla extract; beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture until combined. Drop by heaping measuring teaspoons onto prepared baking sheets. (A total of 72 cookies are needed for the recipe.)
3. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until springy to the touch. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
4. For cream cheese filling: Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Spread a heaping teaspoon of filling onto flat side of one cookie; top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

These are UH-MAZING! I made them for work last week and they were gone in seconds and everyone was asking for the recipe. Super easy, extremely delicious and kids love them!

They are so great I'm making them this Saturday for a pig roast I'm attending.

Seriously! Try them! Now!

I promise you won't be disappointed!

{recipe found here}

2011 Emmy Awards

While the red dress was a definite win last night {Lea Michele makes anything look amazing} the winners for me were the gorgeous ladies below.

Evan Rachel Wood has the old Hollywood look in the bag and the print of Julie Bowen's dress ... amazing.

Did you watch last night?

Who was your best dressed for the evening?

Happy Monday lovelies!

{images via E Online}

Because I'm Hungry

Last night while at my parents my mom had mentioned that my dad stopped at an apple orchard on the way home and it got me thinking about some of my favorite recipes revolving around apples. First in my head was this one from Paula Deen.

Super easy and seriously so delicious. So much so that it has become my go to dessert!

Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with a Streusel Topping

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Streusel topping, recipe follows
• 1/2 cup caramel topping

Streusel Topping:

• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.

{image and recipe found here}

A M Radio: An Etsy Shop

While shopping around Etsy for things I don't need by highly want I stumbled upon this amazing shop, A M Radio. Totally up my alley. Every piece is an eclectic, antique find that would bring character to any home and be a total conversation piece.

"i like to surround myself with people who challenge my 
thoughts and vintage objects which add to my life story"

The wheels are turning in my head to how I could make use of every item from this shop!

What about you, do you have an Etsy shop you love?

Instagram Weekend

With the week being so crazy and stressful the weekend started a little early this week.

Thursday night Pint Night is easily becoming a new tradition.

pints from Cock & Bull

After our Saturday morning spin class and daily Starbucks Julianne and I decided to stroll around downtown since it was such a beautiful morning.

Procter & Gamble

the gardens outside of P&G

After the morning stroll I went out to the suburbs to meet my mom.
My parents house is always beautifully landscaped so I enlisted her help to get my front porch looking fall festive.  
Pics to come later *hint* MUMS
Ellis Farm & Gardens

Saturday was spent at The Wine Guy.

If you haven't been you MUST go {if you're in Cincinnati [or Columbus] of course!}

They have the most delicious food and the largest wine shop I've ever seen.

Wine Flights from The Wine Guy

Sunday's Brunch {totally eliminated the early workout}:

Turkey Bake from Bellevue Bistro

pretty new sweater

just a few buckeyes off my parents tree

After getting home from my parents I spent the night putting up a few of my fall decorations.
It's not complete but here's a sneak peak!

I can't believe it's Monday already! 
How was your weekend?
Do anything fun?






Oh, and pop on over to A {Little} Dash of Ash where I've linked up today to see a few other Instagram filled weekends!