Link Wink Wednesday

Lately I’ve been missing my Grammie.  I know it’s because I’m getting married and I’m sad that she won’t be here to enjoy that special day with me….so today as I’m missing my Grammie so badly this Link Wink Wednesday is dedicated to her….and the things that she was foolishly sentimental about! 

I’m going to focus on one website today because I just really like it and they have a lot of vintage looking items that I have to appreciate! 

The website is Cambria Cove

It is like a giant gift shop….I love gift shops.  As weird as this is I love the gift shop at the local hospital here and some days can be found there just shopping. 

Tea Cups.  I love them and so did my Grammie.  I can remember her nice dinnerware with the tea cups and some others that sat on this giant pedestal.  They were so delicate and each was special to her in a different way.   

Cambria Cove has two sets of tea cups that are commemorative and are very very pretty!  They make me want to be a lady who lunches today!  One set is from 1900-1940 and one set is from 1950-1990.  Each has 5 tea cups with it’s matching saucer for $150.00.  I think that’s a great deal for something you can display in a china cabinet or elsewhere at your home!  Plus they would individually make great gifts that someone could have and remember you gave it to them always.   

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My Grammie also loved cards.  She loved to give cards and receive cards.  It never failed she would love the card most of all….that was the gift not the actual present.  Probably where my love for paper kicks in!  An expensive love but hey we all have our vices and this was for sure one of hers.  I still go to my local antique shops and love to find old Christmas Cards, Birthday Cards, etc. and display them.  Most of the time they are old and have been written on by someone and it’s sort of fun to read what they wrote to one another.  Cambria Cove has really fun new vintage Christmas cards.  They look old but you can actually send them to someone.

 Retro Fun

Vintage Sweetness

Some of the other sweet things on the site that I love and remind me of my Grammie are the wonderful soap….never liquid…always a bar of soap.  The yummy delicate treats are delicious looking as well. 

So I hope you find the site as fun and lovely as I did. 

Have an awesome Wednesday and if you have the option give your Grammie a big hug! 

Love you! – Bop

 

mindless monday

Reginald

 

 

S’mores Bars - delicious and easy and one of Teddy’s new favorites

 

 

Sleeping Deuce

 

Take One

So I wasn’t going to say anything beforehand because I was a nervous wreck about being a cheesy idiot….but we got engagement photos taken.

We did different locations and had some different outfit options.  Teddy was so funny about his outfits and when he would wear the right one with the color scheme and such.  What a girl!  It was one of the most awkward situations I’ve been in….Someone asking you to smile and act happy on cue.  I am happy but I have a hard time just popping into “the i’m so in love you I could just die, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me mode” for the click of the camera.   Josh McCullock, our photographer, did say I had the best fake laugh he’s ever heard and I told him I used to act.  It comes natural.  HA!

Our engagement photos wouldn’t be complete without the rest of our family….so we brought the bear dogs.  Josh is also our old next door neighbor and hadn’t seen the guys in a while and was thoroughly impressed with their growth.  From puppies to giants….in the matter of months.  Josh only sent us the one that he liked of the dogs as a real teaser.  So without further ado….here is our first engagement photo that doesn’t really have us in it.  

 

Oh and in case you had any doubts on this…..

I was a cheesy idiot.

Kankles.

Have you ever known a dog (or a say bear dog) with kankles?

Here you are my friends!

He loves you.

About as much as he loves his food.

And his Mamma.

Cookbook signing with Ree…well sort of

So last night Age and I made our way up to 50 Penn Place where the Full Circle Bookstore is located to get our Pioneer Woman Cooks Cookbooks signed. 

50 Penn Place also has a bar upstairs from Fill Circle….and good thing!   

So we walk in and see something similar to this….this is a little shorter than when we first walked in…

Yes that person on the left is taking a photo of Marlboro Man’s booty!  How inappropriate but so funny!

So what did we do when we saw the line?  We decided we would wait for it to die down and have a cocktail (or 2)….we waited….we waited some more…we waited…..it never died down!  No joke!  We got there at 6:30 and left around 10 and it was still just as long.  We actually only waited in the line for about 30 minutes the rest of the 3 hours we were chatting it up with our cocktails.  Age would do occasional line checks. 

We did get Marlboro Man to sign our books and a picture with him.  Nice guy. 

 

 We also got to see Ree (yes we are on a first name basis) but the fact of the matter was after all of our chips and salsa and cocktails and laughing and oh I forgot the part about the OSU Rugby team coming into the bar with their short shorts on….yes please! 

We never got our books signed by her.  We were tired but we had a great time!  Age and I always have fun! 

Got to love when things don’t go just right but end up being fun anyway!  I have my cookbook and I’ll post anything I try from it so ya’ll can see how a person who can’t make toast right can make her recipes. 

Love and Cocktails,

Haley 

 

Pioneer Woman Comes To Town

Do you know her?  Of course you do because she is like famous…doewe!  If you want to meet her she’ll be at the Full Circle Bookstore in OKC tonight at 6:30 P.M. on her cookbook tour.

We almost left someone in TX for more room

Four girls.  One night.  A lot of shopping.  One Denali just isn’t going to cut it.

Next time I guess we need a moving truck!  Seriously ya’ll what is all that!  At least we helped the economy move in the right direction! 

I thoroughly enjoyed myself this last weekend with my sisters and Mom.  It’s amazing how you forget how much fun it is to all be together until it happens and you fall right back into giggling and being ornery little girls!  The only difference is that Mom was actually laughing with us instead of trying to spank us for being bad!  What a fun trip….and one I’ll never forget.  Ever. 

I hope ya’ll had a great weekend!  Did you do anything fun?  Speaking of having fun over the weekend….Teddy sure enjoyed himself hanging out with guys.  Goober head.

What are ya’ll going to do this week?  Are you going to bake or cook anything you would like to share with me?  I know that Halloween is coming up and so I’m going to do some baking and sweets making.  One of the recipes I’m going to try is for a smores bar…..sounds delish, doesn’t it??

Speaking of Halloween….Sunday nigh when I got home I went to Age’s house and had chili and watched as the others carved pumpkins (I didn’t carve because I literally went straight there from Dallas)….but let me tell you what…..the pumpkins were amazing.  In all the years of Age’s pumpkin carving parties this year was the most impressive….I don’t know if it’s that we are getting really old or if it’s that we just tried harder….but Daria and Jesse had the best pumpkins I’ve seen them produce…ever!  I’d post a picture but I didn’t have my camera and Jesse doesn’t know how to get her pictures off her camera (looks as if a mini tutorial is in the future).   Just trust me it was the best year by far. 

Have a great day and if ya’ll get a second could you send out a puppy prayer for Deuce my sweetie boy bear dog….he’s sick and just not being himself.  This picture ought to make you feel compelled to pray for him (he’s the one in the front)

 

 

Back In Action

I have been in Dallas shopping. I bought all sorts of things. I’ll take some phots of my favorites tomorrow. Tonight I’m sleeping. In the meantime just envy me and my big hat…..I figured go big or go home….it is Texas afterall.

link wink wednesday

Hey Gang….welcome to another Link Wink Wednesday! 

LINK #1

I’m not totally nuts about skulls and crossbones (sorry Jesse I know you loved your punk stage) but when I saw this fun ice tray for just a smidge of Halloween fun I had to love it. 

You can find them at one of my favorite places to cruise around Z Gallerie Home Furnishings

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LINK #2

If you are like me you like to have a little fun at work.  I like to have a lot of fun at work but for someone in HR that is sometimes not acceptable.  I try where I can. 

The stuff at Organize.com is seriously fun and funny!  Like these folders are hilarious to me……but at work we also have this thing between a few of us where if we are writing a really long boring email we put “blah blah blah” at the end….it’s perf for us! 

It’s all a part of their Knock Knock brand.  It’s real rad.

 

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LINK #3 

When you go to friends houses do you look at their kitchen towels?  I certainly do and it’s weird, nasty, and idiotic.  I can’t help it though.  I honestly think it comes from being the youngest and envying most people’s kitchen towels.  All of mine are my moms, sisters, or grandmothers.  I think I have a few in there from my bosses’ house when I house sat once. 

 

Anyway in all my registry bliss lately I’ve been kitchen towel crazy.  I love love love them.  I want to decorate my house around them.  Here are a few I just thoroughly enjoy…..and the link so you can buy one or 5 for yourself…everyone deserves a nice and clean cute kitchen towel.

 

 Found at Branch

 

Found at Anthropologie

Found at Mr.PS’s Etsy

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Well there you have it folks.  Enjoy the links and for goodness sake enjoy your Wednesday and the rest of you week! 

cooking…what a concept.

This past weekend Teddy’s parents were here and like I previously said I actually cooked and it was actually good. 

On Saturday night I had my parents over to hang out with his parents….learn more about eachother…..make friends with eachother…and of course talk about the wedding with his mom and my mom all there!  It was really a good time. 

I know I am making a pretty big deal about this and it was just soup and salad but to be honest I really wish more people shared easy recipes like this.  Oh and I am sorry about having no photos of my own….I was busy cooking…I couldn’t take pics! 

Okay so on to the food! 

SOUP

Smoky corn chowder which was amazing!  This photo was taken from the Real Simple website!

Serves 4-6 Hands-On Time: 25m Total Time: 45m

Ingredients

• 8 ounces sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 10-ounce packages frozen corn
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup half-and-half
• kosher salt and pepper
• 4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

Directions

1. Cook the bacon in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Spoon off and discard all but 2 tablespoons of the drippings and return the pot to medium heat. Cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, and red pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the corn, broth, and half-and-half and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Transfer half the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to the pot, add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir to combine.
4. Divide the soup among individual bowls and top with the scallions and reserved bacon.

I replaced the regular bacon with turkey bacon….it doesn’t make as much grease but it worked out just fine.  I also replaced the half and half with fat free half and half!  It’s really important to taste it once it’s been purred and add more spices if needed. 

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I made a salad….just a simple salad…you can’t screw that up.  BUT…you knew there would be a “but”.

I made a really good salad dressing…..I love love love red onions.  Teddy doesn’t really love it when he wants a hot make out session but I love it all the time! 

Red Onion Salad Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons red onion minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon all purpose spice blend
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend at top speed for 1 minute.
Chill overnight in refrigerator.

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DESSERT

PUMPKIN BROWNIES WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING

Okay so this was the biggest hit of the night!  I mean at least for the sweet lovers….I’m not a huge fan of sweets but this was pretty darn good if I say so myself (a humble cook I am).

I got this recipe from Whoorl.  She is a friend of mine’s sister….and is well just hilarious.  I saw this and had to try it!  This photo is from her website.

 

Heavenly Pumpkin Brownies

4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. In a large mixing bowl of an electric mixer, beat the eggs well, add in the sugar and butter and mix well. Add the pumpkin and vanilla and mix. Add the flour and spices and mix well. Spread in a 9 X 13-inch greased pan.

2. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.

3. To make frosting: In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until just mixed, careful not to over mix.

When the brownies are cool, frost.

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So there you have it….my version of a homemade dinner.  Again I know it’s just soup and salad but everyone really enjoyed the simpleness and it gave us all much more time to visit and hang out.  Can’t blame a girl for loving easy! 

Hope you all are having a great week and if you have an easy recipe you want to share give it up!