Friday, November 29, 2013

Hashbrown Casserole

Yesterday we devoured our Thanksgiving  meal at a dear friends home...we've done this for the past five years and so look forward to it. Since we're usually in charge of simple things like rolls and a dessert it frees up time for making a delicious breakfast at home. This year I made homemade cinnamon rolls (with the leftover dough from our dinner rolls) and my very favorite hashbrown casserole. My mom modified this for us to make it meat free and boy am I glad that she did because its my favorite!  I've never made a larger version than the pie dish but I'm sure you could double it easily for a crowd!


Trinky's Hashbrown Casserole

3 cups hashbrowns
1/3 cup melted butter (I only use 3T)
1 cup ham (I use frozen black bean burgers that chopped up)
1 cup cheese
1/4 bell pepper chopped
1/4 onion chopped
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Heat your oven to 425 degrees.

Put the hashbrowns into a pie panand drizzle  with melted butter then pay into place. Bake for 25 minutes. 

Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. 

Layer chopped ham, cheese, peppers and onions on top of the hashbrowns. Wisk the remaining ingredients together and pour on top.  Bake for 25 minutes. 

Happy Holidays!!!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

A Twist on Trail Mix


I recently found a recipe in my November Southern Living that I just love. It's a simple twist on trail mix that makes for a tasty little snack. Freshly roasted nuts mixed with maple syrup and chunks of dried cranberries and crystallized ginger? Sold!

Pumpkin Pie-Spiced Trail Mix

Recipe via Southern Living November 2013

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread a single layer of the following nuts on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet: 1 cup raw pecan halves, 1/2 cup raw cashews and 1/2 cup raw almonds. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant. Remove from oven and place in a bowl. 

Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees. 

Bring the following to a rolling boil in a saucepan over medium heat: 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg and a pinch each of ground cloves and table salt. Drizzle hot mixture over nuts; tossing to coat. 

Spread nut mixture on the parchment lined baking sheet - bake for 25-30 minutes, until glaze begins to harden. 

Spread mixture onto lightly greased parchment paper and cool completely.

Transfer to a bowl and stir in 1/4 cup each dried cranberries and 1/2 thick crystallized ginger slices. 


Friday, November 22, 2013

Lately

The weekend started out with a bang - molars are coming and poor BG is definitely feeling them. 

Thankfully he was feeling better by Sunday when we hosted some new friends for breakfast. They moved to the states from Germany and requested a traditional American breakfast. On the menu: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, cheesy grits and no breakfast would be complete without Nate's pancakes!  We all had a lovely time eating, talking and play play playing!!!



On Tuesday we hosted some of our favorite blogger friends for a play date. It amazes me that I've been able to connect with so many inspiring people both near and far through blogging. Thankfully, these ladies and their sweet babies are close enough that we can all play together on a regular basis!  



We had one of our last music classes for the year today. BG absolutely loves attending and he gets so excited when we arrive.  Today Miss Annette had her camera ready to capture his excitement!  Love this musical baby...



Hope your weeks are going well...stay tuned for a tasty twist on a traditional recipe!

5 on Friday

So glad to be taking part in this linkup again with these lovelies...



One 

What a treat to wake up to this sight...said no homeowner EVER! The husbands reaction was calm and collected. Can't say the same for myself. I mean, really.  Who takes out your mailbox and doesn't even leave a note saying sorry you have to spend $$$ on a new mailbox during the holidays. Big ol' Boo. 

Two



My girlfriend has been doing the single-mama-thing this week so we decided to meet for dinner last night. Her hubby is on a mountain trip writing a book - it's actually his second!!!  Anyway, BG and I met her and her sweet girl for dinner last night. Miss A was quite the lady sitting politely and smiling while she ate. BG?? Well he somehow turned his entire body and rode on the highchair like a horsey!  That child is a mess. And I love him. Don't worry, I did the responsible thing and videotaped him instead of correcting the behavior. Memories!

Three


This twist on trail mix is ADDICTING!  I found the recipe in one of the many Southern Living magazines that sit on my side table untouched - unless BG gets to them of course. I used to immediately sit down and leaf through them when they arrived...now I'm three months behind! Something to look forward to I guess!  I'll share the recipe soon. It's a nice addition to the normal Turkey Day fare!

Four





I finally decided on what to make our sweet boy for his first birthday cake! A vegan strawberry cake - even though it's a cupcake recipe it transfers well into a cake. I'm thinking two small layers for our egg-free baby!

Five



Although in this house we've decided to celebrate one holiday at a time (NO judgement to those who don't though!) I just couldn't resist purchasing this print for our fireplace mantle. Thankfully it takes a week or two to create and then ship - perfect timing for an after Turkey Day arrival!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...

Friday, November 8, 2013

Five on Friday

Linking up with these ladies again this week...

 
One
 
Somebody hasn't been eating bananas like he normally does so we had quite a few ripe on the counter just begging to be made into something delicious.  I think this Old Fashioned Banana Cake is the winner - you can never go wrong with Ina!

Two

 
I was browsing the Facebook page of one of my favorite local consignment shops, Mommy and Me, and saw a few great deals.  I picked up some great Melissa and Doug food for BG and snagged this door for my friend Rachel whose son looooved playing with BG's and she'd been looking for one since then.  HO HO HO
 
Three
 
On the way home the other day I heard about a program called Klicks for Kids that was happening here in Charlotte.  You pay for the photographers sitting fee and then for individual prints.  All of the proceeds benefit the group Sacred Seed.  Can't wait to see how this turns out!
 
Four

 
He found the stairs.  Oy vey. We're in trouble now.

Five
 


 
This week we have been absolutely obsessed with Cookie Butter.  I actually found some tasty ways to bake with it thanks to Allie's suggestion.  I can't wait to try these and these in particular.  My family has always loved Biscoff cookies so this is right up my alley.  Yum!
 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Weekend Happenings

We had a pretty low key weekend - we as in BG and I - Nate had a BIG weekend!  He ran a tough mudder on Saturday which took pretty much the whole day. 

He sent this picture when he finished since we weren't able to talk at all and it was too long for BG and I to come and watch. 


BG was so excited when Nate finally got home. They were both tired so we just had a low key evening. Just how we like it these days. 


On Sunday we kept things simple again - after all Nate had just run 12 miles with crazy obstacles the day before.  Somebody spent a large part of his time standing up. Hot stuff!!!

 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Five on Friday

Linking up with these ladies again this week.
 
 

One.

Our little pumpkin had a great first Halloween. We got him all gussied up as a baby duck and took a walk around the neighborhood. His hat was actually a gift from my aunt when he was born. She lives in Oregon and this hat was just perfect when our Baby Duck finally arrived and now again quite fitting for Halloween. My mom made the duck suit...I was going to try to do it myself but she knew better than to let me sew such an important garb! We stopped at a few of BG's greatest admirers homes but made it back with plenty of time for a bath before bedtime. 


Two.

We "recycled" the pumpkin that we put BG in earlier in the week by carving his hands and feet on the opposite side.  Such a fun pumpkin to light each night!



Three.

I ran to the post office this morning with a very important package. We know a special trickortreater that wasn't able to go out this year because he had a fever. Soooo we sent him all of the candy that we didn't hand out last night. I'm so excited for him to get it!!!
 

Four. 

We met this pretty lady for lunch today. She was home for the afternoon from App State where she's a JUNIOR!  Time sure is flying...


Five. 

I had a Citipass coupon for Great Harvest this past week so I picked up a loaf of wheat and a loaf of Cinnamon Chip.  We have no problem eating any of their breads BUT oh man do we loooove the cinnamon chip!  If you haven't tried it yet please do! You won't regret it!