03 Wednesday Apr 2013
Tags
flank steak, food, grill, pizza, pulled pork, quinoa, Recipes, shrimp, spring, summer
Well, Easter weekend was wonderful and we had perfect weather to-boot! Now, it has been rainy and dark for the past 2 days. Here are some warm weather dishes I plan on making when spring is here to stay…
I would love to hear what some of your favorite warm weather dishes are! Have a great day.
X, Allison
28 Thursday Mar 2013
Tags
brunch, cake, Easter, long weekend, mimosas, waffle cake, waffles
Thank goodness for Thursday! Today is the last day of the work week for me, as we have tomorrow off for Good Friday. To make it even sweeter, we get dismissed at 2 p.m. today 🙂 I am looking forward to a long, relaxing weekend. I think long brunches and late nights are in my future. How amazing is this waffle cake? It would be a great excuse to have friends over and drink mimosas all morning.
Let’s not forget the reason for the glorious long weekend. I hope you all spend it with the ones you love and enjoy prasing God for dying on the cross for our sins. Happy Easter!
Mark 16:16
X, Allison
26 Tuesday Mar 2013
Posted in travel
My husband and I are in the beginning phase of planning a trip to Italy later this year. Neither of us have ever been, so it has been really hard trying to narrow down where we want to go, how we want to spend our time, etc…We know we won’t be able to do it all, but there are just so many things to see and do in Italy, it makes it nearly impossible to narrow down the itinerary!
One thing I do know, is that we must go to the Tuscan hill towns and we must stay here, at the gorgeous Villa Circolina.
Itn’t is amazing?! I am daydreaming about sitting by the infinity pool that overlooks the Tuscan vineyards, sipping a cool negroni after a day of wine tasting. I think I’ll go now…who’s with me?
I would love to hear if you have been to Italy, and if so, your opinions on where we should go. Have a happy Tuesday!
X, Allison
25 Monday Mar 2013
Posted in Design/Decor, Recipes
Tags
aunt jemima, bacon, breakfast, cheddar, food, indoor/outdoor, kitchen renovation, pancakes, rug
Rugs can completely transform a room. Buying large rugs for the main living spaces was one of the first things I did when we moved to our home. We have wood floors throughout, so adding rugs also warmed things up and defined the separate living areas.
Our kitchen has been lacking a rug ever since we completed it’s renovation. The new flooring in the kitchen is wood “look” tile, so it looks like wood, but isn’t…and is much colder than the real deal. I absolutely love it, but my toes freeze when I make dinner or do dishes, so I finally pulled the trigger and got a rug to help (literally) warm the space up.
I got this rug from Ballards (here), and love that it is indoor/outdoor. If I spill spaghetti sauce or splatter pancake batter on it, I can just take it outside and hose it down. Perfect for the kitchen!
Speaking of pancakes, I made some serisouly delicious cheddar bacon pancakes for breakfast Sunday morning. What started out as a way to use up what we had in our pantry/refrigerator, turned out to be an epic success.
Cheddar Bacon Pancakes
1 cup of Aunt Jemima pancake mix
1 egg
3/4 cup of milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 pieces crisp bacon, chopped
Heat skillet over medium high heat. Mix egg, milk and butter together until smooth. Add pancake mix, cheese and bacon, and mix together until very few lumps remain. Season skillet with butter or cooking spray. Drop pancake mix (about 1/3 cup) on to skillet. Cook pancakes until bubbles begin to form, and they are golden brown. Flip and repeat until you have the desired amount of pancakes.
I served ours with some extra cheese sprinkled on top and warm maple syrup. I did not take any pictures because before I knew it…the pancakes had disappeared. Try these for yourself and you will understand.
X, Allison
22 Friday Mar 2013
Tags
Fridays make the world go round! So happy the weekend is near. Now only if spring weather would show her pretty face, all would be right in the world.
Tonight my hubs and I are headed to a party at the horse races. I haven’t been since college, so I am really looking forward to it. Saturday, we are planning on getting a few things done around the house and then we have a wedding to attend that evening.
I think I will mix up some of these mint juleps before we head to the tracks tonight. Enoy!
X, Allison
21 Thursday Mar 2013
I did NOT fall in to Torch Lake. I have just been plum busy and put blogging on the back burner. As a way to celebrate the second official day of spring, take a look at these lust worthy wedges. As a spring chick myself, you better believe I have these beauts on my birthday list.
X, Allison
13 Monday Aug 2012
Tags
Hello! We are currently on our way to Torch Lake, MI and I just wanted to pop in and share a few photos of our trip so far. I can’t wait to share all the details when we get back next week.
Have a wonderful week!
X, Allison
09 Thursday Aug 2012
Posted in Design/Decor
Tags
Our entryway is in the process of being made over. I have a new mirror hung, a rug on the way…now all we need is some new lighting and we will be set. Our entry is not really conducive to a grand chandelier, so I am thinking a pretty pendant would be perfect.
Do you have a favorite? I have been eyeing the ones in the second picture for a while now.
X, Allison
08 Wednesday Aug 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
cardigan, Chicago, layers, leopard, light, light layers, Michigan, packing, polka dot, scarf, sweater, vacation
Packing for a trip is no fun. It is always a reminder that I have absolutely nothing to wear, ever. Am I the only one that ever feels that way? Surely not. Trying to fit everything that I will need for 10 days in to one suitcase is just insane (pretty funny how us girls can totally have nothing to wear but then have the issue of fitting it all in one suitcase).
My husband and I are headed up to Chicago and Michigan. The forecast is throwing off my packing, since the expected cooler temperatures are foreign where we are. I think layers for the chillier nights will be my preference, as I am not quite ready to bust out my heavy jackets and sweaters…yet.
X, Allison
07 Tuesday Aug 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
baked potato, burger, dinner, easy, easy dinner, fried, mac and cheese, Mexican
This week has already started off fast and furious! My husband and I are jetting off for a 10 day vacation starting Friday and I can hardly wait. Since this week will be filled with packing, laundry and cleaning the house, I knew I needed to plan some easy (but still delicious!) meals. 
{mexican mac and cheese}
{baked potato strips}
2 new potatoes, unpeeled and cut into strips
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place potatoes in a lightly sprayed baking dish.
In a small bowl mix milk, hot sauce, salt, and pepper; pour over potatoes and mix well. Bake, uncovered , until potatoes are tender and crisp, stirring once, about 45 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until melted, about 3 minutes longer.
Enjoy!
X, Allison
an array of craze 