Wednesday, August 31, 2011

When in doubt, wear crimson...

So I'm starting to get a little anxious about Saturday...this work week is just dragging by at a snails pace...So I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to wear Saturday...I thought I'd share some ideas with you...in case you were having the same "there's nothing in my closet" dilemma like I am...Enjoy.

Alabama Gameday
(In Alabama colors, of course...)

And to all those readers who are not Bama fans, here's a link for you...

It's a shout out for all those "other schools".

Just waiting for Saturday...

Ellyn

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Yum-o!

Just wanted to share a recipe with you that Kyle and I tired last night. I was a little unsure about it at first but it actually tasted really good! I could see where this would be a crowd pleaser- kids included!

Chili Dog Nachos

1 talbespoon vegetable oil, 1 turn of the pan

1 pound ground sirloin

salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 hot dogs, cliced into 1/2-inch pieces

1 small onion, chopped

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

1 sack yellow corn tortilla chips

1 10-ounce bag shredded yellow cheddar

sour cream salsa, and scallions for topping

yield: 4 servings

1. Heat a medium skillet over high heat. Add the oil, then the beef and begin to brown and crumble with a wooden spoon, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then add the sliced hot dogs and continue browning, another 3 minutes. Add onion, Worcestershire, chili powder, and cumin. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and simmer 5 minutes more.

2. Preheat the broiler. Arrange the corn chips on a platter or in a casserole dish. Top the chips with the cooked chili dog topping. Cover the chili dog sauce with cheese. Melt the cheese under the hot broiler 2 minutes, until melted and bubbly. Top with sour cream, salsa and chopped scallions.

Thanks Rachel Ray! It was a good one!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Remix!

So I was downloading some songs tonight and I just happened to think about this band that I use to listen  to when I was younger.
Acappella.
If you haven't ever heard of them, check them out...I like the old stuff the best.














Have a great weekend!

Ellyn

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Craving some Thai food...

So I wanted to share with you a recipe I'm just dying to try...yes, I haven't tried it but we can live and learn together. Crab Ragoons. I first tried them at a place in Tuscaloosa and they are my favorite thing in the entire world- horrible for you but good in moderation. Right!?

So I've looked at several different recipes and this is one of my favorites. It's from "foodpeoplewant.com".
Get the recipe *here*
Crab Rangoon

Doesn't this look delish?
With some of Phuket's coconut soup this would make a fabulous dinner.

Maybe on a Sunday afternoon I'll convience Kyle to let me make these...he's not a fan of crab. Could you sub chicken in? Maybe?

We made it to Wednesday...almost to the weekend and *almost* to football season.
Can. Not. Wait!

Ellyn

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Drum Roll Please...

Bloggers! Hello!? I want to apologize for being a spastic blogger but I promise, it's coming to an end. Starting with this post...let's hope. I've had a pretty busy summer (not complaining!) and it's slowly wrapping up. From here on out, it's just working and football games...thank goodness. I've missed some Alabama football like crazy.
So this past weekend Kyle and I threw an engagement party for some sweet friends of ours, Lauren and Justin! The party was a success! We couldn't be happier for them and we're so excited for their New Year's Eve wedding!

So of course I was too busy being the hostess with the mostess and I forgot to take some decent pictures of the table of food...but I am going to share with you menu and a couple of the recipes!
This was our dessert table...I love Pier1 and their "single serving desserts". We did peanut butter pie, red velvet cake with homemade cream cheese icing, and banana pudding. Yum-o!


BBQ Bacon Sliders with Garlicky Blue Cheese Spread
(Thanks to "Ourbestbites.com")
Fix burgers however is your favorite way to fix them...the secret is in the spread.
Garlicky Blue Cheese Spread
1/2 c. mayo
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tbs. red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/4 c. crumbled blue cheese
Combine the ingredients, mixing well. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
The best thing that ever happened to burgers.

Corn Dip
2 cans Mexi-corn
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 jar pimentos (small jar)
1 can green chilies (small can)
1 bag cheddar cheese

Mix together and chill, serve cold.
I like it with Fritos but Kyle likes Scoops better...to each their own.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad
*Recipe found Here!*
I made my own balsamic vinaigrette (cause I have a pretty pimping recipe for it) but mostly after that it's just added "toppings".
It's a must try and its better the next day!

My favorite part of the party was the glasses I made for all the girls to drink out of...Things were so crazy that we forgot to take a picture with them but here's what they look like:
okay- for some crazy reason it won't load right side up...but *tilt head*, isn't super cute?! Redneck Wine Glasses!
Super easy to make. You have no idea. The place where I found them in Tuscaloosa wanted 20$ EACH for these...I made them for only 1.50$ each. Talk about a mark up!

We had a great time...My favorite part was Justin and Lauren retelling the engagement story...really wish someone would have recorded that!

Just going to finish up this post with some pictures.

The usual, ladies picture!

The fab four.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Ellyn


Monday, August 15, 2011

So...it's been a while.

So it seems like I'm going to be one of those bloggers that just "drops" in and blogs for a minute before I'm off to the next thing I have going on...First of all, I would just like to say how fast this summer has gone by...I know it's still "technically" summer but gosh, IT'S THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST! I seriosuly remember writing 5-24-2011 on my work papers like, yesterday.
In other exciting news, remember the curtains I blogged about last? I've decided not to buy them...I'm actually going to try to find something from J.C. Penny...some plan, neutral colors.

Just to get you up to speed, I had a bridal shower for the lovely Ms. Brittany Andrews, making some fabulous goodies, Jennifer graduated from Bama, and we had a wonderful vacation at the beach...
Brittany with her maid of honor, Kayla and me!

I have this wonderful recipe I want to share with you but I'm waiting for it to get to me from one of the shower hostess. It's amazing!

Jennifer graduated form Nursing school! It was a sweet ceremony and I bet there wasn't a dry eye in the coliseum after Dr. Whit talked about the six students that were not there to enjoy the day with the rest of their fellow students.



After Jenn's graduation, we high-tailed it to the beach for the week. It was some much needed r&r and much needed for my whole family. I love vacationing with my family...I know we're going to have a lot more of those vacations and that makes me smile.


So I guess that brings me to today.
Wednesday night starts Lift-Off with the youth and I'm so excited to get back into that. It keeps me young. ha.

And finally....drum roll please!
I'm super excited to celebrate two friends who are getting married! I'm throwing my first engagement party and I'm super pumped! I've got a great menu and some great things cooked up for this shower. I can't wait to tell you about them...on Sunday. :)


Hope this week goes by super fast...I'm already ready for the weekend!

I've got some "homey" things to show you later...it's bedtime for me.

Ellyn

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Need opinion...Now.

So I know I said I would be a better blogger...but you know how things happen. Between this past weekend, work this week, and packing for the beach next week (THANK GOODNESS!)...things have been a little hectic. So I've been doing some research because I want to kind of "finish" the kitchen before football season. We just had the hutch put in and it looks amazing! I'm so happy...now I need just a few little details to finish off the kitchen for a while...ha. So I've been looking at curtains from all over...I really want to go to Fayetteville and check out Sir's Fabric but I think I need curtains that are ready to be hung up. Looking at my schedule from now until...err...end of football season, "free time" isn't coming free. So I want your opinion. How do we feel about these for the kitchen. I love this print and I really feel like it would work in the kitchen. Not too crazy about the price but convience isn't cheap either.

Simone Drape, 50 x 63"

I hope to be adding some recipes of some things I've made these past few weeks and from the shower last weekend. So don't hold your breath...but hopefully soon!

Opinion's welcome!

Ellyn