4th of July Fireworks- I'm giving away VIP Passes!
Posted by
Andie
on June 28, 2011
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NBA Draft 55" 3D TV Giveaway!
Posted by
Andie
on June 23, 2011
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Matchmaker, Matchmaker Make Me a Match!
Posted by
Andie
on June 21, 2011
Last summer, Mike and I set up my little sister with one of our good friends.
We'd been wanting it to happen for a while. In fact, the very first time I met Bennett, I told him that he was going to marry my sister. I just knew they had a future together!
Due to timing issues, it took a year and a half before they actually went out. Both parties were a little hesitant about the blind date thing at first (probably due to the fact that I was already planning their wedding- yes, I can be the overbearing big sister). But we prevailed!
And as fate would have it, they are getting married tomorrow!
We couldn't be more proud of ourselves for bringing them together.
I'm thinking they should name a child after me.
Congrats Bennett & Stacie!
Have you ever successfully played Matchmaker??
I'm one for one... maybe I should stop while I'm ahead!
p.s. don't you love this photo?
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Father's Day Menu Ideas
Posted by
Andie
on June 17, 2011
It's often been said, I'm guessing since the very beginning of time, that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I don't know about you, but in my experience, that notion is 100% accurate. I figured that out as a young teenager, and let me tell ya, I got to be pretty fond of the 'ole chocolate chip cookie maneuver. It was a sure fire way to score major brownie points (no pun intended) with the boys.
Bottom line? Men love food.
Since Sunday we are celebrating the Father's, Grandfather's, Husband's, Brother's, Uncle's, and Son's (plus any other kind of man I forgot to mention) in our lives... I think it's only fitting to party it up with good eats! Trust me, one of the best things you can do for the aforementioned group of males on this special day is to make sure there is plenty of delicious food on the table!
Haven't had time to buy a Father's day gift, let alone plan what you're going to eat on Sunday? Don't stress. Here is a little Father's Day menu I put together of my family's tried and true favorites that will bring happiness and peace to all those who partake. Make one thing, or everything- I'm confident enough in all of these recipes to recommend them to anyone!
Father's Day Menu
Tomato and Garlic Crouton Salad
Cashew-Honey Green Beans
Favorite Potato Rolls
Twice Baked Potatoes
Steak (this flank steak is incredible!)
Williams Sonoma Triple Chocolate Brownies- via a bountiful kitchen
Alright, here are the recipes:
Tomato and Garlic Crouton Salad
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus 1/4 cup
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 loaf ciabatta bread, cut into small cubes
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 pints red and yellow grape tomatoes, cut in half
1 cup halved kalamata olives
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese
8 basil leaves, chopped
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small skillet add 3 tablespoons olive oil, the butter, garlic, red pepper, salt and pepper, to taste. Cook about 4 minutes.
Add the cubed bread to a large bowl, pour the butter and garlic mixture over the bread and toss to coat. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until crisp, 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. In a small bowl whisk together the remaining olive oil and red wine vinegar.
In a large serving bowl combine the tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, croutons, basil and oil and vinegar mixture. Gently toss to coat all tomatoes and croutons. Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Cashew-Honey Green Beans
1 pound green beans- fresh
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cashews- coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons honey
Remove tips and rinse green beans. Steam or boil until tender. In small saucepan, melt butter and honey. Add cashews, then drizzle over beans.
Favorite Potato Rolls
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
Let sit together for 5 minutes.
Then add:
2 eggs
1 cup mashed potatoes
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening
2 teaspoons salt
5-6 cups flour (sticky)
Mix everything together except flour. Put that in 1 cup at a time. Cover and let raise for 2 hours. Then take 1/2 of the dough and roll it out. Spread with melted butter then roll and put melted butter on top. Repeat with rest of the dough. Rise 2 hours. Bake 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
(I usually make this dough the night before and put it in the refrigerator overnight to raise. It is a sticky dough and is easy to work with if refrigerated. Take it out of the refrigerator and roll right out, then let raise as directed. This is also my favorite cinnamon roll dough.)
Twice Baked Potatoes
4 medium sized baking potatoes
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup softened cream cheese
2 green onions
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon thyme
Milk
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Bake potatoes and cut in half lengthwise. Spoon potato mixture into mixing bowl and set skins aside. To potatoes, add sour cream, butter, cream cheese, green onions, salt, pepper and thyme. Whip until light, adding milk if necessary. Fold in cheese and fill skins. Cook on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. These are easy to make a day ahead and bake when ready to serve.
Have a wonderful Father's Day Weekend!
Love ya, Dad!
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Stripes
Posted by
Andie
on June 14, 2011
I'm sure it's no surprise to any of you that stripes are EVERYWHERE these days. And if you're like me, you just can't seem to get enough. When it comes to decorating with stripes, the possibilities are endless! Don't make the mistake of thinking that you have to go out and buy a whole new sofa or piece of furniture- look for small accessory pieces like rugs, lamps, throw pillows, vases, curtains, artwork or blankets to add a little stripe pizazz. And if you're feeling really brave, just pull out the paint and get to work!
Check out these awesome looks. The one and only thing that they all have in common is the stripe element, but thanks to color schemes, style, and space, they are all completely different!
image via design sponge
image via design sponge
image via apartment therapy
Putty Striped Upholstered Sofa
image via coastal living
image via decor pad
image via rue magazine
image via design sponge
image via apartment therapy
lonny mag via decor pad
Like I said, the possibilities really are endless!
Here's to incorporating stripes and creating a look that represents your own personal style!
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47 Pieces of China
Posted by
Andie
on June 10, 2011
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What's your Dad's Favorite Band? Father's Day Giveaway!
Posted by
Andie
on June 7, 2011
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Twenty Six and Scared Stiff
Posted by
Andie
on June 3, 2011
I've always LOVED celebrating birthdays! Especially my own! And by celebrate, I mean draw it out for as long as humanly possible. I'll never turn down a good excuse to party!
Last Saturday I had my birthday. This year it was strangely different though. I had a great time celebrating and doing fun things all weekend, but I was totally wigging out inside. I kind of couldn't wait for it all to be over so I could just forget how many years are under my belt now.
On May 28th, I turned 26.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh.
I know, I know. This might sound a tad dramatic, but I feel like I'm entering mid-life crisis mode here folks!! Twenty six! The last time I was this freaked out by my age was when I turned eighteen and cried in my bedroom for a whole day because I thought my life was over due to the following reasons: A) All of the good songs on the radio talk about being 17 and in the prime of your life. Eighteen felt like old maid status. B) My high school graduation was the next day. After years of saying I was so over high school and ready for college, I suddenly realized maybe I was a tiny bit scared to grow up. C) I was now officially an adult and I could register to vote. Scary! That's what boring old people do!
I know what you're thinking, and yes, I can assure you that I take my civic responsibilities very seriously and make it a point to exercise my right to vote at elections. Don't worry.
I digress.... Back to twenty six.
This year, the insanity might be due to the fact that I am now three years older than my husband instead of two, or that I recently found a wrinkle on my forehead. The icing on the cake though was when my brother kindly informed me the other day that I am now closer to THIRTY than twenty. I almost threw up all over his shoes just to teach him a lesson.
I'm coping. I will prevail! Thankfully the last person that guessed my age was sure I was twenty two. Bless them forever and always. Recently I found this quote from Lucille Ball that I think I'll make my mantra, "The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age."
Hello, my name is Andrea, and I'm 21 years old!
Is it just me? Have any of you been a complete wreck thanks to a birthday?
I'm off to buy some eye cream.....
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