Currenty

1. 13 secrets from Ben and Jerry's
2. 14 must-know kitchen cleaning tips
3. Pulled this dinner out of the archives this week. So good!
4. And, I'm pulling this favorite out this week! 
5. The best ways to store food. 
6. Important Life Lessons from MasterChef Junior. Caleb (my 5 year old) LOVES MasterChef Junior. He has always helped in the kitchen and I've loved it but, he has been a picky eater since he 2. But, because he saw these kids, just a bit older than him, cooking and eating so many things, he's been willing and happy to try new things. He hasn't liked everything he has tried but we have had a ton of tear-free victories. He has fallen in love with pesto, salmon, halibut, squid, sausage (all kinds), meatballs, mushrooms and carrots on occasion. Now, if I could just get him on board, with the green stuff! 
7. I'm going to need this book: Date Night In: More than 120 Recipes to Nourish Your Relationship
8. No-Bake Almond Joy Snack Bites. Umm. Yeah, I'm going to need to have some of those.
9. Halibut with Cocnut Creamed Kale and Quinoa in a Papillote sound delicious!
10. So BEAUTIFUL!
11. Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef and Spaghetti Squash with Peanut Sauce. YUMMM! 
12. Where is the cast of Scooby Doo now? Caleb would be sad to know this.
13. These BBQ Chicken Enchiladas sounds so good!
14. YESSSSS!
15. Cheesecake, like, WOAH!
16. I must confess, I don't know exactly how good I'll be about posting next week. My honey is taking the week off and he tends to be a bad influence on me! 

Happy Weekending!!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

1. I am OBSESSED with Chuao Chocolatier Honeycomb Chocolate Bar. My love bought me one for my stocking on Christmas and I may have devoured it plus two others... Don't judge me. It is sooooo good! 
2. I neeeeeeds this lid for my mason jar tumblers. I love it!
3. I think I'm an ambivert. 
4. My Mom is an effortless host. Maybe that will be a goal for me this year.
5. I have another "resolution" to add to my growing list. "Stop reading comments on articles and on FB links to articles." Seriously though, what is wrong with people? 
6. Braised Pork Belly Kimchi Stew, sounds soo good!
7. Suddenly I'm craving a marble cake. 
8. Maybe I should make these cookie for my sister's upcoming birthday.
9. Someone please buy me the jewel shaped mold from Bakerella! As my 2 year old would say "Me neeeeeeds it!" 
10. This granola has my honey's name all over it!
11. The art of making a good homemade broth is so overlooked these days. Yes, I realize that statement makes me seem like I'm 73 years old and nope, I don't care. 
12. What are your plans for the weekend? My sister and I are making a ton of food and having a game night. Then I am sleeping! Two sick kids, who get super hyper and grocuhy when taking certain meds makes for so little sleeep!

Happy Weekending

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

1. Happy 2015! I'm not making resolutions this year, but I am making changes. I'm stream lining our life, reorganizing our house, cutting out the clutter, physically and mentally and we are spending more time as a family.
2. As you might guess from my photo, we have been enjoying some lazy days. Liam has been sick and Caleb has been WIRED, but we're making it work. It has been nice being home for two weeks with my guys. Although, I have to say, I miss reality. I really miss work! 
3. Some things we should know. 
4. My husband has NEVER seen a single episode of Friends. (I know, I know, but before you judge him, I have only seen one Star Wars movie and it was Episode 1. We are equally sad people.) Well, lucky for him, he gets to binge watch it with me now, albeit against his will. Whatever, he will grow to LOVE it. 
5. Make 2015 better.
6. Love this 2015 printable calendar.
7. I've been wanting new stockings. I may try my hand at these.
8. This Harry Potter tree.
9. Mom made these buffalo chicken meatballs for Christmas Eve and they were fantastic!
10. Everything coming to Netflix this year. 
11. I want to learn to make the Mr. some beard oil. Anyone out there ever make or buy any? 
12. Have some summer in the winter with these cupcakes.
13. 10 Kitchen Habits to Adopt. Yes to everything! 
14. Forewarning: Be prepared for a wave of smoothie posts from me. No, I'm not jumping on the "new year, new me" bandwagon, But, I can feel the affects of eating everything in front of me throughout the holidays and my broken stomach is still a problem. I haven't had full on sick days in awhile, but I've had glimpses and can feel them coming. So, I'm doing what my doctors suggested and doing liquids as much as possible for a while. Luckily, I can make some killer smoothies and juices!
15. In fact, a Detox Bloody Mary sounds pretty amazing right about now. 

Happy Weekending!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

1. That's just a random picture from our trip to Rock City. It is a weird shot but, I kind of like it. It's what happens when you shoot and walk at the same time.
2.  That was the second Christmas light themed outing with a set of grandparents. We did the Christmas Night of Lights last week. Both were so much fun! I really recommend both to anyone in the Chattanooga area. 
3. Because it's the freakin weekend, Adam Levine singing Sunday Morning followed my Ignition (Remix) made my day. Loved that song. (FYI language warning!)
4. Jimmy Fallon  +  Justin Timberlake ALWAYS!
5. I think I'm going to have to make this fish chowder. 
6. Roasted Cashew Sesame Brittle. The candy of my dreams!
7. So love this.
8. Ummm, so any of you watch Arrow? The mid-season finale killed me! Like real tears came out of my eyes for fictional characters. 
9. Obsessed with these wreaths!
10. Uptown Funk has been stuck in my head for weeks now. I'm perfectly fine with that. According to my husband it's like James Brown and Morris Day and The Time made a music baby. Ha!
11. So, what do you do when at 10:15 pm, you realize you've lost the screws for your Christmas tree stand and you just promised your 5 year old (who snuck out of bed and gave you the eyes that make you give in 97.37% of the time) that you really will get over your Grinch funk and stop trying to do other things and finally put you your Christmas tree. You beg your loving husband to run by the only place still open and grab screws, right? Wrong! You give him the same eyes you got from, the previously mentioned 5 year old con artist, and find a pre-lit white tree of your dreams! Ok, so it is a foot and a half shorter that I wanted but it was literally $200.00 cheaper than the 8 footer I was drooling over. I'll take it! And, got to give a shout out to Mr. man who went out after working a quadrillion hour day to get it so that I didn't have to change out of my pj pants and so that he could see our little guys excitement tomorrow when they get up expecting no tree. He really is the best!
12. Who doesn't want an Ombre Birthday Smoothie?
13. All the cookies!!
14. Marshmallows are my love language!
15. I'm working out a Eggnog Pie recipe. It is the same idea as my Truffle Pie, but I'm having trouble getting the eggnog to whipping cream ratio to work out. Too much eggnog and it won't set up and not enough and you lose the flavor. I will say that my half frozen, sloppy version was a hit at my work Christmas party and if they hated it there would be no lying to save my feelings. haha! Love them for it though. Hopefully I can work it out and I can share it with you by next Christmas. I can't rush perfection. :)

Happy Weekending!!!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

1. Yes to so many of these things!
2. Kettle Chips? Yes! Caramel? Yes! Fudge? Yes! Someone make this for me. Pronto!
3. Crockpot Ranchero Chicken
4. Breakfast Salad? Yes, please!
5. Chocolate and Coconut are my favorite flavor combination. 
6. If you live in the Cleveland area, heck if you live within an hour of here, you neeeed to check this place out! We've eaten there a few times and each time it is better than the last. I had the pork belly last night and it was life changing good. Seriously! 
7. Molten Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes! OMG!
8. Holy Meatballs Batman! And these too!
9. Holy cow! I still have no tree in my living room. I have failed
10. I'll be baking my brains out this weekend then filling my guts up at parties. Life is good.

Happy Weekending!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

1. A man wrote is own obituary and it was, heartbreaking, beautiful and hilarious all at once. 
2. Daniel and Sam the best part of the movie. Lee and I watch Love Actually every year, around Christmas. We send the kids to their grandparents, make dinner and hot chocolate, watch the movie with all the lights off in the house, except the lights of the tree. It is one of my favorite nights of the year.
3. It's sad how excited I am for Pitch Perfect 2.
4. I love The Bloggess for some many reasons, but this particular post is perfection.
5. Vanilla Doughnuts, Chocolate Fudge Pistachio Doughtuts, and Apple Buttermilk Beignets. I neeeeeed all of these in my life!
6. I might need a Ginger Stomach Soother after all of those doughnuts!
7. I cannot wait for this book! I love the idea and the outlook of it.
8. Who wants to buy this for me?
9. Um... HELLO!! Dark Chocolate Macaroon Thumbprint Cookies. 
10. Loving this Harry Potter themed Christmas tree. 
11. I haven't even put up my tree yet, I usually have at least one up before Thanksgiving. I normally out up three but I think this year I'll just do the one in the living room. I know Liam is going to impossible to keep his hands off the tree and having kittens this year, I'm just praying we can keep it standing! I hope to get it up tonight and tomorrow. 
12. Double Chocolate Party Cake. I need this in my life, very soon!
13. Winter Green Salad with Orange Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. I good idea when thinking about alllll the extra calories we are all about to ingest this season. 
14. Cute ornaments.
15. I want this shirt.  

Happy weekending!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currenty

1. I love Nick Offerman
2. I love creamed spinach but can never get it just right. Maybe, this recipe can fix my problem.
3. I know this is a weird time of year from ice cream, I may need to make this!
4. Slaw is usually nothing to get worked up about but this slaw, this slaw may be a game changer.
5. Benedict Cumberbatch does impressions and I love it.
6. Love this blog, love her writing, love this recipe.
7. I know, I know it's not Christmas yet but I can't help but love this video! It might be my favorite rendition yet!
8. Holy Breakfast Nachos Batman!
9. I can never find Creme Fraiche where I live but now I can make it myself. 
10. The BEST Thanksgiving recipe round up I've seen yet.
11. I'm putting the finishing touches on my Thanksgiving menu over the next day or two. We are staying home and having dinner, just the four of us.The combination of, my husband being in retail management and have a HUGE family made us change it up last year and stay home. We could, go to 4 different meals (yes, we did that one year) and stuffing ourselves, hurrying home so husband man can close his eyes for 2.76 seconds, before scurrying off to work so he can open at midnight, Instead, we are going to sleep in, eat lunch, all take naps, watch a movie or go play in the leaves and then husband can work rested with leftovers and the kids will have had both of our undivided attention all day. Yveryone wins. And I still get to spend the day with the three loves of my life. 

Happy Weekend!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

1. Do you watch New Girl? Enjoy some Smchidt Quotes. 
2. Yep.
3. So much, this! Things are changing in my life and as I get older I've realized some people aren't going to be there and I'm not going to feel guilty when they're the reason why I have to walk away. Wow, that got deep and dark pretty quickly. Uhhhh.... 
4. I just made some pumpkin butter, but her's looks so much better!
5. I want to make these.
6. So yeah, I'm going to be adding these brussel sprouts to my Thanksgiving menu. 
7. Speaking of Thanksgiving, I made a Pinterest board dedicated to it. 
8. I bet my picky eaters would totally snack on these. 
9. CocoaPebblesCerealMilkPudding might just be my husband's dream dessert.
10. Slow Cooker Hard Cider Braised Pork with Sour Cherries and Cheesy Polenta. That is totally happening next week,
11. How cute is this party? I feel the need to recreate it! Who wants to make me Marquee Lights?
12. Beer Battered Fried Calamari Pizza. It's like she made this pizza for my oldest child. He loves calamari and pizza. (aaaand he's the picky one!)
13. Mom, if you're reading this, I want to make this apple cider for the Christmas Eve party.
14. Loaded Junk Food Brownies. Be still my heart!
15. As always, Amanda speaks to my inner sugar addict, with this frosting!
16. So, what do you think of the new look? I may not be totally done but I like it much better. I think, I should be back in full force, next week, but I'm still fighting this sinus thing. 
17. Speaking of being sick, I would like to thank Netflix for finally adding some stuff from Food Network and HGTV. I've been binge watching Pioneer Woman and David Bromstad the past couple of weeks. All four of us have been pretty pitiful lately, but I can't seem to shake it. Plus, I pulled a muscle in my back (again) and I think that is definitely contributing to my general feel of ick.  Now, back to my hot tea and some design tv. 

Happy Weekend!!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

• I thought I was going to have tons of posts for you this week, then I realized, when my husband takes his yearly fall staycation,  he becomes a terrible influence on me. I have a ton of dishes to do, not one piece of food photographed and a pile of laundry that reaches the ceiling! Ok, maybe not that bad but I have been far less productive, since he's been home everyday. I wound up missing work. Monday we wound up doing fun Halloween things with the kids, then I ate something that, apparently, makes my gastroparesis act up, so I was too sick to work Wednesday. Luckily my job is flexible and I get to work when I can, had I known I was going to wind up sick, maybe I would have worked Monday, instead of binge watching Scooby Doo.

• We painted pumpkins this week and they are adorable but I think, I love the way the paper, we put on the table, looks more than anything. I thought about trying to dry it out, cutting it down into 11x14 sections and calling it modern art. 
• My Mom made my boys the most adorable skelelton, bat and ghost cookies this week and sent, what was left, home with them. Apparently some stuck together because I just looked up at Caleb and he is eating a HUGE conglomeration of cookies,that were stacked and stuck together. He looked at me and said "What!?!?? you said I could have a cookie and thiiiiiiis is, ONE cookie." I like the way this kids thinks!

• I made some amazing pumpkin butter yesterday! I will be posting that recipe soon! So SO so good!!! You should be jealous of my toast. I think, I want to mix it with Nutella and make my breakfast delicious and lose all nutritional value. 
• I am not ready for Halloween to be over! I love all the fun things leading up to it. The cute and spooky pjs, food and activities! UGH!!! I. almost, love Halloween as much as Christmas! 
• I feel the need to make THESE CARAMEL APPLES!!! (Please forgive me for yelling, they look so dang good!)
• Pumpkin Midnight Cake! Her cakes are so inspired!
• Useful info for slowcooker fanatics, like me.
• Thai Crunch Brussels Sprouts

Happy Halloweening!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

• Have you ever put cream cheese in your mashed potatoes? You totally should! I rarely make them, so when I do I feel the need to indulge. I add butter, cream cheese, garlic, salt, pepper and milk. I always mash, never whip! I hate how gluey potatoes get when whipped. I'm a high maintenance when it comes to my mashed potatoes, much like I am in all aspects of life. 
• Italian Quinoa Risotto Lasagna with Truffle Oil. I mean... Get. In. My. Mouth!
• THIS cake!!! Uh, yeah Ima need to make that!
• Have you watched Forever? I am obsessed. It may be my new favorite of this season.
• All the pumpkin things!
• This Pasta! And this one too!
• I've been feeling like super poo for the past couple of weeks. I'm trying to keep it together but I am exhausted. Why do I love the fall season, when it hates me so much? 
• Last night, we went to our local zoo for Boo in the Zoo. The boys got to see tons of their favorite characters, play games, do a scavenger hunt, get tons of candy and of course see the animals. So much fun! We loved it! 
• Aaaaannndddd! They got to try out their costumes!

How adorable is my werewolf and Mickey Mouse?

• My Mom made both costumes just like she always did for me. She amazes me with the things she creates! I wish I had payed more attention to learning to sew when I was a kid. 
• Last night we introduced my parents to Pure Sodaworks. It is amazing! If you are from the Chattanooga area I highly recommend you find some and try it all! Behind the Root Beer my husband's favorite is the Strawberry Jalapeno. I love the Honey Lime and the Hibiscus Lemon. 

Now to dive into making some caramel pretzel brownies! Yummmmm! (I hope!)

Happy Sunday!

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently

I need to be real with you. I cannot believe I am about to type these words, but here goes... I love deep fried Oreos. I thought they would be revolting, I was wrong, so wrong. I could only handle a little but because they are so very sweet but dang, they are good. Should I have in my food snob card now?

I'm most definitely coming down with something  but I don't know what. I just know, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I think I've slept more than I've been awake in the past 4 days. I've also been super dizzy, but it isn't anything like the vertigo I've had in he past, so that is a good thing. But sheesh! I just want to feel good.

Love me some alone time .

I'm an over-analyzer too!

An interview with my FAV food blogger.

OMG!!! Bananas Foster Tiramisu!!

Theeeeeeese truffles! I mean...  I. MUST. HAVE. THEM.

How to store and and clean produce. Useful info!

I've been toying with making some cheeky kitchen art, but this lady went and did it for me!

Cream Cheese Apple Coffee Cake. Hello BEAUTIFUL!

Wonder if I can get little mister picky to eat this Mac and Cheese?

Loving this bedroom re-do!

This pizza is proof of why she is my fav!

Love this shared kids room.

Basil Red CURRY Biscuits. Get in my mouth!!!

Now, I've got o get the pork butt out of the slow cooker, make my balsamic BBQ sauce and the apple fennel slaw with orange dressing. I'm trying to make up for the Oreo.

Happy Sunday,
xoxo
Ashley

Currently

1. Eww!!
2. I'm Sherlock.. Which detective are you?
3. I made the BEST taco salad last night AAAAAAND it was pretty healthy! Whut!?
4. I want this for breakfast. EVERYDAY.
5. I think I should make this salsa for my husband and little brother! We will see if they can really take the heat!
5. My sister really needs to make me this dip, since she is queen of all things Heath Bar!
6. Do you know all the lyrics to the Fresh Prince theme song? My bestie tagged me in a post on my FB page, because she got 100%. The funny thing about that was, I had taken the quiz the day before and planned on tagging her in mine but I got distracted and never shred it.
7. Speaking of Fresh Prince, this made my inner 90s kids squeal with glee!
8. Um. Yeah so not much going on this week. I'm currently overwhelmed in my real life so I haven't been present here or well, anywhere too much. It's nothing major, just a lot on my plate lately and dealing with what I want vs. what I need, apparently. So, have a happy weekend and I am going to turn things around his weekend and get some sleep. My children have both woken up after 11 and stayed up until 4 or 5 at least 3 times this week. Mama needs a nap.

xoxo,
Ashley

Currently

1. See that smoothie up there? Yeah, so, I have a stash of watermelon in my freezer, so I can pull it out and make mint watermelon smoothies when I start to "miss" summer. 

2. I may have stolen all of my Mom's mint out of her garden and made 6 cups of mint syrup to add to smoothies, coffee and tea. I froze half of it to use through the winter.

3. I made the most amazing coconut curry risotto two nights ago. Life changing good! Now I just have to remember what I did so I can duplicate it.

4. We have decided on our Halloween costumes. Caleb is going to be a Werewolf and Liam is going to be Mickey Mouse. My sister and I are going to do a gender swapped versions of Sam and Dean from Supernatural. Don't ask why, I cannot explain it. Now, I'm on the look out for a fake sawed off shotgun...

5. This guy is turning 5 next week! I cannot believe it. He is such a funny, silly, hard headed, imaginative, stinky little man. He asked for sprinkle pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We normally go out for dinner to the restaurant of his choice but he wants to have dinner at my Mom's house. Breakfast for dinner that is. 

6. I might even find some of the Krispy Kreme Ghostbuster Doughnuts for him when they become available. He loves everything Ghostbusters. 

7. On the Menu for the week:

Ultimate Stadium Nachos

Cheese Chicken Enchilada Soup

Homemade Pizza Bagels (My mom used to make something similar for me when I was a kid!)

Peach Passion Jam

Brie + Cheddar Apple Beer Soup

xoxo,

Ashley

Currently #4

Yeah, so this is supposed to be a Friday post but my Friday was a little cah-raaaay-zzeeeeeee! In fact my whole week was long, stressful and BORING! My honey was on a business trip and everything that could go wrong did. Luckily today is going to be wonderful. Today I have so very little to do it is amazing. The house is spotless, I mean spotless! I literally have to write the menu for next week, and make dinner. Maybe I'll start a project today. Maybe, after 2.5 years, I'll start figuring out the gallery wall in the living room, maybe. Maybe I'll lay on the couch and binge watch Criminal Minds. I'm addicted. Someone please help me!!!

We have kittens. They are the sweetest and I don't want to give them up! We started naming them even though I think that is going to turn out badly. The little orange one is named Fanta. My oldest, Caleb, is orange crazy so clearly that was his favorite from the start and orange soda is like his favorite treat that he rarely gets so in his mind that was the perfect name. The other two Caleb named are Denmark and Shark Bite and I have no clue why he picked those two names. Lee (the mister) and I named the last one River, after River Tam from Firefly and Serenity. We are in love with them.

On the menu or this week:
Slow Roasted Carnitas
Sea Salt Butter Cream on a Chocolate Cupcake
Apple Pie Biscuits
Asian Plum Sauce
Chipotle Pulled Pork with Apple Slaw
Also EVERYthing from Simply Delish. OMG, this book may wind up knocking my long time favorite out of the top seat in my favs.

At this very moment I am drink blackberry hibiscus lemonade and burning an Autumn Spice candle. I think I am confused as to what season it is!

Aaaaand with that I have run out of things to talk about. I told you I had a long, boring and stressful week. Have fun on your weekend!!!

xoxo,
Ashley

Currently #3

Sooooo, Netflix added Criminal Minds to instant streaming last week. I cannot stop watching. What is wrong with me?

Asian BBQ Boneless Ovenbaked Wings. Um, yeah I'm going to need to make these!
Whole Grain Beer Mustard is very much on my to do list.
Oatmeal Cookie Granola is on my list for breakfast many days next week.
This Pie Sundae Social is such a cute idea!

I think the boys and I may grow ourselves some crystals. I don't think I am going to use eggs shells, maybe some larger rocks. I see fun things in our future!

Speaking of crafting, I just cleaned and rearranged my office/craft room. It was crazy disheveled before. Now everything has a home and a place. I think projects are in my future.  Get ready for some craft goodies. (hopefully)

Who wants to buy these for me? Wonder if how many hints I need to drop between now and Christmas...

Princess Bride facts. Bet you can't guess where I got name for this blog...

I am so ready for fall! I want cooler weather so bad that I can't stand it. There is a palpable feeling I get about fall, it's magical. I love the leaves, the food, the smells... I love every single thing about Autumn! I think I am going to make Curried Sweet Potato Soup tomorrow and pretend its no longer summer outside.

I've started planning Halloween costumes. Caleb can't decide between a Ghostbuster, a ghost, a vampire, a werewolf or a zombie. Liam just says he wants to be whatever Caleb says. I was planning on a Caleb as a Ghostbuster and Liam as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, but I think that has been ruled out. My sister and I are both working on gender swapped Sam and Dean from Supernatural for Halloween. I am pretty stoked about it. Oh my gosh, why am I such a dork!

This weekend is about relaxing. The Mr. has taken the weekend off. For once, he has the weekend off and we have no plans. I don't know what to do with myself, other than some laundry and dishes nothing needs to be done around the house. I think a family movie night, a couple of trips to the playground and even a date night.

Currently #1

This will, hopefully, be my regular Friday post. I tried my best to do one on my old blog every Friday, I hope to be better at it this go around.

I am so stupid excited for this book! I'm going to rush right off and buy mascarpone so I can make that sandwich! I mean, HELLO, get in my belly!

Can we talk about this lemonade? I must make it. Now.

Another season of Arrested Development!?!? I hope it's better than the last one Netflix made. One of our favorite date nights is Arrested Development and BBQ nachos and we haven't found another show that fills that void just yet. Oh, please don't let this be a dream!

Speaking of TV, I am awful about binge watching shows on Netflix. I'm currently hooked on Haven. The problems is, there are only 3 seasons on Netflix and we don't have cable. I've got to figure out how to get my hands on some season 4 episodes, before my husband loses his mind. He started watching them and I've since started.

That cutie monster up there is turning two on Monday. I cannot believe it! We are making sprinkle pancakes for breakfast, our family tradition, then heading out to a playground and going to Red Robin for dinner because this kid is OBSESSED with burgers.

Have you tried these? I wonder if they're similar to the chips in the old Party Chip Frosting. I hope so! I think I might make a batch for some cupcakes for my boys' shared birthday party.

Sorry for the boring and short post. I am a ton to get done around my house and I have some work for work to do as well. Not to mention I have some party planning to do, I have two weeks before my boys' birthday party and I have very little done. I better get a move on!

xoxo,
Ashley