Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Fall into Fall: Centerpiece and Chili Recipe

oct
There is no time of year better than the fall in Colorado.

The leaves actually change, the air gets crisp, people hold hands and skip down the lane, okay, maybe not that last part but you get my gist. It's heavenly this time of year in Colorado.

Last week I decorated for fall and am so happy. I mean, who isn't happy in the fall?

My newest purchase that I absolutely adore is from one of my favorite Etsy shops, Four Bugs in a Rug. Check out all their table runners, I love them all. They were also so easy to work with which in our house is a big deal.

Here's a close up pic from their site:
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And a couple pics from our table:
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The pumpkin is a decorating pumpkin, and I plan to paint something spooky on it soon. I found super-cute templates for doing this on Country Living, which you can check out here. Did I mention I'm not crafty? TOTES not-crafty.

The next  thing on my short craft list this year, throwing together this wreath:
wreath
This picture from Star City Wreaths is my inspiration.Will I fail and order from their Etsy shop? Time will tell.

Another sign of fall's arrival?
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I made my first batch of chili, Vegetarian Chili. I live off of it during the fall, winter and spring. So really, I just take a break in the summer. It's simply divine, packed with fiber, filling and it keeps great which is critical for my lunches.

I have used this old Crockpot Recipe for years, and just kind-of tweaked it with spices and ingredients I like over time.

{Vegetarian Chili -Ingredients}
1 large carrot chopped.
1 stalk celery chopped.
1 zucchini chopped.
2 cups corn kernels.
3 cloves garlic chopped.
2 tbsp olive oil.
1 28-ounce can diced tomato can, with liquid.
3 cups red kidney beans drained.
1.5 cup black beans, cooked.
1 tbsp chili powder.
1.5 tsp salt.
1 tbsp cumin.
1 tbsp garlic powder.

{Directions}
Combine in crockpot. Turn on low and cook overnight.
I like to top with cheddar cheese and avocado (and if no one's watching some Frito's).
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Happy fall, y'all!
Lauren

Friday, April 12, 2013

Spring!

I don't mean to brag, but my husband and I recently got back from Mexico, SANS child. I know right? The vacation was relaxing and we enjoyed the beautiful, warm sunny weather. It was a bit of a shock to come back to 7 degree temps and snow. I mean, really Colorado?

Alas, today we are back in the 60's and spring has sprung is finally springing in Denver, y'all! I quickly learned the planting rule-of-thumb here, which is to never plant anything until after Mother's Day - because snow could fall and temps could drop below freezing up until that date. Strange concept for a Texan who's used to spring starting end of February.

I'm especially excited for this summer because the short guy can actually enjoy the yard! This year I'm going to pay more attention to our Outdoor Spaces, dress them up a bit. If there is one thing we love about Denver it is the summers - warm days, cool nights and NO MOSQUITOS! We eat dinner outside almost every night in the summer and clock countless hours outside.

With spring finally knocking on the door with some warm weather, it brings with it a fresh lighter feel, and you want your house to follow suit. Here are my (p)inspirations for the yard:

1. Hanging flower basket. If you've been to any ski town you see these lining the Main Street and brightening up the town. I want one.

[caption id="attachment_1369" align="aligncenter" width="310"]Hanging flower basket. Please disregard the woman in this photo. No relation.[/caption]

Here's a great tutorial on how to create this beautiful hanging basket.

2. Porch decor. We have a pretty big deck off the back of our upstairs Master Bedroom, it faces West towards the mountains. It's a beautiful view and currently sits empty. Unacceptable. Love the black and white and hanging flower pots.

[caption id="attachment_1373" align="aligncenter" width="479"]Upstairs porch-living. Upstairs porch-living.[/caption]

3. Whiskey barrels. I find the use of old whiskey barrels very farmhouse chic. I love the way this barrel is used as an outdoor ent-table. I plan to replicate and bought an extra barrel for planting. Which brings me to my next point...

[caption id="attachment_1370" align="aligncenter" width="664"]End table barrel. End table barrel.[/caption]

4. Vegetable gardens. The green-thumb gene did NOT fall anywhere near this tree. Gardening is not my thing, but I want it to be my thing! I love the idea of picking fresh vegetables from the yard. So this year I decided: START SMALL. I am going to plant one tomato plant (and maybe one other item) in a large whiskey barrel and my mother-in-law picked up these adorable planters in Glenwood Springs, which I'm going to use for herbs.

[caption id="attachment_1393" align="aligncenter" width="480"]Herb pots. Herb pots.[/caption]

If this proves successful, I might go for something bigger in the future, like a true garden, y'all. I found this great article about Gardening for Beginners. If I even get to this point.

[caption id="attachment_1372" align="aligncenter" width="288"]Beginner garden. Beginner garden.[/caption]

5. Dwarf fruit trees. Random right? But I'm obsessed with these little fruit trees! If only I lived in California. These dwarf trees retail for $50ish, so I figure, what the heck, I'm going to try them. They are even sold on Amazon, which continues to be the greatest invention of all time.

[caption id="attachment_1371" align="aligncenter" width="350"]Dwarf fruit trees. Dwarf fruit trees.[/caption]

So there you have it. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it! Now the next challenge: getting organized and making it happen. What do you have planned for Spring?

Cheers!

Lauren

 

Friday, August 10, 2012

Friday Re-Wind

There is so much that I am loving about this past week. A little week-in-review on this Friday...

1. West Elm
I’ve fallen back in love with this store. I’ve recently made two purchases that I just adore. Don't you love that? When you make a purchase and then like it more when you bring it home? Typically never happens, but it has recently:

First, this salvaged wood shelf. I feel like you could put this shelf anywhere and it would work but it is hanging in our master above our bed. (I’d take a picture, but my room is not quite ready for public viewing yet). I’m in love:



http://www.westelm.com/products/salvaged-wood-shelf-w637/?pkey=e|shelf|16|best|0|1|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

And these curtains I just bought for our new updated office/guest bedroom that my husband finally gave the green flag to decorate. Hip hip hooray, this room is no longer just “his space” and "off limits." I went with a gray/white theme which has turned out really nice.



http://www.westelm.com/products/cotton-canvas-printed-window-panel-scribble-lattice-b901/?cm_src=AutoSchRel

2. Kale
I’ve been trying to make kale a staple in our household because its got such great health benefits. But, have you had kale? It’s a little…challenging. This week I’ve fallen in love with a roasted kale recipe - so much that I made it twice in two nights. Here’s the Grilled Kale recipe from the blog Unruly-Things:



http://www.unruly-things.com/2011/09/grilled-kale-salad.html

3. OWN
I mean, if we’re being honest here, who doesn’t love Oprah? I don’t watch her new network religiously (probably should), but I TIVO her show Next Chapter. From Carrie Underwood, to Neil Patrick Harris, it’s such an intimate look into peoples lives. And there are always little nuggets of true Oprah wisdom that she gives each episode. The last episode I watched she called the kitchen "the heartbeat of the house.” Oh Oprah, I've missed you. The show airs on her network on Sunday at 8pm central.

4. Family time
Last weekend we were so excited to have family in town from Las Vegas. My sister-in-law stopped in with her two kids and it was so fun to spend time with her family and my mother-in-law. I just wish everyone lived closer! Our babies are 11 short days apart. Here’s some pics from the visit (and yes the boys are matching. You're welcome.):





Also, Denver, I'd like to thank you for no humidity even with record highs. It allowed this little munchkin to play outside. And you've seen it - we officially have a sitter!



[caption id="attachment_397" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hudson continues to keep a safe distance. [/caption]

Well folks, Jeff and I are off to Steamboat Springs for the weekend. I will never tire of the fact that we can travel to so many these fabulous places within hours. Just another reason I love Colorado. :) This weekend will be my first time leaving Cooper...ever! I'll share that experience next Friday. Have a great weekend everyone!

-Lauren