what's for dinner

Tonight I tried something new with some farm fresh chicken I purchased from a fabulous co-worker, Barbara! (she also provides me with farm fresh eggs)

I combined chicken breast, wings and thighs all on the bone with some light olive oil, salt and pepper, and one of my go to fresh grinder seasonings- Italian Herb by McCormick =)

I combined small yellow potatoes, shallots (much lighter in taste compared to a onion), rosemary (love the smell of rosemary in the house), salt and pepper and light olive oil.

Cooked these items together at 350 close to an hour. (until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 and the potatoes are soft)

So yummy, juicy, tender, flavorful- very filling!

Olive Juice

I have been engaged for almost a year now, well a year on July 7th of this year to be exact. I have just recently in the past 3 months or so started really planning my wedding...I was never a girl who dreamed of her wedding day or of the kind of dress I would have. So, I feel semi-lost trying to plan a wedding....however, I am pretty excited about the photography of the whole event and my engagement photos coming up in August =) I want the perfect scene for my engagement photos- something vintage, something romantic and fun!! And most of all I want the perfect outfit!

I love plaid and I love long (to cover my perfect child bearing hips)- I would love something like this with  black leggings or perfect fitted dark jeans.

Love boots and I don't own a single pair- I think these would be a perfect first pair and match perfectly with the outfit I am dreaming up in my head for the engagement photos!!

I love key necklaces and I think this would add some intimate and private touches to my outfit.

I also love the idea of a dress, and this tulip bottom is to die for- not only are Tulips my favorite flower but this dress would accent my legs nicely =)

Loving these teal flats! Do you guys think it would look cute with the tulip dress- adding some color??

Let me know your thoughts girls and help me plan out my perfect engagement photo outfit!!!

http://shopruche.com/

and she knew the answers would come with time and love

I have never been a girl into decorating, but I must have got some wild hair up my bottom because this year I have really been focusing on making my apartment 'HOME'...

I am really loving soft yellows, bright pinks, turquoises and greens =)

Fell in love with the vintage look of these

I love the bright blues, reddish-pink tones on the green fabric backing. I came across these curtains at World Market, located in Eugene and Keizer. I would take all of World Market home with me if I could. I am inspired by so many different looks in this store and it has really allowed me to express myself in my apartment. Here are some looks from World Market that are inspiring me...

I have been wanting a big clock for one of my main walls in my living room- something similar to this would be perfect!

I have always loved the look of big silverware for the kitchen walls- I first saw this look on Everybody Loves Raymond

I love how the mauve and yellow tones work together and I adore the legs on the chair as well, so vintage looking. I would love to combine this chair with a solid green or white sofa

Slowly, but surely I am making my apartment feel like home. I hope to have all my rooms decorated in a vintage style with everything being bought by myself and not a hand me down.

Trick or Treat

So, Halloween is one my favorite holidays next to Christmas! My sister in law,  Jess, makes these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies quite often and every time I eat them they remind me of Halloween time and I feel oh so happy =P So here is the recipe for all to try, I have tweaked my sis's recipe a bit:

Yep that's all ya need =P

Simple Ingredients, 1 box of spice cake mix, 1 small can of pumpkin, 1 box of vanilla pudding, 2 large eggs (farm fresh if you can) and 1 cup of chocolate chips.

Mix all of these ingredients together and bake for 10-15 mins at 350! Wha-la...

Perfection!

Who doesn't love the smell of baked goods in the house?? Especially the smell of a pumpkin pie. Any time of the year you can make this recipe and you will instantly feel like the holidays.

You know that feeling you get when it's cold out, and you just want to snuggle on the couch with a loved one and watch movies and eat warm cookies...ah...I might just devour this plate tonight, solo!

SMORE, S'MORES PLEASE

I went camping for the second time in my whole life this weekend with my fiance, brother&wife and their sweet children that I absolutely adore and love! We ventured up to Fort Stevens and set up camp; and I am happy to say that I had the privilege of tasting my very first campfire s'more....and it was AMAZING.

I found a few variations to the classic s'more in a cooking magazine that I wanted to share with you all. I know some of you might be against the "fancy" s'more but... I love new recipes and new takes on the "norm" of a treat or meal.

Elvis s'more: honey grahams+toasted marshmallow+banana slices+peanut butter

Cinnamon toast s'more: cinnamon grahams+toasted marshmallow+butterscotch chips+white chocolate

Mint chocolate chip s'more: chocolate grahams+toasted marshmallow+mini chocolate chips+peppermint patty

Caramel apple s'more: cinnamon grahams+toasted marshmallow+apple slices+chocolate covered caramel (rolo)

Toasting Tips:
*to get extra soft marshmallows, use a metal skewer. it conducts heat and melts the center.
*position your marshmallow over the hot coals or just beside the flame, not directly over the heat
*for campfire s'mores, put the chocolate topped graham cracker on a sheet of foil and lay near the fire to melt.

The above recipes and tips were provided by a food network magazine =) (I live by food network)

It's Complicated

So, I first heard about Croque Monsieur from the movie "It's Complicated" back in 2009. Synopsis: When attending their son's college graduation, a couple reignite the spark in their relationship...but the complicated fact is they're divorced and he's remarried. (Total chick flick)

Not only is the movie flippin hilarious but the main character played by Meryl Streep is an amazing cook and baker and owns her own bakery (my dream career), so needless to say how could I not love this movie.  During a scene when Meryl's character, Jane is on a 'first date' with Steve Martin's character, Adam she prepares a Croque Monsieur.

A delicious french ham and cheese sandwich- it looked so amazing on screen I swear I could smell it as my mouth watered...and ever since I saw that sandwich I was pretty much on a hunt for it! I finally came across it in Eugene, OR at a restaurant named Ratatouille. I was the happiest girl when that french take on ham and cheese hit the table, and let me tell you it was YUMMY! =) The cool thing about Ratatouille is it is a french eatery combined with a Thai eatery... (curry chicken is one of my most favorite dinners ever) so it was basically my ultimate restaurant!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/croque-monsieur-recipe/index.html

Do yourselves the favor and try this recipe and hey while your making it why not have "It's Complicated" on in the back round??