Style Me Pretty

Isn't she precious?
A Vintage Wedding inspired by none other than Audry Hepburn herself. I know not all of you are married so I thought I would put up a link to Style Me Pretty. Not only can you find more pictures from this charming wedding, but you can also find wedding vendors and tons of ideas for your future "Big Day". One of my favorite vendors Smock Paper can be found on the sidebar on the lower right hand side.

with. love. d. lynn.

Tis the season...

Christmas Favorites

the smell of cinnamon.
green everywhere.
3 kinds of popcorn tins.
holly.
hot carmel apple spice, starbucks.
mistletoe.
bells.
peppermint ice cream, preferably breyers.
cozy plaid pj pants.
all i want for christmas, mariah carey.
twinkle lights.
santa suits.
store windows.
the crunch of snow.
family.
toffee by karen.
giving gifts.
ornaments.
ham & cherry sauce.
white christmas movie.
rockettes.
carols.
nativity scenes.
christmas spirit.

Smitten Kitchen

Ok Ladies:

So reviewing and explaining our precious little girlie blog to my friend Hysen in our English class (yes indeed I am blogging instead of listening to my professor), she told me about this bomb site called SmittenKitchen. Majority of what has been posted is recipes (duh! we're girls and we looove to cook!) I automatically had to share the love of this splendid little food website to all you ladies.

Click. Browse. Love. Enjoy.

xo

kay.

Yummy Mint Goodness

My mother used to make butter mints all the time at Christmas. You know, the little pillow-like pieces of sugar that taste of minty goodness. Derek and I made some last night, and I must admit: I forgot how wonderful even the dough is! It's the easiest recipe on the planet and SOO good-great to add to that plate of cookies you take your friends and neighbors.

Butter Mints
1/4 cup of butter-nearly melted
3 oz. cream cheese
1lb powdered sugar
1/4 tsp mint extract

Mix all ingredients together. Add food coloring if desired. Then, roll dough out into thin snakes and cut into pieces with butter knife. Set on wax paper to dry out for about 24 hours. ENJOY.

Walking On Snow...

Living in this dreadful snowglobe of Rexburg means learning how to cope with the ungodly amount of snow the sky dumps down every winter..luckily there are cute awesome amazing snow songs to make the white powder and sheets of ice more bearable. So obsessed with this song so I had to share it with you ladies!

xo

k

Chef Diaries: Halloween Themed

First there was dinner in a pumpkin... I can't figure out where I put the recipe, mom would you please post it when you have minute?? Anyways it's a yummy dish cooked in a pumpkin. Our local market was out of big pumpkins so I opted for two little guys, the boy for J and the girl for me! It was a fun time!

Then there was Halloween Shepard's Pie on Sunday. Tasty and so fun to make, but if you are doing the mashed potatoes from scratch they have to be completely smooth for the ghosts. This was my one fall down on this dish, but I made it work! Try it, fun fun!

Snickers Salad

Ingredients:

Snickers Bar

Red and green apples

Strawberry yogurt

Directions:

cut apples into slices

combine yogurt and snickers bar and blend

put the apples into the yougurt mixture and stir

Enjoy! i learned this at young women's and loved it!

Chocolate Rolo Cookies

This is my sister stephanie's recipe. I made them myself for the first time last night. They are so good & so simple. I am a horrible cookie maker, unless they come in premade squares. My cookies always come out so flat but these turned out perfect!

1 Chocolate Cake Mix

I used the exact kind that is in the picture above. Betty Crocker, Tripple Chocolate Fudge

2 Eggs

1/3 Cup Oil

1 bag of Rolos

Don't follow the directions on the back of the cake box, just add the mix, eggs, and oil. Take a ball of dough a little bigger than a rolo and wrap it around a rolo. Back at 8 min @ 350 degrees on a greased cookie sheet. It made about 30 cookies. Kaitlyn and anyone else that loves chocolate and rolos, you must do this ASAP and report back to me. Its a bit of heaven on hearth. Love you all!

Shay Shay

In Keeping With Our Pumpkin Theme

Here is a great recipe I am making for a Bridal shower. It's easy too!

Pumpkin Bars

2 C. flour

2 C. sugar

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

1 t. cloves

1/2 t. salt

1 C. oil

15 oz. can of pumpkin

4 eggs

Frosting

2 C. powdered sugar

1/3 C. butter softened

3 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 T. milk

1 t. vanilla

(combine ingredients and beat until smooth)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 15 X 10 in. jelly roll pan. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, blend all bar ingredients at low speed until moistened.

Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool and then frost. 48 bars (you can freeze some)

Enjoy!

Dove Evolution

I have been shown this video multiple times in different heath classes I have taken here at BYU-I. For some reason, it captures my attention each time I watch it as if it were the first time I was seeing it. I love the honesty.

I am new to blogging so I am not quite sure how to post the video but here is the link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

xoxo - Shay

Pumkin Soup with Chili Cran-Apple Relish

Hi ladies. Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful Fall weather. I love fall - perhaps the most.

A friend recently told me about this recipe by Rachel Ray. I made it last week and proceeded to eat it all (almost) by myself. It was delicious. I am going to have to make it again soon!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 fresh bay leaf
• 2 ribs celery with greens, finely chopped (save time and purchase celery already washed, trimmed and cut into sticks, this makes chopping fast work)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning or 2 teaspoons ground thyme
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce, or to taste
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 (28-ounce) can cooked pumpkin puree
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Relish:

• 1 crisp apple, such as McIntosh or Granny Smith, finely chopped
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Heat a medium soup pot over medium to medium high heat. Add the oil and melt the butter. Add bay, celery, and onion. Season the veggies with salt and pepper. Cook 6 or 7 minutes, until tender. Add flour, poultry seasoning and hot sauce, to taste, then cook flour a minute. Whisk in chicken stock and bring liquid to a bubble. Whisk in pumpkin in large spoonfuls to incorporate it into the broth. Simmer soup 10 minutes to thicken a bit then add in cream and nutmeg. Reduce heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.

While soup cooks, assemble the relish: combine apple, onion, lemon juice, cranberries, chili powder, honey and cinnamon.

Adjust seasonings in soup and relish and serve soup in shallow bowls with a few spoonfuls of relish.

"The leaves changed their color and the schoolyards were filled"

I read Kaitlyn's post literally 10min after I had made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins... kinda made me laugh that we were both feeling the same fall vibe. Anywayz, I dont claim to be a master chef in any way, in fact im still learning, but here is the recipe i made today with a few of my favorite fall to do's...



Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins/Bread



1 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1 cup pumpkin pie filling

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet, but either will work.)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease muffin tin or bread pan. Bake mini muffins about 10min. large muffins 15-20min. and mini loaves for 20-30min. Let cool and enjoy!

Fall Things i heart: Coraline (just redboxed it and loved it), The Nightmare Before Christmas (We like to watch this at Halloween & Christmas!), Sweet November, Harry Potter and the Socerers Stone, going to The Pumpkin patch, White hot Chocolate from Starbucks, picking apples from Apple Orchards (One thing i miss about upstate NewYork) and making homemade apple cider, Pumpkin Spice doughnut from Krispy Kreme, Straw Mazes, Homemade Soup, Cozy Socks, Light Coat Weather... and recently, the changing leaves on Mt. Timp.

with. love. d. lynn.

I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils...

Oh hello there Fall,


OK, who's got some great fall time activities?? I know someone does. In the meantime while I wait for the posts to pour in here are some on my fall favs

TREATS TO ENJOY

Pumpkins scones, pumpkin bread (BTW does anyone have a good recipe), OK pumpkin anything :)Peppermint tea (I know, I know you're thinking it's more a Christmas thing, but peppermint tea is really good for all seasons)

FALL TIME FUN

Roasting pumpkin seeds, walks in Central Park (Oh the leaves are pretty) surfing the Internet for Halloween costumes.

SIMPLE JOYS OF FALL

Scarves, pumpkin and spice candles, new school supplies, feelings of gratitude, cozy movie watching, leaves changing color, crisp air, great boots

GOOD FALL MOVIES

You've got mail, August Rush, Autumn in New York, Practical Magic, Hocus Pocus...

Post your fav fall crafts or add to my lists!!!!!!! Come on inspire us, I dare you :)

Source of Sunlight

I just wanted to say in the blossoming of this little blog through friends I have found a source of light and a breathe of fresh air. It's good to feel connect and I'm so enjoying the learning!

BLOG ON GIRLS

It is not yet soup weather here in California, but I made this for enrichment last night and it was really good and easy!

Chicken Cheese Chowder

2T butter 1/2 tsp dried marjoram

1 large potato, diced 1 cup diced cooked chicken

1 onion, chopped 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

1/4 cup flour salt and pepper, fresh parsley, to taste

2 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 cup shredded or cubed cheddar cheese

1 1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add potato and onion; cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Blend in the flour and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Add the broth, milk, Worcestershire sauce and marjoram. Stir until slightly thick and bubbly. Stir in the chicken and corn to heat through. Add parsley and salt and pepper. Stir in cheese until blended just before serving.

PS I love the wisdom of little Lucas!!

Chef Diaries: Zucchini Soup

Adventures In Zucchini Soup!

By Kaitlyn Ray

Recipe By Mackenzie Brasher

09.22.09

It all started with some zucchini... and the smoke alarm going off due to a small kitchen, weak stove fan, and too many items on the stove...

I was making my way through the first few recipe steps with ease. I even found the fat free half and half (as recommended, I was determine to follow the recipe exactly because I truly don't trust myself as a cook at all!)

I decided I would cook the chicken Jordan had bought at the store to go with our tasty soup. This is where we hit problem number one. Too much chicken to try to cook on a small pan while trying to manage soup. Note to self: (and all you guys reading this) If the item you are cooking is too thick the bottom will completely burn before you have cooked through to the middle! Further more too much olive oil in a hot pan will cause little oil drops to jump up and burst on your arms while you are trying mash zucchinis. But somehow I salvaged that whole situation and made it through the veggie steps for the soap and onto the sauce...

When the spoon I had sitting in the pot ,while I was getting out dishes, decided to jump out of the pot and sit on the floor... TWICE! (don't worry it was washed in between)

The results of which you can see below. Again note to self: (and everyone reading) As a beginning cook trying to melt butter while adding flour and various other ingredients I should be very precise on the timing of such a process or the mixture may or may not come out very lumpy and awkward.

I call these Soup On Floor and Soup On Pants... just two of this seasons latest in the Ray Home.

HOWEVER... When all was said and done, the soup was AMAZING, if I do say so myself and I do. A HUGE thanks to Mackenzie & friends recipe for delighting my taste buds and teaching me big lessons in the kitchen! I always feel proud when Jordan asks for seconds :) I think I will make zucchini soup again soon! You ladies should try it too, see recipe in post below!

The joys of learning to cook!

Love&Light,

K.Ray

Wisdom of children

We all have bad days. I've had a particularly hard week this past week. I am usually pretty hopeful and positive in general, but this week has been tough. As I have reflected on how to get out of this slump, if nothing else but for the sake of my kids (who have not seen the best of me lately), I am reminded of something Lucas has said to me a few times. "Mom, sometimes things happen that way." And indeed, Lucas, though you are only 3, you are right. Sometimes things happen that way. I need to look ahead with hope and remember that of all of the things that truly matter in my life, all is right. The rest will work itself out.

Thanks girls for the recipes! I think they would actually be yummy together. Just add some french bread and you've got dinner. (You could always add a little cooked chicken to the salad for your protein--that's the mom in me.) I can't wait to try the soup!

Chef Diaries: Pork Diane

25-Minute Pork Diane

( I totally copied and pasted a recipe I just tried from allrecipes.com, which I fully support, If you are an IPhone user, get their app asap. Anyways this recipe was fairly easy, I mean you can see what I made above and it was super good. Jordan loved it!!! I think one key is getting the right Dijon, I used a balsamic-Dijon mustard that was so good if you can find it. Go get em guys!)

Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and lemon add zest to this tender, juicy pork loin recipe, which has only 131 calories and 1 gram of carb per serving!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce for chicken

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard

4 3-ounce boneless pork top loin chops, cut 3/4 to 1 inch thick

1/2 to 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives, parsley, or oregano

Directions:

1. For sauce, in a small bowl stir together the water, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and mustard; set aside.

2. Trim fat from chops. Sprinkle both sides of each chop with lemon-pepper seasoning. In a 10-inch skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add chops and cook for 8 to 12 minutes or until pork juices run clear (160 degrees F), turning once halfway through cooking time. Remove from heat. Transfer chops to a serving platter; cover and keep warm.

3. Pour sauce into skillet; stir to scrape up any crusty browned bits from bottom of skillet. Pour sauce over chops. Sprinkle with chives. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 131, Total Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Sodium 377 mg, Carbohydrate 1 g, Fiber 0 g, Protein 19 g. Daily Values: Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 0%, Iron 0%. Exchanges: Fat .5.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Soup weather is almost here

Kaitlyn,

I adore you. And so do my children. I suspect I will be learning much more from all of you ladies than you will learn from me. But here goes anyway...

Oh, and I cannot take credit for this recipe. My dear friend Suzy made it for me a few years ago, but I have been hooked ever since.

Zucchini Soup

(This amount just makes 3-4 servings, so I usually double it)

Combine and cook the first five ingredients until zucchini is tender and most of the water has evaporated. Mash or puree and set aside.

3 cups unpeeled, sliced zucchini

1/2 cup water

1 tbsp. minced onion

1 tsp. seasoned salt

1/2 tsp. parsley flakes

In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour, butter, pepper and stir until somewhat blended.

2 T butter

2 T flour

1 chicken bullion cube

1/8 tsp white pepper

Add half-and-half and milk to flour/butter mix, cook until thickened. Stir in veggie mix.

1 cup half-and-half (I use the fat-free kind. I know what you are thinking, but it does exist.)

1/2 cup milk

Poppyseed Salad: K.Ray Style

Here's How I Like It

1 Pink Lady Apple

1 can of Mandarin Oranges

1/2 cup sliced almond

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 bag of spinach leaves

2-3 tbs. Marie's poppyseed dressing

Instructions:

Now I find the best way to make this salad is let you instinct guide you. Change the amount above according to your preference. I personally love all the fruit, so I over use. Personalize this little creation anyway you like. Let your taste buds be your guide!

Attention Please

Ladies...

Don't forget to leave your name at the end of your post so that we know who wrote what! Makes a big difference.

P.S. Thanks Kare Bear for getting us started, who's next...

Love&Light,

Clouds and blue...my favorite!

Great idea little bride! As for the name, well that just suits me fine! Here's a little thought for today. Look at the sky! Just take a minute or two and look at the sky. It is the most glorious color of blue, not even Tiffany's can duplicate it or my friend Robin who is the color queen. I started doing this every day about two years ago and it is amazing how it fills your heart with gratitude for the beautiful world we live in and for Heavenly Father who created all. Things aren't always perfect, but just for today take a look at the sky and let it soak in.

Come One Come All

So I was thinking the other day about all the amazing women I know. So many creative, strong, smart ladies with a multitude of talents. It occurred to me we should and could totally be learning from each other, not that I'm claiming to have much to offer, however I just thought this would be fun. My idea is that we can trade recipes/craft ideas/good laughs over this blog. Over the next couple days I'll post some example... let me know what you think!

xo

K.