Cajun Alfredo with Smoke Sausage {recipe swap}

This was freaking delicious!  Just sitting at soccer practice flipping through Better Homes and Gardens and see an ad from Hillshire Farm thinking that I have all of these ingredients.  Score!

Recipe can be found here.

It really was so simple with major WOW factor.  

Annnddd...it's about as creative as I have been lately.  I hope to get back to my adventurous ways in the kitchen again soon and share with ya'll!

Thanks for visiting!

{This is not a sponsored post, just sharing the love}

Five on Friday

We are relishing the last bits of summer here on the Jersey Shore.  It's been a mixed bag, but this upcoming weekend is supposed to be gorgeous...sunny and in the low 80's.  Orange Cream custard from Kohr's is a must!

Granted, we don't get out much anymore, but a breathalyzer machine in a bar?  Between that and the Grateful Dead cover band, I felt old(and judgmental)!

I've been trying to lose about 20 pounds.  When strategic posing doesn't cut it anymore, it's time to lay off the snacks and fattening coffee drinks...This is my typical soccer mom uniform...

We are combining our boys birthday and having one big party next weekend.  We've historically had Halloween-themed family parties.  This time we are throwing a "friend" party under the premise of a front yard tailgate.  All sports, all the time.  About 45 minutes into the party the video game truck is going to roll up!  They are going to be so excited!  There are a few girls coming too (yuck!), so am going to set up a craft table for them...

So despite the fact that it's not going to be a Halloween party, I've full-on decorated the house!  I will be sharing my Halloween decor next week...

It's fun...

Thanks for visiting!

PS ~ My eyes are so puffy from last nights game...there IS crying in baseball.  Thank you Captain...

Inherited Brass Bed...To Paint or Not?

I'm back again...hope your summer was amazing!

I graciously received a brass bed from an old family friend this past week.  It's been in and about the family for generations really, and I am happy that I can rehab it for my boys.  The question is to restore or paint. Paint is so easy and will make it pop, but I don't know if I want to compromise the integrity of the piece itself.  It's quite old.  

Decisions, decisions.

Here's my inheritance (terrible pic).  I am not sure which child will be getting it yet, I am trying to switch rooms around and neither is cooperating.  Either way, this bed will grace a boys room, so it's needs to stay somewhat masculine, i.e. no pink, aqua, etc..

Oil-rubbed bronze is intriguing me too...kind of like meeting in the middle?

Here are some inspiration photos that I've been throwing around...

{If I still have any readers left, I'd love your opinions!)

Pottery Barn white version. Can't go wrong with white, ivory or cream.

Edie's beautiful girls room.  Love the Serena and Lily bedding (but again...boys)

Paint 

Natural

Paint

Natural

Natural

Paint

{photos courtesy of Pinterest}

So there's my dilemna (old school spelling).  I will be sure to share the final results if + when I get it done...

I hope to be sharing more of our home/garden/kitchen on the blog.  I miss this blog that I consider a journal of sorts, to get my thoughts out there, sane or not!

Thanks for visiting!

In the books...

So long Summer 2014...

Thanks for visiting!