The Blog Guidebook

I ran across this website in a magazine I was reading and it is so full of awesome connections for bloggers! I am in the midst of adding my blog to some of the categories they have for home decor and food.. you should check them out!

http://www.blogguidebook.com/

Stuffed Mushrooms by Suburbs Mama

Tyler LOVES mushrooms so these would be great to make for him!

Stuffed Mushrooms

24 large mushrooms

2 shallots

4 cloves garlic cloves

1/4 cup white wine

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

salt and pepper

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1/4 cup flat leaf parsley chopped

-Wash mushrooms and remove stems (save stems), pat dry

-Mince the stems, garlic and shallots

-Saute the mushroom and shallot mixture in a large saute pan over medium high heat with 1 Tablespoon olive oil.

-Cook until the shallots are transparent and the mushroom begin to caramelize, about 5 to 7 minutes.

-Add the white wine and let the wine cook out.

-Set aside and let cool slightly.

-In a bowl, add the cream cheese, parsley (save a bit for garnish), and thyme.

-Add the mushroom mixture to the cream cheese and mix until combined.

- Season with salt and pepper.

-Put the mushroom caps on a baking sheet lined with tin foil.

-Fill the mushroom with the filling and sprinkle the top with the breadcrumbs

-Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

-When the mushrooms are done, they will start to leak water and be hot all the way through.

-Garnish with the remaining parsley.

Idea for baby room-- Alphabet Wall--- by The Shabby Nest

Before you all get too excited, no I'm not pregnant, BUT, I do sometimes run into baby room inspiration and if it is as cute as this.. I have to blog it...

Check out the bottom left picture.. how cute is this for a wall in a nursery?!!

And this is how she tweaked it for her boy's room:



Love this idea!! 

Chipotle Chicken Pasta by Homemade by Holman

I saw this recipe on a friend's blog and had to laugh.. we have been looking for a recipe that uses chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.. we had a huge can of leftover ones from last week, couldn't find a good recipe, and threw them away! Wish I had them now!

Chipotle Chicken Pasta

2-3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)

1/4 cup lime juice

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped

1 tsp ancho chili powder

1 tsp salt

2 T olive oil

1 lb farfalle pasta

1 large red bell pepper, diced

1 large green bell pepper, diced

1 red onion, diced

1 chipotle pepper + 1 T of adobo sauce, minced

1/2 cup chicken stock

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Trim fat from chicken breasts and cut into bite-size pieces.  Combine lime juice, 1/2 of minced garlic, 1/2 of cilantro, chili powder, and salt and mix together.  Pour over chicken to coat and marinate chicken about 30 minutes. 

Heat a large pot of water to boiling.  Add generous amount of salt and add pasta.  Cook according to package directions until al dente.  Drain and set aside.  Meanwhile, add olive oil to large saute pan and heat over medium heat.  Add chicken, bell peppers, onions and remaining garlic and cook about 6-8 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are softened.  Add chicken stock and chipotle pepper and adobo sauce and cook until stock is reduced by about 1/3.  Reduce heat to low and add cream and cheese.  Stir to combine and return pasta to sauce pan and toss to evenly coat with sauce.  Cook about 5 minutes and top with remaining cilantro and serve.

update 12/21/11...
Finally got a chance to make this dish for Tyler and he loved it!

Fall Apple Dip by Simply Designing

This looks really good! I love Fall ideas for snacks!

Apple Dip

You will need:

• 1 pkg (8 oz) Cream Cheese softened
• 1 T peanut butter
• 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
• 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow fluff or creme
• Apple wedges (I used an assortment of apples)

How To:

 In a bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter and pie spice until blended.

Fold in marshmallow fluff
Serve with apple wedges

Makes approximately 2 cups

Apple Pie by Alicia

I made my first Apple Pie yesterday and it turned out great!

Apple Pie

What you need:

- 1 box of Pillsbury Pie Crust (includes two pie crusts.. or you can make the crust from scratch if you have time!)

- 6 medium sized apples (skinned and cut into thin strips)

-  1 Tb.lemon juice

- 2 Tbs.flour

- 3/4 c.sugar

- 3/4 tsp.cinnamon

- 1/4 tsp.salt

- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

What to do:

1.Set oven to 425 degrees

2. Place one pie crust in pie pan (glass) and press into bottom with fingertips

3. In a large bowl, mix together apples, lemon, flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg

4. spoon mixture into pie crust

5. Top with second crust and press edges of two crusts together to seal.

6. Flute the edges of crust

7. Add slits to pie with knife

8. I added fork marks to crust for design, but you don't have to

Bake for 10 minutes and then take out to add foil pieces on top of crust so that it doesn't burn.. put back in oven for remaining time... about 40-45 min... check it often!

Let cool for atleast 1 hour

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Treats by I Heart Naptime

Love these pumpkin ideas! I will have to try some of these in the next couple months!

Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecake
by: Inside BruCrew Life
http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2010/10/last-week-my-hubby-and-i-ate-at.html

Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread
by: Cheeky Kitchen
http://www.cheekykitchen.com/2011/09/cinnamon-pumpkin-bread.html

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
by: Bake at 350
http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2009/11/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-bars.html

Pumpkin and Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
by: Sea Flower Studios
http://seaflowerstudios.wordpress.com/2010/10/08/pumpkin-and-chocolate-oh-my/

Halloween Wreath by Landee See Landee Do

This would make cute wall art for Halloween!

Check out her tutorial at:

http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com/2011/09/halloween-ish-wreath.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LandeeSeeLandeeDo+%28Landee+See%2C+Landee+Do%29

Fabric Pumpkins by Thompson Family Life

I LOVE these!! I think I will make a few for Fall for our house, this would also be a good ladies' craft day activity!

To see how she made these step by step check our her blog at:

http://thompsonfamily.typepad.com/thompson_familylife/2009/11/fabric-pumpkin-tutorial.html

Happy Fall!

Taco Soup by Whipperberry

This would be a great dinner idea on a cold Fall night!

Ingredients:
1 lb. Lean Ground Turkey
1 Large onion chopped
1 15 oz can kidney beans
1 15 oz can fat free refried beans
1 15 oz can chili beans
1 16 oz can whole corn, undrained
1 16 oz can chopped tomatoes
1 4 oz can tomato sauce
1 ½ c. water
1 4.5 oz can chopped green chilies
1 pkg Taco seasoning
1 pkg Ranch Dressing mix

Directions:
Brown turkey and onion. Add all remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
For amazing results stir in a spoon of sour cream. You can also pour this soup over some taco chips or crumble them over the top with some shredded cheese. This would also be a great topping over a hot dog or baked potato. There are just so many possibilities!
For the Weight Watcher crowd out there, this has a Points Plus value of 3 for 1 cup. Thanks Betty for keeping me on track!

Halloween String Lights by Good Housekeeping

This is such a cute Halloween craft idea!! If I had a larger front walkway area, I would make these!

Cast a spell on standard string lights with quick-change DIY covers. Gather small plastic cups (mouthwash size works best), patterned scrapbook paper, one sheet of plain paper, scissors, double-stick tape, an X-Acto knife, and a string of LED lights (they'll stay cool against the cups). Make a template for the covers by wrapping plain paper around a cup, tracing, and cutting it to fit. Cut patterned papers to the template; affix with tape. With the blade, slice a small X in each cup's top to push light through.

Glittered Pumpkin Place Card Holder by Infarrantly Creative

This idea is so cute!! I might have to try it for Thanksgiving at our house this year!

Supplies:

Styrfoam pumpkins

Hole saw and drill

Spray primer

Krylon’s Glitter Blast Spray Paint

Krylon Clear Spray

Votive candle

Tea light candles

Brad or Thumbtack

To see how to put these little cuties together visit this link:

http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011/09/glittered-pumpkin-place-card-holder.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InfarrantlyCreative+%28infarrantly+creative%29

Fall Posting Party on Chic on a Shoestring's Blog

I love all the ideas that people have posted on this blog for Fall, I even added my Fall Mantle picture to the blog to spread some Fall Cheer... here are some ideas by others that I love:

Paper Pumpkins by Artsy VaVa

Recycled Sweater Pumpkins by Our Really Empty Nest

Burlap Wreath by Crafty Chich Mommy

Adorable pumpkins by D. Reyne.com

A Taste of Fall by Alicia

Loving the burnt orange color for Fall, so decided to change up my mantel and table decorations to reflect the new season!

Yes, the bottom picture is sideways, didn't want to turn, but you get the idea!!

HAPPY FALL!

Pumpkin Inspiration by West Furniture Revival!!

What cute ideas for pumpkins this year! I love the ideas that this blog picked out...

I am loving white pumpkins this year, I even added one to my "mantel" shelf above our couch.. pictures to come soon!

Football Snacks by Alicia

Football has finally arrived in the Schlumpf household, which for Tyler means the Chargers and for Alicia it means A LOT of fun football snacks! I love to cook treats for Tyler and I while we spend a lazy Sunday watching football... here is the plethora of deliciousness that I made last weekend.. (which by the way, could of fed about 10)...

Football Snacks

As shown above: sausage and crackers, tostada chips, homemade guacamole, salsa, bean dip and chicken and black bean quesadillas!!

It was a great day! Check out my blog under football snacks for some more ideas!

Happy Football Season!

Mini Pizzas by Grand's Biscuits

I saw a commercial for these and knew we needed to try them, they are easy and fun and would be a great way to let kids get involved with dinner!

Grands Mini Pizzas

This is Tyler's pizza, I chose cheese, mushroom and bell pepper!

What you need:

-1 container of Grands Biscuits

- 1 jar of pizza sauce (we used regular pasta sauce that we had)

- Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)

- Toppings of your choice! (pepperoni, sausage, peppers, mushrooms, etc.)

What to do:

1. Flatten out biscuits into 6 inch rounds

2. Add as much sauce as desired to middle of biscuit

3. Add as much cheese as desired to middle of biscuit

4. Add toppings!

5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes

6. Enjoy!!

What an easy way to have pizza!

Homemade Salsa Topping for Fish-- by Alicia

I like to have fresh toppings on my fish, especially salmon! I cut up a few things from the fridge and added to the top of cooked salmon, so good!

Salsa Topping for Salmon

What you need:

- 1/4 cup olive oil

- sliced up baby tomatoes 

- sliced up olives

- sliced up avocado

(can add chopped onion as well!)

I eyeball the amounts I want cut up, it depends on the number of fish fillets you are making! Add all sliced ingredients to a small mixing bowl and add a little olive oil (prob don't need 1/4 c. if only making one portion)

Mix together and add to top of fish! (We broil our salmon for a couple minutes on each side)

This recipe is also really tasty if you use a wood board to cook your salmon on the grill with. We buy flavored (smoked) fish boards at the store for a couple dollars, great flavor!

Banana Bread by Simply Recipes

I have made this bread for Tyler now a couple times... it is really good and easy to make!

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

3 or 4 ripe bananas

1/3 c. melted butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg (beaten)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

pinch of salt

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour

How to:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. With a wooden spoon, mix butter, into mashed banana in a large bowl

3. Mix in sugar, egg and vanilla

4. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over mixture

5. Add flour and mix in

6. Pour into buttered loaf pan (4 by 8)

7. Bake for one hour!

8. Cool on rack

Enjoy! This is a great breakfast treat!

Guacamole by Martha Stewart

Yum!

Guacamole

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 1/4 teaspoons jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for seasoning if desired
• 1 ripe Hass avocado, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato, seeded and finely chopped

Directions

1. With a large mortar and pestle, mash onion, 1 tablespoon cilantro, jalapeno, and salt until smooth and juicy. Add avocado, and mash slightly (avocado should remain somewhat chunky). Stir in tomato and remaining 2 teaspoons cilantro. Season with salt, if desired. Use immediately.

Spicy Citrus Caramel Wings by Martha Stewart

These look tasty! I think Tyler will love them!

Spicy Citrus Caramel Wings

Ingredients

• 3 pounds chicken wings, wing tips removed and cut at the joint, if necessary
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• Zest of 1 lime
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 3 blood oranges
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger
• 1 to 2 teaspoons Sriracha
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, toss chicken together with olive oil, salt, and half of the lime and lemon zests. Spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to oven and roast until golden brown, draining fat and shaking pan occasionally, about 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, slice the top and bottom of oranges with a paring knife. Set one of the flat sides on your work surface. From top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit, cut away peel and white pith. Trim off any remaining pith. Holding the oranges over a bowl, cut along both sides of each segment, staying close to the membrane, to release. Chop oranges and place in a fine mesh sieve in a bowl, to drain, pressing down on oranges to release juice as necessary; set aside.
4. In a medium saucepan heat sugar and 1 teaspoon water over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally and brushing down the sides of the saucepan with a damp pastry brush, until the sugar dissolves and comes to a boil. Cook until mixture becomes golden amber in color; remove from heat and add orange juice. Return mixture to heat and cook until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Stir in corn syrup and continue cooking until thickened, about 1 minute more. Add orange pieces and cook until liquid is reduced and mixture is thick, about 3 minutes; remove from heat.
5. Remove chicken from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Pour over citrus glaze and toss to coat. Stir in remaining lime and lemon zest, ginger, Sriracha, and cayenne pepper; serve immediately.

Pizza Margherita by Martha Stewart

So good!

Pizza Margherita

• All-purpose flour, for rolling
• 1 cup prepared tomato sauce
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 24 fresh basil leaves, torn
• Coarse sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat a grill or grill pan.
2. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces and shape each into a ball. Loosely cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap; let stand 15 minutes.
3. Using a lightly floured rolling pin or your hands, stretch each ball into a 9- to 10-inch round.
4. Place one round of dough directly on grill and cook until bottom is lightly browned and dry, about 2 minutes. Using tongs, gently turn dough and cook for 30 seconds more. Transfer to baking sheet, browned side down, and set aside. Repeat process with remaining dough.
5. Divide sauce evenly between pizzas spreading to within 1/2 inch of the edges of the dough. Top with cheese.
6. Working with 1 or 2 pizzas at a time, place on grill and cook until cheese is melted and bottom is golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes. Repeat process with remaining pizzas. Transfer pizzas to a cutting board and drizzle with olive oil. Scatter basil leaves over each pizza and sprinkle with salt. Cut using a pizza wheel and serve immediately.