Alexis – Page 23 – Copper Acorn

by Alexis - October 5, 2011October 5, 2011

Cinnamon Pear Muffins with Brown Sugar Crumble

I am starting to learn to eat mainly what is in season. What can I say- I’m a slow learner.

And for us right now that means PEARS! Now I never buy pears. Yuck. The grainy consistency weirds me out- but Emma LOVES them so I bought a bag.

For $1.50.

Holla.

I got this recipe a while back and didn’t like it. It was so dry. But I thought these soft pears (almost garbage soft) would be perfect. Here’s the recipe: I cut up 2 pears for this

The only change I did was I used cinnamon applesauce in place of oil and I used all white flour with the oatmeal. So I can say these are fat free! Besides the natural fats like those in the eggs, etc.

Not sure you do this, but I’ll add it in: I most always mix the dry ingredients first then add the liquids. That way everything is evenly mixed. No crazy clumps of baking powder. Yum.

A big thing to know about making muffins: DO. NOT. OVER. MIX!!!

This is my batter done and ready to spoon into the cups.

I lined my muffin cups with wax paper. I found an old Martha Stewart article saying to use parchment paper. Didn’t have that, just wax paper, so I prayed they wouldn’t smoke and set the whole fire alarm off.

They only smoked a little bit.

Here’s how you do it:

I also made a brown sugar crumble on top. Ohhh yeah.

Pear, cinnamon, oatmeal and now with a brown sugar crumble.

Fill in the cups and sprinkle with the crumble. Here is the before picture:

And the after:

Easy recipe. The thing that took the most time was folding the paper.

Review:

This would be great with any fruit you chose whatever the season. Cranberry, strawberry, peach and yes PEAR! Add nuts if that’s your fancy. This would be perfect for a picnic, Zoo outing, with pork chops or a soup&salad.

It is crazy awesome moist. No need for butter. Enjoy them cold or with some hot tea, depending on your weather. (hi family in Texas!)

I debated to leave the skins on the pears and I’m glad I did. You can’t taste the skin, but you can see it. And that’s beautiful.

(all the ingredients are found in Europe also, so you friends over there can try this with me!)

by Alexis - October 4, 2011

Darn you Pinterest

I am staying up too late looking at pretty things. Darn you Pinterest.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/letterperfectdesigns

This is something I must do. Easy, but you could make this look classy with the details. And um- a little bling will be added. 🙂

Can we have a pink Christmas Travis?!! Pretty please?!! I get all excited when I see pictures like this.

http://pinkpreppypartygirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-christmas.html

minus the pig. it’s kinda weird.

Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas? NEVER! *chuckle*

My list is mostly done, some presents already bought. However I’m wanting to make about 90% of my gifts. Any good ideas?

by Alexis - October 4, 2011October 4, 2011

30 Day Challenge: something green

I have decided to join some other bloggers to do a 30 day challenge. We are following a fun list of things to take a picture of every day for a month. It would be awesome to have you join in on the fun! Just let me know so I can follow ya. 🙂

Day 4: Something green

This teeny cup was givent o us from some friends who visited from Holland. They gave us a set of different southeastern espresso cups. This one says BALI. It’s green.

Did you know green is my favorite color?

Isn’t it teeny and cute?! I love coffee mugs. Travis and I have our own sets/collections. Mine are prettier.

Thank you Timal’s for this wonderful espresso set. Emma loves to drink her tea in them. 🙂

by Alexis - October 4, 2011October 3, 2011

DIY: Fabric Pom Pom

I am happy to say this is EASY. With a capital E. Some family members might be getting a necklace for Christmas. But not in the rainbow fabric, don’t worry. 🙂

Here are the materials:

I don’t pretend to be a wiz at creative things. I enjoy it and can get lost for days in projects but it all starts with me looking on the internet for directions. This was no different.

Just take a piece of fabric which is cut in a circle and fold it twice, like above picture.

Then put a tad hot glue on the end. Below picture.

Lastly, glue it to a piece of felt that was cut out in a circle.

A good thing to know, which I didn’t till too late, is to make the felt circle and the fabric circle the same size. If you mess up it’s no biggie. it will just look more uniform.

And there you have it! Done!

Enjoy and let me know if you do it! When I make necklaces I’ll make another tutorial. 🙂

Have a fabric fabulous Tuesday!

by Alexis - October 3, 2011

30 Day Challenge: Clouds

Day 3: Clouds

by Alexis - October 3, 2011October 3, 2011

Decorating home for ALL members of your family

Confession: Ever since we’ve been married, I’ve been jealous of other wives who have full control of decorating their home.

Ever since we said, ” I do” Travis and I have had equal say about everything concerning decorating our home. He has just as much opinion and ideas about making our home, “Home”. We are also both vocal, stubborn people so we’ve had many…’discussions’ about pillow cases, wall colors, comforters and table ware. However, through the years, I’ve just gotten used to it, thinking it’s just the way it is….but, honestly, internally I wanted full control to make our home as girly as I wanted.

I had this ‘awesome’ mindset that MY home is about ME. MY choices, MY castle to decorate.Who cares if others are living here too. MY opinion rules. ME.

Fast forward to a couple days ago, I was reading a blog about how she makes her home comfortable and “Home” for everyone in the family.

“What?!” “Not about ME?!”

It convicted me. It made sense and also just kinda obvious. Like a splash of cold water in my face. I was able to shake my head and think about um…my family…not just what this mama likes. *ouch

If, in your home, the daddy/kiddos don’t care- bonus for you! Chose those fabrics, flowers and flatware you love! It might be fun (relative) to involve your hubby more in those choices. He might learn that he cares and it could be a fun hobby for you both. Frustrating for you? At times.

But I’ve found items have more meaning/memories attached when we’ve gotten in an argument. For example, over a stupid lamp shade. When I look at the one we eventually chose, I smile because we are learning what the word, Compromise means. Oh and is it ever uncomfortable.

I also have a manipulation tendancy I’m trying to shake off. For example, and fun for you to read:

I might make pieces, like this pink M, that Travis will look at and is say, “Cool Alexis….um… it’s pink” And I look proudly and say “YES! Isn’t it cool! Emma and I love it and did it together!” He so lovingly swallows his “ugh, it’s like, florescent pink” and lets me display it. It helps when people compliment it. 😉

But I hope I don’t do that very much and that I’m learning to listen and consider His opinions. I’ve learned it’s somehow tied to respect for him. It’s a lesson I’m struggling with but still attempting to understand.

So, overall our home hasn’t really changed. Just this mama’s perspective and attitude…for at least today.

by Alexis - October 2, 2011

30 Day Challenge: What I’m wearing today

Day two: ‘What I’m wearing today’

The weather outside was making me feel nautical. Thus, the stripped blue/white shirt and blue blazer. The scarf is from a friend, and added a bit of girly-ness.

Please ignore the bad facial expressions. I decided not to crop my face out because… it’s real. I make weird faces when I’m awkward.

We were on a family walk, searching for puddles to jump in. Trav took these pictures.

Pants:present/shirt:Target/cardigan:Old Navy/Scarf:present/Blazer: thrifted/Boots:Payless

by Alexis - October 1, 2011October 1, 2011

30 day Challenge: Self Portrait

Self portrait today…day one.

by Alexis - October 1, 2011

Embrace the Chocolate

Embrace the chocolate! 🙂

by Alexis - September 29, 2011

Autumn Walk

Emma and I went on an Autumn walk today. Not only did she get to pick up leaves but she got to hear me rattle away about changing seasons,acorns, squirrels, cooler weather, scarfs, and most importantly pumpkin desserts.

It was, for me…. a perfect date. We both loved the wind and how it was making the leaves sail in the air. Eventually, we became silent. Both of us lost in our own world, but would every once in a while say, ‘Oh! look at this one!’

I loved seeing the colorful leaves. Emma only wanted to bring green ones home. Um, OK.

Autumn is my favorite season. I’m one of ‘those’. The pumpkin spice lattes, scarves, pumpkin pie, changing trees/bushes/everything, pumpkin bread. And boots!

It’s a season where the world around us looks like it’s on fire, but the temperature cools. Warmth and coolness.

Kinda like hot cocoa with whipping cream on top. An awesome contrast.

I hope you have a grand Thursday and pray you get a little down time tonight for yourself.

Drink a spiced something go pick some leaves. 🙂