Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve.

We are enjoying a quiet evening together.  I love the twinkling lights on our Christmas tree and the smell of pine scented candles.  Now we're just waiting for Santa to come.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Monday, November 19, 2012

I am grateful for packages!

My sister and brother-in-law recently came back from a trip to Italy (jealous).  They had a marvelous time.  They were so thoughtful to send me a package with some noodles, a wooden spoon, and some seasonings all the way from Italy.  They tricked me and bought the chocolate at World Market.  I thought I was eating real Italian chocolate.  It was delicious though.  They also created a pasta recipe and designed the recipe card themselves.  What else would you expect from a couple of talented graphic designers?  

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Hello November.

I love the month of November.  It is a month to remember our blessings and all that we are grateful for.  Today I am thankful for Soulard Farmer's Market!  My friend just introduced me to this place and it is awesome!  Going grocery shopping at a farmer's market with your girl friends is totally more exciting than going grocery shopping at Wal Mart at 7 in the morning by yourself (yes, I do that).  
Here's all the fruit and veggies I purchased and I got it all for a screaming good deal.  I'm definitely shopping here from now on.
Here's Britt and Liz with their gourds and the cute old man that was working at one of the vegetable stands.  He's been working at this farmer's market for 45 years!
(Picture on the left):  We went to a spice store that had every type of spice you could possibly think of...and more!  They had their own blends of seasonings that we got to sample and it was amazing!  I bought some of their Chipotle Orange seasoning that I'm excited to use on some salmon later this week!  It has a smokey, tangy kick to it that I think will be delicious.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Autumn.

Yesterday after church, we went on a nice little walk down by the river.  The leaves are incredible and I forgot how much I love the fall season.  I love the smell of fresh air and sound of crunching leaves under my feet.  Also...my hottie husband got a new haircut this weekend (thanks Liz!).  And I love it.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Homemade Oreo Cookies.

These cookies are seriously delicious.  They are one of our favorites.  And the best thing about them is you can make them in less than thirty minutes!  The soft chocolatey cookie with the creamy dreamy cream cheese frosting center is enough to make your husband go wild.  At least mine always does.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Ingredients for cookie:

1 box devil's food cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Mix ingredients well.  Roll into one inch balls and place onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 5-6 minutes.  Let cool.

Ingredients for frosting:

1/2 package cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1/8 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Cream together in a kitchen aid or with a hand mixer.  Spread the frosting onto a cookie and place another cookie on top.  This should make about 12-15 cookies.  You can always double... or even triple the recipe!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Matt & Steph.

This lovely couple is Matt and Steph.  Steph is my good friend from high school.  We also went to the same college and attended the same ward during our freshman year (which is when she met Matt).  Matt and Steph have been married for over four years and have longed for the opportunity to become parents.  Infertility is a difficult struggle and I can't even imagine the heartache they must feel.  You can read more about their story HERE and DONATE if you'd like.  I can't wait to see this couple become parents, because I know they'll be great ones!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Anniversary Celebration.

We had a great day yesterday.  Daniel came home and surprised with a beautiful bouquet of roses.  He took me out to dinner to PAPPY'S SMOKEHOUSE.  It was the most delicious bbq we've ever had!  We had been dying to try Pappy's Smokehouse ever since we saw it on MAN V. FOOD.  This place is really as good as they make it look on TV.  You should watch the clip, it'll  make your mouth water.  I ordered their pulled pork along with the best sweet potato fries and deep fried corn on the cob.  Have you ever had deep fried corn on the cob?  It's definitely something that everyone should experience.  Daniel ordered their beef brisket and he's still talking about it.  One of the things we love most about living in a new city is discovering new and delicious places to eat.  I'm so glad I married someone who loves food as much as I do.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

3 Years.

There's no one I love more than you, Daniel Bridge.  Happy three years to us!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Before & After: Dining Room Chairs.

I found these amazing high back chairs at a local thrift store.  I already had in mind what type of dining chairs I wanted.  I wanted sturdy chairs made out of wood, and I really wanted them to have a high back.  Lucky for me, look what I found!  The exact chairs I wanted.  The only problem was the upholstery was super nasty and outdated.  So I bought new fabric and reupholstered them.  It was easy as pie.  All you need is some fabric, scissors, a staple gun and lots of staples!  You can watch THIS TUTORIAL if you want to learn how to upholster your own chairs.  

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

We're settling right in.

Here's a little preview of some fun things around our apartment right now.  My new friend just introduced me to the most amazing antiques mall yesterday, where we found some one of a kind gems.  That's where I got the vintage camera, blue scalloped plate, and the wire lamp (which needs a cool lamp shade).  There are some really cool things here in St. Louis and I can't wait to find more!

Friday, September 14, 2012

We moved!

And we are still unpacking.  I always forget how long it takes to get settled into a new place, but it's ok because we've only been here for a week.  Daniel and I just moved to St. Louis, Missouri.  This is where he'll be going to school for the next four years.  We love it here so far and we're really excited to see new places and make new friends.  We've been doing a lot of garage sailing and craigslist shopping where we've found some really cool pieces of furniture.  I can't wait to decorate this place!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Monday, August 13, 2012

I've been too busy having fun to be blogging.

These pictures were taken during our Bridge family reunion in Magrath, southern Alberta.  We had a heck of a time.  It's always great to have family bonding time.  And it's also really really great when your sister-in-law and your niece fly in for a surprise visit from Hawaii.  Hurrah!  I'll be posting pictures of little miss Clementine very soon.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Montana Sunset.

Can you believe it's August already?  This summer has gone by way too fast and I'm really not ok with it.  I'm trying to soak in every ounce I can before it ends.  I guess this life of no job, no school, and sleeping in every day can't last forever.  Sigh.

Friday, July 27, 2012

DIY Notebook.

These notebooks are the perfect size to keep in your purse or on your desk.  They'd also make a great gift.  Isn't your sister's birthday coming up?
Items you'll need:
-12x12 scrapbook paper
-Ruler
-Thread 
-Sewing Machine
-Paper cutter
To make one notebook you will need to cut one 3x12 strip of paper for the cover of the notebook and four strips of white paper (also 3x12) for the inside pages of the notebook.  
Fold all of the strips of paper in half.  It's best if you fold them each individually instead of all at the same time.  Sew the stack of paper together along the middle crease with a sewing machine.  I set my sewing machine to a medium straight stitch.  Be sure to do some back stitching on the ends so that the thread doesn't come undone.  
And there you have it, an adorable handmade notebook!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Lemon Layer Cake and a Triangle Banner Topper.

This cake is pure lemony goodness and is made completely from scratch (I can't believe I used an entire carton of eggs!).  I guess that's what makes it so good, along with loads of butter, sugar, and fresh lemon zest.
(Recipe adapted from PAULA DEEN and LIFE IS GREAT).

INGREDIENTS

Cake:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups sifted self-rising flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 lemons zest
Frosting:
1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar or 1 tablespoon white corn syrup
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Filling:

  • 8 egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
  • 3 lemons, zest grated and juiced
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans.  
To make the cake:  Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed.  Zest 2 lemons and mix it into the batter.  Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4-inches above counter, then dropping flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans 5 to 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling racks. Cool completely.
To make the frosting:  Place sugar, cream of tartar or corn syrup, salt, water, and egg whites in the top of a double boiler. Beat with a handheld electric mixer for 1 minute. Place pan over boiling water, being sure that boiling water does not touch the bottom of the top pan. Beat constantly on high speed with electric mixer for 7 minutes. Beat in vanilla.
To make the filling:  Place the ingredients in the double boiler over boiling water. Don't let top pan touch the water. Cook and stir until mixture begins to gel or thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
To assemble, add 1 tablespoon of filling to the cake pedestal. Run hands along the side of the cake to remove excess crumbs. Place the cake layers on the pedestal, spreading filling between the layers and on top. Spread the sides and top of the cake with the remaining filling. Frost top and sides of cake with frosting.  (I took a blow torch to the frosting to harden it and keep it from sliding off the cake.  I also liked the look it created.  It reminded me of roasted marshmallows with a light brown crisp).  

To make your triangle banner you will need these items:
-Scrapbook paper
-Pencil
-String
-Glue
-Scissors
-2 Skewers
Draw triangles onto the paper with a pencil.  Cut the triangles out.  Glue two triangles together with the string in between the triangles (I made six triangle flags, but it may vary depending on the size of your triangles and the size of your cake), then tie each end of the string onto the skewers.
Once your banner is complete top it onto your cake.  This is a fun way to spruce up a birthday cake or to impress your guests with what you made for dessert.

Happy Baking!