Archives for November 2010

30
Nov

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potatoes

My family did not grow up eating sweet potatoes and we definitely did not have sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving.  And quite frankly, I don’t really care for them.  But as many of you know, when you get married and start a family of your own, you adapt to new traditions.  One of which, in my case, is sweet potatoes.

This past week, we spent Thanksgiving with my Mom and her new (as in just got married a week ago) hubby, Allen.  Like I said before, Mom and I don’t do sweet potatoes, but we wanted to make sure we kept our guys happy so we added sweet potatoes to the menu.  Rather then doing a giant sweet potato casserole that would only be eaten by 2-3 people, we opted for another solution – Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potatoes.  And let me tell you, these were a big hit!  If you are looking to add some sweet potatoes to your holiday entertaining menu, I highly recommend you give these a try!

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potatoes
Serves 4

Ingredients:
4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
Cinnamon, to sprinkle
32 small marshmallows or 16 large ones cut up
Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Place sweet potatoes in a deep baking dish and poke several holes in each one.  Place in oven and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, cut your two tablespoons of butter into four equal pieces.

Cut each sweet potato down the center (length-wise).  Be careful not to cut all the way through the potato.  Place one piece of butter inside each potato.

Next sprinkle each potato lightly with cinnamon (as much or as little as your family likes).  Then sprinkle the inside of each potato with one tablespoon of brown sugar.

If using large marshmallows, cut them into pieces.  If using mini-marshmallows, then just skip this step.

Divide marshmallows out and place 1/4 in each sweet potato.  Place sweet potatoes back in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

Remove sweet potatoes from oven and allow to cool slightly.  Place sweet potatoes onto serving platter and enjoy!

If your family really enjoys sweet potato casserole, they will definitely enjoy this recipe.  Try this easy recipe on a weeknight to go along with your family dinner.  Super-easy and super-delicious!
29
Nov

Time for Me: Part 1 – Skin Care and enter to win $100 Visa gift card

For the last almost three+ years I have either been pregnant or nursing.  Yes, that’s right.  I had my daughter Savannah and then when she was 7 months old I found out I was pregnant with my younger daughter Matilda.  Two weeks ago I finally got my body back.  After 15-months of nursing my daughter Matilda, I finally decided it was time to wean.  I’d definitely say weaning was a bittersweet time for me.  But all and all, I think it’s a little bit more on the sweet side.
Click here to read more and enter to win a $100 Visa gift card.
25
Nov

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a quick post to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

Gosh, I sure am thankful for those two little faces in the above pictures.  I can’t imagine my life with out them.  It’s probably cliche to say, but having children is like having your heart walk around outside your body.  What a great joy they bring to our lives!
And I am definitely thankful for this man……..The Cottage Papa!  What a truly magnificent father and partner.  So thankful that he chose me to be his for life!
I hope you all enjoy your turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and whatever else your Thanksgiving feast consists of.  But most of all I hope you enjoy your family and friends and take time to snuggle and hug your loved ones!  They’re what life’s all about, right?
Thank you so much for reading The Cottage Home!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
23
Nov

Gadanke Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Gadanke Book Giveaway is………….

Jonna, if you could please email me ([email protected]) with your contact information we will get this special book in the mail for you!  Congratulations!!
22
Nov

IKEA Swedish Meatballs: Knock-Off Recipe

This post may make you feel differently about me, but I have to come out and say it – I l.o.v.e. IKEA Swedish meatballs.  Yes, I love IKEA, but the meatballs really put the experience over the edge for me.

I decided I wanted to try to recreate the IKEA meatballs experience at home and I think I came pretty darn close!  The gravy is out of this world, so that is what I really tried to focus on with this recipe.  If you think meatballs and gravy for dinner is totally weird you can stop reading right now (I won’t be offended), but if you love these savory little meatballs like I do, I highly suggest you try this recipe!

IKEA Swedish Meatballs
“A Knock-Off Recipe”
Ingredients:
1 bag party-size meatballs (I bought mine from Trader Joe’s)
1 box beef stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter 
2 tablespoons flour
Olive oil (just a little for starting the meatballs)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional side dishes:
Mashed potatoes (recipe here)
Sauteed spinach with garlic
Directions:
Drizzle a little olive oil into your saute pan and set on medium heat.  Saute frozen meatballs for 7-9 minutes.  You want to brown the outside of the meatballs.  Once outside of meatballs are browned, remove from pan and set aside.
Next add butter and flour to saute pan.  Cook flour for 2-3 minutes.  Then whisk in 3/4 of a box of beef stock into your pan.  Scrape up all the brown bits from the bottom of your saute pan.  Whisk to incorporate all of the flour and butter mixture into the stock.  Add 1/2 cup heavy cream and salt and pepper, to taste.  Turn up heat to medium-high.  Bring gravy to boil and reduce to a simmer.  Cook for 10 minutes or until gravy reaches desired consistency.
While gravy is cooking, microwave (I know, totally strange) your meatballs so they are cooked through.  Do this according to package directions.
Once meatballs are cooked, return them to the saute pan and coat with gravy.
Serve meatballs with mashed potatoes (make sure to put gravy on those too!) and sauteed garlic spinach.  If you really want to be like IKEA add a little cranberry sauce (they use lingonberry sauce, but I’m not sure where you find that).  
 This is a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that shouts comfort food.  
Perfect for winter!
16
Nov

Baked Artichoke Bread

Every year my husband and I host a big fall party.  This was our sixth year hosting and we love being able to get all of our friends together and celebrate our favorite season.  We call the party “The Feast” and it is definitely just that.  We provide a large piece of meat for everyone – we’ve done barbecued turkey, pulled pork, tri-tip roast and this year we did a beef brisket.  My husband did a fabulous job with the brisket – maybe I can get him to “guest post” about it (wink, wink, hubby if you’re reading this). 

Everyone else brings a dish to share and we have some pretty incredible cooks in our circle of friends.  There was jambalaya, white chicken chili, sweet and sour meatballs, homemade salsa and guacamole and tons of desserts – gorgeous fall leaf cookies, pumpkin pie, apple pie, sweet potato pie, chocolate dipped cheesecake and the list goes on and on. 

Even though we are in charge of the meat, I wanted to add a little something to the feast.  I had really been in the mood for some artichoke dip, so I thought that would be a good appetizer that everyone would enjoy.  I had planned to bake the dip in the oven and serve it with cut up pieces of Italian bread.  But as we were running a little short on time, I thought “why not bake the dip ON the bread?”.  So that’s how this recipe was born………

Baked Artichoke Bread
Ingredients:
2 cans artichoke hearts in water
1 cup good mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (plus more for sprinkling)
4 green onions (sliced)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1-2 large loaves of Italian bread
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Drain both cans of artichoke hearts and chopped them.  Mix chopped artichoke hearts, mayo, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, green onions, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
Slice bread length-wise down the middle.  Place on a baking sheet.  Spread artichoke mixture all over the top of the bread.  Depending on your bread size, the mixture will cover 1-2 entire loaves.  Once mixture is spread on top of bread, sprinkle Parmesan cheese all over the top and a little freshly ground black pepper.

Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.  To serve, slice 1-2 inch thick slices.

Cottage Mama’s Note:  This dish would be wonderful for holiday entertaining.  Serve it as an appetizer or as a hearty side-dish with your favorite soup.
13
Nov

Gadanke Review and Giveaway

Today I have a fun little giveaway for you guys.  Katie, from Gadanke, is giving away one of her “The Little Things – A Journal of Thankful Thoughts” to one of The Cottage Home readers.  She graciously sent me one of these journals to review and we will be sending out one to the giveaway winner.

I thought this was an appropriate giveaway for this time of year since Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Personally, I use to keep a gratitude journal, where I would write down the five things at the end of the day that I was thankful for (be it big or small).  Well, that never seemed to last too long, but I did enjoy it.  This is kind of a more simplified version that would definitely be easier to keep up with.

So, this is the package that arrived at my home from Gadanke……

I have to admit that I am all for anything that is calling me “fabulous”, but I just thought this envelope was so cute!

Inside the envelope was the journal and a very sweet note from Katie, owner of Gadanke.  Being a small business owner myself, I love seeing others packaging – so I thought you might like to as well.

Here is the bound journal that is covered in 100% recycled Italian patterned paper.

The journal is stitched down the center with German cotton thread that holds all of the pages together.

Here are some examples of the interior pages.  There are spots for you to write down the things that you are thankful for in your life.  It also brings to light that it is not always the most noticeable life events that truly make us happy – it is in the small, every day things that can bring us true happiness and we should give great thanks!  I can see this journal being something, once filled out, to look at daily to remind ourselves that no matter how bad the day, there is always something on the brighter side.

Katie’s goal with her company, Gadanke, is to help you create the type of journals you’ll treasure – whether they’re about you, where you live and travel, or someone you love.  She believes we all have stories your story is worth celebrating.  Her goal is to help make your writing process more enjoyable and meaningful.  That way you can really dive into the ideas that give you a zest for life.

To find out more about Gadanke and the products they have to offer, please click HERE. 

Katie and Gadanke can be found here:

Blog:  www.makingthishome.com – Simple and Handmade Home
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/makingthishome

Gadanke and The Cottage Home are giving away one “Journal of Thankful Thoughts”.  
Here’s how to enter:
 Check out Gadanke and leave a comment letting us know what products you like.

Giveaway will be open until midnight (central time) Wednesday, November 17, 2010.






Cottage Mama’s Note:  No compensation was received or exchanged for this review and giveaway.  Gadanke has provided The Cottage Home with one journal for review and one to giveaway.

11
Nov

Fabric Organizers

Back in August I posted about my new sewing studio (we’ve since moved and I have an even newer sewing studio!)  Since then I have had quite a few people emailing about the fabric organizers I use so I thought it was time to give you the scoop on my favorite sewing organization tool of all time!  With Christmas around the corner, these would make a fun gift for anyone you know who is a true fabric lover or a fun gift for you from your husband or family (just forward them this post and say “hint, hint”). [Read more…]

8
Nov

My Fabric Hunting Adventure

So, I ventured downtown towards the south side of Chicago to visit this fabric warehouse (Textile Discount Outlet) I had heard about online.  I am always looking for woven trims and fun details to add to the next “The Cottage Mama” clothing line, so I had been wanting to check this place out.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect based on the reviews on read online, but I can say it was definitely an adventure.

There were three floors with tons and tons of fabric everywhere.  It seemed like each floor went on for miles.  The building was so old that I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to fall through the floor or if someone else was going to fall through from the floor above.  But I figured, it was worth the risk……for the love of fabric, right? 

There was barely any organization to it all, so it was definitely like searching for a needle in a haystack.   This was the place to come for someone searching for costume or home decor fabrics…….it was like a gold-mind for that kind of thing.  Not to mention that the prices were amazing!

There were ribbons, ribbons, ribbons galore.  I think I saw some on every single floor.  Every color, style or width you could have been looking for……it might have been under a pile of dust in the very dark and scary basement, but you could find it…..it was there….and lots of it!!

In the very creepy, super-dusty basement there were more zippers then I have ever seen in my life.  Metal ones, plastic ones and more in every single length imaginable.

My favorite room of all was the trimmings room.  If you have ever wanted to find home decor trimmings at super-affordable prices, this was the place.  I couldn’t believe all the different tassels they had available……..some for just $1.00.  There were spools and spools of ric-rac and lace……not as much woven trim as I had been looking for, but still fun to browse!

There were lots and lots of costume fabrics as well as plenty of different varieties of silks, chiffons, sequin fabric, leather and more.

So what did I buy, you are wondering?  Well, that’s a very good question……….
I bought NOTHING!!
Can you believe it?  Me, the fabric-a-holic, bought nothing!  I can’t believe it myself, but I felt so overwhelmed with all the choices and variety that I just couldn’t do anything.  
Do you ever get that way?  When there are too many choices it just overwhelms me.  So maybe when I’m really searching for something, I will end up going down there and buying some things.  But honestly, they didn’t have much for “The Cottage Mama” shop which was what I was sort of looking for, but I will be back for my next home decor project for sure!
Cottage Mama’s Note:  If you live in Chicago and want to check out the “Textile Discount Outlet”, here is their address:
Textile Discount Outlet
2121 W. 21st Street
Chicago, IL 60608
2
Nov

A Whimsical Fall: Decorating Inspiration

I am very blessed to be surround by creative women in my life.  My mom, who lives in Texas, is incredibly creative and talented (though she’ll never admit it).  And my mother-in-law (aka Gigi), who lives close by, has quite the creative, artistic flare when it comes to decorating.

In case you wondering, the entryway above is not my home, it’s my in-laws.  Gigi loves fall (as do I) and puts so much time and effort into decorating her home that I just had to share it with you all.  She leaves no corner untouched when it comes to fall – her attention to detail is impeccable. 

Gigi also has a home studio where she creates Art Dolls.  She doesn’t currently have a website, but hopefully she will be setting up one soon and I can introduce you all to her amazing art.

Anyway, here are some pictures I took around Gigi’s house several weeks ago.  I think it is so fun to see inside other peoples homes, don’t you?  It’s like a home tour on your computer screen!

These pumpkins are just the perfect understated touch.  I love how organic they are and seem to just fit right in.

The entrance to their home is so warm and inviting with all the pumpkins and gorgeous plants.

Wreath on the front door.
Gigi is a big Susan Branch fan so this flag is very fitting for their home.
Now let’s head inside…….
A large decorated hutch in the dining room.

Beautiful large mantle in the great room.

Another built in bookcase.

Fireplace decorated in the three-season room.

Gigi even changes out her art work every season.  Above are some of her fall and Halloween pieces.
Well, that’s it for the little tour of Gigi’s house!  Those were just some of the shots I got around their home.  If you can believe it, there is even MORE fall decor that I didn’t even capture.  Gigi does a fabulous job filling her home with joy and whimsy.  I know my girls are going to appreciate the magic she creates with her decorating style the older they get!
What is your favorite season or holiday for decorating?  I’m definitely a fall/Thanksgiving girl with Christmas as a very close second.