Happy Reading

Look what arrived for me today at the library!!!

Double Yay!! I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for these beauties! All patient waiting definately pays off. Now I just need to decide which one to read first . . . such a hard decision!

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8

Football and Gumbo

In honor of the first football game of the season for our team - New England Patriots - I am making a slow-cooker chicken gumbo. We have never had gumbo, but know it's a popular southern food especially during football season. I found this recipe and decided to give it a whirl.

I gathered up all my spices . . .

. . . and veggies.
Then I tossed it all into my favorite cooking applicance, the crockpot. I also put the chicken and sausage in as well. I didn't get a picture of those earlier.

I mixed up all the ingrediants, covered it and am cooking it on low for six hours. I will serve it with rice. This is currently cooking as I type. But, I got a free second to whip up a post, so I had to take advantage!! I sure hope this tastes as delicious as it smells!

Kitchen Tour

So much time is spent in the kitchen of a home. It truly can be referred to as the heart of the home. Meals are prepared within these walls. Conversations are spoken between loved ones. In our home when you enter you walk into the kitchen, so many greetings are exchanged in this room as well. I love my kitchen and make it a warm and inviting place at all times.

I try to keep it tidy and a candle lit at all times for warmth and pretty scents.
Our kitchen connects to our dining room, living room and office. I choose to paint it a wamr golden biege because it has a "happy" feel to it.

I also like to have family photos displayed throughout the room as a reminder of what is most important in my life. I never was a fan of having photos on the refrigerator, but recently began to display some because they put a smile on my face when I see them.

We got this distressed green table as a gift to ourselves for our wedding. I love it so much. It has such a country feel to it.

In the corner I placed a small dresser to hold Gunner's treats and food as well as kitchen supplies.

I am a big fan of hanging beautiful sayings around my home because they keep me focused on my values. I love glancing up, reading and being reminded of what is most important to my heart and my family.

My 3 F's - Faith, Family and Friends - LOVE this one. I have a larger one in the living room, which will be on tour next week.

I am in love with baking, so I just had to have this "Baked Goods" sign. As my children get older I want them always know Mama will have something yummy in the kitchen for them to snack on! There is nothing more comforting than a yummy cookie.

I love my kitchen and spend lots of time here. It's simple and a work of heart where creation takes place with lots of love.

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Proverbs 24:3-4

Chicken Lasagna and Garlic Cheese Biscuits

This chicken lasagna is delicious! It's a must try . . . so quick and simple to prep and make!

Here's what you need:

1 box of lasagna noodles, uncooked

1 15 oz ricotta cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

2 jars of sauce - I use Ragu

and 3 chicken breasts cooked and cut/shredded into small pieces

Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan. I used my favorite red one.

Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom and then put a layer of noodles. Top that with the ricotta cheese, about a cup of mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese. Then spread the chicken on top.

Cover the chicken with another layer of sauce. On top of the sauce put another layer of noodles then another layer of sauce.
Pop it into the oven at 375 degrees for an hour then remove it and spread the remaining mozzarella cheese on top to melt up nicely.

Doesn't it look delicious?

To go with the lasagna a whipped up some garlic cheese biscuits. I used 1 cup of Bisquick, 1/4 cup of milk, about a half cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt. I mixed that together and dropped them onto a greased baking sheet then popped those into the oven for about 10 minutes. It only made 8 biscuits, so you may need to increase the recipe if you want more. I only had a cup of Bisquick so I had to make do with what was in the cupboard!

This is such a delicious and simple meal! It's a regular on our menu plan.

Thank Thursday

Thankful for . . .

Waking up this morning to the sound of my precious son fussing out to me.

The delivery of a delicious hot tea by my thoughtful husband to get my day going right.

The ability to read the most inspiring posts by so many wonderful writers this morning.

The encouraging phonecall from my mother telling me how thankful she is for me.

The refreshing rain that will fall this afternoon on my beautiful flowers and grass.

The love that surrounds me daily.

Thankful for this beautiful life.

Thankful to the One who provides for me through it all.

Dining Room

We recently repainted our dining room, which in turn meant I got to redecorate it. It used to be red and beige. I loved it when it was first done; however, grew to just not love the color at all. Once we redid it I immediately fell in love. It's so nice to be in love with my dining room again!! Ha. It has quickly become my favorite room in our home.

There is a little room off the front of the dining room, kind of like an extension. I never knew what to do with it. I decided to paint a tall dresser and use it as storage and then put a little table and chairs that my aunt passed on to us. It's become like a little sitting area.

My style is definately primitive/country. I love incorporating that style into my home.

This chandeliar was once bronze. A little bit of flat black paint will go a long way. Throw in a berry garland and you have a beautiful, rustic light fixture!

I see silhouettes on so many other blogs and have always wanted to make them. These took me about fifteen minutes to create. I will blog the process later. I absolutely love them!

Another piece I love is my window mirror flowerbox! I am beginning to develop a small obsession with window mirrors. I want them everywhere in my home!

Yes, I'm using dried flowers as my current centerpiece. I was given these roses on C's 1st birthday and am having a difficult time having to get rid of them. I love the way they dried though, so I'm keeping them around for awhile. I always keep a few Mason jars on hand. Here I used it as the vase. I just put some rocks in the bottom and tied a ribbon around and voila - instant vase!

Isn't this children's table so cute? We painted the top of it the color of the top half of the dining room and the bottom the same color as the bottom of the dining room. C loves his table. He can be found here racing his cars and trucks quite often throughout the day. He also enjoys sitting and looking out the front window.

Here's the corner with the dresser. I store tableclothes, home decor that isn't being used at the moment and a few other things in there. Out of sight out of mind!

One of my favorite signs - it is so fitting to a dining room.

I learned a cheap way to make art a few years back. Just frame fabric! Or even scrapbook paper. It's simple, cheap and who would ever know? These three frames are above the doorway going into the living room. They match the curtains quite well.

My shutter that I picked up at a flea market a few years back. I love these. I got three of them for $5. I don't think I had ever been so proud of a purchase in my life!!

This is the view into the living room, which will be on tour next.

After some much needed change I am finally in love with my dining room again. We eat dinner in this room every night. I feel it's important to eat together as a family away from distractions like the television or phones. It's our time to come together each day, talk and enjoy each others company. I actually look forward to dinner every day for this very reason. I have many fond memories of eating around the dinner table as a child and want to continue that timeless tradition with my own family.

Summer Fun

Our little guy has been having lots of fun lately on some of our many summer adventures. I can't believe it is already mid-August and summer is drawing to a close soon. We are making sure to get in lots of summer fun before the beautiful fall comes our way.

We went out to a local dairy for ice cream and got to ride on a tractor! The little guy loves to pretend that he is driving, it is so cute.

He loves playing with steering wheels. Here he is at a car show "driving" a little go cart. I have a feeling he is going to want lots of drivable toys when he gets older. My anxiety level is going to be through the roof!
One activity I can handle is running around on the baseball field! No motors or steering wheels involved just feet! Who knows maybe we have a future professional athlete on our hands. Wouldn't that be nice? :)

Back to enjoying the last days of this beautiful season!

Granola Bars

Granola Bars

You need:
1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup lite corn syrup

3 cups quick oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup rice cereal

3/4 dried cranberries

3/4 cup white chocolate

1/4 cup flax seed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a large cooking sheet with edges.

Heat butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over low to medium heat. Stir this until it is smooth. Once smooth, stir in the lite corn syrup.

Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix it around.

Then pour the butter/sugar mixture on top.

Mix until all ingredients are moistened.

Press firmly into the prepared cookie sheet. I used wax paper to help me press it onto the pan because it's really sticky.

Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden. For more chewy bars cook it at less time and for crispier bars cook longer. I cooked mine for 25 minutes and they were nicely crisp.

Allow them to cook completely before cutting into bars.

These are simply delicious! They are a nice treat to have around the house or to bring out on the run. It made quite a bit of bars. I stored mine in an air tight container and they stayed good for up to a week.

You can experiment with the basic recipe by adding different dried fruits or seeds. I think next time I will try chocolate chip and peanut butter!!

Enjoy!

Delmonico Potatos

Delmonico Potatos

I started by cooking two large potatos then putting together the white sauce. Directions for the white sauce are as follows:

You need:
•4 tablespoons butter
•4 tablespoons flour
•2 cups milk
•salt
•white or black pepper
Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat; stir in flour. Cook for 3 minutes, but do not brown. Stir in milk and continue cooking over low heat, stirring constantly, until sauce begins to thicken. Season with salt and pepper.
Makes 2 cups of white sauce.

Now for the potatos you will need:

•2 cups diced cooked potatoes
• 2 cups white sauce, below
•salt and pepper to taste
•shredded mild Cheddar or Swiss cheese
•buttered bread crumbs


Combine potatoes, white sauce, salt, and pepper. Pour into a greased shallow baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese over potatoes the top with buttered bread crumbs.

Cook at 425° for about 20 minutes, or until nicely browned. This makes about four servings; however, it seems like a whole lot more.

These were simply delicious!! A perfect side with just about anything!

Hi!

Welcome to my Mommy's newest project, Simplicity Lane.

I just wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little about Mommy.

I'm her "little man". I'll make appearances here and there on here, but not too much. It's important to Mommy not to overexpose me on the blog because the internet can be a not so friendly place. But, I am such an important part of her life that she can't help but talk about me quite often! I love her and she loves me so much!

Mommy is a wife and mother above all. She was once a teacher, but now stays home with me. She loves being a wife and mother. It was her dream since she was a young girl playing dolls. She loves to bake, sew, decorate our home, take pictures, hike, run, dance and read. Those are just a few of her hobbies. I take up a lot of her time now and I know she wouldn't have it any other way. Simpicity Lane is her outlet to showcase her creativity - when she has the time of course! :)

Mommy used to blog over at On Love, Faith and Family; however, that blog was kind of going in a direction that she couldn't keep up with so she decided to start from the beginning again. Simplicity Lane is a place to write about her homemaking, being a wife, motherhood, striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman and a few other tidbits. She really hopes you enjoy this new journey she is on with Simplicity Lane. Simplicity because that is what life should be based on.

I hope you enjoy reading and know that I'll be right here reading along too!

Sweet Magnetic Messages

Sweet messages like these help get me through my days. I am so blessed to have a thoughtful and sweet husband!

Happy Birthday to Me

Happy Birthday to Me,

Happy Birthday to Me,

Happy Birthday to Me,

Happy Birthday to Me!

I will spend this blessed day with my sweet son and then later with my family for dinner.

Today I am thanking God for my beautiful and loving family and friends who make my life that much more enjoyable each and every day. I wouldn't be who I am without being surrounded by such wonderful people. One of my favorite quotes is "surround yourself with only those who lift you higher". Thank you Oprah for giving me words to live by!

Welcome to Simplicity Lane

Welcome to Simplicity Lane!

Grab a warm cup of tea or your beverage of choice, sit back and enjoy what I have to offer to you.

I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, homemaker and believer. Those are just a few of the hats I wear throughout my days. I live a simple life filled with love and happiness. It is my love for the simple mixed with my quest to remain living a life of simplicity that will be showcased here at Simpicity Lane.

I will focus my posts on my home, family and insights on life. I hope you enjoy what you read here!