Sunday, April 1, 2012

Yay Changes

It has been a long silence for Yay Home, and during that time I kept my nephew for a few months, potty trained my son, secured a teaching position for next year and have begun coping with all the changes coming our way as I plan to return to my teaching career. I took a lengthy break from blogging and even sewing just to spend time adjusting to all that is ocurring in our lives/family, and I'm pleased to say that we are most excited about all the upcoming changes. I hope you'll bear with me as I play around with the look, purpose, and plans for my Yay Home blog....


Thank you!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Delightful Autumn Treats






Years ago I taught with someone who made the BEST pumpkin rolls I'd ever tasted. Okay, it was actually the first time I'd EVER tasted a pumpkin roll, but it was fabulous. My coworker gave out samples of the yumminess and then took orders from everyone. The rolls were all wrapped up and delivered to us so we could take them to a Thanksgiving dinner or just go home and devour them ourselves. (Of course I never did that ;-) I thought the whole thing was a delicious idea all the way around....a good money-maker AND a treat for those of us who didn't cook much at the time.


Since then I've made a few pumpkin rolls of my own during the holidays and still love them. If you get a chance or are looking for something a little different to make for a dinner or gathering, try one of the recipes below. It's just a nice change of pace when you need to take something for a holiday meal or get-together. You could even make up several and freeze them! Sweet!


{HERE'S} a link with a VIDEO TUTORIAL. I love being able to SEE how it's all put together.
Click {HERE} for a  Paula Deen  Pumpkin Roll recipe.

{HERE} At How Does She...is another recipe along with a photo tutorial...also very helpful.


Another treat that I've really been enjoying is the Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice! Come to think of it, it would be rather yummy if enjoyed along with a slice of pumpkin roll...talk about the epitome of autumn deliciousness!






If you don't have a Starbucks close by, or if you'd just like to have unending access to this treat, here is a recipe for making your own.

Ingredients:
100% Apple Juice
Caramel Ice Cream Topping
Whipped Cream
Starbuck's Cinnamon Dolce syrup

Mix your apple juice and about 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons (or more if you like the flavor) of Cinnamon Dolce syrup and warm it in the microwave. Top it off with some whipped cream (I like the kind you squeeze that looks pretty on top...Reddi Whip, perhaps?) Last but not least, drizzle the caramel topping on top of the whipped cream. Enjoy!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Dr. Seuss Baby Shower

In August, my sister-in-law decided to give birth to her sweet and precious bundle of joy, Luke, waaaay before he was supposed to arrive (3 wks.) We had her shower all planned out, so we went forth with it and considered it quite a unique twist that Baby Luke could ATTEND his own shower! Not everyone can say that, ya know?

Here are some of the fun decorations. We recreated these invitations...

Bunting made from Dr. Seuss book pages...

A friend made these!

A name banner that can be used in his nursery and a cute diaper cake!


Friday, September 16, 2011

Shrimp and Grits Anyone???

About five years ago we went to visit friends in Charleston, SC. I suppose you could say that's when and where the Hubster fell in love with shrimp and grits. In fact, I think he ate that for every meal during our visit. Since that trip he has spent much time trying different recipes to recreate the deliciousness.

It was nothing short of fate when our neighbors told us about a shrimp and grits festival that wasn't too far away. I believe we made our reservations the night they told us. So this weekend, we'll be spending a lovely bit of time on Jekyll Island.



Now, I'd like to tell you that I love shrimp and grits as much as the Hubster does, but I'm afraid I'm kind of lukewarm about them. Nevertheless, I'm beyond thrilled that the festival also has an arts and crafts show as well as a kid's area with things Sweetbaby will thoroughly enjoy. Not to mention the sheer joy of just enjoying Jekyll Island with all its bike trails and natural beauty....A wonderful family getaway with something for everyone! Yay!

If heading to the festival isn’t an option, try this succulent Shrimp and Grits recipe, courtesy of Chef Abigail Hutchinson of The Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

Also, I hope you'll visit Yay Home next week for another giveaway, a furniture makeover, a Dr. Seuss baby shower, some simple sewing projects, and MORE! Have a great weekend!

Shrimp and Grits

Serves 4 to 6  

Ingredients: Garlic butter (recipe below)
1 bundle green onions, diced (green and white parts)
1/2 pound Andouille sausage or any other spicy sausage you like
1 pound fresh Georgia White shrimp peeled and deveined
White wine to taste
Juice from one half of a lemon
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Old Bay seasoning to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
All-purpose flour as needed
3 to 4 cups hot, cooked cornmeal (grits)
Shredded medium sharp cheddar cheese to taste


Directions: 1. In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt 4 to 5 tablespoons of garlic butter. Add sausage and onions and cook, stirring often, until sausage is browned and onions are soft.
2. Add shrimp, cream, wine and lemon juice, stirring to combine, and cook for 3 minutes. Season with Old Bay, salt and pepper to taste.
3. Let simmer for a few minutes then sprinkle flour on top and stir in. Continue doing this until it reaches a thickened consistency. Let it simmer a little while longer to cook out the flour taste.
4. Right as grits are done, stir in cheddar cheese. Divide cheese grits into 4 to 6 serving bowls and top with shrimp mixture. Serve immediately.

Garlic butter: To make garlic butter, soften 1 pound unsalted butter, 6 ounces bacon fat, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon each of chopped thyme, parsley, and oregano. Mix all ingredients together. This amount of garlic butter is good for two to three batches of Shrimp and Grits.

Note: Grits is nothing more than cooked cornmeal (Italians call it polenta). Use chicken stock or fish stock in place of water to add more flavor.

 


Thursday, September 15, 2011

And The Winner Is...



Comment number 4 by my sweet follower/reader, HaleighsMomma will receive the stay-put kitchen towel and etched-glass casserole dish. I will contact the winner via email soon to work out the details.

Please check back soon for more giveaways from Yay Home! Thanks to all who entered!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Fall Online Bible Study

I got this invitation today and wanted to share it with you. I love receiving the Proverbs 31 daily devotional emails, so I'm sure this will be just as lovely. A while back I subscribed to a little series of emails made up of excerpts from this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I know I am my own worst critic and this book takes those kinds of thoughts and puts them into a spiritual perspective.
Looking forward to it!
Proverbs 31 Ministries
 

Join our next P31 Online Bible Study

A Confident Heart

How to Stop Doubting Yourself
& Live in the Security of God's Promises
A Confident Heart
Beginning September 18th

About Melissa Taylor's Online Study

Melissa Taylor
Melissa Taylor
This FREE Online Bible Study includes weekly teaching, chapter discussions, prayer support and on-going conversations about the book on Melissa's blog and Melissa Taylor's Online Bible Studies Facebook page.
An optional 4-part Conference Call series is available as well, and you dont want to miss it! Each call includes an inspiring message, interviews and Q&As with special guests including: Renee Swope, P31 radio co-host and author of A Confident Heart, Sheri Rose Shepherd, author of His Princess and His Princess Warrior, and more guests to be announced soon!
Bible Study InformationSign up for the Bible 
 Study

About the book: A Confident Heart

Watch Renee's Book Trailer here
Click here to watch the book trailer


 





Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Yay Birthday Girl!


I love that saying, and today it actually IS my birthday!!! Woo Hoo!!! I opted for a very relaxing day filled with a spa pedicure, a delightful book, a nap, hubster home early from work, lots and lots of hugs and kisses from Sweetbaby, and family over for supper. Oh, and lets not forget all the cake!!!!! Delicious.

This was one of those birthdays that I'd like to relive daily for a long time even though I'm getting older. I simply can't let that get me down because life is just too beautifully sweet to worry about wrinkles and such.

Yay Birthday!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Notebook Paper Shirt


I don't know about you, but I sure do love spending time gathering ideas and inspiration from Pinterest. A couple of months ago I saw a picture of a shirt that was made to look like notebook paper. The teacher in me thought that was a nifty and clever idea to try to recreate for my little guy's first day of 2K...perfect! Here's the one I saw on Pinterest. I believe the price tag on this one is around $50!

I just happened to have a white shirt that I'd not appliqued for him yet, so I got that out along with a ruler and disappearing ink pen and went to work. I drew one line down the side of the shirt to create the "margin." I then drew horizontal lines one inch apart all the way down the shirt. I already had both red and blue thread, so it was just a matter of picking a stitch on  my sewing machine that was a little thicker than a standard stitch, and I was on it! Nothing to this project except sewing some straight lines (and making sure your disappearing ink actually disappears ;-)

Here's Sweetbaby's shirt! Too cute and only cost a few dollars because I already had everything I needed!



Okay, so I did jazz it up just a bit more and added his name to the top line. Here he is rocking his notebook paper shirt on the first day of 2K....


Linking up:











HookingupwithHoH Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday



Making Monday Marvelous Linky Party