Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you are able to spend today with family or friends and take the time to remember all of your blessings and give thanks to God for all He has provided. Challenge yourself this weekend to write a list of all that you are thankful for and all the special blessings that have happened in 2014. Bonus points if in the next week, you write a note of thanks to a friend to show how much they mean to you!

Enjoy your day, relax, laugh, love and remember that your body is made to handle a Thanksgiving Day binge-so eat and eat and eat!

Sweet Potato Casserole

This Sweet Potato Casserole was a new side dish presented at the Schuetzle Thanksgiving this year. I was skeptical, but since my dad requested this specifically, like tore the page out of the Country Living Magazine and handed it to me, I couldn't disappoint him. I didn't add the maple syrup because one, I didn't have that ingredient in my pantry and two, there is no way I could stand that much sweetness in a potato dish; however, I am sure it is lovely. The meringue topping was so fun to make and it did taste wonderful. This Sweet Potato dish got rave reviews at the dinner table and I think I will have to make it year after year! 

Sweet Potato Casserole: Recipe from Country Living Magazine found here

Homemade Whip Cream

Are you responsible for bringing the traditional Pumpkin Pie this year for Thanksgiving? If so, don't succumb to store bought whipped topping, rather whip up some of your own Homemade Whip Cream. This recipe couldn't be simpler and it will impress your family and friends of your dessert skills. Not only can you use this whip cream for this Holiday Season's pies, but you can also use it to add a little extra sweetness to your morning cup of coffee. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie

Look at my Mom's Perfect Pumpkin Pie! This is my absolute favorite dessert of the season. I could eat it pretty much any time of the year. I wanted to share my Mom's perfect pie she made the other weekend for a pre-Thanksgiving meal. Usually, with pumpkin pies, you get a split down the middle, but this one turned out picture-worthy! 

I don't have an outstanding pumpkin pie recipe to share, as I have always just used the recipe on the back of the Libby's Pumpkin can. However, I do adjust the spices to my taste. I do not have the patience to wait for a pumpkin to roast to use real pumpkin in my desserts and honestly, I have never been able to tell them apart anyways--but I do usually eat pumpkin pie so fast I am not sure if I would be able to tell a difference.

Make sure to top your pumpkin pie with a fresh dollop (or several dollops) of whip cream. They don't have the saying, "you want some pie with your whip cream" for nothing! Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Morning Coffee of Choice

So, I don't mean to boast, but my Husband is amazing. He is fantastic about fixing me up a latte every morning before work. When he first started doing this, I would dump the latte out on the way into work because it was so bitter, but over the year, he has gotten GOOD! It helps we have found some great latte mixes to add flavoring. I love Trader Joes Mocha mix and of course I am a sucker for Starbucks PSL Via Latte mix. Always add a dollop of Homemade Whip Cream and if you are lucky, a little latte heart to boot.  What gets you going in the morning?

Trip to Connecticut

Before the weather took a turn for the worse, I had a work trip scheduled to visit a supplier out in Connecticut. I have never been up in the North Eastern part of the United States. I was so pleased to schedule the trip right in the heart of Fall so that I could experience the Autumn colors. My dad instilled in me the love for this type of beauty and I know it has always been his dream to go to the East Coast and experience this wonder. Even though my dad couldn't visit Connecticut with me, I hope to one day travel with him, my mom and my husband and enjoy these painted hues again.

The visit took place in Milford, which happens to be right on the Atlantic Ocean Coast. You can see the hazy outline of Long Island from the beach there. I loved seeing the signs as I was driving on the interstates that said NY City 90 miles. NYC is on my life bucket list of places to visit, and I was please to know I was so close and it is possible to get there one day. I also was a mere 3 hours from Boston and a hop, skip and jump from elite vacation spots like The Hamptons and Nantucket. 

I also took a little walk about on Yale's campus. I had to experience the prestige of an Ivy League school. It was so beautiful and this is dorky, but reminded me of Hogwarts from Harry Potter. It was interesting to find out that they randomly place you in special colleges and that is your identity for your duration at school. 

Another cool experience, was Dunkin Donuts. That coffee chain was everywhere! And their donuts were decent. Nothing compares to Pierre's Donut Shop, but it was tasty none-the-less. Also, a great pick me up after a day of meetings and trip to the beach. 

The trip was so fun and I can't wait to go back for more pleasure rather than just business. 

DIY Onsies

My best friend,Tiara, had a baby!!! I am now officially Auntie LoLo! I wanted to give her a special gift and knew just the thing. DIY top stitched onsies. Since she was waiting to be surprised by the gender, I had to be make the onsies gender neutral... no tutus or tractors allowed. Instead, I used primary colors and Berenstain Bears printed fabric.

I purchased a 5 pack of 0-3 month onsies from Target. I pre-washed the onsies and the fabric that I was planning on using for the pieces. I used some scraps I had but also cut a few pieces from my bridesmaid dress that I wore as the Maid of Honor in Tiara's wedding. Pre-washing is important, especially if you are using more than one blend of fabric. That way all shrinkage takes place prior to completing your stitching.

Create a template for the designs you want to cut out on your fabric. Mine had hearts and state outlines of Minnesota and South Dakota. Pin your template pieces to your fabric and cut out. Then arrange your fabric shapes onto the front of the onsies. Use a whip stitch with colorful embroidery floss to attach your fabric pieces to the onsie. Make sure to have enough pins to keep your fabric pieces in place or else it makes it difficult to stitch. If you have a loom that would be ideal.

Love you Tiara! Can't wait to see the little one in these outfits! So much love was put in them!

This one is my favorite! It is South Dakota, in green dress satin with a heart over Rapid City, where Tiara is from (and where her and her husband met).

Minnesota to represent where the couple live

Hardrocker colored hearts!