Food Love - Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Yes, donut holes.  I'm not a huge fan of donuts, but these were ridiculous.  For one they are not fried, they are baked, so better for you right?  Plus, anything with pumpkin is right up my alley.  I decided to make this spontaneously last week because I had some left over pumpkin from the treats I made the pups.  I actually didn't have allspice on hand, so I substituted with pumpkin spice.  When they are warm, they melt in your mouth, and you have to stop yourself from eating the whole entire pan.  Luckily I took a picture prior to tasting them.  The best part is that they are SUPER easy to make.     

via

Have a sweet weekend!
Love B

Sad day

My poor little Bella bear is at the vet this morning. I mentioned before that she hurt her leg, but it just isn't getting better. She is getting x-rays this morning to decide if she needs surgery or not. When we talked with the vet last night, he said he's diagnosed this a ton of times, and she either tore or completely ruptured a ligament in her back left knee. Tear.

I just want her to feel better. 
B

Food Love - Tres Leches Cake

Light, moist, airy and oh-so sweet.  You can't get much better than that for a dessert.  I had never had Tres Leches cake prior to making it, but The Pioneer Woman's description of the cake made it sound to die for!

I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this little cake.  The more I try it, the more I seem to crave it.  You don't need a huge slice, and even in the fridge it's quite tasty.  I find myself having little bite sized pieces more often than I should!  Yum.

via

Happy Friday! Love B

Ramblings

:: I really want to paint my bedroom this color.  

Isn't it amazing?  Currently my bedroom is a brighter blue, and the feel doesn't really match the rest of the house.  It's been 2 years since we have been in the house, so I feel the change is needed.  This might be happening this weekend.

:: I went on a wine tour in the hill country yesterday.  It was the 3rd I've been on and it was (as always) amazing!  Can I say, I LOVE my job.  My favorite winery that I've been to is Flat Creek Winery.  They have a beautiful facility with gorgeous views and delicious award winning wines.  My favorite is their Almond Sparkling Wine.  They don't sell it here in the stores, so I had to get a bottle. It is sweet, bubbly and delicious. 

:: I finally have motivation to get back in the groove of working out.  I have decided to not just run, but incorporate strength training on the days I can't go running.  I had two main excuses I seemed to use quite often - 1. Hate running in the cold and 2. I can't run in the dark.  Since I'm using select P90X videos for the training, I can do it inside which eliminates those excuses.  I've done a few works outs this week, and let me tell you I am sore!  It has felt so good to work out.  I notice I sleep and feel so much better, and I have to keep reminding myself that. 

:: Our poor little Bella bean has had a hurt little leg for the last few weeks.  We took her to the vet last week, and she thought it was actually her knee and not her hip which we had first thought.  She was on some anti-inflamatory medicine that helped a little, but she is just so hyper.  We were told to let her rest and not let her really run or play on it, which we try to, but she is nuts.  At night around 7:30-8 she just starts barking at us, wanting us to play with her.  Plus how can your resist this face and her adorable little smile??!

She has gotten a little better, but if she runs or gets a little crazy, it starts to hurt her again.  I think she'll be revisiting the vet if it doesn't get better soon!

I'm excited for the weekend, how about you?
Love B

Food Love - Salmon Pasta

You get savory this week instead of sweet, for once!

I will be the first to admit that I have a HUGE sweet tooth.  I decided to make this recipe for a midweek dinner because salmon was $3 off/pound - yes please!  I also try to make one fish and one meatless dinner a week, just to keep things interesting, so it was perfect.

This recipe got great reviews from Martha Stewart online.  I changed it up a little bit because I didn't have spinach and didn't feel like going to the store.  I substituted with a green side salad, which was just as yummy.  I recommend adding a little more lemon juice, salt and pepper to the sauce.  D also thought it was quite tasty with some hot sauce.  Either way, I'd definitely make this again.   

 

via

Happy Friday!  Love B

Pinterest Projects

Has it taken over your life yet?  I was siting on my couch the other day and had to tell myself to stop.  It's such an amazing tool and creative outlet.  Not only am I inspired by things on there for my house, DIY, and food, but also have started to use it for work.  This basically means I am on it at least once an hour and, needless to say, I now have over 1000 pins.  Shut the front door.  I love it.  Yep, I said it.

One of my favorite inspirations that I am hoping to DIY is this adorable wooden mat for outside the house.  It's the second picture in my SO Many Projects!!!!! folder.

To see more of my projects or to follow me on Pinterest, you can find me here.
I'm excited for HH tonight, how about you?
Love B

Food Love - Raspberry Buttermilk Cake

You know my love for Smitten Kitchen, so the recipe for this week is going to be from her.  I haven't made it yet, but plan to tomorrow.  Not that we need sweets in the house, but really who does?  At least this one has fruit, right?  I'm really kidding myself.  :o)

I went to the store the other day and blackberries were SO cheap.  I bought 3 containers and froze them all.  I'm thinking this might be the perfect recipe to use those for.  I'm salivating just thinking about it.

Image from Smitten Kitchen

Recipe from Smitten Kitchen

What's baking in your kitchen this weekend?

I made it on Sunday and it was quite delicious.  My version was with blackberries, as I mentioned above.

Yum - covered in blackberries

Love B

Happy New Year

Hello, 2012.  Although, with my job, I've felt like it was 2012 since October.  Not a bad thing!  There is a wonderful comfort knowing that exciting things are coming in the new year AND it's finally here! 

How was your NYE?  Do anything special or particularly crazy??  I must admit that I try to not get too excited with any NYE plans.  I feel everyone gets so excited and makes huge plans, but they never are as awesome as I think they should be.  Am I the only one???

This year, one of my friends decided to have a party at her house.  I of course had to help her decorate!!!  So I went over there that afternoon and we glittered up the house. 

Starting with glitter numbers on the mantle

We had to glam up the treats table!  Plus, why not reuse those adorable Christmas ornaments. 

 Glitter noise makers - PLUS glow bands

Made the frame a little more festive with gold sparkly tinsel 

Party hats?  Check. 

 Made these adorable champagne flags = more glitter!

Even better with a little champagne added! 

Nope not a decoration, but my silly hubby testing out the NYE hats.

My friend also made delicious champagne jello shots! 

It was really nice staying in one place and ringing in the new year with amazing friends.  We watched the ball drop, did a little dancing and just celebrated!  Oh, and of course we had to have some photo-ops.  It really was a great evening!

Of course, what made it even better was the friends brunch we had the next morning.  Best cure to any hangover!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Love B