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Copy Cat Orange Julius

October 30, 2014

When we were kids Saturday morning was always the favorite day of the week. 

We watch Saturday morning cartoons, which included my favorite book turned show "Fudge" as well as orange juice smoothies. 


There was a packet of stuff you could use to make orange juice smoothies that was pretty good, but not nearly as good as an Orange Julius. Mom loved a good Orange Julius. 

In a fit of pregnancy hormones a few weeks ago I started using what I had around the house to try and come up with an easy recipe, most of the recipes I've used over the years called for orange juice concentrate and I didn't exactly feel like leaving the house. 

Hence the recipe I came up with that night and have drank two entire bottles of orange juice by myself making these every day. 


Copy Cat Orange Julius

serves 1 (or 2 if you like to share)
Ingredients::
1 packets of granulated stevia (essentially 2 tsp)
3 tbsp half and half
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of Simply Orange Orange Juice (low pulp)

Directions::
Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar and shake well, serve over ice. Or you can freeze some of the orange juice and make this in a blender if you prefer frozen. 


What was your favorite drink growing up? 
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I Heart Pinterest Wednesday

October 29, 2014

After a long week of unpacking and doing little handy man chores it's high time for some Pinterest therapy. 

Y'all I kid you not our bed hates us, don't ever buy a bed from Ashley Furniture. 
We bought ours 5 years ago and it has collased for no reason once a year every year. 
Last night it finally bit the dust. 


High Key photo tips, not exactly food friendly, but fun to learn. 


I haven't gone fall decorating crazy around here, but I did buy a pumpkin. Maybe by Christmas I can be in full holiday decorating mode!


Love it!


Banana Bread just smells like Saturday morning growing up, that and an Orange Julius. These are bound to be divine. 


Here's my little semi homemade recipe I shared a few weeks ago, I plan on making them again when my parents are in town while J is off with the guys. 


I made these a few years ago and the bowl was nearly licked clean by Jeremy. That is proof it's good. The man doesn't get excited about too many things. He just doesn't love food like I love food. 


I love this idea, especially since we have to keep a guest room if we ever want visitors. Thanks living over 3 hours away from family. This is a great use for any sample size items you get, especially since I tend to forget everything when I travel anywhere. 


I love a good simmering potpourri, and since Jeremy is sick of smelling the Williams Sonoma one with rosemary this will have to be my winter smell. Side note... these are great for people with allergies. While my Scentsy and candles make me sneeze, this kind of stuff never does. 


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20 Weeks

October 28, 2014

We've hit the halfway point! 

The Piko tops tend to hide the bigness, but trust me it's there. I feel like this week is a large and in charge kind of belly week. The kids have started picking on me, in a good way. I turned around in the lunch line to see a few of my boys standing behind me sticking their bellies out.


Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 20 weeks
Size of baby: Baby H is the size of a banana.
Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants and bras, and Piko tops. I had to venture into maternity nursing sleep bras this week. The tatas are out of control. 
Gender: Boy
Movement: A little if I eat something sugary. I've had so much digestive stuff it's hard to tell if it's him or me. 
Sleep: Decent, but we are adjusting to the new house so it's weird and doesn't feel like home yet.
What I miss: Nothing this week.
Cravings: Super cold water and really cold raw fruit and veggies.
Symptoms: heartburn & minor nausea, my feet are a little puffy. I think my body just isn't use to carrying this much weight or weight that goes in this direction.


I haven't given a Dad update in a good while - he's doing well. He's been home a few weeks now and they are looking into how they'd like to finish off cancer treatment. We thought for a second they'd do radiation, but it seems they would rather get his strength up and do surgery.

We are awfully lucky to have him doing so well, the doctor commented that he's not seen anyone recover from this as quickly as he did. Which basically means he survived it. Thank God for giving us more years with the crazy old man either way:)
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Meal Pinning Monday

October 27, 2014

We're finally in the new house and today begins cooking in my new much larger kitchen.

That can only be described with Whoo Hoo!



[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

Monday - West African Chicken Peanut Stew

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday - Deconstructed Samosa and Bombay Sweet Potatoes


Saturday - date night

Sunday - eating out

What I'm packing for lunch - Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Skins

If I don't have something sweet I tend to lose my brain that day, thank's pregnancy. So I'm trying to go slightly better than ice cream and make this for the week - Pumpkin Fluff
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19 Weeks

October 22, 2014

I've been slacking on the blog this week, but it's all for good reason. 

I've spent my evenings this week cleaning our new house so we can be ready to move in Saturday!


Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 19 weeks
Size of baby: Baby H is the size of a mango or zucchini depending on who you read.
Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants and bras, and Piko tops.
Gender: Boy
Movement: Friday it felt like I had a popcorn popper in my stomach, then I drank too much water the other night and the baby's movement made it super obvious. 
Sleep: My hips hurt, and I couldn't get my arms comfotable one night. 
What I miss: Nothing this week.
Cravings: Super cold water, it's too hot down here.
Symptoms: heartburn & minor nausea

A photo posted by Emily (@labride) on
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Shortcut Cinnamon Rolls

October 17, 2014

Now before we even get into this recipe I'm going to warn you, it isn't exact. 

Not every recipe is meant to be exact, so don't shoot me for sharing. This really came to me a few weekends ago when I just wanted to make a fun Saturday breakfast without some overnight yeast dough. 

Not everything has to be a from scratch yeast dough to be good. 


My grandmother's recipe from the chocolate rolls gave me the idea to go this route with them. Pioneer Baking mix is obviously a gift from God that should be used accordingly. 

If only they'd make it whole wheat my life could be complete. 

I managed to steal all my ideas from this from every cinnamon rolls I've ever made from scratch. In real life I'm a taste as you go cook, typically when the blog isn't involved there are no exact measurements. 

So take this non recipe for what it is, taste as you go, change the filling, change the frosting. Make yourself happy with it and claim it as your own. 


Shortcut Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:
Cinnamon Rolls - 
3 cups of Pioneer Baking Mix (or other baking mix)
1 cup of milk (I used almond milk)
1 stick of butter, melted
cinnamon
sugar

** or use 1 recipe for white bread dough in a bread machine, just set it to dough and let it rise

Frosting- 
2  1/3 cups of powdered sugar
1/4 tsp maple flavored extract
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp strong coffee
2 tbsp melted butter

Directions:
Preheat over to 375 & grease a 13x9 baking pan. Combine baking mix with milk until it forms a dough. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead a few times. Roll out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Brush melted stick of butter onto the dough. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar as desired. Roll dough from the long side and seal edges. Cut dough into about 1 inch pieces, I use string to do this usually or unscented floss. Place dough into baking dish and bush tops with any extra butter. Bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown. 

For the frosting, in a mixing bowl combine melted butter, maple flavored extract, and powdered sugar. Slowly add in coffee and milk to achieve your desired thickness and taste. Start off with 1/4 cup and gradually increase liquids. 

When rolls come out of the oven immediately frost and serve warm.


What's your favorite food to make for Saturday morning breakfast? 
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I Heart Pinterest Wednesday

October 15, 2014

I'd like to start this sentence with "so," but after telling multiple kids not to start a sentence of that way I'll hold off from doing so. 

We're closing on a house this week. 

Oh we're moving into it you assume. 

Not at all. That would make too much sense. 

Instead I'll just self soothe with some Pinterest while I wait on these people to move the mess out. 


I made this today, crazy easy. Plus I'm positive my current inhabitatent was grateful for it as well. This child is going to learn what pumpkin and apple spie spice are at a young age. 


Amen.


Let's just go ahead and add these rustic looking salt & pepper shakers to the long list of things I'll make when I finally get to move in.


This is close to the best idea I've ever seen on the internet. Butterfinger anything is heaven.


I spent Saturday sending my sister random memes. Enjoy.


This perfectly describes Ellie. I kid you not, Jeremy brought home cracklins and Ellie acted like I was ending her life ever single time I took one out of the bag and stuck it in my mouth instead of hers. Then again this is the same dog that has a walled eyed hissy fit if Jeremy and I make any contact what so ever, as in hugging or speaking to each other. She must have all attention. 


Bless his heart. 


This just seems like a really good idea. 


Stay up to date with LABride on Pinterest & follow along!

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Weeks 17 & 18

October 13, 2014

I'm starting to realize the babyness hides well under a flowy shirt, none of which can be hidden in a tshirt. 

We did hit a few fun things at week 17, like picking out a first name and someone actually asking just how far along I was. As opposed to assuming I got chunky in one spot. 



Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 18 weeks
Size of baby: Baby H is the size of a sweet potato, and apparently my uterus is the size of a cantaloupe
Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants and bras, and Piko tops.
Gender: Boy, I'll tell the name on here once all the IRL people know:)
Movement: Nothing I can tell is specifically movement. I've had a lot of digestive problems though so it's probably disguising it. 
Sleep: I've learned I can't eat certain things for dinner or it ruins my sleep. As in broccoli and cauliflower. 
What I miss: A big mid rare steak. Jeremy makes me eat my food cooked through. But he hasn't protested deli meat yet. 
Cravings: Apple and cold fresh veggies with vinegar. I don't exactly hate chips and potatoes though either:)
Symptoms: heartburn, I've never had it in my life and it's so stinking weird. I've had a slight bit of nausea but I think it was due to no sleep and weird digestive stuff. Plus Jeremy shoved the dog and her hot breath in my face and it make me gag. 

In other life event news, we are closing on a house this week! PTL this is happening before I get so huge that packing is worse than it is now. 

I did have a funny moment last week when that made me realize that this child has killed my ab muscles. Ellie took something under the bed and I tried to take it back, well the only way to reach her was to lay flat on my stomach on the floor. I got it back, but getting up was a chore. 
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Shrimp & Corn Soup

October 9, 2014

If Jeremy hadn't been working out lately to prep for the Warrior Dash this weekend I wouldn't have heard a word about this dish making him fat. 

However, if there is anything you need to know at our house his disdain for what I cook is directly related to what "thing" is coming up. Albiet, while he was training for the marathon a few years ago I couldn't keep weight on the man. 


I did lighten this up just a smidge for the man, and when I say lighten up I don't at all mean it wasn't still super heavy. 

Don't look at this for a moment and think this is healthy, it's only good for you if you fall into the calf category and have a need for high amounts of milk fat. 

But it's dang good and that's what matters. 


Shrimp & Corn Soup

Ingredients:
1 stick of butter
1 small onion
1 small bell pepper
1 can of cream of potato soup
1 large russet potato, cubed and cooked through
2 cans of corn (14 oz ish)
1 lb peeled shrimp
2 pints of half and half
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 small package of cream cheese
3 green onions, plus extra for topping
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Cajun Seasoning and Pepper to taste

Directions:
Melt butter. Saute bell pepper, garlic, and onion. When onion and pepper are nearly done add in the cubed potato. Add in cream cheese, half and half, and soups. When cream cheese is nearly melted, add in shrimp and corn. Bring to a low boil and stir frequently. Cook 10 minutes or until shrimp is done. Season with pepper and Cajun seasoning to taste.

*I didn't actually use butter in mine, I was completely out. I opted for grape seed oil because I had it on hand and it worked out fine. So if you don't want all the butter go for olive oil or another you keep stocked. Also, if you aren't in the mood to chop and want this to go even faster, buy a bag of seasoning blend and small bag of cubed hash brown potatoes. 


As per the usual with Nanny's recipes there aren't a ton of directions. This actual recipe was emailed from my Pop's sister Frances. I have quite a few recipes in this collection though that have come from recipes they've tried and emailed out to their siblings.

I didn't go too heavy on the Cajun Seasoning in the soup, I left that mainly to be added to individual servings. Not everyone likes the same amount of spice and salt around here!

What's your favorite soup to make in the fall? 
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I Heart Pinterest Wednesday!

October 8, 2014

It's still Wednesday, even though Tuesday felt like it should have been Tuesday and I'm not totally sure what today feels like.

I did have to rush this evening when I realized tomorrow was a test day and I had yet to create a test. I live in the world of slacker, yes I knew what would be on the test exactly, but typing it up exactly how I wanted it to look had yet to happen.

And that with said, let's enjoy our weekly Pinterest therapy session.


I saw this recipe for Groaning Cake and am really intrigued. Has anyone tried a similar recipe before? Trust me I'm willing to do placenta encapsulation crunchy at times so this seems like a dream concept if it actually helps with milk supply and post baby-ness. 


I had to pin this for one simple reason, my 6 year old crockpot needs it desperately. I'm honestly surprised the thing hasn't grown arms and pinned this itself. 


Y'all are going to get really sick of me this holiday season, but we are closing on a house next week and for the first time in 3 years we will have room for a Christmas tree! I'm dying over Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas right now!!


Jeremy is building this, he may not know it, but he is. Especially since he hates how my bathroom counter always looks, this will solve that issue. So when you read this in a month Jeremy, make this. I'll even take it as a Christmas present. 


I've said it for ages, but the end goal with our table is to get benches for either side and a nice tufted chair on each end. Until then, and after having drug down all of our dining room chairs from the attic, we are just going to pain them all the same color so they somewhat match. As long as it looks country chic and not garage sale cheap we are good to go. 


I did this kettle bell workout the other day and loved it! Granted I modified it a bit, and did lower weights than I normally would, but it was a fun short workout to tack on at the end of my usual weight lifting. 


Target currently has these in black and tan, I'm going to need both colors. Right after I donate a huge load of shoes to Goodwill, moving means purging what I don't wear ever right?


What were some of your favorite pins form this week?
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Meal Pinning Monday

October 6, 2014

This week doesn't have any pins, but it's because I'm making other items this week. As in, one of my grandmother's recipes made it onto the menu.

So you'll be seeing those recipes very soon.



[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]
MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

Monday - Wednesday - Spaghetti & Meatballs
I found the most amazing sauce recipe and have played with it a bit. It started off as as bread dip, but it's too good not to double and make spaghetti out of. Plus it's super simple to make. 

Thursday - Friday -  Nanny's Shrimp and Corn Soup

Saturday - Warrior Dash for Jeremy - so I'm eating out with my parents:)
Sunday - Eating out

What are y'all cooking this week?
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16 Weeks

October 4, 2014

I thought I should probably get to this before 17 weeks hits. 
Although today is 16 weeksn and 6 days, the pics were taken at 16 weeks and 3 days. 

I have got to remember to make Jeremy take pics on Sunday before church with the real camera!


Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 16 weeks
Size of baby: Baby B is the size of a dill pickle!
Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants and bras, and Piko tops.
Gender: Boy, a nameless little boy because his father hasn't agreed yet lol!
Movement: Nada
Sleep: Mom sent me a maternity pillow this week so I'm in Heaven!
What I miss: Nothing really this week.
Cravings: Ambrosia Apples and the Chocolate Pretzel Natures Valley bars.
Symptoms: The usual digestive stuff and my gums are bugging me, but nausea appears to be at bay:)

Here's a little comparison for you, since my Dad thinks I am not a tubby yet. Granted I'm not huge, but this definitely explains by I am so uncomfortable. Parts have definitely expanded!

The left is at 6 weeks and the right is 16 weeks. 
I can't believe the little bloat I had at the end of summer made me think I was showing (to myself, not that other people could tell). Considering I don't have a waist anymore, and my boobs are out of comtrol I am only looking forward to delivery so I can get the extra uncomfortable weight off. 

Come on March!
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Mom's Sausage Pasta

October 2, 2014

Now that I've developed an appetite for real food and not just hummus I have ventured back into the kitchen. 

This week I decided I was dying to have Mom's Pasta she always made when I lived at home. 


This was a favorite easy meal of her's, although she made it with bow tie pasta. I personally like whole wheat, but since Jeremy isn't a fan I compromise with Smart Taste. 

They don't make bow tie, at least it's not sold here, so I just buy the spiral or penne. 

Don't be afraid by the Rotel in the recipe, this isn't that spicy after it's all said and done. The Rotel basically just keeps this from tasting like spaghetti sauce and give it a nice kick that compliments the sausage. 


Mom's Sausage Pasta

Ingredients:
1 lb box of Smart Taste Pasta 
1 sliced green bell pepper
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian Seasoning, or more to taste (I don't really measure when I make this)
10 oz can of Original Rotel Tomatoes, drained (but buy hotter if you prefer it)
14 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 lb Polish Smoked Sausage, sliced
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
2 cups of Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:
Set water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions. While water is coming to a boil, brown sliced sausage in a large skillet. Add in onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook onions until translucent, then add the drained can of Rotel tomatoes, diced tomatoes (not drained), and Italian seasoning. Add salt & pepper to taste. When pasta is nearly done add Parmesan Cheese to the sausage mixture. Drain pasta and toss into sauce. Top individual servings with mozzarella cheese.


If I were cooking just for me I would go veggie crazy with this and add in zucchini or summer squash. Then again, I like to add a ton of veggies to spaghetti and that's a definite no, no in our house.  
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I Heart Pinterest Wednesday!

October 1, 2014

I can't hardly believe it's already October! 
It's my absolute favorite month, now it the LA weather would just get the memo. 


I just want to be in our house like yesterday so I can do this to a pumpkin and put it on the porch!

This Chocolate Butter Pecan Cake looks divine!

Don't hate me because I can't quit pinning DIY projects, I just can't quit being excited about not being in a town house anymore:)

All sorts of pretty!

October in a cake pan. 

This my friends is what I've deemed my Maternity Uniform. Hence having a winter pregnancy on purpose. I'd die during the summer. 

I think I'm going to have to make these very soon. 
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