Fall Mantel 2012 Edition

It’s that time again.  Time to decorate the mantel in its fall best.

This year I went with a sexy librarian/quirky owl theme.  Or old lady clutter.  Either way.  I like it.

I stole books (in fall colors) from our office.  Hooray for in home shopping.  The owl on the left is from TJMaxx (last season).  (I used it last year's fall mantel.)  The owl on the right is from Menard’s.  The clock was also stolen from the office.  It was originally purchased from an antique store. 

Is your house ready for fall?  Have you turned the heat on yet?  We were tempted this week-end but toughed it out.  Are you digging the sexy librarian/quirky owl theme?  I need to trademark that one.  A Décor and the Dog original.

Linking up to: Centsational Girl, The Inspired Room

Meal Plan- Week of 9/23/12

I’ve been doing awesome with meal planning.  Oh wait, that’s a lie. 

I have lots of excuses but I’ll save them for another day.  Today, this meal planning train is back on track.  Here we go…

Sunday: 

Chili and corn bread

Monday: 

Parmesan Bow-Tie Skillet

• 3 cups farfalle, cooked, drained
• 1 jar (14oz.) spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Combine pasta, spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella and 2 Tbsp. of Parmesan cheese in a large skillet or saucepan.

Cook on medium heat 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and remaining 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese; cover.  Let stand 5 minutes or until mozzarella cheese is melted.

Makes 4 servings ( 1 1/4 cups each).

Tuesday:

Kick Ball playoffs potluck.  Go team!

Wednesday:

Center cut slice of ham and mashed potatoes (made from scratch with potatoes from the parents’ garden).

Thursday:

Chicken and cheese ravioli (from Sam’s) with It's Ready Already Alfredo sauce.

What are your favorite recipes?  Feel free to e-mail me at decorandthedog (at) gmail. I’ll be sure to mention/feature your blog if your recipe makes the meal plan list!

Diggin’ It

Holy Cow. I’m keeping up with a series.  Amazing.  The world may be ending.  You heard it here first. 

Hopefully you can squeeze in a look at our favorites from the week.

Dudette:

• I should retitle this “Michelle’s Favorite Kitchen Make-over of the Week.”  Maury (Life on Mars) wowed me with her addition of butcher block counters.  Seriously doesn’t even look like the same room.
• Chelsea (Two Twenty One) is offering up her photo editing skills.  Have a photo that isn’t quite stellar but you don’t want to invest the money and time into learning photo editing?  Chelsea is here to help!  She edited up one of our cow pictures.  Be sure to check it out!
• I’m madly in love with these Target cardigans.  I’m one of those elderly ladies that always has a cardigan no matter what time of year.  I really like the length of these..especially paired with skinny jeans.  My other new love.

Dude:

• Nate is lame.  I asked him what he was digging this week and he said “Your Mom.”  He doesn’t know I’m putting this on the blog.  This will teach him to play along with my blog games.  The only thing he could come up with is two albums that he has been listening to a lot while editing our vacation photos… Barenaked Ladies and Fun.  Let’s encourage Nate to try harder next week.  Mkay?

Dog:

• Ike and I think this Good Dog Gift Bucket from Harry Barker would be fun gift for new dog owners.  Or for storing treats and bones. Ike thinks lots of bones would be good. 

Should I kick the dude out of the weekly round up or give him another chance?  What are your favorites from the week?  Big week-end plans?  We are sleeping.  Just sleeping.  Okay, maybe hanging out with family too.  But lots and lots of beautiful sleep is in our very near future.