Diggin’ It

Hey.  We made it through another week.  Go us.

It’s hard to write a blog post while watching Jeopardy.  Just thought I’d throw that out there.

Here are our favorites from the week.  Enjoy!

• 1. The Beetlejuice House on Hooked on Houses: I’ve always been obsessed with the house from Beetlejuice.  I have no idea why but I’ve always loved it.  It’s quirky farmhouse perfection.  This post over at Hooked on Houses shows the house in it’s country and mod states.  I have an appreciation for both.  Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice.
• 2. 9 Weeks of Healthy Habits with Paisley Print Shoes: Those lovely ladies over at Paisley Print Shoes are at it again.  Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, they are encouraging us all to pick a healthy habit to work on.  The “challenge” will take place on the next 9 Mondays (the number of Mondays between now and Christmas…eek!).  Who can’t use a little extra motivation to be healthier human being?
• 3. Samsung Galaxy SIII Flip Cover: Fellow Android users probably know that there is a shortage of great phone covers for Android phones.  Apple wins again.  Things may be changing.  I’m loving the idea of this flip cover.  I’m adding it to the ol’ Christmas list.  I wonder if it helps prevent me from dropping my phone every 2 seconds.

1. iitala Krouvi Beer Mugs from Crate and Barrel:  Nate is liking these unique mugs from Crate and Barrel.  What guy can’t use more beer mugs?  And now he knows the wonders of the Crate and Barrel catalog…but he won’t admit it.

2. Sam Adams Octoberfest:  Nate tells me those mugs would be perfect for drinking his favorite beer.  Such a dude post.

Ike is debating what he should be for Halloween.  Nate thinks he should be a dog. (He’s not a fan of dogs in costume.) What fun is that?  Ike is thinking either:  1. Astronaut  2. Sherif or 3.  Maybe Nate would compromise on a Dapper Dog costume?

What’s your favorite house from a movie?  Beer?  Dog costume?  Do share.

Stool Make-over

Do you all remember my mission to find stools?  Kitchen stools.  Beautiful kitchen stools.

Like these stools I found at a local consignment shop.

Beautiful, right? 

$10 a piece.  What a steal.  Nate was super excited about them but humored me anyways because the three stools combined were a third of the cost of all of the other stools I was looking at. 

I tore them apart, spray painted the bases and stained the tops.  I was afraid to bring them in the house for fear of hating them.  So they sat in the garage disassembled for 2 months.  It’s really hard being me.  And my husband.  And being a blogger that takes night photos on her cell phone.

The problem is that I’m debating if I like them.  I mean, I like them.  But do I like them in my kitchen?  I’m such a weirdo.  I always have to grow to love new things.  Even though I really like news things.  They look less JCPenney catalog than our saddle stools but I’m not sure about their size.

I’m a sneaky blogger too.  Kitchen backsplash reveal has to wait until next week.  I have an annoying non-matching outlet plate cover situation to deal with first.  Use your imagination.

So what are your thoughts?  Because you know what?  I’m not really sure what my thoughts are.  I just keep typing “stool” and laughing.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I posted one of our favorite soup recipes last fall but our food photography was pretty much atrocious then.  Not that it’s Pioneer Woman good now but we’re making improvements.  Did you know that Nate has a thing for the Pioneer Woman?  I don’t think it’s really a romantic thing.  More of a “I wish my wife was as good with a camera and whisk” kind of thing.  I get it. 

He’s blushing now.  That’s why I love him.

Enough mushy stuff.  Well, mushy love stuff.  How about mushy soup stuff?

Loaded Baked Potato Soup to be exact.

We love this baked potato soup recipe because it’s an easy dinner idea for the week but still tastes week-end good.  You get that, right? 

Loaded “Baked Potato” Soup

• Southern Style Hash browns (1 bag)
• 3 cans chicken broth
• 3 cups milk
• 12 pieces of bacon (we go with the easy microwave kind)
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 green onion (diced)

Combine broth, milk, and green onion in stock pot.  Once hot, add hash browns.  Cook hash browns until mushy (technical term).  Mash with potato masher (one of my favorite utensils..after the whisk).  Add bacon.  Simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add cheese.  Simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add flour to thicken to desired consistency.  Enjoy!

We always enjoy it with salad Rhodes frozen bread. 

What’s your favorite soup recipe?  How about favorite comfort food?  Celebrity crushes?  Blog celebrity crushes?

Be sure to check out more recipes here!