Turkey Day Is Almost Here!

So, I am sitting here at work, giddily writing this post because Thanksgiving is tomorrow! I can't believe it's here! All year I wait for this time of year, because clearly it's my favorite. It's chilly outside, the house is decorated for the holidays (yes we are those sick people who decorate before Thanksgiving) and now I am just waiting for tomorrow to have our family over for our second annual Thornton Thanksgiving Breakfeast. I am trying a few new breakfast recipes this Thanksgiving and hopefully they turn out as delicious as they look. The first is from the Ree Drummond aka "The Pioneer Woman." It's called the "Sleepin in omelette," and it looks glorious! One and a half sticks of butter...need I say more?

Onion roll meets butter who hooks up with cream cheese and has a baby made of eggs and chives..weird analogy...yes! But seriously doesn't this look good? Best of all it's a make the night before kind of recipe which is my favorite!
Next up is the cinnamon rolls. I only make these twice a year and the first is for Thanksgiving morning. They are a tad labor intensive which is why they don't happen often, well that and I am afraid of what would happen to me if I ate these more than twice a year. They are decadent! The recipe I most often use is from the queen of sweets herself, Paula Deen.

Next on the menu is what I call breakfast potatoes, the first time I made these I followed this tutorial, but since the stove and my cast iron skillet will be in use, I am going to attempt these in the crock pot, wish me luck!
For our fruit, Chase is making "Breakfast Strawberries." The recipe for that is here.
Bacon will certainly be in attendance as will mimosas and other yummy breakfast beverages (maybe even egg nog spiked with maple whiskey) ;)

This is our family's tradition, I hope whatever yours is, it is filled with warm memories, lots of great food, laughs and time with the ones you love.
Happy Thanksgiving Eve!
A.
 

Sausage Potato Kale Soup

This was Tuesday's dinner, and it's the third meal we have made from Real Plans. I was definitely not disappointed. This soup has great flavor and even got the mister to eat kale...score! If you haven't seen my other blog post about the Real Plans meal planning website, check out this post. Happy Thursday!

Simmering away..

 

Final Product...Yumly!

A.
 

Playing Catch Up

So here's a quick run down on the latest "adventure"

 

Since Chase was at drill, I went to the Renninger's Antiques and Collector's Extravaganza this past Saturday with my parents. This is a gigantic (over 1400 dealers) event in Mount Dora that they do 3 times a year (November, January and February) Put on your walking shoes if you plan on attending, not only are there miles and miles of different tables, none of this is on flat ground. Let's just say the next day my calves felt like I had climbed quite a few flights of stairs. There is really no way to describe what you can find there other than to say if you think of it, its there. Lot's of really cool metal signage (like the funny one I posted) and vintage cook/bake ware. Overall it is fun to just wander from table to table just checking out all the weird, interesting things people have for sale. I ended up buying a metal box (circa 1901) that was found in a burnt down old barn, and two old cast iron public building signs (which I'll post pics of later).

 

After spending most of the day checking out all the goods, we decided to drive to downtown Mount Dora, which is absolutely adorable. There are so many cozy little restaurants and shops to browse it could easily be a day trip. We walked into a few of the shops, one of which I thought was particularly neat. It was called "Under the Cherry Blossoms," and it offered tons of items made by over 20 local artists. I loved that the ceiling in this shop was completely covered in paper Cherry Blossoms, which added to it's already abundant charm. I scored some "beer" and "coffee" soap from here ;)

 

From here, we went to the Village Coffee Pot to re-charge the batteries, because at this point every ones dog's were barking, mine were actually howling :)

 

After getting our java on, we drove around the town a bit and then found a spot on the lake that looked inviting and enjoyed our coffee and unfortunately pretty soon, the plaque of mosquitoes that showed up as the sun retired. Still, it was scenic and honestly it was just so nice to spend some one on one time with my parents. I can honestly say I have a blast with them anytime we do these odd little outings. On the way home we all cracked up because I swear the route my phone's navigation gave us had us doing left hand turns all the way home. Our trip must have looked something like this...

Here are some random pics I took that day: (sorry for the crap quality, iphone at night)

Blurry because it was a drive by: cute store front all ready for Christmas

Gazebo near the lake

Lighthouse

my dad lifting a fallen palm tree :)

Ok not really....

Doggy bakery, love the name!

View of the lake

 

A.

 

 

My Talented Mama

This is a garden flag that my very creative and talented mom made for me and Chase. Super freakin cute right? My mom is probably the most naturally creative person I know, and who I attribute my small amount of craftiness to. This kind of stuff makes me love the holidays even more because it's such a big part of starting traditions. I love unpacking Christmas decorations and seeing things that I have seen every year for 30 years and remembering the stories that are associated with them. Reminds me that there isn't much that's more important than family and the traditions you start with them. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

A.

Bah Hum Pug

I want this sweater! 

A.

Tonight's Dinner

This is tonight's dinner. It's a healthier version of bang bang shrimp with steamed broccoli. This recipe came from a website called realplans.com. Real plans is a meal planning website that helps you plan, shop and cook amazing meals. All of the recipes are whole food, nutrient dense foods that will make you feel good about cooking and eating them. In all honesty this is the first recipe I have tried so far, and it was delicious. As I try more of these, I will continue to post about them and let you know what I think. You should definitely check this out. 

~*Happy Veteran's Day*~

I am so proud of the Veteran's in my family. I have aunts, uncles, grandfathers, cousins and a husband who have served our country and I am so thankful for the part they and so many others played in keeping our country safe and free. God bless the service members who have served, are serving and who will serve.

Left: My paternal grandfather (Roy Garcia Sr.) Aka "Grampa Grace"

Served in World War II and consequently met and married my Grandma Grace while in England.

Middle: My husband. Christopher Thornton Aka "Chase"

Served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom

Right: My maternal grandfather (William Romero)

Served in World War II

 

A.

Meat of the loaf variety in muffin form

This weeks pre-planned meals are meatloaf muffins, green beans and quinoa. The muffins are the same ones that I referred to in my Blog Log, and they are healthy and seriously tasty. After making these a few times now, I can safely tell you that using silicone muffin cup liners like these ones that I found at Walmart are the most convenient way to do this. Although, if you're feeling a little spunky, you can use these. Hope you all had a great weekend, and here's to a great week :) 

A.

Deeee-licious!

Oh my! Tried the Curious Traveler at Wayback Burger and picked up this Jolly Traveler "Winter Shandy" and it is quite delicious! Has lemon peel, pomegranate juice, orange, and winter spices...yum! 

A.

Ahhhh here's to a greenish thumb...

Went to Kerby's Nursery today to formulate some kind of plan for our currently vacant front flower bed and picked up these goodies. Just a start, but I think we have a game plan. If you live in the Brandon area, you should definitely check out this nursery. They have a huge variety of flowers, trees, shrubs and etc. They will also help you come up with a landscape plan and the cost is a $50 gift card that you will put towards the plants you end up choosing for your customized plan. No clue why I am advertising for them other than I love this place and they are always very friendly and knowledgable. Happy Saturday!

PS: Picked up my wedding dress today! Yay! Can't post a pic though because Chase is not trustworthy lol :)

A.

Tonight's Dinner

Tonight's dinner was really good! Best of all it was easy! I wanted to share the recipe :)

A.

Blessed

It's a little thing but I came into the kitchen to find my lunch (sandwich) made and it never ceases to amaze me how blessed I am to have found someone who wants to take care of me as much as I want to take care of him. At the end of the day to me that's what it's all about. I love you Vondudenstien ;)

A few of my favorite things....

Hello Friends!

Hope you're having a good Monday :) I am so excited to share this with you, because well it's awesome and it's Hadley's Closet. Hadley's Closet is an Etsy shop owned by my very good friend Lindsey's sister Carley. These two sisters are so darn talented it's ridiculous! Lindsey can whip you up a mouth-watering cake and Carley will make you a new shirt when you drool on yours! They are just awesome! You can find anything from pendants and wristlets to baby clothes and makeup bags in her store, and I can tell you from personal experience that the quality of these handmade items is top notch. The prices are more than reasonable for what you are getting and the different designs and patterns are varied and adorable! Not to mention, Carley is probably one of the sweetest most humble people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Here are just a few pics of some of my favorite items. If you love what you see, you can find her shop here .

 Are there not the cutest little reversible baby dresses? Perfect for Florida weather!

 The makeup bag on the top left may not be available for long because I have been stalking it for awhile now and I may just give in now that I am looking at it again!

This is the tote that I purchased from Hadley's Closet and I LOVE it! It's the perfect size to be a little gym bag for me to throw my clothes and water in.

 

I hope you will check out this store, it is certainly worth a look! :)

 

A.

Halloween Party 2014

Just a few pics from our party..