{Martha's Kitchen Shortcuts and Timesavers}

Hey there!!  We're still in the process of getting settled in our new home, and one of the first rooms that I wanted to tackle was the kitchen.  I'm on a mission to maintain an organized and smoothly-run household, and I've been researching tips and tricks for kitchen organization.

As I was perusing the web, I came across these neat tips from Martha and had to share with you.

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{Clip-On Coffee Spoon}

{Instant Stock}

{Cooks' Helpers}

{Magnetic Lunch Chart}

{Softening Secret}

{Easy Breakfast Mixes}

{Butter Corn in a Jiffy}

{Easy Grating}

{Smart Scooping}

{Quick Cocktail Mix}

{Quick Peel Kiwi}

{Fast Fruit Slices}

{Stack and Steam}

{Fast Fresh Fruit}

I hope you have found these as useful as I did.  Have a great day!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Five Favorites}

Hooray for Friday!!  I'm so excited to be typing my first Five Favorites post from our new house, and I can't wait to share some of my happy moments from the week with you.  I'm not going to lie…I don't like moving…At all.  I'm tired, I'm in need of a long shower and some makeup, but I'm also very thankful for a successful move and a good week.

It started off with a beautiful Easter church service, and it is ending with lots of fun discoveries for our little Kate.  I think she loves her new home, and that's really all that matters to me. :)

{New home, new view, new kitchen}

{Easter Church Service}

{Our little angel in her Easter dress}

{One of Kate's favorite spots in the new house}

{We're making some yard progress}

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Big Announcement}

Hey there, friends!!  I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and are enjoying this beautiful week.  I've been away for a few days because my family and I have been moving into our new home, and boy does it feel good to have my internet connection back.

So many exciting things are going on around here.  In addition to moving into a new house, our little Kate has a big announcement to make…

Our new little bundle of joy is due on October 10th, and we are all so thrilled and excited!! :)

I just wanted to pop in to share our news with all of you, and I hope y'all have a great day!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Bunny Bark}

Happy Wednesday!!  Are you all ready for Easter?  I'm pretty excited because we move this weekend, and my family and I will get to spend our first Easter in our new home.  I've been trying to find some simple crafts and recipes that we can all work on together when we get settled, and I love some of the ideas I've seen.  You can find fun ways to decorate your Easter eggs here, a sweet little bird's nest treat here, and check out this yummy {and pretty} bunny bark below.  All these will add a perfect touch to your Easter parties this weekend!

{via Bakerella}

{via Bakerella}

Ingredients:

• 20 oz. dark chocolate morsels

• 4-6 oz. white chocolate morsels

• ½ cup M&M’s
• 
½ cup pastel candy corn

• ½ cup salted peanuts
• 
¼ cup pastel-coated sunflower seeds
• 
¼ cup marshmallow bits or mini marshmallows

Directions:

1. Line a 9- x 13-inch baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. (Note: If you want thinner bark, use a 12- x 15-inch baking sheet.)

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat dark chocolate morsels in the microwave on a low setting for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Continue heating in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted and smooth. Repeat with white chocolate morsels.

3. Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Pour white chocolate on top, then drag a knife through the chocolate to create swirls.

4. Sprinkle add-ons on top and gently press into chocolate. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting bark into pieces.

 xoxo,

Katherine

{World's Toughest Job}

I kept seeing this video floating around the web this week, so I finally clicked on it this morning.  Check it out…
The end result?  Tears in my eyes thinking about my mom and everything she has done for us.  I love you, Mama, and I can't wait to celebrate you this Mother's Day!!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Sweet Bird's Nests for Easter}

This Easter treat is SO ADORABLE!!  My mom showed me this over the weekend, and I just had to share it with all of you.  Aren't they so cute for your upcoming Easter celebration?  Check out the recipe below to see how quickly you can have these on your lunch table this Sunday.

{Recipe and Photo via Bake at 350}

Ingredients:

• 3 c. mini marshmallows
• 3 TBSP unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 4 c. dry chow mein noodles
• small candies, jelly beans, m & m's, etc.

Instructions:

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Over low heat, melt the marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan.
3. Once melted, stir in the vanilla, then the chow mein noodles. 
4. Coat your hands liberally with shortening, (butter doesn't work as well) and have some nearby for re-coating.
5. Grab a clump of noodles smaller than a tennis ball and larger than a golf ball. Form into a ball while pressing your thumbs into the middle, forming a nest.
6. Allow the nests to cool, then fill them with the candy of your choice. Enjoy!!

xoxo,

Katherine

{Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups}

Happy Tuesday, friends!  I had such a nice weekend with my family, but now it's back to the boxes and packing paper.  We're prepping for our big move, so I'll be popping in and out whenever I get packing breaks to visit with all of you.  I'm taking a lunch break right now, and I wanted to share this sweet little healthy treat.

I'm already thinking about satisfying my sweet tooth craving after lunch, and this recipe from Against All Grain is the perfect treat to do just that without consuming all those unhealthy calories.  I loved fruit roll-ups as a child (still do, actually), and I can't wait to try these.  Such a fun little treat for kids and adults of all ages!

{via}

Ingredients:

•       4 cups mixed berries (I used raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries)

•       1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice or water

•       1 teaspoon lemon juice

•       1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

•       1 tablespoon honey (you may need more if your berries are really sour)

*If using frozen berries, omit the apple juice and substitute 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, until the berries have popped and some of the liquid has evaporated.
2. Pour the mixture into a blender, then carefully blend until smooth.
3. Line 2 rimmed baking trays with a SilPat or parchment paper, then pour half of the fruit mixture through a fine mesh sieve and onto the first tray and half onto the second. Use a spatula to lightly spread the mixture evenly across the baking sheet, to about 1/8 inch thick.
4. If you have a dehydrator with a fan in the back, these will only take about 3 hours on the high (150 degrees) setting. Without a fan, they’ll take about 8-10 hours on 150 degrees. I would assume that a convection oven would also take less time, but have not tried it yet.

You will know they’re done when you touch them lightly with your finger and they are no longer sticky. If the edges get a little too brittle and dry, you can brush a tiny bit of water over it and will be good as new!

xoxo,
Katherine

{DIY: Pastel Painted Bottles}

The weather is warming up, the sun is out, and it's finally starting to feel like Spring around here!  I'm so excited about this time of year, and I love bringing those fresh florals and pretty pastels indoors to enjoy throughout the day.

A great (and simple) way to add color to your home decor is to repurpose old bottles and jars.  I saw this idea here, and I can't get over how quick and easy it is.  All you need to complete this project are some glass bottles, pastel glass paint, and a brush.

Grab those beer bottles and empty jars out of your recycling bin, and soak them in warm, soapy water to remove labels.  Once they are completely dry, you can apply your first coat of pastel paint.  Don't worry if it's a bit streaky…The additional coats of paint will remedy that.  Apply second coat, allow to dry completely, and then fill the bottles with your favorite flowers.  There you have a beautiful Spring touch to add to your home decor! :)

{via}

xoxo,
Katherine