Five Controversial Decor Items (And Why You May Want Them)

I found this article on RealSimple and had to repost…

People can be judgy, but don’t let the haters keep you from having what you really want in your home. Here are five infamous items and why you might just want them after all.

1. Wall-to-wall carpet— Carpet may have been on the design outs the past decade or so but it seems to be poised for a bit of a comeback, and more importantly, how much do you think you’ll enjoy those concrete floors during a middle-of-the-night bathroom run in January? Hardwood is hot, but let’s face it, carpet is comfortable.  It’s warm, absorbs sound and even insulates your room.

2. Cowhide rugs— On the outrage spectrum, from full-on fur to a leather boot, a cowhide seems to fall somewhere in the middle for most people, yet is understandably a no-go for some.  My (vegetarian by the way) two-cents take is this: it’s graphic, it’s organic and it’s low-profile. If you aren’t anti-hide, it can be a durable choice – so, if you like it, go for it.

3. Fake plants— For those of us (I’m guilty) who will never keep a houseplant alive for more than a week, fake plants may be the only way we’ll ever get the color and texture of plants into our space. Fakes have come a long way, but use them sparingly and remember, dusty leaves are not your friends.

4. Painted wood— Want your bureau a different color? You can — it belongs to you!  Don’t let fear of the wood-purists keep you from realizing your DIY vision.  Just remember that it’s usually a one-way street. Form a clear plan before taking the plunge because, without miles of sandpaper, there’s no turning back.

5. Reproductions of famous works of art— There’s no rule that says you can only decorate with original art.  If you love Monet (and that pesky museum isstill rejecting your loan request), there’s no reason you have to live without his water lilies in your life. While posters can feel a little dorm-room-depressing, done right, a framed poster or reproduction can look great and remind you of the art you love so much.  Just nix the sticky tack, okay?

What do you think? Which eschewed items do you still love?

(Image: Bethany Nauert / Traci’s Incredible South Pasadena Home)

Pretty Pretzels

Thought these would be a nice treat to go along with beer for all the Bruins games we’ve been watching…

30 Minute Homemade Soft Pretzels.

makes 8 – 10 (or more) depending on size

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2 cups warm water (lukewarm, no need to take temperature)
• 1 packet active yeast (2 and 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 4 – 4.25 cups all-purpose flour + more for the counter surface to knead (or mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour)
• 1 large egg
• course sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425F degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir with a spoon until fairly mixed, about 1 minute. Some clusters of yeast will remain. Add salt and sugar; stir until fairly combined. Slowly add flour, 1 cup at a time. Mix with a wooden spoon until dough is thick. Continue to add more flour until dough is no longer sticky. Poke the dough with your finger – if it bounces back, it is ready to knead.
3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes and shape into a ball. With a sharp knife, cut ball of dough into 1/3 cup sections. This measurement does not have to be exact – use as much or little dough for each pretzel as you wish – the size of the pretzel is completely up to you.
4. Roll the dough into a rope with an even diameter. My ropes were twenty inches long. This measurement will depend how large you want the pretzels. Once you have your long rope, take the ends and draw them together so the dough forms a circle. Twist the ends, then bring them towards yourself and press them down into a pretzel shape.
5. In a small bowl, beat the egg and pour into a shallow bowl or pie dish. Dunk the shaped pretzel into the egg wash (both sides). Place on baking sheet and sprinkle with salt.
6. Bake for 10 minutes at 425F degrees. Turn the oven to broil and bake for 5 more minutes to brown the tops. Watch closely to avoid burning.
7. Allow to cool and enjoy. Serve warm or at room temperature. Pretzels may be stored in an airtight container or zipped top bag for up to 4 days (will lose softness). Pretzels freeze well.
8. *If you’d like to make cinnamon sugar pretzels, mix 1 Tablespoon cinnamon and 1/3 cup sugar and coat pretzels instead of using salt.

Fudge Brownie Cupcakes with Chocolate Chip Frosting

Step aside, bikini…

Ingredients

Brownie Cupcakes

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Cookie Dough Frosting

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temp
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 Tbsp milk (I used vanilla almond milk, but soy or regular would be fine)
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tin with paper cups.
2. Melt butter in the microwave in a large microwave safe bowl. Mix in the sugar until smooth and microwave for about 1 minute. Stir the mixture until smooth again. Whisk in the vanilla and eggs. In a separate bowl, mix together the salt, baking powder, cocoa powder, and flour. Slowly add to the wet ingredients and stir until completely combined.
3. Fill the muffin tins about 2/3 full. Bake in the prepared muffin tin for about 8-10 minutes (mine took a little under 9 minutes). Allow to cool completely before frosting.
4. For the frosting: With an electric or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar at medium speed. Add the vanilla and beat well. Stir in the flour and salt until doughy. Stir in the milk and beat until fluffy. Gently fold in chocolate chips. Frost cooled cupcakes.

Notes

*I find these cupcakes are best served cold. I kept mine in the fridge. It also helped to avoid the cookie dough frosting from melting.

*You could easily use boxed brownie mix as a shortcut, but you would need to adjust the frosting accordingly since the cookie dough frosting recipe below only makes enough for 10-12 cupcakes.

*Depending on how full you fill the muffin tins, you could get anywhere from 9-12 cupcakes. I filled mine about 2/3 full.

Funeral Potatoes (served at the funeral of a long lost Colorado girl)

These so-called “funeral potatoes” have been in my family for many years and they have become a staple at all our family gatherings since before I can remember…To be honest, I’m not even really sure where the name comes from but I do know that this dish has been served at a good chunk of the funerals I’ve been to over my lifetime…

The recipe is a simple one. But, truth be told, you can find a very similar one on the back of an Ore-Ida bag. Pretend I didn’t mention the previous point because I like to think this is some sort of top secret family recipe that has been passed down for generations. Wherever it came from, I know one thing- this recipe brings me home, and that’s all that really matters to me.

Obviously, these potatoes have been on my mind. When I thought about what to post today, two things kept coming up. Funeral potatoes and being homesick for Colorado. Well, perfect- the two naturally come together…

I made these infamous funeral potatoes a couple weeks back at a party we had. As I was mixing and stirring up all of the ingredients, I couldn’t help but think about CO. It’s been almost five years now since I have lived there, and I’m starting to feel like that part of me is getting lost (hence the title: funeral of a long lost Colorado girl). Don’t get me wrong, my life here in Boston is fun and it’s an experience everyone should have. But, I’m in dire need of laid back-ness. I miss home. I miss home so much  it hurts.

So, I’ve made it my mission, starting today, to remember my Colorado roots more often and start incorporating my “Colorado self” into my everyday life. I cannot forget that Colorado girl. I cannot forget the landscape that taught me about spirituality and God. I cannot forget the people who shaped me into who I am today. I cannot forget the unforgettable experiences I have had from growing up in CO.

I DO NOT want to have a funeral for the Colorado girl in me. I want her to live and live loudly (and proudly). So, I’ll start by making funeral potatoes, tonight. :)

Here’s the infamous, VERY TOP SECRET, cannot be found anywhere recipe:

2 lbs frozen hash browns (I use the diced kind)
1 stick of butter
1/2 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

1/2 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup diced onion

1 cup corn flakes (crushed)
salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:

1. Defrost potatoes, melt half of the butter, and mix together all ingredients (except corn flakes- those are for the topping).

2. Melt second half of butter and mix with corn flakes. Place on top of the casserole.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour in a 9×13 baking dish

PS.- Try crumbling 1/2c bacon on the top. :)

Oh, and I just had to add this…

Weekly Music Pick

I haven’t posted any music/entertainment for a while. This one showed up in my feed this morning and has been playing ever since…Gotta love Jamie Dee!

Keeping White Jeans, White…

Now that summer has unofficially arrived, it’s time to take your white jeans out of the closet. Here’s how to keep your favorite pair pure all season.

-Wear jeans no more than two times before cleaning them.
-Avoid using chlorine bleach, which can cause yellowing. Instead use an additive-free version, like Vaska Oxygen Bleach (to buy: $7, poppyfieldsshop.com).
-When jeans begin to look dingy at the seams, add a half cup of White Brite (to buy: $14, walmart.com) to the washer and presoak for five minutes.

Summer Party Ideas

Summer fever is in the air and that means outdoor BBQ’S, roof deck soiree’s & get-together’s at the beach…

My husband and I just closed on our first home and we most certainly will be having a house warming party this summer (I hope). Not only do I want to share our new home with our friends and family, but I also desperately need to get rid of some of the elk meat from Jeff’s hunting trip in Colorado last October. So, an elk BBQ it is!..with the addition of some fun summer faves like these:

Frozen Grape Kabob’s. They are my favorite summertime cool-down treat, and so much better for you than a Popsicle.

Caprese Sticks. I make these at almost every party I host because they are just so easy. Drizzle with a little fig balsamic and there you have it!

A personal veggie cup? Ok, how come I haven’t thought of this before?

Strawberry Bruchetta? Yes, please! (it’s goat cheese, basil, & strawberry with a dash  of peach balsamic)

Instead of a Jello shot, try a Jello slice…(cut your fruit in half, pour in mixture & refrigerate. Once congealed, cut in half to make slices).

Prosciutto and melon skewers- to die for.

Mango salsa. Here’s the recipe I use click here

White sangria pops. oh, yessss!