Are YOU Ready for Some FOOTBALL? And the snacks that come along with it!

Well, folks, it is that time again! Football season has officially begun... So, start your tailgate or party off right with some of my all-time FAVORITE snacks that people are sure to be asking for the recipes over and over again!

Hot Wing Dip

In slow cooker/crock-pot, mix all together:
2 packages softened cream cheese
1 cup Franks Red-Hot sauce
1 cup Ranch or blue-Cheese dressing
2 cups cooked, diced chicken
1- 11/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Heat on low for about 2 hours, or until hot... serve with tortilla chips. My ABSOLUTE favorite!

Little Smokies

In slow cooker/crock pot, mix all together:
2 packages little smokies/cocktail weiners
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp Worchestershire sauce
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup Jack Daniels, optional
Heat on low for about 2 hours, or until ready to serve. So bbq-y, but with the extra, "hmm, what is that?!"

Cocktail Meatballs

1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp soy sauce
3 Tablespoons minced onion
1/2 cup bread or corn flake crumbs

Sauce:

1 (8 oz) can jellied cranberry sauce
3/4 cup chili sauce
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
11/2 teaspoons lemon juice
Mix all top ingredients into small balls. (Or, if you want to cheat, buy pre-made meat balls!) Bake 20-25 minutes in 350 degree oven, turning once.
In slow cooker/crock pot. blend all "sauce" ingredients, stir. Add in meatballs, and simmer for at least 1 hour before serving. YUM!!! You cannot eat just one, I promise you!

Creamy Beefy Salsa Dip

1 pound ground beef, with 1/2 package of taco seasoning added
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 jar salsa (Mild- Medium- Hot, whichever you prefer!)
1 pound loaf processed cheese spread (Velveeta)
Brown hamburger, drain extra grease.
Add cream cheese to bottom of a 9 inch pan/baking dish. Spread a layer of salsa on cream cheese, then a layer of ground beef. Top with Velveeta, and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
Serve hot with your favorite tortilla chips. This is my boyfriends FAVORITE thing! I swear he can eat half!

Jude 1:2

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

- Jude 1:2 NIV

The ABSOLUTE BEST Fettuccine Alfredo

SO... I love Fettuccine Alfredo like you wouldn't believe. Do I eat it daily? NO!! I'd be as big as a house! Do I sometimes wish I could eat it daily! YES!!!

I love to go out to eat dinner and try different places that make it... some are good, some are great, some are absolutely horrible (seriously?!- who puts CANNED Alfredo sauce on their restaurant pasta?- gross!). Well, it's fairly easy to make at home, so I've tried TONS of recipes to make the "perfect", restaurant-quality Fettuccine Alfredo. I like mine with either chicken or shrimp... so feel free to add whichever you'd like! :)

Without further ado... here is The ABSOLUTE BEST Fettuccine Alfredo recipe to make at home... Enjoy!

• 24 ounces fettuccine pasta (dry)
• 1 1/2 c butter
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 tsp crushed garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 c grated Romano cheese
• 3/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
• Pepper and at least 1 tsp salt- but, to taste

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain water.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter into cream over low heat. Add salt, pepper and garlic salt. Stir in cheese over medium heat until melted; this will thicken the sauce.
3. Add pasta to sauce. Use enough of the pasta so that all of the sauce is used and the pasta is thoroughly coated. 
4. Add your favorite meat- sauteed shrimp or chicken is the best!
5. Serve immediately... and ENJOY!!

People Change

People change as they go through life, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. A marriage that does NOT grow or change is in trouble. Don't let change frighten you. 

REMEMBER- As you age, change usually leads to a better life for you both.

Favorite Things to LOVE about Arizona

I just got back from again visiting Arizona. This time around I was in both Tucson and the Phoenix areas. I got to meet my parents and two younger brothers down there, watch lots of baseball, see family, and explore. What could be better than that?! We had a blast! SO, this gave me an idea for a blog post... and lots more postings to come. The "top" reasons to love (or hate, I suppose) a certain place! This one is allll about Arizona! So, if you haven't been... or have, and want to see why I love it too- read on! If you have other reasons why YOU love it- please share! :)

The weather. Of course, the weather. I LOVE the weather. It is hot in the summer... no doubt. But...the sun almost always shines, the sky is almost always blue... and, "it's a dry heat"! :) So, you can stay inside for heat, or you can stay inside for freezing cold winter's. I'd take the heat any day!

Mexican food. GOOD Mexican food. Being so close to the Mexico border... there is never a shortage of great, authentic, Mexican food. We stopped by Filibertos this time around, which, I must say... has absolutely amazing carne asada burritos. I've been there before, on other trips, and always love to go back. In Tucson, a local recommended Casa Del Rio Mexican Restaurant, and it really did have great salsa. I had a carne asada taco, and the rest of my family had chimichanga's... which they loved. Moral of the story- if you're in AZ, you must eat some great Mexican food!

The desert. If you're from about anywhere else... you don't see this every day. The cacti, rocks, and the mystery of whats "out there" in the desert.... it's simply wonderful!

The ambiance/atmosphere/mood/tone. It has all the hustle and bustle of a big city (well, if you're in one of the bigger places, of course), but somehow the "aura" of Arizona seems so peaceful... so charming... so much like you just want to breathe in deep and smile. It feels, to me, like the feel of a vacation. Just nice, warm, comforting, peaceful.

The Grand Canyon. Of course.

The sunsets. Also, I may as well include... the mornings. I love love love love the mornings in Arizona, when the sun is rising and it's cool out and it just seems so "fresh". Then, the night comes, and it makes me smile just thinking about the sunsets in AZ. They are spectacular... in all their glory, they just seem to be some of the most amazing ones I've seen. 

Diversity. In about everything. Sports, restaurants, people, climate, landscape... it just seems like there is a little of everything. You have the Phoenix snowbirds... then the horse rancher... then the rich Scottsdale businessman... then the tourists... mmmhmm... so nice.


Arizona... so endearing. Mmmm. I wanna go back now!!

So... what'd I miss? What do YOU love about Arizona? (More "places" to come!)

These are a FEW of My Favorite Things!

So... I love a lot of things. I mean, lets be honest... I do. So... I thought I would share a few of these things with you!! Whether you're looking for a gift, or something for yourself- I'm full of good ideas! :)

Black High Heels. For something that will never go out of style, you can wear with about anything, and it always makes you feel good? The classic black heel.

Silicone Scone Pan I got this pan for Christmas 2010 (Thanks, Deb!), and truly love it. I use it for chocolate chip scones, but it can also be used for little cakes, or corn bread! Doesn't require cooking spray, and when they're done... they fall right out! So easy.
This movie...Love & Other Drugs. I. LOVE. IT. Sooo good! A dramatic romantic comedy... that brings tears!

Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book Such a classic, good cookbook. Recipes for the advanced cook, but all the small details, measurements, and helpful pictures for the beginner starting out!

Peony Full Blossom Pink Stems Peonies are my favorite flowers. I think they look so charming. And, speaking of... like an old soul would love. These seem so vintage to me, and smell great to boot!

Dunkin' Donuts Ground Coffee, Cinnamon Spice I make coffee daily at home. Okay, unless it's on my Starbucks day. But, regardless, this Dunkin' Donuts coffee that I make is my FAVORITE! I'm usually not a fan of flavored coffees, but this one is amazing. The scent of it brewing, and in my cup, I could smell all day long. It is a little spicy, but with sweet coffee aromas and flavors. Mmmmm. I think I'll go make a cup now! :)

Canon PowerShot Digital Camera Canon camera's are my favorite for every day use. They are easy to use, pretty universal, and do a great job of taking photo's.

Floursack Towels My mom gave me some of these a couple Christmas's ago.. '
and I cannot say enough good things about them. They are thin and lightweight, but dry your dishes SO amazingly.

I have many more favorites (of course!)... so, more to come again soon!

New BEDROOM Set Furniture!!! I Just HAVE To Show You!

I just recently... two days ago as a matter of fact... got a new bedroom set! I absolutely LOVE it!!! We searched high and low for a "perfect one"... and I couldn't be more thrilled! Bench for foot of bed is still to come! :) My kitchen barstools match the bench... and my dining table match it all as well! SO pretty! So... if you're in the market, I'd highly suggest checking this one out!

It is Ashley Furniture brand, Rowley Creek "style".

Rowley Creek Poster Canopy Bed

Black "Old World" Style poster bed.

Two matching nightstands perfectly bring the whole look of the room together.

Rowley Creek Nightstand

Rowley Creek Dresser by Ashley Furniture

I LOVE the size of this dresser, the black felt- lined top drawers, and the coordinating wood top and mirror. The mirror also has a three-way "touch" light!

Chest w/ Door by Ashley - Black

The chest of drawers is sooo pretty. It stands taller than a normal one, which I like! The left side has a door that opens to move shelves! So much storage.

Rowley Creek Poster Bed by Ashley Furniture

So... here it is! More decorating of the room to come! :) So far, sticking with the "Old World Style", the golden tone of the walls, and shimmery taupe-y bedding, with the white silk curtains, bring the style out- accentuating the bed set!

My Kitchen Bar-stools:  

My Dining Room Table

Think About It!

The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness.

This quote... when you think about it.... makes a lot sense, huh? How true!

RELATIONSHIP Section- 50 "Best" Pickup Lines, Hilarious, Dumb, and Maybe A Few That Work? :)

You know those funny pick-up lines you hear in movies, or... if you're the unlucky one (haha), in a bar?? Here are the TOP 50 to get you laughing, thinking, or... coming up with ones of your own to use?? We can only hope. (sarcasm!) Not that we are encouraging them, trust me!

1. I was so enchanted by your beauty that I ran into that wall over there. So I am going to need your name and number for insurance purposes.
2. You must work at Subway, 'cause you just gave me a footlong.
3. Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
4. Can I even get a fake number?
5. I wish you were DSL so I could get high-speed access.
6. I'm not drunk, I'm just intoxicated by you.
7. Go up to a girl and say "Hi! My name is Haywood Jablomee.
8. You're so beautiful that you made me forget my pickup line.
9. If beauty were time, you'd be eternity.   
10. If I were a stop light, I'd turn red every time you passed by, just so I could stare at you a bit longer.   
11. Damn, if being sexy was a crime, you'd be guilty as charged!
12. I may not be a genie but I can make your dreams come true. 
13. You shouldn't wear makeup. It's messing with perfection!
14. My magical watch says you aren't wearing any panties. Oh, you are? It must be an hour fast!
15. Are you a magnet? Because I'm attracted to you!
16. Babe, your beauty makes the morning sun look like the dull glimmer of the moon.
17. You must wash your clothes with Windex... because I can see myself in your pants!
18. Can I have directions? (To where?) To your heart.
19. Should I call you, or nudge you?
20. Is there an airport nearby or is that just my heart taking off? 
21. Fat penguin (What!?) I just wanted to say something that would break the ice!
22. Do you have a BandAid? I just scraped my knee falling for you.   
23. For a moment I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Now I see that I am alive, and heaven has been brought to me.
24. Hi. Do you want to have my children? (No.) Okay, we can just practice.
25. I know its not Christmas, but Santa's lap is always ready.
26. If a thousand painters worked for a thousand years, they could not create a work of art as beautiful as you.
27. That's a nice shirt. Can I talk you out of it?
28. You'd better direct that beauty somewhere else, you'll set the carpet on fire.
29. There isn't a word in the dictionary for how good you look.
30. Fascinating. I've been looking at your eyes all night long, because I've never seen such dark eyes with so much light in them.
31. Baby your like a student and I am like a math book, you solve all my problems.
32. If I had a star for every time you brightened my day, I'd have a galaxy in my hand.
33. If you're going to regret this in the morning, we can sleep until the afternoon.
34. If I received a nickel for everytime I saw someone as beautiful as you, I'd have five cents.  
35. You look cold. Want to use me as a blanket? 
36. I was wondering if you had an extra heart mine seems to have been stolen.  
37. Sorry, but you owe me a drink. (Why?) Because when I looked at you, I dropped mine. 
38. Your body is a wonderland and I want to be Alice.
39. Do you have a map? I'm getting lost in your eyes.If this bar is a meat market, you must be the prime rib.
40. Most people like to watch the Olympics, because they only happen once every 4 years, but I'd rather talk to you cause the chance of meeting someone so special only happens once in a lifetime.
41. When I'm older, I'll look back at all of my crowning memories, and I'll think of the day my children were born, the day I got married, and the day that I met you.
42. If you were a booger I'd pick you first.
43. Do you want to go to breakfast?" (Sure)
44. You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams
45. Me without you is like a nerd without braces, a shoe without laces, aSentenceWithoutSpaces.
46. I'm a thief, and I'm here to steal your heart.
47. Do you work for UPS? Because I could've sworn I caught you checking out my package.
48. I'm not drunk, I'm just intoxicated by you.
49. The body is made up of 90percent water, and I'm thirsty.
50. You know what? Your eyes are the same color as my Porsche.

The BEST Frosting... EVER.

OHMYGOODNESS!!!
When making a Red Velvet Cake this past Valentine's Day, I was in desperate search of a GREAT frosting recipe. I'm not a fan of much frosting... and I know there's a certain kind that would go well with Red Velvet Cake...and... low and behold, I stumbled upon this AMAZING frosting recipe from ThePioneerWoman's website. I just used it AGAIN, yesterday, to make a delicious chocolate birthday cake!

Really... this frosting is THE BEST. It is light, creamy, buttery, rich (but in a good I-want-to-eat-the-whole-thing kind of way!), and perfect. Yumyumyumyumyum.

Do I have your attention, now, on how good this really is?! You MUST try!

The BEST Frosting... EVER.

Ingredients:

• 5 Tablespoons Flour
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 cup Butter
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar (not Powdered Sugar!)

Directions:
Bake your favorite chocolate cake and let it cool.

In a small saucepan, whisk flour into milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. You want it to be very thick, thicker than cake mix, more like a brownie mix is. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. (If I’m in a hurry, I place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools.)

It must be completely cool before you use it in the next step. Stir in vanilla.

While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. You don’t want any sugar graininess left. Then add the completely cooled milk/flour/vanilla mixture and beat the living daylights out of it. If it looks separated, you haven’t beaten it enough! Beat it until it all combines and resembles whipped cream.

Grab a spoon and taste this wonderful goodness. If you can manage NOT to eat the whole thing... spread it on a cooled chocolate cake.

Cut yourself a piece and put it on a pretty plate. Grab a fork and prepare to experience the most divine pairing you can imagine. This frosting on chocolate cake is to die for.

Try it, you’ll see. You’ll love it so much you won’t go back.

 Try it... and let me know what you think!!

Marriage Toothpast Quote

So... I ran across this VERY interesting passage/quote today, and I thought I'd pass it along to all of you that are married or in a living-together relationship. Here it is!

Marriage is hard work, especially when it is new. Who would have ever thought that squeezing the toothpaste tube in the middle could cause such a stir? If you can get over the little problems in life, you will have the foundation of a strong marriage. 

Patience and perseverance are required.

Photo Source

RELATIONSHIP Section- Part 1, Dating Statistics

The FIRST part to our relationship section is on all statistics of dating. I love this section, because in my analytical mind, these stats really do boil "it" down!

The idea of dating, for some people, comprise the objective of knowing or searching for the right person, making new friends, and seeing if the feelings you may or may not get from the other person, permit you to progress to the next level. But, not all of the people that are out there dating have such great ideas in mind when they start the dating game! Yes, game. Dating has become a game. Although there are people out there who are, actually, in fact, legitimately looking for love… you must also be aware of the possibility of the other you may encounter.

• The majority of unmarried adults are, in fact, looking for a long-term, committed relationship. (Hmmm, so all those out there, that you find when dating... really are?! Maybe, just maybe! :))
• 76% of men prefer brunettes over blondes. (Yay brunettes!!!!)
• Intellect, a confidence, and the same hobbies in life are attributes that singles are looking for in a partner. So, to dumb it down- if you are good-looking but do not possess some of these traits, you probably won't be getting the date!
• When speaking specifically about dating statistics in America, there are 100 single women for every 86 men who are single.
• Money is the top reason for arguments and differences in a relationship. It is okay to have arguments... but, this one is the main reason you may encounter.
• A large majority of adults think that they could be happy without getting married.
• Most adults, in the United States, think that it is okay to live together and decided not to get married.
• Statistics show, that, if you are a women, you have only 15 minutes to impress the guy you are on a date with. Wow! Talk about short attention spans.
• It takes a woman an hour to determine if she wants to date the guy again... or not.
• Infidelity ranks the highest when it comes to the cause of a break up. The percentage is more than 50%.
• Most peoples' top reason for wanting marriage is to have a partnership with another person.  
• Online dating service members include 40 million American users! That accounts for 40% of the single adults in America!
• Out of the people involved in online dating, 48% of the break ups are done through e-mail. Wow! I think if I met someone online and started dating them, this would still be a no-no for me!
• 51% of singles think that flattery is the best way to attract the opposite sex.
• 2% of men and 9% of women found a dating partner in the bar. So, you may think that that's "your place" to go to find a guy/girl... but, nope!
• 46% of woman want Italian food for a 1st restaurant date.
• 67% of men and 86% of women said that they prefer to date somebody who has a bubbly personality, over someone just for their physical (body).

MSN Chemistry Source
EZine Article Source- Dating Relationship Stats,By Kelly Purden
Buzzle Source, By Shalu Bhatti Published: 9/28/2010
It's Just Lunch Source
Photo Source

The BEST Soft, Buttery Homemade Pretzels Recipe- Like @ THE MALL!

LOVE those pretzels you can get at the mall? You know the ones... they're hot, buttery, salty or cinnamon-sugary?? I absolutely adore those pretzels, but it's not always so convenient to go visit the mall every time the craving hits! So.... here is the best recipe I know that makes them SO similar to the taste of the mall. And, with minimal ingredients (but a little time), they are perfect! You HAVE to try them!

Soft, Buttery Homemade Pretzels

• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt, for topping
• Cinnamon-sugar mixture, if wanted (guesstimate how much you'll need, depending on how many you want this way!)
• Melted butter- 1 stick (1/2) cup

Directions

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.
4. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. (I then spray with a little "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray!) Sprinkle with kosher salt.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned. 
6. When they come out, dip in melted butter! 

ENJOY!

RELATIONSHIP Section!- Dating, Marriage, Statistics, Fun Facts

We are going to start a new section on RELATIONSHIPS! I am so excited to introduce this "section"/group of blog posts that we have, coming SOON! 

Almost all of us are or will be in some relationship now or at some point... whether we are single and dating around, in a serious dating relationship, in the first year of marriage, or have been married for many years (or something in between!).

You'll be able to read all about it HERE! What are the funniest things that've happened to you while in a relationship or on a date? What are ways make it through the difficult first year of marriage? What are the divorce statistics out there? SO much great information is out there... but it is such a strain to have to dig around in it all for the best relationship help out there that applies to and will help you! So, please bookmark the blog and get ready to read all about the in's and out's of "everything relationship"!

Work SOMEWHERE? Read this!

The BEST work quote... ever! It is my absolute favorite. If you work anywhere at all... you'll know this makes sense. :)

"Don't ever expect any individual to wholeheartedly support and 'own' any way of doing things that he or she has had no part in creating or developing. At best, you will only obtain 'buy in'."  Susan M. Heathfield

We're Old Soul Charming!

Want to see some of our Old Soul Charm business cards, promotional calendars, and more? Here's a little peak!
Want some of your own? Visit Vistaprint for tons of free options for business cards, websites, and other promotional ideas!

Home Decorating Inspiration Ideas- Curtains!

Need some home decorating inspirational ideas to get the juices flowing? I will be covering different ideas of this- called "Home Decorating Inspiration Ideas" throughout time in this blog! Today, we will give you a few ideas for curtains around your home! Now, I LOVE wooden blinds and shutters, but there is something about dressing up your windows with curtains (also) to really give it that at-home/ "home-y" feel. Open them wide during the day and let the light shine in and the breeze from the open window blow lightly across the rooms... ahh, bliss. Then, close them up at night and the mood changes... it becomes intimate, restful, relaxing. Perfect for an evening on the couch watching a movie! Here are a few ideas for kinds of curtains, how to hang (ie: how far above the window), colors, and just all around having fun with curtains! Enjoy the pictures and let me know of any other ideas you have for curtains- or pictures of them in your home! We'd LOVE to see and show them on our blog!

Master bedroom white, ceiling to floor silk curtains. Hang two panels in a room accent color from a pretty decorative rod as high as you can on the wall to the floor, laying in a soft puddle. Instant glam and lengthens the room!

Living Room dual panel brown curtains with gold and bronze-ish- brown accent center valance. Hang two panels in a room accent neutral color on a striking wooden or metal decorative rod directly above the window. In the center, like these, a matching accent valance adds the perfect added dimension to the windows- and room!

Bright gold, red, and amber striped pinch-pleated drapes are the perfect style for the dining room. Hung at least 12 inches from the top of the window from rings that match the decorative rod (at least 1/2inch-1inch larger circles to easily slide on the rod), these curtains keep the formal dining room looking, well, formal! Double thick decadent fabric enables the privacy for a dinner party at night!

 

 

 

 

Have a basement room that is now considered the "mancave"? If you're anything like me, and you do, you probably want to still make it look nice (meaning, you decorate it, maybe not your man ;)). These gold curtains flow from ceiling to floor in a nice, "hard" fabric- they hang straight and are easy to shut to block the sun during the big game! And, in the team colors (cough*Iowa Hawkeyes*cough), HE will love it!