Easy Wreath

Hello Hello!

I have mentioned before how completely inspired I am by nature...A walk around the block or even the yard can give me so many ideas! I also love the idea of doing projects on the cheap...and it doesn't get any cheaper than picking it off a bush in the backyard. I wanted to make a small wreath to hang on what I call our "awkward wall"! It just needed a little pizazz...

                                                                    A blank slate

         Our pampas grass...I love when it starts to change colors in the fall- It is perfect for the wreath!

Close up of the pieces I pulled

Just randomly plugging them in

After putting in my pieces...I used some leftover ribbon to hang it up

Here it is on the "Awkward Wall"

Finished product...love it!

                      This entire project cost me NOTHING! All made from my leftover junk! :)

                                                            it's all about re-purposing!


                                                                             Natalie

I Heart Spaghetti Squash

There are some things that I just assumed that I wouldn't like... Spaghetti Squash was one of them. I didn't understand it and thought it looked creepy! On the other hand...I LOVE pasta...I could eat it every single day! The problem with pasta everyday is that it would make me fat...and...I would like to avoid that. After looking around the web at "Healthy" pasta recipes...I came across TONS that used Spaghetti Squash in place of pasta. I decided that I would get one and give it a go...even though...I knew nothing about how to cook one! It turned out to be quite the adventure...but I made a delicious, somewhat simple and delicious lunch!


Getting into the Spaghetti Squash is probably the most difficult task...I didn't know that going in! I kinda hacked it up. Once you get it cut open...scoop out the seeds and such like you would a pumpkin and discard.

 After it was halved...I rubbed one half down with olive oil, salt and pepper. I then baked it tender side down on a baking sheet at 450 for 30 min.

Found this in the freezer and decided to use it to spice up my veggie pasta

Here is what it looked like right when I pulled it out of the oven.

I then used a fork to scrape out the tender "noodle like" goodness

Half of a Spaghetti squash makes for a lot of veggie noodles

Added some red sauce ( V's is my fav) and my steamed veggie package

And last...but certainly not least...Parm! MMmmMMMmm

                     I would for sure recommend this to anyone...it was mega delicious! I didn't even miss the pasta!
                                                                     

                                                                      Happy Monday!!!

                                                                                Nat

The great outdoors...

I am a big fan of working with what you have! Fall is such a beautiful season...and mother nature gives us plenty to work with when it comes to decorating. Today I took a walk around my yard for a little inspiration!

The leaves were all such pretty colors! I collected some and decided to make my own little arrangement for our outdoor living space.

I played with a few different arrangements and dug out my $1.99 Bed Bath and Beyond place mats and...voila!

I love the greens and reds...

and a closeup of my leaf bouquet...

5 min worth of work! Love it!




Natalie

Super easy pumpkin cupcakes!

Let me begin by saying...I am not traditionally a "Pumpkin Person"! I like pumpkin spice lattes and SOME pumpkin pie...but it isn't something I seek out!

My best friend is getting married and requested that I may pumpkin cupcakes for her Bachelorette party. I had never made them before, so I was excited to see what that was all about! There are multiple recipes out there and I am sure all of them are great...but I actually found one that wasn't horrible for you! I found it on skinnytaste.com and modified it a bit! For those of you that speak Weight Watchers...they are only 2 points...maybe 3 with my frosting! FYI...they are still good frosting-less!

The recipe couldn't be any easier!

* one box white cake mix
*1 can pumpkin
*1 tbs cinnamon
*1 tbs pumpkin pie spice
*1 cup water

I know what you are thinking...no eggs? no oil or milk? Nope...and yes...they were very good!

Bake at 350 for roughly 15 min...check them often. when the tops start to crack a little...you know you are close!

Realistically this recipe makes about 17 cupcakes! I made a super easy cream cheese frosting for the top!

Frosting-

*2 8 ounce cream cheese packets
* 1/2 cup softened butter
* 2 cups powdered sugar
*1 tbs imported vanilla extract

blend your moist ingredients first while slowly adding sugar until it is all smooth and blended!
I then sprinkled the Cinnamon on to for looks. YUM!

Happy baking!

Natalie