JUST BECAUSE.......It's Funny, Gorgeous, Cool, Boho, Good For You, True, Special, and Wise...........

So, what on earth is a blog post titled 

JUST BECAUSE?

It's a blog post from someone whose brain is somewhat fried,

who saw a bunch of random things and thought

"Why can't I share that on my blog?"

"Why does it have to make sense?"

So here we go, JUST BECAUSE!

Just because this made me laugh:)

Just Because this may be the most GORGEOUS Cupcake ever!

Just Because I have ALWAYS loved this idea....

and when my daughter eventually goes away to school, I will do this.

A packet of letters for various occasions/moods/moments

 when she may want or need a note from me.

Just Because I think these letters are so COOL and BOHO and perfect for spelling the word 

"WANDER"  

 (letters from Urban Outfitters)

Just Because this is something good to know and good for you!

 Just Because this is another great idea.......instead of fixing all our little issues all at once, plug away at them month by month, setting NEW habits in the process!

 

Just Because this is so stinking cute and clever and makes me SMILE!

 Just Because this is so true.  

 Just Because we all need a break once in awhile, right?

Just Because I MISS TUTUS and BALLET so much, especially my beautiful daughter's dancing.....and I even miss being a Dance Mom.......but the good kind:)

 Just because I think this is an awesome quote and the girl could be one of my daughters.

Just Because I love horses and if I could have one, it would look like this!

Just Because it's almost Summer and therefore it's swimsuit time.......so it's time to get to work:)

Just Because I love throwing parties for kids way more than adults,

I love fussing over cute treats,

I miss these days and I can't wait to be a Grandma.  Or a GiGI.  Or a Memaw.

Or whatever the heck they want to call me......... on a regular basis.

And also Just Because I love yummy and EASY treats and this looks like

cupcakes with gumdrops, gumdrop slices and peach rings!

Just Because I LOVE my dogs and believe this with my whole heart!

Just Because I love jars, and flowers, and burlap, and lace!

Just Because I believe this!  Sometimes I need to be reminded of this.  Oftentimes.  But I always believe it.  And I hope you do too. <3 p="">

BLT Mac n Cheese, Chocolate Chip Raspberries and MORE Good Stuff!

Well hello there!

I stumbled on a recipe today that has me curious.

BLT Macaroni and Cheese!

I mean, talk about a double whammy of comfort food.....

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich and Macaroni and Cheese.

Love 'em both!

I haven't made it yet but I think maybe one of these days soon I will:)

YUMMY!!!

BLT Macaroni-n-Cheese   

 Ingredients:

1 loaf (32 oz) prepared cheese product, cut into large cubes

1/4 cup butter

4 cups whole milk

* 1/8-1/4 tsp ground mustard (optional)

1 package (16 oz) elbow macaroni

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

2 cups small cherry tomatoes

1 bag (9 oz) fresh spinach (or lettuce of choice)

1 lb bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled

1 cup plain or Italian-style panko crispy bread crumbs

* * Personally, I will saute chopped onions in a bit of butter to add to this dish.

Directions:

1.  In microwavable bowl, place cheese cubes, butter and milk. Microwave uncovered on High 8 to 10 minutes, stirring with whisk at the 4 minute interval.   Stir again after 8-10 minutes; repeat microwaving until all cheese is melted and mixture can be stirred smooth, 

a total of about 15 minutes.  Stir in ground mustard if desired.

 * If you prefer, melt cheese on the stove top.  

2.  Heat oven to 350°F. Cook macaroni in boiling salted water 3 minutes less than directed on box (macaroni should be firm). Drain; place in 15x10-inch (4-quart) glass baking dish. Pour melted cheese sauce over macaroni; mix well. Stir in shredded cheese, tomatoes and spinach.

3Cover dish with foil; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle bacon and bread crumbs evenly over top. Bake 5 minutes longer or until top is lightly browned. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

source: adapted from a recipe found on Betty Crocker

don't stop here!

after this munchkin you'll find one of our favorite treats.......

Chocolate Chip Raspberries!

Pretty self-explanatory.......

We used white chocolate chips but have used dark and milk chocolate also.

All three are Goooood!

Just clean the strawberries, place a chip in each and pop 'em in!

(I've probably shared this on here but it's worth repeating:)

Hmmmmm....what else can I pass on.......

Got it!

If y'all are like me, you get MAJOR cravings!!!!!

What to do, what to do!

How about this?

Cure cravings and get water down.....works for me.

At least, I hope it does!!

I leave you with this little gem from the beloved Dr. Seuss.

(i think he's genius:)

XOXOXO

Suzanne

Questions and Answers on Goals, Change, Aging and Style.......

We have a really gray, rainy Monday going on,

which suits me just fine.

I've worked hard organizing a few rooms lately and just feel tired.

And lazy.

So on this dreary Monday, 

a blog post might be the most ambitious thing I do:)

My blog challenge topic today is to answer a few questions, so here goes.......

Question #1.  What is your #1 goal this year?

Goal for 2015

I didn't mention this earlier because I only just thought about it.
 And by "adventures", they don't have to be BIG to be an adventure.

Question #2.  What is your philosophy on aging?

Well, I believe it is part of life.  We can fight it or figure out how to make the best of it.

Some days I believe this more than others, but basically, that's it.

I spend a lot of time thinking of ways to enjoy life in the coming years

and be useful and happy.  Worth thinking about, right?

Re: looks......I have my crappy days for sure,

but overall, I would like to think I don't go crazy fighting the process.

Laugh lines.....got em!

Wrinkles from the sun?

Yes.  Wish I didn't have so many and that I wouldn't continue getting them,

but for much of my life I worked HARD for that tan. 

Like I said to my girls when they were younger,  (Sometimes I still say it:)

"You get what you get and you don't throw a fit".

I asked for that tan and therefore these wrinkles.

At least I enjoyed getting them.

I love Jamie Lee Curtis' thoughts on aging.

I like her look too.......especially her hair!

Question #3.  Can people change?

I believe they can.  I believe I have.  In many ways.

I believe there are aspects of us that must change the longer

 we live and the more we learn.

I believe we need change in the world and we need to be open to change sometimes,

because it will happen.

But I also believe some people can't.  Or rather, won't.

Whether they are conceited enough to think they don't need to, or just

plain stubborn enough to refuse to, some people will never change.

We all know people like this.

Which is why I BEG my girls not to marry someone, thinking they will

change them.  Better know it's just not gonna happen.

It may for awhile, and you may get that special person who does,

but it's too much of a gamble when talking about marriage.

CAPICHE?

Good way to look at it.......

Sometimes this is the truth.

 Question #4.  What is your favorite accessory?

This one's easy!  My daughter is a "Stylist" at Michael Kors Lifestyle Store.
(that's what they call sales associates:)

Anyway, I've always liked his bags but I have since come to LOVE his watches.

Before this, my favorite accessories would have been bracelets, 

but now I have to say watches.
They're a good look for me and quite reasonable.
What I REALLY love is that he likes mixing metals.......I do too.
And he believes in layering bracelets with the watch.........I do too.

So we are a perfect fit:)

Have a great day!!!!

XOXO

Suzanne

Mmmmmm........Slow Cooker Sweet-Spicy Chili

Confession time........

I've made the same chili for years.

AND, it partially comes from a box.

We like Two Alarm Chili, which comes with all the seasonings you need.

Of course, you add the meat, tomatoes, beans........

However, we had a CHILLY day this week and wanted chili.

But I had no car to go to the store, so that meant I had to make it from scratch.

Whoa.......grown-up chili! lol

I found a recipe from Betty Crocker and figured, basic chili......it must be pretty good.

AND, it was a slow cooker recipe.......even better.

After reading the reviews, I tweaked it a bit (kinda proud of that;)

Rather than being a hot, spicy chili,

it was more of a spicy~SWEET chili, which was totally okay

with us.  (We love Cincinnati chili which is sweeter)

If you don't mind your chili with a bit of hot and a bit more sweet, give it a try.

My 17 year old ate so many spoonfuls while it was simmering, she hardly wanted dinner.

THAT good.

My 20 year old came home from work at 8:30, wasn't sure how hungry she was, 

devoured a bowl.  I imagine young children would LOVE it.  Husband loved it, I loved it.......all in all a great cold-weather meal.

Slow-Cooker Sweet~Spicy Chili

20 minutes prep in the morning = a bowl of chili when you get home from work!

Adapted from Betty Crocker

Prep Time 20 min  Total Time 6 hr 20 min  Servings 8

Ingredients

2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (16 oz) chili beans in sauce, undrained

(* 1 can red kidney beans.......if you like more beans)

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

3-3 and 1/2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 and 1/2-2 teaspoons ground cumin

3/4 cup brown sugar (trust me)

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon pepper

* * * I didn't have garlic cloves so I used garlic salt in place of regular salt.

1. In 12-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes,

 stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain.

2. In 4- to 5-quart slow cooker, mix beef, onion and remaining ingredients.

3. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.

It was different for us, but apparently a welcome change since we devoured it:)

XOXOXO

Suzanne

OOPS...Five on Friday, I mean Saturday. All about FRINGE!!!

So this is my Five on Friday......on Saturday,  Blog Post:)

(Missed a day there:)

Every time I do a "fashion" post, I think

"what the heck am I doing writing a fashion post?"

Lil 'ol Me........flipflops and bluejeans me!

Well, I know what I like so that's gonna have to be 

good enough:)

So, let's talk about FRINGE.

Have you noticed it is EVERYWHERE?????

We love it......not so much because it is popular now but

because it goes with our favorite style and decor look these days.......

Rustic Chic.

So, I want to give you a few ideas for rocking the fringe this year.

Now don't be saying "I'm too old for that".

Not listening!

You can add a tiny bit...just maybe not full on fringe.

See?

Prada agrees.  So there:)

Moving on, let's start with how you WEAR it.

1.  Fringe Scarves

Now, anyone can wear a fringed scarf, don't you think?

2.  Fringe Sweaters/Ponchos/Wraps

Aren't these some adorable looks?  

Plus, they're very forgiving if you want to hide a

muffin top, hips or whatever............

3.  Fringe Bags!

This is where you can find fringe in any store.

My daughter works at Michael Kors and he has some adorable fringe.

So maybe you don't want a heavily fringed bag.  

Try just a little fringe tassle if you like.  It works!

4. Fringe Shoes & Boots!

(Boots too.....there are TONS of fringed boots out there this year.

Cowboy boots, dress boots, snow boots, low boots, high boots.......

a little fringe or MEGA fringe:)

Last but not Least.....

5. LIVE with it!

Fringed pillows, rugs, throws, lamps and ottomans,

to name a few.

(the ottoman, and pillows are from our beloved

Junk Gypsies's line at Pottery Barn Teen and.........

they will find their way here, no doubt;)

So there you have it.

5 ways to add a bit of fringe this Fall.

Go ahead, you can do it!

So happy to be joining Five on Friday!

Visit the other lovely blogs to see what 5 things they shared with us.

XOXOXO

Suzanne

Comfort and Joy on a Rainy Day. . . .

we've had a few really rainy days around here. . .

but i'm not complaining.

that's what happens when you live in the sunshine state.

a rainy day once in awhile is like a snow day:)

so what does that mean?

see. . . .just like a snowy day,

only in Florida,

and in the rain:)

rainy days mean comfort food.

and what is more comforting than a 

teddy bear egg and rice breakfast:)

awwwww. . . .almost too cute to eat:)

and when it rains,

out come the colorful boots and umbrellas.

okay, now for lunch.

i LOVE a good grilled cheese.

and i also love caramels, apples and brie cheese.

so how about a Grilled Caramel Apple with Brie Cheese Sandwich?

Y.U.M!

Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese

Yield: serves 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

4 slices multigrain bread

2 tablespoons butter

4 ounces brie cheese

1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced

3-4 tablespoons of your favorite caramel

Directions:

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.

Butter the outside slice of each piece of bread, placing two of the buttered-sides down once the skillet is hot. Spread a bit of caramel sauce on the bread, then top with an ounce of brie cheese on both sandwiches. Add a bit more caramel, add the apple slices, and then more caramel and remaining ounce of brie for each. Spread the top piece of bread (sandwich-side down) with caramel too.

Grill or cook on each side until bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

source; howsweeteats.com

sigh. . . .i love a rainy day:)

did i say that already?

almost done.

dinner on a rainy day should be soup, don't ya think?

like Lasagna Soup!

You can get Bobby Deens healthier soup recipe HERE.

before i go,

look at these cute, precious kitties:)

gotta run through a puddle!

xoxo

Suzanne