The Bedroom Door Headboard is FINISHED!!

The euro shams don't hide it... Do you think I should put something on the top? The headboard is installed! I think it looks wonderful - who will be our next guest to enjoy this room?

The start of an old BEDroom DOOR

This is the start of a beautiful new headboard. I'm thinking the price tag will come in around $8!!! I know isn't that amazing. The door was free from a friend who found it in her house when she first moved in. The top shelf and 2x4's were free... my father-in-law supposedly picks up scrap wood-thanks!!! The only piece I had to buy was the crown molding and a few screws to attach it to the bed. I helped putty the joints and fill in holes.

I sanded it and primed it.

This is a picture of the detail shelf on top

This is the primed headboard. Now I just need to paint it white and attach it to the guest bed.

I hope you've been inspired!!

Don't throw away the Pumpkin Seeds!!

One of my favorite things is pumpkin seeds. This is another food that I have swayed Kolin to eat... now he really likes them. I make my own. Take a pumpkin... Cut it open... pull out the seeds and clean the stringy pumpkin (I know very technical) from the seeds. I toast mine in the skillet on the stove to get the water off and melt the butter with them.

Put them in the oven on foil for about 350 for 15-20 minutes. About half way through I try to flip them around so they get crispy on both sides.

Enjoy!

One pot penne

This hit the spot tonight. I think I'm really loving tomatoes this time of year! This is a quick one pot recipe: (with hardly any guidelines)

• Penne pasta (1/2 box)
• 1 can diced tomatoes or 2 fresh
• As much spinach as you can handle
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• crushed red pepper to taste (I like spicy)
• I threw in some extra sausage that I already had cooked
• Parmesan cheese

Directions... or what I did

1. Heat a skillet and saute garlic and olive oil for about 2 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes at the end.
2. Add 2 cups broth and bring it to a quick boil
3. Toss in the tomatoes and pasta
4. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes or until the noodles are just right for you
5. Add all the spinach and cover again for another minute (add cooked sausage here)
6. Remove from the heat and top with cheese

Enjoy - I can't wait for leftovers for lunch!

Now that's a deep dish!

I typically make pizza every Friday night, but just as every routine in our lives… it gets old. I was craving some Geno’s East, but realized that I was 5 hours away! I’ll research how to make Chicago style backwards pizza at home. I had a good idea of how to do it, but didn’t know how much corn meal to put in the crust. This is what I found:

Chicago Style Deep Dish

Deep Dish Dough

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 package yeast
• 2 1/2-3 cups bread flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt

Pizza

• 1 deep dish dough
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage (cooked)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1/2lb mozzarella cheese slices/ shredded
• Italian Seasoning
• 2-4 cloves garlic
• 1/4 grated Parmesan cheese

Step 1 – the dough Pour the water, yeast and 1/2 cup of the flour into a bowl. Let a sponge form, about 5 minutes. Then add 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, salt and 1/2 cup vegetable oil. Mix by hand or in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Once everything starts to incorporate, slowly add another 1/2 cup of flour. Continue doing this until the dough pulls away from the edge of the bowl and does not absorb any more flour. Then roll it out onto a hard floured surface and knead until smooth. Let it rise until doubled.

Step 2 - the sauce Drain the can of tomatoes. Next place them in a food processor with salt, pepper, the seasoning and the garlic. Pulse the tomatoes to make the sauce.

Step 3 - form the dough Find your 12in spring form pan. It works great, has high edges and the pizza always slides right out. Now that you have the perfect pan, grease it with vegetable oil. Next place the dough in the center of the pan and push down the middle working it toward the edges. Bring it up the sides about 2-3 inches.

Step 4- fill it Start with the cheese so that it doesn’t burn during the long cook time. Next add the pepperoni/ sausage mixture. Now cover the pizza with the sauce. Finally dust the top with the Parmesan cheese.

Step 5 – cook it Place into a preheated 500 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. When the time is up turn it to 400 and bake for another 20-30 minutes. The longer you cook it the better…

A Few Pictures of Aggie's House

Those who know me know who Aggie is. She's my grandma for those of you just passing by. This year we will both be the same age... 26 (well that's at least what her license plate says). She's not your traditional grandma and when I reveal the following pictures of her house you will not believe she just had her 70th birthday. Entry

Hallway

Dressing Room

Bedroom sitting area - she has a thing for stripes you will see

Bathroom

Other side of the bathroom

Guest Bathroom

Living room

Dining Room

Porch

A view from outside. I hoped you enjoyed this! I've always enjoyed going to grandma's house!

Help Whip Cancer

Make a difference today! Every time you purchase our limited-edition pink products in October,The Pampered Chef® donates $1 to the American Cancer Society®. Pink products are only available online, only in October, and while supplies last. My goal is to donate $100 from my sales. You can visit my personal Pampered Chef website and place an online order. If you want to combine your order with mine closer to the end of the month just contact me directly. http://www.pamperedchef.biz/bridothager

It's Fall... 3 ingredient apple crisp

It's been a few days since I've posted... boy has the weather changed here! I love FALL!! I think it's for these reasons:

• My birthday is in the fall
• I love going back to school (I'm a dork I know)
• Sweatshirts and socks are even better while watching new fall shows

I also love fall because they accompany some of my favorite recipes:

• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
• Spice Tea
• Apple anything!

One of the recipes I'm going to share comes right from Pampered Chef. I've had my 4th party! You can get as creative as you want with this recipe - add more cinnamon, add pecans, use fresh apples with sugar & cinnamon instead of apple pie filling...

Apple Crisp

1. 2 cans of apple pie filling
2. 1 box of yellow cake mix (don't make, use the dry mix)
3. 1 1/2 sticks of butter (melted)

Preheat 350 and plan to bake for 35-40 minutes. Just take your deep covered baker (spray if fairly new). Pour both cans of filling in the bottom, then sprinkle cake mix on top, then pour the melted butter on top. BAKE and ENJOY with some ice cream!