Thanksgiving Recipes 2016

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! The unofficial American holiday dedicated to eating good food and sitting around your table while your entire family argues over about 200 different subjects... at the same time. I'm super excited to be eating yummy food all day today, from the homemade pecan pies to the perfectly roasted turkey, not to mention the mashed potatoes sparkling cider (I don't like mashed potatoes, weird, right?).

1. Marshmallow and Caramel Sweet Potato Casserole (as shown in photo) by Lipgloss and Crayons

2. Rice Krispy Turkey Legs by Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons

3. Mashed Potato Casserole by House of Yumm

4. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese by McCormick

5. Feta Spinach Stuffed French Bread by Kevin is Cooking

6. Balsamic and Cranberry Brussel Sprouts by Platings and Pairings

7. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Glazed Carrots by McCormick

8. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mushrooms by The Recipe Critic

9. Easy Pie Crust Cookies by A Beautiful Mess

10. Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes by Spent with Pennies

Once again, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xo Savannah

Happy Memorial Day! + 5 Things to Do on Memorial Day 2016

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! I love patriotic holidays, because they're mostly during the summer, so you get to barbecue and eat ice cream and go swimming- they're the best holidays. I love eating watermelon and having a picnic on the lawn all while remembering the fallen soldiers that fought for us- 'MURICA!

So, what else can you do on memorial day besides that? 

1. Make homemade ice cream! We usually buy the Nestle Drumstick Ice Creams, because they're easy and you can walk around outside with them, but it would be super fun to make your own red, white & blue sweet treat. Here's a recipe for French vanilla bean ice cream, which could easily be turned patriotic with some red and blue candy, sprinkles, gumballs or just a splash of food coloring here and there- or, you could throw in some strawberries + blueberries afterwards!

2. Go swimming! I can see why this wouldn't be an option if you live in a colder climate, but most regions start warming up this time of year, so jump in the pool, the river, etc- or even just run around in the sprinklers. It's nice to cool off, because there's nothing better than sitting in your towel with a hot dog in your hand as you watch the fireworks. 

3. Remember how I mentioned fireworks on the last one? Well, buy some, and set those off! I've always loved the Pop-Its, just don't throw them at someone's feet, or a dog, or another person. Wait until it gets dark, and then go crazy! 

4. Go stargazing. You know those cute little blow-up pools that people use for kids they don't want to drown? Just fill one of those with blankets, and you've got the ultimate stargazing bed. I can't wait to try this- I just hope that it's not too cloudy wherever you live!

5. Make delicious Memorial Day treats besides the red white and blue ice cream! There's tons to choose from- here's a very incomplete list: 

-Hot Off the Grill Cupcakes (as shown in second photo) by Lil Sugar

-Wave the Flag Cupcakes (as shown in photo) by Blueberry Council

-Homemade Mint Lemonade by How Sweet It Is

-Ultimate Red, White + Blue Ice Pops by Poofy Cheeks

-Red, White + Blue Ice Cream Cones by Roxana's Home Baking

Oh my gosh, those hot off the grill cupcakes are so cute and creative! I looooove that. Have a Happy Memorial Day 2016!

xo Savannah

7 Reese's Recipes for National I Love Reese's Day

It's National I Love Reese's Day!!! (and HUMP DAY) I'm so glad that this is an actual day, because if not, then sitting around munching on Reese's mini cups all day would just be socially unacceptable. But let's all be honest- those things taste soooo much better when they're either in egg form or tree form; although why not branch out to the other forms? 

1. Reese's Cheesecake Brownies by The Recipe Critic

2. Peanut Butter Pie by Mandy's Recipe Box

3. Reese's Peanut Butter Cupcakes (as shown in photo) by Your Cup of Cake


4. Reese's Pieces + Peanut Butter Bars by Inside BruCrew Life

5. Reese's Peanut Butter Cupcakes by Passion for Savings

6. Reese's Fudge by Dinners, Dishes + Dessert

7. Reese's Marshmallow Brownie Bars by Mom on Timeout

These all look so peanut buttery and rich and delicious- have an awesome I Love Reese's Day!

xo Savannah

5 St. Patty's Day DIYs

St. Patrick's day 2016 is March 17, AKA this Friday, and every time a holiday rolls around I like to feature some DIYs related to that day, so as you can imagine I just couldn't resist some St. Patty's day crafts. I'm extremely Irish, and though I don't own a lot of green, St. Patty's day is an awesome holiday all around. 

1. DIY Polka Dotted Lucky Banner by Typically Simple

2. St. Patrick's Day Pot of Gold Tutorial (as shown in photo) by The 36th Avenue

3. DIY Leprechaun Hat S'mores by The Cake Blog


4. Easy Shamrock Clip by Molly and Mama

5. Shamrock Mason Jars by Mason Jar Crafts Love

These are all so cute, and absolutely perfect for any St. Patrick's day party you have planned this year. I just realized that last year I completely missed out on St. Patty's day, because that was the day we left for Hawaii. At least I'll be here for it this year!

xo Savannah

15 Holiday Sides for the Most Festive Time of Year

Happy 3 days until Christmas! I can't wait for Christmas Eve, because we'll be having dinner at our house and maybe opening presents and probably even watching A Christmas Story- AKA one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time, besides Elf (which we watched last night). And one of the best parts of the holidays, besides the movies and the family, is the food! I love honey glazed ham with brown sugar, and those warm, to-die-for rolls, and mmmmmm the pecan pie... Since the food is one of the best parts, I thought I'd find some of the best holiday recipes~

1. Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon by A Family Feast

2. Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Potatoes by Damn Delicious


3. Vegan Green Chili Mac n Cheese (as shown in first photo) by Minimalist Baker

4. Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes by Recipes That Crock

5. Slow Cooker Pecan Pie by Rachael Ray Show

6. Roasted Green Beans with Vinegary Dill Sauce (as shown in photo) by Our Four Forks

7. Hummus Mashed Potatoes by Gimme Some Oven

8. Slow Cooker Apple Crumble by How Sweet Eats

9. Roasted Brussel Sprouts by Garnish with Lemon

10. Pumpkin Cobbler by The Gunny Sack

11. Slow Cooker Kale and Ham Hocks by Autumn Makes and Does

12. Butternut Squash, Brussel Sprouts and Bread Stuffing with Apples by Food 52

13. Triple Herb Overnight Dinner Rolls by Recreating Happiness

14. Slow Cooker Rosemary Butternut Squash by Fresh Food Perspectives

15. Crispy Brown Butter Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Balsamic Caramelized Mushrooms and Goat Cheese by Half Baked Harvest

Oh boy, that last one was a mouthful- literally! I decided to include a couple of desserts in here because every great meal deserves a great dessert to finish it. Mmmmm, now my mouth is watering!

xx Savannah

Happy Thanksgiving! + 50 Things I'm Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving, guys! This is honestly one of the best days out of the year for me, because I have time off from school, and I get to spend my day eating my heart out and being thankful for everything that I have. Every year, I like to write down 50 things that I'm grateful for, whether it be on my blog or in a journal- and I also spend the rest of my day thinking about more things that I'm thankful for. Here are just 50 out of the hundreds that I can think of~

1. A roof over my head and a house to surround me, because it froze last night and I don't want to be cold. 

2. Lots of food in the pantry and the fridge, so that I don't get hungry during my late night snacking sessions. 

3. My family to take care of me and keep me company, and spend time with me every day. 

4. A soft little cat to cuddle with me and watch The Walking Dead with me- because no one else will- even if she does kill everything in sight.

5. A comforting cup of tea every morning, to assure me that everything is all right everywhere I go, because it's a part of my morning routine. 

6. My laptop so that I can write blog posts and Google my queries and stay up into the wee hours of the night browsing Pinterest.

7. Cozy blankets because I always get cold when I watch Alaska: The Last Frontier. 

8. All of my art supplies because I cannot stop creating for even one day. 

9. Various notebooks scattered about because I might run out and I must be prepared in case I have to write something. 

10. Sketchbooks displaying my improvement throughout the years.


11. My long-distance relatives, because I love visiting them and writing them letter after letter. 

12. The way the leaves change colors in the Autumn- where would I be without all of these vibrant oranges and yellows?

13. The FMS Photo-A-Day group on Facebook- I just love taking pictures and being motivated by all of the awesome prompts. 

14. My iPhone, for supplying me with useless (and useful) apps and a great camera because I take WAY too many pictures. 

15. A nice coffee maker so that I could have a caramel latte or a Snickers cappuccino whenever I want and yet I still choose to have a cup of tea every morning. 

16. Movies- and a projector + big screen to watch them on. 

17. My dogs- they are so amazing, and I'm just so thankful to be able to take long walks in the field with them every day. 

18. Words with Friends- I love playing with my friends and family no matter where they are. 

19. I'm thankful to live in such a nice place, so that I can go outside every day and not be surrounded by pollutants and smoke- and it smells so good here.

20. I love living somewhere where I can go for a hike someplace beautiful that's only 15 minutes away. 


21. All of those inspiring blogs out there- I'm loving this post by Boho Berry, she's amazing at bullet journaling and she's motivating me to start. 

22. I love the rain. I'm grateful for the way the atmosphere becomes gloomy, and the way the air smells, and how it sounds on a metal roof. 

23. I'm thankful for our cows- because they supply us with delicious beef which makes for the yummiest BBQs in the summer time. 

24. I love Spotify and all of the music it has because what would life be without music? It wouldn't be that fun, I'll tell ya that...

25. Paigeeworld is definitely something I'm thankful for, because it's really nice to have a fun, positive community that I can share my art with. 

26. Bloglovin' is amazing- it's a hassle to have to go to every blog and read them, when I can just read all of their new posts in one app! Thanks, Bloglovin' ;)

27. 

10 Delicious Thanksgiving Appetizers

Thanksgiving is tomorrow (yay)!!! So if you're hosting Thanksgiving at your house this year, or even if you're not, then maybe people start to get a little hangry (hungry + angry) when the turkey isn't ready right away. So instead of the classic bowl of nuts, or plain old potato chips, maybe go the yummy route and prepare something worth munching on. Also, these are all three-ingredient appetizers, so they're as easy as ever!

1. Blue Cheese Pull-Apart Bread by Half-Baked Harvest

2. Cream Cheese Wonton Dip (as shown in photo) by La Creme De La Crumb

3. Goat Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers by A Spicy Perspective

4. Brie and Cranberry Phyllo Turnovers by Cookin' Canuck

5. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus by Culinary Hill

6. 3-Ingredient Hot Caprese Dip by How Sweet Eats

7. Baked Brie with Balsamic Cherries by Averie Cooks

8. Baked Ham & Cheese Rollups by The Comfort of Cooking

9. Spicy Crab Dip by Made From Pinterest

10. Slow Cooker Queso Blanco Dip by Le Creme De La Crumb

These all sound so amazing, and to think they're all only made with three ingredients! Those cream cheese wontons specifically are calling to me, I LOVE cream cheese wontons, and I've never even thought to make them at home even though I make pork wontons all the time. Hungry yet?

xx Savannah

5 DIY Thanksgiving Decorations Part 2

Thanksgiving is officially only a mere 17 days away! How are you planning on celebrating this wondrous holiday of feasting? Personally, I'll be going to my grandpa's house with the rest of our family to chow down on the best food you've ever tasted. We'll probably go on a hike the same day, meanwhile all day I'll be keeping track of everything I'm grateful for, and perhaps all that will turn up in a blog post? *wink wink*

1. DIY Mudcloth Napkins (as shown in photo) by almost makes perfect

2. No Sew Burlap Table Runner by Back to Her Roots

3. Easy DIY Fall Leaves Topiary by Hometalk

4. Watercolor Leaves on a Branch by Happiness is Homemade

5. DIY Fall Mantle Additions by Moritz Fine Designs Blog

Aren't these awesome? Pinterest sure has a lot of fun ideas, and these bloggers are so creative, these pieces would definitely be a great addition to anyone's home this Thanksgiving. See you tomorrow!

xx Savannah

10 Books to Read this Holiday Season

The Holiday season is pretty much here, and I bet you have a nice warm house and a fire while it's raining/snowing outside. Instead of curling up by the fire with Facebook or YouTube on your iPad, why not try a good book for a change? I've picked out a lot of great books to read this holiday season, whether you're on Thanksgiving or Christmas break. Some are Holiday themed, others aren't! :)  

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

2. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

3. The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

4. The GONE Series by Micheal Grant

5. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green 

6. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

7.  Teatime for the Firefly by Shona Patel 

8. Christine by Stephen King 

9. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

10. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick 

*BONUS*: Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick