Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Where does the time go?!  Okay, so I haven't gotten around to posting any pics of the tailgate from last weekend as I promised.  I'm really behind on my pictures...I still need to put up some from Labor Day weekend.  Sigh. 

Yet, I did want to share the recipe with you for the Black Bean and Corn Salsa I love to make.  I think I've made my husband sick of it since I like to make it/eat it soo much.  But it's just so good, and well I guess I feel like it's healthier than a lot of other dips I make loaded with sour cream or cream cheese.  So, this is always a good option!  There are many variations of this recipe out there of course, but I'll share with you the way I make it.  Luckily, I do have a picture I've posted before on here, so I'll just show you this one. 

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

2 cans of black beans, drained

1 can of corn, drained

1 can of diced tomatoes, Italian seasoned tomatoes are great to use to add flavor

Cilantro, chopped and add as much or as little as you like to your own personal taste

1 red onion, diced

1-2 avocados, cubed

1 red bell pepper, diced

Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.  Serve with chips, crackers or whatever else you'd like to!  This would be great on a bed of lettuce with grilled chicken or added as a topping on fish tacos.  See there are so many things you could do with this!  Hope you enjoy.

Tara

Meet Gus

Dear Friends,

You know quite a bit about me now, and of course I talk about my husband, but there is someone else I'd like you to meet.  I don't think I've mentioned the third member of our family.  This is our sweet yellow lab, GUS!

(this was in front of our Christmas tree last year, but the pic is too adorable not to include)

Just wanted to share.  He puts a smile on our faces every time we see him, so hopefully he brings a smile to yours this evening too!

Tara

Fall, Football & Tailgating

With the start of Fall, it also means football!  Both my husband and I went to Texas A&M, and we are going back to College Station this weekend to tailgate on campus....yes we are staying in an RV on campus.  WHOOP!  I'm very excited about this!  I honestly don't get excited that football dominates most of our weekends this time of the year and well, my husband is pretty much glued to the tv.  However, I can appreciate a whole weekend focused around spending time with great friends, eating tons of delicious tailgating foods, and drinking some cocktails while enjoying being outdoors!  (now only IF it felt like fall...still in the 90's here) 

I'll be back next week to give you a re-cap of our weekend and of course some recipes from the fab food we'll be snacking on.  Hope you all have a fantastic one!

Tara

Fabric Wrapped Canvas Boards

My sister is currently re-doing my niece's room, and while they were here visiting two weekends ago, we did a very simple project for the new room.  Originally, she wanted a big memo board to hang on the wall to use to hang photos, art, and other prized possessions.  After seeing the fabric covered canvas board that Andrea did here at Oak Ridge Revival, we decided to do this project.  I think they turned out great!!

Materials Needed:

Blank Canvases
Fabric
Glue Gun
Ribbon (to add around the outside for trim)

I'm excited to see what they look like hanging on her wall when the room is completed!

Tara

A Few Things I'm Loving This Week

Happy Friday!!  I'm really excited that the weekend is finally here.  I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite things from this past week...you know just in case you have free time this weekend and want to enjoy them too!

Last weekend, my sister and I rented Something Borrowed, and we loved it!!  I have read the book twice now and the sequel Something Blue, so I was really excited to see the movie.  I think they did a fantastic job!  My sister had never read the books, but she also thought the movie was super entertaining.  Of course she wants to read the books now!  I'd recommend the books or the movie if you are in the mood for some easy to read chic lit or a chic flick.

And if you need something sweet to snack on while reading or watching the movie, you have to try Ghirardelli's new Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramel Squares.  They are heavenly!!! 

Well, since we are on the topic of food and sweets, there's one more thing.  If you want a healthier option, but still want someting sweet, get the KIND bar in almond and coconut.  YUM!  You've probably tried these by now, but I'm just now catching on.  It's so delicious, but you are still eating something good for you!

Did you discover any new sweet treats or new favorite things this week??  Do share!!

 Hope you enjoy your weekend!!!

Tara

Missoni Craze...I Caved

Okay, okay, I'll admit it.  I fell victim to the Missoni for Target craze yesterday and bought a few items!! I do admit that many pieces in the line are super cute, however I was in amazement at the happenings at Target for their website to crash and the stores to be out of stock of most of the goods in a matter of hours.  I'm really in awe!  I know many people were anticipating the line, but I was shocked at the craziness.  It really saddens me that so many items were scooped up so fast only to be marked up and sold on e-bay.  I think it was super fun for Target to collaborate with Missoni and introduce this line, so I'm hoping they do re-stock.  I confess here that although I tried to resist, I did partake in the madness myself and made a few purchases on-line, which I'm really excited about!

I got this hat and then a few more little girl's items that I don't want to show as they are going to be Christmas gifts!!

I kept my purchases minimal as to not overdue it, but here are the two items I really wanted.  Of course they were already out of stock!  Maybe if they re-stock the shelves.... 

Did you join in the Missoni for Target craze also??

Tara

My Go-To Fall Appetizers (round 2)

My second go-to appetizer includes....wait for it....Puff Pastry Sheets!  Imagine that.  You should just go ahead and stock up on a few boxes of these amazing things!  (No, Pepperidge Farm is not paying me to say this.)  I just think they are so easy to work with and you can make so many different recipes that are delish, but really don't require that much preparation!  Genius!!  This recipe actually called for 15 phyllo sheets.  I'm sure the phyllo sheets are wonderful too, but who has the time to layer each sheet and brush them with butter and then add another sheet and on and on....not me!  

Now back to the recipe...this is a great one to make on a day when you have time and then wrap them up and throw them in the freezer.  Then you already have an appetizer made for whenever you need it! 

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Make-Ahead Spinach Pastry Roll-Ups

• 3 thawed Puff Pastry Sheets (1 1/2 boxes, since 2 sheets come in a box)
• flour, enough for a light dusting
• 1 egg
• 1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
• 1 cup crumbled Feta cheese
• 1 tub (8 oz) flavored Cream Cheese, such as garden vegetable or spinach and artichoke
• 4 green onions, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup butter, melted (or you could use cooking spray instead if you prefer)

Mix together the spinach, egg, feta, cream cheese and onions until well blended.  Set aside.   Lightly dust flour over a flat surface. (I usually lay down wax paper and dust flour over the wax paper.)  Spread thawed out pastry sheet over the floured surface.  Spread 1/3 of the spinach mixture along 1 long side of the pastry sheet and roll it up into a log.  Brush the ends with butter to seal.  Brush butter lightly over the entire outsides of the log. Make small cuts along the top of the log at about 1-inch intervals.  Wrap log tightly in plastic wrap and place in freezer.  Repeat two more times with remaining two puff pastry sheets.

The spinach roll-ups can freeze up to 3 months.  Whenever you are ready to use, remove however many logs you want to use from the freezer to thaw for several hours or place them in the refrigerator (still wrapped) to thaw overnight.  When ready to bake, unwrap and place on a cooking sheet.  Bake in the oven at 375* for 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool for about 5 minutes.  Cut logs into pieces as show in the picture above and serve!!  

My friends LOVE these and always eat them very quickly!!

Tara

My Go-To Fall Appetizers (round 1)

September is finally here, and images of Fall are buzzing around everywhere!  I love this time of year, and believe it or not, the weather finally feels decent outside, kind of nice actually.  Although we won't be pulling out sweaters and boots down here in Houston just yet, it's fun to start thinking of the cooler days ahead.  When it's chilly outside, I love to have something warm baking in the oven, especially when company is coming over. 

Here are my favorite two go-to appetizer recipes that are perfect for Fall and Winter.  It only calls for a few simple ingredients that you can keep on hand and quickly throw together if you are in a time crunch.

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Puff Pastry Baked Brie

• 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed)
• 1 wheel of Brie
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp. of water
• flour (for a light dusting)

Heat oven to 400*.  Sread a flat surface with a light dusting of flour.  Get egg wash ready by whisking 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water.  Spread out thawed puff pastry sheet over flour.  Place brie on puff pastry sheet and wrap sheet around brie using the egg wash to seal the edges.  Cut away the excess dough.  (You can use the excess to make designs for the top of the pastry if you desire although I never personally do but maybe one day...)  Brush egg wash over entire pastry and place on a baking sheet with the sealed side down.  Bake for 25-30 minutes until brie is melted and pastry is a light brown color.  Cool for 10-20 minutes before serving.  I usually serve this with baguettes, crackers or apples and pears.  It's always a hit!

Oh, and of course you can add fruit preserves, honey, nuts, or herbs to the brie inside of the pastry if you want to change it up a bit!  However, I think it's delicious just as it is, but that's just me!  It's warm, gooey and oh so yummy!!  Hope you enjoy.  (I'll post my other favorite fall appetizer tomorrow...come back to see what it is!)

I linked this post up to the Fall Five Linky Party over at Schue Love

Tara

Labor Day Weekend

We are spending Labor Day weekend in Louisville for a wedding tonight

and then off to Nashville tomorrow for the rest of the weekend. 

Hope all of you have a fantastic Labor Day weekend!!

Tara