Pistachio Biscotti LOVE

I have never made biscotti before, but because I am currently housebound with the pup, I decided to give it a try. It is decidedly easy! I went with a Tyler Florence recipe from FoodNetwork and LOVED it. Even the hubs thought it was great! I did add a little of my own flavor...you'll see...

Ingredients:
1 c pistachios, chopped
1/2 c slivered almonds
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 t vanilla
3 1/2 c flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lay the pistachios and almonds on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.
3. In your stand mixer, beat butter until light and fluffy. With the mixer running, gradually add eggs, sugar, and vanilla until creamed.
4. Add flour, baking powder, and salt slowly until incorporated.
5. Use a wooden spoon to add in pistachios and almonds.


6. Shape dough into 2 logs as shown. They should be equal in size, about 12 inches long and 1 inch thick.



7. Bake for 35 minutes or until bottoms are light brown.
8. Let logs cool and place on cutting board. Slice each log on a diagonal into 1 inch thick pieces. Put the cookies back on the cookie sheet and bake for 5 additional minutes.
9. Turn cookies over and bake for another 5 minutes.






10. Once cooled, (my addition), melt chocolate chips in a glass bowl over a shallow pot of boiling water.
11. Once melted, dip the biscotti ends into the chocolate.
12. Put biscotti into freezer on a cookie sheet to harder.
13. Keep in fridge in an airtight container and ENJOY!

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The Big "Fix"

A line from the little mermaid comes to mind, "poor unfortunate soooouuuul."

My baby got his little men removed yesterday and we are both exhausted and recuperating...wish us a fast recovery!

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Questions Answered Part 3...Finally!

This will be my final question/answer post and today has to do with beauty! I hope I got to all of the questions as there were many included in my giveaway post.

Question: Is there a cosmetic product that you cannot do without?

Answer: The one cosmetic product that I could not live without would have to be my Smashbox tinted moisterizer for face and the Moroccan Oil Hairspray. If I do anything in the morning, I put on my tinted moisturizer. It makes my skin even and it protects me from the sun! The hairspray is not cheap, but it lasts forever and holds lightly so that you can still put your hands through it. By the way, it smells INCREDIBLE. I think it is definitely worth it.




Question: I want to know how you get your hair so long and shiny!

Answer: This one is easy: genes. Seriously, making my hair do anything special is a feat, so don't be too jealous! But, I love using Redken Velvet Gelatine. It definitely smooths flyaways and makes your hair look and feel shiny.




Hope you all enjoyed my question/answer posts. I enjoyed doing it! Have a great week :)

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Questions Answered Part 2

Hope you enjoyed the question/answer session yesterday. Here we go for the "about me/about family" section!



Question: Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Answer We went to St. Lucia and stayed at an all-inclusive resort there. It was perfect for that time in our lives, but I would not stay at an all-inclusive resort again. The food just wasn't up to par and I definitely vacation for the food! The island was beautiful and we were able to go on a hike and zip line through the rainforest...it was definitely a vacation to remember! And, to answer another question, this is by far our favorite travel destintation yet! We are hoping to make it to England/Ireland and France/Spain before kids.


Attractive right? That's what I thought you were thinking...









Question: Do you think you and Danny will always live in Florida?

Answer: Yes! We love it here. Danny's family lives 30 minutes north of us and my family lives in Orlando, about 2 hours away. I think our (someday) children will really appreciate living close to their grandparents.

Another question had asked about our families so I will give a quick recap. I have a brother who is in his senior year at Vanderbilt and Danny's brother is in his senior year at Tulane where he plays football. Both sets of our parents are still married and are great role models for the both of us.





Question: Do you play any sports or how about your favorite food?!

Answer: I do NOT play sports! Ha! When I read this I just about fell over. No one has ever thought I might have played a sport! But, then again, they know me on a personal level. I was a cheerleader from 6th-12th grade, but then I grew...and couldn't cheer in college. Darn those tall genes. I am on a kickball league though and I dare say I might be the most valuable player...not.

My favorite food has to be ice cream or anything chocolate/peanut butter, like chocolate peanut butter ice cream (Hagen Daz!).

Question: When you all start your family will you try to stay home or is your plan to be a working momma? And, are you planning on having babies!?!?!

Answer We are definitely planning on having a baby or MAYBE two babies. But, we are not planning on that stage of our life starting until we are almost 30. We have so many places we want to travel and we would like to move into a bigger home before having children. So, we plan and the Lord laughs..I am sure he is cackling up there right now!

As of right now, I do plan to be a working momma. I really enjoy working and I find that as it doesn't define me, it creates a space where I can achieve goals and feel a sense of pride in myself. It is healthy for me and in the summers, I find that I am DESPERATE for a project. I just don't know if being home all day would suit me, but then again, I have no children and wouldn't know! So, don't listen to anything I say, I will probably negate myself the next time someone asks.




As you can see, I am a sucker for them! I just love holding them and rocking them to sleep. I don't think there is much sweeter in the world!

Hope you enjoyed today' posts...I am going to have to hit the "how you met" on another post because if you are still reading, I applaud you!

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Questions Answered Part 1

Well, there are lots of questions to be answered from the giveaway and I am overwhelmed by how diverse they were! Seriously, you all are some interesting women...I will certainly try and answer them thoroughly and not bore you to death. But, if I do, my apologies in advance...or not.

I tried to divide them up into three sections: decor, family, and beauty.

Here we go! Today I am tackling the easy one: decor!

Question: What do you think of painted cabinets?

Exhibit A:


Answer: Well, our kitchen cabinets were very poorly handpainted and although I am glad they are not dark wood cabinets from the 60s, I wish the previous owners had been more careful when painting. You can't tell from pictures or really unless you are hypersensitive and a little OCD like myself. ANYWAYS, I think they are fine if done nicely. Personally, I will be refacing ours when we do our major kitchen overhaul before next summer (fingers crossed). I love the original wood inside, but they definitely need a face lift into this decade!

Question: What is your favorite color?

Answer: I love blues and greens on myself, but in my home I love reds, greens, and tans! I know, traditional...but I can't help it! It is what I grew up with and what makes me happy.

Exhibit B:


Finally, a little info from me! We are having a big party in September for my best friend Ryan who is getting married in October. Danny and I were talking about the size of the party and all the guests using one bathroom when he says, "Maybe you should go ahead and ask "Joe" (named changed...for fun) to come out and tell you prices for redoing the guest bathroom. I love my man...he knows me so well.

SO remember this bathroom?






We have to do this redo cheaply so all we are doing is putting down tile flooring (it is the last room with terrazzo left and LORD WILLING IT IS GOING TO GO!), getting a low flow toilet, replacing the vanity (not the sink top), and replacing the fixtures in the shower. I am so excited and have already hopped off to all my favorite spots to get prices! Of course, I will keep you updated along the way.

Tomorrow, I will conquer the very long and possibly boring post about myself!

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Getting It Done

I had a very productive day yesterday using paint!

First, I want to share some of the FANTASTIC finds I got while visiting my parents in Orlando. One of my mom and I's favorite shops was having a huge sale and I got tons of cheap finds!

I thought this set of three fruit pictures was cute for over the kitchen door.



I got these mirrors that hold candles (not yet). I love how old world they look! I am still looking for a large round object to go over the tv.



And this cute little bucket organizer. I think it would be adorable with milk glasses in it holding flowers for a party, or herbs--endless possibilities!



I fell in love with chalkboard paint yesterday!



First I taped off the red bucket...and painted...twice.



After removing the tape I have a chalkboard area to write on! Yay! Now I can write all kinds of fun messages like "party, or love, or, family, or home" for any occasion!



I made a chalkboard for our guest room with a mirror we had left over from our bathroom renovation! I am so glad I saved it :). It will be fun to write our to-do lists on.



Finally, I tackled the lamp. I really dislike brass. I don't know what it is, but I just don't like it!



I do, however, love those lion heads. HA! My husband was in a fraternity and their mascot was a lion, so of course he loves them too.



So, I spraypainted it with my trust Rustoleum bronze spray paint...twice. And it looks AWESOME! I already had the shade too, bonus!



I am feeling very proud of myself, as you can tell. Now leave some love!

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Winner!

The winner of the garden basket is LeAnna! Congrats :) Email me at julianne.hendrickson@gmail.com with your info and I will get your package out to you ASAP!

Thanks to everyone who entered. I am planning on answering ALL of your questions in a few posts in the next week :)

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Christmas in July- Guest Post

Hi All!

Head over to Julia's blog, Open Hands Full Heart and check out my post! I was a guest blogger for her today. She dedicated the month to posts about gifts you can give during the holiday season that are done DIY. Check it out and leave some love :)

For now, I will give you a sneak peak of what I talked about...

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Giveaway Update!

My Giveaway ends tomorrow at midnight, so get your booties over there!


I finally have proof that this is a fun and adorable giveaway. There is the pot that I promised, along with sunflower seeds, garden gloves, and the cutest organizer for working in the yard EVER! Thank you, Target, thankyouverymuch.

Seriously, I want that organizer BAD, but there was only one left for one of you lucky ducklings! Aren't I nice?

Head over and enter today if you haven't already :)

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Switch it, Change it, Rearrange it!

**Remember to enter my giveaway for a fun summertime gardening basket** :)

I got my Pottery Barn magazine in the mail yesterday *swwooooon* and I just love the way they make their beds. They always look so comfortable and cozy, while still looking absolutely stunning.

So, as you remember, this has been the way my guest bedroom has looked since the curtain reveal.



Well, yesterday I had a little fun and made the bed, "pottery barn style". I love the way it looks. The duvet is silky so it doesn't lay quite as nicely as a cotton one would, but it still works nicely. I like the white blanket, although I wish it was creamier in color. It gives the room a little brightness.

I also popped in our rocking chair (that will someday go in the office/nursery) with a throw over it. I think it looks very cozy in there!



Did you all know how many colors of chalkboard paint are out there??? I am so excited. For a large wall in the office I want to have a giant chalkboard! If anyone has any tips on what surface to use (to paint over) and how to apply the paint, etc. please let me know!

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Ask Away and a Giveaway!

So today I am going to get accomplished two things with this post. First, I am going to start deciding what direction to take the blog in, and second, I am going to give away a wonderful prize!



I need your help for both pieces. When I picked up this planter the other day, I picked one up for you too, and some sunflower seeds and some cute gardening accessories...get excited!

For one entry, tell me what you like hearing about on my blog.

For another entry, ask me anything that you would like to know about me!

For a third entry, become a follower or leave a comment saying that you already are one.

Giveaway will end July 20th at midnight and the winner will be announced the morning of July 21st!

Good luck :)

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Yum-O!

I love a good chicken salad so I whipped some up yesterday afternoon and wanted to share the recipe.

Here are the cast of characters:

Lemon, Curry (if you like), lemon juice (as much you like), dijon mustard, and mayonnaise.



Then, dice up some celery and grapes.



And some chicken that has been baked at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. I like to put olive oil, salt, and pepper on mine before cooking. I think that baked chicken turns out the most moist.



Finally, stir it all up and add your ingredients to your liking.



I love chicken salad on some toast! Enjoy :)

I picked up this cute planter at goodwill the other day. I think it looks so rustic and fun. I popped a fern in it and called it a day!





I also won a giveaway yesterday!! I am receiving a swimsuit from Essential Swimwear through Lyndsie Booker's blog. If you haven't visited her giveaway blog, you should!

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A Getaway

Our weekend was wonderful. The weather was beautiful, although scorching hot! The hotel was comfortable and convenient, and above all, we did nothing but relax.

The sunsets were gorgeous...





We basically sat on the beach all day sipping pina coladas and reading our books. We went to some yummy restaurants as well. This was at a Mexican place that I LOVED. Don't worry, we got our fill of seafood the first night, and Mexican is always a close 2nd :).



Hope you all had a great weekend as well. As you can tell in the picture above, we are recovering from too much sun and too much fun!

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Sunflower Garden

My hubs planted a bunch of sunflower seeds the other month and they have finally started to bloom!

These are almost 5 feet tall now. Isn't that amazing? All coming from a tiny seed.



This was yesterday afternoon.



And these are from this morning!! Nothing is more beautiful right now.




Anyone know how to trim them back when you go to cut them and bring them inside? I can't WAIT to have them on my kitchen table.

The hubs and I are off for the weekend to get away to the beach (no tar here yet). We are very excited to have a break from the pup. I love him, but wow, I need a little break from being mommy 24/7. I'll be back Monday with pictures :)

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Office Progress

Friday, while the hubs kept this little guy...



I got one of these



And headed to Home Goods...heaven on Earth. It is about a 30 minute drive from us so I had to make it worth it. I think I did pretty good. I went looking for a lamp, but that didn't work out.

So instead I got this cute basket for the top of my guest bath toilet and that pretty scrolled piece to go on the wall. I think it looks great in there with all the french inspired pieces that are already a part of the room (the vanity and the mirror are very intricate).



I also picked up this recycled glass container for all my kitchen utensils and it is oh-so-pretty.





I found this AWESOME chair at a consignment store for $15!! It is going in the office an will match the draperies perfect since they will have navy and green in them.



And, the splurge for the room, our desk. Ballard Design never disappoints! It smells incredible and you can't see the mess inside of it! I love it :) I put a potted orchid on top with some candles on a pretty plate. So far, that is the extend of my decorating until all the draperies arrive. Can't wait for you all to see the finished product!

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