Give the gift of warmth with this last minute DIY scarf

Hey y’all! So here is the first of many new, fun twists to my blog. DIY! Woohoo! Everyone loves a good DIY, especially with Christmas quickly approaching (less than a week!!) and the stress of last minute shopping increasing by the milisecond. I think it’s about time that we pull out a good DIY to save you from the hustle and bustle of the mall, the lack of parking and crowded, stuffy stores is enough to drive anyone straight into Grinch mode. So, let’s avoid that terror this year and conjure up something a little more meaningful, and sure to put you straight to the top of Santa’s nice list, or your mom’s favorite child list, which ever you prefer.

Gracing y’all with a new twist

Well it has been far too long since my last post, and I’d say I have some explaining to do. Here it goes. . .

I was originally assigned to keep up a blog for 10 weeks as a project for a media class I was in, but little did I know, I would discover a hidden passion along the way. While posting each week I realized that I was developing a love for disovering a delicious new meal to post about each week. My passion for food and writing being thrown into one element has been such an eye opening experience. I have learned that God has blessed me with a beautiful talent, and I want to continue persuing that and showcasing it through this blog. As much as I have enjoyed posting about food each week, I have decided to mix things up a bit. I want to use my blog to post about more than just food, I want to post about projects, passions, and any other beautiful things I come across in my journey through life. All I have to say is get ready for some new twists!

-Grace

Warm up with this savory Midwest chili

Nothing hits the spot quite like a warm bowl of chili. Whether it’s a football game day, a fall festival; or just a cozy night in with your loved ones, chili hits the spot. The warmth of the tomatoey broth combined with the beans and savory beef sliding down into your belly overflows you with the comfort of a delicious meal. Foods that trigger your senses make eating much more than just food put together to make a meal, it becomes an experience.

Egg-cellent breakfast for dinner swap

It’s nights like tonight that make me miss the simple things like having dinner with my family. Moving to Nashville has made me realize how cherished those moments are to me. When I was growing up, my mom always made sure that dinner was a family event. Regardless of what she made, we were always seated around the table come dinner time. The table was the centerpiece for our nightly conversations. Each night we would go around and share something about our day, whether it was good, bad or in between; we would take that time to reconnect as a family. This nightly ritual is where so many of my fondest memories are surrounded. Rainy nights full of studying make me miss those simple moments, especially being so far from home.

Go bananas for these chocolate-covered banana bites

Let’s get a little bananas. Thanksgiving break is a close four weeks away, and everyone’s getting a little antsy. We’re on the downhill from midterms, but now the tension is mounting as the threat of finals draws near. No one likes being stressed out, especially with Thanksgiving break just around the corner! If you’re feeling a little stressed, maybe slightly on the verge of a mental breakdown, there is nothing better to wash those stresses away than chocolate-covered banana bites.

Swap ground beef for turkey to make a healthier burger

Enough of this sweet talk I’ve been doing lately; it is time to get savory. As much as I love blogging about sweets, I think it is high time I switch it up. Summer may be over, but fall is still the perfect time to crack open the grill, invite over your nearest and dearest and enjoy whipping up some delicious burgers. Nothing beats spending a Saturday night hanging out in the backyard, enjoying this glorious fall weather and savoring the wondrous smell of the grill as it billows out smoke in preparation for some mouth-watering burgers.

Combine pumpkin and whipped topping for an epic fall dessert

I feel utterly inspired by the beauty of this weather that I can’t help but post another blog pertaining to a fun, fall treat! I have been trying my best not to give in to the pumpkin-related madness that seems to define fall, but the urge is just too strong. I’m throwing in the towel, my dear readers. I have given in to the pumpkin obsession and opened myself up to something that may just overpower my love for pumpkin pie. Insanity, I know! How could something trump the authenticity that is pumpkin pie? Well if you dare, keep reading and allow me to enlighten you on this life altering dessert!

Chocolate Chex cereal makes for a fun twist to a fall favorite

Now that October is here, it seems as though baking sweets and treats is officially in full swing. My mind has been swirling with all the different, scrumptious treats I could whip up for y’all. I tend to be a bit indecisive, so I thought it would only be necessary to consult my mom for some inspiration. She reminded me of a gloomy, fall day back in elementary school, when my brother and I begged my mom to make us homemade Rice Krispies treats, but she was out of the cereal. Regardless, we insisted she make us something, anything! Luckily for us, our mom is quite the creative cook, so she decided to give in to our persistence and make due with what she had.

Whip up this 5-minute dorm-room dinner

Now that fall is settling in and the ease of summer is wearing off, it feels as though life is beginning to move at full speed. Classes are moving at a mile-per-minute pace, and mid-terms are creeping up. At this point in the semester I am finding myself losing the adequate time to do normal human things, like sitting down to enjoy a real meal. The busier I get, the more I tend to gravitate toward the quick options, especially when it involves food. As assignments, quizzes and tests pile up, my desire to grab something fast increases and my desire to wait in line at the cafeteria decreases. It is in those moments that my innovative side tends to come to life.

Turn fresh picked apples into a delicious pie!

Well, my dear readers, although I have made it pretty evident that I am a Midwest girl, please excuse me if I misuse this Southern term, but happy fall, y’all! You have no idea how long I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to say that! Considering yesterday was the first official day of fall, I felt it appropriate to dedicate this blog to my undeniable love for this gorgeous season. Everywhere you look it is evident that fall is creeping its way in and pushing summer out. Each day the morning air is beginning to have a crispness that sends a slight shiver down your spine as you walk out your door and head to class. The leaves on the trees are slowly loosing their glorious, green glow of summer and morphing into beautiful autumnal shades of orange, yellow and red. It’s a subtle change that seems to appear almost all at once. Next thing you know, the leaves are beginning to float down to the ground with each shift in the wind, and every step you take becomes audible with the crunch of crispy leaves. This inevitable transition of seasons cries out for numerous afternoons devoted to one thing: baking! Nothing is more superb for fall baking than apples!