Deep South Eats: Buttermilk Biscuits

The other Saturday morning, I had a really hankering for a fresh, homemade biscuit. Now I totally could have hopped in the car and gone up the road all of a half mile to the local McD's. The ingredients were in the pantry so I decided to conquer the biscuit. These were nice and buttery with a dense texture. I froze what was leftover for quick meals in the morning, and hope to make another recipe soon for freezing.


Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (remember don't go buy buttermilk - make your own)
• Melted butter for tops

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Knead all ingredients together 20 times.
• Roll out dough 3/4 inch thick and cut with 3-inch circle or biscuit cutter.
• Arrange biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until tops are golden brown and biscuits have doubled in height.
• Remove from oven and brush tops with melted butter.

The Sweet Kitchen: Whats on the Menu?

Monday (Work Night): Leftover Cream Cheese Lasagna, Salad, Bread
Tuesday (Work Night): Pork Tenderloin, Onion Rice, and Broccoli Slaw
Wednesday: Corn Chowder, Salad, and Biscuits
Thursday: Chicken and Dumplings, Catalina Green Beans, and Fruit
Friday: Steaks, Zesty Corn, and Baby Spinach and Blue Cheese Salad.
Saturday: My Father-in-Law's Birthday Party
Sunday: Leftovers


What are you cooking this week? Which of these recipes do you want to see in the Deep South Sweets Recipe Collection?


Don't forget to check out Deep South DIY and The Sweet Life: Game Day Gear!

Deep South DIY: Organizing Fun

This week I didn't have a ton of time for creating projects from my Pinterest inspirations....

I was too buys learning all about my new.....embroidery machine. Woo hoo monograms here we come!

I chose three very simple projects that could be completed in a short amount of time, but were still very useful for our day-to-day life. Sometimes organization can be dull and drab. Adding that extra spark to your organizing process can make things fun and cheery.

Pin:

Oatmeal Container Turned Headband Storage

Product:

Not pictured is my daughter's extensive collection of bows on her bow holder...hey...we live in the South.

A secret pocket inside for loose ribbons, clips and ponytail holders.

Pin:

Prayer Sticks

Product:

I made two jars:
One has names of friends and family that I can grab a stick out of the jar and pray for that person that day.
The other jar has the letter of the alphabet and I will have Belle draw one stick out each morning and we will pray a prayer of thankfulness over something beginning with that letter. Helps her with learning to pray and learning what words begin with certain letters. I am sure when she draws the "z" we will be very thankful for zebras.

Pin:

Lost Sock Department Sign

Product:

Here is to praying the 3M tape holds well on my cabinet. I may or may not have put a large beach towel and pillow on the floor beneath for just in case.

I am working to give you guys a free copy of the No Sock Left Behind sign, but having some technical issues. If you want one while I am waiting to fix the blog link, email me: rreiboldt@gmail.com and tell me if you want marine blue, brick red, or orange.

What are you pinning and producing this week?

The Sweet Life: Game Day Gear

As you all probably know by now I am a huge SEC football fanatic. There is nothing that signals fall is right around the corner like LSU kicking off their season. In the South it is all about the clothing and tailgating gear. We will not settle for T-shirts and jeans but must be dressed in our game day finest with our best game day gear. Here is a little sampling of some of my favorites for the 2011 season (all examples in purple and gold of course).

Top Row:

Classic LSU T-shirt with vintage look found at Tiger District.

Gorgeous plum purple pleated collar dress from Lirola on Etsy.

Precious yellow dress from Red Dress Boutique.

Bottom Row:

Purple and gold preppy long sleeve button down from Pennington and Bailes.

Stunning gold ruffle neckline dress by ModCloth.

Timeless purple polo by Ralph Lauren for the LSU bookstore.

Great purple flowy dress to pair with leggings from Vestique.

Top Row:

Football tailgating appliqued jon-jon for little boys from Personality Childrens on Etsy.

Playful purple and gold tutu by Chrystal Renae on Etsy.

Retro a-line houndstooth girl's dress from Adorable Me Boutique on Etsy.

Bottom Row:

Pom pom adorned pillowcase dress by Adorable Me Boutique on Etsy.

Cute curly bow to top a cute tiger fan's ponytail from For Sale by H on Etsy.

Top Row:

Fun family football rules sign from Sophisticated Posies on Etsy.

Purple polka dot straw can dress up any beverage of choice by Plates and Napkins.

Eye-catching gingham plates by Plates and Napkins.

Bottom Row:

Purposeful but pretty purple polka dot napkins by Plates and Napkins.

Awesome platter for displaying your tailgating spread from Simply Stella Studio on Etsy.

Geaux Tigers banner from Sophisticated Posies on Etsy.

What is your game day gear of choice this season?

Deep South Eats: MeMe's Mashed Potatoes

Another great recipe from Southern Plate...can you tell that I am in love with this cookbook? I love a good mashed potato recipe that I can whip out quick for dinner. My little nut loves making mashed potatoes with me so that she can scrub the potatoes and help with the mixing. I added a little sauteed garlic to my potatoes to add a oomph, but they would be great without. I could see these dressed up with a nice steak or simple with some chicken fingers and green beans.


Ingredients:

• 5 pounds of potatoes for mashing (I used reds because that was what was in the pantry that day)
• 1 teaspoon of salt for the water
• 1 5-ounce can of evaporated milk
• 1 stick margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt for the potatoes 
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced (optional)

Directions:

• Wash, peel and cut the potatoes into slices or large cubes.
• Fill a stockpot with enough water to just cover the tops of the potatoes.
• Add 1 teaspoon of salt.
• Add the potatoes to the salted water and bring to a boil.
• Boil gently for about 30 minutes or until very tender.
• Drain the potatoes and add the remaining ingredients. If using garlic, melt the margarine over medium heat and saute the garlic until lightly browned...then add the garlic and margarine to the potatoes.
• Mix well with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Hey...I never said they were healthy...enjoy!

Recipe source: Southern Plate.com

Deep South Eats: Stuffed Pizza Rolls

Now that football season is upon us (and most importantly SEC football season), it is time to bring out some snack favorites. The foods that we cleverly disguise as a meal at other times of the year, but bring out in full force when gathered around cheering on our favorite team. These stuffed pizza rolls are so easy that even my little nut loves to help make them. They are great for dinner served with a salad, on a table of appetizers or even in your child's lunch box for school. There is so much versatility with stuffed pizza rolls in that you can switch up the stuffing to suit your taste.


Ingredients:

• One roll of refrigerated pizza dough - thick or thin crust will work fine.
• Pizza Toppings of your choice (pepperoni and cheese, ham and pineapple, veggie, etc)
• Mozzarella cheese
• 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (you can always use 2 Tablespoons of Johnny's and omit the Italian seasoning and garlic powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• Marinara or pizza sauce for dipping

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees or specified degrees on dough packaging.
• Lightly spray a pie pan with cooking spray.
• Roll your pizza dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Patting and rolling to create a 12 inch by 8 inch rectangle.
• Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut pizza dough into 24 squares.
• Place desired toppings and cheese equally into each square.
• Once all squares have toppings and cheese, wrap the dough around the toppings in each square and pinch to seal shut. Place seal side down into prepared pie pan. Repeat with all squares.
• Brush tops of sealed dough with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
• Serve warm with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Great step-by-step with pictures and original recipe from Our Best Bites.

The Sweet Kitchen: Whats on the Menu?

I hope that every one is having a fantastic start to their Labor Day (if you actually get it off). Our day is forecast to be filled with rain and cooler temperatures which in many ways is the perfect day. We have lacked rain for so many days that a day to be stuck inside is amazing!


Monday: Labor Day Cookout (or cook-in with the rain) at my parents. I am bringing Corn Pudding.
Tuesday: Homemade Jordan Rolls with Ham, Broccoli Salad, and Fresh Fruit
Wednesday: Chicken Piccata, Angel Hair Pasta, Roasted Green Beans
Thursday: Cheesy Enchilada Casserole (supposed to be the Taste of Home Casserole of the Year), Garden Salad
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out to Eat
Sunday: Small Group Meal - Cream Cheese Lasagna, Salad, and Garlic Bread


What are you cooking in your homes this week?


Did you miss the Deep South DIY this weekend? You must check it out and let me know what you are "pinning" and producing.

Deep South DIY: Back To School

I am totally hooked on Pinterest. I definitely don't want to just pin things without following through and actually creating some of the inspiration. You know nothing like sitting at your computer pinning ideas of creative things and feeling creative...you got to get out and do it.


Each week I plan on completing one pinterest pin whether it be a recipe, craft or something around the house. This week with my little nut starting back to school I used some of my pins to create some great memories.

Pin:

Back-to School Apple Pictures

Result:

Pin:

Apple Cupcakes Teacher Gift

Result:

Pin:

Apple Applique Shirt

Simple Elastic Waist Skirt

Result:

What have you pinned and produced this week?

Deep South Party: Coffee and Donuts Shower Part Three: The Friends and Fun

First and foremost, I definitely could not have pulled this shower off without the help from my fellow hostesses.

Back Row: Anna, Karen (my mom), Sarah (our guest of honor), Erin, Melodye

Front Row: Katie and Me!

Our beautiful, guest of honor, Sarah, with her lovely mother and sister-in-law.

Sarah and I

In case you missed it...

Part One

Part Two

I hope you have enjoyed this fun shower. I had so much fun planning it and enjoyed a fun day celebrating Sarah and soon to arrive Avery!

Deep South Party: Coffee and Donuts Shower Part Two: The Decorations

Once the theme was decided upon for this shower, I went about scouring the internet for inspiration. Unfortunately, the only coffee and donut showers I could find were for wedding showers and were very frou-frou. I personally am not huge on frills and lace for baby showers unless it fits the personality of the guest of honor. I was so excited when I came across this great fabric by Michael Miller. It was all I needed to get the ball rolling on decoration ideas.

Michael Miller Sweets Coffee & Donuts Lime/Multi

It is perfect to use fabric as the center of your inspiration because it gives you a color palette and a specific look/theme. I ordered about 3 yards of the fabric so that I would have ample to use for decorating.

A cute door hanger to greet guests. Four pieces of card stock folded accordion style and then folded in half to give a circle.

One yard of fabric hanging from the top of the board and batten. Gives the table a pop of color without much effort. 

Letters from Hobby Lobby were painted in espresso brown were then trimmed in ground coffee using glue and a very steady hand.

I cut another yard and a half of the coffee and donut fabric into halves and placed them as runners across the center of the buffet table and breakfast room table.

Coffee beans in vases work great with fresh roses trimmed of their leaves. The room smelled absolutely wonderful and the height of the flowers was beautiful. This is such an inexpensive way to display flowers although they will not last long since they are out of water. You could also place taper candles down into the coffee beans for a nice look (but watch them closely).

I love to make these pennant banners for all different occasions. I have found the easiest way to assemble them is to use a rectangle punch on each of the corners and thread the ribbon through each triangle. You can play with threading across the front of the triangles or across the back for different looks. This is much quicker than sewing and looks so much nicer than stapling the pennants to the ribbon.

I am so sad that I missed pictures of the entry table and the breakfast room table. The entry table had thank you note envelopes for guests to address making things very easy for the thank you note writer. There was also a copy of Arnie the Doughnut for guests to write a note on the inside pages. Using fun children's books as a guest book is such a nice way to give your guest of honor a wonderful keepsake (cookbooks are great for wedding showers too). I like to glue a copy of the invitation into the front of the book to add to the keepsake value.

The breakfast table had a runner of fabric and a really large donut. The large donut was made by laying my coffee filter wreath on the table and placing sponge rollers painted in bright colors as sprinkles.

In case you missed it, check out Part One. And check back tomorrow for Part Three: The Fun