To Dream...

My little sister (in Alpha Phi), Lauren, inspired me to write a blog post... she's been posting more often now, so I suppose I should get off my bum and do the same.

Tonight I'm dreaming of my green and yellow kitchen.

Our Yellow & Green Kitchen by jaymugirly on Polyvore.com

I so desperately need to make this place feel like a home. Since we are not allowed to paint in our new place... I found these lovely wallpapers tonight while surfing Amy Butler's website. Instead of actually glueing the paper to the walls, I can tack them up–like posters.

Home Sweet Home

In the month that we've been in the city, we have managed to finish unpacking all of our stuff. But you want to know something? I realized while I was unpacking just how much stuff we really had. It never occurred to me that combined we had enough to fill at least a two bedroom home! Now before think it... we didn't bring it all here. I'm thankful for my sister and brother-in-law and their HUGE basement. It now houses about 1/4 of our things. They rock! AND while the truck was there delivering our things they were gracious enough to lend us their wooden pantry from their old house. See it below on the left. It's AWESOME storage for food and dishes.

So here is our new place. (Mostly) Unpacked and livable! (Aside from the Christmas decorations and random donation items in the corner there.) Sorry for the amateur iPhone photos.

Hope you enjoyed the 5 cent tour!! Still need to finish up some wall decorating, but in do time :)

Christmas Time is Here!

This year we celebrate our first Christmas as husband and wife. Amongst the packing and stress with the upcoming move, we have found time to shop for our loved ones, decorate around the house and even make treats for everyone at our offices.

Even though we will only be in our current apartment until January 3rd, I knew it was important for us to still have our Christmas decorations up. Can you imagine one without? So I share with you a fully decorated (fake) tree with wrapped gifts below.

Unfortunately this baby will be coming down December 27, but at least we have the Christmas spirit!!

Also this year I came up with a new way to display and enjoy all the wonderful cards we get from family and friends! I vaguely remember seeing this idea in a magazine, but can't recall which one... either way now I know this is what I'll do in years to come! It's a space saver!!

As you can see I hung ribbons, each at different lengths, from my door and taped each card on a ribbon. This way we still enjoy the cards by seeing them everytime we walk out the door!

And as the days get colder, we now get to use our fabulous new quilt for our bed! It was made with love by Nick's mother and it's AWESOME. I can't explain how talented she is... but you can see it in the picture below. Thanks again Suzi!! We love it!

This year we are spending Christmas with my sister, brother-in-law and nieces in Roanoke, Virginia. Our parents and grandmother are making the trip out too! We can't wait to see everyone and enjoy some Edwards family traditions: roast beef, A Christmas Story, and viewing Christmas lights!

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a safe holiday!

Fall Fetish

"Hi, my name is Mary Paige and I'm a pumpkin-olic."

Yes folks... I've gone pumpkin crazy! I can't stop thinking about pumpkins. Who doesn't love a fruit that can be used in decor AND food!? The best part... for TWO months! (Take that Christmas trees!!)

Some may already know this, but Nick is just as obsessed with pumpkins as I am. It may have been the cause of my disease. But I've gone fall-crazy around the house.

Starting off with the decorations...

We've got a Home Goods ceramic pumpkin on the table with my awesome fall colored place mats and napkins with my married initials. (Thanks Marty and Trav!)

Then there's the hurricane vase with fall leaves and candle on the coffee table.

And my favorite piece on my makeshift "mantle" 

(AKA the bookshelf that now holds all of our wedding presents)

Saw the white pumpkins at the local grocery store and couldn't help myself. Can you point out the craft project in this picture?

Why yes, those are old sweaters wrapped around glass vases. I got the idea from the Under the Table and Dreaming blog post. All you need are old sweaters, glass vases, and a glue gun (maybe a sewing machine/needle too... depending on the size of the vase and/or sweater). It's a fairly simple project that I accomplished in 20 minutes. Now I have an adorable fall decor for the next two months! Oh and don't I look great in those frames with my long lost adopted son? Pictures are coming soon.

On top of the pumpkin patch growing in my house... I've also been searching for recipes that have a pumpkin flare to them.

First up! Pumpkin Turkey Chili!

I was able to recreate this recipe, but in the slow cooker. It had a different consistency than normal red sauce chili, but I encourage you to venture out and try this! Today mother nature blessed us with a chilly day (no pun intended!) so the chili hit the spot.

My tweaks in Bold

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound ground turkey
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 cups pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 dashes salt
1 cup of long grain rice
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and garlic until tender. Stir in the turkey, and cook until brown. Mix in tomatoes and pumpkin in the slow cooker. Season with chili powder, pepper, and salt. In Crock-Pot heat low (5-6 hours) or high (3-4 hours), covered. Serve over rice topped with Cheddar cheese and sour cream.

The ground turkey seem to balance out the cheese, and I used light sour cream. So it was hearty food that's good for the waist line!

This week I'm hosting girls night at our place with a menu that includes many more fall treats!