Thank you Mezzetta for sponsoring this post and inspiring me to make a new holiday twist on an old classic recipe!

I'm so excited to share my very first soup recipe with you guys today, especially since my mom makes one of the best homemade chicken noodle soups around. But this isn't mom's soup, this is a new take on an old classic and a new holiday recipe I'm making with Mezzetta. Do you guys think it will beat out mom's chicken noodle?! 

How gorgeous are the bright colors of Mezzetta's products, they're so pretty to look at just sitting in the jars! I love roasted bell peppers so I grabbed those right away, then I called my husband to find out if it was green or black olives that he liked, and as you can see he likes the green ones! I was intrigued by the peperoncini and decided to grab those as well!

When I looked at the peppers and olives I purchased, the first recipe that came to mind was a pasta salad. But that just didn't strike me as a cozy and warm holiday recipe that I would want during this time of year.

Winter always reminds me of mom's chicken noodle soup, but that takes too much time to make when you have guests over for the holiday season. That's when I thought of the frozen meatballs and tortellini I had in the freezer....and on came the light bulb! 

Holiday celebrations and holiday family gatherings usually last more than one day, especially when your guests have traveled far to visit. So that means you're going to need more than a day's worth of food to feed them. Luckily I'm here to save you and your hungry guests with my meatball tortellini soup featuring Mezzetta roasted bell peppers, peperoncini, and olives! {Not the typical ingredients for meatball tortellini soup, but I was excited to experiment and make a Mezzetta twist on an old favorite!}

If you love making holiday soups, platters, and dips for your family, and have tons of holiday memories filled with good food, stop by Mezzetta to enter their daily holiday memories gift basket giveaway.  

Bonus: Before you go shopping to gather the ingredients for my meatball tortellini soup, stop by the Mezzetta website and grab yourself a coupon! 

Recipe Ingredients: 

2 cups of frozen meatballs {thawed} 

3 cups of tortellini 

4 cups of beef broth {you can also use chicken or vegetable broth}

1/2 cup of green olives {sliced or diced}

1/2 cup of roasted bell peppers {diced}

1/2 cup of peperoncini {sliced}

1/2 tsp. of parsley 

dash of salt & pepper 

Directions: 

• In a large pot bring the stock to a boil. Stir in the meatballs. Turn down the heat and let simmer for five minutes. 
• Add in the green olives, roasted bell peppers, and peperoncini. Simmer for another three minutes. 
• Stir in the tortellini, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another three to five minutes. 
• Remove from heat, serve, and enjoy! 

Mezzetta has a meatball tortellini soup on their website featuring their hot cherry peppers and garlic everything spread that I can't wait to try next time around.

You really can't go wrong with adding any of your favorite vegetables to meatball tortellini soup, or even using chicken sausage instead of meatballs.

Do you have a favorite soup recipe that you make during the holiday season? 

Frozen Inspired Christmas Centerpiece - Krylon Mini Mystery Box

Who doesn't love getting a box full of mystery craft products in the mail...#happymail?! 

When I received Krylon's Mini Mystery Box I couldn't wait to open it up to see what was inside and get started on creating something with the pieces they sent. Inside the box was a mini craft crate and adorable wooden buttons from Walnut Hollow, a strip of burlap, two pieces of white fabric, and two cans of Krylon short cuts spray paint in Antique Bronze and Bonnet Blue. 

I love craft crates and was super excited to see this mini one in the mystery box. The burlap was another item I was happy to work with, but what was I to do with the two pieces of white fabric?!

I turned to Pinterest and searched for craft crate centerpiece projects and stumbled upon many creative ideas for the holidays that included mason jars and evergreen cuttings. That's when the idea of using mini bottle brush trees came to mind. How I got that from what I saw...well inspiration strikes where it strikes...right?! 

It only took a few seconds to turn the white and green trees I purchased from the Dollar Tree into blue ones with Krylon's short cuts spray paint, and I couldn't be happier with the results! 

I love...love...love the way the antique bronze spray paint turned the plain, yet beautiful, craft crate into well an antique masterpiece! Thank you Krylon for selecting these two gorgeous colors to send me. 

As you can see I finally came up with a plan for the white fabric. Luckily I have a craft room filled with Christmas craft supplies from past holiday projects, including the scrapbook paper ornaments you see on the tree in the background! 

Among my Christmas craft supplies was a pack of holiday stencils that included a snowflake, and that's when I knew my Frozen inspired Christmas centerpiece was really going to come together. You can't call it Frozen without snowflakes! Oh, and the reindeer...I do wish I had a snowman though! 

I also used the blue spray paint on the little heart buttons from Walnut Hollow, so cute right?! The burlap added the extra rustic element I was looking for and only took two lines of hot glue to secure.  Once I came up with an idea it was easy to see how all the items in the Kyrlon Mini Mystery Box could work together.

I still felt like it needed a little something more and dug back into my Christmas craft supplies to see what I could find! I really love the way the Merry Christmas sign completes the look. 

What do you think? Do you like the ornaments inside the craft crate or the bottle brush trees? Either way, you'll have yourself a Frozen inspired Christmas centerpiece that will only take about 15 minutes to put together, who doesn't love that?! 

What are some holiday crafts you're working on? 

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day! 

Five Things: 4th of July Celebration

Since we're celebrating Independence Day this week (tomorrow actually!) in the states I thought it would be fun to do a 4th of July celebration round up for my Five Things link up party. Many of you may have left your patriotic decor hanging up around the house since Memorial Day, I actually don't have any decor for either holiday! So for those still in need of last minute craft and sweet treat ideas for a patriotic BBQ celebration, like myself, you have come to the right place...

1. Five Things link up is posted every Thursday at Midnight EST. Share any five things that are on your mind right now. Whether it's something you are obsessing with on Pinterest, a new and exciting event going on in your life, or even sharing five of your favorite books; it's totally up to you. 

2. Please put the Five Things button on the post you're sharing for the link up; sharing is caring, the more players involved the more fun we'll have.

3. Please follow both your hosts Diana from The World Around Her and Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama via Facebook {here and here} and/or Twitter {here and here}. As it’s not mandatory it is greatly appreciated.

4. If you tweet about your post or Instagram it, feel free to tag me or Tairalyn and use the hashtag, #FiveThingsParty

5. Check out the other bloggers who have linked up, show them some love and comment on at least one other bloggers link-up post.

Shall we get the party started...

1. Last week I posted a similar red, white, and blue treat on my Instagram, but it wasn't half as pretty as KariAnne's 4th of July dessert! Plus, I only used Reddi-wip with my blueberries and strawberries, she actually put together a little cool whip, yogurt combination...yum! Stop by her blog Thistlewood Farm for the complete recipe. It's an easy little treat to put together for your patriotic BBQ, and who doesn't love food in a mason jar?! 

2. Sometimes it's just easier to have a paper table runner when you're serving messy barbecue and have tons of little ones who will be eating at said table! But why let your paper table runner be boring when you can DIY a red, white, and blue one that will perfectly match your 4th of July party decor?! I love the stars on this one Monica and Jess of East Coast Creative put together using drawing paper, stop by their blog for the easy tutorial. 

3. Is this not the coolest patriotic wreath you've ever seen?! I have seen and shared cool wreath ideas before, but this is one I might actually put together. All you need is an embroidery hoop, fabric, and scissors...I think I can handle that! Check out the very easy tutorial over on Tell Love & Chocolate, not only does blogger Sara have a cute wreath but a cute blog name too! 

4. The awesome Kimberly at A Night Owl Blog (jealous of her blog name y'all!) put together a great round up of patriotic kids crafts that included this adorable 4th of July sand art from HoneyBear Lane. It's just the cutest craft that parents and kids can do together and it adds an extra little touch of red, white, and blue to help complete your patriotic home decor. These would look great at night time on your deck or porch with a tea light inside, like this DIY over on Martha Stewart. 

5. Another yummy 4th of July treat idea, there's always room for dessert right?! My sister's sister-in-law makes the best Christmas bark, so when I saw this red, white, and blue bark on Facebook I had to tag it and share it with her. I just love the swirls of red and blue that blogger Parrish put in the bark, head over to her blog Life With the Crust Cut Off to see the recipe tutorial. 

There are so many amazing patriotic craft and recipe ideas out there for the 4th of July, but I can only share five! What are some of your favorite ideas you've seen or put together for Independence Day? 

OK, now it's your turn to join the link up party with Little Miss Mama and I, what's on your mind this week? 

Memorial Day

Summer is almost here, can you believe it! Memorial Day is this weekend and it's kind of the unofficial start to Summer; families go to the beach, swimming pools open up for business, and the grills are fired up and ready for cooking. 

But we must not forget what Memorial Day is really about, those who protect and serve our country. So, this weekend while you're enjoying your corn on the cob and ice cream, take a moment to remember our troops, the fallen and those still fighting. 

If you are still looking for decor and recipe ideas for Memorial Day, I'm guest posting over on East Coast Creative today with a fun red, white, and blue round up post. Check it out here. 

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Ps, I just spotted this awesome Americana Star Wreath on Pinterest and had to share since I didn't see it when I put together my round up for EC2blog...

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Pretty cool, right! I am so making this and if I don't get it done for this weekend, definitely for 4th of July!

Thanks for stopping by today, have a great day!

St. Patrick's Day Round Up

Is it just me, or does it seem like there are more St. Patrick's Day recipes and crafts on Pinterest this year than ever before? Don't get me wrong, I am loving all of the ideas, but I can't remember the holiday being this celebrated online as much...but then again maybe I'm just following more DIY blogs now that I'm a blog assistant for East Coast Creative!

So, to jump in on the holiday fun I thought I would put together a little St. Patrick's Day round up, here are a few of my favorites...

For Christmas a few years ago I made peppermint oreos from a recipe that blogger Jamielyn posted on I Heart Nap Time, everyone loved them and wanted me to share the recipe. Homemade sandwich cookies can be time consuming to make, but the results are amazing, plus your family and friends will be really impressed. How adorable are these green velvet shamrock whoopie pies from Homemade by Holman? If it's a little late to make these this year, definitely Pin for next year! 

Since the holiday is already upon us, this DIY banner from Simple As That can work for other holidays like Easter, Independence Day, or even birthday parties. But, if you are looking for a quick, fun decor idea for your classroom or home for St. Patrick's Day (which is tomorrow), it probably wouldn't take too long to make this. 

Cake makes everything better, right? My step-daughters made the most amazing blue velvet cake for my birthday, and two minutes after I posted a photo of my cake on Facebook, I saw this green velvet cake on my news feed from Recipe Girl...how ironic is that?! Surprise your kids or significant other tomorrow with this delicious cake and see how shocked they are when they cut into it to see that it's green!

If you're lucky in love like I am, than this St. Patrick's Day striped shamrock printable from Lolly Jane will work for the holiday and can stay up year round. I've seen a few free printables on Pinterest with shamrocks, but this is one of my favorites. I also love this friendship printable over on Occasionally Crafty. 

If you love Shamrock Shakes, but would rather not worry about the calories, then check out this tasty little treat from A Night Owl Blog that is sugar free! I mean, if you're celebrating St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, you have to have a Shamrock Shake! 

Is this moss Shamrock not the coolest St. Patrick's Day wreath you've ever seen?! The trick is to take one of those tinsel shamrock wreaths that they sell in craft stores and remove the tinsel, glue on a paper backing, then glue on your moss, easy peasy! Stop by The House That Lars Built for the complete step by step tutorial. 

If your kids are celebrating St. Patrick's Day in school tomorrow, this little flower pot turned leprechaun hat DIY from Life in Wonderland would make a cute desk decoration for their classroom party. It's also a clever idea for a St. Patrick's Day themed wedding for place card holders.  

Do you decorate or bake something special for St. Patrick's Day?

Ah, I almost forgot to mention and show you the "Kiss Me" banner I won on Instagram from Dawn of Leroy Lime, check out her Etsy shop.

Thanks for stopping by today....Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA!!

We hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday!! Enjoy the bbqs, the fireworks, the beach, or whatever you may be doing!!

PS I just finished reading "Baby Proof" by Emily Giffin and now Im reading "Heart of the Matter" by Emily as well. I really loved "Baby Proof" and would love to talk to any who has read it. What are you reading this summer? Any good books on your list for me to read next?

These firework photos are from the block party we went to last weekend...

MY LOVE!!

Also we are having a giveaway on AllWomenStalk...stop on over! Also check out the inspiring story of Laura from Asters in August. She has a wonderful jewelry shop on Etsy and she is hosting the giveaway on our blog.

Anniversary & Easter...

Celebrating your Anniversary on a holiday can be pretty busy and a little crazy, this is especially true when you have three step children. We wanted to make sure we had a moment to ourselves to celebrate our anniversary, so the night before Easter we went out to dinner and had the perfect night together! Everything just came together so nicely. We dressed up, took some pictures, went to eat at Toscana 52 where we had the perfect meal, drinks, and the sweetest waitress, then we went for a walk through New Hope, and after came home to watch Eat, Pray, Love. The movie was really wonderful and done with respect to the book and Elizabeth Gilbert's life, Julia Roberts did a beautiful job, love her!

So on Easter, our actual anniversary, we had Easter baskets for the kids, went for a bike ride, had a little egg hunt (filled with money!), ate a very tasty ham dinner, and cut into our wedding cake for good luck! I was very thankful for our time together the night before and wasn't worried about running around and doing so many things on our anniversary because this is our life, our family, and this is why I'm so loved and blessed.

Will you or have you celebrated an anniversary on a holiday?

(A Perfect Anniversary)

(One Year Later!)

(Our Wedding Cake Top!)

(This is after a busy, Easter day!)

(Happy Easter!)

PS...should have said how the cake tasted! It actually wasn't too bad a year later! It wasn't the same as our wedding day, but it was better than expected! There was still half of it left so we just tossed it, it was weird departing with it!

Christmas Favorites!

1. What is your favorite Christmas Movie? Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and A Christmas Carol.

2. Favorite Christmas Song? "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree!"

3. Favorite Holiday Memory? Seeing the faces of the kids, my fiance, and family members when they open their gifts.


4. What kind of cookie/treat do you like to make? The easy kind! As a kid we always put out Chocolate Chip Cookies for Santa!

5. Have you ever made an igloo? Um maybe something more like a snow fort when we had a blizzard!

6. When did you stop believing in Santa? I think I was about 8 years old maybe? I know my younger sister was born...so I was 7 or 8. But I got sick one Christmas and came downstairs when mom and dad were wrapping presents. Well that's the story I remember!


7. What makes the perfect Snowman? A small head...a good sturdy middle...and a big bottom!

8. Best gift you have ever received? My Husband-2-Be!

9. Which movie do you like better Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman? I like Rudolph because of the cute little misfits!

10.Silver or Gold? I like the color silver.


11. What is your favorite Christmas decoration? I love the tree and the lights...and the angel on top of our tree!


12. What's your Christmas decorating style? Traditional

13. Do you hang stockings? Yes, I love hanging stockings!

14. How many days do you celebrate Christmas? We put our decorations up the weekend after Thanksgiving and we will probably take them down soon after the New Year. So I guess that explains it!

15. What was your favorite ornament on the tree as a child? I loved all the ornaments that I made in school...especially the one that had my picture in it!

16. What do you look forward to at Christmas time? I love driving around looking at all the lights on the houses and I just love the spirit that Christmas brings. And of coarse spending Christmas with the ones I love.

Holiday Weekend!

What a wonderful Holiday weekend we had. My fiance cooked a delicious Thanksgiving feast...with two of my favorite sides...his pineapple stuffing and marshmallow yams!! I'm the only one who eats the yams...but he is that great that he goes through the trouble to make them for me. I am a lucky gal. I just cherish the holidays. We have hung our stockings and put our decorations all in a row in hopes that St. Nick will find our apartment on Christmas Eve! I can't wait to share the beautiful pictures...this year I got a little creative...well in my eyes I did!

Any how...the girls and I took it upon ourselves to have some fun with the video feature on my digital camera! I recorded some Christmas songs like, "Santa's Coming to Town" and "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree", on my cell phone and started to play them while we were decorating. That's when I got the idea to start lip-syncing to the songs and told the girls to join in!!! The videos are so funny...I laugh every time I watch them! They will def be one of my favorite holiday memories! It's so funny when the part of Santa's Coming to Town comes on because the girls look like they are screaming at the top of their lungs...but they are only mouthing the words! I'm very excited to see what fun Christmas weekend brings along!