Engagement Photos Sneaky-Peak!

If you live in the Northern Iowa/Southern Minnesota region (or if you want to pay extra in travel cost), I would definitely suggest that you look into getting Bradley from Bradley Jensen Photography for your wedding or even just your engagement session.  He is so personable and has a great eye for photography.  Just during our engagement shoot, he asked us questions about our relationship and our own personal background.  We both became at ease with him within the first half hour of shooting and after 3.5 hours, we all were cracking jokes amongst each other.  I've been waiting for our wedding since the day after the engagement but it wasn't till now hen we were taking photos, Aaron said that he was finally getting excited for the wedding.  He must love posing with me and getting his picture taken too ;)

 

Just a few of my favorite black and white shots for now.
I hope you like these photos and I plan on sharing a lot more!

~ Kellie Anne

In a world of black, be the rainbow of colors!

Most people think that as a bridal consultant my daily wardrobe would consist of black clothing. It's the color of professionals and looks sleek & strong. I don't know who came up with that rule, but I don't like it. Yes, I do wear black on busy Saturdays wear I need to look sharp and to Market, to show that I'm serious about bridal fashion.

But you see,  I love color! Wheather it's in a solid or a print (preferably a plaid print, which is my all time love), I can't get enough of wearing something colorful. The shade of the color doesn't make a difference to me either; pastel, neon or jewel tone..I'll rock them all!

Now thankfully, I work in a small-town bridal shop that allows me to express my own personality in my clothing. My boss (who is in her 50's) has great fashion sense and I envy quite a bit of things that are in her closet. We actually have very similar taste and more than once a week we will end wearing the same color to work or outfits that look like they were planned to be worn together. We always have a good laugh at that, because it's always by coincidence.

With that being said, I felt like expressing my love for color and the latest maxi trend all in one outfit today. I paired a green maxi shirt that I got at a local boutique in a neighboring town (that my boss introduced me to) with a simple white v-neck tee. It was a bit chilly out this morning when I left for work today and so I needed something on my arms.  I got this great knit, royal blue cardigan from Maurices a few months back and it did just the trick but there was something missing. I tried multiple necklaces but it just wasn't working; I needed that perfect piece to bring it all together. So, I dug deep into my scarf drawer and found one of my older scarfs that I haven't worn in years. It was perfect! It had a fun plaid print with lots of different colors in it, lightweight material which is great for indoors at work, and the fringe around the edge was just enough detail. I looped it around my neck and smiled as I scurried out the door for work.

The beauty of this look was that it has some versatility.  When I first arrived to the shop, the heat doesn't kick on right away, so it's good to have sleeves when it's only 60° inside.  I was able to take the sweater off when I was busy pressing a wedding gown and still keep a good, work appropriate look going on. Oh and a added bonus, super comfy and maybe my long Tuesday at work not seem so bad!  ;)

Well, I hope you like my outfit and can maybe create your own look that is similar to it from clothes in your wardrobe. And believe me, it's not too hard or expensive to do so.

Night!

~Kellie Anne

P.S - I'm still working on taking mirror selfies w/o having my giant phone show,  so please be patient with me.

'Cinco By Myself-o'

I had everything all planned out to have a fiesta at home tonight. Ribeyes on the grill, peppers & onions sautéed and warm tortillas.  I even thought about whipping up some margaritas in the blender. Olé,  right?!

However, I forgot to accommodate that is spring and after about a week of straight rain, it's time to get in the fields planting. I had informed Aaron about the my meal plans and he said he would try and make it work.  Well, let's just say that the fajitas didn't happen and it's now going on 8:15 and Aaron is still not home.

So, I popped some mini-tacos in the oven and turned the tube to some 'Say Yes to the Dress'. No celebrating tonight at our house (though it's really not that big of a deal cause its not a real important holiday in my book, just a fun one).

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone!

~Kellie Anne

Two Great Recipes in One Post

Here are two very easy and simple recipes that can either be made separately or done together.  The first is a basic & easy way to cook chicken breast in the crock-pot.  I used my small 1.5 quart sized crock-pot which was perfect for the size of chicken breast I was cooking (just enough for Aaron and I). The chicken will be really moist and somewhat healthy, since it was cooked in it's own natural juices. 

You could actually just make "Ranchy Chicken" at anytime when you have a different recipe that calls for cooked shredded chicken.  Make it ahead in batches and throw it in the fridge or freezer till your ready for your next meal. Than pull it out, let it thaw out (if you froze it) and bam...you just skipped a few steps and your chicken will have an extra bit of flavor (than if you were to use plain chicken breast).

RANCHY CHICKEN:
1# chicken breast (boneless and thawed)
Dry ranch package

Rub chicken breast in about half of the dry mix, making sure to coat both sides. Let set for several hours, remember the longer you let set, the fuller the flavor.  [Mine set in the fridge for 2 hours.]

Cook in crock-pot with no other ingredients for 3 hours on LOW (or until fully cooked).  Let cool for 30 minutes in it's own broth before shredding the chicken with a knife.  [Mine literally fell apart without really cutting into it.]

Now the simple way to turn the "Ranchy Chicken" into "Buffalo Ranch Chicken" is by adding two little but very powerful ingredients:

1/2 cup Hot Wing sauce
1/4 cup Ranch dressing

Mix together with chicken until evenly coated, place back into crock-pot and cook on LOW for approx. 2-3 hours (depending on how intense you want the flavor to be; the longer it's cook, the bolder the flavor).

Serve as pulled chicken sandwiches, in tortilla or pita roll-ups, as a pizza toppings, mix in with mac 'n cheese, etc....the list of ways to eat this is ENDLESS!


REVIEW:
Now this is just my own personal way of cooking and making Buffalo Chicken, on a weekday for Aaron and I.  According to Aaron he said, "It's got just enough spice, which is nice"; meaning it's not too spicy and is really creamy with the addition of the ranch being added in.  If you prefer more kick from the hot wing sauce, add more of it or if you like less spice, add more ranch dressing.  This recipe is all about what your preferences are and when your cooking for yourself and one other person, you have more freedom to do that.  This is why this is sort of the ideal cooking for 2 recipe and depending on how you serve the shredded chicken, you may have enough for leftovers later in the week.  Try it as something different when you eat the second time and you'll never run out of recipes!

Enjoy!!

~ Kellie Anne











P.S - this recipe is the first of many that will be shot with my new DSL camera that Aaron got me for Christmas.  It took me a while (with the help of my sister), to figure out the settings on the camera and now I can't wait to shoot all my blog photos with it.  I just think it make the food turn out better and look more appetizing than when I took shots with my camera phone.

Goodbye Grandpa

Romans 14:8

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

My grandfather left this earth today and is in Heaven with the good Lord.  I was able to say my goodbyes to him last week and made peace that he would be passing, sometime shortly after seeing him.

Two years ago, my mom's dad entered an Alzheimer's unit at an area nursing home.  He wasn't a fan of leaving his wife or the farm, but he wasn't able to take of himself (and my grandma couldn't do it either). He was in his late 80's and had worked hard for his family and other's all of his life.

It was hard to see his mind slowly depreciate over the years and his health  follow shortly after.  But the one thing that he always had was a smile on his face (though he may not have always known who you were). When he finally entered the Hospice unit at the hospital on Wednesday, the only thing the doctor kept saying was she couldn't give us an exact timeline because his heart was so strong. I believe that's because he wanted to give everyone a chance to see him one last time and to say goodbye.

Thursday will be hard,  when they lay him in the cold March soil,  but I know he will be watching over all of us. Smile and all.

I'll always love and remember you Grandpa! ♡

~Kellie Anne

Pizza Man Strikes Again!

Pizza Man is at it again and this time he wants to say "Happy Hump Day!"

Yes,  I still play with my food even at 24... growing up isn't my thing :)

~Kellie Anne

Ready for Spring to come...

 I snap this shot last night as I pulled into our garage. If you look close you can just barely see the sunset over the hay bales. It's been in the 30°s the last two days to make the snow melt, so now there is mud everywhere. It's finally might start to become spring after all!

But now everyone is talking about this  blizzard that could bring 3-7 inches of snow. Great, just the opposite of what needs to be happening. I hate snow and winter and all things cold! 

~ Kellie Anne

#OOTD - Valentine's Day 2014

Valentine's Day is a day full of love and happiness (for those who have a significant other in their life; sadness for those who don't I imagine).  I was all excited this year to wear something festive to work in spirit of Saint Valentine.  I have this perfect heart sweater that I got myself for Christmas and I paired it with a pair of red dress pants that I've had for a while now and boom...best Valentine's Day outfit ever! :)

I  had to take a work selfie in order to see the whole thing.
(bonus of working at a bridal shop.. all the access to mirrors!)

**Side note story:  We have this grumpy UPS delivery guy who brings packages to the store.  He is always in a hurry and never has a smile on his face.  Today he stops in and throws down a box and while waiting for my signature, he says to me "nice sweater, bet you only get to wear that one time a year."  I sign the little dealy-bob and say to him "well I could wear it more than just today if I wanted to."  As I hand him back the device, I hear him say "I bet you don't though" and walks out the door.  I stand there in shock with his comment and I say to myself "I think someone needs to get shot by Cupid's arrow". 

With love,
<3 Kellie Anne

Really Oscar!

All I wanted to do was blog and someone had a different idea. He usually doesn't hang out above me like this but for some reason tonight he thought I needed a neck warmer. He also thinks I don't wash my face good enough either, so he constantly is cleaning it!

Night folks,

~ Kellie Anne

Something New Sunday - Slurpin' Up Some Soup

I was in the mood for soup and since I've never made a soup before what better than to give it a try on 'Something New Sunday'.  It has been a while since I've tried something new and was wanting to cook a meal in my crock-pot (I love cooking with my crock-pot).  After searching Pinterest (my 'go-to' for new meal ideas), I came across this yummy sounding recipe. 

 

 

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup - Crockpot Style

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 small onions, diced
1/2 cup of bacon, crumbled (approx. 7 strips)

1 1/2 cups carrots, chopped
2 cups potatoes, cubed
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
2 cans of chicken broth

4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp pepper

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk

Directions:

Cook the first three ingredients (ground beef, bacon & onions) in a skillet before putting into crock-pot.  <Make sure meats are fully cooked and onions are opaque in color>

Combine all the veggies, cream cheese and broth together and combine into crock-pot, with the meats.

Add seasonings.

Cook for 7 hours on LOW.

When you are almost ready to serve, dissolve flour into milk and pour into the soup to thicken.  Mix in the cheese and serve when cheese is melted.

ENJOY!!

My Thoughts:
  I'm not going to lie, at first I thought this recipe was going to be a complete FAIL!  When you first put all the ingredients together in the crockpot, it looks like a hot mess of food.  The veggies look odd and really don't have much to do with "cheeseburger" taste and the chicken broth almost watered everything down.  You honestly have let this dish cook for the full 7 hours to get it to look appetizing and for the potatoes to get soft enough to eat.  When I was almost ready to serve the dish, I was debating if it needed to be thicken but Aaron said he thought it still looked 'runny' so I went ahead and did it.  He was right, it most certainly helped make the soup look more like a chowder and the cheese is always an important ingredient in our house.

When it was time to eat, this soup taste just like it's name and boy, was it DELICOUS!  Full of flavor (which I say in almost all my food post), and very, very filling.  We invited my parents over to join us, because it does make a lot of soup.  My dad only had to take one bite and was already raving about it.  My mom had request a small bowl, but had gone back for seconds.  The only change I might make for next time (cause Aaron has already said, I will be making this again), is try it with beef broth. 

Pair it with a pickle spear and you'll feel like your really eating a cheeseburger! :)

~Kellie Anne

Poor Yellow Man

Oscar's favorite squeaky toy is now blind in one eye, just like Oscar! Sorry if that is mean to say, but hey, it's my dog and it's kind of the cold hard truth.

"Small World" Jealousy

I received a phone call from my dad this morning and this is how it went:
 
 Dad -  "Hey, listen to this! Can you tell where we are?"
   
 Complete Silence

 Me - "I can't hear anything"

 Dad - "Here let me try again, listen close"
   
 Complete silence

  Me - "Dad, I can't hear anything, but my guess is that you're on It's a Small World."
 
  Dad - "Bingo! Got to go!"

  *Click..phone call ended!*
  
My parents are currently on vacation at Walt Disney World. They've been there before and this is actually their fourth time visiting the "Happiest Place on Earth"; but the first trip without any kids or even grandkids. It's also their first real vacation just the two of them since they've been married; so I'm calling it their 'belated honeymoon'. 

My mom was real skeptical about going just the two of them, cause she didn't know what two adults could do at a place dedicated to children. I explained to her that their are a lot of things Aaron and I did (as we were just there this past spring), that we couldn't have done if we did have little ones with us.  We could eat on our own schedule, didn't have to worry about nap times, stay out as late as we want, and the list goes on and on.  I think through her skepticism, she is looking forward to get away from the farm and most of all RELAXING!

And since my father just had to remind me that I'm stuck here in Iowa, during a snow storm no less, and not is warm, sunny Florida like them; I am going to relieve Aaron and I's ride on 'Happiest Cruise that Set Sail'.   Here are some of snaps from us on my favorite ride at WDW and Magic Kingdom:



A panoramic view of the ride

About to enter

I give a thumbs up for riding "It's a Small World"; Aaron not so much ;)

 ~Kellie Anne

Home Alone

Aaron got a promotion at this his job and do is going to be spending this next upcoming week gone for training.  So you know what that means.... BACHELORETTE PAD IS BACK!!!

Now don't get me wrong,  I love living with  my fiancé. We have really become closer as a couple because we are living together, but I miss having this house all to myself. With him not here, I don't have to cook supper and I get to have the bed all to myself (which is awesome!).

So till Thursday night, it's just me and the pooch.  Yay us!! :)

Hope you guys are having a more exciting Saturday night than me, as I'm going to catch up on my shows!

~Kellie Anne

Buffalo Chex Mix

It's one of my favorite times of the year...Chex Mix time!  It's the perfect snack to take to a family gathering, share with friends & coworkers, or supper for one when you don't feel like cooking.  And there are so many different styles (thanks to Pinterest of course!) and I can't wait to some day try them all!
 

As you may have noticed from previous post, Aaron and I have love for Frank's Hot Wing Sauce.  We put it on pizza, mix it in our mac 'n cheese, and just about anything you can imagine.  And now we can add to the list... Chex Mix!

Here is what you'll need:
7 cups of any Chex cereal
(I used 3.5 cups each of rice and corn)
3 cups Cheez-Its - Pepper-Jack flavored
3 cups pretzel 

1 stick of melted butter
4 tablespoons hot wing sauce
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dry Dressing Mix
 

The really simple steps:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees

In large bowl: mix cereals, crackers and pretzels 

In a small bowl: mix the melted butter with the hot sauce and dry ranch mix.

Pour over cereal mixture and coat evenly.  Spread mixture onto a large baking sheet. 

Bake for an hour, stirring every 20 minutes. 

Remove pan from oven to a wire rack till cool. 

Store in an airtight container or EAT IT ALL!!

Thoughts:

HOLY AWESOMENESS!! If you love the spicy, flavor fullness of hot wing sauce than this is the perfect snack for you.  Not only do you have the sauce giving you a bunch of flavor, but the added spice from the pepper-jack crackers are a GREAT touch!  The pretzels saltiness is a great contrast too. 

Aaron gave this a try and instantly loved it and when I took it to work to share with colleagues, they too enjoy the unique spin on the traditional Chex Mix.  This does make quite a bit of Chex Mix, so make sure you have an event to take it to or you'll be eating A LOT of Chex Mix (which really isn't really all that bad).


Give it a try and let me know what you think!
~Kellie Anne

Yes, I'm still here...

...and I'm so sorry for the tardiness but I can explain (sorta)!

My life has been crazy busy these last few months and I just haven't been able to get a chance to blog any.  I feel awful for the maybe 5 people that follow my blog, (if there is more of you out there, please comment and I will give you shoutouts) but I promise to blog more to make up for it.  Between the holidays, work and trying to plan our wedding, blogging has kind of been put on the back burner. 

But don't worry, I have plenty of posts to share! I've been cooking up a storm and taking pictures to share my latest triumphs in the kitchen (with a few failures; those are always fun!).  I got a fancy new camera for Christmas so I'll be post the artsy shots I take with that. 

Please stick around! I hope to do a better job than I have been doing in the past!

~Kellie Anne