Creamy Brocolli Cheddar Soup

Just discovered a new way to be creative in the kitchen - homemade soup!!

Banana Almond Cranberry Muffins

I made some of these a few weeks ago with some leftover Banana bread batter. First time using our muffin tins that we received as a wedding present.

I'd say these were a success! I used the Banana bread batter I had leftover, mixed in some dried cranberries, and poured the mixture into the tins. Then, I topped the gooey deliciousness with a sprinkle of sliced almonds and brown sugar. Before we ate them, we made sure to drizzle some Agave Nectar over top. Yum!!

Homemade

Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.

Mmhmm.

Makes my tummy smile.

A Little Bite of Heaven

Texas and I have been cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

For most of our relationship (minus the first few months where we were fed gourmet food by trained chefs), we have enjoyed cooking our meals together and reaping the benefits.

Lately though, we have been getting really creative in the culinary area of our life.

We have recently learned how to make homemade pizza dough which has opened up many doors in our cooking world. This last week we made the best pizza I've ever eaten in my whole life. I'm just going to put it out there. Texas and I barely spoke during the whole eating event because all of the noise we were making consisted of:

"mmmm"

"oh. my. gosh."

"yummmmmm"

"ooohhhh mmmm"

Yup. True story. It was a BBQ inspired pizza with BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce, mozzarella, onions, chicken, bacon, and pineapple. Simple really, when it comes to recipes we've concocted in the past. But folks, simplicity is key in this certain case.

We decided to experiment one step further last night. BBQ calzones - with slow cooked brisket from our steer in the freezer. I must say, we forgot to throw in the bacon, but essentially all of the ingredients were the same as the pizza.

And it was, amazing.

Pretty durn delicious.

I love that Texas and I can cook together. Clean up together. Eat together. Celebrate our culinary skills together. And sometimes, though not often, hang our heads in culinary defeat together. I love that he not only doesn't expect me to be his cook, but he enjoys just as much, if not more, the opportunity to share the kitchen responsibilities together.

Together, Texas and I will dominate the kitchen, and hopefully we can still fit into our skinny jeans by the time the wedding rolls around... :)

Becoming Domesticated

Texas and I are becoming domesticated slowly but surely. Made our first pie last night. Homemade pie crust and all. Yum yum in the tum tum for strawberry rhubarb!

We Be Cookin'

Pioneer Woman's Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce.

Mmmm Mmm, tasty. We are kind of obsessed with anything Pioneer Woman comes up. So far, we have checked off:

Chicken Fried Steak

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Twice Baked Potatoes

Sloppy Joe's

Potatoes Au Gratin

Curried Chicken Pasta Salad

Whiskey Glazed Carrots

Whiskey Pepper Sauce (for steaks)

Egg in the Hole

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Beans and Cornbread

Carnitas Pizza

Homestyle Ranch Potatoes

And probably several more that I am forgetting. Some of these sound super obvious, but every time I read a Pioneer Woman recipe, she puts a twist on it that is to die for.

I don't know when I became such a little chef, but it sure is fun to see what Texas and I can concoct in the kitchen together!

A Before and After

OK folks. Here it is.

The official transformation.

Of our old redneck, white trash, jungle-esque ranch casa.

It was bad.

Really, really bad.

GET READY FOLKS.

Our side yard looks ten times better. Pulled out a couple trees/large overgrown bushes and dug out mounds and mounds of dirt to uncover the hidden brick pavers.

Aren't those planters beautiful?? It's a Texas creation. :) He handcrafted these babies out of your standard wooden pallet.

Here is our front yard!! Please note the old horse trough that no longer is able to hold water - but it holds plants great!

We have a couple wine barrels cut in half (my mom got these bad boys cut down the road for us for a local feed store) filled with flowery goodness.

Doesn't our wooden bench look so much happier? 

One last before and after picture.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We are happy ranchers these days. :)

Garden Update

I ain't beatin' around the bush today! ;)

Here's an update on my bathtub flower and TOMATO garden! Texas and I picked up some tomatoes while grocery shopping this weekend. I am hoping that since I spent a whole summer internship tending to tomatoes, I can attempt to keep these babies alive.

Easter Breakfast

I made Texas (and myself) a special Easter breakfast on Sunday after he got done working in the morning. 

I tell ya, nothing goes over better with a sweaty, tired, manly man....

... than pink bunny shaped pancakes!!!

Ahh, yes. Glorious pink bunny pancakes for Easter. Just what my Texan ordered!

Hope yall had a wonderful Easter!

Afternoon Project

Texas and I have been meaning to spruce up the yard around our house for quite some time. We have just lacked the motivation and funds.

My momma bought a few too many Marigolds for her house, so she offered them up to me. Well, I guess I will give the flower business one more shot down at our house - ya can't go wrong with free flowers!

Of course, no ranch backyard is complete without an old bathtub filled with flowers (and hopefully soon, some tomatoes and herbs).

I love sprucing up the house and gardening. I just really hope these babies don't get destroyed by our gopher population!