4 Oct 2018

DIY to Build Community

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 2

Some times it is really easy to build community over food and pretty things.

Some times you need a project.  My friends over at A Hosting Home built a barn door for our Master bedroom and I will be doing another post on that soon to show it off – in love is a short statement!

But, my mister may be talented in many things, but when it comes to an “expert” home project, he’d rather bring some one in.

So I mentioned it to my friend Ivey yesterday and her and her expert husband in the home projects department – came over today.  How fast!  And we had fun, they worked, and had another mini food styling shoot with the new Best of Augusta magazine.  I saw my first photo in an ad in the magazine – here’s to more, right?

And we had pumpkin muffins.  And I painted.  Always paint, right?  And that is a great way to build community: projects, food, coffee, and pretty things.  All while wearing yoga pants and I hadn’t even showered after exercising.  It was ok.

And I’m ready to giveaway this Bible – perfect for the girl in grade school in your life.  Ok, I say girl because it is yellow and sparkly on the cover.  But, I mean, whatever.

Tommy Nelson sends some great things my way.  This is the International Children’s Bible edition.  Topics that kids may want to know more about are bolded within the text.  Beautiful full color illustrations portray different Bible stories.  It would be a great hardcover, durable Bible for your little girl.

How to win: just leave a DIY project you are working on – or would be a dream to work on. 

And if you are curious, my mister loves the pumpkin muffins at Panera.  These muffins are a copycat recipe.

This post was sponsored by Tommy Nelson.  All opinions are my own.

29 Apr 2015

Low-Carb Ham and Cheese Quiche

by | posted in: food, The Charming South Kitchen | 0

Low Carb Ham and Cheese Quiche

I always feel better when I eat low-carb, but it is such a difficult lifestyle to maintain.  When I eat too many carbs I always feel bloated and gain weight (mainly because I eat too much of the yummy bread of baked cheesy noodles – or cookies, cakes, brownies, etc).

These low-carb quiche are perfect for this lifestyle, but also are really quick to cook up one day and have for the rest of the week.  My kids were downing the ham as I was assembling them so they would most likely be kid friendly too.  And you can just pop them in the microwave as you head to school, work, or to the gym.

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Low Carb Ham and Cheese Quiche
Author: 
Recipe type: Brunch
Cuisine: Eggs
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 11 Quiches
 
Ham is your quiche crust and a veggie filled scrambled egg center. These are low carb and very tasty.
Ingredients
  • 22 thin style deli ham (get a saltier ham, not a sweeter ham)
  • 5 eggs
  • ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar (jack cheese would be good too)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup finely diced veggies (I used carrots and orange bell pepper)
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Spray muffin pans (I made 11 muffins)
  3. Lay out your ham slices as a "cupcake liner" in your muffin tins. I put two per tin.
  4. Mix up your egg filling mixture.
  5. Pour in each muffin tin about ¾ of the way full.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until egg mixture is set.
  7. Enjoy!
 

5 Nov 2014

Pumpkin Oats White Chocolate Chip Muffins

by | posted in: chocolate, food, The Charming South Kitchen | 0

Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin overload – right?  Pumpkins are everywhere, even now that Halloween is past and we are moving headlong into the Thanksgiving season.

Do you know what my favorite Thanksgiving commercials are – ever – the Publix pilgrim little figurines – that get so full from all the Publix food that was served on Thanksgiving that their outfits tend to pop buttons.  So fun.  Growing up in Lakeland, FL – the home of Publix – I saw my share of Publix commercials – and am so glad to be living again with a Publix on every corner.

Anyway, back to pumpkins.  As a Mom, sometimes I stress about my kids’ nutrition.  I mean my older son could down all the fruit he could ever eat if I let him.  My younger son loves those little pouches that are fruit-filled.  We have instituted a donut morning one day every week, and I usually bake something sweet, and we eat out just to make life easier.  So, I’m not the healthiest Mom out there – but that isn’t the end all either. They love their fruits and veggies so that is great!  And neither of them really dig french fries – so that’s a plus!

These muffins – both of them are gobbling up.  I feel good about giving them one because there is no added fat in it from butter or oil – so that makes them healthier, right?  And, they are very yummy!  You can change up the add-ins for the muffins, and this time I had a small amount of white chocolate chips left – they are a very nice addition.

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Pumpkin Oats White Chocolate Chip Muffins
Author: 
Recipe type: Muffins
Cuisine: Bread
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 12
 
A healthy hearty filling pumpkin muffin with a touch of sweetness
Ingredients
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1¼ cup Pumpkin Pie Mix in a can
  • 1 egg
  • 1 T applesauce
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp cinnamon
  • ⅓ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Mix all the ingredients together.
  2. Spray muffin tin (makes 12 muffins) and set oven on 375
  3. Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full with muffin batter.
  4. Bake for about 20 minutes or until done, don't overbake
 

21 Oct 2014

Just for You: Link Love

by | posted in: Link Love | 0

Pink and Orange

I spend much time on the internet: writing, reading, looking for recipes, etc – so I thought I would share some great finds with you.  Enjoy!

Because we are coming upon soup season (isn’t that every day?) and you need to make this

And this pretty one too

Love these cupcakes and the author’s ownership of her own blog instead of trying just to please her readers

Good read on how you can be a joy to be around on Sunday morning (in church) – and you can talk about football or cooking or kids

It takes a lot of skill to make steel cut oats look pretty and desirable

These cookies would make a perfect cookie for a swap

We love us some popcorn in our house, my Mister may need to make us this

This for breakfast – yes please.

5 Oct 2014

Weekend Link Love

by | posted in: Link Love | 0

We have had a busy but low-key weekend and here’s to a quiet afternoon editing photos, baking, and getting ready for a Fellowship meal with our church family.

Here are some things that might make you happy.

This plate of Pumpkin French Toast – and by the way, I love Tracy’s use of shadows in her photo.  It makes you definitely feel like you are in the room, about to devour that bread encased in fried egg and sugar!

I adore the rustic-ness of this fall salad and her use of the pie plate as a salad plate.

On the quickly coming chilly mornings when none of us want to get out of bed and we all wish we could stay in our pajamas curled up watching movies or reading a thick novel that are coming…this pumpkin oatmeal will be made in The Charming South Kitchen.

 

 

1 Sep 2014

Green Eggs & Ham Quiche

by | posted in: food, The Charming South Kitchen | 1

Green Eggs and Ham Quiche

Having children in the house, I have a love relationship with Dr. Seuss.  The whimsical poet author master who is unlock any other.  We have the books and there is a clock in our younger sons room with the Oh the Places You’ll Go Theme.  Now, the theme has entered my kitchen.

White Daisies

We had some of Eric’s family stop by for a visit on Friday afternoon and I wanted to make something low-key but delicious and filling, because who wants to send away house guests with an empty stomach – about the brave ATL Labor Day Wknd traffic and the ATL airport.  Not me!

Quiche

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Green Eggs & Ham Quiche
Author: 
Recipe type: Brunch
Cuisine: Eggs
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4-6
 
Colorful and savory quiche
Ingredients
  • 2 T evoo
  • 1 onion, chopped,
  • 1 cup chopped broccoli
  • 1 cup quartered zucchini
  • ¼ lb chopped black forest ham
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1½ cup whole milk
  • 7 eggs
  • 1 deep dish pie crust
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Bake the pie crust for about 15 minutes in the oven. Set aside to cool.
  3. Saute the onion, ham, and vegetables for about 5 minutes in the evoo.
  4. Add seasonings.
  5. In another bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and cheese.
  6. Combine with vegetable mixture.
  7. Pour in pie crust. You'll have extra and with that I make mini frittatas (and bake for 35 minutes)
  8. Bake quiche for about 45-50 minutes or until middle of quiche is set.
  9. Enjoy.
 

22 Aug 2014

Asparagus, Ham, and Mozzerella Quiche

by | posted in: food, The Charming South Kitchen | 1

Asparagus and Ham Quiche

Quiche – the brunch delight I once thought was only reserved for the dainty tea-drinker types – how wrong I was.  Quiche is so good and healthy (proteins and vegetables galore) and so versatile!  I make a new one regularly and my whole family (including the two toddlers) enjoy them.  You can serve by itself, or have a side salad, fruit, and/or bread with it to round out the meal.  This is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Brunch and Linner.  Brunch or Brinner.  Whatever you wanna call it – its delicious.

I love asparagus.  When spring hits and I see those tall skinny luscious green stalks all bound together – I can’t wait to get home and roast them simply with sea salt and lemon zest.  That’s what made me think of this quiche.

Frittata Tartlets

Hope y’all enjoy!

Print
Asparagus, Ham, and Mozzerella Quiche
Author: 
Recipe type: Quiche
Cuisine: Brunch
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8
 
A hearty quiche with asparagus, ham, and mozzerella!
Ingredients
  • 1 frozen deep dish pie crust, thawed
  • 1 lb asparagus, end removed, and chopped in 1 inch pieces
  • ¾ cup diced ham (aim for low sodium regular ham)
  • 8 oz shredded mozzerella cheese
  • 1½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • ¾ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp Holly & Flora's Yard Blend (blend of chopped dried herbs)
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • zest of one lemon
  • 7 eggs
  • 2 T evoo
  • 2 T unsalted butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. Bake pie shell for about 15 minutes.
  2. Saute the onions, ham, and asparagus in the evoo and butter in a cast iron skillet for about 3-5 minutes. Add spices.
  3. Mix the eggs and whipping cream.
  4. Add onion mixture, cheese, and egg mixture together.
  5. Pour into pie pan until full. You won't use all of it. I had little tartlet pans and made 6 frittatas with the remaining quiche mixture.
  6. Bake on 375 for about 45 minutes or until middle of the quiche is set.
  7. Enjoy!
Quiche

 

 

15 Aug 2014

Pumpkin Butter Whole Wheat Millet Muffins

by | posted in: chocolate, food, The Charming South Kitchen | 0

Pumpkin Butter Muffins

Fall – I think for a lot of us kitchen people its one of our favorite seasons.  Pumpkin.  Cinnamon.  Sweet Potatoes.  Apples.

But, I don’t think I had ever experienced a Fall season until I moved to North Carolina in 2000.  See, I grew up in central Florida.  The only two seasons we had were Summer and Christmas Day (and some years we only had one season).  I loved it.  I was close to Disney World though I only remember going in high school and college when I would do Night of Joy with the youth groups.  I was close to the beach (though we had a pool, so my Dad couldn’t figure out why we needed to spend money going to the beach).

But, I remember moving to Wake Forest, North Carolina to start seminary right before a huge snow storm – rethinking the whole moving north thing.  But, then fall came around at the start of my second semester.  I adored the sound the leaves made as I walked through them on my way to class.  I loved wearing jackets with my jeans (even though I would sport some flipflops usually).  I loved sitting down with a warm cup of chai or steamed milk or hot chocolate to study out on the lawn.  The bright blue Fall sky against the browns and yellows and reds of the leaves.  Gorgeous.

IMG_1318

And of course, Fall brings pumpkin!  I could eat pumpkin goodies year round, but yesterday when I stepped outside for an early morning out, and felt the slightly cooler Atlanta air, I knew I was ready for Fall.  So, I whipped up these pumpkin butter muffins for my mister.  They were a winner. (This recipe was inspired by Joy the Baker)

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Pumpkin Butter Whole Wheat Millet Muffins
Author: 
Recipe type: Muffins
Cuisine: Breakfast
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 10
 
Hearty and healthy muffins, of course with some chocolate. Perfect for Fall mornings or evenings!
Ingredients
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 jar (10 oz) pumpkin butter (I used Trader Joe's)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1¾ cup whole wheat flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ cup dry millet (I found in bulk aisle at Whole Foods)
  • ¾ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup milk
  • juice of ½ lemon
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Grease or line 10 muffin cups
  3. Mix wet ingredients (up through vanilla)
  4. Combine dry and add to the wet mixture
  5. Mix the milk and the lemon juice then add to muffin mixture.
  6. Fold in chocolate chips.
  7. Spoon into muffins tins.
  8. Bake for about 19 minutes or until muffins are done.
  9. Cool and eat. My husband ate one topped w some raw honey this morning.
IMG_1320

3 Jun 2014

Eat This: Deep Dish Spinach Artichoke Quiche

by | posted in: food | 1

spinach artichoke quiche

I used to think quiches were hard and way too many calories for what you got (ie how they tasted).  That’s until I started making my own.  This is one of the most delicious things I’ve made in a while.  We both loved it (the older little isn’t a fan of eggs).

Being a mom of two littles, I don’t readily have time to roll out pie crust – I do have time but I choose to use it doing other things – especially when the pie shells from Pillsbury are so good and easy and inexpensive (Thank you!).  When you are a mom, you have to choose where you spend your time.  I spend mine in being active with the two, cooking simple meals, keeping the house clean, and being creative.  Making pie dough from scratch doesn’t make the top-whatever list.  How do you manage your time as a mom?  What do you learn to say no to?  Has that been hard to change your priorities since kids came along?

artichokes

I digress: but hopefully encourage!

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Deep Dish Spinach Artichoke Quiche
Author: 
Recipe type: Quiche
Cuisine: Breakfast
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6-8
 
Creamy, filling, delicious quiche perfect for breakfast, brunch or brinner.
Ingredients
  • 1 deep dish pie crust
  • ¾ pound bacon, cooked, drained, chopped
  • 1 cup cooked frozen spinach, drained, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped, cooked
  • 3 artichoke hearts, chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 7 eggs
  • 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
  1. Bake your pie crust for 10 minutes at 350.
  2. Mix all ingredients together.
  3. Pour into pre-baked pie crust
  4. Some will spill over - you can make an additional ramekin if you like.
  5. Place on cooking sheet to keep your oven clean.
  6. Bake for 55-60 minutes for 1 hour until completely set.
  7. Let cool.
  8. Eat.
artichoke blossom

3 Apr 2014

Eat This: Italian Sweet Pepper Quiche

by | posted in: food, Uncategorized | 0

Italian Sweet Pepper Quiche

In Wake Forest, North Carolina, a place I called home for 3.5 years in my twenties, sits a well-known favorite of the Olde English Tea Room.  As you walk in the door, you are greeted with the fragrance of enough tea to make any tea-lover happy.

They had delicious cakes that friends of mine baked in the wee hours of the morning and the slower hours of the afternoon.  Delicious chicken salad and a chicken and rice soup that I ate almost exclusively.  And they had quiches.

I never tried theirs because I didn’t know what I was missing.  I didn’t start eating quiche until a few years ago.  Maybe its because I thought it wasn’t filling or was too dainty of food – I mean, I love macaroni and cheese and a good steak or burger.  But, now I know better.

chopped sweet peppers

I created this quiche because of the presence of these sweet little peppers that were on sale at my grocery store.  Oh goodness.  Their sweetness, after cooking just a bit in some olive oil, tasted divine and simple in the pool of eggs and cream and cheese that they baked in.  I went the simple route and used a store bought pie dough for the crust – but do what your heart – and your counter space limitation – tell you to do.  Maybe you have a pie crust recipe from your grandmother that you use all that time – then by all means use it.

peppers

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Italian Sweet Pepper Quiche
Author: 
Recipe type: Breakfast
Cuisine: Eggs
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6
 
Deliciously rich and sweet quiche perfect for any time of the day
Ingredients
  • 1 unbaked pie crust
  • 1 cup shredded Italian cheese (I use a 5 cheese blend)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 6 eggs (I use all natural Great Day Farm eggs)
  • 7 sweet mini peppers, chopped, seeded
  • olive oil
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Bake the pie crust for about 15 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.
  2. Chop the peppers and sauté until just soft in evoo. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. In a bowl, mix the eggs, cream, spices, and half of the cheese.
  4. When your pie crust is cooled, layer the rest of the cheese in the bottom.
  5. Then top the cheese with the peppers.
  6. Then dump in the egg mixture. If you are using a deep dish you will be able to fit all the mixture. If you aren't then you'll have a little left (just scramble it up in a pan and have a breakfast 1 and 2).
  7. Bake on a baking sheet for about 45 minutes or until no longer jiggly in the center of the quiche.
  8. Serve with a simple green salad or some fruit and a muffin.