For the Love of Cooking {Pregnancy Cravings}

So far, I have only had 3 strong cravings to hit me 

 since being pregnant.  One of those cravings was for

a granny smith apple covered in caramel, chocolate and nuts.

You know the ones! 

Yep those lil' devilishly delicious balls of greatness!

Since the craving, I have had my fix thanks to Sweet Mama, 
but from time to time I feel the slight urge to devour another one coming
on again.  In an effort to keep some sense of sanity while I watch my 
precious little belly grow I decided why not have a little restraint with 
my cravings and make my own and downsize them.

So, I've been in search of a mini caramel apple recipe and I think
I might have two strong contenders!

First up, Apple Nachos (talk about hitting the jackpot)

  {What You'll Need}

5 apples, sliced
1/2 cup of peanut butter, melted
Chocolate chips to taste
Sliced or chopped almonds
 
Chop the apples. Slice 3 of the apples vertically, into wedges, and 2 of 

them horizontally, into circular slices.
Douse the apples with just a little bit of lemon juice so they don’t turn brown.
Melt the peanut butter in the microwave, using a Pyrex or
other measuring cup with a spout.
Arrange the apple slices on a large plate or platter
Drizzle the peanut butter carefully over the apples, 

then sprinkle your chocolate chips and nuts all around.

   
 Recipe Via Hello Giggles


The second recipe to cure my craving while keeping 
some self control, Mini Caramel Apples

  {What You'll Need} 

Extra-large apples
Caramels + 2 Tbsp milk
Lollipop sticks
Melon ball scoop
 Wax paper plates or a cookie sheet

Roll your wax paper out on a flat surface

Peel the apples and begin to scoop the balls out of them with the melon ball scooper

Push a lollipop stick into the center of each ball

Pat them dry and place in the refrigerator until time to dip in caramel

Unwrap the caramels and melt them in a pot over medium-low heat, with 2 Tbsp of milk

Once the caramel is melted and smooth remove from the heat and begin to dip each ball into the caramel letting the

excess drip before placing back onto the wax paper

Leave your Mini caramel goodness as is or sprinkle with your favorite toppings!

 
Recipe adapted from At Home in Love

Show + Tell {Suite One Studio}

Here is a shop that you are all just going to swoon over!

There isn't a time that I stop by the  Suite One Studio website

or take a scroll over the shops instagram page that I don't 

leave feeling all giddy inside. Lindsay Emery, the owner, designer, and ceramicist

behind the company has true talent.  She has been recognized by countless 

magazines and once again yall, Lindsay and Suite One Studio is located

here on our back door steps in North Carolina!

Ok, so enough of my chit-chat, let's all have a pretty moment!

Have you had your pretty fix yet?!

Do make sure to stop by and shop the full collection!

Quote of the Week {Weekend Wrap Up}

Happy Monday!

Did you survive the rainy weekend?  I personally enjoyed the Seattle like weather. 
There wasn’t too much on the agenda this weekend.  Scott and I stayed in on Friday and had his favorite, spaghetti.  That boy loves some spaghetti!  I remember the first time I cooked for him when we were dating, this was what he requested!  I love it too, but geez Louise, every week is a bit much! Can you tell this is an ongoing battle at The Gaither house?!  The only meal I feel appropriate to have every week is, that’s right, you guessed it, TACOS! 

Saturday, Sweet Mama and I had a mother-daughter day.  We went shopping for my very first maternity clothes!  All I can say is you might have to pry my new comfy digs from my hands after Baby G arrives.  Oh my!  Who is this girl I’m turning in to??  But, seriously, tops and dresses were super easy to shop for, however, I still need to find some bottoms that I like. So I am open to suggestions from all you mommy’s out there!  I still have a little time, ok maybe a week, at most!

And you know the trip was not complete until we 
had our Starbucks fix.

 

My past two trips I have tried the new Toasted Graham Latte.

It is delish, really creamy taste to it.

On Saturday I tried to order my beloved Chestnut Praline, but

was shut down. Let's all pray they bring it back for the holiday season. 

Sunday, was church, dinner with the family, and then I finished up my DIY dresser 
for our master bedroom!!  Once we get the ridiculously heavy piece moved up stairs and 
styled I promise to post pics!

  

***  

This week we finally welcome October.   

I couldn’t be more excited for one of the most beautiful months of the year!

 Wishing you all a wonderful week!

  

 

Fashion Fix Friday {Rainy Day Styled}

Holy monsoon!

It's raining buckets outside today in NC and I'm 

loving it! I adore a good rainy day however, I love them most when I'm

in total lounge mode curled up indoors.

On occasion I do fancy dressing up in my rainy day best

and heading out doors to splish-splash around!

On days like today a girls got to look her best and not

like the horrid visual of a wet rat!

Here's a little something I pulled together to help 

us stay stylish in the rain!

Shop the Look

Umbrella   Mod Cloth Trench 

Tory Burch Tote Hunter Boots

For the Love of Cooking {Fall Favorites}

Woohoo!!! I've been looking forward to this day 

for a few weeks now!  It's hibernation season (as I call it)!  Time to

break out those big chunky sweaters, your super stylish boots, 

and oh yea one of my favorite accessories, scarves!

My arms are reached out wide welcoming the cozy 

season that is FALL! 

I am by no means a chief, but I do love to cook!

On a busy week, for the simplest yet tastiest dishes I  turn

to my trusty ole crockpot! It is always a  guaranteed home run

in the Gaither house.  

Here are few of my faves!

Enchilada Orzo 

What You'll Need

1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 (10-ounce) can Old El Paso mild enchilada sauce

1 (4.5-ounce) can Old El Paso chopped green chilies, drained

1/2 cup vegetable broth, or more, as needed

1 cup corn kernels, frozen, canned or roasted

1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 ounces cream cheese, cubed

2 cups uncooked orzo pasta

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

 
 Find the complete recipe on Damn Delicious

Pumpkin Chili 

What You'll Need

1 pound lean ground beef or turkey

1 medium onion, chopped

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can fire roasted tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 can red kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

2-3 tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp cumin

1 red and yellow bell pepper, chopped

Pinch of salt and pepper

Garnish with sour cream and cheddar cheese

Find the complete recipe on A Pumpkin and  A Princess 

 

This last super easy perfect for the cooler months crockpot recipe 
I just discovered yesterday thanks to my girlfriend Bishop! 
I so can't wait to try this one.  Remember, I am almost 100% vegetarian until
someone says BBQ!

Root Beer Pulled Pork

 What You'll Need

2 pound pork tenderloin

12 ounce can of root beer

18 ounce bottle of barbecue sauce

8 hamburger buns

Find the complete recipe on Table Spoon

What are your favorite Crock Pot Recipes?!

 

 

Show + Tell {Progeny}

So today, I'm going Mommy Blogger as I spill the beans on 

a shop I just discovered that has Baby G's name all over it!

Progeny is online boutique serving up some seriously adorable

clothes for the little ones along with decor for their new "crib", and wait

for it, you can even hire the Progeny talent for a little interior design guidance too. 

Did I mention the best part for all us North Carolina girls?!

Progeny also has a brick and mortar in RALEIGH! 

How lucky are we?! 

Here are just a few items from the collection I totally have to 

round up for sweet Baby G's much anticipated arrival! 

 

 Precious!!!