Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us and whether you are hosting a super bowl party or just hanging at home with your family, you need this cheesy dip in your life. Honestly…can we talk for a minute about why dips are so good? I feel like I could make most meals out of appetizers … Read more
If you love soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies, you’re going to love these toll house bars! This sheet pan chocolate chip cookie bar recipe is a really quick and easy way to get the same soft and chewy home-baked cookie, but just baked all at once in bar form instead of needing to scoop … Read more
When I was a kid, summer vacation was all about road trips. My dad LOVES to drive. Always has. My grandpa did too. Every summer I remember my dad taking a couple of weeks off from his shop and we would hit the open road on long road trips. Sometimes my grandparents would join us … Read more
With all kinds of spring and summer parties coming up, this easy fruit dip recipe is my go-to to pair with my favorite fruit this time of year. A few simple ingredients and you have a delicious creamy dip that is perfect for birthday parties, a baby shower, pool party and all your spring and … Read more
Watermelon Feta Orzo Salad is the most delicious salad for these warm summer days. Full of simple ingredients this is the fresh salad that you need for all your barbecues. Unlike a traditional Greek salad with red kalamata olives, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers, this great recipe calls for cold, juicy and sweet watermelon, salty, … Read more
Nothing makes a party or holiday feel more like a special occasion than an eye-catching balloon garland. I knew that I wanted to make July 4th feel a little more like a party than usual, so I ordered a DIY Balloon garland kit from Amazon. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure … Read more
Fresh basil, ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella balls…this cherry tomatoes salad recipe screams summer and is the perfect addition to all of your BBQs this summer. It is one of my favorite recipes and just about the easiest thing you can make. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. This simple … Read more
I have been searching for this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe for years. After countless attempts to get it just right I feel like I can finally rest. 😉 Years ago when we moved to Utah, we left behind one of my favorite places to grab lunch and my favorite cookies – Paradise Bakery and Cafe. … Read more
This Chick-fil-A Market Salad recipe might just be Ashley’s favorite salad of all time. So many menu items at fast food restaurants are just not the healthiest, but I love that with Chick-fil-A I can drive through a fast food chain restaurant and find something that is full of fresh ingredients. If you are looking … Read more
I don’t know where I’ve been for the last 40+ years, but I can honestly say I’m not sure I have ever had scotcharoo bars in my life until this last year. I know…you’re in total disbelief. One of my favorite soda shops in Utah also sells treats…one of which is a scotcharoo bar. I … Read more
Apple Pie is a staple of summer and lucky for us, fall is time for all things apples too. We have been fortunate enough to inherit a very productive granny smith apple tree, so I have become a little more creative in order to use up those apples! This apple tree is so prolific and … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE a charcuterie board. I would be happy to eat one for every meal. Charcuterie boards are easy to make, usually please even the pickiest of eaters, and look beautiful. We have some different groups of guests coming in the next few months for weddings and graduations and … Read more
Seven layer dip has been around forever and is seriously one of the best and most delicious appetizers you can make. It’s always a hit at every party. You can always buy your 7 layer dip at Costco or your local grocery store, but this Cinco de Mayo rather than buying it at the store, … Read more
The last of the bathrooms to get remodeled in the OC Ranch Reno was the kids, or guest bath. It’s a Jack and Jill bath of sorts with direct access into a double vanity area from one bedroom and hallway access right across from another bedroom. The kids have grown up sharing that bathroom, but … Read more
Staying at the Halekulani Sixteen years ago John read an article in Travel & Leisure about this magical place in Honolulu, right on a stretch of Waikiki Beach called the Halekulani. It was our tenth anniversary and we were heading to Hawaii to celebrate. We had spent our honeymoon in Honolulu and we were excited … Read more
Right before Andy came home from his mission it was time to nest. 😉 Seriously. I felt like I was getting ready to bring home a baby and wanted to have everything re-done, cleaned like crazy, and just as perfect as it could be. I think there was some added pressure ( that I only … Read more
A trip to London always leaves me feeling inspired and like my cup is full. It’s always an absolute dream to be wandering down the bustling streets in this beautiful city lined with gorgeous townhouses and quaint shops and restaurants. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. On our last couple … Read more
Summertime in Phoenix anyone? If you’ve been watching the news this week, I’m sure you’ve seen the record setting 100+ degree temps that they are currently dealing with…not unusual for Phoenix, but I’m sure it doesn’t typically scream “I want to vacation there right now!!” 😉 Well, hopefully this post might change your mind. John … Read more
I’m making a better effort to share the before and afters of so many projects that I seem to always neglect here on the blog. I shared the a few shots of the #1987FixerUpper laundry room up quite some time ago, but I’ve never shown you the before and after…and what a before and after … Read more
Rome, Venice, Lake Como…these are just a few of the names you often hear when people are asked where they would like to travel in Italy. A name you don’t hear very often…Verona, Italy…but I’m hoping to change that! Don’t get me wrong, Verona, Italy is a popular travel destination, but because it’s not one … Read more
I am a bit of a commitment phobe when it comes to putting holes in the walls. It’s hard enough to find the right piece of art for your home (here are a few of my favorites if you’re on the hunt!), but once you get it home, it’s even harder to decide just where … Read more
The nights are getting longer and the days are heating up around here, which can only mean one thing…SUMMER! After such a long, weird year, glimpses of normalcy are starting to appear and it feels SO good to almost have this difficult school year for the kiddos behind us and a long, hot summer in … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but it always seems to me like the rooms that are used the most are often the last to be finished. This was definitely true with the Midway Modern Farmhouse master bedroom design. We had the master bedroom design ideas all ready to go, it was just the last … Read more
I have been spending a fair amount of time over these past months at home sifting through tens if not hundreds of thousands of pictures from the past 15 or so years. It’s been a great project for all our “stay at home” time, and I’m amazed by how many pictures I have forgotten about … Read more
I’m sure you’ve seen them all over the place. Those super cool tie dye cakes and cupcakes. You know the ones where you cut into the cake and it is all swirly and colorful inside? Well, Ash has been wondering how to make tie dye cake mix for some time now, so we thought we … Read more
I always love a fast, easy and adorable craft, and that’s exactly what these DIY pom pom cupcake toppers are. If you are looking for cute cupcakes toppers ideas check out how adorable these are. Did you see the Fiesta party I recently did for Oriental Trading Co.? I made these cute cupcake toppers to … Read more
If you know me, you know I never turn down a chance to party…especially if there are tacos involved! I love the colorful vibe of a fiesta…everything goes! Heading into summer there is no better way to celebrate all season long than with taco night, cold drinks and colorful decor! I whipped up a little … Read more
There is nothing like summer. I love the days of freedom without being tied to a schedule, no homework, no bedtime, just enjoying time spent together as a family and the kids getting a chance to be kids! Year end celebrations and end of the school year activities can get crazy at this time, but … Read more
Every good party needs a party favor, am I right? These fun printable patriotic party tags are perfect for all of your 4th of July parties…or any red white and blue party for that matter…think Memorial Day party, Flag Day party, Election night party, Veteran’s Day party…you name it…there are tons of uses for these … Read more
With temperatures heating up and BBQ parties on the calendar I figured it was a good time to share my favorite go-to potato salad recipe. I love potato salad, but I have to admit I don’t make it terribly often because it is time consuming. Every time I decide to just grab some from the … Read more
Cupcake toppers are easy to make, are inexpensive, and add a personalized handmade touch to every gathering. The best part is, they only take minutes to make and can turn any store bought cupcakes or even appetizers into something special. While perusing the party store the other day for some Patriotic party ideas, I ran across some … Read more
Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. I don’t know about you all, but when The Sound of Music airs on TV, we love to watch together as a family. I grew up on it, and chances are you did too. Even some of our parents did. And now I … Read more
Sometimes I feel like what I do doesn’t really hold any significance, but this party was different. Kelsey’s mom, a sweet friend of mine has been battling stage 4 Breast Cancer. I was overwhelmed trying to think of a way to help. One day it hit me that Kelsey was going to have a birthday … Read more
Strawberries are in season and nothing says summer like a sweet strawberry shortcake. It doesn’t get any easier than this strawberry shortcake recipe. I am a fan of homemade whipped cream, so I did use that for this shortcake recipe, but if you are afraid of making cream from scratch or running short on time, … Read more
