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Hearty Hamburger Soup

Delighted to link up with two charming and very hip hostesses...

Tidy Mom and Dine and Dish are celebrating the love of soup with a "Soup-a-palooza!" Not only will you find a potful of soup, chowder & chili recipes, both lovely ladies are hosting giveaways! Stop by and enter to win prizes from:

Bush Beans

Pillsbury

Westminster Crackers

Oh, and by the way there's a "Hip Little Apron" up for grabs, too!

Here's a soup that doesn't require hours of simmering on the stove! My family's favorite because it's so satisfying and seriously delicious. My favorite because it's such a quick dish! If you have all the ingredients on hand you can whip this up in less than hour. Paired with breadsticks or a crusty loaf of bread you can have dinner on the table in no time flat!

Ingredients:

1 LB Ground Beef

4 Cups Water

1 Can (14-1/2 oz) diced or regular tomatoes

3 Medium carrots sliced

2 Medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

4 Beef bouillon cubes

1 Cup fresh,f rozen, or canned green beans

1 Medium onion chopped

1-1/2 Tsps salt

1/4 Tsps pepper

Directions:

In large sauce pan, brown ground beef, drain.

Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are tender.

Serves 6

*Tip:

You can also use beef broth, and add more or less water as needed.

*Variations:

Mix it up by combining the ground beef with ground Turkey Italian Sausage.

Substitute the ground beef with ground turkey.

Any combo of vegetables are tasty in this soup. I've made it so many times and have included peas, cabbage, celery, and even tiny pasta.

*Hostess Hint: This soup makes for a great last minute meal when you have unexpected company for dinner. (I always try to keep the ingredients handy in the pantry) Toss up a fresh green salad, bread or rolls, and you have an instant hearty dish to impress your guests!

Enjoy!

Be sure to top by Tidy Mom and Dine and Dish for

giveaway details & all the scoop on the soup!

Christy's Oriental Chicken Salad

I was lucky enough to discover this scrumptious grilled chicken salad when my sweet friend Christy served it several years ago. It was love at first taste and has become one of my favorite go-to dishes ever since.

I recently served it over the holidays to our weekend guests and once again it was a huge hit and a nice change from all the heavy holiday food. I love that everything can be prepared ahead of time leaving you free to concentrate on your guests and be the perfectly hip hostess!

I like to serve all the accompaniments in individual dishes and let my guests help themselves. Pretty presentation for a buffet or simply set everything in the middle of the table for a family style meal.

Christy's Oriental Chicken Salad

Dressing

3 TBS Honey

1 1/2 TBS White Vinegar

4 TBS Mayonnaise

1 TBL Dijon Mustard

*1/8 TSP Sesame Oil

*This is very strong flavor so I only add a drop at a time & taste in between

Blend all ingredients with whisk. Store in refrigerator till ready to serve.

May be made a day ahead.

Salad

2-4 Boneless Chicken Breasts (skinless)

3 Cups chopped Romaine Lettuce

1 Cup chopped Red Cabbage

1 Cup chopped Napa or Savoy Cabbage

1 Cup chopped Green Onions

1/2 Cup sliced Almonds

1 Cup Chow Mein or Rice Noodles

1 can sliced & drained Water chestnuts

Cut chicken into cubes.

Grill the chicken with olive oil, add salt & pepper to taste.

*You can easily do this earlier in the day and store in refrigerator.

Toss lettuce and cabbage together.

Place green onions, almonds, noodles, & water chestnuts in separate dishes.

Serve dressing on the side.

Now for the perfect ending...

My French Mother- in- law's

Fresh Orange Salad

Simply peel and slice fresh Navel Oranges.

Add a few teaspoons of sugar to taste and a splash or two of this...

Gently combine the oranges, sugar and Grand Marnier.

Let is sit for a bit and serve at room temperature.

Voila! A tasty, fresh & impressive meal with little effort & big impact.

Hope you enjoy!

Vintage Baby Love

Our family will soon be blessed with a little bundle of joy and thought I would share the "Baby Shower" I hosted for our daughter over Thanksgiving weekend. She and our son in law are expecting a baby girl and we are just tickled pink!

My daughter and I collaborate on almost everything, but this time I kept the details to myself so when she arrived it would all be a suprise. She knew the day & the time, but that was it. I knew she loved soft colors, simple looks, and vintage elements, but I also wanted to include a bit of the "bird on a branch" theme she is using in the nursery.

The setting could not have more perfect. A restored victorian home on the grounds of a local golf course, now a restaurant and banquet venue. The room was overflowing with charm: exposed brick walls, painted white windows and columns, brass sconces and beautiful upholstered chairs. It was almost too good to be true.

After making way too many trips to thrift stores, searching and shopping on Etsy, and let's not even talk about all the Rustoleum "Blossom White"spray paint, I was able to get the exact look I wanted and hoped my daughter would love.

Here's how it all came out with a few tips on where to buy and how-tos.

The seating cards were simple tags tied with ribbon and then hung from a branch I found in the woods. The ribbon I used was actually Wright's hem tape available at most fabric stores. Since I needed a bunch I ordered it HERE I learned how to give the ribbon that vintage crinkled look HERE

This little alcove was the perfect setting for the sweets table. The "bebe" letters were my version of something I saw on Martha Stewart. You'll find it HERE

I found the sweet vintage baby cards HERE on Etsy

Ribbon trimmed Cake Pedestals from Home Goods made pretty little centerpieces and whoever had the most pennies in their purse, got to take it home. I covered a block of styrofoam with reindeer mose, then added a miniature crib I found HERE The birds were another great catch from numerous goodwill hunting trips. Along with the cribs, they got a nice coat of "Blossom White." Voila! Instant upcycled elegance!

All the ladies went home with one of these little lovelies:

Charming key chains made from vintage silverware. I think this was my favorite element of the shower and they were such a huge hit with our guests. Each included a card with the pattern name and date it was introduced. The shop owner at Mon Petit Chou Boutique did a custom order for me and was so sweet to work with. She also crafts the most exquisite vintage jewelry.

You'll find her HERE on Etsy.

The favor boxes were simple chipboard, topped with a little ribbon & vintage look "Merci" cards. Little effort, big impact & I loved the look! Another great Etsy find:

HERE

Such sweet memories. My loving grandmother made this

dress for me 50 plus years ago. Fine organdy with delicate little pink rosebuds.

I wore it, my daughter wore it, and now our sweet little

granddaughter will soon wear it too.

We only played 2 games. I tried to keep short & sweet.

"Tiny Babies"

I couldn't resist swaddling them up nice & cozy. As they arrived, each guest picked a baby, but they could not leave their baby unattended. Not for the bathroom,or the buffet line. Nor could they say the word Baby. If they did they had to give up their baby to the guest that caught them in the act. Of course, the lady with the most babies at the end of the shower won the prize. A lot of fun, and a lot of laughs.

This one is pretty self explanatory. Guess how many...

I cleaned out some olive oil bottles, topped with muslin and ribbon. My daughter actually took these home and has them in the nursery.

The guest of honor and Mommy-to-be.

This photo pretty much says it all.

Just as my grandmother did, and my mother still does for me, from mother to daughter, this truly was a labor of love.

Welcome 2011

We're ringing it in with STORE WIDE SAVINGS

and for extra sparkle...

Use Promo Code HHNY

for an additional 10% OFF!

Start your shopping HERE

Easy Last Minute Holiday Ideas

OK, so the Christmas countdown begins and we're all racing to the finish line. The last minute Holiday rush can have us all feeling frazzled, but there's still time to whip up something with a "Wow" factor. Here are some ideas that are low on effort but high on impact!

Savory Shrimp Spread

This recipe was given to me by a neighbor years ago and it's been my go to dish ever since. With just a few ingredients, it's quick to fix and is sure to be a hit with the holiday crowd and a party pleaser any time of year. Get ready for recipe requests!

Ingredients:

(1) 8oz brick of cream cheese softened

(1) stick of butter softened

(2) 4oz cans of tiny shrimp (rinsed & drained)

(1) medium to large onion finely chopped

Blend cream cheese and butter.

With a fork throughly mix in onion & shrimp.

Serve with assorted crackers, bagel crisps etc.

Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

*This makes a lot and will easy serve a crowd of 20,

for smaller gatherings cut the recipe in half.

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Pretty Palmiers

My french Mother-in-law used to buy these at a local french bakery. Named "Palmiers" as they resemble the top of a palm tree, I love the crispy texture, not too sweet taste and delicate look. I'm getting pretty brave with baking lately and actually decided to tackle these this year. I could not believe how easy they were to make! No mixing, no measuring... just roll, sprinkle, cut and bake!

I found the recipe HERE

Be sure to click on the easy to follow how to video at the top of the page.

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Icy Votives

Better Homes and Gardens

Aren't these gorgeous? Used in multiples as a centerpiece or set about the house, these little frosty numbers will definitely add some cool to the party! If you've got 24 hours, plastic cups, some petals, greens, and votive candles you can do this. Go natural with a few poinsettia blossoms, a sprig of greenery and fresh berries. Or dig into your stash of Christmas decor and fake it. Either way this sure makes and elegant impression!

You can find the simple instructions here at Better Homes and Gardens

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Wishing you all a Christmas that's Merry and Bright and filled with...

A Hip Holiday Giveaway!

Just in time for the holidays

Sandy of Reluctant Entertainer and I are hosting a holiday giveaway!

Enter to WIN a copy of her new book "Reluctant Entertainer" and our "Christmas Cookie" Apron. Makes for a fabulous gift for a lady on your list, or just treat yourself. Either way it's a festive way to bake up a batch of joy this Holiday Season!

Giveaway closes Friday December 10th at midnight.

Click HERE to enter

Good Luck!

This Giveaway has closed.