Home, Life

Front Door Makeover: Holiday Wreaths to Inspire

The holidays are upon up and this is my favorite time of year to decorate my house. It puts me in such a good mood to liven up the house and show off all that this time of year is all about.

One of the first places I decorate is my front porch. It’s the first thing people see when they come to my front door, so I want to make sure that they are greeted with a little holiday cheer.

An easy way to give your front door a little makeover is to add a wreath. We have a wreath on our front door all year-long. It’s fun to switch them out depending on the time of year. Just like fresh flowers, adding a wreath to your door is a perfect way to put a smile on your face and let your visitors enter with cheer.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite holiday wreaths and can’t wait to purchase one of my own! And if you’re looking to add some wreaths indoors, check out my easy DIY!

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Motherhood

Why I’m Happy Wednesday: 59

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Now that it’s November it feels like the holiday season is officially here. It really is my favorite time of the year. There is just happiness that eludes everywhere you go. The kids and I have been talking a lot about the holidays. We stay home every year, as it’s too crazy to travel with all three. And while it’s hard not having our extended family with us, it’s also a time of year that we get closer than ever.

I’m looking forward to that this year. Now that the kids are older and understand it better, it gets so much more meaningful when we celebrate with one another.

That’s what makes me happy.

Now tell me something good. Something that’s made you happy. It can be big, it can be small, just something that has put a smile on your face. You can participate by sharing a photo on Wednesday with the hashtag #WhyImHappyWednesday and tagging me @laurenjimeson or feel free to write it in the comments below. I do read them all and am happy to reply back on your good news! You can also join in the conversation on my Facebook page!

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Life

Passing on Grandma’s Greatness | Filipino Pancit Recipe

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My grandma loved to cook. She always had a smile on her face when she was in the kitchen . Growing up in the Philippines, she had several Filipino recipes that were her specialties. I’ve shared her big and small lumpia recipes, which are my favorites, but she did make several other Filipino dishes that we often make when all of my family gets together. Pancit is one of those recipes.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my grandma lately (most often when I’m in the kitchen cooking,) and thought I’d share another one of her recipes.

What You’ll Need:

  • 1lb of a pork loin
  • 1 head of cabbage
  • 1lb of shrimp (optional)
  • 1 white onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1lb of rice noodles (thin)
  • Soy sauce
  • Salt
  • Pepper

What to do: 

Preparation:

  1. Cut up pork loin into chunks and set aside
  2. Peel shrimp
  3. Cut the head of cabbage up into medium sized pieces and set aside
  4. Finely chop white onion
  5. Finely chop garlic

Cooking directions:

  1. Place a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Place the chopped cabbage into the boiling water until the water returns to a boil. As soon as the water returns to the boil, strain the cabbage and run cold water over it. Put the blanched cabbage aside
  2. In a sauté pan, place the onions and garlic in the pan. Add salt and pepper to the pan. Cool until the onions are clear.
  3. Place the pork into the onions and garlic mixture. Brown the pork chunks and put a cover on the pan to cook the pork through.
  4. While the pork is cooking, place another pot on the stove with water and bring to a boil. Place the 1lb of rice noodles in the boiling water.
  5. Once the water comes back to a boil, drain, the rice noodles and run cold water over the noodles.
  6. Add the raw shrimp into the pan with the pork onions and garlic and let cook (should only take 5-7 mins)
  7. In one large pot place the noodles, cabbage, and pork shrimp mixture all together and put on low… add soy sauce (about 1 1/2 cups)
  8. Add salt and pepper to taste.

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We always eat this dish as a side to our lumpia and it really is the perfect pair. Would love to know if you ever make any of my grandma’s Filipino dishes. You really are in for a treat when you do.

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