Santa Fe Huevos on Polenta aka Eggs Ranchero

Santa Fe Huevos on Polenta Recipe aka Eggs Ranchero

Huevos rancheros- a traditional Tex-Mex recipe featuring fried eggs, refried beans and salsa on top of warm corn tortillas- is a delicious brunch recipe, no doubt. But I decided to change up tradition. Just because.

Using a roll of pre-made polenta makes this a perfect weeknight supper or a quick and easy Sunday brunch. For the more ambitious cooks out there, stirring polenta from scratch isn't hard, it just requires a little patience. Kinda like motherhood. And meditation. And selling a house. For how to make make polenta from scratch see below.

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Basket Case

Here is another cookie cutter that I bought ages ago and am just getting around to using....an Easter basket!

I wasn't sure about the "grass" when I was decorating them, but now that they are finished, I'm glad I added it.

I like them mixed in with the Easter chicks. :)

To make the basket cookies:

{isn't this cookie "sketch" cool?!?}

• Using a #2 tip, outline the bow in pale yellow (Spectrum Lemon Yellow).
• With a #3 tip, outline the basket in purple (AmeriColor Violet).
• Still using the #3 tip, make the basket handles, pulsing the icing bag as you run it along the cookie to make bumps.
• With a #2 tip, outline the eggs...one each in pink (AmeriColor Soft Pink), blue (Spectrum Sky Blue), and yellow.
• Thin all of the icing with water until it is the consistency of syrup. Cover with a damp dishtowel.
• Before using each color, run a rubber spatula through the icing to break any large bubbles. Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
• Fill in the basket in purple; use a toothpick to guide the icing to the edges.
• Fill in the bow and one egg in yellow.
• Fill in the blue and pink eggs.
• Let dry at least one hour.
• With a #2 tip, add the detailing to the basket.
• With a #2 tip, add the detailing to the bow.
• Using a #1 tip, pipe Easter grass along the edge of the basket in light green (AmeriColor Leaf Green).

Looking for more Easter cookie ideas? Check out these posts:

• Easter Chick Flicks
• Ears or Tails?
• Maura's cookies

Easter Chick Flicks . . .

Easter chick cookie flicks, that is!

I bought this little chick cookie cutter last year and have been waiting months to try it!

They are really simple to make, just outline, fill and coat with sanding sugar the next day. I added a little eye after sanding.

I made up several of these and some Easter baskets for the winner of the We Are THAT Family cookie giveaway....New Momma. I think any "new momma" needs a little hit of sugar, don't you?!?

I'll have more on the Easter basket cookies in a day or two. In the meantime, enjoy the chick flicks...and maybe one of these other Easter-inspired posts:

• Ears or tails?
• Maura's cookies

Let the Rain Fall Down

It's dark and stormy outside and opposed to wishing the weather away, I am wishing for a grander location to enjoy such a downpour. This seaside house in Scotland looks like the perfect place to watch an onslaught of wind and rain.

I can imagine watching the waves crash furiously upon the beach from this window seat, a spot that seems made for daydreaming.


The rest of the Blackett House and Estate doesn't look too shabby either...








Also, while I wouldn't actually want to make use of the dogs for hunting, I am thrilled to see that the house comes equipped with Hunt Kennels-- you know of my love for dogs.

Photos Courtesy of Dixcot Locations

3 Clovers Thursday Challenge

EDIT: A big thanks to Enfys! She let me know that this stamp is an Alota stamp. Just click here. Thanks for your help Enfys!!

It's Thursday and time for another challenge over at Three Clovers Designs! This week, Kerry's challenge is to create a birthday card using purple and glitter to celebrate her birthday on April 1st. Happy early birthday Kerry!! This was fun cause I just never use the color purple. Don't know why cause I really like the softer shades of it, in fact I really love lavender.

Anyway, I had this cute little image in my stash that I got from Dawny P (check out her blog), so I have no idea who it's by. Sorry! The DP is Basic Grey and the cardstock is Bazzill. The stamp is colored with my Copic markers, and I stickled her little coat for the glitter.

Added some wired silk ribbon along with a Prima flower and a Making Memories brad, and that just about completes this card. Please be sure and visit Three Clovers Designs to check out what the rest of the Inspiration Team created for this challenge. And then we'd love it if you'd grab your purple paper and glitter and play along with us!

Thanks for stopping by to see me today and hope to see you back again soon! It's almost Friday!!! HUGS!

{Stolen} Moments- In Cars

We've looked at {Stolen} Moments as part of the Moments series, but this week we're looking at a more specific type of {Stolen} Moment-- those in cars. I love these images; they are sweet and romantic and make me wish that E and I had a photo like these from our wedding day!

Julie & Jay- Jose Villa

Sara & David- Mindy Myers Photography via Style Me Pretty

Gina & Colin- Jennifer Skog

W Scott Chester Photography

JoEllen & Rob-EyeSpy Photography via Snippet & Ink

Sorry to be MIA

Missing in action.... in scenic Aiken, SC....? Yep, that's me. I have not been creating and posting, due the interference of life/fun. I did not complete this weeks Bitten by the Bug challenge as I was busy having too much fun over the weekend!! But you should go by and check out the SPRING projects!

(Mary, my dd Bethany, and Allison)

Last Saturday was my birthday... I was 49. And I must admit we did a nice job of ringing in my final pre-50s year! Saturday also was the second leg in the Aiken Triple Crown, THE spring event here equestrian land... It was the Aiken Steeplechase. My dd came home from college with two friends and celebrated not only my birthday, but also the Steeplechase. And I have to admit, we has SO MUCH FUN with those three girls!!!! My dh was calling them his triplets by the end of the weekend. We both miss them now that they have returned to college.

The weekend was one long celebration, but the best was the dinner at the country club with our "girls", our son, and our friends the Garlands! I also am enjoying the new bicycle that I asked for. I sold my expensive road bike and got a nice around town hybrid.... Much more comfortable now that I am an OLD GIRL! LOL.