To the Weekend

Wow I can't believe it's already the weekend! This week went by so fast. Since I took most of last week off visiting with Danny's parents, there's lots to do this weekend- but I don't mind one bit. Because... I'm working on more new designs for my Etsy shop (as well as fulfilling current orders)! And while it can at times be challenging- it's also super fun to sit down and be surrounded by a bunch of pretty fabric, feathers, and beads. So we'll see what happens. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you back here next week!

Image via here

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Red Quinoa Salad

I tried this last night and loved it! This dish can be used as a side or main dish- it's that filling. And the best part? It's super healthy! This entire bowl (which I ate for dinner and was full after eating about 1/4 of it) is only 276 calories, contains 12 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fiber! It also tastes good! Because quinoa contains a balanced set of amino acids, it's also a complete protein source and, it's gluten free. This meal's a winner

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Cooked Red Quinoa (prepare with 1 cup dry quinoa and 1.5 cups of water- just like rice)
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 cup drained and rinsed Black Beans
• 2 cups Edamame (I purchased pre- shelled to make the process easier)
• 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Cook the Quinoa according to package directions. I let mine soak for 5 minutes and then drain with a mesh strainer. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover with lid and reduce to a simmer. Let cook for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile I also cook the edamame on the stove until no longer frozen and then drain.

Once everything is ready, combine all ingredients and eat. Yep- it's that easy. Enjoy!

Recipe from Reboot Your Life

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The Best Day

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Image via here

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If I Was A... I'd Be...

Season:

I'd be Autumn. I love cold, crisp air... the smell of fireplaces going... the leaves changing from yellow to orange to red. I love everything about it... It reminds me of sharpened pencils and new bookbags, sipping coffee, and our wonderful, mountain wedding

Color:

Aqua/ Turquoise Blue (It's so calming and peaceful... although I also love sunshine yellow)

Scent:

Orange blossoms. Growing up in Riverside, we were surrounded by orange groves. And driving around cool, summer nights, windows down, the scent of orange blossoms was intoxicating... that scent always takes me back

Time of Day:

Early Morning... There's so much promise... people say "Good Morning" to one another, the air is still cool... you can really do anything

Food and Drink:

Dark Chocolate and Black Coffee... enough said

Stone:

Turquoise. It's my favorite color, my birthstone, and it feeds my fascination of Native Americans and the Southwest... I love it

Flower:

Cherry Blossom... My grandma called me Cherry Blossom girl growing up... which is funny since I was a tomboy- but I was- I just love them. And whether that has something to do with my Japanese heritage I don't know- they just make me happy

Place:

The mountains. It is here that I feel most at peace. Being surrounded by things that are bigger than you can be good for the soul. I love hiking through their canyons, smelling fragrant pines mixed with kicked up dirt, and feeling so incredibly at home.

I got the idea for this post from Ashley over at House of Glass- thanks Ash! If you decide to do a similar post, link back and let me know- I'd love to see your version

Have a wonderful day everyone!!

Image source: Season, Color, Scent, Time of Day, Food & Drink, Stone, Flower, Place

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Small Town USA

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I LOVE living in a small town. The community events draw me in like a moth to a flame. I just can't get enough.

Every Saturday in the summer we have a farmer's markets in the town square. And since the town square happens to be just a half mile from my house... I try and make it every weekend.

Look at how gorgeous these carrots are... If I didn't already have 2 pounds of carrots in my house, I would have bought them in an instant... even if only for the color

I did however happen to buy this cucumber- Look how big it is! For comparison sake, look at that guys shoe on the right and that girl's butt on the left... and then look at the cucumber- HUGE!

This particular day there was also a 5k in town (Old Bill's Fun Run) where participants and bystanders can donate to the charity of their choice. So non- profits were all lined up with their booths throughout the town square as well and... the town was giving out a FREE breakfast burrito and pastry to anyone who stopped by- What?!... It was AWESOME. 2 community events in 1... with free food? I was loving it.

And what would an awesome community event be without a painted horse? This baby wasn't getting away from taking a picture with me... even if I did have to stand at the rear

The next day was September 11th and also the day of our annual Taste of the Tetons... one of my favorite community events where chefs from all the restaurants in town get together to give a "taste" of what they offer

Flags were hung all around town- as well as large black and white posters of citizens, young and old, who answered what freedom meant to them

I snacked on pork belly, a salmon and blackberry salad, a pulled pork slider (because one pork dish is never enough), a cinnamon pecan sticky bun, and a few other scrumptious treats...

So in one weekend, I was able to take in 3 awesome community events... I love my town

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To the Weekend!

Happy Weekend! Happy 1st Day of Fall! It's officially my favorite time of year. I basically took this whole last week off to hang out with Danny's family who's visiting and it's been absolutely wonderful- I feel like I'm on vacation too: hiking through beautiful canyons, rafting through the Tetons, snacking on some great food... it's been incredibly relaxing. And it's not over yet- I can't wait to see what this weekend has in store for us. I hope your weekend makes you feel like you're on vacation too

Image found via Estee Arts from fortheeasilydistracted

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New Products in Shop!

I'm so excited to announce that the first of many wedding and special event decor items are now available in the Silver Pencil's Etsy Shop. I've been wanting to expand my shop for some time now and it's finally happening. More will be added over the next few months- but here's what you can find in there right now:

Advice Urn:Mercury Glass Mason Jars:
Ring Bearer's Nest:
Chalkboard Mason Jars:

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Listening to...

This song has been added to the road trip playlist for my husband and I. We listen to it a lot. And I feel like it's one of those songs you could definitely picture in a movie. Enjoy and Happy Wednesday!

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Homemade Turkey Meatballs

We eat a lot of ground turkey over here at the Reed house- more than ground beef. I have no idea why... and it didn't start until after we moved out here. But it's just one little fact about us. Maybe because it's cheaper? I don't know.

So anyways, I thought I'd take a break from turkey burgers and try me some turkey meatballs. Making this dish also gave me the chance to try a new type of garlic I bought at the farmer's market called Metechi... otherwise known as Great Bulbs of Fire. The grower informed me that they were incredibly strong and that if I ate them raw I'd have a terrible stomach ache. Problem solved since I always cook my garlic... but I must admit I cooked it a little longer than normal just. in. case.Ingredients:

• 1 small onion, grated
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (I used 2 because of the strength of the special garlic I was using)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs (I used Panko)
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1/4 cup chopped, fresh Italian parsley
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound ground dark turkey meat (I honestly didn't even look to see if mine was dark, white, or a mixture of both)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 26 ounces own tomato sauce, or 1 jar of store bought (what I did)

Add the onion... (Oh my goodness were my eyes watering like crazy while grating the onion!)

garlic...

egg...

breadcrumbs and ketchup...

Parsley, Pecorino and Parmesan cheese...

and salt and pepper to a large bowl and blend.

Mix in the turkey.

Shape the turkey into 1.25 inch diameter meatballs (I just did whatever size my ice cream scoop made). Place on large plate or baking sheet (I placed wax paper beneath for easy clean- up).

Heat the oil in a large heavy frying pan over medium- high heat. Add the meatballs and saute until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat. Transfer the meatballs to a plate. Pour off any excess oil.

Add the marinara sauce, about 3 cups. Return all the meatballs to the pan. Turn the heat to medium low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and the favors blend, 15- 20 minutes.

Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Giada served hers alone as an appetizer. I served mine over angel hair pasta, added shredded basil leaves and of course, more cheese. Danny ate ALL of the leftovers (some that same night) and has already requested I make this again... Husband approved.

Recipe via Giada De Laurentiis

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One more thing...

I realize I already posted my weekend post, but this was so darn funny I had to post this real quick too- just a little something cute to send you off for the weekend

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To the Weekend!

It's Friday! Which means the start of lots or work and cleaning for the hubs and I. My in laws are flying in on Monday for a week. It's the 1st time we've seen them since we moved out here so we want to be able to spend as much time as possible with them- which means trying to complete as many orders as I can this weekend, and Danny is going to help out by cleaning- we can do it! And it will all be worth it once Monday rolls around. I hope you have a fantastic, adventure filled weekend- and I'll see you back here next week!

Image via Style Me Pretty

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Real Wedding: Natalie and Josh

I know it's been a awhile but I'm happy to announce I have a gorgeous Real Wedding to show off today! I first started talking to Natalie back in June when she ordered the A Little Grace hair flower for her wedding. And I was thrilled last month when I opened my inbox to see she had sent over some photos. I seriously love every single one. From her gorgeous lace gown with her colorful bouquet to the tan and purple color palette: all of the details look so well thought out and beautiful. Natalie did a fantastic job planning their big day and their photographer Cassie did an excellent job capturing the emotion behind each shot. Take a look- see for yourself:

This shot of Natalie with the parasol is timeless- I love it

Natalie and Josh were married on June 11th in North Liberty, Indiana.

The flower girls look so cute with their big side bow

So sweet... and the pop of the purple against the tan is perfect
Thanks so much for sharing your wedding with us Natalie! I wish you and Josh all the best!!

All images by Conforti Photography

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Lake Solitude

On Labor Day, I found myself sitting against a boulder and looking out at this view in front...And this view of my husband to the right... it was pretty nice (He's crazy by the way, that's glacial water full of snow melt).

We hiked the 7 miles up to Lake Solitude in the Teton Mountain Range for a gourmet hiker's lunch of gold fish crackers, apples, and Powerade. And after about an hour and a half of reading, napping, relaxing, and swimming in Danny's case... it was time to hike the 7 miles back

The trail is gorgeous: full of fragrant pine trees and granite boulders...

And then you get to this valley that just looks like something out of Land Before Time... yes I am referring to the Little Foot dinosaur movie of long ago. It's gorgeous.

The sky wasn't as clear as we would have liked due to the multiple fires we've had around here lately, but we had gorgeous waterfalls to keep our mind off of it...

You can actually camp down in that valley too... we saw some hikers setting up their tents on the way down

Danny would often get a little far ahead of me (because I'm one of those people looking up at everything around me)...

So I'd make him stop and pose for a picture...

The wildflowers were in full bloom...

But because sections like this make me think of all the bears that could be lurking around... I stayed close behind Danny just in case (If you scroll 2 photos back up, you can see our bear mace hooked on Danny's strap)

Once we were back in the thick forest, we came across this awesome tree uprooted on the side of the trail

And then across another beautiful river...

Oh yeah... I make completely lame faces and gestures like this... and I pose with my feet pointed inwards like a penguin... I'm that cool

There are bridges off and on throughout the trail so weary travelers like ourselves can cross...

And then back into the land of Christmas trees we went one more time... because pizza was on the other side

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