Blog - The Lilypad Cottage

October 31, 2018 By Kelly 30 Comments

Winter Front Porch

I know you all are like, wait, winter front porch?! But it’s still fall! Well, if you live in a northern climate like I do, November usually feels more like winter. We have been rocking hats and mittens here already during Saturday soccer games for the kids. The several hard frosts so far, have taken out my mums on the front porch. So, what to do when you aren’t ready to break out the Christmas decor, but your mums have bit the dust? I thought I would show you my transitional fall/winter/pre-Christmas/post-christmas look.

I’m trying something different in my planters this year, and I bought two dwarf Alberta Spruce trees from a local nursery to put in my planters. My plan is to replant them in the spring back by our pool and then try to repot them again in the fall. The helpful person at the nursery told me to keep them in their plastic pots that they came in, (you can see them a bit in the photo below), and I should have no problem transferring them out in the spring.

She suggested keeping each in their plastic pots and planting them in the ground again while still in their pots so the roots don’t spread too much and I’m able to use them again next fall.

May I kindly suggest if you try this yourself, you have a partner help you lift them into the planters? I picked these up myself by hugging the base and basically face planting into the tree. I must be allergic to these cuties, because my entire face and neck broke out in huge hives afterward! This post is brought to you by benadryl, and hydrocortisone… just kidding :)

I will of course keep you posted if I manage to pull this whole replanting thing off! I’m excited about the idea of being able to reuse these trees and having them look nice until may when I’m ready to plant flowers.

I also took a little walk in our woods and trimmed some evergreen branches. I put branches in my window boxes every year and then I usually add in some ornaments or something fun for Christmas. Just make sure you water them to keep them from drying out until it stays below freezing in your area. I always tuck a faux garland in there to start to help anchor the real branches.

I love that this looks fresh and wintery, but it will be easy to add in some Christmas ornaments and lights for the month of December (you can check out my Christmas front porch from last year here). Better yet, it is easy to remove the Christmas cheer and have something that can last me until springtime. Last year, everything I did out here was so holiday that I took it all down and it was pretty depressing looking for the rest of the loooong winter.

I was going to spread fake spider webs all over my dead mums and go for a super spooky halloween look, but we usually only get 3 tricker treaters (there are only about 8 houses on our cul-de-sac street), so I decided to move forward with winter and skip Halloween completely this year.

How about you all, are your mums still going strong? Or are you itching to Christmas-fy all the things?

October 26, 2018 By Kelly 29 Comments

Fave Dog Products – A Day in the Life of Charlie

This is the day Charlie has been waiting for. He has photobombed every blog post I’ve ever written since he was a puppy, and it’s high time he had his very own post. So, I present to you a day in the life of Charlie!

First, let’s talk about the fact that Charlie is in a sweater.

This is who he is now. Or more accurately, this is who he has always been and I’ve been forcing him to run around naked this whole time!

I’m excited to be partnering with the Company Store on these fun pet products. When they sent me their Super Chunky Dog Turtleneck, I wasn’t sure what Charlie would think because I have never tried to put clothes on him. Well, let me tell you that he hasn’t taken it off since! And every time I try to take it off, he growls at me as if to say, “I don’t think so lady.”

I even gave him a bath and he picked the sweater up off the floor and brought it to me. This adorable cable knit sweater is not only Charlie approved, but also apparently mandated!

It’s been keeping him especially cozy on our daily walks now that the temps have dropped. It goes perfectly with his new gentlemanly Kendall Plaid Collar and Lead.

He matches our home even better now! Is anyone really surprised I would color coordinate our dog to our space?

After his walk, I usually give his paws a good rinse, or in this case, we hit the hiking trails, so the Mr. gave him a full on bath. The Company Store has these great Green Earth Quick Dry Towel Mitts to dry your furry friend with.

I could not believe how much easier these are to use vs a regular towel. Normally, it’s a chase through the house with a towel to try and dry him up, but he actually stood still like he was getting a massage! They are super absorbent as well.

Ok, and I couldn’t resist this adorable Hooded Shark Towel to wrap him up in afterward!

I mean…how cute is this? I promise Charlie is amused under there too…

I finally got Charlie’s little dog area in our laundry room organized thanks to this handy Pet Canister Set. Not only are they practical, but the colors and pattern look great on our shelves in here. I’m all about pretty and functional, like this cute Dog Bone Feeding Mat. I love the diamond pattern and it keeps Charlie’s food bowls in place perfectly.

The big one holds his leashes, brush, and soon to be collection of clothes – he can’t be seen on the blog wearing the same sweater every day afterall! The smaller ones hold his treats and bones. It’s so nice to finally have a spot for all his stuff.

Now that Charlie has exercised, given a fashion show, taken a bath, and organized his “room,” it’s time for his favorite activity of the day – napping!

I’ve long been on the hunt for a nice dog bed that fits in with our decor, so when I saw this classic looking Company Cotton Dog Bed in navy, my problem was solved. It fits in perfect with all the blues in our home, and I’m pretty sure the plush insert inside is nicer than my mattress!

Our bed was actually his preferred napping spot until this bed. He still likes to hang in our bedroom when I’m getting ready for the day though, so this little Lacrosse Pet Sleeping Bag is perfect to keep in our bedroom. Yes, Charlie officially has his own sleeping bag – he is all set for our next camping trip :)

I’ve been tossing this on the end of our bed for him at night and he loves to cozy up in the super soft inside. Bonus, it has been keeping my white duvet protected as well.

This thing is so soft and cozy that my kids are actually begging me to buy the extra large version for them :) Charlie is living his best life with his new goodies.

Be sure to check out all The Company Store’s great dog beds and products to spoil your pup too! You can click on any of the bold links to take you right to their site. It’s a great time to shop, because their Friends and Family sale is going on until November 13. Use the code PL25FS18 for 25% off + Free Shipping! Happy Weekend!

October 19, 2018 By Kelly 25 Comments

5 Cozy Fall Finds – Friday Feels

Welcome to another Friday Feels where I share what I’m “feeling” this week. This post contains affiliate links. 5 cozy fall finds

The temps have dropped here in Michigan. So much so that we seem to be skipping fall and heading straight into winter. I’m hunkering down for the cold with all things cozy. I thought I would share the 5 cozy fall finds that have been getting me through the week.

#1, 2, and 3 are these super cozy (and inexpensive!) sweaters from Old Navy. I grabbed these last week when I was shopping for jeans for my little guy. They are the perfect staple sweaters to throw on with jeans and cute flats. I sized up to a small for a cozier fit, they are so soft and come in several colors. I bought the black, and the striped one.

sweater – jeans – shoes

This striped one is perfect to layer with a blazer. This is that amazing sweater blazer from J. Crew I’ve talked about before and it’s on sale again! I bought a grey one too and I wear them allll the time.

sweater – blazer – jeans –shoes

This navy and cream color blocked mock turtleneck is so classic and you could really dress it up or down. I threw it on with dark wash jeans and boots.

sweater – jeans – boots

Or it’s cute with ripped jeans and loafers too!

sweater – jeans – shoes

At around $30 each, you can’t beat the price point, and I know I will wear these a million ways.

#4 While I’m in my cozy sweater, I’ve been snacking on the best healthy treat, well healthy-ish. I love scotcheroos (you know those peanut butter, butterscotch, rice krispie bars topped with chocolate?), but I try to eat pretty healthy (during the week anyway). To get that same flavor, I’ve been combining a scoop of peanut butter with a small handful of butterscotch chips and melting them in the microwave for a minute or so. Then I slice up an apple and use it as a dip! It’s so good, and it’s pretty healthy minus the butterscotch chips. It’s got a caramel apple vibe, but so much better! This would make a great after school snack for your kids too, I mean, if you felt like sharing, which I don’t always… :)

Also, excuse the iPhone photos in this post, my photo card was corrupted, so I couldn’t get out my real camera.

Ok #5 – My favorite rainy weekend activity is reading a good book. I’m actually reading two right now so technically this should be 6 fall finds. I like to have one book on my phone through the kindle app at all times and one real live book with pages and paper and everything. :) I have trouble sleeping often, so I like having the book on my phone to read in the dark and not wake up the Mr. Nothing beats a real book in my opinion (which is why my bookcases are overloaded!).

The two I’m reading right now are Upstairs at the White House My Life with the First Ladies by J.B. West with Mary Lynn Kotz. It’s written by the Chief Usher at the White House from 1941-1969. If you like to read historical books like me, this is a really fascinating read about the daily life of the First ladies and the inner workings of the White House. It covers Roosevelt to Nixon (I’m in the Kennedy era right now) and my favorite parts (not surprisingly) are reading about how each first lady redecorates! Bonus, it’s free right now on the kindle app!

The other book I’m reading from my Book of The Month club membership (read more about that here) is more of a mystery/suspense The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn. It’s about a former child psychologist suffering from agoraphobia. She lives in NYC and spies on her neighbors through her windows and witnesses something…I’m only about a quarter of the way through so far, but it’s been a fun read!

We have fun plans to go to a Halloween party this weekend, and of course another freezing soccer game, but I’m hoping to curl up in our living room by the fire and finish up those books! Happy weekend!

October 17, 2018 By Kelly 47 Comments

Butler’s Pantry Wallpaper

Is it weird if I want to invite my friends over to have a glass of wine in my pantry? If it’s not, you are all invited! ;) With the wine fridge, access to snacks, and now this gorgeous wallpaper – this room has further solidified itself as the best spot to hang out in the house. Well, ok maybe it’s lacking the view that the living room has to offer, but it’s a great spot to take a “mom breather”. Butler’s pantry wallpaper.

When my kids aren’t ransacking it.

Although now that I have it a bit more organized, I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised with how much easier it is to keep tidy.

First, let’s back up and admire the wallpaper. It’s so beautiful in person, I can’t get a photo to capture the cork like texture – it’s so cool!

I have to say, I’m so glad I hired this out. It took him much longer than he originally planned. He wallpapered around those built in shelves like a champ (they were custom built and painted so there was no easy way to take them down without damaging them or the walls), and I still have no idea how he managed to match up the pattern perfectly!

I don’t think he knows how he managed it either, because he said his brain hurt from all the math and staring at the geometric pattern so long – poor guy!

While he wallpapered, I weeded out some of the stuff cluttering up my pantry that I hadn’t used since we moved in a year ago. It was great to send a pile off for donation to hopefully find a better home.

The other big change in here is I finally found some good organizing bins that fit my shelves. I did a mix of these clear ones from amazon (I’ll link them below) and some inexpensive white plastic bins from Target.

I used the clear ones for stuff that I want to be able to quick glance in my pantry and know what I have on hand. Things I need for meals, snacks we eat every day, etc…I also really like these stackable canned good shelves that I found.

I used the white ones for stuff I don’t really need to see like flour and baking supplies, bread for sandwiches, etc…

I also put these bins with school snacks down low in easy reach of my kids. Now they are in charge of picking a school snack every day and throwing it in their backpack.

I also added small clear labels (I just printed them on mailing address stickers) to encourage everyone in the house to put things back where they go. Although, in a major mom fail moment, my first grader informed me he can’t read cursive – whoops! I told him I’m just giving him a head start, for when he learns it in 2nd grade.

I switched up our coffee station a bit. I added a mug rack and also bigger bins to store coffee and the collagen I mix in my coffee (have you guys tried that? I love it!). The rest of the storage bins I’ve collected here and there at HomeGoods.

Ok and you know I picked up a few pretty things too like this gorgeous marble cutting board. I use it to serve big cheese plates when we are entertaining (or when I don’t feel like cooking dinner on Sunday night).

Overall, it feels great to finally have this pantry working better for our family. I love the warmth and texture the wallpaper adds in here. It even makes me dislike these countertops a little less. Side note – if you remember I wanted butcher block in here but I couldn’t find any I loved with our floors, so I settled on this laminate for now. Someday I hope to swap it out for something I love.

We almost always have the door open to it so it added a lot of pattern and contrast to the kitchen too!

Butler’s pantry wallpaper.

SOURCES: (Contains affiliate links, just click on the bold words to be taken to the product)

Wallpaper – Serena and Lily

Paint Color – Light French Grey by Sherwin Williams

Plastic Bins – Amazon

Plastic Bins for canned goods – Amazon

Big white plastic bins – Target

Small plastic bins – Target

Shallow plastic bins – Target

Marble cutting board – World Market

Coffee container – World Market

Mortar and Pestle – World Market

Wood cutting boards – HomeGoods

Pantry Light – Wayfair

Door – Antique store

Floor – BuildDirect

Stool – Ballard Designs

Bar Stools – Serena and Lily

October 12, 2018 By Kelly 21 Comments

Balsamic Mushroom Goat Cheese Tarts

Welcome to another Friday Feels where I share what I’m “feeling” this week. Balsamic Mushroom goat cheese tarts.

This week, I’m feeling ready for all the cozy foods! In typical Michigan fashion, it was 75 degrees yesterday and it’s dropped down to a balmy 45 today. I’m embracing the cold with some comfort food and my fuzzy slippers. I made these Balsamic Mushroom Onion Tarts last weekend for a little afternoon snack for the Mr. and I, and they were so good. This is kind of a hybrid of two of my favorite appetizers. A tomato goat cheese tart and mushroom bruschetta, I sort of combined the two into one delicious appetizer!

Puff pastry is my go to friend when I want to look way fancier than I am. I always keep a package or two in the freezer. You can top it with pretty much anything you have in your fridge or pantry, and it will taste good and look even better.

These would be a great start to a dinner party or the perfect savory treat to bring to Thanksgiving. You can even make them bigger and serve with a salad for a light vegetarian friendly meal. Side note – I used garlic and herb Boursin cheese, because it’s what I had in the fridge. Any kind of herb goat cheese would be great though.

5.0 from 2 reviews

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Balsamic Mushroom Onion Tarts

Recipe type: appetizer

Prep time: 30 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 50 mins

Serves: 9

Ingredients

8 oz container of sliced mushrooms
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 sheet of puff pasty, thawed
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
garlic and herb boursin cheese (you could use herb goat cheese also)
shredded parmesan
optional thyme sprigs for garnish

Instructions

Saute onion, garlic, and mushrooms in 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat.
Season with salt and pepper.
Saute for 20 minutes or until tender.
Add balsamic vinegar and cook for 2-3 additional minutes, until thickened.
Slightly roll out puff pastry sheet and cut into 9 squares.
Score a ½ inch "crust" on the outer edge of each puff pastry. Dock the middle with a fork.
Lightly grease a baking sheet and place puff pastry squares on it.
Sprinkle with parmesan.
Fill middle of puff pastry with mushroom filling.
Top with boursin or goat cheese crumbles.
Sprinkle with more parmesan.
Refrigerate until ready to bake.
Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Garnish with thyme sprigs.

caramelized onion balsamic goat cheese mushroom tarts

Let me know if you give these balsamic mushroom goat cheese tarts a try. SO many of you have messaged me that you loved my lasagna recipe (see that recipe here) and it makes my heart so happy that you are enjoying my Grandmother’s recipe.

I’m trying to hunt down all my long underwear and winter gloves to gear up for tomorrow’s 9 am soccer game fun. Hope you all stay warm and cozy in this weather, happy weekend!

October 10, 2018 By Kelly 22 Comments

Navy Ticking Breakfast Nook Chairs

I have been busy organizing my pantry this week, and I’m ridiculously excited to get the labels that I ordered in the mail so I can finish that space up. Side note – signs you are in your 30’s: you are ridiculously excited about labels…or maybe just a sign I’m a big dork?Navy Ticking Breakfast Nook Chairs

I’ll hopefully be sharing the new pantry with you all next week, but in the meantime my fantastic mother-in-law sewed these cushion covers for me. We now have new and improved navy ticking breakfast nook chairs.

I love the little extra pattern in here and how it ties in with the ticking on the throw pillows on the bench.

I styled the nook for these photos with a few of my new Serena and Lily throw pillows from the couch, but I would never actually leave these here. My kids + spaghetti + expensive pillows = me drinking wine in the pantry crying over my formerly beautiful pillows. So, I will stick with my beloved clearance Target ones in here for now (you can see them in this post here).

Someday, I would actually like to put a cushion like we had in our old sunroom on this bench, but for now it’s easy to wipe up, and I just move the pillows to the side when we eat. I’m also still going back and forth on painting this table…

And I think this may be the third time I have showed you our breakfast nook, yet I still don’t have anything in those upper glass cabinets. I’m decorating at a leisurely pace over here. Maybe by year 5 I will stick something in there. I would actually like to put something with more color in the glass cabinets, but I just haven’t found the perfect thing yet.

We are having the craziest stretch of 80 degree weather, so my hydrangea are still going strong in the backyard. I’m not complaining one bit, summer can stick around for good!

SOURCES: (Contains affiliate links)

Chairs – Wayfair

Table – Wayfair

Paint Color – Sherwin Williams Extra White

Fabric – Amazon

Blue pillow – Serena and Lily

Ticking pillow – Pottery Barn

Bar Stools – Serena and Lily

Striped Pillow – HomeGoods

Beams – they were in the basement of the old cottage we knocked down

Floors – BuildDirect

Navy ticking breakfast nook chairs

October 5, 2018 By Kelly 21 Comments

Fall Skirts – Friday Feels

Welcome to another Friday Feels where I share what I’m “feeling” this week. This post contains affiliate links.

The Mr. has been gone a lot for work lately, so this week I’m feeling excited for date night! My in-laws are taking our kids for the night tonight. I’m so thankful for a little break from my sweet kiddos and to have some one-on-one time with my best friend. It’s great timing, because I just had a box of cute fall skirts arrive that are perfect for date night. Side note – I tend to online shop when the Mr. is gone, because my kids always sleep with me. Their 8:00 bedtime lends itself to shopping on my phone in the dark while they snore sweetly next to me.

I’ve been on the hunt for a suede skirt for fall and this one is so cute. It’s a little on the pricier side for what I normally spend on a skirt, but the quality is really great and I know I will wear it a lot. It comes in a few different colors too.

skirt / turtleneck / bag / boots

It looks great with a simple black turtleneck and the zipper details are so fun.

I’ve had this jacket forever, so it’s no longer available, but here is a similar one.

Throw on a leather jacket for when it’s cooler, pretend I added tights like I planned on if I actually had a pair of tights that didn’t have a hole in them…

skirt / blouse / bag / boots

It’s a little more dressed up with this pretty turtleneck blouse. The sleeve detail on this top is so pretty. It is a bit sheer, so I wear a nude camisole underneath. You could totally add tights and tall boots with a cozy sweater as well.

skirt / turtleneck / bag / boots

I also snagged this olive corduroy skirt, which is at a better price point, but still gives the same fall vibes. I love it dressed up with that same easy black turtleneck.

Oh and the bag was another great Nordstrom find. It’s only $55, but it feels and looks a lot more expensive.

It’s perfect for a more casual look with a cozy sweater and those $35 Target booties I shared the other week.

I hope you all have fun plans this weekend, I can’t wait to head downtown for a dinner other than the pb&j and carrot stick scraps I’ve been eating all week :)

Happy Weekend!

October 3, 2018 By Kelly 40 Comments

Navy and French Blue Pillows

I know, I know. Navy and French Blue Pillows. Didn’t I just post about the rust colored fall pillows I added to the living room? Yes, yes, I did. We all know I have a throw pillow addiction. It’s a well documented problem.

Although the closet under the stairs has now turned into “the pillow closet” aka – a giant pillow pile/padded room that has become the favorite reading nook in the house for my kids. So you say “pillow problem.” I say “educational opportunity.” It’s all about perspective. :)

If I could live anywhere, it would be inside a Serena and Lily magazine. Or actually I don’t want to live there because my kids would destroy it, but maybe visit by myself as my very own personal happy space.

So, when they offered to send me some of their new fall navy and french blue pillows I jumped at the chance to partner with them. Although truth be told, these pillows will be carrying me all through winter as well.

I love the deep navy blues and brighter tones of the french blue against our all white everything. These pillows are so well made and the detail on them is beautiful.

And yes, they are Charlie approved.

As evidenced by the fact that he is in every stinking shot, I finally had to stick him outside so I could finish shooting this ha!

When the lake freezes over the view out the window is still beautiful, albeit a bit bleak and typically all snowy white. That’s when I really crave more color in the house which is probably opposite of how most people decorate for winter.

I love the punch of color they add to our space, and they look so pretty with the blue water in the background.

I also changed up the mantel with a more streamlined mirror. I’ve actually had that old DIY mirror above our mantel at this house and our old house for 3 years. That has to be some kind of world record for me! I’m thinking ahead to Christmas decor and realized I wanted a simpler mirror for my mantel plans this year.

I actually plan on hanging it up, but it weighs quite a bit and I need the Mr. to help me hang it. He’s been traveling all week and I know at the top of his list when he comes home is a little DIY project! ;)

I also found these pretty vases to add some more color to the mantel. Well, that and the little copper pot I used for my fall home tour was my utensil holder in the kitchen. It was driving me nuts that I couldn’t find anything in my drawers! I shop my home a lot when I want to change things up (case in point all those rust pillows are now on the basement couch) but I think that’s the last time I borrow from the kitchen.

I’m loving my little room refresh. Speaking of room refreshes, if you follow me on instagram you know the pantry got new wallpaper this week! Which funnily enough I bought at Serena and Lily as well – I guess I’m inching my way into that catalog life. I have been busy organizing and rearranging everything in there and I’m hoping to share that next week.

Also quick note – I always include a source list at the end of my blog posts listing where everything is from, but I have been getting some comments and emails lately asking where to find things. So, I just wanted to clear up any confusion. Whenever there is a BOLD word that is actually a link to the specific product. All you need to do is click on the word and it will take you to the product.

These are typically affiliate links which I always disclose (read more about my disclosure policy here). That just means I get a small commission if you purchase something through one of my links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and I really appreciate anytime you purchase something through my links if you like something I share!

Bonus – Serena and Lily is having a big sale right now! You can get 20% off everything with the code HOMELOVE. Click here to head to their site or I linked every specific item below.

SOURCES : (Contains affiliate links)

Topanga Pillow Cover – Serena and Lily

Dandelion Embroidered Pillow Cover – Serena and Lily

Amalie Pillow Cover square – Serena and Lily

Amalie Pillow Cover rectangle – Serena and Lily

Pryce Pillow Cover – Serena and Lily

Pryce Pillow Cover navy – Serena and Lily

Kemp Pillow Cover – Serena and Lily

Mendocino Linen Throw – Serena and Lily

Blue Vases – HomeGoods

Mirror – Wayfair

Planters – HomeGoods

Sectional – Art Van Furniture

Rug – Wayfair

Chairs – Hand me down from my mom

Coffee table – Wayfair

Candelabra – Target

Sofa table – vintage find

Light Fixture – Bellacor

September 28, 2018 By Kelly 25 Comments

Best Lasagna Recipe – Friday Feels

Welcome to another Friday Feels where I share what I’m “feeling” this week.

This week I’m feeling full! I made my Grandma’s lasagna this week for dinner, and it is the best lasagna recipe ever. I actually made it a few weeks ago and shared it on instagram stories – I had a zillion dm’s asking for the recipe, so I’m finally, finally, getting it on the blog today. I had to get some major family clearance to share this on the blog, and I promise it’s the real deal recipe. Not how my Grandma used to give out a recipe, but leave out a few ingredients, so your’s would never taste quite as good as hers :)

Let’s pretend I took better looking photos than this, rather than in the middle of dinner yelling “wait don’t put that in your mouth, I forgot I was going to blog this!!” and stopping everything and throwing it on the table and snapping 5 photos. Oh the therapy my kids will need…

Let me just state for the record this is not a throw together for a weeknight meal kind of recipe. This is a cozy all day, Saturday project, from scratch, kind of recipe. BUT it’s so worth it. Bonus it makes two 9×13 pans or three 9×9 pans. I like to make the three 9×9 pans for our family of four and freeze two of them. That way I have an easy and delicious dinner waiting for me in the freezer for a busy week. Actually this time around, I made a double batch and gave a few away and froze four pans.

Or if you just want a delicious pasta sauce, I have made the sauce portion alone before and froze it in two cup bags for spaghetti nights too! One more thing if you are local and really want it to taste right, you need to go to Russo’s Italian Deli in Grand Rapids and use their sausage, cheeses and spices if you want it to be perfect.

5.0 from 2 reviews

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Best Lasagna Recipe

Author: Kelly Rinzema

Recipe type: dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Prep time: 2 hours 30 mins

Cook time: 45 mins

Total time: 3 hours 15 mins

Serves: a lot

From scratch Lasagna

Ingredients

2 lbs bulk sweet Italian sausage
5 garlic cloves smashed
2 yellow onions diced
2 celery stalks diced
3 tbsp parsley flakes
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp basil
30 oz tomato paste
60 oz water
1 lb box of lasagna noodles (cooked according to box instructions)
1 lb ricotta cheese
2½ lbs mozzarella, sliced thin not shredded
¼ lb finely grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

SAUCE : Brown sausage in a large sauce pot.
Add onion and celery and cook until soft, 5 - 10 min.
Add garlic, parsley, salt, sugar, basil, tomato paste and water.
Bring to a boil, Simmer on low 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
LASAGNA:
Slightly cover bottom of pans with sauce (either 2 9x13 pans or 3 9x9 pans).
Layer cooked lasagna noodles.
Take a slice of mozzarella and using a butter knife spread a thin layer of ricotta on each slice and cover noodles.
Cover with a layer of sauce.
Repeat these layers until you fill the pan.
Sprinkle with parmesan and back at 325 for 45 min let rest 10 min.
If you are going to freeze the pans don't add the parmesan on top before you freeze. Add it right before you bake it.
If frozen bake at 325 about 75 min or until bubbling throughout.

It’s been a while since I shared a recipe, but if you would like to check out a few of my other favorite’s see them here!

Happy Weekend!

September 26, 2018 By Kelly 26 Comments

Burgundy and Pink Fall Front Porch

I wanted to thank you all for the kinds comments on my fall home tour last week! It was fun to share the simple fall touches I added inside our home. I held out one space on you though, and that is our burgundy and pink fall front porch decor! I’m finally sharing it today, and I’m so excited to be joining in on the Seasons of Home tour Series hosted by Kristen from Ella Claire. Be sure to check out all the amazing front porches my blogger friends are sharing – so many inspiring ideas!

While I added bits of rust and orange inside our house, I stuck to the burgundy and pink color scheme I used last year on our porch, subscribing to the old “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” adage.

I will say this is Burgundy and Pink Fall Porch 2.0 because I went a little nuts at the local nursery. I mixed in several shade of light pink to deeper purple, but also added in some kale and cabbage too.

Some creeping jenny got added to my planters as well to echo the greenery in my flower boxes.

Instead of keeping my hydrangeas in my larger planters like last year, I decided to transplant them into the ground beside our sidewalk and I’m crossing my fingers that the earlier transplant helps them to bloom better next summer.

I kept all the ivy I had growing in the planters, because it went a little crazy. I tease my kids not to let their ankles get too close or it will grab them. This stuff seriously is taking over our steps. I added in the burgundy mums where the hydrangea used to be.

It’s hard to tell, but I have 3 large planters of different heights on either side of the front walk with a few smaller buckets in front. I love that from far away it looks like a big cascade of color.

I recovered my bench pillows (which are just inexpensive body pillows read more about that here) in a taupe striped fabric to offset all the bright colors and added a neutral cozy runner from Target.

A few pumpkins from Trader Joes finished it out for now. My daughter has already informed me that “those are not, like, even real pumpkins mom!” My kids don’t share my aversion for orange, so in a few weeks the steps will be filled with carved orange pumpkins like “normal people” ;)

Also, is it weird that I kind of like the green mossy mess growing on our sidewalk? I’ve been watering these nonstop with the warm weather we have had and I can’t seem to keep the mildew away. I keep thinking about painting our concrete or sealing it or something…I’d love to put blue stone over top someday, but for the meantime, I’m too lazy to power wash so we will pretend that the moss is charming and go with it :)

Be sure to stop by all the other front porch designs below! Also, if you are new here thanks for stopping by our lake house in Michigan – you can take our full home tour here.