AKM designs and delights

Begin Again...

2012-10-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love fresh starts...don't you?

The Next Chapter

2012-10-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ginger Spiced Cranberry and Pear Pies...in JARS!

2012-10-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Say hello to your new favorite Fall recipe!

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The Halloween Entrance...

2012-10-01T09:20:00.000-05:00

Oh how I LOVE Halloween!

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Stair Climbing

2012-09-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Go on...what are you waiting for?

Just grab hold of the rail and go for it!

Hershey Kiss Pumpkin Spice Stuffed FAT WITCH Brownies

2012-09-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

It’s funny how the older my children get the more lessons that I learn from them. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Aren’t I supposed to be the one TEACHING the lessons, not learning them?

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Chocolate Chip Studded Pumpkin Roll Bars

2012-09-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Do you have school age kids? If so, I am sure you can appreciate what I have to say.

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Feeling Stripey

2012-09-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

To truly appreciate that picture, you need to remember where it started...

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Enough.

2012-09-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

You are enough!

Now go show the world.

Halloween Glitter Pumpkin Topiary

2012-09-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Is that not the cutest "boo" you've ever seen?

I mean seriously...

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O.C.D. Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

2012-09-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Otherwise known as the Oatmeal Cookie Dough stuffed Spice Cupcake...

Jeesh that's a mouthful...literally!

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Vintage Dresser Makeover

2012-09-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Meet Chloe...

Isn't she magnificent?

I love her curvy shape...and her little short stubby, curvy legs...and the wheels...swoon!

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Devotion...

2012-09-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Caramel Crumb Shortbread Bars

2012-09-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

These seriously need to be called the "oh my GAWD these are so freakin' delish bars".

But I figured that would be too long of a title.

I actually wasn't even interested in these particular bars...I was more interested in sampling them as a base recipe for several other bars that I am going to be making.

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The Game/Play/Family Room Update...

2012-09-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

It seems like eons ago when we started this project...really it wasn't even 2 months ago but DANG-IT we just can't seem to get 'er done!

You know the project you start by saying "hey, lets just paint this room this color" and all the sudden your re-doing the entire upstairs?

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9/11

2012-09-11T11:42:00.001-05:00

I will never forget this day.

I remember talking on the phone with my mom while I was getting dressed.

Good Morning America was on the TV.

And I was frustrated because a job that I had interviewed for weeks ago still hadn't offered me the position.

They had called that morning letting me know that the paperwork was being pushed through but that it would be a week or so more before the official offer was made.

I was complaining about this and absent minded-ly staring at the TV.

There was smoke billowing from one of the Twin Towers.

They were saying something about a plane hitting it.

I stopped talking to listen and saw the second plane crash into the remaining Tower.

There was talk of terrorism...another hijacked plane...it all seemed to run together as my mind tried to wrap around what had just happened.

I could hear my boys, then just two and three, playing loudly in the other room.

My mom and I didn't speak another word but we couldn't hang up the phone either.

Time seemed to stand still.

I remember every single moment of that day as if it were yesterday.

And every single day since then,

I am thankful for our military, firefighters and every person involved in ensuring that our country is safe.

Thank you and God Bless!

Let us never forget....

Chocolate Chocolate Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Pumpkin Buttercream

2012-09-10T08:02:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I spent a ridiculous amount of time in my kitchen testing out new recipes for the upcoming Fall holidays. To say I am super ~~ridiculously over-the-top~~ excited about the holidays doesn't even scratch the surface. I have been Pinning, printing and ripping out magazine pages galore with all kinds of ideas!

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A Pretzel Twist on the Peanut Butter Brownie Thing

2012-09-01T16:52:00.002-05:00

If you’ve been reading my blog for any amount of time, then you know about my extreme love of brownies.

If not, you can read about it here…here…here oh and here.

I love brownies.

They are God’s sweet special gift just for me.

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The Game/Play/Family Room Project...

2012-07-19T10:47:00.003-05:00

Well...hello there folks! Betcha wonder where the heck I've been lately.

Busy! That's where!

I've got so many different projects started that I don't even know which end is up anymore. It's all good though!
I'm making progress...slowly.

This particular project started about a month ago. Sherwin Williams was having a 30% off sale on paints. I'd be a fool NOT to take advantage of that right? RIGHT! And that's the story were telling Mr. AKM em' kay pumpkins? Well, that was until they decided to have 40% off sale this weekend. We are NOT telling Mr. AKM that little tidbit of info. Capiche?

Anyway...I'd been dying to tackle painting the upstairs Game/Play/Family Room since we moved in (uhm, that was 4 years ago people) and decided that a 30% off sale was reason enough to jump on it!

The room wasn't all that bad to begin with...

Ok, who am I kidding. It was awful. Every time I walked into it I thought of baby poop. YUCK!

And there was no design to it at all. Years ago we had it filled with furniture that was eventually moved down to our main family room so this just became the place to "dump" all the overflow. (that's a ping pong table folded up against the wall by the way). In case you were wondering.

One rainy day I resolved to begin...and since it was raining and no one could go outside, I enlisted the help of the entire family.

And it went a little something like this...

That's a lot of "brown" to have to clean, caulk and tape up people! But we did it! WOOT!

This is the hallway just behind the Game Room. It's pretty dark and dreary.

But now...

Soooo much better wouldn't you say?

This room is still a work in progress (as you can see). But I wanted to give you a sneak peek at what we're working on.

Keep checking back for more updates.

I will be posting a tutorial on how to paint the PERFECT stripes...can you guess which wall got striped?

Tell me what you think so far. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

Turning the page...to 40!

2012-07-17T09:52:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I turned 40! Yup, I’m officially a “Cougar” as my husband tells me. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. :/ Perhaps maybe a M.I.L.F. would be better? I’m not sure I even like that one too much. It actually creeps me out to think of younger men (or boys) checking me out. I am, after all, raising two young men of my own. Maybe that’s why I get the whole shiver up my spine reaction when my husband refers to me as a Cougar. I dunno. Maybe I’m just weird. Who knows!

Anyway…as the day approached I found myself thinking of the past 40 years and what knowledge I have gained along the way. Maybe not so much knowledge but more wisdom!

Oh if only I could go back and talk to my 16 year old self. I’d let me know three things (1) Whoever “he” is, he’s so totally not worth it (2) stop obsessing over your weight! and (3) embrace yourself for who you are and stop trying to be what everyone else “thinks” you should be.

Oh the buckets of tears I could save myself if only I could jump into Michael J. Fox’s Delorian from Back to the Future and sneak up on my past self. But alas, I can not. I can only pass on my wisdom to those around me…in the present time.

So, as my birthday gift to you for MY 40th birthday I’ve decided to share 40 bits of wisdom that I've gained over the years...Doncha just feel special? So here goes in no special order…

1.         Remember to breathe in and out (I often forget this).
2.         Smile often.
3.         Believe that you have something great to offer.
4.         Love deeply.
5.         Tell your family you love them.
6.         Treat your family like you love them.
7.         Exercise makes you feel good.
8.         Be the best "you".
9.         Let go of all negativity.
10. This too shall pass.
11. Give even when you have nothing because someone needs more.
12. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
13. Give compliments freely.
14. You only get to live each day once, do it right the first time.
15. Putting on your favorite dress for no reason is good for you.
16. So is ice cream (though my butt begs to differ).
17. Trust God.
18. Listen to your children...even when you're busy.
19. Give credit where credit is due.
20. Stop at a lemonade stand and give a big tip!
21. Give anonymous service.
22. Always say thank you.
23. Work hard.
24. Play hard.
25. Dream big.
26. Follow your instincts.
27. When you go out of the house without makeup, you will always run into someone you don't want to.
28. Accept when you are wrong with grace.
29. Bubble baths are the perfect end to a long day.
30. Red wine with friends really IS the best medicine.
31. Dance to music while you cook.
32. Sometimes being wrong feels way better than being right.
33. Don't be afraid to try something new.
34. Failure often leads to later success.
35. You really are only as old as you feel.
36. You can do anything you set your mind to.
37. Really listen to what others are saying.
38. Nurture your creativity.
39. Celebrate the little things.

and

40.        Everything will be okay in the end...if it's not okay, then it's not the end.

Thank you for visiting me here at AKM designs and delights! I just love all of my bloggy friends that I've come to know through this little corner of the world! You all make me happy!

Feeling a little bit corn-y today?

2012-06-26T10:19:00.000-05:00

I pulled out some chicken to make kebabs for dinner.

My kids complained.

They haaaatttte chicken apparently.

A little fact that I did not find out until after the chicken had thawed out.

Thanks for the update boys!

They wanted hot dogs...

And I had the dogs but not the buns.

So I decided to do something a little off the wall last night...

And I made corn dogs!

That's right I made them.

Like ALL by MYSELF!

Go ahead, be amazed.

Who's your daddy now Mr. Coney Island Corn Dog Vendor man?

These little gems were a cinch to make....a bit grease-y, splatter-y kinda messy...

But SUPER simple!

And the best part...

My kids LOVED them!

So be a little "corn-y" and try something different for dinner.

You'll be glad you did!

Mini Corn Dog Bites

by Angi McCarthy

Keywords: appetizer Dinner Lunch American

Ingredients

1 cup flour, divided
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon season salt
1 cup milk
8 hot dogs, cut into thirds
Vegetable or canola oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Preheat about 3 inches of oil to 350 degrees over medium heat.

2. Combine 2/3 cup of flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, garlic powder and season salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the milk.

3. In a pie plate or other shallow dish, add the remaining flour.

4. Dredge each hot dog piece in the flour and then dip it into the cornmeal batter. Shake off any excess batter, but be sure that the hot dog is fully covered in batter.

5. Drop into the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

6. Fry in batches, being careful not to over crowd the pan.

7. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and keep warm in a 200 degree oven until all of the hot dogs are fried.

8. Serve immediately with ketchup and mustard, if desired.

Have you ever tried making homemade corn dogs?

Finding the "New" in the "Old"...

2012-06-20T10:51:00.003-05:00

I love a good furniture re-do don’t you? Taking something that looks like it belongs on the curb for the garbage man to dispose of and turning it into a cherished piece for our home.

That’s kinda how this little Craigslist find was for me. I didn’t really want to buy anything that day. Honestly!

Actually, I was researching and trying to get an idea of how much to price some things that I was trying to get rid of when I spotted her. (that's my story and I'm sticking to it)

There she was…all brown and banged up with her little tear-drop handles all covered in rust. She was just crying for some love! I wish I had a photo to share of her before her makeover but somewhere between start to finish…the before photos were lost. UGH!

Suffice to say, she looked a bit like this…

But oh did she have potential! In all honesty, I have a thing for ~~old~~ vintage things in their original state. I could’ve just lived with her as is if not for the horrific smell!

I’m thinking she was used as a kitty litter box…or close to one??? It was bad people!

So I busted out the sander and went to town. There wasn't much left of the original finish so sanding went pretty quickly.

First I used a 120 grit sandpaper all over to take off all the paint splatter covering her and give her a smooth finish. My initial thought was to restore her back to her original beauty but the more I sanded, the more I realized that was not going to be possible.

The wood had some cracks in it that needed to be filled and some warping issues that needed, well some caulk! So I had to come up with a new plan of action.

In came a sample pot of Behr paint that I’d gotten in Antique Tin. I loved the color and just had to get a sample of it…but had no clue where I was going to use it.

Considering it’s a small piece, I figured this would be the perfect place to try it out!

I removed the drawers, tapped off the top, slapped on a face mask and filled up my paint sprayer with paint and off to paint’in I went!

After the first coat of paint dried, I sanded it lightly with 220 grit paper and then applied a second coat…sanded again with 220 grit then applied a light third coat for good measure.

In between coats of paint on the chest, I started staining the drawers. I used my all time favorite stain, Minwax in Special Walnut. LOVE IT! Can never go wrong with it.

Once the chest was done drying, I applied three coats of the same stain to the top, let that dry for 24 hours and then applied a coat of Annie Sloan Clear Wax to the entire piece…let it sit for 24 hours, applied a second coat of Wax…waited 24 hours and then buffed her to a shine!

I just love the way she turned out...don't you?

She's the perfect blend of rustic and chic!

You may find this post partying in the following places:

Monday: Debbie Doos - The Girl Creative - Skip to My Lou - Craft O Maniac - Lisa's Craft Blog - The DIY Show Off -Everything Under the Moon

Tuesday: Not Just A Housewife - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Clean and Scentsible - Crazy For Crust - recipes - Uncommon Designs

Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style - Seven Thirty-Three - Someday Crafts - Michele Raven Designs/

Thursday: Delightful Order - Something Swanky - Recipes - The How To Mommy - A Little Nosh

Friday: Dwell on Joy- Finding Fabulous - Chic on a Shoestring Decorating - Fingerprints on the Fridge - Shabby Nest - Whipperberry – Miss Mustard Seed - French Country Cottage - Sweet Tooth Friday (Alli-n-son), I'm Lovin' it Fridays (TidyMom), Friday Favorites (Simply Sweet Home), Latest & Greatest Friday (Days of Chalk and Chocolate), Bacon Time, Fusion Friday (Jane Deere Blog).

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

2012-05-30T12:40:00.002-05:00

Do you ever find that one special recipe that is just so darn good you wanna call your mom up and thank her for teaching you how to use an oven? And in the same breath reach through the phone and smack her all at the same time because now that you KNOW how to bake the best cake like EVER, your butt continues to grow because you can not work-out hard enough to stop the effects of a slowing metabolism (due to age...not that I'm old) and your lack of self-control to NOT eat half of the cake with a fork straight out of the skillet you cooked it in?

No?

Well then, you haven't made this cake yet.

This cake is the perfect blend of spicy and sweet...and its totally healthy too.

It has pineapples in it! How can that not be healthy?

Don't ruin it for me...were gonna call it healthy and leave it at that, Em' Kay Pumpkin?

Em' Kay!

This is by far the BEST pineapple upside down cake recipe that I have ever come across.

My husband asks for it every year for his birthday...and then at least once a month for the next 6 months after his birthday because ~~the half eaten~~ one cake isn't enough for him.

Yup, its just THAT good!

So forget that bikini season is just around the corner, go work-out super hard this week and then bake yourself this cake.

I promise that you won't be dissappointed.

Oh, and mom, don't answer the phone when I call you. I'm just sayin :)

Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake

by Angi McCarthy (adapted from Taste of Home)

Keywords: pineapple cake

Ingredients

1-1/3 cups butter, softened, divided
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple slices, drained
10 to 12 maraschino cherries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

In a saucepan, melt 2/3 cup of butter; stir in brown sugar. Spread in the bottom of an ungreased heavy 12-in skillet or a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Arrange pineapple in a single layer over sugar mixture; place a cherry in the center of each slice.

Sprinkle with pecans and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream sugar and remaining butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; add alternately to batter with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.

Carefully pour over the pineapple. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes in an iron skillet skillet (50-60 minutes for baking pan) or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Immediately invert onto a serving platter. Serve warm with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream!

So what is the ONE recipe that you can not seem to make enough of? I'd love to try it out!

Oh Happy Day!!

2012-05-14T11:17:00.000-05:00

Taking Pleasure in the Simple Pleasures of Life!!

Every year for Mother's Day all my men get up early to make me breakfast. I am usually asleep while all the action takes place only to awaken to a fresh poured cup of coffee and my favorite breakfast sitting at the kitchen table waiting for me.

This year; however, I was a wake before all the action began. Some little birdy told me that I needed to be apart of it all this time around.

And so I was.

While I was not "allowed" to lift a finger to help cook or set the table, I was given permission to pull out my camera and snap a few shots.

Our Aussie was stuck on the other side of the kitchen...wishing he could come in...cause he just KNOWS the kids are gonna drop something that he can "help" clean up!

My youngest was inspired a few weeks ago by The Pioneer Woman. We all curl up on the couch and watch her TV series every Sunday morning.

He saw her making some fried eggs inside toast and decided that he HAD to make me those...and he doesn't even like eggs OR toast :)

I love that kid!

My breakfast was Magnificent! There was chit-chat and laughter all around the table.

I didn't even have to clean up the mess when they were done!

For a brief period in time, I actually felt like royalty.

I was quickly smacked back into reality when my boys started wrestling each other over who was going to give me my Mother's Day gift.

Ahhh...the joys of Motherhood!

The Passage of Time...

2012-05-11T10:38:00.000-05:00

Finding Joy in All Things

It’s not always easy but it is always worth it

You won’t mind if I shamelessly posts picture of my adorable son building something for me as I ramble on will you? No? Good!

I don’t know if any of you follow Sasha over at Lemonade Makin Mama or not (but you totally should because she is amazing). Personally, I find that I am drawn to her blog when I need to feel inspired. She writes from the heart and truly makes you feel close to her through her words, for me, its similar to the feeling of a puppy curling up on my lap as it drifts to sleep. Just a sweet, comforted, warm and relaxed feeling comes over me each time I read her posts. Sometimes, I can feel her tears in her words and am moved to tears myself. To say that she has a way with words is an underestimation of her talents as a writer.

Recently she put up this post about what has been taking place in her life and her struggles over the last couple of years and her decision to finally give “it” ALL over to God. Her struggles seem to mirror my own so closely…I guess that is why I am drawn to her time and again.

But then again, we all struggle with that to a degree don’t we? There are times that we truly believe that we have given it all to Him to handle only to find that there is still that little “something” that we feel the need to control ourselves that keeps us from completely surrendering to Him.

Several months ago, I too decided to hand over to God all of a situation in my life. I prayed on it…and by prayed I mean got down on my hands and knees and blubbered like an idiot begging Him to help me with the situation in my life that felt a bit like an out of control merry-go-round. I prayed for the voice to say the things that needed to be said and to let go of all the rest but more than that, the courage to accept the outcome…whatever it may be.

I prayed that when the time was right to have my voice heard, that He would let me know. And I patiently waited. Over that time several things started to take place.

My anger over this situation subsided but I found that it was replaced by hurt. That gut wrenching type of hurt that can only be caused by someone that you love. It was a raw emotion that left me without words. The hurt was so deep that I wanted nothing to do with it. I ignored it and only wanted it to stop but I didn’t know how to make it. So I prayed further and harder and asked that God show me how. And I listened while he softly spoke to me through this message…

“Joy is the flag that flies above the castle of our hearts indicating that the King reigns within.” If that is true, then why are so many women living lives with little or no joy? I’m afraid that we have bought the lies of the enemy, allowing him to steal our joy. Discouragement, weariness, disillusionment, shattered dreams and unrealized goals are some of his favorite weapons, but the truth is that the enemy can only use what we allow him to use. It is time for us to reclaim surrendered ground. Do you sometimes think you are fighting the same old battles you have been fighting for years? I do. Clinging to familiar pain, we find our identity there. Consumed with our own agenda, joy is buried under a mountain of self. Joy is not the result of outward circumstances. Joy is an inside job, a deeply rooted confidence that God is in control..." Mary Southerland

Um YEA! That is totally how I am feeling! So I struggled to come to terms with the root of the hurt and what was causing it: The feeling that I was being judged for past mistakes and current circumstances that were beyond my control. It’s hard being judged for that which I can not change… things that helped to make me who I am today but aren’t who I am and wishing that the one passing judgment would realize that it is the future that isn’t yet written in stone.

Time passes…things change…people change.

And then I felt Him nudge me. And I said my peace. And nothing changed.

Then…

My searching led me to something amazing that I'd never seen before. I was lead to the book of Jeremiah and there's a very well known verse all about God knowing the plans He has for you, yada, yada, yada, and to be honest, I was putting off getting to that part because of where I was at emotionally. As Sasha explains in words I can understand, “Basically, God kept trying to get the Israelites to quit worshiping idols, etc, and he gave them warning, after warning to no avail. He was finally like "Okay guys, if you insist on crossing every line, I'm gonna have to let the Babylonians carry you off into slavery to get your attention, but I'll only keep you there for seventy years." God spoke up; "This is what the Lord says: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord..." Jeremiah 29: 10-14a.

So in laymen terms…my misery has a time limit! Halleluiah! Just that in itself comforts me greatly.

I feel like we’re finally living the life that God has willed us to do and we are so close to seeing the end of this, but you know the saying, "Close only counts in horseshoes."

Somehow, in all of this, I realized that I was meant to suffer this heartache…though I do not know why yet. Maybe there is a lesson for me to learn…that all actions both good and bad carry consequences. That I should not judge less I want to be judged.

In the mean-time, I'm going to seek Him with my whole heart and I'm going to choose the knowledge that God is firmly in control. And I'm taking back my joy!! How about you? Can you relate to this place at all?