{southern bliss blog}

{Lemon Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 17:07:00 +0000

Hey there, friends!! Are you following my new blog? I sure hope so! :)

I just wanted to pop in to let you know that I'm doing all of my posting over at Kate and Levi now, and you can find me here. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of the fun…Like this delicious salmon recipe. See ya over at Kate and Levi!

{via Cooking Classy}

xoxo,
Katherine

{New Beginnings}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 13:25:00 +0000

I have had a special project in the works for weeks now, and I’m so excited to finally share the fun news.

When I first started my Southern Bliss blog back in 2011, it began as a personal journey to document special occasions in my married life. Since then, blogging has become so much more to me…It’s a bright spot in my day, it’s a creative outlet, it’s a simple pleasure that I indulge in as my baby naps, it’s a means of connecting to so many wonderful people around the world, it’s where I have made new friends, it’s where I have sought advice of fellow moms, and it’s where I find happiness and joy every day.

As my blog began to evolve over the years, I started thinking about my vision for its future. Although Southern Bliss will always be so very special to me {after all, it was my first blog “baby”}, my heart was leading me in a new direction after the birth of my little girl. I started brainstorming ideas and names for my new blog, and something just clicked…I want my slice of blogging Heaven to embody everything about me and where I come from, and I couldn’t think of two better names to combine…Katherine and Leventis...The two most special names to me…And thus, Kate and Levi was born, and I couldn’t be more proud!

{Click Here to Visit Kate & Levi}

So please join me on my new journey…New home, new baby, new brand, and now a beautiful new blog. I hope you enjoy!

xoxo,

Katherine

{Five Favorites}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 15:22:00 +0000

I hope you are all having a great week! I took a few days off to spend some time with my family and celebrate Father's Day with my amazing Dad, and as always, it was such a perfect trip. My time spent with my family is never long enough, and I would give anything to live right down the street from them. I can honestly say one of the greatest pleasures in my life is seeing my daughter with my parents…We are so blessed to have them, and I will cherish these special moments forever.

My Five Favorites post this week is in honor of my Daddy…My hero...The most amazing man I have ever known…The man who has made our lives so special, perfect, and wonderful…So thankful God chose him as my Daddy and the most precious Papou of my babies. We love you, Daddy!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Breakfast Casseroles for Dad}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:34:00 +0000

Happy Wednesday, friends!! Do you know what happens at the end of this week? It's Father's Day!!! Hooray!!! I cannot wait to celebrate my amazing Daddy and Kate's sweet Daddy, and I think a delicious, make-ahead breakfast casserole is the perfect treat to begin their celebrations.

I have seen so many recipes that look Father's Day-worthy, and here are a few frontrunners that I'm eyeing.

{Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole via Southern Living}

{Overnight Breakfast Casserole via Thirty Handmade Days}

{Biscuits and Gravy Casserole via Lemon Sugar}

{Maple Sausage French Toast Bake via Real Housemoms}

What are your Father's Day plans, and do you have any fabulous breakfast casserole recipes to share?

xoxo,
Katherine

{Five Favorites}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 16:24:00 +0000

Happy Friday, sweet friends. I hope you are all doing great!! It has been a challenging couple of weeks for us, but one thing that we have learned is that we always need to appreciate the little things in life that brighten our days. Here are some scenes from the past few days making us smile as we head into the weekend…

{Warm cookies and cold milk…A perfect mid-week treat!}

{Our cable box is out of commission so a family movie night it is!}

{Seeing Kate with her little friends warms my heart.}

{She always knows when we need some extra cuddles.}

{Kate comes running to us with her hands full of books to read, & we don't mind a bit!}

xoxo,
Katherine

{Breakfast Egg Muffins}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 19:19:00 +0000

With everything going on around our household lately, pulling it together in the morning has been quite the challenge. I have found myself scrambling to get everything done, and I haven't been leaving myself enough time to prep a well-balanced and healthy meal for breakfast. Once I finish feeding Kate, I just grab whatever I can get my hands on. It's about time I change that.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I need mine to be full of nourishment even more now that I am carrying a little munchkin in my belly. :) So, what's quick, easy, and healthy and can be prepped ahead of time? These delicious egg muffins from Two Peas & Their Pod! Enjoy!

{via Two Peas & Their Pod}

Ingredients:

3 lean breakfast turkey sausage links 
5 egg whites 
2 whole eggs 
1/4 cup skim milk 
Salt and pepper, to taste 
1/4 cup fresh chopped spinach 
1/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium skillet, brown the turkey sausage links on medium-high heat. Cook until sausage is brown all the way through. Cut sausage into 1/2 inch pieces. Set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg whites and eggs. Whisk in skim milk and season with salt

and pepper, to taste. Stir in the chopped spinach.

3. Grease 6 muffin tin cups with cooking spray or line cups with paper liners. Pour egg mixture evenly into the muffin cups.

4. Distribute cheese and sausage equally between each muffin cup.

5. Bake egg muffins for 20 minutes, or until the muffins are firm in the center. Remove from oven and gently go round each egg with a butter knife. Serve warm.

Note-you can store the egg muffins in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat them in the microwave.

xoxo,

Katherine

{Indoor Activities for Kids}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 22:03:00 +0000

Hello friends!! I'm so sorry for the recent quiet time on the blog…We have had a lot going on around here, and one day soon I'll share some of the details.

In the meantime, I thought I'd chat a little bit about some fun indoor activities for the little kiddos. We have had a number of storms lately that have kept us stuck inside, and I have been searching for some fun activities to occupy my active little Kate when she's not able to run free in the backyard.

Check these out, and I'd love to hear what fun activities you do with your kids when outdoor play isn't an option. Have a great day!!

{Kool-Aid Playdough via The 36th Avenue}

{Grow Your Own Magic Crystal Tree via Instructables}

{Submersible Lights via Play at Home Mom}

{Water Balloon Bath via Play at Home Mom}

{Yarn Block Prints via Whip Up}

{Rainbow Color Sorting via NurtureStore}

{Toilet Paper Roll Activities via Thrive 360 Living}

xoxo,
Katherine

{3-Ingredient Strawberry Pies}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Thu, 22 May 2014 17:40:00 +0000

I know I have posted a lot about food this week, but I just can't help myself! So many recipes have been catching my eye, and I have to send them your way. Last night I made this delicious Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Quinoa Casserole after they fixed our oven {soooo good!}, and then today I learned over at Brit + Co. that May is National Strawberry Month. Did you know that? I sure didn't, but I do LOVE strawberries!! I think I'll celebrate National Strawberry Month with these…Enjoy!!

{via Brit + Co.}

Ingredients:

1 package puff pastry, thawed
strawberries
turbinado sugar
1 egg (or, you can just use water)
Nutella, optional

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Dice strawberries and set aside. Lightly flour your work surface, and gently unfold one puff pastry sheet. Roll out the dough into a 15 by 15 inch square. Use a cookie cutter to cut out 24 rounds.

2. Beat the egg together with a few tablespoons of water to make an egg wash. Place 12 rounds of dough on a cookie sheet and brush the edges with the egg wash.

3. Spoon diced strawberries into the center of the rounds. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

4. Place a second round on top of each filled circle. Use a fork to crimp the edges together.

5. Brush each mini pie with egg wash and cut a small vent on the top of each one. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.

6. Serve with Nutella.

xoxo,
Katherine

{Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Quinoa Casserole}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Wed, 21 May 2014 14:27:00 +0000

How delicious does this dish look?!? It is on my "must-try" Pinterest board, and I'm dying to whip this up. My mouth waters every time I see the picture, and once our oven is fixed, this casserole is going in!!

{via Cooking Classy}

Ingredients

1 1/4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
12 oz broccoli florets (about 4 cups), diced and steamed just until tender
1 1/2 cups dry quinoa
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/4 tsp dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 oz finely shredded Parmesan cheese, divided (about 1 cup slightly packed)
3/4 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)

Directions

Cook quinoa according to directions replacing 2 cups of water with the 2 cups chicken broth (so you should be using 2 cups broth 1 cup water). Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large skillet, melt butter along with olive oil. Add in onion and sauté over medium heat until soft. Add in garlic and flour and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. While whisking slowly pour in milk, then add in thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened then remove from heat and stir in half of the Parmesan cheese, then mix in sour cream, lemon juice and fresh parsley.

To assemble, butter a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and spread half of the cooked quinoa into an even layer in bottom of baking dish. Then spread steamed broccoli into an even layer over quinoa, followed by chicken then remaining cooked quinoa. Pour white sauce evenly over top and spread into an even layer and sprinkle top with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake in preheated oven 25 minutes. Serve warm.

Thank you Cooking Classy for this yummy adaptation of your Mom's recipe. :)

xoxo,
Katherine

{Summer To-Do List}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Tue, 20 May 2014 15:57:00 +0000

With summer quickly approaching, I've been trying to think of some fun activities that I can do with friends and with my little Kate in tow. As I was brainstorming and searching the web, I came across Mique's idea to start a Random Acts of Kindness Summer List. What a wonderful way to turn summertime fun into something meaningful and beneficial for others.

{Download Here}

I just love this list, and I can't wait to get started. You can download this list HERE, or you can create your own HERE. Thank you, Mique, for the inspiration!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Healthy Peanut Butter Balls}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Mon, 19 May 2014 14:39:00 +0000

I discovered a new favorite snack over the weekend, and the fact that it's good for me is an added bonus. This pregnancy has brought on a bit of an increased appetite, but I'm trying to stick with a healthy diet by preparing nutritious treats to curb my cravings.

Last week I introduced you to one of my favorite pregnancy smoothies, and this week I wanted to share the recipe for these delicious peanut butter balls. These little balls of goodness were so easy to prep, and I just grab one or two whenever I'm in need of a little snack. Simple, sweet, filling, and oh so delicious!!

{Peanut Butter Balls}

Ingredients:

1 cup dry oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
Dash of vanilla

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together, form into balls, place on wax paper, and freeze for 1 hour. ** Feel free to add ingredients such as flaxseed, protein powder, raisins, etc. Enjoy!!

xoxo,

Katherine

{Happy Birthday, Daddy!}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Fri, 16 May 2014 15:15:00 +0000

Today is a very special day…Today we celebrate my Daddy's birthday, and I'm so excited! Kate and I got to FaceTime with him and my mom first thing this morning, and it just really made our day. Tonight, Forrest, Kate, and I will get to celebrate with Dad, and I'm counting down the hours.

My Dad is the most wonderful man I have ever known, and I feel so blessed and so lucky that he's mine. I thank God every, single day for him, and I can't wait to shower him with love tonight!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!! WE LOVE YOU!!

xoxo,

Katherine

{20 Awesome Uses for Coconut Oil}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Thu, 15 May 2014 21:24:00 +0000

One of the greatest pregnancy tips I received was from my sister when she was expecting her first child. She recommended using coconut oil as a belly moisturizer, and it worked wonders!! My skin stayed hydrated, smooth, and stretch mark-free throughout my entire pregnancy, and you better believe I started slathering on the oil right away with this pregnancy.

I buy this stuff in bulk now, so I started wondering…What other ways can I put my coconut oil to good use? Well, I found some great ones when I stumbled upon Thyme is Honey today. Check this out, and run to your local grocery store to snag some coconut oil for your house.

{Thyme is Honey}

xoxo,
Katherine

{Pregnancy Smoothie}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Wed, 14 May 2014 19:17:00 +0000

I have always loved a good smoothie, but they are even more satisfying to me during this pregnancy. I often find myself craving a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack, and rather than give in to the unhealthy options, I just whip up this smoothie. It is so refreshing, and it always satisfies my appetite and keeps me full for quite awhile.

Although I have altered mine a bit, I first got this idea from Eat, Live, Run. She always has great recipes, and I have really enjoyed her pregnancy posts.

Although I call this my "Pregnancy Smoothie," of course it's perfect for anyone. It's such a healthy treat, and it's full of nutritious ingredients…Great for Moms-to-Be and everyone else out there trying to add healthy snacks to their diet! :)

{Click here to learn more about my mason jars}

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana
1/2 cup skim milk
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 raw medjool date
A dash of cinnamon

** I add a few ice cubes to mine to increase the thickness, and I occasionally toss in a couple frozen strawberries.

Directions:

Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Enjoy!!

On a side note, this smoothie is also Kate-approved, so it must be good! ;)

xoxo,
Katherine

{Mother's Day}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Tue, 13 May 2014 21:32:00 +0000

Hey friends!! I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!! Mine was so special and perfect…Want to know why? I got to spend it with all of the most important people in my life…My day started with my husband and precious daughter showering me with so much love, and then I got to finish my day spending such wonderful quality time with my amazing Mom, Dad, and sister.

These two beauties in this picture are what Mother's Day is all about for me. My Mama...My role model, my mentor, my best friend, my strength, and my biggest supporter. My daughter...The angel who made me a Mama, my brightest ray of sunshine, and the most precious gift I've ever received. I feel so blessed that God chose them for me, and I'm so happy I got to spend my Mother's Day with them.

Here's to all you moms out there…I hope you had a very Happy Mother's Day!!

xoxo,

Katherine

{Five Favorites}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Fri, 09 May 2014 23:50:00 +0000

This week was a long one for me. Probably because it started with the terribly sad news about a fellow blogger suffering a tragic loss. I haven't been able to get Jacqui and her family off my mind, but I have been holding my family tight and finding beauty and happiness in the little things…Little things like watching our house become our home, with a beautiful new yard in which our kids will run and play for years to come…An uplifting scripture from a friend to start the day off on a positive note...The tippy toes of my baby girl who loves to look out every window...A Greek salad that totally satisfies my Greek tooth...And a new tutu for little Kate to float around in from our sweet neighbors. Those are the things that brightened my week. :)

** If you'd like to learn more about Jacqui's story, you can do so here. Click here to offer support.

Have a great day!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Red Balloons for Ryan: Support}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:30:00 +0000

Another day has dawned, and I haven't stopped thinking about Ryan and his family. It completely consumed me yesterday, and I still can't get this story out of my mind. I thought about that precious boy and his parents every second yesterday…Then, when I got home last night, I lay in the bed beside my husband, and we looked at all of the pictures on the Baby Boy Bakery blog. I found myself scrolling to her very first posts which showed pictures of Ryan as a beautiful little baby, and my heart just hurt for them. As I was taking my shower this morning to prep for my day, I found myself weeping for this family. I felt the tears running down my cheeks, and I couldn't help but think about how differently our days would go…I would head off to my doctor's appointment to listen to our sweet little unborn baby's strong, steady heartbeat on the fetal monitor, meanwhile another mother is experiencing pain and heartbreak that I cannot even imagine.

Hearing the news about Jacqui and Dan's son, Ryan, has caused me to reflect on what is so precious and perfect in my life…My family. Our little Kate is definitely an early bird, and in true Kate fashion, she awoke before 6 am this morning. I usually huff and puff when I hear her stirring that early on her monitor, but not today. Today I rushed upstairs, took my baby girl in my arms, felt her skin against mine, twirled her curly hair in my fingers, kissed her sweet, soft cheeks, rubbed her little back, and cuddled her just as long as I could. And then I thanked God for giving me this precious angel on earth and for allowing her to brighten our every day.

I wish I could just hug Jacqui and Dan…Take away their pain and suffering. But since I can't do that, I hope they find some glimmer of light and hope in the Instagram/blogging community that loves them so very much. If you would like to offer support to this wonderful family during this tragic time, you can do so by visiting the links below. These amazing shops have created products to honor Ryan's memory, and proceeds will go directly to the family.

{Ryan's Necklace by Lisa Leonard}

{Sunshine Dreams - For Ryan. By Geo Fox Apparel}

{"Remember Ryan" Tee by Geo Fox Apparel}

{Red Balloon for Ryan Cruz Saldana - Indie Nook}

{Red Balloons for Ryan Print - Mulberry Press Co}

{Cards, iPhone cases, T-shirts, and Fabrics - Craftberry Bush}

{Red Shades for Ryan - Subsidy Shades}

{Cherry Bomb Moccasins - Antlers and Bows}

{Red Balloons for Ryan Print - idieh design}

If you would like to read more of the story, you can do so here. You can also make a direct donation to the family via the Thrive Moms blog.

I will continue to pray for them every second…For peace, for comfort, for strength. And I will continue to pray for Ryan, who is dancing in Heaven in his beautiful angel wings.

Rest in Peace, sweet Ryan Cruz Saldana.
#redballoonsforryan

xoxo,
Katherine

{Red Balloons for Ryan}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Tue, 06 May 2014 18:01:00 +0000

I had planned on posting a new recipe or a DIY project on the blog today, but my plan changed when I heard this news. I have followed Baby Boy Bakery for years, and this morning I kept seeing pictures of her precious little boy pop up on my Instagram feed. I was devastated as I started to read the captions…Her sweet son passed away in a tragic accident over the weekend, and it makes my heart break for this family.

{#redballoonsforryan}

You can read more of the story here, and today I'll be praying for this family, thanking God for mine, and hugging my baby girl a little tighter.

xoxo,
Katherine

{4-Ingredient Enchiladas}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Mon, 05 May 2014 16:35:00 +0000

I love a simple meal and I crave Mexican food, so this recipe was a perfect one to add to my dinner list. Kevin and Amanda's Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas caught my eye as soon as I saw that they only call for 4 ingredients, and my husband absolutely loved them!! I paired them with a side salad, and I had this meal prepped and on the table in no time. Perfect choice for a quick and easy weeknight meal!

{via Kevin and Amanda}

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz) jar Salsa Verde

2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese

3 cups (12 oz) cooked, chopped chicken (I use a Rotisserie Chicken from the grocery store)

8 medium (soft taco size) flour tortillas

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon a thin layer of salsa verde into the bottom of the dish.

2. Combine chicken, 1 cup salsa verde, and 1 cup cheese in a bowl. Spoon about 1/3 cup mixture down the middle of a tortilla. Fold sides over and place seam side down in prepared baking dish. It’s okay if they overlap a bit.

3. Top with remaining salsa and 1 cup shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes until bubbly. Serve and enjoy!

Thanks Kevin and Amanda for the yummy recipe!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Martha's Kitchen Shortcuts and Timesavers}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 21:15:00 +0000

Hey there!! We're still in the process of getting settled in our new home, and one of the first rooms that I wanted to tackle was the kitchen. I'm on a mission to maintain an organized and smoothly-run household, and I've been researching tips and tricks for kitchen organization.

As I was perusing the web, I came across these neat tips from Martha and had to share with you.

{Page Placeholder}

{Clip-On Coffee Spoon}

{Instant Stock}

{Cooks' Helpers}

{Magnetic Lunch Chart}

{Softening Secret}

{Easy Breakfast Mixes}

{Butter Corn in a Jiffy}

I hope you have found these as useful as I did. Have a great day!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Five Favorites}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:48:00 +0000

Hooray for Friday!! I'm so excited to be typing my first Five Favorites post from our new house, and I can't wait to share some of my happy moments from the week with you. I'm not going to lie…I don't like moving…At all. I'm tired, I'm in need of a long shower and some makeup, but I'm also very thankful for a successful move and a good week.

It started off with a beautiful Easter church service, and it is ending with lots of fun discoveries for our little Kate. I think she loves her new home, and that's really all that matters to me. :)

{New home, new view, new kitchen}

{Easter Church Service}

{Our little angel in her Easter dress}

{One of Kate's favorite spots in the new house}

{We're making some yard progress}

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Big Announcement}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 19:32:00 +0000

Hey there, friends!! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and are enjoying this beautiful week. I've been away for a few days because my family and I have been moving into our new home, and boy does it feel good to have my internet connection back.

So many exciting things are going on around here. In addition to moving into a new house, our little Kate has a big announcement to make…

Our new little bundle of joy is due on October 10th, and we are all so thrilled and excited!! :)

I just wanted to pop in to share our news with all of you, and I hope y'all have a great day!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Bunny Bark}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:37:00 +0000

Happy Wednesday!! Are you all ready for Easter? I'm pretty excited because we move this weekend, and my family and I will get to spend our first Easter in our new home. I've been trying to find some simple crafts and recipes that we can all work on together when we get settled, and I love some of the ideas I've seen. You can find fun ways to decorate your Easter eggs here, a sweet little bird's nest treat here, and check out this yummy {and pretty} bunny bark below. All these will add a perfect touch to your Easter parties this weekend!

{via Bakerella}

Ingredients:

20 oz. dark chocolate morsels 
4-6 oz. white chocolate morsels 
½ cup M&M’s
 ½ cup pastel candy corn 
½ cup salted peanuts
 ¼ cup pastel-coated sunflower seeds
 ¼ cup marshmallow bits or mini marshmallows

Directions:

1. Line a 9- x 13-inch baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. (Note: If you want thinner bark, use a 12- x 15-inch baking sheet.)

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat dark chocolate morsels in the microwave on a low setting for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Continue heating in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted and smooth. Repeat with white chocolate morsels.

3. Pour chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Pour white chocolate on top, then drag a knife through the chocolate to create swirls.

4. Sprinkle add-ons on top and gently press into chocolate. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting bark into pieces.

xoxo,

Katherine

{World's Toughest Job}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 15:07:00 +0000

I kept seeing this video floating around the web this week, so I finally clicked on it this morning. Check it out…
The end result? Tears in my eyes thinking about my mom and everything she has done for us. I love you, Mama, and I can't wait to celebrate you this Mother's Day!!!

xoxo,
Katherine

{Sweet Bird's Nests for Easter}

noreply@blogger.com ({southern bliss...sealed with a kiss}) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:32:00 +0000

This Easter treat is SO ADORABLE!! My mom showed me this over the weekend, and I just had to share it with all of you. Aren't they so cute for your upcoming Easter celebration? Check out the recipe below to see how quickly you can have these on your lunch table this Sunday.

{Recipe and Photo via Bake at 350}

Ingredients:

3 c. mini marshmallows
3 TBSP unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
4 c. dry chow mein noodles
small candies, jelly beans, m & m's, etc.

Instructions:

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Over low heat, melt the marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan.
Once melted, stir in the vanilla, then the chow mein noodles.
Coat your hands liberally with shortening, (butter doesn't work as well) and have some nearby for re-coating.
Grab a clump of noodles smaller than a tennis ball and larger than a golf ball. Form into a ball while pressing your thumbs into the middle, forming a nest.
Allow the nests to cool, then fill them with the candy of your choice. Enjoy!!

xoxo,

Katherine