I'm Simply Tickled Pink!

Thank you, thank you to Savannah at Pitter Patter and Amy at Pretty Little Presents for giving me a blog award! It's so much fun, and silly as it is, it kind of made my day! There are some stipulations to this award though, and I am much obliged to fulfill them! These were my directions:

Here are the rules:

~thank the person who nominated me for the award
~copy the logo and place it on my blog
~link to the person who nominated me
~list 7 things people may not know about me
~nominate 7 creative bloggers
~post their links
~leave a comment on each

Here are my Kreativ Blogger nominees:

Annie's Eats: This blog is becoming a go-to for me when I need a delicious, yet unique recipe. The blog is laid out in lovely way, and each recipe has some special flare to it. It makes me hungry just looking at it!

Nesting Place: This blog has wonderful ideas to spruce up your home. It features crafts (that don't look crafty) and other easy do-it-yourself ways to make your house look like a home.

Katy Elliot: I love how crisp and clean everything looks in this blog. Katy has elegant, yet simple and understated taste, so everything looks extremely polished. She also has recipes and other fun tidbits that will have you searching her blog.

Design Dazzle: I don't have children, but if I did, they would have the coolest bedrooms and parties around because I would find my ideas here. Although this website has really fun children's rooms, it also has some creative party ideas that can be translated to an adult setting. It also has the DIY projects that we all love!

Under a Paper Moon: I love the quirky photos, fashion and finds on this blog. There are lots of fun tidbits, and you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Pewter and Sage: This blog provides more inspiration for festive home decorating. I enjoy looking through all of her various home pictures!

Centsational Girl: This blog has lots of home improvement ideas. Each is seems like they could be easily achieved with a little work. Did I mention that she likes to work on a budget... now that's my kind of style!

And Here are Seven Things You May Not Know About Me:

1. My blog's name is named after my Grandpa. When I was trying to think of a name, I kept thinking and thinking. I called my grandpa Poppy, and they have become my favorite flowers. So, I went with Pink and Poppy. And on a side note, I teach English, so I liked the alliteration of pink with the poppy. My favorite color is really blue. :)

2. I am absolutely obsessed with Disney World. I have been there nineteen times (twenty soon!) I got engaged at Disney World, and I could pretty much write a book. Any questions; shoot them my way!

3. I have recently taken up bike riding. I am by no means a professional, and I will never, ever try to be, but it's fun to ride around the park or up to the grocery store. It's my little contribution to the environment. This summer, my husband and I want to ride the
Great Allegheny Passage. We'll see how that turns out.

4. I am a running coach. Through middle school, high school and even college I ran track and cross country, so it was a natural transition for me to continue to be involved in the sport. This year, I was not able to coach cross country because of KTIP (Kentucky Teacher Internship Program), but I'm going to do my best to coach track with my middle schoolers. It's so much fun!

5. Reese Witherspoon is my favorite actress of this generation. (Audrey Hepburn could never be topped of course as my all time favorite.) But, I think Reese is a wonderful role model with lots of talent. If she's in a movie, I'm sure to love it.

6. I'm an only child. I don't know why that is extremely significant, but I'm running out of things to say! I can entertain myself easily; I think that's why I like to cook so much. It's easy to be a one person job.

7. And last... hmm. I kind of have a slight shoe obsession. But I don't buy normal shoes. Well, I guess they're normal, but they all have a unique twist about them. The higher the heel or the more unique peep toe is right up my alley. These were my latest purchase, and the picture does not do them justice! They are Stuart Weitzman, but you know I did not pay full price; thank you Von Maur clearance shoe room!

Bring the Outdoors In

A few weeks ago, there was a strong gust of wind, and it knocked the most marvelous branch out of a tree in our back yard. I tore it apart, and put it in a large hurricane vase that was sitting on a shelf in our living room. I must say it looks very festive. That got me to think about other things that were branch inspired. Here's what I found:

Gifts that Keep Giving

This superluxurious moisturizer is as good for your skin as it is for the International Fund for Animal Welfare: 100 percent of proceeds from Lush go to charity. $20.95 at Lush.

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. These shoes are $54 at TOMS.

The Rainforest Site will preserve 2290.0 sq. ft. of land for each Silver Smoke Blown Glass Ornament purchased. $29.00

The proceeds of this platter and scooter go to St. Jude Chidren's Hospital. The platter is only $29, and the scooter is $49. These and many other items can be found at St. Jude.

The Silver Lining Ornament is only $10, and the Good to the Last Drop Earrings are $15. Both were made in India. It allows women to create fair trade products from their homes. This site features many other items. These can be found at Original Good.

The proceeds of this necklace go to changing the lives of women in developing countries. It is $85, and you can find it at Build a Nest. Many of the items are very reasonably priced.

My Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish

I think I will bombard you with posts today. Still computer-less, but Scott is still asleep, so I'll keep posting until he wakes up, and I have to do "real" things. At any rate, this is my absolute favorite holiday dish. It is kind of unusual, and I had never had is before. You see, my family (with the exception of me) is from the North. In fact, my grandmother had never made biscuits and gravy even though she was a phenomenal cook. So this southern side dish was off the radar, until I went to Scott's family's house for Christmas. His aunt made this pineapple casserole, and I could have eaten the whole thing. So this is how you make it. It's sure to please!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar
• 2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple tidbits, drained, and 6 tablespoons pineapple juice reserved
• 1 cup cracker crumbs (recommended: Ritz)
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing pan

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a medium-size casserole dish with butter.

In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and flour. Gradually stir in the cheese. Add the drained pineapple tidbits, and stir until ingredients are well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

In another medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and reserved pineapple juice, stirring with a rubber spatula until evenly blended. Spread crumb mixture on top of pineapple mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Compliments of Paula Deen, so you know it's good!

I Can't Wait!

The last time I was at the movies I saw the trailer for Blindside. I'm so excited that it's out now! Has anyone seen it, and is it good? It makes me cry every time I watch this!

So Very Unexpected...

Last week, my mother-in-law made the best waffles ever. I usually don't like waffles just because they tend to be dense and not so crunchy, but these were amazing. The secret to their success you ask: Rice Krispies Cereal and corn starch. This morning I made them again, and once again I was impressed. So here is a tried and true recipe for the best waffles:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup Rice Krispies
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon table salt
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat waffle iron to medium. Meanwhile, stir flour, Rice Krispies, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl. Whisk egg yolks, milk, vanilla, and oil together in medium bowl.

With electric mixer or balloon whisk, beat egg whites in bowl to soft peaks. Pour milk mixture over dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Whisk in beaten whites until just combined. Do not over-mix; a few streaks of whites should be visible.

Pour 2/3 cup batter into center of preheated waffle iron and use back of dinner spoon or measuring cup to spread batter toward outer edges (batter should reach about 1/2 inch from edges of iron before closing lid). Close lid and cook until deep golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve immediately.

*Makes 8 7" round waffles, or about 14 squares.*

*I somehow ran out of vanilla without noticing but substituted cinnamon, and they still tasted (and smelled) wonderful!

Thanksgiving Tabletops

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it is officially time to start planning how you will set your table. Here are some fun ideas that are sure to suit every palette.

These delightful images were taken from Martha Stewart, Country Living and Better Homes and Gardens.