Best of Foodie Friday 2013 {Foodie Friday)

There's a first time for everything and this is my first round up post! Today I'm highlighting my favorite 14 Foodie Friday recipes from 2013. These are my personal favorites based on taste (some are favorites based on the frequency that I am requested to make them. ;)

Sugared Pecans {Foodie Friday}

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. I am still trying to recover. It is amazing the mess that Christmas makes in my house, and I am still trying to pick up all the pieces. I don't know about you, but I'm still in a sugar induced Christmas coma. That doesn't stop me from munching on these pecans!

Turtles {Foodie Friday}

Here's a quick and easy Christmas treat that everyone is bound to love, chocolate and pretzels with a nut on top. So easy, so delicious. I love that these are quick and easy to make!

Gingerbread Doughnut Muffins {Foodie Friday}

If you are still planning what to eat for Christmas here is a wonderful idea. these Gingerbread muffins are the perfect way to to start Christmas morning, or any winter day, really. They are light and fluffy, yet not overwhelming. The first time I made a gingerbread recipe, the result was a little spicy and it made me nervous to try again, but I am so glad I did!

Triple Chocolate Devil Drops {Foodie Friday}

I've been saving these for you. I know you will want to make these for Christmas, so put them on the list now. These are the best chocolate cookies I think I have ever had. Well they are at the top of the list anyway. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.

Grant {my photography}

A few of Grant's senior pictures. Enjoy!

Broccoli and Cheesy Chicken Pasta {Foodie Friday}

Be honest. You don't come to this blog for recipes of real food. Don't you worry your pretty little face. I have plenty more of those dessert recipes coming, but in the mean time I thought you might like to have a kid-friendly recipe on hand. This is nice and easy, and if you left out the chicken you could serve it on the side. Entree for kids, side for adults. Everyone is happy. 

Sam & Ryan {my photography}

Sam and Ryan took advantage of my Christmas card special and got some new family photos taken. Aren't they adorable? Even their dog Lucy came along!

Banana Scones {Foodie Friday}

I'm giving you this today for a reason. Because this mama needs a break and if you are planning a big dinner next week, you are going to need a break soon too.

Skillet Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce {Foodie Friday}

Ah spaghetti. I love spaghetti. It's a quick, easy and delicious meal. It's one of the few dishes my daughter, Caroline will eat, so it is served at our house just about weekly. I was flipping through America's Test Kitchen cookbook when I stumbled on this recipe that said I could make the whole meal in one pot. Say What?!

Brandon & Ashley's Wedding {my photography}

I'm not sure if better late than never applies in this case. This wedding was back in 2012..I think..lol. This was actually the first wedding I shot at ( I was a second shooter for my photog and real life friend, Kim) The experience was invaluable and I have since shot two other weddings. The other I still have not posted about #bloggerfail. So without further ado, here are Brandon and Ashley.

Homemade Applesauce {Foodie Friday}

Sorry for the craptastic photo, y'all. This time change is killing me. Don't get me wrong, I love that I get the sunrise back for a couple of weeks while I am driving to work, but that means it is practically dark by the time I get home from work. No light=bad pictures. Regardless, you should make applesauce. Because apples are on sale, they are healthy,this recipe is delicious, because I said so, and because you always do what I say, right? Right. 

Baby M-6 months {my photography}

Can you believe Baby M is six months old already? I can't. Baby M is a timekeeper for me since he was born about a month after my twins would have been born. So it's absolutely crazy to me that he is six months old already. It seems like I just took his newborn pictures. Here are a few of my favorites from our session.

Apple Pie {Foodie Friday}

Apple pie. 

It's like a fall staple right? Apple orchards everywhere are selling them by the bushel and a peck (ha)-not to mention cider, apple butter all the rest. Truth be told I have never been a big baked apple fan. I like apples, but was never really into baking them. Let's just say some adventures in homemade applesauce made me a convert (recipe coming soon!)

Fall Photo Shoot {my photography}

 Last Monday DH and I took the day off and took Miss Caroline to the pumpkin patch. It was cold and even started to rain as we got ready to leave, but we had a great time. Caroline loved searching for the perfect pumpkin and playing in the blow up caterpillar.

Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars {Foodie Friday}

I actually pulled this recipe out of a magazine years ago and have been making it every since due to its wild popularity. They aren't the most beautiful bars in the world, but trust me your mouth will thank you. 

Pumpkin Blondies {Foodie Friday}

Not sure about you, but pumpkin + butterscotch is about as good as it gets for me. So top that with white chocolate chips and pecans and I'm just about over the moon. I love this recipe because it's so easy and flexible.

Pumpkin Pie {Foodie Friday}

Did you honestly think you would get through the month of October without seeing a Pumpkin Pie?! This is one of my favorite pumpkin desserts. Shucks, who am I kidding, every pumpkin dessert is my favorite. Soon I will be eating the pumpkin straight out of the can. 

Brandon & Jessica's Wedding {my photography}

Here are a couple of my favorites from Jessica and Brandon's wedding!! You can see I have a little love for my macro lens. Yummy.

Pumpkin Bread {Foodie Friday}

I'm hoping to celebrate the month of October with 4 new pumpkin recipes for you. I'm a little behind in the baking, so we will see how it works out. I love pumpkin, so this is probably no surprise to you.

No Bake Cookies {Foodie Friday}

It's the basics really. Does anyone else ever have problems making the things that are supposed to be easy? No bake cookies and I have certainly had our moments. I almost always over cook them-why? Because I follow the directions. So let me help you out here. If something doesn't work, don't keep doing it. It's not you. It's the recipe.

Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies {Foodie Friday}

It's nearly fall and I am so excited. I am taking photos for a wedding this weekend and I am all sorts of excited about it. What does that have to do with these cookies you ask? Nothing really, but let's just add it to the list of things I love: Fall, weddings, cookies, mmmm...

Cheesy Broccoli Rice {Foodie Friday}

Since we're all still recovering from the dessert of August I thought this would be a proper time to introduce you to some vegetables.

Football at Lucas Oil Stadium {my photography}

Queso Pasta Taco Bake {Foodie Friday}

Look what I did! Just because I love you and apparantly I have a lot of free time, I created a recipe index of all the recipes that have been featured on this blog! You can access it by clicking the 'Recipe Index' tab at the top of the page.
Now back to the food.

Cana's 1st Birthday {my photography}

Check out a few of my favorite photos from Cana's 1st birthday!!

Cinnamon Chocolate Bundt Cake {Foodie Friday}

Now I will be the first person to admit that icing is my favorite part of any cake, cupcake, cookie, brownie, what have you. I love icing, but this cake....well I really love it without icing.

Jessica's Bridal Shower {my photography}

About a week and a half ago I helped my MIL and SIL throw a shower for my husband's cousin. You can see their engagement photos here. It was a beautiful shower and a beautiful day.

Strawberry Cupcakes {Foodie Friday}

I love summer. I love strawberries. I love icing. I am an icing person. I think it’s the best part of any cupcake and it certainly is not an exception with these. The strawberry puree really just takes these off the charts. The original recipe made 34 cupcakes, so I have halved it below. If you needed a reason to visit your local Costco to buy berries en masse, now you have one ;)

Miss A- newborn {My photography}

 I had the pleasure of tagging along on the newborn shoot for this beautiful gal. I was mostly the assistant, but did take a couple of shots. Hope you enjoy.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes {Foodie Friday}

I’m kind of weird about lemon stuff. Most of the time it just reminds me of what a clean bathroom smells like. I suppose there are worse things that it could smell like. Anyway, that is not the case with these cupcakes. They are the perfect mixture of lemon and blueberry goodness.

Chocolate Pudding {Foodie Friday}

This was quite the happy accident. DH came home from work last weekend with an almost expired gallon of milk. I was thinking about all the ways I could use it so it wouldn’t spoil and go to waste.

Miss A -Newborn {My Photography} **sneak peek**

Here's a sneak peek of the little girl I got to spend some time cuddling with this weekend. More to come...

To see more of my photography, click here. 

To go to my photography website, click here.

Blueberry Pie {Foodie Friday}

I'm deeming August "sweets" month--at least for this year. Each Friday for the month of August I will be posting a dessert recipe. Break out your sweat pants!

What I'm Loving Lately -Cookbook edition {July edition}

I'll be honest. I only actually own one of these cookbooks, and that's because I got it at Goodwill for $ .69. While I'm too cheap to actually buy these for myself, I do get them from the library constantly. I think I have stated before that I have a problem with cookbooks, because there are generally only a couple recipes in each that I would actually make and eat. That is not the case with these. Each of these cookbooks has dozens upon dozens of recipes that I want to make and NOW.
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Mexican Tortilla Casserole {Foodie Friday}

Since I started eating black beans I have tried to find a couple different ways to make them. This one is fun because it is essentially Mexican lasagna. It’s flexible. Don’t have corn?

Perfect Brownie Bites {Foodie Friday}

Do I really need more than a picture to tell you how amazing these brownies are? Please stuff your face full of them when they are warm out of the oven. Anyone who thinks bad of you is really just jealous.

Jessica and Brandon- Engagement {My Photography}

Well I have to say, I think this is my best photo shoot yet. Despite the crazy sun and raging heat, we had a lovely evening. Jessica and Brandon are so cute together. I can't wait for their wedding! Enjoy!

Salmon with Honey Balsamic Glaze {Foodie Friday}

We're on a bit of a fish kick aren't we? Add this to the list of quick weeknight meals that your family is sure to enjoy. I love salmon because it cooks so quickly. This marinade takes 30 seconds to put together and it really kicks this dish up a notch. We try to eat salmon a couple times a month, and this recipe has made its way into our rotation.  Let’s make and eat dinner quick so we can get back outside and enjoy the sunshine!

Italian Crusted Tilapia {Foodie Friday}

Well hello! Welcome to 4th of July weekend! I'm about to head on our annual vacation, but wanted to slip this gem in before we left!

It's an old recipe I pulled out of the archives. When I started my cooking escapades a lot of what I made for dinner, DH was kind of blah about, but DH loved this one. He was looking for more and couldn’t stop telling me how wonderful it was. It’s so simple and basic. Sometimes you have to stick with the classics.

Glazed Carrots {Foodie Friday}

Funny story. When DH and I went on our first date we went to see The Polar Express at the movie theatre. It was a tradition for me to bring a 1 lb bag of carrots to the movies. This satisfied my need to crunch and was much better for me than eating butter covered popcorn. I have always loved carrots and had been taking them to the movies with me for years. However, this led DH to believe that I was some kind of health nut.

What I'm Loving Lately- Party Blogs {June edition}

I am soo in the mood to plan a party right now! Caroline’s Birthday isn’t until January, but you better believe I am hot and heavy into planning for her 4^th Birthday party already! So I thought I would share some of my favorite party planning blogs. There are millions of party blogs of course, but here a couple of my absolute favorites.

Roasted Salmon with Soy and Marmalade Glaze {Foodie Friday}

This recipe is very similar to the one for Manhattan Glazed Chicken except it’s for salmon (der!) I really like it with the chicken, but I think I love the salmon a whole lot more. It’s quick, it’s easy, it tastes delicious, and it’s from Cooking Light, so that means that it’s practically good for you!

Granola Cookie Wedges {Foodie Friday}

Addicting. That’s exactly how I would describe these “cookies.” And due to the fact that they have oatmeal in them, I deem them “almost healthy” which means that you can have another bite. You’re welcome.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole {Foodie Friday}

I have been eyeing this recipe forEVA. The first time I saw it I knew I had to have it. I grew up eating frozen chicken cordon bleu from the Schwan man and the Ham and swiss combo has always been amazing for me. It takes a lot of