{be merry} someone's trash is my treasure: Part 1

Have you ever seen an episode of American Pickers? American Pickers, a History Channel series about antique picking,  isn't your grandmother's antiquing. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz {the Pickers} are what you would call "modern archeologists". They travel coast to coast hoping to recycle America, even if it means diving into junkyards or getting chased off by gun-handling homeowners. The series follows them as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages and barns, meeting quirky characters and hearing their stories. So, no surprise here, I love this show, I even had a dream a couple nights ago I was a picker myself....seriously.

Like Mike and Frank, I enjoy spending any chance I get, scouring the aisles of large antique stores treasure hunting with my mom. What makes me even merrier, is turning one's trash into my treasure.

Today's blog, I am going to share with you the recent "trash" I've turned treasure...

My first treasure actually came from my my grandaddy and grandmother's barn--a barn, I love diving into every given opportunity.

I have little wall space in my kitchen, however, they fit perfectly hanging in our tiny space.

antique tinware kitchen measuring scoops

My second treasure, are these vintage white porcelain busts. These also came from my grandmother's country bungalow.  I've had my eyes on the busts for years, and might have called "dibs" on them a a time or two...well, my grandmother brought them to TN earlier this month...and it made my heart smile. They're beautiful and by far my favorite decorative accessory in our apartment.


antique white porcelain bust of a girl...i love a ruffled collar



antique white porcelain bust of girl...& i love a bow

 My next trash to treasure for part 1, is this old horse shoe. Although it may seem like something silly to treasure, the horse shoe is somewhat of a symbol of our wedding day...we had a beautiful summer wedding on an old gorgeous horse farm in Fayettville, TN.


an old horse shoe that symbolizes the day i married my husband

Finally, last week my mom and I spent the afternoon picking through several TN antique shops. My mom picked up this vintage white milk glass open lace bowl, and I fell in love with it instantly. Yes, I must admit, I am obsessed with white milk glass. It's simple, charming, and classy.

vintage white milk glass open lace bowl

Please stay tuned y'all for part 2 of "someone's trash is my treasure"--there are lots more to come! Also, I will blog about today's furniture painting project.

I hope I have inspired you to do a little picking!

{be merry}

Happy picking y'all!

LOL {lots of love},

Meagan

{eat} my granny's fresh apple cake

Happy Monday y'all!!

So, I probably shouldn't say this, but my first attempt to blogging was quite a fail. Yes, I said it...a fail. Post my summer 2009 wedding, the idea sounded great in my mind, and I was super thrilled about it, yet when it came to posting my thoughts and ideas, I was somewhat empty. A couple years later, I discovered blogging again and www.pinterest.com. I avidly read blogs and became a pinaholic--inspired, and like many fellow bloggers, I too want to inspire others. Just through Pinterest and other blogs alone, my creative bones have been fueled. Can I get an amen?!

Through http://www.eatpraybemerry.blogspot.com/, I want to share my favorite recipes, favorite life moments, design ideas and projects, and all the other things that make my heart merry. Thank you for reading, and I hope you continue to follow my blog.  I'll get better y'all, promise. :-)

{eat}

I remember, as a young child visiting my great grandmother during the summers in Norman Park, Georgia {side note--a south west GA town w/ a population of 800}, and we were always welcomed in her tiny home, by the aroma of baked apples, apple tarts, apple dumplings, and/or her famous apple cake, oh and the list goes on.

my granny and me

Twenty years later, my lovely grandmother still continues to share my granny's recipes, whenever given the opportunity. And today, I will share one of my favorites with you. No worries friends, this is not a "secret" family recipe, this is a recipe that must be shared...

fresh apples

fresh apple cake

 Anyone who knows me well, knows I LOVE my sweets. I love a good dessert, and I love preparing and indulging in a delicious cake, or really any dessert for that matter. One of my favorite ingredients for a dessert, is a juicy fresh apple--my granny's fresh apple tarts, my grandmother's apple dumplings, and granny's fresh apple cake. And, as much as I like to promote "healthy" eating, by no means is this cake "guilt free". Needless to say, it's scrumptious!

fresh apple cake is BEST when served warm with a large glass of milk or a cup of coffee!



my grandmother's handwritten "granny's fresh apple cake" recipe ingredients

 Recipe Directions 

First, preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Coat pan with nonstick cooking spray with flour.

Second, place walnuts in pan; toast in oven 7 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. In another large bowl, combine walnuts, vanilla, and 2 1/2 cups apples. Reserve remaining 1/2 cup apple.

Then, in large bowl, with mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar, oil, and eggs until well blended. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture, scraping bowl occasionally with rubber spatula. Beat 1 minute longer or until well combined. With spatula, fold in apple mixture (batter will be thick). Spoon batter into prepared pan. Scatter remaining apple over top of batter; with fingers, press into top of batter.

Bake 1 1/2 hours or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack until completely cooled. Unmold cake and transfer to cake plate. Dust cake lightly with confectioners' sugar to serve. {note- my granny and grandmother coated the cake with a glaze, either way is delish!}

{Eat and be merry}

Enjoy! Now, go bake a fresh apple cake! ;-)

LOL,

Meagan



 

{eat} sweet potato pancakes

This week my mom and I discovered the tasty alternative to the ordinary pancake.

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and what's better than once in awhile {I repeat, once in awhile} enjoying your first meal of the day at Cracker Barrel. We picked up the seasonal menu, and there they were...sweet potato pancakes.  So mom and I enjoyed each other's company over a couple cups of coffee and a plate of deliciousness with a fabulous aroma.

And friends, you don't have to like sweet potatoes to love the sweet potato pancake!

I am definitely adding the spp to my favorite things list! So I had to purchase a box of the spp mix from the Old Country Store at CB.

Do yourself a huge favor...pick up a box {or a couple} next time your near a CB {the spp mix will only be available through winter}. You'll love me for it! Promise! Or if you don't like simple as much as i do...make the spp from scratch.

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Heat skillet or griddle over medium heat or to 375 degrees

Blend together pancake 1/2 cup mix and 1/3 cup water and whisk, let stand for 5 minutes

Pour 1/4 cup batter on griddle for each 4 inch pancake

Bake on hot griddle for 2 minutes, turn and cook 1 minute

Top lightly with cinnamon, powder sugar, brown sugar, light butter, light syrup, or nut of choice

Serving Size: 1/2 cup mix {makes 2-4 pancakes}

Calories: 210

Total Fat: 2.5g {Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g}

Eat, be merry, and ENJOY!

LOL,

Meagan

#FEBphotoaday

Recently on Twitter, I noticed a girl friend of mine posting a photo-a-day--each having its purpose. I was OBSESSED. When I was on Twitter I would constantly check to see what fabulous picture she posted next. It was a challenge a fellow blogger had posted and named it January photo-a-day. It's been brilliant. I've loved seeing into other people's lives. @fatmumslim had been asked about a hundred times to create a February photo-a-day, so she did, and I am beyond thrilled. And since I've enjoyed viewing all the captured beauties, I am now going to take part in February photo-a-day challenge.

If you too, want to take part in the challenge go to @fatmumslim's blog

http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/2012/01/february-photo-day-challenge.html


How to take part in @fatmumslim's February photo-a-day:

1. Using the list as inspiration, take a photo each day.

2. Share it on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #FEBphotoaday. You can also share on your blog or on Facebook ... or even keep the photos privately for yourself.

3. Check out other people's photos and like them or comment on them.

Note: The list is purely for inspiration, however you interpret the daily prompt is up to you.

February's photo-a-day challenge:



Get inspired! Happy Challenge!

LOL,

Meagan