A Little Nutmeg » fall

Free Download: Adventure Wall Art

admin — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 03:05:00 +0000

This is a design that I have had floating around in my head for a couple months now. I never could get it quite right for an iPhone wallpaper though. I decided to branch out and make free printable wall art. The quote is one of my favorites from Beauty and the Beast. I love the imagery of the freed dandelion seeds floating away in the wind as she dreams of adventure. It’s one of my favorite scenes.

Go out and find adventure.

Download: full resolution 8×10 print

Slow Cooker Primal Chili with Sweet Potatoes

admin — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:37:00 +0000

I have been struggling for years to make meals that would benefit my hypoglycemic husband without spiking his blood sugar. Turns out, the primal diet has been very beneficial. We are still in the early stages of implementing the primal diet into our life, but I have already seen a huge difference. He hasn’t had a blood sugar crash in weeks. It’s been challenging to adapt, but we feel so much better when we stick with it. And the primal meals I have made so far have been delicious.

This slow cooker primal chili has been a recipe that I adapted so we can still get that cool weather chili fix. My husband doesn’t always like sweet potatoes, but he liked it as non-traditional addition to the chili.

Slow Cooker Primal Chili with Sweet Potatoes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
2 – 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
1 – 8 oz can tomato sauce
6 oz can tomato paste
10 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 red bell peppers, diced
1-2 large sweet potatoes, cubed
1 cup water
4-6 large garlic cloves, minced
1-2 shallots or 1 large red onion, minced
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, minced
3-4 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried mustard
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Heat butter on medium-high heat in medium frying pan. Add shallots (or onion) and garlic to the pan and cook on low until shallots are translucent. Add shallots and garlic to the slow cooker.

Season ground beef with salt and pepper to taste then add to the pan. Once browned, drain and add to the slow cooker.

Add remaining ingredients and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8. Enjoy!

Free Fox iPhone Wallpaper: September Edition

admin — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 01:36:00 +0000

Yes, I know it’s already October and yes, I know this is late. But life gets busy and I’ve accepted the fact that I’m not perfect a long time ago. Better late than never. I’m not going to lie, in honor of me designing a fox iPhone wallpaper, I decided to watch “What Does the Fox Say?” for the first time today… and I’ve had it stuck in my head ever since. I found it entertaining, and laughed probably more than I should have. I know I’m a little late on that bandwagon, but again, better late than never.

WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!

You’re welcome.

Download: iPhone 4
Download: iPhone 5

Free iPhone Wallpaper: November Edition

admin — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 22:35:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy your day. Eat lots of food. Make memories with your family and friends. Watch some football or play games. But most of all, celebrate and be thankful.

Download: iPhone 4
Download: iPhone 5

8 Thanksgiving Traditions {Sister Inspirations}

admin — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 22:04:00 +0000

With the start of the holiday season, we were obviously inspired by Thanksgiving. Instead of writing about the food or holiday decorations, we wanted to focus on the spirit of thankfulness. So here are eight traditions that you can start with your family this year.

Thanksgiving Journal

Every Thanksgiving, have each member in your family write a note about what they are thankful for during that year. Keep the same journal every year, that way you will have a chronological record of everyone’s thanksgivings.

Kids’ Tablecloth

Lay down butcher paper the length of your kids’ table and let them draw things that they are thankful for. This is a great way to entertain the kids, while getting a glimpse of their perspective.

An added bonus is that you won’t have to worry about spill-proofing a nice tablecloth. We always did this at our church Thanksgiving dinners and it was one of my favorite things about those potlucks. Besides the food, of course.

Five Kernels of Corn

This is one tradition that our family has practiced for many years. At each table setting, place five individual kernels of corn. During dinner, go around one by one, and have each person say a thanksgiving per kernel. My family does it so that each person only shares one thing at a time, so you end up going around the table five times. But you could always have each person say all five when it comes to their turn.

The five kernels represent the meager rations of each pilgrim during their first hard winter in Plymouth. The kernels represent the hardships that the pilgrims suffered, but also a reminder to rejoice in the blessings that they did receive.

The traditional meaning of the first kernel celebrates the Autumn beauty and the harvest it provides. The second kernel reminds us of our love for each other. The third represents our thankfulness for family. The fourth represents friendship and the fifth kernel expresses gratitude for the freedom that the pilgrims found in America.

Random Acts of Gratitude

This list focuses on blessing those people that constantly serve and enrich our lives. Take a little time to express your appreciation and let them know that you notice how hard they work.

Leave a sweet treat for your mail man. Legally, they cannot accept money, or gift cards more than $20, but little things like candy bars are acceptable.
Shovel a neighbor’s driveway
Leave an extra big tip at a regular restaurant or coffee place
Randomly leave a gas card on a coworkers desk
Pay for the car’s order behind you in line at the coffee shop’s drive thru
Give gift cards to your children’s teachers
Deliver a meal to your pastor or another family you want to honor
Send a card with your child to give to their bus driver
Surprise your significant other by doing one of their usual chores
Send you parents a handwritten note expressing your appreciation

The rest of the traditions can be found on Amy’s blog. Click here for the rest of the list.

Sister Inspirations: Five Non-Traditional Painted Pumpkins

admin — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 20:33:00 +0000

Welcome to the second installment of Sister Inspirations. This month we felt compelled to take a nod from the season and decorate pumpkins. We realize that there aren’t many new ideas that haven’t been done before, so we put our own flair on a few “non-traditional” pumpkin designs.

We went with painted pumpkins because they last longer and they are not Halloween specific, so you can use them through Thanksgiving. Also, they tend to be more kid-friendly than wielding sharp tools to carve a pumpkin.

I ended up designing a polka-dot glitter pumpkin, a bold crosshatch pumpkin and a white and plum ombre pumpkin.

Glitter Polka Dot Pumpkin

I loved how glamourous this little pumpkin turned out. It makes me happy and smile every time I look at it. It’s such a perfect little pumpkin.

I just bought those little glue dots and stuck them on the pumpkin randomly. After I sprinkled a little glitter over each dot, I patted them down to make sure they stick. You can get glue dots in almost every craft store or places like Target and Walmart. This polka-dot glitter pumpkin was super easy to make. This design in particular would be a great project for kids.

Crosshatch Patterned Pumpkin

My sister, Amy, and I were getting supplies at Target when I saw this crosshatch pattern on a white flower pot. I instantly thought it would translate gorgeously to a pumpkin.

First, I painted the pumpkin white then I used the end of a small sponge brush to create the pattern.

Ombre Pumpkin

I just love ombre. It’s a trend that I never tire of seeing. Plus it was a good way to inject some bold color into my fall tablescape.

For this ombre pumpkin, I started with a white base coat, then painted to bottom part plum. I put a second coat of white on the top and while the paint was still slightly wet, I used a damp cotton ball to blend the colors.

Amy also decorated two awesome pumpkins on her blog, The Happy Tulip. Her studded pumpkin is such an edgy little pumpkin. I’m in love with it. Check out her irregular chevron patterned one, as well. They both have pretty dramatic results.