Jenna Lou Loves You

On The North Shore

A couple weekends ago we took off early and spend the time on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The timing was perfect with colors abound from the fall foilage and we enjoyed the mini-vaction with hikes, downtown Duluth, and relaxation in our comfortable hotel along scenic highway 61.

One of my favorite parts was gazing at the breathtaking stars on our late night walk. The air was so cold and crisp with fall and I've never seen the stars shine so brilliantly. It is something that we just don't get down in Southern Minnesota. We still can see lots of stars at home, but nothing like when your hours from large cities in the Northern woods. It was a moment I hope to remember forever.

 

Dreaming of Ice Cream

All summer long I've been dreaming of homemade gellato, sorbet, and rich creamy ice cream. What can I say... this girls got a sweet tooth!! And I even put an ice cream mixer on my wish list for my last CSN giveaway. So when CSN offered for me to review a product my first thought was heck yeah.... tub of ice cream here I come. Not that my waistline had any say in the matter, but put a bowl of browny chocolate chunk in front of me and I'm a happy bumbling fool regarldless.

So I headed over to the CSN stores where you can find everything imaginable from nightstands to window treatments to ICE CREAM MIXERS... GASP. And picked out the KitchenAid mixer attachment. My first instinct was to go for the stand alone, but really I'd like my already overflowing kitchen cabinents to not explode so I figured this would take up less space.

 
And now it's just a waiting and salavating game. I've been picking out recipes I want to try by the dozens and will let you know how that goes as soon as my mixer attachemnt arrives. Until then... got any recommendations for recipes to try??

photo credit 1 , 2

Curb Appeal

When we were hit this summer with 3 hail storms in about 1 week, we sustained damage to the roof, gutters, and some windows of our home. Lucky for us our homeowners insurance will be replacing those things. So we've been spending a good deal of time researching contractors, materials, and colors... and I've been thinking a lot about curb apeal. When we bought our house back in 2007 the front was very neglected and an over grown bush was hiding the front steps. See what I mean....lots of potential though.

Since then we've removed that bush, added lots of perenials, painted the front door, hung a number plate and wreaths to warm up the appearance. It's a lot better looking today, but still lacking some essentials. Here is what it looks like now. Charming, but needs some color and the front steps are in need of a major facelift.

In the spring we will be replacing the roof and I'm thinking darker shingles would look nice. I made up a little before/after photo with photoshop to give John and I an idea of what it could look like with some upgrades. Now I'm totally sold on darker shingles, some nice shutters, and a new front door. What a difference right?!

And If we replaced the front steps I'm thinking a stone would look great.... but the decision is still out on that one because we also would like to stay original to the house which would mean brick again.

What do you think... does it do the house justice to add stone around the steps (like in my mock up photo) rather than brick?? Got any other ideas to add curb appeal?

 

 

My Favorite Fall Dish - Squash Casserole

This dish is really easy to make and has become my new favorite meal for fall. It's vegetarian, yummy, and warms the house on these cooler fall days. Plus it's the perfect way to use up all those squash and zucchini that are piling up. I even tested the recipe on others and they all really enjoyed it too. I put this one in the "winner" category.

• 1 medium bell pepper, cut in 1/2 in cubes
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium zucchini or 4 small yellow squash ( or a mix of both)
  
• 1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes
• 4 slices bread, toasted and cut in small cubes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  
• 1/2 cup mozzarela cheese

1. Saute onions&bell pepper in margarine for 5 minutes,add squash that has been sliced and cubed.
2. Saute 5 min more,add tomatoes, (break up whole tomatoes) cook 5 more minutes.
3. Add bread cubes and seasonings.
4. Put in 2 quart casserole,sprinkle top with parmesan cheese.
5. Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes.

recipe source.