Rice Pudding ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

First I would like to say a big THANK YOU for all your kind words regarding my little apple picking video! It really meant the world to me that you guys liked it!  I was really nervous putting myself out there like that. If I can get past my awkwardness I would like to do more videos. My brain is full of ideas!  Stay tuned! : )

Anyway, a few weeks ago I posted this picture on my Instagram of my favorite rice pudding!  It's so yummy and creamy! I like it as a nice alternative to oatmeal on these cool October mornings.  It's a little sweeter than oatmeal so it feels a bit decadent but hey, we only live once right?! 

You can make it the night before and then just heat it up in the microwave as needed.  I've even brought some to work with me to enjoy as a late morning treat.  

Some of you asked me for the recipe so here you go.  It's very easy!!  

♥

3/4 cup white rice
2 cups milk, divided
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
 cinnamon for dusting (optional)

Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil.  Stir in rice.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and summer for 20 minutes.

Combine cooked rice with 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar, and salt.  Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, 15 - 20 minutes.  Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk and beaten egg.  Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in butter and vanilla. 

Scoop into individual serving bowls and sprinkle with cinnamon (as much as you like!). 

Or put it all in one big bowl and eat the whole thing. Up to you! ♥

ENJOY! 

Lemon rice pudding and a few other Spring favorites ♥

   Hello lovely friends!

 

I am typing this post late Monday evening from my comfy, cozy bed.  School and work has been cancelled for John & Rob and I am working from home tomorrow.  Why? Because another storm is on the way.  It's supposed to start around 2am and snow all day tomorrow.  My area is expected to get about 18 inches of snow!  Just when I thought Spring was knocking at my door.....ugh.

 

Well, it may be snowing outside, but inside I'm feeling the change of season.  And nothing says spring more to me than fresh lemons! I saw a recipe for lemon rice pudding on an episode of The Pioneer Woman on Sunday morning and I knew I had to try it.  I love anything with lemon in it!  And rice pudding is one of my favorite desserts. 

 

 

 

I enjoyed making this recipe.  It was easy and required a lot of stirring.  I like recipes where I have to stand and stir.  It feels old fashion to me.  Crazy, right?

*There is sweetened condensed milk in it.  Liquid gold! 

 

This stuff is so good! ♥

 

 

 

Ree Drummond put hers pudding in pretty little cups and topped it with lemon zest.  I added the whip cream!  Served slightly warm.  YUM!

 

 

Here is the link to the recipe in case you want to try it. (click here) 

 

It's really delicious and very springy!

(I say as I try to ignore the sound of ripping wind against my windows - snow is coming soon!)

"when life gives you lemons, make....rice pudding" ♥

 

 

As spring approaches I have a few other things I'm currently loving:

 

The other day I noticed a little bud coming up from this plant.  I nearly cried because I literally kill everything!  I am so bad at taking care of houseplants!  I either forget to water it or over water it - it's bad.  But look! 

 

A Sign of life!   

 

 

 

 

I was so happy about it that today I bought 2 more plants!  Now it really feels like spring in here!  I'm looking forward to the trees blooming and all the tulips in the yard coming up.  I can see the buds but after tomorrow they will be buried again. 

Hang on tulips! Your time will come ♥

I hope I don't kill you....xx

 

 

I was going to wait until after St. Patrick's Day to put this out but I changed my mind.  I love these diffusers, especially in the bathroom because I don't have to worry about leaving a lit candle in there and I like my powder room to smell pretty. 

 

 

The lilac scent is so dreamy!

 

 

 

 

 

In the beauty department I am loving this facial spray by Mario Badescu!  It has aloe, chamomile, and LAVENDER in it!  I have been using it as a setting spray for my makeup but you can also use it on bare skin as a hydrator.  It's Ah-mazing!!!!  I kid you not, it smells like a day at the spa and leaves your skin feeling fresh and dewy.

 

  So wonderful!!!   

 

 

 

 

 

I also picked up some strawberries and rhubarb (funny word) at the market on Sunday.  I want to make a strawberry-rhubarb crisp for dessert this week.  That sounds quite spring like, don't you think? 

 

Stay tuned for that! ♥

 

 

 

 

So cheers to spring and all we are looking forward to in the new season ~

 

 

But first, I better go check the snow..... oh dear, it's' starting! eeek!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Please tell me what your spring favorites are.  I would love to hear!

 

 

♥

 

 

PS can we just take a minute and notice how cute Lucy looks in her back and white polka dot scarf and pearl earrings?  I love it!!! 

 

 

Creamy Rice Pudding

 

Hello Friends! We just got back from a weekend trip to Maine.  The weather was cool, crisp, and a little drizzly.  I didn't get to see as much foliage as I would have liked (due to fog), but what I did see was still very pretty.  The orange and red leaves are so vibrant against the evergreen and birch trees. Its quintessential Fall. The house we stayed at was about 4 hours from home, way up the top of a mountain in Rangeley, Maine. (click the link to see some beautiful photos of Rangeley Lake) We met my parents up there on Saturday.  Mom greeted us with a pot roast dinner.  Just what we needed after the long journey. We had all the comforts of home ♥

 

 The weekend consisted of lots of R&R.  We played games, watched TV ( I watched a whole season of The Tudors), drank tea, and ate way too much! I was literally in my slippers for three days : ) But isn't that what you are supposed to on vacation??! It was a lovely get-a-way that was much needed and deserved by all of us.  We also stopped at this really neat 50's diner for lunch on the way home.  Let me take you back in time for a minute....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I took more pictures of the inside, but unfortunately they didn't come out very well. It was too dark : ( What you missed was a long counter with red stools, Coke-A-Cola signs, and vintage photos all along the walls.  There was also a punched tin ceiling and a black and white checkered floor. It was a really cool place!  Check out my Instagram for a few more photos that didn't make it onto the blog. PS - The food was great too!! ~

 

 While I was away I was thinking of something yummy to make for us this week.  Rice pudding has been on my mind for a while now.  It's so warm and comforting and it's the kind of treat that makes you feel cozy no matter where you are or what time of day it is.  Perfect! Since I feel a touch of a cold coming on I knew this is exactly what I need. Even better, when I got home I discovered that I had all the ingredients right in the pantry.  Sweet! No need to make an extra trip to the market.  Let's get to work....

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's what you need:

3/4 cup white rice
2 cups milk, divided
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
 cinnamon for dusting

 

 

Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil.  Stir in rice.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and summer for 20 minutes.

 

 

 

♥  waiting is the worst part..... ♥
 

Combine cooked rice with 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar, and salt.  Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, 15 - 20 minutes.  Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk and beaten egg.  Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in butter and vanilla. 

 

 

Scoop into individual serving bowls and sprinkle with cinnamon (as much as you like!). 

 

 

 

 

I like to eat my rice pudding warm, but it's also delicious cold.  

 

 

 

I put this creamy rice pudding in the same category as hot cereal, oatmeal, and tapioca.  It's something I love to eat in the early morning hours, when it's cold and dark out.  I don't know why.  I just makes me feel good ♥

Have you been leaf peeping yet this season?  If so, where? I love hearing your stories!