Hayseed Homemade Happiness

A few simple Hayseed Homemade "rules" for a happier kitchen & home:

Keep a jar of fresh flowers on the table. (or a vase, whatever suits your style.)    
Minnesota winters can seem so dang long, especially when spring can't seem to commit to us around here.  So I've been keeping fresh flowers in the kitchen for the last few weeks as a pick-me-up.  I buy a new bouquet weekly (thankfully, my taste in flowers is pretty cheap: I like that country-wildflower look.)  Even if it's just a daisy or two, try it out... It'll put a little spring in your step.

Candles. 
Light a candle.  It's a mood thing & a nice finishing touch after cleaning.

Music.
Keep it playing: even if it's quietly in the background.  Dishes aren't as boring to the sound of a steel guitar & Strait.

Fresh Air & Sunshine.
Crack open a window, tie back your curtains.

Brew up some happiness.
I always keep hot coffee in the pot or cold tea & lemons in the fridge: depends on the season.

Simplify.  
Keep things around that are pretty, useful, and/or important.  Get rid of the rest.

Prettify.
It could be a pretty coffee cup, a pretty dish towel, or a pretty picture frame: get it in your life.  Functional doesn't have to be ordinary.

The Small Things.
Enjoy 'em.

Rise 'N Shine.
Make it a point to go to bed with a clean kitchen & a tidy living room (or wherever you spend most of your time.)  Wake up to a fresh start every day & take a little time to enjoy "all of the above"- even if it means giving yourself a few minutes before the kids rise...& shine... all over the house.


& a "Pinterest Friendly" photo:

  



     

   

Valentine's Day: Tinsel Garland & Tulle

 

 As you can see, we had a pretty classy Valentine's Day at our house.  This was my last minute attempt to decorate the house for the kids.  I decided this would be a good idea late last night & after hours of cleaning & making the kids' cards, I was up until 1:30 am - digging through Christmas storage boxes and stringing tinsel garland & tulled lights.  

  

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Chandelier Makeover [Phase 1]

We bought this chandelier a few years ago at Menard's for less than $50.  I loved something about the color, shape & style; it reminded me of something you'd see in a farmhouse.  I was so excited about this purchase, as it was the first change we made to our first home together.  It moved with us, from house to house.  Though I'm ready for a change & need a little more sparkle, I find myself emotionally attached to this plain Jane chandelier.  I've been thinking of ways to dress it up and the other day, while browsing a local thrift store, I found these [pictured below] pretty glass shades - $1.00 each.   

 

I had a couple of these pretty glass shades stored [from when I used them as candle holders at June's Junk Gypsy birthday party] but didn't have enough to finish this chandelier.  I was ecstatic when I saw 4 more of these beauts sitting on that store shelf.  Seriously, what are the odds?!  I think it was meant to be...
 

These shades seem to be more vibrant in person, I can't get my camera to pick up the iridescent sheen on the glass.  They remind me of carnival lights, and I can't pinpoint why.

 & I love how they sparkle when lit up.

So I need your opinion.  What do you think?  Are these really pretty or am I just crazy?  I've been back & fourth on this.  This makeover isn't finished, I'll post the second phase of this project when I get around to it!

 

Valentine's Day : Twine & Lace Garland

The kids & I made this pretty twine garland simply by tying pieces of lace to twine with pink ribbons.  The possibilities with this quick project are endless, & it's easy enough for the little ones!

[& the beginning of a "shabby chic" strand.]

Anyone else out there working on last minute Vday crafts/recipes/gifts?  Or am I alone in this procrastination party?

Guest Post: Midwestern Belle's Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins

I am so thrilled to present the FIRST EVER "Guest Post" on Hayseed Homemakin'... & from one of my favorites [& fellow midwesterner]: Adrienne, of the beautifully photographed & remarkably well written blog: Midwestern Belle!  Thank you for sharing with us, Adrienne!  I cannot wait to whip these up! ...so I'm making them for dinner.  tonight.   

& Here it is:  Midwestern Belle's {Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins with Peach Butter}  

Hi everyone! I'm Adrienne from the blog Midwestern Belle.  Thanks so much to Mallory for letting me share a recipe with you today.  Hayseed Homemakin' has been one of my favorite blogs since I discovered it over a year ago.  I'm always amazed by Mallory's beautiful photography, pretty decor and recipes...  So I jumped at the opportunity to do a guest post!

 
My blog is about 20-something life in the Heartland and recipes are a big part of that.  Most of them are family recipes that have been handed down from my great-grandma, but some of them, like this one, are new favorites.  I'd been on the lookout for a great recipe for Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread for some time, so when I stumbled across this recipe, I was so excited!  I made a few adjustments to the original recipe and served the cornbread as muffins, topped with peach butter.

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins

Makes 24 muffins

lightly adapted from Honest Cooking

Ingredients

1 stick of butter, softened to room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 14.75 ounce can of creamed corn

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 cup jalapenos, finely chopped and seeds removed (approximately 2 large jalapenos)

24 muffin liners

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place liners in muffin tin and set aside.

In a stand mixer or medium bowl, mix butter with sugar until combined, then beat in eggs.  Next, add sour cream and creamed corn and mix until fully combined.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add in thirds to the butter mixture, mixing each time until combined.  Add cheddar cheese and finely chopped jalapenos.

Pour cornbread batter into muffin liners, filling each 3/4 of the way.  Place muffin tin in preheated oven and bake on the center of the rack of oven for roughly 45 minutes or until tops are golden brown.  Serve with peach butter (recipe below.)

Peach Butter

Adapted from the cookbook, Tupelo Honey Cafe

Ingredients

1/2 cup canned peaches, finely chopped

1/2 pound butter, softened

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tablespoon peach juice (from canned peaches)

Pinch salt

Directions

In a stand mixer or medium bowl, combine all ingredients until smooth. 

A Farmhouse Buffet

We spent the day up at my parents' farm & while we were here I thought my mom's buffet would be a fun "re-arranging" project.  So after an afternoon of playing around with her decor, here it is!

I'm in love with her Ironstone collection, so that took center stage.

 I found this pretty dried lavender & loved how it looked with the color of the eucalyptus wreath. [& the milk can was a nice contrast to all of the ivory Ironstone.]

& this chicken wire basket to collect the glass milk bottles in the kitchen.

  

 My mom loves birds, so you'll find her little feathered friends hidden throughout the house.  I found this guy in her eucalyptus wreath.

My Grandma Pauline made this gorgeous wreath!  [Every wreath she makes is incredible.]  It's one of my favorite things in the house.

I'll be back soon :) Happy Thursday!

My Great Grandma Healy's Ice Box Cookies

I was browsing through some old cookbooks in my mom's kitchen today when she pulled out one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes; my Great Grandma Healy's Ice Box Cookies.  This recipe is so old & the paper is so brittle, my mom keeps it separate from the rest, protected in a plastic sleeve.  

 The recipe was salvaged from what is left of my great grandma's old cookbook.  

My mom has made these cookies as far back as I can remember.  They seemed to be more of a Christmas tradition for us, but I don't think one off-season batch will hurt anyone..

So here it is:

2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup soft butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs, beaten

Sift flour with salt & baking soda.  In another bowl, cream butter until smooth, add sugars gradually, creaming thoroughly.  Stir in vanilla, then eggs one at a time, and beat until well blended. 

Slowly blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture. 

Chill dough until stiff, then divide in half & place on two sheets of waxed paper.  Quickly shape into two uniform rolls about 2 inches in diameter, then roll up the paper.

Store on flat surface in the refrigerator until very firm (4-6 hours).  If rolls flatten out in the first hour, remold into round rolls. 

When firm, slice with a sharp knife into 1/4-inch thick cookies.  Keep thickness uniform for perfect baking.  Place an inch apart on baking sheet. 

Bake at 400 degrees [about 8 minutes] -makes 40 cookies