DIY Fascinator

Like most gals I know - I love Kate Middleton's style and enjoyed every minute of the Royal Wedding earlier this year (as noted here). So naturally, the Duchess of Cambridge is my choice for a chic Halloween Costume.  I'm utilizing two of her key looks for my inspiration...

Engagement Announcement -photo from Brides

Kate attending a wedding wearing an ornately decorated Fascinator

I have the blue wrap dress, long brown lose curled wig, black classic heels, nude stockings, and to die for Sapphire ring (a faux  copy....but a girl can dream) - the only thing missing is the quintessentially British  fascinator cap to complete my ensemble.  I found this cute tutorial on Simple Simon and Company for a DIY Birdcage tutorial - check out my creation below...

Materials - hair clip, cardboard, batting, scissors, tulle, glue gun, grey felt, and feathers

My work area with trusty assistant George looking in!

Cardboard, Batting, and Felt

All wrapped up and hot glued together

Tulle and feathers added - voila!

 Stay tuned for pictures next week of the final costume - we are going to Ginny's 30th Birthday/Halloween Party Saturday night - this fascinator will be in full effect!  Now if I could only get Brian to dress as Prince William....

Soup-er Lizzie

One of my favorite lunch spots in Atlanta is Souper Jenny - Meghan always takes me there when I visit! Unfortunately we do not have an equivalent in Richmond - so I continued my Soup a week project and worked over time this week on two delicious concoctions...

1) Crockpot Tortilla Soup - I learned about it on pinterest (my cooking board is here..check it out!)

Source: jonandjenmiller.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

This was super easy as most crock pot recipes are (another favorite here) - you just throw in all of the ingredients and leave it on high for 6-7 hours "set it...and forget it" - my steps below -

Chop - Dump, Open - Dump

Keep Dumping the Cans

Add the raw chicken 

7 hours later - mmmm tortilla soup

The chicken is so tender at the end I just forked it and it fell apart - super delicious - we have been eating it this week with Tostitos - yummmm

The most difficult part was stepping over my sous chef George....he likes to lounge on the kitchen rug when I'm cooking....always hoping a scrap may drop his way....

My extra credit soup this week was Butternut Squash - my favorite fall/winter comfort food! So rich and delicious - I always check the Costco cold section for precut/skinned....it makes this one an easy recipe...

I forgot to take an after picture - but this is a staple in our house so I'll be sure to update on a later post.

Home Sweet Hanna Butternut Squash Soup:
- 2 LBs Butternut Squash (peeled/chopped)
- 2 TBS Unsalted Butter (or olive oil)
- 1 Large Sweet Onion
- 1 Quart chicken Stock
- 2 TBS Cinnamon (more if you like)
- Cayenne Pepper (add a little at a time till you get to desired spiciness)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)

Brown the onion in your pot (I have been using my Le Creuset Dutch Oven) with butter or olive oil - add the squash, stock, and spices.  Bring the pot to a boil (you boil the squash similar to potatoes) - and cook till tender (about 15 minutes) uncovered...important because you need some of the liquid to evaporate.  Then comes the fun part - use my favorite kitchen tool (as mentioned here) the Immersion Blender to puree the squash mixture.  Let simmer on low for another 15 minutes - add spices to taste.....grab a spoon!

Next week - maybe Pumpkin Soup for Halloween?  Need to locate more pumpkin - the real stuff is hard to come by and I only have one can left in my pantry.  Will keep you posted!

Tomato Basil Soup

This week Home Sweet Hanna smelled like basil, garlic, onions, and roasted tomatoes - all elements of Ina Garten's delicious Tomato Basil Soup.  This recipe was easy and super delicious - my only modifications are I used my immersion blender and 3 onions (the market only had small ones this week) -

We got the plum tomatoes from Costco... aren't they gorgeous and they were very affordable...

4 Cups of Garlic - took the rest of my current plant...so I got a new one to add to my "herb garden"

All ingredients simmer for 45 minutes

Viola - I left it kind of thick - so yummy...Brian said it was better than Coppolas...

I served the soup with a grilled cheese - the perfect fall meal in my opinion!

Meg&Mac

Another Family Wedding....on October 8th Meghan became Mrs Mac and the family was there in full effect (Minus Jeff - we missed ya!) to celebrate....Sadly I did not catch many pictures of the boys - was too busy on the dance floor I suppose....few pics of the lovely ladies below...

Prewedding Bridesmaid shot - note we are missing Allison, Claire, and  Caitlin

Congrats to Meghan and Andrew!  The wedding was beautiful and tons of fun - best wishes and lots of love.

Really.Delicious.Chicken.Chili

My goal this fall/winter is to make soup each week....

Top 5 Reasons for Soup-aloop: 
It's delicious
Affordable
Warms the tummy on cold days
Makes us eat veggies
With days getting shorter (dark by 6PM yikes) -quick/easy dinner

My first soup this fall/winter - Ina's Chicken Chili  was seriously delicious - click here for the recipe.  I would definitely recommend this to chili lovers and haters - you can really change the spiciness with the amount of cayenne/red pepper kick you add...my prep work below...

She did it again - love that Barefoot Contessa!  The chili was healthy, delicious and very fresh - it was a bit different from more traditional chilies (no beans or beef) - just bell peppers, tomatoes, chicken, onion, and herbs/spices.  I loved the fresh basil addition - took me back to Italy!  Another reason I was drawn to this recipe....I did not have to buy any new spices - the flavors could all be found in my spice rack (ugh cabinet) - chili powder, cumin, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper...."how easy is that"

Pretty sure this is going to be a regular around Home Sweet Hanna!

Hanna Holiday in Italy - September 2011

Gelato on The Spanish Staircase - Rome, Italy

Ciao Roma!  We are back and suffering from Pasta and Gelato withdrawl!  What an amazing trip - we spent 10 days in Italy and enjoyed both busy site seeing (Rome/Florence) and the slower paced Island life (Ischia/Capri) - while celebrating a big 30th Briguy Birthday.  We had so much fun and cannot wait to return...we threw a coin in the Trevi fountain to seal it!

The trip itinerary...

ROME - Saturday 9/17 – Tuesday 9/20   

FLORENCE - Tuesday 9/20 – Thursday 9/22

ISCHIA– Thursday 9/22 – Monday 9/26

ROME – Monday 9/26

A few photo highlights...

Piazza Navona - Rome, Italy

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Roman Forum - Rome, Italy

The Trevi Fountain - Rome, Italy

View from The Uffizi - Florence, Italy

Top of the Duomo - Florence, Italy

View from Santa Maria Novella - Florence, Italy

Swinging to the top of Capri

Top of Capri, Italy

I am going to follow up this post with our city by city recommendations to share with friends moving forward.  Stay tuned for some seriously tasty food and gorgeous sites!