Tailgate Treats

Happy Monday, happies! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! I had so much fun in Clemson with friends I haven't seen in years. Plus, my tigers won!

Every week (before a home game), I start to plan out what I am bringing to the tailgate pretty early. This recipe is always on the menu; I posted about it here, but sausage balls warrant another mention. They're just that good.

I feel like I speak many truths here (let's hear it for platform heels!), but if you only remember one, make it this: you will never go wrong when combining sausage, cheese, and Bisquick.

This recipe usually makes about four dozen golf ball-sized sausage balls. How many actually make it into the bowl for the tailgate is another story.

Yummy, cheesy, crispiness.

Sausage Balls (adapted from here)

1 pound bulk sausage (I use Jimmy Dean Hot)

3 cups shredded sharp cheddar (you could also sub out 1/2 cup parmesan cheese for 1/2 of the cheddar)

3 cups Bisquick (you could use about 2 1/2 cups if you want it less Bisquick-y, more cheesy/sausage-y...hey, I won't judge)

1/4 cup milk (I've used water in a pinch, and it works just fine)

A couple shakes of paprika

Pre-heat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Roll golf-ball sized (maybe smaller) balls and place about two inches apart on a non-stick baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. I usually have a few pans in the oven at a time, so about 10 minutes in, I switch the pans so that they have equal time on the top and bottom shelves. Because I'm a culinary mastermind like that.

These things are crazy delicious and make for a yummy poppable bite on a special occasion. Don't go eating them for breakfast every day, but for a tailgate? Perfect every time.

xoxo,

E

Why Puppies Don't Have to Do Chores

Happy Friday, happies! I was just doing some chores around the abode, and, wouldn't you know it, someone just isn't holding up his end of the deal...

Apparently furry nuggets prefer to lounge on piles of clean clothes, not fold them.

But how can I stay mad at this face for too long?

Cuteness that just won't stop.

Have a happy weekend! I'm excited to cheer on my Tigers in Clemson this weekend!

xoxo,

E

What to Where Wear: Tailgate Edition

What's that you say? You weren't aware that "tailgate fashion" was a thing? I'm here to tell you that here in the SC, we take out tailgate outfits pretty seriously. No throwing on an orange t-shirt and jeans and calling it a day. No siree.

While I have grown to love the color combo in a "so ugly it's cute" sort of way, Clemson's colors (orange and purple) do not immediately give themselves to fashionable choices. It does get a little easier around fall, though, when pumpkin and plum get a little more trendy. Still, I usually tend towards the less-is-more philosophy when it comes to orange and purple. As long as there is something purple or orange in my outfit, I consider myself spirited.

As I have for the past few weeks, I've chosen dream outfits, as in, buying-those-boots-would-be-awesome-but-so-is-being-able-to-pay-my-rent outfits. I'm all for keeping it real, but I just have more fun picking dream outfits than shopping in my own closet. Sorry I'm not sorry.

Here are my thoughts for this week...

Madewell Sodashop Dress, $148

Topshop Skinny Bow Belt, $14

HUE Textured Diamond Control Top Tights, $13.50

Frye Melissa Boot, $328

Forever 21 Rhinestoned Ring Necklace, $6.80

And of course, no Clemson tailgate outfit would be complete without my beloved class ring...

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So now that I'm looking at how versatile all these pieces are, I'm starting to justify their purchase in my mind...this is how it starts...maybe next paycheck...

Thanks for hosting, I Pick Pretty!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

E

Field Trips = Sleepy Teachers

Yesterday and today, 5th grade has been on day trips to a local state park to do group initiatives and some activities that tie in to one of their summer reading books, My Side of the Mountain. Overall, the kids are doing great, but field trips definitely make for some tired adults at the end of the day. So far, the kids have mostly fallen along gender lines into these too categories when it comes to the great outdoors:

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At least at first, the girls seemed to think getting dirty was basically the same thing as enduring bodily injury.

 

 

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The boys are not only embracing the outdoors, but seem perfectly happy to live there. During an activity in which the kids had 25 minutes to build a debris shelter, I'm pretty sure the boys' group would've had a multiple-room cottage with running water if we had given them another hour.

 

 

I'm looking forward to a fun weekend of Clemson football with friends! Have a great weekend!

 

xoxo,

 

E

Tailgate Favorites

College football started this past weekend (with an awesome Clemson win!), which means that tailgating started this past weekend! In college, I definitely developed my love of tailgating long before I developed my love of football. Hey, that's where the party is! When football season starts, I love planning out tailgating food and drinks...tasty things make sitting in the South Carolina heat a little easier on a Saturday afternoon.

Here are some of my favorite recipes for tailgates...washed down with a cold mimosa, of course--you gotta have that vitamin C!

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I made these s'more brownies last football season, and they were a HUGE hit. I used Ghiradelli brownie mix for added richness...like they need it.

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I love pimento cheese! It's a little embarrassing how much I am capable of eating in one sitting. This recipe takes it to the next level by adding bacon crumbles and using chipotle peppers instead of pimentos.

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I made about 40 of these for every home game last year, and, almost always, they disappeared by the end of the day. Let's be honest, it's pretty hard to go wrong when your recipe calls for sausage, cheddar cheese, and Bisquick. So easy and so addicting.

This year, I'll definitely be standing by these tried and true recipes, but I'm also thinking of throwing in these, these, or maybe even a few of these babies with a little vodka thrown in. What are your favorite tailgating recipes??

Go (Clemson) Tigers,

E

Happy Friday!

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Sorry for the day off yesterday...this first week of school has me coming home exhausted every day! I may or may not have taken a two-hour nap AND gone to bed around 9:30 last night. I'm going to have to pull it together this weekend, though, because I'm so excited that the bf, some friends, and I are heading the Atlanta to watch our (Clemson) Tigers play! So excited football season is finally here!! Happy weekend!

xoxo,

E