Mexican Cornbread Casserole {Momma Joyce's Recipes)

This meal made my hubby pop the question... well sort of.  

I made cornbread casserole for him shortly after we had started dating.  He said when he took the first bite, he knew he had to marry me.  Now every time I ask him what he wants me to make for dinner he says "cornbread casserole".  


In the Steuernagel house we had a tradition called "The Last Supper".  It was the last dinner each one of us "Steuernagel Children" had at home before we left for college.  We could pick whatever we wanted for our last supper and my mom would make it.  Of all the things my brother could have chosen for my mom to make, he chose cornbread casserole.  He now lives halfway across the country in Portland, Oregon.  When he came home for Christmas what was the first thing he wanted my mom to make him? cornbread casserole.


You can see a pattern.  Men LOVE it.


I find it delicious because I am a huge fan of contrasting flavors and temperatures in food.  The spiciness of the taco meat with the sweetness of the cornbread and a dollop of cold sour cream on top, makes my taste buds do cartwheels!


Plus this meal is easy and inexpensive to make!  I pair it with black beans and salsa.

(I forgot to add to the picture the milk and eggs you will need to make the cornbread)

Grammy's Quilt {Family}

My mom is one talented lady.  She has always been an amazing seamstress.  She sewed our childhood Easter dresses, summer shorts, and prom and Homecoming dresses.  

She has now taken it to the next level and has begun quilting.

Now these are not "your grandmother's quilts".  She picks modern fabrics and more contemporary quilt designs.  

She made my Bella the most beautiful baby quilt.  She used the Mckinley quilt pattern from the blog, OCD: Obsessive Craft Disorder (you can find the pattern here).  The fabric she used was the Westminster House Collection Charm Pack.  

The thing I love about quilts, is that they last forever.  Each stitch takes, time, patience and love, adding to its durability and sentimental value.  She will always have "Grammy's Quilt".  

We have had unseasonably warm weather in Oklahoma.  I took advantage of it and took some pictures of Bella on her quilt.  I love how beautiful the quilt photographs.  It is the perfect color pallet for baby portraits!

Cream Cheese Lasagna Rolls {Momma Joyce's Recipes}

My mom is famous for her cooking.  She has a collection of some pretty amazing recipes.  98% of them contain cream cheese.  Enough said.


One of my favorites (as well as everyone else who knows her) are her lasagna rolls.  They are so simple to make and so incredibly yummy.  Comfort food at its finest. 


It is one of those "go to" recipes for large groups and to take to friends who have had babies :)

(I just realized you can see Blue's Clues on in the background.  Thank you Steve for entertaining my daughter while I attempt to cook dinner)

Cream Cheese Lasagna Rolls

(This recipe yields approximately 30 rolls.  You will need a 9x13 pan and a 9x9 pan)

Prep Time: Approximately 30 min. Cook Time: 30 min.

1 box of lasagna noodles

1 jar of marinara sauce

2 - 8 ounce packages of cream cheese

1 lb of regular sausage

1 bag of Mozzarella Cheese (2-4 cups based on your desired cheeziness)

The White Room Spa Party {Photography}

I was thrilled when I was hired by the The White Room Salon and Boutique (located on 101st and Sheridan in Tulsa, OK) to shoot a birthday party they were hosting at their salon.   

Brittney Jackson, owner of The White Room Salon and Boutique, has put together a Spa Birthday Party package.  It includes a party hair style of the their choice, make-up, and a photo shoot.  I thought of it as the 2012 much more glamorized version of Glamour Shots (since these girls will never get to experience that in their generation :) 

It was so fun listening to "girl chatter" and to see their excitement to get their hair "Adeled" (yes the birthday girl wanted big Adele hair... I loved it) and their make-up done.  The White Room also provided fun photo shoot accessories from their Boutique. Such a unique idea for a birthday party these young girls will never forget.  

Valentine Cutie: Gracie {Photography}

This was my second session with little Gracie.  Even in just six weeks time, she has changed so much!  She was infatuated with my camera, so I had no problem capturing those pretty eyes.  She is just gorgeous in red.  Bella just loves her and I have to hold her back from just clobbering Gracie with hugs and kisses (or grabs and slaps). She has a hard time understanding that Gracie is so much younger than her!  I have loved every second of snapping pictures of this beautiful girl and I am looking forward to watching this sweet girl grow!

This picture was my favorite.  I snapped it while Stacey and I were talking after the session was over.  I loved the way Gracie was holding on to her mom and cuddled up on her lap.  Nothing better than our little girls.  

Happy Valentine's Day! - A

Bella's Vintage Nursery {Home}

This is our little Bella's nursery. (Yes this post is 9 months behind).

The second we saw the positive pregnancy test, my mind started racing with dreams, prayers, and plans for our little tiny baby.  

I didn't let myself start thinking about nursery plans until I made it through the first trimester.

Nursery planning for a new mom, keeps our minds busy and away from all the "what ifs" and anxieties of pregnancy. 

I knew I wanted to do a vintage/shabby chic theme.  I love everything vintage and knew how much fun it would be

Little Lovies {Baby Love}

As a stay at home mom, you have to find ways to fill your day (other than the necessities of cleaning, cooking, and laundry of course).  Things to get out of the house.  Things to socialize your children.  Things to keep you from going insane from the daily routine of life.  

Bella and I have a steady weekly schedule of swim lessons, little gym class, bible study, and mommy's workouts at the gym.  I have a great group of friends that stay at home who motivate me and keep me sane daily.  

We have also been blessed to find a great playgroup of babies that are within weeks of Bella's age.  We try to get together every couple of weeks to let the babies play and the mom's talk/vent.  It's nice to have other mom's whose babies are in the same stage as Bella, that can say "I know how you feel.  I am right there too." 

Last week it was my turn to host.  We had a mini Valentine's Day Party complete with lunch, sweet treats, Valentine's and "party pics".  I love any chance to plan a fun party and Valentine's Day parties at school were my favorite when I was teaching. 

We had such a great time and it was just what we all needed to get out of the "normalcy" of our daily routines.  

It is quite entertaining to watch a bunch of 8/9/10 month olds play together and steal share toys :)