Fabulous Friday Find

Happy Friday Ladies!  I hope y'all had as good a week as I did.  Baking, beautiful weather, adorable sisters, life is good!

Another wonderful thing I enjoy is finding new blogs and making new friends.

So this week I want to share a new blog, written by a new friend.

Silk and Purple is a wonderful, encouraging site for young women.  Check it frequently for posts on modesty, Biblical femininity, healthy living and much more! Also be sure to like them on Facebook through this link.  If they get 500 likes by February 2nd, there will be a very special giveaway, so be sure to like their page.

Well that is all for now. Have a great weekend everyone!

Le Creuset Winner!

Sorry to keep y'all waiting all day.  We had plenty of excitement to keep us busy.  The tornado siren went off four times today, sending us to the basement each time.  As for the man that designed this house, all I can say is "bless his heart".  Who in their right mind would build a house with an outside entrance basement in Georgia.  And the flash flood warning did take effect, in our basement.  Thankfully my inner pioneer woman came out and we stopped the flow with a woven rug, flannel nightgown and Tupperware pitcher.  Brant has since dubbed me "MacGyver-ette".


But now for the winner.  A great big congratulations to.....Lauren K!

Lauren, please e-mail your shipping address to southernhomemaking@gmail.com and I will send your prize to your door.

Thank you to everyone that entered.  I enjoyed reading the goals you have set for yourselves, and I hope that you accomplish each one of them!

Have a blessed Lord's day,

The Southern Homemaker

Fabulous Friday Find

Just a quick post to show y'all a super cute kitchen tool.

Now isn't that a great way to start the day?  Well that and Gingerbread Pancakes!

Not only is it cute, but it really works well. 

The handle feels good in your hand, and the size is perfect for pancakes.

You can make your mornings brighter by going to Sur la Table.

Big winner announcement tomorrow!

like brother, like sister

Taco Soup

Today I want to share a favorite family recipe with y'all.  My mom loves this recipe because you can just put it all in the pot, let it simmer and 2 hours later you have a delicious soup for the family!

Taco Soup
2 lbs. ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 28oz cans diced tomatoes
1 16oz can whole kernel corn
1 16oz can pinto beans
1 16oz can red beans
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch dressing mix

Brown beef and onion together. 

Add remaining ingredients, stir and simmer for 2 hours. 

We like to serve ours with Frito chips, sour cream and cheese.

It smells soooo good!

Like this dutch oven? Click here for a chance to win one!

Fabulous Friday Find

Once again this week I have an amazingly cute blog for y'all, and once again my Mom found it.

Serena of The Farm Chicks is truly a creative blogger. I just adore her style!  The first thing that drew me to her blog is her unbelievable new kitchen.

Everything from the counters to the cabinets are what I hope to have in my home

Not only does she have a super cute blog and amazing kitchen, one of her favorite places is Cath Kidston that I featured in another find.

I love her craft room!

I could post tons of pics, but you might as well take a look for yourself.

Have a great weekend!

Soft Gingersnap Cookies

With all the sickness that was going around our home we really didn't have a chance to do much holiday baking.  Major bummer in my book!  We did manage to make a few dozen of these delicious, super easy cookies.  They are great hot from the oven, and taste great the next day too, if they last that long.

Soft Gingersnap Cookies
4 cups flour
4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups sugar, plus extra to roll dough balls in
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
1 1/2 cups oil

Blend oil, sugar, eggs and molasses. 

Add dry ingredients and refrigerate dough for one hour. 

Form into balls using about 2 tsp. of dough* and roll in sugar. 

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees.

Simple, easy and DELICIOUS!
*I use a cookie scoop, perfect size!

PS: Don't forget to enter the Le Creuset Giveaway!!

Fabulous Friday Find

One week into the year, and two days into our giveaway. So far both have been going really well. I've really enjoyed reading all of the goals y'all have for this year. I'll share some of mine next week.  But it is friday, and that means it is time for a Fabulous Friday Find.

For the first find of this year I have a tool that no kitchen should be without. 

Not the knife, although I highly recommend them, I'm talking about the cover.  

These neat covers are made of heavy-duty plastic.  They have two locks and four magnets inside the case to hold the knife in place.
When Mom got her first "big girl knife" a few years ago, she knew storing it was going to be an issue.  She was delighted to find these covers at The Container Store. 

Proper knife storage is important, but accidents can always happen.  We had one of our first major kitchen accidents earlier this month.  Lizzie (5) went to slice her apple with a "off limits" knife and sliced her finger instead.  After an ER visit and some surgical glue, she was (almost) as good as new.

One Year of Blogging Giveaway

Well "Southern Homemaking" has been online for a whole year...I can't believe it!

And today I have a special 1st Birthday/Anniversary present for y'all.

A 3 1/2 quart Dutch Oven from Le Creuset!!

In my humble opinion, no kitchen should be without a Le Creuset dutch oven.

They are simply the best!

How to enter:
1) Answer this question: What is a goal you have for the new year?

2) Follow "Southern Homemaking"

3) Share on FB

4) Share on your blog

5) Add "Southern Homemaking" to your blog

Please leave one comment per entry.

The winner will be chosen using Random.org on Saturday January 21st. 

International entries welcome!

Good luck and may the best cook win!