This post is sponsored by Mosaic Tile Outlet. All opinions are 100% my own.
I think it’s safe to say that the most used room in our home, is without question, the kitchen. I’d be willing to bet it’s the same for most people. The kitchen is where meals are cooked, snacks are kept, grocery lists are written, and it’s the gathering place for friends and family. With that being said, your kitchen should be a place you enjoy being!
Around the nine year mark, our kitchen started to feel outdated, boring, and dark. Our home was a spec home, so we didn’t have the opportunity to chose any of the colors, cupboards, counter tops, carpet, etc. When we first moved in, and for years after, I loved the dark baseboards and lighter walls, the black granite counter tops, and wood cupboards. Fast forward 9 years, and I was done. I wanted light and bright walls, white cupboards, and a kitchen backsplash!
After convincing my husband, that we did indeed need a kitchen makeover, we started the kitchen re-decorating process. We knew we wanted to keep the cost down, so we kept the current cabinets and painted them white. I added gold hardware, and just like that, new cupboards! We also kept the black granite counter tops, which actually look great against the white cupboards and light gray walls. Now for that kitchen backsplash that I’ve always wanted!
Since we ended up keeping the black counter tops, I wasn’t sure what color and style of backsplash to choose. Should I go light to match the cupboards and baseboards, or slightly darker to balance things out? Subway tile, vinyl tile, brick, or marble? Decisions, decisions, and let me just say, I’m the worst at making decisions! So fast forward almost a year, and I’m still without a kitchen backsplash.
Lucky for me, I came across, Mosaic Tile Outlet online, and began looking at what they had to offer. They specialize in backsplashes, they are reasonably priced, and have hundreds of styles and colors to choose from. After scouring their website, I was able to narrow it down to my 7 favorites. The best part, they send out samples so you can actually see what you’ll be getting!
Here are the samples I requested:
Classic 2×6 Subway Gray Glossy Glass Mosaic Tile
4 Pack Peel and Stick Linear Brick Grey White Stone-Like Vinyl Mosaic Tile
Modern Linear Gray White Glossy Metal Mosaic Tile
Modern Linear White Polished Thassos Marble Mosaic Tile
Peel and Stick Classic Linear White Gray Carrara Marble Mosaic Tile
Modern Designer Gray and White Natural Thassos Carrara Marble Mosaic Tile
Modern Linear Gray Glossy Wood Grain Recycled Glass Mosaic Tile
As you can see, most of the samples I chose were in the gray family. I added in a few darker samples as well as a few lighter ones, just to keep my bases covered. Once I held each sample up to my wall, I was quickly able to decide on my 2 favorites, the Peel and Stick Linear Brick Grey White Stone-Like Vinyl Mosaic Tile and the Modern Linear White Polished Thassos Marble Mosaic Tile. Both of these options offer simplicity and completeness that will end up providing us with an inviting and neutral cooking space for years to come.
In under a week, I will be sending my oldest child off to college. I’m not sure how time flew by so quickly, but it did. It feels just like yesterday that I was watching her climb on to the bus as she headed off for her first day of Kindergarten. Now, 13 years later and she’s graduated from high school and ready for that next chapter in her life. There are all sorts of emotions that come with sending your child away to college; Anxiety, Fear, Excitement, and Hope. They are all very real and very powerful and if I were willing to bet, I’m betting that I’m not alone in experiencing these emotions. I have a feeling that most parents go through similar thoughts and feelings as they prepare to send their child off to school.
ANXIETY:
That constant feeling of is my child going to be okay? Will she get along with her roommates? What if she doesn’t get along with her roommates? Will she remember to set her alarm for that early morning class? Will she eat more than just ice cream and soda? All thoughts, along with so many more that can cause anxiety and stress as our kids prepare to leave.
EXCITEMENT:
College was the funnest time of my life! I am excited for my daughter to (hopefully) experience that as well. Feeling excited for them to move into their own place and experience life to the fullest. Excitement that they will get to meet new people, make new friends, and prepare for their future. Let’s be honest, excitement that we no longer have to do their laundry or clean up their messes!
FEAR:
That horrible nagging fear. It’s real and it can be a bit overwhelming at times. Fear of the unknown, fear of them making wrong decisions or mistakes. Fear of our children getting mixed up in the wrong crowd or failing out of school. Fear that maybe mom and dad won’t be the number one phone call every night.
HOPE:
Then there is hope. Hope is what keeps us sane! High hopes that they will succeed! Hope that they will have the best four years of their lives. Hope that they will make the best of friends and graduate with a degree that will help better their life and the lives of others. Hope that one day we will hear, “Thanks Mom and Dad for believing in me, loving me, and supporting me. You’re the best!”
The thing about the four emotions mentioned above is, not only are we as parents experiencing them, but our child probably is as well. Take time to talk to your college bound student. Let them know that these emotions are normal to be feeling. Help talk them through any worries or fears. Let them know that no matter what, good or bad, you love them! Oh, and remind them to call and visit every once in awhile.
Mindie Packer
Mindie is married to her best friend, is a mom to three kids, and is a fashion and lifestyle blogger over at www.astylishcloset.com. She enjoys shopping, reading, and traveling.
This post is sponsored by Shopko. All opinions are my own.
Have you ever eaten something that was so good, you can’t get it out of your mind? Recently, we went to eat at a local restaurant, and my husband ordered the chicken and waffles. He continued to rave about them throughout our meal, and so I decided to try a bite. They were delicious. Over the next few weeks, we both mentioned multiple times how we were craving those chicken and waffles. So, a few weeks later, we went to the restaurant again, and this time we both ordered the chicken and waffles. To sum it up in a single word: Amazing!
The waffles are not your typical breakfast waffle, but instead, a thicker and crisper sweet waffle. Apparently, this is called a Liege waffle. These thick Belgian style waffles paired perfectly with the savory chicken and sweet and spicy sauce. I decided that I had to find a way to make something similar at home, but the first thing I needed was a Belgian waffle maker.
I found exactly what I was looking for with the Elite Classic Belgian Waffle Maker from Shopko. It’s the perfect size, has 5 heat settings, has a durable stainless steel outer case, and is budget friendly. Now that I had the right waffle maker for the job, I needed to find a similar recipe so I could attempt making this tasty meal.
While I wanted a waffle that was slightly sweet, all the waffle recipes I was coming across were made with Belgian Pearl Sugar, to add that extra sugary crust that you find in a dessert waffle. I along with my neighbor (@instantlymeg), decided that this would be way too sweet for more of a savory meal. She had the idea that instead of adding the Belgian Pearl Sugar, just make the dough as directed, and then roll in white sugar before placing on the waffle maker. Genius!
The waffle recipe I decided to follow was the “Copycat Waffle Luv Liege Waffle Recipe” by Oh, Sweet Basil. It seemed to be the closest thing to what I was looking for, and all of her recipes that I’ve tried in the past, are fabulous, so I had a feeling this one would be as well. I will admit, I was a bit nervous because I had never used yeast before, and I was worried I would somehow ruin it. In fact, the night before I made these, I had multiple dreams about me ruining the dough, due to the yeast. So I was thrilled when my first attempt was a success.
Once the dough has risen (takes about 4-5 hours), punch it down and knead a bit before separating into 10-12 balls. Roll these balls in white sugar and then place one at a time on your heated waffle iron. I turned my Waffle Maker up to the 4th setting, placed the entire ball in the middle and cooked until the tops were crispy and caramelized, approximately 4 minutes. Every waffle iron is different, so you will just have to experiment and see what works best for you.
Once the waffles were done, we topped them with a breaded chicken tender, honey chipotle sauce (see below for recipe from geniuskitchen.com), chile ranch (recipe below), bacon bits, cilantro, and green onions. I leave the green onions off on mine.
My first attempt may not have been completely up to fine restaurant quality, but they were pretty amazing and really hit the spot. I was so happy with them I had to share them with my friend next door, and with my sister in law. My sister in law saw them and didn’t believe that I had actually made them at home. Below is a step by step description of the process in case any one else is looking to satisfy the same craving, find a new craving, or give the same impression to friends and family.
If you want to test out this recipe, but need a Belgian Waffle Maker, I have good news! Shopko is having their Friends & Family sale now through May 23rd. Use code: FNF261 to receive an Extra 20% off your purchase + Free Shipping over $99.
Take a look at my Maven board to see some of my favorite items that are included in this sale.
Honey Chipotle Chicken and Waffles
Combining sweet and savory for this delicious meal of Chicken and Waffles.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole milk scalded and cooled to warm milk * SEE NOTES
- 2 Tbsp warm water
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 large eggs, slightly whisked
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 3 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups bread flour
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup sugar to roll dough in before cooking
- 1 pkg frozen chicken tenders
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 2 tsp ground chipotle chile pepper (McCormick makes a powder)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup ranch salad dressing
- 1 - 1 1/2 tsp ground chipotle chile pepper powder
- cilantro for garnish
- green onions for garnish
- bacon bits for garnish
Instructions
-
Add the 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar to the milk and water and add the yeast, stirring to combine.
-
allow the yeast to proof, or get foamy and puffy.
-
in a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar.
-
add the eggs, honey and vanilla.
-
stir together and add the yeast mixture.
-
use mixer with the dough hook and add 2 cups of flour.
-
mix until the dough is thoroughly incorporated, and add the remaining flour, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for up to 4 hours on the counter.
-
then punch down and knead a few times.
separate into 10-12 balls, roll in sugar, and place on a hot, greased waffle iron.
cook until golden brown