Category: Blogger of the Month

Bacon & Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms

by Miss October 2017, Keri Bucci

Stuffed mushrooms are one of my all-time favorite appetizers.  They are simple to make and come together fairly quickly, making a great party food option. With the holidays coming it is never too early to start working on those menu plans.  I love serving foods in small bites to my party guests. They are easier to eat while mingling and I have always loved the way small food looks displayed on serving platters. When it comes to small food, stuffed mushrooms are one of my all-time favorite appetizers.

I consider them to be a two-bite wonder, or one bite if no one is looking, right?  The filling possibilities are endless but for me the more bacon and cheese the better! In fact, I can’t really think of any appetizer that couldn’t be made better by adding a little bacon, but thankfully for this recipe, we don’t have to worry about that because it is packed with bacon and bold flavors.  

Chicken Fajita Ring, Low Carb & Gluten Free

By Miss October 2017, Keri Bucci

 

 
Growing up in South Arkansas, if there was one thing I learned it was how to throw a mean baby shower, holiday party, or church potluck. The key to these to pulling off one of these events is simple, amazing food. The recipes prepared are always amazing and they leave people talking for months after. There is just something special about the dishes all the women break out for these events that makes you want to forget about your diet or calories. Right?
Among all the decorated tables adorned with creamy dips and bacon filled pinwheels one of my favorites was this heavenly creation, everyone called a Taco Ring. It was delicious and usually the dish I gravitated to first. I mean how could it not be tasty with those flaky and buttery crescent rolls wrapped around a taco filling. I wasn’t the only fan among the quest apparently, because it always went fast.
These days I am still a fan of those food-centered gatherings and my love of the old Taco Ring remains, but unfortunately, the original recipe doesn’t fit into my gluten-free lifestyle so I had to give it up. But nobody will ever call this girl a quitter, oh no! So I pulled on my apron and got to work in the kitchen on this Chicken Fajita Ring.

Pecan Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream, Low Carb, Gluten Free

by Miss October 2017, Keri Bucci

I love all things pumpkin and even though I could enjoy it all year long, I try to hold off until what everyone has deemed as “pumpkin season” arrives. I love to find ways to incorporate this fall favorite into new recipes each year. Since this year September was not wanting to stop with the hot temperatures I decided to create a refreshing pumpkin recipe that remind me that Fall weather was coming but one that didn’t leave me standing at the stove for hours. After all, it has still been really hot and who wants to bake in that kind of weather, right? 

This Pecan Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream is a delightful and the perfect recipe if you want to enjoy the flavors of Fall no matter what the temperatures are.  If you love Pumpkin Pie this is the ice cream for you. All the creamy goodness of the pumpkin pie with the added crunch of pecans and pie crust pieces. It is amazing and the best part is that it is sugar, low-carb, and gluten-free, meaning it is so much easier to enjoy a bowl without all the guilt. How awesome is that?

Miss October 2017 – Keri Bucci

Hey, Y’all, I’m Keri, a food blogger over at My Table of Three, and believe it or not, I am your Mrs. October!

When I opened the email invitation for blogger of the month, I thought “Oh my word, what were they thinking; don’t they know I’m a hot mess over here?” Seriously, have you guys seen the talent around this site? These women are an inspiration and I wasn’t sure I could hold up to the wonderful bar they have set! But, after a couple of pep talks to myself, the honor of being able to share with all of you sank in and I convinced myself that you guys could handle a small peek into this wacky brain of mine.

First things first! I am a native Arkansan and though I have lived in a few other states for work, I have always known this beautiful state would be my home and where I would raise my family. I grew up in Camden, a small town in South Arkansas, where on a quick trip to WalMart, you were sure to see everyone you knew. Oh, and like other small towns, their parking lot was the popular hangout throughout my teenage years. You know, we were so cool back then! 

I was born to two amazing parents who taught me so much about living an honest and good life. The love and support they offered me growing up spurred me through my college years at Southwestern AG University in Waxahachie, TX and well into my years of building my career, working for a company that I had gotten very familiar with over the years, WalMart!

I enjoyed a 16-year career with them, before meeting and falling in love with the most wonderful man. We married and were blessed with a handsome son who has changed our life for the better. Soon after he was born I traded my high heels and busy work schedule for a chance to stay at home with my sweet boy. Over the last few years, my weeks consist of days where homeschooling, household chores, and blogging come crashing head first into my days working part-time as a real estate assistant. This world of mine is often a place where a well-planned day is only a small hiccup away from many hours of mom chaos.

Some days I can just go with the flow and come out smiling and other days I need to drink coffee by the gallon to keep my head above water. You know that saying, “fake it till you make it”, right? Well, that’s my motto on those days. Who am I kidding, it’s my motto for most days!  But no matter how hectic my schedule is or how dirty my apron gets while cleaning up all the messes, I wouldn’t trade this life for any other (she says as she pours yet another cup of coffee).

I began blogging two years ago as a way to keep track of the healthier recipes I was creating for my family. You see, I have struggled with my weight all my life, and I decided that if I was going to have a long and happy life with my husband and son, I had to make some changes. So the blog was a great way for me to share my story, hold myself accountable, and reach out to other women walking the same path.
 
At the time, when I started,  I never dreamed blogging would take me where it has. In all honesty, I wasn’t even sure I how long I would be able to keep it up with it with all I had going on. But, fast forward two years and here I am still blogging and working on getting healthier by the day. I have met some amazing people and been blessed by them all.
 
I am so glad I took that leap and decided to start blogging that day because the friendships that I have made and the wonderful lessons I have learned along the way are priceless.  Oh, and look at me now, a calendar girl, Mrs. October! Who would have ever thought I would say that? Certainly now, this girl. I am grateful for this chance to share more with you all as the month goes along.
 

White Chocolate Chip and Almond Cookies – Cooking with Kids

White Chocolate Chip and Almond Cookies

If you want a cookie to impress, you have come to the right place with these white chocolate chip and almond oatmeal cookies. Several months ago, the Hubs picked up some delicious oatmeal cookies from a special bakery he visited during a work trip. The man knows when he leaves me with these children for a week, he better show back up with something g-o-o-o-d!

As I ate my delicious round of sugary goodness, I considered the flavors. I decided this was a cookie I must try to recreate on my own. And that was when the recipe for these white chocolate chip and almond oatmeal cookies was born. I used my basic oatmeal cookie recipe as the base and just guessed my way through the ratios for the white chocolate and the almonds. READ MORE…

Turquoise Door and Spring Porch

turquoise door

A turquoise door, people. This girl finally got her turquoise door!

It’s amazing how fast two years flies. A few weeks ago, The Hubs noted that the following day would mark two years to the date since we moved in our house.

The next day, I drove into the driveway after work and gazed at the amazing, bright and happy turquoise door that greeted me from the front porch. My sweet Hubs had spent his day off painting the turquoise door I had been dreaming of since that day our realtor had taken us to see this house. READ MORE…

Hawksbill Crag

Heather Wilson, Miss August 2017

One of the most bittersweet experiences I’ve encountered; hiking has long had a special place in my life. Years ago, it was during a hike I got the first signs I was sick. I remember having to stop because I couldn’t breathe, yet the gift of the amazing surroundings kept me going. I wanted to see more. It was soon after that climb up a volcano in Hawaii I was later diagnosed with my first form of cancer. That hike reminded me that though the challenge of doing something that felt too hard to complete, the beauty of what awaited me was worth it. And since then I’ve known, every hike, just like every person, has a story. There’s definitely something special about those places where you stop to take an extra look, don’t you think? Read More…

Moss Mountain Farm

Heather Wilson, Miss August 2017

Have you ever thumbed through the pages of an interior design magazine or maybe drooled over some cover-page worthy images on Pinterest? When it comes to décor, I have always been one of those people who has an idea in my head, but I can’t quite execute it “just so”. Now that my husband and I are building a custom home on several acres of land, we want to step it up in the sustainability department. Lucky or me, inspiration doesn’t have to come from very far away. Arkansas boasts one of the most breathtaking estates in the country only outdone by the owner’s beautiful soul. Read More…

Studio Tour

Beth Macre, Miss July 2017

Just like my art, my studio is ever evolving. We moved into our current home in 2015. I am lucky enough to have an entire spare bedroom to use as my art studio. It is not huge, but it is a separate space just for my art. Since we moved here, I have rearranged it a few times in search of the perfect layout. I’m still looking.

My latest switch was just last week. I am still reorganizing some things, so I will be updating the Studio Tour as I go. More supplies, more projects, means more stuff. Managing that is always a challenge. When I become a ‘famous’ artist, or win the lottery, I will build my dream studio. I hope that is soon!

I hope you enjoy seeing it evolve.  Follow the links within the blog posts to see the updates. READ MORE…

War Eagle Fair

Beth Macre, Miss July 2017

After moving to Northwest Arkansas, I was very happy to be able to apply to be a vendor at War Eagle Craft Show. I had only participated in a few Art Festivals in Georgia, but none in Arkansas. Although I had never been to the War Eagle Craft Show, I had heard that it is a big show with great attendance, along with many other shows that same weekend in October each year. And it is.  

I set up shop there for 2 years and I loved it. The crowds are wonderful and the setting is just gorgeous in October. Last year I had to withdraw a few weeks before the Fair because my husband had to have unexpected heart surgery. While I enjoyed being a vendor at War Eagle, it is a long 4 day show. This year, any shows that I go to will be 1 or 2 day shows. Maybe we will go back to War Eagle again as a vendor, or as a customer and blog about the show. For now, you can read about our first year experience. READ MORE…