Sip and Shop Sunday [Salad Edition]

Happy New Year, friends! (I do realize it's February, but that's kind of still the beginning of the New Year, right??)  It's been a while and then some since I've last posted, but I'm back today to share a little healthy New Year's tip.

We eat a lot of salad in our little hive, both for lunches and dinners.  While salad isn't particularly time consuming or difficult to make, I've discovered a couple little tips that you can do on Sunday and then enjoy all week long.

While we love the ease of bagged salad, it just doesn't compare in terms of taste and freshness and chopping yourself ahead of time tended to result in wilted leaves....until now.  Enter the salad spinner.  We happened upon this by accident, having chopped, spun, and ultimately stored in the fridge when we ended up going out one night instead of eating at home.  Three days later the salad was still crisp, fresh, and delicious.  It's now become part of the Sunday routine.

To prep salad for the week, simply chop (or tear if you prefer), rinse, and spin.  Then store in the spinner and enjoy all week long!

A couple tips:

• Make sure to spin to dry as much as possible.
• Discard any water that accumulates in the bottom of the spinner.  Check throughout the week to see if any additional water has accumulated.
• You can place a paper towel on top of the lettuce, too, to soak up any additional water, if desired.
• This is the spinner we have.  I would think any would work, we can just only confirm this one.

While were at it, I whip up a big batch of dressing to use throughout the week, too.  While we still use our favorite standbys (this balsamic dressing and this creamy dressing) Santa brought a new little dressing bottle that takes streamlines the process, while offering other recipes to mix things up.  

The bottle is glass, so is perfect for storing long term, and has 8 recipes printed right on the side.  Just add the liquid ingredients first (oil, vinegar, lemon, etc.), add the spices, and then shake.  We've tried several and they're terrific.  We've decided we like to use a little less oil than what is called for, but just simply fill shy of the fill line for that particular ingredient.  Easy peasy.

With that, I'm off to prep for the week!  Wishing you a terrific week!

Happy Shopping!

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!

Five on Friday [10.7.17]

Happy Friday!!  So excited it's Friday!  Fall Break is next week and we have the entire week off!!  The icing on the cake is that I'm kicking it off with an old friend tonight attending the Symphony featuring Joshua Bell as the soloist!  So. excited.  For now, though, here are this week's five:

ONE
I shared these darling Halloween plates that dear friend KF uses in her home earlier this week.  They really are just too cute!

TWO
Our 4th graders visited the State House this week.  Both our district Senator and Representative were kind enough to come talk with the kiddos.  Even with all that is going on in our country right now, this trip never fails to remind me just how grateful I am to be an American.

THREE

The first Thursday of every month the Indianapolis Museum of Art offers free admission.  I took advantage of a rainy afternoon and strolled through the exhibits. I was instantly transported me back to Paris -- when I visited the Louvre every single day for a month.

FOUR
Hubby and I rented HBO's Big Little Lies last weekend.  I knew I loved the book, and while the book is usually better than the movie (or series, in this case) this was pretty darn good.  Hubby even got into it!

FIVE
This weekend Peyton Manning is being inducted into the Colts' Ring of Honor.  Boy, do we miss him! He did BIG things for our city, far beyond the football field, and how very lucky we were to have him!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Katie                                              April

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!

Sip and Shop Sunday [Fiesta Halloween]

Happy Sunday!  It has been the quintessential beautiful fall weekend here in Indy!  Absolutely gorgeous!  So today, we're sipping on Honeycrisp Sangria and shopping Halloween.



I popped over to see dear friend KF the other day and she was just putting out her Halloween decor. I just have to share these adorable plates by Fiesta.

She has a wide selection of patterns and has them displayed all around the house in little vignettes, replacing hanging plates, and has little ramekins holding candies.  

Spooky Skeletons

They are the perfect way to add a little Halloween subtly.  I would have loved to have snapped a few pics for you, but she was just too embarrassed, saying things weren't tidy enough.  (If only my house was as "nontidy" as hers....) 

Boo Cats

She found her plates and ramekins at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and enjoyed using her coupons, too!

We usually decorate for Fall and kind of gloss right over Halloween, but these just too cute.

Happy Halloween Decorating!

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!

Five on Friday [9.29.17]

Happy Friday!  I can hardly believe that October is here!  It's been in the 90s this week, but things are supposed to feel like Fall this weekend.  Looking forward to a quiet little weekend with Hubby.  Until then, here are this week's five:

ONE
Last week was Peace Week in honor of the International Day of Peace.  Our incredible art teacher completed this stunning project with every child in our school.  They each created a feather which symbolizes something, someone, or somewhere that makes them feel peaceful.  She then compiled them into these angel wings.  We've been snapping pics of the kiddos posing with their angel wings all week.  Truly awesome.

TWO
I have been enjoying some Greek Mountain Tea as my afternoon treat in this Rae Dunn mug.  It also serves as a gentle reminder to breathe through the afternoon chaos that is fourth grade.  Ha.

THREE
Along with the chaos, however, come these sweet little love notes that make everything worthwhile.

FOUR
Have y'all tried Spindrift Seltzer Water??  Dear friend DR shared some the other day and I'm hooked!  The grapefruit is my fave and Costco has a great price!

FIVE
Since apparently this week my five are all about what I'm drinking, I'd be remiss if I didn't share my fave honey latte.  Such a yummy morning treat.  I shared the recipe earlier this week.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Katie                                              April

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!

Honey Latte

Years ago that place with the green and white cup offered their best drink ever - a honey latte.  It was delicious but seasonal and sadly they haven't brought it back.  Recently they offered the carmelized honey latte, which was great, but just not quite as great.

The stovetop espresso maker is what makes this recipe so easy.  Just brew the espresso, add the milk, and you're all set.  No big fancy models needed.

Honey Latte
Ingredients:

• Brewed espresso
• Milk
• 1 T honey per mug (or to taste)

Directions:

• Brew espresso according to the maker's directions.
• While espresso is brewing pour milk into mason jar.  Shake until milk has doubled in size.  Heat in microwave for 45 seconds.  (Be sure to remove the lid :)!)
• Add honey to bottom of each mug, pour a small amount of espresso in mug and stir until honey is dissolved.  Add remaining espresso and top with heated milk.  Be sure to top with foam.
• Enjoy!

Notes:

• The drinks are designed to be made to taste.  Some like stronger coffee than others.  Hubby and I have found we like them with about a 3 to 1 espresso to milk ratio.

Five on Friday [9.15.17]

Happy Friday!  It's been quite a week, so without further ado, here are this week's five:

ONE
Hubby and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary this week.  How time flies.



TWO
We took our 4th grade kiddos on a field trip to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It's incredible to see things through the eyes of a child.  One might think "boring art museum" but they loved it.  Our art teacher is clearly doing a great job.

THREE
These three have visited me a couple times this week on my morning walk.

The moon shines on the first half of my walk.  Then I turn the corner and the sun is rising on the second half.  It's pretty awesome, actually.

FOUR
The Le Creuset Oulet opens today!  This could mean trouble, friends.  I may have even mentioned something to Hubby about getting a job there.....

FIVE
Trying to remember...

via Pinterest

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Katie                                              April

Le Creuset Love

A few weeks ago a little invitation arrived in my inbox and I was absolutely giddy!!  A Le Creuset outlet is opening here in Indianapolis and I was invited to attend a special little event.  Tonight, I jumped at the chance.

I first visited the outlet in Destin while on vacation, and although this store seems slightly smaller, it certainly did not disappoint.  The shelves were packed with beautiful pieces of all sorts, in both function and pricing.

The majority of my pieces are in flame, save a few pieces of my grandfather's that are Caribbean.  While I'm a devoted traditionalist with the flame, this evening the pink caught my eye.  A mug may or may not have ended up in my basket which will, no doubt, bring a smile to my face each time I use it.

I would love to share the other pieces I snagged, but started my Christmas shopping and just can't spoil the surprises.  Instead, here are a few of my favorites.  In this hive, the Le Creuset gets daily use, and even though some of it is as old as I am, you would never guess.

My very favorite, and most versitile piece, is the dutch oven.  The possibilities are endless with this one...soups, stews, braised meats, roasted chicken, you name it, you can do it.

Whistling Tea Kettle

Stoneware Casserole

I'm certain there will be many more trips to the new store before Christmas (and let's be honest after Christmas, too)!  Do you, too, share a love of Le Creuset?  What color have you chosen?  What pieces are your favorites?

Happy Shopping!

*While Le Creuset kindly invited me to the opening this evening, this is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are strictly my own.  I have, however, included affiliate links for some pieces.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive.