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Thanksgiving Prep – Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Who else loves gathering around a table with family and friends to enjoy wonderful food? I know I’m not alone in basking in the warmth a meal with loved ones can bring. I’m convinced a beautiful table, rich conversation and mouth watering food can brighten anyone’s day! As I start to *think* about what I’d like to prepare, this simple quick bread comes to mind. I use to make it weekly. It’s easy and so good! Add some real butter and you’ve got yourself a real winner.

It’s always fun to listen to others’ Thanksgiving plans. So many unique traditions are held, there’s no ‘right way’ to usher in the Thanksgiving feast. Whether you enjoy a Taco bar, and forget the Turkey, or play a solid game of tackle football before your meal. Every family celebrates in their own unique way.

In Omaha, the weather is getting cooler. We’ve pulled up the garden and prepped it for winter. In years past, it’s always been difficult to say goodbye to warm months and come to grips with winter making her grand entrance. It’s different for me this year. I’m embracing the seasonal change without a grumpy attitude and looking forward to hunkering down with my family these next few months. My son says I’m getting older, I think getting older might also mean you learn to make the best of everything. Like arming yourself for winter with new soup recipes, board games, puzzles and indoor projects to last the next four months. Whatever the case, I’m ready to share this warm quick bread that you can easily bake and serve to eat during a card game. My kids love to play Sleeping Queens. It’s a great card game and Amazon carrys it. You definitely need to add it to your game closet. 🙂

The Amazing Cinnamon Bread (that’s what I call it anyway!)

CINNAMON BREAD (makes 2 loaves)
Batter:
1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk or 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda
Cinnamon/sugar mixture:
2/3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon  (I do add more cinnamon and sugar as I feel is needed. It’s called cooking with love. )

Cream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs.  Add milk, flour, and baking soda.  Put 1/2 of batter (or a little less) into greased loaf pans (1/4 in each pan).  Mix in separate bowl the 2/3 c sugar and cinnamon.  Sprinkle 3/4 of cinnamon mixture on top of the 1/2 batter in each pan.  Add remaining batter to pans; sprinkle with last of cinnamon topping.  Swirl with a knife.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 min.  or until toothpick tester come clean.   Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing from pan.

I have also made this bread in muffin tins which made it a little easier to freeze and take out as needed.
ENJOY!!!

~Michelle Phillips

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13 things to do this Fall to prepare for Winter!

Fall starts today! September 23, which is also my birthday! As I was doing some chores around the house, I started thinking about how many weekends there were in a fall season, and correlating that to, “how many weekend projects can I accomplish to get ready for winter?” So I marched to the calendar to count up 13 weekends, and started thinking about my project list. Here is what I came up with. Keep in mind, these projects are meant to be completed within a few hours because Saturday mornings are packed with soccer and flag football games around here. Plus, who really wants to spend their weekend working? Not me! However, I’ve also learned working hard now ensures an easier transition into the next season and can benefit me a year from now! So, who else will join me in taking on a small project each weekend? Here they are. In no particular order either.

  1. Clean out all the gutters. This chore should be done after all the leaves, or most of the leaves have fallen.
  2. Put up Christmas lights while it’s nice out, so you won’t freeze! You don’t need to turn them on yet. 🙂
  3. Tend to flower beds and gardens. Pulling up dead or dying plants. Cutting back bushes. This is a great time to fertilize if you have a garden.
  4. Pick up outside furniture and toys. Store them as needed to preserve them from harsh winter conditions.
  5. Prepare your front door and entryway for cooler temps. I have flowers in the barrels and learned early on, that if I don’t clean those out and change the front door wreath. My front door can look really tired (and dead) come winter.
  6. Make sure your kids have properly fitting winter apparel (coats, hats, gloves, snow pants, boots). Don’t have kids? Make sure you’ve got a winter coat and snow boots. Last winter was harsh! I wore my winter boots so often and was glad I had them.
  7. Cut down on some heating costs by caulking around doors and windows.
  8. Hire a chimney sweep and order fire wood.
  9. Disconnect hoses from outside faucets and if your air conditioner has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
  10. Buy a snow shovel. We like to have one in the trunk of our car too-just in case! Speaking of the car. We also put in a large blanket and first aid kit. I’d rather be over prepared than underprepared! Something else to consider is buying sidewalk salt before you actually need it. In the case of a winter storm, hardware stores sell out quickly!
  11. Buy a new board game and stock up on lotion. I’m smiling as I type that, but the Midwesterner in me knows, cabin fever and dry skin are a real thing!
  12. Tune up the snow blower.
  13. Invest in a humidifier. Your sinuses, skin and home will thank you!

Honestly, last winter was so long and harsh. I remember there being a handful of chores I’d wished we’d accomplished while it was still nice outside, instead of doing them while freezing our booties off outside. Alas, you live and learn! Here’s to hoping it’s a mild winter and we are prepared for anything! Like true Midwesterners! 🙂

~Michelle Phillips

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Omaha Vintage Market Days and Markman Pumpkin Patch!

We truly are blessed to live in such an amazing city. When I was completing my undergrad in Virginia, I had friends and classmates that joked about Nebraska. However, little do they know, that Omaha is FILLED with events that draw the crowds. We have the College World Series, the best Zoo in all the land (Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium), we have the Olympic Swim Trials. The list goes on and on. This weekend my friend and I were introduced to the Omaha Vintage Market Days. Oh my goodness. It’s the most amazing event to those who appreciate chippy, vintage, farmhouse decor, yummy food and drinks, unique gifts, boutique clothing and clever home pieces. The woman in charge let us know they’d be back in April, so mark your calendars!

If you’ve already started your Christmas shopping, I applaud you! It’s my most favorite thing ever to plan and think ahead when it’s possible. Look at these beautiful earrings from Little Blue Truck.

Everywhere you looked, there was more treats for the eyes. There were vendors with signs for the home, craftsman wood décor (did I say that correctly?), 60’s inspired aprons and boutique clothing.

I know it’s September and we’ve all got fall on the brain. Today was a hot one that reminded me more of summer than anything. 93 degrees to be exact. It doesn’t matter. My home is officially decked out with welcoming pumpkins thanks to Markman Pumpkin Patch and mums from good ol’ Walmart! Have you started your fall decorating yet? What’s your favorite part about fall? My husband would say it’s FOOTBALL! Go Huskers!

Thanks for coming with me Tonya, it was fun spending time with you!
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The power behind 15 minutes.

Have you ever had a task set before you that you didn’t want to tackle? After hearing people talk about difficult tasks and how they did not have the time to accomplish them and still that same person can scroll through Instagram is oddly ironic. We are capable to accomplish so much within a short 15 minute burst!

The next time you’re faced with a to-do list that seems never ending. Pick one task. Set your phone timer for 15 minutes and get to work! I willing to count on it, but once you start and your timer dings. You just might keep working past that 15 minute mark. It’s all about getting started that is the most difficult part.

Try it and tell me if this little trick worked for you!

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We Are Hiring!

We are looking to add to our team. If you are motivated, punctual, reliable, honest, a team player and diligent. We want YOU for our growing team at Phillips Tile & Stone! Our company has been around since June 2010 and growing every year. We are currently actively looking for 3 important positions! Entry Level Tile Setter, Experienced Tile Setter and a Tile Sub-Contractor.

If you are interested, please email your resume or work experience to PhillipsTile.Stone@yahoo.com and thank you for your interest!

You dream it, we can do it
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11 things our kids want you to know

Some of you may know that we choose to homeschool our 4 children. I asked them today if there was anything they would like to share on our business blog. Here is what they want you to know.

  1. The resistance never quits.
  2. God loves you very much.
  3. Animals are great.
  4. Have a great day at work.
  5. God made the whole world.
  6. Never give up.
  7. Eat healthy food.
  8. Exercise every day.
  9. Vengeance is mine says the Lord.
  10. God bless you.
  11. Watch out for monsters.

There you have it. From the mouths of kids. 11 important things they want you to know. 🙂

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Happy Birthday, America!

We hope you are enjoying your 4th of July by celebrating with family and friends. Stay safe out there! We are so thankful for our freedom and for those who sacrificed for our freedoms.

I love this land, God bless the USA!

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We’ve got a lot to celebrate around here plus an Easy No Bake Pie Recipe!

June is packed full of good dates to remember. At our place, June is a monumental month for Trevor. First, we have Father’s Day, then it’s Phillips Tile & Stone’s birthday then we celebrate Trevor’s birthday! This month was spent celebrating the man who steers this ship. Thank you to all our past and present clients, and a shout out to all the future clients we’ve yet to work with. Happy birthday Phillips Tile & Stone and Happy birthday to our favorite, Trevor Phillips!!

9 years as a company and 35 years young.

Life by Chocolate!

To celebrate, I made this easy no bake pie. In which I’m calling Life by Chocolate

It’s the easiest pie you’ll ever make and everyone loves it!

Ingredients

  • 1 ready-to-use Oreo pie crust
  • 1 large box chocolate instant pudding
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 package Oreo cookies
  • 1 tub of Cool Whip
  • Hot Fudge
  • additional Oreo cookies for garnish

Instructions

  • Combine the large box of pudding mix and 3 cups whole milk. Stir together with a whisk until it is combined and thick. This will take about 5 minutes to thicken up.
  • Add the chopped Oreo cookies and stir together to combine.
  • Pour 1 1/2 cups of the pudding mixture into the bottom of the pie crust.
  • Drizzle with hot fudge.
  • Beat together the cool whip with the remaining pudding mixture and add this as a third layer to the pie.
  • Spread the remaining whipped cream on top.
  • Cover with the enclosed lid and let refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Refrigerating overnight is best.
  • When ready to serve, garnish the top with additional Oreo cookies and hot fudge.
  • Enjoy!

You are in for a real treat!

The Phillips Fam
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DIY Green All-Purpose Cleaning Spray !

We all love a clean home! The same day I posted this, I had a friend request a blog post on the best way to clean countertops! I think it’s safe to say, we all want what is best for our families and pets. The green cleaning movement is well underway, and I have been on board for a good long while. Actually, it’s not a new movement if you think about it. Your grandparents cleaned green!

It’s incredibly easy to make your own cleaner! Like, so easy. One thing you do need to be mindful of while making your own cleaning agents is that most surfaces cannot stand up to harsh abrasives or acidic cleaners. So use lemon juice and vinegar with discretion! The recipe I’m sharing for this blog post doesn’t use those ingredients, so don’t worry. It is interesting to note that you could get rid of all your chemical filled cleaners and stock up on vinegar, baking soda, lemons and soap and call it a day. But I want you to have this recipe, so keep reading.

For most days, warm water and a microfiber cloth should be fine to clean those countertops. However, if you cut chicken on the countertops the evening before for dinner, just consider alllll the germs that need disinfected. Eww. Here is your all natural recipe to conquer dirt and grime. Germs be gone!

All- Surface Spray Recipe

2 teaspoons washing soda

hot water

1/4 teaspoons liquid castile soap

Once you’ve got your mixture together, put it in a spray bottle and fill the bottle with hot water. Shake the spray bottle until your washing soda is dissolved, and then add the soap. Go ahead and spray your countertops. Let it sit for a minute or two and then wipe off. There you go. No more expensive cleaners that are full of toxins. Nope. You’re now a green cleaning machine! Not to mention it only took pennies to make. Your next step is to take a picture of your clean area, because it might last longer. 😉

My kitchen isn’t always this clean, but man…I love when it is!
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Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is coming soon (June 16th) and maybe you have a hard to shop for dad in your life. My hope is that I can give people a few stores to turn to that have been successful for us in finding manly gifts.

  1. Duluth Trading Company. This is a nation wide store but it’s also located on 78th & Dodge Street here in Omaha. Every time I walk in there, I find something unique. It’s a sure place to find a great gift.
  2. Play It Again Sports. This one is pretty self explanatory. Need a glove for company softball games? Need a tennis racket for the gym? They’ve got you covered.
  3. Courtyard Ink. Give a personalized gift to dad! A hat, a bag, a t shirt or hoodie. These guys are a local company and they make quality pieces. Look them up and say Phillips Tile & Stone recommended them!
  4. Fareway Meat Market. This one is easy. The gift of MEAT. Get some nice cuts of steak and grill!
  5. Home Depot. If nothing else fits your fancy. A gift card to Home Depot will always be welcomed and appreciated.

Hope this helps has you shop for and celebrate Dad!