Delicious Strawberry Cake Recipe

One of my all time favorite desserts is strawberry cake with cream cheese icing. It is perfect for practically any occasion, but I think it’s especially great for Valentine’s Day.   If you are looking to whip up an extra special treat for your sweetheart, then look no further than this moist and delicious strawberry cake.

Today’s post is also a collaboration with Kelsey from The Old Farmhouse Blog. Be sure to go check out her delicious recipe and follow her blog as well. She is an incredible decorator, baker, and just all around precious person.

Strawberry Cake Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need:

• White Cake Mix (You can make your own mix or buy a boxed mix)
• 1 Small box Strawberry Jello
• 4 Eggs
• 1 Tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 3/4 Cup Oil
• 3/4 Cup diced Strawberries/Drained (Reserve juice for Icing)

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix dry ingredients together and then combine with the rest of the ingredients. Mix together in stand mixer and separate into three 9 inch round cake pans. Bake for about  30-40 minutes at 350 or until cakes look done. Allow cakes to cool on rack until they are room temperature and then place in freezer until you are ready to ice them.

Here’s what you’ll need for the icing:

• 1 Box Powdered Sugar
• 1 Stick Butter, Room Temperature
• 4 oz. Cream Cheese, Softened
• Reserved Juice from Strawberries

Mix together and spread generously in between each layer and on top of cake. If you are a little extra, you may even want to double the icing recipe. When you are done icing the cake, garnish with strawberries.

Enjoy!!!

 

Tried and True Super Bowl Party Food

With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, I thought today would be a perfect day to share some of my tried and true recipes for football party food. I’ll be sharing 3 recipes that are always game day staples in our home. Each recipe is simple and quick, which means you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the big game and your guests.

First up is my go-to salsa recipe. To start, let me just say that I am kind of a salsa fanatic. I love, love, love salsa. So much! I’ve also experimented with plenty of ingredients and discovered what I believe is the perfect combination. My family and friends have asked me for this recipe so many times and since I just threw the items in without measuring them, providing people with an exact recipe often proved to be difficult. I have since, however, made a conscious effort to measure what I use so I can give you this delicious recipe.

Kayla’s Salsa Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 Can Diced Tomatoes
• 1  Can Original Rotel (or you can use mild or hot depending on your preference)
• 1/4 cup Cilantro
• 1/2 Yellow Onion
• 1/4 teaspoon of Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• Pinch of Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
• A Clove of Garlic
• Fresh Jalapeño Slices, seeds and all, to Taste (this all depends on personal preference) I like things hot so I throw in several slices. You may want to start small if you like things mild. You can always add to, but you can’t take away.

I have found the best way to make this is just to throw everything in a food processor and pulse until you achieve the desired consistency. You can also add more salt, lime juice, onion, garlic or jalapeño depending on how you like your salsa.

Next up is my favorite chili recipe. I can’t entirely take credit for this as my husband was the one who first introduced it to me. It’s actually my mother-in-law’s recipe. I may have changed it just a little, but the main things are still the same. It’s so yummy and I’m sure you are going to love it.

 

Anderson Family Chili

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 28 oz. Can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 28 oz. Can Tomato Puree
• 1 4.5 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes, Drained
• 2 lbs. Lean Ground Beef
• 6 Cans Black Beans
• 2 Cans Kidney Beans
• 1 Large Yellow Onion, Diced
• 1 Green Pepper, Diced
• 1/2 Cup of Cilantro
• 4 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cumin
• Pepper to taste

First, you’ll want to brown the ground beef and then add onion, garlic, and green pepper to ground beef until they become soft and translucent. Next, drain the grease and add to a large stock pot or dutch oven along with the rest of the ingredients. Mix well, bring to simmer, and cook on low to medium heat for about 1 hour. Stir occasionally. If chili appears too thick, add about 1/2 cup to a cup of water until it reaches your desired thickness.

We like to eat this chili stack-a-meal style with corn chips and all the fixins…sour cream, diced tomatoes, lettace, onions, cheese, jalapeños, etc.

 

My final recipe is one that I’ve seen done many times and in many ways, but it’s a screams game day so I have to share my favorite way to make it. This isn’t my original recipe but I’ll share it just in case you’ve never made it before and want to give it a try. It’s not healthy at all, but the super bowl only comes around once a year. ; )

Cheesy Game Day Dip

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 16 oz. Block Velveeta Cheese
• 1 Can Hot Rotel
• 1 Lb. Hot Sausage
• A couple shakes of Lawry’s Seasoning Salt

First, brown the sausage and drain the grease. Then, cut up Velveeta cheese into cubes, place in microwave safe bowl and add the can of rotel.  Microwave the cheese and rotel in 1 minute increments, stirring between, until melted. Finally, add the sausage and seasoning salt to the cheese mixture and stir until well blended.

Throw in some chips and a few toppings for your chili and you are all set to host your friends and family for the Super Bowl.

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do! Also, if you like my spread, it is super easy to recreate. I just covered the bar with Kraft paper and used a sharpie to decorate it. The plates and cups are from the dollar tree and the Pro Pots Crockpot and football dish are borrowed. Then, I just used some of my everyday serving pieces for the rest. Hopefully, this will inspire you to get creative with your decorations too.

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Master Bedroom Transformation

Our master bedroom is my favorite room in our home. It is neutral, cozy, and inviting, which is everything I wanted in a bedroom. Today I want to share how we transformed this room on a budget and give you the confidence to tackle a project like this on your own. You don’t need to spend a lot to transform your space. All you really need is determination and willingness to do some hard work.

Before I get started telling you about all the changes we made, I want to start by giving you a look at what we were working with before we began this project. The picture below shows what the bedroom looked like before we moved into our home.

 

As you can see, it was already a great space but just needed a little TLC. I was not a fan of the paint color or the shelving so those were the first things to go. I enlisted some help to remove the shelving and then my husband and I repaired all the holes that were remaining once the shelving was removed.

Next, I went to the local Sherwin-Williams paint store and chose a few samples to see what I liked best. When choosing a paint color, my best advice is to choose a few samples and hang them up in the room you are wanting to paint. Seeing them in the space, with the lighting in the room, may help you decide which color looks best. Also, you’ll want to be sure it pairs well with the furnishings.

After much consideration, I chose to go with the color Gray Screen. It is a beautiful light gray with slightly blue undertones. My sweet husband and I then set to work painting the room.

Once the painting was done, we then re-installed the curtain rod but chose to go with new white curtain panels. The white was a much better choice then the dark panels that were in the room before. It was a small change, but made a huge impact.

Finally, the room was ready for our furniture. We didn’t purchase any new pieces of furniture for the room, but instead chose to use what we had. I did, however, paint my husband’s side table so that it matched the other pieces. You can see from the photo below that it was a dark stain before I painted it.

The only other purchase we made for the room was a large area rug and I could not be more pleased with how it looks. It totally completed the space. Also, since we have tile throughout our home, the rug makes the room feel so much warmer.

Once the furniture was in, the only remaining thing was to add wall decor. Thankfully, much of the decor we used were things we already owned. This saved us a lot of money. My favorite detail is probably the wooden monogram that is hanging over our bed. I think it looks so lovely and is a nice personal touch.

The pictures were all taken once the room was complete. Now, I only have one more task to accomplish and that is to reupholster the chair for the corner of the room. I found this wingback chair on craigslist for just $20, but the current fabric is hideous so we just draped a sheet over it for the time being. It still doesn’t look great but it’s so better than staring at the awful peach chevron fabric that’s currently on it.

That’s all there is to it. Thanks for reading!

Tips for Decorating on a Budget

It’s no secret that I love to decorate my home. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a passion for making spaces beautiful and cozy. Decorating allows me to use my creativity on something I really enjoy and it just makes me happy.

Another thing I love and am passionate about is saving money.  I have learned through the years that you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to make something look good. In fact, if you’re smart about it, you don’t ever have to spend a lot. Today I want to share a few of my tips for decorating on a budget. I have decorated our entire home using these tips and have done so without spending a fortune. Hopefully these tips will prove to be just as helpful for you!

Tip #1: Shop Your Home and Use What You Have

Many times in decorating I have found that what I need is often right under my nose. If I get scrappy and look in other rooms or closets, I can usually find pieces that help complete a look I’m trying to achieve. Whether its a blanket from my bedroom draped over a chair in the living room or a basket from my closet to hold extra pillows in the guest room, I can often pull off a completed look without ever spending a dime.

Tip #2: Buy Used or Second-Hand

This is one of my best tips for saving money! I cannot tell you how much money I have saved by buying used pieces of furniture and decor. Hit up local thrift shops, craigslist, Facebook marketplace, or even online trading groups to search for pieces you need. You may be surprised at the deals you can find. My best advice is to keep a running wish list on your phone so when you are at a thrift shop or searching online, you can quickly look at your list and know what you need. Also, be flexible. You may find something with good bones that just needs a little TLC. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and make it what you want.

Tip#3: Sell Unwanted Items and Save for Items You Really Want

This tip is huge! That piece you’ve really been wanting may not be so far out of your reach if you get smart and sell some things you don’t really need or want.

Tip #4: Invest More in Bigger Pieces and Less on Smaller Decor Items

Don’t spend a lot on little things. Save your dollars for the things that matter. Invest more in a cozy sofa or chair rather than in smaller pieces of decor you will likely replace in a year or so anyways. It’s better to spend money on things you really love than spend money on things you like right now but will grow tired of looking at.

Tip #5: Bring the Outdoors In 

Not only is it free, but a beautiful vase of hydrangeas or roses from your garden can make all the difference. You can also use pine cones, moss, sticks or leaves in your decor. Get creative or search Pinterest for inspiration.

Tip #6: Embrace A Less is More Mentality

Rather than having your home so full of decor, try to do less. A room with minimal decor can still be very beautiful. Alternately, a room with too much decor is often unattractive. Try to focus on a filling a room with things you love rather than simply filling a room.

Tip #7: Don’t pay for What You Can Make Yourself 

A hammer, some nails, and a trip to the Home Depot may be all you need to create what you want for your home. Pinterest can come in super handy here. You may find a way to make a similar coffee table to the one you’ve been wanting for just a fraction of the price.

Tip #8: A Good Coat of Paint Can Cover a Multitude of Wrongs

This needs little explanation. Paint your walls, paint your furniture, paint all the things. It can truly change the entire look of a room or a piece.

Tip #9: Repurpose and Reuse 

This tip goes with the previous one. Don’t be scared to paint something or repurpose it. I once repurposed an old wicker hamper to house our unsightly trash can and some old shutters as decor pieces to frame our TV.  These are just a few examples of things you can do if you get creative.

Tip #10: Shop for Free On The Curb 

My husband often jokes that I have a knack for making something out of nothing. I am not afraid to hunt for what I want, even if it means driving down our street on trash day to see if the neighbors left anything good out by the curb. You would be surprised at what people throw away!

These are all my tips for now, but I have one final piece of advice for you. If all you can afford to decorate is one room at a time, then focus on the room you want to decorate most and save to do the others at a later time. There is no rule that says every room in your home has to be perfectly decorated. Just do what you can rather than overspending. You will be much happier in the long run.

 

 

 

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Today I’m sharing one of my favorite fall recipes. I love to make this pumpkin bread as a gift for friends, a yummy breakfast treat, or simply just because. You can also substitute the pumpkin for bananas or apples, or even add some chocolate chips to make it a little extra special.  However you choose to make it, this simple bread recipe is sure to be one of your favorites.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 1/2 cups Self-Rising Flour

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 Eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

15 oz. Pumpkin Puree

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Note: For banana bread, substitute 1 1/2  cups bananas for pumpkin. For apple bread, substitute 2 cups grated, cored apples and 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, & 1/4 tsp. cloves

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350

Step 2: Beat 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla in mixer until well blended

Step 3: Mix in pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice

Step 4: Add Flour and mix until all ingredients are well blended

Step 5: Pour mixture into greased bread pan and place in oven to bake for 35-40 minutes

ENJOY!!!

 

 

Welcome to All Things Anderson

Welcome to All Things Anderson! My name is Kayla and I’m so glad you’re here. Pull up a chair and allow me to tell you a little about myself. To start, I am a believer and my faith in Jesus Christ means everything to me. Not a day goes by that I am not amazed by the grace and mercy God has poured out on my life. I am also married to the most wonderful, loving man on the planet. My husband is my best friend and my biggest supporter. Together, we have a beautiful newborn baby girl named Emmalyn Ruth (or Emmy Ru for short), we live in the beautiful hills of East Tennessee, and are building a life together one memory at a time.

As for my days, they are filled with lots of love, diaper changes, and snuggles as I just transitioned to life as a stay at home mom to Emmy Ru.  Before having our sweet girl, I taught kindergarten for six amazing years. While I loved my job as a teacher and am thankful for the time I had to impact little hearts and minds, I wouldn’t trade this time with Emmalyn for anything. It is a big transition for sure, but I am looking forward to being with my girl for all the precious moments of her childhood that are sure to pass by quickly.

In my free time I enjoy crafting, DIY projects, entertaining, decorating, and cooking. I’ve enjoyed these things for as long as I can remember and have always wanted a platform to share my ideas with others. While I am very new to this whole blogging thing, I have big dreams for what this little slice of internet can become with a little love and creativity. So I hope you’ll join me on this journey and come back and visit real soon.

Love,

Kayla