french-inspired party: watercolor invitations

October 13, 2012

I can’t believe that I haven’t shared details of my little Norah’s third birthday party that was in July?!
Time sure does fly by, and things get busy.

I wanted to first share her invitations with you. I decided to go with a French-inspired theme for the party. And, since France is full of talented artists, I decided to do watercolor invitations.

I printed black in onto watercolor paper, and used the watercolors to spruce up the invitations.

Be sure to check out the instructions, and full details on how I made the invitations over on my post on the Hellobee blog.

I’ll be sure to share more of the party soon!

{all photos by Caroline Armelle Drake}

Recipe // potato green chili corn chowder

October 12, 2012

Soup season is here! I love fall, and the reason I do, it is because I can get away with making soup all the time!

This potato green chili corn chowder would be great to bring to your next festive potluck, or a cold night when you need to be warmed up a bit!

{Potato Green Chili and Corn Chowder}

Serves 6
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 cups chicken broth
2 small cans diced green chilies
1 14 ounce can of corn, drained
8-10 slices of cooked bacon
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon ground coriander
5 tablespoons corn starch
1 quart half and half milk
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon olive oil

In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 5-10 minutes or until soften. Add garlic, and stir for 1-2 minutes. Add potatoes, broth, chilis, corn, bacon, spices, and salt and pepper to the pot, and stir. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn down to medium low to simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the potatoes are cooked through. Whisk in the corn starch, and bring to a low boil and let the soup thicken up. Once thicken, add half and half milk, and let it come back to a simmer. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes, and stir in cilantro, and lime before serving. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, diced green onions, chips, whatever sounds good!

Enjoy!

{Photo by Caroline Armelle Drake}

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why are so many of your favorite bloggers mormon? …

October 3, 2012

{Christ in a Red Robe, by Minerva Teichert}

It is true dear readers, My name is Caroline, I am a blogger, and I am a Mormon (aka member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.)

{me on my 31st birthday in august 2012}

So, with all of the fun creative things I share with you on my little ol’ blog, I haven’t really gotten around to talking a whole lot about my religious beliefs with you. It is not something I was ever trying to hide, I just never thought to share my beliefs here until recently.

{Husband and I in San Diego}

My friend Mariel of Or So She Says recently posed the question, Why are so many bloggers Mormon? Have you noticed too? Some of your favorite bloggers refer to being Mormon? Almost all of the bloggers I follow are Mormon as well. Personally, I think there are many reasons. It could be that Mormon’s are encouraged to keep a journal, and document their lives. It could be that many Mormon’s come from large families, so they are use to cooking large meals from scratch, or being more frugal, and doing a DIY project vs. spending large amounts of money on the real thing. It could be that Mormon’s are also invited to continuously learn and share their talents. There could be so many reasons!

{My family, Easter 2012}

But, for whatever reason, if you find yourself drawn to peeking into the lives of Mormon bloggers, and you would like to know more about our religious beliefs straight from our mouth, I have something for you!

Mariel asked a group of us bloggers to share our beliefs about our religion, along with three of our favorite scriptures!

If you are genuinely interested in learning more, we would love to send you over a packet that includes almost 40 of your favorite Mormon bloggers testimonies of our church, along with a copy of The Book of Mormon (another testament of Jesus Christ), a book that I read daily, and cherish! Reading this book regularly has brought me so much peace in my life, and has been a great way for me to take the time to worship, and communicate with my Heavenly Father. Being a member of the church has been my rock in so many ways, and I don’t think I could be the wife, mother of three, or person I am today, without having my religious beliefs to help me along the way.

So, if you are interested in receiving a Book of Mormon, and a packet of the testimony of almost 40 bloggers, all you need to do is email me at: carolinearmelle@gmail.com with your mailing address, and we will send out packets at the end of each month. No strings attached, I promise, I won’t send missionaries over to your house!

Here is the list of the bloggers testimonies you will receive:

Caroline of Armelle Blog, Me!

Mariel ~ Or So She Says

Becky ~ The Crafting Chicks

Camille ~ Six Sisters Stuff

Leigh Anne ~ Your Homebased Mom

Tausha ~ Sassy Style Redesign

Megan ~ Brassy Apple

Reachel ~ Cardigan Empire

Mandy ~ Sugar Bee Crafts

Carrian ~ Sweet Basil

Melissa ~ 320 Sycamore