Gruyere Grilled Cheese With Caramelized Onions

This post will have you running to the store for these simple ingredients.  It's the perfect grown-up comfort food!  I first stumbled upon Gruyere cheese when I was watching The Nate Berkus Show and he featured The Neely's holiday recipes.  Their "Best Mashed Potatoes" were quick and easy, so I decided to add it to our Thanksgiving menu.  Their recipe on Nate's site calls for smoked gouda, but when I watched the actual show, they used Gruyere.  Their mashed potatoes were easy and delicious, just like they said!  I had some cheese left over, so I googled Gruyere and found this recipe from Tasty Kitchen.

Source: Tasty Kitchen via Alicia on Pinterest

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, divided

1 whole Small Sweet Onion

1 pinch of salt

1 pinch of sugar

4 slices Whole Grain Bread

4 slices Gruyere Cheese

Preparation Instructions:
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.  All the sliced onion and sprinkle with salt and sugar.  The sugar is to help with the caramelization and the salt sweats the onion out a a bit, as well as balances the sugar.  Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are browned, about 20-25 minutes.

Take two pieces of bread; line one side with sliced cheese.  Then distribute some onions over top and top with the another piece of bread.  Brush the outside pieces with olive oil (I used Pam Olive Oil spray, so much easier!)  I recommend placing another pan on top of the sandwich in order to squash it down a bit. Cook the sandwich until the bread had browned, about 2-5 minutes.  Flip over and repeat.  Transfer to a plate and dig in!

This is SO delicious!  I think I made three in one week!
Here's my festive sandwich...

Have you made this?  Do you love it, like it, not like it?

I'd love to know what you think!It's been "repinned" several times on Pinterest,
so I'm thinkin' it's a favorite!  Have a great week!

Linking Up To:
Tuesday Talent @ Vintage Wanna Bee

Christmas Advent Calendar

I fell in love with this advent calendar from Carrie @ Buzzings of a Queen Bee a few years ago.  It was one of the first DIY projects I found while blogging.  Pinterest wasn't around then, so I printed her version out and tried my best to re-create it.

I was drawn to the shapes, colors and creativity of this advent calendar. I loved it so much, that I tried REALLY hard to find the exact scrapbook papers she used, yes, I'm a copy cat!  As I recall, Hobby Lobby had their 12x12 paper 50% off that week, so it was great timing.

The boxes came from the natural wood and paper mache aisle @ HL.  I picked out my 24, getting six of each shape... oval, square, circle and rectangle.  I arranged them on a frame I already had until I liked the placement.  Originally, the frame was a natural wood; I painted it a reddish-orange.

 

I couldn't resist showing a picture of this room.
The paint I used was left over from when our game room was paprika red...

Circa 2006... before I had discovered blogging and Pinterest!  :)

Okay, back to business...

Then I used a magnetic paint so that I could adhere a magnet to each box.  NOTE: The magnetic paint gets stronger when you apply several coats, I suggest doing this so your boxes are secure.

I used the lids to trace the scrapbook paper, 

choosing careful placement, to get a good design.

Once I got them all traced and cut out, I mod podged the lids (not the paper), adhering the paper to the lid.  After careful layout and paper selection, I numbered the boxes and attached them to the magnetic frame.  Here is the result:

I stapled a cute black and white polka dot grosgrain ribbon at the top left and right and hung on the wall.  The kids love it.  Boxes are filled with bible scripture and other small trinkets for them to discover each night.  I hung it in the downstairs hallway that we pass every night before heading to bed.  

You'll find me at these holiday link parties:

Debbie-Doo's Copy Cat Challenge

Tuesday Talent @ Vintage Wanna Bee

Holiday Mantels

As I continue to decorate our home for the holidays, I thought it would be fun to share this collection of inspiring seasonal mantels I've found on Pinterest.  Many of these helped me to create the look I wanted to achieve, but needed guidance to get there!

Couldn't resist these beautiful Fall mantels.  

I ADORE the ceiling to floor design of this mantel!

Maybe we'll have something like this next Fall... fingers crossed! 

Source: Adventures in Decorating via Alicia on Pinterest

Source: Little Big Nest via Alicia on Pinterest

Now would be the time to grab some hot cocoa... Enjoy!

Source: Adventures in Decorating via Alicia on Pinterest

 Love these beautiful neutral mantels!

Source: Little Big Nest via Alicia on Pinterest

Source: Alicia on Pinterest

If you visit the source link above, it will take you directly to my Pinterest page.

Visit my "Christmas Mantels" board to view each picture and access the direct link.

As you'll discover, I've become a bit addicted to this wonderful virtual pin board!  

Can't wait to show you my inspired mantel!

Vintage Bench

I'm so excited to share my furniture find that I scooped up last week.  We decided to consign our HUGE office furniture and recently learned that one of the desks sold!  YAY!
I went to the consignment store to look around and fell in love with this little bench!  

 Love the detail of the legs and curves!

I removed the harvest gold damask fabric 

and discovered another VERY old fabric underneath...

They were both upholstered with these...

I was afraid of what I might find under the older fabric, so I just left it.

The seat definitely needed more cush for the tush, 

I added some batting before covering it with burlap.

Here's the before...

and my happy after...

I've been looking for the perfect bench for this spot and for 20 dollars, I'm thrilled! Not sure if I'll paint it or not.  The beat up legs are kinda growing on me.  What would you do with this lovely bench?  

Leave it as is or refinish it?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  :) 

You'll find me at these parties:

Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday

Saved by Suzy

My Repurposed Life

Inspiration Friday @ The Picket Fence

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

A Little Knick Knack

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Bowl Full of Lemons

Tuesday Talent @ Vintage Wanna Bee

Paint Colors in Our Home

Are you up to your eyeballs in Christmas decor?  We're having fun sprucing up our home... one room at a time!  I thought I'd take a break from the chaos and address the inquires I've received on the paint colors in our home.  I hope you find this helpful!  :)

Master Bedroom

Pine Needle by Eddie Bauer (Lowe's)

Master Bathroom
Austere Gray by Sherwin Williams

Living Room
Gold Infusion by Valspar

Front Entry, Hallway and Kitchen
Custom Color by Valspar

107-1Y2  101-30.5  109-6

Kids Bathroom
Toasted Wheat by Valspar
My husband said, "Whoa!  That'll wake 'em up!"
My response... "Good morning, sunshine!"  :)

Trim is a half moon wood trim in Coffee Bean and
above color is Aqua Joy, both by Valspar.

Sunroom
Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams

Dining Room

Oyster Bay by Sherwin Williams

Gameroom

Silver Tinsel by Behr

Playroom

High Noon by Valspar

Tyler's Room
Top Color - Applesauce Cake by Olympic

Bottom Color - Coffee Bean by Eddie Bauer (Lowe's).

Be looking for the update on my vintage find from this post.
Have a great weekend!

I'm linking up to:
Bowl Full of Lemons