Happy Fall Yall!

1. I scored this jacket from the Loft on an awesome discount!

2. I love the Fall and Winter, especially for the oysters!

3. This purse is a great transition into Fall. Target for $40!

4. Orange is the New Black. Check out the Netflix series, read the book, or be like me and do both!

Fried Oysters

Joe and I spent the weekend at Massanutten Resort in the mountains of Virginia. We went skiing for a few hours and planned on coming back to the house and make an amazing appetizer before dinner: FRIED OYSTERS!! We have never made our own before, but we definitely always devour oysters whenever they are in front of us. With the television cable out and it was just the two of us up there, we wanted to try something different to entertain ourselves. These oysters were from the Eastern Shore and were purchased at a local seafood shop in Virginia Beach.

You will need:
1 pint of pre-shucked oysters
2 large eggs
1 cup flour
Panko crumbs (we combined regular and chipotle flavored)
Vegetable oil for frying

In a large skillet, heat the oil until 350 degrees (we used an electric fryer). Put desired amount of oysters in a strained and quickly run cold water over them. One at a time, cover each oyster in flour, then soak in egg wash, and finally coat with Panko crumbs. Throw it in the fryer or skillet until golden brown on each side. We put up to 7 oysters in the oil at a time.  Remove from fryer and place on a paper towel, serve immediately.

**We purchased two seafood dipping sauces, spicy cocktail and a creamier spicy sauce.  These turned out amazing!!!  Can't wait for you to try them out.

**Here's a need fact:  Eastern Shore oysters are required to be washed before shipping if they are going more than 50 miles away. This causes the oysters to lose a lot of its flavor. If you get prewashed oysters, add some natural sea salt into the pint to bring back the flavor. We lucked out by having our seafood distributor make the cut by only 2 miles!

Burlap and Oysters!

Oyster Roast season is almost over! What ever will you do with all those empty oyster shells?! [The best bet would be to recycle them into the Elizabeth River, but we won't get into that right now.] At the peek of the oyster roast season, I came across the idea of making an oyster shell wreath for my parent's house. The oysters were found off of Cedar Island, VA and were quickly consumed here in Norfolk. My dad always roasts his oysters in a burlap sack, so I thought burlap would be the prefect material for mounting the shells. Unfortunately I made this back in December, so I do not have step by step pictures for the reading impaired. Have fun, the creative freedom on this project is endless!!

Oyster Shell Wreath

Materials:

about a bushel of oyster shells

steamer (optional)

bleach

hardcore scrubbing brushes (such as a willow pad or steel wool)

styrofoam ring (which ever size you want!)

one long piece of burlap (about 4 inches wide)

hot glue gun and glue

fake spanish moss (optional)

First I steamed the shells for about 15 minutes on very high heat.  This process potentially loosens the yucky stuff on the shells.  Now the hard part, scrubbing. I used willow pads and a toothbrush with steel brushes. I scrubbed each individual shell until my fingers bled! But the finish product was worth the hard work.  Next I soaked all the shells in the sink with hot water and bleach for about 2 hours. After draining the shells and allowing them to dry over night, I could begin the wreath! I simply wrapped the styrofoam ring (mine was a 18 inches in diameter) in the burlap and secured it with the hot glue from the glue gun.  Then you can really get those creative juices flowing. I opted to glue my shells with the "shiny side" out in a circle pattern. I love how some shells are piggy-backing others, and the mussels also add a nice touch. 

I also made two smaller wreaths (12 inch diameter) with extra materials and the smaller oyster shells. On top of the burlap I glued a thin layer of spanish moss and patterned the shells, some shiny side out, some rough side out. 

One Dollar Picture Frame

Materials:

Dollar Store frame

acrylic paints

left over burlap

a cute picture!

This was so cheap and extremely easy! I bought a wooden frame (8.5 x 11) at the Dollar Store, globbed on a few coats of paint which I already had, taped a cute picture of my honey and I to some burlap, framed it, and Voila! A beautiful, expensive looking picture frame for just $1.00!

One Dollar Message Board
(picture to come later)


Materials:
Dollar Store frame
left over burlap
dry erase marker

Yet another basically free project! I framed burlap a 8.5 x 11 inch frame. Then I hung it on the wall in our kitchen, and with the dry erase marker I posted our monthly bills and when they are due. This was almost too easy!