Saturday, January 31, 2015

Clay Pot Transformation


Cynthia Banessa shares a great tutorial on taking simple clay pots and transferring printable graphics she found on The Graphics Fairy turning them amazing home decor. Her technique is so easy and can be completed in no time. Click on the photo above for complete instructions. These would make a great housewarming gift or maybe a Mother's Day gift filled with fresh flowers. Pretty!!!! Now to find some nice clay pots!


Friday, January 30, 2015

Veggie Meatball Soup

Veggie Meatball Soup

I just found out that January is considered the official soup month. Had I known, I could have posted about 5 other soup recipes I made already this month. Here's a recipe my daughter sent to me and it is excellent!!!

Ingredients:

25 frozen, cooked Italian meatballs (1/2 ounces each) - I made mine fresh, recipe below*
1 can (28 oz) dices tomatoes, undrained
3 cups beef broth
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium zucchini, sliced
1 cup fresh geen beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup water
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp pepper
1 cup uncooked pasta (your favorite small soup pasta. I used Farfalle.)
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional


Directions:

In a 5 quart slow cooker, combine the first 14 ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 5 1/2 to 6 hours or until vegetables are almost tender.


Stir in the pasta and parsley; cook 30 minutes longer or until pasta is tender. Serve with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings (2 1/2 quarts).

*To make fresh meatballs, I mixed 12 1/2 oz of ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried parsley flakes. Roll into 25 mini meatballs. Brown in frying pan for 15 minutes.


Thursday, January 29, 2015

Valentine Tablescape



I love setting a beautiful table but unfortunately it is becoming a thing of the past. There is a sense of simplicity and elegance to the Valentine Tablescape I found on Between Naps on the Porch. Click on the photo above and be inspired!

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

A Jump into Spring!

Wonderful creations from the talented OFG Team.

Pair of Easter Bunnies ~ Mr. Rabbit and Ms. Bunny ~ Each 22" Tall
$80.00
Hand Painted Wooden Bowl with Bluebird, Apple Blossoms, Ladybugs, Butterflies, Sun, Easter Decoration, Potpourri bowl, OOAK Folk Art
$24.00
Mixed Blessings Penny Rug / Table Topper Pattern With Wool Kit
$38.00
Primitive Easter Parade Bunny, Chick and Egg - MADE TO ORDER
$19.99
Flash Sale Primitive Folk Rabbit Door Hanger
$33.11
EPATTERN -- Easter Egg Pocket Tucks Bowl Fillers
$5.00
SPRING, Pink & Blue, Word Blocks Set
$10.95
Flowers from the garden, bucket, picture, handpainted
$18.00
Bunny with Bee Hive and Watermelon Sign, Handpainted Wood, Home Decor, Wall Art
$21.95
Easter primitive wood sign
$45.00
primitive bunny couple
$50.00
Easter Centerpiece Yellow and White Silk Easter Lilys Pink Green Yellow Speckled Foam Eggs Felt Chick in Brown Easter Basket Centerpiece
$29.95
Easter Blessing Egg
$18.00
Coco Bunny
$8.00
Hoppy Spring Sign, Bunny Couple, Tole Painted and Framed in Light Blue,Pair of Bunnies, Spring Sign, Whimsical Bunnies
$33.00
Prim Wooden Bunny, for Spring, for Easter
$9.00

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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Candy Bar Makeovers



Christina at Penny Wise posted this quick and easy tutorial.  She calls it Sweets for the Sweet! I think this would be perfect for your Valentine Sweetheart.

For the complete instructions and some great printable chocolate bar covers, click on the photo above. Christina has the "sweetest" blog. Stop by for a visit but plan to stay a while!!!

Monday, January 26, 2015

Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients:

2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground red pepper
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cooking spray
1 small red onion, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch slices
8 tortillas
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions:

Combine paprika, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, brown sugar, salt, black pepper and red pepper in a small bowl. 


Rub 2 TBS spice mixture evenly over chicken breasts.


Heat a grill pan over medium high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan, grill approximately 5-7 minutes on each side or until nicely browned and fully cooked.



While chicken is cooking, toss remaining spice mixture, onions and bell peppers in a bowl, toss to coat. 


When chicken is finished cooking, remove from pan to a cutting board. Allow to cool. Add onions and peppers to pan, cook until lightly charred.


Remove veggies from pan and add tortillas to pan. Grill 30 seconds on each side or until lightly browned.


Slice chicken into thin slices and begin to build your fajita with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, shredded lettuce, etc. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro.


Enjoy!!!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Sunday Scripture


Saturday, January 24, 2015

Apple Turnovers


What do I do on a cold, snowy day? Make Apple Turnovers of course! This recipe makes a fantastic flaky crust and served warm...no words!!!

Apple Turnovers

Ingredients:

Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold butter, divided
1/4 cup ice water

Filling:

I used my own canned Apple pie filling or you can use the following ingredients:

1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
2 medium tart apples. Peeled and thinly sliced
1 tsp lemon juice


2 TBS beaten egg
1 1/2 tsp water

Glaze:

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tsp water


Directions:

If you have never made crust from scratch, don't be intimated. It's really not as difficult as it seems. This post is a little picture heavy to try to give you a better idea of what the process entails to make these turnovers.

In a small bowl, combine flour and salt, cut in 1/4 cup butter until crumbly. (To cut in the butter, you can use a pastry blender or two butter knives.)



Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms.


On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12 x 6 inch rectangle. (I like to roll the dough between two pieces of waxed paper. I use less flour that way and it's less of a mess.)



Cut remaining 1/4 cup butter into thin slices. Starting at a short side of dough, arrange half of the butter slices over two-thirds of rectangle to within 1/2 inch of edges. Fold unbuttered third of dough over middle third. Fold remaining third over the middle, forming a 6 x 4 inch rectangle. Roll dough into a 12 x 6 inch rectangle.



Repeat steps of butter layering and dough folding, ending with a 6 x 4 inch rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Remove from refrigerator and roll into a 12 x 6 inch rectangle. Fold in half lengthwise and then widthwise. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.


While the dough is chilling you can make your pie filling. (I don't have pictures of the process because I had already had it canned in my pantry.) Follow the directions below:

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Add apples and lemon juice; toss to coat. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes or until apples are tender, stirring often. Remove from heat.

Now to create your turnovers!!!

In a small bowl, combine egg and water. Remove dough from the refrigerator and roll into a 12 inch square. Cut into four squares. Brush each square with 1/2 of the egg mixture. Spoon about 1/4 cup filling on half of each square.



Fold dough over filling. Press edges with a fork to seal. Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with remaining egg mixture. With a sharp knife, cut three small slits in the top of each turnover.



Place in a preheated 450 degree oven for 17-22 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack.


Combine glaze ingredients and drizzle over turnovers. Serve warm.




Recipe from www.tasteofhome.com.

Fabric Giveaway from Pile O' Fabric



Alyssa at Pile O' Fabric is offering this generous, half yard bundle of Art Gallery Fabrics newest blender, their colorful Prisma Elements! This bundle includes Prisma Elements in Larimar Sea, Warm Thulite, Passion Garnet, Albite Latte and jet Onyx!

Enter now through Monday, January 26, 2015 for up to 5 chances to win! Simply click on the Pile O' Fabric above!!!

Friday, January 23, 2015

Think Spring!

This collection of lovely primitive flowers comes to you from the talented OFG Team! For more, type OFG in the Etsy search bar. Happy Shopping!

Hand Stitched 18 X 18 HUMMINGBIRDS and FLOWERS Wool-Felt Decorative Pillow-Wool Applique-Folk Art-Primitive Pillow-Fiber Art-OFG Team
$59.00
Primitive Flowers, Rose, Wall Hanging, Large Flowers, Pdf Pattern
$8.50
Needle Punch Pillow Primitive Basket Of Blue Flowers
$30.00
Shamrocks and Flowers Wool Candle Mat
$34.99
Primitive cone flower
$14.00
Primitive Cupboard Tuck Bird & Flowers Ready to Ship
$22.50
Prim Red Sunflowers
$42.95
St. Patrick's Day  Hand Painted Primitive Wooden Square Plate with Folk Art Style Shamrocks, Flowers, Bees
$30.00
Think Spring Primitive Wood Sign
$22.00
Angel Wreath Pillow Cover 16" x 16" Embroidered Spring Floral Sham Primitive Stitchery Pillow Sham Spring Angel and Flower Pot Design
$23.00
Three PRiMiTiVe HaND HooKeD RuG Rustic Chic WooL Sunflowers FAAP OFG HAFAIR
$29.99
Embroidered Hoop Art, Wooden Hoop Art with Buttons, Embroidered Hoop Art, Button Hoop Art,  OFG, FAAP, Summer Embroidery, Button Art
$16.00
Primitive Decor Red Sunflower Picks Country Fall Decor
$38.95
Sunflower Wall or Door Hanging ~ MADE TO ORDER
$24.00
Primitive Cone Flower Wool Pillow Folk Art Pillow
$20.00
Tulip Flower Painting, Framed Art, Primitive Country Wall Decor, Original Acrylic in Barn Wood Frame
$16.95

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