Sunday, February 27, 2011

Family Rules Subway Art

Because Family Comes First... Enjoy this printable from Sassy Sanctuary




Click here for the free printable.

I copy and pasted mine into Microsoft Word and then resized it to fit a 8 x 10. Then printed on photo paper. Framed it in a frame I already had. So it cost me nothing:) ... the best kind of home decor!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Diet Black Bean Turkey Chili

Diet Black Bean Turkey Chili







Diet Black Bean Turkey Chili
This is quite the bowl of soup if you are looking for a filling low calorie soup. I hate the word diet but I usually consume a lot of this if I am dieting:) I have even served it to my husband and he didn't know I used turkey instead of beef!!!

-1 pound of lean ground turkey
-1 small onion diced
- 1 can of black beans
- 1 can of chili beans
- 1 can of dark red kidney beans
- 1 can of diced tomatoes for chili
- 1 can of whole kernal corn
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 2-3 tbsp chili powder
- 1-2 tbsp tabasco sauce
- 1-3 packets of Equal or other artificial sweetner

*Brown the turkey and onion in a medium size soup pot. Once the turkey is cooked add the rest of the ingredients, drain nothing, and bring to a boil. Simmer at least 30 minutes before serving. I like chili sweet. I think the spicy tabasco and sweetness of the sweetner make a great flavor combination. If you don't like things too sweet then try it without and add from there. Serve with 1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream on top and there you have it... a filling, yummy soup for right at 200 calories per serving. Team it up with a diet coke and you will be in heaven and won't even know it is "diet food." Serves 4-6.

To Die For Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies






2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 Cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 Tbsp Vanilla
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 1/4 Cups Milk chocolate chips

*Combine flour, soda, and salt in a bowl. Melt butter in the microwave and then add sugars, vanilla, and eggs. Mix for 30-60 seconds. Scrape the sides and then begin slowly mixing and adding the dry ingredients. Mix until it is all combined. With a spoon or spatula mix in 3/4 cup chips. This is the secret... cover the dough and put the dough and resevered 1/2 cup chips in the refridgerator for 1 hour. No more, no less... one hour! When the hour is up heat oven to 350. Grease a baking sheet. Use a 3 Tbsp scoop, like the one Pampered Chef sells and make uniform balls of dough across your sheet. Take the reserved chips and press as many as you can into the top of your cookie ball. Bake for 15 minutes. (adapted from the back of the chocolate chip bag:)* One recipe makes 15-16 large cookies.

Vinyl Letter Crest


I have this beautiful orginal "artwork" hung in my bedroom and now it is for sale in my Etsy shop:) Click the link on the right of the page and it will take you straight to my Etsy shop if you want more details on how to get one for your home!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Cheesy Bacon and Potato Soup

Yummy Cheesy Bacon and Potato Soup




-1lb hickory smoked bacon
-5-6 medium red potatoes (peeled and cubed)
-1 small yellow onion (diced)
-6 chicken boullion cubes
-4-5 cups water
-1 packet of country gravy mix
-2 cups milk
-4oz. velveeta cheese
-salt & pepper to taste

*Fry up your bacon until cooked. Cool and slice into bite size pieces. In a 4-quart casserole or larger combine bacon, bacon grease, potatoes, onion, boullion and water. Make sure there is an inch or two of water covering everything. Bring to a boil and cook for 20-30 minutes. Once the potatoes are very tender add the gravy mix and milk. Bring to a boil. Simmer soup until a few minutes before serving. Right before serving, make sure soup is boiling or close to it and add cubed velveeta. Melt and serve. Serves 6 easily. The bacon and boullion give the soup plenty of salt, so taste before adding more:)

Ribbon Hung Pictures

This project is so easy and can turn any thrift store wall decor into a custom DIY piece.








I was too busy and excited to take pictures before or during the creation process...BOO!!!
I will try to describe the process...
1. For the pink shelf I took a thrift store welcome sign and painted it pink to match my daughters pastel room.
2. I used a 1/4 inch drill bit and made three holes for the knobs which I found in my "knob door."
3. The hard part is choosing the photos... once you get that done print them with a white border.
4. For assembling the ribbon part you need.... ribbon, hot glue, card stock, kids glue stick, and clear fingernail polish.
5. Matte the cardstock 1/2 inch larger than your photo or so. You need two identical pieces.
6. Measure the ribbon to your desired hanging length.
7. Hot glue the ribbon between the cardstock.
8. With the glue stick attach your photo to the outside of the cardstock.
9. Use the clear fingernail polish on the ends of the ribbon to prevent fraying.




Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Subway Art!

Perfect for the changing seasons and so inexpensive if you can print in color:)

Get the picture below here (http://www.box.net/shared/0esqxeb0si)


Courtesy of http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/

My Valentine Wall... a little late:)

Just because I am so stinkin' proud that I actually decorated my house for a "holiday." (Other than Christmas that is)

Here Goes Nothing!!!

I can't wait to get this thing up and going...I am going to start by putting together a blog of my favorite things... mostly tutorials and pictures of fun things to try, for starters:) ENJOY!!!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Cute and Cool Christmas Card Idea

My little angels....haha! This is our 2010 Christmas Card.