Hello There Strangers!

Happy Sunday everyone.  I took a little two week break from blogging and I missed you guys.  I have been very busy though and I am anxious to share what I have been up to. 

To start with, I want to share this yummy dish I served to my family.  It is called Chicken Rarebit and I played around with a recipe I found online and basically geared it to me and how I like to cook.  I began with a rotisserie chicken and pulled and shredded all the breast meat.  I am not a dark meat fan but my husband and youngest son eat that for lunch the next day.  Anyhow, I set the meat aside while I soften a finely chopped yellow onion in about two tablespoons of butter in a small frying pan.  You just want to soften it so try not to get it too brown-just translucent.  Add the shredded chicken to the jar of cheddar cheese sauce in a saucepan.  Add a generous dash of Worcestershire sauce and the onions you just cooked.  Let this mixture simmer on very low heat.  Meanwhile cook up some bacon-I cook mine in the oven for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees.  Wash and chop up some cherry tomatoes.  Toast up some bakery Pumpernickel bread and slice it in half.  Assemble your open faced sandwiches in the way shown in the picture.  They are delish.  Everyone loved them.  Enjoy!

I also wanted to share my newest passion.  I have really enjoyed making jewelry.  The above four pairs are the earrings remaining in the earring kit I received that I showed you last post.  I am really learning a lot and I find it so relaxing.  Not to mention the fact that I love jewelry so it is a win/win! 

 

 

  I even altered an existing purchased pair that I only wore once because they were way too long and didn't look right on me at all.  I love the shorter version.  It is just what I wanted.   I can't wait to see what kit will come next! 

Last, but not least is some sewing that I did for my oldest son.  I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but he is going through nurse's training.  I decided to make him a scrub with his name embroidered on the pocket.  I used Simplicity 4644.  I really don't enjoy apparel sewing so this was a labor of love.  The neckline gave me fits and after I finished it, I realized it was a little big so I washed it.  Then I found out it will have to be ironed every time I wash it.  Well here is a well-known fact about me-I HATE to iron!  I only iron when I absolutely have to so there you have it.  I just made more work for myself and have no one to blame but myself!  Oh well, at least his name is on it and nobody else in his program will have one like it.  I wanted to show him how much we support what he is doing and we are rooting him on.  I think I accomplished that. 

I go back to work tomorrow after a week off.  It is going to be a long haul until June.  I started exercising again over my break so I hope I can keep that up.  It really does help me in so many ways.  It gives me extra stamina which I will need!  I am getting excited to get my flower gardens ready for nice weather.  It is still quite chilly here but the sun is warm and better weather is on its way.  I hope you have a great week.  Take care.  Nancy

Feeling Better and Crafting Like Crazy

Hi everyone and happy Sunday afternoon.  I am glad to be back crafting and blogging again.  This Spring has been just one illness after another.  I had the flu and that really wiped me out.  Of course, I followed it up with a delightful sinus infection for good measure!  I hope I can make it until the end of the school year as a healthy person.  Summer is usually my healthiest time of the year, so I would like to go several months without a trip to the doctor or an antibiotic. 

Well enough of my wish list and onto my finished projects. 

I think I mentioned before that I found a cute and easy game to make to work with my Pre-k students.  I made it and it was really quick to complete.  I found the instructions from Connie over at Family Home and Life .  I purchased some vinyl with the flannel backing like you would make a table cloth for your picnic table from.  I made her version of a cute little lunch bag to carry the game in.  I downloaded her label and loosely went from her patterns to cut out the components.  I didn't have tan felt for the bread so my sandwiches are going to have to be made with good old white bread.  I also used a clothespin to close my bag in place of sticky back Velcro.  I had my super husband cut out a 1 1/2 inch wood block for me and I cut out and glued on the felt pieces to make the dice.  I think my students will love it.  It cost me very little and was fun to make. 

  I also made another felt glasses case from the Woman's Day instructions I used before.  These are so easy and fun.  These sunglasses are always thrown in my school bag loose and now they have a cute little cozy to protect them.  Believe it or not, I still have glasses and sunglasses running around naked or, worse yet, in those ugly cases you get when you buy them.  I am correcting that situation one case at a time!

I know I have said before that I am involved in quite a few crafts and I didn't want to take up another one. (I don't now if I told you guys that, but I have said it.)  Anyhoo, my love for unique jewelry has lead me to attempt beading.  I have dabbled little-very little- in it, but I have gone and joined a beading club to dive in and learn all about it.  The picture above is what I received in the mail for my second kit.  I fell in love with several pairs of these earrings.  So, without further delay, here is my first pair:

I know, they look fairly simple.  Apparently I don't know my own strength because I snapped an earring wire while trying to attach the hammered part.  I am cutting myself some slack because I am new to this.  I did enjoy making them and I love the finished product.  It will be cool to actually be able to purchase and use some of the beads I have drooled over and torn myself away from in Michael's and JoAnn's. 

My goal this week is to attend all five days of school. We are having a poker party with everyone bringing food for my Mother In Law's 80th birthday coming up and I am trolling the blogs in search of what I will bring.  I hope everyone has a great week ahead.  Take care.  Nancy

A New Scarf and Yummy Pork Chili

Hi and happy Sunday!  It is slightly chilly here but it looks like Spring is around the corner.  One of my favorite things about blogging is trying out all the fabulous recipes and projects I see in my cyber travels.  Last night, my husband and I were in the mood for cookies so we tried the cherry white chocolate pudding cookies from Joan at Chocolate chocolate and more. 

They are amazing!  The cherry flavor is more subtle than I thought it would be which makes them more delicate and the white chocolate chips are delish- definitely a keeper recipe. 

I also wanted to share how I came to make a beautiful new accessory.

I had purchased the fabric for a scarf from the discount red tag table at my local JoAnn Fabrics some time ago.  I just hadn't decided what way I wanted to make the scarf.  You know how I love YouTube right?  Well I came upon The Crafty Gemini and her video tutorials.  She is an awesome teacher.  She has a video tutorial for an infinity scarf that I followed and it made the scarf easy.  I chose to make it really long so I could double it and it would be very full.   I have several sweaters and shirts this goes with.  I admit the silky fabric was a little slippery to work with-pins were sliding out all over!  But with some patience, I finished it.  Check out her tutorials, they're very helpful. 

I have another cold weather recipe for you that is comfort food at its best.  I made this roast pork chili in the crock pot and it was delicious.  I don't care for hamburger so I frequently make chicken chili.  This was a nice change. 

 Combine in a crock pot:

2 14.5 oz cans chicken broth
2 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 15 oz. can of kidney beans, rinsed
1 large chopped onion
2 Tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
and a 2-2 1/2 lb. pork shoulder roast.

Cook on low 10-12 hours.  Remove pork, shred and return to pot.  Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.  Enjoy!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead.  I found a great homemade game idea on a blog that I want to make to work with my Pre-k students.  Take care.  Nancy

Some Sewing and Not Your Usual Mac and Cheese

 Hi everyone and happy Sunday.  I have been a busy girl these days.  I have been sewing up a storm.  I am seriously hooked on these cool watchbands from Cluck Cluck Sew .  These are the second and third ones I have made and I have several more in mind to make next.  I also purchased a gold watch face for these bands so the sky is the limit.  I love custom accessories. 

The red one I made before has gotten tons of compliments.  They really are alot of fun.  I also have a create a watch face with several stretch beaded bands.  I purchased all of those but I am thinking I can make those bands as well.  I love jewelry but I have never really gotten into beading because I felt I did enough other crafts.  But I must admit, when I am in Michael's Craft Store, I glance at all the beads and think of what I could make with them.  I just may try a couple of the beaded bands yet! 

 

 

You know how I love to make cases for all my glasses(and there are many between reading glasses and sunglasses).  I found the instructions for this cute felt case on the Woman's Day website.  This case couldn't have been easier.  Felt doesn't need to be hemmed or turned right side out and the colors are so fun.  I may just have to make another one of these with the different glasses they showed to decorate them.   I just had to make the retro ones. 

 I want to share an upscale mac and cheese recipe with you before I go.  This one takes a couple of different cheeses and I loved it.  My family still has a different favorite mac and cheese that I make and I will share that with you soon.  For this one you cook a 16 oz. pkg of elbow macaroni as the box directs.  Meanwhile in a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and stir in 3 tablespoons of flour.  Stir in salt and pepper and about 1/2 teaspoon each of onion powder and garlic powder.  Slowly add 2 1/2 cups of milk.  Bring to a boil  and stir until thickened.  Turn down the heat.  Add 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1 cup shredded mild cheddar, 3 oz. cream cheese, softened, and 1/4 cup crumbly blue cheese.  Stir until melted.  Add 1/2 cup sour cream and the cooked and drained macaroni.  Stir together and serve.  I know some people shudder at the above picture but I have to have ketchup on my mac and cheese.  Besides, for some reason I give you guys recipes for mostly white foods.  I don't know why that is besides the fact that I cook with alot of chicken and cheese!  The ketchup in the picture gives it color-how's that for reasoning? 

I am going back to work tomorrow after a week off.  Why do vacations fly by while the average work week drags?  That is the million dollar question! I have several projects waiting in the wings to complete so I am hoping to work on at least a cute Winter-themed one this week.  Before you know it, Spring will be here.  I hope everyone has a great week.  Take care.   Nancy

Wristlets and Another Chicken Dish

Hi everyone and happy Sunday.  We have some pristine, sparkly snow here after being on the outskirts of Nemo Friday night.  I actually enjoyed a snow day Friday from school-it was a miracle!  My heart does go out to the people suffering hardships and losses of property and worse from this storm.  We were fortunate not to get the brunt of it. 

I know I mentioned that my oldest son turned 22 on Friday.  I made him Twinkie cupcakes for his celebratory dessert.  They were off-the-hook amazing.  I wasn't as big a fan of Twinkies as a kid as many other people were.  I am a frosting girl and Twinkies just were missing that extra sugary oomph frosting provides in my book.  Well this recipe from the Lady Behind the Curtain's blog solved that problem for me!  I didn't get all fancy with the swirl to the frosting that she did, but they were oh so tasty and definitely satisfied everybody's sweet tooth.  You should try them. 

 On to my creative endeavors of the week.  I don't know if you ever watched Knitty Gritty with Vickie Howell, but I have seen every episode.  I loved that show, even though I tend to be a chicken knitter-making only flat projects.  I saw these wristlets designed by Marnie MacLean and I wanted to try them.  I bought the self-patterning yarn eons ago for the project and being a true sufferer of crafting ADD, I jumped to a different project.  Fast forward many years later, I came across the yarn and remembered what I wanted to do with it.  I searched for the instructions(in the above link) and cranked them out.  I am pretty happy with them.  They were fun and I am using them.  When I am on my computer in the early morning, my craft room where my computer is can get chilly.  Besides being on the computer, they keep my hands warm when I am knitting or crocheting, which I am on a major kick of right now.  I have 2 scarves on the go and another one I want to start(but I am resisting).  If you like to knit at all, you should check out Knitty Gritty reruns if you get the chance.  Vickie is a riot and she makes you want to pick up some needles and go!  Also, right now I am taping on my dvr a show called Knit and Crochet Now! which is on my local educational channel.  There is alot of inspiration out there, just look around! 

Lastly, I want to share yet another chicken dish-I swear Sam's Club should hire me to spread the word about the millions of things to make with their rotisserie chickens!  This is a hash brown chicken casserole I made.  It is easy to throw together and very good.  I took a 32oz. package of thawed cubed hash browns and cooked them in butter in a large frying pan.  I spread them in a sprayed 9x13 pan.  Then I sprinkled with salt and pepper to taste.  Then I layered some shredded rotisserie chicken over the potatoes.  Meanwhile, I combined in a large bowl: 8 oz. sour cream, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules, dehydrated onions to taste and a clove of minced garlic.  I stirred and poured over the chicken and potatoes.  lastly, I sprinkled with 1/4 cup slivered almonds and baked for 55 minutes at 350 degrees.  You could jazz this up by adding vegetables or mushrooms in the layers or roasted red peppers would have been nice too.  I was serving this to my oldest who doesn't like any of what I just mentioned, so I left it relatively plain.  It was even better the next day after all the flavors had a chance to meld. 

I am counting down to my next school vacation which is the week after this one.  I am hoping to do some sewing.  I hope you all have a fabulous week.  Take care.   Nancy

It Is The Season For Snowmen...and Hearty Casseroles

Hi everyone and here we are at Sunday evening again.  It is snowing softly here after having a nasty lake effect snow storm yesterday.  I love the snow.  I think it is so clean and pretty and it makes it so cozy to be indoors doing all of my favorite things: sewing, cooking and baking, crafting and watching movies with my husband.  He is watching the Super Bowl at a party right now and I have had a great afternoon putting the finishing touches on my latest project.

Don't you love it when you see something in a catalog and you end up making it yourself at home for next to nothing?  Such is the case with this adorable snowman candle holder. 

I saw it for around $20(not counting shipping) and I had to have it.  I made some changes to the original design to more suit my decorating style and taste.  I had my husband hack me off a block like I used for my sewing caddy.  Then I drew him a rough sketch of the size flat circle and carrot nose I needed. He was able to use scraps so the cost is zippo at this point. 

Fortunately I am a tole painter from way back so I have quite a collection of craft paint.  I chose the colors I wanted and painted the three pieces.  Then I sanded off the edges to distress them. 

I winged it with the facial details of the snowman, making them very simple.  I used a q-tip for this.  Then I used a burgundy color and another q-tip to rub red cheeks on him.  I used a stylus to put all sizes of white dots on the face and nose to simulate snow and glued him together with wood glue.  I brushed a coat of satin varnish on him and let him dry.  After that, I just popped in a battery-operated
candle and a candle ring I had from another decoration and there you have it.  I think it turned out cute and I paid very little for the candle. 

I want to share an amazingly cozy casserole I tried.  It is Chicken Cobbler and it is to die for.  I found it in a cookbook and it was a big hit.  You start out by cubing up some day old bakery bread(I used French bread)-you should have a couple of cups of cubes- and drizzle with 1/4 cup of melted butter.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese over the buttery bread cubes and toss.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, combine: 3 cups cooked broccoli florets, shredded cooked chicken meat(I used a rotisserie chicken), 1/2 cup drained and chopped roasted red bell pepper from a jar, a small jar of Alfredo sauce, and 1/2 cup sour cream.  Mix and transfer to a greased casserole dish.  Top with bread cubes and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until bubbly.   It is delicious.  Enjoy!

My oldest son turns 22 this coming Friday and I don't know where the time has gone.  He wants steak, loaded mashed potatoes and Caesar salad for his birthday dinner.  I am going to make him some Twinkie cupcakes I saw last week on a blog.  They look pretty unforgettable so I can't wait to try them.  I hope you all have a great week.  Stay warm and take care.   Nancy

Trying New Things

Hi everyone and happy Sunday evening!  I want to start out by saying I am so sorry to those of you who have left comments that I have not answered.  I am desperately trying to learn more about blogging and how to do things more efficiently.  Some established bloggers are very generous to give tips on how to do basic things(like responding to comments) and I am trying to learn from them.  Please be patient with me and keep commenting.  I will get it in gear soon! 

 I want to start out buy saying that I have been a busy girl this week.  I read alot of posts about making laundry detergent and I was intrigued.  I decided to give it a go and combined several recipes and added a little bit of my own idea and here it is.  I used 1 1/2 cup Borax, 2 cups washing soda, 1 cup baking soda and 1 1/2 bars grated Yardley English Lavender soap.  I put 2 Tablespoons of the detergent in the machine with running water before I add my clothes and so far, so good.  I am doing the math as to how cost efficient it is.  I am presently researching a homemade fabric softener recipe .  It may be difficult to find one that works. 

I also mentioned I had a horrible cold last week.  I was not wishing to be put on another antibiotic so I was pulling out all the stops to feel better and get through it.  I came across this tutorial for shower vapor discs and had to try them.  They turned out pretty good.  I found they melted very quickly in the shower so I am letting them cure longer in the jar I have them in.  Taking a good whiff of the jar when I remove the lid has been very nasal-opening!  I am a huge fan of essential oils so this idea appealed to me. 

I remembered some cotton crochet thread I have had for several years doing nothing, not earning its keep in my yarn stash when I saw this cool washcloth crochet tutorial on Aesthetic Nest.  Her instructions and pictures are perfect for a crochet newbie like me.  The multicolor one(which is folded in the picture) is from her pattern.  The white one is done in half double crochet and I got fancy and did a crochet border around it like I saw on a You Tube video.  I swear, you can find such great instructions for so many crafts out there.  All you need to do is look.  I have no excuse not to try a new craft anymore.  I have two knitted scarves I am working on, but I am drawn to crochet.  I am really enjoying it. 

  
Lastly, I want to share a delicious orange jello salad with you.  I had a similar salad at a party at our neighbor's house when I was young and I have been searching for something like it(from what I remember).  This is close.  I took an 11oz. can of mandarin oranges and drained them, reserving the juice.  I put the juice in a 2 cup glass measuring cup and set aside.  I boiled water in my tea kettle and right before it was ready, I heated the orange juice in the microwave until very hot.  To that juice, I added enough boiling water to make 2 cups.  I whisked in 2- 3oz. packages of orange gelatin.  I took 1/3 of a half gallon of orange sherbet with a vanilla ice cream swirl and added it to the very hot and totally combined orange gelatin mixture.  Stir that until all the ice cream melts.  Add the reserved mandarin oranges.  Pour into a jello mold sprayed with non stick spray or a pretty glass bowl that you won't have to unmold.  Refrigerate at least 6 hours.  It is very refreshing and tastes like a Creamsicle.

I just learned how to turn off that annoying thing on my comments that makes you type in the fuzzy nonsensical codes to prove you are a person and not a spamming computer.  I didn't even realize I had it on there until someone politely told me!  I hope you all have a great week.  Take care.  Nancy