Loves for the moment

When you come upon something that reminds you of something you used to love, well, then sometimes it gives you a desire to search out other things you love.

Hence, another list.

I know, it's a habit.

And just so we're clear, when I make a list, these days, I make it in these.  Which are beautiful and great.

But with all these dreary, rainy days, it makes me want to make this.

Or this.  Which I've made, and they are delicious, so I want to make them again.

I want to sit down in my living room, looking at this, or this, and at the same time be watching this, which is one of my all-time favorites, or this, which is by far my favorite Christmas movie that we always start watching in November!

And since we're talking about things to love, any of these items would be great to wear.  This would be super comfy, and these would be adorable with anything.

If I made a TON of money, and had it just to throw around, I would have this in my purse. Because you know, everyone needs a $198 wallet.

Now, all I want to do is curl up under a comfy blanket and start watching the above movies.

See ya!

It's a Fall list

In the blog world, the posts are all about lists lately.

So, I decided to jump on the bandwagon. 

You all know I love lists anyway, so it's perfect.

Here are some things I've pinned from Pinterest lately, that I thought I would share with you.  Maybe one or two or more of them will inspire you too.

1.  Cinnamon Pumpkin Muffins.

 I'm completely in the mood for fall baking now that the weather is cooperating.  These look DELICIOUS, and I plan on trying them.

Along the same lines, this recipe looks delish too.

2.  Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder.

Yum.  Cozy, warm, curl up in a corner, movie watchin' kind of meal.

I'm currently working on a project that involves something like this...(but my own version)

3.  Distressed Coffee Sign.

AND something like this...

4.  Coffee bar on my counter.

I'm gonna leave you hanging there, and post details and pictures when I'm finished.

This week I'm going to have to start doing this...

5.  Canning Grape Juice.

My grapes (concord) are ready, and this is pretty much the same recipe I use. Easy peasy.

And since the weather IS cooperating like I said, these two things would go very nicely in my wardrobe.

6.  Grey flats.   (strolling along flats to be exact)

and

7.  A puffy vest.  Any color, although I do like mustard yellow.

This is what I've got on my mind lately, these 7 little things. 

What would be in your list?

12 Things on the 12th

Not to be pretentious or anything...but I thought I'd share 12 things about myself...on the 12th.

You may already know these, but you may not.

Stick around and see.

1.  My favorite color (s) are red and turquoise.  Preferably together.

 2.  I try to wear a necklace everyday...and I have alot...because I really like them.   I would add these to my collection if I could.

 

 3.  I love to sew.  I never thought I'd say that after freshman Home Ec when I made a skirt and very fashionable 80's vest! (It was PEACH!)

4.  I would love to have a rotary phone in the kitchen.  This aqua one would do just fine!

 Growing up, we had a harvest gold one in the room between our kitchen and living room.  It had a super long cord that you could move from room to room with.

5.  I got braces in 7th grade and wore them till right after my school pictures in 10th grade.  My 7th grade boyfriend also had braces, and the running joke in our class was that if we kissed, we would get stuck together!  HI-LARIOUS everyone!

6.  I took piano lessons for 6 years while I was young.  I had a really old teacher who I didn't  like very much.  She was the scariest lady.

7.  My favorite subject in school was Math and English.  I had the best teachers.  One of them is Grace's math teacher this year.

8.  I LOVE TO READ.  Enough said.

9.  My favorite place to go is Chicago.  We go up there at least once a year, sometimes more.

10.  If I could do anything as a career, it would be to be a librarian, scrapbook all day long and get paid for it, own my own vintage shop, or host craft weekends every weekend at my house, and get paid!

11.  I never want to camp ever again.  It wasn't bad as a kid, but the thought of doing it as an adult, holds no appeal for me.

And lastly...

12.  I'm glad I started writing this blog...Never thought I would ever do anything like this...my sister was always the writer, but it's been a great experience.

My Grade would be an F

If I were to be graded lately on the frequency of my posts, I'd probably recieve a big 'ol F.

Sorry about that...since last Wednesday, the days have flown by.  So....

I'm happy to say, that while I sit here watching one of my favs...(Castle), I'm already dreaming of Spring Break next week, and how that will make my menu preparing that much easier.

I've already been sitting here for the last couple of hours planning my menu for the next week, matching it up to the supermarket sale flyers, and what I have in my pantry.

I'm feeling a little like this.

(This picture makes me laugh.)

I think I've got the menu nailed down, though, and unfortunately my budget has to be bigger this week since we'll be home for lunch...Ugh....

We're having pizza, sweet and sour chicken with eggrolls, homemade chicken nuggets, breakfast sandwiches and strawberries, spaghetti and bread, and two Easter meals to name a few.

It's one of the hardest things to do every week, match up my meal plan with my grocery budget.

But if I didn't, it would put us in the hole.

Food has gotten SO EXPENSIVE, and that's what's the hardest to swallow.

How do you deal with menu planning and the cost?  I'd LOVE to know some insider tips.

My Day-lees

First and foremost, I want to thank ALL OF YOU who read this little 'ol blog of mine.

I wouldn't sit down and try to come up with stuff to write or show you if you weren't out there commenting and giving me great ideas!

So, THANKS.

That being said, I want to share some of my "daily" blog reads.  Most of them are on my sidebar and you can link up to them, and some are new.

Whenever I open up my blog, I literally scan for these ladies first.  They all bring something different to my life, and I just wanna share...

First of all, my blog crush...(I have two)

Meg at WHATEVER.

She rocks my world.  Her craft ideas are amazing, and what I wouldn't give to be able to afford to go to one of her craft weekends.  I. would. die!  She is hilarious and heartfelt all at the same time.

Shannan at FLOWERPATCHFARMGIRL.

She is a local girl that I am totally in awe of.  I become speechless when I'm around her.  I don't know what it is about her...her incredible heart, her eye for fashion, her spunkyness, or her decorating sense.  She gets me every time, and everyday, I MUST see what she has to say.

Chris at REDGATEFARM.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest.  Enough said.  It's a place I've always wanted to visit, and she makes it look beautiful.  She makes the cutest craftiest things, and I feel like I know her when I've never even met her.  She leaves the best comments that always make me smile.  She is a gem.

Leslie at FARMFRESHFUN.
I already have a sister, but I think Leslie is my sister from another mother out east!  She always knows how to cheer me up, and we have very similar views about so many things.  Her life with all her horses seems a little glamorous to me, but she seems very down to earth!  She is my idea of a very "green" farmer.

Katie at KATIESPENCILBOX.

Katie's blog is new to me, but her pictures are AMAZING.  If you haven't seen them, you must link up to her!  Right now.
What are you waiting for...go.

DIYBYDESIGN.

Best linky parties EVER!  She's got a lot of great ideas, and her design taste is impeccable!

THEFARMERSNEST.

This is another new blog for me, but it is cute, cute, cute.  It will be in my links on the side soon, if not tonight!

And lastly, you all know my fetish with organizing, so my favorite blog to satisfy this fetish is
IHEARTORGANIZING.

Jenn has the most amazing ideas, and I've used several.  You know why I read this blog.  You should too.

That's my list.  If you have favorites, please share them with me!

Gettin' my list on...

This is gonna sound nuts.

Truly.

I'm finally gettin' into the Holiday spirit.

I know, I know.  Ridiculous!

I've had my decorations up for a month, and my shopping is all done, and I can't wait to give the kids their gifts...

But tomorrow is the last day before school break, the last day I work before break, and I'm finally feelin' it.

There are no sporting events over break.  Thank you.

There are no practices anyone needs to be run to.

There is just peace.

Glorious, welcome peace.

Of course, I have a list.  I mean, I ALWAYS have a list.  But I have a list of things to finish over break.

However, today I want to show you my WISH LIST.

Like the list I would make if I could put some hot ticket items on my Christmas list...

THIS is the list I would make.


#1.  THIS coffee mugs cracks me up!

I am a reader (you all know that...) and it reminds me of the 90's song...I like big butts...(you're singing it now aren't you!?).  I would totally use this mug every day for my morning coffee.

#2.   Flower bracelet.  (found on pinterest with no source...)

It's my favorite colors, it's very simple yet bold...I LOVE it.

#3 & #4.  Any kisslock enclosure purse, but these are my favorites.

(The second one is Coach, and both are being sold on Ebay.)  I just love a kisslock purse.  Not sure why, except for the fact, my purse is CONSTANTLY falling off the seat in the van, and this would hold everything in!

#5 and #6.  Books.
I love books of all kinds, and I need some new ones.  These interest me greatly.

#7.  Pearl necklace.  Pearls make anything look fancier.  I love the bulky versions to dress up a sweater and blouse underneath.

(etsy.com  shop:  Eienblue)

#8.  Embellished Journal.
Now, I can make this myself, but it's so much nicer to have someone else make it.

How much nicer to have a To-Do list that's pretty.

#9.  Old swim baskets  (found at auctions, antique malls, etc.)

I love these for everything.  Organizing craft supplies, books, material, out of season clothes, etc.  There are a million things you can do with these!

#10.  Lace footies.
Are these not the cutest things you've ever seen?  (coccolareboutique.com)

and finally...

#11.  Toms wedges.
My fallback favorite.  I own a pair of Toms and they are the most comfortable shoes ever.  I love wedges, so I'm assuming these would be comfortable as well.  Love the herringbone design.

I could've had a nice round number like 10, but I couldn't help myself.

Now, what do you wish for?

Using what I already have

Until summer, my weekend time is more precious than you know.

So, when I thought about a quick project, or two or three,

 I could accomplish this weekend, I pulled out the big guns...
my Pinterest boards.

I thought about some new pillows...

from all that fabric I have stashed away.

Or what about these extremely awesome "vintage-a-fied" drawers that really are IKEA drawers...which I already have...
BEFORE:

AFTER:

source

or even this very simple jar/vase to hang with all my irises that have started blooming.

(I even have these very same hooks.)

I might finish one of these, or all three if I have the time...we'll see.  I also have some outside things that need to be done.


So, some advice, for those of you looking for something to change.  Use things you already have.  Just move them to another room, or change them around a little...they will look different. 

I promise.

A heavenly smell and a small project

I have not had a lick of time to make a project lately, and that saddens me more than you can imagine.

BUT, that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about a small one for awhile now.

I actually got a part of it the other day when Evan and I were at Wal-Mart.  It was less than $3.

It all begins with this little 'ol notebook that will fit in my purse.

It will become my "design board" but in a much smaller format.

You know what I mean when I say design board...right?

It's all the things I either pin on pinterest.com to make for my future etsy store, or project ideas I have based on things that inspire me.  It can be anything from something as simple as a color I like, or a flower that is my favorite.

Take for example, some of these "design boards" that I like.

This next one minus the creepy lady...

and finally...

So, when I see something in a magazine, I will cut it out and tape or staple it into the small notebook.  If I think of something, I'll sketch it, or write a description of something to look for while I'm out shopping at Goodwill or an antique store, or even a garage sale.   

The purpose of this little book...to have everything I need for future projects in my hands at all times...or at least wherever I have my purse.  I don't want to forget items to look for when I'm out shopping.  That's a waste.

I'll show more later when I have some things posted inside.  It'll be great.  And very helpful.

Oh, and for the heavenly scent...

When we were out moving sheep today, we cut some of these.  One of my most favorite flowers, with the most amazing smell.

Freezer meals

The other day I posted a list of all the things I hope to get finished over Spring Break.  One of them was making some frozen meals.

One of my followers posted asking for some recipes/ideas for frozen meals.  First, I LOVE when people ask me questions...ask away...anything...I think...so, here goes.

I started this frozen meal thing years ago when my kids were much smaller, when it felt like I had less time...but then again, I wasn't working full time.

The ladies in my Sunday School class would get together and decide one recipe they would make.  Then we would count up how many ladies were in on this, and make our recipe, that many times.

We would bring our dishes, already put together, (but not cooked), and trade them.  There were times I made 10-15 of the same recipe, but I brought home that many DIFFERENT meals for my family and my freezer.  We only made the main dish in an 8x8 or 9x13 container (we all agreed on the size before we made the recipes.)

Today, I don't do recipes in that volume, I only one in awhile double my recipe, and freeze half.  So, no matter which way you do this frozen meal things...for yourself, or in quantity, you'll need these things...

disposable foil pans

foil

2 gallon size freezer bags

Here are also some of the recipes I use that don't require too many ingredients or at least ingredients that aren't too costly.  Since I also freeze my own garden produce, I use some of that to help with the cost...

Recipe #1  Sweet and Sour Meatballs

***Make this in whatever quantity you want...

1 egg

3/4 c milk

1 c shredded cheese

1/2 c crushed Ritz crackers

1 t salt

1 1/2 lb. hamburger

1/2 c flour

4 T olive oil

Sauce:

2/3 c ketchup

1/2 c brown sugar

1 1/2 t mustard

Stir all ingredients (except flour, olive oil, and sauce) together in a bowl.  Roll into whatever size balls you like, and put on a cookie sheet in the freezer for 1/2 hour to firm up.  Take out and roll in flour and brown with the oil in a skillet until golden brown.  As they brown, put into whatever size disposable foil container you have.  Stir together sauce and drizzle over meatballs. Cover with foil, put in a freezer bag, and freeze.  When ready to eat, defrost, and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Recipe #2   Poppy Seed Chicken

2 lb. chicken, cooked, and cut up

1 can cream chicken soup

1 c sour cream

1 roll Ritz crackers, crushed

1 stick butter

1 1/2 T poppy seeds

1/2 t salt

Dice up chicken and place in greased 8x8 disposable foil pan.  Mix sour cream and soup and spread over chicken.  Melt one stick butter in the skillet.  Add crackers, poppy seeds, and salt.  Stir to coat with melted butter.  Put over top of soup/sour cream mixture.  Cover with foil, put in freezer bag.  When ready to eat, defrost and bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes, until bubbly.

Recipe #3   Lasagna

1 jar Prego (your favorite)

1 15 oz. container cottage cheese

1/4 c grated Parmesan

6 uncooked lasagna noodles

2 c shredded mozzarella cheese

1 9x13 disposable foil pan

In 9x13 pan, spread 1 c sauce.  Next, layer 3 lasagna noodles (uncooked), cottage cheese, then 1 c mozzarella, 1/4 c Parmesan, and 1 c sauce.  Repeat with 3 more noodles, remaining sauce, and remaining shredded cheese.  Cover with foil and freezer bag.  Freeze.  To eat, defrost and bake at 375 for 1 hour.

Recipe #4   Taco meat

Brown hamburger in 1 lb. quantities, mix with taco seasoning packet, and freeze in container for later.  Makes eating tacos so much easier because it's already made!

Recipe #5  Tuna Patties

2 small cans tuna

1/2 t Lawry's seasoned salt

1/4 c milk

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 c crushed Ritz crackers

3 inch wedge Velveeta, cut in cubes

Mix all ingredients together and form into patties.  Place patties on greased cookie sheet in freezer for 30 minutes to firm up.  Take out and place in disposable foil pan with parchment paper layers in between patties.  Freeze.  To eat, defrost and fry up in skillet without oil.

Recipe #6  Easy Chicken Enchiladas

2-5 oz. cans shredded chicken, (or 2 lb. cooked, shredded chicken)

1 4oz. can chopped green chilies

8 (or more) corn tortillas (warmed in microwave, and cooled)

1 1/2 c shredded cheddar

1 10oz. can enchilada sauce

9x13 disposable foil pan

Combine chicken , chilies, and 1 c cheese in a bowl.  In bottom of 9x13 pan, spread 1/2 can enchilada sauce.  Fill shells with 1/8c chicken mixture, roll up, and place in pan seam side down, until packed tightly together.  Pour rest of enchilada sauce over the enchiladas, and sprinkle with remaining cheese.  Cover with foil and freezer bag and freeze.  To eat, defrost and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Now you have a good base to start with.  Pretty much any casserole that is your favorite, or usually any soup too, can be frozen.  Just don't bake it first.

Have fun!

                                          

Excited is an understatement!

In two days Spring Break will officially start.

Yes, I realize that I'm not a student, but I do work in a school.

No, I'm not pining for a chance to lay out on a Daytona or Siesta Key beach, but I am pining for some different things.

Like sleeping in.

Yes, totally like sleeping in.  Past 5am that is.

So, without further ado, here are some of my "to do's" for next week.

I've got a good 16 hours a day to get busy getting all those things done I've just been dreaming about finishing.

I've got seedlings to replant since they'll need to be in the ground sooner rather than later (with all this crazy weather we've been having.)

I've got some meals to make and freeze for easy pull-out on softball game nights.

I've got Etsy.com stock to start and maybe finish for my up and coming "store" opening this summer.

Things like fabric flower pins...

 vintage looking bulletin boards...

cabochon flower rings

and maybe some cute aprons if I so desire.

 After all that's done, I might rearrange the living room (since it's been a couple months...), sweep out the registers, and get rid of the clutter in the bedroom.

I need to take some more clothes to the resale shop and Goodwill. 

At the end of the list...more work in the flower beds.  More weeding, and the addition of some duck mulch. 
Ah, the joys of country life.

The end result...the feeling of something accomplished.  A great feeling!  What will you all be doing?