Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't have a mantel so I make a Buffet-scape for every holiday.  This is what I concocted for Valentine's Day.  I am pretty proud of this buffet-scape since I made all of it for very little $$$.

The ruffled runner was made from 3 fat quarters that I picked up from A.C. Moore for $1 a piece.

The 3 frames in the center I found at Goodwill for $2 each and painted them my desired colors.

The subway art and cupid silhouette were free printables (I can't remember where I found them though), and the garland I made from yarn and bakers twine I have in the house.

The candles that are holding up the pom pom garland I had already, but they were 75% at Bed, Bath and Beyond when I did buy them a few years ago, and the read glass heart shaped vase I picked up at Goodwill for $4 probably 5 years ago.

5Things for Friday -- The "I want" Edition

Here are a few things that I have had my eye on for the house...

1.  I have loved this pillow ever since I first saw it many, many moons ago.  But with a price tag of $196, unless I find one at goodwill, I don't think it will be mine any time soon

2.  Since only Nate and I use the paper Dixi cups in the bathroom, I would love to replace them with 2 of these steel cups instead.  Alas, they are sold out at the moment.

3.  The Cup Wow (found at www.cupwow.com) aka, a drinking lid for your mason jar.  Am eco-friendly, frugal, non plastic travel mug.  Gotta get me one (or two) of these.

4.  I love the Iphone case I have right now, but how awesome would it be to have a case that I cross-stitched???

5.  I would love to be able to find another jar of Biscoff Spread.  It is so good!

Yarn Wreath

These wreaths are all over Pinterest and the bloggysphere and I have loved everyone I saw so I decided to make one for my front door.  A nice neutral wreath for in between holiday seasons.

Goodwill Finds

I made a quick stop at Goodwill yesterday on my lunch hour and made out like a bandit!  For $25 I got:

• A skirt for summer (Talbots)
• A Terry Shrug/Cardi thing (Converse for Target)
• A 3/4 sleeve, boat neck T-shirt (Coldwater Creek)
• A Brand New with tags jersey summer dress (Target)
• A Brand New long sleeve T shirt for Nate (Cherokee)
• A box set of Thomas the Train books
• A Brand New Lotion/Shower Gel set (Philosophy)
• A Brand New Bubble gun for Nate's Easter Basket

It was a good day.  Sorry there are no pics!

We took Nate sledding this weekend for the first time.  He LOVED it!  I posted the sledding pics over o his blog but thought I would post this very scary IPhone self-portrait of me without makeup here... enjoy!

Grape Ape!

I have always had a little bit of a rebellious streak.  Not full on non-conformist, but different.  And ever since I was 15 years old I have wanted purple hair.  Once, in high school I did buy some Manic Panic and dye part of my hair purple, temporarily.  But since my hair is so dark brown you couldn't actually tell that part of it was purple so I'm not sure that really counts.

So here I am 20 years later, and I decided that I was getting a purple streak in my hair... for real this time!

This is one of the nice things that come with age, you care less and less about what other people are going to say :)

So may I present to you... my new purple hair!

I LOVE IT!!!!!

Happy Birthday MaryLynn!

It's my BFF's birthday today!  

So this is my shout out to ML... Happy Birthday Baby!  

Hope its a great one... or at least better than last year!

From: http://sweetstirrings.blogspot.com/2011_06_12_archive.html

If You value Freedom...

 From: http://thewildmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/freedom-of-speech.jpg

You Should sign this... ASAP.... 

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

STOP SOPA and PIPA!

The Winter Classic

On January 2, 2012, hubby and I went to the Winter Classic.  If you don't know, the Winter Classic is an outdoor NHL game held once a season in a different city.  This year, it was held in Philadelphia and features the Flyers v. the New York Rangers (BOOOOO!). 

I was a little apprehensive about going, not because I don;t like hockey, because I do, but because it was outside, in Philadelphia, in January... and I wasn't looking forward to freezing my patootie off!  Hubby is a seasoned vet when it comes to attending outside winter sporting events, so I followed his lead and layered up.  5 layers to be precise... and it actually wasn't that bad.  I did lose feeling in my feet, but that was only after the end of the second period and by that time we had been outside for 4 hours already.

Here is a self portrait before we left the house... Only 2 layers on at this point.

And here is one from the game itself.  All 5 layers in place with the silly hat added on.

 And finally, the view from out seats.

The game was supposed to start at 1:00 but the start time got pushed back to 3:00 for better ice conditions.  This meant that it started to get dark while the game was still going on.  And then, as if seeing NHL hockey played outside wasn't exciting enough, it started to snow.  It was actually pretty magical.

Where in the World Have I Been???

So the new year is in full swing and my lovely 2.5 week vacation has officially come to an end <>.  My vacation and our holiday season was fairly uneventful... everyone got sick at one time or another and so most of my lofty plans for playdates, shopping, crafting, organizing, and cleaning out were sidelined.  

We did have some fun though...

We got a brand spanking new HE washer and dryer... I LURRRRVE them!

 Look at the shiny agitator-less inside...

We went to the doctors... a lot! Nate was really cooperative which made it easier.

We went out of Christmas Eve and drove around looking at lights.  I hope this will become a new tradiation, since we all really enjoyed it.

We snuggled on the couch, under quilts, and watched cartoons (I guess I caught Nate off guard)

And since the weather was so unseasonably warm... we played outside.  Where Nate decided that he would perch on top of this playhouse.

All in all, it was not a bad vacation...

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!

The Cheater's Seafood Risotto

Sometimes a girl needs a shortcut.  Sometime a girl needs to cut a few corners, you know, like when she has decided to make and can jelly for the very first time starting at 8:30 on a Wednesday night.  Not that I did that (I completely did that) but it is something that could happen. 

Anyway, I took two of my favorite convenience foods and combined them to make something that could possibly be served to guests it was that good.

Take one box of Lundberg Creamy Parmesan Risotto.  Prepare as directed on the box.

Take one bag of Trader Joes frozen Ciopinno (seafood stew).  Prepare as directed on package.

Once both items are prepared.  Combine them in a large bowl and you have seafood risotto.  Grate some fresh parmesan or locatelli on top.  Enjoy!

Adding an Adjustable Waist to Jeans

Or in this case a jean skirt.  Ok, so here is the back story.  I went into Old Navy and bought a denim skirt.  A straight skirt.  I like it, but it has a tendency to stretch throughout the day so that by the time I am ready to take it off I can actually pull it off without unbuttoning or unzipping it.  Usually I just wear a belt and that solves the problem.  But, sometime I like to wear a longer shirt and wear a belt over top of it.  Of course, that belt sits mush higher than my actual waist and does nothing to hold up the skirt. 

Lots of toddler pants, especially those with out elastic waists, actually have a hidden band on elastic that can be made larger or smaller so that they fit the kid longer and you can get a custom fit.  If you have kids, you know exactly what I am talking about.  Why don't adult pants have this???  It would completely eliminate that gap in the back that jeans get and it would keep things from growing throughout the day.  So, I took a cue from Nate's wardrobe and added an adjustable wasit to the back of my denim skirt.

Supplies you will need:
2 small buttons
Scissors
Needle and thread
Button Hole elastic
Tape Measure

Step 1:  Find the center back of your skirt or pants
Step 2:  Measure out from center anywhere between 4-6 incches on either side and mark.
Step 3:  Carefully cut through 1 layer of fabric.
Step 4:  Just to the outside of your cuts, sew on your buttons.  These are what you will anchor your elastic to.
Step 5:  Thread your button hole elastic into one hole and out the other.
Step 6:  Button one side of your elastic.  Pull tight to cinch in the waist of the pants or skirt.  Once the desired chich-y-ness has been attained button the other side of your elastic.

 I know its hard to see, but the button is clear... sorry!

All done!  Custom fit waist!

Easy, Peasy T- Shirt Scarves

Scarves are all the rage right now.  I am not a huge scarf person, but I thought that it might be a fun way to add color and interest to a basic outfit.  My friend Lisa, blogged about making a T-shirt scarf and I was intrigued. 

So I looked around for tutorials and found a few that I cobbled together. 

Step 1:  Get a T-shirt.  Use and old one from home, or buy a new one.  Bigger is better.  I bought a red one at Target (size Mens XXL) and a yellow one from Michaels (size Adult XL).  The Target shirt was $4.99 and the Michael's one was $2.50.

Step 2:  Lay the shirt out on the floor and make 2 cuts.  One  just under the armpits, and one just above the hem.  

Step 3:  You have created a tube.  Now take the tube and stretch it for all it is worth.  I mean really stretch it out.

After you have stretched it out, you can stop here.  You have an infinity scarf, congrats!

If you do not want an infinity scarf, you want a regualr scarf... move onto step four.

Alternate Step 4:   Take your now stretched out loop and cut it somewhere so that instead of a loop, you have a straight piece of stretched out fabric.  You now have a regular scarf, Congrats!

So there you go.  A clothing craft project that can be completed without sewing or stepping foot in a craft store.  These are so cheap (or free if you're using a shirt you already own) and easy to make that they are addicting.  Be warned.

Felt Flowers

I crafted the crap out of last weekend and one of the things that I made was this felt flower brooch.  I made this one specifically to go with a yellow T-shirt scarf I made as well. 

 

Here is the scarf and the brooch together.  

The flowers are made of felt and a super easy to make.  I forgot to take step-by-step pictures, but there is a great tutorial you can follow here.

Recipes Found on Pinterest

Oh how I love Pinterest!  What a wonderful place to find great craft ideas, organizational ideas, recipes... what a great place to while away the hours at work.

So far I have tried 2 of the recipes I found on Pinterest.  One was  Buffalo Chicken Dip from The Girl Who Ate Everything and the other was S'mores Crescent Rolls from Northern Cottage.

The Buffalo chicken dip was fantastic... in fact that I what I am having for dinner tonight with pita chips and baby carrots... yum.  The S'mores cresent rolls were not good at all!  All of the ingredients are things I like (crescent rolls, chocolate, and marshmallow) but the combination was just... not good. 

Sorry no pictures to share.  Have you tried any recipes you pinned on Pinterest?  What were your results?

Gravy Snob

This Thanksgiving was the first time that I ever attempted making gravy from scratch.  It always seemed so intimidating before that I just cracked open a jar and moved on.  This year I decided that it was time to tackle my fear. So, when I saw this recipe for Giblet Gravy posted on Simply Recipes I decide to go with it. 

The process was relatively simple.  Make a stock out of the giblets.  Add pan drippings. Add chopped up giblets.  Thicken.  So that's what I did.  It was divine!  I, as a rule, do not eat liver or any kind of filtering organ, however, I slurped up every last drop of this gravy, little bits of live and all.

Sadly, I didn't take any pictures, but trust me it was good.  I didn't really know how good until last night when I was heating up leftovers and had to use jarred gravy.  Oh my god!  Swill... jarred gravy is swill now that I have tasted the nectar of the Gods.  No, not ambrosia... giblet gravy!

Who knew I would turn out to be a gravy snob?

5 Random Things for Wednesday -- The Chirstmas Edition

1.  I have never read/seen the Polar Express.  I understand that it's about a train.
2.  I completely do not get/understand the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon.  It kind of seems creepy to me.
3.  I refuse, flat out refuse, to decorate before December 1st.
4.  I have never tasted eggnog or anything eggnog flavored... and I have no idea why.
5.  I swear up and down every year that I will only wrap presents with what I have in the house and every year I end up buying something... I did it this year with Thomas the Train wrapping paper for Nate's gifts.

Lucky Girl

So yesterday I turned 35.  I am officially half way to 70.  Ugg... there are a couple of things that I would like to do with this year... birthday resolutions if I may.

For one, I am going to make a concerted effort to use my camera more.  Hubby gave me his old DSLR when he leveled up and currently it sits in a drawer.  I make way better use of the camera on my phone.  But starting now, I am going to use my DSLR more!  Thanks to hubby I now have this snazzy new camera bag to tote my toy around in.  Thanks Babe!

Next, I am going to improve my eating habits and move around a little more.  I started this before my birthday actually, by making and drinking my green smoothies.  I also need to say adios to most (not all, lets be realistic here) of the sugar in my diet.  I made a good choice today be eating some leftover water chestnuts wrapped in bacon that my brother-in-law made as appetizers for Thanksgiving.  This is in direct contradiction to four of the cook books that hubby and Nate got me for my birthday:

Finally, I want to work on my nails.  I am a chronic nail and cuticle biter.  I have been since... forever and a day.  But I really hate the ways my fingers look, so it is time to work on that.  My mother in law swears by biotin for nail and hair growth.  I picked up a bottle today at Target so here goes nothing.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Holy Crap, I'm 35 today!!!

Sorry, Can't Blog... Shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Thanksgiving Buffet-Scape

This will all be disassembled tomorrow to make rom for the food, but for today, it looks very festive.

I cross stitched the picture on the stand many many years ago.  Here is a close up:

My Green Smootie

So the
crazy
holiday season is officially upon us.  This is when things seem to get out of control and there are more things to be done than there are hours in the day.  This is also the time of year when I, usually, get rundown and then sick.  This year I am taking a stand... I will not get run-down!  I will not get sick!  Here is my plan for this hoilday season to ward off run-downness and sickness:

1.  Drink a lot of water!!!  Do not get dehydrated, or under hydrated!
2.  Take a multivitamin every single day!
3. Three plus times a week drink a green smoothie.

I have been reading about green smoothies for a while, but just recently decided to take the plunge.  I mean, I eat relatively well... most of the time... but the one thing I have trouble getting enough of is leafy green veggies.  This is mostly because I don;t really like salads... I don't... I just don't like them.  I like all the veggies in them, but I don't really want to eat them raw. 

So I decided to drink them.  So far, so good.  My "recipe" if you can call it that is:

1 banana (frozen or fresh)
1/2 cup of frozen raspberries
1/2 cup of frozen peaches
2 cups of fresh spinach
1/2 cup water

Blend. 

It looks completely disgusting and tastes a little spinch-y but it is a very good and easy way to get 5 servings of fruits and veggies in your diet.

Thanksgiving Week Plan

Ok, so Thanksgiving is Thursday, and I am trying to not feel overwhelmed by everything that is going on and everything I have to do.  I am trying to do as much ahead of time as possible to on Thursday all I really have to worry about it the Turkey and the gravy..

Sunday:  Go to the supermarket and buy T-Day supplies (Done)
Monday:  Make biscuits and freeze, make ice cream for dessert, Clean the house
Tuesday:  Work, Make cornbread for cornbread dressing and let it get stale
Wednesday: Make Brine and start brining turkeys.  Prep carrots, make stuffing, make the caramel apples that will be place card holders, pull out table and chairs
Thursday: Cook turkey, make gravy, set table and buffet, cook carrots

Cinnamon Bun Waffles

Perhaps you have seen these on a blog or on Pinterest?  At the moment I am seeing them everywhere and they lookes so good and so easy that I had to try and make them.

First, you will need a waffle iron of some sort.  This is mine.  It makes 2 square waffles at a time.

Then you will need a tube of cinnamon rolls like these. (oops I popped the can before I remember to take a pic)

Then you take a cinnamon bun out of the tube and place it on the hot and buttered (Pamed, lubed in some way shape or form, etc.) waffle iron.

Close the lid of the waffle iron and cook for 2-3 minutes.  Open the iron, remove the "waffles" and plate them.

After I made them all, I look the icing packet and spread a little icing on every waffle.  They are so good!!!  And whole process takes less time and energy than baking the cinnamon buns in the oven.

Try it, you'll like it...

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

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Thinking about Thanksgiving

It hasn't really dawned on me than Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away... even though people are calling and asking what they can bring.  Oh, well, I guess I better put a menu together.  This is what I am thinking about having:

Smoked Turkey
Roasted Turkey
Gravy
Cornbread Stuffing
Jellied Cranberry Sauce
Chunky Cranberry Sauce
Creamed Onions
Green Veggie
Creamed Corn  (from scratch, which, ironically, contains no cream)
Mashed Potatoes
Glazed Carrots
Biscuits

Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie

Wow, that is a lot of food.  Maybe we don't need the cream corn...  or maybe we do. What are you making this year?