Spring Wreath!

Of course I found this adorable wreath on Pinterest!!!  I had to make my own! I intended to take more pics along the way but it didn't happen.  All supplies were found at Joann's except for the gingham ribbon.  I ordered that from etsy.

Grab 3 lime green skeins of Fun Fur yarn(I only used 2, I had an extra just in case).  Be sure to use fun fur.  I checked out other brands and it's not as grassy looking.  Also, use a styrofoam wreath(I used a 12 inch).  This is my second wreath.  I made one yesterday and like an idiot I used a big fat straw wreath because it was on sale. Uh, yea it didn't work too well.  The only other supplies you will need is Daisy trim, pink pearlized pins, and ribbon to hang your wreath.  Wrap the yarn around the wreath.  My friend Rachael suggested wrapping 5 times and then scrunching the rows together. That worked so much better than the continuous wrap I was doing.  When you use up one skein tie the end to your next skein.  When you get all the way around tie it on to your starting point.  Cut your daisy trim into individual flowers, and put a pink pin through the middle and stick it on your wreath.  Don't push it in too deep or you will smash your grass.

Grasshopper Mint Cookies!

Don't these seem like a must for St. Patricks Day?

Cool Apps and a video

I just discovered app smitten!  App suggestions sent right to your phone.  They have iPad,iPhone, and Android apps.  I am so in love with Color Snap and Paper Toss.  Color Snap allows you to take a picture of an item and the app will match it to a paint color!!  Paper Toss is good mindless fun, flicking paper into the trash. :)  It's fun.  Don't even get me started on Temple Run.  I love that one. :)

I have had a bit of a Whitney Houston obsession over the past couple of weeks.  I loved her as a teenager but hadn't really paid any attention to her since.  I was stunned to watch this video.(it is a video with two clips, one singing well, and one bombing)  I had no idea how much her voice had deteriorated. It is hard to watch. It's sad what happened to her wonderful voice.   It seems that she must have been getting it back a little since she made Sparkle.  I saw a voice teacher talk about Whitney.  He said she didnt have a trained voice.  He said if you don't sing properly you will develop nodules like Whitney had.  Plus smoking crack helped destroy her beautiful voice.  It's sad to see what hard living can do to a person.

Ryan's Chicken Curry

My husband was a missionary in South Africa for 2 years.  While there a wonderful lady taught him how to make chicken curry.  She didn't use a recipe, just showed him how much to throw in.  His batches are always a tad different because he never uses a recipe.  I had him sit down today and tell me how to make it.(He has done this for me before and like an idiot I lost the recipe)  These are all approximates.  Make adjustments to suit your taste. :)

Ingredients:

4 cloves fresh garlic (crushed)
2 onions chopped
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1 jalapeño pepper(we remove the seeds)chopped
1 tsp. cardamom
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
3 tsp. tumeric
3 tsp. red curry powder
2 tablespoons kosher salt
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
1 small bag baby carrots
5 tomatoes (diced)
5 golden potatoes (peeled and chopped)
1 can peas or 2 cups frozen peas

Instructions:

Cover bottom of large pot with oil.  Sautee onions in oil over medium heat until beginning to brown.  After onions are soft and browned.  Add garlic,ginger,jalapeño,cardamom,cinnamon, cook together for a minute.

Add salt,nutmeg,turmeric,and curry powder(always stirring don't allow to stick to bottom) Try to achieve a pasty consistency.(If it begins to stick add a little water)

Add chicken allow to cook in spices for a couple of minutes.

Add tomatoes,potatoes,carrots, and peas. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour stirring occasionally. Serve over rice.

Rapunzel Tower Cupcakes

I think these are completely fabulous!!  I actually think I could pull these off!  Here are some more fabulous Rapunzel party ideas.

I found the picture on Pinterest but there wasn't a link.  I looked in google image and couldn't find a source there either.  If anyone knows, please let me know and I will link. :)

China Glaze for Audrey

It was made to be a perfect match for Tiffany& Co. blue! I ADORE it!!

Bottlebrush Chicks

I saw these a couple of weeks ago but didn't want to pay shipping.  I checked back today, and they are now free shipping!

Einstein Pretzel Bagel

Have you tried them??  We had them Saturday morning, and think they are stupendous!

Phantom Island Series

I love when I find a series just as the last book is about to come out.  I DO NOT LIKE WAITING! I have really enjoyed this series.  It can be a little cheesy  but it is fun!  The first book started a bit slow for me, but took off in a completely unexpected direction.  Give it a whirl.

Starbursts!

I love Starbursts. Here is my ranking of the flavors.

1. Pink
2. Red
3. Orange
4. Yellow

What's your fave?

Lustro ware Salt and Pepper Shakers

These little aqua beauties are my latest vintage find. I love them!

iPhone Cases from Instagrams!

I am completely obsessed with Instagram. I about flipped when I saw you could make a phone case out of them! (Here)

The Lorax

I can't wait to see The Lorax on March 2nd! I love Bakerella's Lorax pops!

Whitney

I thought playing Whitney's song at the end was incredibly moving.

Pepperoni Roll Ups

Last night we had Pizza Roll Ups and green salad.  It was delish!  The best part? It was easy enough that my 8 year old did most of the prep work.  Easy and the whole family loved them. 


Pepperoni Roll Ups
Recipe from: Taste of Home

1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated Pillsbury crescent rolls
32 slices pepperoni (I used Hormel's turkey pepperoni slices)
4 pieces string cheese, cut in half
1/4 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
Marinara or Pizza sauce, for dipping


DIRECTIONS:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll crescent dough; seperate into 8 triangles. Place 4 pepperoni slices on the large end of each triangle. Place one half string cheese on the top of the pepperonis. Roll up towards point. Place roll ups atleast 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Mix together italian seasoning and melted butter. Brush over the tops of the roll ups. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Happy Valentines Day!

Have a wonderful Valentines Day!

I had a great time making cookies with my kiddo's. Here is the recipe I use:

17.5-ounce package dry sugar cookie mix

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or other flavoring

1 cup all-purpose flour


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.



Combine the cookie mix with the cream cheese until crumbly. Mix in the eggs and flavoring until well combined. Add enough flour to make a firm dough that can be rolled out. Roll dough out on lightly floured board to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out snow flakes, doves, or other desired shapes.



Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes.

Adele

I love her! Didn't she sound amazing at the Grammys?

Sizzling Salads

I wanted to share one of my favorite things.  I have been using the Sizzling Salad dressings to make taco salad.  It's delish and easy.  Heres what I do:

Chop 3 skinless chicken breasts up and throw in skillet.  Once chicken is done I stir in enough spicy fajita cooking sauce to coat chicken and let simmer for a few minutes.

For the salad I use baby spinach, black  beans,corn, tomatoes,sharp cheese,fritos, and top with chicken and bbq ranch.

It's SO good and easy!

Four Years

Four years ago today, I was diagnosed with cancer. It's the most frightened I have ever been in my life. I am so thankful to still be well. Yesterday I received a letter from the National Cancer Registry. They wanted to check on me(to see if I'm still alive, to compile survival rates)and to remind me to get my check ups. Cancer screenings are so very important.

I am so thankful every time I hit Feb 12th cancer free. Happy February 12th to all!

Goodies

I can not wait for this book to come out!!!!  I don't think there is anything I like better than cookie dough.

Speaking of good eats,  I was wondering what to make for dinner while browsing Pinterest.  I came across this recipe.   I was so delighted because I had all of the ingredients on hand!  I threw it all together in the crockpot and it was delish!  I changed things up a bit by serving it over rice. My family loved it, and it couldn't have been easier.

Great deal on Disney plush!

Since the exchange rate is a bit crazy at Disneyland(my husband figured a 20 dollar bill gives you about 1 dollar of spending power in the park ;) We decided to let our girls buy a couple of small things in the park, and a larger item from the Disney Store.  Right now all Disney plush is buy one get one free!!!!  My children chose Minnie and Princess Tiana.  They are excellent quality! Both are large toys and very soft.   Since they were buy one get one free, they cost me a whopping 19.50!!  My kids are thrilled with them, and they didn't break the bank.  :)

Disney Pin Tip

I just thought I would pass on a little pin tip, just in case anybody is getting ready to go on a Disney trip and wanted to start pin trading.  I ordered all of my pins from ebay before the trip(except for the cutie pie Grape Soda pin-we bought that in the park) Anyway I was able to buy a bag of 40 pins off of ebay for 15.00 dollars and free shipping!!  This way my children had a great base of pins to trade.  Some of the pins were cool and worth keeping but most were just something to trade for something better.  Remember the workers can't say no to kids, so the kids can end up with super cool pins.  Oh man, I want to go back!

Mini Pretzel Dogs

I need to make these!!