Finish Pinterest Project- Check!

Hello my name is Amy and I'm addicted to Pinterest. 

But who isn't. The humor section can keep boredom at bay for a long time. I'm also addicted to annoying my sister and BFF by sending them pins they probably aren't interested in. 

You know how it goes, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Don't tell anyone, but I don't do everything I pin. Lots of the food ones, less of the DIY ones. Good intentions.

This, though, piece of cake.

Undeniably, the original is better. Possibly because mine took 10 minutes. 

Supply list: unfinished wood board ($2.99 at Hobby Lobby)

hook (that one came from TJ Maxx.)

Lantern (which you can get just about anywhere)

Spray paint in bronze and/or metallic black

To be efficient, I painted the first coat on the wood in bronze and then unloaded the groceries. Tip- use a box in your garage to save from overspray. Before the first coat was dry, I added the black metallic in a light spray. It blended nicely and looks like a lot more work. That night, while watching TV, I got to use my drill to screw the hook on, and hung it up. Seriously. 10 minutes. 

A Tale of Two Chairs

There has been a strange blank space in my living room for about 2 years. Our tree went there this year and when it came down, it was clearly my first job. I was sick of looking at that area and adored my tree. Since there is an end table next to the sectional, I didn't really want a console table or book shelf. 

Just for fun, I moved a lightweight chair there, but it bounces, and I didn't want to hit the wall and old window frame behind it. So, the search began. After not loving anything because of their size, I stumbled on the genius idea of a dining chair. That led to an upholstered dining chair. 

In a perfect world, I'd show you all kinds of chairs, but in reality, the first place I went won. World Market. At the time, the furniture was 50% off, and that is music to my cheapskate ears. 

Because honestly, $180 for a chair? That comes in a box? 

No. 

Without further ado, meet my new chair!

Get it here

So many things make this work. Because it's made to sit up straight instead of relax back, it fits wonderfully. Yes, the pattern is a little bold, but if I stick with it for two years, it will be worth it. 

Onto the next chair project (you can see it a little in the picture above).

After 7 years of not having matching chairs at our dining table, I discovered these last year. There are several choices of metal cafe chairs out there, but these are the best priced. By a lot. They are wonderful all on their own and usually they would be left alone. But why do that when this is so simple?!

I asked an Etsy shop owner, called Vinyl is Your Friend, to add a No.4 to her set of 1-3 and less than $10 and a couple days later (really fast shipping) and they were ready to add. Which if you know anything about vinyl, takes about 10 whole seconds. 

Since it's 15 degrees in the garage, thanks to this horrific winter, no power tool projects for a bit. These will have to do!

What simple and inexpensive changes are you making while stuck inside?

Pillow Talk

I feel like I've told you this before.

I adore fabric.

The way it smells, how smooth it is on the bolt, all the colors and how it can quickly invoke a whole new plan. As I write, I'm under a quilt made from bits of fabric left over from my clothes when I was a little made by my Grams. All the piles that woman has (that she says she's going to give away but won't) is a museum to her past. My personal favorite is when my mom and her sister Ellen argue over who had what. Fine, I argue about fabric my sister and I had. With my mom. 

Last year, I bought a massive green pillow to go on our couch. It was one massive mistake. Too big for me. The rest of the family liked it. Too bad for them. Needless to say, I'm in the market for new pillows. Thanks to removable forms, changing the covers is entirely too easy not to.

Here are a few contenders:

via

via

via

via

via

These are all from OnlineFabricStore.net and are printed quilting fabric. I'm going with the light weight since I change my mind a lot, I don't want to pay a lot.  All my tree skirt burlap comes from there and so far so good. Whatever I decide, I can just about promise that the woodgrain will be in my house. And how awesome is the comic?

Last week of Crock-tober

With Halloween rapidly approaching, the Main Man and I discovered we have one more thing in common. We hate it. 

I can't figure out why our kids like it either. The Girl hates talking to adults and we never let them eat the candy they worked so hard for. I know. We're the worst. The Boy is going as a ninja. He gets to take his sweet moves on the road. Pumped does not begin to describe his excitement.

For the record, I've loved Crock-tober. This is my busy season, and since adding tree skirts to the mix, it's even busier. The Crock Pot Life has been a lifesaver and I can only hope it's helped you out a little.

Menu

Roast Chicken

Potatoes, Green Beans and Ham

Corn, Bacon and Chicken Chowder

Honey Mustard Ham

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Recipes

Roast Chicken

Potatoes, green beans and ham

Put those items in your pot and let them cook all day. You can also sub cooked sausage link discs for the ham.

Corn, bacon and chicken chowder

Honey Mustard Ham

I'll probably use some applesauce in place of the juice. 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

What you'll need

Meat

Whole 3-4lb chicken

5-6lb bone in, fully cooked ham

1lb cooked chicken breast

Cooked kielbasa (which reminds me. Try it fried with cocktail sauce.)

The rest

8-10 potatoes

Can of Cream Corn

Chicken broth/stock/base for 8 cups

Ham

Onion

Half and half (or milk)

Apple juice

Brown sugar

Kidney beans, 2 cups

Taco seasoning

Green beans

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll add your email to my list so you can see all the wonders I write about. I have no great plan for November, so if you have one, let me know! Ornaments, and mini projects are coming soon! 

Crock-tober out.

Crock-tober Round Three

Confession:

I made apple sauce twice last week and will be making it again. The kids weren't so keen on my leaving it chunky, but who cares what they think? It was delish!

Aren't you loving that it's finally actually crisp? The first week of Crock-tober was not all that I was hoping for. Comfort food isn't as awesome in 85 degree weather. 

Menu

Baked Potato Soup

Country Ribs

French Onion Soup

Potato, Sausage and Cheese

Chicken Tacos

Baked Potato Soup

This is pretty thick, so soup is used pretty loosely. Sometimes, I like to add a favorite bbq sauce to just mine for a little extra awesome. This comes to us from 'Fix it and Forget it'

4 lg baked potatoes

2/3 c butter

2/3 c flour

6 c milk

salt and pepper

small onion, chopped

12 slices of bacon, fried and chopped (bacon can be cooked, chopped and frozen. It's wonderful)

2 c shredded cheddar cheese OR 1 c cheddar and 2 oz velveeta

1 c chicken broth/base

Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the pulp, pop it in the crock pot. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour. Gradually stir in the milk and broth and stir until smooth and thick. Add the sauce to your crock pot, along with everything else. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Country Ribs
(Erin, this one as your name all over it. Super simple)
 3-4 boneless or bone-in country ribs.
1/2 a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
1/2 c beef broth.
All in the CP for the day on low. The biggest problem is that you need a spoon to dig out the ribs, they are that soft and wondrous.

French Onion Soup
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-french-onion-soup/detail.aspx?extkb=1

Potato Sausage and Cheese
(Mom, this is perfect for my growing brother)
http://www.food.com/recipe/joleans-cheese-potato-smoked-sausage-casserole-126623
**I forgot to add that this is originally a oven baked recipe, but I put it in my crock pot on low for about 4 hours. 

Chicken Tacos
(Mom, this is perfect for Alex AND Dad. Always thinking of you!)
Cook chicken in the crock pot mixed with 1 oz packet of ranch dressing mix, a 1 oz packet of taco seasoning and 1 1/2 c chicken broth. Cook on low for 4 hours. Shred and serve with your favorite toppings.

I've been making these adorable little pumpkins to get ready for a craft show at Indiana University, Kokomo.

Via

I should probably tell you about them soon. 
Have a great week!

Crock-tober Week 2

How was your first week of Crock-tober? Was it everything you hoped it would be and more? Did you love that you knew what you were having and didn't have to beg for suggestions? Great!!

Crock-tober Menu #2

Chicken Taco Chili

Cheeseburger Soup

Hawaiian Chicken

Meatball Subs

Yum-e-setti

I got to use Crock-tober to get a new, beautiful Crock Pot. For $17 whole dollars at The Target. It's 4 quarts, but that's enough for my family of 4 and for my Main Man to have leftovers for his lunch. He then found my 8 qt one and wondered why I needed a smaller one. Because the fuller it is, the longer it takes to cook. It makes things much tastier, and doesn't accidentally burn. Lets just hope he doesn't find the dip sized one. 

I have a problem. I'm okay with it.

Chicken Taco Chili

I'll confess. I haven't made this. But it's pretty straight forward. No, I will not be adding the beans. They're gross.

http://rita-may-recipes.blogspot.com/2011/11/crock-pot-cream-cheese-chicken-chile.html

Cheeseburger Soup

I've made cheeseburger soup generally this way. I tend to just add stuff until it looks/smells good. Someone, we won't name names will we Mom, doesn't trust herself to do that, so here's the recipe.

http://joyerickson.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/cheeseburger-soup/

This is also a great time to talk about the awesomeness of starting it the night before, cooling it and letting it go on warm all day the next day. The ground beef will get super soft and all the veggies will spread their love. It's worth a try if you don't want to do a lot of prep in the morning.

Hawaiian Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts, hawaiian style BBQ sauce, and a can of crushed pineapple all thrown in for 6 or so hours on low. Serve with roasted broccoli and rice.
I'll be doing a lot less chicken. 2-3 depending on the size. If you're into gluten, you could also serve it on those wonderful little Hawaiian buns. 

Meatball for Subs or Pasta

Dump a bag of frozen meatballs (Sam's has gluten free!) and a jar of your favorite pasta sauce (I'm obsessed with Prego Pesto Marinara.) in your Crock Pot. Cook on low all day, or high from lunch on. Sounds simple but it's better than you can imagine. When you make your subs, put the mozzarella cheese in your bun first. 

Yum-e-setti
This comes straight from 'Fix-it and Forget-it Cookbook'. Mom makes a similar version. It's not complicated and wonderful.
1.5 lbs Browned and drained ground beef
10 oz tomato soup
8 oz cooked noodles (I suggest egg)
1.5 cups of prepared Cream of Chicken soup
1 cup of celery, chopped and cooked to tender (this one is not a must have)
salt to taste
1 lb frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed (this is 1/4 of a log)

Combine ground beef and tomato soup.
Combine chicken soup, noodles and celery.
Layer beef mixture, chicken soup mixture and veggies. Lay the cheese on the top.
Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours.


Shopping List

Meat

6+ Chicken breasts

2 lbs ground beef

Meatballs

All the rest

Rotel

Corn

Black Beans

Ranch dressing mix

Cumin

Chili powder

Onion powder

8 oz Cream cheese (one brick)

Carrots- 2

Onion

Celery

Potatoes- 5 lbs

Chicken broth (Or use the base from week 1)

Sour Cream (we got 3 lbs at Sams Club. THREE POUNDS!!)

Velveeta

Crushed Pineapple

Hawaiian BBQ sauce

Pasta Sauce (Points if it’s homemade!)

Egg noodles

Tomato soup

Frozen Veggies

Questions, comments, concerns? 

Coming soon: we hung a TV on the wall, and now I need to do something with that. Including, but not limited to, hiding some wires. 

Burlap Garland Wonderland

 Garlands!

not swag. do not call it swag. we both know it's stupid.

You know how I role. I see awesome ideas on Pinterst and make them slightly or not so slightly, my own. 

Here's what I found:

Burlap Garland

It's as easy as you think. She explains it all. To primp,  twist a lot.  Then twist more.

Here's how I used them to dress up my boring old roman shades in our dining room.

If that doesn't convince you that you can't live without these, this will:

Deco mesh! Can you see this stuff with lights at Christmas time? It's going to be spectacular! You'll get to see it.

Up close and personal.

My shopping tip- at Hobby Lobby, you can find deco mesh in at least two places- Christmas and general floral. Every other week, ribbon goes on sale for 50% off. Deco mesh is floral ribbon. Seasonal is only 40%. You're welcome. (The same goes for burlap ribbon.)

It's Tree Time!

See what I did there?

Tree time instead of tea time? 

I know. I'm hilarious.

Before we get to the heart of the matter, I'd like to let you know an upcoming month long 'project' called Crock-tober. I saw the phrase in a book, and decided to make my Mom and sister do it with me, which lead to a comment on Facebook, which lead to others wanting to going, and here we are. It's a thing now.

This is not a food blog, but it's the best way to get the recipes, shopping lists and links out. Since I don't hate cooking and I love LOVE my crock pot, it's happening. Despite all the work it will take, I'm excited. My dad is too. He just doesn't know it yet. 

Now, for Arts and Crafts time with Amy.

I found this at Sugar and Charm and it calls for a styrofoam cone covered in paper. Have you ever bought one of those? They are at least $3 and never on sale. My plan was to make several in different sizes and with different covers. And I'm cheap. Instead, I used kraft colored card stock. AKA brown. Rolled one into a cone, glued it and cut the bottom to make it flat and that left me with a stencil for the next one. Glued the second to the first and I was left with a fairly sturdy cone. For less than a buck. (Because the paper was on sale at the Lobby of Hobbies.)





After this worked, I got a pack of 25 of the paper for $3 on sale. Which it is about every other week there.

And then came the gluing of the pinecones. Big and little. Start at the top, but not the tip top, save that for the perfect one later. The first few were slow because I needed to let the glue dry and be secure, but after that, I would glue, hold and keep going at a pretty good pace. The whole project took over an hour, but it could have been faster. That's not my living room, it's my friends. She had a 'bring your own craft' day. A bag of mini pine cones are $3 and I already had the bigger ones. On sale at Target last year for a whopping 90 cents. One bag of minis and a few bigs only covered the front 2/3's. But where it sits, can you tell?

The orange garland was bought at Hobby Lobby too. On sale. That goes without saying. I'm thinking of spray painting one in chalkboard paint? One in red glitter balls. Who knows. While everyone else is all about the snowmen, I'm in love with trees for Fall/Christmas/Winter decorating. 

Here's Your (Favorite Friday) Sign

Already it's been quite a day.

The littlest love woke up with terrible growing pains in his hip. Poor kid can barely walk! Luckily his pain tolerance is crazy high and thinks it's funny that he can't really walk vs crying. I woke up at 6 am to a phone call from the school announcing a two hour delay. At least he gets time on the couch with a heating pad! 

 In better news, our daughter got her school issued iPad yesterday and we put a picture of us on it. Because we're awesome parents like that. 

Bring on the Friday Favorites! 

This week is brought to you by my hatred of the signs that say 'Simplify'. I feel like that defeats all purposes. Why are you buying something to remind you not to buy things? Just don't buy it. A wallet that says 'simplify' would be much more appropriate.

Via

Via Perfect for any small business owner. We never really close.

Via

Via I grew up with a hunter and have an irrational love of faux taxidermy. In any form.

Via I've bought a gift from this shop before and I loved it! She does a killer job. And this sign is exactly what I need in my kitchen for my not picky but finicky family.

Did you find a favorite? Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!