Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday Finds!!!


O.K., this Lemonade stand SCREAMS Summer!! I absolutely LOVE it and...it just so happens my Little Bean has a fundraising Lemonade/Cookie stand coming up on July 7th!! Woo Hoo what a treasure I have found!! Thank you Kristyn {and your hubby!} While my husband is golfing this weekend, I think he'll come back to see just how handy I can be!! If he just read that he'd be laughing so hard!! I like to THINK I'm an awesome handy-gal, but deep down I know I'm not...
until now darn it!!



Can't ya just taste these on a hot Summer day!! These would be fun festive treats to have the kiddos make! Love 'em! Thanks Amy!

Seriously, aren't there sooo many amazingly creative ladies out there?? I was looking at the blogs I follow this morning and I realized I "follow" A LOT! I'm not following so many because of the "I'll follow you if you follow me!" I truly want to get back to see what the person has posted next! I started following because I enjoyed what was there and love the inspiration I get from it or the good read! Many a nights my husband wakes up and rolls over to see the light of my phone in the dark of the night!  Some people read before bed, watch TV and many like me {you know you do!} visit lovely blogs!  {Oh...or Pinning!}

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Oh My ~ Turtle Cake


It's no secret~ I LOVE DESSERT!! Any kind is good, but I'm more into Cakes, cookies, brownies, pie....ok, all of them!! This is another one that is SUPER easy! The items for this baby are always in the cubbord!! Did I say it was super easy??!! VROOM VROOM...Drivers start your engines!!...Or in this case, "Bakers...turn your oven on!!"....This will be one you'll want to share and make for the 4th!!

What you'll need to do:
Mix 1 German chocolate cake mix up as directed on the box.
*Pour 1/2 of mixed batter (enough to cover the bottom) into a 9 X 13 non stick sprayed pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

While that's baking:
Melt together:
14 oz carmels
1/2 can evaporated milk
3/4 cup butter

When the bottom part of the cake is done, pour the carmel mixture over the top of it and add:
2 Cups chopped pecans (optional)
1 Cup Chocolate chips

Pour the remainder of the cake batter on top and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes!!
The carmel will be bubbling all around the outter edges!


Since 1/2 of our family likes nuts and 1/2 doesn't, I didn't put the nuts in mine, therefore you won't see them in my picture! When I make it for the 3 of us, the more nuts the better!!!


Oh, I let it cool for about 15- 20 mintues before cutting into it. Let's the carmel set a bit and it's not so messy! But warm, gooey chocolate...what's not to LOVE!!

{I topped mine with frozen Cool Whip...it's like having cool whip and Ice Cream!!
I think I just licked my lips and slurpped!}

Monday, June 25, 2012

Made for Monday~ Using Paint to "Make New"


Anyone who's been around this lil' blog knows I love to Paint, re-paint and paint  again! There's nothing quicker to give something a fresh new look than a can of paint! {Or a gallon or 2!}
My brother-in-law made this cute little bird house for his wife years ago. When their family no longer wanted it, they gave it to us. {Cha-ching!~Score!!} It's been up in the spare bedroom, but it didn't have any life up there....I've been trying to spruce up my front porch and this seemed to be the right piece to get things going!!

BEFORE...
                                                                      
                                                                       AFTER....
Looks like the little guy below him could use some new paint as well!!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Pinspired & Rewired~ Fabric

Usually I would post something tasty today, but instead I'm showing off my new curtains for the craft room! I'm linking it up to Pinspired & Rewired over at Ginger Snap Crafts! You've gotten a glimpse of these babies previously....which was my "Pinspiration"...


                                        Courtesy of ....  The 36th Avenue

Now, here's mine...I'm way into bunting right now & banners.... So, this is my take on them! Once the wall is painted and the picture frames are up...and....and...and....these will fit in Perfect!!!!
This "no-sew" thing is the way to go!!! Technically, they're not completely "no-sew"...they were, but then I put some stitching around the banner pieces to make them look better! At first I just had them folded over the curtain rod.





Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Party place cards~ Beachy!



Back after my daughter was born I was an online travel agent. I wanted to work from home and have a little income, so it worked perfectly. I focused on Destination Weddings...it was fun, but I have to say, there are some crazy moms out that are trying to re-live their wedding through their kids! Whew, Nuts!!
I loved having a booth and going to the trade shows! It was fun decorating and getting the booth to look inviting! I came across these little guys as I was doing a bit of Summer purging! They are perfect for a Beachy Theme anything!! You can use them as place settings for people, food cards, wine...Whatever works! I think I'll be changing their tags and using them for a Beachy wine tasting night! I'm in desperate need of Summer Sun!!!
I found the bag of shells at Walmart and I already had the twine, so this was a way Cheap-O easy craft!

 Ink the ends to make them look weathered....


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Good morning everyone! I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day! Enjoy the wonderful Father's in your lives!!! We're blessed!!!
 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Flank Steak Marinade~


If you're not a meat eater, this is not for you!
 I love steak, chicken, pork....I'm a meat eater!
BUT it HAS to have good flavor!!!

This is a great marinade for flank steak!

1/2 Cup soy sauce
1 Lg clove garlic, crushed ( I use premade in a jar)
1 tsp ground ginger
4 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tbsp instant minced onion
1/4 tsp pepper

I use a double batch for one large flank steak.
Pop it on the grill and cook until its medium done {pink all the way through}
Turn it several times while it's on the grill basting with the left over marinade.
Let it cool off the grill for about 10 minutes and then cut across the grain in thin strips!

Enjoy! Kristy

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Side Tie Shirt~



Ok, so this isn't rocket science and many of you have probably done it, but it's still sewing straight lines, so I figured I could tackle it! It came about after I had been at the grocery store... I had one of my favorite comfy shirts on. It's one of those "baby doll" ones, fits more at the top and gets bigger as it goes down. Waaaaay comfy, not to mention I love anything with polka-dots or stripes! Well, a gal I hadn't seen in quite some time walked up to me..."OOOHHH, it's been so long, I hadn't heard!" Heard what?? I'm thinking... OMG!...She thought I was pregnant!!! I mean, I know I've eaten a few too many snickers lately, but I didn't think I looked like I ate... 4 months worth! Yeah, wasn't wearing this shirt again!! When I got home I took it off, walked by it several times lying on the bed and the light bulb went off! {It's amazing how that happens now that I stared blogging!} Out came the sewing machine!

  Turned it inside out and folded up 4 inches...


Sewed a simple stitch all the way around and left a 2 inch opening of the side...


Threaded the ribbon through the side opening...

 Left enough ribbon out each side to allow for a bow to be tied...


Had to Frey Check the ends...


 Sweet, simple...no longer Prego shirt!!...


Monday, June 11, 2012

Made for Monday #3~ Curved Shower Rod



I've been meaning to share this, but finally here it is!

This was such a quick change, but made such a big difference!

First, I tried to put this rod up "all by myself" {sounding like a like a little kid!} and put 3 extra holes in the wall that shouldn't be there! So, of course I had to spackle, sand and paint to fix 'em. {FYI, if you take the time to find the studs, you don't have to use the drywall anchors! They make a big 'ol hole and stop at the stud!} Luckily, I fixed it quite nicely before my husband got back in town! Then, just like my husband said {Darn him!}, "If you put that rod up it will make the shower curtain too short." We have such a tiny little lip on our shower...that of course, he was right! I had to put my thinking cap back on, but have no fear, I came up with a great idea! I had an extra shower curtain, so I cut it up to add a little something to the top and to the bottom! Problem Solved!! Ahhh....the extra room a curved shower curtain rod gives you! If you have the set up for it, Do IT, you'll love it!!
I picked mine up at Walmart for under $35.00.  

                                                              Tiny little lip..
From the inside... 
 Part of the cut up shower curtain with a little burlap strip added...
 Had plenty left to pop a little valance out for the window too...

Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday Finds~

            Here are some fab-u-lo-so finds to whip up this weekend!!

I'm sooooooo ready for Summer! Everything I've been looking at reminds me of Summer, so these two are no surprise for fabulous finds!!

                            When it's pouring outside this gave  me some Sunshine!!


Love this Laura Beth over at A Step in the Journey Go visit, she'll tell ya how to do your own!

Ahhh...this brought more sunshine to my day and my daughter would LOVE it!!!


Lindsay at Southern Lovely could you make me a few! {SMILE}!
She shows us how to make our own!!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Ready, Set, ....Drool~Chocolate-Peanut butter bars




Don't ya love it when you get a crazy great recipe that tastes as good as it sounds??!! I like to know where it comes from as well...who thought up this bit of lick smackin' goodness?? More than half the time it comes from a friend who got it from a friend who got it from a friend...know what I mean?
That's not the case here, this tasty treat came from Family Circle Magazine many years ago!{ It's a bit modified~ think the original recipe called for peanuts as well.}  I can't give any more credit than that, but whoever came up with it, THANKS!

What you need:

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 box brownie mix (regular cake box size)
4 oz. cream cheese softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
whip cream, caramel sauce and peanut butter cups for garnish!

Time to whip it up:

Heat up the oven to 350 degrees.
Line a 9 X 9 pan with foil (pressing it in and making it flat and tucked in the corners well making sure not to tear it) allowing the sides to overhang then spray with nonstick cooking spray
In a bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. Mix in the melted butter.
Press the crumbs into your prepared pan. Bake until golden brown, it took mine 9 minutes. Cool on a rack.

Prepare the brownie mix according to the directions on the box for CAKE LIKE brownies. Pour batter into crust lined pan. Return to the oven and bake until brownies are set (toothpick comes out clean) aprx. 30 min. Cool completely on rack.

In a bowl beat cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Add peanut butter and confectioners sugar. Beat until just blended, it will look a little lumpy. Add milk, beat lightly to loosen the mixture. In a different bowl, whip 1 cup of the cream until stiffened and gently fold into peanut butter mixture.
Spread mousse over cooled brownie. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Heat remaining 1/2 cup cream in a pan over medium heat until just boiling.
Remove from heat, add corn syrup and chocolate chips. Cover and let sit about 5 min. Stir until it's smooth. Pour over the chilled mousse mixture and spread evenly to cover completely. Back in the fridge for at least an hour.

Using the foil flaps that you left overhanging, lift the brownie out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Fold the foil off the sides, cut into squares and garnish with your goodies as you like!

*Tip: make sure to really non-stick spray the foil so it doesn't stick to your stuff. The first time I made it I could barely get the foil off the bottom of the graham cracker! Ever bite into a piece of foil with a filling??? Yikes!!!!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Finished Pieced together picture~



I'm famous for starting a project~ getting interrupted, side tracked, spacing out...whatever the case may be~ then finding I have at least 6 unfinished projects lying around!
{I like to think it's not just me!}
This project has been lying around for...OK...weeks! Now that it's finished, it decorates the wall of my bedroom very nicely!!

I had this frame stashed in the closet, no money spent {well, today!}, I had the paper to cover the matte frame, the linen fabric to put in the background, chipboard letters and letter stamps for the saying, fabric for the flag banner...so the only money I spent was on the pictures at Costco!
I love 8 x8 sizes and the wallets {4 to a sheet}!


 Obviously, this got changed up a bit!!