Eagles Striped Ear Warmer

So... My boyfriend, and his mom, are Philadelphia Eagles fans, which means when she asked me to make her an ear warmer, the first thing my boyfriend asked was... "Can you make it Eagles?" Well, Christmas is just around the corner...

He showed me a picture of the beanie he wanted it to look like, and simply asked for the striped pattern around the bottom... Super easy! And you can make it any combination of colors you want!

Materials:
3.75mm hook
grey, Kelly green, and white worsted weight yarn (medium 4), I used 'Loops and Threads' Impeccable brand
yarn needle
scissors

Abbreviations:
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet

Directions:
With white, chain 96, turn
Round 1: sc across, change colors to Kelly green for the next row (here's a good tutorial on how to change colors at the end of a row...) (95 sts)
Round 2: ch 1, turn, sc across, change colors to grey for the next row (95 sts)
Round 3: ch 2, turn, hdc across, change colors to Kelly green for the next row (95 sts)
Round 4: ch 1, turn, sc across, change colors to white for the next row (95 sts)
Round 5: ch 2, turn, hdc across, change colors to Kelly green for the next row (95 sts)
Round 6: ch 3, turn, dc across, change colors to white for the next row (95 sts)
Round 7: ch 2, turn, hdc across, change colors to Kelly green for the next row
Round 8: ch 1, turn, sc across, change colors to grey for the next row
Round 9: ch 2, turn, hdc across, change colors to Kelly green for next row
Round 10: ch 1, turn, sc across, change colors to white for next row
Round 11-12: ch 1, turn, sc across
F/O and weave in loose ends

With the color of your choice, whip stitch the two ends together

REALLY easy and simple. Fits a woman's head (approx 21" in diameter). Merry Christmas!

Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  If you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog.

Pineapple Dishcloth

A while back, I made my aunt some crochet washcloths. Well, she likes to visit Hawaii a lot and has numerous items with pineapples on them. So, I made her a pineapple shaped washcloth for Christmas.

This is the pattern used: http://www.bestfreecrochet.com/2011/12/11/345-friendship-pineapple-greeting-maggie-weldon-maggies-crochet/

Lemon Herb Chicken

My boyfriend and I have been cutting back on our salt intake. So, I started using lemon juice in a lot of things. Here is what I do for my "Lemon Herb Chicken" that he loves.

Ingredients:
2 Perdue perfect portions chicken breasts
2 tbsp McCormick lemon pepper seasoning
Garlic powder, to taste
Onion powder, to taste
1 tsp parsley
Pepper, to taste
1/2 cup lemon juice

Directions:
Coat both sides of the chicken breasts with the lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and pepper. Heat non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place seasoned chicken breasts and lemon juice in skillet. Cook the chicken, flipping occasionally, until cooked through. Allow to simmer in lemon juice until the juice is completely absorbed (it will start to thicken and begins to turn brown, this is good). Remove from heat and serve. ENJOY!

Super Easy Seasonal Wreath

I was looking for something easy to put on our door. It also had to be interchangeable and easy to store.

So, I went to Michaels and bought a grape vine wreath for $2 and two different colors of ribbon, twisted them around the wreath, tied a bow on top. There you go!

Covered s-HO-e Box Lids

I was looking for something cheap and easy to put on our door for the Holiday Season!  So, I found this on idea on etsy... except for way cheaper than $30.

I collected 3 shoe box lids and covered them with wrapping paper.

Took a large sharpie and wrote "ho... ho... ho" on the lids.

Then connect the shoe boxes, stapling the ribbon in between each box and making a bow on the top and hanging it from the door.

Fun to make, cheap to make, cute on the door!  ENJOY

Crochet Rose

My boyfriend's niece is 5 and is a girly girl.  She loves pink and purple and dresses and flowers (and rocks).  So, I have some purple yarn left over from making a scarf and decide that a flower can't take too much yarn right?  And I made two!  A large rose and a small rose.  It was ridiculously easy and took maybe 10 minutes.

Large Rose:

use a 5.0mm hook

ch 39

work 5 tr in the 3rd chain from hook, sl st in the next st

[work 5 tr in next st, sl st in the next st] until you have completed 6 "pedals"

[work 5 dc in next st, sl st in the next st] until you have completed 5 "pedals"

[work 5 hdc in next st, sl st in the next st] until you have completed 4 "pedals"

[work 5 sc in next st, sl st in the next st] until you have completed 3 "pedals"

F/O and leave approx 12 inches of yarn for assembly

Small Rose:

use a 3.5mm hook

ch 26

work 5 dc in the 2nd chain from hook, sl st in the next st

[work 5 dc in next st, sl st in the next st] until you have completed 5 "pedals"

[work 5 hdc in next st, sl st in the next st] until you have completed 4 "pedals"

[work 5 sc in next st, sl st in the next st] until you have completed 3 "pedals"

F/O and leave approx 12 inches of yarn for assembly

Assembly:

using a yarn needle, starting with the smal pedals, twist in a circular motion as you stitch it together, morphing it into a rose

ENJOY

Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  If you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog.

Cable Stitch Ear Warmer

I know someone who had brain surgery earlier this year causing them to be unable to wear hats.  I was looking for a way that I could make a cute ear warmer for her and came across the pattern for the Cable Stitch "Jenna" Headband ... I modified the start/end slightly.

In the beginning I:
ch3, turn
hdc across, increasing the number of stitches in each row's iteration until you get to 13 hdc... then begin the pattern

In the end: I decreased the hdc in the outsides, until it was 1 hdc on each side of the fptr.  Then I sc around the edges, and F/O my end.

Thanks so much for the pattern, Melissa!

Enjoy everyone!

Child's Dino-RAWR Earflap Beanie

I made owl baby booties for my cousins new born as a Christmas present. So, I had to find something I could make or her 3 year old. I get to thinking and a hat cant be too hard, right? Wrong! I couldn't seem to find a nice looking pattern for a kid (with a large dome piece). As I'm reading other patterns, I pick up on a similarity with all of them so, it can't be too hard to make my own pattern.

I realize, I cant just make him a hat. I mean, I made his brother's gift look like owls... Good thing I knew he was a dinosaur for Halloween and loved it...  So, here is the pattern to the hat shown below:

Size:

4-9 year old child (19"-20" circumference)

Materials:

5.0 mm hook

stitch marker (I don't have one so, I use a bobby pin instead)

worsted weight yarn: brown and green

Abbreviations:

hdc: half double crochet

magic ring: here is a tutorial for right handed crocheters

sts: stitches

sc: single crochet

sl st: slip stitch

MC: main color

CC: contrasting color

Notes:

this beanie is made in a continuous circle (which is why I used the bobby pin to mark the first stitch in my circle)

Beanie:

Row 1: 7 hdc in magic ring (7 sts)

Row 2: 2 hdc in all 7 sts (14 sts)

Row 3: [hcd in next st, 2 hdc in next st] around (21 sts)

Row 4: [hcd in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around (28 sts)

Row 5: [hcd in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around (35 sts)

Row 6: [hcd in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around (42 sts)

Row 7: [hcd in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around (49 sts)

Row 8: [hcd in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around (56 sts)

Row 9: [hcd in next 7 sts, 2 hdc in next st] around (63 sts)

Row 10: [hcd in next 8 st, 2 hdc in next st] around (70 sts) -- at this point my hat was 7" in diameter

Row 11-16: hdc in every st around (70 sts)

Row 17: hdc in the next 69 sts, sl st in the last st (70 sts)

(leave the yarn in it's place and we will now begin the earflaps)

Ear Flaps:

Row 1: ch 1, hdc in next 12 sts, ch 1, turn (12 sts)

Row 2: (back loops) sc2tog, sc next 8 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (10 sts)

Row 3: sc across, ch 1, turn (10 sts)

Row 4: (back loops) sc2tog, sc next 6 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (8 sts)

Row 5: sc across, ch 1, turn (8 sts)

Row 6: (back loops) sc2tog, sc next 4 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (6 sts)

Row 7: sc across, ch 1, turn (6 sts)

Row 8: (back loops) sc2tog, sc next 2 sts, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (4 sts)

Row 9: sc across, ch 1, turn (4 sts)

Row 10: (back loops) sc2tog, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (2 sts)

Row 11: sc across (2 sts)

ch 1, sc around the edge of the hat until you reach the point on the other side where you wish to start the second ear flap and repeat Rows 1-11

Once you have completed the ear flaps, sc around the hat with your MC

Attach your CC and sc around the entire hat, fasten off your yarn and fold in the ends

For the spikes I used a free pattern I found.  They are from a blog called Tots and Bottoms and the spikes are from her Stegosaurus Dinosaur Hat (and make sure you leave at least a foot of yarn on the spikes after you fasten them off)

Once I had all of the spikes made, I laid my hat flat and placed the spikes where they are supposed to go.  I used a whip stitch to secure them to the top of the hat. Fasten off the end of the yarn once you have finished the whip stitch. 

Enjoy!

Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  If you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog.

Taco Mix

Have you ever wanted to make tacos for dinner and forgot to buy the seasoning for the meat?  I have a good solution for taco seasoning, and they are all things that you would have in your spice cabinet:

1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
crushed red pepper, to taste
cayenne pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Mix all of these up and add 2 tbsp and 1/4 cup of water to your 1 lb of cooked meat.  Allow the water to cook down.  ENJOY

Crochet Chunky Infinity Scarf

I was searching and searching for a simple scarf pattern I could make for someone for Christmas. I know that I want to use a 9.0 mm hook so that it goes quick and I purchased thicker wool yarn to make it with.  Well as I'm googling, searching for a good pattern to make, I come across a blog called "Fiber Flux" and I fell in LOVE with an infinity scarf pattern under her Free Crochet Patterns tab.  It is called the Pavement Infinity Scarf.  However, I make it through the foundation row and realize that in row 1, I can't tell where my "chain 1 spaces from the previous row" are... I guess I just haven't been doing this long enough yet.  So, I decide I'll do something that I know how to do and just use the Pavement Infinity Scarf for inspiration. (Note: someone else may have written a pattern similar or exactly like this one but, I didn't use any other pattern besides the Pavement Infinity Scarf for inspiration)

I hope that you enjoy it!

Materials:

N (9.0 mm) crochet hook
Super bulky (weight 6) thick yarn (approximately 200 yards) -- I used Loops and Threads Cozy Wool in clematis

Abbreviations:

hdc: half double crochet
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
sts: stitches
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch

Gauge:

approx 6 sts = 2 inches

Instructions:

Chain 20

Row 1:  hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook, hdc across (18 sts)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc across (18 sts)

Row 3: ch 3, turn, dc in first st, ch 1, [skip 1 chain and then dc in the next stitch, ch 1] until there are 3 stitches left, skip 1 chain and then dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch  (18 sts)

Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc across (18 sts)

Row 5:  ch 2, turn, hdc across (18 sts)

Row 6: ch 1, turn, sc across (18 sts)

Row 7: ch 3, turn, dc in first st, ch 1, [skip 1 chain and then dc in the next stitch, ch 1] until there are 3 stitches left, skip 1 chain and then dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch  (18 sts)

Repeat rows 4, 5, 6, 7 (ending with row 7) until the scarf reaches approximately 55 inches.

ch 1, turn, sl st the two ends together all the way across, knot the yarn at the end

weave in the ends of the yarn 

attach yarn to the end and sc all the way around the circle, sl st the last st, knot, weave in ends (repeat on the other side of the yarn)

This scarf goes by very quick, it took me approximately 2 hours to complete (and that included writing the pattern).

Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  If you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog.

Baby Owl Booties

My cousin had a baby boy on October 15th! YAY! Well, I was looking for something cute to make him.  I found out that I can actually follow patterns!  Well, at my new favorite website, I found a section for "baby items/baby booties" and then I saw a link for Crochet Baby Owl Booties and the pictures were ADORABLE.  So, I went to Michaels and bought the supplies needed.  Here is the resulting pair:

Thanks so much for sharing the pattern, Janet!

Crochet Dishcloths

So... I've been learning to crochet, right?  Well get this... I decide that I can start following patterns.  I youtube how to do a lot of the different stitches needed and there I go.  My aunt wants some crochet dishcloths (apparently they do a better job than normal ones?) so, I find some patterns from my new favorite website crochet pattern central (this site is amazing for free patterns).  I decide that I can make her three different dishcloths that will go with the colors in her kitchen: red, green, and a red/yellow mixture.

The first (and smallest) dishcloth of the three is the green one:

This pattern was labeled as "Plain and Simple" and let me tell you... it wasn't hard, just time consuming.  So, I'm getting better and faster at this crochet thing... So dishcloth round 2, here I come!

The second (and mid size) dishcloth of the three is the red/yellow mixture:
This pattern was labeled as "Simple and Practical" and it was just that.  The first dishcloth took me crocheting (on and off) for a day (probably 3 hours) to finish... the second took maybe 1 1/2 hours.  Now I'm prepped and ready for round 3... bring it on!
The third, and final, (and largest) dishcloth is the red one:

This pattern was VERY easy and took around 30 minutes to finish!  (as soon as I find the pattern I used I will post it up here).

Now... Should I make her one more?  I will have to buy more yarn but, she does love her pineapples :)

Crocheting... Let the FUN begin

Remember me telling you about how lucky I am to have an office mate that was an arts major?  Well... I'm LUCKY!  A couple weeks ago she taught me how to do the basic crochet stitch after taking me into Michaels and having me purchase the hook and yarn to do it with!  She also taught me in my car, in Michaels parking lot... and it only took her about 5 minutes!  Well later that evening, while my boyfriend was in class... I sat down and finished this in about 2 hours... 

Pumpkin Pie

I like to think that I have some skills in the kitchen, it comes with having a mother and grandmother that loved to cook and loved teaching you.  However, my aunt was the pie lady... since she is no longer with us, I never learned much in the area of "pies".  So, this is my first attempt (don't judge me).  

My boyfriend and I made the trip to his parents for Thanksgiving this year, and his sister-in-law is supposedly this AMAZING baker, pie maker... whatever.  So now I feel like I have to compete.  

The votes are in... Emily wins the pie making contest (on her first try)... thanks Libby :)

Libby's Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp cloves

2 large eggs

1 can (15 oz) Libby's pumpkin

1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

2 unbaked 9-in pie crusts

nutmeg

whipped cream

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and cloves.  

Add the pumpkin, eggs, and evaporated milk.  Whisk until smooth (I used a hand mixer).

In a 9 1/2 inch pie plate.  Roll out and mold one of the pie crusts (according to the directions on the box).  Use the second pie crust for cut outs (I had leaf cookie cutters but you can use any shape).

Pour the pumpkin mixture into the pie plate/crust.  

Place the pie plate in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.  Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and allow the pie to bake for an additional 30 minutes.  

When the 30 minutes is up, remove the pie from the oven and place the pie crust cut outs around the edge of the pie.  Place back in the oven for at least another 10 minutes (you can leave it in up to 20 additional minutes, it all depends on how brown you want your leaves/pie crust to become).

Remove from the oven and let cool for 2 hours and then serve with whipped cream.

Enjoy!

Healthier Chicken Lo Mein

My boyfriend has wanted lo mein for days now... Well we aren't allowed to have it since it is TERRIBLE for you.

I found a way to make my own... and hopefully a little healthier too!

Ingredients:

8 oz cooked whole grain thin spaghetti
1.5 lb chicken tenderloins, cut into cubes
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
4 tbsp corn starch
4 baby carrots, julienned
1/2 frozen bag peas
6 scallions, chopped
Pepper, to taste
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp ground ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp sesame seeds

Directions:

In a sauce pan, dissolve the bouillon cubes in 2 cups of water.
Place 1/2 cup of the broth into the saucepan and bring to a boil. Insert the chicken cubes and cook through.
In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, white wine, and corn starch until there are no lumps. Add the remaining broth to the bowl.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a plate to rest.
Add the oil, ground ginger, and garlic to the sauce pan and cook on medium to high heat for approx 1 minute.
Add the soy sauce mixture to the skillet and whisk until it begins to thicken.
Add the carrots, peas, and scallions and cook for 3-5 minutes (until they are the desired tenderness).
Add the pasta and chicken to the skillet and toss until everything is evenly coated. Let simmer for approx 5 minutes while the remaining liquid in the skillet is absorbed.

Enjoy!

Louisiana Gumbo

My boyfriend and I had our one year anniversary on Halloween so, to treat him I decided that I was going to make him something he’s been craving a lot lately… gumbo. I’ve never made gumbo before but, I have made jambalaya so, it can’t be that hard… right?  Well, it was fun and he loved it.  He claimed it was the best gumbo he’s ever had… YAY!  So, here’s how it went…

Ingredients:

1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/4 inch rounds
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup salted butter (1/2 a stick)
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins, cut into chunks
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large white onion, diced
approx 6 green onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
5 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 1/4 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 lb raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
7 cups water
salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
dash of allspice (optional)
rice, cooked according to directions on package and set aside (I used brown rice)

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, cook the smoked sausage until it is browned (starts to curl).  Remove only the sausage (leave the grease in the skillet) and place on a paper toweled plate to drain.
2. In a large dutch oven, heat the butter, vegetable oil, and one spoon-full of the sausage grease over medium heat.
3. Transfer the chicken pieces into the hot oil and cook through.  Remove the cooked chicken from the hot oil and place on the plate with the sausage. 
4. Slowly whisk the flour into the hot oil to make a roux.  Continue cooking the flour and oil mixture, stirring constantly, until it reaches a dark brown color.  This took me approx. 30 minutes; and the darker the roux, the more flavorful the gumbo.
5. When the roux is a dark brown color, add the onion, green bell pepper, and green onion, parsley, and garlic.  Cook stirring constantly for 1 minute.  Add the smoked sausage and chicken.  Stir until all is coated with the roux. 
6. Add 2 cups of water, crushed bouillon cubes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, bay leaves, and allspice.  Stir until it has an even consistency.  Bring to a boil and let simmer for 20-30 minutes. 
7. While this is simmering, heat the left over sausage oils in the skillet.  Once hot, add the raw shrimp and cook through (shrimp pieces will take 2-4 minutes on each side, depending on the temperature of the skillet).  
8. Once the shrimp are cooked and the gumbo has simmered at least 20 minutes, add all of the contents of the skillet (yes, shrimp and grease) to the  rest of the gumbo. Add the remaining 5 cups of water (you can add more water if you would like more broth in your gumbo).
9. Let cook 8-10 minutes.  Remove bay leaves.  Serve gumbo in a deep bowl with a small amount (1/2 to 1 cup) of cooked rice.

I must say… it did turn out better than I thought it would (especially for my first try).  Gumbo might become something I make more often.  Enjoy!

Jennifer Garner’s Orzo Shrimp Pasta

One night a I was looking for something to make that would use up things I had around our apartment.  I had a green pepper, frozen shrimp, and some orzo pasta so… I Googled shrimp pasta.  This recipe came up… so I tried it with some alterations. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Jennifer-Garners-Shrimp-and-Orzo-230166

Ingredients:

1 cup dry orzo
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion (I used the whole onion)
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/4 cup white wine
1 can (28 oz)whole, peeled tomatoes (I put them in a blender)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp capers
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1 lb medium shelled and deveined shrimp
1/2 cup feta (I didn’t use feta and instead topped it with grated Parmesan)
I also added a diced green bell pepper.

Instructions:

1. Cook orzo in boiling water according to package directions. Let drain.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, green pepper,  and garlic and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until onion is translucent. 
3. Add wine and cook 1 minute. Toss in drained (blended) tomatoes (reserve 1/2 cup juice). Break tomatoes into chunks. 
4. Add reserved juice, parsley, capers, oregano, basil, black pepper, and red pepper. Simmer 5 minutes. 
5. Add shrimp and cook 2 minutes or until shrimp become opaque. 
6. Add cooked orzo to skillet. Mix well. 
7. When pasta is thoroughly heated, stir in feta. Serve immediately.

Instead of adding feta, I just topped it with Parmesan.

It was simple and easy to make.  Not my best dish… thanks Jennifer, but it was good enough. Enjoy!

Italian Tortellini Soup

My grandmother used to make an Italian Tortellini soup, only on occasion (when she found tortellini for a cheaper price, or made her own).  I attempted to recreate it last night for dinner and, it came out pretty good!  Enjoy!Ingredients:
1-12oz package Jimmy Dean Reduced Fat Original Roll Sausage
1 medium white onion, diced
1-14oz can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped (I put mine in a blender)
1 box (32oz) low sodium chicken broth
1-9oz package of cheese tortellini, usually found in a cooler
8-10oz of fresh spinach
2 tbsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. basil
2 tsp. oregano
salt and pepper, to taste
crushed red pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Place sausage, diced onion, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper in a large dutch oven.  Cook over medium heat until the sausage is no longer pink. 
2. Add in the tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil. 
3. Stir in the tortellini and cook according to the instructions on the package.  Once the tortellini are fully cooked, reduce the heat to a low-medium
4. Add in the spinach—I gave mine a quick chop before adding it—and cook until it is wilted. 
5. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. 

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sorry guys... these chocolate chip cookies ARE (and I'm confident enough in them to say this) the best chocolate chip cookie ever tasted by my mouth.

They are however my grandmothers secret recipe so, I can't give it out.  Sorry :(

Garden Vegetable Pesto Soup

Garden Vegetable Pesto Soup

Low calorie, and yummy.  Just substituted zucchini chunks for the potatoes I normally put in vegetable soup.

Ingredients:

1 – 28 oz can diced tomatoes
3 zucchini, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 large green bell pepper, diced
4 stalks celery, diced
4 carrots, diced small
1/4 cup basil pesto, or a small jar
1 large bunch of fresh Kale, chopped (I used a bag of baby spinach)
olive oil
2 quarts (boxes) chicken stock
2 cloves of garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 small can tomato paste

Directions:

1. Cover the bottom of a large soup pot with olive oil.  Heat the oil over medium to high heat.  Add garlic and heat until sizzling.  Add onions, green peppers, celery and carrots.  Saute until onions are translucent.  Add zucchini and kale (spinach). Saute until kale has wilted.  Then add canned tomatoes, tomato paste and stock.  Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until vegetables are very tender.
2. Add basil pesto and simmer for about 5 minutes and serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

I also added a hot pepper for some spice. 

Enjoy!

Tree of Seasons

Hi all,

So… I am obsessed with Pinterest. And of course I find a TON of my DIY things from there.  Here is one that I recently tried.  Painting:

HOWEVER! I was not about to spend the $200 they are asking for this painting.  So, Michaels… here I come.  I ended up getting my canvas BOGO (saving me $25).  Total cost of painting was $36 + an evening of enjoyment (and lucky me... my office mate was an art major).  Check out my finished product:

Feel free to contact me with questions!

Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce

I made this for the first time about 5 years ago and it was a big hit!  I have made it for every 4th of July BBQ since!

Ingredients:

4 tbsp butter

1 small yellow onion, minced (I put mine in a blender)

5 cloves of garlic, minced

1 small can tomato paste

1 cup ketchup

2 tbsp yellow mustard (you might prefer adding mustard spice)

1-12 oz can Dr. Pepper

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2  tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp ground white pepper

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a large saucepan, melt butter.  Once butter is melted, add the onion and garlic.  Saute until the onion is fully cooked.

Add cayenne, white pepper, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and cider vinegar.  Stir until wet ingredients become one.

Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Allow sauce to boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Reduce the heat and let simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Cajun Spinach Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 oz pepperjack cheese (I used a block but you can use shredded)

1 cup of frozen spinach, thawed and drained (I used cooked fresh spinach)

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp cajun seasoning

1 tbsp Italian style bread crumbs

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

toothpicks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Flatten chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness.  In a small bowl, combine pepperjack cheese, spinach, salt and pepper.  In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs and cajun seasoning. Spoon about 1/4 cup of spinach mixture into each chicken breast.  Roll the breasts up and pin shut with the toothpicks.  Brush each chicken breast with olive oil and roll them in the breadcrumbs mixture.  Place the breasts in a glass pan (seam side down) and coat with the remaining breadcrumb and spinach mixtures.  Bake 40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.  Remove the toothpicks and serve warm.  

I served mine with quinoa.  Enjoy!

Mexican Food Inspired Dinner

Cilantro Lime Rice:

Cook rice as directed on the package--so that it waivers 3 cups--and chill until cool.  In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add chopped jalapeno and saute for approx 30 seconds.  Chop the cilantro (as much or as little as you like, it depends on your taste).  Add the chilled rice, cilantro, and a dash of salt to the skillet.  Give the mixture a good stir, allowing the rice to warm through.  Add 1-2 tbsp of lime juice to the skillet.  Continue to cook for a few minutes.

Cayenne Corn:

Cook a frozen steamer bag of corn in the microwave.  Season with salt and cayenne pepper. 

Salsa Cheese Chicken:

In a large skillet, heat enough oil (over medium heat) to coat the bottom.  Cover the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin.  Brown on both sides of the chicken until is it fully cooked--approx 15 minutes.  Put the chicken in a glass pan with the remains of the skillet.  Take 1 cup of salsa and cover the tops of the chicken breasts.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.  Add shredded cheddar cheese to the tops of the chicken and bake for another 5 minutes (or until the cheese is melted).  Serve with a dollop of sour cream (or greek yogurt if you are looking to go healthier).

Enjoy!

Welcome. Welcome.

Hello all. Day 1 of blogging for this girl. Now, I love to cook so the majority of my blog will be about my experiences in the kitchen. However, I am attempting to branch out—now that I am running my own household—and experience new things. So you will hopefully enjoy my struggle through cooking, painting, crafting, and all cool things I can (attempt to) DIY! So, enjoy! Until next time.