Valentine Tree

I saw some cute trees with heart leaves and I thought they were so fun and easy. Then I thought it would be fun to put a heart owl in the tree. This is what I came up with:

Here are the steps:

Cut out a tree shape

Cut out some hearts for leaves

One heart for the wings, a slightly smaller one for the body, two small hearts for the feet, and a tiny heart for the beak

Assemble the owl. You can use googly eyes or whatever for the eyes

Assemble the tree, leaves, and owl. This is a small card for Eden (she told me it was for her)

Personalized Job Chart

I've decided it is time to have a job chart. Eden can't read yet so I wanted to use images. After spending a few minutes looking for cute, free clip art for each of her jobs, I decided I was done with that. Then it occurred to me, I have a camera! Duh! So, I had Eden pose for each of her jobs (which reinforced what her jobs are) and then printed them on photo paper, laminated them, cut them out, put magnets on them, and voila!

There are three rows: Morning jobs, Night-time jobs, and eXtra jobs. She has to do the morning and night-time jobs just because but she gets an allowance for the eXtra jobs. The eXtra jobs include things like setting the table, washing windows, dusting, emptying the dishwasher, straightening her books and toys.

Here is a picture of the job chart today:

More V'day Decor

These are just letters from Hobby Lobby and I covered them in craft paper (using spay-on glue). They are actually now on the inside of my front door in vertical fashion (I used painters tape to adhere them).

I found this frame at the HobLob and thought it was so appropriate. I happened to have a black and white print of one of our engagement pictures so I threw that in. I really like this decoration.

Heart Bouquet

As I took down the Christmas stuff, I wanted something to put in its place. The stores have moved on to Valentine's Day, why shouldn't I? I didn't want to spend a bunch of money though so I'm making most of my v'day decor.

I have this cool white vase/pot and decided it would look so cute with a bouquet of hearts coming out of it. So, I bought some florist wire (pre-wrapped) and foam and used some of my cute craft paper and went to work.

Here is a picture of it in progress. It was so simple. Just throw the wires into the florist foam, curl them down to the size I wanted them, cut two paper hearts the same size, glue them together around the wire, and boom, there it is.

PBWC

I have discovered the magic that is peanut butter + white chocolate. The funny thing is that I don't really like either on their own, but put them together and it really is magical!

Here are a couple of my PBWC creations:

PB Popcorn

1. Pop (preferably air pop) some corn (enough to fill a large bowl - approx. 1/2 C kernals).
2. Shake some salt on the popcorn.
3. Melt 1/2 bag of white chocolate with 1/4-1/3 C PB (just toss them together in the microwave for 30 second increments, stir, repeat, until fully melted - don't over-cook).
4. Pour PBWC over the popcorn and toss until all the corn is well covered.
5. Dump it onto a sprayed tray/cookie sheet.
6. Put in a cool place (my garage works great).
7. When the PBWC has set, put into bowls or bags or directly into your mouth.

PB Brownies

1. Make your favorite brownies. (Phil's Brownies work great!)
2. Melt 1/2 bag of white chocolate with 1/4-1/3 C PB (just toss them together in the microwave for 30 second increments, stir, repeat, until fully melted - don't over-cook).
3. Pour the PBWC on top of the brownies.
4. Put in a cool place (my garage works great).
5. When everything is cool, cut, serve, eat.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pancakes

 Today we had this for breakfast:

It was so yummy!

Over the weekend some friends were here and they made pumpkin cinnamon rolls (recipe here) and so there was some leftover pumpkin. I thought pumpkin pancakes with caramel syrup sounded just too good so I adjusted my regular pancake recipe and came up with this:

Heidi's Pumpkin Pancakes

In a medium mixing bowl combine:
2/3 C All Purpose Flour
1/3 C Wheat Flour
2 T Sugar
1 t (heaping) Baking Powder
1/2 t Salt
a Dash of Cinnamon
a Dash of Ginger
a Dash of Nutmeg
Mix and then add:
1 egg
1/3 C Pumpkin Puree
1/3 C Buttermilk
1/2 C Water
Mix just until a thick batter is formed (add more water if needed), don't over-mix.
Cook as you would a regular pancake (for us that means on a griddle at 350 degrees). These take a little longer to cook through but they are worth the wait.

Makes enough for 4 average people (probably 2 hungry people).

Caramel Syrup

In large pan combine:
1/2 C butter
1 1/2 C sugar
3/4 C buttermilk
1 t baking soda
1 t vanilla
2 T Karo syrup

Mix and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.

Rocking Reading Corner

I wasn't sure what to do with the space behind my couch. It seemed like wasted space until I brought the rocking chair downstairs during conference because Eden was sick and wanted me to hold her while I watched conference on our computer. I moved some stuff around and this reading corner was born.

 The lamp table was raw wood from IKEA. I "stained" it using watered down paint (the same as the wall paint). The top is made from the same glass tiles as the fireplace.

If you look closely on that back wall (above the bookcase) you'll see a self-portrait Phil did. It is Voice Male Phil. I'm pretty sure it is Mikey B behind him.

Here you can see how it relates to the rest of the room.

Saved: Computer Desk Chair

Phil had a computer chair that must have been constructed in 1970. It was seriously old. The wood was scratched but it was solid wood - kind of an oak color. The fabric was UG-LY! I was going to throw it out. Somehow it ended up on the moving truck (hmmm, how did it make it but my silverware didn't?). After sitting in it a while, I decided it was fairly comfortable. I had some upholstery fabric that I'd bought like 10 years ago. I'd bought it really cheap as a remnant. My plan was to use it to make costumes for my costume box (at that time for the nieces and nephews). I did make some costumes but I still had enough to use on this chair. I spray painted the wood an espresso color so it would match my computer desk and voila! For less than $4, I have a gorgeous new chair!

The OLD fabric

The new (well, it is really old fabric too).

The Office

Again, kinda joking with that title. This is on one end of the dining room (the family room, dining room, and kitchen make a "great room"). I fell in love with this desk that I found on Overstock. I love the simplicity of it. Of course we have a Mac (would Phil have anything else?).  I think I'd like to find a rug to go under this area. We'll see. Oh, you might recognize the statues from the red room. Yup, they got moved. :) See the next post to learn about that beautiful chair.

The Conservatory

I'm just kidding with that title. This is really a corner of the family room (opposite the fireplace). This was Phil's grandmother's piano. She wanted him to have it. I'm excited that Eden will learn to play on her great-grandmother's piano. The pictures above the piano are L-R: engagement picture, last family photo, Beck family (bottom), Kesler brothers (top). The airplane thing was something Phil found at Ross or TJ Maxx in 'bama. He loved it. He thought it had "really cool lines." That's my Phil. :)

Fireplace

Well, here it is, the fireplace. I don't know if I like the white trim around it but it needed to be trimmed and it makes sense for the trim to match. I really like the "his and hers" vases. The one on the right is a sculpture piece Phil bought. It is very rugged and manly. The one on the left is much more feminine. I think they make a fun statement.

I like my collection of Fall things on the mantle. I owe a thanks to my friend Laura. I was looking at her blog and she had placed something on her corner mantle to shorten the depth. I had this mirror that came with my dresser but wasn't being used. It seems to be just the thing. Corrie, the owl is an homage to you. :)

Awesome Product: Freshness Guaranteed

I have a friend who gave me some Scentsy products. Among other things, she gave me some car fresheners. I took one of these cute disks and hung it on the handle of my toilet. It is perfect! It seems that air fresheners in bathrooms are always too overpowering or don't do the job well. This has been seriously perfect and has lasted about a month. I'm ordering more from this site.

Helpful Hint: Getting the Medicine Down

Eden has had a respiratory infection this week. She is on antibiotics but she has no idea. How have I gotten her to willingly drink down her medicine without even realizing it?

Well, let me tell you!

Eden's grandpa (my dad) likes to make and drink Crystal Light. Because it is tart and makes him pucker, he calls it "Kissing Juice." Obviously, this name makes Crystal Light even more appealing to his grandkids. Eden begs to get Kissing Juice but that stuff isn't cheap (not to mention that all those chemicals aren't exactly healthy). So, the compromise is this: Eden gets to have one cup of Kissing Juice each day. She thinks it is a real treat!

What she doesn't know is that this week her "Kissing Juice" has really been medicine + water. She thinks it is amazing that I'm suddenly allowing her (insisting, really) to have Kissing Juice morning AND night.

So far it has worked like a charm.

Helpful Hint: Dishwasher Edition

Photo Credit: penelopejonze

I didn't go with a cheap dishwasher (not the most expensive either) so I was so sad to find all my dishes coated with soap scum. Frustrated. My sister gave me a great suggestion. She said to put a cup upright in the dishwasher and pour about 1/4-1/3 C of white vinegar into it.

It works like a dream! (a good dream, that is)

Apparently when phosphates were eliminated, soap scum returned. The vinegar takes care of that.

The LyeBerry

Here is the first room completed. It is the Library (or as Eden and my San Pete-speaking father call it, the LyeBerry). This is the room to the side of the entrance of the home. It took me two different reds to get the right one. The first one was way too "berry" even for a LyeBerry.

DONE (again)

My friend "commissioned" me to crochet this for her. We buried the first version I did with Phil (he loved it and so she gave it back to me). Now it is done again. So happy to be done (again).

She chose the colors (and bought the yarn). She is good that way. Phil said, "each square is like a little composition, a lesson in color theory." Man, I love that guy!

Eden wouldn't let me take pictures without getting in the shot.

Awesome Product

Check out this new site for photo journaling (and TONS more). This is going to be an awesome product.

(full disclosure: my BIL, Dan, is one of the head honchos on this project. That is how I know it will be AWESOME!)

Orange Chicken

Sauce:
In a medium bowl combine the following ingredients.

• 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root (or 1/8 teaspoon of powdered)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Place 1/3 of mixture into a Ziplock and add:

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

Place the chicken into the fridge and marinade for 3 or more hours. Place the remaining liquid in a container and refrigerate.

45 minutes prior to dinner, remove the chicken and drain it. Add the following ingredients into a clean Ziplock:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Add the chicken pieces and seal the bag, then shake to coat the chicken.

• Heat a skillet with:
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2-3 drops sesame seed oil

When sizzling, add the chicken and brown.
Add:

• 1/2 -  1 cup julienne carrots 

In a medium sauce pan, heat the remaining orange mixture plus:

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

When thickened, add:

• one small can of mandarin oranges (with the juice)

Pour over the chicken and carrots just prior to serving. Serve over rice.

update

Ok, so everyone who may have been checking this site out has probably quit by now. No posts since before Thanksgiving??? Looks like a dead blog to me.

We'll see...

Life has been crazy around here since T'giving. All those fabulous recipes and plans I had, came to naught and we ended up having a rotisserie chicken purchased from WalMart at 5pm on T'giving day. No guests. Lots of love. You can see my other blog for more details of the why, etc.

Anyway ... I'm hoping to get back to some projects soon. I also hope to post more recipes. I'm working on healthier, more natural ways to cook so look for posts about that (and I have added some excellent links to the blog roll).

We've been eating a lot more veggies. I'm trying very hard to make our diet plant-based with healthy protein thrown in. I have a goal to serve at least one raw veggie with every dinner. Sometimes this is tricky (salad can get old). I have found some good options though and feel good about our efforts.

Stay tuned...

Thanksgiving: Vegetables

I don't do yams or sweet potatoes. Not even with marshmallows.

There, I said it.

Here are some other Vegetable options (brought to you by the Lion House cookbook).

Harvest Vegetable Bake

• 1 head cauliflower
• 1/2 C celery, chopped
• 1/3 C green pepper, chopped
• 3 T butter
• 1 T cornstarch
• 1 C milk
• 1 C grated Swiss cheese
• 3/4 t salt
• 1 tomato, sliced
• paprika

1. Preheat ove to 350 degrees (f).
2. Break cauliflower into flowerets and cook in small amount of salted water until tender.
3. Drain and pour into a shallow baking dish.
4. In a small saucepan, saute celery, onion, and green pepper in melted butter until crisp-tender.
5. Pour over cauliflower.
6. In the same pan, combine cornstarch and cold milk and bring to a boil, stirring until thickened.
7. Stir in Swiss cheese and salt.
8. Pour sauce over vegetables.
9. Top with sliced tomato and sprinkle with paprika.
10. Bake 20 minutes.

Broccoli Valhalla

• 2 pounds fresh broccoli
• 3 large oranges, peeled and cut into chunks
• 4 T butter

1. Wash broccoli and cut into 2-inch pieces.
2. Cook in a small amount of salted water until crisp-tender.
3. Drain off water and set broccoli aside.
4. Melt butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and saute oranges for a minute or two.
5. Add broccoli and heat to blend flavors.

Carrots Lyonnaise

• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 1/2 C boiling water
• 6 medium carrots, peeled and julienned
• 2 T butter
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 1 T flour
• 1/4 t salt
• dash pepper
• pinch sugar
• 3/4 C water

1. Dissolve bouillon cube in boiling water in a medium saucepan.
2. Add carrots; return to boiling.
3. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 7-10 minutes, until crisp-tender.
4. While carrots are cooking, melt butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Add sliced onions and saute until translucent.
6. Add flour, salt, pepper, sugar, and 3/4 C water.
7. Stir until thickened.
8. Stir in cooked carrots and teh cooking water.
9. Stir until all ingredients are blended.
10. Serve hot.

Here is a picture of julienned carrots (just so you know what that fancy term really means):