Chain Link Earrings

It's easy to create elegant and simple earrings with left over chain from other jewelry projects. Connect similar lengths of left over chain to ear wires to create sophisticated drop earrings! Simple as that!

My Etsy shop is currently under construction, but don't hesitate to snag a great deal!

Use the coupon code: SHIPFORME to get free domestic shipping through Christmas! Order by December 12th to ensure delivery before the holidays!

New items are being added daily to make your online shopping experience more enjoyable!

Cheese Lasagna

Cheese Lasagna is a staple in my house. With so many different food tastes, it is hard to find something that we will all eat and enjoy! Lasagna is really easy to make, it just comes down to the layering.

Here's what you need:

• Marinara Sauce (I use homemade, but canned will work as well)
• 32 oz Ricotta Cheese
• 16 oz Cottage Cheese
• 2 cups Parmeasean Cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 packages of shredded Italian cheese blend
• 1 1/2 boxes of oven ready Lasagna noodles

First, mix together the Ricotta, Cottage, and Parmesan cheeses with an egg, until smooth. This creates a thick cheese mixture that melts deliciously!

To begin the layering. First put a layer of sauce on the bottom of the pan. The sauce keeps the noodles and cheese from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pan. I layer sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, shredded cheese and repeat. I love Lasagna noodles, and tend to put a lot in by overlapping their edges when layering. Using an ice cream scoop makes it easy to evenly distribute the cheese mixture, and then spreading it with a rubber spatula.

Your last layer should be sauce. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

After the 45 minutes, remove the foil and cover with the remained of the shredded cheese and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Let cool for 10- 15 minutes before serving. Yum! Dinner is served!

Liebster Blog Award

 

I am so thankful and honored to be nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by Shannon at Sewing Barefoot! The Liebster Blog Award is an award you receive and an award that you give to bloggers with less than 200 followers. It was created to promote appreciation and recognition among the blog world. I am so touched to be considered. Liebster translates to "dearest" in German.

The Rules:

• You must post 11 random things about yourself.
• Answer the questions that the nominator set for you. 
• Create 11 questions for the people you nominate. 
• Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them in your post.
•  No tag back (but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so I can learn more about you)!

11 Random Things About Me:

• I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. I moved to Seattle, Washington to attend college at Seattle University. After four years in Seattle, I could no longer stand the rain, so I moved home. I miss Seattle greatly, and it will always have a piece of my heart.
• I have been a nanny for Little Red for over three years. This seven year old is wise beyond her years and continuously makes me laugh! Is it weird to say that my best friend is seven years old?
• I hate the way my toe nails look when they are unpainted. I don't like feet in general, but my toes always have to be painted. Currently they are silver.
• I love naps. I take a nap everyday between shifts. When I can't fit a nap in, I get cranky and unpleasant to be around.
• My grandmother taught me how to crochet and knit when I was younger. I never got knitting the way I'd like, but crocheting always stuck with me.
• I have two half-sisters, Maggie (18) and Brigid (17). We are a crazy and cooky bunch, who don't always get along but always love each other at the end of the day.
• I hate mushrooms. I'll tell people I'm allergic to them because I dislike them that much. It's the texture I don't like. I'm a texture person.
• I'm allergic to expeller pressed and hydrogenated oils. Especially cottonseed and rapeseed oil: hives, itchy tongue and mouth, the whole kit and caboodle.
• I got into crafting by always starting a project when I was sick. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I taught myself how to make jewelry, so I would have something to do whilst laying in bed, eating ice cream.
• I love sweets. I don't trust people who don't like chocolate. How could you not like chocolate?!?
• I have two dogs. Seamus is a three year old Poodle- Schnauzer mix. Dante is a two year old black Labrador retriever. Dogs are the best therapy, I honestly do not know what I would do without them.

Nominator Set Questions:

[1] What are a few blogs that you read on a daily/weekly basis?

I have over seventy blogs on my Google Reader, among my favorites are: Young House Love, Elm Street Life, Craft Lee, Sewing Barefoot, WTFab, Welcome to the Good Life, Refashionista, and CraftLee.
 

[2] What is your favorite TV show?

I currently love Revenge. I just finished the first season on Netflix and am starting on the second season asap! Gossip Girl, Big Bang Theory, and Friends are always favorites!

[3] How long have you been blogging?   My first post was on January 30, 2011, but I really didn't blog consistently until May of this year.
[4] What project(s) are you currently working on?   I'm currently working on a dress for the holidays, a paper clip chandelier for my sister's room and Christmas presents. A lot of  my presents will be DIYed this year, including lots of clothes for Little Red's American Girl Doll.
[5] What is one of your New Years Resolutions?   I don't really consider New Year's Resolutions until my birthday in March. Is that strange? But I would like to run a 5k and a 10k next year. I loathe running, but I need to do something out of my comfort zone, and it would (hopefully) get me in shape!   [6] What is your favorite pin on Pinterest?   Favorite pin? Shannon, are you serious? How can one have a favorite pin? I pin a lot and constantly, everything ranging from recipes, craft ideas, clothes, gift ideas, and home items I want int he future.
[7] Are you a dog or cat person?   I am a dog person, I currently have two dogs: Seamus (3) and Dante (2). I had a cat, Buckwheat, when I was younger, but dogs are so much better at cuddling!  I love my dogs and have no idea what I would do without them.   [8] Where do you buy most of your clothes?   I buy a lot of my clothes at Target, Old Navy, and H&M. When styles change so much I like to stick with the basics and add to that.   [9] What is the #1 item on your holiday wish list?   I would love a Silhouette Portrait, but I have a feeling it won't be making its way under my tree this year. I also want an ice cream maker...think of the possibilities for happiness.   [10] Do you need coffee to function? Or are you more of a tea person?   I didn't start drinking coffee until I moved to Seattle. I love the stuff. I like tea too, but more so at night as a calming mechanism rather than something to energize me.
[11] How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a blog?   I was inspired to start a blog as a way to document my creative journey. Since I have really just begun, I have really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would. I've enjoyed sharing ideas and being inspired by other bloggers.   Questions for my nominees:   1. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? 2. What is the last thing you did to treat yourself? 3.  What nail polish are you wearing right now? 4. Do you have any pets? 5. What is the best meal you've ever had? 6. What book are you currently reading? 7.  Are you a morning person? 8. How do you relax after a stressful day? 9. Do you have any kids? 10. What is your go-to outfit? 11. What's the best movie you've seen in the past year?    My nominees: Eat. Sleep. Make. Whimsically Homemade Greener Grass The Lost Apron Utterly Wonderful  Life as a Dixon   I realize I haven't nominated 11 participants yet, I will do so as soon as I can! Please link back to me so I can get to know you better! Thanks!  

Udon Stir Fry

The night before Thanksgiving, I wanted something light for dinner, and the opposite of heavy comfort food. I landed on Udon Stir-fry. I love this recipe because it is versatile to your likes and needs. The beef broth can easily be substituted for chicken or vegetable, as well as the meat.

I saute-ed lean cut loin beef with 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of chili garlic sauce, and 1/2 cup beef broth. 

While the beef cooked, I partially cooked the udon noodles. I cooked them for two minutes less than the package indicated because they would continue cooking in the sauce later. Nothing worse than soggy noodles.

Once the beef was 50% cooked, I added packaged stir-fry sauce, carrots, red cabbage, bok choy, red peppers, and broccoli.

Stir in the udon noodles and cover for 2 minutes. Before serving, stir in snap peas, and continue to steam for 2 more minutes.

Serve and enjoy! This recipe is great because not only can it be distinguished to your personal taste and dietary restrictions, but also the spice can be personalized. It was a perfect dish before Thanksgiving!

Thankful Challenge: Thankful for Little Red

Little Red, as I call her, is the girl I have been nannying for over 3 years. Her young nature gives a fresh perspective on life, as well as plenty of laughter. Over the past years she has become one of my best friends. I am lucky and thankful to love what I do, and look forward to work everyday. Red is wise beyond her years and her thirst for knowledge inspires me to grow. I am thankful to have such breath of fresh air in my life.

Root Vegetable Soup

My neighbors graciously gave me some rutabagas and beets before they left for Paris on Saturday. I'm pretty sure their trip trumps my root vegetable soup, but I'll take what I can get. I had never cooked with rutabagas before, so I was hesitant of the soup, but look at that color! It's gorgeous!

I roasted diced onions, sweet potatoes, beets, rutabagas, carrots, garlic and pasilla peppers at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. I seasoned the veggies with salt, pepper, and cayenne before roasting.

In small batches I blended the roasted veggies with milk and vegetable stock, until smooth.

I let the soup simmer for a while to let the flavors blend more.

All served up and delicious! I was surprised at how well the soup turned out and will defidently be making it again!

Thankful Challenge: Thankful for my Brownies

This is my third year being the troop leader for Little Red's Girl Scout Troop. While they often test my patience and my own values, I am truly thankful for the impact these 14 girls have on my everyday life. They challenge me creatively, mentally, and emotionally, in the best possible ways.

At yesterday's field trip to the Denver Art Museum, I was inspired by their creativity, and willingness to learn about art and themselves. We spent the afternoon painting, creating African, Western, and Oceanic art. They continually shock me with their insight about community, and world issues. Children at this age are smarter than they are given credit for. I am lucky to have the influence of 14 second graders in my life.

Chicken and Dumplings

I love comfort foods, especially on a cold day. There is nothing better than a warm meal on a cold day. I have been dying to make this recipe ever since I saw it in Real Simple's Fall/ Winter Recipe edition. I of course had to modify it, because well that's who I am, and I wanted to use fresh veggies instead of frozen. Also I wanted to use semi-homemade biscuits instead of refrigerated.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 pound carrots, peeled and diced
• 1/2 pound celery, diced
• 2 whole onions, diced
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• 1  1/4 cup water
• 2 lbs chicken, cooked and diced
• 3 tablesppons butter
• salt
• pepper
• garlic powder
• 4 cups Bisquick
• 1 1/2 cup milk

First, saute your carrots, celery, and onions in butter until they are semi-soft. They will become softer during the cooking process in the oven.

Mix the veggies, cream of mushroom soup, seasonings and water in a bowl and transfer to an oven safe dish. Covered with foil, cook for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

While the mixture is cooking, mix the biscuits. Mix the bisquik and milk in a bowl.

After 15 minutes, pull the mixture and remove the foil. I scooped the biscuit mix using an ice cream scooper. Cook for an additional 15 minutes at 400 degrees, or until the biscuits are golden brown.

Ready to serve!

Enjoy!

Fall Inspired Potholder

I'm not ready to dive into Christmas quite yet, so I decide to complete one last fall project. Can you believe Thanksgiving is in a week ?!?! Where has the time gone this year?

I had some padded quilter's fabric leftover from my DIY Laptop Case project, and decided to make some potholders.We already have Halloween and Christmas kitchen accessories, but no Thanksgiving...well, not any more.

First, I created a template for the potholder by tracing and adapting a current potholder. I pinned the template to the fabric and cut.

I hemmed the edges and sewed the two fabric pieces together, inside out.

All sewn up!

Flip right side out.

For the applique, I cut out a leaf and flower bundle from some leftover fabric I had from making curtains last weekend. I used Heat-n-Bond in applying the applique.

After finding the placement of the applique, I secured it by using my flat iron. I hate dragging out the iron and ironing board for simple things, like adhering an applique or ironing a hem. One, because I'm lazy, and two, my iron and I do not get along since I burned my hand down to the muscle two Thanksgivings ago. Stupid tablecloths.

Voila! A cuter way to pull the stuffing and pies out of the oven!