Our New Addition...

Summer is over.  The kids are back in school.  No better time than now to give me something that will keep me on my toes...

This is Meka.  Our 8 week old German Shepherd.  She's definitely kept me busy these first few days.  I'm starting to see her attachment to me already.  As long as I am in ear shot or in her sight she is happy.  I've been told German Shepherds are very protective and attentive.  She has impressed me already with all she has learned!

I have a feeling my knitting needles and crochet hooks are going to be temporarily out on a shelf until I get a routine with Meka.  Until then, how about a quick, easy and tasty dip?  This comes from my friend Josette.  Thanks for sharing Jo!

Chickpea Salsa

1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 yellow pepper diced

1 red pepper diced

1 avacado diced

1 cup salsa

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all together and bake for 20 min. at 350 degrees.  Enjoy with tortilla chips.

Barnwood Honey-Do List

So my neighbor came into a windfall of barnwood from a friend. He has been kind enough to share the booty! Here are just a few things we've done so far. This is a combination of my vision and the my husband's labor. He took it a step further and suggested sanding down the wood which I think was a great call. No worry about slivers and it looks a lot cleaner!

Coconut Banana Blueberry Smoothie

So here is a great little number.... I concocted this smoothie the other day needing something quick and filling.

1 banana
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup Greek yogurt
1-2 cups coconut milk

That's it! Mix it all up in the blender and you're good to go!

Super Easy and Delicious Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers

Ok, as my time is being sucked away by my summer-time children, I realize the only way to keep up with this blog is to keep it short and simple!  So here it is!  I needed to make a quick dinner before heading out to my daughter's softball practice.  I found this in the freezer and concocted the following recipe:

Stuffed Peppers in the Crock Pot

4 Red Peppers, washed, tops cut off and insides cleaned out
1 bag of Birds Eye Steamers Brown and Wild Rice with Corn, Carrots and Peas
1 can of Sweet Corn, drained and rinsed
1 can of Tomato Sauce
Cubed Monterey Jack Cheese (or any cheese you have on hand)
Salt to taste

Cook rice according to instructions.  Mix corn and cheese with rice.  Add salt to taste.  Scoop rice mixture into each pepper.  Pour a little sauce on bottom of crock pot.  Place peppers in crock.  Pour remaining sauce over peppers.  Cook on high for 2-2 1/2 hours or low for 3 1/2-4 hours.  Enjoy!



Here is a newborn summer set I made for a customer.  It's a cotton/linen blend perfect to keep baby warm and cool while heading in and out of air-conditioning.

The Creative Homemaker: Camping Scavenger Hunt For The Kids

The Creative Homemaker: Camping Scavenger Hunt For The Kids

Please forgive me for the lack of blogs!  I was hired for a temporary teacher's assistant position and quickly learned working, parenting, taxi cab driving, cooking and cleaning left very little to no time for blogging!  This is my first Saturday not driving to a softball game so I indulged in a little blog surfing and came across this cute scavenger hut game from The Creative Homemaker.  Check it out!  I often go on scavenger hunts with my three year old when we go for walks.  I can't wait to give this one a try. (I noticed there might be one or two items I will switch out for something else but still a great concept!)

Going Green!

Well even though it's still Winter-time, Spring is definitely in the air in our home!  I'm ready to crack open a window and lighten up the decor.....oh, and watch the Chicago Cubs Spring training games!

I just changed my mantel to look a littler greener.  I got this idea via a few Pinterest boards.  I took a foam (flat) ring from Michaels, sprayed it with Elmer's spray adhesive and some stuck on some Spanish moss.  Please be warned the moss is very messy!  I spread out two junky towels on the floor for my workspace. 

I then inserted some flowers, nest and eggs I had on hand.  What do you think?  I don't feel like I'm completely finished with the mantel.  I still have a few ideas swirling around in my head but that can be another blog!

How about a green spinach shake?  I found this recipe from a blog via Pinterest (are you noticing a pattern here?). Spinach Shake Recipe

This is a recipe you can play with.  I used strawberries instead of the bananas and omitted the peanut butter.  I then tried blueberries.  I also used plain greek yogurt to up the protein and lower the carbs.  I sprinkled just a little Splenda to sweeten it up.  I really liked it and I felt full afterwards!

Don't let the color deter you!  It's really good!

And lastly, a little snapshot of a hat I recently made for a customer.  Her daughter is expecting her first grandchild and the baby shower is Dr. Suess themed... I can't wait for her to see it!

Happy Heart Day!...and a broccoli side dish your kids will love!

So I wanted to show you my crafty Valentine's Day mantel.  Most everything I quickly made due to lack of Valentine's decorations.  I've never gone all out on this holiday.  Maybe it's because my husband has time and time again said it's a Hallmark holiday?  Anyway - I dug out my decoupage and scrapbook paper and went to town!  What do you think?

I found a naked wood shadow box at Michael's, a scrapbook paper I really liked and a naked wood 'love' sign.  I spray painted the wood pieces Americana red and decoupaged the paper to the inside of the box.  Later I adhered the 'love' sign to the box.  I may take the 'love' sign off and use this box for a Christmas piece?  Hmmmmm....

Next I found another scrapbook paper I thought was pretty.  I cut those into hearts, hole-punched around the edge and crocheted a red border.  Hung with mini suction cups onto the mirror and it certainly filled that empty space!

Next I grabbed my old faithful sticks and hung some crocheted hearts from them. 

I have a very quick recipe for your kiddos!  These are broccoli cheddar bites and they go together like meatballs or meatloaf.  My kids are never excited when they see a veggie on their plates, but they loved these!  Your might too!

Broccoli Cheddar Bites

1 package of frozen chopped broccoli (I used the Steamers bag)

1 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese (shredded)

3 eggs

Salt and Pepper

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs



Mix all together and form into patties. Bake on parchment paper at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, turning over halfway.  Enjoy!

Every Ting Going to be Alroght Mon!

I have been on a tam kick for hats!  I don't know exactly why, but that is the only order I'm getting lately.  Maybe everyone is dreaming of warmer weather right now?  Regardless, I have a couple of hats ready to go and another listing in my Etsy shop for you to custom pick your color!  Stop by and take a look!  (The following post shows my current hats.)

Knitted Knotions on Etsy

Here is an EXTREMELY quick crock pot recipe that was shared by a friend.....thank you Jenny.  She said her husband AND kids both loved it but I never had that happen to me.  Someone is always disappointed in Mom's dinner.  But this one really was a hit!  You won't regret making this dish....I promise!

Lemon Italian Chicken

1 lb. Chicken Breast
1 packet of Good Seasonings (Italian)
2 Tblsp Butter
1/2 lemon

First put butter in crock.  Now add chicken, sprinkle with seasoning and squeeze lemon juice on top.  Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.  You might want to double this recipe!  I did and I had nothing left feeding four people.  (I can't eat chicken....but that's another story) Serve over rice.  Enjoy!

Hats and Crock Pot Meals...

As I am still learning this blogging thing, I am going to attempt to attach links of my various resources...so you too can enjoy recipes or patterns of knitted or crocheted projects.  So please bear with me! 

Here is a picture of a beret I just completed.  I purchased the pattern from Simply Made by Erin.  She has a shop on Etsy... 
Slouch Beret by Simply Made by Erin

Next is a newsboy hat I made - pattern is also from Simply Made by Erin.  She has beautiful patterns.  You should check them out!

Newsboy Hat by Simply Made by Erin



And lastly and more importantly, I stumbled upon a woman who is putting an effort forth to comfort the surviving children of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.  The project she has started is Beanies for Brave Students.  She is looking to have beanies made either in green or white or both for every student to show them they are not alone.  She supplies the free pattern and easy shipping instructions.  Won't you check it out?

Beanies for Brave Students

 

And finally, I stumbled upon a website via Pinterest showing you five great recipes to bag at once and they're ready for the crock pot all week!  The recipes sounded delicious....like, Hawaiian Chicken and Beef Burritos to name a couple.  My total grocery bill was $147 - and that included groceries for my kids' lunches and breakfast items!  If you love the ease of the crock pot, I suggest you check this site out!

http://www.savingyoudinero.com/2012/06/12/1-hour-1-mess-5-crock-pot-meals/