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/

Artistic Organization and Turkey Meatballs

I'm back and ready to show you my latest project!  I can't tell you how busy I've been knitting beer coozies, baby hats and ornaments...

Along with these cute little babies I worked on a better way to organize my kids' art work!  I first measured and penciled off a section of a wall that had dead space.  Then I let the girls go to town on writing on the wall.  Mom giving permission to write on the wall?  They were in heaven!

Then I used magnetic paint.  WARNING: This paint does not work well at all!  It barely held magnets let alone a magnet and a piece of work...

So now what was I to do?  My husband headed to Home Depot with measurements in hand inquiring about having sheet metal cut to size.  The very helpful employee said they only have sheets in premeasured dimensions.  He suggested trying a local heating and air-conditioning company.  So I did.  I couldn't believe it, not only were they very helpful but the price was very reasonable!  A big shout-out to Kent Heating and Air in Valparaiso!  Thanks so much for my metal!  (Note: be sure to ask for galvanized/magnetic metal)  They even 'hemmed' the edges so there was no risk of getting cut!

What do you think?  My girls love running in after school and hanging up their work and awards!  It's worked great and put a really dead space to great use!  I hope this inspires you to find your own useful space!

Here is a delicious and EASY Turkey meatball recipe!  This would be great not only for a holiday appetizer, but a quick go-to dinner!

 

Turkey Meatballs

 

1 package of Stove Top Stuffing (I like the Chicken flavor but I'm sure any flavor will do)

1 cup of hot water

1 egg white

1 tblsp. of ground sage

1 lb. ground turkey breast

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.  In a large bowl, combine stuffing, water, egg white, and sage; mix well.  Add ground turkey; mix well.  Roll into 1 to 2 inch balls on prepared sheet.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through, turning halfway through baking. 

 

Cranberry Sauce for dipping

 

I will give you two versions of sauce.  The first is my homemade recipe.  It's so easy to make I question why anyone would buy the can of sauce? 

 

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

2 cups cranberries (8 oz.)

 

In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water.  Bring to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar.  Boil rapidly for 5 minutes.  Add cranberries.  Return to boiling; reduce heat.  Boil gently uncovered, over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until skins pop, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat.  Serve warm or chilled with poultry or pork.  Makes about 2 cups sauce (thirty-two 1-tblsp. servings)

Make ahead tip:  Prepare sauce; cover and chill up to 1 week.


Canned version:

1 16 oz. can jellied cranberry sauce
1/2 cup sugar

In a small saucepan, combine cranberry sauce and sugar over low heat, stirring occasionally until sugar melts. 

I hope you enjoy this easy and tasty recipe!

Superb Holiday Appetizer

Well I've been busy crocheting and knitting for various customers so pardon my delay in writing! 

I have a wonderful appetizer for you to share this holiday season!  Beef Wellington Bites (a recipe shared with me from my husband's friend at work) - and they are so delicious!  Putting them together can be a little tedious, but I promise you, after your first bite you will agree it was well worth the effort!  These are filling enough for two people.  My husband and I occasionally make these for our dinner.  Enjoy!

 

Beef Wellington Bites

2 sheets of Peppridge Farm's Puff Pastry

1 lb. filet mignon - cut into 1/2 inch cubes

Boursin Cheese - Garlic and Herb

1 egg - lightly beaten

Take out the puff pastry dough and roll it out onto lightly floured surface until it is about an 1/8 of an inch thick. Cut the dough into 2 inch squares. Take a cube of beef and place it in the center of the puff pastry, then take a 1/2 teaspoon of the Boursin cheese and place it on top. Fold up the corners and seal the pastry. Make all the Wellingtons and place on a cookie sheet. I recommend using a sheet of parchment paper on the cookie sheet. Once you have assembled all of them, take the egg - 10 minutes prior to putting them in the oven - brush the egg all over the Wellingtons.  Easily makes about 30 pieces, if not more!

Bake: 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes

 

 

 

 Don't forget to check out my Etsy page for easy Host/Hostess gifts to accompany a wine or champagne bottle!  It will be the talk of the festivities!

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/114871405/christmasholiday-red-and-white

Hostess Gift, Headband and Veggie Lasagna!

So I stumbled upon this cute little pattern online.  It's a hat and scarf set for a wine bottle.  Wouldn't this make the cutest hostess gift?  I plan on making a bunch and putting them in my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnittedKnotions

Please check back there often, I will be putting in some of these cuties (Fall and Christmas colors) very soon!

 

 

Next is a headband that I created from two different patterns.  A friend mentioned how it was difficult to choose what color flower to pick for a headband.  So I thought, why not have the flower attach with a button so flowers can be interchangeable?

 

 

 

Another credit to my Pinterest surfing, I found a delicious veggie lasagna.  Of course I tweaked/added some ingredients more to my liking and ease.  I hope you give this a try....it's even delicious the next day!

 

Before

 

After. 

 

You'll have to forgive me, I didn't take a picture of a serving on a pretty plate.  I didn't even think to snap a shot before eating....it smelled so good my husband and I pretty much dove right into it!  We really enjoyed it!  It was easy to prepare too!  I always like that!

 

 

 

Veggie Lasagna

1 yellow onion, diced

1 15oz can diced tomatoes, low sodium

3 tbsp tomato paste

3 tbsp Italian spice blend

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1-3 zucchini and/or yellow squash, cut into medallion rounds

1/2 cup raw goat cheese, shredded

 1-2 cups of fresh sliced mushrooms

2 cups Ricotta Cheese

 1 bag of mozzarella (low moisture) cheese

1 bag of frozen baby broccoli florets

1 egg

OPTIONAL:  You can add 1 pound of ground turkey or lean ground sirloin.
I did not use meat because I didn't have any on hand....it was still a loaded dish!)

Directions:

In a large skillet or sauce pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add the diced onions. Saute on medium until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, ground turkey (optional), canned tomato and tomato paste, spices, salt, pepper, and crushed garlic. Continue to cook all ingredients until the turkey is cooked through. Set aside when done.

 

In a medium bowl, combine raw goat cheese, Ricotta, broccoli, and egg. Mix well.

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease the bottom of a 13 x 9 Pyrex glass baking dish.

 

Place a layer of zucchini and squash rounds evenly across the bottom, making a sort of liner.  Add a layer of turkey/mushroom-tomato sauce on top of the zucchini. Top that with some of the broccoli and ricotta mixture, then mozzarella. Continue with this layering process until you have used all of your ingredients.  Top the entire dish with more shredded goat cheese, and mozzarella if desired.

Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Let it get golden brown!  Remove from oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!