Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken

I have always liked the idea of Hawaiian Haystacks...rice with cream of chicken topped with chow mein and fruits/vegies, but I wanted something a little different. I went to my favorite recipe site allrecipes.com and found this one. I really liked it, although I would put in less red pepper flakes. I served it over brown rice. 

Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced thin (I omitted these)
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1 1/4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, undrained
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Recipe found at http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Teriyaki-and-Pineapple-Chicken/Detail.aspx

Book Review

Wish You Well 

I will have to admit that the last time I read this book was a couple of years ago but for some reason it came to my mind again. I loved this book. I think I have actually read it twice. For a review of the book go to Amazon.com. In my opinion this book makes you believe in hope and happiness no matter what circumstance you live in. If you look for the good in life then you can truly be happy with what you are given. I highly recommend it! 

Spring Wreath

Spring is in the air... at least I think it is. I can't wait until this warm weather stays for good but until then I wanted to make something that would remind me of sunny days ahead. I made a spring wreath. I got the idea from A Little Tipsy so all credit goes to her but I must admit I absolutely love it! All I did was buy a grapevine wreath and 5 bunches of styrofoam berries from Dollar Tree. I cut the bunches off and just stuck them in where I felt they needed to go. They have stayed so far but I might eventually hot glue them in place.

Chili and Cornbread

It has been wet and cold around here the past few days which means that I can still cook some of my favorite winter foods. Growing up I always had chili from a can and never realized what I was missing out on until I had homemade chili. So I have been converted and that's the only kind of chili we eat. I have tried a couple recipes but have found this one on Oopsey Daisy that we like the best. She also has a cornbread recipe that we really like. 

Crock pot Chili

1 lb. ground beef

1 chopped onion

1 large can crushed tomatoes

1 tsp. garlic salt

1 large can tomato sauce (15-16 oz.)

1/2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. chili powder

1/8 c. sugar

1 22-oz. can chili beans

Brown ground beef with onion.  Drain.  Mix remaining ingredients inside crock pot.  Add ground beef.  Simmer on low heat in crock pot all day long!  (Or on high heat for 4 hours.)  Stir around the edges a couple of times during the day.

Cornbread

2 eggs

1 c. milk

1 1/2 sticks melted butter (or 2/3 c. oil or applesauce)

2 c. Bisquick

2/3 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

3 heaping T. cornmeal

Beat eggs.  Add remaining ingredients in the order listed.  (If you don't have Bisquick, use 2 c. flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. baking powder.)  Mix well.

Pour into greased 9x13 pan.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350.  Enjoy!

Lucky Letters

Many people don't do anything special for St. Patricks Day, including me but why not embrace the day and celebrate. I have wanted to make these LUCKY blocks for some time but just got around to finishing them. Oh well maybe they will see more daylight next year. There is no tutorial because it was so easy to make. I cut some 2x4 pieces of wood and painted them green then I mod podged some pretty green paper onto them, trace and cut out the letters in green card stock and put a finishing layer of mod podge.

Book Review

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

 

I chose this book because I had heard a lot of great things about it and was intrigued by the title. The entire book is composed of letters written to and from the different characters. I must say that I really enjoyed this book. It is very different from any other book I have ever read but I like it. The style of the book made the characters more real. I would recommend this book. Also if you would like to read other reviews go to Amazon.com to read more.

Love Decor

My house was looking a little sad with no holiday decor to help brighten the drab mood around here so I decided that these Hanging Rose balls would be a cute and not to mention cheap way to get me thinking about Valentines Day! I will warn you they do take a long time to complete but the end product is so worth it. For these particular balls I used 3 inch balls that I found at JoAnns.

The Valentine Printable I found at eighteen25 where they have some of the cutest ideas for Valentines Day! I found the frame at the DI for a dollar and I think I might paint it pink but it will stay white for now.

All things Girly

Who doesn't love to play dress up and pretend like your a princess or a ballerina? I do, so I thought why not make a bow holder fit for a darling dancer! This bow holder is one that I made on my own but had a lot of inspiration from looking at many different ideas throughout blogland.

I made the Bow Holder I used fabric, batting, cardboard,tuelle, ribbon,a glue gun and lighter.

To start I traced and cut out the body portion out of cardboard...if I make another one I might use something more sturdy but that is what I had to work with. Then cut fabric and batting and place over cardboard. Glue to the backside. Then I cut out tuelle and glued it to the bottom of the body portion. Next I added the ribbons which I singed before hand with a lighter as to prevent it from fraying. Last I made some bows and added some finishing touches. It was really fun to make!

I needed some cute picture frames but didn't want to pay a fortune for them. All I did with these is use Mod Podge and glue the fabric unto canvas and let it dry. Then I added scrapbook clips to hang the pictures up and added some bows. Pretty cute and super easy to make!

Peppermint Bark

I have had a craving for all things peppermint lately! I am not a fan of eating candy canes but I love the flavor of peppermint so when I saw the recipe for Peppermint Bark at theidearoom.net on her christmas recipe post I knew I had to try it. It was a hit when I took it to a party. Another bonus is that it is so easy to make! Enjoy!

Peppermint Bark:

12 oz chocolate chips
1 pound white chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (I used 3/4 teaspoon)
1/2 cup peppermint candy, crushed

1. Preheat oven to 250. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides. Spray foil. Pour the chocolate chips in an even layer on the foil. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until almost melted. Remove from oven, smooth with an offset spatula or knife. Place in refrigerator until cold and firm, about 20 minutes.

2. Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over simmering water (don’t let bottom of bowl touch water), until chocolate is almost melted. You can use your microwave for this if you’re brave! Remove bowl from water and stir until completely melted, stirring in extract. Let cool a little bit so it does not melt the chocolate layer when you pour it on top. Pour this over chocolate layer, and, working quickly, spread to cover.

3. Sprinkle with crushed candy.

4. Chill until both layers are firm. Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy. Trim edges. Cut into 2” wide strips. Peel bark from foil and cut each strip as desired. Chill in covered container. Makes about 2 pounds.

Roast Dinner

I have never been a huge roast fan. I think I have had too many bad experiences with roast but now is the time to break the cycle right? I found this roast on a really cool website and decided to give it a try. It was really good!! I put it in the crockpot instead of the oven because lets face it I love my crockpot! My roast was almost 4 lbs and I cooked it on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours. I also had to try her mashed potatoes and they were really good as well. I hope you like them.

Pioneer Woman Roast and Potatoes