Book Review

If you are a Pride and Predjuice fan then I think you will like this book. This book is about a hopeless romantic named Jane who finds herself in a setting just like the one Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy would have lived in. Through her experience she finds out a lot about herself. I really liked this book and I highly recommend it. If you want a more in depth review you can look at amazon.com. 

Homemade Playdough

When I was little I can remember my mom making homemade playdough for me all the time. I always liked it than the store bought kind that is stiff and dries out way faster than it should. Since play dough is cheap and easy to make I thought it was time I tried my hand at making some. Be aware that this recipe makes a lot of play dough.  Here is how it turned out.

Play dough

3 c. flour

1 1/2 c. salt

3 c. water 

2 T. oil 

1 T. cream of tartar

food coloring

Combine all ingredients into a large pot and cook on low until the mixture is think 

and it starts to come away from the sides of the pan. 

Handmade Purse

I must confess that I made this about 6 months ago and am finally posting it. Better late than never right! Most of us have that one purse we absolutely love. I know I did but it was getting old and dirty so I wanted a new one. I saw this tutorial from Disney at rufflesandstuff.blogspot.com and thought I would make one. Her tutorial was rather easy to follow. She doesn't show it on her tutorial but I am pocket crazy so I added some to the inside of my purse.

I will admit that I tried to put pleats on the outside of the purse but it ended up looking like a gather instead. I also didn't measure out the pleats right and my top piece was too short so I had to add a piece. Oh well. If I make this purse again I think I will use a heavier fabric. But I have to say I love my purse!

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.