Tuesday, September 27, 2011

I'm getting on a jet plane and heading to San Francisco for some foot stomping, hand clapping, dance moving good music, rock out times. Catch ya on the flip side next week.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

It was 40 years ago, today.....

Today is our 40th wedding anniversary. 

then.....
and now.....


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

You're going to love this -- I promise!

More Pinterest posts that followed me home

This would be so cute for wedding tables.
Hershey Kisses instead of peppermint? OR Valentine candy hearts (if you planned ahead)
Use large round plates or serving platters - depending on the size of your tables.


A blank white canvas and Elmer's Glue
How simple - How beautiful!


Using shower curtain hooks to hang up those bags
If only I had the closet space to do this -- I'd be in heaven


Using a Large V-neck hooded sweatshirt
Cut down center - hem - wrap to the side and add buttons
Adorable - Simply Adorable!


A Goodwill suit jacket -- there's lots out there without the matching pants.
Find one that is a good length and fit (don't worry about the arm lengths)
Trim off the arms (or remove at seam) - leaving some of the lining from the jacket side to fold inward to create a finished edge. WahLaa- you've got a custom vest, man (or woman).


Monday, September 19, 2011

Mirror Mirror On The Wall.....

More Pinterest finds.....


Love this idea to fill a small blank space
I've got the old windows - just need some scrap wood


Using inexpensive mirrors and hung horizontally
Be great to fill a wall - top to bottom



Oh, what you could do with empty toilet paper rolls
Love, Love a burst of flower power



Friday, September 16, 2011

Good Idea(s)?

Found some great ideas on Pinterest and brought them home to share with you.

Rubber bands to mark your sewing measurement

Empty ketchup bottle to hold pancake batter
for the perfect pancake size

One summer swim tube - cut down the center
Old shoe box with a cut out to hold the tube halves
Bag of marbles
I love this idea for some racing fun!


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Ah, the beach


I just returned from a few days on the beach - the Oregon coast beach. (more on that to come).
Before I left - I did another Jessica Sprague site challenge. Using the words "day off" in the title, we were to create a layout page of what we'd do with a full day off. Since most of my retirement days are "days off" I used what I'd love to do most if/when I had a day off the grid and my usual daily routine.
.....Head to the Beach.....
(photo from web search)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Wanna Play? Easy as 1-2-3-4

ONE: Blank Canvas

TWO: Box of 64 Crayons

THREE: Hair Dryer

FOUR: Create Art

I would need to find a blank wall to showcase my creation.
That might be harder than making the masterpiece.
(another Pinterest find to try someday)

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Taking the week off for some R-N-R

Heading to the Oregon Coast for a beach wedding, short family get-together, 
beach walks with M&M's, picture taking and good times.
See ya all next week (or on the beach)


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tie One On......

 
I love scarves - a most recent discovery.
When I saw this on Pinterest, I thought - I could make this.
It's on my "to do" list for my autumn wardrobe.

1. grab some cotton t-shirts you don’t wear anymore. larger sizes tend to work better as do non-ribbed shirts with no side seams. small logos on the shirts work fine, too. Goodwill finds would be great.
2. grab a pair of fabric scissors if you have them, otherwise any scissors will do.
3. lay the shirt out on a flat table in front of you.
4. cut the hem off the bottom and put it aside. 
5. cut the shirt into 1-1 1/2 ” horizontal strips all the way up to the armpit.  (may have to invest in a fabric wheel cutter -- always wanted a set, now I'll have the excuse to buy it)
6. grab 3-4 shirt strips in both hands, and gently stretch them out. the strips will naturally curl into themselves. 
7. once you have done this with many of the strips, it is time to get creative. try draping them, wrapping one end with excess fabric, combining colors, braiding them, attaching beads, pins, old jewelry, etc.


Saturday, September 3, 2011

Yummy!

On my "To Make" list: another version of Mac and Cheese

Servings: 8 (or double servings for 4)
Ingredients
1 and 1/2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed**one whole sleeve
2 cups white cheddar cheese, grated and divided
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 and 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni (about 8 ounces uncooked)
One 5.2-ounce container of Boursin Garlic and Herb cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch red pepper flakes
Parsley, for garnish, optional

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Generously spray 8 cups of your muffin pan with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, 1 cup of the shredded white cheddar cheese, and the melted butter, mixing well until the mixture holds together and resembles coarse sand.
4. Divide the mixture among the 8 muffin cups and, using your fingers or the back of a spoon, firmly press the crust into the bottoms and up the sides of each muffin cup.
5. In another large bowl, combine the cooked (and still hot!) macaroni with 1/2 cup of the shredded white cheddar, the Boursin cheese, and the butter, mixing well.
6. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sour cream, salt, and red pepper flakes, mixing well.
7. Add the egg/milk mixture to the cooked macaroni, mixing until all the ingredients are melted and smooth.
8. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the macaroni mixture into each muffin cup
(you will probably have a little leftover macaroni, save and bake it separately, if desired.)
9. Top each muffin cup with the remaining white cheddar.
10. Bake the mac and cheese pies until lightly golden on top, about 20-25 minutes.
11. Let cool slightly before removing from the muffin pan, garnish with parsley, and serve immediately.
 Source: Adapted from The Deen Bros. Take it Easy, via Epicurious, via Pinterest