I have a wall...

This week has kinda been a lazy week.  I haven't really cooked, crafted or applied for jobs.  I have done laundry and dishes so it's not like I've been overly lazy.  I've wanted to be busy but something keeps me down ... a wall!  This is not a theoretical wall but a real true wall that I can't get past.  See here it is:

This has been my downfall all week.  It's the wall you see as soon as you walk in the door and I cannot figure out what to do with it.  You see I thought about something like this:

 

Source: etsy.com via Bobbi on Pinterest

However the lovely chair rail will get in the way, and since we're only in this house for another 6 months I don't want to go to all the effort to remove it.  So here's some other ideas I'm thinking about, and I'd love some help so if anyone reads this PLEASE leave me some ideas!!! Thanks and I'll love ya forever!!!

Source: attemptingaloha.blogspot.com via Bobbi on Pinterest

Source: bluecricketdesign.net via Bobbi on Pinterest

In need of inspiration!

I'm sorry I've been a blog slacker this week.  For some reason I'm in a crafting/cooking rut.  It's ok I'm know it happens from time to time, so don't worry and give me a day or two and I'll be back.  In the meantime I want to share with you my FAVORITE store!

The Wood Connection

Check their blog out and get some inspiration of your own, plus they're doing a great giveaway right now so make sure you enter!

Monster!

The weekend just never seems long enough-however I have some good news it is now officially Fall so my cute pumpkins I made a few weeks ago don't seem so out of place! Plus they're being joined by some other fun creations like this:

I purchased the supplies from my new favorite addiction The Wood Connection.

Here's another new addition:

Once all the decorations are up I'll show the complete picture-I know my mantle needs a little help though so I'm off to the store!!! 

Happy Fall!

Bobbi

Garlic Lemon Spaghetti

Anything lemony is a huge hit with my husband and anything with flavor and low calorie is a huge hit with me.  This dinner hit both marks beautifully.  

Garlic Lemon Spaghetti

4 tsp Olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

8 oz spaghetti noodles

8-12 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/4 C sun dried tomatoes, chopped

1/2 C parmesan cheese

1 medium lemon

Pepper

Heat olive oil and garlic over low heat for 5-10 minutes, or until the edges of the garlic are turning brown (the point of this is to infuse the oil with garlic flavoring-so be patient it makes a difference).  Once browned set aside and reserve. While oil is heating cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions.  Drain spaghetti noodles.  Add basil leaves, sun dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese and juice of one lemon to the oil and mix (if you like the lemony flavor a little stronger you can add lemon zest to taste).  Add noodles to oil mixture and stir well.  Sprinkle with pepper and serve.

approximately 4 servings at 370 calories each

~Bobbi

Baby Skirt

Do you remember this?

Well here is the rest of the ensemble, that I meant to post a few weeks ago.  However we had a MAJOR issue with the baby not having a matching top for the skirt, so the only thing left to do was SHOP!!!  We still need to find an off white onesie, but all in all she's pretty darn cute!

 

I had some leftover fabric from a previous project and I wanted to make a cute little skirt for my niece.  I googled free baby patterns and finally came across this one (pattern here).

This was my first baby skirt-EVER and I kind of altered it as I went along.  Sorry I didn't take pictures because there was a LOT of unpicking.  I'm working on a Halloween skirt and I'm going to follow the same steps I did with this one, so I promise I'll take pictures and show all the steps.

(Grandma with a happy baby)

Thanks and have a great day!
Bobbi

Catalina Meatballs and Rice

Last night I wanted to make swedish meatballs, but I couldn't remember what recipe I used last time and really liked.  I decided instead of browsing the internet for recipes I would just improvise with what I had.  This meal turned out great and it was soooo easy.  The sauce was sweet and tangy.  Hope you enjoy!!!

Catalina Meatballs and Rice

Ingredients:
4 C cooked rice (approx 2 C dry)
Desired amount of cooked meatballs (I used approx. 20)
1 C Catalina Dressing
1 C Apricot Jam
1 Pkt Onion Soup Mix

 Cook rice as desired.  Heat a skillet over medium heat, add meatballs, dressing, apricot jam, and onion soup mix.  Cook until onions are soft and meat is heated all the way through.  Serve meatballs and sauce over rice. 

~Bobbi

Suede Flower Tutorial

Thanks again to everyone who visited my giveaway post last week and for those of you who missed it-here's the tutorial on how to make your own Suede Flower.  

This tutorial will work with Suede or Pigskin.  I haven't tried it with faux leather yet, but I'm sure it will work.  I found mine from my stash and I'm not sure where I got it.  I've occasionally seen them at specialty fabric stores, or I found some sites online that sell it.  

Suede Flower

• Suede fabric
• Sharp scissors
• Brad (matching fabric)
• Elmer's Glue
• Water
• Alligator Clip (only necessary if you want to turn it into a hair clip)

Step 1:  Cut out 5 different sized circles.  My first one was approximately 3 inches and then each one is a 1/2 inch smaller (3 in, 2.5 in, 2 in, 1.5 in, 1 in).  The size of your largest circle will determine the size of your flower.  Don't stress about making them perfectly round, in fact the more imperfect the better (you'll see why in step 2). 

 Step 2: Take each circle and using scissors 'rough' up the edges.  The more imperfect the better.

Step 3: Very carefully cut a small slit in the center of each circle.  The slit needs to be big enough for the back of a brad to fit through.  

 I used an unpicker to help make sure the hole was the perfect size.

 Step 4: Starting with the smallest circle slide the brad into the small hole, then add the next circle (small to largest).  Once the brad is through all the circles flatten out the back to secure.

 Here's what it should look like.

 Step 5: Add one part Elmer's glue to 3 parts water and mix.

 Step 6: Place the entire flower into the water and use your hands to rub the glue mixture into the fabric.  Coat well.  Take it out and use a napkin to wipe off access liquid and glue.  Then with your fingers fold up edges to create the desired look.  Let dry overnight or for at least 6 hours.

 Step 7:  Add a alligator clip to the back and ENJOY!

Thanks for visiting and I'd love to hear comments!

~Bobbi

I may be linking up to many of these great parties:

M: DIY Showoff Project Parade, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Today’s Creative Blog, Making Monday Marvelous

T: Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z

W: Passionately Artistic, Twin Dragonfly Designs, Creative Spark @ Clean & Scentsible

Th: Just A Girl, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths

F: Sassy Sites, I’m Lovin’ It, Remodelaholic’s Anonymous, Frugal Friday, Friday Fun Finds, Feature Yourself Friday

S:  I Heart Naptime, Weekend Wrap-Up, Be Different, Act Normal, A Little Lovely

Su:  Under The Table & Dreaming, Remodelaholic

Suede Flower Contest

Congratulations to Lytles, she's the winner of my weekend blog contest-the Suede Flower.

Lytles said...

I would love to wear the blue flower!

Thanks to everyone who participated and I'll come up with a new contest soon!  

~Bobbi

Beef Chili and Cornbread

The beginning of August my husband and I took a quick trip to Island Park and Yellowstone. 

See here we are-not sure if that's the best picture of us though...

Anyways we had a blast we went fourwheeling (I have 2 great pictures of me AFTER we were done, the first time my face is brown from dirt, and the second time I'm drenched from being caught in rain-but I'm not sure if I have the guts to show you them-maybe later).  Oops -sorry I diverged, to get the point of the story my husband's uncle and aunt took us to eat at a little restaurant in West Yellowstone where I had some pretty good Chili.  Since that date I've been craving it, I'm not sure why because I'm not usually a big fan.  I didn't really have a good recipe so I made my own up using what I had. 

Beef Chili (see again I'm really good at coming up with recipe names;))

• 1 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 2 C tomato sauce
• 1 C salsa
• 2  1/2 TBSP chili seasoning ix
• 1 can of chili beans
• 1 can of red kidney beans

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine ground beef and onion and saute for 10 minutes or until beef is browned and onions tender. Drain grease if desired.  Add beef, onions and the rest of the ingredients to a crockpot, mix well and set on low heat for 6-8 hours. 

Now chili is not really chili if you don't have corn bread, and my favorite corn bread is from Marie Calendars.  I found a recipe on line here.  My husband says it was a keeper :)

 

Grown-Up Flower *GIVEAWAY*

You may think I'm a little schizo because lately I've jumped from flowers to pumpkins and now back to flowers, and you're probably right! What can I say I like to change my mind-A LOT :)  So today we're going back to fabric flowers.  One year ago I was planning my wedding and I was addicted to the chiffon burnt edged flowers (not sure if that is what they're called).  I used them in my bouquet and my hair, plus I made cute corsages for my mom, mother-in-law, and sisters (that's another post for another day).

I still love the look of these flowers and I wear them quite often; however lately I've wanted something that seems a little more grown up.  So I took the idea of the burnt edged flower and transformed it into a more grown up look.

and then I made a few more-because I'm just like that

and because I'm in a generous mood- I've decided to give one away to one of you! All you need to do is become a follower of my blog and if you want a second chance then comment on this post telling me what color you'd like (pink, yellow-orange, or turquoise blue).  I'll randomly pick a winner on Monday, and post the winner on my blog.  Then the lucky winner can claim their prize and have their very own 'grown-up flower' to wear!!!

Come back on Monday for a Tutorial on how I made the flower!

Thanks for visiting!

Bobbi

Special thanks to Valerie from Occasionally Crafty for featuring my monday post Timing-Pumpkin Patch on Three Things Thursday!!!

I posted on the following fab linkups:

Passionately Artistic, Twin Dragonfly Designs, 

 Just A Girl, Gluesticks, 

Sassy Sites, I’m Lovin’ It, Remodelaholic’s Anonymous, Frugal Friday, Friday Fun Finds, Feature Yourself Friday

  I Heart Naptime, Weekend Wrap-Up, Be Different, Act Normal, A Little Lovely

Under The Table & Dreaming, Remodelaholic

Mac and Cheese-not quite like Noodles and Company

We love Noodles and Company's Wisconsin Mac and Cheese! It is creamy and has just the right amount of cheesy goodness :) Due to me not having a job and trying to save money to someday buy a house, we've been limiting going out to eat.  Last week I was craving mac and cheese, and the powdered cheese mix just couldn't cut it.  I googled Noodles and Company's Mac and Cheese recipe and I found some that claimed they were similar.  Trying to go off of memory and the recipes we found, we ended up with a slightly cheesier and thicker version but it still satisfied my craving. I have some ideas on how to adjust it to make it closer to the coveted Mac and Cheese from Noodles and Company, but until I feel the need to experiment this version will suffice :)

Close to but not quite-Noodles and Company's Mac and Cheese

• 1 1/3 Cups Elbow Macaroni
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup low-fat milk
• 3/4 cup canned vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups (packed) Colby Jack Cheese

Cook macaroni in medium saucepan of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain.

Melt butter in medium saucepan.  Add flour butter; whisk over medium heat 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and broth. Bring to boil, whisking constantly. Whisk 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Add cheese; stir until melted.   Mix macaroni with cheese sauce and serve

* I dumped the macaroni and cheese into a glass pie dish, and sprinkled bread crumbs on top.  Then placed it under the broiler until the crumbs were golden brown.  It added a little crunch to it.

~Bobbi

Timing-Pumpkin Patch

There is a season for everything!  I've heard that phrase or one like unto it over and over again.  I've applied it to my life numerous times, through the heartache of dating (yeah it sucked), the tedious amounts of school work, struggling to make financial obligations, the stifling heat of my kitchen and just wanting to PLAN my life.  Is it so wrong that I want to plan?  Well I've decided lately that I need to let some things go, but others I can plan away.  So as crazy as it may appear I'm not waiting for Fall to officially begin to start to decorate :)  This is one area where I can take CONTROL and put up pumpkins, witches hats, and SPOOKY letters wherever I please. 

Here's what I've made and put up this week:

 Now I wish I could take credit for this cuteness but like most things I get the idea from someone else and then modify it to fit my style.  Maria from You Craft Me Up is the creative genius that owns this one. Check out her blog for instructions on how you make your own.  I decided to stain mine and I lined the pumpkins up-mainly because they were made at the cabin and had to travel home with me and they were less likely to get damaged this way :)

Thanks ~ Bobbi

I'm linking up to these great parties:Metamorphosis Monday, Making Monday's Marvelous, Just Something I Whipped Up, Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z

Creamy Lemon Soup

I know it sounds weird, I was skeptical at first too, but I decided what the heck I'll try it.  I had all of the ingredients and when I asked my husband what he wanted for lunch he said soup and a sandwich.  The sandwich part was easy, but I was stumped on the soup.  All I could come up with was something from a can and I really wanted something fresh, light and simple.  I browsed through some websites and I came to 50 soups from the Food Network.  I looked through the site and found only 1-2 that I had all of the ingredients for (I really need to go shopping), and since my husband loves anything with lemon I figured I'd be brave and try it out.  I'm so glad I did it was DELICIOUS and filling.  I never knew that eggs can make a soup light and creamy without giving it an eggy taste (is eggy a word?) plus a great way to add some protein.  This is my new 'go to' soup, whenever I need a quick easy meal.

Lemon-Egg Soup 

slightly adapted, originally from The Food Network

• 1/2 C Orzo pasta (recipe calls for Pastina-but I only had orzo)
• 6 C Water
• 6 Bouillon Cubes
• 3 TBSP Lemon Juice

Boil Water, Bouillon Cubes and Lemon Juice.  Add Orzo pasta and cook until done.

•  2 Eggs
• 2 Egg Yolks
• 3 TBSP Lemon Juice

While Orzo is cooking  beat eggs, egg yolks and 3 tablespoons lemon juice together. Whisk in a little hot broth, then stir the mixture into the soup. Cook over low heat until thick.   I added a little pepper to mine before eating, but my husband liked his plan.

Makes 5 servings and approximately 200 calories per serving.

Spoooooky!!!

I LOVE this time of year, and yes I may be a little over anxious but I have already started making fall/Halloween decorations.

Please excuse my pictures- my camera is on the fritz so I had to use my Iphone-I promise I'll add better ones soon!

I bought these letters and the eyes at a local store called The Wood Connection.  If you haven't checked out their blog-DO IT!  I went in there a few weeks ago and I just stared at all the fun projects they have.  I'm gonna need to find a job quick in order to pay for them :)  I'm working on a few more that I'll show within the next few weeks!

Thanks, Bobbi

Cheesy Italian-Style Meatloaf

I stopped by the Our Best Bites cooking blog today, and came across this recent post "Rockin' Italian-Style Meatloaf".  So excited because I've been craving meatloaf for a few weeks now.  I was further in love with this recipe when I realized it was adapted from the Next Food Network Star Contestant Mary Beth Albright.  My husband and I LOVE watching this show (I probably like it more than he does-but he's great to watch it with me) and I've been dying to try some of the recipes.  Since Our Best Bites loved this meatloaf, it was a hit on the Next Food Network Star and I had all the ingredients, I figured it was a match made in meatloaf heaven! 

I've adapted it a little to fit our tastes so check out Our Best Bites for their version and Mary Beth Albright's version here.

 Cheesy Italian-Inspired Meatloaf

Adapted from Mary Beth Albright and Our Best Bites

my additions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a sheet pan with tin foil.

Mix the following ingredients in a sauce pan over low heat. Stir occasionally

• 1 c. ketchup
• 1 c. barbecue sauce (Use your favorite)
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. mustard
• 1 TSP Worcestershire Sauce

Add 1 TBSP olive oil to sauce pan and add the onion and garlic.  Cook until translucent. Then add parsley, basil, tomato paste, salt and pepper.  Cook for approximately 1 minute, stirring constantly then remove from heat and set aside.

• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 c. fresh parsley
• 1/3 c. chopped fresh basil
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Mix and set aside

• 1 c. buttermilk
• 1/3 c. panko bread crumbs (I used Italian style bread crumbs)

 Mix beef with the onion, garlic, tomato paste and herb mixture. Once combined add Parmesan Cheese, and buttermilk mixture.

• 2 lbs  ground beef and/or pork (I like the taste of just beef, but you can add pork if desired)
• 1/2 C parmesan cheese

Dump meat mixture onto a clean surface and flatten out into a rectangle.  Layer cheese down the middle of the meat and then roll the meat into a loaf (the cheese should be on the inside of the loaf). Place the meatloaf on the prepared pan and top with 1/2 of the barbeque sauce mixture. 

Cook for approximately 45-50 minutes.  Once cooked remove from the oven and brush with the leftover glaze.  Let the meatloaf cool for 5 minutes then serve.  

I hope you all enjoy this cheesy version of Italian Meatloaf.

~Bobbi

Simple Baby Headband

Have you ever noticed that everything baby is SOOO much cuter?  Well I have and I know this is my second baby headband post, but when you have an adorable little niece like this- can you really blame me? She's making me a little baby hungry and since someday I'm hoping to have a cute little girl of my own, I figure there's nothing wrong with practicing bow making now!

I LOVE all the flowers and bows that little girls have in their hair, but my sister tends to like things a little more simpler. Plus this little miss has such an adorable face that it would be a shame to take away from that chubby cuteness with a big extravagant bows (don't get me wrong she does wear them and they look adorable but sometimes simple is better).   I had some elastic that I've been meaning to turn into headbands so I figured I would experiment and see if I could come up with a simple bow headband.  The turquoise bow you see in the picture above is what I came up with, and just because she is soooo cute here's another picture.

 Now I can't help you get a baby this cute, but I can show you how I made the headband.  You won't believe how easy it is.

Easy Bow Headband

What you need:

• Elastic (you can buy good headband elastic on etsy)
• Glue Gun
• Scissors
• Ruler

Step 1: Determine what size headband you need and draw a line on the elastic.  Here's a quick headband sizing guide

• Newborn ~ 12 inches
• 0-6 months~ 13 inches
• 6-12 months~14 inches
• 12-18 months ~15 inches
• 18-24 months ~16 inches

You can also measure the baby's head and then minus 1/2 inch.  I marked my elastic at 12.5 inches.  Once you've made a mark, add 4 inches and then cut.  For example my elastic totaled 16.5 inches long.  

Step 2: Now cut a 2 inch piece of elastic. 

Step 3: Heat up your hot glue gun.  With your long strip of elastic, find the mark you made for the actual headband size.  Mine was at 12.5 inches.  Put a small dot of glue onto the mark and then glue down the long end of the elastic, creating the actual headband.  My elastic had a shiny and a dull side, if this is the case make sure the shiny side is facing out.

Step 4:  Now that the headband portion is done, it is time to create the bow.  Create another circle with the extra four inches, by gluing the end of the elastic to the joint of the headband. Your headband should look like this.

Step 5: Apply a small dot of glue to the joint of the small loop and push the top middle of the loop into the glue to create the bow.

Step 6: Wrap the center of the bow with the 2 inch strip of elastic. To do this glue the center of the 2 inch elastic to the middle of the bow, wrap around to the back and glue both ends.

That's it- now you have a simple little bow to put on any cute chubby face.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial.  Let me know if you have any questions, or if my tutorial doesn't make sense:

Thanks~ Bobbi

I'm linking up to these great parties:Metamorphosis Monday, Making Monday's Marvelous, Just Something I Whipped Up, Get Your Craft On, Tip Junkie, Home Stories A to Z