Give Thanks....Grateful Hearts.

Before & After using Painter's Drop Cloths

 Just a quick before & after....

When you marry, you can inherit furniture that might not be your style or might not blend with the rest of the decor.  Or, simply it just doesn't quite work in your new home.

This was the case of this "bar(?)" that The Gunny had purchased.  It's a nice piece of furniture.  But, with all hardwood in our new home.  It just felt out of place. Too many hard edges.  So, I pulled out my trusty painter's drop cloth & decided to give it a makeover.  

Before

After

I simply used very small staples with my staple gun.  Created pleats.  And, secured.  Then, I hot glued trim ON THE FABRIC to cover up the fasteners.

I'm pleased.  Very pleased.  Now, I just have to figure out my ever-rotating artwork.  I still haven't found the "perfect" piece for above this.  The wall attests to this with the 52 nail holes.  YIKES!  

Oh, I do love painter's drop cloths....below is a chair I covered in one as well.  They are right up there with tablecloths!

 

Best of the Bake Sale: Gooey Chocolate Caramel Fantasy

Oh friends...this is going to be a love/hate relationship.  

You will LOVE this amazing & easy gooey delicousness.

And, you will hate what it will do to your waist line.

But, let's not think about that...

let's get shopping

Shopping List

2 cups of chocolate wafer crumbs 

(I used Stauffer's Chocolate Animal Crackers...who knew???)

1/3 cup of melted butter

30 vanilla caramels

1/2 cup of caramel ice cream topping

2 cups of chopped toasted pecans

(honestly, I was running short on time & didn't toast them.  and, trust me...no one complained!)

1/4 cup of whipping cream

3/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup of whipping cream

Pecan halves (optional...for the top)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a gallon bag, drop in your cookies & smash them good.

This is cheap therapy, folks! And, the day I made this...it was good.

In a bowl, stir together your crumbs & melted butter.  Press into a 9-inch springform pan.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Cool slightly.

While the crust is baking, melt caramels and ice cream topping in a heavy sauce pan over low heat & stirring often.  Stir in a 1/4 cup of the whipping cream.

Remove from heat.  Stir in chopped nuts.  Spread over crust.  Chill for 1 hour.

For the topping, melt chocolate over low heat with whipping cream.  I needed more than the recipe called for.  I just added a splash or two more. 

Drizzle (I spread it...it was easier...and, I was in a hurry) over pecan mixture & chill for another hour if you can wait that long. 

Garnish with additional pecan halves.  I didn't.  Again...in a hurry.

Cut into 12 pieces.  Cuz this thing is R.I.C.H.

Sinful.  Truly sinful.

Recipe Credit:  Better Homes & Garden (and, surprisingly the only tweaking I did was the chocolate animal crackers & a couple extra splashes of whipping cream.)

Selah

Margherita Pizza Dip

I love the movie Mermaids.  And, I can't make an appetizer without thinking of it.  

Don't know what I'm referring to....watch the movie.  It's great.  

And, make this dish to eat while you watch it....win-win.

Shopping List

8 oz of whole milk ricotta cheese

8 oz Italian-blend grated cheese

1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Salt & Pepper

A bit of fresh minced garlic

1 cup of spicy jarred marinara sauce

4 oz of fresh mozzarella

Fresh basil for topping

1loaf of Italian bread (cut into chunks)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Stir together ricotta, Italian cheese blend & Parmesan.

Spread evenly into deep-dish pie plate or serving dish.

Sprinkle with minced garlic (just a bit), salt, pepper & maybe a dash of Italian seasoning...cuz ya "feel" it.

Spoon sauce over cheese, leaving a clean border around the edge. And, top with mozzarella slices.

Roll about 5 basil leaves up & chiffonade.  Which, essentially means, to cut the leaves into little tiny strips.  

Bake until bubbly & golden brown...about 20 or so minutes.  Top with the basil.  Conveniently forget to take a picture because you're running late to small group where you will be serving said appetizer.  And, serve with bread for dipping.

Now, rent Mermaids...and, while you're at it, Moonstruck, and eat this yumtastic appetizer!

Come to think of it...you should probably play "I've Got You, Babe" & "If I Could Turn Back Time" on repeat while you make it.  Your day will be better.  Trust me on this!

Recipe Credit:  dashrecipes.com (with tweaks by me!)

Thrift Shop Thursday:: Thankfulness Board

Just a quick Thrift Shop Transformation....

 I purchased an old oil canvas with a great frame at the thrift store.  The painting was pretty pathetic, so I didn't feel bad covering it up.  I popped out the canvas.  Covered it in batting and fabric.  I also spray painted the frame.  Once it was dry, I replaced the picture.  Made tags & threaded them with ribbon. I attached them to the board with decorative straight pins.  The tags can be removed to write down something you are thankful for.  

It would also make a great Advent calendar!

What I Wore Wednesday: Thrift Shop Finds

Let's talk Shop...shall we? 

Thrift Shop talk.

The picture above is PRECISELY why I thrift.

I bought the skirt above is a darling Miss Me...it was $114 retail.  I know...because I purchased the skirt with the original tags still in tact.  Savers prices clothes with the original tags on at 1/2 off.  It was also the preview sale of a national holiday...so, with my Savers card...I got another 1/2 off of that!  So, I bought a $114 skirt brand new for $28!  Now, tell me again why you don't thrift?  

You all also now what size I wear...you're welcome.  Gheesh, a girl can have NO secrets.

Here is a full shot of the skirt.  It makes my boho gypsy heart sing.  I paired it here with a Land's End corduroy jacket that I got the same day.  But, I've take to wearing it with a denim shirt.  I like that better.

 Another Miss Me skirt in camo with sequins.  What a beautiful combo! That I brought home for about $10.

 Harold's shirt for 1/2 off $7.99.  That'll play.

Banana Republic cardi & a cute skirt.  Also, 50% off the tags.

And, a darling Charlotte Russe skirt & Target cardi.  Again, 50% off.

Some thoughts on getting a great deal.  Watch the days the clothes are marked down.  If you have a Savers card (free..no cost), you get to preview sales on Sunday or the day before the sale.  Then you get 50% off all clothing & selected merchandise.  They also offer a Senior Discount one day a week.  I don't qualify for the senior discount, but my mama does...so, I shop with her.  

Goodwill, Red Racks & Salvation Army have colored tags.  On certain days, the tags a percentage off.  I haven't found a rhyme or reason to the days or the tag color.  But, if you have....share!  

I spent around $80 for the above purchases. Less than the price of the Miss Me skirt!

That's a wrap on What I Wore Wednesday!  

Best of the Bake Sale: Lazy Cake Cookies

Lazy Cake Cookies

1 box of yellow cake mix

2 eggs (beaten)

1 stick of melted butter

2 cups of M&Ms

Mix & spread into a greased 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

I made a TON of these for the boys' swim team.  HUGE HIT!  HUGE.  

Plus, great in a pinch when you need a quick dessert & don't have a lot of time.

And, remember....cut them up...package them in a cellophane bag with ribbon...looks like a gourmet treat!  

Below are a couple of other treats I whipped up as well...

 Cheese puffs in a triangle cello bag with a green tulle ribbon.  Totally a nutritious snack...right?  I mean, it's shaped like a carrot.

 

Another fave....pretzels & peanut M&Ms.  Again, so fancy schmancy with the cello bag & ribbon.

For those of you who have asked, I typically buy my cello bags at The Hobbying & The Lobbying when they go on sale.  Also, I watch Michael's sales.  The Dollar Tree has been known to carry them as well.  But, they usually aren't quite the quality of the others.  However, I doubt many kiddos are really worried about that.  Plus, The Dollar Tree has a lot of other cute packaging options!

So, a few more hints to make you "THAT" mom!  

Cobblestone Chicken Pot Pie

I have loved Chicken Pot Pie since I was little.  When we called frozen dinners...."TV Dinners".  I loved it right down to the little tin it was cooked in.  I didn't get TV dinners often, but when I did...I always wanted chicken pot pie.

Today, Marie Callendars' makes a yummy calorie-filled (translate:  guilt-ridden) pot pie that I still love.  Even though there is this easy, frozen goodness....I wanted to try my hand at making my own with a bit of a twist.

 Let's Shop....

Shopping List:

Olive Oil

3 medium Leeks or 1 Onion 

(your choice...the store I shopped at didn't have them....go figure)

2 cups sliced mushrooms

1 cup sliced celery

3 carrots peeled & sliced

1 cup red (or green...I forgot a red one...but it would be prettier)

Rosemary

Salt

Black Pepper

14.5 oz of Chicken Stock

3/4 cup of half & half

3 cups (I used a bit more) of diced cooked chicken breast

1 cup frozen peas

2 cups of cubed sourdough bread

1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

 

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Heat 2 tbs of olive oil in a large skillet.  Saute your carrots and celery about 5 minutes.  Then add your leeks/onions, mushrooms, and green pepper.  Cook about 15 minutes or until tender (but, NOT mushy...YUCK!)

Add rosemary, salt & pepper.  At this point, I decided it needed some garlic powder.  In my opinion, EVERYTHING needs garlic.  So, I added about 1 tsp of garlic powder. I may have then added a dash or two of Italian herbs as well.  Because, I just "felt" it.  If you cook a lot like me, sometimes your "feel" things & you know you need to tweak it a bit.  

If you notice, I cooked with wine....sometimes, I even add it to the food. :)

While the veggies are doing their "thang"....cube your bread & toss it with 3 tbs of olive oil & throw some Parmesan cheese in there.  Save some cheese for the top too.

See that gorgeous broth....only homemade broth looks like that.  Have I convinced you yet to make your own??

I boiled my chicken breasts with a LOT of seasoning.  But, for convenience sake, you could use a roasted chicken from the deli section at the market...and, no one would think the less of you.  In fact, they might praise your time-saving measures. 

  

Once your veggies are cooked & seasoned, dump in the flour & go ahead and add some parsley....cuz you "feel" it.  Cook for one minute...stirring constantly.

Stir in broth and half & half. 

Cook & stir until thick & bubbly.  This takes about 5 minutes.  

Then add your chicken and peas.  You could add a splash or two of dry white wine if you have it.  I didn't.  But, it would enhance the flavor.

Spoon into an ungreased 2-quart casserole dish.  (Confession:  I greased mine...I couldn't help it.)

Top with breadcrumbs & sprinkle remaining cheese.

Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and bread cubes are golden.

Serve it up in a shallow bowl & with a BIG spoon.  

Yum!  Way to go, Marie!  Your Cobblestone Chicken Pot Pie is dee-lish!

Recipe Credit:  HyVee (yup, kid you not...in their seasonal magazine) & a WHOLE lot of tweaks by me!

Chipotle Chili Cornbread Bake

 

I'm not one to mess with a good thing.  But, every so often it's good to mix things up a bit.  And, this is a prime example.  Perfect for game day or a chilly winter evening, this Chipotle Chili Cornbread Bake is sure to please.  

Shopping List

1 lb hamburger

1 onion

1 green pepper

Cilantro

1 can of Chipotle chilis (found in the Mexican food section)

1 can of dark red kidney beans

1 can of Mexican style tomatoes

1 can chopped black olives (optional)

1cup of chunky salsa

12 oz container of sour cream

2 eggs

1 can of green chilis

2 cloves of minced garlic

2 packages of Martha White's Mexican cornbread

1/2 package of Williams chili seasoning (or whoever you prefer)

Garnish:

Grated cheese

1 diced tomato

Green onions

 

Chop onion & bell pepper.  Brown in skillet with hamburger meat.  Chop 4 of the Chipotle chilis & add to mixture.  Pour chipotle sauce from the can into hamburger mixture as well.  Be careful NOT to touch your eyes while you are chopping the chilis.  Rinse your cutting board & your hands well after you are done!  Trust me on this. 

Once the meat is browned, add garlic, black olives, chili seasoning, beans (drained), canned tomatoes & salsa.

Add a sprinkling of chopped cilantro.  Stir & let simmer. 

In a mixing bowl, combine 2 packages of cornbread, 2 eggs, 12 oz of sour cream, & the can of green chilis. 

Mix all ingredients.

Coat 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray.  Pour meat mixture into the bottom of the dish.  Top with cornbread mixture. 

Bake in a 400 degree oven until cornbread is cooked through.  Approximately 25 to 30 minutes.  

Serve with cheese, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, and/or sour cream.

Happy Eating, y'all!

  

Thrift Shop Thursday: Transformations

I think we know by now...that I'm a "thrifter".  I've shared some tips on thrifting.  But, the very best tip I could ever share is how to view objects with a different "eye".  It comes naturally for some.  Not so naturally for others.  Take this lovely memo board as a prime example. 

Now, in the 90's for those Americana lovin' Country folks...this would have been a real find. But, for those of us who have joined 2013...this is crap.  

But, in my eyes....this is CRAPTASTIC!  Let's take a look at how I transformed this piece I purchased at City Thrift for $3.99.  

First thing to note...it's in good condition.

Second, it's not going to be hard to paint. 

Three, it has a bulletin board.  (I love bulletin boards)

Fourth, it has the perfect spot for some chalkboard paint.  (Can you see it?)

Fifth, the price was right!

 I pulled out my trusty paint tarp. (Sidenote: I purchase heavy plastic tablecloths at the end of each holiday specifically for painting).  I taped off the bulletin board.  

 

 I gave the piece two coats of spray paint.  I prefer a paint/primer in one.  Rustoleum has a terrific one.  Be sure to let it dry completely in between coats. 

I painted the top square with chalkboard paint.  It took about four coats to get it completely covered.  The transformation is already pretty amazing.  

 I grabbed my trusty hot glue gun, embellishments, and ribbon out of my well-supplied craft closet & just started having fun.  

The board had come with 4 thumbtacks that looked like apples....they now look like birds.  I hot glued ribbon to the frame & some felt embellishments I had hand-stitched.  

And now....it looks like this!  

A bit of whimsy for a  girl's room or craft room...

And, I'm giving it away....YEP!  Giving it away!  
Just post a comment below & I'll draw a name on Monday to choose the winner!  

What fun it that???  

Now, go have some fun transforming trash to treasures!