Christmas Wreath!

I was looking around at Big Lots, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and other places for a pretty wreath. They turned out to be more than I wanted to spend, so I decided to make my own!

At Hobby Lobby they had all Christmas crafts for 40% off (I bought a styrofoam ring), then at Walmart they had seasonal fake flowers, berries, and pine cones for $1 each! Sooo much cheaper!

I took the ring and hot glued the flowers, berries, and pinecones. Then at Big Lots they had a giant bow for $1, and of course, I added it!

Sorry I forgot to take pictures during the process, but I am sure that if you were to try it you wouldn't fail :)

Easy, inexpensive, and personal <3

Christmas Vase

With all of the time I had at home, I thought I would make myself productive. I didn't have my Cricut with me, so I had to really get creative!

For the holiday season, there's never too many decorations, so I decided to create a "Christmas Vase". I picked up some Christmasy flowers and cinnamon scented pine cones from Michael's, then my mom gave me a vase she never uses.

My mom had some leftover ribbon so I took 2 pieces and hot glued them into a bow. I cut the back and added velcro so I can take it on and off.

Cute "Christmas Vase" if I say so myself!

Cute Questionnaire

As I have nothing to do now that Thanksgiving is over (Happy Thanksgiving by the way...), I found this cute questionnaire in this adorable blog. Why not right? I mean, who wants to do homework anyway??


So without further ado, a little something about me-


{one} what time do you normally wake up?
Weekdays @ 6, weekends @???.

{two} do you have a go-to song for karaoke?
Even though I HATE karaoke, any Disney Princess song will do :)

{three} if you could only see black and white except for one color, what color would you choose to see?
Rose, I think it'd make everything look beautiful.

{four} what color best matches your personality?
I LOVE the color purple, so I guess purple... it's a color that means a lot of different things.

{five} if you could choose one meal to cook better than anyone else, what would it be?
Maybe some sort of chicken roast? I have no idea.

{six} how many keys do you have on your key ring?
Five, plus a cute "Love" keychain.

{seven} do you give your pets birthday/christmas gifts?
ALWAYS! I usually end up spending more on my fur-kids than on anyone else!

{eight} when your plate has different foods on it, do you mix or not?
Nope. I do not have anything against it, but if it doesn't "go together" then I don't mix it.

{nine} if you could hire someone to do one thing for you all the time, what would it be?
Clean! Oooh how wonderful that would be!

{ten} when flying, do you prefer the window or aisle seat?
I hate flying... but the window seat would be preferable.

Little "Joy" Pails

I loved this idea from my friend Leah and had to try it out!

The pails were 3 for $1 at the Dollar Tree and the ribbon was half off at Hobby Lobby ($.50)!
I cut the letters using the Opposites Attract cartridge and Mod Podged them. SO SIMPLE!

I decided to make these for my friends who are having a Christmas party in a couple weeks, I hope they enjoy them!

Smoked Salmon and Eggs

This is a household favorite! My mom makes this for me for breakfast whenever I come home from school, and I LOVE IT!

First off- you have to be a fan of smoked salmon (aka lox). If you're not a fan (because you haven't tried it), shame on you! Now, I'm not a salmon fan in general, but there's something about smoked salmon that is oh-so-good! If you have not tried smoked salmon, I say try it! You never know what you might like until your taste buds get the experience.

So, not only is this recipe super easy, but it is SUPER delicious!

You need (for 2 servings):

• 6 eggs
• 2 tbs of milk
• 1 pkg smoked salmon
• softened cream cheese
• green onion
• salt
• pepper

 Add the eggs and milk to a large bowl and scramble

Heat an oiled skillet and cook eggs

Meanwhile, take a nice helping of the smoked salmon (I usually do about 1/3 cup) and chop into easily distributable pieces

Take about 1 stalk of green onion and chop into fine pieces

Once the scrambled eggs are done cooking, turn off the heat and set aside

Next, take a heaping spoonful of cream cheese and plop it right into the scrambled eggs

Add the salmon and mix together until well blended

Serve topped with the green onion, salt, and pepper (to taste)

Now you have a perfectly delicious, drool worthy, filling breakfast (or lunch, snack, dinner, etc... I can eat this stuff all day)!!

Enjoy <3

Birthday Cards

I thought I would share a few more birthday cards I created... I think I'm finally getting the hang of it!

I made this cute little guy for my sister's 21st birthday!

Then this card I made for David's client. He did magic at a 5 year old's birthday party.

Practice makes perfect, right? I think I am definitely improving in my card making skills. Only time will tell!

My Daddy's Birthday Card

Just thought I would share the birthday card I made for my dad using the Cricut.

I won't go through the step by step process, but I will tell you that using a piece of cardstock that is 9" x 5 3/4" words out awesomely if you have the Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter.

Some of the cards from the Wild Card cartridge would not cut at the proper measurements because my machine will only cut up to 5". So for this particular card I used the Paper Pups cartridge and the words were from Wild Card.

The little dog looks similar to my dad's dog, Kramer.

Back

Inside

Cute and simple :)

Biscuits and Gravy!

To anyone who LOVES creamy flavorful gravy and fluffy biscuits... this one's for you!!

David and I are huge fans of this breakfast meal because it incorporates meat, creaminess, and fluffy hot biscuits... mmm.

You need:

Biscuits-

• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp melted butter

Gravy-

• 1/2 lb bulk breakfast sausage (whatever meat you like)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 3/4 cup milk
• salt and pepper to taste

First, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and milk until the mixture is moist.

Set the oven to 450 degrees.
Plop spoonfuls on a cookie sheet (I spray mine with Canola oil to help relieve stickiness).

Bake the biscuits for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Meanwhile- in a medium saucepan, cook the sausage until there is not any more pink showing.

Add the butter to the pan and stir to help it melt. When butter is melted, sprinkle the meat with the 3 tbsp of flour and mix well.
Add the milk, salt, and pepper to the meat and bring to a boil. The gravy should start to thicken.

After the gravy has thickened and the biscuits have baked, serve in a bowl with the gravy smothering the biscuits.

Yum yum yum!! Hope you enjoy this as much as we have :)

Halloween Gifts

I just thought I would share these cute little guys I made from the "Paper Doll Dress Up" cartridge for Cricut!

Since I was having a Halloween party with my nearest and dearest, I decided to make everyone their own little "mini-me" in their costumes as a little gift :)

Katie

Lindsay

This was not David's costume, but it was accurate nonetheless.

Mitch

Melanie

Jacob

Amanda

Myself (1st costume)

Emily

Chile Fries!

These are seriously the healthiest version of "chile fries" you will ever find!!


If you like peppers (aka chiles) then this recipe is for you!
I saw this recipe on Rachael Ray and HAD to try it, let me know what you think!


You need:

• 1 1/2 pounds jalapeño and poblano peppers
• 1 cup flour, divided
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbs mustard (I prefer Dijon)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper

First, wash and gut your peppers.

Then cut into strips (fries) and set aside.

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.


Get out 1 small plate and 2 bowls. On the plate,  put the majority of the flour on it. In the first bowl, scramble the eggs, about a tablespoon of flour, and the mustard. In the 2nd bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper.

Dip the pepper slices into the flour, then into bowl #1 (egg mix), and then bowl #2. Place on a cookie sheet. 

Dave helps me out in the kitchen <3

Put into the oven for about 7 minutes, then flip them. They will need an additional 7 minutes or so, or until golden.

Take out, let cool, and enjoy with ranch dip!

Meringue Cookies

These cookies are super sweet, so if you have a sweet tooth like I do, you'll love 'em!

Meringue Cookies

You need:

• 2 egg whites
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp cream of tarter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)

Mix everything aside from the sugar until it forms peaks and is stiff.

Fold in sugar, using small portions at a time.

Next, preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Scoop the mixture into ziplock bags and cut one bottom corner off (this will make it easier to form little cookies).

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and squeeze out little plops of the mixture onto it.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until very lightly browned.

Then there you have it! Delicious, sweet, sugary, chewy meringue cookies!

Enjoy!!