Meredith's Potraits

I had the privilege of taking my

little cousin, Meredith's, photos this week.

Her mom had a small, school

desk that worked perfect for a prop.

Here is the cute, little school girl.

Blessings,

Hope

Sawyer Turns One

After seeing Sawyer do this last week,

I had no question in my mind about whether or

not he would dig into his first Birthday cake.

He reminds me of a little pig- hence the pigs.

Cut a large Marshmallow in half for the nose

and little ones for the ears. I've been using Wilton Color Mist Spray.

Just ice everything white and spray on the color. 

Then pipe the details with chocolate icing.

The momma pig, who is about to lose her legs.

After many weak, wispy blows he managed to squelch the flame.

 

This little piggy is about to go to the market.

Going for the nose...

... and he got it!

The mess in action.

His poor mother shutters at the mess.

Can't wait to see what you tear up this year, Sawyer.

Bye,

Hope

Easy Ruffles

Since I had the day off I cut out a dress.

Ruffles are a new favorite of mine-

I have to laugh because mom's dresses

as a teenager had ruffles on them.

It goes to show how styles cycle.

Cut out a two inch strip of fabric.

Fold in half and serge or zigzag the edge.

Don't worry about turning it inside out because

the seam will be on the down side of the ruffle.

My mom would go to the trouble of turning

it inside out, but not me.

 Iron flat with the seam in the middle.

Sew a gathering string down the middle of the strip.

Gather to your liking and sew directly on top of your gathering string.

You can add a ruffle any where. Your neck...

...your sleeves...

... or rows down the middle.

I've been thinking how cute they would be on a pillow. 

A cream, linen pillow with three rows of ruffles.

That idea probably will never happen.

Blessings,

Hope

Fiesta Lime Omelet

We have about 4 inches of fluffy, white snow.

Josh and I are both off work so it was fun to

sleep in and have breakfast together.

I get tired of making the same ol' thing 

for breakfast. Fried eggs, egg sandwiches,

french toast, pancakes etc.

I looked in my fruit basket and spotted

a lime- then I remembered I still

had some jalapeno peppers in the fridge.

I'll fix and omelet with jalapeno peppers and lime!

Like usual my hubby states, 

"You need to make this more often."

Fry 3 strips of bacon and then cut into pieces with kitchen scissors.

Add a few onion wedges and half of a jalepno pepper cut thin.

(You could add the whole pepper, it wasn't hot at all.) Saute until soft. 

Beat five eggs and a little milk. Add to skillet and sprinkle

with salt and pepper. Cover until it is firm enough to flip.

Fry on opposite side until brown.

Place on your serving plate. Squeeze half the juice of a lime onto omelet.

Then cover half the omelet with Velveta cheese and fold over. 

Top with sourcream and salsa. Garnish with lime slices

and sprinkle with parsley flakes.

A good way to start your morning.

Blessings,

Hope

Good Ol' Roast Beef

I finally received a crock pot over Christmas-

therefore I can slow cook roasts 

while I am at work. Yippee!

You all probably already know how to throw

a roast in the crock pot, but I thought

I'd share how I cook mine.

Add a little oil in a skillet and heat to hot.

Sear all sides of your roast to lock the juices in before roasting.

Sprinkle lightly with seasoned salt and pepper.

Chunk some onion on the top and cover all but 2 inches of

the roast with water. Turn crock pot on low and go to work.

Cook for about 9 hours.

Pull apart roast with a fork, sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper.

"If you add too much salt while roasting it

will make the meat dry," says my sister Faith.

 Your guest or family can add salt to their liking.

I love roast beef this way- 

not over seasoned, soft and juicy.

Enjoy,

Hope

Amature Babysitters

We kept our two nephews last night while

my sister and her husband went on a date.

Sawyer, the one year old, gets into 

everything he can get his hands on.

We were happily eating and noticed

that Sawyer was being extra quiet.

I had this cute little plant sitting on

my old chest in the living room. 

Until... someone got their chubby hands on it.

 

 Hmm... where's all the dirt?

Mmm... tastes like chocolate.

The rescue team arrives.

Bye,

Hope

The Treasured Chest

I have been dreaming of a an old chest

to use as a coffee table or to put at the end our our bed.

I found one at Salvation Army but it was a bit

pricey and not quite what I was looking for.

I stopped by Mercy house last week and

there it was- one just like I had imagined.

The price was $65.00 so I called my

hubby for permission to purchase.

 I poured on the honey, but he still didn't bite.

His level-headed reply was, 

"We could buy a lot of remodeling supplies with $65.00."

So, I went and paid for my $1.50 chalk board.

I overheard the clerk say to someone about

everything being half off on Monday.

I decided to wait until Monday and crossed

my fingers that it would still be there.

I stopped by on my way to work and briskly walked

to the spot I had saw it last. There it set as pretty

as old chest can be, ready for me to take it home.

I stopped a worker and had him wheel it up to the 

front for me. It was too big to fit in my car so

so Josh had to pick it up a day later.

I actually think that he thinks it's pretty cool.

After all- he even helped me clean it up this evening.

The treasured chest.

I love all the buckles and hinges.

I was delighted to find this plaque at TJ Maxx. 

Blessings,

Hope

Roasted Potato Wedges with Onions

I often roast potato wedges for a simple side dish.

You don't have to peel or mash them so it's big time saver.

This is the first time I added onions and it was a hit.

Just cut however many potatoes you think you might need.

Grab a onion and do the same.

Place on a tray and spray with canola oil.

Sprinkle with seasoned salt, black pepper, parsley flakes

and light sprinkle of garlic powder.

Bake at 400 for 20-30 minutes or until soft inside and crispy outside.

Throw them in a dish and you have a side, my friend.

Enjoy,

Hope

Honey BBQ Wings

I first started making wings by buying the tiny, bony

chicken wings. I did some price comparing and wings

are more expensive than regular chicken thighs.

So... I started making boneless wings-

a lot more meat and less money.

I finally perfected the recipe and now have it down on paper.

Cut chicken into chunks and sprinkle with seasoned salt.

Coat with flour.

 Fry in med-hot oil for 4-5 minutes. 
Break a piece open to make sure the chicken is done.
Place done pieces in a 9" baking dish and evenly coat with sauce.
Preheat the oven for 350 and bake 10 minutes.

 I actually crave these things.
They are sweet and saucy with a hot zing. 

Honey BBQ Boneless Wings

Sauce

1/4 cup hot sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup honey

1 Tbsp. dark molasses

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

2 light shakes of garlic powder

2 shakes of cayenne pepper

Mix together and set aside.

 Take 5 boneless chicken thighs and cut into pieces.

Sprinkle with seasoned salt and then coat with flour.

Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet on medium heat.

Add chicken to skillet and fry for about 4-5 minutes

turning periodically until golden brown. 
 Place in a 9 inch baking dish and pour sauce over chicken. 
Stir to make sure chicken is coated evenly.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Serves 2-4 people, four if you eat like me

or two if you eat like Josh.

Enjoy,

Hope

Chalk/Cork Board Facelift

I stopped by Mercy House on my way home from work

and found something that would look cute

if it had a new coat of paint.

Before the makeover.

Ready to be sprayed.

Then I sanded the edges for a weathered look.

After.

We are currently remodeling so I am trying to collect

thrifty decor along the way.

Bye,

Hope

Quick Chicken Enchiladas for Two

I wasn't really in the mood to cook tonight

so I made a quick and easy one-dish meal.

Saute a half of an onion in a skillet. Add 1- 12.5 oz. can of chicken, 
as much of a jalapeno pepper you can handle, and about half 
of a 19 oz. can of enchilada sauce.

Simmer for a few minutes to cook the flavor through the chicken.

Lay out 4 flour tortillas and spoon mixture down the middle

of the tortilla. I used a slotted spoon to miss some of the sauce.

Roll and place in a baking dish.

Then pour remaining sauce over enchiladas.

Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Preheat the oven at 350 and bake for 10 minutes or until bubbly.

Top with guacamole, sour cream and lettuce.

Then go prop up your feet and rest since you

saved all that time.

Enjoy,

Hope