Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Cross-stitch Bib

 
My cousin is having a baby this spring.
 
 
So I thought I would stitch up a little bib to give to her.
 
 
It was quick and simple
and doing baby things are always so much fun!
 
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


Monday, April 8, 2013

Garden Chicken Saute

 
This is one of my "go-to" recipes when I don't know what to cook.
It's simple and quick and always a hit
and if there's leftovers they heat up well.
 
 
Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, mined
4 cups water
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
2 cups fresh baby carrots, halved crosswise
2 seasoning packets from chicken-flavor ramen noodle soup mix
4 pkg chicken flavor ramen noodle mix
 
 
Heat oil in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
Add chicken and garlic;
cook and stir 4-5 minutes or until chicken is browned.
Stir in water, Italian seasonings, carrots and seasoning packets
from two of the soup mixes.  Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and cook 6-7 minutes
or until carrots are crisp tender.
Gently break each block of ramen noodles in half and add to skillet.
Bring to a boil.  Boil, uncovered, 5-6 minutes
until noodles are cooked, separating noodles gently as they soften.
 
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


Saturday, April 6, 2013

The Simple Woman's Daybook



For today... Saturday, April 6, 2013

Outside my window... The sky is dark blue as the sun is just starting to peek over the horizon.

I am thinking... Of everything I need to do while I am in the city.

I am thankful for... Good health.

From the kitchen...
~Sunday: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Buns, Gravy, Corn, Broccoli in Cheese Sauce, Corn, Salad, Cream Puffs
~Monday: Schewan Stir-Fry over Noodles, Asian Cucumber-Zucchini Salad, Mint Parfaits
~Tuesday: Simple Chicken Bake, Garlic-Pepper Green Beans, Buttered Carrots, Salad, Chocolate Chip Cake
~Wednesday: Lasagna, Ceasar Salad, Italian Bubble Loaf, Cream Puffs
~Thursday: Beef on a Bun, Corn, Salad, Chocolate Pudding
~Friday: Fast Fish Skillet, Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Salad, Chocolate Chip Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg


~Italian Bubble Loaf~
 

I am wearing... Black Sweatpants and a  White Sweatshirt

I am creating... A x-stitch sampler

I am reading... The Beloved Land by T. Davis Bunn & Jeanette Oke

I am praying for... Safe travels and good weather for our upcoming trip.

Pondering these words... Be your future self today.  ~Unknown~

I am still hoping... For spring to finally arrive.

I am hearing... Silence.

Around the house... Spring cleaning.

One of my favorite things... When the weather gets warm enough to hang laundry on the line.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Spring cleaning, shopping, and baking.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...


~The sampler I am working on~


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Friday, April 5, 2013

Spring Fireplace Mantel

 
I have been a little slow on getting out my things for spring.
 
 
However, there is nothing like a holiday
and a house full of guests arriving
to get one motivated to finish the spring decorating.
 
 
This is the first spring that I have had this fireplace top to decorate.
 
 
It is definately easier to work with than the awkward space I had before.
 
 
 
My little birds from last spring have made a reappearance.
 
 
I just love this lamp and the soft glow it puts out in the evenings,
perfect for sitting by and reading or stitching.
 
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Coconut Streusal Apple Muffins

 
This recipe creates a nice light muffin
with a deliciously sweet topping.
The recipe is from the Pillsbury Complete Book of Baking.
 
 
Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup finely chopped, peeled apple
3/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup oil
1 egg, beaten
 
Streusal Topping
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp margarine or butter, softened
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut
 
 
Heat oven to 400F.  Grease bottoms only of 2 muffin cups.
In medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix well.
In small bowl, combine milk, oil and egg; blend well.
Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened
(batter will be lumpy)
Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full.
 
 
In small bowl, blend streusel ingredients with fork until crumbly.
Sprinkle approximately 1 Tbsp of topping over each muffin.
Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes
or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 1 minute before removing from pan.
Serve warm!
 
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!



I am joining...
Rattlebridge Farms for Foodie Friday

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Celebrating Spring

 
We had a wonderful time celebrating over Easter.
 
 
My original plan for the table was for a totally different color scheme.
 
 
But when I went to buy the flowers I fell in love with the
pink hydrangea blossoms and loved how the red tulips accented them so nicely,
so it was a change of plans.
 
 
I wanted to use my Silver Birch dishes.
 
 
 
 
And everything came together for a pretty spring celebration.
 
 
But no matter what I put on top of my table it just isn't complete
 until it is surrounded by family and friends.
 
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!



I am joining...
Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Living Room Sneak Peek

 
The past few months have been busy.
Between fighting the colds we decided
it was time to give the living room a new look.
So here is a sneak peek at what we have been up to.
 
 
This is right after we started moving out the furniture
before we got into the nitty gritty of it all.
It's hard to tell but the walls are a light pink,
the trim is rose colored and the border is floral burgundy.
 
 
I just love using fabric softner to take down wallpaper and border.
It is so easy and makes the room smell nice too :)
 
 
Hubby upgraded the wiring and added some more plugs.
 
 
Crown moulding and paint!
That was a fun shopping trip.
 
 
I seriously enjoy working with power tools
and this little power sander is a dream to use.
From top to bottom it is getting a whole new look.
We are in the final stages and it should be ready to reveal soon!
 
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!