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!



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!



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

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!



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

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

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!