Coffee Filter Wreath

I feel just like a copy cat, but, I am loving my coffee filter wreath.  I love how Toni, over at A Bowl Full of Lemons, used the brown filters.

This is mine.   I glued it to a board I purchased from Michael's (with a 40% off coupon), and painted it olive green.  I also used the board for this project

I copied Shelly over at The House of Smith's.  She is crazy funny and has a great tutorial for the crept paper roses.  The spring sign, I picked up at the 99 cent Store.

Sorry about the bad lighting

I also covered Styrofoam balls with them.  It was a real fun Spring project.

Ok, I am getting side tracked!! 

I started with a floral styrofoam wreath from the Dollar Store

and some brown filters

folded them just like Toni and glued them on

Wow,  is that blurry, sorry.

I hot glued a ribbon on the back of the board and flipped it over

and glued my wreath to it.  I popped it into an easel and ...... 

Here it is on my entry way table ( love my little people.  See the fingers and the top of a head?

hee hee)

I don't like the white tin with greenery in it with this, but,  I just picked  that up this weekend at Bashas (grocery store), for only $2.49, and  I'm trying to find it a home.  I think I am a little challenged when it comes to arranging my pretties, so, I will post the end result when I am happy with it.

Let me know what you are doing...

Chicken & Sausage Sandwiches

Ok,  remember when I made chicken earlier this week?  Well, I always cook extra just for these sandwiches.   This is one my families favorite quick meals.  Thursday is a big practice night at my house, and I still have one that is out until 8:30 p.m. or so.  These cook up (or heat up) really fast and keep on the stove until you are ready.

You will need some sausage (we like the heat from andouille), red and/or green bell peppers, sweet onion, chicken and some balsamic vinegar.

I forgot to take pictures in the beginning, sorry

here are the peppers and onions cooking until tender

meanwhile, cut your chicken and sausage

add it to the pan and heat through

add about 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and put into whatever buns you have

Enjoy!!!!!

Taco Casserole

I just made taco casserole.  I can't believe I have not made this in almost a year.  This is fast and the kids love it.

First you brown your ground beef with salt, pepper, oregano, chili powder and garlic powder

(or a pack of taco seasoning)

Then you drain the ground beef and put in a baker and cover with broken tortilla chips

Then you spread a can re fried beans over the chips

(an offset spreader works the best)

 

cover with cheese  

bake at 350 for 30 min

let's plate this dish

you can add any taco fixings --  we like tomato, black olives, onions, sour cream and salsa

Enjoy!!!!!

Challenge #2 - Computer Desk

My computer desk is in a closet in my den.  It is very small and somewhat cluttered.  This will be one of my major projects (along with the whole den)  this summer.  I would love for it to look like Jen's at I Heart Organizing, but, I am very challenged when it comes to decorating.  Here is what it looks like.

This is the main room my daycare is in.  As you can see I have toys in here too.  Look close at the wall.  They have bumped it and thrown toys against the wall chipping the paint  ;{   It is somewhat organized; however,  I don't keep too much in there because of the kids.

I did clean it up a bit:

I don't keep much on the desk because of little hands.

I keep paper and file folders in here

Do you see the wires???   How can I conceal them???????

Hold on to your hat.......  The other side of it closet is worse......

YIKES

If anyone has ideas on how to easily turn this into something nice to look at and functional, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.......

Oh, and the file holder thingy I got thrifting, is too big - -   hee hee

Yummy Chicken

I am loving summer and I have a chance to cook.  Last night I made 5 Ingredient Spicy Apricot Chicken and Thia Bok Choy Slaw.

I started by making the slaw

It turned out so pretty

Then I made my marinade for the chicken

I baked the chicken at 400 for 25 min.

Steamed some rice and squash

This is how I plated my dish

(real food channel talk - ha ha)

Slaw

Bag of Cole Slaw (you can use just purple cabbage too)

I used about 4 baby bok choy cut really thin

a hand full of shredded carrot

1/2 cup mayo

1 table spoon of peanut butter

1 table spoon lime juice

1 table spoon of soy

salt and pepper to taste

mix all together and put in the fridge

(you can adjust the ingredients to suite your own taste)

Chicken

Place boneless breast on baking sheet with salt and pepper on both sides

mix together

3/4 cup apricot nectar

1/2 cup apricot jam

2 Table spoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon Chinese hot mustard or mustard powder

(add red chili flakes to make it hotter)

our the mixture all over the chicken (I placed the chicken on foil for easy clean up)

Bake at 400 for about 25 to 30 min.

Enjoy

Challenge #1 -- Junk Drawer

I have started the 21 Day Challenge hosted by A Bowl Full of Lemons.  I know I am late and cannot link to her party, but, I am really exited to start.  If you still haven't done it, please start with me and we will do it together.    The first challenge was a Junk drawer -- so, here is mine:

I emptied everything out and cleaned it with good ole soap and water.

Darn, I forgot to get new shelf paper, but, it's clean........  I sorted through and put the stuff that goes to another area in a box.  This is what I was left with.

I love my labeler and dry erase markers.  I also keep my melting wax in here too.  I will add some chalk soon...

Here are a couple more before pics:

And afters:

I was so exited to use my sectioned basket (from my thrifting trip) that I forgot to take a before picture :}

This is my plastic bag/lunch drawer

I also keep moist wipes for lunch boxes.  During the school year I put plastic spoons, napkins and salt and pepper packets in here too.  It makes it easy to make lunches.  Extra twist ties and B-day candles are in here too.  I label snack bags for easy identification.

This is my controlled mess.  I just can't seen to part with any of my pampered chef gadgets...  ha ha

My thrifty Memorial Day Weekend

Ok, so this weekend my hubby was helping his parents with memorial day flowers and what not.  That left me alone to go thrifting.  I had such a great time and look at the loot I picked up.

sectioned basket

vintage ceiling tiles and white lamp

picture frames

file holder thingy

I am still keeping my eye out for a few specific things, but, all in all, I love what I got.  The little white lamp is going to be transformed and put in my master bathroom.  I have no idea what I am gonna do with that urn, but, I just loved it.  Especially for $5.00.  I also picked up a few picture frames.  I have seen quite a few crafts that I want to try and they all use picture frames.

 I will confess early.  I have a thing for office supplies.  I just love them.  Pens, pencils, paper of any kind, and especially containers.  This file holder thingy really has me exited.  I can hardly wait for the computer desk challenge.

I did find these vintage ceiling tiles.  They have a great pattern, but, are very rusty.  Can anyone tell me how to clean them up?  And how to display them??????????

Ok, the sectioned basket will appear in my next post.  I love reading the Nesting Place with the Nester.  I love how she says it doesn't have to be perfect.  She uses baskets for her utensil drawers and it looks so cool.  I am going for that look and I hope they will evolve into something prettier.


Did anyone else have a great thrifty weekend.  If so please post and let me know.