Spring Garden Basket

Just a little update.  My father in-law went back to his hometown.  Grandma will be joining him this weekend.  It is bitter sweet.  I will miss her so much as we have become close friends.  However, I will be able to craft and spend a little more time on my blog.  So, to kick things off, here is the flower arrangement I came up with for my front door.  I love the burlap wreath I made last year, but, it is time for a change.  

This was my burlap wreath.  To change it up, I would just add little picks of the season.  Funny, I never have taken pictures - hummmmm.

This was the basket.  I saved it from the trash pile.  Back in the day, I had pretty blue leather in my den.  The leather wore out and the basket went into the garage.  

I cleaned it up, and sprayed a little primer first.

I tried white paint, but, I really didn't like it.

I shot a little green and liked it a little better.

I put a floral block in the bottom of the basket and stuck a few spring floral picks in it.  I bought all my yellow garden tools at the Dollar Store and attached them with my glue gun. 

Happy Spring.

Rhonda

Black Beans and Rice

I am hopeful that everyone had a great Easter (Resurrection Day).  It was a very busy weekend for us.  Last week, I stuck to my menu -- YEAH.....   Here is the Black beans and rice recipe that we had.  This a real saver.  I always have the ingredients and my family really does like it.  I also added the very little that I had left over and added it to my chicken in the crock pot for tacos. 

3 T. Olive Oil

1 Med. white onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 t. coarse salt

1/4 t. ground black pepper

1/2 t. ground cumin

1/4 t. dried oregano

2 (15.5-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup water

3 cups cooked white rice

1 avocado, chopped

1 lime, cut into wedges

(These ingredients are for four, I tweak for my family)

I use at least four cans of black beans - ha ha.  The first time I made it, I only used two.  It was more like a side dish.

I sauteed half the onion and the garlic and spices in a little bit of oil.  The cumin smells so good and makes this taste so good.

Added my rinsed and drained beans.  I also added a little water.  Just put enough to make it as soupy as you like.

While that is heating through, I put the remaining half an onion, diced avocado, and sliced lime in a bowl.

To serve, put a little cooked long grain rice in the bottom of a bowl.

  Put your beans on top and add the raw onion, avocado and a squeeze of lime on top.  It really is good.  It fills up all of my carnivores.

Try it, it is good for you and your heart.

Rhonda

Feel Better

Hi Everyone, I hope you are all feeling well.  Remember last week?  All of my kiddos were ill, so, I had a little free time and crafted away.  Well this week, I paid for it.  I was very busy with little ones that were used to being home and held by mommy, and, I was not feeling well.  I really don't like having a cold.  There is a lot going around, and, I am not the only casualty.  One of my friends caught a bug too, so, I made this for her:

I started with this (even sick, you need chocolate - he he).  I also included tea, honey, can of soup, and magazines.

I have a few of these, soda carriers from the corner convenience store, and I have always wanted to find a use for them.  I hate to waste such a cool container.

I prettied things up a bit by putting the soup in a canning jar.  I added pretty paper to the top.

Added cool labels.

I had this cute little note pad.

Added some raffia and pretty scrapbook paper.

This is a homemade tea mix.

Crackers for some soup.

I got these cute tissues at the Dollar Store.

Ta Da!!

A nice little care package for someone you love, and, re purpose something you would normally throw out.

Stay Well.

Rhonda

Features and Stuff

Oh my golly gee, I have been so blessed this past week.  I have gone to my favorite party places and was so surprised to see my projects.  I get such goosebumps and squeal with glee.  Thank you to all that have featured my Easter and Spring crafts.  Please go over and check them out.  If you are a party girl like me, add them to your list and follow along.



Please click on the underlined text (I am button challenged)........







Crafty Mom's Share -- Eggs in a Frame













Ameroonie Designs -- Pinterest Inspiration




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A Rosie Sweet Home Sunday Round-up -- Mason Jar Easter Basket










Happy Hour Projects -- Eggs in a Nest










Happy Hour Projects Easter Craft Challenge Finalist -- Please go over and Vote for my Mason Jar Easter Baskets -- what a hoot if I win.













TGIF Friday Link Feature -- Mason Jar Easter Baskets










The Grateful Belly  --  Mason Jar Easter Baskets






WOO HOO party girls -- party on..........


Rhonda

Spring Canisters, and this weeks' Chicken Feed

Hi everyone, I would like to thank all of my new followers for joining in on the mess.  I will be over to check out all of your blogs and to thank you all for the sweet comments (I do that by email).


I would also like to ask all of you prayer warriors out there to please pray, not only for my father in law, but, for my Uncle Bill too.  I found out this weekend that his cancer has come back and he doesn't have too much longer to spend with his family.  He will be leaving behind four kids, a wife, 10 grand kids and I know he has great grand kids too.  This man was not only a father figure to his own kids, but, for a time, he was to me and my sister.  He helped us out at Christmas, took us on picnics, and AWESOME truck rides that I will never forget.  He made the best oatmeal and loved his coffee boiling hot.  He was in a band, which when you are kids is like having super powers, and, I loved it when he broke out his guitar and played.   He is a very special man and he will be greatly missed.  You would think that by loosing my mom (she was 45), and my baby brother (he was 38 just two years ago), that would be able to handle this better.  Well, I don't.  It stinks and I am not excepting it well at all.  I still don't know what is worse, losing people fast and when they are young, or watching your loved ones slowly loose their will to fight and life (grandpa).  So please, pray for me and my family too.  


Ok, enough of the heavy stuff and on to the good, well, almost good.  I haven't been cooking a lot because of our schedules and my husband is still spending a lot of time with his dad.  So instead of a recipe, I am going to show you my Spring Canisters, they add a little color to my life right now.  I have also put together this weeks menu, and, I hope I can stick to it. 

Aren't these Martha Stewart Stickers cute?

Welcome Spring.

Here is this weeks Chicken Feed:

Monday - Black beans and rice, salad

Tuesday - Chicken Tacos and rice

Wednesday - Salmon with Lemon Pepper & Balsamic

Thursday - Tuna Casserole (don't judge)

Friday - Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Eat Out - softball tournament

Sunday - Ham, Potato Salad, Pineapple Spoon Bread (from With a Grateful Prayer and a thankful heart)

Happy eating cooking.

Rhonda

Linking to:

Menu Plan Monday