On the edge
As I saw the beautiful edges that others have put on their bibles I started getting nervous about mine. Would I like it would it be mess up!!! Over and over I thought about it. I wanted to use a stamp and if I used a stamp it would be permanent on the paper. So I promptly got my husband to come and help me hold my bible REALLY tight so the pages were together. I put the stamps on the     edges.. I figured I just needed to do it! I really like the dragonfly and the leaves on the main edge. I am satisfied with the flour it isn't how I thought it would turn out after I colored them in with pens but it could have been WAY worse haha..






This edge looks different right? I wanted to add washi tape (decorative craft tape) to the first page of each chapter. I was going to do it down the main side of the bible which had my dragonfly on it but like I said above it was my favorite side of the bible how it came out.. So I wasn't sure how each chapter with tape would make it look. So instead I did the top edge of my bible. I get the best of both worlds. The worst     of the edges were now kind of separate so you don't see the mistake and I get the look of the washi tape on the chapters. It was time consuming! It would have    been much easier on the main edge then at the top and having to deal with the binding. Yet it was worth all the struggle :)
My mother just did hers a week or so ago and she did all 3 sides! it looks really nice also. I wish I had taken a picture of it for you all to see. But whatever you decide just go with it! love the results and embrace your choice. No turning back right!?!
    Here is how the pages look and the washi tape that I used. I bought a pack from the craft store and it all corrdinates together.

Inside cover
It is so nerve racking to start your first bible entry. I was so scared to mess up that it wouldn't be pretty or that I would be judged for my creative entry or style. So to get past that I decided to do a permission page. I had seen a few of these on pinterest and I knew it was the first entry that I was going to do.

I used rub-on letters for this bible is for... and then I used pens and put down different things that most likely will happen and I would be ok with it. That life is full of mistakes and differences. It was a relief to write down my fears and concerns and move forward.

This is the page beside my permission page. I wanted something on there that was different. I had a large stamp that fit perfectly in that spot. Then I added the flourish above and below.

I put when I got my bible, my salvation, and I just realized I didn't put my baptism on it which I will have to go do!

It was the first step to my creative devotional time.. 

I enjoy bible journaling and I needed a few books to go along side my bible. Once again I just bought cheep ugly ones and decorated my covers fun. It helps to have something pretty to look at and it makes you enjoy opening them and using them. Have fun either buy pretty ones or be creative and make your own beautiful.

 Starting from top to bottom.. The top is my journal as I go through a book of the bible in depth I write down the information I am learning from that book.
The middle journal is my prayer journal. I have kept a note book or paper with prayers on it but this year I am trying to have a better prayer life and to have it organized. So I put the names, date,and then the prayer requests. Once it is answered I put a check mark beside that request and the date it was answered. It is so nice to sit with a cup of coffee and pray over the people you love most. I encourage you today to start your own.

The bottom larges one is a art book. This is what I use to doodle a bible journal entry first. Or test colors with color pencils, paint, water colors ect. It is just a messy book that helps me feel more confident when doing a bible journal entry.

                                                              Bible cover
So who doesn't like a pretty looking bible? When I purchased my bible it was UGLY! but it was cheaper and the bible was the size I liked best. So I figured I would just make my own. So that is the first thing I did for my bible. I bough heavier fabric and just cut it out slightly bigger then my bible.

I needed to add something to keep the bible shut so it didn't flop open. I had this red ribbon that is very wide 2 inches. I took a piece of 1/2 inch elastic and cut it to the size that fit the bible around. I took the elastic and stretched it while I sewed on the ribbon. I made the ribbon overlap in some areas when I sewed it so that it would look more ruffled.
I am so pleased how it turned out. I am not waiting until I find some fabric that is thicker chevron pattern... Why not accessorize your bible?

Bags Bags and more BAGS!! 
Are you like me you keep your bags "just in case?"
After awhile they get out of control and there is way to many. My cupboard that I have under my sink is where I keep mine. Then before I know it they are falling out every time I open the door

So I have been slowly the last few weeks going through my home and making it less messy getting rid of things and organizing and this morning my son opened the door under the sink and guess what? BAGS everywhere!!

So instead of putting it off I decided I might as
Well organize them. So as you can see I had a Big pile on my counter. I thought how am I going to organize these things? Then I thought back to making those little paper footballs when I was a kid so I tried it on the bags and they work wonderful!! Plus it takes less then 1 minute to fold to fold.

The first picture shows the huge pile and this picture I placed on a bag to show how small my pile is now. It is so manageable Plus you can tuck a few in your purse if you have to have a garbage bag or to hold something in an emergency. I am going to put a few in the car when I need a trash bag for the boys and their messes. Easy peasy!

Step 1:
Lay your bag nice and flat.












Step 2:
Fold the bag in half

Step 3:
Fold that in half












Step 4:
Fold over again so you have about 1.5 to 2 inch wide strip of bag.












Step 5:
Now to start making the triangle.
As you can see in the crease I made you fold that in a small triangle.











Step 6:
fold it over so it looks like this.












Step 7:
Keep folding that triangle from left then right side. all the way up the bag.

Step 8:
When you get to this part you will stop folding the triangles.











Step 9:
I turned the bag around so you can see that the handles of the bag are still sticking out and if you left it like this the little football would fall all apart again.
So as you can see I have lifted the "pocket" that on the opposite side of the handles and pulled it open.

Step 10:
Now tuck it right in. Make sure it is in there good and tight!!

Congrats you are done!! Now on to the rest of the bags you have to fold.

New recipes tonight.
I made plain white rice,
roasted broccoli,
and honey mustard chicken and pork.

Broccoli:
I had a large bag of broccoli from costco and used half of it.
I placed the broccoli on foil and drizzled about 3 tablespoons of oil on top. Seasoned it with salt and pepper and then used 3/4 tsp of dried garlic pieces. (or use 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic)

Baked on top rack for 30 min at 375F.

This is so yummy.. I will be making this again for sure. It didn't last long with the 5 of us.

Honey Mustard Chicken / Pork
So tonight I didn't have enough pork to feed us all so added a chicken breast to the pan.
Season your meat with salt and pepper then I drizzled mustard all over the top. Don't be shy!!

Then I put it in the oven at 325F for 30 min.
I then made a glaze
1/2 cup brown sugar
and enough honey to make a paste I didn't measure but most likely 1/4 cup.
Mix it together and add more honey if it is to thick. Then just smother that over the top of the warm meat. Cook until your meat is fully cooked.

Now here is how it tastes SOOooooOoo good.. Cut your meat on the pan that you cooked it in. Sliced like in the picture above about 1/2 inch thick to 1 inch thick. Then just soak both sides in the drippings before placing it on the plate. It will add so much flavor and you and your family will go back for seconds or thirds so be prepared ;)
My boys loved this and told me I had to make it again..
I hope you enjoy Happy Cooking

One-bowl chocolate cake
From Better Home and Garden new cookbook

It is a snow day here at our house. So my oldest son Ricky wanted to bake a cake. We had only one egg left in the house so the search for the cake that he wanted to make that had only one egg began.

He found this recipe which we had never tried before but why not right? Chocolate cake sounded great so off we went to make it together.

It turned out tasty about 4 stars I would say.
Here is the recipe:

1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons instant espresso coffee powder
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg

In a large bowl combine all the dry ingredients
mix the espresso and milk together and put that into the bowl, add the oil and vanilla, Beat for 2 minutes with a hand mixer. Add the egg and then beat for another 2 minutes.
Grease a round 9 inch pan
pour batter into the pan and bake 350 for 30-40 minutes (ours was done at 30 minutes) the toothpick came out clean :)

Place the cake and pan on a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes and the take out of the pan and cool completely. (I didn't read this part so I just popped the hot cake right out of the pan onto the wire rack and let it cool.)

Now to make the glaze:
4 ounces of semisweet chocolate and 3 tablespoons of butter. Melt this over low heat stirring frequently. This will not take long to melt.
Add 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of hot water Mix and you can add more water if it is to thick.
Spread over the cake and Enjoy!

Chicken Stove Top Casserole 
One of my favorite meals. My mother in law makes something like this and I never write down her recipe. So today I thought I would share the way I make it. It is great for left overs or just cook some fresh chicken and make yourself this chicken casserole. Plus it is super easy!!

Recipe:
4 chicken breasts cooked cut to bite size pieces
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup of sour cream                                         

2 cups frozen mixed veggies

 1 box of stove top stuffing (cooked)
  Optional: add a handful of cranberries to my water before cooking

                                             

In a casserole dish either a deep 8x8 like mine or you can use a 9x13 pan put your soup and sour cream (or milk) in the dish mix well and then add the chicken mix well again.

Put the 2 cups of frozen veggies on top of the meat.

Now to put the stove top stuffing on top.

Bake at 375 for 45 min.

Bible Journaling

This summer a friend of mine sent me some pinterest pins about Bible journaling. She was interested in doing it and thought that it might peek my interests. Which it did right away! I couldn't wait to get my own bible journal. So for my Anniversary my lovely husband said to order the bible I wanted for my gift.. I was over the moon excited.

I am not sure about you but I research the heck out of something before I order it. I spent time and figured out which one I wanted to order. Then the waiting started... and I waited... and waited... for the parcel to arrive. Then one wonderful morning my bible was delivered!

I must say it was not easy to start. It really made me get out of my comfort zone to try and create entries that I envisioned. I was so scared to mess up, or that it wouldn't be good enough. As I stepped out and just did it.. It was so much fun. I will be posting my entries with you all. I hope you are encouraged to start your own. There is nothing more encouraging then spending time with the Lord and using that creativity that he has given you to spend time with Him.

I hope you will join me in this journey this year.  

 Two tone snowflake
My little guy decided to help model this hat. I couldn't get a great shot of it flat. When he saw me taking pictures of it he HAD to have it on. So there ya go thanks Jayce! :)

It is a blue bottom and then changes half way through the snowflake and is a striped blue tone yarn. It came out just the right size. I will be adding this to my knit again pile for sure.

Snowflake Flower Hat
I think this is my favorite color and pattern. The only sad thing is that the pattern I made ended up to be a large size hat. Oh well there must be a friend of mine that has a large head right? lol

I will most likely make this one again at another time and a smaller needle.
This marble yarn is lovely and is a pleasure to knit with. It is warm and cozy. I was able to purchase this specialty yarn at a local small crafting store. It is fun to try a different type of yarn and pattern. You never know when you will find something you love to work with.

Star Wars Hat

The week that star wars came out I decided to make a hat that is star wars. I think it came out so great and the change in the pattern makes the hat so interesting.

My husband took us with him to see the movie and the boys were so excited. It inspired me to knit. See even star wars pushes knitters to get knitting haha. 

All Hearts Hats!
This past month I have been working on hats. I really enjoy trying new patterns with Fair Isle design it looks so great and keeps my attention.
Here is the first one I made this year. White with a variegated heart.

Meat Loaf
This is a meal I make about every other week. The Men/boys in my house just love this meal. There will not be much left over that is for sure.

Recipe:
1 pound of ground beef
1 pound of ground pork
1 cup of dry bread crumbs
1 cup of milk
1 egg
1/2 onion finely chopped
1 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp of pepper
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1 clove of garlic or 1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup of bbq sauce (plus some for topping)

Mix all together and place in a bread pan, or a make it into a round loaf like I did and place it in a pampered chief large baking bowl.
Top with BBQ sauce. Drizzle all over it this makes it SO yummy!!

Bake 350 for 1 1/2 hours

Serve with some veggies and whipped potatoes

Whipped Potatoes:
cook enough potatoes for your family.
Drain them well once cooked through.
Add a heaping spoon full of butter, milk, and I use dry minced garlic in mine yummo!
Use a hand mixer and mix well It should be creamy add more milk if it is still to thick.
Enjoy!

Fluffy Pancakes
Who doesn't love pancakes for supper?
My boys love it and I find it much easier to make them for supper then in the morning before school. It is to hectic to get it all done in the amount of time it takes to cook them and get out the door.

Tonight I was thinking what can I make for supper and Pancakes jumped to my mind. I figured it was time to make a new recipe as the one I was making was a thin and I am always game to try something new.
So here is what I came up with and they are by far the best I have had. They almost taste like my Grandpas. He would always make pancakes for us grand kids when we had a sleep over. As I ate them I can just picture him making them over his wood cook stove, in his cast iron pan teaching me how to make them.

I am sure you will enjoy these as much as my family did tonight. My boys all had 3 and I had to cut them off so there was enough for everyone else haha.. Boys they warm my heart! Any who to the recipe!

Fluffy Pancake Recipe 

1 1/2 cup of milk
4 Tablespoons of white vinegar (you could do 3Tbs of white vinegar and 1 Tbs Lemons Juice)
2 Cups of Flour
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 Teaspoons Baking powder
1 Teaspoon Baking soda
1/2 Teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoon melted butter
2 eggs

Mix the Milk and Vinegar in a small bowl and let stand for 5 min to make sour milk (or just buy buttermilk and omit the vinegar. I just never have that on hand and it is cheaper to make sour milk)

In a large bowl put all the rest of the ingredient in it (Don't Mix it yet)
Once you have let the milk and vinegar set for 5 min add it to the large bowl.
Mix with a whisk just until it is mixed through.
Let stand for 10 min.
Do Not Stir after the 10 min.
Carefully scoop out the batter into the pan.
Have your heat on Medium Low to medium heat. You don't want it to high or your pancakes will burn before they are ready to turn.
When the pancakes are ready to turn you will know by the Small bubbles forming on the top of the raw batter. It is important to wait until you see them and they are starting to burst. Then flip!! Your pancake will be all done on that side now to wait a little bit for the other side to cook and your ready to eat!
I hope you enjoy these as much as our family did.
This makes about 16 small pancakes.
You can easily cut this recipe in half we needed a batch to feed 5 people.
Enjoy and Happy Cooking!

Macaroni and Cheese

Who doesn't like comfort food every once and awhile? My boys have been asking for Macaroni and Cheese so tonight is the night. I can't stand boxed Mac and cheese so it is always homemade here. I thought I would share their favorite way I make it. I hope you enjoy it as much as they do.

Recipe 

1- 8 ounce package of macaroni (I used tiny shells)
4 Tbs of butter
4 Tbs of flour
salt and pepper I just throw some in but its about 1/4 tsp of pepper and 1/2 tsp of salt.
1 cup of cream (don't have cream? No worries just use milk)
1 cup of milk
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp dry mustard
bread crumbs
corn flakes (odd right? But they add a great crunch! so just crumble them and add them to the top of the macaroni)
pepperoni for topping

So cook the macaroni to the directions on the box
in a medium pan melt butter, flour, salt, pepper until smooth and melted.
Add the cream and milk cook until thick on med heat stirring constantly.
Mix in the shredded  cheese stir until the cheese is melted. (this will not take long)
Toss the cooked macaroni in the sauce.
Place in a casserole dish.
sprinkle bread crumbs and place pepperoni on top.
Bake at 350 for 20 min.
Let stand 10 min serve and enjoy!

My first attempt at refinishing furniture.

This was my great grandmothers little stand.
It was all a light color wood that had once been stained and the stain was coming off.. So I sanded the rough spots, wiped it down, primed it and painted it.

Sanded down the edges to make it look more the style of the piece. The handles were the original wooden nobs and I just used the extra spay paint from my light fixtures and painted them to match. It is a perfect little stand to put my phone book and keep everything all organized without having something huge in my kitchen.

Plus I can keep this sentimental piece and still have a stylish piece in my newly painted kitchen.

I will be redoing more pieces this summer coming summer it was so much fun.

Kitchen Light fixtures
I decided we need to take down our ugly cream fans that couldn't get clean and the globes were missing. You know the type? haha
So when I went shopping the ones I kept being drawn to were SOOO expensive way out of my price range. So I decided to go to a local second hand store to see what they might have.
When I went it there was the sign that made me do a little dance and walk a little faster 50% OFF all light fixtures!!!
Don't you love those types of deals?
So I went back to see if anything was left. There wasn't any that matched which I didn't expect there to be but a woman can hope right? But these two were on the opposite sides of the store and they looked so similar that I just had to have them. I got the BOTH for a grand total of $30!

I promptly went to walmart and got a box of Jars, 2 cans of spray paint.
I hung the light fixtures from my swing set and sprayed them down..
Sprayed the lids of the jars,
got some LED candle style lights (they don't get hot!!)
My handy husband put them up for me and I LOVE how they look. Plus for less then $60 I have 2 new light fixtures. Can't beat that..
A little elbow grease and time you can create something wonderful!

Command Center

I have been looking on pinterest and seeing all the wonderful command centers everyone has made. This summer I repainted my kitchen and decided it was a perfect time to make my own.

So I started going to yard sales looking for frames (in the store they were expensive for the ones I wanted)
So I found some and spray painted a few and then put them up.. Now I just have to paint Menu on the 4 little white squares above the menu. And my mother made the family Birthday sign and I will add the birthdays under the month.. Makes life so easy to have it all there with chore charts, calendar, menu, chalk board and I have a little pocket calendar on my fridge in a basket to keep the upcoming events written down. Each month I write the days and the items from our little calendar on the large white erase one and we are all organized. Plus I really like seeing how fun my wall looks rather then a large empty space..
Start the new year off organized and I would love to hear how you have done your own command center.

Cloth Diapering......

I have three boys.... My first two are 8 and 9 years older then my youngest. When the two oldest were young I didn't hear that this simple way of cloth diapering was an option.
So when we had our 3rd that option was really starting to take off. So we decided to give it a try and I don't regret it one bit. It is so easy and we save so much money on diapers.
I do use disposables at night so that my boy will sleep through the night..
But during the day they are amazing almost no blowouts and he is so cute in them!
   
So it was laundry day and our dryer is on the fritz so they are getting line dried.

     Cheese ball! 

This is one of my kids favorite things to put on crackers. I always make it around Christmas time for something special.
I use to buy it and one day I found this recipe and I haven't bought one since.
It is so simple and cheaper then buying it in the store. Check out the recipe and why not try one this year?

Cheese ball recipe:

2 blocks of cream cheese
1 Package of Ranch mix
1 to 2 cups of grated Sharp cheese (or what ever you have in your house)

Take out the cream cheese out of the fridge to soften them.
Place the cream cheese then ranch in a bowl top it off with some yummy cheese.

Use a hand mixer and mix well.
Place in saran wrap and form a ball or just scoop it in a dish with a lid.. Refrigerate for an hour and then you can serve it. Your family and friends will rave about how this is the best cheese ball they have ever had!!
**Optional- after an hour in the fridge you can roll them in nuts and make it look and taste extra fancy**
*note that the picture above I had a Costco size cream cheese and I used 2/3 of it**
Happy cooking!

         

 How cute is this snowman that my best friend made me for Christmas!!
A Painted log with a wood nose and a sock hat.
I will enjoy this on my window sill all winter..
Thanks Bonny!!

My sweet boys. How I have enjoyed this Christmas Break. As the time comes to an end and school starts tomorrow I look back over the last few weeks and smile. How great it is to see the big boys playing with their little brother with such love and affection. It was so nice to have this time and a break to do family things together. I love these 3 little men so much.. I can't wait for the joy of all the snow and the playing outside that will come very soon...