PICKLE JAR FOR CUTTINGS

So sorry that I am behind on the postings.  Back in the saddle again.

I was trimming back my mini schefflera and  needed a receptacle to root it in.  I brought out my vintage pickle jar that I had received as a present.  Filling it with water and inserting the stems was the perfect solution.

You can never have enough plantings in your house.

PAPER QUILT BARNWOOD STYLE ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD 2018

I was interested in doing a new updated paper quilt that I could frame.  I came across this scrapbook paper book called Barn wood Pretty. I used my Hobby Lobby 40% coupon on the book, so it ended up being around about $12.00 for the book.  I loved the idea of meshing(?) barn wood with spring colors.  A white frame would look stunning. 

Before I started, I wanted to see a smaller version to see if it was easy to put together. 

I bought a stencil cutter that had a 6 sided shape.  It reminded me of the fabric quilts that I had seen.

I began cutting a shape out of multiple pages in the book.  In no time, I had a paper quilted card.



I was happy with the random design. 

Using my sister Terri's punch, I punched Happy Birthday out of another sheet of scrapbook paper. Thanks again Terri.

I think that I'm going to make a full paper quilt and frame it for another auction at the school next year.  This will be another blog.



SILVERED VALENTINE TREE

At Christmas, I used this adorable, silvered lighted Christmas tree.

Now,  Valentine's Day is coming up and I came across these cupcake picks that my dear friend Tara gifted me few years ago post Valentine's Day.  As you can see the price, originally they were $14.00 but I bought them for $3.00.Now, some would say, how tacky to leave the price on a gift, but Tara and I love to get a deal and she wanted to share with me the spectacular price.  Love her!

I believe my days of making cupcakes for the girls' school parties are pretty much over and it got me thinking.....how can I use this gift??

What about using the picks as ornaments?  It was worth a try.



 It only took a matter of minutes to place the picks on the tree.

What do you think?

I moved the tree over to the great room.  What a pretty sight!

At night, the tree is lit.  Beautiful!!

Thanks Tara for the inspiration!



VALENTINE SHUTTERS 2018

Instead of doing a Valentine mantle this year, I decided to do a vignette in the great room.

My youngest helped me haul down the 'mental hospital' shutters I purchased years ago in New Hampshire.  I pulled Grandma's red and white star quilt out, a red V that I bought at Hobby Lobby a few years back, my assorted hearts, some red and white paper straws, a German translated 'of the house blessing of piety' vintage lace cross stitch and my dear friend Tara's beautiful charm garland.

Together they put together a nice scene by the chaise lounge.



VALENTINE SILVER TRAY 2018

On the foyer table, I laid out some of my valentine heart ornaments along with my previous years' Valentine cards.

Using a silver tray as the base, it was fun to haphazardly  lay all the items out.

Now that is what I call an easy Valentine vignette.



SLATE FOR THE TRAY

Back on January 20th, I featured an upcycled tray.  At the end of the blog, I mentioned that I was hoping to find a piece of slate to place on top of the tray in order to serve cheeses and grapes.  I looked everywhere with no success.

While I was on one of my trips to Aldi's this morning, I was looking through the Christmas clearance items, and lo and behold, I found it!

The underside has felt pads so the wood top will not scratch.

The slate was the perfect size and an added plus was a piece of chalk to write the names of cheeses directly on top of it. 

And in the back of my mind, I hear my Grandmother's voice, ' the Lord provides for those that wait'.

Whether it was divine intervention or not, I don't know.  However, it only cost $4.99!

God is good...all the time.



FREEZING HOMEMADE SOUP

As I had mentioned in my last posting, I have been busy in the kitchen making homemade soups to keep the troops warm and happy.

Today, I pulled out a vat(a little over a gallon of my best beef vegetable soup) and readied it for the freezer.  As a bonus, I will reprint the recipe at the end of this post.

I like to cool the soup in the refrigerator or even outside right now with the temperatures below freezing.

 

I buy these plastic containers at the Kitchen supply house here in town.  The package of 50 lids cost about $3.75 and I then buy 2 packages of the containers because there are 25 in each bag.  The total for 50 sets is just under $10.00.

I use these containers to freeze almost every sauce or soup that I make.  The great thing about them is that you can just pull one from the freezer and give it away without worrying if you get your container back.

 

These containers hold one quart each.  One quart is an ample amount for 2 people to have lunch or   dinner.

As far as marking the containers, I have found that when wet, even permanent marker smears.  So, I write the label directly on the lid.

Then, I place a piece of packing tape directly over the printed label.  There are no more accidents on the label wearing off.

I ended up with 4 containers equaling to 1 gallon of soup.  This recipe is amazing and goes from freezer to stove without losing any flavor.

LORA'S BEST BEEF VEGETABLE SOUP

 

1 stick of butter



 

2-3 smashed garlic buds

 

1 sweet onion-chopped

 

2 lbs. stew meat, cut in smaller pieces(I like a bit of marbling as it gives the soup more flavor)

 

1 large can of crushed tomatoes

 

3 teaspoons Paprika

 

2 bay leaves

 

s&p to taste--at end!!!

 

8 cups beef broth-I make mine with beef base. 

 

 Mix 2 teaspoons of base to 1 cup of hot water. I find mine at WalMart.  Depending on how thick you want your soup, adjust your own amount of broth.

At least 2 and if you like more, 3 lbs frozen mixed veggies.  I cook mine ahead because they are the steamed packets.

*I marinate my beef in a gallon ziplock bag with 4 cups of water and 3-4 T. cornstarch.  I leave it in the bag for at least 30 minutes.  I rinse and drain the beef before putting it in the onion, butter mixture.  This process will tenderize the beef.

 

Start by melting your butter in a pot on low.  Add garlic and onion and sauté for just a minute.  Add meat and cook on low for about 1 hour.

 

Next add tomatoes and cook another hour on low.  If you see your beef getting tender sooner, you are done with this step.

 

Add bay leaves, paprika and beef broth.  Cook for 30 minutes. 

 

Add cooked veggies.  Sometimes, I cut up canned potatoes in cubes and add them. 

TURN THE SOUP OFF.  I DON'T LIKE OVERCOOKED VEGGIES AND WHEN YOU REHEAT THE SOUP, THE VEEGIES AND  POTATOES WILL NOT OVERCOOK.

 

SALT AND PEPPER AT END .

 

ALWAYS TASTE BETTER THE SECOND DAY.

Excellent when put in freezer.  Just thaw and reheat.

 

Cook a pot today and freeze some for a later day.