Christmas Ornaments

How many of you are so excited for Christmas this year??
I know I am, it is by far my favorite time of the year.
I love doing homemade gifts for all of my family so I decided to make ornaments for my mom this year.

What you'll need:
Clear ornaments (I got mine from Hobby Lobby for 1/2 off!)
Acrylic Paint
Water
Acrylic paint in a squeeze bottle

Directions:
I put probably 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of paint in and 1/3 of water.
Hold a a paper towel over the opening and shake it until its covering everything
Put the lid back on
Use the squeeze bottle and write the persons name and date of the year
Let dry and your good to go!

The other ones in the picture are easy too!

The snowman ones I put the snow that you use for the Christmas villages in them, drew a eyes, carrot, and mouth on with sharpies and I was done!

The snowflake one I put the snow in and drew on snowflakes with a silver sharpie.

The 3rd in the top right corner of ornament holder I took our wedding program (only two years late) cut it in thin strips, use scissors to make spirals like you do with ribbon, put them in the ornament and that's it.

White Chili

Ingredients

• 3 15 oz cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1 15 oz jar alfredo sauce1 cup shredded
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1-2 4 oz cans chopped green chilies
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 small sweet yellow pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1 to  1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions

1. In a 5-6 quart slow cooker combine all ingredients
2. Cover and cook on low for 3/4 hours or until heated through, stirring once.

Yields 12 1 cup servings

Tuna & Noodles

Such a simple dish but so tasty! this is an easy meal to throw together on late nights.

Ingredients

• 1 large bag egg noodles (Gluten Free)
• 2 cans tuna (drained)
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup (I used a homemade substitute)

Directions:

1. Cook noodles as directed
2. Drain tuna 
3. Add tuna and cream of chicken soup to noodles and cook on low until its warm throughout

Chili

We just got a larger crockpot so I adjusted how much we used this last time and it still tasted fine

Ingredients

• 2 lbs hamburger
• 2 cans chili beans
• 1 large can tomato juice 
• 2 cans tomato sauce
• 2 cans tomato paste
•  1 onion chopped
• 1/2 cup jalapenos out of a jar
• 1/2 cup banana peppers out of a jar
•  1 TB chili powder
• 1 TB Garlic
• 1/2 TB Pepper
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried minced oregano
• 1/4 cup salsa

Directions

1. Brown hamburger in skillet
2. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and salsa to the skillet and mix with the hamburger while it cooks.
3. While the hamburger is browning add the chili beans, tomato juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, onion, jalapenos, banana pepper, chili powder, garlic, and pepper in crockpot. 
4. Add hamburger and stir all of the ingredients together.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours

Roast in the Crockpot

I'm sure everyone has their own way of cooking a roast, so here is mine!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lb roast (it's generally just my husband and I so I just pick what size I want not by lbs!)
• 6 organic russet potatoes
• 2-3 carrots
• 1/2 tsp galic
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp dill

Put everything in and fill with water
We usually leave it for 8 hours 

I would to hear some of your idea's on way's to season the roast! feel free to leave a comment.

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients

• 1-2 lbs cube steak, cut into one inch pieces; or 1-2 lbs stew beef cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
• 2 cans condensed golden mushroom soup (No substitutes)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 Tb Worcestershire sauce
• 1 14 oz can beef broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 ounces cream cheese, room tempurature
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

1. In the crockpot, combine the meat, soup, onion, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and beef broth.
2. Cook on low for 5-6 hours (or high for 3).
3. Stir in cream cheese and sour cream about a half hour before serving, stir every 10 minutes or so.
4. Serve over cooked egg noodles or rice.

Crockpot Ham

Cook Time: 6-8 Hours
Temp: Low

Recommended for a 6 quart or larger

Ingredients

• 1 Ham, precooked, bone in, spiral cut
• 3 cups brown sugar
• 1 can pineapple tidbits, undrained

Directions

1. Cover the bottom of the crockpot with brown sugar
2. Place ham on top of the brown sugar and add the pineapple tidbits with the juice
3. Cover on low for 6-8 hour

Baked Chicken Alfredo

A friend of mine gave me this recipe and we just love it! It usually makes it into the rotation every month and makes great leftovers also.

Ingredients:

• 4 Chicken Breast
• 1 block cream cheese (you could use two or substitute with greek yogurt but I haven't tried the yogurt)
• 2 block or a 2 cup bag pepper jack cheese
• 1/2 cup onion sauteed  in butter
• 2 jars Alfredo sauce (I use Ragu. I am trying out some homemade recipes also.)
• 1 box of linguine noodles or two depending on how many people you are cooking for, I've found the chicken is filling enough you don't need as many noodles.

  Directions:

1. Pound out the chicken breast to a bout 1/2 inch to 1 inch thickness.
2. Divide the cream cheese into 4 pieces.
3. Mix the cheese and onion together.
4. Add cream cheese, cheese & onion mixture to the chicken breast wrap up the chicken breast and pin with toothpick.
5. Pour both jars of Alfredo sauce over chicken breast.
6. Bake at 375 for 1 to 1 1/2 hour.

Yumm:) after the chicken is baked! 

I am also going to experiment with making this a crockpot dish.

This brand seems to work the best for all of the gluten free noodles I have bought. 

October Meal Planning

I have jumped on the meal planning band wagon!
I started in May but have been perfecting it since then, October is the first month that I will shop for everything at the beginning of the month.

Meals

1. Homemade Pizza
2. Parmesan Chicken Manicotti
3. Cheese Chicken & Rice Casserole
4. Mediterranean Chicken
5. Chicken Fingers
6. Crock pot Lasagna
7. Cheeseburger Soup
8. Beef Stroganoff
9. Oven Baked Tacos
10. Roast
11. BBQ Pulled pork with leftover roast
12. Chili
13. White Chili
14. Crock pot Ham
15. Scalloped potatoes and Ham
16. BBQ Chicken Taquitos
17. Chicken Wings in BBQ Sauce
18. Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
19. Mexican Lasagna
20. Ribs
21. Chicken Fried Steak
22. Cheeseburger Pie
23. Cheesy Beef Spirals
24. Tuna & Noodle
25. Baked Chicken Alfredo
26. Stuffed Chicken Breast

There will be a few days out of the month that we won't be home or will eat out so I didn't plan 31 meals

We don't get home until at least 6 most day's so I have put quite a few crock pot meals on the menu and am going to work on more freezer meals for November! 

I will also work on making up a shopping list for all of these ingredients with prices.
It is generally just my husband and I so we make enough to have leftovers everyday also to cut down on buying lunch foods. 

Mexican Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 TBSP chili Powder
• 1/4 Tsp red pepper 
• 10-12 corn tortillas
• 1 egg
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1 cup grated monterey jack cheese with peppers
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1 (16oz) can tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups small curd cottage cheese, drained
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives

Directions
Brown ground beef; drain thoroughly.
Add cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, red pepper, salt, pepper and tomatoes; heat through.
Cover bottom and sides of a 13x9 baking dish with tortillas.
Pour beef mixture over tortillas; place a layer of tortillas over meat mixture and set aside. 
Combine cottage cheese, monterey jack cheese and egg; pour over tortillas.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
remove from oven, sprinkle rows of cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, green onion and olives diagonally across center of casserole. 
Makes 6-8 servings 

Cheesy Beef Spirals

Ingredients

• 2 C. uncooked spiral pasta (gluten free)
• 2lb ground beef
• 2 small onions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3-4 C. spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 C. sour cream
• 2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile in large saucepan cook the beef, onions, and garlic until meat is no longer pink. drain. Stir meat mixture and spaghetti sauce into pasta. Mix well. transfer to a 9x13 baking dish. Spread with sour cream. Top with cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly. Serves 8-10

Chicken Fried Steak

Ingredients 

• 3/4 cups flour (substitute with gluten free flour)
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1lb boneless round steak
• 1/2 C. Milk
• 2 T. vegetable oil

Gravy

• 2T. water
• 4 1/2 tsp. Flour (gluten free)
• 3/4 C. Milk
• 1/8 tsp. pepper

Directions
In a shallow bowl, combine flour & pepper. Cut beef into serving size pieces; roll in flour mixture to coat. Remove meat; pound with a mallet to tenderize. Pour milk into another shallow bowl. Heat oil in a skillet. Dip meat into milk, then coat again in flour mixture. Fry, covered, in hot oil 10 minutes. turn; cook 10 minutes longer. remove and keep warm. Four gravy, add water to skillet; Stir to loosen browned bits from pan. In a small bowl, combine flour, milk, and pepper until smooth. Stir into skillet. bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened.

Stocking stuffers

I had a picture of the beautiful stocking's my grandma had made for my husband and I last year, I will have to post it later when I find them or...when it's time to decorate for Christmas!

Men

Pocket knife - 

Window decals for car - my husband loves jack skellington so I got him some of those last year, you could do his favorite sports team, ect. 

Kitchen knives - if your husband loves to cook like mine this is a great gift. we like the Rada knives they are in expensive but work great and you can purchase a sharpener from them.

Kitchen gadgets - meat thermometer, tongs, grilling accessories, ect.

Cologne

Shaving supplies - I bought my husband and dad a small kit from the art of shaving last year and they both loved it, my dad prefers un scented which they offered so a great solution for people that are sensitive

Key chains - sports team, favorite band, or bottle opener keychain. 

Bottle openers

Candy

Hand Warmers

Feet Warmers

Leather wallet

Bullets - if you can find the right ones in stock!

Body wash - my husband loves axe, even though  it's an essential he still enjoys getting them in his stocking

Women 

Lindor truffles - or any other gourmet chocolate, try out a local place if you have one! We have a great chocolate store right down the road from my work I will be checking out this year. 

Makeup - Avon, Elf, Aveda, Mac, options for any price range.

Kitchen utensils - I LOVE Pampered chef or Tupperware, you could also go to a kitchen store or Williams Sonoma

Hand lotions - I love Aveda's hand and foot relief they offer two different sizes which is great and they also have holiday gift sets.

Perfume

Travel size hair products - I love Aveda's styling products, and everyone loves a travel size hairspray to have in their purse, talk to your stylist if the salon doesn't carry them.

Candles - I love celebrating home candles (previously home interiors) if you haven't heard of it ask your mom and I'm sure she has, they also have two different types of Warmers and scent beads!

Coasters - you can purchase a favorite sports team or check out my tutorial on making them.

Specialty coffee or coca mix 

Fuzzy socks

Craft or scrap booking supplies

Gift certificate to salon or spa ( find out who their stylist or nail tech is first though) 

Universal

Toothbrush - my whole life my mom has bought us the electric toothbrushes with the battery for Christmas and puts them in our stockings, it sounds like a simple thing but we expect it every year now.

Sharpies 

Fancy pens

Small notebooks 

Pocket calendar - for the people that still use them, there is a few!

Fishing lures - my husband and I love to fish, these always end up in our stockings! 

Organic soap - you can find it at whole foods or specialty stores but my absolute favorite is sudsy soapcakes, they have organic gluten free soap, I have been using it my entire life and love the fresh spearmint.

Mix cd's - this always makes it into my husbands stocking, whether its a mix he can listen to at work or my favorite love songs of the moment.

Underwear

Headphones

Xbox, ps3 games Or accessories

Movie tickets

Belkin outlet that shuts off when your device is done charging 

Chapstick

Gift cards - I think everyone gets at least one of these in their stocking. I love the Starbucks one, or a favorite clothing store.

Batteries

Gloves - a nice pair of leather gloves or some durable work gloves 

Ornaments - my mom got my brother and I an ornament every year growing up (she still carries that tradition) and now that we are on our own it is great that we already have ornaments we can pull out of our Christmas totes that have a memory attached.

 It would always very between a personalized one, the musical instrument we played, to our favorite cartoon character.

The best time to buy them is after Christmas at hallmark, you can get them up to half price, but hurry they don't last long! 

Car air freshener.

Candy! - everyone loves this one.

I'm sure I have more but that is all I can think of right now, feel free to comment with your stocking stuffer idea's I would love some input!

Chloe

Christmas Fever

So is anyone else getting what I like to call "Christmas Fever"? I sure am! I love to start my shopping early and have been getting so many wonderful ideas on Pinterest, what are some of your favorite stocking stuffer or go to gifts? 

I'm going to start compiling some of my favorites to post!

Have a wonderful day.

Chloe

Shoe Holders turned craft storage

Who knew shoe holders made great craft organizers! 
I got the door hanging one at Walmart for about $4
and the larger hanging one was given to me but I would guess it cost around $5-8.

I still need to go through the one hanging on the door a little more but I basically organized but use. Sharpies, regular markers, highlighters, scrapbook pens & markers, tape. ect.

The closet hanging organizer holds crayons, pencils, marker set, hole punch, pencil sharpener, and games (the rest of the games are on shelves above the organizer.

So far it has worked out really great and has freed up some desk and shelve space! 

Tile Coasters

DIY Tile Coasters for around $6-8 dollars for a set of 4
Great for Christmas, Weddings, Ect. 

 I made quite a few sets of these for Christmas gifts this last year and they went over very well!

 What you need:

• Tiles (I got mine at Home Depot and Lowes)
• Stamps 
• Stamp Block
• Ink
• Clear Gloss
• Felt Pads

I tried doing this without the stamp block and boy did that not work! 

I placed the letter and design on the block and measured to make sure the placement would work on the tile. Use your color of choice for ink and place stamps on the ink and stamp the tile. Once it fully dries do two clear coats and put your felt pads on the bottom, then you are ready to go! 

I got the stamps, stamp pad, and ink at Michaels during one of there 40% off sales
you can get the tiles at basically any Home Depot and the Clear Gloss and Felt pads at any Hardware store or Walmart
It cost me around $20 for all of the supplies 
and approximately $1.50 a tile so you can make a pretty low cost gift!

Cookbooks

Have any of you done your own cookbooks before? I've been thinking about making a hardback cookbook infact its on my list to make my mom for christmas. I use binders and page dividers to organize all my recipes, I type them up and try to add a picture if I have one, I have two, one for main dishes & sides and one for sweets. now if you have been collecting recipes like my mom for the last 30 years you have 4 binders! 

My subsections are as followed 
Main Dishes & Sides

• Main Dishes
• Crock pot
• Freezer Meals
• Soups
• Side Dishes
• Breads
• Salads
• Drinks
• Extras (spice sheets, ect) 

Sweets

• Cookies
• Bars
• Pies
• Deserts 
• Snacks
• Dublin (treats for our dog)

  You can add more subsections or take some away, I have found that I am horrible at looking at my food board on Pinterest so I will print off the recipes, add them to my binders, delete them off my board, and go to my binder for recipes!

Peanut Blossoms

Peanut Blossoms (My Great grandma's recipe)
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup Shortening(or Butter)
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg
2 TB Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla

Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together.
Cream shortening, peanut butter, sugar and brown sugar together.
Add egg, milk, vanilla.
Blend in dry ingredients.
Shape into balls, roll in sugar.
Bake 8 minutes at 375*.
Remove from oven and press chocolate candy kiss or chocolate star on top (I like to use the stars!).
Bake 2-5 more minutes longer.

Double batch makes approximately 5 dozen 3" cookies.

I will have to add a picture next time I make these! 

Footstool Redo

DIY Footstool Redo

I bought this footstool off a local swap for $3, it sat around for awhile before I finally got around too it! 
I used black gloss spray paint that cost about $3 
and recovered it with some fabric I got from the local true value for $8 a yard (I only used about 3/4 the yard so I will have to find another project for the rest)
So for about $12 I got a great looking footstool and was able to customize it.

                                                            Before

 

After

Thanks for stopping by!