Christmas Frame

I made over a dozen of these cute christmas frames to give to friends and neighbors. I should've taken step-by-step photos but there's a good tutorial here. I left out the bow thinking that they could be used all-year around.

Nativity Parade

I love our Nativity. I haven't seen it anywhere else. We got this the first year we were married and now we're on Christmas #4! I always look forward to setting it up every year. Its a wonderful reminder of the true reason for Christmas.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

New Cookbook

I was thrilled to learn I won this cookbook from Damaris at Kitchen Corners. L has gotten more and more picky lately, and these recipes are so simple and yummy. I've only tried a couple, but I have a feeling I'll be using this book again and again!

Pretty Book Wreath

I was inspired by this wreath by Living with Lindsay and knew I had to try it. The full tutorial (and video) are found on her blog. It was both simple and cheap - two things that I like. It only took me an hour!

Supplies:

Foam wreath (Dollar Store) - $1

Book (Goodwill/DI) - $0.50

Hot Glue Gun

Gray/Black Paint

Ribbon and straight pins for hanging

Total cost - $1.50!

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ever since fall began, I've been wanting to make something with PUMPKIN. Ooo, I love it. I found this great recipe and I think they turned out so yummy! I think you'll like them too.

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1 c firmly packed dark-brown sugar
1/3 c granulated sugar
2 c cake flour
1 3.4 oz package instant butterscotch pudding
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 large eggs
1/4 c milk
1/4 c sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 c canned solid-pack pumpkin

Directions:
1. Preheat over to 350. Prepare cupcake tin with liners.
2. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes.
3. Sift flour, pudding, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and pepper in medium bowl.
4. Add the eggs one at a time to the large bowl. Alternate adding flour and milk, sour cream, vanilla mixtures, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat in pumpkin until smooth.
5. Fill liners about 3/4 full. Bake until toothpcik inserted into center comes out clean, about 20-25 mintues.
6. Cool cupcakes completely. Make frosting during cooling time.

CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1/4 c butter, softened
5 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Mix cream cheese and butter until well blended. Add cinnamon and vanilla - beat well. Slowly add the powdered sugar.

Enjoy!

A Month Later . . .

Can you say horrible slacking off? Its been a MONTH since my last post and I'm still not done with my decluttering! The only reason(s): lack of motivation and vacations. This week will be full of Halloween activities, but I have made a deadline: November 6th! I WILL:

1 - Sort/discard all junk
2 - Organize/label
3 - Have a place for everything I own
4 - Deep clean/Fall clean

Happy First Day of Fall!

To celebrate fall, I thought I'd share some recent photos of my trip to Park City. It made my heart happy to see the changing leaves. Such a beautiful place to visit.

In town . . .



View from our window

Please remember these are from my point-and-shoot camera. Someday I'll have a "real" camera and hope to shoot even better pictures.

Happy Fall!

Burlap Table Runner

I needed a new fall table runner but didn't want to spend a lot of money. I also wanted it done quick since fall is pretty much here! This is what I came up with:

This little table runner took literally 15 minutes to make. No sewing either! This is my first burlap project and I think I'm in love. I measured the table and bought 2 yrds for $3.99/yd. I only used half of it so technically this project was under $5! Whoohoo! Once cut, I frayed the edges by pulling out individual strands. Super easy and just a little messy.

To Inspire

A little home inspiration while I'm cleaning. Love them all!

from Little Bits of Bliss

Following from House of Turquoise

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Work in Progress

Decluttering at the moment. This is what I'm making myself do before any new projects. Hopefully done fast because I have a lot of cute stuff going on in my head.

See you soon!

New Girl

Good afternoon and welcome to my first post on Pages Lane. I am not new to the blogging world, but I am new(ish) when it comes to home decor/crafting. Before this blog, I would say I LIKED home decor, but didn't think my little apartment was worth decorating too much. However, I read this post by the Nester, and she truly inspired me to create a lovely home. I don't have to wait to be in my dream house. I can make my current house (or should I say tiny apartment) cozy and inviting. I have learned that I can create on a budget too, which is huge for my family. I'll talk more about that later.

So, speaking of family . . . I feel like I've been in a rut since I had my firstborn about 18 months ago. I hope I'm not the only mom that feels that way. Don't judge me for wanting to take a nap instead of taking on a new project. :) A lot of my hobbies were put on hold because:

1 - The little guy was awake and needed me
2 - I was too darn tired to do anything
3 - Once again, I was waiting for my "dream house" before doing anything.

The things I would like to include in this blog are:

1 - Home decor
2 - Sewing
3 - Cooking
4 - Photography
5 - Organizing and Maintaining

That last one is HUGE for me. It's what I wish my home was EVERYDAY. Perhaps you could tell already, but I love lists. I make tons and tons and tons of them, and they end up everywhere - notepads, on the computer, in my journal, in my head. Gosh - do you see that I need some help? Haha. I hope this blog serves as a good learning tool.

Ready to get started with me?

First step - Organize

Creamy Chicken Noodle

Last week we had a jacket-weather day. First time in months! I made a delicious homemade soup that I'd like to share with you!

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 qt + 1 cup chicken broth or stock

4 oz egg noodles

1/2 c butter (I used 1/4 cup)

3/4 c onion, chopped

3/4 c celery, chopped

3/4 c carrots, chopped

2 T flour

1 qt milk, warmed

1-2 cups chicken, cooked and diced

1 can cream of chicken

1 tsp parsley

Add salt and pepper to chicken broth. Bring to boil and add noodles. Cook until tender. In a different pan, add butter, 1 cup chicken broth and vegetables. Cook until veggies are tender. Add flour to veggie mixture and stir until smooth. Cook for 5 mins on low. Add flour mixture to noodles and broth. Add chicken and cream of chicken. Cook until thick, stir occassionally. Salt, pepper and parsley to taste. Enjoy!

Also kid-friendly!

Summertime

New season and definately new menu. I love summer!

Monday - Pulled pork Sandwiches

Tuesday - Turkey Wraps

Wednesday - Salmon and Green Beans

Thursday - Barbacoa Mexican Grill

Friday - Hamburgers and Potato Salad

Saturday - Taco Salad

Sunday - Apricot Chicken and Rice

New Favorite

Its hard to top my favorites list, but this Candy Bar Pie is a new favorite in our house. Its the winner of the Pillsbury Cook-Off.

Candy Bar Pie

1 Pillsbury All Ready Pie Crust
5 Snicker's candy bars (2.7 oz)
1/2 cup sugar
12 ounces softened cream cheese
2 eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons whipping cream
2/3 cup milk chocolate chips

Heat oven to 450ºF. Prepare pie crust according to package instructions for filled pie, using 9" pie pan. Bake at 450ºF for 5-7 minutes or until very light golden brown.
Remove from oven and let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325ºF.

Cut candy bars in half lengthwise; cut into 1/4" pieces. Place candy bar pieces over bottom of partially baked crust.In small bowl, combine sugar and cream cheese, beating until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream and peanut butter, beating until mixture is smooth. Pour over candy bar pieces.
Bake at 325ºF for 30-40 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely.

In a small saucepan, heat whipping cream until very warm. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Spread over top of pie.
Refrigerate 2-3 hours before serving. Store in refrigerator.

TRUST ME, ITS THAT GOOD!

New Month, New Menu

I got a great new Pillsbury cookbook for Christmas and I've been itching to try some new recipes. This whole week is generally from it.

Monday - Mexican - Baja Pie


Tuesday - New - Pork Chops with Apples


Wednesday - Chicken with chipolte


Thursday - Italian - Bow-ties with Ham


Friday - Date Night


Saturday - Layered Enchiladas


Sunday - Alfredo Green Bean Casserole





PS - We had cheese fondue over the weekend. Try the recipe here.

Birthday Week

This week is my birthday. Number 27. I don't know if I'm ready for it, but I am ready to celebrate. Benj is taking me to the Cheesecake Factory and I cannot wait! I'm sorry to say it, but out of all the meals I'm "making" this week, I'm most looking forward to Friday when I don't have to cook and I can devour a whole slice of heaven. The question is, what kind should I get?

MONDAY - Mexican - Thai Chicken Burritos

TUESDAY - New - Grilled Steak and Roasted Vegetables

WEDNESDAY - Chinese - Wok Steak

THURSDAY - Italian - Rotini with Spicy Meat Sauce

FRIDAY - Date Night - Cheesecake Factory

SATURDAY - Soups On! - Clam Chowder

SUNDAY - Traditional - Family Dinner

Dad's Famous Clam Chowder

It really is the best you will ever it. I promise.

3-4 cans (6.5 oz) chopped or minced clams

1 cup finely diced celery

1 cup finely diced onion

1 cup finely diced carrots

2 cups diced red potatoes

3/4 cup flour

1 quart milk

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon salt

ground pepper to taste

Drain liquid from clams and pour over vegetables. Add just enough water to barely cover and then cook until vegetables are tender.

While vegetables are cooking, heat milk in microwave until wave and then add butter with canola oil in large saucepan. Over medium-low heat, add flour slowly to melted butter and whisk until well blended. Add milk slowly, stirring constantly until mixture is smooth and thickened.

Add vegetables (do not drain), clams, and salt and pepper. Heat chowder (slowly stirring) until it just starts to bubble. Serve with crackers or sourdough bread.

Beginning of a New Year

Better late than never, right? I will really try to post these at the beginning of the week.

MONDAY - Taco Salad

TUESDAY - Hawaiian Haystacks

WEDNESDAY - Spaghetti Pie

THURSDAY - Italian Chicken and Rice

FRIDAY - Crescent Calzones - from Pillsbury

SATURDAY - Chicken Pot Pie

SUNDAY - Shepherd's Pie

PS - Have you seen Julie and Julia? I just saw it today and it was so inspiring. Not only about cooking but whatever basically doing whatever you dream of doing. I wish I could cook fancy french food everyday! We can't afford lobster but I think I'll try a recipe of Julia's next week. :)