Pinterest Projects Week 4

Well, I can’t believe it’s almost the end of January.  Seriously, there are only two days left in the month.  Whoa, time flies when it’s below zero for half the month.

This week I’ll be sharing what I did this week and some others I may have missed along the way.  There should be about a week’s worth of projects to see.  So, without any other ramblings…

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Beef Stew with Parmesan Dumplings

Cheddar Jalapeno Turkey Burgers

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

Hot Chocolate Oatmeal

Ravioli Bake

Chicken Yakisoba

Skillet Lasagna

There you have it!  The first few were done before, but the rest were done in the past week.  Sorry to make you hungry again.  I did have every intention of having some other projects included.  Next time there will definitely be some crafts!  Promise.

Miss out on the last three weeks of Pinterest projects?  Check them out: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3.

Lincoln also photo-bombed one of these.  Can you find him?

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What a week…

This week has been an up and down kind of week.

I woke up Monday to a grey sky and cold weather.  It was definitely a day to stay inside and snuggle under the covers, trying to keep the cold winter blues away.  Unfortunately, the blues found me.  It was also the day my great grandfather passed away.

We knew this day would come.  We’d been told a fair number of times it could happen.  And somehow, my great grandfather always pulled through.  Somehow he beat the odds.

But something changed this fall.  We were told he would probably pass in the next few months.  The week of Thanksgiving was hard.  He wasn’t doing well and we were preparing for what might happen.  But somehow, again, he pulled through.  He even got a little better.  He got to spend time with his bride of 73 years before Christmas and family was able to see him for Christmas.  The last time I got to talk to him was the day after Christmas.  He seemed to be in good spirit and I was so glad to get to talk with him.  I can’t wait to share more with you about this great man.

I also had a doctor appointment about my PCOS.  The last couple years have been a craziness of do I have PCOS?  What is PCOS?  And what do I do about it?  I’m finally on some medication because what I’d tried previously didn’t work.  I’ve also lost 3 lbs. since my last doctor appointment in November.  I know it’s not a lot, but it’s something.  And I’m proud of myself for finally getting my weight under control.  And not letting myself just be OK with where I’m at.  I’m ready to move forward and it’s a great feeling.

And so this week has had its ups and downs.  My hubby has held me while I’ve cried, made me laugh when I’ve needed it, and has held my hand throughout.  We’ve also spent a lot of time in prayer.  And prayer is an amazing thing.  It brings my heart and soul peace and always reminds me I’m not alone.

Pinterest Projects Week 3

Here’s the round-up:

Fabric Covered Bulletin Board

Fried Rice and Crock Pot Asian Pork

Air Freshener

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

10 Minute Infinity Scarf

Spice it up!

Love comfort food?  Love Mexican food?  Love it when they collide into one super comfort-Mexican-deliciousness food?  Well, have I got a recipe for you!

The Mr. and I both love Mexican food.  I mean, LOVE.  We eat it in some way about 3-4 times a month.  We also love comfort food.  A nice hot, hearty meal to warm you from the insides out in cold Wisconsin is the way to go.  So, we decided to combine our loves and came up with:

The Super-Duper Taco Pie

Yum-yum!

Here’s what you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 medium onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can black beans
• 3 T. homemade taco seasoning
• 3 T. tomato paste (optional)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (more to garnish)
• 2 cans crescent rolls
• lettuce
• tomatoes
• salsa
• sour cream
• 8×8 baking dish
• 80’s Pop station on Pandora (optional, but highly recommended!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Press one can of crescent rolls into the 8×8 baking dish.  Brown your hamburger with the onion and garlic.  Strain mixture.  Add black beans and tomato paste (if wanted).  Stir in taco seasoning and water.  Stir until well combined.

We added the tomato paste because we had some open that needed to be used.  It gives the mixture a chili thickness, which we rather enjoyed.

Dump hamburger mixture into crescent roll lined baking dish.

Top mixture with cheese.

Top the pie with 4 crescent rolls from second can.  This is the best part – you get to bake and eat the other 4 rolls!

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden.

Top with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa and sour cream.

Seriously, so good!  I’d even say Super-Duper.

And here’s the homemade taco seasoning:

• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1.5 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 to 1 tsp sea salt (more or less to taste)
• 1 tsp black pepper

Mix all ingredients together.  Store in an airtight container.

 

 

Pinterest Projects Week 2

All of my Pinterest projects this week were recipes.  It was just one of those weeks.  So, get ready to want to eat.  Seriously, go put on sweatpants and then come back.

Bacon Beer Cheese Soup with Chicken and French Bread Roll

Quinoa Burger

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Poppyseed Bread

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

There you have it, ladies and gents.  A round up of this weeks yummy Pinterest projects!  I think my favorite was the quinoa burger, followed by the crispy cheddar chicken.  My least favorite was the bacon beer cheese soup.  It had too much beer flavor.  And if you know me, I DO NOT like beer.  I don’t think I even finished my bowl.

But enough about me, you must be starving!

Craft Room Makeover

I’m so excited to be in the new year and all the possibilities!  First, my wonderful hubby said I could redo my craft room and make it more user friendly.  How wonderful is he!?!?  He even went as far as to say we could spend a few hundred bucks on the space.  What?!?  Well, after the initial euphoria, I decided to use what we had and go from there.  So, ladies and gents…here it is (or at least the beginning) my craft room makeover on a budget!

Today (and a couple hours yesterday) was all about sorting through the junk I could see.  And rearranging.  Here are some before and afters:

Before starting…ugh

Before

Last Before pic…I. Can’t. UGH.

As you can see, it was a mess.  And the hubs wondered why I didn’t actually craft in the craft room…

But I had some good pieces to work with.  A sturdy table for sewing.  Great shelf units that I customized (think spray paint and fabric).  And some other storage containers.  And like I said, I started by going through the junk I could see.  I threw away some things.  I moved our box of wedding stuff to the office to be stored in the closet.  I also moved all my stationary to the office and other random things like phone chargers, camera cords, etc.

I then decided how I wanted the room to function.  I moved my sewing table to the northwest corner, moved my shelving units to the north wall and added a folding table we had in the garage.  So far nothing spent.  Except some calories.  And I can spend a lot of those!  So, here’s where we are now:

I know, I know.  There’s so much more to be done.  But I have plans!

Do you see all the windows?!?  It’s wonderful!

It’s been great being able to start going through things and create a space I actually want to be in.

Stay tuned for more updates and how I’m saving money by using things I already have!  What a concept, right?