Monday, December 19, 2011

Slow Cooker Fun, Pt. 2

The other night, hubby had a bad stomach ache. He's actually been sick for quite a few days, but it was at its peak on Friday. Knowing how rice and broccoli soup always make me feel better, I decided to try something for him.

In my slow cooker, I put the following:

6 frozen boneless,skinless chicken tenders
1 can cheese soup
1 can broccoli and cheese soup
1 can milk (used one of the soup cans to measure)

I let them cook on high for about 3 hours, until the chicken was falling apart. I then added:

2 cups rice
1 cup water

I reduced the heat to low and let the rice cook in the mix for an hour. It was tasty and made hubby feel better, at least temporarily.

**Please note, you may need to adjust the cooking times for this, if you choose to make it. My slow cooker seems to run hotter than most! Usually when things tell me to cook on low for 4-6 hours, I everything's ready in 3-4. Not sure what it is, but it makes me happy! :)


Cheers!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Organization

A trip to Ikea on Sunday with some good friends prompted a remodel of my Craft Room/Office.

While parts of it are thoroughly organized and lovely, most of the room is still in shambles.

I can't wait to get back in there and start crafting again!!!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Slow Cooker Fun

I've got to figure out how to work this so my recipes are all in one place on here. I've got a few that I came up with on my own that I'd like to share, but I want them to be organized.

Someday, maybe!

Tonight's Dinner:

Beef Burgundoff (a combination of Beef Burgundy and Strogonoff)

1-2 pounds stew beef cubes
1/2 cup burgundy wine
1-2 tbsp onion flakes
1-2 tsps Garlic & Wine Seasoning*
1/2 cup water
8 oz. cream cheese, cubed
1/2 bag Egg Noodles


1. Spray your slow cooker with a cooking spray to keep things from sticking.
2. Add beef, wine, onion flakes, and seasoning
3. Cook on high heat 4-5 hours. You don't have to stir, but you can if you'd like, periodically.
4. About 30-45 minutes before you are ready to serve, add water and cream cheese. Return cover and continue to cook on high.
5. About 15-20 minutes before serving, add uncooked Egg Noodles. I usually use the smaller bags, and add 1/2 bag to mine. It's just me and my husband, so this gives us plenty for dinner and 2-3 more lunches, each.

*The Garlic & Wine Seasoning can be purchased from the Melting Pot for $3-$5, depending on the day, honestly. We've been charged $3 and $5! You can get it online or at the restaurant, itself, and you don't have to make a reservation to just go in and purchase the seasoning! The bottle is fairly large, and lasts quite a while. We put it on everything - salmon, chicken, in all my beef slow-cooker recipes, and in place of almost anything that calls for garlic powder. That being said, if you don't have this seasoning and don't plan on getting it, substitute Garlic Powder.


Let me know what you think if you try this! I'll be posting more recipes, soon. I only have 2 more (one, really, but I've made a second variation of it), so I'll spread them out!

Cheers!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Even Closer!!!

Last week I posted about how I was only $350 away from a title promotion with Stampin' Up! - well, I'm EVEN CLOSER, now!! Only $189 away from becoming a SENIOR Advisor!! I know it's silly, but I'm really quite excited about it! I just wish I knew how to grow my business and get more customers!

Any suggestions??

Cheers!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Baked Glass

After two attempts, I was finally able to semi-succeed at baking glass marbles! I found the technique on Pinterest, like I stated earlier, courtesy of craftster.org.

Now, Ms. Craftster used completely round pieces of glass (true marbles), and only needed to bake hers at 350 degrees (F) for 20 minutes. Another woman and I did not have such luck - we used the glass pieces found in floral departments that are flat on one side. I followed her advice and baked mine at 500 degrees (F) for 20 minutes.

Either type of "marble" you use, be sure to immediately dump them in a sink (or other metal container) full of ice water. Don't worry if you hear sizzling and cracking - you WANT to hear that. Worry if you don't.

I don't know if I like the final product as much as I did the picture Ms. Craftster posted of her finished product. Maybe because my beads aren't completely spherical.

Here are some of my observations that might help you in testing this out for yourself:
- the smaller the marble, the more it cracked and the better it looked.
- colorless marbles seemed to pick up a brownish hue after being baked. They were in a REALLY hot oven for quite a bit of time, so I guess it makes sense.
- Using transparent marbles would not be worth your time. The cracks are inside, so you won't see them if you can't see through them.



Let me know if you try this! I'm hoping to get some actual MARBLES this weekend, so we may have another update!

Cheers!

Picture Links - Picasa Web Albums

Soooo....Here's my attempt at getting the pictures of my proudest creations to you: links to Picasa Web Albums!

Some of the photos you may have seen, others you may not have. Again, more images will be uploaded once the holidays pass!

Feedback is welcomed and appreciated!

Cheers!

Post It Holders


Tiles


Paint Cans


Pin Cushions




3D Paper Crafts


Composition Books


Post It Holders

So Close!!

I just found out last night that I am only $350 away from a title promotion with Stampin' Up!! It really makes me want to get the business going full-force, but I don't want to invest in more business cards and more supplies! *I say "more" business cards because of my recent purchase of 250 business cards to grow my lia sophia business! I love both companies, and want to stick with them both, but being so close to a title promotion really lights a fire, ya know?

Does it matter that the sales are only thanks to my husband and my best friend?? ;)

I have been a crafting fool the last few weeks. Since the discovery of Pinterest and the free time to try out new techniques, I've created quite a few really neat things! Some of the techniques I've found were so simple it was amazing I hadn't heard of them before! Right now, I can't quite divulge some of the things I have finished, but once the holidays are over (and provided I remember...), I will post pictures and more details. Not like anyone reads this, but just in case, I don't want to spoil the surprise of their Christmas gifts! I will say, though, that these things are things I'd be incredibly proud to display and consider selling!

If you have not already, look into these techniques! Let me know what you think!

* Home-made Mod Podge
* Puffy paint on wax paper
* Double Embossing

At some point today or tomorrow I will be experimenting in baking marbles. Yes, baking marbles. I will be taking store-bought glass marbles and baking them in my oven. If it works, the final results will be STUNNING, and I'll have one more picture to add to the already insane list of stuff I have to post!!

Cheers!