Halloween Ornament

Here is an inexpensive idea if you need ornaments for a halloween tree. I took clear glass christmas ornaments added orange glitter to the inside, found black and white polka dot letters (spelled BOO), and tied it on the tree with a cute orange ribbon!

So many things to create with a die cut machine...

Our local library has a die cut machine that is open for us to use at anytime, with lots and lots of die cuts to choose from! One of my favorite discoveries is that it not only cuts paper, but also fabric. I used the pennant die to cut these triangles and hot glued them to bias tape. Then I used orange to cut out letters, and dabbed a little fabric glue to hang in the middle of pennants! Isn't that adorable!

Sweet Potato Bread

What a great way to make use of a leftover sweet potato!

1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup water 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions
Combine sugar and oil; beat well. Add eggs and beat. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture alternately with water. Stir in sweet potatoes and chopped nuts.
Pour batter into greased 9x5 inch loaf pan (or 2 small loaf pans). Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes

I added a yummy vanilla glaze


3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 13 mins
1 Mix 3 tbsp butter, melted, 2-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar, 3 tbls water and 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth

Beef Stew.....perfect for a cold day!

1 cup flour
2 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon thyme (can use Italian seasoning instead)
1 teaspoon black pepper
32 ounces beef broth
1-2 pounds stew meat
5-6 medium potatoes, unpeeled and chopped
4 large carrots
1-1/2 cups frozen pearl onions or 1 large onion, chopped
Place stew meat in a bowl, pouring flour over. Stir to coat. Please a tablespoon of oil in large skillet and heat on medium heat. Add coated meat and cook, stirring often, just until browned. Place meat and all other ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or high 3-4.

Love this Wreath!

What can you do with a $1.00 wreath form from the Dollar Tree, and a pack of coffee filters?



There isn’t really any wrong or right away to go about this – just dab a dot of glue on the wreath and then crinkle the middle of the coffee filter a little and attach to the glue. Add more glue if you need and keep adding coffee filters to fill in all the spaces. I left the back of the wreath plain so it would lay flat against the wall.

Birthday Present Idea

Doesn't curly riboon make everything look better? Oh and a little cash too??

Beef Short Ribs

This is a great meal to make if you are having dinner guests!


1/2 cup olive oil 4 pounds beef short ribs salt and pepper to taste 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups chopped onions 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 cup red wine 8 cups beef stock 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Season the ribs with salt and pepper to taste and dredge them in flour. Fry the ribs in the oil in small batches, adding oil as needed, to sear the meat. This should take 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Set ribs aside.
In the same pot, add the onions and saute for 2 minutes.Season with salt and pepper to taste, and then stir in the garlic, cook for 1 more minute.
Deglaze the pot with the red wine, scraping up all the bits on the bottom. Add the stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer. Add the ribs and continue to simmer for 2 hours, until the sauce thickens. Stir in the parsley and serve.