Monday 30 January 2012

Home Project Goal: February


There are a few projects that I'd like to get done around our house this year, so I've decided to showcase one project each month. 

Here is the gallery wall in our basement that currently has NO pictures in it...BORING!!!  So, my goal for this month is to get this gallery wall DONE!  Let's see how I do...my hope is that putting my goals "out there" I will stick to it...one can only hope!

Saturday 28 January 2012

Friday Photo Challenge - Shoes



Here's my submission for Carly's Friday Photo Challenge.  This is a picture that I have wanted to capture for sometime now and with Carly's theme of "Shoes" this week, I thought that now would be the perfect time to do it:)  There's nothing better than dancing with Daddy!

I've been really impressed with all the photographers in the group - it's a creative bunch!  If you'd like to join in, please do....check out Carly's blog here for more details!

Wednesday 25 January 2012

What's Cookin' Wednesday - Hashbrown Casserole and Ham in the Slow Cooker

Hello, I'm back this week with a yummy recipe for a hashbrown casserole that you can do in the slow cooker, with a little trick to do the ham at the same time as well.  This recipe is a big hit with my kids - even the picky eater!!!  Give it a try!

Hashbrown Casserole with Ham Trick!

What you'll need:

1 bag of frozen, shredded hashbrown potatoes (I didn't have the shredded on hand,so I used the cubed potatoes)
8 oz sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup melted butter
onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1-2 lbs. ham

Stir all ingredients together - except ham.
Wrap ham in foil and (here's the trick....)place on top of potatoes!!!
Cover and cook in the slow cooker 5-6 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.


Enjoy!  I did mine with a side of steamed brocolli or "trees" as my kids say...delicious!  This recipe is from eatathomecooks.com

I'll be linking up to these fabulous blogs this week:
Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link
A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party
Simple Home Life - Features and Simply Creations Link Party
Bacon Time in Northern Cali - Anything Goes Linky
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday
Delightful Order - Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH
Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up
I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop Link Party

Friday 20 January 2012

Photo Friday Challenge - Pocket Light


Happy Friday!!

Here is my submission for the Photo Friday Challenge.  With the sun setting, I hope this counts as "pocket light"...may be I'm reaching?!?  At any rate, this view never gets old for me....beautiful Lake Huron sunsets:)
Check out some more pocket light submissions, or better yet, join in on the challenge at the Simple Things.

Open for Business!!


Well, I'm officially open for business!!  I just have a couple of dresses that are ready to ship up on the site right now and a Cinderella tutu...they are so cute!  The dresses are made from Amy Butler fabric (she has such beautiful designs - she's currently my favourite!) and they would fit a 12-24 month old.  Be sure to check out my shop here and let me know what you think! 

Wednesday 18 January 2012

What's Cookin' Wednesday - French Toast in a Cup!



I came across this recipe from the Prudent Baby blog - it is delicious, and quick & easy to make!!  I give this two thumbs up!!

Here's what you need:
-1-2 pieces of bread - any kind will do, I used Wonder bread....but I bet this would taste great with raisin cinnamin bread
-1 egg
- 3 tbsp of milk
-small amount of butter
-Optional - cinnamin, vanilla
-Maple Syrup!

Spread the butter around the side and bottom of your mug - you may need to melt the butter a bit.
Cube bread and put inside mug
Mix eggs with milk add optional ingredients if desired (I used a dash of both for mine!)
Pour egg mixture over bread, let it sit a minute (bread needs to soak up the mixture)
Heat in microwave for 1 minute, 30 seconds - or until ready - no runny eggs!
Once cooked, pour on the Maple Syrup and ENJOY!!!!

I'll be linking up to the following sites:
Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link
A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party
Simple Home Life - Features and Simply Creations Link Party
Bacon Time in Northern Cali - Anything Goes Linky
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday
Delightful Order - Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH
Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up
I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop Link Party

Tuesday 17 January 2012

Photo Friday Challenge - The Simple Things Blog


I'm a bit late to the game, but this year I'm going to be participating in the Photo Friday Challenge created by Carly author of The Simple Things blog.  In addition to admiring her photography, I love the way she decorates her home. 
So without further adieu, here are my photos for the last two challenges.

Week 1 - Self Portrait
I took this picture last year when I did my own "Project 365".


Week 2 - Sparkle
As the mother of three children my house is constantly covered in finger prints, playdough, paint, crayons, toothpaste, diaper cream, unknown substances and laundry.  Since having kids, I've learned to let some things go....if there are fingerprints on the windows - no big deal, if the toys weren't put back on the shelf in the playroom - I shut the door (out of sight, out of mind!!) However, I have to admit I absolutely love the way my home "sparkles" after a really good, thorough clean....even if it's only like that for half an hour before they come home from preschool!

Wednesday 11 January 2012

What's Cookin' Wednesday - Slow Cooker Provencal Beef Stew!


Once a week, I've decided to dedicate one post to a yummy recipe that my family loves - I'm calling it "What's Cookin' Wednesday".  This week's recipe is for Slow Cooker Beef Provencal Stew. 

I LOOOVVVEEE using our slow cooker and since having children I use it all the time.  This stew is really yummy and includes a couple of different veggies for the little ones.  We have a picky eater in our house, so what I do is pick out the a few sweet potatoes and a bit of beef for his plate (heaven forbid anything GREEN goes on to his plate!!)  Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Beef Provencal Stew
1 lb boneless stewing beef
3 tsp flour
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut in 1" pieces
1 can (28oz) diced tomatoes
1 zuchini cut into 1" pieces
1 onion
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 cup Kraft Sundried Tomato and Oregano dressing
1/3 cup chopped basil

Toss meat and flour in slow cooker.  Add remaining ingredients, except basil.  Stir.  Cover lid and cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours (or on low for 6-8 hours)  Stir in basil just before serving.

Recipe from Kraft Kitchens.

This week, I'm linking up to:
Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link
A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party

Monday 9 January 2012

My Sewing Nook

Hello there...I hope that you had a terrific weekend!  The weather here has been AH-MAZING!!  I hope that it's nice where you are too.
As promised, here is my new sewing nook.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any "before" pictures, but it was just an empty courner in our bedroom (you'll just have to trust me!)  I was in need of a permanent spot to put my sewing machine but with no extra rooms in our house and limited space in the ones we have, I didn't know what to do?!?!  Thanks to Pinterest and the wealth of creativity that it holds, I came across MANY ideas for my sewing nook.  It is still a work in progress, but it's made such a difference in my life.  Before my new sewing nook, I had my sewing machine stored away in a cupboard....which wasn't bad until I started sewing on a more regular basis.

There's still more that I'd like to do - add some art work and a pillow and I'm changing the chair from wicker to a white wood one...but overall I'm very happy with the (almost) end result.  Thank you Pinterest!!!

Here's the breakdown of the items that I used:

Desk: Ikea - Samdal
Wall Shelf and brackets: Ikea - Ekby
Light and accessories:  Ikea

Friday 6 January 2012

Sewing Maniac!

I've been a bit of a sewing maniac over the past few days.  In addition to finishing off my new sewing nook (the reveal will be next week!), I've been sewing a few dresses for my Etsy shop - Jessie Street Designs (opening later this month).  I've also been working on a few crafts (some sewing projects, some spray paint projects) that I will be sharing with all of you in the next few weeks!!  It's been busy around here, but I'm so excited to see things coming together.  I hope that you all have a great weekend:) ox

Wednesday 4 January 2012

No Bake (Good for you!!) Cookie Balls


I'd like to share a recipe for my all-time favourite no bake cookies.  I am in LOOVVVEEE with these cookies and could eat an entire batch on my own, in one sitting - not. even. kidding.

Try them out, you'll be glad you did!  And if you'd like to thank me for this recipe, feel free to make a batch and send them to me;)

Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1/3 cup cashews
1/2 cup oats
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
couple dashes of cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon stevia
3 tablespoons sugar free maple syrup (sweetened with xylitol)
1/4 cup grain sweetened chocolate chips

Directions:
Blend cashews and oats in the blender or food processor until flour like consistency. Pour in a bowl and mix well with the remaining ingredients. Eat dough as is or form into little balls about a teaspoon each. Should make about 30 cookie dough balls, that is if you haven't already been nibbling on the dough;)  Freeze cookie dough balls on a plate so they don't stick together. After they are frozen, toss them in a bag and keep them in the freezer.

I'll be linking to these parties:
Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link

Sunday 1 January 2012

Happy New Year!

To celebrate the new year, we enjoyed Chinese food with our family and barely consumed a bottle wine, times have changed and we're definitely NOT the wild and crazy bunch we thought we were - everyone (parents included) was in bed by 10:00pm!! 

In other news, we've been working on a new home project - a sewing nook!  I'm hoping to have it done by next weekend, if not sooner - pictures will follow, I can't wait to share it with you. 

Happy New Year!