Some Corners of My Kitchen

Just thought I'd share a few corners of my kitchen. I was thrilled to recently find the coffee cup rug clearanced out @ $7! It's in front of my sink. Do you remember the Goodwill plate find for 49 cents? It was bare for many months because I couldn't decide if I really wanted to make it a chalkboard plate. I finally decided to use a rub-on letter with our initial. The two smaller black/tan plates were found @ Hobby Lobby for 99 cents each. I just love finding a good decorating bargain, don't you?

Thanks for looking!

Menu Plan Fun

I spent some time planning meals for this week and grocery shopping for everything over this past weekend. I've got a busy week ahead and there's just something SO nice about knowing I've got my act together in the kitchen! A lot of the recipes I'm using are from the Mom Advice blog I previously mentioned. (I *would* link up to the recipes and get all technical like that but alas, I can be rather computer challenged most of the time!)

Monday: Slow cooker ravioli/tossed salad

Tuesday: Country ham and macaroni casserole/broccoli

Wednesday: Chicken pot pie/mashed potatoes/blueberry muffins

Thursday: Italian veggie and pasta soup/breadsticks

Friday: Eat out

Don't know about your families but around here most of the time I don't really plan a Friday night supper because it seems like everyone's kinda scattered around doing their own thing.

Yesterday we tried out two recipes I *definitely* think are worth mentioning! Our Sunday dinner & dessert was AWESOME! My family grew up eating a lot of "Sunday dinner pot roast" and so did my husband's! (So I don't know if THAT'S why I don't make it except for maybe once or twice every couple of months?!) Anyhow, I used the 'To Die For' pot roast recipe from the Mom Advice blog...wowzers, it truly lives up to its name...we LOVED it...so, so, sooooooo good! (Even our 13 year old non-lovin' beef daughter ate seconds - it was THAT delicious!)

The other recipe I'd like to pass along is one for 'Apple Pie Cake' that Manuela @ The Pleasures of Homemaking posted on her blog last week. It smelled so heavenly coming out of the oven and boy, was it ever yummo! We had vanilla ice cream with it. No calorie counting around here yesterday, that's for sure :)

Hope you have a wonderful week...enjoy each day and be intentional to make some cherished memories...I know I'm going to try!

A Delicious Dinner Recipe

Not sure about you but sometimes I get just plain stumped when it comes to menu planning. Seems like we eat the same thing over and over and over again. My kids aren't extremely picky eaters but they have their tried-and-true favorites, of course. I decided to try a new recipe I recently found at a blog called Momadvice. (Go there; you'll love it!) http://www.momadvice.com

Here's the recipe we tried out on Monday...

Christina's Salsa Chicken

1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded
1 packet taco seasoning
16-ounce package wide egg noodles
24-ounce jar salsa
16-ounce container sour cream

Boil noodles; drain and return to pot. Add sour cream and salsa. In a separate bowl, mix shredded chicken with taco seasoning. Add to the noodle mixture and cook for 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat. *Makes 8 servings

This dish got great reviews from all!

A Project and Awesome News!

Take a look at this adorable little eyeglass case I made over for my daughter Tess...whaddya think? Cute, hey?! I'm lovin' how it turned out. Sorry there is no 'before' shot (camera batteries were dead) but picture this...a cat image on the front. Ummmm, let's just say Tess took one look at it and said, 'Mom, not trying to be mean but I SOOOO don't think so!' ha ha (I was quite relieved I had only paid $1.50 for it from good ole' WM!)

So I got out some scrapbook paper, Mod Podge and a few rub-ons to see what I could come up with to please a 13 year old young lady so she'd actually carry her glasses in it. Ah, success...it passed the test...Tess likes it! (Whew!)

Oh, and now for the AWESOME NEWS...I'm tellin' ya, it's SOOOO wonderful! Remember last week when I had to see my oncologist? Well, my bloodwork came back all fine and the chest x-ray was great....I don't have to return to the oncologist for SIX MONTHS!!!!! Wow, is that just THEE best news or what? I was SO thrilled and SO relieved...God is so good!

I'm feeling great and people have been telling me how healthy and good I look, considering all I have been through this last year. (Don't mean that in a vain way - just that I'm much better after being so sick.) The only thing I've gotta take care of at this point is to see my family doctor regarding some heart palpatations I've been having. Not overly concerned about it; just something that needs to be checked on.

I've actually had not one but two haircuts since my hair has grown back, which just seems incredible considering I was mostly bald last March! One of these days real soon I'll have one of my girls take a nice picture of me and I'll share it on here.

Hope everyone is doing well!

*This post is linked up to "Creative Cats Tuesday" at www.poppiesatplay.blogspot.com

Something Near and Dear To My Heart

As many of you already know, I am a breast cancer survivor. The 'Click Every Day' button is located on my sidebar. Your click will help to fund a free mammogram for a woman who otherwise may not be able to afford one. TODAY each click counts double so please take the time to be a part of this worthwhile cause! I know I say it often and you've probably already heard this a million and one times but it's true...EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!!! (I am living proof, no doubt about that.)

I have a routine appointment to see my medical oncologist this afternoon. Last week I had a chest x-ray and bloodwork. I'll update later...

Thanks for going to the breast cancer site and clicking...make a difference today!

And The Winner Is.....

We have a winner...it's 'The Scooper' from A La Mode...congratulations! (Please send me an e-mail and I'll get that package in the mail to you.) Thanks to all who participated in my first giveaway!

Hope everyone enjoys a wonderful weekend! We are having beautiful weather here in Michigan...yay!

A 300th Post Giveaway...Sign Up Now!

Today was 'back to school' for my girls so I just wanted to share a cute picture I took of them sitting with their dad before they left for school! Taylor started her junior year and Tess started 8th grade. Keep scrolling to see the giveaway!



Today marks 300 posts for this blog...wow! I wanted to host a giveaway as a way to celebrate that and also thank the ones who visit here!

Let me tell you what's included in this giveaway:
*Small decorative wreath with pretty bow in fall colors
*"Leaves of Gold" poetry book
*A green throw from JCPenney Home Collection...it measures 48" x 54" (pictured under wreath/book)
*Pumpkin spice candle
*Handmade fabric "AUTUMN" banner...made especially for you by yours truly!

Here are a few important things to know about this giveaway:
*To enter - simply leave a comment on this post.
*You DO NOT need a blog to join in...I just need a way to contact you.
*I'll ship anywhere in the U.S. & Canada.
*Comments will close on Friday, 9-11 @ 11:59 p.m. (EST.) A winner will be randomly chosen and announced the next day, Saturday, 9-12.

Thank you to all who so graciously visit my blog and leave such wonderful comments...I appreciate it!

Check Out This Giveaway!

Have you seen these adhesive plate hangers? Well, go over and visit Suzanne @ Southern Inspiration! This sweet gal is hosting a very nice giveaway that you really need to go check out! Hurry...go there NOW!

Well, wait just a quick sec before ya go 'cause I've gotta tell ya somethin'!

Speaking of giveaways, I got to thinking about this being a holiday weekend and all...so with that in mind, I'll show you what all's in my 300 post giveaway this coming Tuesday. I plan on choosing a winner next Friday and will announce it the next day. Sound good? I'll give a little hint...it's all about FALL!

A Really Ugly Tray Redo

*This is my first time participating in Transformation Thursday. Go there to check out more cool projects! www.theshabbychiccottage.net

'U-G-L-Y...You ain't got no alibi...you ugly!' That's what was going through my head as I passed by this hideously decorated tray when I was thrifting at Goodwill recently. In fact, I walked right on by once, then came back around to that aisle. I decided to look past its ugliness and see the beautiful potential! Remove the tacky ribbons & pearls, a good coat of spray paint and this thing's gonna be a beaut! So into the cart it went.
I don't think I would've bought it, though, if it wasn't HALF-PRICE that day.
Here is the tray in all its glory after a little bit of love and attention. Some black spray paint, a few fall decorations and scrapbook paper....ahhh, so much better now!

Thanks for looking! Please go on over to see more awesome DIY projects at Kimba's place! www.asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com

*Oh my, can I be any more embarrassed? After 2 unsuccessful tries with McLinky adding it to the list @ ASPTL, I still don't think it worked...oh well!

I've Got The Laundry Blues...How 'Bout You?

Photo courtesy of Country Living
Photo courtesy of Country Living
Photo courtesy of Pointclickhome

I have a problem. I have NEVER enjoyed doing laundry. It is one of my least favorite domestic chores. Give me a counter full of dirty dishes that need to be hand-washed and I'd RATHER take on that job! On the one hand, I'm so grateful to even have a family to do laundry for (5 people with 2 teenage girls in that mix) and on the other, I just can't stand the task! I seriously HATE doing laundry! Does anyone else feel this way?

I start out just fine. In fact, I'm a real stickler to sort everything well. I like to bleach my whites. Light colored and dark colored clothes all separated. Jeans together. Towels together. Whites. Etc. etc. etc. Putting it into the washer, then the dryer - no problem. THIS is where I get tripped up...folding it and putting it away! Am I the *only one* with this issue???? LOL

What laundry routines work for you? What's your biggest challenge...is it the folding and putting away, like me? Do you hang most of your clothes up or are they folded in a drawer?

Hey, thanks for your input!

*By the way, I am STILL planning to host my first giveaway to celebrate 300 posts. In fact, the plans are in the works and I'll share about it soon.