Feelin’ the Spring and Sunshine

It is always my goal to share things in a timely fashion so that if you like any ideas you can try them (of course while adding your special signature to things). However, life gets in the way and I don’t end up having a solid block of time to get to my blog. I imagine I should work on it in stages when I have a little time and that will be my goal for my May post.

The things I am sharing in this post are a mixed bag of Spring and Easter but I am sure you can adapt them for other times as well. Or as my brother told me the other day, he saves all my blog posts in a folder in his email so that he can look back on things should he want to. I was totally and completely flattered by that. I know he is my brother but still it was so nice to know!

Recipes

Pierogi Crockpot Dinner *dailydiylife.com (This was delish! It’s kind of like Polish scalloped potatoes.)

• 3 -16 oz. boxes of frozen pierogis
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 8 oz. block cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 pound kielbasa – sliced (or other cooked meat mentioned above)
• salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in your crockpot. Cook on high 2 – 3  hours, or on low for  4 – 6 hours.

This was super easy and definitely one I will keep in my repertoire.

Knock Off Olive Garden Italian Chicken *sparklestosprinkles.com

• 2 Pounds Boneless Chicken Breasts or Tenders
• 16 oz Bottle Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing (I used Kraft Italian)
• 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan
• 8 oz Block of Cream Cheese
• 16 oz Cooked Pasta of your choice

1. Lay your chicken in the bottom of your crockpot.
2. Pour the dressing over the chicken.
3. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the dressing.
4. Lay the cream cheese on top.
5. Place your lid on. Cook on HIGH 4 hours or LOW 5-6 hours.
6. Shred the meat with two forks or very carefully with a handheld blender.
7. Pour the cooked pasta into your crockpot. Mix well to combine.
8. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese and mix to combine.

I didn’t mix the pasta in with the chicken. I served it over the pasta instead. This recipe made enough for 2 meals of 4 people each and enough to send to a neighbor. The first time I put the chicken over linguini and the second time I put it over penne. I think you could use any pasta or even rice or zoodles. This was a BIG hit.

Does is seem like I love my slow cooker? Yeah, a little. I favor one pot meals and ones that cook slowly and fill the house with a great smell are just sublime!

Cheesy Bacon Biscuits

I needed some rolls or biscuits for our Easter dinner and didn’t find any in the stores that I wanted. So I improvised a little and everyone seemed to like them.

I used 2 cups of baking mix (Bisquik or store brand) 2/3 cup milk and a cup of shredded cheddar. That was a standard recipe I found online. Suddenly inspiration hit and I remembered I had real bacon bits in the refrigerator from another recipes so I added about a 1/2 cup of those. Once mixed, I spooned them on a baking sheet. I placed them in a 450 degree oven and baked for 8 to 9 minutes. When I pulled them out of the oven I brushed them with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder. YUM!

Hacking It

*You can turn any cake mix into cookie dough by adding 2 eggs and 1/2 cup of oil.

*Have you ever found your jar of honey all crystalized? Don’t throw it out. It isn’t bad. Put it in a pot in your sink and run warm tap water in the pot. Let it sit. You may need to change the water to make it warm again depending on the size of your honey jar.

*Ever have trouble getting a knot out of a shoe string, string or jewelry chain? Get the under used cornstarch out of your cupboard and put some on the knot. Work it in. The item becomes sort of slippery and will come apart with ease.

*Now that we are heading for nice weather, that pesky sand in the car issue will soon be upon us. If you took a barefoot walk on the beach (shout out to Karen D.) and are heading for your car, just shake some baby powder on your feet and the sand will easily come off.

*Have you ever needed to convert temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit? Here’s an easy trick. Double the Celsius and add 30.

*I have tried this hack and although I can’t technically prove it, I think it works. When you fill your gas tank hold the trigger on the pump handle half way. You get more gas and less air.

Crafty Spring

I made a very simple craft for myself and a friend. I made a simple bow with two loops. To this bow I attached the ears from a bunny headband which I bought at Dollar Tree. Hot glue wouldn’t hold them securely so I stitched them on. I then glued a bunny tale to the knot of the bow with hot glue. I purchased this at Dollar Tree as well. It was a clip for hair and I pulled the clip off the back prior to gluing. I ran fairy lights through the loops of the bow and down the tails, securing the switch inside the back of the bow. Finally, I fashioned a hanger out of jute and tied it to the back.

I made a 3 tiered tray using a Dollar Tree pizza pan, a pie pan and an 8in. round cake pan. To separated the tiers I used two candle holders also from, you guessed it, Dollar Tree. Using E6000 and a little hot glue to hold the pieces until the E6000 cured I assembled the pieces.

Then I used ivory chalk paint to cover the entire 3 tiers. It took 3 coats for me to achieve the coverage I desired. Just to even things out and remove any brush strokes, I lightly sanded it. I also added a little jute wrapped around the pie tin’s outer edge. This it before and after decorating. I plan to use the 3 tier tray for multiple seasons/holidays.

For many years I have had a child’s vintage wooden ironing board. I have used it to display things in the past. It just hit me that the top of it would be the perfect shape for a bunny. My son, Josh, helped me sketch out the outline of a bunny using chalk. I then used paint to fill in the bunny. I used ivory and then shaded some while the ivory was still wet with grey. The eye was made with some black paint and I used a light pink for the inner ears and the nose. With my trusty hot glue gun I attached a neck bow from ribbon I had on hand, a carrot, some grass and two Easter eggs left over from other projects. When I was done I sprayed a light coat of clear matte finish on the whole thing. He was on my porch during the holidays sitting on a wooden box by my door that I put a green piece of felt over. I had many compliments!

Because I am craft obsessed (I think it is an official mental disorder) I made many things for Easter/Spring but I will share just one more. I promise!

Two friends and I got together and crafted one afternoon. We have recently started doing this. We switch hosting duties and have lunch together first. It is a fun time. (Shout out to Sue and Shelly!)

This last time we made, surprise, a little Easter bunny. For this you need fabric of your choice, hot glue, a bunny tail (either purchased or a homemade pom pom), adhesive craft foam in white and pink, ribbon for your bow, jute or string to create a hanger and an embroidery hoop (I used 8 inch but you could use any size you would like).

You begin by stretching your fabric taunt inside the embroidery hoop and securing the closure on the hoop. Glue or sew your tail on. Using the white craft foam cut out 2 ears and 2 feet. The size should be proportionate to the size hoop you chose. With the pink foam cut out foot pads for your bunny’s feet. I used pinking shears for this. Place the sticky side of the feet down on the hoop where you would like them for the feet of your bunny. Finish off the feet by putting the pink foot pads on, sticky side down, of course. Place the white ears sticky side down on the wrong side of your fabric and then cut the excess fabric off. Using hot glue place the ears on the top part of the hoop. I used two different fabrics but you can use the same. It is all up to what you like. The last touch to the bunny is to make a bow and glue it down between the ears. I used white string to make the hanger and tied it on to the fastener of the embroidery hoop. It is nice because you can individualize your bunny with size, fabric and color.

(You are instructed to pay no attention to the thread that came from the fabric on the bunny’s right foot. I didn’t see it made the picture until now.)

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found something that struck your fancy. See you next month!