Magnetic Makeup!

I saw this on a TV show - a magnetic board that holds your makeup in place and keeps it organized - what a cool idea!  Check out this one you can buy!

Makeup Trick!

Saw this on TV, tried it, and it worked!

Okay, so sometimes when you put on eye shadow, the powder flakes land below your eyes and smudge, leaving your eyes looking droopy. This is how to avoid that and leave your eyes bright and lifted!

Tear off a couple pieces of scotch tape and press on the sticky side with your fingers, to make it not so sticky, and place alongside both eyes at an angle toward the eyebrows.  Apply your eye shadow, remove the tape, and your makeup is a masterpiece instead of a mess!

Will I do this every day?  Probably not, but once in a while when I feel up to looking my best :)

 the tape is applied at an angle up toward the edge of the eyebrow

 apply your shadow, then remove the tape - see the nice edge instead of a smudge?

 apply your mascara....

and you're ready to go!

Veggie Pasta with Almonds

This is what we had...

Zucchini and yellow squash, an onion, a carrot, cherry tomatoes, fresh pasta.

This is what we made...

Boil water and cook your pasta according to directions.  Toast a handful of almonds.

In a skillet, heat a bit of olive oil and toss in the cherry tomatoes.  As they get tender, shave the zucchini and yellow squash and carrot, and thinly slice the onion. Add to the skillet, with S&P and a good squeeze of lemon, along with citrus pepper.

As the tomatoes break open, the veggies will become tender.

Just before serving, toss in the almonds and the pasta, and serve with garlic toast.

Delish!

Refreshing Drink!

I recently went shopping with my daughter-in-law and the store had flavored water and cocktails for sipping while shopping.

I found a cocktail recipe similar to one of the drinks, but the one we had was just water, with blackberries in the bottom, and cucumbers floating on top.

It was so refreshing!

Super Buy Shoe

It's hard to find a cute, stylish shoe that is comfortable, too! (how's that for a rhyme?).  And when I do, it's sometimes way out of my price range.  So this week, I found a pair - unbelievably comfy - cute - and inexpensive for summer!  These shoes come in black and red as well...

Chicken Salad Lunch

Chicken Salad - my own recipe - is one of my faves for lunch.

Boil chicken breasts.  In a food processor, pulse the cooled chicken, dill pickles, white onion, carrots, and pecans (or walnuts).  Don't pulverize - but  just pulse a bit until everything is small.

Mix in a bowl with mayo and a bit of Ranch dressing, along with seasoned salt.

No measurements here.  I add lots of the extras other than the chicken, and the mayo/Ranch until it feels and looks just right.

Let it chill.

Enjoy with chips or crackers!

Fresh & Tasty Salad

We recently stopped at The Dove's Nest in Waxahachie, TX and bought the restaurant's cookbook.  Tonite we tasted the chicken black bean salad and it was very good - the fried tortilla strips make the salad!

For the dressing:  Mix 1/3/ cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, and 3 cloves garlic.

For the salad:  In a bowl, mix chopped grilled chicken, a can of rinsed and drained black beans, 1 chopped red bell pepper, 2 seeded chopped tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 small chopped red onion.

Pour the dressing over the salad and let it marinate in the fridge for a couple hours.

Meanwhile, take 6 corn tortillas and cut them in strips, and fry in corn oil.  Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Just before serving, mix in the tortilla strips with the salad and enjoy...

Comfy Cute!

Found both of these at the NY & CO Outlet for half - off.  The skirt is so comfy and goes with all sorts of shirts, and the navy cardigan is fitted in the back and is great for carrying to the movies, when it's chilly inside!

My Mom's Cake

My mom bakes THE best Italian Cream Cake and she is allowing me to share the recipe with you! It is SO moist, delicious, and irresistible!

for cake:

cream well - 2 c sugar, 1 stick margarine, 1/2 c Crisco

add - 5 egg yolks only (save the whites),one at a time, 2 c flour, 1 c buttermilk, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1 cup coconut

fold in - 5 beaten egg whites (stiff)

pour into - three 9-in  greased cake pans

bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes

for icing:

1 8-oz pkg cream cheese
1 stick margarine
1 box powdered sugar (16 oz)
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Beat cream cheese and margarine (softened), add sugar a little at a time, beating well until entire box is used.  Then add vanilla, and pecans.

The Shepherd

Psalm 23 is one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible, so let’s break it down verse by verse…

The Lord is my shepherd…

The writer of this psalm was a shepherd himself.  So for him to call the Lord his shepherd is indicative of a man submitted to God.  David knew what the job of a shepherd entailed.  And David himself had killed a bear and a lion to protect his flock. 

For David to begin this chapter of all chapters that describes the character of God by calling the Lord his shepherd, says so much.

The Lord is our shepherd, and that means he will defeat any enemy that dares to show its head and cause us to fear.

The very fact that the man who knew what it meant to shepherd was now calling his Lord the shepherd over his own life is amazing, and a great declaration.

Do you call him Lord? Have you realized his tender care over you, and the way he leads you and protects you?

If you haven’t, think about what it means for the Lord to be your shepherd.

Then submit to his guidance and follow his lead…

Fresh Pizza

Fresh ingredients on a pizza - tastes so good!  Just purchase a pre-made pizza round, and spread with just a bit of sauce.  In a bowl combine mixed cherry tomatoes (about 1 lb), chopped broccoli and red onion, a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper.  Then fold in 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil and lots of arugula.

Spread the mixture across the pizza, and top with either Parmesan or grated mozzarella.  Bake about 12 minutes.

This is one good meal!

Food for a Crowd

Did you know that Which Wich can make to-go orders for your next party, and they present it well, and it tastes so good!?  We ordered these cute subs cute in half, standing up on their ends, and included were the sides of pickles, onions, lettuce and tomatoes.  It was ready, packed well, and traveled nicely!  And the sandwiches tasted fresh and delicous!

Ribbon Necklaces

I made these cool ribbon necklaces today after reading how to do it in the Martha Stewart Magazine. Each one took about 5 minutes or less to make, and I think they came out so cute!  Just visit a fabric store and collect spools of ribbon in different textures and colors, including some gold or silver. Then follow the directions in the link above!

Caramel Cashew Corn

This is so delicious!  Great Caramel Corn for snacking!

You need 10 cups popped popcorn, 1 cup salted cashews, and 1 cup mini pretzels - place in a large brown bag (grocery size) - shake and set aside.
Microwave 1 stick unsalted butter in microwave about 1 minute, stir in 1 cup packed light brown sugar and 1/4 cup light corn syrup, microwave again about 2 minutes - stir - microwave 2 more minutes.
Add 1/2 tsp baking soda to mixture and stir til it foams.
Pour into the brown bag over the popcorn and shake to coat.  Microwave in bag 1 1/2 minutes.
Pour popcorn mixture onto baking sheet and bake 1 hour, stirring every 15  minutes.
Cool completely before serving.

The Necklace

Tonite THYME Magazine partnered with Noonday Collection and I got this necklace!  Check out the site and purchase your mom something for Mother's Day...or for yourself!

Napkins for Kids!

Cute idea from a friend of mine, Samantha Scott.  She took her kids' old tshirts and made napkins out of them!

 I used a plain piece of paper as a template. Pinned to old t-shirts, cut out two pieces for each napkin. Sewed around edges (fronts facing), left a 3" opening to turn right side out. (clip corners first) then sewed about 3/8" all around. Voila!

Edible Flowers

An edible arrangement of roses - perhaps a good Mother's Day gift to order for your mom? From John & Kiras.

Caddy for YOU

My rattan picnic caddy is one of my favorite things for spring and picnics!  It holds the plates, napkins and utensils, and all you have to do is carry it to the table!  Do you have one?

Skewer Time!

For your next party, try these skewers that I found in the Food Network Magazine - April 2014 issue!  They took a while to put together but it was so fun!  We then placed our skewers in foam, inside a long planter box, to serve!

jalapeno tortillas with guac and cheese

tater tots with cheese and a pickle

cinnamon raisin bread with PB and strawberries

chicken nuggets with mayo and lettuce on hot dog buns

toaste with hummus, cucumber and tomato

soft pretzel with mustard, and sliced ham

Kimonos

Have you seen the new kimonos for spring?  They're great to dress up a casual outfit, or just to add some whimsy to your look!  And...very affordable at H&M! Also available at Forever 21!

Mason Jar

This beverage dispenser was on sale today at Steinmart and it's online too - a great item to have for parties this spring!

Go Go Golosh

I've not seen rain boots like these before! You can carry them with you, then put on over your shoes, when you  need them - and they come in so many colors!  What a classic accessory to have for years and years! Go Go Golosh!

Backpack

Isn't this a cool backpack?  It looks like a great thing to purchase as spring/summer get underway, as you plan your trips outdoors! It comes in two colors!

One Pot Meal

One pot meals - they're great on a weeknight when you're hungry and don't want to use several dishes to make a meal - because that means several dishes to clean up!

Just cut up 1 lb kielbasa sausage into rounds, dice a large baking potato (skin on) into bite size pieces, as well as two carrots, a red bell pepper, and 1/2 white onion.  Place a bit of olive oil in your cast iron skillet to heat, then add everything - starting with the potatoes on the bottom.  Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning to taste.

Let this cook, while you turn it just a couple times, to get the veggies browned and cooked all the way through.  Don't turn too much, or you'll end up with mush!

This is so tasty...and easy...and everything you need for a full  meal is in this one pot!  Need it to feel 4-6?  Double the ingredients and use a larger skillet!

Enjoy!

CucuCarro Salsa

I've practiced making different homemade salsas and this one is the best so far!  In a food processor, blend 3 large tomatoes, 2 jalapenos (seeds omitted), a bunch of fresh cilantro, juice from a juicy lime or two, 1/2 red onion, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 carrot, and plenty of salt and pepper. Drizzle in a bit of olive oil while the mixture is processing.

Enjoy with chips!

Cupcake kit

Look at this mini cupcake kit for Easter - so cute - and ships free - from Crate and Barrel!

Bandana Simplicity

My daughter made this cute dress for her daughter, out of bandanas.  And...my daughter has just barely begun to sew.  This project was simple!  She found the idea on Pinterest...where else?

Pickle Fried Chicken!

I love fried pickles, and I love fried chicken, so I tried an experiment!  I chopped some spicy dill pickles in my small processor, patted and squeezed them dry with paper towels, and added them into the flour mixture I use to make fried chicken.  It turned out sooo tasty!  Try it!

Pour your oil into your cast iron skillet and heat.  Beat egg and milk in one bowl.  Salt and pepper your chicken strips.  Mix about one cup of pickles to two cups of flour (or more pickles, to your taste).  Dip the chicken in the egg mixture, then the flour mixture, and repeat.  Make sure your oil is ready for frying, and place the chicken in the oil (don't crowd the pan).  Flip when golden brown on the edges, and fry on the other side - then drain on paper towels!

See the green flecks?  That's the pickles!

Trio of Green

I found this planter trio at a thrift/vintage store and have it in the center of my table.  There are planter trios elsewhere, as well, like the  cute terra cotta one from Target!  Use it for small ferns, or for your herbs (if it's near a window!)

Rope Necklace

This astrid rope strand necklace is so pretty for spring!  Check it out...and the great prices on this site!

Cracked Eggs

Cute for Easter decor - at Barnes and Noble - cracked egg candles!