365 Project - Day 7

How about that!
I have made it one whole week.
I only have 51 more weeks of layouts to complete before I meet my goal!

I am still working on my wedding proof album. However, I have moved on to some of the detail photos.

The photographer, Evan, was running back and forth between the two dressing rooms and catching all of the activity and chaos.
He shot these two images in the Groom's room, and I just love them!
What you are seeing is my dad's stein as well as a detail of his beret.
While in the military he served as a Marine, and he had a number of his pins showcased on his beret.

Because the shot focus on the beret and stein, I wanted to move away from the pastels,
However, I still wanted to stay in the neutral realm so that the layout would tie-in with the rest of the album. Lizz Gasaway's Rustic kit worked well for this. It had the neutrals I wanted as well as the ephemera that I have already incorporated. I think this page will fit in quite well.

365 Project - Day 6

Unfortunately I couldn't post this layout yesterday.
We had problems with our network, and I was unable to get online.
Obviously, that is now fixed.

The pictures I used show a detail of the exterior of the building where our ceremony and reception was held.

Once again, I used quite a few elements from Raspberry Road. The paper is from Garden Rose. The ribbon can be found in Swanky, while the frames are from Java Joe and Endless Ephemera. The only item that did not come from this was the lace which was designed by Lizz Gasaway and is part of her Rustic kit.

365 Project - Day 5

I know I'm late in getting this layout posted today.
So Sorry!
I had dinner guests tonight.
What more can I say.

Today I moved away from The Priory, and I am now working on the exterior of the Columbus Athenaeum.

To create this layout, I primarily used Kristin Aagard's Garden Delights. The only elements that were not found in this kit were the stitching (Raspberry Road's Away In A Manger) and the lace (Raspberry Road's Vintage Doll).

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

365 Project - Day 4

For today's layout I actually made two different versions.
Originally, I made the red page. I love this one because it makes the images pop.

However, after viewing it with the other pages, I was afraid that it may not fit in with the album. I decided that the green would look nice, but would also be more subdued.

I am still working with images of the chapel. These are probably my favorite shots because they are so dynamic.

Because, they are more dynamic, I felt that they needed a layout that was more vibrant but still referenced a Victorian or antique layout. In the first (red) version I used papers from two of Shabby Princess' kits. The red is found in The Dinner Party kit while the cream beige is from Seasonal Sampler. The frame is actually an element that I created, but I enhanced it by layering it with Tempus Fugit's Black Foto Overlays as well as The Rose Photo Corners that were created by NBK.

The only difference between the first and the second versions of this layout is the paper. I got the green from Raspberry Road's Fitting Room Collection and the beige came from Butterfly Dreams which is also from Raspberry Road.

Crockpot Burgandy Beef

I love this meal.
It adds a nice sweet and spicy flavor to the meat
Also, it can be made for very little money.
First, you don't need a really good cut of meat since it is going to roast and tenderize for 8hrs.
Secondly, use whatever left-over red table wine you have on hand.
If you are uncorking a new red, just grab a cheapie like Tisdale.
The sugars in the wine are going to caramelize and get rid of any bitterness

Ingredients:
4oz meat per person (more or less, to your family's needs)
1 medium onion, (i prefer long. slender slices - term?)
2 c fresh, sliced portabella mushrooms (or whatever your favorite may be)
2 cinnamon sticks
5 dried allspice berries
8 whole black peppercorns (or just use regular pepper to your tastes)
1 1/2 tbsp of thyme
2 cloves of garlic (more or less your tastes)
pinch of salt
1/2 c broth (whatever you have on hand)
1/2 c red wine (originally this recipe calls for Burgundy, but I use whatever red we have on hand which is usually a Pinot Noir or Shiraz).

Directions:
1. Slice your meat into appropriate portions. You can either make fillets or cube it. Place in crock pot
2. Add wine and broth until the meat is just covered.
3. Add all spices and herbs, stir
4. Slice your onions and place in crock pot
5. Slice your mushrooms and place in crock pot
6. Cover and cook on low for 8 hrs. Avoid opening the lid more than once or twice to stir. Opening the lid more than that will increase your cook time and allow moisture to escape which can then dry out your meat.

As I said earlier this can be a very frugal meal.
I found round bottom roast for 2.49. After cutting it into 4oz fillets I got enough two -three meals.
So that breaks down to:
$1.20 for meat
.15c onion
50c mushrooms
30c for organic chicken broth
7c for two cloves of garlic.
I am not including the price of the herbs or spices bc I already had those on hand. Additionally I am not adding the price of the wine bc it was leftover from the night before.
Using these prices this main dish cost me just under $1.75.
That is a frugal and tasty (gourmet) meal!

Banana Muffins!

This is how I make banana muffins

For this recipe you will need:
2 c flour
3/8 c sugar (the recipe originally called for 1/2c, but I am decreasing our sugar intake)
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 medium banana
1/2 c milk
1/3 c unsalted, melted butter
1 egg.

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F
2. Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl
3. Mix on high for 1-2 minutes. Your dough will be thick and sticky - not runny!
4. Spoon dough into muffin pan (this yields 12 muffins)
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Or until the muffins are lightly brown and a tooth pick comes out clean.

The muffins will be more bread-like, and not super moist cake-like, but don't worry they aren't dry and powdery!

Super Easy Yeast Bread

This is the recipe I always use when I make a yeast bread.

Ingredients:
2 2/3 c flour
3 tsp / 1pkg active dry yeast
1 1/4 c lukewarm water (if it is too hot it will kill you yeast!)
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp butter or oil
1 tsp of sea salt

Directions:
1. Dissolve yeast in water
2. Add all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Mix on medium for 30 sec, and then turn to high for an additional minute or so. This should make a sticky dough, but not runny!
4. Scrap the sides of your bowl, and form a ball out of your dough. Allow this to rise (covered) for 30 minutes in a warm place.
5. Transfer your dough into a greased or silicone bread pan. Make sure your dough is evenly distributed, and then lightly dust with flour. Cover and allow to rise for an additional 45 minutes. Meanwhile preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
6. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

You can freeze this bread for several months or store it in an air tight container for 6 days.
Enjoy!

Mmm....

I must say my house smells delectable!
I spent half of the day in my kitchen, and I have tons of goodies to show for it.
My original plan today was to bake a loaf of bread.
That I did do.

However, before I got started with that I noticed some bananas that were to ripe to eat.
Of course I did the natural thing - baked banana muffins!

After I was done with the baking I also assembled a crock pot meal.
My crock pot and Kitchen Aid mixer are probably my two favorite appliances!
How do people do it without them?

So what did I put in the crock pot?
I decided on Burgundy Beef, and I will serve this with asparagus, broccoli, and brioche.
Yum!

365 Project - Day 3

Well I am getting a late start today, but better late than never, as they say.

This particular layout is still a work in progress.
I haven't decided whether or not I want the frames to be blue or beige.

Here are two more shots of the chapel. I just love that space, and it is even more beautiful in person. What you aren't seeing is a fresco on the walls and ceiling featuring scenes from the crusades.

Anyway, to create this layout I primarily used the Fitting Room Collection from Raspberry Road. The only items that did not come from this kit are the flower and the beige frame. The flower can be found in the Butterfly Dreams kit from Raspberry Road, while the beige frame is from Kristin Aagard's kit Daddy Day.

365 Project - Day 2

Well here is my second layout.
Only 363 more to go!

Once again, the pictures are of the chapel where my ceremony was held.
Just like before, I wanted to create a layout that complimented the building's history.

I really love Raspberry Road Designs for the "vintage" elements, so once again I used Susan's kits. In particular I used papers from the Passing Thoughts paper pack. The ribbon can be found in the Vintage Doll kit, and the blue stitching is from Sally Ann. I also incorporated torn newsprint and ads from the Fitting Room and Endless Ephemera collections. The frames are from a freebie called Raspberry Treats, that can be found on the Raspberry Road blog.

New Begining. 365- Day 1

Here it is my new shot at 365 days of layouts.
Wish me luck.

The pictures feature the chapel where my wedding ceremony was held.
Because the building was so beautiful to begin with it required very little decorating.
That's a wonderful perk for any bride.
Also, because of its historic nature, I felt that a simple antique or Victorian look would create a flattering layout.

Susan's designs, from Raspberry Road, really fit that bill.
Specifically, I used paper from her Butterfly Dreams Paper Kit, and the blue matte and stitching came from her Fitting Room Kit.
In addition to using elements from Raspberry Road, I also incorporated frames from Kristin Aagard's kit Daddy Day, and a flower out of Shabby Princess' kit Promise

failure!

That is right.
I am a failure!
I have not been creating and posting a layout a day.
D'oh!

Well I am going to give it another try.
I have also decided to redo some of the pages I have already done.
Truthfully I wasn't all that happy with some them.
In fact, they are probably going to be removed from here too...

Part of the reason why I haven't been keeping up with scrapping is because I have been a knitting fiend lately.
John wants a Weasley (Harry Potter) sweater.
I have the body complete and I am now working on the arms.
I can't wait to see how it turns out.

being frugal and cooking

After making bbq chicken yesterday I decided to take the frugal course and make my own stock.
Usually I spend between 60c and 75c on a 15oz can of organic broth.

Last week I spent $7 on 5 large bone-in breasts
That works out to $1.40 ea for organic fresh chicken breasts
After cutting the breast from the bone for last night's meal I had three carcasses left, each with remaining breast and rib meat.

To make my stock I placed these carcasses in a stock pot.
I added:
8c water
2 dried bay leaves
1-2tbs of dried parsley
1-2tbs of dried thyme
1 small quartered onion
3 ribs of celery
appx 8 whole black peppercorns
2 cloves of crushed garlic

I allowed the stock to simmer for about 4 hrs
Boy, did my house smell wonderful.
I placed the stock in the fridge over night
I recommend this because its easier to remove the fat and gunk if its solidified.
Plus the flavors can marry longer.

This yielded appx. 5 cups of broth and 3cups of diced/shredded chicken (after removing leftover breast and rib meat).

I am only calculating the cost of the onion and celery into this bc I consider the shredded chicken/broth to be free since they were leftover from another meal and carcasses would usually go straight into the compost.

For about 40c-50c I got 5 c. of broth. Usually this would cost me between $1.80 and $2.25. Plus I saved about 3c of chicken which I can use for other meals!

365 days of scrapbooking, maybe?

I have been visiting a digital scrapbook board at ivilliage.
A few people have committed themselves to 365 days of scrapbooking.
I may jump on board.
Well sort of.
I have two large projects hanging over my head.
These are my wedding album and my Disney Album.
I think I am going to try to commit myself to doing a layout a day.
Hopefully I will have one of the albums done soon.
Should I kick it off today?
Sure
Can I keep it going
We'll see...

Anyway, I must say that I love, love , love my slow cooker.
If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't cook nearly as much as I do.
It isn't that I don't enjoy preparing meals.
It's just that by the end of the day I don't feel like cooking.
I am a morning person, and prefer to complete my "to-do's" before noon.
That's where the slow cooker comes in.
So what is on the menu tonight?
BBQ chicken in the slow cooker, steamed broccoli, spinach salad, and stovetop.
I know that is not a very creative meal.

Maybe I 'll get around to baking a loaf of bread and share that on here sometime soon.
I make the best bread.
Seriously....

I haven't posted for a while.
Why is that you ask?
Well I have been keeping myself busy with a new painting.
I decided that an 18x24 canvas of Lord Voldemort deserves a spot in our pop culture home.
As soon as we saw the image of Voldemort in the black suit (HP V), my husband and I fell in love with it.
Well after about two weeks I have about 2/3 of it completed.
Look for the finished product in a month or so.

Aside from that, we have also been planning a month of birthday parties.
Well maybe not an entire month, but over a 9 day span 3 of the 4 people in our home celebrate their birthdays.
Two have since passed, and it is hard to believe that my little girl is four now.
Crazy.

Because I have been busy painting and planning get-togethers I have not been working on any of my digital scrapbook projects.
D'oh.
Well to get myself back into the swing of things I decided that i would actually participate in one of the challenges at Raspberry Road.
I chose to make a page using one of my wedding photos.
For this layout I used items from the Fitting Room Collection (Parts 2,3, & 5). If you like it you can buy it here.
Also here is the information on the challenge.
Unfortunately I couldn't submit mine to the forums. At that time I was unable to register for an account.

Now I am off to scrap another page and join my daughter in playing with her awesome new Lite Brite.

Enjoy!