Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Kitchen Chalkboard

~ I am enjoying my new kitchen chalkboard. 
♥

~ Kevin and I are always leaving notes for each other,
now we will know exactly where to
place a note and where to READ a note. 

~ We use it to remind us of upcoming events for the week such as:
  • grandkids birthday parties
  • upcoming birthdays, anniversaries
  • doctor appointments
  • grocery list
  • miscellaneous


~ Here is the before picture.


I forgot to get a before picture so when I was in Hobby Lobby,
I snapped a picture with my phone.



~ Here is the after picture


I took off the cork board part and painted it red
to match the rest of my kitchen.
The grandkids have fun with it too.
I even have a new place to hang my pot holders.
The best part is... I got it for 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby!

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

~ Lisa ~



Saturday, November 20, 2010

Semi-Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

~ Want to make  your own semi-homemade spaghetti sauce?

~ I have an easy recipe to share with you!


Recipe makes approximately 4 cups of sauce


  • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small skillet/frying pan
  • Chop up 1/4 medium sized onion into small pieces
  • Saute onion until it starts to get a tad bit carmel color or brownish (do not burn)
  • Add 2 teaspoons of minced garlic (I have a jar I keep on hand in my refrigerator)
  • saute for a few moments longer (you will be adding this mixture to another mixture shortly)

In a large saucepan, add the following ingredients:

  • 1  14-oz can of tomato sauce
  • 2  6-0z cans of tomato paste (I use Italian style)
  • 2  tablespoons of dried basil
  • fresh ground pepper
  • 2  14-oz cans water

Whisk all ingredients above together, after onion/garlic/olive oil mixture are sauteed, pour into saucepan of tomato sauces and bring to a boil and then simmer 20 minutes.

 Makes approximately 4 cups of sauce.

You can add your own special items like chopped green pepper, etc., but I would suggest sauteing them to make them soft.

~ Enjoy ~

~ Thanks for stopping by ~
~ Lisa ~

Friday, November 19, 2010

Not Feeling Sew Well

~ Look who is sick and has to go to the hospital!



~ OK, so this is not my real machine but I can't
use my machine because it is ill and not working correctly.

~ So, she is going to the hospital today for a cleaning and fix. 

~ I haven't been able to use her in a while and
my sewing projects are backing up.

~ I can't wait for her return so I can do some
sewing projects that have been on hold.


~ Thanks for stopping by ~
~ Lisa ~

Thursday, November 11, 2010

White Bean Chicken Chili {Crockpot Recipe}

~ Wow, it's been a while since I've made a post to my blog. 
Shame on me!

~ I love to cook and since the temps are cooler now,
it gets me to thinking about soups and stews.  

~ I love that aroma that you smell as soon as you open your door to come inside
after simmering some soup or a stew all day. 

~ I found a recipe but made changes to it to
incorporate my own flavors,
my husband says I need to make this
again and again, so I guess it's a keeper.

~ I am sharing this recipe so you too, can enjoy it.

click on photo for closer view

White Bean Chicken Chili

Ingredients

1 pound diced, cooked chicken meat
(I used 4 chicken breasts and cooked them in the crockpot the day before)
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (I used canaola oil)
1 small onion chopped into small pieces
2 cloves minced garlic
(I have minced garlic in a jar in my refrigerator, the back of the jar gives the instructions for replacing fresh garlic)
1  14 oz can of chicken broth (I used 99% fat free and low sodium)
1  16 oz can diced tomatoes with chiles (this gives the chili a little bang)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can cream of corn
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of cream of celery soup
2  15 oz cans of white northern beans (drained and rinsed) (I used Bush's brand)
salt/pepper to taste

In a large pan, heat oil, and cook onion and garlic until soft.
Stir in broth, tomatoes, spices and bring to a boil, then
simmer for 10 minutes.

Add both cans of corn, cream of celery soup and mix and simmer to blend well. 

Place diced chicken in the bottom of the crockpot, toss in drained white beans and mix, pour the mixture you've been simmering over the chicken and beans, mix well and set your crockpot on low and cook all day. 

It's an amazing soup with just a little bit of bang to it!

PS... if you want more of a bang to your white bean chicken chili, you can add chiles to it, this recipe orginally called for one 7 oz can of diced green chiles but for my husband and I, the chiles added from the canned tomatoes were PLENTY hot.

Enjoy ♥

~ Thanks for stopping by ~
~ Lisa ~