Glass etching gifts

I made these for christmas gifts. Would be great for engagement or housewarming too. Pretty easy to make & a useful gift. You can give as is, or fill with cookies, or use as gift box n fill with kitchenwares, etc.

Armour etch cream

Glassware (not pyrex)

Rubber gloves

Stencil brush

Vinyl stencils

Sponge

Painters tape

Take glass & place vinyl evenly as possible. Surround tape with painters tape. Put rubber gloves on & take stencil brush & heavily apply etch cream. Leave on for at least half an our, an hour is better. Put gloves back on, & with sponge wash etch cream off. Then take tape & stencils off. Wash dish & dry. Be careful, etch cream is caustic. Enjoy your new dish, now monogrammed or personalized!

Roasted tomato garlic sauce with white bean balls

Great meatless monday meal!

I used tomatoes from the garden, cut up, added 4-5 garlic cloves, salt, pepper, olive oil & cooking sherry & roasted for an hour at 450 degrees. 

1 can cannellini beans

1 can great northern beans

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp paprika

Oregano, thyme & parsley to taste

2 eggs

Salt/pepper

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2/3 cup bread crumbs

Mix all together, make into balls & fry until browned on each side. Drain on paper towels.

Put 1 small can of tomato paste

3/4 cup chicken broth

1 cup red wine

1 tsp sugar

Purée of roasted tomatoes/garlic (put in food processor)

Juices from roast tomatoes/garlic

Salt, pepper, thyme to taste

Cook pasta of your choice, drain & serve with bean balls, roasted tomato sauce & fresh parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy!

Girly party favor or stocking stuffer

Pretty nail file

Inexpensive, colorful nail polish

Washi tape

Put them together for a colorful stocking stuffer or little something extra to go with larger gift. Could also be used as girls party favor. Costs under $4.00 eack & very cute! 

Delicious Pork Loin Dinner

 

Ingredients:

Carrots peeled & cut long (however many you desire)

Parsnips peeled & cut long

Onions cut into fourths

Bag of trader Joe's jasmine rice

1 boneless pork tenderloin

salt/pepper

2 Garlic cloves finely chopped

1/2 cup water 

1/4 cup dry white wine wine

Glaze:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp. cornstarch

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp. soy sauce

1/4 cup honey

Chopped chives for garnish

spray Roasting pan with cooking spray, then coat with a thin layer of olive oil. Sprinkle both sides of meat with salt/pepper & rub with garlic. Cook over med/high heat until browned on both sides. De-glaze pan with white wine. Put onions, carrots & parsnips around pork & put into over 1 1/2 hours 350 degrees, until it's done. Before roast is done, in saucepan combine glaze ingredients & stir until thickened. Brush roast with glaze several time last 1/2 hour of cooking. Take out roast when done & sprinkle with chopped chives. 

Make Trader Joe's jasmine rice & serve with pork, carrots, parsnips & onions. Enjoy!

 

 

 Plated~

Booster club posters

Garden goodies

Easy Vegetarian Indian Meal

Bag trader joe's frozen edamame

3 cloves garlic chopped

Bag cooked lentils

Can diced tomatoes

1 tsp. cumin

2 shakes of each: 

cayenne powder, ground ginger, tumeric

1/2 can of condensed milk

Bag brown & wild rice trader joe's

Salt/pepper

Can chicken or vegetable broth

Boil bag of lentils to heat

In another pan cook 2/3 of chopped garlic on olive or coconut oil. After about a minute, add can of tomatoes & condensed milk. Add seasonings, drain lentils & add to tomato mixture. Simmer until thickened. Season with salt/pepper.

In small pan sauté rest of garlic in olive or coconut oil, then add edamame, salt & pepper. Cook until softened, adding broth to pan as cooking. 

Take naan out of bag (frozen trader joe's), bake 400 degrees about 8-10 minutes until lightly toasted. 

Serve with rice or stir rice into lentil stew. Serve with naan. Enjoy! Healthy vegetarian meal.

Note:  Tumeric, ginger & cayenne are known for cancer fighting properties. Benefit!!!!

Fruit & Nut Salad

A nice light summer breakfast or snack & my kiddo's loved it! Cut up strawbereries, peaches, granny smith apples, throw in a handful of blueberries & a handful of cashews, then top with shaved dark chocolate! Healthy, fresh & delish!

I made a different variation for my daughter with almonds instead of cashews & sprinkled with cinnamon. You could also add different fruits to your liking, mix with granola, pistachios, oatmeal, yogurt, coconut, whatever your hearts delight!

July Flowers

My hubby & I love planting flowers that come up every year! I especially can't wait to see the hydrangea grow larger & flower more. Hydrangea's make the most beautiful flowers to put in vases in the house or outside on a deck. Geraniums are great because they last all summer & into the fall if you pick off the dead flowers. I put different flowers in the flowerboxes near the front door every year. Ahhh....summer~!

 

Purple flowers Galore!

Roasted Garlic/Vegetable, Feta, Olive pasta

I cut the top off some garlic, cut up some eggplant & zucchini (sliced fairly thin), Tossed in different colored cherry tomatoes & coated with olive oil, seasoned with salt/pepper. Then roast 400 degrees for about 1/2 hour, or until veggies are cooked to your liking.

You can save some of the eggplant & zucchini to put on a baguette roll or crusty bread tomorrow with some goat cheese for a delicious gourmet roast veggie sandwich!

While veggies are roasting, cook some whole wheat fettucini, linguine, spagetti or angel hair. When done, drain the pasta, coat with flavored oil (I used truffle), season with salt & pepper & toss in the rest of the roast vegetables. I then toss in a jar of pitted kalamata olives & some feta cheese to taste.

My daughter said it was delicious!!! My whole family liked it. I served it with whole wheat crusty bread/butter & some chicken on the side. Enjoy this healthy, tasty meal and best part...you can use some of the roast veggies from the meal for a delicious sandwich the next day!

Birds in a Wreath

I made a wreath for my front porch last fall & my hubby noticed a few weeks ago a nest with newly hatched baby birds. Sharing some pics of them, aren't they sweet?

Growing up!

Healthy snack kids love

I cut up strawberries & put in bags in the fridge & made a dip which is pretty healthy/light & the kids love it! I put the dip in small containers so they can grab with the bags of strawberries for school or an after school snack.

Dip:

1/3 cup cocoa
1/3 cup truvia
1 block light cream cheese
1 cup+ Greek non-fat plain yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Blend with blender until fully mixed & enjoy with fruit!

Spanish Tortilla-scramble

My daughter traveled to Spain last summer. She loved it, but didn't exactly love the food. She's a vegetarian & said they ate mainly fish. She did; however, love the Spanish Tortilla that they served all over Spain. When she was home, we looked up the recipe & made it for the family one night. Everyone really likes this, even my hubby! It's super quick, healthy & delicious. Not sure if it's exactly how they do in Spain, but pretty close.

If you want a quick, yummy meal, here it is:

8 potatoes scrubbed & sliced
1 onion chopped
olive oil (about 1/2 cup)
6 eggs
Salt & pepper

Cook onion & potatoes in olive oil (generous) until tender. When tender, add eggs (scrambled in bowl) to pan & turn, cook until eggs are done. Serve with Salad (we love Kens Italian dressing as further seasoning). Enjoy ~