embriodery hoop art

We've recently moved into a new place and we got to paint the walls...ALL the walls!  Our landlord agreed to pay for the paint (the place needed a fresh coat) if my husband and I would paint the walls.

We jumped on that chance and chose Sherwin Williams 'Blonde' for most all of the walls.  Though, for the kitchen we went with Sherwin Williams Nurture Green.  I loved it so much that I decided to do an accent wall in the bedroom in it.  I love love love how it looks with our orange bedspread (picked up on clearance for $45 at Target).

There is a soffit above the bed and I knew that I wanted to put some sort of art on that wall.  We do not have a bed frame, so a headboard wasn't going to work plus I didn't want anything too bulky.  I remembered some simple art I saw on pinterest.  I absolutely love how it turned out...here's how I did it...

Foodie Friday: oreo filled brownies

Yes, you read that title correctly...brownies filled with Oreo cookies!

I was going to a girls craft day of sorts with some ladies from our church and wanted to bring something tasty...and wanted to make something new.  I had already bought Oreo cookies thinking I would just make Oreo cheesecake cupcakes.  Instead, I jumped onto Pinterest and sought out a simple Oreo recipe.

This is what I came up with...

thrifty thursday #7

I wanted some art for my guest bedroom.  However, my funding was right at zero dollars and zero cents.  I wanted to get something on the walls before my Mother-in-law came this weekend.  I had to come up with something...and quick.

Finally, after much thought and deliberation a light bulb went off.  I stopped at Home Depot on my way home from church and got my supplies.  My total cost...NOTHING!  That's right, you read correctly; nothing.  No, I didn't get any discount...not even a five finger discount.

I did however, have to pay out for the frames for my project.  Though, I didn't mind paying for those because they are something that I can use and reuse.  Plus, I only spent $18 on the frames...doing a whole art project for under $20 is pretty good in my book.  Also, if you  had some old frames lying around the house you could always just spray paint them and get the same effect!  Your costs could be much lower than mine...you could WIN!

Here's how I did it:

one a day keeps the worries away

As I have mentioned before, my husband is away with the military.  Even before he left I got a countdown app on my phone and counted down the days until he left.

Once he left, I moved onto counting down until I get to fly to Texas and kiss and hug and love on my soldier!!

I mentioned my little countdown on Facebook.  Don't worry I'm not one of those who put the number of days to go EVERY day on my status!  Just from time to time, really.  Well, a friend commented on my post with an absolutely fabulous idea for a countdown and I wanted to share it with you.

sweet treat

I've seen these little treats all over 'blog land' lately and I knew I wanted to give them a try, I just didn't have an opportunity to do so.  My friend Bethany loves marshmallows (marshies, as she calls them!).  Her birthday was a few weeks ago and I knew that this would be the perfect birthday treat for her!  While I was at it, I made some Valentine ones also, for my co-workers.  These little treats  were SO simple to make and they all loved them.  This is a treat that would be perfect for children.

taco night in a whole new light

Taco night has always been one of my favorites.  I don't know what it is but, I can't seem to get enough of it!  I have to admit though, I only eat meat and cheese on my tacos!  Anywhooo...I have a recipe that is sure to quickly become on of your 'need something quick' recipes!  It's a variation on traditional tacos called Taco Ring!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (or, if you're like my husband ground turkey...or whatever meat you want)
1 pck taco seasoning (with all the taco stuff at the grocery store, I use Old El Paso..yum)
2/3 cup water
1 can crescent rolls
Shredded Cheese
Toppings*
*optional, they will all be added after the taco ring is cooked.

Preheat your oven according to the crescent roll package, mine is 375.

Prepare taco meat as directed on seasoning package.  While Taco meat is browning, open crescent rolls and separate.  Arrange on a baking sheet, the triangles so that the pointy end is sticking out and the flat bottoms are overlapping slightly, making a sunshine.  Once the meat is done spoon it onto your sunshine on the overlapping flat bottoms.  Don't be afraid to pile it on!  Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the meat.  Take the pointy rays of the sunshine and fold them over into the center of the sunshine around the meat.  Tuck it in under the center, you will begin to see the ring!  Once you have your finished ring, bake it as directed on the crescent roll package.  Once your taco ring is cooked you can add other toppings if you wish, or enjoy it as is!  This recipe makes 8 slices of taco ring (8 crescent rolls).  For larger families or hungrier folks, double the recipe.  You don't have to make two separate taco rings, simply make an oval shaped taco ring to fit on your cookie sheet instead of a circular one.  Now, enjoy your taco ring!