January 7, 2021

Aluminum Leaf EarringsThese 2 sets of aluminum leaf earrings are made from scrap aluminum from disposable pie pans and also an aluminum seal from a coffee can.

 

Needlepoint Canvas Wreath OrnamentI was given a lot of circular needlepoint canvas shapes and found this quick and simple ornament to make.

 

Individual Apple CrispWhen you are feeding a small family and don't want a lot of leftover dessert, this is a fun idea to make individual servings.

 

Salmon Sauteed TomatoesThis is a great and simple salmon meal you can make especially if you enjoy sauce over your rice. Or, you could also dip the sauce with bread instead.

 

Chestnut-sided WarblerI captured this picture in September while I was birding at a local pond. This little bird was elusive, hopping from branch to branch, keeping an eye on me at all times. His beautiful green plumage confused as to what species he was but I soon discovered it was a juvenile Chestnut-sided warbler!

 

Pinto Bean BrowniesOur neighbor has given me so many pinto beans that I needed to put them to good use. I remember having a recipe for pinto bean brownies and had never tried them, so decided to give it a shot. I'm guessing these are a bit healthier than the normal brownie! They are moist and tasty and don't taste like beans at all!

 

Gingerbread Chex MixI wanted to use a gingerbread themed gift to give to friends and neighbors. I found some cute gingerbread containers to put the mix in. The gingerbread designed napkins, cookie cutters, and candy canes add to the gift presentation.

 

Large Lip BalmLip balms are usually made the size for lizard lips. They are easy to lose too because of their size. With this colder and dryer season, I wanted something bigger. Here is how you can make one too from your excisting ones, or from new ones ! :)

 

Seven Layer Cookie BarsUsing this basic recipe, you have the freedom to use different layers of sweets to build this cookie bar.

 

Southern Green BeansIt's fun to try out new recipes with my instant pot and to do something to make vegetables more flavorful.

 

Blueberry SconesDo you enjoy scones? Try making these delicious and fresh blueberry scones from home! They are much cheaper making from scratch than buying from the bakery too.

 

Starburst EarringsThese cute starburst earrings are a quick gift to make in a pinch and you only need a few supplies to make them.

 

Hungarian GoulashThis is a recipe from my sister that my family has enjoyed for years. Her husband was in the Air Force and they travelled to many foreign places. She picked up this recipe in Germany.

 

Creamy Pork ChopsDelicious pork chop main dish on mashed potatoes.

 

Reindeer CandleEver received a candle with no scent, but you hated to toss it? Here is an idea for making it into a holiday candle.

 

Beef Bone BrothMy friend won the meat from an entire cow at a school raffle. She gave me about 6 pounds of beef bones to make broth and had another 4 pounds for herself. I made this recipe with her and then made it again at home. This nutritious broth can be used to make all sorts of soups: French onion, beef barley or even pho.

 

Chicken and DressingI didn't have time to make this for Thanksgiving dinner but we had plenty without it. I made it today and we had it for dinner. Well, the two of them had it. I can't eat it because it is not gluten free. I wish I could. They really enjoyed it.

 

Personalized Baby Books During CovidMy twin grandsons were born less than a year ago and are growing up without seeing their family members faces during these trying times. I decided to get close up photos of each of our families' FACES and add them to a small photo album to give the boys for the holidays.

 

DIY Rhinestone NecklaceIf you want to make a necklace for yourself, it can be a lot of fun and easy. It takes you about 45 minutes to make this necklace. Just follow these steps.

 

Orange Pineapple FluffThis is an old recipe that we have enjoyed for years. It is so simple and easy to make, it takes just a few minutes to put together and get it into the refrigerator to chill. It can be served as a salad or dessert.

 

Dry Your Own HerbsFresh herbs are great, and it is good to have some dried ones to preserve your summer bounty, or to prevent fresh ones from spoiling before they can be used up. Some people freeze herbs, but they may be ruined with a power outage. Dried herbs stay good for longer.

 

Raw Broccoli SaladThis is a favorite of mine and I have been making it for years.

 

Sourdough Cinnamon MuffinsTwo years ago I made a sourdough starter and have kept it going. Every time I decide to "feed" it, I make sourdough bread. One can only make sourdough bread so often, so I wanted to find other recipes using sourdough starter and found this muffin one.

 

Mask Organizer/HamperMy daughter has about 30 masks because she works at a school and must change them out daily, sometimes more than once a day. In order to keep them organized, I came up with this organizer/mini mask hamper which she can hang in her closet. It also helps her choose what color she wants to coordinate with what she wears each day. It has a front and back for efficient storage!

 

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread with Caramel Almond GlazeI made these loaves of bread to give to my friends for part of their Thanksgiving brunch or breakfast. Recycled Halloween pumpkin for a Thanksgiving treat.

 

Caramel Apple Sweet RollsThis was a recipe printed on a Christmas napkin that I thought would be good to try out. It was a good way to use up some frozen apple slices that I had in my freezer.

 

Clam ChowderOur family's Christmas Eve tradition for over sixty years.

 

Cherry Tree PhotosCherry trees are very popular for home gardeners. The white or pink blossoms are beautiful in the spring and the fruit is ripe at the height of summer.

 

Chinese Bitter Melon Scrambled Eggs with MushroomAdd some nutrients to your scrambled eggs with Chinese bitter melon and mushrooms! Very simple and easy to make pairs great with rice.

 

Chili Relleno BakeWhat to do with lots of free banana peppers? Make this recipe. You can adjust the "spicyness" by adding different kinds of peppers or cheese to the recipe and adding a little more hot sauce.

 

Upcycled Water Bottle Indoor PlanterMake these cute indoor holiday themed planters with items you have around your home. They make a cute decor touch and are great for your plants to propagate in (instead of a plain plastic cup).

 

Christmas Rainbow Cheetah Gift TagHave your kids help partake in Christmas wrapping! They could design cute little gift tags or make as a flat homemade card. This is a cheetah my daughter designed.

 

Hudspudt/ColcannonA combination of two favorite comfort foods from two different ethnicities; Holland and Ireland.

 

Air Fry Rotisserie Cornish HenThis is a great recipe if you're busy and want a delicious meal with the help of an air fryer. Have a rotisserie cornish hen ready in 35-40 minutes! This is my first time but you can actually fit 2 hens (but I tried 1 to see how it would turn out) and it's a hit!

 

Butternut Squash and Carrot SoupThis delicious and warming root vegetable soup is great for adding needed Vitamin C in your diet.

 

Propagating Plants Inside a Christmas Ornament BulbMake these cute and inexpensive ornament bulb propagation planters to give as gifts or simply to decorate your desk, bathroom, or home.

 

Irish Italian SpaghettiThis is a family favorite, but I don't know why it's called Irish Italian Spaghetti. It's not your regular spaghetti sauce, creamy and with a touch of spice.

 

Spaghetti ChickenThis is a recipe shared with me from a friend I used to babysit for over thirty-five years ago.

 

Blender PopoversA quick roll to serve with salad!

 

Quilted Hot PadI was given some completed, pieced quilt squares and there was an extra quilt square I couldn't use in the quilt I was making. I don't like to throw useful things away, so I made it into this quilted hot pad.

 

Mushroom, Spinach and Sausage PastaThis is a very tasty (non-tomato based) pasta dish that I thought I would try out.

 

Pie Crust ProtectorThe outer rim of a disposable aluminum pie pan works well to keep pie crust from browning too much. Cut the rim of the pie pan and place it on top of the pie crust while baking.

 

15 Minute Beef StroganoffPrecooking ground beef and freezing it saves time when preparing this tasty meal.

 

Cheesy Garlic BreadJust a good way to dress up some French bread instead of the same old same old garlic bread!

 

Pine Needle Christmas TreeThis is a craft my son thought of on his own and had our family do individually; it was a lot of fun! We collected pine needles, drew our own Christmas trees then decorated it!

 

Hearty Sausage Chickpea Veggie SoupI run to make this soup when I notice I have an abundance of veggies in my fridge. You don't even have to use these same veggies that I use in this recipe. I know I always change it up! After I boil the veggies, I puree them, add chickpeas and cooked sausage. This soup doesn't need too many herbal additions as the sausage and veggies bring a lot to the table. Really hits the spot on a cold day!

 

Rotel Dip RecipesRotel are canned tomatoes mixed with chiles and spices for TexMex flavors. They are combined with cream cheese for a flavorful dip for crackers or cheese.

 

Craft Wire Christmas Tree & Star OrnamentsThis year, I donated all of my glass ornaments so our Christmas tree is looking a little bare. I decided to make some wire ornaments. I made 2 so far and looking forward to make more.

 

Christmas Dino DecorationHere is a cute dinosaur with a Christmas hat you can make with supplies from home. You can change the reptile/animal to your child's liking and add a Christmas hat. This dino would be a nice decorative piece to add in your home if you like your kid's artwork displayed.

 

Crispy Bat WingsWe call this appetizer Crispy Bat Wings with Blood Dipping Sauce and serve it for Halloween. Don't worry, it's just chicken wings and a lovely chili blackberry dipping sauce made to mimic the gory title. These are actually really easy to make, so kids might enjoy helping you with this in the kitchen.

 

Mashed Potato CasseroleBecause we were given several 10 pound bags of potatoes, I needed to come up with some different ways to use them (a large quantity) at one time. This potato casserole is one answer to my dilemma.

 

Succulent Driftwood CenterpieceMake this beautiful succulent driftwood centerpiece for little to free (if you have the supplies on hand).

 

Soap JelliesOkay yes this sounds unusual, but these are in fact really cool and playful. They make traditional soap fun and more interesting for sure!! I found many recipes and ideas online, but when I tried them, the jellies would just fall apart and these so far have not done that! So I'd like to share how I make them and hopefully these will be a fun project for you to enjoy:)

 

Best Refried Beans (Instant Pot)We got tons of pinto beans from food boxes, so I decided to find a really good Instant Pot refried beans recipe and make up a big batch.

 

Stucco Style Reptile Hide/Pool DeckThis craft is made to be used in a reptile/amphibian cage. It is made from a brick of Styrofoam melted/molded into shape with a combination of a hot wire and a lighter, and then grouted to make it durable. The top includes a spot for a container of water to be placed into it. A ramp/stairs provides access to the top and a cave is carved into the bottom to provide a place to hide.

 

DIY Crayon LipglossYup you read it right. I'm going to show you how to make lipgloss out of crayons! It's really fun and easy, and it's interesting to try different crazy colors and see which is your favorite.

 

Cranberry Apple Banana BreadUsing applesauce in this bread to make it more moist since I used half whole wheat flour and half white flour.

 

Personalized Spool OrnamentsTo celebrate my grandson's first Thanksgiving and first Christmas and to commemorate family who can't be here this year due to COVID, I created some cute but simple tree ornaments using just photos and empty thread spools for an old fashioned look!

 

Poured Paint Christmas BulbA friend gave me ten of these silver Christmas bulbs that someone had decorated with a writing paint, so I decided to upcycle them using the "paint pour" technique.

 

Mini Gumball Machine Christmas OrnamentI saw this idea at a craft boutique and since I had the supplies to make one, I made my own version.

 

Corned Beef and CabbageMade in an Instant Pot and just as good as the old way!

 

Gingerbread People Wall DecorationsHere is an inexpensive/free way you can decorate your home for the holidays. You can cut out gingerbread people from cardboard, shipping boxes or craft paper then decorate! Hang the gingerbread people individually with tape or as a garland.

 

Salted Caramel Butter BarsI love everything caramel. This one looked rich, just like a cookie bar should be.

 

Converting a Drawer Unit Into a FootstoolI recently gave a very large desk to a gal just across the road from me. I had used it less and less over the last year, so it was time.

 

Big Soap BubblesSo I know winter is approaching and these aren't really typical to see at this time of year, but you can use them inside too! You just have to be prepared to clean up a little bit of a mess:)

 

Candle RingThis candle ring is made from disposable aluminum pie pans and a 10 inch wire frame.

 

ToffeeA family tradition at Christmas.

 

Holiday TrifleIf you are a little "pied out" by Christmas, having eaten your fill of pies since Thanksgiving, here's a nice recipe that uses the flavors of the season. And it's kinda festive looking. And it's flexible and not too fussy. Read on for my recipe for holiday trifle!

 

Girl Scout Samoas Cookie PieIf you like Girl Scout Samoan cookies, you will love this pie! Because some of the family members didn't like coconut, I made a second pie and substituted chocolate toffee baking bits. That one was delicious too.

 

Buttoned Headband for MasksThis headband is helpful when you have to wear a mask for extended periods of time and don't want the pressure on your ears. Your mask's straps loop around the buttons near your ears. I originally made this for my sister who is a makeup artist and has to be extra protective for herself and her clients at work. I used an old t-shirt's sleeve for this headband.

 

Keto Cheese CrackersWhen you are restricting carbs but need a savory snack, try this easy and tasty cheddar cheese cracker, with or without any optional spices (although the one with Italian seasonings tastes like thin crust pizza to me!)

 

Unusual Vase IdeasI like the items in my household to have functional uses. The items in these pictures also have a sentimental value. The jars are old canning jars from my grandma's old cellar. I use them for vases in my kitchen. The can is an old battery can from my grandpa's old plumbing truck. I am using it as a large vase in my family room.

 

Coconut Pandan Sticky RiceThis is my Vietnamese inspired Coconut Pandan Sticky Rice with layered mung beans. This is a sticky rice dessert - you can serve warm or eat at room temperature. The toppings are optional - mung beans and sesame.

 

Cucumber and Shrimp SoupHere is a simple, lightweight and refreshing soup you can make. This soup pairs great with a side of rice and requires a few simple ingredients only.

 

Recycled Painted TableAfter finding this bent and torn child's table, we recycled it into an adult side table.

 

DIY Candy DispenserThese have always been a hit for gift giving.

 

Cinnamon Fruit DipI substituted plain yogurt for the sour cream and 1/2 packet of Splenda Naturals for the sugar. I added 1/2 chopped, unpeeled apple. This is a healthy snack, with lots of variety.

 

Basic FudgeUsing this basic never-fail fudge recipe, I like to make up my own combinations of fudge. This time I made a chocolate/butterscotch/cashew fudge.

 

Basic Bosch Bread RecipeThe only way to make homemade bread is using a Bosch--at least that's my family secret!

 

Healthy Açaí BowlThis is some cool stuff! It looks pretty, tastes pretty, and it's healthy ;) This is an awesome substitute for ice cream. It's just as yummy, just in a different way.

 

Spaghetti PieA family favorite and a cross between lasagne and spaghetti.

 

French ToastOkay so this is such a perfect thing to make. It's affordable, quick, and just what I like in the morning!! So I hope you enjoy this as much as I do:) On with the recipe!

 

Basic Quiche RecipeI use this basic quiche recipe and then add various ingredients to it to make a variety of different quiches.

 

2-Ingredient CheesecakeIf you have pudding mix and yogurt, you can make an excellent dessert in no time. I used my own homemade Greek yogurt and Jello sugar-free cheesecake pudding mix. You can use any flavor pudding mix you want. The possibilities are many.

 

Peanut Butter Pie FudgeThis is one delicious but time consuming fudge that I would only make occasionally!

 

Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese SoupI love cream soups. This combination was great. I used broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes and cheese! It was the best. I had never made it before. I just made it as I went along.

 

Easy Homemade WafflesThis is a basic recipe that can have variations, if desired. It only takes one bowl, makes plenty, and freezes well for future breakfasts.

 

Vegan Lentil MeatloafIf you are a former meatloaf fan from the past, try this Vegan Lentil loaf Recipe because it's over the top delicious!

 

Make Ahead Raised WafflesThese are light, fluffy and tender. Because the batter is made the evening before, it saves time in the morning. They freeze well.

 

Prevent Blanket Slippage in Dog CratesIf you line your pet's crate with blankets, throws, or towels and find they constantly slide around on the slippery plastic tray that comes with the crate, I have an inexpensive solution. I found an old exercise/yoga mat that I was no longer using, which I cut with scissors to fit the crate's plastic tray. Since my dog is small, I still have enough of the mat left to cut two more pieces, which I can trade out when one needs to be cleaned.

 

Adjusting Riding Mower for Short People?I just bought a 06 Troy Bilt riding mower. I'm a short person, how do I fix it to where I can drive it and reach the brake pedal the same time?

 

Identifying a Stuffed Bear?I need help identifying this adorable bear. All I know is I grew up with this bear and the only thing left on the tag is the name of the company (1996 UNEEDA DOLL CO LTD), but I can't seem to find any similar bears like him anywhere online!